Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!

Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
• Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
• Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
• Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is in the concourse.

The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.

Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.

Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.

Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.

And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!

And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”

The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!

Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.

Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!

Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?

Heyman returns backstage.

He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.

Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?

PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!

The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?

Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.

JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.

Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!

Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!

The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!

Winner: Penta, by pinfall

Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?

Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.

The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?

Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?

Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???

Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.

Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.

Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.

Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?

BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!

Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.

Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?

Chad Gable is backstage.

“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.

Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?

Becky Lynch goes to the ring.

Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!

That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!

Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.

Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.

But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.

What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!

The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?

Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!

The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?

Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!

Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!

Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!

Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!

Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!

Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall

Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!

Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?

Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!

Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!

Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!

Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!

Winner: Rusev, by submission

Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!

Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?

Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.

The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.

Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!

Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.

Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.

They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.

And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!

“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”

Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!

To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?

Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!

The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!

Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!

The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!

Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!

Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.

Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!

Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.

Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!

Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!

Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)

Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?

My Thoughts:

A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.

Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.

Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.

Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.

Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.

And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.

My Score: 8.9/10

The Visionary, the Wise Man, and the Badass…

After a wild Raw After Mania, Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker will be here to establish themselves as the new force of nature on Monday nights!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rhea Ripley VS Roxanne Perez; Rhea wins, by disqualification.
• Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Carlito VS The War Raiders; The War Raiders win.
• Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile w/ Chad Gable; Vaquer wins.
• Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins; Bron wins, by referee stoppage.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nick Aldis is filling in for Adam Pearce.

The Raw General Manager is taking some administrative leave given last week’s particularly chaotic and violent Raw, so the SmackDown GM will gladly step in. Surely no ulterior motives like showing he’s a superior GM…

Seth Rollins is here!

Kansas City fires up for the Visionary as he leads The Wise Man and the Badass to the ring. And while Rollins wears stylish sunglasses and long-tailed coat, Paul Heyman got Bron Breakker to wear a suit! The fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as the three step into the ring, and Rollins pats both Heyman and Bron on the shoulder. The fans bark for Bron, and they again sing for Rollins as Rollins has the mic already. Rollins revels in this moment as usual, then he tells Kansas City, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!” He is the Visionary, he is the Revolutionary, he is Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!

“And in case you didn’t know, you’ve been living under a rock, you’re looking at the winner of the main event of WrestleMania! And I know it’s a little difficult for some of you out there that still wanna chant for CM Punk…” Some fans do indeed still chant for CM Punk. Rollins nods and says, “I knew there were still a few out there. And I know it might be painful for you who still wanna put your fingers in the air for Roman Reigns…” And fans do indeed raise the ones and chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says what you are looking at in this ring right now is the future of this industry! The fans do cheer that.

Rollins says the future runs through one man. That man is NOT CM Punk. That man is NOT Roman Reigns. Hell, it’s not even John Cena, Jey Uso or Cody Rhodes! The future of this industry, with Paul Heyman to his left, and Bron Breakker to his right, the future of this industry runs through SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! But wait! Sami Zayn makes his way out here! Sami goes to the ring and grabs himself a mic, but Rollins gives Sami the introductions. The fans do cheer, and Rollins has Bron stand down. Rollins says it is good to see Sami back on Monday Night Raw! Rollins assumes Sami caught WrestleMania.

Sami says yes, he did. He saw the main event of night one. How long have they been friends? A long time, right? Well, then Sami feels the need to come out here as a friend, as someone who has known Rollins a long time, to say that this… “This is a load of crap, man.” What/ What does he mean? Uh, how much time did Rollins talk about Punk, Roman, and how one the one thing those two had in common is standing by Rollins now. How is Rollins any different? Whoa, wait, is Sami comparing Rollins to Punk and Roman? How can this NOT be different? Sami says for the longest time, he started to believe Rollins just had this hatred for Punk and Roman.

But now, maybe Rollins was just jealous of them. Maybe Rollins just wanted to be in the position that they were in. Rollins says Sami, look, Rollins is not Punk, he is not Roman, this is the vision for the future! They go back many, many years, talking about what the vision of the future would look like. Oh, yes, isn’t that a coincidence? The “vision” for the future of the WWE and of the entire industry for years to come, it all revolves around Rollins being front and center. That’s not a coincidence! Rollins is the best man for the job! That’s Sami’s point, Rollins. It isn’t coincidence, it is hypocrisy.

Sami says all this time talking about The Bloodline this, the Bloodline that, and- Rollins stops Sami there. This is NOT The Bloodline, stop making that comparison! Well how is it different? The Wise Man over on that side, and a lapdog over on the other. And if Bron keeps looking at Sami like that, Sami will kick Bron’s face in! The fans fire up hearing that! Rollins shouts for everyone to calm down. Sami, what is this? You came out here to be honest with Rollins, so Rollins will be honest with you. This IS the vision for the future. And Sami is either with them, or they are against them. And that’s not a threat.

Rollins doesn’t want Sami to be an enemy. This whole thing is bigger than Rollins. It doesn’t matter if Rollins hates you like he does Roman and Punk, or if he loves you like a brother. You stand in his way, you become a target, and Rollins doesn’t want that for Sami. So they can find a solution to this. It doesn’t have to come to blows. Wise Man, please, pull some strings. Sami can be moved off Raw. The fans boo and Rollins says no, that’s not a threat! It’s just that Sami clearly won’t buy in, so maybe they can cash him out. That is not a threat. But it is an offer. A favor, even. So look, Sami, just think about it. But they will need an answer by the end of the night.

Rollins turns to go, Heyman has Bron stand down, and the clock is ticking. Will the Underdog from the Underground side with Rollins’ vision? Or will he be the first to stand against it?

Rhea Ripley VS Roxanne Perez!

Mami came to the rescue last week when The Prodigy and Giulia went after Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer. Rhea still wants to be on top, will her brutality go a long way towards that? Or will the former NXT Women’s Champion pop off against the former Women’s World Champion?

