It’s a truly star-studded Raw!

Ahead of their WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Main Event, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, CM Punk & Paul Heyman are all here on Monday Night Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Bayley wins.
• Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made; Rey wins.
• AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Styles wins.
• PENTA VS Finn Balor; Finn wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

Gunther is here!

Sacramento boos Der Ring General as he storms to the ring. Michael Cole was going to interview the World Heavyweight Champion later tonight, but it seems Gunther wants to get to it. Gunther and Cole meet in the ring, Cole says two weeks ago, he left Jimmy Uso bloodied in this ring. That caused Jey Uso to march out here last week- Gunther cuts Cole off to says that last week, Jey walked out here, looked Gunther in the eyes, and claimed he’s not afraid anymore. The fans boo as Gunther says this week, he is here to look us all in the eyes to tell us that Jey Uso is full of crap! Cole understands the fans are upset, but speaking of that, it seems Gunther is also upset.

We saw last year at WrestleMania, when… The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Gunther says screw the questions! Screw Jey Uso! Screw everything Jey stands for! And screw everybody who stands with Jey! The fans boo more, and Gunther says ever since he stepped for in the WWE, he is the greatest gift this company has ever received! For 80% of his time in the WWE, he has been a champion! And now, he is the GREATEST World Heavyweight Champion of all time! The fans boo more, but Gunther says he refuses to let somebody like Jey Uso ruin that for him. The fans “YEET!” more and he says fine, do it as much as you want!

Gunther tells Jey to puff his chest out, walk into WrestleMania with the most confidence he’s ever had, because it won’t matter! In the end, the bell has to ring! And when that happens, Jey still can’t lace Gunther’s boots! Gunther will put Jey down for a FOURTRH time! These last two weeks, Gunther has been accused, told he went too far, that he lost control. Jey, trust one thing: In 37 years of LIFE, Gunther has never lost control! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Gunther says two weeks ago, when he took a bath in Jimmy’s blood, Gunther was in full control, and he LOVED it!

And Jey, go pray to the Lord, thank Him for how Gunther was in control, or else he would’ve drowned them both in Jimmy’s blood! Gunther looks forward to next week, calling his mother and telling her how much he enjoyed beating the living hell out of Jey, and is STILL World Heavyweight Champion! Gunther storms off, having done his part for tonight. Will nothing and no one stop Der Ring General from destroying Jey?

Bianca Belair speaks.

“I’ll be the first to admit that lately, I’ve been in my head. Everything that’s happened with Jade and Naomi, it really messed me up. And now, this whole situation with Iyo and Rhea has brought out a different version of me. But different isn’t wrong. My Road to WrestleMania has filled with nothing but blood, sweat and tears. Not no complaining, no whining, no excuses. No, just straight facts. I’ve been doing nothing but standing up for myself and speaking the truth, something that anybody would do. Something I would hope people are teaching their kids to do. And you don’t have to like the truth, but you can’t deny it.

“Just like I can’t deny now it’s a Triple Threat. Yeah, I’ve been through a lot. But I’m still the best. So I’ma use the bit of everything that I’ve been through to be the Bianca I know I can be. I’m the Bianca that won Elimination Chamber, I’m the Bianca that’s never been pinned at WrestleMania, and I’m the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best Bianca that you have ever seen. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a Triple Threat, because there’s nothing that Rhea or Iyo can do to stop me from getting my flowers and walking out of WrestleMania as champion. Because you cannot spell WrestleMania without E S T.”

Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!

The Role Model and the Morrigan ran the table on Friday Night SmackDown’s tag team gauntlet, and now they’re going to WrestleMania! Will they have even more momentum going into that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match? Or will the leading ladies of Judgment Day refuse to give up the spotlight even now?

Raw returns and Bayley has made her entrance, Lyra by her side. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Bayley circles with Liv. They approach, and Liv SLAPS Bayley! Liv laughs, but Bayley smirks. Liv apologizes, then runs away! Bayley chases Liv around the outside, but then they slip into the ring. Liv stomps away on Bayley, the fans are torn but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, and Liv bumps Bayley off buckles. Liv stomps a mudhole, but again stops at 4. Liv then stomps another mudhole in, and shouts, “OKAAAY~!” as she lets off. The fans are torn, Liv stands Bayley up, but Bayley fires forearms! The fans fire up, Liv swings, but into a fireman’s carry!

Liv fights free, ducks ‘n’ dodges Bayley, but Bayley hits a THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up and Bayley hits a NECK SNAPPER, then a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stomps Liv around, glares at Raquel, but Liv kicks from below. Bayley rains down fists on Liv, the fans rally behind her, and Bayley whips. Liv reverses, then avoids the up ‘n’ over to DROPKICK Bayley! Liv runs corner to corner, and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Liv rolls, but Bayley follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Bayley looms over Liv. Bayley glares at Raquel, then bumps Liv off buckles. Bayley ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again.

Bayley brings Liv around, the fans cheer her on as she bumps Liv off buckles. The fans duel, Bayley brings Liv in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Bayley stays on her. Bayley brings Liv over but Liv stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump! Liv runs up, but Bayley ELBOWS her! Bayley goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then she gest around to SAIDO! Liv bails out, Raquel checks on her, but Bayley smiles. Bayley aims, builds speed, and DIVES, but into a forearm! Liv drags Bayley out to snap suplex to the floor! That’s just Una Amiga as Liv gets Bayley up again! Dos Amigas to the floor!

Liv drags Bayley up again, but Bayley stops that to wrench and KNEE low! Bayley RAMS Liv into steel steps! The fans fire up, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley hits steps, then Liv STMOPS Bayley’s hands! Liv drags Bayley up, THREE AMIGAS to the floor, from OFF the steps! Liv gives some Latina Heat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Liv has Bayley in the ring. Liv grinds Bayley down with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Bayley fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Liv staggers, comes back, but Bayley blocks to fire forearms! Bayley fires forearm after forearm, but Liv KICKS in return! Liv kicks again, but Bayley KNEES her down! Liv flounders, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley is sent into the buckles! The ref checks Bayley and she’s still in this, so Liv basement ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Liv gives her cheap hammer fists. Bayley hits back but Liv stomps her down.

Liv goes up the corner, waits on Bayley to rise, and FLYING- NO, Bayley grabs Liv’s legs! Liv fights the turnover, pops Bayley into the sunset flip, TWO! Bayley runs up, Liv ducks the knee to roll her up, TWO! KNEE!! Liv flounders around again, Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! The fans fire up as Bayley drags Liv to a cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Lyra coaches Bayley. Raquel coaches Liv while Liv crawls away. The fans duel and Liv stands. Bayley grabs a leg but Liv kicks at her! Liv BOOTS Bayley away, but Bayley comes back and slides out! But Liv gets her for a CODE BREAKER! Bayley flops down, and Liv snarls as she rises up.

Liv aims and MISSILE DROPKICKS to the floor! A little double-edged given that landing, but Liv hurries to get Bayley up and into the ring. Liv crawls to the cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Lyra is relieved. Liv snarls again and waits on Bayley. Bayley goes to the ropes, Liv runs up, OBLIV- NO, Bayley puts her on the apron! Bayley ROCKS Liv, has her in the ropes, but Liv denies the hotshot! GAMANGIRI! Liv storms in, gets moving, she goes up, up, and FLYING- STUNNER! Bayley turns things around on Liv, and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Bayley crawls to the cover, Raquel gives Liv the ROPEBREAK!

The fans boo, they all saw Raquel do it! Lyra goes after Raquel, Raquel fights her off and BOOTS her down! The fans boo, but Bayley DECKS Raquel, and hits the HOTSHOT in the ropes! The fans fire up but Liv hits Bayley with a BACKSTABBER!! And then OBLIV- NO, Lyra anchors Bayley’s feet! Bayley jackknife bridges, AND WINS!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall

A huge bit of teamwork leads to a huge win over one-half of the tag champions! Liv is livid, will she and Raquel get their revenge at WrestleMania?

Paul Heyman waits backstage.

And like usual, he’s waiting on The Tribal Chief. Will Roman Reigns even bother with The Wise Man knowing he’ll be in CM Punk’s corner at WrestleMania?

Rhea Ripley speaks.

“Bianca, I can see right through you. You said you were just out there to watch, and then you said you were just out there to call it down the middle. But I can see your true intentions now: You thrive on playing with my emotions, winding me up like I’m some sort of toy to you so you can get what you want and make it seem like I’m the bad guy. The thing that you failed to understand is that when I lose something that I love, I wills top at nothing to get it back. And Iyo, I never had to give you a championship match. But watching you pout and moan, it really pulled on the heartstrings that I had left. So I pulled a page out of your book, and I got what I wanted, too.

