Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (7/1/21)
Big Strong Boy VS… Jack Starz?
Is it finally Jack Starz’s time?
Tyler Bate shows respect to the longstanding “gatekeeper” of NXT UK, Jack Starz, by giving him a shot at the Heritage Cup!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Emilia McKenzie VS Isla Dawn; McKenzie wins.
- NXT UK Heritage Cup Championship Match: Tyler Bate VS Jack Starz; Bate wins and retains the Heritage Cup.
- Aoife Valkyrie VS Mila Smidt; Valkyrie wins.
- A-Kid VS Jordan Devlin; Devlin wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Emilia McKenzie VS Isla Dawn!
#SuplexMillie seems to have the attention of the now Wicked Witch of Scotland, and now these two fight for footing in the race to the title! Will Millie survive the new Dawn and make it to the next day? Or will Isla beat her and then her mentor, too?
The bell rings and Dawn stays put in her corner, as if performing a séance. So Millie rushes Dawn in the corner! Dawn fires off hands back, the ref counts and Dawn ROCKS Millie with an uppercut! Dawn waistlocks, Millie bucks her off then basement dropkicks her down! Millie whips Dawn to a corner, comes back and SHOTGUN dropkicks! Millie gets Dawn up fast for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Dawn survives and starts to get angry. She elbows free of a waistlock and uses hair in the snapmare. Dawn kicks but Millie ducks to get another waistlock. Dawn resists but Millie still back suplexes! Dawn gets to the apron but Millie storms over.
Dawn shoulders hard into Millie then hotshots her off the rope! Dawn gets in to stomp away on Millie, then CLUBS her down! Cover, TWO! Dawn keeps focus and brings Millie up by her hair. Millie throws body shots but Dawn stomps her back down! Dawn runs, BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, TWO! Dawn grows frustrated and she drags Millie back up. Millie blocks the suplex to a fisherman cradle! TWO, Dawn throws down fists and forearms! Cover, TWO! BT Sports Studio fires up as Dawn gets Millie by her wrist. Millie throws body shots but Dawn knees her down! Dawn throws Millie out of the ring and then pursues as the ref reprimands.
Dawn runs in to PENALTY KICK Millie from the apron! The ref starts a ring count as Dawn drags Millie up, and THROWS her into the barriers! The count reaches 5 of 10 as Dawn just watches Millie. Dawn run sin but Millie moves, knees hit barrier! Millie puts Dawn in at 7, and fires back forearms and counter punches! Millie boots but Dawn blocks, so Millie ENZIGURIS! And CUTTERS! Randy Orton would be impressed! Cover, TWO!! Dawn survives but Millie keeps her focus. Millie wrenches, fireman’s carries, but Dawn fights free. Dawn shoves Millie to a corner but Millie BOOTS her away! Millie climbs fast, slingshots in, but into a kitchen sink knee!
Dawn drags Millie up, for the DANGEROUS SAIDO! Millie flounders about, Dawn licks her lips and looms over her. Dawn waistlocks, half nelsons, but Millie arm-drags free! Millie dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Dawn survives again and BT Sports Studio fires up! Millie fixes her hair, gets Dawn up, but Dawn ROUNDHOUSES her down! Dawn smiles as she listens to the spirits! Dawn slithers up to Millie and holds her head in her hands. It’s as if Dawn is feeling Millie’s life force. Millie wakes up to get Dawn by the arm! Dawn makes it a cover, TWO! Dawn is furious but Millie gets her for a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Dawn flounders, Millie aims again, BLINDSIDE KNEE! Cover, Millie wins!
Winner: Emilia McKenzie, by pinfall
Dawn tried to cast a spell on Millie, or maybe even a curse! But now Dawn will curse the day she targeted the Final Boss’ student! Though, maybe that smile says otherwise… But Millie comes out the victory, will she be the next to challenge Meiko Satomura for the NXT UK Women’s Championship?
Gallus is backstage, playing Rock Paper Scissors.
Mark Coffey gets Wolfgang again, but NXT UK Media comes by to ask them how their friendly rivalry is going. They both say, “Ask the winner,” as both men won their separate 1v1 matches. Well that makes it one each, because Markus beat “The Bitcher” while Wolfie beat “The Thunderclap.” But that’s for now. Mark has an idea and heads off down the hall. Wolfgang can tell he’s up to something with that smile and walk. Wolfgang hurries after so as not to be left behind, but what will happen when one of them wins and the other loses?
