When it comes to becoming champion, you gotta do it yourself!

While DIY challenge Awesome Truth for the World Tag Team Championships, the Raw Women’s Division battle (royal) to be THE Women’s World Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS DIY; Awesome Truth wins and retain the titles.
• The New Day VS Imperium; New Day wins.
• Sheamus VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Sheamus wins.
• Ricochet & Andrade El Idolo VS Dominik Mysterio Santos Escobar & JD McDonagh; Ricochet & Andrade win.
• Vacated WWE Women’s World Championship Battle Royal: Becky Lynch wins and is the new WWE Women’s World Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Michael Cole & Pat McAfee are in the ring!

They welcome us to the show, and note that Rhea Ripley had to vacate her Women’s World Championship last week due to injury. And so in the majestic state of O H I O, this is one of the biggest matches in WWE history! For the fourth time ever, a battle royal will determine a new champion! Nearly every woman on Raw is in this match, and the last one standing will be the BRAND NEW Women’s World Champion! Columbus loves the sound of that, and we get a recap package of Rhea’s emotional departure.

Jey Uso is here!

Columbus is bouncing with the YEET Master, as is Pat, as we’re just weeks away from Backlash and the World Heavyweight Championship match. Jey gets a mic to tell Columbus, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city~!” Jey continues by saying Backlash is in two weeks. “YEET!” Backlash is in two weeks! “YEET!” So he’s got a lot to prove! “YEET!” To the world! “YEET!” That he is Main Event Jey Uso! “YEET!” Jey has to beat Damian Priest. He has to make sure everything he’s been through was worth it. But wait, here comes Priest! The World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out, without the rest of the Judgment Day, to go right to the ring.

Priest gets a mic as he steps in and tells Jey to take it easy. Whatever Jey thins Priest is here for, he’s wrong. Priest just wants to tell Jey that his whole presentation, the YEET, “Main Event Jey,” that vibe… It suits Jey. Congratulations. The fans applaud the respect shown. Priest then tells Jey that they went to war last year. But Priest wants to talk about one specific night. Priest’s never said this publicly, and Jey will know if he’s lying. But there was one night where Jey whooped Priest’s ass so bad, that Priest then went up to Jey backstage and told him to his face that Jey earned Priest’s respect. That’s why Priest wanted Jey in the Judgment Day.

And then Priest said they were going out and drinks were on him. Now, Priest doesn’t remember much else, but he does remember one: he paid the bill, Jey had that Bloodline good stuff. Jey admits, they needed Uber. And two: Jey said something to Priest that Priest is very proud of. Jey told Priest that they were next. Jey said that “We next, Uce.” Priest stands here now, proud to stand with Jey, because Jey was right. The fans applaud, and Priest says if he’s being honest, Jey was half right. Priest was next. Jey says hey man, you almost had him liking you. But Priest says the world title proves why he’s next. And why he’s the now.

It’s okay, though, Jey. Jey is just the first on a list of many that the machine is going ot feed Priest to make sure this looks good on him. Nothing to be ashamed of! Nothing at all! First to fall, but then first to lead the people. The first to lead the fans all across the world in making sure… they all rise for El Campeon. The fans boo Priest’s arrogance, but then Jey says hold on, hold on. Take it easy, Priest. Come on back, let him holla at you. Priest isn’t sure what Jey can say, but go ahead. Jey asks if that’s all Priest sees him as. As just one of the Usos, huh? Tough talk coming from the leader of the Judgment Day.

But the only reason why Priest is in charge is cuz Rhea’s hurt. By the way, how Mami doing? Tell her he said hi! Hey, champ, y’know what that makes you? Dom Mysterio’s B*TCH!! Priest is mad but Jey says GOTTEE! Yeah, Priest did what he did. He cashed in at Mania, made himself World Heavyweight Champion. But you think they’re just feeding Jeyu to Priest? No, Priest’s getting fed to Jey! Jey’s next! The NEXT World Heavyweight Champion! Ohio, if you rocking with Jey Uso, lemme hear ya say “YEET!” “YEET!!” The fans are fired up with Jey and Priest, but then JD McDonagh runs in! Jey dodges JD, who almost runs into Priest!

Jey takes aim, JD ducks, SUPERKICK hits Priest! Whoops! The Irish Ace messed up and Jey says his bad. Jey leaves, JD apologizes, but will Priest have to handle things himself at Backlash?

“The time draws near…”

“The throne… is calling. The King and Queen… will be crowned.” The champions of tomorrow are forged in combat, and victory will set you on a path to greatness. Future Hall of Famers take their first steps towards immortality, and in May, we begin again! Who will make it through the tournament to seize destiny and don the crowns?

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS DIY!

The Miz & R-Truth won the Raw Tag Team Championships at Mania, and were gifted the newly minted World Tag Team Championships just last week. However, all the fun could be done for #RegenerationX as they now face off as opponents. Will these titles still be Awesome? Or will Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano finally have gold again?

Raw returns as the champs make their entrance, “What’s Up?” The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who are truly championship material!

The teams sort out and Truth circles with Gargano. The fans rally behind Truth, he high-fives Gargano then they tie up. Truth wrenches, wristlocks, but Gargano rolls, wrenches and wristlocks back. Truth rolls, rolls, rolls, then gets free. Gargano runs up but into an arm-drag! Truth has the armlock, Gargano fights around, and Gargano powers up to arm-drag free! Truth sweeps, covers, ONE! Gargano goes to sweep but Truth jumps it to do the splits! The fans cheer and even Gargano is impressed. They shake hands, reset, and tie up again. Gargano headlocks but Truth powers out. Miz tags in and Awesome Truth DOUBLE HIP TOSS!

Awesome Truth do their secret handshake then DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE!! Miz whips Gargano, Gargano goes up and over to roll Miz, but Miz blocks the kick! Gargano kicks free of the Figure Four, tag to Ciampa! Ciampa runs up, fights the full nelson, and elbows free! Miz sees Ciampa means business, so he runs up! Ciampa dodges to CHOP, forearm, and CHOP! Miz swings, but into a dragon sleeper! Miz turns that around, BACKBREAKER, but Ciampa turns neckbreaker into backslide! TWO, Miz trips Ciampa and steps through! FIGURE FOUR! Ciampa endures as the fans fire up, Gargano DROPKICKS Miz!

Truth runs up to whip but Gargano reverses! Truth tumbles out, Miz TOSSES Gargano! Ciampa rolls Miz! TWO, tag to Gargano! Miz swings, Ciampa dodges and Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS! Miz tumbles out, Ciampa shakes out his leg to go after Truth. Gargano PLANCHAS onto Miz, DIY meet around the way to pat themselves on the back and applaud! The fans are torn, but DIY is in control as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Truth suplexes Ciampa for a GOURD BUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ciampa and Truth crawl, hot tag to Miz! Miz rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT, then KICK after KICK! Miz fires off in the corner, then goes corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Miz goes to the apron, Gargano runs up but Miz kicks low! APRON DDT! Miz then resets, RAMS into Ciampa, and springboards, into a JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO! Miz survives but Ciampa keeps his focus. Ciampa drags Miz up, reels him in, but Miz drops under! Miz reaches out, but Ciampa drags him away from the corner! Miz BOOTS Ciampa away, hot tag to Truth!

Truth rallies on DIY! HE dodges Ciampa to shoulder tackle! And shoulder tackle again! Then the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up for the Cena shoutout as Truth says “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” But Gargano SUPERKICKS him! Ciampa says “SUCK IT!” Kick and underhooks, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Truth survives and DIY can’t believe it! Ciampa BLASTS Miz, then Gargano DIVES to take Miz down! Ciampa gets Truth up, but Truth cradle counters! TWO!! Ciampa escapes, Truth kicks and runs, to SCISSOR- NO, Ciampa dodges! And ROLLING ELBOWS! Down goes the kneepad, Ciampa KNEES Truth down!

Tag to Gargano, and DIY have the corners! Truth sits up, for DIY to MEET IN THE MIDDLE!! Cover, MIZ DRAGS GARGANO OUT!! Ciampa is furious, then hurries out after Miz! But Miz DUMPS Ciampa into the front row! Miz puts Gargano in, Truth crawls over and tags Miz in! Miz swings, Gargano dodges and tilt-o-whirls! Miz stops that but Gargano victory rolls! TWO!! Miz catches Gargano this time, Truth joins in, THE TRUTH-CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, Awesome Truth wins!!

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

Miz & Truth manage to hold off DIY in the first defense of these belts, but they also show respect. They shake hands and hug it out, except for Ciampa. Ciampa is understandably frustrated, but will DIY find a way to another shot? Will the Awesome Truth be there to meet them when they do?

The Judgment Day regroups backstage.

JD is upset about what Jey said. He knows that didn’t go as planned, but- Priest stops him there to say there was NO plan. Priest didn’t ask for JD’s help here. Not this week, and not last week. Which JD failed both times, by the way. But Priest got kicked in the face this time! JD apologizes, but then Dom walks in, arm in a sling! And he’s also brought Santos Escobar! Priest asks what is going on here. Dom says he was supposed to have the match alongside JD against Ricochet and Andrade tonight, but he’s a bit banged up. So instead, he asked Santos to return the favor from WrestleMania. Santos will team up with JD, the GMs approved it.

Is there a problem? Yes! But we don’t have a choice, huh? So Santos, do them all a favor and handle this. Santos says Priest has nothing to worry about. Dom apologizes but Priest stops him. Just go out there and handle business! And while they’re at it, just stay out of his. JD says yeah, they’ll handle Judgment Day business. JD wants a fist bump, but Priest refuses. JD and Dom fist bump then heads out with Santos. Is Judgment Day falling apart without Mami on top of things?

Shawn Michaels speaks.

HBK is proud to announce that NXT Battleground is coming to Las Vegas and the UFC Apex! Sunday, June 9th, NXT hits Sin City and this state of the art facility! The partnership under TKO is already making history, but who will reign in NXT for the Summer?

Imperium is here!

Der Ring General returns after his defeat at WrestleMania, flanked by Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci, and they go right to the ring. Kaiser hands Gunther the mic, and Gunther takes a moment before speaking. “I know what you expect me to say up here. Talk about WrestleMania, take some shots at Sami Zayn, but I’m sorry to disappoint you. That’s not what I’m gonna do. See, I took some time away to digest everything that happened, and I wanna say this. For 666 days, I elevated the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship to heights never seen before.” The fans do applaud that.

Gunther says in that process, he became the greatest champion in that title’s history. His name, Der Ring General Gunther, will forever be embedded in the Intercontinental Championship. However, that also means for almost two years, he was walking around here with a big target on his back, the pressure of living up to everyone’s expectations, and his own. That weight has now been lifted. So to Sami Zayn, Gunther wants to thank you. The fans applaud that, too. Gunther says now, he isn’t a target anymore. he is going from being the hunted to being the hunter. He can do whatever he wants.

This is a brand new era, and no matter which brand Gunther is drafted to, he will make sure his name will be embedded in this new era. So therefore, Gunther officially declares his participation in the King of the Ring Tournament! The fans love the sound of that! Gunther says after that, it is up to Gunther to decide which championship he takes next. Whether it is Sami Zayn and Gunther’s IC title, or any other title in the WWE. “But fair warning. As a champion in WWE, you will be targeted, you will be hunted by a challenger that is not only able of winning titles, but is also able to hold on longer to them than anybody else!”