“So Iyo, I advise you to cherish every single moment you have with the Women’s World Championship. And Bianca, I can’t wait to make you feel what it’s like when I’m the bad guy. Because at WrestleMania 41, I get back what belongs to me.”

Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made!

Before going up against the supposed greatest luchador of a generation, El Grande Americano, the King of Lucha will take on one of the Creed Brothers. But is this going to be far more than just a tune-up? Or will Rey speed-dial the 619 here in Sacramento?

Raw returns and American Made has made their entrance. The bell rings, Rey and Julius circle, then Rey waistlocks. Julius backs Rey into a corner, the ref counts, and Rey lets go. Julius elbows Rey down! The fans boo but Julius pushes Rey around. Julius wrenches Rey, wristlocks, but Rey endures. Julius uses a straight arm lever to lift Rey! Then he drops Rey, grinds the arm down, but Rey fires forearms! Rey uses the ropes to flip through, then he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Julius wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rey reaches back! Rey jumps up, FLYING-MARE! Julius runs back up to CLOBBER Rey!

Julius talks trash, American Made soaks up the heat, and Julius whips Rey. Rey reverses, then blows past to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up as Julius tumbles to a corner! Rey fires up, but Julius comes back to CLOBBER him again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey but Julius clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, the fans rally up more, and Rey fights up. Rey throws body shots, runs, but Julius kitchen sink knees him down! Julius stands Rey up, whisp him to ropes, but Rey KICKS back! Rey dropkicks the legs and Julius ends up on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Julius dumps Rey out! Rey RAMS into Julius, ROCKS him, then climbs up!

The fans fire up, but Brutus distracts the ref! This lets Gable trip Rey up! The fans boo but Julius is right up top! So now Wilde distracts, and that lets Dragon Lee trip Julius! Turnabout is fair play, but now both teams are protesting! So the ref EJECTS everybody! Things will truly be 1v1, after the break!

Raw returns again and Julius has a neck wrench on Rey. Julius whips Rey hard to a corner, runs up, but Rey ELBOWS him! And BOOTS him! Rey goes up, up, but Julius Electric Chair Lifts! Rey fires hands, then spins to MYSTERIO RANA! Both men fall out of the ring pretty hard, but Rey gets back inside! Rey WRECKS Julius with a dropkick, the fans fire up, and Rey builds speed to SLIDING- NO, Julius stuffs Rey into a deadlift suplex! Julius marches with Rey, and then goes up the steel steps! Julius has Rey at the ropes, but Rey fights free! Julius BOOTS Rey back! Julius runs up, Rey moves, Julius POSTS himself!

The fans fire up while Julius flops into the ring. Rey hurries back up, climbs the corner, and FLYING RANAS! Julius ends up in a corner, Julius climbs up again, and he rains down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN! Rey fires up, the fans are with him, and Rey whips Julius corner to corner. Julius springs right up, goes over, but then Rey QUEBRADAS! But Julius catches him! Rey swings through to DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Rey rises, and he brings Julius around. Julius blocks the whip, shakes his head, and he whips Rey. Rey slides under, comes back, but Julius KNEES Rey down!

Julius brings down the straps, runs up, but Rey DUMPS Julius out tot he floor! Wait, El Grande Americano is here! Rey runs up, grabs him by his mask, but then Julius rolls Rey up! TWO!! Julius gets up, swings, but Rey shoves Julius into El Grande! Rey dropkicks Julius onto the ropes! Dial it up, 619!! Slingshot, DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

But then El Grande CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, the LWO returns, but Julius holds them off! Grande CLOBBERS Cruz, but Dragon Lee fires off forearms! Dragon Lee whips, but Grande FLYING HEADBUTTS! The fans boo, but now Grande goes up top! DIVING HEADBUTT onto Rey! “UH GRACIAS~!” That mask is definitely loaded like last week, but will Rey be able to overcome that tactic and win for the honor of true lucha libre?

The War Raiders speak.

Ivar says, “Xavier, Kofi, you run your mouths about how the New Day is the greatest tag team of all time.” Erik says, “The fact of the matter is, the War Raiders have blazed a path of world domination for more than a decade. We’ve won gold on multiple continents.” “And last week, we had you beat, dead to rights.” The New Day took the cowardly way out because they knew they couldn’t beat the Raiders. The New Day says this is about the titles, but it has gotten much more personal. Kofi & Woods took this to a whole new level. They didn’t come for these titles, they came for Erik’s neck! They tried to put Erik on the shelf! They tried to end his career!

So at WrestleMania, this won’t be a match! It’ll barely be a fight! This is WAR!

The New Day is backstage.

They’re busy playing the Clash of Clans WWE crossover game, not that they’re in it. But Jackie Redmond walks over to talk with them. The New Day says that is rude, they’re busy playing a game. This lack of respect is audacious. Jackie does apologize, but she brings up the War Raiders saying that this match at Mania is now a war. War? New Day’s been in war from how they’ve been treated this whole time! The whole time! But the warpath stops when they take back what belongs to them, and that’s their WWE World Tag Team Championships! The entire world will see that ya bois, the NEW DAY~, are the best team on the face of Planet Earth!

Last week was just a taste of what they’re willing to do to get those titles back. And after Mania, Erik will wish they took his head off so that he and Ivar wouldn’t have to catch the beating they’re getting this weekend. At WrestleMania, every irrelevant and immature member of the WWE Universe will have no choice but to drop to their knees and THANK GOD for the New Day! Woods & Kofi head out, but will they survive this WrestleMania weekend?

AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!

Before taking on The Maverick, Logan Paul, at WrestleMania, the Phenomenal One is going to prove to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday that this AJ Styles IS the AJ Styles that can get the job done! Does that mean Raw is going to be Too Sweet? Or will Kross be disappointed?

Raw returns as Kross makes his entrance, his femme fatale by his side. Kross is really taking this mirroring stuff to another level, wearing tights very similar to what Styles would wear. Kross still wants Styles to understand, Styles has to be like the Styles of the past in order to finally humble Logan Paul and save professional wrestling. Styles gets mad, but Kross shoves him! Styles RAMS Kross into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Styles storms back up, whips corner to corner, but Kross reverses. Kross runs up, but Styles BOOTS him away. Kross comes back to BOOT Styles down!

The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles around. Kross talks trash, but Styles KICKS Kross! And CHOPS! Kross YANKS Styles into ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Kross says it doesn’t have to be this way, but he lets off as the ref pulls him back. Scarlett CLAWS at Styles’ face in the distraction! The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles. Kross drags Styles up, but Styles JAWBREAKERS back! Styles runs up, but into a SAIDO! The fans boo, Kross stalks Styles to a corner, then he stomps away. Kross whips corner to corner hard, and Styles clutches his ribs as he falls. Kross laughs at Styles’ pain, then stomps him more.

Kross drags Styles up, but Styles DRPOKICKS Kross down! The fans cheer, Kross bails out, and Styles slides to DROPKICK! Kross hits barriers, then Styles PLANCHAS! Kross moves, Styles lands safe on the apron, but Kross sweeps the legs! Kross then whips Styles hard into barriers! Styles almost falls onto that guy cosplaying the Prime bottle. Kross whips Styles hard into more barriers, and Styles falls into the timekeeper’s area! Scarlett kisses Kross’ hand while he soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns Kross has a chinlock. Styles fights up, fires body shots, but Kross KNEES low! Kross scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kross scoops again, but Styles slips free! Styles goes for a leg but Kross stifles that and shoves Styles to a cover, TWO! Kross drags Styles up, reels him in, but Styles fights the bomb! Kross stops the rana, fireman’s carries, FINAL PRAYER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Kross asks if Styles is sandbagging. Kross looms over Styles, the fans rally up, and Kross smirks as Styles rises. Kross swings, but Styles counter punches! And counter punches! And CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS!

Styles KICKS Kross again, then whips. Kross hobbles then falls over, clutching his knee! The fans boo, thinking this is an act. Scarlett checks Kross as he clutches the ankle. Styles asks the ref about this, but then Kross sucker punches Styles! It WAS an act, and the fans boo that Kross got away with it! Kross shimmies and shuffles, then taunts Styles. Styles runs up to CLOBBER Kross! Styles fires off the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up, Styles runs in at the corner to LARIAT Kross! Fireman’s carry, but Kross slips free! Kick and DDT! Kross vows to end it, and the fans boo as Kross throws off his elbow pad.

