One last stop before hitting the road!

For one last night in the ThunderDome, Raw Talk has Matt Riddle, Drew McIntyre and Almost a Super Hero, Nikki “Ash!”

Kevin Patrick welcomes us back to the show!

An emotional night as this is the last night inside the ThunderDome, “get in here” with K-Peezy and R-Truth. But where is Akira Tozawa? Why wasn’t he here this week? Kevin says it’ll be even sweeter if Truth gets Tozawa in front of the live WWE fans! Imagine it: 20, 30 thousand some odd fans, watching Truth take out Tozawa. Tozawa is down as Truth stands over him with the 24/7 trophy yet again! Er, title. Right, erase that and put “title” over it. Truth likes that. But is Kevin serious? Yes, of course! But an emotional day today. Lots of fun, but there are some big things as WWE heads to Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas!

Tonight, though, it was an exciting evening. Xavier Woods beats Bobby Lashley with a small package! Lashley put a beating on Woods, but he got caught. Lashley got mad, threw things around the VIP Lounge, but is Lashley soft? No, but maybe he’s not all mighty. All softy. Well good thing Lashley isn’t a guest tonight. Truth is just saying, he doesn’t really mean it. Don’t tell Bobby! No promises. But Rhea wasn’t happy last week, and she isn’t happy tonight after Charlotte Flair attacked her after her match. Got her from behind, then got her in a Figure Four. That’s how the Dirtiest Players in the Game get. And this close to Money in the Banks, that’s rough.

Who does Truth think wins? Rhea. Wow, no hesitation. He’s going against his fellow North Carolina friend? No, Kevin didn’t give Truth a chance to finish. Truth was going to say Rhea stands a chance of winning. More fence sitting from Truth. Get off the fence and pick a side. Kevin doesn’t hesitate so Truth shouldn’t. Well then who is Kevin choosing? Charlotte. Well that was quick. Truth will go tell Rhea AND Charlotte. But then, Omos wins his first-ever singles match, handled business against Erik. Don’t mess with that mountain of a man. But Ivar beat AJ Styles, so things are set up lovely for MITB’s Raw Tag Team Championship match.

Truth says Viking Raiders, Kevin goes Styles & Omos all day, every day. Why? Because Styles is phenomenal. Typical. Give us more. No, they’re going to break real quick. But the Bro, the Scottish Warrior and the Almost a Super Hero are on their way!

Nikki “Ash” joins Raw Talk!

Almost a superhero but definitely an entrant in the Women’s MITB match. She “flies” in but clutches her funny bone from bumping it. This is why she’s only almost a superhero. A superhero wouldn’t have hit her funny bone. Well, if she were a superhero, what power would she want? Oh…! She’d be able to fly! Then she could just fly and grab the MITB briefcase! Good idea, good idea. Nikki uses her cape in her “Thank you” hand pats. But momentum is on her side after tonight’s Fatal 4 Way with her, Asuka, Naomi and Alexa Bliss. Nikki Ash stands tall, and will soar like a butterfly and sting like a Nikki. So close.

But Nikki says she’s riding this wave of momentum and is so happy and excited. Tonight could not have gone better. She pinned Asuka, last year’s MITB winner, and her endless accolades. Naomi and Alexa are also very accomplished, but Nikki came out the winner, and she knows that there are others out there that ride then fall then have to get back up. But then sometimes, you get up, and you go up and you soar, and you soar, and you grab that briefcase! Truth says Nikki was ready for Asuka, she’s gotta have some kinda superpower. Well just between them, Nikki says everyone has something super about them. Truth does, K-Peezy does, and the fans do!

Wow, really? What’s Truth’s thing? Nikki asks Kevin if he knows. No idea. Hmm… Positivity is there, and is being a 50 THOUSAND time 24/7 Champion! Oh sorry, sore spot. Nikki apologizes and says it’s still raw. Get it? See what she did? Truth says Kevin’s power is insensitivity. Kevin apologizes. Nikki says Kevin needs to work on being Super Kev. She hugs Truth and Kevin asks who Truth has for the Women’s MITB. Is it Nikki? Who does he choose? Uh, yes, he chooses Nikki! He goes for all of them! Wait, he said all? So he chooses Zelina Vega, too? No! He’s just saying. But he did say Nikki Ash. No, he said “all y’all.” Truth doesn’t like Kevin making fun of his accent. He doesn’t make fun of Kevin having shrimp on da barbie.

Nikki says this is a Celtic connection! Kev and Nikki! Nikki and Kev! Yeah, that’s good. But they won’t force Truth to really answer the questions. Kevin thanks Nikki for her time, and hopes we’re all set for MITB this Sunday! Nikki’s fired up, and off she goes!

Matt Riddle joins Raw Talk!