“Already, The General of the Ring, SOON to be the King of the Ring, Der Ring General, GUNTHER!” The fans are fired up with Gunther, will he assume the throne- Wait! The New Day is here! Xavier Woods tells everyone to hold on and sound the alarm. Sound the alarm! Kofi Kingston says Gunther is correct, this is a new era. But what better way to usher in this new era than with ya bois the NEW~ DAY~! See, what you’re looking at is the reigning, defending, King, of the RING~! Woods & Kofi step into the ring, and Woods says Gunther is an USURPER to the throne. A PRETENDER! And he’s not the only one thinking about legacy.

Woods is going to cement his legacy when he becomes a TWO-TIME King of the Ring! Say it again! TWO~ time King of the Ring! Three times for emphasis! TWO~! Gunther says okay, we got it, Clown King. But let’s make it clear. After Gunther wins, he will reestablish the image of that tournament. Then Woods will be remembered as someone who won by accident and pretend to be champion. Oh, champion, huh? The thing Gunther used to be? He lost his gold to Sam Zayn! Where your gold at, Gunther? Kofi & Woods make it a song and the fans join in! Gunther says enough! This is beneath him. Vinci & Kaiser will take care of this.

NO NO NO! Woods & Kofi have faced them enough already. Woods and Gunther will handle their business during King of the Ring. But if his “bump boys” want a match here and now tonight in Columbus, Ohio~! That’s right, COLUMBUS, OHIO~! Then they will gladly beat those cheeks! BECAAAAAUSE~! NEW! DAY ROCKS! The fans fire up, but will Der Ring General’s soldiers finally finish this feud once and for all? Or will Woods & Kofi be building momentum back to the throne?

The New Day VS Imperium!

Raw returns as Kofi circles with Kaiser. They tie up, Kaiser headlocks and grinds the hold. Kofi powers up and headlocks back, but Kaiser powers up and out. Kofi ducks ‘n’ turns hip toss into MONKEY FLIP! Then he DROPKICKS Kaiser down! The fans rally, Kaiser staggers up and Kofi clinches. Kaiser pulls hair, puts Kofi in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Kaiser blocks Kofi’s kick and says “NEIN!” UPPERCUT, snapmare, cover, ONE! Kaiser stays between Kofi and Woods. Kaiser bumps Kofi off buckles, tags Vinci, and Imperium mugs Kofi. Vinci brings Kofi around to UPPERCUT!

Kofi goes to a corner, dodges Vinci, then CHOPS back! And CHOPS and CHOPS and then brings Vinci around. Tag to Woods, Kofi wrenches and Woods goes up, to AX HANDLE the arm! Woods wrenches, CLUBS the arm again and again, then tags Kofi. Whip into Kofi’s shoulder, then roll up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Kofi whips, Vinci BOOTS back and Kaiser tags in. Imperium POSTS Kofi, then they run to DOUBLE DROPKICK at the corner! Imperium soaks up the heat, Kaiser digs his boot in, but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi throws body shots then JAWBREAKERS!

Kofi reaches but Kaiser keeps him from Woods! Kaiser reaches out to tag Vinci, but Kofi TOSSES Kaiser! Kofi ROCKS Vinci, but Kaiser returns, HIGH LOW!! Then they CLOBBER Woods! Cover, TWO! The fans boo but Gunther is still impressed as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Kaiser drags Kofi up by his hair. Kaiser clinches but Kofi fights free. Kofi fires body shots, haymakers, then forearms! Kofi reaches out but Kaiser keeps him from Woods! Kaiser whips, Kofi goes up and up and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kaiser and Kofi crawl, hot tags to Woods and Vinci! Woods rallies on Vinci with big LARIATS! Woods whips, LEG LARIATS, then whips again. Vinci reverses, but Woods tilt-o-whirls and brings Vinci in to suplex! Gunther is annoyed as Woods BLASTS Kaiser! Woods drop toeholds Vinci onto ropes, then runs to SLIDING ATTACK! Woods even hits Kaiser as part of it!

Woods hurries back up, step-in DDT! Cover, TWO! Vinci stays in this but Woods stays cool. Woods brings Vinci up to CHOP! Tag to Kofi, New Day double whips but Vinci KICKS Woods down! Kofi kicks, Vinci blocks for a short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kofi stays in this and Gunther grows further annoyed. Kaiser gets in, goes up, and Vinci hauls Kofi up. But Woods SHOVES Kaiser down, and bomb becomes RANA! Kofi then clotheslines Kaiser up and out! Woods aims, and he FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES Kaiser! Kofi BOOTS Vinci, tags Woods, and they get Vinci up! UP UP, DOWN DOWN! Cover, New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall

Der Ring General is rather beside himself. In fact, he CHUCKS his armchair away! Gunther is very disappointed in Kaiser & Vinci, but will he just have to take his frustrations out on whoever is in his way during the King of the Ring Tournament?

As for Kaiser & Vinci, Kaiser does his best to encourage Vinci and help him up to his feet. They leave together, having been left behind by Gunther. The Draft is coming, will these two be able to stick together like always? OH NO! Kaiser RAMS Vinci into the LED boards! The Impeccable German PENALTY KICKS the Pride of Italy! Kaiser SPITS on Vinci, drags him back up, and then POSTS him! Gunther’s disappointment in Kaiser leads to Kaiser’s anger towards Vinci as he CLUBS away on Vinci! Vinci hobbles up, Kaiser SMACKS him off the desk! Kaiser says, “How many years?!” Kaiser CHOPS Vinci down!

Kaiser gets Vinci up again, to RAM him into steel steps! Vinci tumbles up and over, clutches his knee, but Kaiser drags him onto the steps now! Kaiser snarls, but referees and producers hurry out here to stop him from doing anything worse! Kaiser leaves Vinci behind now, fans booing his mistreatment of a former friend. But then Kaiser jukes the producers, runs around the ring, and he DROPKICKS Vinci against the steps!! The fans lose their minds at Kaiser’s savagery! Cameras follow Kaiser to the back and he asks if Gunther saw that. Kaiser told Gunther he would get things done. Gunther smiles, has Imperium cut Vinci off like he’s dead weight?

Andrade El Idolo speaks.

“Be careful when you hear about a problem. You might be hearing it from the problem. I am many things, but the one thing I am not is someone’s fool.” As he sees it, he didn’t betray The Judgment Day and Legado Del Fantasma. “How can you pressure someone when from the beginning, they were never loyal? They didn’t want to do business with me. They didn’t want a business partner. They wanted a servant. Nobody tells me what to do. So now, they’re right. I am now their biggest problem.” El Idolo es Ingobernable, will he and the King of Flight be unstoppable against The Irish Ace and the Emperor of Lucha?

Drew McIntyre is here!

The Scottish Terminator makes his way to the ring, gets a mic, and hears the fans chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” McIntyre sits down on the mat cross-legged, his own shot at the Second City Saint. “As usual, don’t shoot up my kilt, ya perv.” Then he asks the fans, “Why do you insist on chanting his name every single time I come out?” The fans chant for Punk again, but the amount of evidence we’ve had over the years, don’t they realize Punk actually hates the fans? The only person he hates more than the fans is himself! Did you ever love something so much that it doesn’t quite love you back as much? That is McIntyre’s relationship with pro-wrestling.

Say “What” if you French kiss your cousins. “WHAT?” “You’re sick.” The fans don’t get complex relationships, because most guys in here, the most complex relationship they’ve had is with their own right hands. McIntyre could sit here and complain all night, but he’s not gonna do that, even though at WrestleMania, he was attacked from behind but that coward, CM Punk! Priest who could’ve never beat McIntyre 1v1, used his briefcase like a coward! Then that next Monday, McIntyre didn’t get an automatic rematch like everyone else would. No, McIntyre was in a Fatal 4 Way, beat everyone’s asses, but Punk had to screw him over again, and Jey takes advantage, like a coward!

But McIntyre won’t complain. As usual, his back is against the wall but he’ll come out swinging and target his next prize, the King of the Ring! But next week, it doesn’t matter about the Draft, he- SHEAMUS IS HERE! The Celtic Warrior has Columbus all fired up, and he has a mic to tell Drew, “What’s going on, man? I don’t get it. You’re sitting in the ring here sulking. Complaining about how everybody’s a coward, yeah? How are you, by the way? But let’s be honest, man. All I see is the only person here who’s not gonna take responsibility for his own mistakes.” Sheamus steps in the ring and says that makes McIntyre the coward.

Sheamus wants to continue but he asks if McIntyre’s still gonna sit there or what. McIntyre stands, and Sheamus says good, because after all this time, he’s earned that respect. They’ve known each other 20 YEARS. And yet for the last four, all McIntyre’s gone on about is how he was robbed of his career-defining moment. Then at WrestleMania 40, he did it! McIntyre got his moment! He became World Heavyweight Champion, in front of a live crowd! His brother, John Galloway, was there! His wife, Caitlyn, was there! They kissed and hugged! And then McIntyre blew it! Over some stupid social media spat!

McIntyre should be here the World Heavyweight Champion. But over memes and T-shirts, McIntyre threw it all away. Is Sheamus to keep wearing black after that bleeding burial at Mania? Sheamus wants McIntyre to hear him out. They’re friends, traveled the world together, had epic booze ups together, and banger after banger after banger matches. So to tell McIntyre the hard truth, a one-armed CM Punk kicked McIntyre’s ass. McIntyre is incensed, especially with fans chanting for Punk again. McIntyre says he doesn’t care what the fans think they know, Sheamus knows what Punk did to McIntyre. How that affected McIntyre’s career. Sheamus knows better than anybody!

Yes, but this obsession is tearing McIntyre’s career down! He has to get it out of his head! McIntyre says fine, Sheamus wants to do this in front of the world, this is a conversation they’ve had backstage before. But go ahead, tell the world the truth now! Before Sheamus was hurt, it was banger after banger. But since Sheamus’ return, looks more like it’s been burger after burger. The fans boo and Sheamus laughs off the fat jokes. Sheamus will say, since he’s been gone, McIntyre is getting good at one-liners. And Sheamus deserves that. But the thing is, he could still lose the weight. McIntyre can’t lose his stupid.

So then stop blaming everyone else! But it IS everyone else! Burger after burger, the Ginger Pillsbury Dough Boy! Flubber Man! That’s not McIntyre’s words, that is what everyone was saying during Sheamus’ match! McIntyre was standing up for him! Sheamus says it doesn’t matter what anyone says! It doesn’t bother Sheamus! But it bothers McIntyre! They’re still friends! Whether Sheamus gets it or not, or if the fans get it or not, McIntyre tells the truth. And he’s Sheamus’ only real friend here! In the past, they’d throw hands, then throw back pints. McIntyre is past that, he only fights if it is worthwhile. So this here… isn’t.

But McIntyre will still be there for Sheamus. McIntyre will be ringside, at commentary, and he will watch Sheamus’ back. Shinsuke Nakamura makes his entrance, will the Celtic Warrior get a workout from the King of Strong Style?

Sheamus VS Shinsuke Nakamura!

Raw returns and the two circle. They tie up, Nakamura waistlocks then CLUBS away on Sheamus. Nakamura KICKS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses. Nakamura holds ropes, DUMPS Sheamus to the apron, but Sheamus body shots back! Sheamus then brings Nakamura around, but Nakamura slips free to throw elbows! Nakamura winds up but Sheamus SWATS the kick! Sheamus DECKS Nakamura, goes up, but Nakamura kicks Sheamus’ legs out! Nakamura CLUBS Sheamus on the top rope, then runs to TOP SHELF KNEE! McIntyre reminds Michael Cole & Pat McAfee that he can hear them both talking about him.