Styles rises as Kross winds the hands of time. KROSS- NO, Styles ducks the hammer and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Kross hobbles, Styles runs up, but Kross puts him on the apron! Styles HOTSHOTS Kross, then DECKS him! The fans fire up, Kross rises, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall

Kross put Styles to the test, and that was definitely Styles acing that test! But then Logan Paul appears! Sacramento boos Logan as he walks out with mic in hand. Logan asks what’s up with the hostility. Chill, he’s here to congratulate Styles. No, seriously, good win! He did it! In front of Sacramento, “a bunch of people who weren’t cool enough to live in Los Angeles, or work smart enough to live in San Francisco.” But Styles showed these “generic California losers” why Styles VS Logan is gonna cook! But hey, why not show them why it’ll make money? Here is what Styles is up against. Please enjoy this piece of cinema.

Logan has his own hype video package, “I accomplish more in one weekend than you all will in your entire lives. I didn’t join the WWE to take part, I joined to take over.” Styles grabs a mic to say that’s a cute video, smartass. But let’s start Mania earlier! Get your ass to the ring right now! The fans fire up for that! Logan says okay, and he steps closer. But Kross runs up on Styles! Styles ROCKS Kross, ROCKS Logan, repeat! Styles DECKS Logan, ROCKS him again, btu Kross scoops! Styles slips free, REVERSE DDT! Styles snarls at Kross, but Logan is up! ONE LUCKY RIGHT!! Then the PAUL-VERIZER!! The Maverick is feeling so “humble,” but will he be humbled at Mania?

Paul Heyman is still waiting…

Will he be waiting all night at this rate?

Jey Uso is here!

The fans fire up as Main Event Jey pops right through the curtain to walk down the bleachers. Sacramento bounces for him and they “YEET!” along with the song, but Jey is once again very serious. Jey goes to the ground level, but then stands on the desk for everyone to see him. Jey grabs the mic while the bouncing continues, and the fans cheer as the song dies down. Jey takes a breath, fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and chant “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says okay, and the song starts up again! The bouncing starts up again, and then Jey paces as he waits for the music to die down.

“Aight, check it. I said what I had to say to Gunther last week.” “YEET!” “But I really wanted to come out here and holler at y’all.” “YEET!” Jey says what up, Sac Town! Mama out here somewhere in the crowd. But everyone keeps on asking Jey, “Jey, where your mind at?” Is he crashing out? HELL YEAH he’s crashing out! But he’s locked in! Locked in for him! For his family! And for y’all! Check it out, though. Listen to Gunther out here talking. Y’know what that made Jey feel like? He mad. Nah nah nah… Gunther’s afraid! Yeah, Gunther’s afraid! Afraid that Jey will whoop that ass in front of 60 THOUSAND and the world! See you Saturday, Uce!

Jey says one time for the one time… Hey, Uce, please, PLEASE hit his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up as the bouncing starts up yet again! Jey has all the confidence, all the fire, all the momentum. But will he have it all when it’s all said and done in Las Vegas?

Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.

Cathy Kelley is with the Badass WWE Intercontinental Champion and brings up this Sunday, the Fatal 4 Way that stacks the odds against him. How is he handling what could be the biggest defense of his career? Bron says obviously, this is the biggest match of his career. And- JUDGMENT DAY ATTACKS! Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & Carlito mug Bron! They stomp him around, then THROW him onto a road case! They still rain down fists, and Finn says the dog’s bark is worse than his bite! They CHUCK Bron into more road cases! Adam Pearce and producers storm in and stop The Judgment Day, but will Bron be alright in just 6 days?

As for Finn, he has a match to get to! Will The Prince be ready for #CeroMiedo?

PENTA VS Finn Balor!

Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, only for Penta to DROPKICK him off the apron! Penta then FLIES and takes Finn down! Penta strikes first since Finn did that to Bron, and the fans love it! Penta puts Finn in the ring, then storms in after him. The bell rings, the fans fire up as Penta runs up, but Finn puts him on the apron. Penta GAMANGIRIS, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Finn kicks Penta low, then brings Penta around. Penta WRINGS free, then traps that arm! But Finn trips Penta! Penta BOOTS Finn away, then pump handles! Finn pops free, dragon sleepers, but Penta drops to KICK from below!

Penta runs up to ENZIGIRI in the corner, then he headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this, the fans cheer for “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta nods and storms up on Finn to KICK the leg out! Finn flounders, stands back up, but Penta KICKS the leg again! Penta stalks Finn, and KICKS Finn’s leg out again! The fans fire up while Finn flounders around more. Penta has Finn on the ropes, hushes the fans, and he CHOPS! Finn is stinging as he staggers away, and the fans fire up as they want even more of that! Penta whips, Finn reverses, but Penta sunset flips. Finn rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Finn keeps Penta down with an ELBOW, then a chinlock. Finn grinds Penta down, Penta endures, and the fans rally. Penta fights up, but Finn yanks the mask! Finn has Penta down, and he soaks up the heat. Finn drags Penta, then jumps stomps! Finn soaks up more heat, jump stomps again, then argues with the ref. Finn taunts Sacramento, stomps Penta again and again and again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but he soaks up more heat. Finn goes back to Penta and says “Just Too Sweet!” They go to the apron, and Penta scoops! Finn slips free, and APRON EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down on the outside while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn has Penta up top! And then the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Penta stays in this and the fans fire up! Finn grows frustrated, but he clamps onto an arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally up, Penta fights to his feet, and Penta fires hands. Penta arm-drags free, then ducks ‘n ‘dodges, for a RANA! Finn flounders up, Penta LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up again as Penta then SUPERKICKS Finn! Finn wobbles, Penta whips, but Finn reverses, only for Penta to go up and over! BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives and Penta is frustrated, but the fans fire back up.

Penta stalks Finn, the fans sing, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~! MIEDO~!” Penta has Finn in the corner, he puts Finn up top, and then he CHOPS! Penta calls his shot and the fans cheer that. Penta climbs up and he goes to the very top! But Finn fires body shots! Penta hops down to the apron and CHOPS again! Then he jumps up to FLYING RANA! Finn staggers back up, Penta BOOTS him! Penta then runs to SLING-DOG! Penta keeps moving, but Finn SLINGBLADES! The fans rally, both men stand, and Finn aims from a corner! SHOT- NO, scoop and BACKBREAKER! Penta has the arm, traps it, and then pulls on the other! “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!!

The fans fire up while Finn writhes! Penta stalks Finn, clamps onto him again, “This is Awesome!” as the PENTA- NO, Finn victory rolls the driver! TWO!! DOUBLE LARITS collide! Penta fires body shots, a SOBAT, a KICK, then a SUPERKICK! Finn flops down, but Penta goes to a corner. But then Carlito & Dom rush out here! Penta glares at them, they back off, but Finn rolls Penta up! TWO!! Penta escapes, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, SHOTGUN! Penta hits buckles, then ends up in the drop zone, but HERE COMES BRON! You can’t keep a good dog down! Carlito fears for his life after last week…!

Carlito runs away, so Bron runs in and CLOBBERS Finn!! But that lets Finn win!

Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification

Bron keeps beating up on Finn, so Dom runs in and TACKLES Bron! Carlito joins in now that they have the advantage! They mug Bron 2v1, but Bron fights back! Bron dodges, and he DOUBLE SPEARS!! Sacramento barks for Bron as he aims at Penta! Bron roars, runs up, but Penta KICKS first! And mule kicks! And SUPERKICKS! And then tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bron tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed to go up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODY! Penta wipes out Bron, Dom & Carlito, but where’d Finn go? Finn is already up the ramp! The Prince got handed the win tonight, but will Penta take it all with his #CeroMiedo?

Iyo Sky speaks.

“This message is for Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. You keep forgetting that I’M the Women’s World Champion. You push me out of the way of your petty squabbles like I mean nothing. But I’m the whole reason you’re fighting in the first place, aren’t I? Because I have the one thing you both want: The Women’s World Championship! So, I’m done being ignored. I’m done being forgotten. Because you have to go through ME to get this title, and I’m not afraid to take you both on to defend it. I’ve beaten both of you before, and I’ll beat you again! At WrestleMania, you will never forget the name Iyo Sky, Women’s World Champion.”

Paul Heyman is still waiting, but CM Punk joins him!

Punk sits down with a coffee and says he’s never seen The Wise Man so stressed. Look in his eyes, what do you see? The Cult of Personality? No, a real friend. A friend who would never do anything to put Heyman in harm’s way. But then a car is pulling up. It’s ROMAN! Roman sees Punk and Heyman being buddy-buddy, and he storms off! Heyman tries to catch up to his Tribal Chief, but Roman won’t even look at him. Will this favor cause the break-up of Roman and Heyman?

Roman goes to the ring!

