Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (9/11/20)

Will we learn #WhyBayleyWhy?

Published

4 years ago

September 11, 2020

Steven Mitchell

What does SmackDown have in store for us this week?

Who will be WWE Intercontinental Champion? What are Bayley’s reasons for brutally betraying Sasha Banks? And who, or what, joins Bray Wyatt in the Firefly Fun House?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles; Styles wins by disqualification, Hardy retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura VS The Lucha House Party; Lucha House Party wins.
SmackDown Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Alexa Bliss VS Nikki Cross VS Tamina VS Lacey Evans; Cross wins and will challenge Bayley for the title at Clash of Champions.
Otis w/ Tucker VS John Morrison w/ The Miz; Otis wins.
Jey Uso & Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Baron Corbin & Sheamus; Uso & Roman win.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE and SmackDown will #NeverForget 9/11/01.

Roman Reigns is here!

The “Tribal Chief” and his “special counsel,” Paul Heyman are back, but fans are torn as to how they feel about that. Heyman grabs a mic to give an “authorized” bit of “enlightenment.” They let the secret out of the bag that these two were business partners, and then at Payback, Roman wrecked everyone and left the new Universal Champion. Then last week on SmackDown, there was full transparency from them. Heyman set all the cards on the table, and then that night, Roman’s bloodline, Jey Uso, stepped up. Jey is not only the only beneficiary of the Fatal 4 Way, he is the one who dethroned a king, braved a brogue and solved a riddle, all in one night to become the NEW#1 contender. Therefore, Roman has bestowed upon Heyman the honor and privilege of introducing that contender. The challenger for the WWE Universal Champion at Clash of Champions, a cousin and practically blood brother, Mr. Jey Uso.

Jey makes his entrance and is very fired up. Jey says to Heyman that he’s got love for him, Uce. Jey thanks Heyman for helping Jey get to this point. Now he gets to compete with blood, Roman Reigns, at Clash of Champions. Heyman doesn’t mean to interrupt but there is nothing owed to him. It all goes to Roman. When Big E was taken out, it was Roman’s idea. Heyman just implemented the idea from his boss, Jey’s Tribal Chief, the razing, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns. Heyman gives Roman the mic so he says Jey doesn’t have to thank him. They’re blood. Years they thought about this. Roman is proud of Jey, the family is proud of Jey. Jey earned this! Jey is going to be in the main event of Clash, taking a huge payday home. This is his moment. This is all Jey.

At Clash, Roman won’t let Jey think it’s his moment, though. Because like when they were kids, Roman is gonna whoop Jey. The title has to stay on Roman’s shoulder to keep the family where it is now. Just like when they were little, Roman is gonna whoop on Jey, then it’s all love. Yeah, all love. But they’re not little kids. They’re grown men. It’s different, Uce. But wait, here comes Baron Corbin! Corbin has had enough of this. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out it was a set-up! Roman Reigns pulled the strings to get a handpicked opponent for his very first defense. And that guy just happens to be his cousin. This is classic nepotism and it makes Corbin sick! There is nothing Corbin despises more than watching someone else walk around and abuse their power.

But here comes Sheamus to add on! He actually agrees with His Royal Highness. “This whole situation stinks!” Sheamus reminded Big E where his car was, and Big E took a spill. Then it should’ve just been a Triple Threat. But what happens? Strings are pulled, and Jey Uso is now in the match! How can anyone prepare o such short notice? Sheamus is blown away! Jey tells them to hold up. He wanted time to prepare? The grown-ups haven’t finished talking, Jey. Jey says how about this? Both of them need to get ready for a tag match, Jey and Roman! The Blood VS the Butt Mud! Sheamus runs at Jey but gets thrown out, then Jey ROCKS Corbin! And POSTS him! Jey is fired up, Roman seems to like that. Will blood leave these sticks in the mud behind them?

Sami Zayn is furious in the production truck!

He does NOT approve of there being an Intercontinental Championship match between Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles! HE is the champion, not them! Didn’t they think about that?! He’s pressing buttons, and sends SmackDown to break! Will this be sorted out before the match happens next?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles!

The Charismatic Enigma is currently the champion, but the Phenomenal One claims controversy because of the knee brace Hardy needed because of Styles’ sneak attack. But as we saw before commercial, the Great Liberator thinks he should still be THE champion because he never lost the title. Will Sami at least let this match happen so he can focus on one “fraud” instead of two?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Sami interrupts! “How dare you!?” This match can’t be for the championship because HE is the Intercontinental Champion! How many times does he have to say it? He won on 3/8/20, and faced Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 36! And yes, for personal reasons, he had to take time off. But then the WWE goes and crowns a “sham,” but whatever. If Styles and Hardy want to beat each other up, fine! But this is an exhibition match! Adam Pearce arrives and Sami is relieved. He wants Pearce to sort this out. But Pearce has security to escort Sami away instead. Well, fine, just don’t touch him. But be ashamed! “This is an insult!” Sami leaves, and Styles sucker punches Hardy!

Styles stomps away on Hardy, the ref pulls him away, and the ref checks on Hardy. Hardy says he wants this match, and the bell rings on this “exhibition” title match!

Styles rushes Hardy but Hardy dodges and Styles hits buckles! Hardy kicks and hits TWIST OF FATE! Hardy goes up top fast, SWANTON BOMB FLOPS! Styles avoids a split second defeat and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Styles drags Hardy up. Hardy hits back, runs but Styles throws him out of the ring! Styles goes out to stomp Hardy but refreshes the ring count so he can stomp Hardy more. Styles goes back in, the ref starts his ring count again but has to keep Styles back, too. The count reaches 5 but Styles goes out the other side. Styles brings Hardy to the steel steps but Hardy shoves Styles so that he hits off the steps! Hardy then uses the steps for POETRY IN MOTION, into the barriers! Hardy doesn’t mind the double-edge of that move as he puts Styles back in. Styles swings, Hardy runs and rallies with forearms. Hardy atomic drops to leg splitting leg drop! But Styles blocks it!

Hardy and Styles are both down but stirring as fans build to a rally. Styles runs in at Hardy but Hardy elbows him away! Hardy goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO! Hardy grits his teeth through the pain as he slowly gets up. He watches Styles rise up, Hardy kicks low but no Twist this time! Styles fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Styles is a bit surprised Hardy survives but the fans keep rallying. Styles drags Hardy up, reels him in, but Hardy resists the Clash to trip Styles up and get the leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick and standing splash to a cover, TWO! Hardy keeps his calm while he grits his teeth. He drags Styles back up, but Styles goes after the bad leg with elbows! Hardy spins back to kick Styles to a corner!

Hardy runs in, HARDY-AC misses! The swinging dropkick drops Hardy on his back and Styles is on the apron. Styles watches Hardy stagger around, but Sami appears as if from nowhere to attack Styles!!

Winner: AJ Styles, by disqualification; Hardy retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Sami just won’t let this go! He ruins the match and throws Styles into steel steps! Sami has his copy of the belt as he gives Hardy a HELLUVA KICK! Fans give thumbs down and boo as Sami raises his copy of the belt up. “There’s only one!” But will Sami be the one when this is all said and done?

But as for Hardy, he tries to walk with his actual copy of the title belt, but his leg gives out on the ramp! Will Hardy even be able to be part of this Intercontinental Championship conundrum?

Jey Uso talks game plans with Roman Reigns.

Jey seems to be going on and on about the Superman Punch from Roman, followed up by an Uso Splash by him. But Roman doesn’t seem interested at all. Will the cousins be able to work together against common, and old, enemies?

SmackDown returns with Alyse Ashton outside the trainer’s room.

According to the trainers, Hardy never lost consciousness, but at first glance, what happened just earlier was do to dehydration. Styles storms over to get to the real news. Neither he or Hardy are okay with what Sami did. Hardy cheated! And now Sami, who was gone for months, is claiming to be champion! Who’s the real champion? Is it Alyse? NO! Styles sounds frustrated, but he’s determined. Styles can beat Sami, he can beat Hardy, and it doesn’t matter when, where or how. Styles will prove once and for all that he is the TRUE Intercontinental Champion! Will there be a solution to this situation soon?

Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura talk backstage.

The Champions VS Champions challenge was issued and accepted on Monday Night Raw, and now the SmackDown Tag Team Champions are discussing game plans in their Champions’ Lounge. But to return the favor, The Street Profits appear! They like what’s going on in here! What are they doing here!? Just checking out the lounge, bruh. They heard about it, wanted to check it out, and “We want the SNACKS!” Okay, okay. But Cesaro and Nakamura have a match. There’s no time for nonsense. That actually sounds like the reason for nonsense. But go ahead, Montez and Dawkins will take good care of the lounge while watching them and filling out scouting reports. Fine. Just don’t break anything! And don’t touch the food! They wait until Nakamura is gone and they start getting some popcorn!

Sami Zayn “visits” Jeff Hardy in the trainer’s room.

The trainer says Hardy just needs to hydrate, drink some fluids, but Sami asks if that’s really all Hardy needs. Maybe it’s something more! Hardy goes after Sami but Sami tackles him over the table! These two brawl as SmackDown goes to break!

Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura VS The Lucha House Party!