Nakamura digs his boots into Sheamus to give BAD VIBRATIONS! McIntyre does his best to put Sheamus over while Nakamura eggs Sheamus on with “C’MON!” Sheamus eggs Nakamura on in return! Nakamura stomps but Sheamus blocks! Sheamus ROCKS Nakamura, ROCKS him again and again, then swings. Nakamura dodges to fire a strike fest! Nakamura KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Then AX KICK! Sheamus drops to his knees, Nakamura runs, but Sheamus CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up while Sheamus stares McIntyre down. McIntyre gives a thumbs up, and Sheamus stalks Nakamura to ropes.

Sheamus stands Nakamura up against ropes, and the fans fire up for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to nine, then winds up for TEN! Nakamura sputters and Sheamus goes out after him. Sheamus brings the kneepad down, takes aim, KNEE CAP! Sheamus drags Nakamura back up, puts him in, but Nakamura bails out the side. Sheamus pursues, McIntyre says go ahead. Sheamus scoops Nakamura, but Nakamura slips free! ROUNDHOUSE! Sheamus wobbles, Nakamura SMACKS him off the desk! And again, and again! Nakamura goes up the barriers and aims, for a FLYING KNEE DROP!!

The Celtic Warrior is down, the King of Strong Style stands tall, and the Scottish Terminator shakes his head, all while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Sheamus fires body shots. Nakamura KICKS back, runs, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! And another IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus climbs a corner, Nakamura stands, and Sheamus FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Sheamus drags Nakamura up, fireman’s carries, but Nakamura fights free! Sheamus blocks one kick but not the ENZIGIRI! Nakamura runs in at the corner, blocks boots and puts Sheamus in ropes! Nakamura KICKS, runs, and SLIDING GERMANS! Sheamus flounders, Nakamura goes up a corner, and FLYING KNEE ATTACKS! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Sheamus stays in this. Nakamura clamps on with a SLEEPER, then he drags Sheamus up. The fans rally, Sheamus fights, but Nakamura becomes a backpack! So Sheamus RAMS Nakamura into buckles! Sheamus fires elbow after elbow, lets off as the ref counts, and he fireman’s carries Nakamura up the corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Sheamus is beside himself! Sheamus goes back to the corner, the fans rally up, and McIntyre coaches Sheamus, only for Nakamura to KNEE him down! cover, TWO! Nakamura snarls but he takes aim from the corner.

Nakamura waits as Sheamus rises, “YAO~!” Nakamura runs in, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Sheamus fires up with the fans and he aims from the corner. The fans shout along as Sheamus beats his chest. Nakamura rises, but dodges the Brogue! Roll up, TWO! Sheamus ducks one kick, another kick, KNEE CAP! cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but Sheamus hauls him back up. Sheamus reels Nakamura in, Canadian Rack, but Nakamura fights free! V-TRIGGER! Then BOOT! Sheamus wobbles, Nakamura aims, runs in, into a BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

A banger to be sure, and the Celtic Warrior shows off the beef! McIntyre also applauds, but will he really be Sheamus’ friend through all of this?

Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.

Cathy Kelley is with the Intercontinental Champion and notes the recap of what happened in Montreal. Has Sami been able to process everything? Sami isn’t sure. He’s been angry, hurt, and there’s a lot he’d really like to say. But he is biting his tongue. He heard Chad Gable is going to address what he did last week, so Sami will be listening like everyone else. Sami just doesn’t see how Gable could defend his actions. But then in steps Bronson Reed. He says never mind Gable, Sami has bigger problems to deal with. Sami says if this title is what Bronson wants, then any time, any place. Bronson says okay.

The Colossal Aussie leaves, Cathy still wants Sami to expound on his feelings, but then Bronson returns to CLOBBER Sami!! And he throws Sami around against the road cases! Bronson says he already warned everyone that if he wants to take that title, he will! You’re looking at the NEW Intercontinental Champion! Refs and producers rush in, Bronson backs off, and Sami gets to his feet. Bronson CLOBBERS Sami again!! Another blindside attack for Sami, will there be anything left of him to even defend the title?

Chad Gable heads to the ring.

The Alpha Academy still follows their mentor out here, but they are perhaps as confused and concerned as anyone else. What will Gable say about him snapping on Sami? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns as the Academy is in the ring. A new QR code flashes… Raw shares footage from the Pat McAfee Show as Charles Barkley says Gable can’t go whooping a man’s ass after a match, and certainly not in front of that man’s wife, kids and family. In the present, Gable has the mic but the fans boo. Gable says after what happened to Sami backstage, it is safe to say he’s had a rough couple of weeks. Now look, at least what Gable did to Sami was justified. It was…? Gable paints us a picture: capacity crowd in Montreal! Intercontinental Championship match, Gable VS hometown hero, Sami Zayn.

They tear the house down, and Sami walks out as champion. A great story, right? One Gable could accept, even if he didn’t want to. But not Sami, no. That wasn’t good enough. Sami saw Gable weeping in the corner, he placed the title right in front of him. Gable took that on the chin, got up and raised Sami’s hand in the ring to give Sami his moment. But even that wasn’t enough. What’d Sami do? Went up to his wife in the front row, brought that title to celebrate with her, when he knew Gable was standing there! That should’ve been Gable at Mania! That should’ve been Gable with his wife and daughter in the front row!

But Gable was wasting his time training Sami Zayn! And training a bunch of freakin’ losers! The fans boo as Gable insults the Academy! Gable asks if Tozawa has a problem with that. Go ahead, say something. Because Gable has a problem with Mr. Funny Man! All Tozawa does is come out here, do his little dance, and he gets loss after loss! It’s PATHETIC! The fans boo more but then Gable goes to Maxxine. “Sweet Miss Maxxine. Pretty as a princess, right? But dumb as a box of rocks.” What else does Gable have to do? He’s given everything and gotten nothing in return! It’s PATHETIC!! And that leaves Otis. “Don’t even get me started on you.”

Gable looks at Otis, the fans rallying behind him. Gable says his “prized pupil,” his “number one guy,” has proven himself beyond a shadow of a doubt… to be the biggest disappointment of them all. Guys, hold on, let’s back up a second. This is why they signed up, right? For feedback on how to get better. They can’t be upset with him. Just get on the same page and know that from now on, they focus… on Gable. They will all win Gable’s Intercontinental Championship together. They are going to help him no matter what. Right? The fans say “NO! NO! NO!” Gable wants them to say it, though. “No matter what.”

Otis, Maxxine and Tozawa look to each other. Gable doesn’t hear Otis. Say it. Gable holds the mic to Otis’ face, the fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” Otis says, “No matter what…” Gable says, “Good.” Master Gable has become a tyrant, but will he have the title no matter what he has to do?

Dominik finds Ricochet backstage.

Dirty Dom tells Ricochet that he’s lucky Dom isn’t cleared tonight, or else Dom would- Yeah, yeah, yeah, Ricochet gets it. Dom would should what happens when you mess with The Judgment Day. But Ricochet is with Dom. There is no one more upset that Dom isn’t cleared than Ricochet. Because Ricochet was looking forward to beating Dom specifically. But hey, he and Andrade will now settle for Dom’s boys, JD and Santos. By the way, if Dom sees Bobblehead JD before Ricochet, tell him that Ricochet will also see JD this Wednesday for WWE Speed, where Ricochet will further embarrass him. Because Ricochet IS like that.

Ricochet leaves, Dom says keep walking. Dom turns around to see Liv Morgan. Liv looks at Dom’s arm in a sling, and they both know the issues here are far from settled. Will Liv win the Women’s World Championship tonight to make sure Mami comes back for her?

Nia Jax speaks.

“Tonight, we’re having an all-star battle royal for the Women’s World Championship. Fourteen women. That means there’s 13 females and one monster. And I’m that monster. I’m gonna terrorize each and everyone of them, and I’m gonna eliminate them one by one by one. Until I’m the last woman standing, and I become your Women’s World Champion.” Will the Irresistible Force be unstoppable on her way to the top?

Ricochet & Andrade El Idolo VS Santos Escobar & JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

Raw returns as Andrade makes his entrance to join Ricochet in the ring. The Judgment Day make their entrance, followed by the Emperor of Lucha. The teams sort out and Andrade starts against JD. The bell rings, JD takes a swing but Andrade dodges to fire back! Andrade clamps onto an arm, wrangles JD, but JD fights up to chinbar Andrade to ropes. The ref counts, JD takes a swing but Andrade dodges to CHOP! JD staggers, tags Santos, and the fans rally up as we get multi-generational luchadores meeting. They tie up, Andrade waistlocks but Santos elbows free. Santos whips, things speed up, and Andrade rolls off Santos’ back!

Andrade runs Santos over, the fans fire up, and he brings Santos up. Tag to Ricochet, Andrade whips Santos, they both hurdle to then DOUBLE ELBOW Santos down! Double BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Santos goes to a corner, Ricochet brings him up and UPPERCUTS! And DROPKICKS! And then snapmare for the running ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Ricochet clamps onto Santos with a chinlock, then wrenches to an armlock. Ricochet hooks Santos up to trap the arm and chinbar, then ghost pin, TWO! Ricochet drags Santos up, but Santos swings! Ricochet dodges, handsprings and RANAS!

Ricochet kips up, DROPKICKS Santos down, then covers again, TWO! The fans chant “DOM, YOU SUCK!” and Ricochet taunts JD. But Santos YANKS Ricochet onto ropes! Santos brings Ricochet up, JD tags himself in, and they mug Ricochet. JD stomps away, then brings Ricochet up. JD wrenches, whips, and ELBOWS Ricochet down! Cover, TWO! JD keeps cool and he brings Ricochet around. JD wrenches to hit a BIG back suplex! JD paces, the fans tell Dom, “SHAVE YOUR MUSTACHE!” Ricochet headlocks but JD powers up and out. Ricochet reverses but JD avoids the kick! Ricochet blocks a boot to UPPERCUT!

Santos distracts the ref, Dom trips Ricochet up! JD KNEES Ricochet outta the ring! JD then BLASTS Andrade, Santos FLYING RANAS Ricochet down! Santos and the boys soak up the heat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ricochet fires hands on Santos! Santos ENZIGIRIS Ricochet down! Santos brings Ricochet up, puts him in the corner, then runs up to DOUBLE KNEE! JD tags in, he reels Ricochet in to snap suplex! JD runs and tags Santos in, to drop a leg, brother! JD BLASTS Andrade, Santos SPLASHES down, TWO! The fans rally for Ricochet but Santos stays on him. Santos whips, runs in, but Ricochet ROCKS him! Ricochet fires elbows and hands, ENZIGIRIS JD down, then dodges Santos! Hot tag to Andrade! Andrade dodges Santos to CLOBBER JD, then DRAGON SCREW on Santos! Another DRAGON SCREW!

Andrade ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Santos, and then he kips up! The fans fire up with El Idolo as he has Santos in a corner! “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, Santos is CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO! Santos survives but Andrade keeps cool. Andrade drags Santos up, underhooks, but Santos RAMS him into buckles! Ricochet tags in, Andrade BOOTS Santos away! Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up with Ricochet, and he STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, JD breaks it! But Andrade runs up! JD HEADBUTTS Andrade down, dodges Ricochet, but Ricochet blocks a kick to KNEE JD!

