Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/30/19)
The last Raw of 2019!
Is the year going to end with joy or sorrow?
2019 is coming to a close, and The Ravishing Russian wants us all to share in her special day. Will Lana and Bobby Lashley live ravishingly ever after?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Aleister Black VS Buddy Murphy; Aleister wins.
- Erick Rowan VS Kip Stevens; Rowan wins.
- Charlotte Flair VS Natalya; Flair wins.
- The Street Profits VS The OC w/ AJ Styles; The Street Profits win.
- 2v1 Handicap Match: Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS ???; changed to…
- Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Ricochet; Almas wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kevin Owens is in Hartford!
And Hartford is fired up to see the Prizefighter! “We’re going to kick off the new year early, and we’re going to kick it off with some fireworks, courtesy of Kevin Owens!” And why is that? Footage will show you why. Seth Rollins gave Kevin Owens a beat down for Christmas! The Architect and his new sidekicks beat Kevin down, then targeted Rey Mysterio’s United States Championship. Rollins was going to lose but the AOP went after the King of Lucha. And when Samoa Joe stood up to them, Rollins had Akam and Rezar go after him, too! The holidays were anything but happy for Kevin, Joe or Mysterio.
Kevin says the Architects of Pain have been running wild all over Raw, even putting him in the hospital. But guess what? Kevin will keep calling them out, keep getting beat down, but swears to take “one of you idiots down with me!” The problem is the consequences of the AOP’s actions hurt those Kevin respects. One name that comes to mind is Rey Mysterio. There aren’t a lot of people in the industry that Kevin respects, but after being hospitalized, it was sickening to see the AOP gang up on Mysterio and Rollins Curb Stomp him down. Those actions are why Mysterio lost to Andrade Almas at Madison Square Garden. Yes, last Thursday, Almas was able to defeat Mysterio and take the United States Championship!
Kevin says after watching the footage, he’s sick of studying film. And just as he wants, Rollins and the AOP appear! Rollins tells Kevin that “you still are failing to see the big picture!” This is not something Rollins chose, it is something forced upon him by Kevin and those like him “that think that they know best.” Rollins finds himself in this position as a “sacrifice.” Rollins sacrifices himself for the greater good. He is WWE’s wrestling savior! Kevin has left Rollins no choice but to impose his will. And if you resist, well, you saw what happened to Mysterio and Joe. The AOP will enforce Rollins’ will. But Kevin doesn’t care, he heads right for them! A new brawl begins on the ramp! Then to ringside! Rollins questions when Kevin is going to learn his lesson.
Things end up in the ring and Kevin is 2v1 in a corner as Akam and Rezar hammer and knee away. Rollins tells them to “teach him a lesson.” The mugging continues, but here comes Samoa Joe! And he BOOTS Akam then throws Rezar into barriers! Joe glares at Rollins and Rollins is ready to fight! And fight they do! Joe jabs and jabs and headbutts! COQUINA CLUTCH! But Rollins is saved by the AOP! Akam and Rezar hammer Joe down but Kevin has a chair! Kevin SMACKS Akam, then Rezar! Rollins is on Kevin and things are 3v2! But here comes security to break things up! Rollins and the AOP are pulled away from Joe and Kevin, but then Kevin and Joe break free! They go after Rollins and the AOP! Rollins retreats as fans chant to “Let Them Fight!” The AOP follow, but Kevin climbs up top! Kevin CANNONBALLS onto them all!!
Kevin gets up and Joe joins him in hammering down AOP! Security keeps trying to restore order, but Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Joe and Kevin talk backstage.
They’re ready to fight anywhere, any time. Charly Caruso comes in to interview them before they’re ejected. Why is Joe getting involved in this situation? Well much like Rollins, Joe didn’t have a chose. Rollins chose for Joe to be involved. Rollins chose not to be safe again. Rollins made a choice that Kevin and Joe are not standing alone! Kevin and Joe have known each other for a long time. Kevin’s known a lot of badasses, but none as bad as Joe. And after everything they’ve both done in this company, Kevin could not have imagined anyone being by his side. But he’s glad it’s Joe. Security is coming, they’re being asked to leave, that seems to happen a lot. But this week, oh hey guys. Well Joe and Kevin did what they wanted to accomplish. Now they have a whole week to plan for next time. Joe makes it simple: anyone lays a finger on him, they lose those fingers. Happy New Year.
Aleister Black VS Buddy Murphy!
TLC revisited as the Embodiment of the End and the Aussie Juggernaut decide to have another fight! Who wins this rematch to cap off their 2019?
The bell rings and Murphy circles with Aleister. Aleister gives testing kicks but Murphy stays up. Aleister gets a leg and puts Murphy in a corner. The ref counts and Aleister lets up, but Murphy shoves. Murphy headlocks and holds on as Aleister tries to power out. Aleister gets free the second time but Murphy runs him over. Things speed up, Aleister hurdles Murphy but Murphy huricanranas! Aleister bails out, Murphy builds speed, but he fakes Aleister out and sits down, crossed-legs! “Am I in your head yet?” Aleister kicks but Murphy ducks under to roll up, TWO! Murphy gets thrown out, now Aleister sits down! “Am I in yours?” Murphy kicks but Aleister ducks, kips up, waistlocks, and ducks the elbow to give an elbow! Cover, ONE!
Aleister drags Murphy up, facelocks and rams knees to snap suplex. Cover, ONE! Aleister keeps on Murphy with a facelock and then shifts to go after an arm. Fans rally up and Murphy fights his way up, but Aleister keeps on tight. Murphy gets free but gets a ROUNDHOUSE! Aleister brings Murphy to a corner and throws body shots. The ref backs Aleister up, and Murphy hits back! Aleister knees then snapmares, runs and basement dropkicks! Cover, ONE! Aleister keeps on Murphy with an armlock. Murphy endures, even as Aleister stands over him in full mount. Murphy fights his way back up, pulls hair, but Aleister puts him in the corner for shoulders and kicks! Murphy turns things around but is put on the apron. Murphy jumps the sweep to buckle bump Aleister! Murphy climbs up but gets a KICK!
Fans are fired up as Murphy is out on the top rope! Aleister climbs to join Murphy, prepares a superplex but Murphy fights back. Murphy adjusts, sunset flips but no bomb. So Murphy tucks Aleister in, but gets a boot! Murphy trips Aleister up! Aleister hits post and tumbles to the floor! Both men sputter as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as the two men brawl on the apron. Aleister BOOTS Murphy into the post! Aleister then climbs up, to MOONSAULT! Aleister hits Murphy down and gets him in the ring fast. Aleister kicks away then goes after the knee. He sweeps the legs then thrusts in the knee! Fans fire up as Aleister runs and springboards, QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! Aleister looms over Murphy as fans rally up. Aleister goes after a leg but Murphy kicks him away. Aleister ends up outside the ring again, and Murphy grits his teeth as he hobbles over. Murphy drags Aleister up but gets another ROUNDHOUSE! Aleister climbs back to the apron and hooks Murphy on the ropes to ROUNDHOUSE again! Murphy flops down and Aleister heads to the top!
Aleister leaps over Murphy and comes back, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Dropkick and rolls up, with feet on the rope! The ref sees that and calls off the count! Murphy was too blatant in his cheating, but he sends Aleister out again. Murphy wrecks Aleister with a dropkick, then builds speed to FLY! A glancing tope conjilo but he hobbles back to put Aleister in. Murphy climbs up top and leaps, SUPER METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Aleister survives but Hartford is loving it! “This is Awesome!” as Murphy forces himself to stand. Murphy hobbles back to Aleister but Aleister goes for the leg. Murphy hammers and stomps Aleister away, then heads up top. Aleister anchors a leg, Murphy hammers him again. Aleister goes up but gets a Super Gourd Buster! Then sunset flip, to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Both men are down and Murphy is beside himself. He shakes his head, refusing to give up. Fans build to a rally and Murphy gets to his feet. Murphy uses his foot to lift Aleister, but Aleister hits a knee jammer! SUPERKICK from Murphy anyhow! Then AUS- No, Aleister blocks the knee and sweeps the leg! Strike fest but Murphy ducks to give his own strike fest! Aleister dodges, QUESTION MARK KICK! Aleister boots to KNEE TRIGGER from Murphy! Murphy goes but Aleister suplexes to a BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!? Fans are thunderous as Murphy and Aleister stir. Aleister sits up first and gets to his feet. Murphy flounders but Aleister lifts him with his foot.BLACK- NO! KNEE TRIGGER! Pump handle, but victory roll! TWO, BLACK MASS!! But Aleister catches Murphy with his foot. And brings him back up! BLACK MASS AGAIN!! Cover, Aleister wins!!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall
Aleister made sure to leave no doubt! Murphy once again #FadesToBlack, but will Aleister use this win to head for gold?
The Authors of Pain are arguing.
Rollins tells Akam and Rezar to calm down. They need to explain things. Akam and Rezar are watching the halls. No one is kicking them out tonight. Rollins says they’re not being kicked out, they were politely asked to leave. Raw wants to end the year without their savior, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. Let them try! The show will be shut down by the end of the next match. SEcurity does come along, “right on cue” as Rollins sees it. They will not be needed, they are leaving voluntarily. Akam and Rezar glare, and they’re left alone as they follow Rollins out.
Lana prepares for her big day.
And Erick Rowan congratulates her on the wedding. But Lana has misplaced an invite for him. Or does she not like him? Which is it? Lana is very wary of Rowan and his critter. Rowan says they don’t really care either way. Then he roars before leaving. Will there be any other guests unhappy with tonight’s ceremony?
Erick Rowan VS Kip Stevens!
Big Red might be green with envy over Bobby Lashley and Lana having their wedding, but will he be making yet another opponent black and blue tonight?
Kip is frightened as the bell rings, and he immediately gets out of the ring. But Kip sees he’s cornered with Rowan ready to go to either side of the ring. So Kip goes UNDER the ring! Rowan watches the sides, he’s seen this trick before. Rowan sees Kip see the cage, and Kip avoids that, only to get a BOOT! And then throw into barriers! Rowan throws Kip face first into the apron! Rowan refreshes the count and puts Kip in like a sack of potatoes. Fans boo Rowan as he paces around the ring. Rowan makes sure his critter is safe in its cage. Rowan then gets in to corner splash and scoop slam Kip hard! Running SPLASH! Cover, but Rowan lets up at Two! To clamp on the IRON CLAW SLAM! Cover, now Rowan wins.
Winner: Erick Rowan, by pinfall
Rowan fetches his pet and heads to the back. Will Rowan run roughshod over hapless mortal men until his own appetite for destruction is satiated?
Lana continues wedding preparations.
Rowan was terrifying, but clearly obsessed with her. Just like everyone is, because duh, she’s Lana. Will the Ravishing Russian have all eyes on her at the end of the night?
Charlotte Flair is here!
Hartford lets out a “WOO~!” for the Queen! Charlotte struts to the ring and picks up a mic to return the “WOO~!” Charlotte also says, “Guess what? I am here to announce my entry into the Women’s Royal Rumble match.” A natural move, and an exciting one! The Queen in the Royal Rumble. But she knew she would be, the fans figured she would be, and the world knows she will be. But why come out and state the obvious? Who would want that? She could go on and on about being the 10-time Women’s Champion, that she was part of the WrestleMania 35 main event, and that she is “arguably the greatest of all time!” Or she could talk about the first woman to make her entry this year. That means she is the first woman of the new decade, the 2020’s, to do that! Well, first superstar, really.
But Charlotte is tired about talking about how great she is. Surely the fans are, right? So instead, Charlotte will SHOW us how great she is! She has her favorite robe, her favorite boots, so who wants to face her? Who wants to BOW DOWN?! The woman to answer this open challenge is Natalya! The Queen of Harts takes on the Queen of Flair after the break!
Charlotte Flair VS Natalya!