The fans cheer and put the ones up as The OTC makes his entrance, Wise Man trailing behind. What will happen with Roman, Heyman, Punk, and Seth Rollins, all in the building this close to WrestleMania? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns rather quickly, and Roman is now in the ring. He raises his finger up for the pyro and the fans cheer. Heyman has the mic while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Heyman tentatively holds it out for Roman, but Roman doesn’t take it! Roman gets a mic for himself, leaving Heyman a bit dismayed, but the cheering continues. Roman tells, “Sacramento…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and put up the ones as they cheer on “O T C! O T C!” Roman says, “The whole world can feel that. The whole world can hear that you love and acknowledge your Tribal Chief. And now the whole world understands that you would never betray your Tribal Chief.

“But not everybody’s like you. Some people would betray me. Sacramento, you got any guesses on who that might be?” Obviously it’s Heyman that Roman is referring to, but Roman asks The Wise Man, “How could you betray me?” The fans tell Heyman he messed up. Roman says Heyman can’t hear that well, say it louder. The fans get louder with it, and Heyman is a bit surly about that. Heyman goes to talk, but he reconsiders. Roman still asks him why, and Heyman is at a loss for words. The fans boo, but some do chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Roman smirks as Heyman finally says, “My Tribal Chief… It was not a betrayal. I paid back a favor that I owed.”

Roman doesn’t seem to like that answer, but he still smirks. Sacramento, maybe Roman’s a little confused here, but the way favors work is, you usually pay it back yourself, correct? The fans say yes. Roman says it feels the only one getting screwed here is him! And if there’s one thing about Roman Reigns, if there’s one thing about The Tribal Chief, it’s that he’d never ask for a favor. No, Roman takes what he wants! So Roman doesn’t owe a favor, because he never asked for any help, for anyone to join him at WarGames, so how is he supposed to cover the tab for Heyman’s dumbass favor? But now, “BURN IT DOWN!”

Seth Rollins makes his way out, and Roman is no longer in any good mood as the fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in a leather vest and black pants that both have a lot of pockets. Rollins steps into the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Sacramento, “Let’s give it up for Your Tribal Chief! Because after over a decade, you’re finally getting it, man! You’re finally putting the pieces together all by yourself! You’re almost there, you’re just missing one little piece, and it’s a real shame it’s too little, it’s too late, cuz I still gotta end you at WrestleMania.”

Rollins says it is for the same reason that it always has been: It’s the right thing to do! This Triple Threat at WrestleMania is the BIGGEST, most IMPORTANT one in the history of Mania, of the WWE, of professional wrestling! Because the winner of this match will define the future of this industry. And it can’t be Roman, it can’t be Punk. Because this business is filled with people like Roman, people who show up when it is convenient, expecting everyone else to do all the work. That’s how this business dies! Roman finally sees it can’t be Punk, either.

This business is filled with too many “little Punks” running around who wanna pick up their ball and go home when it gets tough, only to come back and leech off the profits of other people’s success, and that’s how this business dies! The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says okay, they want this business to die? Rollins doesn’t! If there are more people in this business like Rollins, who always sacrifices physical and mental well-being to do what is best for business, then the business not only lives, but it thrives! There can be only one, and it’s gotta be Rollins.

As for that one little piece that Roman hasn’t quite figured out… “Favors don’t happen by chance, Roman. Favors are a choice. I chose not to put Paul Heyman in the hospital last week, and now Paul Heyman can choose whether or not he pays that debt to me. But your Wise Man, he is dishonorable as they come, he is a scumbag, and I expect nothing from him.” The fans boo and Heyman frowns, but Rollins says Heyman is not in CM Punk’s corner by chance. Heyman has made a choice. It isn’t just a betrayal, Roman. What Roman needs to ask himself, what that final piece is, Heyman isn’t just returning a favor, he’s choosing. So why is Heyman choosing Punk over Roman?

Heyman tells Roman he’s not doing that, but Roman seems to be thinking Rollins has a point. Roman tells The Wise Man that Rollins is right, Heyman made his choice. But Roman has made his. LARIAT FOR ROLLINS! The fans fire up as Roman then POSTS Rollins! Rollins flops out of the ring, Heyman is very pleased, and he says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief! Roman nods, but then he PIE FACES Heyman!? Heyman is stunned, but here comes CM Punk! The fans fire up as Punk runs down to the ring, and he dodges Roman to fire hands! The fans fire up as they brawl, and then Punk LARIATS Roman up and out!

The fans are torn as Punk helps Heyman up. Heyman is distraught, but Roman is back! SPEAR for Punk!! Roman HAMMERS away on Punk! Roman shouts at Punk, HEADBUTTS him, but then Rollins returns! And with a chair! SMACK to the back of Roman Reigns, just like the night it all started! Sacramento is all fired up, and Rollins hits a CURB STOMP on Punk! And then CURB STOMP on Roman! Heyman is freaking out as both his guys are down! Rollins stares Heyman down, is Rollins’ favor going to come into play after all?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw, especially for the go-home to WrestleMania. Great promo from Gunther with how he “doesn’t wait” for the proper interview with Michael Cole, and very good response promo from Jey. Gunther definitely sounds a bit on edge, and considering he might lose two WrestleManias in a row as the start of his WrestleMania career, I suppose I would be, too. And very good promos from Bianca, Rhea & Iyo to hype up their match, though I can’t say that changes anything for the go-home math. Iyo stood tall last time, so there’s a chance Rhea or Bianca take the other out to get the win. Rhea and Bianca talking about who’s the bad guy in this, could we see Bianca go Heel?

Good promo from War Raiders and New Day, but unless they add a stipulation, I don’t necessarily see this being “a war” of a match. Well, maybe they can break something like ringside barriers. But I feel like New Day is going to win so that this Heel turn has actual results. Very good match from Bayley VS Liv, but Bayley winning here surely indicates Liv & Raquel retain. Rey VS Julius was really good, but the LWO and American Made all being ejected, that of course meant El Grande Americano would show up. Rey wins here, but then El Grande stands tall, so I would think Rey wins at Mania to expose Grande as Gable.

Very good match from Styles VS Kross, and naturally Styles won. That along with Logan & Kross getting the better of Styles after, this has to mean Styles wins at Mania. I don’t think it’s possible to get anything Bullet Club related, but WWE works with TNA pretty closely now so maybe they can use one of Styles’ themes from TNA to really bring us back to “the Styles that can beat Logan Paul.” Very good stuff with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship build, with Bron being jumped by Judgment Day, then Judgment Day trying to cost Penta, only for Bron to actually cost Penta and give Finn the win. Penta standing tall now sadly might cross him off, but I personally do think Dom pinning Finn or Finn pinning Dom is the better route going forward.

And of course, great stuff with the Punk-Rollins-Reigns story. Heyman finding himself stuck between Roman and Punk, with Roman starting to distance himself from Heyman, that’s also very good stuff going forward. Rollins stands tall again, so not sure if that means he takes the loss or is just not in the decision. No matter who wins, Heyman no longer being Roman’s manager is the best move. Roman needs to do things on his own again, and Heyman can reunite with Punk and perhaps help Punk towards a title. Punk did say that he’d be coming for THE WWE Championship at some point, Heyman by his side for that like 10 years ago would be something.

My Score: 8.8/10

A Second City Saint, a Wise Man and a Visionary walk into an arena…

After revealing “The Favor,” CM Punk and Paul Heyman will both be here tonight on Monday Night Raw in Minneapolis, but so will Seth Rollins!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Bayley; Lyra wins and retains the title.
• Six Man Tag: El Grande Americano & The Creed Brothers VS The LWO; Americano & The Creeds win.
• WWE World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS The New Day; New Day wins by disqualifications, the War Raiders retain the titles.
• PENTA VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Carlito; Penta wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

The Raw General Manager welcomes Minneapolis to the show, and he knows we all saw what happened last week revolving around the WWE Women’s World Championship. The situation needs to be address, so please welcome out THE champion, Iyo Sky! The fans cheer as the Evil Genius makes her way out, her title already sitting on the pedestal in the ring. She shakes Pearce’s hand and then takes up a mic. The fans cheer, Iyo bows in thanks, and Pearce now welcomes out Iyo’s opponent, Bianca Belair! The fans are a bit more torn about The EST, but she still makes her way out here to join Iyo and Pearce in the ring.

Bianca points to the WrestleMania sign, but then Pearce welcomes out the wild card, “representing Judgment Day,” Rhea Ripley! Mami makes her way out, and Pearce must be out of sorts if he thinks she’s still part of that group. Rhea and Bianca each have mics now as Pearce welcomes them all here, and says he takes responsibility for last week. He was wrong. Wrong to put Bianca in that position as referee, wrong to assume any of the three could handle this like professionals. The fans boo Pearce there, but he says there is one way to right this wrong: Iyo Sky will defend the WWE Women’s World Championship IN A TRIPLE THREAT!