Raw returns and Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Rhea and Roxie circle, the fans behind “MAMI! MAMI!” The two tie up, Roxie dodges and then bails out. The fans boo but Roxie tells the ref to back Rhea off. Rhea does back up, and Roxie takes her time stepping inside. Roxie and Rhea feel things out, but then Roxie bails out again! The fans boo but Roxie is clearly trolling. Roxie then throws her jacket at Rhea! Roxie storms in and CHOP BLOCKS! Rhea writhes, the fans boo but Roxie talks trash. Roxie CLUBS and kicks and stomps, but then Rhea grabs Roxie by the hair!

Roxie SLAPS Rhea, then laughs. Rhea is furious so now Roxie apologizes. But then Roxie dropkicks the legs out and Rhea hits buckles! Roxie runs in, UPPERCUTS, then comes back, but into a BOOT! Rhea reels Roxie in, Canadian Racks, but Roxie hooks the ropes! Roxie slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges to wheelbarrow, but no bulldog! Roxie shifts to roll Rhea, and she stomps away on the bad leg! Rhea BOOTS Roxie away with the good leg! But then Roxie SWEEPS the legs! The fans rally but Roxie DROPKICKS Rhea out! Roxie builds speed to DIVE! But Rhea catches her! The fans fire up as Rhea THROWS Roxie into barriers!

Roxie is down, Rhea shakes out the bad leg, then she drags Roxie up. SNAKE EYES off the barriers! The ring count climbs, Rhea stalks Roxie, and Rhea puts Roxie in the ring. Roxie backs up but Rhea puts her on the apron! Rhea DECKS Roxie, then drags her back up, only for Roxie to trip Rhea! Roxie SLAMS Rhea’s bad leg into the post! Rhea resists as Roxie tries again, but Roxie CLUBS away, then she SLAMS the leg back into post! The fans boo but Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirl RUSSIAN- NO, Rhea blocks with power! Roxie slips free of the scoop but Rhea LARIATS her down! The fans fire up while Rhea gets her leg moving.

Rhea hauls Roxie up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Roxie BOOTS Rhea away, then goes up and leaps! But Rhea catches her again! Rhea powers through to suplex high and hard! Roxie staggers up, but Rhea DROPKICKS Roxie down! Roxie bails out, Rhea shakes the bad leg out, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Roxie double jumps and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives and Roxie grows frustrated. The fans rally but Roxie goes for the bad legs. Spinning toehold, then a DEATHLOCK! Rhea endures as Roxie puts on the pressure! Rhea CLUBS Roxie, Roxie pushes on the bad leg, repeat! Roxie fires a forearm, Rhea fires a haymaker, but Roxie fires a flurry! Roxie lets Rhea go to then have a standing toehold! Roxie pushes on the knee and ankle, but Rhea kicks with the free leg! Roxie still holds on so Rhea kicks at her again and again! Rhea finally BOOTS free, then ENZIGIRIS! Roxie comes back, but Rhea wrenches to a short arm LARIAT!

Rhea short arm LARIATS, then ducks a shot to wrench and HOOK KICK! Rhea reels Roxie in and lifts her up, Canadian Rack for the RAZOR’S EDGE! Roxie flounders, Rhea SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO!! The bad leg holds Rhea back and Roxie survives for it! Rhea hobbles and goes back for Roxie. Rhea drags Roxie up, then fires off in the corner! The ref counts but the fans fire up! Wait, is that Giulia!? The Beautiful Madness is back again, taunting Rhea. Rhea eggs Giulia on, but Roxie snatches Rhea to a cradle! TWO!! Roxie runs and tilt-o-whirls to SPIKE-RANA! Roxie gets moving and she HANDSPRING KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO!!

Rhea survives and Roxie is freaking out! Giulia is just as frustrated over that count, but Roxie drags Rhea up. Roxie SLAPS Rhea, Rhea SLAPS Roxie! Roxie SOBATS, hops on, POP- NO, Rhea flips that over and KNEES Roxie down! Rhea then glares at Giulia. Giulia eggs Rhea on, Rhea grabs Giulia’s hair! Roxie rolls Rhea, but Rhea rolls through and HEADBUTTS! Rhea pump handles, but Giulia CHOP BLOCKS Rhea!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by disqualification 

The fans boo but Giulia HAMMERS away on Rhea! Roxie joins in, but here comes Iyo Sky! The fans fire up as the Evil Genius rushes in, dodges Roxie and SHOTEIS Giulia! SHOTEI for Roxie! Iyo blocks Giulia’s kick to send it into Roxie! Then victory roll, STOMP 182! The fans fire up with Iyo, and then she runs at Roxie! Roxie puts Iyo on the apron, but Iyo GAMANGIRIS! Giulia is up, and she trips Iyo up on the springboard! Now the champ is getting mugged! Rhea returns, and that sends Roxie & Giulia running! Roxie & Giulia never used to be friends, but they have common targets in Iyo & Rhea. Will they come to regret it?

Judgment Day talks in the clubhouse.

They’re all excited, and then Finn joins in! Finn formally welcomes JD McDonagh back from injury, and mentions they need to talk later. They go off to the side and Finn thought JD was going to tell him when he was back. JD says he told Dom first, he meant to tell Finn, and he’s sorry. Finn is fine with that, he just wishes JD had told him. JD knows, but with the Intercontinental Championship match, JD was cleared quicker than he thought and- Liv checks in. Is everything okay? Sure, of course! Just catching up. Okay, but why aren’t they getting ready for their match? Wait, what match?