The Swiss Cyborg and King of Strong Style might have the Profits on Monday, but it’s a fiesta on Friday! Will they keep things from being #LuchaLit? Or will Kalisto, the self-proclaimed leader of LHP, lead this team to victory?

SmackDown returns as Cesaro and Nakamura make their entrance. The teams sort out and Gran Metalik starts against Cesaro. They tie up, Cesaro knees low and throws more knees. Cesaro whips Metalik to a corner, Metalik dodges him and speeds up to tilt-o-whirl twice for a huricanrana! Metalik mule kicks, runs the corner to flying rana! Tag to Kalisto, Kalisto goes up and stands on Metalik’s shoulders for the elevated splash! Cover, TWO! Kalisto goes to run but Nakamura is in his way. Cesaro CLOBBERS Kalisto from behind! Tag to Shinsuke and he knees Kalisto low and hard! Nakamura snapmares to drop a knee on Kalisto’s head! Cover, TWO!

Nakamura drags Kalisto over, bumps him off buckles and gives him Bad Vibrations! The ref counts, Nakamura stops and tags in Cesaro. Cesaro runs in to BLAST Kalisto with a European Uppercut! Cover, TWO! Cesaro cranks Kalisto’s head, traps the arms and twists. Kalisto endures, fights his way up and throws body shots. Cesaro scoop slams hard and fast, then drops a leg! Cover, TWO! Cesaro tags Nakamura, they bring Kalisto up for Nakamura to KICK off his feet! Nakamura hauls Kalisto up to the top rope, backs up and runs in, Top Shelf Knee! Tag to Cesaro and he drags Kalisto into a gut wrench, Nakamura adds a nee before the suplex! Nakamura sucker punches Metalik while Cesaro covers, TWO!

Wait, what’s going on now? The titantron shows that the Profits are throwing a party inside the Champions’ Lounge, with NON-champions! Drew Gulak, Matt Riddle and a number of random strangers are here! Ford says that if Cesaro and Nakamura are throwing down in the ring, they’d throw down back here! WE LIT, FAM! And then Kalisto rolls Cesaro up!! Lucha House Party wins!!

Winners: Lucha House Party, by pinfall

Cesaro and Nakamura are FURIOUS! Their lounge is being made into a night club, and now they got pinned! Will LHP benefit from the Profits to become #1 contenders? Will Cesaro and Nakamura make the Profits pay on Raw?

SmackDown returns to the Champions’ Lounge!

And now Lucha House Party joins the fun! “LUCHA! LUCHA!” But will Cesaro and Nakamura make their way back their soon enough?

Bayley heads to the ring!

The SmackDown Women’s Champion is all alone, because she brutally betrayed and perhaps even broke The Boss, Sasha Banks! And instead of holding up her title, she holds up a steel chair. This is the same banged up chair she used on Sasha! Bayley grabs a mic while fans boo and give thumbs down. She sets the chair up and takes a seat in it before pointing to the titantron.

Footage replays of the fall from golden grace the Role Models had from SummerSlam to Payback. Sasha said they were still best friends, and they gave everything to try and take back the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. But in the end, it would not happen as Sasha’s knee would take a lot of damage, and Nia Jax would CROSSBODY both Sasha and Bayley down. Sasha was at a very low point, but Bayley would only knock her down lower with the vicious assault. Back in the present, Bayley says, “After all of that, everybody is asking how Sasha Banks.” Is she feeling better? When will she be back? No one is asking how Bayley is doing, or how she feels. “Do you think I enjoyed doing that to my tag partner? Do you think it made me feel good to take this steel chair and destroy my best friend?”

DING DONG, hello, it did! She loved every second of it! And now everyone wants answers, right? Even Michael Cole! Bayley has questions of her own first. Sasha, Bayley knows you’re watching. Does Sasha think Bayley is an idiot? Did Sasha think, that after all these years, Bayley was so naive as to not see what she was up to? After everything they’ve been through, who knows Sasha better than Bayley? Nobody. Sasha was waiting for the right time to strike! The first break in WWE Bayley gets, Sasha makes her a tag team partner, just to keep her close. When Bayley had her first Raw W Omen’s Championship match, Sasha was part of it. Sasha followed Bayley to SmackDown, and when Bayley reached the top of her game, Sasha needed to be #TwoBeltzBanks.

Sasha pretended to be best friends with Bayley, but she was just using her. And Bayley knows that because she was using Sasha! Bayley didn’t care about Sasha or their friendship! Bayley used Sasha every single step of the way! And thanks to Sasha, she was #BayleyDosStraps, the first ever Women’s Grand Slam Champion! And thanks to Sasha, Bayley is the longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion ever! But after last week, Sasha is “completely useless” to Bayley. Bayley no longer needs hugs, friends or fans, just her title. But will Clash of Champions bring about the end of the most dominant reign in SmackDown Women’s history?

SmackDown Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Alexa Bliss VS Nikki Cross VS Tamina VS Lacey Evans!

The loony lass crosses paths with Bayley as she makes her entrance, and Bayley SMACKS Nikki with the chair for it!! Bayley wants to make sure Nikki’s next chance never comes! Will this only make it easier for the Five Foot Fury, the Samoan Steamroller and the Sassy Southern Bell?

SmackDown returns as Alexa is there to help her friend, Nikki. Nikki wants to still compete, the medics give her the green light but Alexa isn’t so sure. Lacey makes her entrance and it’s now or never! Lacey throws her fancy skirt at Nikki and Alexa wants after her already! The ref keeps the peace, all four women get in the ring, and this golden opportunity begins!

Alexa kicks Lacey but Tamina goes after Nikki. Lacey shoves Alexa and drop toeholds while Tamina throws Nikki out. Lacey covers, TWO! Lacey SLAPS Alexa then drags her up to feed to a BOOT from Tamina. Tamina and Lacey go 1v1, Lacey is put on the apron but pulls hair! Lacey hooks Tamina with a leg, and dabs the sweat while she chokes Tamina. She lets Tamina go to sweep the legs then slingshot, only for Tamina to avoid the stomps. Tamina HEADBUTTS Lacey but Alexa dropkicks them both down! Alexa ROCKS Lacey then fires off on Tamina. Alexa shotgun dropkicks Lacey down and paces as she seethes.

Alexa drops knees, Insult but no Injury as Tamina LARIATS Alexa down! Tamina goes after Lacey with stomps, drags Lacey up and suplexes hard! Cover, Alexa breaks it! Tamina glares at Alexa and hauls her up! Alexa fights, gets down but Tamina denies the DDT. Tamina stomps, Alexa dodges but Tamina BOOTS her down! Tamina drags Alexa up, whips her to a corner, and runs in for a corner splash! Tamina digs her heels in but Lacey scrapes Tamina’s face on the ropes! Lacey goes after Alexa with a swing, but Tamina kicks her down! Tamina has Alexa all alone and digs her boots in, but here comes Nikki! Nikki jumps on Tamina, Tamina throws her off, but Nikki fires off forearms!

Tamina shoves Nikki but Nikki dropkicks the legs out! Nikki fires up, runs and LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Tamina powers out and bails out but Nikki fires up. Nikki runs and RAMS Tamina off the apron! Nikki whips Alexa for her to wreck Tamina and Lacey with dropkicks! Nikki comes around but asks if Alexa is still in this. Nikki CROSSBODIES both Tamina and Lacey down! And now Alexa goes after Nikki with SISTER ABIGAIL!? Alexa used Bray Wyatt’s move?! Is “he” in her head again? Alexa’s the only one standing as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Tamina grinds Lacey down with a chinlock. Tamina also hooks Lacey’s nose but Lacey fights up. Lacey throws body shots but Tamina throws Lacey down by her hair! Also, Alexa just up and left during commercial, so this is basically a Triple Threat. Tamina puts Lacey in a corner, stomps away, but Lacey gets to the apron. Tamina tries to rally the fans as she runs side to side, but Lacey knees her back! Lacey has Tamina in the ropes to fire off knees and elbows, then ducks the punch to hotshot Tamina backwards! Lacey gets another leg sweep and the slingshot elbow drop hits this time! Cover, TWO!

Lacey has the ref give her space as she goes up top. Tamina trips Lacey up and she hits buckles on the way down! Tamina goes corner to corner but Lacey drop toeholds her into buckles! Tamina is down in the corner, Lacey grits her teeth and swings in for the BRONCO BUSTER! Lacey drags Tamina to a drop zone then climbs up top. Lacey hits the SASSIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Cover, but Nikki breaks it! Nikki is still in this! All three women are down, fans build to a rally, and Nikki fires up! Nikki runs to corner splash Lacey, then Tamina, then back again! Nikki keeps going, and hits a bulldog clothesline combo! Cover on Lacey, TWO!

Nikki seethes but drags Tamina up. Nikki whips Tamina to a corner, runs in but Tamina dodges. Nikki elbows back, hops up top, boots Tamina away then grabs her for a tornado DDT! Lacey runs in, Nikki gets around her for a straitjacket neckbreaker! Cover, but Tamina breaks it! Tamina drags Nikki up to throw her into a corner. Lacey goes after Tamina but gets a SUPERKICK! Lacey escapes the Samoan Drop to WOMEN’S RIGHT! Lacey spins out of the Purge, Nikki ducks the punch, to put Lacey on the ropes for a DRAPING PURGE! But Tamina hits Nikki before she can cover Lacey! Tamina fireman’s carries, Nikki slips out and deflects the superkick to roll Tamina up, NIKKI WINS!