Santos runs in, Ricochet dodges, DOUBLE FLYING FOREARMS take both men down! The fans fire up and the ref checks. Ricochet and Santos stir, rise up, and the fans rally. Santos and Ricochet crawl, reach out, hot tags to JD and Andrade! Andrade fires off with JD, they go back and forth! The fans fire up as the forearms fly, then Andrade gets the edge! JD knees low, but Andrade snap suplexes first! Uno Amigo! The fans cheer as Andrade hits Dos Amigos! Santos gets in to save JD, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Andrade! They high-five but Ricochet springboards in, only for Santos to KNEE him outta the sky!

JD & Santos get a man each, and they go to corners. They put Andrade and Ricochet up top, then climb up. But Andrade & Ricochet fight back! Andrade HOTSHOTS JD, Santos SUPER STEINERS Ricochet, but Ricochet uses that to 450 LEG DROP onto JD!! Fans lose their minds, and Andrade boot feints to ELBOW Santos down! Andrade gets JD up, for THE MESSAGE! Cover, Andrade & Ricochet win!

Winners: Ricochet & Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall

Dom is disappointed, but then Priest gets in to POST Andrade! And SUPERKICKS Ricochet! The Punisher is pissed, and he gives Ricochet the RAZOR’S EDGE! Priest then gets Andrade up and around, to go SOUTH OF HEAVEN! El Campeon handled business for The Judgment Day, and tells Dom that in Spanish. JD asks what that means, and Priest tells JD that he doesn’t need them, they need him. Priest storms off, but is that true? Is Priest the only reason Judgment Day even has anything right now?

Zoey Stark speaks.

“Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has been one year since I have been drafted to Monday Night Raw. And what a year it has been! When I first got here, I was told to go in the corner and watch, learn, stay humble and be patient. No. See, instead, Trish Stratus? Hit her with a Z360, sent her packing. Becky Lynch, The Man? I beat her 1-2-3. Money in the Bank, I was inches from that briefcase. And at Survivor Series, one on one against Rhea Ripley, and I was this close to becoming Women’s World Champion. See, this last year has been a hell of a year. The scariest part of it all is that I’m just getting started.”

Backstage interview with Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.

Jackie Redmond is with the Poison Pixie & #IndiWrestling just moments from our main event. In recent weeks, some would argue that they’ve used underhanded tactics to win. But tonight, it is every woman for herself. Then what is she implying? Indi doesn’t say it was underhanded, it’s just that the way Candice does things- Candice stops Indi, too, and says that they don’t need to defend their wins. And that is what they are: wins. But then something goes down nearby?! Nia and Liv want after each other! Tensions are running high just moments before the battle royal, and Becky walks by to say hey.

Becky knows Jackie does a bang-up job as an interviewer. The Man wears many hats, can she try Jackie’s on? Jackie says sure, and lets her have the mic. Becky is walkin’ and talkin’ as she says it is CHAOS~ back here! Pure chaos! And it’ll get even more chaotic out in the ring, because we are about to have the most important battle royal in the history of Raw. She passes by Ivy and Maxxine and stops to check in with them. Maxxine’s first time for a world title, right? Becky wants Maxxine to go out there and show everyone why it won’t be her last. Becky keeps going and says how we got here wasn’t ideal. But to Rhea Ripley, when you’re ready, Becky will be here waiting.

With that all said and done, The Man has come around to Columbus, Ohio, and she’s looking for a fight! Becky gets to gorilla, makes her entrance, and this main event is about to hit the Big Time! But will Becky win the belt here despite her losing out at WrestleMania?

Vacated WWE Women’s World Championship Battle Royal!

Mami’s misfortune is now a golden opportunity for the rest of Raw! Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Natalya, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae, Ivy Nile, Maxxine Dupri, and even The Man, Becky Lynch, all have an equal opportunity, but there can only be one! Who will replace Rhea Ripley as the NEW WWE Women’s World Champion?

Raw returns as Liv makes her entrance, with Natty, Candice, Indi, Zoey, Shayna, Maxxine, Ivy, Piper and Chelsea already waiting with Becky. Kayden & Katana make their entrance together as always, followed by Nia’s entrance. The belt is raised, the bell rings, and the fight is on! The field divides up to go after Nia and Piper, the biggest and the baddest in here! But they both explode free! The fans fire up as Piper and Nia storm up and start throwing hands! Nia gets the edge then HEADBUTTS! But then the others all get up. Becky fires off on Nia but Natty GERMAN SUPLEXES her! Natty puts Becky on the apron, but theN Nia scopos Natty!

Nia puts Natty on the apron, Becky gets up and around on Nia for a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles, gets free, then runs in, only for Becky to POST her! Indi and Candice fight with Ivy and Maxxine given their beef over the past few weeks, and Natty puts Liv on the apron. Liv RAMS into Natty, Shayna has Becky but Becky turns that around into a BECKSPLODER! Chelsea and Piper work together, of course, going after KC Squared with Zoey Stark. Becky HOTSHOTS Shayna, Natty scoops Stark. Nia is after Shayna, Liv helps Candice with Ivy, but then goes after Candice! Ivy ROCKS Candice, but Candice kicks back!

Maxxine DUMPS Candice and ELIMINATES her! The fans fire up, “A THANK YEW~!” But then Indi DECKS Maxxine! Indi drags Maxxine up, whips, but Maxxine reverses to TOSS and ELIMINATE Indi!! The fans fire up again, “A THANK YEW~!” as Maxxine makes sure there’s no way Candice & Indi get their way! But that still leaves a dozen stars left as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and while Katana has Maxxine in a corner, Chelsea is helping Piper out of another, Kayden has Shayna in the third, and Nia CLOBBERS Liv and Ivy in the fourth! Natty and Becky are on ropes, Zoey runs in at Kayden but is sent into Shayna instead! Kayden then sits them both down, gets space, then waits on Katana. Katana SHOTGUNS Ivy down, then runs to Kayden, MONKEY FLIP CANNONBALL on Shayna & Zoey! Then MONKEY FLIP CANNONBALL onto Ivy & Maxxine! The fans fire up for the party girls, but Shayna dumps Kayden out! Then she dumps Katana, but Kayden helps Katana get back in and RANA!

The fans fire up, but Stark whips Katana! Katana reverses to put Stark on the apron! Stark fights off KC Squared but still gets a SUPERKICK! Shayna fireman’s carries Katana, tosses her out, but Kayden catches her! But Stark SUPERKICKS Kayden, she and Katana fall, DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Natty fires hands on Chelsea, Piper shoves Maxxine aside, and Nia hauls Ivy up! But Ivy clamps on a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Nia puts Ivy up top, throws body shots, then swings, but into a HANGING ARMBAR! Stark EXPLODERS Liv, Nia SWINGS Ivy into the post! Ivy lets go and falls to the floor, Nia ELIMINATES her!

Nia soaks up the heat, but then Maxxine glares at her. Maxxine won’t let Nia’s size intimidate her! So Nia SHOVES Maxxine down! Maxxine gets back up, dodges Nia to ROUNDHOUSE! And ROUNDHOUSE! And ENZIGIRI! Maxxine runs up, but Nia blocks the boot! Nia DUMPS and ELIMINATES Maxxine! The fans boo but Nia mocks the “A Thank Yew.” Nia then runs to SPLASH Natty in a corner! Shayna is there to KICK Nia! Piper SPLASHES Becky in a corner, SPLASHES her again, then runs up at the ropes! Becky BOOTS back! Liv CLUBS away on Stark while Becky ROCKS Piper! PIper runs up again but Becky DUMPS her to the apron!

Becky runs up as Piper holds on, FOREARM SMASH! Piper wobbles, Becky SHOTGUNS  her down and ELIMINATES her! Chelsea is upset her insurance policy is gone, but then Piper drags Becky out from under the bottom rope! Piper RAMS Becky into steel steps, gets space, and CANNONBALLS into her! Chelsea fights off Nia, but those fists don’t do much… Piper clears off the desk! Piper gets Becky up, Nia still dares Chelsea to fight her. Piper HEADBUTTS Becky, puts her on the desk, and CHOPS her! Chelsea LARIATS Nia, but Nia doesn’t budge! Nia fireman’s carries Chelsea, Piper hurries to go after Nia!

Nia TOSSES Chelsea away, goes under teh bottom rope and she ROCKS Piper! Nia clinches Piper, the refs and fans freak out, URENAGE onto Becky!! Piper and Becky are both on the desk, but then Nia drags Piper up! Fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP onto Becky and the desk!! Chelsea is furious, but Natty DUMPS her out and ELIMINATES her!! But the refs don’t see it while checking on Becky, so it doesn’t count!? Natty is mad, she fires off on Chelsea in a corner! Natty whips, Chelsea reverses and POSTS Natty while Raw goes to break!

Raw returns once again, Becky is still down in the wreckage of the desk. In fact, it got wrecked over the break from Nia’s POWERBOMB! Stark & Shayna stomp away on Liv, Natty CLUBS away on Chelsea. Chelsea fights free, shoves Natty, but Natty RANAS! They both end up on the apron, then they start throwing hands! Natty ROCKS Chelsea, Chelsea ROCKS Natty, repeat! Chelsea BOOTS Natty into the post! Chelsea gets in safe, but Stark clotheslines Chelsea up and out to officially ELIMINATE her! Then Shayna BOOTS Natty down to ELIMINATE her, too! The teammates high-five, and they see Nia and Liv in the corners.

Shayna runs up to KNEE Nia, Stark HEEL KICKS Liv! They get Liv up, ALLEY-OOP KNEE!! But Nia CLOBBERS Stark! Shayna jumps on Nia for a SLEEPER! Stark SUPERKICKS Nia but that sends her and Shayna into buckles! Stark runs, but Nia scoops her! Nia puts Stark on the apron, DECKS her and ELIMINATES her! Then Nia runs in at Shayna! Shayna dodges, runs up, but Nia dumps her out! Stark saves Shayna, but Nia CLOBBERS Shayna onto Stark, to ELIMINATE her! The fans fire up as the final three are Nia, Liv and Becky, because yes, Becky rises like the phoenix to get back in the ring!

Nia is furious and she runs up, but Becky BOOTS her! Liv runs up, Becky ROCKS her! Becky fires off on Nia but Nia CLOBBERS her! Liv ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl Nia onto ropes! Liv then runs up to SHOTGUN Nia in the back! The fans fire up as Liv runs in, but Nia dodges the back body block! Liv runs up again, but no Code Breaker! Becky adds on, CODE BREAKER NECKBREAKER COMBO!! The fans are thunderous while all three women are down! The fans rally for Becky as she rises, and she TOSSES Liv! Liv lands safe on the apron, and Nia gets Becky in a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP!

Nia runs up on Liv but Liv gets in the ring first. Nia hits a SAMOAN DROP anyway! Nia soaks up the heat from the fans, then she drags Liv up. Becky ROCKS Nia first, though! Becky fires off forearms, UPPERCUTS, and a SOBAT! Becky TOSSES Liv, but Nia DUMPS Becky! Then she runs up, but they DOUBLE HOTSHOT her! Liv and Becky get in to fire off on Nia, then reel her in! The fans fire up but Nia is too big to double suplex! Nia DOUBLE SUPLEXES Becky and Liv!! Nia drags them both into a drop zone, and then goes up a corner! But Becky & Liv DUMP Nia to the apron! Becky fires hands, Nia ROCKS her!