Raw returns as the bell rings. Charlotte and Natty circle and tie up. Natty headlocks and hits the takeover but Charlotte headscissors. natty pops out and both women kip up. Fans cheer as the Queens circle again. They tie up, Natty wristlocks, but Charlotte cartwheels and reverses, to get the headlock takeover. Natty gets her own headscissors but Charlotte pops out! Charlotte struts but Natty goes at her again. Waistlock but Charlotte drops down. Natty floats to the headlock but Charlotte slips out to get her own. Natty pries free to a wristlock and wrenches. Natty whips, Charlotte goes up but is put out on the apron. Charlotte shoulders in then slingshots to roll up, TWO!
Natty SLAPS Charlotte! Then snapmares and runs over Charlotte, but Charlotte kips up to LARIAT! Charlotte catches her breath and drags Natty up, but Natty blocks to snap suplex! And DISCUS! Cover, ONE, but Natty stays close on Charlotte. Natty throws Charlotte down by her hair and hooks the legs. Charlotte resists but Natty slaps her around. Natty gets the arms and pulls, for the SURFBOARD! Natty holds Charlotte up in the Romero Special, but Charlotte gets free. Charlotte rolls off to BOOT Natty down! Cover, TWO! Charlotte drags Natty up and bumps her off buckles, then off more buckles. Charlotte hooks a leg on the ropes and pulls! The ref counts and Charlotte KICKS the knee! Then drops a knee, but misses! Natty bumps her off buckles again! And then into the post! Natty drags Charlotte out to snap suplex on the ramp! Charlotte writhes but Natty shows no mercy!
Natty brings Charlotte up and into the ring, then stomps away on Charlotte. Cover, ONE, but Natty brings Charlotte around. Natty gets mad at the ref and snap suplexes Charlotte again. Natty kicks Charlotte while she’s down! “Did that feel good, Charlotte?” Charlotte throws forearms but Natty gives them back. They brawl, Natty stomps Charlotte in the corner and fires off haymakers! The ref backs her off but she comes back. Charlotte goes up, Natty hits post! Charlotte grabs the legs for a draping Boston Crab! The ref counts but Charlotte lets go at 4. Natty flops out of the ring, and Charlotte takes a moment to catch her breath and soak up the cheers and jeers. The ring count climbs but Charlotte goes out. Wait, is that R-Truth?! The 24/7 Championship chase heads around the ring!
Truth runs from Shelton Benjamin, No Way Jose, Cedric Alexander, Mojo Rawley and Eric Young, going full laps! Eric tries to use the ring as a shortcut, but gets a BOOT from Charlotte! Truth keeps running around the ring and the others keep pursuing, as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns, the 24/7 Championship chase is gone, and Charlotte puts Natty up top. Natty fights back but Charlotte SLAPS her. Charlotte climbs up to join Natty but Natty resists. Natty shoves Charlotte down, then adjusts, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Charlotte drags Natty up and throws haymakers. Charlotte whips, Natty reverses but Charlotte kicks back! The boot is blocked and Natty GERMAN SUPLEXES Charlotte away! Natty drags Charlotte up for a waistlock but Charlotte elbows out hard. Charlotte scoops for an EXPLODER! Natty ends up in a corner, Charlotte glares as she runs in, but the boot is ducked! Natty picks Charlotte up, for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Both women are down but fans are fired up. Natty grits her teeth as she brings Charlotte around. Charlotte boots out of the Sharpshooter and rolls Natty, TWO!
The brawl is on again as Natty hammers away on Charlotte. The ref has to pull her away, Charlotte BOOTS the discus down! Then SPEARS Natty down! Cover, TWO!! Fans are fired up as Charlotte is shocked. Charlotte drags Natty to a drop zone before dropping knees on the knee! Natty pushes out of the Figure Four then drags Charlotte around, but still no Sharpshooter! NATURAL SELECTION! It was low, Charlotte covers, TWO!! Charlotte shakes her head, she refuses to give up. She drags Natty to a new drop zone and heads up top. Charlotte climbs up, MOONSAULT, Natty puts her boots up! But Charlotte catches them to figure four! Natty cradle counters, TWO! BOOT! Then the “WOO~” for the Figure Four! And then the bridge, FIGURE EIGHT! Natty endures, reaches, powers up, but taps! Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
And the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble is a winner! But will Charlotte win the Rumble to go on to WrestleMania 36?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch!
The Raw Women’s Champion is here, and she’s still waiting to face Asuka. The challenge was accepted, and Becky chooses the Royal Rumble for their match! The Man VS The Empress for the title! A huge decision, but how was this finally made? Becky’s contract is almost up, so she used Becky VS Asuka as the bartering chip. She’s gambling a lot. She could just accept one of the biggest contracts ever, and be one of the longest reining champs, but she can’t give up that loss to Asuka. Becky could coast, but if this is what being on top is, she doesn’t want it. History demanded a woman be the face of the business, and that has happened. But Becky needs to see if she’s worth it. Being a golden goose means being in golden shackles. Becky vows to wipe that loss from her record, even if it kills her. Is Becky finally ready for Asuka?
Bobby Lashley is also preparing for the wedding.
He’s wearing the slacks, the suit jacket, and not much else. Will the Rocky Mountain Machine be ready to live ravishingly ever after?
Liv Morgan speaks.
“To be different, you can’t just look different. You have to feel different.” Someone once made Liv feel “different.” And then they took that all away. The old Liv would’ve done something impulsive. The new Liv is “more methodical.” Liv will strike when she’s ready. And she’s almost ready. Are you?
The OC head to the ring!
The Phenomenal One and the Best Tag Team in the World throw up the Too Sweet in Hartford! They each take up a mic and AJ Styles says, “If there are any doubters left that still need proof that Raw is the OC’s show, here it is.” Styles of course means the Good Brothers beating the Viking Raiders 2v2, then the OC beating the Viking Raiders and Randy Orton in Six Man Tag action! “Everybody said the Viking Raiders were unbeatable. Even stupid people like you were saying that!” But the OC beat them “time and time again.” One time being at Crown Jewel to officially be recognized as the Best Tag Team in the World! Look at that trophy!
Gallows agrees with “Hot Karl.” When it comes to who is next to challenge the “goofs,” the answer is- The Street Profits! Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford are here and with mics of their own. “Dawkins, is it true that Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have beaten the unbeatable Viking Raiders more than once?” It is. Is it true that Gallows & Anderson just won the biggest tag team turmoil in history, making them the BEST Tag Team in the WOOOOORLD? Yes, they did. Then what does that mean for the Profits? Because on their debut, they BEAT Gallows & Anderson? Pause! “Fam, don’t get inspired, bruh.” But yeah, they beat they A$$. Then what does that mean for the team that beat the best team in the world? That means the PROFITS are- “Lucky.” Styles says they’re just lucky. They’ve only had a handful of matches. The best thing to do is stick to that shtick backstage, or get hurt.
Dawkins says he’d feel threaten, but this is coming from three men naming themselves after a teen soap opera. Ford sings for California~ but Gallows has had enough. This isn’t High School Musical, this is Raw. Get in the ring so they can fight! Well okay then, fam. The Street Profits are up and #WeWantTheSmoke!
The Street Profits VS The OC w/ AJ Styles!
The bell rings and Dawkins steps to Anderson! They circle, tie up, and Dawkins headlocks. Ford tags in and takes the hand-off to a wrench. Anderson hits back and bumps Ford on buckles. Anderson whips corner to corner, Ford goes up and over and shows off his agility! Ford arm-drags Anderson to an armlock and flicks his tongue at Styles. Ford keeps on Anderson, “Tell me how good I am!” Anderson fights his way up, whips free but Ford reverses to dropkick Anderson down! Cover, TWO! Ford keeps his eyes on Styles as he drags Anderson over. Tag to Dawkins, Dawkins hops up and drops ax handles on Anderson’s arm!
Dawkins headlocks Anderson but Anderson powers out. Dawkins hurdles Anderson then throws Anderson to the ropes to run him over! Ford is fired up abut Styles swipes at Dawkins! The ref keeps Dawkins back and EJECTS Styles! The OC are furious but now things are even! Raw goes to break as the Profits are fired up!
Raw returns again and Anderson grinds Ford down with a chinlock. Ford endures and fights his way up as fans rally. Ford reaches but Anderson kicks and whips him away. Ford BOOTS from the corner, but runs into a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Anderson keeps his cool as he drags Ford up by his ear. Tag to Gallows and the OC mugs Ford. Gallows puts Ford in a corner to throw big body shots! Gallows ROCKS Ford with the uppercut! Gallows drags Ford up, suplexes and drops Ford down. Cover, TWO! Gallows clamps onto Ford and drives elbows in over and over. Gallows wraps on a new chinlock and grinds Ford down. Ford endures as fans rally with “We Want the Smoke!” Ford feeds off that energy to get to his feet and fight with elbows. Gallows shoves and BOOTS Ford down! Cover, TWO!
Gallows drops a leg on Ford, brother! Cover, TWO! Gallows puts the chinlock back on and Anderson talks trash from the corner. Dawkins coaches Ford and fans rally again. Ford fires up again as fans continue to chant “We Want the Smoke!” Ford fights up but Gallows clubs him down. Gallows DECKS Dawkins, but Ford dropkicks Gallows! Both men are down now, but Gallows crawls to his corner. Ford crawls but Dawkins isn’t there. Tag to Anderson, and Anderson back suplexes. Ford slips out, ducks and Dawkins is back! Hot tag tot he Curse of Greatness! Dawkins rallies on the OC, big uppercut for Anderson! Dropkick for Gallows! EXPLODER for Anderson! Dawkins fires up and fans fire up with him! Dawkins cyclone splashes Gallows, then Anderson! BULLDOG! Cover, TWO!
Dawkins keeps on Anderson but has to ROCK Gallows with a right. Anderson hits a SPINE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tag to Gallows and Anderson hits Ford away. Gallows lifts Dawkins, back suplex neckbreaker combo! Cover, TWO! Gallows tags Anderson back in and they drag Dawkins back up. Ford stops Magic Killer but Gallows ROCKS him. Ford comes back with a dropkick! Anderson whips Ford, but Ford dodges to FLY out onto Gallows! Dawkins gives Anderson a SPINE BUSTER! Tag to Ford, Ford climbs up, WORLD STAR SPLASH! Cover, the Profits win!!
Winners: The Street Profits, Ford by pinfall
It’s not a fluke, it’s real! The Profits get another win on the Best Tag Team in the World, the team that beat the Raw Tag Team Champions! Does this mean Ford and Dawkins are headed for those titles in the New Year?
It’s official!
The Royal Rumble will have Becky Lynch defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Asuka! A rematch one year in the making, who will be the best when the dust settles?
Lana checks the flowers.
They are lovely and smell lovely, too. Will the most ravishing wedding in WWE history be perfect?
The Profits celebrate!
“YEEEEEEEAH!” Did you see that? They beat the OC, the Best Tag Team in the WOOORLD, again! Doesn’t that make them the best team in the UNIVERSE? No, bigger than that. Bigger than the universe?! What’s bigger than that?! The MULTIVERSE! Whoa what’s that? A hypothetical group of multiple universes. The theory is that there are parallel worlds and universes with parallel versions of Earth. This is based on theoretical- Nevermind. Isn’t he ready for the wedding? Lana and Lashley! Dawkins don’t care about that. Where them bridesmaids at? But seriously, to the OC AND the Viking Raiders. The Profits have 2020 vision! The most important words in this or any universe: WE WANT THE SMOKE!
2v1 Handicap Match: Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins VS Drew McIntyre!
After the Major Bros were each beaten down by the Scottish Terminator, they want to see him do that fair and square against them both! Will McIntyre have the happiest New Year when he drops these two?
McIntyre has a mic as he makes his entrance and he seems to be laughing at Ryder and Hawkins. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have ourselves a two-on-one match.” Hawkins & Ryder VS the #SexyScot, McIntyre. McIntyre leans on the barrier and says he’s supposedly at a disadvantage. But he has a feeling that he shouldn’t worry at all. But he’ll put this theory to the test and take a poll. Hartford, make sure you’re real pretty because you’re going to be on TV. Well maybe not that guy. But who here thinks McIntyre should be worried? A handful. But who thinks Ryder and Hawkins, who got brutalized and slaughtered, should be extremely worried? Everyone else! Well then that’s a landslide right there. The people have spoken, the numbers are in, and just like everyone else that faces McIntyre, “You’re screwed!”