Winner: Nikki Cross, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the SmackDown Women’s Championship)

Nikki has one more chance at the championship! But will she be able to shrug off what Alexa did to her to focus on Bayley?

SmackDown’s mystery woman is now putting on clothes.

Heels, nylons, and a sparkling dress, complete with a fur coat. But just who is this?

Otis w/ Tucker VS John Morrison w/ The Miz!

Heavy Machinery flattened the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century *stare off into the distance* but the Guru of Greatness tried to literally steal the right to be Mr. Money in the Bank. Luckily, Otis thought ahead and switched the contract into his lunch pail and his lunch into the briefcase. Will Morrison try it again now that he knows the trick?

The bell rings and Otis circles with Morrison. Morrison super punches but Otis dodges to come back and run Morrison over! Miz joins commentary to say that Otis using the MITB briefcase as a lunch box “is a spit in the face to any person that has ever been Mr. Money in the Bank.” It makes sense he’d be offended, Miz was also Mr. MITB at one time. Morrison is in a corner, Otis drags him up and whips him. Morrison rolls off Otis’ back but still gets run over on the return! Otis is fired up, Miz says Otis doesn’t deserve to be Mr. MITB, and Morrison jawbreakers Otis away! Morrison kicks, but Otis fires up! Fans fire up with Otis, Morrison super forearms but Otis just shakes the ropes. Otis blocks the roundhouse, scoops Morrison for an EXPLODER!

Otis drags Morrison up again to scoop, spin and slam! Morrison gets to a corner, Otis fires up but Miz gets on the apron! Otis swipes at Miz, Tucker backs Miz off, but Morrison dodges Otis and sends him into buckles! Morrison grabs the lunch pail and tosses it to Miz! Miz runs away with the contract! Morrison laughs but Otis squashes him in the corner! Otis has Morrison in the drop zone, and hits the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Then Otis goes up to the corner for a VADER BOMB! Cover, Otis wins!

Winner: Otis, by pinfall

Mr. MITB keeps building momentum, but what about the lunch pail? Otis assures Tucker it’s fine, but will they track Miz down?

SmackDown has an update on Big E.

After Sheamus tricked Big E and smashed him through a car windshield, Big E has been recovering at home with lacerations and bruising. Xavier Woods will share the latest on Big E’s condition as part of Talking Smack, on the WWE Network this Saturday morning!

SmackDown returns as Heavy Machinery is backstage.

Tucker is pretty sure Miz went down this hall, but Otis says to calm down. Because just as Morrison was tricked last week, Otis switched things around on everyone this week. That was just a lunchbox. THE lunchbox was inside THE briefcase this week! Tada! Otis is a genius! And as Miz and Morrison regroup, Morrison remembers that the contract is non-transferable. Miz has a lawyer friend who can help them find the loophole in this contract. And they’ll do that… With this mostly eaten apple… Miz has had it! He’s “calling in a favor.” But to who?

SmackDown presents a new Firefly Fun House!

Bray Wyatt and his puppets are so excited! Before the fun begins, Bray needs to get this off his chest. It’s a big ball of lint. But as you can see, thanks to Roman Reigns, something rather special is missing. But it’s okay. Everyone experiences loss. And how you handle loss defines the person that you become. #TheLessYouKnow. Now, let’s have that fun! Tickle tickle, Huskis. And here, in this box, is the newest member of the Firefly Fun House! It’s a very special friend who will be an inspiration to all. “he has overcome so much in his life to make it this far! Please join me in welcoming… Pasquale the Persevering Parrot!” C’mon, buddy! Fly out and say something inspiring!

Pasquale? Is he there? Bray looks inside the box, and can’t find Pasquale! Technical difficulties, please stand by. Ramblin’ Rabbit says Pasquale flew the coop. Bray should’ve cut holes in the box. Wah wah waaaah~! Mercy loves dead birds. Oh well! But wait! It’s DEVIL VINCE! “What the my home is going on around here?!” Bray lost the title, his parrot, and Vince’s trust! Bray can’t handle the responsibility of the Fun House alone! “Are you sure, boss?” “Don’t sass me, boy! This is non-negotiable!” Cooperate or you’re… Okay, okay! What does he have in mind? Introducing, the special advisor to the Firefly Fun House…

“Ladies and gentlemen, my name… is Wobbly Walrus!” Umm… Yowie wowie! “This is such good *toot*.” OH NO~! To be continued in the next episode of the Firefly Fun House!

Jey Uso & Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Baron Corbin & Sheamus!

Blood is thicker than water, and the Samoan Bloodline is strong in the WWE! But will Jey and the Tribal Chief be stronger together against the Wolf King and the Celtic Warrior?

SmackDown returns as Jey makes his entrance. Sheamus rushes Jey but so does Corbin! Jey fights them 2v1 but Sheamus clobbers Jey, and rams him into barriers! Sheamus puts Jey in the ring, Corbin runs at him but Jey boots him away! THe ref rings the bell without Roman and COrbin tosses Jey to a corner. Jey dodges and backs away. Sheamus gets in but Jey uppercuts him out! Jey fires uppercuts at COrbin, COrbin scoops him but Jey sunset flips! TOW, Jey SUPERKICKS Corbin! Jey runs but Sheamus trips him up! COrbin gets JEy for a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Jey survives but where is Roman!?

Corbin grins as Roman isn’t here and he tags Sheamus in. “Where’s your boy, huh?!” COrbin ROCKS Jey into Sheamus’ beats of the bodhrain! Sheamus gets all 10 in before the ref counts 4, then he scoops Jey for a swinging slam!Sheamus fixes his mohawk before he puts Jey in the corner. Corbin tags in and stomps awya, then drags Jey up to choke Jey on ropes! The ref counts, Corbin stomps and hops up to jump, but Jey hotshots Corbin! Jey kicks, uppercuts and fireman’s carries, but Corbin slips out. Corbin shoves Jey, Jey hits Sheamus and SUPERKICKS COrbin! SAMOAN DROP!

Fans rally and Jey goes corner to corner to fire up. Corbin avoids the hip attack and tags in Sheamus! WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus is frustrated and tells Jey is the loser! Sheamus seethes as he aims at Jey from a corner. He fires up but where is Roman?! NOW Roman appears! Sheamus sees Roman storming down the way, Jey dodges the Brogue but Sheamus blocks the kick. Sheamus spins Jey but gets the dragon whip kick! Jey hits the hip attack on Sheamus, DIVES into Corbin and sends him flying! Jey goes up top, leaps, but into Sheamus’ arms! Sheamus pops Jey up, Jey lands on his feet and SUPERKICKS!

Jey climbs the corner, Roman tags in! USO SPLASH! Roman aims at Sheamus, Jey realizes the tag happened and gets out, for Roman to SPEAR Sheamus! Cover, Roman and Jey win!

Winners: Roman Reigns & Jey Uso, by pinfall

The Big Dog takes the pinfall to take credit for everything Jey did! Roman leaves with a smile on his face, and Heyman hands him the championship back. Jey raises Roman’s hand in victory, which surprises Roman a bit. Will Roman be surprised by the fight his cousin puts up at Clash of Champions? Or will he still #ShowUpAndWin like he did tonight?

My Thoughts:

A great episode to set up for Clash of Champions here. Opening and closing with the Universal Championship story was obvious but also really well done material. Roman saying all that stuff about Jey adds to the tension, and I’m just waiting for the moment Jey snaps on Roman. It is definitely happening, because of how Roman left him alone in the tag match and then came in just to finish it up. It may have seemed odd for Jey to get this opportunity, but the build is definitely going to make it work out. I actually like Sami interfering with the Intercontinental Championship, because it is slowly but surely heading towards my idea of a Triple Threat Ladder match to crown the UNDISPUTED Intercontinental Championship. Sami was also great in the production truck and brawling with Hardy in the trainer’s room, I can’t wait to see his response to whatever match is made for Clash.

There was a lot of great stuff with the tag teams tonight, especially the interaction of the champions. Ford and Dawkins showing up to SmackDown was a natural response, and they did great character stuff. The party that they started in the Champions’ Lounge was hilarious, and it definitely makes sense for that to distract Cesaro. LHP’s story is getting some depth as only now, after years of being a trio, does Kalisto say he is the leader. I don’t think they’re going to win the titles off Cesaro and Nakamura, because I could see the trio falling apart during the match. Kalisto will be the one to turn and I bet he finds someone new to team with to go after Metalik and Lince Dorado.

The segment with Heavy Machinery went in an obvious direction. Otis wins but someone steals the lunchbox, only for there to be the bait and switch back the other way. I’m very curious as to who Miz’s friend is and what the favor is going to be. Maybe Clash of Champions surprises us by having a match for the MITB contract. Though, I’m not sure if that really helps anyone. Miz and Morrison are going to look bad if Otis beats them again, but Otis will just be shown as a wasted Mr. MITB if he loses his contract to one of them. Firefly Fun House was very interesting. I like the swerve on the newest member of the puppet cast. Pasquale the Persevering Parrot dying on arrival is morbidly hilarious since it’s Bray saying perseverance and hope are overrated. But then there’s also the great meta of adding the Heyman parody to poke at how AJ Styles went on the record about things in the actual backstage environment.