NXT UK Heritage Cup Championship Match: Tyler Bate w/ Trent Seven VS Jack Starz!
The Big Strong Boy has been exceptionally Zen lately, and it has brought him to the top of the British Rounds Rules Division. But it has also helped him see those worthy of praise and respect. One of those is Jack Starz, the man who first took on Walter in NXT UK! Starz has come a long way from that day, but is tonight the night that he reaches the top? Or is there still something missing before Starz can shine?
The introductions are made, the cup is presented, and the moment of truth is upon us!
Bate and Starz circle right away, tie up, and Bate headlocks to a takeover. Starz headscissors, Bate kips free and the two stand off. Bate and Starz go again, collar ‘n’ elbow but Bate wrenches to a wristlock. Starz rolls, rolls and rolls to get free! BT Sports Studio likes the technical skill as the two go again. Starz is showing initiative but Bate gets a cording hold. Starz facelocks but Bate powers through to a top wristlock. Starz hooks a leg, grinds a forearm into Bate’s face, but Bate cranks the arm again. Starz powers out and arm-drags but Bate arm-drags back to keep the armlock! Starz moves around, fights up, and facelocks again.
Bate still cranks, so Starz goes up and around! But Bate gets the arm again to arm-drag Starz back down! Starz grits his teeth and endures the hold as we reach one minute in the first round. Starz fights up, facelocks again, Bate still wrenches the cording hold but Starz goes up again to headscissor! Bate stays up and powers Starz off for a SLAM! Starz endures, fights back to that facelock, and then up and around to reverse the cording! Starz uses ropes tp flip, then whips Bate as we hit 30 seconds Things speed up, Starz avoids the dropkick to SUPERMAN CLUTCH! TWO, but Starz dropkicks Bate! Bate wobbles into a headlock, powers out, we hit 10 seconds as Bate hits a dropkick! Cover, TWO! Another try, the bell rings first!
Bate: 0; Starz: 0
A great first but now both men rest, rehydrate and reset for the second round! A new three minutes and Starz fires a EuroUpper! Bate headlock punches back! Starz EuroUppers again, then blocks a punch to give another EuroUpper! Bate wobbles but sobats back! Bate whips, Starz reverses, but Bate goes up and under and then baits Starz to a double knuckle lock. Bate uses that to step over, get around, bait Starz with a foot, then leap frog just to slide back under, for a trip up! Bate uses body scissors for a O’Conner Roll, Bate gets the point!
Bate: 1; Starz: 0
The second round goes by in a flash and Bate has the lead! Starz knows he’s behind the 8-ball now but he keeps his cool. Will Starz stay alive as the third round starts?
Starz and Bate circle, tie up, and Bate cravats. Starz drops to a knee to go for a leg but he can’t quite get it. Starz goes back up, pries at the hold, powers out to a snapmare but Bate still holds on! Bate cranks the neck, Starz fights up, and Starz powers out! Bate goes up the corner, turns around into Starz’s snapmare, and stands up for Starz to ram shoulders! Starz keeps moving and runs Bate over with shoulder tackle after shoulder tackle! Bate hits back but Starz rebounds to EuroUpper! Bate staggers up into a BIG back drop! Starz fires up at the two minute mark but he misses in the corner! Bate ROCKS Starz with a EuroUpper, runs corner to corner, but Starz follows to ROCK Bate with a EuroUpper!
Starz gets Bate for a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Starz sighs and keeps focus on Bate at a minute-thirty. Bate gets the fireman’s carry for the AIRPLANE SPIN! Starz slips off!? And then STEALS the Airplane Spin! Starz takes Bate for a ride then a POP-UP UPPERCT! Schoolboy and it’s deep, TWO!! Starz keeps moving, Bate backslides him, ONE but La Magistrol, but Starz makes it his cover! Starz gets the point!!
Bate: 1; Starz: 1
Not only does Starz stay alive, he’s brought this back to square one! Bate and even Trent Seven are surprised by that, but they commend Starz’s savvy. Another refresher and we enter round four!