JD says he was also going to tell Finn but it got away from him. Liv said it’d be great if JD & Finn made another run at the World Tag Team Championships, and JD agreed, so he went to Nick Aldis and they’ve got a match with the War Raiders tonight. JD thought Liv was going to tell Finn. Liv says it’s just been so busy, it slipped her mind. But she just figured, since Finn isn’t a champion right now, that he’d be interested. Well of course he’d be interested. But in the future, please keep Finn in the loop. Yes, absolutely. Finn says he’ll go get ready, JD and Liv grumble at each other, but Carlito says it’ll be great once everyone is champion. Oh wait, maybe Carlito should be, too…

Liv & JD go back to the game with Dom and Raquel, and Carlito seems to have an idea. But what title could Caribbean Cool possibly capture?

Logan Paul is here!

Raw returns as The Maverick is already in the ring. Kansas City boos, but Logan says, “Hey, yo! That’s crazy, cuz I dunno if y’all remember, but I beat the Phenomenal AJ Styles last weekend at WrestleMania. And I hear you. You people still aren’t satisfied. Hey, hey, hey, I get it. You’re from Kansas City, you’re a victim of circumstance. You don’t know greatness when it’s standing right in front of you. You people are so, so stupid! You don’t know what a true legend looks like. And hey, hey, I’m gonna say something, and it might offend some of you, you’re not gonna like it. But a true legend certainly does not look like your current World Heavyweight Champion, Jey Uso.”

The fans boo but Logan says he has had seven days to think. He realized he’s done just about everything there is in this industry, except win the world title. “So Jey Uso! Consider your days numbered, because you have something that I want!” But then YEET! Here comes Main Event Jey! The fans fire up and sing along with that Day One Ish, and the bounce is on! Jey even bestows his YEET sunglasses to a young fan who beat cancer and is at his first WWE show. The fans fire up for that, and they YEET again! Jey steps in the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Logan looks right at the belt, and Jey tells him hold up.

Let’s silence this noise! Cuz Logan thinks that after 15 YEARS of Jey making a name for himself, finally becoming World Heavyweight Champion, that Jey’s just gonna hand this over to some punk YouTuber like Logan Paul! STOP! “YEET!” Jey tells Pat, “Can you believe this?” Jey says let’s get real for a minute. Jey watched Gunther beat his twin brother to a bloody pulp. That did something to Jey. It lit a fire inside of him that ain’t ever going out. So look, Logan, this title is not given, it is earned. And it’s Jey’s! So if you want it, come take it! Four letters, one word. Uh, uh, YEET!! The fans fire up, but Logan rolls his eyes.

“YEET? You sound so stupid, Uce. I’ve done more in four years than you have in 15! All of you know that’s true!” So Logan has something for Jey! This is how it’s gonna go: That title? Logan will take it from Jey. And Jey will do what he does best, what he always does, and that is crash out, screw up, and lose in less time than he held the Intercontinental Championship. So enjoy it while you- SUPERKICK!! The fans fire up as Jey just knocks this punk ass YouTuber on his punk ass! Will this be the story of Logan trying to take the main event from Main Event Jey?

Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Carlito VS The War Raiders!

The Prince was as surprised as the fans to see The Irish Ace return, but while JD helped Dirty Dom become Intercontinental Champion, now the lads can be WWE World Tag Team Champions again. Well, that’s if they can get past Erik & Ivar to go after the New Day. Will this be a bright new chapter for Judgment Day? Or will they simply run into Ragnarök?

Speaking of The New Day, they’re ringside to be part of commentary, and they’re just running down everyone, even claiming that by supporting the War Raiders, you’re supporting literal war. The teams sort out and Ivar starts against JD. The bell rings and they tie up. JD waistlocks, headlocks, but Ivar powers out. JD RAMS Ivar but he’s the one that falls back! Finn swipes at Ivar, Ivar storms up on Finn, but JD headlocks Ivar. Ivar powers up and out again, but JD slips through the backdrop! JD waistlocks, Ivar bucks the O’Conner, then Ivar DECKS Finn! JD CLUBS Ivar, kicks away, and Finn tags in. The Judgment Day mugs Ivar, then soaks up the cheers and jeers.

Finn tags JD back in, JD wrenches Ivar’s beard! Ivar whips JD away, then he BACKDROPS JD! Tag to Erik and he DECKS JD! Finn runs up, but Erik wrenches and lifts Finn for an EXPLODER! JD runs, Erik dodges and SHOTGUN KNEES! The fans fire up and Erik tags Ivar in. Erik sends Ivar in and he LARIATS Finn! Then he feeds Finn to Erik’s ELBOW! Ivar KNEES JD, whips and Erik KNEES JD down! Erik drags JD up, TOSSES him out to join Finn, and the fans cheer on the Raiders. The New Day taunts the raiders with the titles, and Judgment Day returns! But the Raiders scoop and SLAM both JD & Finn!

Finn tumbles away, Ivar scoops JD to SLAM him again! Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto JD! Erik steps outside so Ivar can tag him back in. Ivar then lines up a shot, and the fans fire up as he runs in. But Carlito drags Finn who drags JD to get him out of the way! Ivar crashes into the LED apron! Erik checks on Ivar, Woods mockingly says, “It’s impressive cuz he’s fat, wow~.” The New Day verbally runs down the Raiders while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and JD RAMS Erik into the Judgment Day corner. The ref counts as JD throws hands, but fans count along. Erik stops JD at 5, BLASTS Finn, but JD kicks Erik. Erik DECKS JD! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and New Day makes bald jokes on Erik. JD and Erik crawl, hot tags to Ivar and Finn! The fans fire up as Ivar rallies on Finn! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar runs to SPLASH! The fans fire up with Ivar and he runs, but Finn dodges. Ivar SEATED SENTONS! Then he cartwheels past JD to HEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Ivar gets them to chant, “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar runs to BRONCO BUSTER!

Finn sputters into the drop zone, Ivar goes up, and the fans fire up again. DOOMSAULT FLOPS as Finn moves! Carlito is relieved while Finn and Ivar are both down. Finn crawls, Ivar stirs, and New Day just puts themselves over. Hot tag to JD, and he uses Ivar as a step to BLAST Erik! Then JD DUMPS Ivar out, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and no desk to worry about on that side! JD puts Ivar in the ring, climbs up again, and he MOONSAULTS! Cover, Erik breaks it! Finn returns to fire hands on Erik! Finn TOSSES Erik out, then he and JD double whip Ivar. Erik sneaks a tag, Ivar breaks the double lariat!

