Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/27/21)
The last Raw of 2021!
Raw is closing out the year with a bang!
The last Monday of 2021, and Raw has a big night! The RKBRO-nament finals are finally here, and Miz & Mrs. renew their vows for the New Year!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Riddle wins.
- Randy Orton w/ Matt Riddle VS Otis w/ Chad Gable; Orton wins.
- Mixed Tag: Reggie & Dana Brooke VS R-Truth & Tamina; Reggie & Dana win.
- Tag Team RKBRO-nament Finals: The Street Profits VS Rey & Dominik Mysterio; The Street Profits win and will challenge RKBRO for the tag titles at WWE Day 1.
- AJ Styles VS
OmosApollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez; Styles wins. - Kevin Owens VS Cedric Alexander w/ MVP & Shelton Benjamin; Kevin wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Damian Priest VS Dolph Ziggler; Ziggler wins by disqualification, Priest retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
RKBRO heads to the ring!
The Bro is back by the Viper’s side as he’s about to take on the Dozer 1v1! Will Orton manage to hit Otis with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment? Or will no neck mean no RKO?
Before the match, Orton and Riddle get mics. Orton doesn’t want to read Riddle’s Christmas card, but Riddle says what Orton mean sis, “Welcome to the final Monday Night Raw of 2021!” And if you loved them this year, you’ll love what they do in 2022, bro! Like patenting Riddle’s Bro-gurt! But can Orton do Riddle a favor>? “Close your eyes, and look into the future.” Orton wants this to stop right there. The only thing that will give Orton a Happy New Year is beating Otis right here tonight. And the only way RKBRO has a Happy New Year is retaining the tag titles at Day 1. And Riddle couldn’t agree more!
But while Orton took care of business, Riddle did some self-reflecting. Some self-vipering, like Orton told him to do. Riddle looked at himself from the outside. His skin was turning green and he was starting to grow scales. Orton gets where this is going. Go see a doctor, Riddle. But in seriousness, this isn’t The Matrix. Someone please show footage from last week so Riddle knows what actually happened. Highlights play of Orton taking out Chad Gable with an RKO, but also how he couldn’t get Otis though he tried three times. Riddle says, “Whoa, Randy! How’d you get a video to play up on that screen like that? It was like magic!”
But hey, Randy. Riddle is thinking, that Otis guy might be un-RKO-able. He has no neck! He’s like a human bulldozer! Like, imagine how many burritos he eats, and what kinds. Brutal! But that also got Riddle thinking of that time they went out for burgers and Orton said Riddle was his best friend. Don’t, Riddle. Just don’t. We all know Otis is a powerhouse- And here comes the Alpha Academy! Gable has a mic to say, “Randy, how did a nitwit like you get so far ahead of the curve? I love to see it. And I love to see that everybody else is about to learn the same free lesson I taught you last week.” There is no more dangerous man than his protégé, his prized pupil, his number one guy, OTIS!
Look at that face! Gable gives Otis a kiss on the cheek before continuing. “Now it is true, I recently achieved my Master’s Degree. And I did it with an immaculate 4.0 GPA.” Oh, booing education? Booing genius? Makes sense. He is a bit advanced for Motor City. Fans boo and Gable brings back, “SHOOSH!” The mindless morons of Detroit can perhaps understand that Randy Orton is no match for Otis. When Otis gets down with Orton and sends him limping into Day 1, regardless of the outcome, it won’t be long before the titles are around the waists of the Alpha Academy. Riddle has Gable slow down there. Gable seems pretty smart, but Riddle is a man higher education.
Riddle asks what Alpha Academy even means. What’s the curriculum? Does Otis even know? But Riddle’s got a lot of knowledge up in his noggin that he’d love to show, when he takes on Gable 1v1 tonight! Orton made it look easy, so… Gable says Riddle is an ignoramous. Riddle really wants to challenge an Olympian just days before the big match? What’s wrong with him? Actually, if the Academy gets a shot at both RKBRO members, then Gable accepts! Then check yourself before you wreck yourself! And after RKBRO sweeps, Riddle’s got a gift Orton will love.
So Gable, get your big, beautiful brain in the ring so it can meet the three most dangerous letters in all of sports entertainment: R! K! BRO! Well, that’s a few letters too many, but will Riddle show Gable that the Master’s Degree only goes so far in the ring?
Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Riddle and Gable circle, tie up, and go around. Gable waistlocks and SLAMS Riddle, rolls him around, but Riddle fights up. Gable SLAMS him down again, floats around, waistlocks again, then spins Riddle to snapmare. Gable waistlocks to bridging cover, TWO! Riddle is up, Gable spins him around and rolls again to another cover, TWO! Riddle is up but Gable arm-drags! Gable holds onto the arm, Riddle slips around and gets the TRIANGLE HOLD! Gable rolls, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Riddle lets off quickly. Gable gets up and Riddle paces as fans fire up. Gable and Riddle tie up, Riddle waistlocks but Gable elbows out!
Gable throat chops Riddle to a corner, then throws hands and forearms! Riddle hits back with forearms of his own, and he has Gable in the other corner to fire off KICKS! Riddle whips, Gable reverses but Riddle boots. Gable blocks to put that leg in the ropes, then he gets the other, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Orton coaches Riddle but Gable gets the leg for a KNEE JAMMER! And another! And then Gable YANKS the leg! “For the Academy!” Gable steps through for a toehold, then he has a standing toehold. Fans rally as Riddle endures, and Riddle fights free with his other leg! Riddle gets up, catches Gable but Gable dodges the Pele to roll, TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Gable is shocked but he gets to a corner. Gable climbs up, MOONSAULT, but into the TRIANGLE HOLD! Gable scrambles, rolls free, ANKLE LOCK! Riddle reaches out, Orton coaches him up but Gable drags Riddle from ropes! Riddle rolls to throw Gable away! Gable ducks a kick, waistlocks, rolls CHAOS THEORY, but Riddle lands on his feet! FINAL FLASH! Riddle goes up top now, FLOATING BRO!! Cover, Riddle wins!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
But Otis POUNCES Riddle out of the ring! Orton warns Otis, and fans are fired up! The Viper and The Dozer have it out, after the break.
Randy Orton w/ Matt Riddle VS Otis w/ Chad Gable!
Raw returns and the bell rings! Orton kicks and fires off EuroUppers to keep Otis staggering! But Otis just powers out of the RKO! Orton hits the mat hard, Otis runs to SPLASH! “I’m the man!” Gable cheers on “4.Otis” as Otis runs to hit a falling headbutt! Orton flounders to a corner, Otis stalks up behind him. Otis RAMS his shoulder into Orton again and again, then lets off as the ref counts. Fans rally for Orton but Otis runs and RAMS into Orton again! Otis stalks Orton as Gable cheers him on. Otis drags Orton up, scoops him, but Orton slips out! Still no RKO as Otis shoves Orton out of the ring! Orton gets up, Otis runs in around the way, but Orton moves and Otis hits steel steps!
Orton hobbles back into the ring while Otis clutches his ribs. Otis gets on the apron, Orton KICKS him in the ropes! Otis is stuck, fans fire up! Orton isn’t even sure he can, but he gets Otis out for a DRAPING DDT! Fans are fired up and so is Riddle, but Orton gasps and sputters as he sits up. Fans rally up, Orton feeds off the energy, and he hears the voices in his head! Otis slowly gets up, but still no RKO! Otis scoops for a POWERSLAM! But he doesn’t cover, Gable wants his number one guy to top it off! Otis drags Orton to a drop zone, then climbs up top, for a VADER SPLASH, but he FLOPS! RKO!!! Cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall
Gable can’t believe it! The Viper still struck Otis down, despite him having a lot of muscle and no neck! Riddle gets a mic to say he’s so proud! Orton RKO’d the un-RKO-able! Now is the time we’ve been waiting for! Time for Riddle’s present to Orton! And there’s only one present good enough for Riddle’s best friend. And that is a big, big, beautiful hug! “Bring it in, dude!” Fans cheer on Orton and Riddle says “nobody will know!” But they’re in front of all these fans, and cameras. But Riddle says he should give them what they want! So Orton HUGS Riddle! And then teases an RKO! All in good fun, bros! Will Orton & Riddle keep the titles through Day 1 to make 2022 the year of RKBRO?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.