Then the women’s division segments were great, especially with how they tied together. Bayley going deeper into Heel territory claiming she was just using Sasha and all that was a pretty good move. Even if some of it is just Bayley covering up for the truth, it works for her character to at least say she stopped caring about Sasha a long time ago. Her going after Nikki should’ve been an indicator that Nikki would find a way to win. Well there’s that, the fact Bayley is mega Heel, Tamina and Lacey being firmly Heel and Alexa turning as part of the story with Bray Wyatt, Nikki was the only real choice. I almost feel like that won’t go through because of this story with Alexa. Alexa could attack Nikki and keep the match from happening so Bayley retains by default to reach that one-year mark.

My Score: 8.3/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Steven Mitchell

NXT is making history tonight!

NXT returns to the Underground, and for the first time, it’s ladies night as Natalya takes on Lola Vice! Will the Queen of Harts triumph? Or is Lola gonna sink The BOAT?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Tag Team Championships: Axiom & Nathan Frazer VS The Authors of Pain; win and
NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi VS Ivar; wins and
Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Jacy Jayne w/ Jazmyn Nyx; wins.
NXT Underground: Natalya w/ Karmen Petrovic VS Lola Vice w/ Shayna Baszler; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/29/24)

The Draft wraps it up!

Published

1 day ago

April 29, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Pick and choose, sit and lose, all you different crews…

Night two of the WWE Draft continues here on Monday Night Raw, even as The Judgment Day take on Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade! Will Main Event Jey’s team put a YEET Down on Damian, Finn & JD?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Gunther wins.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed; Sami wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
Maxxine Dupri VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell; Candice wins.
Liv Morgan VS Nia Jax; Liv wins.
WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS The Alpha Academy; The Awesome Truth wins and retains the title.
Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade; Jey, Ricochet & Andrade win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Logan Paul arrives!

The Maverick United States Champion rolls up, also with IShowSpeed, and they’re greeted by Patrick Mahomes! And Judgment Day, too! Damian Priest says hey to Logan, congratulates Mahomes on his success, and from champion to champion, Priest wants to say that Logan looks good with the title. Logan appreciates that. Nick Aldis invited Logan to Raw to help with the WWE Draft, make some picks, and hang out with the greatest QB in the NFL. But hey, Judgment Day’s been crushing it. They run Raw! Logan’s guess is that at Backlash, they’re gonna destroy the “ugly Uso,” Jey. Let’s get it! This clique rolls in, will things all go well for them this close to the big night?

Becky Lynch is here!

The fans fire up for the NEW Women’s World Champion as she makes her way to the ring, gold back in her hands! Becky gets a mic in her hand now, and she says, “The Man has come around to Kansas City!” The fans cheer that! And man, we’ve got history here, right? Yeah, yeah! Lots of people say KC is where The Man was born. Nearly six years ago, right up on those steps, face bloodied, and she let everyone know that this is HER show now! And here she stands, your new Women’s World Champion, and she’s still saying the same damn thing! The fans cheer on “BECKY! BECKY!” Becky says we are on night two of the Draft, and the times, they are a changing!

There’s a whole new division waiting in the wings. It has taken Becky two YEARS to work back to holding a world championship. And the fans chant, “You Deserve It!” She thanks them for that and loves them for it. But now that Becky is holding this title, her instinct is to hold it tight, never let it go, but titles aren’t meant for just holding. They are meant for defending! Fans like the sound of that, too! So Kansas City, let’s find ourselves a new #1 contender! And Becky wants to fight the best, because you only get better fighting the best. And with that, here comes Liv Morgan! Liv has a smile and a mic as she goes to the ring to tell Becky if she’s looking for a contender, here she is!

The fans are torn but the “MAMI! MAMI!” chants come out. Liv says now, the very last thing she wanted was for Becky to just hand her a title match. But for some reason, Liv can’t help but feel like Becky owes her one. The fans boo but Liv says hold on, hold on. The truth here is, the only reason Becky has the World Championship is because Liv did what Becky couldn’t, and that was take out Rhea Ripley. The fans boo because Liv hurt Rhea. Liv continues to say that this is still the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour, after all. And she thinks they both know that the endgame here was always going to be Liv. So Liv won’t stop until she has everything that she wants.

Becky tells Liv she’s right. Becky would not be holding this title if not for what Liv did to Rhea. But the interesting thing is, Liv would be holding this title if not for what Becky did to Liv. Funny how that works, huh? But then here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force was drafted to SmackDown, but rosters don’t lock in until after Backlash! And Nia says this is all just them being rude. She doesn’t know about any of the fans here, but Nia says Kansas City is very rude for not welcoming her. They are lucky she even showed up tonight. Liv can’t hear Nia over the boos! Nia says she dominated them both last week! SHE should be champion right now!

And the only reason she’s not is because Liv and Becky teamed up to make sure she wouldn’t be. But lucky for her, she’s now on the superior show, SmackDown! It’s why she’s wearing blue, if you can’t tell, you idiots. But like Bayley, Naomi & Tiffany saw, Nia will soon be champion. So tonight is her last night on Raw. Fans cheer that! Well, if Nia is leaving, she’s taking one of them with her. So- LIV SHOTGUNS NIA! The fans fire up and Liv says if Nia’s gonna make a challenge, SHE accepts! Will Liv survive a battle with Nia to then go after Becky and the title?

Stephanie McMahon is here!

The fans fire up as the Billion Dollar Queen walk out on stage! She goes to the podium because she has the first round of picks! And she says it feels great to be back here in Kansas City! She welcomes us to night two of the 2024 WWE Draft, and says with the first pick, Raw selects… DER RING GENERAL, Gunther, and Ludwig Kaiser, Imperium! And yes, it’s just them after they expelled Giovanni Vinci from the group. With the second pick, SmackDown selects… JADE CARGILL! The Storm is staying on Friday nights, much to Damage CTRL’s chagrin. And with the third pick, Raw selects… DAMAGE CTRL! Well, never mind!

The fans are torn as Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Asuka & Kairi Sane now move to the red brand! And with the final pick of this opening round, SmackDown selects… KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter stays on Fridays, which is fitting as he wants after The Bloodline! Who else will be chosen? We’ve still got FIVE rounds to go tonight!

Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Xavier Woods VS Kofi Kingston!

Speaking of Imperium, they’re ready to commemorate staying on Raw and dumping Giovanni Vinci by sanctifying the ring. However, will the reigning, defending, W, W, E, King, of, the RING~ prove to Der Ring General that he isn’t ready to wear the crown?

The bell rings, Gunther and Woods slowly circle. The fans rally up for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” The two approach, Gunther kicks low, then CLUBS Woods. Woods goes to a corner, Gunther clinches and grinds forearms, but the ref counts. Gunther lets off, Woods dodges the chop to CHOP! Woods dodges another chop to headlock! Gunther powers up but Woods holds on tight, Gunther powers out on the second try, but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides under to ROLLING ELBOW! Gunther fumes, runs up, but Woods dumps him out! Woods runs, but Gunther avoids the wrecking ball dropkick to CHOP Woods down!

Woods writhes, Gunther hauls him up and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX, and then Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Woods is down in the ring. Gunther paces, Kaiser tries to get fans to cheer him but they boo instead. Gunther brings Woods up to UPPERCUTS! Woods goes to a corner, kicks low, then UPPERCUTS back! Woods fires more UPPERCUTS, but Gunther scoops to SLAM him down! Gunther paces while Woods writhes and fans boo. Gunther goes back to Woods, eggs him on, then stands him back up. Gunther HIP DROPS, then he talks trash. Gunther scuffs Woods, but the fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Secret glitch happens, but Woods fires CHOPS on Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Woods down!

Woods still gets up! Woods CHOPS and CHOPS, but Gunther pushes him to a corner, to CHOP again! And CHOP again! And then short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Gunther grins while talking smack on Kofi. Kofi coaches Woods, Woods rises, and Kofi tells Gunther not to worry about him. Woods stands and ROCKS Gunther, JAWBREAKERS, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Woods again! Then reels him in, hoists him up, but Woods slips free! Woods mule kicks and the fans fire up! Woods runs corner to corner, but is put on the apron! Gunther CHOPS, Woods wobbles, and Gunther climbs!

Gunther drags Woods up, but Woods fires body shots! Woods throws hands and he CHOPS Gunther! And CHOPS him off the ropes! The fans fire up as Woods climbs, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Gunther is still in this but even Kaiser looks a little worried. Gunther sits up, Woods is on him and brings him in. Woods goes to suplex but Gunther fights out! Gunther CHOPS Woods down again! Woods goes to the apron, Gunther runs in but Woods RAMs him! Only for Gunther to SHOVE Woods down! Woods’ leg gets caught in the ropes! The ref hurries to help Woods but Gunther stomps away! The fans boo but the ref backs Gunther off.