Stars rushes in, catches the rolling kick, and wants a Boston Crab! Bate resists with everything he can, but Starz steps over! FULL BOSTON CRAB! Bate is caught in the center, and he claws his way over! Bate powers up, Starz sees how close he is, and then drags Bate back! Starz sits deep on the hold, but Bate manages to slip through and turn to TOSS Starz! Starz comes back, Bate dodges the uppercut, Bop and BANG! But then BOP comes in after all! Starz wobbles, Bate runs, REBOUND LARIAT! Bate aims again, Starz stands, ROLLING KICK! Bate gets Starz right up, underhooks, TYLER DRIVER ’98! Cover, Bate wins!!
Winner: Tyler Bate, by pinfall (still NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion)
And it’s the Big Strong Boy with a minute and 40 to spare in the fourth! But give credit where credit is due, Starz forced Bate to turn it up a notch! Is this a sign that Starz is on the precipice of greatness?
Oh wait, Mark Coffey comes out? He applauds Bate’s victory, and Wolfgang trails behind. Mark congratulates Bate and then BOPS him!? Gallus loves stirring up trouble, but is this Mark’s playful way of saying he wants next?
Pretty Deadly have a photoshoot.
#SidePlateCheck! But Sid Scala walks in to talk to them about the offer they made to Subculture for an NXT UK Tag Team Championship match. That is a great idea, management was thinking of making it for next week. Whoa, no, no, next week isn’t good. If Subculture want the title match, they have to earn it. Earn it! Then in that case, there will be that opportunity. Mark Andrews VS Lewis Howley, and if Andrews wins, Subculture gets their tag title match. Lewis laughs that off but Stoker is very serious. Will the high-flying, stage diving, skateboard riding, always grinding #MANDREWS earn himself and The Modfather another shot at the titles?
Meiko Satomura is here!
The NEW NXT UK Women’s Champion is back to not only celebrate her victory, but to address the division she now reigns over! “Three weeks ago, I finally beat Kay Lee Ray. I am now NXT UK Women’s Champion. And this makes me very happy. NXT UK is now my home! And I-” Wait, Nina Samuels interrupts. The Leading Lady is always a scene stealer, and she says, “No, your eyes are not deceiving you. The Nina Samuels Show is here before your very eyes.” And what’s even better is that she is here to congratulate Meiko! She and KLR put on a hell of a show, and Meiko showed why NXT UK is the place to be. Better than that, here she is, standing before us as NXT UK Women’s Champion! Bravo, Meiko, bravo!
But now, on to why Nina is here. It’s no secret that NXT UK needs more Nina. But more importantly, Meiko Satomura needs more Nina. Because in order to live up to KLR’s legendary reign, Meiko needs a true mega star like Nina as her first challenger. Then Nina can really put Meiko on the map. No one realizes how much- Amale attacks Nina from behind! And bounces her off the apron! The French Hope already got mad at Xia Brookside for “taking” her spot, and Amale says no one needs Nina. The world needs hope! Amale will be that hope, and she says she is sick of seeing the same girls every week. She isn’t here to congratulate anyone. She’s here to take HER opportunities!
Amale vows SHE is Meiko’s next challenger. It doesn’t matter if Meiko is the Final Boss, because Amale isn’t here to play games. In that case, Meiko DECKS Amale! “Enough talking! You get the match!” Amale grins as she gets what she wants, but will she get what she deserves at the hands of the Best in the World?
NXT UK shares interview footage from after last week’s show.
NXT UK Media asks Rampage Brown how he felt after that insane Triple Threat with Ilja Dragunov and Joe Coffey. But then someone knocks on the door, and Rampage looks over. Joe Coffey comes in, sputtering a bit as he sits next to Rampage. “Well that settled nothing.” Rampage and Joe chuckle, and then Joe pats Rampage on the shoulder. When will these two have their tiebreaker singles match that was put on the backburner?
Blair Davenport signed, but what’s next?
“I have wrestled all around the world. I have sacrificed everything to get to where I am today. I have given up friends, I have given up family, to master what I do. Did you really think that I wouldn’t end up as part of the greatest women’s division on earth?” Blair Davenport has arrived in NXT UK, will she look to establish an empire here?
Aoife Valkyrie VS Mila Smidt!
The winged warrior is ready to fly again, and she “welcomes” a new face to the roster. Will Mila quickly learn what it takes to be in NXT UK? Or, does she already have it?