But as McIntyre gets up on the apron, Ryder and Hawkins knock him off it! And take the fight to him! But McIntyre RAMS Ryder into barriers, and trips Hawkins on the apron! McIntyre runs Ryder over then goes after Hawkins int he ring. McIntyre wants this match to being, it does, and he SUPLEXES Hawkins across the ring! Fans fire up as McIntyre aims from the corner. Hawkins stands, a countdown begins… CLAYMORE! But he doesn’t cover, McIntyre gives Ryder a FUTURE SHOCK! And then kips up to show off that uncanny agility. He stacks the Major Bros and covers, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
The Scottish Stud has the ref raise his hand, and he is on a roll! Surely McIntyre is a shoe-in for the Men’s Royal Rumble. Will he run roughshod all over it and carve a path to WrestleMania 36?
The first Raw of 2020 will be MASSIVE!
Oklahoma City becomes Suplex City as The Beast, BROCK LESNAR, returns! There will also be a WWE United States Championship rematch between El Idolo and Rey Mysterio! AND there will be a Triple Threat for the Raw Tag Team Championships! The Viking Raiders take on both the OC and the Street Profits to truly prove who is the best tag team on Raw!
Randy Orton is here!
However, he isn’t doing so well after a knee injury suffered during a show in Hershey, Pennsylvania, just last night on December 29th. He walks out with crutches and makes his way down to the ring so that he may address what happened. However, he does need some help getting in because of the injured leg. Orton stands and fans cheer in support of him toughing it out to be here tonight. Orton has a mic as fans chant his name. “There’s a saying in this business, ‘It ain’t that leg.'” Accidents, injuries, they happen all the time. Everyone in the locker room knows of the fact that anything can happen. “It kills me that I needed help to get into the ring tonight in front of you.” Fans continue to cheer their support as Orton tries to find the words.
Orton says that he’s seen champions that have surrendered titles because of injuries. He doesn’t respect many people, but he does respect Edge. Edge had to surrender an entire career because of injury. No one wants to see that happen to anyone. Orton doesn’t want to ramble, but long story short, he landed funny, something popped, knew it was bad but didn’t know how bad until this morning’s evaluations. Fans again cheer their support as Orton says that he’ll be out a long time. The part that hurts the most is that he might not be able to come back. Fans boo and chant “NO! NO!”, they don’t want him to think that way. But Orton says he will do whatever he has to for someone to get RKO’d at Mania. That is his promise to the fans.
But here comes AJ Styles! The Phenomenal One wants a timeout. “You mean to tell me that the next time I get to fight you in that ring is WrestleMania?” Maybe. Is that what’s going on? Styles gets in the ring with Orton and Orton says this isn’t the time. Styles says this IS the time. Is Orton mad? Of course he’s mad. But what is Orton going to do? Is he going to strike? Orton keeps his cool as Styles taunts him. Styles says this is the time to do something he hasn’t done since he was five. “I’m not touching you! I’m not touching you!” Oh, he did touch him. How bad is that knee? Orton warns Styles not to push him but Styles says Orton’s gonna stand there and take it. Styles knows ORton was never the helpless kid being picked on at school, but he is now. “Isn’t it funny how fate bit Randy Orton before Orton could bite fate?”
Styles says he’s not done, but he wants to do Orton a favor. He’ll give fans what they want. Styles says he’ll put his arms behind his back and let The Viper strike. That’s what fans want, isn’t it? Styles puts one arm back, then the other. And he offers up his neck for the RKO. “C’mon! C’mon, Randy!” Styles even closes his eyes so he won’t see it coming. But Orton doesn’t move, so Styles grins. Orton must really be hurt, huh? Well good thing, because Styles is a patient man. Styles will wait until Mania to finally put that leg in a Calf Crusher and not just make Orton tap, but retire. See you then. Oh and another thing. Styles kicks one of the crutches out! Fans boo but Styles grins.
Fans chant “AJ Sucks!” but Orton tells Styles, there’s a big difference between these two. That difference is that styles is patient, and Orton isn’t. A ONE LEGGED RKO! Because the leg WASN’T that bad after all! The Viper is a snake, but he’s also a genius! It seems things won’t have to wait until WrestleMania, but will Orton regret it in the New Year?
WWE shares footage from Thursday’s Madison Square Garden event.
Rey Mysterio lost to Andrade Almas, and now Almas is the NEW WWE United States Champion. Afterward, Mysterio admitted that Almas was the better man. But Mysterio is looking forward to the rematch. As for Seth Rollins and the AOP, no one should count Mysterio out on going after them, either. Mysterio wants Rollins to know that while he didn’t start this, he promises to END it, and standing tall over them. #BOOYAKA619.
Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS ???
El Idolo is El Campeon but needs to prepare for his rematch with Rey Mysterio in the New Year. Will he get a proper warm-up from his opponent tonight?
Raw returns and Almas’ opponent gets a BOOT at the bell! Almas knees and whips then clotheslines the man down! Almas is fired up as he drags his opponent up to whip corner to corner. The opponent elbows back then runs, into a dropkick! Almas glares as he stops his opponent down in a corner. Almas drags his opponent into the corner for more stomps! Vega applauds and Almas fires up. Almas runs corner to corner, CIEN SHADOWS! But Almas doesn’t even try to cover. He drags his opponent up, reels him in and hammerlocks, but Vega wants to add on. Almas throws his opponent out of the ring and Vega pulls up floor mats! The ref reprimands Almas but Almas drags his opponent over to the bare concrete. Almas CHOPS the man then brings him over, but here comes Ricochet!
Ricochet runs and Almas gets back in the ring. Ricochet won’t let this Hartford wrestler suffer the same fate as Humberto Carrillo. Ricochet hops into the ring and tells Almas, “No, no, no!” This isn’t going to go down like that. Almas did that to Carrillo, and then did it to Rey Mysterio! If Almas wants a fight, then fight Ricochet! Fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” but Almas looks reluctant. Raw goes to break as things sort out.
Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Ricochet!
Raw returns and this match is happening! Will El Idolo get more than he bargained for against the One and Only?
Ricochet throws hands and CHOPS Almas. He whips but Almas reverses, only for Ricochet to roll off the back and trip Almas up. Ricochet slingshots to knee-board senton! Cover, ONE! Ricochet keeps cool as he brings Almas up and into a corner for another CHOP! Ricochet whips corner to corner and then runs in, but Almas puts him on the apron. Ricochet shoulders in but Vega distracts. Almas runs in but Ricochet punches him away. Ricochet springboards, into a dropkick! Almas is on Ricochet in the corner with stomps! The ref counts but Almas lets up at 4, all fired up. Almas and Vega still want to have that bare spot so she again pulls up floor mats. Almas CHOPS Ricochet and then whips him to ropes. Almas runs Ricochet over with an elbow, then stomps him down.
Almas rains down rights and Vega applauds, but fans boo and jeer. Almas grins as he drags Ricochet up and underhooks. Ricochet endures the butterfly stretch, powers his arm free and rolls Almas, TWO! Almas kicks Ricochet down, then praises himself. Almas drags Ricochet up, shimmies the shoulders and suplexes. Ricochet slips out, huricanranas and Almas bails out! Ricochet builds speed to FLY! Fosbury Flop wipes both men out into the barriers! Vega shouts at Almas to get up but it’s Ricochet who stands first! Ricochet puts Almas in and follows, aiming from the apron. Almas rolls out the other end, but Ricochet comes around the corner. Almas rams Ricochet into barriers! Almas refreshes the count and then ram Ricochet into the LED apron!
Almas drags Ricochet to the exposed floor, but Ricochet pops out to ROCK Almas! Ricochet runs at Almas but gets BACK DROPPED onto the concrete! The referee checks but Ricochet refuses to quit here, so Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Almas grinds Ricochet down with a chinlock. Ricochet fights his way up but slowly. Ricochet elbows free but Almas knees low and CHOPS Ricochet back. Almas runs but into the dropkick-flip and enziguri! Ricochet fires up, runs and rallies with forearms! Fireman’s carry but Almas slips out. Almas shoves but Ricochet boots, somersaults and shotgun dropkicks! Fans fire up with Ricochet as he hits the standing shooting star! Cover, TWO! Ricochet and Almas are down, but Ricochet rises first. Ricochet drags Almas away but Vega grabs Almas’ hands. Ricochet stomps Almas’ arms to get him away from Vega. Ricochet wristlocks but Almas slips out of the ripcord. Almas CHOPS, Ricochet CHOPS and rolling elbows! Ricochet runs into an ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Vega is shocked and Almas is furious but Ricochet survives!
Almas says he is the champion, he is the best! He drags Ricochet up, hammerlocks but Ricochet avoids the leg trip to cradle counter! TWO, and Ricochet ducks the elbow to SUPERKICK! Ricochet suplexes for the Anarchy! Ricochet aims from up top but Vega shoves him down! The ref didn’t see it, Almas hammerlocks, LA SOMBRA! Cover, Almas wins!
Winner: Andrade Almas, by pinfall
La Muneca again helps El Idolo get away with a victory yet again! But if this is what Almas needs to win, will it work against Rey Mysterio?
Lana takes pre-wedding pictures.
She of course loves all the attention, and now it’s time for the ceremony itself. Will things go as according to plan to end the year?
Backstage interview with Andrade and Zelina.
Given his title defense next week with Rey Mysterio, how confident is he in this rematch? Vega speaks, saying everyone wanted a piece of the new champion already. Ricochet did, and look what happened to him. Humberto Carrillo tried and ended up eating concrete. If Mysterio wants another piece, then he’ll get it when El Idolo beats him again. Almas always said he was the future, and now he is the present. Will Almas keep that championship when he and Mysterio go around one more time?
The Most Ravishing Wedding is about to begin!
The flowers, the altar, and a massive cake are in the ring as the presiding priest introduces the groom, Bobby Lashley! Lashley enters but it seems no superstars decided to come, as the seats on stage are empty. Lashley enters the ring and flexes, but fans boo. Now, welcome the Ravishing Bride, Lana! Lana walks out but not to the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” music. Lana takes a moment to let everyone see her as she walks down the ramp, no one to give her away. Lashley helps Lana into the ring, and the couple-to-be stand ready as Raw goes to one last break.
Raw returns once more and the proceedings continue. “We are gathered here on this blessed day,” as Bobby Lashley and Lana are to be wed in holy matrimony. A cause of great celebration, “for married life is a shared life, and a shared life is a life filled with many great blessings.” The priest feels he speaks for everyone when he says that hopefully Lashley and Lana will grow to be better people through this marriage. Fans boo because they don’t wish for that. Hopefully the two of them bless their household with “the pitter-patter of little feet.” Lana doesn’t remember putting that in the speech. She doesn’t want children, at all. She’ll just get fat, have stretch marks, and end up like these wannabe women. These women will NEVER compare to her! Only read what she put in there! Lashley also assures the priest to continue.
The speech continues that marriage is a sacred agreement that must be coveted by both parties. The fans chant for Rusev but Lana shouts them down. “It has been said that when man and woman were originally created, one being was split in two, and we spend our lives searching for our other half.” Lashley, Lana, you two have found that other half and we are all so very happy for you both. Not Hartford. Lashley and Lana have chosen to write their own vows, so it is with those vows that they express their binding promises to love, honor and cherish each other. If they are ready, please face each other and- Lana tells the Rusev fans to shut up! Lashley calms Lana down and she takes her turn with the vows. Lana says this is HER day, it’s all about her! It’s L-A-N-A, Lana Day!