Gunther goes outside, to CHOP the leg! The ref frees Woods, Woods flops to the floor, and the ref reprimands. Gunther grins as he still has control, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Gunther drops a knee on Woods’ bad leg! And then another knee drop! Woods flounders to a corner, drags himself up, and Gunther again talks trash to Kofi. Gunther goes back to Woods, but Woods throws body shots and chops! Gunther kicks the bad leg! Woods CHOPS, but Gunther scoops him to SLAM him into ropes! Woods grits his teeth, clutches the leg, but the fans boo as Gunther mocks Woods. Gunther drags Woods up, puts him on the top rope, and CHOPS him on the back! Woods falls back into the Tree of Woe, and Gunther CHOPS the knee! And CHOPS! And CHOPS it again! The fans boo but Gunther BOOTS the knee!

The ref backs Gunther off, gets Woods out of the Tree, but Gunther grins as he watches Woods writhe. Kofi coaches Woods, the fans rally up, but Gunther eggs Woods on. Woods crawls after Gunther, rises up, only for Gunther to CHOP him down! Gunther goes out to the apron, taunts Kofi some more, then goes up the corner! GUNTHER SPLASH onto knees!! A double-edged tactic but it still saves him! Woods slaps the leg, gets it moving, and the fans rally up harder! Woods rises, to kick, but Gunther blocks! Gunther CHOPS Woods down, then has the leg for a HALF CRAB! Woods endures, flails, reaches out, and Kofi coaches him, only for Gunther to drag Woods back!

Gunther sits deep on the leg, and Kofi thinks about the towel! Kofi grabs the towel, but Woods tells him no! Woods doesn’t wanna lose like that! He knows he can do it! Kofi hears Woods out, and throws the towel away! The fans fire up as Woods powers up! Woods crawls forward, reaches out, but Gunther turns him over! Woods kicks with his free leg, but Gunther drags him way back! STF, with HAMMERING ELBOWS on top! INVERTED GRIP!! Woods endures, but he just can’t! He taps, Gunther wins!

Winner: Gunther, by submission

A gutsy move by Woods, but Gunther has no mercy for anyone. Der Ring General stands tall over the king and “takes his crown” for his own. Will this also happen during the King of the Ring tournament as we enter the money of May?

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Cathy Kelley is with Main Event Jey, Raw’s first pick from Night One. A great honor for Jey, but is there any pressure being Raw’s first pick while also heading into Backlash’s World Heavyweight Championship match? Jey appreciates the praise, but says there’s no pressure. Put that on his back, watch him work, and Priest is about to catch this YEET down! Then one more question: Logan Paul- Jey stops her there. Jey is glad WWE signed a Paul brother. He just wishes it was the one with a winning record. YEET. Jey heads out, will he and his team get a big win over Judgment Day?

Wait in the background, is that Liv? And is… is that Dom following her?! What’s going on with Mami’s Latino Heat while she’s away?

Logan Paul & IShowSpeed head to the ring.

The fans boo as The Maverick and his pal walk out to the podium. Logan says what’s up, Kansas City? It’s so beautiful. But real quick before they get started, you all know there’s a special guest in the house. Samantha Irvin, do an introduction for Mahomes! The fans cheer as Samantha introduces the TWO-TIME NFL MVP, the THREE-TIME Super Bowl Champion, and the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes! The fans cheer again, and Speed snipes the first pick of the second round. Raw selects… The Voice of the Voiceless, C! M! PUNK! The fans fire up for that one, and even chant his name!

Logan takes the pick for SmackDown, and they select… THE PRIDE! Bobby Lashley, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins & B-Fab are all sticking together, and they’re all staying right on Friday nights to go after A-Town Down Under. Speed says for the third pick, Raw selects… THE MONSTER OF ALL MONSTERS, Braun Strowman!! Raw is keeping the 6’8″, 385 pound superheavyweight right here on Mondays! And SmackDown wraps up this round, they select… Tiffany Stratton! The Center of the Universe is still on Fridays, will it be #TiffyTime for the Summer?

Logan continues to the ring to say it’s time to get real. He came to KC to help picks, celebrate with Mahomes, but then what happened? Jey is running his mouth just because he pointed out the truth? The truth is, stupid, Damian Priest will beat Jey Uso! And here’s why: Because Jey made a mistake leaving The Bloodline. Jey Uso is incapable of becoming a champion on his own! Something Logan has become a master of. So look, KC, let him give you a play by play of what happens this Saturday at Backlash. But wait! Here comes Jey! The fans fire up as Jey goes right to the ring, the fans bouncing along with the beat!

Jey stares Logan down, and even looks at the US Championship. The “YEET!” echoes out as Jey gets a mic. Jey says Logan’s got predictions. But Kansas City, what you got to say? You thnik Jey can beat Priest? “YEET!” You think Jey can be world champ? “YEET!” You think Jey needs to knock the YEET outta Logan for running his mouth? “YEET!” Logan asks if Jey thinks he can out YEET him. For all his little gangstas, Logan’s been yeetin’ since 2017! Lil’ Jey trying to roast Logan? Jey ain’t good when he’s alone. It’s why he got kicked outta the Bloodline. The difference between Jey and Logan, is Logan and his bloodline nis tight.

And here come JD McDonagh & Finn Balor! Logan says well, well, well. Jey’s all alone again. Can’t fend for himself then, can’t fend for himself now, and always behind with those two braincells in his head. Jey’s vocabulary consists of two words: YEET, and UCE. But Jey says YEET and he fires haymakers on JD & Finn! Only to get mugged 2v1! Logan says well, well, well. Logan leaves it to Judgment Day as he says KC has something they might like. Logan goes to Mahomes, and Mahomes gives Logan all his Super Bowl rings to be brass knuckles!! The Judgment Day gets Jey on his feet, Logan swings, but Jey ducks! The Irish Ace takes all three rings to the face!!

Jey then walks back up and even he’s like, DAMN! JD got the knocked the YEET out! Finn swings, Jey TACKLES him! Logan drags Jey off Finn and throws down those rings! But BRAUN is here?!? Logan didn’t realize the Monster Among Men was actually going to be in KC! Braun storms in, Finn goes after him, but Braun SHOVES him down! And then grabs him for a MONSTER CHOKE SLAM!! Braun glares right at Logan, and Logan goes running! Braun pursues right into the crowd but Logan’s too fast. Braun tells him he better run! Braun then looks at Mahomes, who gave Logan the ammo in the first place.

The fans fire up as Mahomes has his linemen step up. Jey has Braun calm down, those guys are WWE’s guests. Braun leaves it at that, and KC fires up as Braun roars! Will nothing stop this Monster Among Men from making Mondays his night?

R-Truth finishes talking with Chad Gable backstage.

Gable says Truth drives a hard bargain, but he won’t regret it. On behalf of The Alpha Academy, it has been a pleasure doing business with him. The Miz walks in and says they just negotiated a title match tonight. Yeah, with Gable. Good businessman here. Gable said they get one now, and two later! W-What? Y’know, like Now & Laters, the candies. But dog, it’s the Draft! And the WWE World Tag Team Champions could be drafted into the NFL and be players for the Chiefs! Miz asks if Truth knows that this is the WWE Draft, not the NFL Draft. Truth knows now. Who does he talk to? Patrick Mahomes is here. The insurance guy?

Truth is ready to bundle his home and auto! It’s two-for-ones all day! Let’s roll! Truth heads out, Gable says that’s quite the negotiator. Miz just replies with, “Really? Really?” Miz heads out, and Sami BOOTS Gable down!! The fans cheer as Sami gets some revenge before heading out for his own title match! Will everything start falling apart for The Alpha Academy this close to Backlash?

Backstage interview with Booker T.

Cathy says Booker is lending his knowledge to Raw as a draft analyst, so what does he think of it so far? Jade Cargill for SmackDown is a game changer. And while Priest is locked in for Raw, what about the rest of Judgment Day? But then CM Punk, what a big break for Raw. That’s huge. But then in walks Drew McIntyre. Book says hey, what’s up? McIntyre says, “Tell me you didn’t just say that. You think this is 2010, Book?” Punk gets hurt after one match, and then he still gets drafted ahead of the guy who took him out, and who literally won the world title?! The title you don’t have right now?

Drew seethes and tells Booker to not be like the others. Booker saw what happened just like everyone else did. Booker asks Drew if he saw what happened like everyone else did. McIntyre asks if this is backwards world or something! He was with Booker back in the day! He knows how Book really felt about Punk! But Booker’s changed. McIntyre storms off, but just what is going on with McIntyre?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed!

The Great Liberator just got a semblance of payback on Chad Gable, and now he’s looking to take a BIG bite out of Auszilla! Will Sami avenge himself of all the cheap shots and blindside attacks? Or will there be a tectonic shift in the championship landscape tonight?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this is a massive moment for both men!

The bell rings, the two circle, and they feel things out. The fans rally for Sami as the two circle and tie up. Sami waistlocks, Bronson backs him down but Sami puts him in a corner! Sami CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Bronson shoves Sami away, then CLOBBERS him! Bronson snarls, drags Sami up, and HEADBUTTS him! Sami flops against ropes but Bronson storms up on him. Bronson stands Sami up against ropes, to CHOP! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sami, HEADBUTTS him again, then eggs him on. Bronson CLUBS Sami, CLUBS him again, but the fans still rally for Sami. Bronson drags Sami up, whips him to ropes, but Sami holds ropes!