Nia steps through but into Liv’s CODE BREAKER! Becky goes up, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!! Nia flops to the floor, Becky & Liv ELIMINATE her!! The fans are thunderous as it comes down to two! Liv and Becky square off, and they fire off furious fists! The fans fire up, Liv TOSSES Becky! Becky holds on, KICKS and ROUNDHOUSES Liv in return! Becky goes up and leaps in, but Liv gets under! Then Liv runs up to whip! Becky reverses, TOSSESS Liv, but Livv ROCKS Becky back! Liv drags Becky out to the apron for a risky move! They brawl, Becky kicks low and reels Liv in! But Liv throws body shots! Becky still tries but Liv fights the suplex!

Liv drops to a knee, but Becky gets around to waistlock! Liv holds ropes to resist the suplex again! Liv throws elbow after elbow, then kicks and KICKS and CODE BREAKERS! Becky staggers, Liv runs up, but Becky blocks ObLivion! Becky shifts to clinches, APRON MANDHANDLE SLAM! Liv falls, BECKY WINS!

Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s World Champion)

Columbus fires up as Becky wins lucky number seven! She couldn’t knock Rhea Ripley off the throne, but she did survive thirteen other stars to shine bright once more! She goes out into the crowd to celebrate with the fans, and she grabs a fan sign that says “Women Run the WWE!” Becky even finds a fan wearing a Monday Night Mami shirt to celebrate with her, because as Becky said, she’s waiting for Rhea’s return as eagerly as anyone. Will The Man be the champion when that day comes?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw as both the go-home to the WWE Draft, I just hope some of the stories they’ve set up aren’t going to get shafted because of the Draft. For one, great video package to hype up the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments, and really good promo from Gunther to stake his claim to the crown. Woods also wants to get back to that, feels like he and Gunther could have a great semifinal match. Really good tag match from New Day VS Imperium, good win for New Day, and it seems Vinci has once again been separated from Imperium. Maybe the Draft will move Vinci to whatever brand Gunther & Kaiser aren’t on, and Vinci will return to that Veni Vidi Vinci persona he had in NXT 2.0.

Really good stuff in the Judgment Day story, though the pacing of the promo between Jey and Priest was odd. It felt like they were actually trying to make room for the fans to “YEET!” during it. But I do appreciate that Priest showed some respect, and then immediately didn’t by talking down to Jey. I also appreciate that Priest wants to do things cleaner than Judgment Day usually does, with how JD’s attack was all his idea, not Priest’s. Now, Priest did beat the crap outta Ricochet & Andrade after they won the match, but that was him showing his dominance. Priest VS Jey is going to be great stuff, and there is a lot of intrigue on how it’ll affect Priest’s standing within Judgment Day.

Great tag title match from Awesome Truth and DIY, and of course Awesome Truth won. The fans love Truth and mostly like Miz, they only just got the new belts after only just winning the titles at Mania. And interesting detail that Ciampa didn’t want to shake hands, but it works that it was Ciampa. He was the one that turned Heel first back when DIY was in NXT, maybe Gargano will end up following suit if things don’t turn around for DIY. That with how Candice is basically Heel and Indi is one step away from turning Heel herself, maybe we get a Heel main roster version of The Way after The Draft.

Great promo from McIntyre and Sheamus to not only bring back their rivalry but to work-shoot the whole chubby Sheamus thing from over the last week. Great match from Sheamus VS Nakamura, but clearly we’re going to get Sheamus VS McIntyre again between now and Clash at the Castle: Glasgow in June. That is going to be awesome stuff, so hopefully the Draft keeps them both on the same brand. Great Heel move from Bronson to attack Sami, there’s your Backlash Intercontinental title match. And great Heel promo from Gable, and it seems the Alpha Academy are going to follow him for now. Surely Gable pushes things too far and it’ll be Otis who stands up to him, thus ending the Alpha Academy as a stable.

Great news from HBK here to learn where NXT is going for June. Now, the UFC Apex doesn’t look any different than the WWE Performance Center but hey, still cool that they have a guaranteed Las Vegas venue whenever they want it. And great promos from a handful of the ladies before tonight’s main event, and that was an awesome battle royal. For one, very clever to have a missed elimination because the refs were busy with Nia, Piper and Becky. Now, I will say I was a little surprised Becky won, or that she was even in the match given she lost at Mania, but at the same time, why wouldn’t they go with Becky? She’s incredibly popular, her book is a New York Times Best Seller, and she will definitely carry this title well for however long until Rhea’s 100%.

My Score: 8.7/10

Will it be a victorious homecoming for Sami Zayn?

Tonight on Raw, Sami Zayn returns home to Montreal as NEW Intercontinental Champion, but will he lose that title already to Chad Gable?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Sheamus VS Ivar; Sheamus wins.
• WWE World Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: #DIY VS The New Day VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and will challenge The Awesome Truth for the titles.
• Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri; Candice & Indi win.
• Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Andrade El Idolo; Andrade wins.
• Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Chelsea & Piper win.
• Jey Uso VS Finn Balor; Jey wins.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Chad Gable; Sami wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Rhea Ripley is here!

Montreal fires up for Mami as she makes her way out to the ring, but her arm’s in a sling! She holds up the Women’s World Championship with her good arm before going to the ring, clearly not in a good mood. Adam Pearce is waiting in the ring, and Rhea gets a mic. The fans cheer “MAMI! MAMI!” but Rhea says, “So… Obviously, you guys know what’s going on right now, yeah? After the attack last week from Liv Morgan… I’ve now been told that I’m stuck on the bench for quite a few months.” Fans are upset but Rhea says she’s also been informed, told, whatever, she’s pissed! Y’know why? Because she has to vacate the one thing that means the most to her, her world title!

The fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” but there’s no getting around this. Rhea takes a long look at the belt and the fans call BS. Rhea says it sure is BS. This title right here, this means the most to her in her entire life! And that’s why this is so painful. Rhea sets the belt down on the mat, and gives it one last look. Rhea pulls at her hair in frustration, but the fans chant, “Thank You, Mami!” Rhea says, “Revenge tour? This is all because your stupid little revenge tour, Liv! Are you kidding me?” Rhea could’ve actually had respect for Liv, if she’d done this face to face! Instead, she blindsides Rhea like the coward Rhea knows Liv is!

And Rhea knows why Liv did it! It’s because Rhea would’ve dropped Liv right where she stood! So this is a warning to whoever wins her Women’s World Championship. When Rhea comes back, she’s coming back for BLOOD! And not just because of injury, but because when she finds Liv back there, they’ll have to lock her up in Montreal jail! But speaking of, here comes Liv! Pearce already goes to the ropes and security is there to keep Liv back. Liv is laughing, Rhea storms out after her! Security stays between them both, Liv dares Rhea to try something with one arm! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Pearce says nope!

Pearce ushers Liv away, Liv laughing all the way. Rhea is frustrated, so she HEADBUTTS a guard! The fans cheer, but when and where will Rhea’s revenge tour come looking for Liv?

Rhea returns backstage.

Judgment Day is there to see her off with a group hug. Damian Priest says they know when she comes back, she’ll make Liv regret ever messing with her, and even more badass than she is right now! Cuz she is Rhea Bloody Ripley, and they love her. She thanks them, and tells them to keep Judgment Day on top. Rhea heads out, will the boys be able to keep things together without Mami?

Sheamus VS Ivar!

After months away with his own injury, the Celtic Warrior is back! And that means Monday Night Raw is now Fight Night, fellas! He’s never felt better, but will the Viking Raider make him feel awful already?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally and welcome Sheamus back. Sheamus smiles and ties up with Ivar. They go around, break, then tie up again. Sheamus headlocks, Ivar powers up and out, but Sheamus RAMS him! Ivar rebounds, RAMS Sheamus, but Sheamus steadies himself. The fans chant “Let’s Go, Sheamus!” and the forearms start flying! Sheamus gets the edge, whips, but Ivar reverses. Sheamus ducks ‘n’ dodges and CLOBBERS Ivar! The fans fire up while Ivar goes to the apron! Sheamus storms up and grabs the arms, but Ivar HOTSHOTS Sheamus away! Ivar goes up, but Sheamus ROCKS him first!

Sheamus fires haymakers, then climbs up after Ivar to fire more! The fans fire up as Sheamus fireman’s carries Ivar, into the SUPER WHITE NOISE! Sheamus fires up and the fans are with him as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Ivar has Sheamus in a chinlock. The fans rally, Sheamus fights up, and Sheamus throws body shots. But Ivar UPPERCUTS back! Ivar runs, but Sheamus scoops to POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Ivar goes back to the apron. Sheamus storms up, brings Ivar up, and hooks him in the ropes! The fans fire up as we get BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! And Sheamus goes all the way to TEN! Ivar slumps down, flops into the ring, and Sheamus hauls him up. Fireman’s carry, but Ivar elbows free! Ivar BOOTS Sheamus, then HEEL KICKS! Sheamus falls, Ivar goes up! VIKING SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Sheamus survives and Ivar pulls at his hair in frustration! Sheamus goes to a corner, but he eggs Ivar on! Ivar storms up on Sheamus to rain down fists! The fans boo, the ref counts, and Ivar lets off. Sheamus still eggs Ivar on! Ivar and Sheamus throw hands and Sheamus gets the edge! Ivar shoves, cartwheels, and knees low! Ivar runs, springboards, but into a KNEE! Ivar staggers around, Sheamus brings the kneepad down, for the KNEE CAP! Ivar falls, the fans are thunderous as Sheamus beats his chest. Ivar stands up, into the BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The Celtic Warrior is back, as is his classic theme song! He feels better than ever, looks better than ever, is he going to make one more run at the top of the mountain?

Triple H is here!

Montreal fires up as The Game walks out to the ring! He joins Adam Pearce in the ring, and there’s a podium with a cover on it. HHH gets a mic to say, “You guys are on fire tonight, I gotta tell you that.” The fans cheer again, and HHH continues by saying it is hard to believe that only eight days ago, we were in the midst of the biggest WrestleMania of ALL time. “WrestleMania 40, kingdoms fell, nightmares began, and a whole knew era started.” The fans cheer that, too! Pearce says the new era certainly started for the Tag Division. It has never been bigger, better, or deeper. WWE walked in with one set of champs, and walked out with two.

That is why Raw and SmackDown deserve titles they can be proud of going into the new era. So what does the boss say? Should we bring the champs out? Then please welcome The Awesome Truth! Fans fire up as Miz & R-Truth make their way, carrying the red tag team titles. Miz & Truth get mics, and the fans chant “You Deserve It!” Miz pats Truth on the shoulder cuz he really does. The fans cheer as Miz raises Truth’s hand, and Truth lets Miz hold on to the belt so he can do the splits! He’s still got it, too! HHH then says he wants to be the first to say, what’s up? Also, congratulations. HHH shakes their hands as he says they won probably the biggest tag match in history.

And Truth, HHH has to say from a certain perspective, seeing Truth have that Mania moment, to quote The Miz, it was awesome. But the thing is, this is a new era. So if they are going to represent this brand and those titles, then they need to do it in a way that represents an all new era. So going forward, they will now be the WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! And as such, they will be carrying THESE! Brand new belts that look like miniature World Heavyweight Championships! Truth is losing his mind! Now, now, he has seen a rabbit come out of a hat, and birds come out of a hat. Even a lady got cut in half and walked away from it. But he’s never seen a trick like that!