Fans boo but she tells “her Bobby” that this is the luckiest day of his entire life. He is marrying the greatest superstar of all time, and joining her in holy matrimony. No woman will ever compare to Lana. Lana is sorry everyone else is so pathetic but it’s true. Lashley has worked so hard his entire life to be the best at everything. The greatest gift he could ever give himself is Lana. Fans are getting louder with the Rusev Day chants and Lana counters with “Lana Day! Lana Day!” This is HER day. And to finish her vows, the decade is ending, just 25 hours away from the greatest new decade. Lashley has worked his whole life to lead him to the greatest moment in his life right here, marrying her. And she just wants to get through this to make love to him! She jumps right on him to give him a kiss, but a bit out of turn.
Lashley takes his turn with his vows. Lana is so proud of him. It took her forever to write the vows for him, so thank you for reading them. Lashley takes out his notes and reads, “Lana, I really am the luckiest man on the face of this entire planet. Not only because I’m going to marry the most successful female superstar in the history of WWE, but I’m being joined in holy matrimony to a woman that no other woman could compare to.” Lashley has spent- Fans go “WHAT?” and Lana says they should be asking “WHO?” And the answer is LANA! Lashley has spent his entire life to be the best, and Lana is the greatest gift he could ever give himself. The final Raw of the decade, 25 hours away from 2020, and his life has culminated in this: marrying her. Wait these sound just like what Lana said. “Thank you for allowing me to marry you.”
Time to present the rings. The rings that they will place on each other’s fingers as symbols of their love. They will be reminders of the vows they spoke and the love they have for each other. Lashley has his ring and takes her hand. “Lana, with this ring, I thee wed.” As this ring encircles your finger, from this moment forward, Lashley’s love will forever encircle her. Lashley promises to love, cherish and accept her just the way she is. For better or for worse, in sickness or in health- Okay, okay, it’s the usual. Lana wants to skip ahead. Lana’s turn with the ring and she goes on her own version of the vow. Everything is about her and her Bobby. Okay hold on. If there is anyone who has reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.
“Stop it! Stop it right now!” Who is this man? And why is he objecting? He objects to this “charade” and “sham,” this wedding should not be allowed to continue! This man is LANA’S FIRST HUSBAND! What?! As in, even before Rusev?! Lana married him the day she turned 18! And then she left him for RUSEV. Lana tells this man to get out of here for being obsessed. But this guy feels bad that Rusev got left for Lashley! And Lana will just do it again when someone bigger and better comes along. It’s what Lana does. Lashley won’t stand to hear this, he CHOKE SLAMS the man out of the ring! The priest calms down and continues with the ceremony. If there is anyone who has reason why these to should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace. Hallelujah, no one says anything- Nevermind.
A woman storms out and shouts objection! Lashley seems to know who this is. She’s Lashley’s FIRST WIFE. Lana is upset that she only now just met this person. The former Mrs. Lashley says they met while he was in the military. It was a beautiful relationship, but then Lana DECKS her! Well, uh, third time’s the charm? If there is anyone who has reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace. Nothing? Wait! Another woman objects. Is that… LIV MORGAN!? She apologizes but she can’t let this continue. The love of her life is right there in the ring. If it wasn’t for their love, she couldn’t have made it through the year. She was a wild child hoping her dream would come true. Liv never knew that she could be herself and fell in love with… How could you do this to Liv?
Lashley has never touched Liv ONCE! Well no, sorry, it wasn’t Lashley. Liv meant LANA! DRAMA BOMB! Lana is in tears as Liv begs her. Lana SLAPS and attacks Liv! She throws flowers on her and now it’s a cat fight! Lashley isn’t sure what to do with this, but referees hurry to separate them. Security come out to help, and finally Lashley helps pull Lana away from Liv. Liv shrieks, vowing revenge, but Lana says this is going to END. Man and woman, by the power vested in this man- the CAKE OPENS!! Rusev tackles Lashley!! And then throws him into the posts! And into the altar! “Hello, wife!” Rusev grins at Lana before dragging Lashley up for more haymakers! And a LARIAT! Rusev rains down rights and then smashes flower pots on Lashley!
Lana is freaking out, so she jumps on Rusev. Rusev shakes her off to MACHKA KICK Lashley! Liv returns to SMASH Lana into the cake!! Rusev and Liv stand tall over the toxic Lashley and Lana, but Lana throws cake back at Rusev! So Liv throws her back into the cake! So much for a New Year’s Wedding! Will 2020 only get crazier from here?
My Thoughts:
Well, I’ll say this: this Raw will be one to remember from this year and even decade. Everything before the wedding was great, but the wedding itself was about as cringe worthy as everything else in this Rusev-Lana-Lashley story. Anyone who made a “Worst of” list, you might need to reconsider it now that this has happened. Lana making Lashley’s vows a copy-n-paste of hers was really bad. While it makes sense that Lana would want it to be all about her, she could at least come up with something different for him to say that praises her. Also I’m a little disappointed in the Lashley character that he’s being led around by her. He should be upset that she’s belittling everything else he’s done in his life to say that marrying her is the best thing. But oh well, it seems Lashley is really hooked on the Ravishing Russian like a drug.
The “Jerry! Jerry!” dysfunction was so bad it was hilarious, and then Liv’s surprise debut is really… something. Liv’s promo from tonight mentioned about striking at the opportune time, but I don’t want to presume anything. Was Liv just saying that stuff to get revenge at Lana? Or is this really how WWE (i.e. Vince) is going to do an LGBT storyline? I feel like going with mind-games would keep progressive fans from being upset from having to wade through a layer of cringe. Though one way or another, this shows us that the blow-off will be a mixed tag match, probably at the Royal Rumble.
The Rollins story is going good places. Rollins continues to see himself as the hero, which makes for a good villain. Obviously Samoa Joe helps Kevin Owens fight Rollins & The AOP, but as Mysterio says in his promo, don’t count him out of this story. The Six Man Tag we’ll likely see before the Royal Rumble will be Rollins & The AOP VS Joe, Kevin and Mysterio. I’m betting Rollins & The AOP win by cheating but retribution comes at the Rumble itself. Next week’s episode will be amazing, too, with Lesnar being around to start a Rumble story, Mysterio VS Almas, and then a Triple Threat for the Raw Tag titles. Profits VS Good Brothers was great, and it was amazing to see Profits win. They also had a hilarious “multiverse” promo. But in a Triple Threat, I don’t see the Profits winning the titles. It either stays with the Viking Raiders or goes to The OC.
Aleister VS Murphy was AMAZING, not enough can be said about it. Rowan wrecks another jobber but meh. His confronting Lana was way more interesting. Charlotte’s open challenge to face Natalya was a great match. Not sure why this was when the 24/7 Championship showed up, and I’m disappointed Natalya and Charlotte didn’t end up part of it just by accident. Truth could’ve tripped on Natty and Natty pins him to win, and then Charlotte wins it off Natty to then give it back to Truth. That aside, Charlotte is certainly the favorite to win the Women’s Rumble, but who knows if she’ll actually win now. Becky VS Asuka is made official, that match will be amazing. I even like that Becky threw in kayfabe contract talk to give good motivation from the administration side of things. There’s still a strong chance Becky wins to solidify her reign as champion, but as I said before, WWE needs to build up the rest of the roster to give her more worthy challengers.
McIntyre is really good. He dominates Ryder and Hawkins again and just does great on the mic. Why can’t he face Lesnar and take that title at Rumble? Orton’s “injury” from Hershey was sold really well, I almost started to think it was legit. But then Orton uses that to sucker Styles in for an RKO and it was actually pretty brilliant. I’m not entirely sure how this wraps up. Mania was mentioned but I don’t know if this can be stretched out that long. Almas VS Ricochet was set up rather well with Almas wanting to destroy a jobber, and the match itself was great. Naturally, Almas wins and with Vega’s help, and as I said, Almas VS Mysterio is going to be great. With the wedding being the last segment, Almas and Ricochet can at least say they were the last main event match of Raw in 2019 and the decade. Almas will surely hold onto the title even against Mysterio, so that will be a great honor and will help him have a great 2020 to start.
My Score: 8/10
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One step away from the Cup!
David Finlay awaits in the New Japan Cup finals, and will either face Shota Umino or Shingo Takagi! Can the Roughneck slay the Rampaging Dragon?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata; Kojima & Nagata win.
- 10 Man Tag: The United Empire VS El Phantasmo, Jado, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Daiki Nagai; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Shota wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture!
Yota Tsuji was cheated out of the New Japan Cup by the King of Darkness, but that’s no surprise. However, that means Evil has a golden ticket to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. Will Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi help Darkness Fall? Or can Testuya Naito & Bushi help Yota keep everything tranquilo?
Even now, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Eventually, the pants are put aside, and Naito is wearing the new Tendedero merch shirt. LIJ fist bumps, but The House attacks! The fans boo but the bell rings so this is on record. Evil has Yota on the outside and he CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yujiro CHOKES Naito, Dick bumps Bushi off buckles, and then Yujiro TOSSES Naito! Dick CHOKES Bushi now, then he and Yujiro double whip. Dick runs corner to corner but Bushi dodges! Bushi BOOTS Yujiro, then headlocks Dick! BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Bushi hurries to tag Naito.
Naito stomps Yujiro, Bushi joins in, and Evil protests. Evil runs in, but into an atomic drop! Evil staggers away to a corner, Naito & Bushi whip Yujiro into him! Evil falls, Naito kicks Yujiro, and holds him in place, for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer. Naito then covers, TWO! Tokyo Pimp is tougher than that, but Naito drags Yujiro up to cravat. Yujiro endures the neck wrench, Naito CLUBS him then whips. Yujiro reverses and Dick gets a cheap shot in! Yujiro runs, but Bushi gets as cheap shot in! Naito runs but Evil trips him up! Dick BLASTS Bushi, Yujiro BLASTS Yota, and Evil drags Naito out.
Evil RAMS Naito into the timekeeper! Abe-san again suffers at the hands of Evil! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Evil drags Naito up. Evil pushes Naito into the ring, then he and Dick loosen the blue buckle pad. Yujiro covers Naito, TWO! Yujiro drags Naito up while the fans rally, but Yujiro snapmares to drop a leg! And he drops another leg! And another leg! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, but Yujiro taunts LIJ. Yujiro drags Naito up, bumps him off Evil’s boot, and then he tags Evil in. Evil CLAWS Naito’s eyes then stomps away on the legs! The ref reprimands, Evil drags Naito out, and then Evil stomps the leg more!
Evil drops an ELBOW on the knee! Evil pulls on the leg in a toehold, then traps the leg in a leg scissors! Yota runs in and stomps Evil, but Dick TOSSES Yota back out! Evil pulls on the leg, almost has an ankle lock, but Naito has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go, and he tags in Dick. They split the wishbone on Naito! The fans rally for Naito but Dick throws down fists. Cover, TWO! Naito is tougher than that and the fans continue to rally. Dick is annoyed, but Naito fires body shots on him! Dick CLAWS Naito’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Dick whips. Naito reverses and ELBOWS Dick, to then arm-drag him!
Naito dropkicks Dick’s legs out! The fans rally, Dick and Naito crawl, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota CLOBBERS Dick, then BLASTS the House! But Dick CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yota runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota runs corner to corner, to SPLASH! Yota scoops and SLAMS to then run and BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he paces around. Yota drags Dick up, suplexes, but Dick fights that! Dick wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches Yota! Tag to Evil and they mug Yota! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dick & Evil stand Yota up.
Dick & Evil double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Yota down! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that and the fans rally up, but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil drags Yota to his feet, talks more trash on the fans, but the fans give that back. Evil “puts one out” on Yota, then fireman’s carries! Yota slips free to ROCK Evil! The fans fire up with Yota, he runs, but Evil goes the other way! But Yota catches the pounce into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! The Gene Combination hits and the fans fire up! Evil sputters, Yota rolls and tags in Bushi. Bushi runs up to dropkick Evil’s legs out! Then Bushi BLASTS Dick!
