Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/20)
The last Raw before the Rumble!
Can grudges be settled before the Rumble?
All roads lead to Houston, but there’re stars shining in Dallas! With all the animosity between them, can Rey Mysterio ascend and take the United States Championship away from Andrade in a Ladder match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Ladder Match: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Rey Mysterio; Almas wins and retains the WWE United States Championship.
- Aleister Black VS ???; Aleister wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS Randy Orton; No Contest.
- Becky Lynch VS Kairi Sane w/ Asuka; Lynch wins.
- Raw Tag Team Championships: The Viking Raiders w/ Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens VS Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy w/ The Authors of Pain; Rollins & Murphy win and become the new Raw Tag Team Champions.
- Matt Hardy VS ???; Erick Rowan wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Bollywood Box Office Flop: Mojo Rawley VS The Singh Brothers; Rawley retains the WWE 24/7 Championship.
- Mixed Tag: Rusev & Liv Morgan VS Bobby Lashley & Lana; Lashley & Lana win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
And he leads the Authors of Pain and Buddy Murphy to the ring! The Monday Night Messiah feels great after he and his team won the first-ever Fist Fight match, with a lot of help from his newest “disciple.” Fans boo as Rollins gets a mic to say, “Wait a minute. I want you guys to know something.” Rollins wants us all to know that we’ve played a small part in making Rollins the man he is today. Fans boo but without all of us, there is no Monday Night Messiah. “So from the bottom of my heart, I just want to say, ‘thank you.'” Thank you for believing in him and supporting him. Thank you for the faith placed in Rollins to lead us into the future and make Raw the premier program in the WWE. “For all of that, I am forever in your debt.”
But there is someone Rollins must thank specifically. Last week, Murphy “opened his eyes!” Murphy embraced fate! When the Architects of Pain were in their darkest hour, Murphy was brave enough to rise up and stand “firmly etched on the right side of history.” Rollins cues up a video recap of that very night. The AOP ambushed Big Show but got ambushed back with kendo sticks. Kevin Owens went Tony Hawk and Samoa Joe went all out, but Rollins asked for help from Murphy. And indeed, Murphy helped Rollins. Things would turn around in Rollins’ favor, and his team won the match. And they might just win the war for Raw.
Back in the present, fans boo as Rollins introduces “the newest disciple,” Buddy! Murphy! And just in time, because Kevin, Joe and Show were going to pull a fast one on progress. “But their plan failed.” And why did it fail? “Because the future is inevitable.” This is fate, destiny and determinism “at it’s finest!” And now, this is a crucial time for everyone. Everyone must decide what kind of people they want to be. Everyone in the locker room needs to decide! The battle lines have been drawn. “What kind of people do you want to be? Because either you’re with us, or you’re against us.” Those who are against- Here comes Kevin Owens! Rollins is not happy to see him but Kevin isn’t alone. Here comes Samoa Joe!
“He talks too much, huh?” Kevin gets Rollins gloating about getting rid of Big Show. That was no easy task, be proud. But the problem is now, Big Show will be back eventually. And even bigger than that is you didn’t get rid of Kevin and Joe! Kevin is pretty sure the good people of Kansas agree when Kevin says, “We have had just about enough of hearing your stupid voice.” Kevin suggests that we do less talking, more fighting! Rollins says that if they want to fight, they can fight! But not right now. No, they need to decide on a proper time and proper place. Joe asks Kevin if his eyes deceive him. Joe looks at the ring and sees a self-proclaimed messiah, but he hears a “typical, lame, lawyer’d-up, ass-hat!” Rollins asks the “gentlemen” to please remain calm.
Rollins is very forgiving, it is in his nature. But the AOP, not so much. If Joe and Kevin are so determined for a fight 4v2, then there’s not much left to say but, “Come on down and dance with destiny!” Rollins tosses his mic aside but Joe says a side-effect of being an ass is that listening skills go down. Joe said “we,” but that didn’t mean just these two. “Come on out, boys!” THE VIKING RAIDERS! The Raw Tag Team Champions are here to bring the raid! Joe, KO and the Vikings rush the ring and the brawl is on! Rollins bails out so that leaves things at 4v3! Akam gets a STUNNER! Murphy gets an URENAGE! Rollins’ forces regroup at the ramp, but this war is far from over!
Rollins and team regroup.
Rollins vows they will fix this. Charly Caruso asks them about being caught off guard. Rollins says they were not caught off guard. Joe and Kevin hid behind those “neanderthals.” So here’s a challenge! The Raw Tag Team Championships are on the line tonight! And it’ll be the new disciple, Murphy, and Rollins. AOP seem a bit stoic that it isn’t them challenging, but they accept Rollins’ decision. Will Rollins once again become a tag team champion?
WWE United States Championship Ladder Match: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Rey Mysterio!
A main-event worthy match is OPENING tonight’s episode! El Idolo believes he is the better role model for the Latino community, and that the King of Lucha Libre is not a good father figure to his own son, Dominic. But will Mysterio prove all of that wrong by climbing over Almas and up the ladder to take the title back?