Ivar handsprings and DOUBLE BACK ELBOWS! Kofi say she can do that, too. Erik goes out to fetch JD, Ivar has Finn, and the fans fire up as the Raiders DOUBLE LAWN DART Finn & JD into each other! New Day says get those two in the ring then! Dummies! Erik puts JD in, then glares at Kofi & Woods. Ivar throws Finn at the New Day! The fans fire up, and then Ivar SPLASHES them all!! The fans fire up, Carlito gets up, Erik DECKS him! JD rolls Erik up, TWO! Erik has JD but JD JAWBREAKERS! JD goes up, Carlito distracts more, but PENTA is here! He SHOVES JD to screw JD! Payback for WrestleMania!

Erik tags Ivar, the fans fire up as JD is popped up for the WAR MACHINE!! Cover, War Raiders win!

Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall

The man with Cero Miedo made sure JD & Finn get nothing! Will Dirty Dom and the Intercontinental Championship be next? Will New Day have to face the raid once more?

Sami Zayn contemplates backstage.

Otis asks him what he’s thinking, and Sami says he isn’t sure. But then in steps Paul Heyman. The Wise Man sits with Sami and asks Otis give them the room. Otis obliges, and Heyman says he was thinking about what Sami said about The Bloodline. Heyman & Sami are OG Bloodline, y’know? Sami says that is true. But Heyman blew up whatever was left. Well, Heyman respected when Sami broke away. Maybe one day, Sami will respect what Heyman did. But Heyman isn’t here to talk about that. “Seth Rollins views himself as the vanguard of the future of this entire industry. And whether he is or he isn’t, that’s how he views himself.

“And Bron Breakker? Well, that’s his dog at the gate. And whether he is or he isn’t, that’s how Bron Breakker views himself. And Bron Breakker right now is demanding a match with you. Seth and I, we can’t say no to that because Bron Breakker is the key to our plans. But Seth Rollins, he holds you in such reverence, he is offering you a pass. If you accept being traded to SmackDown starting this Friday, everybody wins!” Sami is about to get up but Heyman has him hold on. Heyman has spoken with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis. Seth Rollins is going to do Sami a favor. Oh, is he? Yes.

If Sami accepts the offer, the moment Sami arrives on SmackDown, he is set to face the winner of John Cena VS Randy Orton after Backlash! Just like that! Instant #1 contender. That’s how much Rollins thinks of Sami. Think of your future, Sami. And of your family’s future. “Sami, you can live in the future… Or you can die with the past. Think about it.” Heyman pats Sami on the back, leaves, and Bron is there around the corner. Will the dog still get to take a bite out of the underdog? Or will Sami make his dreams come true?

Becky Lynch is here!

Kansas City isn’t quite as excited to see The Man as usual given what she did to The Morrigan the moment they lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Becky grabs a mic and says, “The Man has come around to Kansas City! And The Man is back in business, so let’s get down to business, shall we? Bayley was tragically taken out of her WrestleMania match, but there won’t be any murder mystery, any weeks long whodunnit. I have examined the evidence, I have reviewed the footage, and we have found the culprit. It was me! I did it!” The fans boo, but Becky says no no no no no no! Don’t make her the bad guy here!

They can’t act like Becky is the villain! You can’t fake outrage! Bayley has attacked Becky nonstop since 2019! And not one time did Bayley apologize! But are we supposed to just forget about it? Just like how Bayley’s forgotten just what this business is! While Bayley’s out here going, “Everyone, please like me!” and wearing everybody else’s merch, and dancing to everyone else’s music, and asking, “Why aren’t I a bigger star?” Well, she just saw what a bigger star looks like when Becky walked down the ramp at WrestleMania! The fans boo, but Becky says that brings her to Lyra Valkyria. As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

But then the reverse works, too. The friend of an enemy is an enemy! Lyra wouldn’t be in this business if not for Becky! Becky had high hopes for Lyra. But while Becky was out, Lyra cozied up to the woman Becky’s been fighting for the last six YEARS!? Even then, Becky still tried to save Lyra and get her to “ditch that b*tch!” Lyra never would’ve won those tag titles with Bayley! But it was too late, she was already compromised as a loser. Becky showed Bayley what she thought of her before- Wait! Lyra is here! Lyra has a mic already and she says, “You had high hopes for me? Do you know how many women in that locker room warned me about you?”

Becky says, “I bet they did.” Lyra says Bayley was one of the first! Well, of course she was. Bayley said Becky would step on anyone just to get ahead. Lyra didn’t buy any of it, because she was so caught up in some stupid fairytale dream of two Irish women as tag team champions at WrestleMania! Because of the hopes she had for Becky! And Lyra isn’t sure how it took her all those Manhandle Slams, but Lyra finally sees it now. She knows exactly what Becky is: The Illusion of Becky Lynch is dead. And Lyra will make her pay for what she did! Becky bails as Lyra storms in, and Lyra says c’mon, she’s really gonna run away?

Kansas City wants to see a fight, right? The fans cheer that yes they do! Lyra asks what’s the matter. Is Becky thinking back to the last time they went 1v1? When Lyra beat Becky and took the NXT Women’s Championship? Becky says no, no, no, from now on, The Man only fights when it matters. And it doesn’t matter here in Kansas City! Lyra says she should’ve seen this coming, too. Sorry, Kansas City, but The Man is too good for you. But fine, they’ll do it at Backlash. And The Man will only want it if the Women’s Intercontinental Championship is on the line. Then Becky’s got it! Well, okay. Becky will make that title matter like she did Lyra matter!