Yujiro kicks Bushi, whips him to ropes, but Bushi reverses to dropkick the legs out! Evil is back but Bushi DECKS him! Bushi then builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Evil is sent into railing! The fans fire up, Bushi puts Evil back in, and Bushi aims from a corner. Bushi runs corner to corner to ELBOW Evil, then he puts a leg in the ropes to DROPKICK it! Bushi brings Evil out and has the leg, but Evil pulls on the mask! Bushi breaks free, kicks, but Evil blocks, hands it to the ref, and mule kicks Bushi down! Dick & Yujiro BLAST Naito & Yota off the apron! They then double whip Bushi to a corner! Dick ELBOWS Bushi! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS!
Dick goes up, Evil & Yujiro hold Bushi open, and the ref reprimands! No one to distract him this time! But then Evil just grabs the ref and turns him around! The ref can’t get free, Bushi suffers the DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and the fans fire up! Evil is stunned but he brushes that off. Evil paces around Bushi, slashes his throat, and vows to end this! Evil drags Bushi up, spins him, EVERY- NO, Naito gets in to kick Evil down! Yujiro is in, Evil distracts the ref, and Yujiro blocks a kick to LOW BLOW Naito!! The fans boo, but Yota runs up! Yujiro blocks his kick, and trips him up, to FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW!!
The fans boo but Evil still holds onto the ref. Bushi stands, Evil shoves the ref at him! Bushi pushes the ref aside, and he blocks the low blow! But Dick LOW BLOWS from the other side! Evil & Dick get Bushi up, for MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, the House of Torture wins!!
Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall
But they’re not done, as they beat up on Yota now! They snatch the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship from him, and Evil holds it up. The fans boo, but Evil takes aim at Yota! But Yota LOW BLOWS Dick! And he dodges Evil’s attack to then pop-up LOW BLOW! Yujiro has his pimp cane! Yota blocks that, takes the cane, and LOW BLOWS Yujiro with it! The fans fire up behind Yota as he takes his belt back. Yota holds it up to show that not everything is Evil! Will the Gene Blast stop the House of Torture from having more gold?
2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!
The Paradigm Shift has certainly taken a turn after The Roughneck gave up his fiery red locks. Shota has changed up his style in the ring to match his new look, but will this Second Chapter lead to the Cup? Or will this young hero fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. They’re strongly behind “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” but Shota doesn’t let that bother him. Shota and Takagi slowly step forward, feel things out, then clinch. Takagi waistlocks but Shota turns around to facelock. Takagi wrenches out and has a wristlock, but Shota rolls, wrenches back, and then hammerlocks. Takagi reaches back to headlock and he hits the takeover, but Shota headscissors. Takagi kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and feel things out again. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength! Shota has the leverage but Takagi powers up.
Takagi breaks a grip, wrenches, headlocks, and he grinds the hold. The fans rally up while Shota endures. Shota pries at the headlock but Takagi keeps it on tight. Shota powers up and out the back, then headlocks in return. Takagi endures the grind now, and he powers up and out! They RAM shoulders, Shota keeps going to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RAM Shota, but Shota stands his ground! Shota fires a forearm, Takagi fires a DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi whips, but Shota reverses to scoop, HOTSHOT, and then he RUNS Takagi over! The fans fire up while Takagi bails out. Shota waits on Takagi, and the fans rally up again.
Takagi takes his time stepping back inside, and he resets with Shota. They knuckle lock, but then Shota shoots in and trips Takagi up. Shota stomps that leg, then he SMASHES the knee off the mat! Shota stalks Takagi to a corner, then puts the leg around ropes. The fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Shota pulls on the leg. Shota then brings Takagi out to trip him, and Shota stomps away on the leg. Shota drops an ELBOW on the knee, and pulls on the toehold! Takagi endures, works his way back, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go, but then he drops a knee on the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Shota stomps Takagi’s leg again.
Shota drags Takagi up, facelocks and turns him, but Takagi elbows free! Takagi runs in at the corner but Shota BOOTS him! Shota runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! Shota staggers around while the fans fire up, and Takagi LARIATS Shota up and out! Shota staggers into railing then slumps down. The fans rally behind Takagi while he shakes out the bad leg. Takagi goes out to fetch Shota, and he drags Shota back up. Takagi RAMS Shota into the apron, then RAMS him in again! Takagi whips Shota hard into railing and Shota slumps down! Red Shoes wants Takagi to get this back in the ring, so Takagi rolls in.
The fans applaud and the ring count begins. Shota is still down at 5 of 20, sits up at 8, and he rises up at 10. Shota stands at 13 and hobbles his way over. Shota rolls in at 15, but Takagi stands on him! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi marches in place before he steps off. Takagi KICKS Shota in the back, then drags him up to whip. Takagi KNEES Shota at the ropes, then runs to CLOBBER Shota! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Shota up, reels him in and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shota is tougher than that, but Takagi looks to the camera. Then he wags his finger, it’s not time yet.
Takagi clamps onto Shota with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Shota endures, so Takagi sits him up and shifts around to also trap an arm. Shota endures being twisted and turned, and he kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, and Takagi lets go, only to BELL CLAP! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi brings Shota around to SENTON! The fans cheer more and Takagi stands back up. Takagi looms over Shota, kicks him around, but Shota just gets mad. Shota glares at Takagi so Takagi eggs him on. Shota stands to fire a forearm! Takagi shakes his head, so Shota fires another forearm! And another!
Takagi wobbles a bit and Shota fires a flurry! But then Takagi blocks one to wrench and knuckle lock! Takagi goes up the ropes!? The fans fire up, but Shota breaks free! Takagi gives thumbs down, and the fans boo, but Takagi HIP ATTACKS Shota down! Takagi rallies the fans behind him, then reels Shota in. But Shota BACKDROPS free! Takagi gets up fast, but Shota dropkicks the legs! Shota turns Takagi for a NECKBREAKER! Shota snarls, goes to a corner, and the fans rally again. Takagi stands, Shota runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota stays clam.
Shota drags Takagi up and reels him in, but Takagi fights the lift! Shota CLUBS Takagi, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks a boot! KNEE JAMMER, and then a SHIN BREAKER! Shota turns Takagi over for the STF! The fans rally as Takagi endures and Shota pulls on the hold! Takagi reaches out, crawls his way over, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shota lets go in frustration. Shota stands Takagi back up to reel him back in, but again Takagi fights the lift! Shota KNEES Takagi again and again, then tries again. Takagi still fights that lift! Takagi CLUBS at the legs, but Shota CLUBS away on Takagi’s back!
Shota UPPERCUTS into a spin! Takagi suplexes, Shota fights it, so Takagi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Shota crawls away to a corner while Takagi slaps his leg into working. Takagi watches Shota stand, then he runs in. Takagi blocks a boot, CLUBS the leg, and he LARIATS Shota down! The fans fire up and Takagi gets them even more fired up. Takagi stands Shota up, but Shota fires forearms! Takagi SHOVES Shota down, but Shota is right up to fire more forearms! Takagi THROWS Shota down, but Shota’s right up to fire forearms! Takagi YUKON LARIATS outta nowhere!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi rises and grabs at Shota but Shota shakes him off. Takagi still tries to stand Shota up but Shota kicks him now! So Takagi short arm LARIATS Shota down! And he short arm LARIATS again! Then a scoop for a SLAM, and Takagi goes up! YUKON ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Shota up, and hits a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Into an STF! Takagi gives Shota a taste of his own medicine! Shota endures, the fans rally, and then Takagi shifts to Just Facelock! Shota still endures, then fights around and reaches out. Takagi shifts to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota still endures!
Shota reaches out but Takagi pulls on that arm! The fans rally, Takagi puts as much as he can into the Fujiwara, but Shota fights and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Takagi lets off, and he throws some elbows down for good measure. Takagi then brings Shota up, puts him on the top rope, and he fires ridge hand chops! Takagi climbs up, goes to the very top, and hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up and Shota writhes! Takagi covers, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again. Takagi finally says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has finally come! They then join in with “OI! OI! OI!”
Takagi stalks Shota, brings him up, and pump handles, only for Shota to fight the lift! Shota slips free, half nelsons, but Takagi elbows free! Shota UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Shota winds up and runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Shota gets around to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Takagi’s right up to SNAP GERMAN! Shota’s right up, ducks a lariat, and he SNAP GERMANS! Shota roars, runs up, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Shota go to opposite ends, and the fans rally up.
Takagi goes to a corner, drags himself up, and Shota is in the other corner. The fans rally harder, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! So they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Both stay up, Takagi SWATS a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then he whips Shota, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Takagi’s right up!? But Shota LARIATS him back down!! Shota also falls and the fans rally back up! Takagi and Shota stir, and Shota crawls his way over to Takagi. The “SHOTA! SHOTA!” fans are showing up now, and he reels Takagi in, for a POWERBOMB!! High stack cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up again and Shota fires himself up. Takagi slowly rises up, Shota runs, but Takagi swats the lariat! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- SHOTGUN! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER again!! Both men are down again as we hit 20 minutes! Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Takagi crawls over to Shota. The dueling is starting to sound even, and Takagi brings Shota up. Shota fires boxing elbows, then a ROLLING- NO, Takagi catches him! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Takagi shouts out Milano Collection AT with how he tucks Shota’s arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!
Shota survives but Takagi keeps moving, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Takagi gets going again, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and shocks everyone! Takagi thinks on what he must do now, and he brings Shota back up. The fans rally, Takagi pump handles and torture racks! But Shota kicks and flails to get free! Shota LARIATS, but Takagi stays up while Shota drops to his knees! Takagi shakes his head, brings Shota up again, but Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi goes to a corner, Shota fires forearms and an elbow, then a ROLLING ELBOW! Takagi stays up to ELBOW! JAB! And whip!
Shota reverses, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Shota brings Takagi to his feet for the fisherman and SECOND- NO, Takagi fights that to scoop Shota! LANDSLIDE DRIVER!! The fans rally up again and Takagi watches Shota rise. Takagi runs, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Shota falls on the cover, ONE?!?! Shota gest going again, SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi will not be beat at his own game and the fans fire up! Shota goes to a corner as the fans are dueling, and Shota BUSAIKU KNEES! Then he hooks the leg, SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!
Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
The Rampaging Dragon has been slain! Perhaps if this was the Shota from before New Beginning, the story would be different, but the Second Chapter writes Takagi out of the tournament. Will Takagi battle his way to the top from a different path?
As for Shota, he decides not to say anything, and exits the ring. But wait! David Finlay & Gedo make their way out here! Gedo grabs the mic to ask, “Oi, kid, where’d you go? Get back out yere, you punk! Get back here, kid!” Shota responds to that taunting and makes his way back out. Gedo tells Shota, “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but do you realize who you’re facing in the finals? The Savage King, David Finlay! He’s crazy strong, kid! Tougher than you can imagine! Whatever it took for you tog et here, in an instant, it’ll be destroyed! Get over here, ya punk! Get over here! I wanna know how much you want this!”
“You want to come in here, say your piece? Just try!” Gedo drops the mic for Shota, and then Shota stares Finlay down. Shota picks the mic up, and he tells Finlay, “I promise I will beat you.” Finlay likes the sound of that. These two stare down, and we are just days away from them battling for it all! Who will be the 2025 New Japan Cup Champion, and the man aimed squarely at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for New Japan Cup, but with as much filler as yesterday’s event. The War Dogs sure have their hands in many things, as does the House of Torture with how Evil is building to a title match with Yota Tsuji. The War Dogs and House of Torture going to Double Count-Out Draw again was a good move, it keeps both sides equal as we wait for them to do whatever huge faction warfare match they’re planning. As for Yota VS Evil, hard to say at this point as House of Torture won the match but then Yota stood tall after that scrap. It’d be really weird if Evil gets that title off Yota just to be a transitional champion to Finlay so that Finlay can get “his” title back.