Sami dodges Bronson to send him outta the ring, then goes to the apron! Sami mule kicks, then ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Bronson! The fans fire up with Sami as he stands tall! Sami puts Bronson in the ring, goes to a corner and climbs, to CROSSBODY, but Bronson catches him! And RAMS him into the corner! And then RUNNING POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! So Bronson SENTONS! Sami sputters and flounders while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Bronson stands tall over Sami. Bronson brings Sami up, HEADBUTTS him, then fires forearms. The fans rally behind Sami as Bronson whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami LARIATS Bronson down! The fans fire up and Sami goes to a corner. Bronson stands, storms over, but Sami ELBOWS him away. Sami goes up and AX HANDLES, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Sami survives that slam but Bronson snarls. Bronson drags Sami back up, reels him in, and hoist shim up, to BUCKLE BOMB! Then he gets Sami back up, SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and the fans fire up again!

Bronson is frustrated but he stalks Sami to the ropes. Bronson kicks Sami out of the ring, goes to the apron, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Sami goes down in a heap and Bronson looks to the title belt. Bronson puts Sami in the ring, then aims from a corner. But Sami HELLUVA KICKS outta nowhere!!! Cover, BUT GABLE GETS IN!? GERMAN SUPLEX!!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by disqualification (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Gable ruins Bronson’s match just to get back at Sami! Gable rains down fists on Sami, then CLUBS away on him with crossface forearms! Gable rolls up his sleeves to put on the ANKLE LOCK!! Sami endures, flails, but ends up int he GRAPEVINE! Refs rush out here to stop Gable and he lets Sami go. But then TSUNAMI!! Bronson gets his in, but perhaps on the wrong target! Gable grabs the gold, he holds it over Sami as he says Sami never deserved it in the first place! But then Bronson fireman’s carries Gable! DEATH VALLER DRIVER!! Bronson grabs the gold and stands over both men! Is Auszilla going to destroy anyone and everyone until he’s the alpha?

Ron Simmons & John “Bradshaw” Layfield are here!

The fans fire up as The APA is here to give the next round of picks! JBL starts by saying Raw’s first pick of the third round is… THE LATINO WORLD ORDER! Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, and… Carlito, are all on Raw! But what about the falling out from Friday? Ron says SmackDown selects… LEGADO DEL FANTASMA! Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo are staying on Fridays, them exposing Carlito’s dark secret their final act in the feud. JBL says Raw selects… THE SCOTTISH WARRIOR, DREW MCINTYRE! McIntyre might still have a way to complain about this…

And with the final pick of this third round, SmackDown selects… THE KING OF STRONG STYLE, SHINSUKE NAKAMURA! Shinsuke is moving over to Fridays, will he look to take aim at Cody Rhodes once again?

But speaking of McIntyre, he now makes his way out here, mic in hand! “Am I the only sane and logical person left around here? In what world does Drew McIntyre get drafted in Round Three?” If someone were to walk up to him and explain how it makes sense, he’d call that person a liar! McIntyre says the APA must’ve been doing a lot of drinking since Friday, that’s how stupid this is! But the fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Oh, yes, so anti-establishment to say his name. McIntyre says Punk is the furthest thing from that! Punk is now a corporate ass-kisser! Punk, congrats, you finally did something since returning: you hurt McIntyre!

McIntyre shows off his arm bandaged up, because Punk’s attack fractured McIntyre’s elbow! But unlike Punk, McIntyre is still here, working through the pain instead of staying home collecting paychecks! McIntyre just tapes it up, gets on with it, because he’s a real man! WAIT! Punk’s music hits! Is he here tonight!? McIntyre is storming around, waiting and looking, thinking this is a game. But then Punk says cut his music. Is it good to be alive in Kansas City or what? He’s up in a skybox! Punk is showing he’s not sitting at home, he’s right here, “Ya little b*tch!” Punk waves, McIntyre storms off, and the fans chant for Punk!

Ron looks to JBL, then looks around and says… “DAMN!!” The fans cheer the iconic line, but is McIntyre going to find his way up to Punk’s skybox to settle this once and for all?

The Alpha Academy prepares backstage.

Maxxine is so ready! But then Gable storms in and asks what’s going on. Maxxine says Otis & Tozawa are just firing her up for her match tonight! Didn’t you see her last week? Two eliminations in that battle royal! Finally, some momentum! Gable sarcastically says yeah, two eliminations, that’s great. But uh, can he see the title she won? She didn’t win… No, she didn’t, did she? So what? He’s to celebrate mediocrity? She wants a participation ribbon? It’s PATHETIC! And as for Otis & Tozawa, they better get it together. Tozawa, Gable swears to God, if he sees that stupid dance… Now go out there and win him those championships!!

Gable storms off, Maxxine is shook, but Ivy walks in to calm her down and help her prepare. Otis and Tozawa look to each other, are they going to win just so Gable isn’t disappointed? Or will they do this for themselves tonight?

Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.

Raw returns as Cathy is with the Big Bad Booty Nephew, and notes him being a top draft pick. What are his feelings being brought to Monday Night Raw? Bron says that Adam Pearce knows Bron is the best possible pick. He is here to take this place over. But then Sheamus apologizes for the interruption. What? Why’s he interrupting? Sheamus just wants Bron to save his breath to cool his porridge. Sheamus just wants to say he’s impressed by Bron. And this isn’t just Sheamus trying to figure out who the BAMF is, it’s just that Bron reminds Sheamus of a young and hungry Sheamus. Bron’s had banger after banger after banger.

But then McIntyre storms past them both, and Sheamus stops himself. Bron says sure, bangers. Bron heads out, is he going to break through sooner rather than later? As for Sheamus and McIntyre, can Celtic Warrior get through to Scottish Warrior before he does something he’ll regret?

Maxxine Dupri w/ Ivy Nile VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!

With the lingering grudge between these two, we’re bound to see fireworks go off tonight! Will Maxxine accomplish greatness by finally conquering her bully? Or will the Poison Pixie continue to be absolutely toxic?

The bell rings and Candice is already pushing Maxxine around! Maxxine TACKLES Candice for it! Maxxine dribbles Candice off the mat, then lets off to LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up as Maxxine brings Candice up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! And a kip up! Maxxine runs, and BULLDOGS Candice down! Straps come down, and Maxine handsprings into the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! The fans fire up as Candice flounders and Maxxine says ‘A THANK YEW~!” Candice kicks, Maxxine blocks, and has an ANKLE LOCK!! Right outta Gable’s playbook! Indi coaches Candice, she crawls over, but Maxxine drags Candice back!

Candice keeps fighting around, but Maxxine keeps hold of that leg! Candice tries to go the other way, Ivy tells Maxxine to keep on the pressure! Indi POSTS Ivy!! Maxxine’s stunned, Candice rolls to send Maxxine into ropes! Maxxinen sputters, sits up, and Candice SUPERKICKS her down! Candice gets the arms, stretches Maxxine out, to WICKED STEPMOTHER!! Cover off the vicious stomp, Candice wins!

Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall

If Candice is a wicked stepmother, than is Indi her evil stepdaughter or something? They might be winners, but have they completely lost their way?

Backstage interview with The LWO.

Cathy is with Zelina, Rey, Dragon, Cruz & Joaquin, the newest additions to Raw. But Carlito is still coming along with them, so how are they feeling after his apparent betrayal? Rey says there are a lot of mixed emotions, but they are very happy to be here on Raw. As for Carlito… No idea why he did what he did, which means they still have unfinished business. But then Dom walks over to say hey to the “old geezer.” Dom tells LWO that Judgment Day runs Raw. So welcome back, Lollipop Guild. Rey tells Dom Judgment Day can’t run Raw if they haven’t even been drafted here. And wait… What is that on your lip, Dirty Sanchez?

Dom says Rey’s just lucky he’s not cleared! Dom runs off, Zelina says Dommy misses his Mami. But is this a sign that things are going to reignite in this father-son rivalry soon enough?

McIntyre finds the upperdeck.

He asks the fans which skybox is Punk’s but no one knows. McIntyre finds it, but Punk’s gone. Punk did leave a signed picture, though. McIntyre crumples that up, and then Punk’s making his way to the ring! Punk gets the better of McIntyre again, and says it’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME~! McIntyre now watches Punk from the skybox as Punk gets a mic. The fans chant for Punk while he looks up at McIntyre. “I love Kansas City and the people that inhabit it, so I don’t wanna waste your time like Drew McIntyre. So I’m gonna try and do this in less time than the last time you were World Champion, which means I’ve got five minutes and 46 seconds. Pat, time me!”

The fans cheer, and Punk says this would normally be where Punk asks if he has your attention now. But he can see clear as day just like everyone else, Punk’s had McIntyre’s attention for quite some time. He’s like an ex-girlfriend Punk can’t get rid of! And McIntyre says Punk hurt his elbow? GOOD! McIntyre prayed for Punk’s injury, but Punk did that to McIntyre. Punk thought McIntyre hurt his arm sitting around and tweeting. That is why Punk was drafted before McIntyre! Punk isn’t mad, isn’t out for revenge, McIntyre has given him purpose. The fans chant for Punk again, and Punk lets them.