Raw returns as el campeon makes his entrance with La Muneca. The belt is already high overhead as introductions are made. The bell rings and we begin this literal escalation of the grudge!
Mysterio and Almas both bail out to go for ladders. Mysterio fakes ALmas out and DROPKICKS the ladder into Almas’ chest! Then runs on the apron for a seated senton! But Almas blocks it to swing Mysterio into barriers! Almas gets a ladder in the ring and then puts Mysterio in. Almas drags Mysterio up to put on the top rope backwards. Almas clubs Mysterio’s back as fans rally. Mysterio fights Almas back, but Almas clubs him again. Almas climbs up now that Mysterio faces forward, but Mysterio just holds on to deny the suplex! Mysterio fights and turns Almas around, then climbs up, for a SUPER STEINER onto the ladder! That was a scary one! Vega is panicked as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Almas tries to whip but Mysterio holds ropes. Almas kicks low but Mysterio kicks back. Mysterio throws elbows and forearms then whips, but Almas reverses. Almas runs but Mysterio ducks, Almas tumbles up and out! Almas shakes out the cobwebs as Mysterio brings a ladder around. Mysterio climbs up top to LEAP onto Almas! The seated senton hits this time! Almas and Mysterio slowly get up and head for the ring. Mysterio puts Almas in then stalks behind. Vega coaches Almas up but Mysterio kicks out the legs. Mysterio runs in but is put on the apron. Mysterio punches then springboards for another seated senton! Then a springboard moonsault, but Almas catches him! Mysterio slips out, shoves Almas at the ladder, but Almas stops himself. Only for Mysterio to headscissor Almas into the ladder! The ladder almost falls on Mysterio!
Both men are safe but down as fans rally up. Vega shouts at Almas but Mysterio fetches a new ladder. This is a much taller ladder but Mysterio places a short one by Almas to baseball slide dropkick into him! Almas is out and Mysterio has a ladder up! It’s just right for the height of the belt. Mysterio climbs as Almas slowly rises. Almas gets in to grab at Mysterio and pull him down. Mysterio turns to fight and jump, but Almas catches him for a suplex! Uno amigo! Almas suplexes again, Dos Amigos! Almas gets up a gain, to suplex Mysterio on the ladder! Tres Amigos is painful this time.
Almas drags the short ladder up to make a bridge. Almas drags Mysterio up but Mysterio fights back! They brawl between the ropes, Mysterio enziguris! Almas forearms back, but Mysterio climbs up to join Almas. Almas and Mysterio fight, the steiner is blocked! Almas brings Mysterio up again, to POWERBOMB ONTO THE LADDER! Veega cheers but both men are down as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and now there are two ladder bridges. Almas shoves Mysterio to a corner but Mysterio boots back! Mysterio climbs up but Almas clubs him down. Almas uses a crucifix lift, but Mysterio fights free to headscissor Almas out of the ring! Mysterio hurries to the ladders and finds space to climb. Almas hurries back in and climbs up the opposite side. Mysterio reaches but Almas clubs him away from the belt! Mysterio hits back but Almas bumps Mysterio off the top rung. Almas gut wrenches Mysterio onto his shoulder, for a Gory Especial! Mysterio fights out, to SUNSET BOMB Almas onto the ladder!! Both men crash and burn and fans lose their minds! Vega is beside herself with panic as Mysterio somehow rises from the wreckage! And dropkicks Almas onto ropes, to dial it up! 619 hits! Almas flies out of the ring!
Kansas is thunderous as Mysterio climbs the ladder! He’s almost there, but Almas somehow returns! Almas moves the ladder, Mysterio hangs from the hinge! Almas grabs at Mysterio and brings him down, but Mysterio manages to headscissor through! Mysterio wobbles while Almas shakes out more cobwebs. Mysterio throws Almas out high and hard! Mysterio hurries to adjust the ladder and climb up again! But Vega climbs?! She won’t let Almas lose, even if she has to block Mysterio’s path. She SLAPS Mysterio! Almas attacks from below, then climbs up behind him. Almas hammerlocks, SUPER LA SOMBRA THROUGH THE LADDER!! Even Vega is shocked! But who is left to climb and take the title?!
Almas drags himself up and out of the wreckage, then to the good side of the ladder. Vega shouts for him to get going, and he takes the title down!
Winner: Andrade Almas; still WWE United States Championship
In the end, La Muneca helps El Idolo remain El Campeon! But they’re not done here! They want to destroy Mysterio once and for all, and that involves peeling the floor mats away! Almas dumps Mysterio out and brings him to the exposed concrete. Hammerlock, but wait! The fan with the Mysterio mask… IS HUMBERTO CARRILLO! Humberto is back and brawling with Almas!! Referees separate them and Almas runs away! Ultimo Ninja checks on Mysterio, but the damage was done. Almas has the title and has dispatched Mysterio, but will it be the rise of Carrillo now?
WWE and Raw honor the life and message of Martin Luther King Jr.
Long live the dream.