Shota VS Shingo was a great match, but the crowd really took a second to get into it. There still seems to be a number of fans who are uncertain on Shota so they didn’t feel like cheering right away, but Shota got them on his side as things heated up. Shota winning makes sense, he’s got this new attitude and so that’s part of the push. I hope he changes his aesthetic enough once we get to the finals on March 20th. Take those all white paints, airbrush something on them that helps represent what “Second Chapter” Shota is about, or even just go with a solid color like red or blue to indicate the change visually. As for who wins, that is anyone’s guess, as Finlay will have to circle back to the Bullet Club Civil War at some point.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Adrenaline in Brussels, every thought out of control!
Cody Rhodes has called him out and now it’s the moment of truth: Will John Cena return to Monday Night Raw live from Brussels, Belgium?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser; Penta wins.
- Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile; Dakota wins.
- Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller; Jey wins.
- The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee; Rey & Lee win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor; Bron wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA IS HERE!
Brussels erupts with booing as the traitorous GOAT makes his way out. He’s wearing the custom Belgium merchandise, but not even that is enough to appease the fans, and they still sing, “John Cena SUCKS~!” Cena grabs the mic and paces around while the fans boo and give thumbs down. The dueling does begin, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” and Cena just stands there to let it play out. Then he drops the mic and turns to leave, but that makes everyone boo! Cena picks up the mic, fans chant, “You Sold Out!” so Cena drops the mic again. The fans boo, so Cena picks the mic back up.
Cena finally speaks, “When someone is properly grounded in life… They shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” Fans chant and sing at Cena some more, but Cena says they are making this so easy for him. “For 25 years, I’ve been the victim, okay? I have been the victim of an abusive relationship. No, no, no, you have lost your time to talk!” The fans say, “You Sold Out!” Cena says fine, take the floor. But what do they do with it? They just abuse and bully him into being their damn puppet, and expect him to do it with a smile on his face! NO MORE! The fans tell Cena off, and he lets them say it. “So very classy. Thank you.”
“Look, I am not a ‘baby face,’ I am not a ‘heel.’ I’m a human being. And each and every one of you has been AWFUL to me! Go ahead, go ahead! You’ve been awful!” The fans boo more, but Cena says it has been the same damn noise for 25 YEARS! When he first got here, the fans let him know really loud that they hated him. Moments of embarrassment and shame, they let him know he wasn’t worthy of them. So he changed himself, and it worked for a second, but then it wasn’t enough! So what’d he do? He worked hard like always, he started to win and win and win and win, and win and win and win and win!
But oh, he won a lot, and fans hated it! It wasn’t enough! So what’d Cena do? He spent 10 YEARS giving away everything he possibly could, and it still wasn’t enough! The fans tell Cena to STFU, but he just smirks and shakes his head. In his final moments, what’s the only thing he can do? He can walk away. Wow, and now you cheer. But he announced his retirement in a move no one has done before. He really is walking away at the end of this year. He tried one last time to get along with the fans. He tried one last time to do something nice, but they ruined it! Just like they ruin everything!
Because just like right here tonight, it was great for two seconds, and then it wasn’t enough! The fans sing “Hey Hey Hey~, Goodbye~!” Cena says, “Each one of these idiots is proving my point with every breath. My point is, no matter what I do, it is never enough, and you should all be ashamed of yourselves. All you ever do is take. You take, you take, and you take! And you only care about yourselves! I put my values on the line to make a very important choice in my life, and all you could think is, ‘What do we get?’ My story changed! ‘What do we get? John Cena’s coming to my town! What do we get? This is trending! What do we get?’
“Not one of you SOBs asked me how I feel. No one! It’s just ‘What do we get? What do we get?’ YOU GET NOTHING! You get what you have earned, and what you have earned is NOTHING! You don’t get a new look, because you dress like me, I don’t dress like you idiots! You don’t get new music! That is MY voice on that song, and your time is finally up! And my time is finally now! The only thing you get is to take a long look in the mirror to see how awful each and every one of you has been for 25 years to me!” The fans still boo, and even shift to, “We Want Cody!” Oh, they want Cody? OH~, of course! The brand new, shiny toy! Because they’re about to put this one out to pasture.
Like he said, they’re just proving his point that they’re awful people. And that’s every single person here! No one is safe, no one can hide, especially those he can pick out in the crowd. This guy, that guy in the front row, and that other guy. Yes, he sees them. The “Let’s Go Cena” people. They’re the ones who support Cena. The dueling begins again, and Cena says, “You hear that, world? The Cena Sucks Jagoffs, they have already proved themselves awful people. I’m about ot tell you why the Let’s Go Cena people are just as awful. You claim to support me? What have you ever done? What have you, you, you, what have you ever done to support me, huh?!
“What have you ever done for me? All you ever do is steal from me! You steal! You steal my personal moments! You steal my time! You have made me your freakin’ toy! I am an object to you! You have made me the butt to a stupid ‘invisible’ joke for 15 years, and you still think it’s funny! It is NOT funny! It is pathetic! You are pathetic.” Fans tell Cena off again, but Cena says they don’t wanna hear this, huh? Not ready to hear this? Not ready to lean into the uncomfortable conversation. The truth is, the fans don’t wear his merch to support him. They wear it to feel good. They wear words like Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, but Cena LIVES them.
The fans think they can buy the words “Never Give Up?” Cena is the definition of perseverance, and everyone here knows it! “You do not support me. What you do is you use me as an excuse for your pathetic failure of a life. Because all you’ve ever done there for 25 years is sit on your ass and watch me be great! NO MORE! This, everybody, including that one kid right there, is a toxic, dysfunctional relationship! Oh, you don’t wanna hear it, huh? It’s too tough for ya? Well listen to this. I’m breaking up with you. I’m done. I’m breaking up with every single person. Whether you like me or you don’t, you’re dumped.
“I don’t need you anymore. I don’t care about you. And you don’t matter to me. And here’s the thing. There’s no noise you can make, there is nothing you can do, because you know I’m right and you know you are wrong!” WAIT! Here comes Cody! Brussels erupts with cheers this time, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, continues down the ramp and high-fives fans, and Cena just waits on Cody. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and more pyro as Cody throws off his jacket and steps into the ring with Cena. Cody raises the Undisputed WWE Championship, the fans cheer, and then Cody gets himself a mic.
The fans cheer as the song dies down and Cena scowls. The fans sing, “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~! CODY, CODY RHOOODES~!” Cody lifts the belt again and the fans cheer more. Cody then finally says, “I think everybody was willing to hear you out, even myself. If I understood correctly from what you just said, they’ve given you their worst. Sure, they might’ve given you their worst. But they’ve also given you their best for 25 years, and they did that because you were special. They did that because you were special. They did that because you could take it. They did that because you could carry it!” The fans cheer that.
Cena says, “Look, kid,” but Cody tells him, “ENOUGH! And it’s certainly not ‘kid.’ It’s champion!” The fans cheer that, too! And Cody wants to ask Cena something. “Who the hell are you? Where’s the guy on this shirt? Right here! Even after what you did, I was excited at the prospect of going week to week, face to face, with John Cena. And instead, I got this. Well this better not show up at WrestleMania. Because if it does, I run it over, I run it out, because I already took its best shot and it wasn’t good enough, I retire it early! So go find John Cena, because I wanna wrestle him at WrestleMania 41, not this whiny b*tch!”
Cody drops his mic and leaves the ring, the fans all fired up! Cody gives Cena one last look before he makes his way back up the ramp. The fans sing for “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~!” again, and he again lifts the belt. Cena is still in the ring, so the fans boo. Cena drops his mic, exits the ring, and the fans again sing “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye~!” Cena gives them one last look before he goes backstage. Will this Cena be all we get from now until the end of 2025?
No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser!
After going back and forth, and even adding Pete Dunne to the mix, the Man with No Fear and the Impeccable German have it out with nothing holding them back! Will Penta show Kaiser what #CeroMiedo looks like when it is fully unleashed? Or will Kaiser say NEIN to another loss?
Raw returns and Penta makes his entrance. The fans fire up with the pyro, and “CERO! MIEDO!” The fans even sing, “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CEROOO~, MIEDOOO~!” The bell rings and Penta eggs Kaiser on. Kaiser is annoyed with the fans, but then he and Penta start throwing hands! Kaiser gets the edge, but Penta avoids the lariat to CHOP Kaiser down! Kaiser staggers, Penta runs up, and Penta LARIATS Kaiser up and out! Then Penta slides out, runs up, but Kaiser THROWS him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans boo, but Penta gets up on the barriers! Penta tightrope walks his way to FLYING RANA Kaiser into the apron!
The fans fire up with Penta and he pursues, but Kaiser bails out. Kaiser grabs chairs, puts them in the ring, but Penta runs up to DROPKICK Kaiser down! Penta then builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit, the fans fire up, but then the fans cheer as Penta clears the commentary desk! Penta puts Kaiser up there, CHOPS him, but Kaiser CHOPS back! They CHOPS go back and forth, the fans cheer and boo. Penta fires off a flurry, but Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s face! Then KAISER ROLL on the desk! The fans lose their minds while Kaiser stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Kaiser has Penta up top, and he CLAWS at the mask! But Penta fights Kaiser off! The fans fire up as Kaiser staggers, and Penta CROSSBODIES! Kaiser staggers up, Penta dodges and KICKS Kaiser in the leg! Then SLING-DOG! Kaiser flounders to a corner, Penta whips, but Kaiser reverses. Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Penta rises. Penta aims from a corner, calls his shot, and runs up, but into a GAMANGIRI! Kaiser fireman’s carries, KAISER ROLL again, then cover! TWO! Penta survives, but Kaiser kicks him out of the ring. Kaiser UPPERCUTS Penta, then RAMS him into steel steps!
The fans boo, Kaiser leaves Penta behind, but only to go out the side. Kaiser gets running, wanting his favorite shot! But Penta BACKDROPS Kaiser onto the desk! The fans are thunderous as Kaiser writhes! Penta has the fans singing again, and he brings Kaiser off the desk to put in the ring. Penta stalks Kaiser, but Kaiser SMACKS Penta! The fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but Penta CHOPS! Kaiser fires a haymaker, Penta fires back, and the two stand. Kaiser ROCKS Penta, but Penta ROCKS Kaiser! The haymakers keep going, then Penta trades CHOPS with Kaiser’s haymakers! Penta fires a flurry of forearms, then says “CERO! MIEDO!”
Penta runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Kaiser SLAMS him down! BLINDSIDE SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Penta survives but Kaiser stalks him to ropes. Kaiser tells Penta to listen to him! Penta will fear KAISER! Kaiser will teach Penta what it means to fear! Kaiser CLUBS Penta down, the fans sing for Penta, but Kaiser grabs a chair. Kaiser dares Penta to get up, and then he SMACKS Penta on the back! Penta scrambles to a corner but Kaiser grins as he storms up. Kaiser CHOKES Penta with the chair and shouts, “Are you scared? Say it!” Kaiser wants Penta to admit he’s afraid, but Penta just powers up! The fans fire up as Penta pushes Kaiser back! “CERO! MIEDO!”
Kaiser drags Penta up, clinches, but Penta WRINGS that arm, then has the other! THE SACRIFICE!! Kaiser writhes, clutches that elbow, but now Penta has the chair! Penta winds up but Kaiser wants mercy! Penta shakes his head but Kaiser says he gives up?! Kaiser says Penta wins? Penta isn’t sure about that, but then Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s eyes! Kaiser has th echair, but Penta SUPERKICKS the chair into Kaiser! Then he SMACKS Kaiser! Then he gives the chair back to SUPERKICK it into Kaiser again! Penta goes up, Kaiser staggers around, and Penta reels him in, FLYING MEXICAN DESTROYER on the chair!!
The fans are losing their minds, but Penta then hits a PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Brussels gives this brutal opener a standing ovation! Will Penta now leave Kaiser in the past to go for bigger and better prizes? Cathy Kelley interviews Penta on the ramp and congratulates him on the win. That was a definitive end to that match, and we’re on the Road to WrestleMania. What is next for Penta? Penta says first off all, THANK YOU, BRUSSELS! They are amazing, he loves ’em! But the Penta New Era is here! It is alive in Europe, but also in every continent in the world! What is next for Penta? Listen: THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP!