Punk then says the reason Punk went ahead of McIntyre in the draft is simply economics! He is the Best int he World! In the ring, on the mic, even on commentary! No offense to Pat & Michael. Pat lets us know we’re 90 seconds in. Punk tells McIntyre that losers hope things happen. Losers pray for things to happen, but winners make it happen! And when Punk is cleared at 100%, he promises to make McIntyre’s life a living hell! Mic drop, and that’s just under two minutes! Will those other three minutes be used by McIntyre stewing over Punk?

Teddy Long and Alundra Blayze are here!

The Hall of Famers are here, Punk gets a hug from the former SmackDown GM, and even gives Alundra a polite hug and kiss on the cheek. Teddy starts off by saying Raw’s first pick of this fourth round, they select… JUDGMENT DAY! Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Dom Mysterio are all staying put behind Damian Priest! Alundra says SmackDown selects… THE GLOW, NAOMI! Naomi’s challenging for the WWE Women’s Championship, so naturally SmackDown wants to keep it all on the blue brand. Teddy says Raw’s next pick, they select… NXT’s Mad Dragon, ILJA DRAGUNOV!! The Performance Center erupts as Raw is now UNBESIEGBAR!

Dragunov stands up, a standing ovation as he walks down to hug it out with HBK. Dragunov gets to put on the hat, will Mondays soon belong to The Czar? And then SmackDown closes this round with… CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN! The Hot Mess & “Miss P” started liking Aldis better anyway, so hopefully they’ll be happy for once.

Liv Morgan VS Nia Jax!

As we saw earlier tonight, Liv wants her shot at the Women’s World Championship but is willing to earn her way to it. Will a huge win over the Irresistible Force be just the thing? Or will a crushing defeat be Nia’s parting gift before moving to SmackDown?

The bell rings and the two tie up! Nia THROWS Liv away, then eggs her on. Liv runs up, but Nia THROWS her again! Nia eggs Liv on more, then runs her over! Nia smiles, grabs a leg and SMASHES the knee! Liv flounders and hobbles away, but Nia SPLASHES her in the corner! Nia mocks Liv, “Look at that face.” Then she TOSSES Liv again! Nia soaks up the heat, but Liv JAWBREAKERS back! Liv KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! But Nia blocks one and spins Liv around, only for Liv to ENZIGIRI! Liv runs to SHOTGUN but Nia just drops to her knee! Liv SHOTGUNS Nia again, and Nia ends up on ropes! Liv DROPKICKS Nia in the back!

The fans rally up and Liv runs into the corner to back body block! Liv rolls, returns, and back body blocks again! Liv runs but Nia LARIATS her down! Nia drags Liv to a drop zone, stands on her, and Liv sputters as Nia lets off. Nia goes up and up, but Liv grabs a leg! Nia kicks Liv, but Liv sweeps the legs! Nia is stuck in ropes, Liv WOE STOMPS her down! Nia bails out, Liv builds speed, and Liv slides, but into Nia’s hands! Nia wheelbarrows Liv to SMACK her off the desk! Liv flops over and Nia soaks up the heat, but wait, Tiffany Stratton is here. Tiffy taunts Nia from the crowd, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Nia has Liv down with a cobra clutch! Liv endures, the fans rally up, but Tiffy doesn’t look that impressed. Liv fights up, but Nia thrashes her back down! Raw goes picture in picture to plug The Fall Guy, then comes back as Liv fights back up. Liv throws body shots, but Nia whips her to a corner. Nia runs in, but Liv dropkicks a leg out! Nia stumbles and POSTS herself! Liv runs to SHOTGUN Nia into the post! And then Liv DRIBBLES Nia off the post!! The fans fire up as Liv kicks Nia away and climbs up the corner. But Nia YANKS Liv off the corner, and hits a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Liv survives and Nia is fuming!

Nia takes a moment to calm down, then she slaps Liv around. Nia drags Liv up, the fans rally behind Liv, but Nia whips her to a corner. Liv goes up and up, and wheelbarrows to victory roll Nia into buckles! Nia sputters, Liv runs up, goes up and up to DOUBLE STOMP Nia down! Liv pushes Nia to a cover, TWO! Nia is still in this but Tiff is still not impressed. Liv fires herself up, CLUBS away on Nia, then pushes her around. Liv runs, but Nia SPINEBUSTERS! Nia shrieks, the fans boo, and Nia drags Liv to a drop zone. Nia goes up and up, determined to end this! Nia grins as the fans boo, but Liv gets up and under Nia!

Liv YANKS Nia into the buckles again and again and again, then manages a POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Lia almost had Nia and that actually had Tiff on the edge of her seat! But then NAOMI ATTACKS TIFF! The fans fire up as Naomi throws Tiff all around, then DUMPS her over barriers! Naomi goes after Tiff but Tiff turns things around! NIa has Liv int he ropes, CLUBS her down, and Naomi sends Tiff into the desk! Then BULLDOGS her off the apron! And then PENALTY KICKS her down! Nia BLASTS Naomi for distracting her! Liv runs up, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Nia wobbles, into OBLIVION!! Cover, LIV WINS!!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall

Nia took her eyes off the ball and Liv takes this one to the house! Liv is ready to go after Big Time Becks, will we #WatchHer become the new world champion?

Backstage interview with Booker T.

Cathy again joins draft analyst Booker, and says he’s had front row seats to many a new superstar’s beginnings. What does he think of this year’s prospects? Booker says it’s about who’s next in NXT! Trick Williams, Roxanne Perez, but congrats to Dragunov. He’ll do a hell of a job on Raw. Adam Pearce walks by, Cathy hopes to get a word on how this is all panning out. Pearce feels great about Raw, good foundation and some new wrinkles added in. But sometimes, it’s the picks you don’t make that can stick in your mind. His favorite so far is actually that he didn’t take Chelsea & Piper! He hopes Aldis prays a lot, because HALLELUJAH, Pearce is free of Chelsea!

And on that note, time to make some more picks in person! Pearce heads for gorilla, who did Raw and SmackDown take in the penultimate round?

The Dudley Boyz are here!

Bully Ray & D-Von Dudley are back again, and they set up their own table! They’re also here to give us the picks! Fans chant for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” and Bully says, “Kansas Citaaaay~! You guys wanna have some fun with the Dudley Boyz tonight? WASSAP~!?” But to business, D-Von! One, two, three, “GET THE TABLES!” “OH mah brotha, testify!” The fans cheer, and Bubba says with the first pick of the fifth round, Raw selects… THE NEW~ DAY~! Kofi & Woods are staying right here on Raw, which will let them settle things with Imperium. D-Von says SmackDown selects… PRETTY DEADLY! Elton Prince & Kit Wilson will stay on SmackDown, #YESBOY!

Bubba says Raw’s next pick is… NXT’s LYRA VALKYRIA! The Morrigan, the former NXT Women’s Champion, is joining her hero, Becky Lynch, on Monday nights! Lyra herself is surprised and even emotional as she gets the red hat and gets to hug HBK. And with the final pick of this round, SmackDown selects… THE WAY, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell! Will they start to poison the waters of the blue brand now?

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS The Alpha Academy!

R-Truth may not really know “WHAT’S UP,” but he and Miz are still fired up to defend their titles tonight. Will they make good on the “deal” Truth made with Gable and hold onto their gold? Or will Otis & Tozawa finally make Gable proud?

Raw returns and the match is already underway! Truth fights up from a chinlock to hit a BIG back suplex on Tozawa! Both men are down, the fans fire up and so does The Miz! Truth and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Miz! The fans fire up as Miz dodges Otis to KICK, KICK and KICK! Miz KICKS away in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and then goes corner to corner for the A-LIST LARIAT! Miz sends Otis away, Tozawa runs up but Miz BOOTS him down! Miz RAMS into Otis, ROUNDHOUSES and HOTSHOTS him, then hurries back up! Miz springboards, into Otis’ arms! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!

Otis rips up the shirt, gets those hips moving, and he revs up for the CATERPILLAR… ELBOW! Tag to Tozawa and he goes up! Otis says for the Academy! SUPER SENTON onto knees! Miz powers up, reels Tozawa in, but Tozawa arm-drags free from the nelson! Truth sneaks a tag, Miz ELBOWS Tozawa and reels him in! Truth joins in, THE TRUTH CRUSHIGN FINALE!! Miz SHOTGUNS Otis while Truth covers, Awesome Truth wins!

Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)

Well, Gable’s not gonna like this. How badly will he tear into poor Otis & Tozawa over this one?

The Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

JD & Finn are still sore from Strowman steamrolling them, but Dom says it’s shocking they fell to the fourth round of night two! What is this? Priest asks Dom if he’s really surprised. Week after week, they’ve gotten involved in Priest’s business, then failed miserably, all because they didn’t talk to him about it. When it comes to Jey Uso, he appreciate sit, but he doesn’t need the help. Cool? Yeah… JD, you got it? JD takes the icepack away and WHOA, that swelled up something bad! This is what Priest is talking about! But tonight, just stick to the plan and get this done. Got it? Priest heads out, JD asks if it’s always been so bright in here. Dom thinks Finn needs a towel.

Judgment Day is definitely struggling without Mami to help them, but will they pull it together? Or will they all end up looking like JD’s lumpy head?

Liv returns backstage.