What? Truth says he knows good magicians, and HHH just made titles appear outta thin oxygen! That boy good! Right? The fans cheer, but only Truth is the one confused here. HHH asks Miz to explain. HHH is not a magician. That’s what a magician wants you to think. But Truth doesn’t really trust magicians. Not after Lil’ Jimmy. Everyone used to be able to see Lil’ Jimmy. So what else is HHH hiding? Miz says this is what they wanted. This is one of the most important times in WWE history! This is their chance to elevate the Tag Division! Their chance to take these new belts to new heights! That is why Pearce and HHH-

HHH!? WHERE?! Truth, that’s this guy! Man, Houdini’s got Miz fooled, too? He’s one crafty little genie. But Truth sees right through you, Tommaso Ciampa! Miz sighs and says he’ll try one more thing. Because we are in Montreal! Fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” and Miz is pretty sure they’re ready for Sami Zayn. But Miz tells Truth in French, that they’re getting new belts. OMG really!? “OUI! OUI! OUI!” So they can take ’em? Oui! OUI! As in yes, but anyway, HHH speaks up. Can he just go? He takes the old belts, then hands over the new belts. HHH wishes Pearce luck on handling it from here.

HHH leaves, Awesome Truth hold up the awesome new belts, and Pearce asks why Truth made the boss leave. Who? HHH. He just left. That wasn’t HHH! Pearce says while we still have brain cells that function, the only thing left is to figure out some new challengers! Time for a Triple Threat #1 Contenders Tag Match! And that’s right now!

WWE World Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: #DIY VS The New Day VS The Creed Brothers!

Speaking of Ciampa, the REAL Ciampa and Johnny Gargano are still in that title hunt, but so are Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, and so are Julius & Brutus! Which team defies the odds to head for an awesome showdown with Miz & Truth?

Raw returns and the Creeds make their entrance, followed by The New Day. There’s a QR code that flashes on screen… Then the teams sort out and one man starts for each. Brutus steps to Woods and Gargano, and Montreal rallies with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods says “O~ CANADA~!” The three approach, feel out, then Brutus DECKS Gargano! Woods CLUBS Brutus, has him in a corner and rains down fists! Brutus shoves Woods away before five but Gargano runs up to add on! Gargano gets five, Brutus shoves him away then ROCKS Woods! Brutus ROCKS Gargano, scoops Woods, but Woods rolls him up!

Gargano rolls Woods! Brutus rolls Gargano! Then deadlifts to BOMB him into Woods! Brutus breaks through their double clothesline to DOUBLE LARIAT back! Tag to Julius, the Creeds get one each, and they suplex! Kofi and Ciampa save their tag partners, then they all DROPKICK the Creeds! The fans fire up as DIY and New Day brawl! DIY get the edge, they whip, but New Day dodge to BLAST the Creeds! DIY then TOSS New Day out, and they BLAST the Creeds! DOUBLE PLANCHAS, but the Creeds catch DIY! But then New Day both FLY out! Down goes everyone, Awesome Truth applaud New Day, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and there’s a collision in the ring! The fans fire up as Ciampa, Julius and Kofi all slowly sit up. Kofi CHOPS Ciampa, Julius ROCKS Kofi! Ciampa ROCKS Julius, Kofi ROCKS Ciampa! Ciampa CHOPS Julius, Kofi mule kicks Ciampa, Julius ROCKS Kofi! Ciampa ROCKS Julius, BOOTS Kofi, then brawls with Julius! The fans rally up as the forearms go faster and faster! Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! But theN Julius JUMP KNEES! Kofi returns, TROUBLE IN- NO, Julius blocks the kick to an ANKLE LOCK! Ciampa KNEES Julius down! Brutus CLOBBERS Ciampa, Woods MISSILE DROPKICKS Brutus!

Woods turns around, SLINGSHOT SPEAR from Gargano! Kofi JUMP KNEES Gargano! Julius clinches Kofi for an EXPLODER! Julius kips up to STANDING MOONSAULT, onto knees! Gargano SUPERKICKS Julius, Kofi rolls Gargano! Gargano slips out to BUZZSAW! Gargano goes up and out to the apron, he and Ciampa meet to ENZIGIRI KNEE COMBO in the corner! Then Gargano CANNONBALLS onto everyone else! Ciampa hauls Kofi up for PROJECT CIAMPA!! Cover, TWO!!! Kofi survives and even Miz & Truth are surprised. The fans cheer for “TRIPLE H!” to keep Truth’s illusion going. Ciampa tells Kofi “SUCK IT!”

Ciampa gets Kofi up, Kofi wrenches out to dodge and hot tag Woods! Woods GAMANGIRS then TORNADO DDTS! Gargano shoves Woods to a corner, but Woods BOOTS! HONOR ROLL! Brutus gets in but Woods BELL CLAPS! Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges, slides under, ROLLING ELBOW! Woods calls to Kofi, tags him in, but Ciampa BOOTS Woods! Kofi uses Woods to POMMEL HORSE KICK! New Day POSTS Ciampa, then WHEELBARROW FAMOUSER!! Cover, Julius drags Kofi right up! OVERHEAD SUPLEX! But Woods is back up top! Woods leaps, into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Gargano runs up, Julius blocks a kick! OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

Julius kips up but into Ciampa’s waistlock! Julius switches, to GERMAN SUPLEX! The straps come down, Brutus tags in, and the Creeds get a team each! Brutus SPLASHES DIY to then O’Conner Roll! Gargano runs up, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Julius DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS New Day!! Quadruple cover, TWO!!! All four other men kick out, Julius tags back in! Brutus goes up, Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! “This is Awesome!” and then Kofi SHOVES Brutus off the corner, into Woods’ SUPERKICK! Kofi goes up, Julius fights Ciampa off. Julius goes up but Woods sneaks a tag! SUPERPLEX for Julius, but LIMIT BREAKER from Woods!

MEET IN THE MIDDLE by DIY!! Cover, DIY WINS!!

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the World Tag Team Champions)

Awesome Truth loved every minute of that match, but now they’ve got to face their friends in #RegenerationX. Will Miz & Truth be able to hold on to their newly minted titles? Or will Ciampa & Gargano prove when it comes to becoming World Tag Team Champions, you gotta do it yourself?

Drew McIntyre watches the highlight reel of last week’s main event.

And he’s smiling? Maybe even chuckling? Jackie Redmond says that after watching it back, she was not expecting this reaction. McIntyre laughs, as he BOOTS the TV screen in! Jackie understands now as McIntyre storms off. CM Punk got the better of McIntyre last time, but will it be no laughing matter when the Scottish Terminator gets his hands on him?

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri!

The first time around, the Poison Pixie bullied Maxxine the Alpha Queen into such a state that winning was easy. But then The Diamond Pitbull helped Maxxine get even with Candice, though it was Indi Wrestling that took the hit. Who finds the way to win this tense tiebreaker?

The teams sort out and Indi starts against Ivy. They tie up, Ivy waistlocks then headlocks, but Indi rolls to a cover. ONE, Ivy holds on, and they go around. Ivy facelocks, floats around to then flip Indi to a cover, ONE! Ivy’s right back on the headlock, but Indi fights up. Indi powers out, Ivy sunset flips, TWO! Indi scrambles up but Ivy DROPKICKS her! Ivy kicks, Indi blocks but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Tag to Maxxine and she climbs up, to CROSSBODY! Maxxine eggs Indi on, kicks low and facelocks, then talks trash on Candice. FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Maxxine dares Candice to make a move.

The ref reprimands, Candice stands down, but Indi short arm LARIATS! Indi then tags Candice, Candice CLOBBERS Maxxine and hammers away! The fans boo but Candice SMACKS Maxxine off the mat. Candice soaks up the heat, then digs her boots into Maxxine. The ref counts, Candice lets off, and then Candice smiles as she drags Maxxine up. Candice whips Maxxine into the corner, taunts Ivy, then runs up to SLAP Maxxine! Candice fires off hands, the ref counts, and Candice lets off. Tag to Indi, she keeps Maxxine from Ivy, but Maxxine BOOTS her away! Candice tags back in, runs up and drags Maxxine back again.

Maxxine hops up, ENZIGIRI misses as Candice ducks! Candice swipes at Ivy, but Ivy dodges! Maxxine knees low and DDTS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Maxxine and Candice crawl, their partners reach out, but then Indi rushes in! The ref stops Indi, but that means he misses seeing the hot tag! The fans boo as Indi gets sneaky like Candice as she BOOTS Maxxine down! Indi puts Candice on top for the cover! The ref sees that, counts, Candice & Indi win!

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by pinfall

What in the world is going on here? Is Candice’s toxicity poisoning Indi’s mind? Or are these Indi’s true colors? Either way, are Candice & Indi going to find the way to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships?

WWE takes a look at Damian Priest’s rise to the top.

2019, Orlando, Florida, the Performance Center. What did Priest want out of life? One thing: his name to live forever. From Punisher to homeless to NXT to main roster, Priest has proven if you bust your ass and never give up, anything is possible, even your dreams. The first Puerto Rican world champion in literal decades, he desired championships, and he knew championships would come. Legacy and infamy wait for no man, you have go grab them for yourself. He became Senor Money in the Bank, bided his time, suffered losses, and struck when the moment was right! HE had the biggest moment at the biggest WrestleMania ever, ALL RISE for the NEW World Heavyweight Champion!

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

The others sulk, but Priest tells them to snap out of it. They’re The Judgment Day, right? Right. And they still run Raw, right? Dom is gonna teach Andrade a lesson about messing with their group! And JD McDonagh, you have his back so they can get this done! The Irish Ace is fired up, he heads out with Dirty Dom, but Finn stays behind to talk with Priest. Finn feels their focus should be getting the tag titles back, but now Finn’s in this match with Jey? What’s up with that? Priest says Finn’s focus needs to be on what’s happening tonight. Priest needs The Prince to teach Jey Uso the meaning of the word “loss.” And then at Backlash, Priest teaches Jey the meaning of the word “pain!”

Is Finn good with that? Finn smiles and nods. Of course he’s good with that! They fist bump and Finn goes to warm up. So far, the group looks solid, will Mami have nothing to worry about?

Raw shares an interview from before the show.

Jackie Redmond was ringside as Chad Gable got some training in with the Creed Brothers to prepare for his title match with Sami Zayn. Jackie says it looks like Gable is ready. A huge opportunity tonight, the biggest match perhaps of his entire career. How much would winning the title mean to him? Gable says it is everything. Validation, vindication for all the training, his 10+ years here in the WWE, and proving it to himself. His mood is high, it’ll be a good night. But then Jackie would be remised if she didn’t ask about the crowd factoring in. They’ll be in support of Sami, how has Gable prepared for that?

Gable says when he was on the Olympic team in 2012, he was a Minnesotan in Iowa. That means not one person in Iowa wanted him to win, but he did. So he’ll do the same time. Sami’s one of the best WWE has, but Gable training Sami helped Gable find the weakness. Tonight, Gable exposes those weaknesses. Gable goes back to grappling with the Creeds, will Gable be razor sharp for his golden opportunity?

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Andrade El Idolo!

The Prodigal Son thought he was getting The Idol of Lucha to join Judgment Day, or at least was united with him against Rey Mysterio. Neither of those things turned out to be true, and now Andrade has found himself in Judgment Day’s crosshairs. Will El Idolo make Raw tranquilo? Or will he pay for pulling one over on Dirty Dom?