The Bro is here and Truth vibes with him. They bring it in and Truth asks about the foot. He helps Riddle elevate it, just as the doctor says. This foot has been taking a pounding. Kicking steel steps, falling off a ladder, Miz ran it over with his wheelchair, this foot has been having some bad luck. But overall, Riddle feels he’s had a streak of good luck. Truth agrees with that but Kevin asks why Riddle got involved with Ricochet, Miz and Morrison. Well, he and Ricochet were talking, talking shop, bros being bros, and Miz ‘n’ Morrison, Morrison with the drip drip drip, Miz being all “AH’M AWESOME~!” Miz said he was a huckleberry, what did he even mean?

Huckleberry? Like Huckleberry Finn? No, like a blueberry or something. Well they squirted Riddle with Drip Stick water, ran over his foot, childish. But Riddle mentions how he snuck out and tipped Miz back so he was like a turtle. Everyone laughed, had a good time. That’s a dance move in Ireland, they call it the Wet Baby. Riddle thinks it’s more like a Happy Baby but yeah. But hey, Riddle’s been missing Randy. It’s been a couple weeks, where even is Orton? Riddle’s been calling but only gets the voicemail. The inbox is full now, he can’t even get a text in because he’s left on “unread.” Has Riddle check Orton’s Instagram to see if he’s online? Riddle doesn’t stalk that hard, bro.

But at the same time, Riddle is concerned. Riddle asked the police to file a missing person’s report for his bro, Randy Orton. They ask his name and he says, “Riddle, the Original Bro.” They go, “You’re last name’s Riddle?” Riddle says, “Yes.” They say, “Well you have different last names, how are you his brother?” Riddle goes, “No, we’re bros. Not blood.” But Riddle still wasn’t allowed to file it so now we’re in limbo just waiting, dreaming. All Riddle wants is Randy back in his life! But there is MITB. The wheels keep rolling, Riddle has dedicated his performance to his best friend, the Apex Predator, the Legend Killer, the Viper, Randy Orton!

Kevin isn’t sure Riddle is ready with that bad foot. Looks can be deceiving, bro! Riddle says he’s fought in cages all around the world, beat up and stuff, still go out there all *duckface* and they’d be like, “Oh, look at that guy! He can’t handle this!” The other guy’s all big and covered in tattoos and shouting, “Nobody loves me!” Riddle was all bow bow bow, choke out, win! When the bell rings, Riddle is a stallion! Truth applauds as Riddle says he can do it in, out, with a smile, with a frown, and upside-down! WHAAAAT! Then if Riddle wins- If? Truth is offended! Well it’s a big if! Riddle admits that it is an “if,” because assuming you’re gonna win is arrogance.

But if Riddle wins MITB, and he’s thought long and hard about this, just like Randy, Riddle cares about their friendship. So if Riddle wins, he’s gonna shock the world and cash-in on the Raw Tag Team Championships! It’s never been done, so if he does it, that’s a first! Never, ever! Everyone wants the world title, but sometimes that isn’t the most important thing. You gotta break the cycle. Riddle has been US Champion, now he’s after the tag titles. Soon the world title, he’s just working his way up the ladder. Truth is fired up for his dawg and they fist bump and shake hands. That is the ultimate sign of loyalty to Orton, wanting to do this for him.

Riddle says that Orton is down and out, banged up, hurt both physically and emotionally, so if Riddle could just talk to him and brighten his day by handing him tag titles, there’s nothing more stallion he could do. Orton’s the Apex Predator, the Legend Killer, the Viper, but Riddle is the Stallion, the Original Bro, the Lil’ Viper. Check that shirt! They’re selling like hot cakes! Riddle goes outside, someone tries to take this shirt he has! Those mugs, Riddle can’t even find one now. Riddle ain’t mad, though, he can get one. Truth says Riddle is on fire, and Riddle says he’s always on fire! AAAH! AAAAH! AAAAAAAH! Even Kevin gets fired up AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Okay, best of luck, Riddle! See you Sunday! One last fist bump and away Riddle goes!

Drew McIntyre joins Raw Talk!

The Scottish Warrior, another entry in the Men’s MITB, is here again and Kevin says it’s always a pleasure. McIntyre says he’s here every other week like clockwork. He’s winning them over. But McIntyre got one over on Mahal. Jinder Mahal thought he had McIntyre’s family heirloom, the treasured claymore sword, and broke the one they had. But McIntyre knows that this is pro-wrestling, this is the WWE. If you’ve ever watched WWE for long enough, you know stuff goes down! If someone brings cherished personal property to work, a car or a sword or a motorcycle, somehow, someway, someone else will break it.