The fans love that idea! Iyo and Bianca aren’t so happy, but Pearce wants everyone to sign the new contract. Bianca says a couple weeks ago, this would’ve pissed her off because she earned her way to WrestleMania. Win Elimination Chamber? Did that. Be special guest ref? Did that. But she didn’t do all that just so Rhea could just waltz into the match with them! But she doesn’t care anymore, because she is not afraid of Rhea. She went through Elimination Chamber, watched two of her closest friends tear each other apart, and she still won! If she can overcome all that, of course she can overcome a Triple Threat!

The fans rally for Rhea but Bianca says no, Bianca WILL be Women’s World Champion, and she will go through Rhea to get it! Bianca signs her part, and Rhea says, “You really think I’m scared of you?” Bianca tells Rhea to shut up and just sign her part. She whined enough to get here, so here is what she wants! Rhea signs, and then throws the contract back at Bianca! Bianca catches it, but Iyo has them both hold on. Only for Rhea to push her side! Iyo says screw it! She storms out of the ring but Pearce brings her the contract. Iyo says yeah, okay. But then she springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS Rhea AND Bianca!

Iyo smiles as she signs her part of the contract, and then holds up the belt! The fans like that! Will Iyo not be some underdog afterthought champion? Will she have the formula for defeating The Brutality AND EST?

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Carlito is upset that he’s only a 77 on 2K25, but that cracks everyone else up. Finn Balor walks in and says he can’t believe the announcement! A Fatal 4 Way for the Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Penta VS Finn VS Dom! That’s incredible! Finn didn’t realize Dom wanted the shot, too. But hey, the more the merrier, right? Liv says that’s what she was thinking when she suggested Pearce put Dom in the match. Because what’s better than one member of The Judgment Day fighting for the title on the Grandest Stage of Them All? Finn says, “Two.” Yes! Now that doubles the odds of them bringing that title back.

Because it doesn’t matter who wins, so long as it’s one of them, right? Of course not! And Finn knows the people are saying Dom doesn’t have what it takes. That Dom isn’t tough enough. That Dom doesn’t have the killer instincts. That he’s just a loser! But tonight, Dom gets to prove them wrong when he beats Penta all by himself, because Finn beloves in him. Finn pats Dom on the shoulder, then heads out, but Dom asks the others what he’s supposed to do. Carlito says don’t worry, he’s got Dom’s back. Oh! And Mall of America! Biggest mall in America! Carlito’s gonna check it out. Will Judgment Day (not) be fine at WrestleMania?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Bayley!

The Morrigan promised the Role Model to give her a fair shot after making it through Raquel Rodriguez, and since she did that, here’s that match! Will Lyra regret giving #GrandSlamBayley this shot at her gold? Or will she still hold on to the #ShinyShiny?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who brings this belt down the Road to WrestleMania!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, clinch, and Bayley goes for a leg. Lyra rolls Bayley, ONE, Lyra facelocks but Bayley trips her up! Bayley goes to stack but Lyra moves around. Bayley facelocks, Lyra wrenches out to wristlock, but Bayley headlocks. They fight for control, and Lyra wrangles Bayley to then chinbar. The fans duel as Bayley fights up, but Lyra snapmares. Bayley stands to wrench, Lyra waistlocks but Bayley facelocks. Bayley headlocks, but Lyra powers up and out. Lyra drops down, hurdles, but Bayley avoids the monkey flip! Lyra kips up but Bayley rolls her up, TWO!

The fans cheer as the two stand off. They circle and feel things out again. Lyra waistlocks, Bayley switches, repeat, then Lyra shoves to drop toehold. Lyra headlocks but Bayley slips out and has the arm! LA MAGISTROL, but Lyra rolls through to return the LA MAGIST- NO, Bayley stuffs it to a cover, TWO! Bayley says it was that close. Lyra storms up, kicks, but Bayley blocks to KNEE Lyra! Lyra staggers to the corner, Bayley runs up, SUNSET- NO, Lyra stops that and reels Bayley into her own sunset, TWO! They clinch, Lyra UPPERCUTS, but Bayley forearms! They go back and forth, Lyra kicks and kicks and sweeps the legs!

Lyra basement DROPKICKS, then she NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up. Lyra stands Bayley up to then whip her to the corner. Bayley reverses, Lyra goes up and over and cartwheels! Lyra comes back, leg scissor takedown, then Lyra steps through! Lyra holds onto Bayley’s legs to turn her over! Bayley fights but Lyra has the arms, MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Bayley endures, and Lyra swings her around! Lyra drops Bayley, flips her into a ghost pin, TWO! Lyra looms over Bayley, then brings her up again. Lyra UPPERCUTS Bayley to a corner, but Bayley ELBOWS in return.

Bayley storms up, puts Lyra on ropes and grinds forearms into her face. The ref counts, Bayley stops to whip, but Lyra reverses. Bayley ducks ‘n’ dodges, and avoids the leg lariat! Lyra gets stuck, but she manages to dodge Bayley! Bayley tumbles out, Lyra WRECKS her with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Lyra puts Bayley in the ring, then climbs for a CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and Lyra is a bit frustrated, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Bayley has Lyra down with a HALF CRAB! Lyra powers up, turns over, and BOOTS Bayley away! The fans rally up, Bayley rises, but Lyra fires a forearm! Bayley fires back! Lyra ROCKS Bayley, but Bayley ROCKS Lyra! Lyra fires a flurry, then runs up, but Bayley puts her in the ropes! HOTSHOT! Lyra flops to the floor, Bayley goes out the side! DAREDEVIL DROPKICK through the corner! The fans fire up and Bayley goes back inside. Bayley builds speed and DIVES but Lyra moves! Bayley crashes ‘n’ burns, Lyra builds speed, but Bayley stops the dropkick! BAYLEY2BELLY on the floor!

The fans fire up and a ring count starts! Both women are down at 5 of 10, but Lyra sits up at 7. Both women rise up, and they spring in at 9! The fans fire up as this continues! Bayley crawls over to Lyra, brings her up and fireman’s carries, but Lyra fights around to swing and arm-drag! Lyra then ENZIGIRIS and Bayley staggers! Lyra gut wrenches for a DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Lyra is frustrated, but she hurries to to fireman’s carry. Bayley fights free, but Lyra KNEES low! Lyra fireman’s carries, but Bayley flails free! Bayley runs to KNEE Lyra down! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Bayley can’t believe it!

The fans rally up as both Bayley and Lyra rise. Bayley has Lyra in a corner and puts her up top. Bayley climbs up, the fans duel, and Lyra resists the suplex! Lyra fires body shots and CLUBS Bayley, to then slip down and bring her off the corner! Bayley fights free, runs back in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Lyra flops down, Bayley drags herself to the apron, and the fans rally up again. Lyra grabs at Bayley’s foot to anchor her but Bayley kicks free. Bayley rises up, but Lyra has Bayley in the ropes! Lyra then drags Bayley in, uses the corner, TORNADO DDT! Lyra then rolls through, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Lyra covers, TWO!!

Bayley survives and Lyra frowns, but “This is Awesome!” Lyra goes to the corner, climbs to the top, and she watches Bayley rise. TURN OF- NO, Bayley SLAMS Lyra down, turns her over, BOSTON CRAB! Lyra endures while the fans fire up! Lyra claws her way over, reaches out, but Bayley drags her away from the ropes! Bayley sits deep on the hold, but Lyra pries at the legs! Bayley shifts, ROSE- NO, Lyra rolls through, trips Bayley, jackknife bridge! LYRA WINS!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

Bayley is stunned, but Minneapolis gives a standing ovation! Lyra found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and she shows Bayley respect. Bayley nods and slaps Lyra’s hand away!? But then Bayley knows that’s not right, and she HUGS Lyra! These two are still going on to Friday Night SmackDown to be part of that big Women’s Tag Team gauntlet, could they both be going to Mania together?

Backstage interview with Bert Kreischer.

Cathy Kelley welcomes the actor-comedian, and brings up his new Netflix special. But before Bert can go on about it, Team American Made interrupts! Chad Gable says it’s great to see Bert! He’s a big fan of Bert’s, and surely Bert is a big fan of Gable’s, because it’s the only reason Bert would be here. Gable’s the only real star to come outta Minnesota. Too bad for everyone that Gable isn’t competing tonight. But what he does have is his guys, the Creed Brothers, taking down the LWO in tag team action, as well as seeing the greatest luchador of all time, El Grande Americano! Bert says this is awkward, but he isn’t here for them.