The bell rings and Aoife circles with Mila. They tie up, Mila gets a leg and Aoife hops around. Aoife rolls free and the two go again. Aoife gets a fireman’s carry takedown to a cover, ONE! Mila goes after a leg, Aoife sprawls and blocks with a facelock, they roll, and Mila fights up to wrench free. Mila goes for a leg, gets a fireman’s carry takeover of her own, and covers, TWO! Aoife steadies herself but Mila is after her already. Mila facelocks but Aoife WRINGS her arm! Aoife wrenches, YANKS, repeat, then uppercuts the arm! Aoife cranks on the arm, Mila endures and BT Sports Studio rallies. Mila whips, Aoife comes back to hurdle and dropkick!
Mila gets up but Aoife arm-drags her down! Mila fights up as Aoife has the armlock, and Mila puts Aoife in a corner. The ref counts, Mila lets off but Aoife elbows her down! Aoife is after the arm but Mila uses that for a judo throw! And then a Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Mila keeps on Aoife, gets her up, but Aoife RAMS her into a corner! And then rams her shoulder in! Aoife whips, Mila reverses and runs in to monkey flip out of the corner, but Aoife handsprings through! Aoife ROCKS Mila with palm strikes and kicks! Aoife whips, Mila reverses to clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly, with a bridge!? Cover, TWO!! Aoife escapes and Mila is furious!
Mila and Aoife slowly rise as BT Sports Studio rallies again. Mila gets Aoife up, Jinny watches from the stage, and Aoife fires off knees and kicks! HEEL KICK and down goes Mila! Aoife hurries to the top and aims at Mila, but she also glares at Jinny. PERIPETEIA!! Cover, Aoife wins!
Winner: Aoife Valkyrie, by pinfall
Aoife stares down with the Spoiled Princess. Will Jinny be the mountain Aoife must soar above before getting to the gold?
Kenny Williams speaks.
“You wanna know what the most resilient creature in the animal kingdom is? It’s not the young lion, brazen bull, the proud peacock. Who’d wipe every single one of ’em away?” The only thing that survives, scratches and claws to the surface is the cockroach. Williams looks at Nathan Frazer, and that is a young lion. Frazer wants to be the brightest star in the NXT UK Universe. But next week, Frazer will wipe himself out, and all that will remain, the only thing that survives, is the Scum of the Earth! Will Kenny the cockroach creep up and conquer the British Prodigy by simply outlasting him?
NXT UK Media interviews Trent Seven.
The questions are almost over but then Eddie Dennis walks in, claiming he has a question. Oh does he now? Dennis asks, “How does it feel to be, what do they say? Always a bridesmaid but never a bride?” Oh, okay, go on. Well, Seven lost the Heritage Cup tournament to A-Kid, and then lost to Dennis at TakeOver, and even after losing all that weight, he still lost to Jordan Devlin. Oh, so glad Dennis is a fan. And so glad Dennis remembered TakeOver: Blackpool II, because who won after that one? Seven with the Birminghammer off the announce table, through a different table, to the floor, smashing Dennis’ shoulder into about 150 thousand pieces!
Dennis backs up as Seven steps forward, and Seven says to never interrupt him while doing media. Get out, man! Seven apologizes tot he reporters and asks them to continue. But there will be a continuation between the Welsh Dragon and Artful Dodger when we get to see them go 1v1 again, next week!
A-Kid VS Jordan Devlin!
The Spanish Ace upset the Irish Ace by not paying attention to the sign on the door. But while both men are without the prizes that defined their recent runs, neither is backing down. Will there be no excuses around what happens as these two have their long awaited rematch?
The bell rings, AK and Devlin circle, feel things out, and tie up. AK waistlocks but Devlin wrenches an arm to wring AK. AK rolls through, rolls free, and BT Sports Studio cheers as they reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Devlin uses that to wrench and wrangle AK to the mat! Devlin goes for the top wristlock but AK fights up to his feet. Devlin wrangles AK back down, has the top lock, but AK bridges and moves around to headscissor! Devlin is frustrated, but he moves around. Devlin gets up to pop out and has a headlock, but AK headscissors again! AK squeezes tight, holds onto an arm, but Devlin moves up around again.
Devlin turns AK, gets the legs tied up, and then a half nelson to a float. AK slips through, has the arm, pushes Devlin to a cover, ONE! The two stand off again and BT Sports Studio is loving it. AK and Devlin go again, knuckle locks but Devlin kicks low and CLUBS AK down! AK trips Devlin, has the leg, but Devlin kicks free with the other leg. They reset, AK mule kicks to test the waters but Devlin stays up. They knuckle lock, AK rolls, trips Devlin again, floats right to the headlock and grinds Devlin to the mat. Devlin tries to fight up but AK shifts to keep on the headlock. Devlin still gets to his feet, and he powers AK to a corner. AK stops himself, kicks back, hops up and FLYING arm-drags!