So welcome to the- OH SHUT THE HELL UP, BECKY! Becky didn’t make Lura matter, Lyra made herself matter. Lyra doesn’t want to be the next Becky Lynch. She is Lyra Valkyria, and she will be both a better person than Becky, and she already knows she’s a better wrestler! Becky tells Lyra, “You listen to me, you little punk!” Becky rants about how Lyra wouldn’t even be in WWE if not for Becky paving the way! But then Lyra WERCKS Becks with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Lyra then goes after Becky on the outside, shoves her into the ring, and then hurries to throw down hands! The fans fire up more but Becky bails out again!

Becky runs away into the crowd and then into the night, but Lyra eggs her on. Will Becky face all the backlash for what she’s done since her return? Wait, speaking of return, Becky CLOBBERS Lyra on the ramp! The Man uses a cheap shot, but will Lyra make sure she sees the next one?

Nick Aldis talks with Penta backstage.

The substitute GM wants Penta to tranquilo. He knows what Judgment Day did, he knows Penta wants payback, so he’ll let Penta off without a fine. But we can’t have this happening, okay? Penta thanks Aldis. Aldis does have good news. He has put it on the books for next week: Penta VS JD McDonagh! Good! Penta will be ready! Penta thanks Aldis again, and then Penta turns around, to see Chad Gable & Ivy Nile. Chad, in his new “El Grande Americano es Numero Uno” shirt, tells Penta that he was just walking Ivy to gorilla and couldn’t resist to talk to another luchador on his descent.

Penta thought he was pretty slick pulling out a cheap victory on Gable for the Netflix debut, huh? But look at him now. Dropping the big one at WrestleMania. Oh, nothing to say? Isn’t it Cero Miedo? More like cero comebacks, clown! And also, Penta losing wasn’t the favorite part of WrestleMania for Gable. It was Penta’s loser brother, Fenix, dropping the ball in his WrestleMania debut to El Grande Americano! Penta BOOTS Gable down! Penta tells him not to talk bad on his brother! Don’t mess with the Lucha Brothers! And yes, he IS Penta, and he does have Cero Miedo, pendejo! Penta storms off, will Gable still be able to coach Ivy for her match?

Rusev speaks.

“Once upon a time I had it all. The gold, the fame, the tank at WrestleMania, then I lost myself. I left the WWE, and on my way home to Bulgaria, I fell into the abyss. In that abyss is where I found myself, healed myself, redeemed myself, and fixed myself. In that Hell, I realized I will no longer fight for a woman that isn’t mine, nor a flag that never was. An epiphany. I was finally free to crush people not because I was told to, but because I wanted to. So now, I will use my hands and jacked body for good. I will hunt the frauds, the arrogant, those who waste their talents like I did. And through pain, I will perfect them all for good.

“So my brothers, your lack of suffering ends now. I am the tempest rolling in. I will hunt you, forgive and fix you, like I fixed myself. But choose your next steps wisely, because for a righteous man, savagery will be no hardship. Ending you will be no loss.” Rusev is ready to fix the Raw roster, who will he choose to work on first?

Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile w/ Chad Gable!

La Primera made quite the impression on the Raw After Mania, then she thwarted Roxanne Perez on the NXT After Stand & Deliver. She has returned once again, will she continue to show why she is THE NXT Women’s Champion? Or will the Diamond Pitbull show her American Made strength?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally as the two feel things out. Ivy refuses the knuckle lock but Vaquer avoids the leg pick. Ivy comes back to lift and SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ivy facelocks, gator rolls, and she keeps hold of Vaquer to then float around, flip her over and cover, TWO! Vaquer waistlocks now, pops Ivy down to a O’Conner BRIDGE, TWO! Ivy gets up, runs up, and she kicks low. Ivy headlocks, Vaquer endures, and Vaquer powers up and out. Ivy runs Vaquer over, kisses the biceps, and things speed up. Vaquer bypasses Ivy then runs her over! The fans cheer, Vaquer storms up on Ivy, and whips her to ropes.

Ivy tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Vaquer comes back, Ivy ducks and whips, and Vaquer tilt-o-whirls to roll-up deep! TWO, and Ivy stands back up. The fans cheer the standoff, and then the two step up. Ivy swings, but into a wrench and snap suplex! Vaquer sits Ivy up and smiles. The fans like where this is going! Headscissors for the- NO, Ivy pops free to tie up the legs! QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH, into a SURFBOARD! Vaquer endures, pushes back to roll, andshe has the headscissors! DEVIL’S KISS! TEN kisses, yeeeeeeeah~! Gable is frustrated, the fans are fired up, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, and we get more DEVIL’S KISSES! Another TEN, yeeeeeeeah~! The fans fire up more while Gable is protesting. Ivy goes to a corner, Vaquer runs in, METEORA! Vaquer drags Ivy out, pushes her down to a cover, but Gable gives Ivy the ropebreak! The fans boo and Vaquer knows what happened. Gable plays innocent, but she storms out after him! Gable asks what’s her problem. But Ivy runs up to GERMAN SUPLEX Vaquer to the floor! Ivy puts Vaquer in the ring, hurries to go Around the World, CALF KICK! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Vaquer survives but Ivy is right on her.

Ivy pushes Vaquer to the drop zone, climbs up the corner, but Vaquer rises to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer and Vaquer goes up! Vaquer brings Ivy to the top, but Ivy fights with body shots! Vaquer fires a flurry of HEADBUTTS! Vaquer shakes that off, then hoists Ivy up, SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ivy survives and Gable can breathe again. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Ivy and Vaquer rise. Vaquer HEADBUTTS, but Ivy fires a forearm! Vaquer CHOPS, so Ivy CHOPS! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and they turn to forearms! Ivy gets the edge, but Vaquer ducks a kick to mule kick!