The Alpha Academy steps in and Bert hugs it out with Otis! Then they both rip off their shirts! Gable shouts, “Idiots!” American Made storms off, and Otis tells, “Minneapolis, we’re coming, man~!” Bert is all fired up, but will we still see everything Gable just said? Or will the LWO get some payback on Julius & Brutus?

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

Jackie Redmond is with the Phenomenal One, and says Logan Paul had quite the audacity to do and say what he did last week. But where is Styles’ head at going into that match? Styles says he’s in a good place. He gets to embarrass Logan Paul on the Grandest Stage of Them All, because you can’t beat experience. But then Karrion Kross interrupts with, “Experience? How did that experience work for you last week? And who exactly got embarrassed? Explain this whole situation to me, please.” Styles asks what Kross wants from him, and Kross says Styles knows what he wants: to help Styles. WWE needs the Styles that can get the job done.

What Styles is that? What is this obsession Kross has with that Styles? Kross says it’s because Styles needs to win at WrestleMania! If Styles loses, they ALL lose! WWE NEEDS Styles! Oh, if that’s what Kross wants, fine! Styles will talk with Pearce, and then next Monday Night Raw, Styles will give Kross a taste. Styles heads out, and Scarlett has Kross stand down. “That worked.” Kross says he agrees. Is Kross pushing Styles’ buttons actually for a good reason?

Six Man Tag: El Grande Americano & The Creed Brothers VS The LWO!

While it’s “hard to imagine,” Chad Gable managed to bridge the gap between the so-called greatest luchador of all time with Team American Made. Will Gable be celebrating here in his hometown, despite “not” competing here tonight? Or will Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde throw them all into the Gulf of America?

The trios sort out, and Brutus starts, but Dragon Lee calls out Americano for what he did last week. Brutus says they don’t have to listen to Dragon, so Cruz starts instead. Brutus TACKLES Cruz, goes for a top mount, then a rear mount. Cruz fights up, Brutus hammerlocks, but Cruz reaches back to FLYING-MARE! Cruz then bypasses, but Brutus CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Brutus tags Julius. Julius runs up, but Cruz arm-drags him down! Tag to Wilde, they double whip, then DOUBLE ELBOW! Wilde runs, Cruz helps out, HIP TOSS SPLASH COMBO! Cover, TWO! Wilde keeps Julius down, but Julius throws Wilde by his hair!

Wilde reaches up to headscissor and swing! The fans cheer as Wilde RANAS Julius, then runs up, goes up, crucifix takedown! Julius fights off the armbar, Brutus and El Grande storm in and stomp Wilde! Dragon Lee & Cruz get in there, it’s a wild brawl, and the fans fire up! LWO triple whip everyone to corners, then they crisscross! LARIATS! LARIATS! And then DROPKICKS! LWO stands tall while Americano Made regroups. “L! W! O!” then TRIPLE TOPE CONJILO! The fans fire up as LWO stands tall! They put Americano Made in the ring, Lee tags in, and everyone goes up to the top rope! But Americano Made trips them all up! TRIPLE SUPERPLEX!!

The fans fire up as all six men are down in the ring, and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Lee fires body shots on Julius. Julius DECKS Lee, then he BLASTS the LWO corner! The fans boo but Julius whips Lee to a corner. Julius runs up, but into a BOOT! Lee DECKS Brutus, then goes up the corner. Julius is up after Lee and fires hands! Julius goes to the very top, but Lee trips him into the Tree of Woe! WOE STOMPS! The fans fire up, Lee and Julius crawl, hot tags to Brutus and Cruz! Cruz springboards to CROSSBODY! Then he LARIATS! He BLASTS Americano! Then he runs to RANA Brutus to a corner! Julius runs up, Cruz dodges, POP-UP RANA! Cruz runs at Brutus, GAMANGIRI!

Cruz brings Brutus in, ANARCHY! Cruz throws off his shirt and then throws it to the fans! Free souvenir! Cruz goes up, up, and SWANTON BOMBS! Then he DIVES onto Julius!! The fans fire up with Cruz, but Americano gets in! Cruz GAMANGIRIS him away, springboards, but Americano ducks under! Americano waistlocks. Cruz switches, repeat, and Americano O’Conner Rolls! TWO, and Cruz BOOTS Americano! Tag to Lee and Lee brings Americano in! Cruz goes up, LWO hits a BLOCKBUSTER- SPANISH FLY!?! Americano turned that around! But now Lee has him all alone. Lee is furious over the disrespect, and he BOOTS Americano!

Lee reels Americano in, hoists him up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Julius SHOOTING STARS that apart!! The fans fire up while everyone is down at ringside! “This is Awesome!” and Rey coaches his guys. Wilde uses Cruz as a boost to SUPER TOPE onto Brutus! Cruz LARIATS Julius out, then he has the ref move aside! Cruz goes up, up, TRIANGLE TORNILLO onto Julius!! The fans are thunderous, but wait! Ivy slips a metal panel to Americano! He puts that in his mask! Rey saw that, he tells Americano to get off the corner! Americano HEADBUTTS Rey with the loaded mask!! But Lee trips Americano up! Lee goes up, and says he’s gonna reveal the truth!

But Americano HEADBUTTS Lee!! Lee falls, Americano DIVING HEADBUTTS!! Cover, Americano Made wins!

Winners: El Grande Americano & The Creed Brothers, by pinfall

Rey tries to explain what happened, but he’s so dazed from the loaded headbutt. Will nothing stop El Grande Americano from taking over the WWE?

GUNTHER is here!

Minneapolis boos Der Ring General as he struts out here, wearing the World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, as well as a very politician style suit ‘n’ tie. Gunther stands on the desk, even as fans chant, “We Want Jey!” Gunther steps down, grabs a mic, and then goes into the ring. He holds up the title and has a big smile on his face as the fans boo. But then Jey Uso appears! Gunther is even more amused as Minneapolis now bounces with Main Event Jey, but Jey is not really in the mood to YEET right now. Jey, dressed all in black, glares at Gunther as he makes his way down the steps to ringside.

The fans still YEET and bounce for Jey as he walks up the steel steps into the ring. Gunther grins and lets Jey step inside. The fans still “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but then Jey snatches the mic out of Gunther’s hand! Gunther is rather surprised, but still smiling as Jey seethes behind his sunglasses. Jey takes those off, the fans “YEET!” even harder, and Gunther starts to chuckle. The fans rally with “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” as Jey gathers his thoughts. Jey tells Gunther, “You have a mother. You got a mom. You talk to your mom? What do y’all talk about? Family stuff? She ask you like, ‘How’s the wife? How’s the grandson doing?'”

You walk your dog, cook food, regular family stuff, right? Fans “YEET!” for that. Jey says he’s got a mom, too. Wanna know what they talked about this week? You wanna know what he had to tell her? Her oldest son, laid up in a hospital bed. Her oldest son, 15 stitches across the forehead. Wanna know what she asked Jey? She said, “Why didn’t you protect him, Joshua?” As a grown man, Jey ain’t eve lied to her, and he won’t do that now. He said he was afraid! Afraid of Gunther! Gunther had Jey! Gunther had the drop on Jey, three steps ahead of him, playing chess while Jey’s playing checkers! But that wasn’t enough for Gunther, was it?

Gunther had to get family involved. We all know how Jey feels about his family, especially Jimmy. The fans rally behind Jey while he paces. Gunther violated Jimmy, left him a bloody pulp, while Jey was zip tied to the ropes! Jey watched as Gunther painted Jimmy’s blood all over his body. Jimmy’s blood is on Jey’s hands, too! Jey ain’t never felt so hopeless, helpless, disrespected, pissed off, mad, angry, and damn near scared! Gunther made the whole world stop! He violated Jey’s twin brother in front of him! That made Jey’s heart stop. You know what the crazy thing is, Uce? In Jey’s darkest moment, right here in front of the world, a lightbulb went off. Ain’t that something?

You wanna know what Jey realized? You wanna know what Jey knows now, Uce? Gunther, look at Jey: Jey ain’t afraid no more. The fans fire up for that! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Gunther is a bit rattled himself right now, but Jey tells him no. Before WrestleMania, Gunther needs to hug and kiss his family. Before WrestleMania, Jey will lay his head down and say a prayer. He will pray about Gunther, but more so for himself. Jey will ask the Lord to forgive him for the man he is about to become. Because at WrestleMania, Jey will get Gunther! Jey will get Gunther for Jey, for Jimmy, for the whole damn family, and Jey will take that World Heavyweight Championship!!

The fans are thunderous for Jey as he throws down the mic and truly throws down the gauntlet! Will nothing stop what is coming for Gunther in just 12 days time?

Natalya & Maxxine Dupri talk with Adam Pearce backstage.