AK runs, Devlin catches the legs but AK uses that body scissors for a takedown! Seated cover, TWO to the sunset flip! ONE, AK is ready with the leg guard and knuckle locks! AK balances Devlin, kicks him away, then springs up! Devlin slips under?! Devlin throws AK back over, monkey flips, rolls, but again AK balances him! AK springs up again, but Devlin puts him on the ropes to SHOVE him down! AK crashes and burns by the barriers! Devlin taunts AK as he goes out to fetch AK. The ref counts, Devlin scoops and SLAMS AK at 3 of 10, then returns to the ring at 5. The count reaches 7 before AK stirs. AK hears the count and hurries in at 9.9, only for Devin to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO!
Devlin grows annoyed with AK, stands him up, shoves him to ropes and then CLUBS him in the back! Devlin then reels AK in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Devlin argues the count but keeps on AK. He does a little fancy footwork but AK KICKS him in the leg. Devlin DOUBLE STOMPS AK down for it! Devlin sits AK up, wrenches the neck, but AK endures and fights his way up. Devlin knees AK in the back, knocks him back down, then brings him up by his tights. Devlin shoves AK to ropes and CLUBS him again! And then another back suplex, but AK lands on his feet to shove and dropkick! Both men are down and BT Sports Studio fires up!
AK runs in to GAMANGIRI In the corner! Devlin is in the ropes, AK is after him, and AK wrenches the arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! Devlin is on the apron but he slingshots in for a CUTTER! Both men are down again and fans rally back up. Devlin stands first, he looms over AK, and brings him up. Devlin whips AK to a corner, AK comes back to arm-drag and kip up to a dropkick! Devlin staggers, AK gets a leg and FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but AK keeps on Devlin with a facelock. AK drags Devlin into a GUILLOTINE! Devlin endures, fights up, and powers through to suplex!
AK slips out, O’Conner Rolls, TWO as Devlin slips out to his own O’Conner! TWO, AK kips up and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Then a STANDING MOONSAULTÂ onto knees! Devlin saves himself at the last second, but AK comes back! Devlin gets him for an URENAGE! Now Devlin STANDING MOONSAULTSÂ into a TRIANGLE HOLD! AK not just saves himself, he catches Devlin in a trap! AK drags Devlin deeper down, but Devlin moves around and gets a ropebreak with a foot! AK lets go in frustration but he keeps hold of Devlin’s head and arm. AK stands Devlin up to throw forearms, but Devlin elbows back. AK kicks Devlin in the face!
Devlin staggers up into a kangaroo kick! AK wants a sleeper but Devlin snapmares free! AK comes back, gets around, SLEEPER! Devlin fades, flails, turns red, but AK’s arm can’t hold on! AK drags Devlin back up and runs, into a SPANISH FLY!! The Irish Ace hits a Spanish Fly on the Spanish Ace! But then AK snaps back to attention and gets Devlin’s arm! Omoplata, but AK wants the other arm, too! Devlin resists but AK keeps reaching! Devlin moves around in the modified Rings of Saturn, another ropebreak! AK lets go in further frustration, but he brings Devlin back up. AK ROCKS Devlin with a forearm, but Devlin throws a haymaker!
AK ROCKS Devlin again, but Devlin stands to ROCK AK! AK ROCKS Devlin, and again! Devlin wobbles, AK stands him up for another shot! Devlin comes back with forearms and CHOPS! AK bobs ‘n’ weaves to avoid Devlin’s strikes, SUPERMAN PUNCH takes down Devlin! Cover, TWO?!? Devlin survives and shocks BT Sports Studio! AK grits his teeth and looks at Devlin, who sits up in a daze. Devlin gets to ropes, AK runs in and KICKS the arms! Devlin swings, AK dodges to ROCK, then SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX! AK holds on, drags Devlin back up, but Devlin reaches out for ropes. AK still gets him up, DEAD LIFT GERMAN! And AK still holds on!