Aleister Black VS ???
The Embodiment of the End has moved on from the Aussie Juggernaut, but now he is looking for someone new to pick… a fight… with him. Will he continue to win right into the Royal Rumble?
The bell rings, and his opponent runs into a BLACK MASS! Cover, Aleister wins!!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall
That was perhaps the fastest win on Raw in years! Maybe even ever! Will it be that easy to make 28 other men and The Beast to #FadeToBlack in Houston?
Brock Lesnar is here!
This makes three weeks in a row for The Beast and Paul Heyman on Raw! They go to the ring and Heyman gets a mic to give his usual introduction. Fans of course boo. But Heyman says he is not only a “soothsayer of the spoiler,” he is the Advocate for the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! And as such, Heyman is having a “crisis of conscience” because the entire WWE Universe takes what Lesnar does “for granted.” Heyman comes out, gives his spoilers, Lesnar delivers “the impossible,” and fans go, “Of course he did that, he’s Brock Lesnar!” Heyman says something like Lesnar enters the Royal Rumble match first and then win, and fans just go, “Of course he will, he’s Brock Lesnar.” Don’t boo, that’s expected.
But Heyman wants us to understand how unprecedented this is. This match is about one man starting. In this case, it’ll be Lesnar. And then there’s entrant #2 who fights Lesnar. Whether Lesnar eliminates “that pretender the throne” or not before #3, 4 etc. etc. to #30. Whoever gets eliminated when, there will be however many people thrown over the top and both their feet hit the floor. And Lesnar has vowed that those 29 other “contracted challengers” will go over the top and hit the floor with both feet until only The Beast stands victorious! But why? Because it’ll get even better. The winner of the Rumble then gets to choose which champion he wants to face in the main event of WrestleMania. And so Lesnar has deemed that there is not one person in the locker room worthy of main-eventing Mania or any PPV against Lesnar.
Well wait. Who do the fans think they are to boo Lesnar? Fans boo anyway. Do the fans really believe there is anyone in the WWE or anywhere that is worthy of facing Lesnar? They apparently do. Name him! And we’ll wait. Ricochet appears?! The One and Only has a mic to say, “Listen, man, look. Week after week you come out, and these words spew out of your mouth.” And it is a lot. Ricochet has also heard whispers and concerns. Some guys are afraid to step into the Rumble match with Lesnar. But every time Ricochet jumps off a top rope or do a dive, that might be the last time. So “afraid” is not in Ricochet’s vocabulary. Then you got your education here in Wichita. Heyman explains it: Lesnar is hungry, Ricochet is lunch meat. “Take yo’ ass and go on back to that locker room before you get hurt.”
Ricochet thinks he’ll stay. This Sunday, the Rumble is Ricochet’s only ticket to Mania, and he isn’t afraid to fight for it. Ricochet sees what happens to those who challenge The Beast, but Ricochet isn’t afraid. In fact, Ricochet isn’t afraid to get in the ring with Lesnar now! Heyman says he warned Ricochet, but Ricochet says that he is not afraid to challenge Lesnar to a fight, right now! Lesnar laughs, then walks past Ricochet. Ricochet asks what’s wrong. Is Lesnar scared? Lesnar stops leaving, and gets back in the ring. Lesnar LOW BLOWS Ricochet! Lesnar laughs more as he picks up a mic to say, “Not scared.” Lesnar takes his belt and goes home, unafraid. But will that ego only get him in trouble when having to outlast 29 other superstars?
Backstage interview with Randy Orton!
The Viper has heard that Drew McIntyre is on par with him as a favorite to win the Rumble. McIntyre is a hell of a guy, hell of a talent with hell of a future, and one hell of a chop. But on par with Orton? No. That’s impossible. You can’t be on par with someone who can strike out of nowhere with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment. And Orton might just spell it out for McIntyre, because their match is next!
Drew McIntyre VS Randy Orton!
The Scottish Stud and the Viper are both dangerous, and they’ll have to be in order to survive the Royal Rumble with The Beast. But which man survives the other tonight just days before going into Houston?
Raw returns as McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and Orton circles with McIntyre. They tie up, go around, and Orton puts McIntyre in a corner for McIntyre to turn it around. The ref counts and the two separate at 4. McIntyre allows Orton to exit the corner, and then they tie up again. Orton headlocks, McIntyre pries out to a headlock of his own. Orton powers out but McIntyre runs him over with a shoulder. McIntyre flexes while Orton gets out. Orton takes his time catching his breath but McIntyre eggs him on. Orton returns from the steel steps and circles with McIntyre again. They tie up, McIntyre headlocks, but fans rally for Orton. Orton powers out and then follows to run McIntyre over with a shoulder!