The Queen of Harts says, “It’s one thing to team with Maxxine, it’s another to team with her in a gauntlet match.” Pearce understands, but this is WrestleMania season! Go into the deep end! Natty says fine, and Pearce wishes this duo good luck. Rey walks in, and Pearce already knows what he’s going to ask. We all saw what happened out there, so Pearce will let Rey have Gable wherever and whenever he wants. Oh, no, Rey doesn’t want a match with Gable. He wants “the idiot” who has been disrespecting everything Rey stands for! The guy who’s been making a mockery out of everything Rey has worked his entire life for, the art and tradition of lucha libre!

And that means Rey wants El Grande Americano! Rey will expose him for the fraud that he is! Rey will pick the place, though, on where he’ll face that guy. Pearce says yes, out of respect for Rey, he’ll do it. Then it’ll be Rey Mysterio VS El Grande Americano… at WrestleMania! Pearce says then it is official! Muchos gracias. Rey heads out, but is this really a case of two birds with one stone?

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS The New Day!

This is quite the storied rivalry that Raw reignites tonight. Erik & Ivar have gone to Ragnarök and back with Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston, but that was a very different New Day back then. Will the Raiders stay golden this close to WrestleMania? Or will Woods & Kofi once again be W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Champions~?

Raw returns and the War Raiders have made their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly the best team in WWE today!

The teams sort out and Ivar starts with Kofi. Kofi dodges Ivar, headlocks, but Iva powers out to fireman’s carry. Kofi slips free, shoves, drops down then hurdles over, but Ivar stops himself. Ivar then CLOBBERS Kofi, and he scares Kofi with just showing haymaker! Kofi bails out, Woods calms him down, and Kofi goes back to the ring. Tag to Woods, and then Woods slowly goes around the outside. Erik tags in, he runs up, but Woods stays back. Kofi slips in, that distracts Erik, and Woods slides in so he can BLINDSIDE Erik! The fans boo but Woods stomps away on Erik! The fans boo more but Woods soaks up the heat.

Erik CHOPS Woods, Woods ROCKS Erik, and Woods rains down fits! Tag to Kofi, he stomps away, then he tags Woods! The stampede has begun, and then Kofi tags back in. Woods goes to send Kofi in, but Erik CLOBBERS them both! The fans fire up as Erik tags Ivar! Ivar scoops Kofi for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar then runs to SPLASH! The fans fire up and Ivar tags Erik. Erik whips Kofi to the corner, Kofi goes up and over, then comes back, but into a scoop and SLAM! Erik tags Ivar, then he scoops Woods! Erik SLAMS Woods, Ivar scoops and SLAMS Kofi! Ivar says “UP!” and Erik scoops hm! Erik SLAMS Ivar onto Kofi!

The fans fire up as Erik brings Woods around to TOSS him! The Raiders have The New Day on the outside, but Woods ELBOWS Erik! And he grabs a chair! But Erik DECKS Woods first! Ivar whips Kofi hard into barriers, then Erik calls to him. The Raiders say “WAR! WAR! WAR!” and Ivar SPLASHES Woods against the barriers! The fans fire up again while the Raiders stand tall and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Woods has Ivar in the corner. The fans chant, “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Ivar shoves Woods away, Woods comes back, but into a SEATED SENTON! Both men are down, the fans rally, hot tags to Kofi and Erik! Erik CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then reels Kofi in for an EXPLODER! The fans fire up, Woods is back, but Erik scoops to GUT BUSTER! Ace Ten Mao! But Kofi runs up, only for Erik to dodge and URENAGE! Tag to Ivar, they catch Woods, THOR’S HAMMER! Then the pop-up for Kofi, and the WAR MACHINE!! Cover, WOODS BREAKS IT! The fans are torn but Erik TOSSES Woods!

Woods has a chair! The ref is busy with Erik but Ivar stops Woods! They tug-o-war, and Ivar takes the chair! He SMACKS Woods down, but the ref saw that!

Winners: The New Day, by disqualification (War Raiders retain the titles)

Ivar explains to the ref what was going on, but the ref already made his decision. The only silver lining is that Champion’s Advantage comes into play. But then Kofi SMACKS Ivar with the chair! Erik fires hands on Kofi, Woods is up to CLUB Erik! They beat Erik down while the fans boo, but Kofi wedges that chair into the corner. The New Day drags Erik up to RAM him into the chair! The fans boo but New Day says THEY are the best, not anyone else! They then TOSS Ivar into the timekeeper’s area! The ref reprimands, but Woods brings out more chairs! Woods slashes the throat, he wants to end the Raiders!

Woods sits that chair up, then drags Erik up and over. Woods puts Erik’s head against the chair, and Kofi climbs up! The ref reprimands, but here come producers and other refs! They stop Woods & Kofi from injuring Erik! The New Day is furious, but will they have their day?

PENTA VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Carlito!

Adam Pearce really raised the ante on WrestleMania 41 as we will be getting an Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way. But will those odds not matter to the Man with Cero Miedo? Or will “Dirty Dom” prove he can actually do things all by himself?

Raw returns Dom has already made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Penta circle, and the fans chant, “Dom, You Suck!” The two tie up, Penta puts Dom in the corner, but the ref counts. Penta backs off, he and Dom reset, and Dom flexes. The fans boo but the two tie up. Penta waistlocks, Dom switches, Penta switches, repeat. Penta then CHOPS, but Dom CHOPS! Dom kicks, CLUBS, and he fires off on Penta! The fans boo but Dom stomps Penta as he stands back up. Dom soaks up the heat, then drags Penta up. Dom whips Penta to a corner, then runs in and LARIATS! Dom pushes Penta down but the fans boo Dom more.

Dom tunes up the booing, but Penta fires body shots! Dom knees low, ROCKS Penta, then brings him around to put in the corner. Dom fires body s hots, then RAMS into Penta again and again. The ref backs Dom off, but then Dom goes up the corner in his fuzzy sheepskin boots to soak up the heat. Dom then whips Penta to ropes, but Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up while Dom flounders! Penta scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans cheer as Penta runs, SLING-DOG! Dom flounders out of the ring and the fans rally for Penta! Penta goes up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down go Dom & Carlito, and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Penta is up top. Dom climbs up after him, but Penta throws hands! Dom backs off, Penta leaps, but into a kick! Dom snap suplexes for Uno Amigo! Then he snap suplexes for Dos Amigos! The fans boo, but Dom still hits THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Dom drags Penta up, but Penta breaks free! Penta dodges a lariat, but Dom trips him onto the ropes! The fans boo as Dom dials it up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Dom flounders to a corner, Penta runs in and GAMANGIRIS! Penta sits Dom down, then headstands for the DROPKICK! Penta drags Dom to a cover, TWO! The fans rally while Penta stands again.

Penta brings Dom around, pump handles, but Dom slips fere! Dom SUPERKICKS, but not the strongest! Dom runs, to DESTROYER! And then he DROPKICKS Penta to the ropes! Dom redials, 619! Penta falls back, Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH onto knees! Penta cradles Dom, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dom drags Penta up, fireman’s carries, but Penta fights free! Penta dodges a lariat, wrenches and WRINGS Dom’s arm! Penta traps one arm, grabs the other, but Dom resists! Penta SLAPS Dom, and shouts, “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!! Dom clutches that arm, but Penta pump handles! PENTA DRIVER! Cover, Penta wins!

Winner: Penta, by pinfall

Cero Miedo is undefeated, and he just proved Dom can’t do it on his own! But here comes Carlito! Carlito CLOBBERS Penta, then throws more hands! Penta fires back, but Dom anchors Penta’s legs! Carlito hits the BACKSTABBER! The fans boo as Dom & Carlito mug Penta, but then HERE COMES BRON! The fans bark it up for the Badass Intercontinental Champion! Carlito runs out there to intercept, but Bron SPEARS Carlito! Bron hit Carlito so hard, Bron then flips through to stand back up! Bron goes after Dom, Dom dodges, but a SPEAR hits Dom! Bron is seething, he aims at Penta, and he SPEARS!!

The fans bark even louder as Bron just demolished three men in under a minute! But then Finn gets Bron! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans boo as The Prince takes advantage. Finn tells Penta that this title is HIS, cabron! Finn doesn’t even really pay attention to Dom as he holds up the belt. But Bron is up! Finn runs away before he gets destroyed! Finn doesn’t have to beat everyone, he just has to pick his opening, same as he did tonight. Will that be enough to take this title home to the Judgment Day? Or will Bron show he can defy the odds with brawn alone?

Paul Heyman is here!