Penta wants to tell everyone that he doesn’t care what he has to do, he WILL be champion! Because he is Penta, and he has CERO MIEDO! That very title is on the line later tonight, will Penta be aimed at Bron Breakker or Finn Balor for WrestleMania?
Dakota Kai heads to gorilla.
Iyo Sky gives her a pep talk before her match, but uh, is that Dominik Mysterio talking with Karrion Kross? Is Dom still trying to recruit new members? Or is Mr. Doomsday giving Dom some special advice of his own?
The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Carlito is adding to the great graffiti backstage, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez talk about how Dominik should’ve taken the match with Bron Breakker instead of- Finn walks in! Liv & Raquel say hey, and they wish him luck tonight. Finn thanks them for that, and he wishes them the best of luck in their matches. Jade Cargill is gonna be another stop on the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour! And Raquel, by this time next week, they’ll both be Intercontinental- Oh, Dom walks in! Hey, bud! The man of the moment! Finn knows Dom knows, but Finn wants to say from the bottom of his heart, thanks for getting him the title match.
Dom says of course! Whatever it takes to get Judgment Day back on top. But here’s the thing… Dom was talking with some people, and he has an idea. Oh, an idea? Is Dom sure he should say this? Dom says it’ll be okay. Ever since JD McDonagh went down, they kinda lost some muscle around here. So Dom found the perfect person to add to the Judgment Day! Finn is annoyed and asks who. Penta! Finn wants to get something straight. After all this time, and after all they’ve been through, Dom goes behind Finn’s back, has all these conversations with all these people, and the one he lands on… is offering a spot to Penta, the guy who just declared HE wants Finn’s Intercontinental title?!
Finn seethes, and tells Dom he’s just a snake! Finn storms out, the mood ruined. Dom didn’t know Penta was gonna go for the title. Carlito says Dom doesn’t watch the product, huh? Well, Dom stepped in it this time. Is there some way he can he make it up to Finn? Or should he just give up on adding members?
Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile w/ Team American Made!
Speaking of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, both #CobraKai and the Diamond Pitbull have fought for and failed to take that title from Lyra Valkyria. With Raquel Rodriguez facing Lyra next, who will prove they’re worthy of the shot after that?
What a surprise to see Chad Gable showing up. He apologizes for being late, and then he joins The Creed Brothers in Ivy’s corner. The bell rings, and Dakota fires off fast hands on Ivy! The ref reprimands as they’re in the corner, but Dakota backs off. Dakota runs up, but Ivy stops the flying-mare! Ivy throws Dakota away, Dakota keeps moving, but Ivy LARIATS! Ivy is already frustrated and she rains down fists! The fans boo, Ivy tells them to shut up, and Maggle taunts Gable about his lucha mask that he may or may not have. Ivy stands Dakota up, whips her to a corner, and Dakota bounces off buckles into Ivy’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Ivy is annoyed but Gable coaches her on. Ivy drags Dakota up, reels her in, and she suplexes. Dakota cradle counters! TWO, and Dakota goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, Dakota ELBOWS her away, then Dakota BOOTS her! Dakota runs to DISCUS LARIAT! And then LARIAT again! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Dakota while Ivy ends up in a corner. Dakota runs in to BOOT WASH! Dakota then puts Ivy through ropes, and JUMP- NO, Ivy avoids the stomp! But Dakota GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up again and Dakota builds speed, but Gable is on the apron! The fans boo, Ivy storms in, and Ivy scoops Dakota for a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Dakota survives, and here comes the LWO! They go after The Creeds for what Gable or not Gable did! Gable runs but gets flanked, so he goes into the crowd! The fans fire up as Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee chase after Gable! Ivy is shocked, but that lets Dakota run Around the World! BOOT! And then a fireman’s carry, GO TO KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall
American Made falls apart in Brussels, and now #CapKota is in pole position for the title chase! Will she get one more shot on goal with Lyra? Or will she and her old rival, Raquel, meet again?
Iyo Sky heads to the ring!
The fans fire up as the Evil Genius, the NEW Women’s World Champion, is ready to sign on the dotted line! She and Bianca Belair are going to put pen to paper, but will that be all that happens? We find out after the break.
Raw returns as Bianca is in the ring, and Adam Pearce has joined them. Pearce welcomes everyone in French, and says it is now time to make this world title match official between challenger Bianca Belair, and champion Iyo Sky! The fans cheer that! Pearce says they know how this works. Two signatures makes this official, so the floor is theirs. Iyo and Bianca both take their seats, and Iyo picks up her mic first. “Bianca, you will not disrespect me again. Rhea will not disrespect me again. No one will disrespect me again. Because I am the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer that! “And after WrestleMania, I will still be the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer even more for that!
Iyo signs her part, the fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Iyo bows in thanks for that. Now Bianca has her turn to speak. “Iyo, I have all the respect in the world for you. I really do. But last week, I gave you a pass because it was lowkey my fault, so I’ma tell you exactly what I told Rhea. If you put your hands on me and think you can get away with it, you don’t know me at all. So WrestleMania, you gonna find out exactly who I am. I am Bianca Belair, The EST of WWE, and I will be your NEW Women’s World Champion.” Fans are a bit more torn here, but Bianca signs her part. Pearce says it is now official!
The fans cheer and Pearce thanks them for being so professional. But then RHEA RIPLEY shows up! The fans fire up but Pearce, Bianca and Iyo are all shocked and upset about this. Mami has a mic as she storms down the ramp, but Pearce already calls in refs! Pearce asks what Rhea is doing out here, but Rhea asks them what they’re all doing out here. Because last she checked, Iyo slapped her in the face and she won’t do nothing about it, like Bianca over here. How the hell is Bianca acting like nothing happened? Well, for one, Bianca had to sign the contract for WrestleMania. That’s what she’s doing out here.
Rhea says real funny, coming from Bianca. Because Bianca had no business being out here for Rhea’s title match, but there she was. So time to take a page out of Bianca’s book, and she’s just out here to watch. Oh, then Rhea will be just watching WrestleMania! Bianca and Rhea argue, Iyo gets riled up, and she storms up like last time. But Bianca pie faces her first! Bianca says she ain’t getting smacked today! Well she gets a HEADBUTT from Rhea! Bianca ends up on the table, and then Rhea kicks Iyo! Rhea reels Iyo in, and hauls her up, to POEWRBOMB onto Bianca! The table doesn’t break, but Pearce has had enough of Rhea!
Rhea sees the contract on the floor, then picks it up. And she SIGNS IT, TOO!? Can she do that?! We have the two signatures, but is she making this into a Triple Threat?! Pearce argues with Rhea all the way to the back as she plays keep-away, but is Mami about to be on top one way or another?
Jey Uso walks ‘n’ talks.
“Yeah! Yeah! Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~! YEAH! I ain’t been myself lately. Been doubtin’ myself. Mind playin’ tricks on me. So I flew halfway around the world to whoop somebody’s ass! And that person tonight is Austin Theory. But at WrestleMania, it’s me and you, Gunther, when I shock the world and become World Heavyweight Champ! So Uce! Hey, Uce! Please hit my music-” GUNTHER IS AT GORILLA! Jey and Gunther get to shouting but Pearce and security barge in! Pearce says not tonight! Not after everything Rhea just did! Gunther says he talked to Jimmy on Friday, and he’s just as dumb as Jey!
Jey shoves Gunther, security ushers Gunther out, and Jey says he’ll see “G” out there! UH UH, YEET!! Jey makes his entrance, will he be even more fired up to fight #AllDay Austin Theory?
Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller!
Raw returns and A-Town Down Under makes their entrance. The bell rings, Waller distracts Jey already, and Theory fires off haymakers! They end up in the corner, the ref reprimands and counts, but Theory talks trash on the Yeet! Theory drags Jey up, whips him corner to corner, but Jey goes up and over. Jey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges then SPEARS!! Cover, Jey wins!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
That was fast! Jey really IS fired up to fight Gunther for Mania! Waller storms in, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! Jey then watches ATDU regroup, and Jey FLIES! Jey clips the ropes just a bit but he still takes ATDU down! Jey gets back up, but GUNTHER GETS HIM IN A SLEEPER!! Gunther squeezes tight, but Jey RAMS Gunther into a corner! Jey is free to fire haymakers! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, but Gunther blocks the shot! Jey ROCKS Gunther with his off hand, and then he YANKS the title from Gunther!! The fans fire up, Gunther runs up in a rage, but Jey DUMPS him out! The fans fire up as Jey holds up the belt!
Gunther is furious, the fans cheer, but then Jey tosses the belt back. Der Ring General tried to punk out Jey, but Jey turned the tables! Will nothing stop Jey from proving he IS a main event player?
Pearce argues with Rhea.
Pearce will not allow Rhea to get away with what she’s doing! You can’t just write your name on a contract! Rhea says yes she can, she literally just did it! This is like talking to a child. Give him the contract! No! Yes! No! YES! NO! Rhea Ripley, give her the contract! Rhea says then he should put her in the match, her name’s on the contract! She shoves the contract into Pearce’s chest, he thanks her and takes his leave. But here comes Bianca! She and Rhea brawl! Bianca HAMMERS away, but now Iyo gets in, to go after Rhea! Bianca shoves Iyo aside and says Rhea is hers! Iyo DECKS Bianca, tells Bianca not to screw with her, but then Rhea SHOVES Iyo into a door!
Rhea goes after Bianca, and throws her into road cases! Pearce returns to have refs usher Rhea out of here! Rhea demands to be in that title match! Will Mami get what she wants? Or will she throw things out of whack until she does?
The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee!
After that wild encounter earlier tonight, this was a natural choice for all parties involved! Will Julius & Brutus get payback for Master Gable being run out of the building? Or will American Made learn not to mess with the L W O?
The teams sort out and Julius starts against Dragon. The bell rings, and Julius JUMP KNEES Lee down! The fans boo but Julius drags Lee up for a fireman’s carry. But Lee pops up to RANA Julius away! Brutus runs up but Lee dodges to SUPERKICK! Brutus tumbles out, Lee DIVES onto Brutus! Lee goes up a corner, then CROSSBODIES Julius! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Lee clamps onto Julius. Lee reaches out but Brutus YANKS Rey down! Julius turns things around and hits Lee with a ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Then a SLIDING LARIAT! Julius scowls, the fans boo, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the fans rally as Lee wipes out the Creeds! Lee crawls for his corner, hot tags to Julius and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey BLASTS Brutus, BOOTS Julius, then ELBOWS Brutus to dodge Julius! Tilt-o-whirl DEJA VU RANA! Julius flounders around, the fans fire up, and Rey climbs up on Julius. Rey rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to “Sept” (seven in French) before Julius carries him off the corner! Brutus is there and Julius hands Rey off! But Rey fights back, elbowing Julius away and raining fists down on Brutus! But Brutus THROWS Rey at Julius, and Julius catches Rey!
Julius powers up and brings Rey around, but Rey swings to DDT! Lee is back, FLYING RANA for Brutus to the floor!! The fans are thunderous and Rey goes up top! But Julius springs up after him! Only for Rey to HEADBUTT him away! Rey leaps, FLYING RANA and Julius is on the ropes! Rey dials it up and the fans cheer the 619! DROP THE DIME! Cover, LWO WINS!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
The King of Lucha and his Boy Wonder took down the Creeds, but WAIT! That American Made luchador is back! He CLOBBERS Rey, dodges Lee, and then FLYING HEADBUTTS! El Americano rains down fists on Lee, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Rey storms up to fire forearms! The fans fire up, but Gable- er, uh, Americano waistlocks again! GERMAN SUPLEX and Rey lands on Lee! The fans boo “whoever this is,” but now he goes up top! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” a la Angle, but Americano says SHOOOOSH! DIVING HEADBUTT on Lee!! “UH GRACIAS~!” Americano runs away as security rushes out here!
Gable was ran off from the building, yet this luchador returns. What is going on with this masked man mystery?
Seth Rollins is here!