Kevin Patrick thanks Kevin Owens for taking this time. KO and Rollins had a huge impact on Bobby Lashley and Big E after their match last week, and it just so happens Raw received a video message from Big E. KO sarcastically goes, “Wow,” as the video plays. “At WWE Day 1, I defend my WWE Championship against Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley and Kevin Owens. Now the whole world wants to know, will one of these men is going to use my champion’s disadvantage to their advantage and climb the WWE mountain like Sir Edmund Hillary.” Big E has spent the last few months talking about these men and their motivations. But for Big E, he has to get back to himself.
This is about Big E and his story. This is about starting life over at 23. This is about sleeping on a tiny, studio apartment floor while working on his craft. This is about showing up to work, ever week, knowing he is worth more. This is about getting to the very top of the industry the right way. This is about knowing he hasn’t come this far to only come this far. This is about walking out of Day 1 STILL our WWE Champion! And OH, you got ta feel that, sucka!
Back to present, KO says Big E is wrong. It is about his story, coming to work, over the odds, but not this week! Kevin Owens is here! HE shows up every week! This is about Kevin Owens’ story. And Kevin- Wait, they’re both Kevin, that’s not good. Kevin Patrick needs to change his name. One week to do that. But this is about the IMPORTANT Kevin’s story! And his perfect plan. it has all gone off without a hitch. He’s in the title match, he’s best friends with Rollins, and as such, he and Rollins executed Kevin’s plan to take Lashley out. Rollins did stuff but it was Kevin’s idea. And the next part is at Day 1, when Kevin Owens wins the WWE Championship.
Does Kevin Patrick have a problem with that? No. Then think about that while you think about the name. No, wait, you’re Bert now. Kevin leaves “Bert” Patrick behind, but will he pull off a huge victory to start off 2022?
Mixed Tag: Reggie & Dana Brooke VS R-Truth & Tamina!
The former WWE 24/7 Champion is helping The Flex Appeal hold onto the gold for the holidays, but will that all fall apart this close to New Year’s? Or will the 52-time European Television 747 I-95 South Champion and the Daughter of Superfly be the ones having a crappy New Year?
Raw returns and Truth says let’s crank it up! Truth says “What’s up?!” to Detroit, and then Tamina makes her entrance. Truth and Tamina are already at odds just getting in the ring, and then about who starts. Truth insists he start, Tamina is annoyed, but Truth and Reggie circle. They shake hands, and Truth gets the headlock! “I gottee!” But Reggie powers out, but Truth runs him over! Truth breaks it down with some dance moves, then sees Reggie’s drop down coming to do some Michael Jackson on him. Reggie kips up to egg Truth on. Things speed up, Reggie handsprings and back elbows Truth down!
Reggie whips, Truth reverses but Reggie dodges, and both men COLLIDE, head to head! Truth and Reggie are dazed, they crawl for their corners, hot tag to Tamina! She SUPERKICKS Reggie down, Dana still tries to tag even though she doesn’t have to, and Tamina storms over. Dana KNEES Tamina away, ducks and dodges to fire off kicks! Dana then cartwheels and dropkicks Tamina down! Dana keeps moving, handspring SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Dana clubs away on Tamina, then runs, into a BIG back elbow! Tamina tells the fans to shut up as she drags Dana up. Tamina thrashes Dana around, Truth tags in! But then, that means Reggie is legal!
Truth still back suplexes Dana, she lands on her feet to needlessly tag Reggie! Truth kicks Reggie, whips him to ropes, but Reggie wheelbarrows and victory roll FACEBUSTERS! Cover, Reggie & Dana win!
Winners: Reggie & Dana Brooke, by pinfall
Tamina is even more upset with Truth for losing, and Truth tries to defend his choice of strategy. Tamina just swings on him! Truth does the splits then splits! Tamina rushes Reggie and Dana, they dodge and Dana back elbows Tamina in the corner! Dana and Reggie take off with the 24/7 Championship, will 2022 be their year?
Backstage with Nikki A.S.H.
Does Nikki feel WWE made the right choice keeping Nikki from ringside for Rhea Ripley VS Zelina Vega? Well, we all saw Rhea victorious without Nikki. Rhea doesn’t need Nikki’s help. But they chose to be tag partners not because they needed to, but because they wanted to. Nikki likes to think she’s inspired Rhea, even if she’s down on her luck. And Rhea’s pep talks have helped put Nikki in the right mindset. Zelina and Carmella try to bring them down, but they’ve only made Nikki & Rhea stronger! So maybe the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions put their money where their mouths are. Rhea & Nikki officially challenge them for those titles! BOOM, ZAP, POW!