Vaquer tucks Ivy, but Ivy powers out and scoops! SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives and the fans fire up! Vaquer goes to a corner, Ivy runs in, but Vaquer dodges the kick! Vaquer grabs the other leg, sticks it in the ropes, and then SUPERKICK! Then the DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Vaquer tucks Ivy in, S V B!! Cover, Vaquer wins!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall

The NXT Women’s Champion has been busy, but it isn’t slowing her down! Will the Dark Angel continue to fly high no matter where she goes?

Aldis talks with AJ Styles.

Aldis knows The Phenomenal One is upset with how things went for him at WrestleMania. Logan Paul, Karrion Kross, trickery, all that. But Aldis knows Styles is still phenomenal. They’ve got a long list of opponents to help Styles get back on the horse. Styles says he’s got some ideas himself. But in step Judgment Day first… Liv has Dom & Raquel with her as she “apologizes” for interrupting, but she’ll need time off for Liv’s big Hollywood movie role! Yes, Aldis is aware. Congrats on that, that’s very exciting. And as far as he knows, the paperwork is all good. Liv thanks Aldis, but now Dom asks that he gets time off, too.

Um, why? Because Dom is a champion and he gets what he wants. Oh, is that so? No, Dom should’ve listened to his dad more. When you’re champion, you have to do more work. So request denied. And if they don’t mind, Aldis was in the middle of a conversation. Dom asks what Styles has to talk about, a retirement home? HAHAH! Didn’t Styles break a hip like Dom’s deadbeat dad? No, actually. Styles is thinking about breaking something else, if you catch his drift. Liv has this stop here. Judgment Day leaves, and Styles says if we’re talking opportunities, he just got an idea. Aldis says he knows exactly what Styles means. Is Dom’s name about to move way up the list?

Sami Zayn paces.

But Karrion Kross finds him. Kross says Sami’s got a really big decision to make tonight! And hopefully, Sami makes the right choice. Kross smiles and leaves, are his mind games only going to make things harder for Sami?

Pat McAfee addresses Gunther’s actions last week.

After reviewing footage of Der Ring General taking umbrage with Michael Cole’s mere opinion, and then the brutal physical assault on Pat McAfee for him simply sticking up for Cole, it is announced that Gunther has been fined an undisclosed yet large amount of money, and has been suspended indefinitely. Pat then stands up on the desk with a mic in hand, and the fans cheer as he says, “It is my honor to get a chance to chat in the city of the Home~ of the~ Chiefs! This place is glorious, and it’s the right place for me to deliver this message. There are a lot of people that have forgotten who the hell I am.

“I’ve had such a successful career on a microphone, I think even I have forgotten who the hell I am! This past week has made me look in the mirror and realize some things. That I’m still that dog that was born in the east  hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a truck driver that was just trying to go paycheck to paycheck to paycheck. I am a man that was not handed a lot in this life. I am a man that is lucky to be blessed with great friends. I am a man that went from being a irrelevant bum to a human that is known in basically every city in this country. I don’t have more talent than anybody, I’m definitely not better looking than most folks.

“But I happen to have a few things that I hope people will remember me by whenever my time has come to pass. When I die and I’m six feet in the dirt, I hope they say, ‘That guy was an incredibly hard worker. He worked his ass off. Not only for himself but for his friends, for his family, and for his community.'” The fans cheer that! Pat continues to say that he hopes they say he was empathetic. Whenever he received a lot, he gave back a lot. He gave millions, “AND MILLIONS~!” of dollars to his community and to children’s hospitals across this country. To military foundations, to homeless shelters, to LGBTQ reach out.

To public schools, to underprivileged communities and societies! Pat hopes that the people know he gave back and made the world better than when he came into it. And last but not least, when Pat is dead and gone, he hopes they will say that he was a loyal mother effer! The fans definitely cheer that! Pat says, “You must ride for those that ride for you. If one go, all go. You’re either with me or against me. And there’s one man that has been with me since the day I met him, and he just so happens to be the greatest of all time, MICHAEL COLE!” The fans cheer for Maggle, and Pat says to Cole, he will be loyal until he’s in the soil.

And if someone has something with Cole, then they have something with Pat. So last week, when that Austrian a-hole put his hands on Cole, Pat had no other option than to protect his guy! IT was deep in Pat’s soul, his blood. Afterward, Pat got attacked. Pat sees himself choked out all over the internet and TV. Friends and family told him not to do this with Gunther. Gunther is in his prime, a former World Heavyweight Champion. Pat said, “F THAT!! If I die, I die. If you’ve got a problem with Cole, you’ve got a problem with me, Gunther! SmackDown’s version of Adam Pearce, please come out here!”

Nick Aldis does make his way on stage, and Aldis wants Mr. McAfee to calm down. Pearce’s style tends to be, “let chaos reign,” but Aldis is in charge tonight and he does things a little different. And we all know that this is not the time nor the place for this. But Pat called Aldis out, so here he is. Please, keep it professional. Pat says he knows Aldis is just some middle manager, just like Pearce. Pearce, we miss you. But Pat knows Aldis has the power on this particular evening to make some things happen. Pat doesn’t like that Pearce suspended Gunther, that Gunther isn’t here. Aldis, lift the suspension so Pat can fight Gunther ASAP!

The fans like the sound of that, and Aldis says he figured it’d be something like that. That is why Aldis discussed this ahead of time with Pearce. As far as the suspension goes for Pat to go after Gunther, the answer is… No. The fans boo, but Aldis says both Gunther and Pat are far too valuable of assets to the WWE to take such a risk. But speaking of value, Aldis does have an alternative. They can lift he suspension on Gunther, and Pat can get his hands on Gunther, in a sanctioned contest inside the ring. Pat, what Aldis is proposing is Pat McAfee VS Gunther 1v1 at Backlash! The fans like the sound of that, too!

Pat says him and Gunther, 1v1, St. Louis, Backlash… DEAL! The fans cheer Pat on, but Cole is a bit worried. Win, lose, or draw, will Pat put Gunther in his place and show you can’t just bully anyone you want?