“Ladies and gentlemen,” The Wise Man gives his introductions, and he wants to state a couple of things for the record so that we can get it out of the way and move on to WrestleMania. Item Number 1: Heyman will always be loyal to his Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. The fans are torn, but Heyman continues. Item Number 2: Heyman will always be loyal to his best friend in the world, CM Punk! The fans are again torn, but Heyman says just because he is loyal to both of them does not mean he will ever in his life be disloyal to either of them. “So when it comes to WrestleMania, let’s get one thing perfectly clear!”

Seth Rollins is here! The fans fire up and sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins struts out in denim bellbottoms and what appears to be a robe or coat made from recycled denim. Rollins grabs a mic as he revels in the singing from Minneapolis. Rollins smiles at Heyman, then tells Minneapolis, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans cheer, and Rollins says in case you don’t know, he will introduce himself! He is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he IS Seth! FREAKIN’! Rollins! But tonight, it isn’t about him! Tonight is about… Paul… Heyman…! And Heyman’s out here talking about loyalty, which is why Rollins wants to be out here.

Rollins wants to ask Heyman a question that has been on everyone’s minds: Whose side is Heyman on? Who IS Paul Heyman? Who does he wanna be? Is he the very best friend~ to CM Punk? The fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Or is Heyman the Special Counsel, the Wise Man, to Roman Reigns? “O T C! O T C!” Rollins hears Heyman out here right now, trying to convince all of us, including himself, that he can do both at the same time! And Heyman… It occurred to Rollins over the past week that Heyman is neither. Heyman smirks as Rollins takes off his sunglasses.

Rollins knows Heyman’s spiel: Roman Reigns plucked him from obscurity~! He brought Heyman to the Island of Relevancy~! Roman Reigns doesn’t give a DAMN about Heyman! Roman Reigns uses Heyman! Y’know what Roman likes Heyman for? Shining his shoes, booking his private jets, ordering his steaks, and handing him his ula fala. That is what Roman has Heyman for. Roman Reigns does not respect Heyman. Don’t play dumb! Here’s a history lesson: WrestleMania 40! Roman Reigns loses the WWE Championship in the main event thanks to… Hmm, hmm, hmm… A very well-dressed Visionary.

Roman then does what he does best, and he disappears. Does he take Heyman with him? No! He left Heyman in the “very caring” hands of Solo Sikoa, and the rest of The Bloodline. Did they treat Heyman well? Were they kind to him? No! Every single day, they treated Heyman like he was the scum of the Earth! Every single day, we all waited, we all wondered, “Is Roman Reigns gonna come save Paul Heyman?” Did Roman come to Heyman’s rescue?! No. He left Heyman to be massacred in his hometown, in front of his own children. Jacob & Azalea Heyman had to watch their father be put through a table because Roman Reigns doesn’t care about him!

And y’know who else wasn’t there? Heyman’s best friend in the world~, C… M… Punk. “Best friends love each other, Paul. They’re there for each other. They don’t use each other when it’s convenient. Ten years ago, CM Punk walked out on every single person in this arena, and you included. He walked out on you, too! Did he take you with him, Paul? No! He tried to tear down everything that you were building here! And when he came back, did he come back because you asked him to come back? Did he come back and embrace you, and take you with him on his ride? No!” Punk & Paul sure love to reminisce and romanticize about WarGames.

But let Rollins remind you that CM Punk was not the first choice for Team Roman at WarGames, Rollins was. Stop him when he’s telling lies! Heyman admits, that is true. Rollins declined, but Punk was the last and only choice left. Did he join Team Roman out of the goodness of his heart because he loved Heyman? No, it’s because he used it to get a favor out of Heyman! Heyman tears up a bit as Rollins says Punk is NOT Heyman’s best friend. Punk loves no one but himself. And to be honest, Heyman, and with Minneapolis, Rollins feels bad for Heyman. Heyman is in a very difficult, unenviable position. He is between a rock and a hard place.

The easiest solution for everyone involved would be Heyman removing himself from the situation entirely, letting Rollins, Punk and Roman battle it out for the soul of this industry! But Heyman can’t do that? Or he won’t? He won’t betray his Tribal Chief, he won’t betray his best friend, Rollins understands that. If only there was a solution. If only there was a way they could remove Heyman from the situation… Rollins circles Heyman like a denim shark, and Rollins says, “It’s for your own good.” Rollins will take it as a privilege to remove Heyman from this situation right here, and right now. The fans boo and Heyman glares at Rollins.

Rollins says it’ll be quick and easy. Just a boot to the head, then a stomp, and it’s all over. Nobody’s here to save Heyman. Roman isn’t here. CM Punk… What’s that thing he likes to say? He’s not here to make friends, he’s here to make money. So the question then is… How much is Heyman worth? Is he worth this much? And Rollins slaps Heyman in the arm. Rollins wonders… Is it this much? And now he SLAPS Heyman in the face! C’mon, Paul… Rollins pushes Heyman around, but Heyman shouts, “Don’t put your damn hands on me again!” The fans fire up for Heyman, but Rollins smiles.

Rollins SMOTHERS Heyman into a corner, but here comes Punk! Seems Punk does care, and he slides right in! Rollins and Punk brawl, Punk TACKLES Rollins to the mat and rains down fists! They go out of the ring, the fans fire up, and Punk THROWS Rollins over the desk! The brawl continues against the barriers, into the Hydration Station, and then around the way! Rollins throws Punk, but then Punk throws Rollins into steel steps! Punk pulls those apart, and he drags Rollins over to throw hands! The fans fire up as Punk smothers Rollins with the steel! Punk then lines up a shot, runs in and- NO, Rollins gets away before a stomp!

Punk slides into the ring to pursue, but Rollins STOMPS Punk!! The fans fire up and Heyman is devastated! Heyman checks on Punk, but Rollins takes aim! CURB STMOP just short of Heyman! Heyman is scared silent, and Rollins takes the mic to say, “Now you owe me a favor.” What?! Rollins can’t be serious! But will the Visionary put Heyman in a lose-lose situation in Vegas?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here, though it feels rather slim without John Cena or even Cody Rhodes showing up. But given they already gave us their hottest promo battle, and a really well done video package, I feel like we’ve gotten all the math we’ll get for that match. In place of Cena and Cody live, we did get that powerful promo from Jey. This fire Jey is bringing, he surely must be winning at WrestleMania. And naturally, the Women’s World Championship Triple Threat is finally official with a speed run version of a contract signing. Iyo standing tall here with just one more episode to go, I wonder if that is the go-home math signaling someone else (Bianca?) wins the title.

A great opening match with Lyra VS Bayley, and I figured Lyra would win. An intriguing detail was Bayley almost disrespecting Lyra, and now they’ll be going to SmackDown as a team. I don’t see them winning the gauntlet, but perhaps there is something to how Liv & Raquel want to be a Two Woman Power Trip. Maybe Bayley & Lyra do win, but Liv & Raquel want an Intercontinental Championship match in return, really upping things for WrestleMania weekend. Also, I don’t see Natalya & Maxxine winning with Natty being so down about having to team with Maxxine for a gauntlet, not just a one-fall match.

Very good promo from Styles and Kross, because in the end, Kross just doesn’t want Logan Paul winning at WrestleMania. Which I agree with, and not even in kayfabe. But Styles VS Kross will be really good stuff, can’t wait to see Styles bring out his aggression. Really fun promo from Gable with Bert Kreischer and Alpha Academy, and a great Six Man Tag of LWO VS Americano Made. That was probably one of LWO’s better showings because Wilde got to do that wild tope and Cruz got to do his own high-flying. But of course there was cheating for Americano Made, and now we’re getting Rey VS Americano. Duh, Rey has to snatch that mask off Gable at some point or this is for naught.

Very good tag title match, but I was a little surprised we got it here. At the same time, New Day winning by disqualification and then beating War Raiders down, surely we get a rematch of this for either the go-home into WrestleMania or even as part of WrestleMania. Two nights and I’ve lost count of how many matches, they might be able to do something with this. Good stuff in building the Men’s Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4. Judgment Day continues to have passive aggressive dysfunction, and then Penta VS Dom was a very good main event match. Good win for Penta, but of course Judgment Day beats Penta down. Bron and Finn getting involved was good stuff, too, there are all sorts of possibilities with that Fatal 4.

And a great closing segment with Rollins confronting Heyman. There has been this notion that perhaps Heyman joins Rollins, and that feeling was kinda coming and going during Rollins’ promo. Rollins and Punk had a good brawl, and Rollins standing tall to then “spare” Heyman was good stuff. Rollins wanting his own favor also feeds that notion, but I personally don’t see it happening because at this point, I’m not sure it’d make sense. Heyman staying with Roman and upsetting Punk makes sense. Heyman joining Punk and leaving Roman also makes sense. Heyman choosing Rollins after being threatened doesn’t make sense.

My Score: 8.8/10