McIntyre is up fast and in a huff while Orton rests in a corner. The two approach and then McIntyre lifts Orton to put him in a corner! McIntyre stomps and punches and stomps again, to then CHOP! Orton is a bit stunned, and McIntyre whips him corner to corner. Orton comes back with a clothesline! Then he clotheslines McIntyre out! Orton goes out to back suplex McIntyre onto the barriers! And again! McIntyre hobbles away and Orton stalks behind him. Orton gets McIntyre a third time but McIntyre fights out. McIntyre shoves Orton into a post! McIntyre refreshes the count and glares, and then runs at Orton. Orton evades and the CLAYMORE hits the timekeeper! The referee hurries out to check on the timekeeper, but McIntyre just shrugs. McIntyre stalks Orton more as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and McIntyre looms over Orton in the ring. Fans fire up as McIntyre climbs to the top! McIntyre wants Orton to stand, and Orton does rise. Orton turns around but dropkicks McIntyre out of the air! Both men are down now and a standing count begins. Orton and McIntyre stir at 3, then slowly sit up. Orton stands at 6, but McIntyre punches first. McIntyre eggs Orton on so Orton kicks and European Uppercuts. McIntyre kicks and clubs and now we have a brawl! Haymaker for haymaker, back and forth, fast and furious! Orton uppercuts but McIntyre CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Orton eye pokes. McIntyre is seething and BOOTS Orton! But Orton puts McIntyre on the apron! Orton has McIntyre in the ropes, DRAPING DDT!
Fans fire up as Orton hears the voices! McIntyre rises, but he denies the RKO! Glasgow Kiss headbutt! Orton is down again and McIntyre gets to a corner. “Get up, Randy, you son of a b*tch…” McIntyre puts Orton in a corner for the overhead suplex! Cover, TWO! McIntyre drags Orton up, to dead lift suplex! McIntyre shows off with a kip up! McIntyre aims from a corner and fans are divided. But they still count down with McIntyre, “Three! Two! One!” But McIntyre runs into the spinning powerslam! Cover, TWO! Orton keeps his cool as McIntyre crawls away. Orton has McIntyre in a corner and then on the top rope. Orton throws some haymakers before he climbs up top. They’re on the very top, for the SUPERPLEX! Orton doesn’t cover after that impact, he flops out of the ring!
And here come the OC! They go after McIntyre for his part in last week’s Tirple Threat! McIntyre fights back! He slugs it out with Gallows but Styles chop blocks! The OC stomp McIntyre 3v1, but here comes Orton with a chair! Chair shots for the Good Brothers, but Styles bails out! CLAYMORE for Anderson! Chair shot SMACK for Gallows! Orton and McIntyre run off the Club! Will there be a price to pay should Orton and McIntyre encounter Styles, Gallows and Anderson in the Rumble? Orton also looks at McIntyre while holding the chair, but drops the chair. There is still a lot to be settled between these two, but Orton commends McIntyre for being “a tough son of a b*tch.” McIntyre takes the compliment, and the RKO!! The Viper is still the Viper. Will Orton strike like that on 28 other men and The Beast?
McIntyre gets a mic to say, “Randall Keith Orton…” Wow full name. Wait, get McIntyre a mic that works. The crew replace that one with another. “I should’ve Claymored you. Randy, look at me. That one is on me. Wichita, that’s why they call it the RKO outta nowhere.” But McIntyre promises that won’t happen again. Because Sunday, McIntyre prays that they end up in the Rumble at the same time. This Claymore won’t come outta nowhere, McIntyre promises to kick Orton’s head off his shoulders. McIntyre will win the Rumble and finally, finally main event WrestleMania! McIntyre has the last word tonight, but will he have a say in how things go in Houston?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair!
The Queen was the one to eliminate the most competitors last year, how confident is she about this year’s Women’s Rumble? Always confident, and always prepared. But then Becky Lynch walks in. Well that was one thing she wasn’t prepared for now or last year. Charlotte was eliminated by someone who wasn’t supposed to be in the match. But Charlotte is ready this time. The question is: are the other 29 ready to face her?
Becky Lynch VS Kairi Sane w/ Asuka!
The Man already let us know she’s here by teasing Charlotte. But will she show us all she’s ready for Asuka when facing her tag partner, the Pirate Princess?
Raw returns and fans chant for Becky as she says “The Man has come around to Kansas!” Last week, Asuka came around and actually did Becky a favor. Spraying that mist actually got Becky to see things clearly. Asuka might be doubting herself this time, which is why she won’t face Becky head-on, and Becky is facing Asuka’s partner here tonight. Asuka won last year, but who won in the end? Because Becky went to make history all around the world, while Asuka went on to YouTube making soup. Asuka can blind Becky and break her bones, but Becky is going to collect on that last debt. And Becky knows now that Asuka can’t beat her anymore! With that, the Kabuki Warriors make their entrance, and this proxy match begins!
Becky and Kairi circle and Kairi says, “Kiss this!” Kairi laughs but Becky SLAPS her out of the ring! Becky builds speed to wreck Kairi with a dropkick! Asuka lurks close but Becky backs her off. Kairi chop blocks Becky’s leg! Kairi gets back in the ring and drags Becky up by her hair. The ref backs Kairi off, Asuka uses Kairi’s parasol to SMACK Becky on the leg! The Man is down with a charlie horse as we go to break!