Tag Team RKBRO-nament Finals: The Street Profits VS Rey & Dominik Mysterio!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are back at 100%, it is finally time to face off with the Mysterio Familia! Will RKBRO be meeting the Sultans of Swag or the former father-son tag team champions at Day 1?
Raw returns and the Mysterios make their entrance. The teams sort out, and Ford starts against Dom. They circle, tie up, and Ford headlocks. He hits a takeover, Dom headscissors but Ford kips free. They go again, Dom headlocks tot he takeover but Ford headscissors. Dom kips free, Ford arm-drags but Dom arm-drags back. Both men kip up and fans cheer the exchange. RKBRO is watching backstage, too, and Dawkins says Ford’s cornrows are still good. Dom and Ford shake hands, but Ford wrenches! Tag to Dawkins and Dawkins gest the handoff, but Dom rolls and rolls and gets free! Tag to Rey and fans fire up!
Things speed up already, Rey and Dawkins each dodge, but Dawkins blocks the arm-drag to whip. Dawkins hurdles but Rey tilt-o-whirl headscissors! Rey fires off in the corner, Dawkins carries Rey but Rey sunset flips! Dawkins drags Rey up but Rey kicks free. Rey runs but gets run over! Dawkins checks his face, he drags Rey up again. Tag to Ford, double whip and dropkick for Rey! Then the back suplex SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Ford clamps onto Rey’s arm to grind the shoulder. Rey fights up, uses the ropes to flip through, but Ford whips. Rey wheelbarrows and victory rolls, TWO! Rey avoids the enziguri to tag Dom!
The Mysterios double whip and double kick to then Double Russian Leg Sweep! Dom covers, TWO! Dom drags Ford up, wrenches, tags Rey, and Rey KCIKS the arm! Rey whips, Ford reverses but Rey kicks back! Rey waistlocks, Ford switches. Dom tags in as Rey bucks the O’Conner! Rey springboards to an Electric Chair! Rey has to fight Ford, and he RANAS Ford out of the ring! Rey dropkicks Dawkins down, Dom and Rey build speed together, and they both SLIDE! SPLASH for Dawkins, SUNSET BOMB into barriers for Ford! Father and son are standing tall as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Ford has Dom down with a chinlock. Dom fights up, throws body shots, but Ford CLUBS him down! RKBRO is still watching as Ford runs in but misses in the corner! Ford bounces off buckles, Dom runs in to tilt-o-whirl and dragon sleeper, FLIPPING DDT! Both men crawl, hot tags to Dawkins and Rey! Fans fire up as Rey goes up and hits a SEATED SENTON! Things keep moving, Rey springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Dawkins flounders, Rey KICKS him to a corner. Rey whips Dawkins corner to corner but Dawkins reverses to kick low and whip. Rey boots back, goes up again, and leapfrog RANAS Dawkins, to then drop toehold him to ropes!
Fans are thunderous as Rey dials it up, but into Dawkins’ FLYING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Dawkins and Rey are both down now, but Rey elbows from the ropes. Rey BOOTS, and QUEBRADAS! But Dawkins catches him, spins him, but Rey TORNADO DDTs! Cover, Ford breaks it in time! Dom runs in to give Ford a NECKBREAKER! Dawkins DECKS Dom, but Rey rolls Dawkins up! TWO! Dawkins kicks low, gut wrenches, but Rey slips out, but Dawkins gets the underhooks! THE SILENCER! Ford goes up top, for a HUGE FROM THE HEAVENS SPLASH!! Dominik breaks the cover!! Dawkins gets Dom up but Dom throws Dawkins out! Dom runs, triangle jump and PLANCHA!
Ford straddle attacks Rey down! Ford hauls Rey up, scoops and Canadian racks, but Rey RANAS out of the bomb! Rey tags Dom, then runs to 619 Ford down! Rey FLYING RANAS Dawkins! Dom is up top, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?! Ford survives Latino Heat and Riddle is shocked backstage! Rey says they’ll hit the double! Dom drags Ford up, whips, but Ford reverses. Dom wheelbarrows and body scissors Ford to the ropes! But Ford staggers up, into a drop toehold! The Mysterios run but Dawkins trips Rey! Only Dom hits a 619, but Ford is back up! Dom SUPERKICKS Ford, but Dawkins slides Rey out to the floor! Dom fires off on Dawkins, whips but Dawkins reverses!