AK brings Devlin back up, Devlin gets ropes and bucks AK! AK handsprings back, into a HEADBUTT!! AK falls back, Devlin falls out of the ring! Devlin staggers up but AK builds speed and DIVES! Tope suicida hits and Devlin hits barriers! Both men are down on the outside, BT Sports Studio fires up, and a ring count starts. AK stands at 3 but sits back down. AK gets Devlin up at 5, then puts him in at 6. Devlin rubber bands the bottom rope into AK! AK falls, Devlin goes back out and hobbles about. The ref tells them both to get in but Devlin angles the steel steps. Devlin gets AK up, wrenches then whips, but AK reverses! Devlin leaps over in time, and KICKS the steps into AK!
The ref reprimands but the ring count is 6! Devlin refreshes it, pushes the top half of the steps aside, then brings AK over. SHIN BREAKERÂ to the steel!! AK collapses in a heap, Devlin looms over him and puts him back in the ring. Devlin walks around to soak up the heat from the BT Sports Studio fans, and he gets AK up. Ripcord but AK leaps over to SUNSET BOMB! AK can’t hold the cover from the bad leg, but he aims from a corner now! Devlin gets up, AK runs in, but Devlin blocks to tie up the legs! CLOVERLEAF! AK grits his teeth, pulls his hair, and fights for the ropes! ROPEBREAK! Devlin drags AK away, but AK turns and drags Devlin down!! OMOPLATA! RINGS OF SATURN!!
Devlin endures as AK tries to use his bad leg, but that just hurts AK! Devlin moves, but AK switches to an armbar! Devlin flips that to get both legs in a deathlock! AK’s leg goes waaaaay past 90 degrees!! AK can’t take it, he taps out!! Devlin wins!!
Winner: Jordan Devlin, by submission
Devlin won’t let go! AK tries to smack Devlin, but the ref has to pull them apart! The Irish Ace is sadistic, did he just sideline the Spanish Sensation? Medics check on A-Kid while Devlin gloats and stands over him. Will Devlin’s arrogance and aggression carry him through to new gold?
My Thoughts:
A very good episode for NXT UK here. I thought the Heritage Cup would open, but Millie VS Dawn was very good to open instead. Millie winning makes sense, she needs to stay strong, and it works for Dawn to actually be alright with losing because maybe her powers will grow stronger. The Heritage Cup was a great match, a great showing for Starz, but of course Bate wins. This could fuel something in Starz, maybe even a Heel turn at some point. Markus Coffey essentially challenging Bate to a match, Heritage Cup or not, is a good move for the Gallus friendly rivalry, and I really like the idea of Bate VS Mark flat out.
Mark Andrews VS Lewis Howley 1v1 is going to be a lot of fun, and I’m pretty sure Andrews wins to give us Pretty Deadly VS Subculture for the tag titles. Meiko had a good promo, Nina had a good promo, and Amale had a good attack on Nina and then short promo to give us Meiko VS Amale. Amale did have a good point about seeing the same girls. There is more depth to the NXT UK Women’s Roster than it seems and so it is good that Amale is moving up a bit. Blair Davenport turning out to Bea Priestley is quite a great surprise, and partially explains her exit from NJPW. Blair/Bea is going to make some big waves, she might even go from NXT UK to NXT prime rather quickly.
Aoife VS Mila was a very good match for Mila’s debut, but naturally Aoife wins. It was also fitting to see Jinny show up and stare down with Aoife. Those two will feud, but I wonder if Jinny will go from talking down to Mila to recruiting her to build her faction. Dennis and Seven had a good promo segment together, their rematch next week will be a lot of fun. We got an interesting but also very good Kenny Williams promo. The visuals were interesting, with colors changing and Kenny himself sort of warping, but I figured he was building to “cockroach.” Frazer VS Williams will be great, and I feel like this might mean Frazer wins just to throw this all in Williams’ face.
Nigel McGuinness had it right on commentary, this main event was basically TakeOver worthy. At least as the great opener that fires fans up, because that’s what these two put on. Devlin winning was a bit of a surprise, but what a vicious way for him to do it! How did AK’s leg bend like that?! Devlin winning definitely puts it on AK to make a strong comeback, and they might give us an even stronger match, on par with a TakeOver middle-of-the-card match.
My Score: 8.5/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
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Will the landscape change again?
Eddy Thorpe keeps prodding and provoking Oba Femi, so he gets his last chance at the NXT Championship! Will Eddy truly be the alpha of NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; wins and
- NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; wins and
- NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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