Sami is still thinking…

And then he crosses paths with Jey Uso. Jey tells his brother from another mother, Jey just wants to check in. Sami appreciates that. It is a big decision. Jey says whatever Sami decides, it’ll be the best for Sami. Jey loves you, dawg. Sami says he loves Jey, too. They hug it out, and Sami heads out. Will Jey having his back help Sami with that decision? But then LOGAN PAUL SUCKER PUNCHES Jey! Logan says that’s karma, Uce! Logan leaves Jey down and out, but will Logan face some karma of his own?

Seth Rollins is back in the ring.

The fans again sing for the Visionary, and he says, “Well, we are here. It is nearly the end of the night, so… Sami Zayn, I’d love for you to come out here and let’s talk this out, my friend.” Rollins waits, and Sami makes his entrance once again. The moment of truth is here as Sami again joins Rollins in the ring. Rollins says before Sami makes his decision, he just wants Sami to hear him out. Sami is putting Rollins in a very, very difficult position. He really is. They go back a long way, and Rollins does not want to see anything bad happen to Sami. Rollins gets it, Sami doesn’t like Bron or Heyman, but this is Rollins!

Twenty YEARS of friendship, Rollins and Sami. Last week, Sami came back to Raw, celebrated with Jey & Jimmy Uso because they’re friends. When Sami came out here, Rollins thought Sami was giving him the same respect. Rollins knows Sami doesn’t agree with it, but Rollins and Bron and Heyman, that is the way forward. Rollins believes with his whole heart that this IS the vision for the best future of the WWE. Rollins wishes he had someone else to believe in, but there is no one better to lead us into the future than Rollins. And the fact Sami doesn’t believe in Rollins hurts. Because this business tears relationships apart, friendships apart.

They’ve both been on either side of that, and Sami knows that after everything is said and done, how many true friends can Sami count he’s made in this business? It’s all on one hand, right? Less than five. But for Rollins, Sami was one of those true friends. When Rollins’ baby girl was born, Sami was one of the first people he called, as he’d just become a new father himself. Rollins was scared out of his mind, had nowhere to turn, so he turned to Sami. Sami gave him some of the best advice he’d ever gotten in his entire life, and he will forever be grateful. So please, allow Rollins to return the favor and give Sami some advice that could save his life.

Rollins wants Sami to take the pass. Take the way out. Whatever Heyman’s got lined up, go take it. Because if Sami stays on Raw and doesn’t believe in Rollins… Bad things are gonna happen. And Rollins loves Sami, he doesn’t want that to happen, so just take the pass. Take the way out. Rollins is begging Sami to take the out! The fans are torn, Sami is conflicted, and Sami says if he hurts Rollins’ feeling as a friend, he is sorry. Everything Rollins is saying is true, their friendship transcends the business, their children are friends, these two are good friends. Outside of this ring, that is true.

But when it comes to everything that Rollins says inside this ring… Sami says Rollins is playing games. Rollins is good, always has been. Sami’s never been good at that stuff. That’s why Rollins is in this position. And Rollins knows because of how close they are, he knows what cards to play. Sami confided in Rollins over the years, and how the one thing that’s eluded him in his entire career, how much it nags at him, that one thing Sami has yet to get is a world championship. And now, Rollins is dangling that in front of Sami. That is what Rollins is doing. Friend or not, for as long as Rollins has known Sami, has he ever, ever known Sami to run away?

Talk about hurt feelings, Sami will not stand here as his “friend” threatens him. Because that is what Rollins is doing. Rollins is saying if Sami doesn’t submit to Rollins’ future, he is a target. Guess what? Sami’s been a target 1000 times before! Sami can live with bein ga target, but he can’t live with being blackmailed, blackballed, blacklisted, extorted, manipulated! He will NOT be threatened!! The fans fire up as Sami says he WILL win a WWE world championship!! And when Sami does, it will not because of a favor from anyone., It will be from Sami doing it his way, and doing it the right way!

The fans cheer Sami on as Sami says, “As a friend, I respect you, I love you, but this is me telling you to go to Hell.” Rollins sighs, and here comes Bron! Heyman did say the dog would be coming for the underdog, will Sami not back down from this fight, either?

Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins!

The bell rings and Sami runs up, only for Bron to RAM him into a corner! Bron RAMS Sami again and again and again, then stops as the ref counts. Bron THROWS Sami overhead! Rollins watches on as Bron storms up on Sami to ROCK him! Bron scrapes Sami’s face against the ropes! Bron then whips Sami, but Sami KICKS the backdrop away! Sami goes to a corner, Bron runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, and he AX HANDLES Bron down! The fans fire up, Sami runs up on Bron and kicks him! Sami bumps Bron off buckles, then pushes him down. Sami goes back up, and he AX- NO, Bron hits another OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

The fans are torn, but plenty bark it up for Bron. Bron stalks Sami, drags him up and throws haymakers. Bron talks trash, CHOKES Sami on the ropes, then steps off. The ref reprimands and Sami sputters but Bron comes back for more. Bron whips Sami to then ELBOW him down! Bron smirks while fans are torn between boos and barks. Bron drags Sami up, brings him around, but Sami fires forearms and CHOPS! Sami fires more shots, more CHOPS, but Bron knees low! Bron headlocks, Sami powers up and out, drops down then jumps, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Sami is tougher than that, but Bron stays focused.