That sword means the world to McIntyre, so of course he wasn’t going to bring the real one out every week. He just didn’t think Mahal would be the one to finally go after it. Mahal was trying to anger McIntyre, but McIntyre knew there was a chance so it was just a replica. But in turn, it was necessary for McIntyre to do the same back, hence the attack on Mahal’s motorcycle. Did Truth learn something from this? Kevin suggests that the next time Truth wins the 24/7 Championship, bring around a replica. Good idea, right? McIntyre figures Truth’s been around long enough, he should’ve thought of that.

Yeah but Truth knows the replica won’t be as shiny. The original piece that makes everyone like the title is what matters. He doesn’t want any phony bologna. But he does get it! McIntyre’s sword has been in the family for a long time, and is made from the tooth of the Loch Ness Monster. For Mahal to take it, someone he’s known a long, long time, over 10 years, through the best of times and the worst of times. Mahal got back to WWE first, and McIntyre saw Mahal say he was going to make the most of this. Mahal worked hard harder, improved every area of his game, became world champion, and seeing that inspired McIntyre to get back.

McIntyre and Mahal spent time off screen, and as Mahal said, McIntyre was there when Mahal bought that bike for himself. But the funny thing is, when McIntyre got the title, Mahal changed. He became distant, and yes he had his injury, but he just didn’t want to talk with McIntyre. Whenever they were both back on Raw, Mahal acted like he was busy, talking with Shanky and/or Veer about something. And now Mahal is upset that he didn’t get the MITB opportunity? Oh, yeah, that win-loss record has been setting the world on fire, oh~! But at least Mahal stepped up and fought McIntyre. He tried to pull a fast one, but what happened, mate? Mahal’s bike’s in pieces!

Kevin points out that Mahal says McIntyre is the one who changed. McIntyre became champ, got all big-time. Right, the text messages and stuff. McIntyre sent one last week after their match, it read, “Hahaha, I beat you. LOL BTW I’m gonna kick your ass when I get my hands on you again.” So who is Kevin picking for MITB? McIntyre. Speaking of that, what would it mean for McIntyre to win the MITB contract? McIntyre remembers saying this last time, he has nothing more to say that, other than, “I absolutely have to win the MITB contract.” He’s going in with some of the top superstars in WWE today, and there will be live fans again, it will be an incredible night.

Everyone is going to put their bodies on the line, he’s been in this match before, he knows what it takes and will literally give everything. He’s willing to die, and that is how he feels in and out of the ring. This is a situation he absolutely has to win. Truth and Kevin like that. Kevin asks McIntyre that during this ThunderDome Era, McIntyre experienced the most, both highs and lows. We’re not leaving this place to go back on the road with live fans. It must be a special time. Yes, it is. And like he said before, what got him through the more difficult times was wanting to be WWE World Champion back in front of fans.

McIntyre won the title when no one was there in the Performance Center, he won it again in the ThunderDome. Both moments meant everything to him because it meant he got to lead the charge for the WWE, but he really wants to win and be champion again in front of fans. So unless he wins MITB, that might not be possible for a long time, and he doesn’t know what that would mean for his future. Truth says he believes in McIntyre. Kevin does, too. McIntyre appreciates that.

And McIntyre knows this was a bit different from usual. Riddle was just here with all that energy. McIntyre usually shows up to Raw, doesn’t quite have a story ready, and then he spends some time with Riddle, smells some incense or something, and he leaves hungry and has ideas for stories. Weird, right? But that said, Truth has been asking about kilts, maybe McIntyre can show Truth where to get one. Oh, it’s Kilts ‘R’ Us, he’ll take him some time! Deal. McIntyre heads out, Kevin says they’re legends and he loves them all. One more fist bump in the ThunderDome, and that’s all for this week!

My Thoughts:

A very good Raw Talk, lots of good energy from everyone for this being more than likely recorded last week just like tonight’s Raw. Nikki and Riddle are both a lot of fun, and I like that Nikki chose to hop in and just stand at the corner of the table to be between Kevin and Truth. I’m surprised she didn’t give credit to Riddle for that idea about flying up to take the briefcase. Riddle also recycled a bit of his idea that he’s going to go after the tag titles with the briefcase, but he did add a lot about Orton being completely silent, not responding in any way. I kinda wish they would let Riddle & Orton cash in for the tag titles, it could be the easiest way to give us RKBRO VS Omos & Styles.

McIntyre was also good, though again he recycled a bit from last week and tonight. I did like how he referenced the past, with Mahal coming back, getting ripped and getting the title and then putting that into perspective in his own career. But again, McIntyre emphasizing how MITB is a must-win for him, I just think Mahal and his guys attack to keep McIntyre from winning and then we see McIntyre have to deal with the uncertainty of his future. Maybe McIntyre shifts to the US Championship at some point so he can complete his Grand Slam.