Raw returns again and Kairi clamps onto Becky with a straitjacket stretch. Becky endures and fans rally up while Asuka sits on the post to watch. The ref sees that and tells her to get down. Asuka says she’s not in the ring so it’s okay. Becky fights her way up out of the hold, and then she jawbreakers out of the hold! But Kairi ax kicks then runs, into a calf kick! Asuka coaches Kairi up and Kairi is mad with Becky. Kairi slaps Becky, Becky forearm back. They brawl on their knees back and forth, Kairi fires off angry forearms! Becky gives them back! Becky runs, into Kairi’s forearm! Asuka likes that, but she doesn’t like Becky’s lariat! Becky rallies, Kairi dodges, but Becky leaps for forearms!
Fans fire up with Becky while Asuka coaches Kairi. Kairi dodges and runs back in, but Becky puts her on the apron. Kairi headbutts Becky away then climbs up top. Kairi leaps, flying Kabuki elbow! Cover, TWO! Becky lives and the Kabuki Warriors are annoyed. Kairi roars, ready to end this. Kairi throws a back hand but Becky back kicks! Becky kicks Kairi then wraps on for an inverted DDT! Kairi is down in the drop zone and Becky climbs up, Becky makes sure Asuka watches the Man’s Leg Drop! Cover, TWO! Kairi survives and Asuka coaches her up, but the Disarm-Her clamps on! Kairi powers up and slips into a O’Conner Clutch! TWO! Becky kicks low and suplexes, but Kairi counters with a DDT! Cover, TWO!
Becky gets out, Kairi builds speed, Kairi is put on the apron. Becky kicks as Kairi shoulder sin then bumps her on buckles. Jump Kick sends Kairi down! Then Becky hits a Straight Fire Forearm from the apron! Becky puts Kairi back in, and then she DECKS Asuka off the top! Fans fire up but Kairi runs in. Becky dodges, forearms and BECKSPLODERS! Back kick to Disarm-Her! Kairi taps, Becky wins!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by submission
Asuka hits a Shining Wizard on Becky! Asuka is furious as she puts on the ASUKA LOCK! Becky is trapped but Asuka still lets go, to BUZZSAW! Asuka is still furious but she took The Man down. Kairi bows to her empress and senpai. Will Kairi also be calling Asuka “champion” after Sunday?
WWE and Raw pay tribute to Rocky Johnson.
The Soul Man debuted in 1964, making an instant impact with physique and athleticism. He joined the WWE in 1982, and joined Tony Atlas as the “Soul Patrol” and became the first-ever African-American world tag team champions. Rocky would marry and have a son, Dwayne Johnson. Rocky trained his son and debuted Rocky Maivia as a tribute to both parts of his family’s heritage. And in the end, his sown would be the one to induct Rocky into the WWE Hall of Fame. Rocky proudly paved the way for wrestlers of all colors, and he will be celebrated for generations to come.
The Kabuki Warriors regroup.
But Sarah Schreiber comes by to interview them. Is this the kind of champion Asuka wants to be known as? What is she talking about?! Becky will lose “easy peasy” and then Asuka-nee will be Raw Women’s Champion! “At the Royal Rumble, Becky is NOT READY for Asuka!” The Kabuki Warriors laugh into the night, but will The Man have the last laugh in Houston?
Raw Tag Team Championships: The Viking Raiders w/ Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens VS Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy w/ The Authors of Pain!
Erik & Ivar turned out to be new allies for Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens, but now the Monday Night Messiah wants to punish them for choosing the wrong side of destiny. Will it be destiny for Rollins to once again become a tag team champion? Or is the only thing more inevitable than destiny be the raid?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and Rollins starts with Erik. Erik backs Rollins down and Murphy tags in. Rollins and Murphy hug, and then Murphy turns around into Erik’s shotgun knees! Erik roars in Murphy’s face then puts him in the corner. Tag to Ivar, and Ivar scoop slams Murphy. Erik scoop slams Ivar onto Murphy! Murphy bails out and regroups with Rollins, but the AOP distract the Vikings. So Kevin and Joe take them on! There’s a brawl in the ring and out of the ring! AOP and Joe-KO go into the crowd! The tag title match continues after the break!
Raw returns and Erik fights out of Rollins’ chinlock. But Rollins puts Erik in the corner and throws hands! Tag to Murphy, but Erik fights back. Murphy and Rollins mug Erik to whip him corner to corner. Rollins whips Murphy in but Murphy is TOSSED out! Erik dumps Rollins out to join him, but Erik crawls to his corner! Murphy and Rollins trip up Ivar and throw him into barriers! Rollins goes after Erik, but it’s Murphy who SUPERKICKS and knees Erik down! Big suplex then a tag to Rollins, who climbs up top. Frog Splash hits! Cover, TWO! Erik survives and Rollins is shocked! Rollins focuses and tags Murphy back in. The disciple looms over Erik but fans rally for the Vikings. Murphy drags Erik up but Erik throws hands. Murphy hits back with a strike fest, but the knee misses, Erik hits Ace Ten Mao!