Bron drags Sami up and puts him on the ropes. Bron fires knee after knee, then whips Sami to ropes. Sami springboards to go up and over, then LARIAT! The fans fire up as now Bron scrambles. Bron runs back in but Sami TOSSES him out! Sami goes to the apron but Bron grabs a leg! Bron YANKS Sami down, then SMACKS him off the desk! Rollins doesn’t even look as Sami sputters. Bron goes up, aims, and FLYING LARIATS Sami onto the desk! Sami flops to the floor in a heap, but Rollins is still stoic as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more as Bron has Sami up top. Bron brings Sami up, but Sami fights the suplex with body shots! The fans fire up as Sami CLUBS away on Bron’s back! Sami then adjusts and SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives, the fans fire up, and while Heyman nods, Rollins almost starts to scowl. Sami rises, the fans bring the fireflies out for Sami, and Sami storms up on Bron. Sami clinches, but Bron fights the exploder with elbows! Bron then wrenches, but Sami CHOPS, goes up, and up and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives, and now Heyman is a bit worried.

Rollins is still scowling the same as he was a moment ago, but the fans rally up for Sami. Sami goes to a corner, climbs up, and the fans cheer him on. But Bron is right after him! Bron anchors a leg, Sami throws down elbows, and Bron staggers away. But Bron is right back up! SUPER STEINER! The fans fire up as Bron brings down the straps! Bron aims, runs in, but Sami KICKS Bron! Sami clinches to CORNER EXPLODER! Bron sputters and the fans fire up for Sami! Sami is in the corner, he wants Bron to rise up, and he runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Bron turns things back around, and then he looms over Sami.

Bron looks to Rollins, Rollins gives the slightest nod, and Bron builds speed! SPEAR!! The fans bark while Sami flounders away to the apron. Rollins is there to tell Sami, “It doesn’t have to be this way. Take the out! There’s still time!” Sami tells Rollins, “GO TO HELL!” Sami drags himself up, but Bron builds speed! SPEAR!!! Sami is down and writhing again while the fans bark. Rollins frowns as Sami flops out to the floor. The ref checks Sami, and then he calls in the medics! Sami took a lot of damage, especially from those spears. Heyman tells Rollins to not feel bad, this isn’t on Rollins. And then Rollins tells Bron to finish this.

Bron goes outside, takes a lap, and he builds speed for the SUPER SPEAR!!! Bron just devastated Sami all over again! But then Bron tells the producers and refs to back off! Bron isn’t going to stop until Sami either gives up or is unconscious! Bron puts Sami in the ring, but the ref calls this! Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by referee stoppage

Bron says no, this doesn’t end like that! Rollins steps inside, even as medics check Sami. Rollins has Bron stand down, he’s done his part. Sami sits up, and Rollins says tonight is the first lesson: There are people who deserve their respect! Who deserve their compassion! Sami made his bed, so now he’ll sleep in it. THEN ROLLINS CURB STOMPS SAMI!!! Heyman grins a sinister grin, fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Is Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw and all of WWE all but inevitable?

My Thoughts:

Great episode tonight, but they snapped back to under 2.5 hours after last week’s big Raw After Mania. Rhea VS Roxie was a great match, even with Giulia getting involved. Iyo helping Rhea was good stuff, and that’s gotta be a tag match at some point. Judgment Day has continued disfunction as Finn is all out of the loop and getting put in a tag match. Great trash talk from The New Day, and great move from Penta to screw Judgment Day over. While Penta is getting a match with McDonagh, his interaction with Gable might invite an appearance from El Grande Americano. I bet Penta VS El Grande Americano could be set for Backlash. And then how hilarious would it be for the secret to be exposed just because the Lucha Brothers want a tag match with Gable and El Grande.

Very good match from Vaquer VS Nile, and that was probably one of Ivy’s best matches in awhile. Nothing else happened so this might’ve just been a good showcase for Vaquer. For all anyone knows, she’ll have a great feud with Giulia and Jordynne Grace, then Vaquer drops the title so she can jump right to Raw. Good promo from AJ Styles and Aldis to also bring in Dom, Liv & Raquel. Liv going off to do some movie stuff is cool, and I like that Dom thinks he can just get time off along with Liv. If Penta’s shifting to Gable/Grande, I bet Styles VS Dom will be the first Intercontinental Championship match for Dom’s reign.

Great promo from Becky, though I should’ve figured they were making her Bayley’s attacker. Lyra had a very good response, and their Women’s Intercontinental Championship will be a great match. I feel like Becky is about to return the favor of that NXT Women’s Championship match and take Lyra’s title. They’ll be 1-1 in their 1v1 series, and the tiebreaker can be some epic stuff for Money in the Bank in June. Very good promo from Rusev to put his return into perspective. I still think he and Otis have a match as Rusev’s in-ring return, and then he will win so he can move on to even bigger names.

Good promo from Logan, though as a Heel, he glosses over how he hasn’t actually done everything. There are a lot of titles and match accomplishments for him to still do, but whatever. Plus, great response from Jey, both verbally and with that superkick. Logan getting payback backstage was fitting of Logan being such an obnoxious Heel, and I am pretty sure this is a sign that they learned from their bad pacing with the Jey VS Gunther build. Speaking of, great promo from Pat to hype things up going into Pat VS Gunther at Backlash. I guess Pat must’ve been getting himself ready this whole time, because we’re talking 12 days until it’s time.

And of course, Seth Rollins’ new faction and how Sami Zayn stood up to him is THE story going now. Good promo to start the show, bringing up how Rollins is being no better than certainly Roman by starting a faction, and then Rollins being diplomatic in a backhanded way. Sami contemplating the choice while hearing from others was good stuff, and I like that Kross is back to copying Sami’s hair the way he also copied Styles. Naturally, Sami as a Face, he chose to stand against Rollins and his attempt to control the WWE, and we get a great main event.

If I had a nickel every time Sami lost by referee stoppage, I’d have (at least) two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but I like that it’s kinda Sami’s thing. And the framing of Rollins giving Sami that Curb Stomp was a bit obvious, but that’s why it was also perfect. I don’t know if Sami gets any allies in this fight, with so many names out there preoccupied in other stories right now, but I guess we’ll have to see if Sami even returns next week to keep fighting.

My Score: 8.8/10