Raw returns as Dom makes his entrance and Montreal boos. The bell rings, Dom and Andrade circle, and Dom wants a handshake? Andrade refuses so Dom CHOPS! Andrade rushes Dom but Dom runs away to the corner. Dom then gets a cheap shot, a headlock, but Andrade powers up and out. Dom pulls on Andrade’s hair to get him back in the headlock. Andrade powers out more thoroughly this time, and he runs Dom over! The fans cheer, Andrade storms up and he CHOPS Dom to a corner. Andrade whips corner to corner, Dom reverses, but Andrade goes up and out then ROCKS Dom! Andrade goes up the corner, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Andrade brings Dom up and snap suplexes! Uno Amigo and the fans cheer! Dos Amigos and the fans cheer more! Andrade gives Latino Heat, but Dom suplexes! Dom has Uno Amigo, then Dos Amigos! Fans boo this time, but then Andrade hits his THIRD AMIGO! The fans cheer as Andrade puts Dom in the drop zone. Andrade climbs again, but JD gets on the apron! The ref stops JD but that lets Dom trip Andrade! The fans boo but Dom drags Andrade off the corner to stomp him! Dom then soaks up the heat and flexes, Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Andrade fights up while in a chinlock. Andrade throws body shots, then ROCKS Dom! And ROCKS him, and ROCKS him! Dom shoves, kicks, but Andrade blocks to DRAGON SCREW! And DRAGON SCREW again! Dom swings a lariat but Andrade dodges to CLOBBER Dom! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up and Dom is in the corner. Fans chant “SI! SI! SI!” as Andrade goes corner to corner, CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO! Dom survives but Andrade puts him in the drop zone. Andrade climbs, SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT FLOPS as Dom moves! Dom goes to the apron, drags Andrade up, but Andrade fights the suplex!

Andrade throws body shots, CHOPS, and Dom flops back! Andrade goes out to the apron but Dom KICKS the ropes! That jams Andrade up, Dom reels him in! APRON DESTROYER!! Andrade flops to the floor, JD coaches Dom to hurry! Dom gets Andrade back in, covers, TWO!! Andrade survives and the fans fire up! Dom is frustrated, as is JD, but Dom wants Andrade to rise. Andrade stands, Dom DROPKICKS him onto ropes! Fans boo but Dom talks trash before he dials it up. But Andrade gets up, boot feint to ELBOW! JD gets up but Andrade DECKS him! Then the underooks, for THE MESSAGE! Cover, Andrade wins!

Winner: Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall

But JD attacks now! No celebrating for El Idolo, the fans boo as JD and Dom get Andrade to his feet. The mugging continues, but here comes Ricochet! Ricochet also has beef with Judgment Day and he sends Dom & JD running! Will the King of Flight help The Idol put Judgment Day in their place once and for all?

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Cathy Kelley is with Main Event Jey and knows that he’s preparing for Finn Balor, but she was hoping for any comments on Tama Tonga joining The Bloodline to attack Jimmy Uso last Friday. Yeah, messing with The Bloodline, you go down a deep, dark and dangerous road. They adding members Jey didn’t even know about. As far as Jimmy goes… Well, Jey told him to come with Jey. But hey, Jey’s gotta focus on Finn. Finn about to catch a YEETDOWN here on Monday Night Raw. YEET! Jey is ready for The Prince, but will he make it through to face The Punisher?

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

The Hot Mess and “Lil Miss P” wanted a match and got a match on Friday, but it didn’t go their way when it turned out they were facing Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill. Management is getting an earful over and over, but will the complaints stop if Chelsea & Piper win? Or will KC Squared only add to Chelsea’s bad mood?

The teams sort out and Piper starts against Kayden. They tie up, Piper shoves Kayden down, then dares Katana to try. Katana tags in, runs up and dodges, then KC Squared pinball Piper around. They both run, but into DOUBLE LARIATS! Piper fires up, then she drags Katana up. Piper clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH and she thrashes Katana around! Chelsea tags in, RIPCORD FOREARM, then short arm LARIAT! Chelsea covers, TWO! Chelsea says this is easy work, but she runs into a BOOT! Katana then drop toeholds Chelsea into buckles! Tag to Kayden, and they meet at the corner, MULE KICK METEORA COMBO! Kayden covers, TWO!

Kayden drags Chelsea up, but Chelsea SLAPS her! Then she panics and reaches for Piper! Kayden reels her in, hammerlock and clinch, to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP, then Kayden FLATLINERS! Kayden fireman’s carries Chelsea, Katana goes up and leaps over to go after Piper! But Piper catches her! FALL AWAY SLAM! Kayden hits a SWINGING LEG DROP SLAM! Cover, but Piper SPLASHES Kayden! Chelsea covers Kayden, she and Piper win!

Winners: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, by pinfall

Chelsea celebrates like she did something, btu we know it was all Piper. But a win is a win, will this team find their way back to the tag titles? Will Chelsea never stop bugging management until they do?

Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.

Cathy Kelley is with Liv to ask about Rhea Ripley vacating her title. Is this the conclusion of the revenge tour? Liv can’t even lie, she is confused by the reactions. They’re all mad at her, but for what? She isn’t the villain here. Where was the sympathy for Liv when Rhea literally ripped Liv’s shoulder out of its socket? Oh, there wasn’t any. So eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, arm for an arm. This is karma at its finest, Rhea got what she deserved. But the best part is that this isn’t the end of the revenge tour. This is just the beginning, because the end will be Liv crowned as the NEW Women’s World Champion. #WatchMe. Then when and where will this revenge tour go on the road to a new champion?

Cody Rhodes is here!

Montreal fires up for the American Nightmare, aka the NEW Undisputed WWE Champion! They sing along, “WHOA~ OH~!” and Cody gets his pyro. Cody high-fives the front row as he makes his way down the ramp, then he steps into the ring for “WHOA~ OH~!” and more pyro. Cody gets the mic while the fans chant his name, and he revels in the cheers a moment. They sing “CODY~ CODY CODY CODY~!” and he smiles. Cody then asks, “De quoi voulez-vous parler?” The fans cheer his French, and Cody says he has to thank Adam Pearce allowing Cody to still hang out on Raw even though now he’s a SmackDown superstar.

But don’t worry, Cody ain’t going nowhere. We cannot reflect on WrestleMania 40 forever, especially with a pending challenge. The first Premium Live event of the new “season,” Backlash, is going to Lyon, France, where Cody faces for this title either the fastest rising star, LA Knight, or The Phenomenal AJ Styles. But we can certainly reflect just a little. There’s a man he could talk about for hours but will keep it brief. There was a man who said he’d be Cody’s Shield… The fans sing “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” for The Visionary, and Cody says that man certainly kept his word. That man is watching at home, so thank you, Seth Freakin’ Rollins.

The fans cheer and chant, “Thank You, Seth!” Cody continues by saying another “friend” that did reflecting was The Rock. The fans boo and chant “ROCKY SUCKS! ROCKY SUCKS!” Cody says it was news to him that Rock did a ten week training program, that he flew in the best talent of different skillsets and the greatest conditioning team money could by. Rock doesn’t have one more match left in him, he’s got many more. And in typical manic Rock fashion, Rock said that he’d make Cody bleed again. Cody says Rock’s probably right. Maybe Cody will bleed. But no amount of training and preparation, nothing Rock does can stop the fact that if Cody’s gonna bleed, Rock bleeds with him.

The fans cheer and Cody says when we talk Rock, we gotta talk Bloodline. The fans boo again, but Cody says he’s confused. The introduction of Tama Tonga “by order of The Tribal Chief,” yet Roman Reigns was nowhere to be found? More questions than answers, so one more bit of reflection. Cody wants to bring out a former member of the Bloodline, a man who is a friend of Cody’s, and a man whose energy you can feel from your head to your yeet. Well, thanks for laughing at the dad joke, but here is Main Event Jey Uso! Jey makes his way out and Montreal bounces with him! Even Pat gets on the desk to join in!

Jey hugs it out with Cody, then the bouncing continues. Cody tells Jey that he is the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, Monday Night Raw is about to be his, and no one has earned it or deserves it more than Main Event Jey! “YEET!” Cody says Jey helped him #FinishTheStory, and Cody knows when one member of Judgment Day is present, the others aren’t far behind. Cody would love to have Jey’s back like Jey had his. The fans like the sound of that, and the two hug it out. Jey appreciates that, Uce, for sure. YEET! But hey, Jey’s gotta do this on his own, gotta just be him, The YEET Master! Mr. YEETDOWN!

Oh, how about this for a name? The NEW World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey UUUUSO~! So then he doesn’t need Cody out here? Cody gets that. Good luck, friend. They hug it out one more time, the fans cheer, and Cody moves on. But oh, one other thing. Cody looks over and says, “Until we yeet again.” Jey responds with “YEET!” Will Jey be able to handle things when it’s just him? Or will The Prince be bringing backup to stack the deck against him?

Backstage interview with Nia Jax.

Cathy Kelley is now with the Irresistible Force and hopes for her initial reactions to Rhea Ripley giving up the title. Nia says there are two types of people in this world: those who care about Rhea and those who want to see her get her revenge. Nia’s neither. She doesn’t give a damn about Rhea, and last time she saw Rhea, Nia had her. Now, Nia looks at the Women’s World Championship and wonders, who is gonna stop her from taking it? Liv Morgan? Last time they met, Nia had Liv, too. Becky Lynch? Nia had her, too.

In two weeks, there is the Draft. Nia might face someone she’s never seen before, and to them she says there are two types of people in this world: Those who fear Nia Jax, and those who learn to fear Nia Jax. No one on this planet is taking that title from her, because that is hers! Nia storms off, is she going to make everyone fear her then, now and forever?

Jey Uso VS Finn Balor!

Raw returns and The Prince makes his entrance. FROM BEHIND! He CLOBBERS Jey, stomps away, and the fans boo! The ref reprimands, Finn HAMMERs away on Jey, then lets off to throw off the jacket. The bell rings, Finn BOOTS Jey and fires off body shots in the corner! Finn RAMS into Jey, whips him to ropes, then CLOBBERS him again! Finn flexes, the fans boo, but Finn stalks Jey to ropes. Finn CHOKES Jey, the ref counts, but Finn lets off at 4. Finn brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS him first! And again! And again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Finn reverses but Jey sunset flips! Finn rolls through to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!

Finn drags Jey up to ELBOW him in the head, then he clamps on a chinlock. Priest watches as Finn squeezes the air out of Jey. The fans rally, Jey fights up and he throws body shots. But Finn knees low! Finn ROCKS Jey, RAMS into him, then CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” while Jey sputters. Finn CHOPS Jey again, taunts the fans, “This your boy? This the guy you all like?” Finn RAMS into Jey again and again, then CHOPS again! Finn whips corner to corner, Jey reveres, then runs up, but Finn puts him on the apron! Jey ROCKS Finn first, goes up, but Finn anchors Jey! Jey throws hands, but Finn YANKS Jey down!

The fans boo as Finn fires off hands in the corner. The ref counts, Finn lets off at 4, but runs up to SHOTGUN Jey outta the ring! Jey flounders on the floor while Finn mocks the bounce, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn RAMS into Jey at the corner again and again, then CHOPS! Finn whips corner to corner, runs up to CHOP, and then he whips the other way. Finn runs in again but into BOOTS! Jey storms up, headlocks, but Finn powers up. Jey switches sides, Finn headlocks, but Jey powers out. Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, blocks the kick but the DRAGON WHIP hits! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” as jey and Finn rise. Jey counter punches again, and again, and again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops ‘n’ locks and puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! Finn staggers into a mule kick!

Jey fireman’s carries for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Finn flounders to a corner, Priest is upset so he moves on from the clubhouse. Jey says “UCE! OH!” and runs in, but Finn dodges! Hip attack hits buckles, Finn runs up, but into another fireman’s carry! Finn CLAWS eyes, then hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jey goes to ropes but Finn stomps away! Finn stomps and stomps and stomps, but the ref counts. Finn lets off, but comes back to SLINGBLADE Jey down! Finn aims from the corner while fans boo, but Jey SUPERKICKS first! Jey goes up top and the fans fire up, for the USO- NO, Jey has to roll through as Finn moves!