And Becky finds her to congratulate her on the win tonight. And also congrats, because Liv also gets her title shot. Liv smiles and moves on, but then in step Damage CTRL. Dakota Kai says hi to Becky, they’re all on Mondays now. Dakota leads Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane & Asuka away, Kairi tapping the title. Becky says don’t touch her belt! Is The Man going to get past Liv’s Revenge Tour just to have #CobraKai, The Evil Genius and the Kabuki Warriors coming after her?

Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are on stage!

The Raw and SmackDown GMs finish the Draft in person, and Pearce says it’s been fun playing chess with him. Time to take it home! Pearce says that with the first pick of this final round in the 2024 WWE Draft, he and Raw select… THE FINAL TESTAMENT! Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Paul Ellering & The Authors of Pain are all coming to make Mondays into Doomsday! Aldis says with the second pick, he and SmackDown select… DIY! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano are now making their way to Fridays! Pearce says the third pick from him and Raw, it’s… BIG BRONSON REED! The Colossal Aussie still wants that Intercontinental Championship, will he take it?

And Aldis says with THE final pick of THE final round, SmackDown takes NXT’s BLAIR DAVENPORT! The Performance Center goes wild as now the Ichiban Gaijin is moving on to the next level! She hugs it out with HBK and gets the blue hat, will all of Fridays now beware of Blair?

Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade!

Raw made sure Priest, Finn, JD & Dom are sticking together through the Draft, but their dominance over Raw is seriously in question. Jey just turned their attempt at a beatdown into a YEET down, and we’ve seen both the King of Flight and El Idolo get the better of them time and again. Will they and Main Event Jey embarrass Judgment Day all over again? Or will they fall as #ALLRISE for the Judgment Day?

Raw returns as Ricochet makes his entrance, followed by Andrade’s. Then Judgment Day makes their entrance, JD still struggling with that welt on his head. The teams sort out and Andrade starts against Finn. They tie up, Finn fires body shots and backs Andrade into a corner. Finn RAMS into Andrade again and again, then CHOPS, throws more hands, then headlocks for a takeover. Andrade keeps his shoulders up, moves around, and he fights up to his feet. The fans rally, Andrade throws body shots and powers out. Andrade drops, hurdles, but Finn whips him away! Andrade goes Spider-Man in the ropes!

The fans cheer, Finn runs in but Andrade drops down to send him out! JD runs in, but Andrade dumps him out onto Finn! Tag to Ricochet, he and Andrade double clothseline Priest out! Then they DOUBLE DIVE onto Finn and JD! The fans fire up as Jey DIVES onto Priest, and Priest goes up and over the desk! The fans fire up with Team YEET as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns once again and Priest grinds Ricochet down with a motorcycle stretch. The fans rally as Ricochet endures, and Ricochet fights up to his feet. Ricochet breaks free but Priest BELL CLAPS him! Then Priest suplexes for a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated but he eggs Ricochet on. Ricochet slowly rises, Priest winds up and KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS, then ROLLIGN ELBOWS! Ricochet falls back, Priest soaks up the heat, then he ROUNDHOUSES Jey down! The fans boo the cheap shot, and the ref has to keep Andrade back, but that lets JD & Finn mug Ricochet! Priest then runs in to back elbow!

Tag to Finn, Priest snapmares Ricochet so Finn can slingshot STOMP! Tag to JD, he slingshots to ARABIAN PRESS SAULT! Tag back to Finn, he tags Priest. They get Ricochet up for the BACKBREAKER LEG DROP! Cover, Andrade breaks it! The fans cheer, Priest grabs Andrade to POST him! Priest storms back to his corner to tag JD, and JD flexes. The fans “YEET! YEET!” but JD has Ricochet. Ricochet hits a RECOIL! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ricochet crawls, reaches out, and JD goes to the neutral corner, he’s that dazed! Hot tags to Jey and Finn! Jey dodges Finn, ROCKS Priest, then ROCKS Finn!

Jey fires off on Finn again and again, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Pop, lock ‘n’ YEET! Finn flounders up, into a mule kick! Jey UPPERCUTS, kicks again but Finn blocks! But the DRAGON WHIP still hits! Finn ends up in a corner, Jey gets the fans joining in on “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs but Priest swings! Jey dodges to DECK Priest! Jey runs at Finn but Finn puts him on the apron. So Jey GAMANGIRIS back! Jey goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, JD breaks it! But Andrade runs up, boot feint to BACK ELBOW! Priest gets up to ROUNDHOUSE Andrade! Ricochet leaps in, but into a FLATLINER! Priest drags Finn over and then tags himself in!

Priest aims at Jey and LARIATS him down! Priest brings down the straps while the fans boo, and he drags Jey up. Priest reels Jey in, lifts, Canadian Rack but Jey slips free to SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down but Jey rolls to a corner! Jey climbs, but Dom gets on the apron! The fans boo but Priest grabs Jey! JD hurries over to SHOVE Jey down! Priest asks what JD’s even doing! Priest had Jey himself! JD says it looked like he was gonna get hit! Priset runs up on Jey, Jey dodges and SUPERKICKS! Priest ends up knocking Finn off the apron! Jey dodges JD to SUPERKICK JD out! Finn is back, Jey dodges and SPEARS!!

The fans fire up and Jey goes back up! Finn is legal again as Jey hits the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jey’s team wins!

Winner: Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade, by pinfall

And with that, Main Event Jey wins in the main event! Judgment Day is falling apart at the seams, but can Priest hold it together on his own? Or is Jey about to finally have his moment?

My Thoughts:

A mostly great Raw, but I feel like this year’s WWE Draft was the first real speedbump the HHH Era has hit. HHH himself explained on SmackDown that the brands would be using their picks to keep who they already have and that certainly happened. So many picks were just Raw and SmackDown “securing” many of the people they’ve had this whole time. I did like Pearce’s sense of relief that Chelsea Green & Piper Niven are no longer his problem, they’re Aldis’. But LWO leaving SmackDown right as things were getting interesting again in the feud with Legado seems disappointing. And the fact Carlito is going with them just seems like a messy handling of moving their story over to Raw just so they can also have more Rey VS Dom in the future.

DMG CTRL moving over probably gives away that Jade & Bianca are winning the women’s tag titles for Backlash. Yes, the women’s tag titles are meant to be “roaming” titles, but it feels so long since they’ve really done that. And with the entire The Way family moving to SmackDown, this makes me think Candice & Indi will try (and fail) to take the belts from Jade & Bianca. Final Testament moving to Raw seems rather surprising, but I suppose there’s something to it with them also being on NXT. Raw and NXT are still on USA Network together for now, it’d maybe help continuity for them to be back to back on Mondays and Tuesdays. Also, how strange that this is where they finally say “The Pride” for the team of Lashley, Profits & B-Fab after them being together for months…

I will say that we got great moments for the NXT call-ups. Dragunov going to Raw made sense with Imperium still being here, but I’m surprised Lyra is Raw rather than SmackDown. Maybe she’s meant to back Becky up against DMG CTRL? And Blair being called up period clearly caught her by surprise, that was a rather sweet moment for her villainous self, but she’ll make a solid part of the division on SmackDown. We also got good story crossover as Naomi and Tiffany were here tonight to brawl and cost Nia so Liv could get a great win. Becky VS Liv for some time after Backlash will be good stuff, but I’m thinking Becky retains. What’s more curious is Liv quite literally leading Dom along. Liv’s Revenge Tour really does seem to be about taking everything from Rhea…

Disappointing Draft aside, great action to build towards both Backlash and King of the Ring. Woods VS Gunther was an awesome match, but I figured Gunther would win. Hard to say if Gunther will be the new King of the Ring, but this was a good case for it. Great stuff in the Intercontinental Championship story as Sami gets that boot on Gable, was about to win against Bronson until Gable attacked, and then Bronson stands tall. So far, all three guys are staying on Raw, I sense a huge Triple Threat for this title, and that could really go either way to me. Sami can use Gable and Bronson against each other, one of them could be opportunistic, it’s going to be an awesome match.

Great story intertwining with the Academy, too, as Gable takes his anger out on his team, and that more or less affects all of their performances tonight. Maxxine tried to finally get even with Candice but Indi’s Heel turn is continuing so The Way wins on the way out from Raw. Otis & Tozawa have a fun match with Awesome Truth but end up losing, so Gable’s just gonna lose his mind with them. Good story intertwining for Judgment Day and Logan Paul. Great seeing Braun back, he looks better than ever right now. Now, while the champions are all staying put, I feel like Braun should’ve gone to SmackDown so he can continue to scare the Prime outta Logan over the US Championship. And they did a great cosmetics job with JD’s huge welt, that looked nasty!

The deterioration of Judgment Day continues in wild fashion. They get JD punched in the head, almost get Logan mauled by Strowman, and then they aren’t on the same page in the main event. They could end up messing Priest over at Backlash because of it, giving Jey the win, but it feels like Priest finds a way to win despite them messing up. Then perhaps in a twist, Priest doesn’t get kicked out of Judgment Day, he quits them and leaves them to flounder on their own.

Segment of the night goes to CM Punk making McIntyre look like a fool. He goads McIntyre into storming up to the VIP section only to circle around him and go to the ring. And I feel like Punk was even trying to fill for time since he said he had 5 minutes and 46 seconds, but he still cooked McIntyre in half that. McIntyre VS Punk is going to blow the roof off the place, wherever it takes place.