Both men are down and Ivar has returned! The fans fire up as Erik crawls, hot tag to Ivar! Rollins also tags in, but Ivar runs him over! Sidewalk slam and a SPLASH for Murphy! Ivar roars and fans fire up again. Ivar goes corner to corner but Rollins dodges. Rollins runs into a seated senton! Ivar cartwheel LARIATS Murphy! Tag to Erik and Kansas is thunderous again! The Vikings drag Murphy up, and feed him to- No! Rollins denies the experience, but the Vikings knock Rollins and Murphy out of the ring. And then they build speed, to DOUBLE DIVE! The titanic topes hit! Erik puts Murphy in, tags Ivar, and then focus on Murphy. Murphy gets THOR’S HAMMER! Cover, but Rollins breaks it!
Erik grabs Rollins but Rollins PELES! Ivar leg lariats! Murphy is up, he elbows Ivar back then hops up. Ivar uppercuts Murphy first! Ivar climbs up to join Murphy, and fans fire up, but Murphy fights back! Murphy sunset flips but Ivar holds on! Rollins tags in to PELE Ivar! Murphy tucks Ivar in, SUPERKICK! Then together with Rollins, DOUBLE POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ivar lives and Rollins is shocked again! Rollins tags Murphy in and they work together again. Double whip but Ivar breaks the line! Ivar handsprings to double back elbow! Fans fire up, hot tag to Erik! Erik wants Ivar to get up top! Erik lifts Murphy all the way up, POWERBOMB! Ivar climbs, but Rollins shoves him down! Ivar crashes and burns from apron to ground! Erik swipes at Rollins but Rollins gets away. Murphy KNEE TRIGGERS!
Murphy wants after Erik but the ref keeps him back. Rollins APRON CURB STOMPS!! Cover, Murphy & Rollins WIN!!
Winners: Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy, Murphy pinning; NEW Raw Tag Team Champions
The inevitable has come! The Architect and his Juggernaut have gold! The Authors of Pain return to celebrate with them. Is this only the beginning of destiny for the Monday Night Messiah’s faction?
Rollins and his team celebrates!
He told them they’d do it! Congratulations are in order, but what does this mean tot hem? It represents the new beginning! Rollins’ words are coming to life! Murphy was fighting Aleister but now he fights the good fight. When you join the Monday Night Messiah, you reap the rewards! But now, the Royal Rumble will cement their dominance when Rollins wins the Rumble back-to-back! For now, they party! But will the party come to an end in Houston?
It’s the Monday After the Weekend Update.
Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford are back in the studio, and have tonight’s top stories. BRRROCK LESNARRR is going to enter the Royal Rumble first, while Heyman is the first entrant into this year’s all you can eat shrimp contest. Shrimp going to go extinct! That’s no prediction, that’s a spoiler.
Tonight is a new segment called Take Your Corner. Dawkins is sick of reboots! Party of Five, Lizzie McGuire, Gossip Girl? There is nothing new from network television! WWE has seven hours of network programming, and every single second is new and original content! Well, except for Miz and Morrison. Dawkins plays it off and moves to a new corner: he LOVES reboots.
With the Royal Rumble this Sunday, we have a correspondent live in Houston! R-Truth is there in the Minute Maid Park stadium. Texas is huge! There’s also the space center. And while he’s wearing a jacket now, it’s Celsius degrees and Texas is known for being humid. No… Truth stop talking about Houston, talk from Houston. Is Truth entering the Rumble at 420th? Can he at least tell us how it feels to take an F5? It “H-U-R-T’Z”, hurtz. Hmm…
The WWE Universe ship Mandy x Otis. And if she’s conflicted, here’s a preview of what’s awaiting her. Cue the montage of the truffle shuffle! And the Caterpillar!
This has been the Monday After the Weekend Update. Here’s to getting ALL the Smoke in Houston!
Matt Hardy VS ???
Hardy is back again, but will it be WONDERFUL~?
Raw returns as Hardy’s opponent turns out to be Erick Rowan! Will Hardy be prepared for a fight with the Big Redwood?
The bell rings and Hardy gets around behind Rowan to throw big hands. Rowan puts Hardy in a corner but Hardy boots back! Hardy hops up and leaps, but into Rowan’s arms! Hardy sunset flips but Rowan drops big elbows! Then a splash! Fans boo Rowan but Rowan drags Hardy up. Hardy throws hands but Rowan throws Hardy out. Hardy holds on but Rowan BOOTS Hardy off the apron! Rowan goes out to drag Hardy up. “You want to see something, Matt?!” Hardy resists but Rowan brings Hardy to the cage! Rowan clubs Hardy down and then checks on his pet. Rowan reaches in but gets bit again! Rowan slams the cage on the steel steps! “BAD!”
But Hardy hops on to throw hands! Rowan throws Hardy down, then BODY CHECKS him! The ring count climbs and Rowan puts Hardy in the ring. Rowan drags Hardy up, bloody IRON CLAW SLAM! Cover, Rowan wins!