Brussels sings his song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary is in a comparatively normal outfit. Rollins high-fives fans and makes his way to the ring in his dark green suit and boots highlighted with gold chain and wristwatch. What will Rollins have to say about the shocking way Roman Reigns returned? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns as the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it while he has the mic in hand. The fans applaud as the singing just keeps going. Another round of applause, and then Rollins tells Brussels, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans cheer again, and Rollins says that by the sound of this, they already know it. In case you don’t, this is a Visionary, this is a Revolutionary, this is SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! The fans cheer more, the singing returns, and Rollins again smiles. The fans applaud, and Rollins says alright. He was coming out here mad as Hell, but it is hard to be mad with those beautiful voices serenading him.
Rollins takes a moment as fans start to chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Well, we’ll get to him, but Rollins wants to talk Roman Reigns first. “O T C! O T C!” Yes, you saw the footage last week. Is Rollins mad as Hell that Roman came for revenge? Absolutely not, cuz he’d have done the same damn thing! HAHAHA! “The problem is, even after all these years, and a Wise Man in his ear, Roman Reigns still can’t come up with a plan. He needs his Architect to do it for him.” Roman had the time, the place, the moment, but he left one detail out: That detail is the man the fans were all chanting for just a few moments ago.
The “C M PUNK!” chant returns and Rollins says yes, “The luckiest loser on the face of the planet.” Because of Rollins had just a few more seconds in that cage, he would’ve ended what he promised the world. He would’ve stomped Punk through the mat, ended the Mania dream, and put Punk’s career on ice! Rollins would’ve taken care of the Punk Problem for everyone, including Roman. But like the good ol’ days, Rollins is left to clean up Roman’s mess. The “O T C!” chants return, and Rollins says don’t worry, he’ll put OTC in his place along the way. And it just so happens that Rollins’ two favorite people are going to be in the same place at the same time this Friday Night SmackDown.
Oh, trust him, Brussels, Rollins wishes those two were here, too. But… Rollins was just thinking… Why let them boys have all the fun? Maybe Rollins makes a trip down to Italy, makes a trip to SmackDown, and he puts himself right in between Roman and Punk? What do the fans think about that? The fans cheer, and Rollins says yeah, that sounds like a nice way to solve a problem and clean up a mess. But that is Friday, this is Monday, this ain’t about SmackDown, this is about the fans! This has been one hell of a crowd all night long! They’ve been singing with their beautiful voices, there’s just one match left and that is the main event for the Intercontinental Championship!
So Brussels, sing Rollins’ beautiful song as he makes his way to SmackDown and we make our way to the main event! Give it to ’em, Brussels! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it again, and he says, “It’s on. See you boys on Friday, HAHAHA!”
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
Cathy is with the Phenomenal One and says he had a lot to say on the Raw Recap show about Logan Paul. Could he give us a bit of that here? Styles says he stands behind everything he said. Styles hears the fans sing for him, then says Logan Paul just doesn’t belong. But then Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux walk over. Kross asks if that’s really how Styles feels. Styles says he doesn’t need this. Kross says he is just offering a different perspective, but if Styles doesn’t want it… Kross turns to go but Styles says fine, let’s hear it. Maybe Styles isn’t mad about Logan Paul. Maybe Styles is mad at himself. That’s enough of that.
No, hey, hold on! Kross just wants Styles to think: How long did it take for Styles to get to the WWE and find validation? 16? Styles says it was 17. Okay, okay. But it didn’t take Logan that long, did it? Is Styles not able to respect a guy who just waltzed into the business and did everything Styles has ever wanted to in record time? Styles sees where Kross is going with this, and it’s not gonna work. Styles leaves, but Kross says it’s working. He and Scarlett do the Scott Hall fingers, will their mind games make Styles and Logan bitter enemies?
Bron Breakker heads to gorilla.
And Penta is there! Penta looks at the title, and Bron smirks. Will this be the match-up for the title? Or will this Road to WrestleMania take a detour thanks to The Judgment Day?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been chewing up this roster ever since he got here, but The Prince claims he chews up “rookies” like Bron his whole career. But until these two fight it out, it’s all just talk. Whose bark is worse than their bite when the bell rings?
Raw returns and Bron makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to see who’s the real badass around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. In fact, they’re even dueling, “Let’s Go, Balor!” and then barking for Bron. Finn and Bron feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Finn backs away to ropes. The ref has Bron stay back, Finn leaves the ropes, and the two reset. They tie up, Finn headlocks, but Bron powers up and out. Bron RUNS Finn over, the fans bark, and Bron snarls as he storms up on Finn. Finn kicks low, CLUBS Bron on the neck, then headlocks. Bron blocks the takeover with pure brawn, then he hoists Finn up! The fans fire up, but Finn uses that to flying headlock takeover! The fans cheer while Finn grinds Bron down.
Bron endures as Finn thrashes him around. Bron rolls Finn to a cover, TWO, and Finn holds onto the headlock. The fans rally, Bron powers out and headlocks. Finn powers out, drops down, then bypasses Bron to TOSS him out! Bron lands on his feet! The fans fire up, Bron storms in, and he RAMS Finn into a corner! Bron RAMS Finn again and again, then snarls again. Finn staggers to another corner, but Bron runs up to LARIAT! Bron whips Finn to TOSS him out, and Finn tumbles! Bron goes out the side, and he builds up speed! The fans fire up, but Finn SLINGBLADES Bron down! Finn has control while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn has Bron in a corner. Finn CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Finn paces, then he goes back to Bron for a haymaker. Bron counter punches! And counter punches! Bron fires hands, whips, then scoops, but Finn tilt-o-whirls through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn ELBOWS Bron in the neck, the fans rally up, and Finn stalks Bron. Finn scuffs Bron, SLAPS him, and talks trash. “You know who I am? I’m Finn Balor!” Finn keeps scuffing and slapping, and the fans tell Finn he done messed up! Finn fires hands, but Bron just snarls! Bron ROCKS Finn again and again, then whips. Finn reverses, but Bron LEAPING ELBOWS!
Bron storms up again, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Finn flounders, Bron whips again, but Finn KICKS the backdrop away. Finn runs, Bron dodges and then catches Finn for a POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and bark, and then Bron drags Finn up. But wait, here come Dom & Carlito! It was only a matter of time before Judgment Day pulled this move! They distract Bron and Finn rolls Bron up! TWO, and Finn runs up, but Bron catches him by the neck! Military press, but Finn slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Bron survives and Finn is frustrated, but Dom & Carlito cheer Finn on.
Bron crawls to ropes, Finn spins him around, and Finn JUMP STOMPS! The fans tell Dom he sucks, Carlito tells Dom to tune that out, and Finn gives more stomps! Finn asks Dom what he’s doing out here, so apparently this was another of Dom’s ideas. Finn CHOPS Bron, then whips, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed to CLOBBER Finn! The fans fire up and bark again while Finn bails out. Bron storms out after Finn and the ref tells Dom & Carlito to back off. Bron LEAPS from the apron and onto the desk! Both men go tumbling over and the fans lose their minds! Bron sputters, Corey Graves lost a shoe, and “This is Awesome!”
Bron and Finn slowly stir, and Bron is on his feet! Finn crawls, wants mercy, but Bron stomps him! Bron puts Finn in the ring, and he dares Dom & Carlito to pull something. Bron slides in and builds speed again! SLINGBLADE! Finn hits first, and then he hurries to go again! SHOTGUN and Bron hits buckles! Bron slumps down into the drop zone so Finn climbs up! The fans fire up as Finn reaches the top! COUP DE- NO, Bron dodges, runs up, but Finn hurdles over the Spear! Roll up, TWO!! Bron grabs Finn again, military press, BREAKKER SLAM! Cover, TWO! Finn survives, both men are down, and the fans are fired up!
Dom & Carlito coach Finn but Bron is up first. Bron has blood in his mouth, perhaps from a busted lip, but he doesn’t care. Bron runs in, but Finn KICKS him first! And ENZIGIRIS! Bron is down again so Finn goes back up! But Bron hurries to trip Finn! Finn CLAWS at Bron’s head, then throws hands! The fans rally, Finn stands, but Bron ROCKS him first! Bron climbs up and brings Finn to the top! But Carlito distracts the ref! Dom YANKS Bron into a HOTSHOT, but that trips Finn up, too! Finn lands on his prince and he’s pissed at Dom! Dom apologizes, but Bron is just as mad! Bron BLASTS Dom, BLASTS Carlito, then springs up after Finn! SUPER STEINER!!
The fans are thunderously barking, Bron hits the SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Bron is so badass, not even Judgment Day could cost him! But now Judgment Day attacks him! The fans boo but Dom goes to grab the belt. Carlito bumps Bron off buckles, but here comes Penta! The fans fire up as Penta slides in, and he dodges Dom to then SUPERKICK Dom down! Carlito runs up, into a SUPERKICK! Bron gives Carlito a SPEAR! But now Penta holds onto the title as he stares down Bron. The fans sing “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~ MIEDO~!” Penta hands the belt to Bron, and Bron holds it up. Will these two put it all on the line in Las Vegas?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Raw in Brussels, and the Brussels crowd was just as fun as the Barcelona crowd on Friday. Cena and Cody opening with their big promo segment was the right move to give it time to breathe. Cena did a perfect job of using the fans as part of his promo because he took the trope of “I blame the fans!” to the ultimate level. He didn’t just use recent stuff, he used his entire 25 years and all the phases he went through as part of it, and he really dug into some personal feelings for both him and the fans. Cody therefore had the perfect counter to show Cena was only focusing on the negative, and how that’s not who Cena has presented to us. I think we’re getting another appearance of Cena next week, can’t wait to see how Glasgow treats him.
Iyo and Bianca had a good contract signing but I expected a touch more from both promos. Rhea joining in was the main element, and this is clearly heading for a Triple Threat. That quick brawl backstage was good, and I feel like we’re going to get Rhea VS Bianca to see if Rhea earns her spot in the match. Good stuff from Jey and Gunther again, but I kinda wish we’d just gotten only brawl. Jey squashing Theory was pretty wild, and he still gets the better of Gunther here, but it should’ve just been all Jey and Gunther. Gunther promised a living Hell for Jey, but I’m not sure we’re quite there yet. All the more reason Gunther should’ve beat up Jimmy on Friday as a way to stick it to Jey.
Good promo from Styles and Kross to add to this Styles VS Logan Paul build. Kross continues to be a great instigator, but when is he going to get back in the ring for his own desires? Or is he just waiting for the right opening to mess with the right champion? Honestly, as it feels like Jey is going to win the world title, Jey is the perfect target for Kross. Jey admitted to himself that there is insecurity right now, and the belt can help give him confidence again, but Kross can certainly find ways to tear that back down on the way to Backlash and beyond.
Very good stuff from American Made. Gable being run off by the LWO of course set up “El Americano” for that tag match segment, but it was also a good part of Dakota being Ivy. I feel like it’d be a bit much of Dakota gets a third match with Lyra, but I don’t know if that means Judgment Day screws Lyra out of the title. Cheating Lyra could be a way to keep her strong in the loss, and we could get some good stuff as Dakota takes on Raquel. Plus, DMG CTRL currently having the world title makes them an eventual target of Judgment Day, and the tag titles could also be in the mix for some serious Two Woman Power Trip teasing.
Judgment Day also had great stuff tonight. Dom thinking Penta would want to join Judgment Day is interesting, I wonder if that was Kross’s idea. Penta VS Kaiser was a great opener, but I feel they could’ve done more for a No Holds Barred match. Still good stuff to give Penta the win and move on from Kaiser to call out the Intercontinental Championship. Bron VS Finn was a great match, even with Dom & Carlito showing up. Dom accidentally messing Finn up was pretty clever, and that just adds to the Judgment Day tension. While Bron VS Penta will be awesome stuff, I was kinda hoping we’d get Finn VS Penta to add even more intrigue to the Judgment Day story, but I guess that’s something that doesn’t need a title.
My Score: 8.9/10
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