Finn SHOTGUNS Jey down! Finn hurries up top, COUP- NO, Jey dodges the double stomps! And SPEARS! Jey hurries back up top, USO SPLASH! Cover, Jey wins!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall

Montreal bounces for Jey as he bounces back to win this one. But then Priest storms out here and stares down his challenger. They get face to face, the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Priest holds up the world title. Jey looks at the belt, but then JD & Dom ATTACK! Priest is upset, he didn’t want that, but Finn says this is what Judgment Day does, right? They all start mugging Jey, the fans boo and chant for Cody, but Dom kicks Jey out of the ring. Dom then leaps off the apron, but Jey SUPERKICKS him! JD chases Jey down, but Jey sends JD into Finn! Jey goes up into the crowd and the fans cheer. Priest stares Jey down from afar, will Jey YEET that title right off Priest?

The cameras follow Jey backstage tot he pavilion where he high-fives fans and makes his way through to the back exit. The fans all “YEET! YEET!” as he says deuces, uces! Jey goes right outside, and he finds Sami Zayn looking up at the marquee. What’s he doing out here? Sami says over 25 years ago, the first show he ever saw in his life was right here. And now Sami is back here as the champion! Tonight, he walks in the same way he did those 25 years ago: through the front door! The fans cheer and Jey wishes Sami good luck. Sami tells the world if they wanna see the best wrestling city in the world, just follow him.

Sami now walks through the pavilion and he throws stuff around in excitement! The fans are fired up with him, they all high-five and get pictures, and he goes down the same bleachers Jey just came from. Sami is ready to give Montreal the champion they deserve, and even all of Canada by extension! Will Sami create a moment everyone will remember for the rest of their lives? Or will Chad Gable SHOOOOSH them all with a major upset?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Chad Gable!

Raw returns and Gable is at gorilla. Bronson Reed steps to him and wants to let him know that whoever wins tonight, whether it’s Gable or Sami, they won’t be champion for long. Because then the winner will have to answer to Big Bronson Reed! The theme song says it for Gable, “SHOOOOSH~!” Gable makes his entrance, not sweating what comes after, only what’s happening right now. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who wins this massive main event in Montreal!

The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Sami and Gable take a moment to soak it all in, then Sami fires up again. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Sami wrenches to wristlock. Gable rolls, spins, wrenches, headlocks, drop toeholds, then headlocks. Sami fights up, powers out, then drops down to hurdle. Sami arm-drags Gable, Gable arm-drags back! Sami slips around, arm-drags again, and Gable bails out. The fans cheer as Sami builds speed, but Gable gets in! Sami dodges, then he dumps Gable out! Gable stumbles from the apron, Sami builds speed, but he fakes Gable out to Arabian Press!

The fans cheer this chess game, but Gable storms in to get in Sami’s face. The fans again sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Gable fires hands on Sami in a corner, but Sami fires back! Sami headlocks, Gable powers out and he runs Sami over! Cover, TWO! Gable stalks Sami, waistlocks, but Sami fights the lift. Sami throws elbows, then knuckle locks, CHOPS, then goes up and up, but Gable trips him up! Sami gets caught up on the ropes, gets loose and goes to the floor, but Gable goes up! SUPER CROSSBODY! Direct hit and Sami’s wife is worried. Gable puts Sami in the ring, he climbs back up, and DIVING HEADBUTTS! Direct hit again and Gable covers, TWO! Gable is frustrated that Sami survives, and Sami hobbles his way to a corner.

Gable is on Sami and the bad legs! Gable puts one in the ropes, then DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS the other! Gable drags Sami to then step over and drop toehold! And then he YANKS the leg! Gable steps through, leans on the toehold, but the fans rally as Sami endures. Sami keeps his shoulders up, kicks Gable away, and Gable lets go. Gable hurries to whip Sami to ropes and CLOBBER him! But Sami’s right up to LARIAT Gable! The fans fire up as Sami goes to a corner. Gable runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him away! Sami goes up, and FLYING ELBOWS! Sami hobbles again, but he goes to a corner. Gable runs in, into a clinch!

But Gable turns exploder into victory roll, TWO! Gable gets Sami’s leg for an ANKLE LOCK! The fans rally as Sami endures, and he rolls! Gable gets sent out of the ring, and Sami takes aim! But Gable hurries back up to grab the bad leg and drag Sami down! ANKLE LOCK on the apron! Sami kicks free and stands on the apron, to ARABIAN PRESS SAULT! Direct hit and the fans are thunderous! The ref checks Sami given his leg, but Sami says he’s good, and Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns once again and Gable has Sami up top! Sami resists, but Gable throws body shots. Gable brings Sami up for a SUPER OLYMPIC SLAM!! Both men are down and the fans are going nuts! Gable stirs, as does Sami, and Gable finds Sami first. Gable waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEXES, but holds on! GERMAN SUPLEX again! Montreal is becoming Suplex City, but Sami throws elbows! Sami switches, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES! Sami holds on, GERMAN SUPLEXES again, and still brings Gable up. Gable throws elbows now, switches back, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Sami switches, to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Gable throws more elbows, switches again, but Sami throws elbows to switch! They switch and switch and switch, then Sami GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Gable flops over from his head and shoulders, but both men are down on the mat! The ref checks, Gable is conscious so the match continues. The fans rally up as both men rise, and Sami fires a haymaker! Gable fires one, Sami fires back, they keep going! Gable ROLLING KICKS! Sami flops and ends up in a corner. Gable runs up but Sami clinches! CORNER EXPLODER! The fans fire up with Sami, he runs corner to corner, but Gable rolls to pick the leg! ANKLE LOCK!!

The fans boo Gable and rally for Sami as he endures! Gable leans on the leg, he says this is his moment that Sami took from him! Sami still fights up, rolls and throws Gable away again! But Gable’s right up tot he top rope! MISSILE- POWERBOMB!! Sami’s antiair works, and now he gets Gable’s legs, to step through and tie up! The fans go wild for the SHARPSHOOTER!! But Sami’s own leg gives up! Sami couldn’t hold the hold, but now he clutches his ankle area. Gable’s game plan is working out better than expected! Sami hobbles to a corner, Gable goes to the other. Sami grits his teeth, runs corner to corner, but Gable shoots around! CORNER GERMAN!!

Gable has Sami in the drop zone, goes up top, MOONSAULT into BOOTS! But Gable blocks to have the ANKLE LOCK!! Gable has Sami caught, but Sami endures and reaches out! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Gable drags Sami away!! Gable leans on that Ankle Lock, but Sami rolls to a victory roll, TWO!! Both men stand, Gable runs in, into a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami hurries to the far corner, the fans are thunderous as he powers through the pain, HELLUVA KICK!! Sami crawls to the cover, SAMI WINS!

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

Montreal rejoices as Sami has une victoire incroyable! Sami sets the belt down so that he can look to Gable. Gable is emotional but Sami wants to tell him he’s got nothing to be ashamed about. Sami offers Gable a hand, and Gable takes it. The two stand, Sami raises Gable’s hand, but then Gable raises Sami’s hand. The fans cheer the sportsmanship, but Gable still has to go back to the drawing board. What will it take for Gable to finally have his first singles title in WWE?

Sami celebrates with his family at ringside, but then GABLE GERMAN SUPLEXES SAMI TO THE FLOOR!! Gable has snapped!! He POSTS Sami, shoves him around, and then TOSSES him over the desk! The fans boo as Gable drags Sami back into the ring, then storms his way up. Gable POSTS Sami again, then has the ANKLE LOCK in the ropes!! The fans boo but Gable wants Sami’s family to watch him suffer!! Sami flails, referees rush out, but Gable lets go when he feels like it! Gable is affreux, méprisable and horriblé, but is he serving Sami up on a silver platter for the Colossal Aussie?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw, but with a real shame about Rhea Ripley. Proof that doing things live, no stunt doubles, adrenaline running high has its moments where things backfire, as many believe the injury happened during last week’s episode with Liv’s attack. It does work towards story, though, so that Rhea can have heat with Liv, and a new world champion to be crowned next week in some big kind of match. Good promos from Liv and Nia, those two are definitely the top choices for new champion. And then after The Draft happens, possibilities are endless for who the new champion faces for Backlash, if they want to have this title on that event so quickly after all this.

Good stuff out of Judgment Day even as they have to say see-ya-later to Mami. Priest is of course stepping up as leader since he’s the World Heavyweight Champion, but nothing really went their way tonight. Andrade beat Dom and then of course Ricochet shows up to back him up against Dom & JD, there’s a tag match there. Jey beats Finn and then escapes the beating, we might even get a Six Man Tag to hype everything up. Great video package to look back at Priest’s career, and then Priest being reluctant in Judgment Day beating Jey down, is something gonna give where Priest retains the world title, but then gets kicked out of the group even after all this time?

Great promo from Cody to hype up a lot of stuff all in one go. He got us fired up about Styles VS Knight this Friday, the Undisputed WWE Championship match at Backlash, he kept the hype going for his far future feud with The Rock, he thanked Rollins and Jey while also plugging this new form of Bloodline that’s happening. Cody also had a great moment with Jey before Jey’s match with Priest. Jey also had a really good promo before that to relate his feelings about new Bloodline, it would be awesome if somehow the Usos reunited for the sake of saving the family from this new age of tyranny, but that probably happens closer to Survivor Series so it can be done in WarGames.

Really good stuff for the tag divisions, men’s and women’s. I figured after splitting the Undisputed titles that the show-branded titles were going away. And while the modern World Tag Team Championships look great, they really are just smaller, rounder World Heavyweight Championship belts. I was hoping for truly original designs here, but you can bet right now that Friday, the new WWE Tag Team Championships are gonna be akin to the Universal title. But great promo bit from Awesome Truth with HHH and Pearce to show off these new belts, and then give us an awesome tag team triple threat. DIY winning makes sense on many levels, such as Truth mistaking them for DX and the friendship with them, to DIY being HHHBK Guys.

Really good story stuff in the Women’s Tag Division, though the matches could’ve each been a bit better. But we got the point of each story: Indi is starting to turn Heel like Candice has, because she’d rather win than look like a dummy; and Piper does all the real work in her team, as always, but she and Chelsea are also getting their way back up. I’m still betting on Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill as the next WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, but they’ll get quite the fight out of all these Heel teams on top of Kabuki Warriors.

Great return match for Sheamus. If we’re talking title feuds for him, I’d really love if Sheamus got back in on the Intercontinental Championship scene. That’s still the missing piece to his ultimate WWE accomplishments list, and if he’s built up strongly through the next couple months, he could get that title at Clash at the Castle in June or some other point over the Summer. That is, unless Gunther comes back for Bash in Berlin. Well again, the Draft is coming, we still have to hope and pray Sheamus is on the brand that ends up with the Intercontinental Championship.

Speaking of, awesome main event from Sami and Gable, and Sami of course retained, but I had a feeling Gable was gonna snap. Gable was shouting during the match that Sami stole his moment, this was secretly personal for Gable the whole time, and this is was the last straw. Bronson Reed also wants next, so the walls are already closing in on Sami. Sami could put on a great series of matches through the Summer to build to a rematch with Gunther at Bash in Berlin and that moment in and of itself would be amazing.

My Score: 8.7/10