Winner: Erick Rowan, by pinfall
Rowan conquers a former champion, then goes back to his pet. Will the pet continue to bite the hand that feeds? Will Rowan dismantle 29 other men in the Royal Rumble?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe!
What is next for them after Rollins and Murphy took the tag titles and are in the Rumble? Those two winning the tag titles is a problem they can take care of later. As for the Rumble, that’s interesting. Kevin has nothing in common with Rollins, until now. Because Kevin’s entering the Rumble, too! And Kevin will do everything he can to win, but mostly to make sure Rollins doesn’t. Joe is all for transparency, because he is also entering the Rumble match. This is the epitome of “every man for themselves,” but when it comes to Rollins, they will stay united. But if they’re the last two, Joe will go through him. A mutual respect and understanding, but will Joe and KO keep their priorities in mind?
Backstage interview with WWE 24/7 Champion, Mojo Rawley!
Mojo took advantage of Truth after Lesnar’s attack, but Mojo vows to be a “different” 24/7 Champion. This title has been carried by cowards that flee. But here comes Samir Singh? Because Sunil goes to roll him up! But Mojo is too big and strong for that. Mojo THROWS Samir aside, then drags Sunil up to fireman’s carry and TOSS into trunks! Mojo just busted the Bollywood Boys’ blockbuster! Will this be a new era in the 24/7 Championship?
Mixed Tag: Rusev & Liv Morgan VS Bobby Lashley & Lana!
There has been twists and turns and a truckload of drama in this love triangle turned square. But finally, we get some fighting inside the squared circle! Will the Bulgarian Brute and LIVing Karma finally get revenge on the Ravishing Russian and her “hawt hawt boyfriend”? Or will Lana and the Rocky Mountain Machine finally put both of her jilted lovers behind them?
Before the match, Lana grabs a mic to say “Rusev Day is cancelled.” And all her Bobby and Lana ever wanted was… Could the fans shut up!? They’re trying to share their beautiful and inspirational love, yet no one cares! It’s not their fault that they’re all “low rent, bottom feeder pathetic losers.” Lana and Lashley have finally accepted that fans are all jealous of their endless love story of the Millennium. They’ve accepted that they’ll have to suffer through all of the fans’ ugliness in huddled masses of disgrace and disrespect. Lana is not even sure what to say or do. They just want a simple THANK YOU! Now, do it. Chant, “Thank You, Bobby! Thank You, Lana!” The fans boo instead. Well whatever, Lana is so excited that Lashley will again prove his dominance over her stupid ex, Rusev! And Lana will get her hands on the self-serving, coattail riding Liv Morgan! This twisted love story finally has an ending(?) after the break.
Raw returns once more, and Rusev and Liv finally make their way out to the ring. Liv rishes at Lana but the Lana goes to the apron. Lana stays away so Liv chases her down! They go around the ring, and then in the ring, and then Lana clobbers Liv down! Lana shouts she’s the best in the world! Fans boo but Liv LARIATS Lana down! And again! Liv dropkicks Lana to a corner, and then runs in with a big back elbow! Liv pulls Lana but Lana holds the ropes. The ref backs Liv off, Lana ROUNDHOUSES! Cover, TWO! Lana tries again, ONE! Lana brings Liv up to snap suplex, then cover, TWO! Lana taunts Rusev to his face then pie faces Liv. “What, Liv? What?!” Lana slaps Liv, Liv SLAPS Lana! Double clotheslines take both women out!
Fans rally, hot tag to Rusev! Lashely runs in but Rusev rallies! Rusev ducks, lifts and Samoan Drops! Fans fireu p with Rusev as he runs corner to corner for a splash! And overhead suplex! Rusev roars and he stalks “Bob” as fans rally. But Lana swipes at Rusev. Rusev and Lana wag fingers, but then Rusev dodges! Lana almost gets hit by Lashley, but Rusev rolls Lashley up! TWO, and Lana gets a cheap shot in! DOMINATOR! Cover, but Liv breaks it! Lana goes after Liv but Liv throws her out instead! Lashley checks on his wife, but then Liv enziguris! ROUNDHOUSE from Rusev! Rusev glares as he powers up, but Lana gets back in to anchor Rusev’s feet! The ref reprimands, Lashley SPEARS!! Cover, Lashley & Lana win!
Winners: Bobby Lashley & Lana, Lashley pinning
Chaos in the ring benefits the newlywed couple! Lana boasts and brags all the way up the ramp, but will she and Lashley come close to winning their respective Rumble matches?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good go-home to Raw, until the main event. I’ll just go ahead and say that, on top of adding an Erick Rowan filler squash on poor Matt Hardy, that is not how Raw should’ve ended. But at the same time, I can see why all the better matches went first: those matches were more deserving of time so that the matches could breathe, so that means putting them on earlier. Of course, that gives us a disappointing ending where Lana and Lashley find a way to win again, which probably means this rivalry might continue past the Rumble. Ugh. The match itself was chaotic but maybe not in a good way, and Lana’s promo before just drove home that this is only meant to irritate us for Vince’s own amusement. Also, Rowan again getting “bit” for effect, wow…
I did like them giving us a quick “defense” of the 24/7 Championship. Mojo Rawley is not the first to get away from somewhere still champion, but he was certainly the most vicious defender yet. If we get some actual brawls for this title, that will help revitalize the 24/7 Championship story. Whoever needs a bit of screen time better be up for a fight with Mojo. I wonder if Aleister would give it a try. His squash filler was just so he can get screen time without making a new rivalry before the Rumble. I expect him to go after someone or something after the Rumble sorts things out. The WWE United States Championship can still have multiple contenders, especially with Elimination Chamber coming up.
The Ladder Match tonight was incredible, Almas and Mysterio really went all out. That very first ladder spot was scary, though, even Jerry Lawler was worried for Almas’ neck. Almas retaining made sense, and what a great surprise for Humberto Carrillo to return here! Carrillo is an obvious contender, so we’re halfway to a Chamber match. Maybe throw in Buddy Murphy, even after what we saw tonight. At this point, put Orton and McIntyre in assuming they don’t win the Rumble. Orton and McIntyre had a great match tonight, even with the OC attacking. Actually, sub out Murphy to put in Styles in the Chamber so he can settle things with Orton and McIntyre at the same time. They’ll all have a great showing in the Rumble, and again my personal wish is McIntyre Claymore kicking Lesnar out, but Vince probably won’t let that happen. I am oddly happy that a lot of this is hard to predict, that always makes pro-wrestling more fun.
Becky VS Kairi was a pretty good match, especially with Asuka’s involvement. Asuka sitting on the post to watch the match was new, but I like it. Asuka should do that more for Kairi’s singles matches. Becky still wins because she needs the momentum, but Asuka stands tall after beating Becky up so she can also go in strong. Asuka and Kairi had a really good promo after, even if I don’t perfectly understand Japanese. This will definitely add to the intensity of the Raw Women’s Championship match, but I wonder if this is the moment Paige chooses to get revenge. If Paige can neutralize Kairi, that can make things even for Becky and Asuka. But I still can’t tell who really wins this, which again, makes it all the more fun.
Ricochet getting in Lesnar’s face was pretty good. We got good promos out of him and Heyman, and Lesnar’s one-liners are pretty good. Probably still written by Heyman. The way Lesnar is going after these guys, and Heyman now framing the Rumble the way I expected, i.e. Lesnar just wrecking one person after another, I hope this means at some point, a lot of people actually gang up on Lesnar. It probably won’t work, but it’s what Lesnar deserves after everything he’s been doing. Of course, the other stories going into this, like Orton-McIntyre-Styles or Rollins and his enemies, those will all keep the 29 others divided so Lesnar can take advantage, too. The biggest surprise of tonight is that it wasn’t AOP VS Viking Raiders for the tag titles. I feel like that telegraphs no one on Raw is winning the Rumble to challenge Lesnar outright, and things will shift so that Rollins & Murphy VS Joe & Kevin becomes a tag title match.
My Score: 8.2/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will the landscape change again?
Eddy Thorpe keeps prodding and provoking Oba Femi, so he gets his last chance at the NXT Championship! Will Eddy truly be the alpha of NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; wins and
- NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; wins and
- NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXT and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Hockey (and Sports) Talk- Age Is Just a Number [011425]
The guys discuss Alex Ovechkin making more history plus a recap of the CFP Semi-Finals and much more.
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Wildcard Weekend
Dave Wortz joins the show this week as we breakdown the NFL's Wildcard Weekend!
Hockey (and Sports) Talk- Time 4 A Cool Change [010725]
The guys discuss the CFP Quarterfinals and how Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's record this season now appears very likely.
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Who Is Your NFL MVP?
Join Rey Cash, Andrew Balaz and PC Tunney as they cover which way exactly the oblong ball bounces from week...
Bandwagon Nerds #272: Nerdosity
The Nerds discuss the MCU including Captain America, Daredevil, Avengers, and Vision Quest. Plus, the Switch 2 is official and...
Bandwagon Nerds #271: Jack Quaid aka Jack Paid
The Nerds review 2024 and reveal their choices for the best of the year in categories such as best series,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (1/11/25)
Setting the Brackets!
Bandwagon Nerds #270: Deathgrass & Rainbows
The Nerds return to the Trailer Park, address some rumors about Half-Life 3 and the MCU, and discuss Jason Mamoa...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (12/31/24)
History comes full circle!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/21/25)
NXT stacks the gold!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)
WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Classic POD is WAR: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Goldberg
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/18/25)
The carnage continues!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: RAW, TNA & AEW
We've got a little bit of everything this week. With DJ out on assignment, Rob and Jason bring you ALL...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/17/25)
Will Tiffy Time be cut short?
DWI Podcast #459: RIP Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker
DP and PC run down a plethora of topics from RAW and SmackDown as we head towards the Royal Rumble.
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25
The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let's see what happens!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/16/25)
Stir it up!