Dom dodges, springboards, but into an Electric Chair! BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY from Profits!! Cover, The Profits win!!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the Raw Tag Team Championships)
The Mysterios’ call got disconnected at just the right time for Ford & Dawkins, and now they’re going to Atlanta! Will Day 1 be the first day of a new reign for the Profits?
Miz meets with crew backstage.
The bouquet for the vow renewal ceremony came in, and Miz is upset. He wouldn’t have brought these to the guy’s funeral! Does this guy not understand what’s happening tonight?! This is him and Maryse renewing their vows! One of the most storied unions in all WWE history. Miz called in some really big favors, such as calling in WWE Hall of Famer, Eric Bischoff! Bischoff congratulates Miz and Miz thanks him for being here to officiate. Well, Bischoff’s been invited to a lot of WWE weddings, and when he got this invitation, how could he say no? And in his experience, this is going to be… What is it Miz says? Oh, of course. It’ll be must-see TV. Miz and Bischoff shake hands and Miz is upset about the roses again. Will things go awesomely for the It Couple?
AJ Styles is here!
The Phenomenal and the Colossal had a huge falling out, and Styles will speak to what happened, after the break.
Raw returns and Styles has a mic. “Omos said the next time he sees me in this ring, he’ll be in a match with me.” But uh, Styles is here. Where’s Omos? Styles doesn’t want to hear Omos is scared. Or maybe he is? Scared that he won’t live up to his full potential? Styles gets that. He was scared early on in his career. But he was never selfish and unappreciative! You gotta pay your dues to get to the top. And Omos’ dues will be paid to Styles! So the next time Styles sees Omos, all 400 pounds and 7’4″ of him, Styles will kick Omos’ teeth in. Here’s some food for thought. “I’ve got 20+ years of experience on you. I’ve seen ’em come and go, those giants!” But there’s only been ONE Phenomenal AJ Styles!
Wait, is Grayson Waller in the crowd!? Seriously? Waller is talking some smack as Styles points out the “not quite yet a superstar,” another guy who doesn’t want to pay his dues. But hey, Waller can get in. The security can let him in. Waller jumps over the barriers and gets a mic. Waller gets in the ring, does his drop steps, and Styles says he should introduce Waller to the fans. “Grayson Waller, WWE Universe. WWE Universe, Grayson Waller.” Fans boo, they know all about Waller. Waller says this was nice of Styles. But Waller figured that since Styles visited Waller on NXT, he’d do the same here on Raw. Then he’d show the world what they can see every Tuesday night: the Grayson Waller Effect.
And pay his dues? All Waller had to do was get under the skin of this “Superstar” and Styles was begging to get in the ring with him. Waller likes it here! Monday nights feel right! And they’ll feel even better when Omos is done with Styles, and Waller takes Styles’ spot. Oh, Waller likes it here? Of course he does! This is where stars are made. And Waller isn’t a star. Not even close. But since Waller is here, maybe Styles can show Waller around, give him a Phenomenal Forearm, and help him count the lights on his way out. But instead of any of that, here comes Apollo Crews! He and Commander Azeez walk out and Apollo has a mic.
“AJ, you and Omos are very similar to myself and Commander Azeez. But your giant has now left you, and we are a united front. AJ, your giant is not here tonight. But mine is!” And Azeez says, “AJ, if you want to slay giants, maybe you’ll fight me right now.” Challenge accepted! Get in the ring! Apollo likes the sound of that, and even Waller wants to see this one. Will Styles make an example of Azeez to superstars big and small?
Backstage interview with Carmella.
Nikki issued the challenge on behalf of herself and Rhea Ripley, what is Mella’s response? “Her Majesty,” Queen Zelina and Mella have taken it under consideration, and they accept! There is a hierarchy in the division, and if it takes a title match to put Rhea & Nikki in their place, then so be it. Those two are only fooling themselves if they seriously think they compare to Mella’s flawless beauty and Zelina’s regal grace. Okay, Rhea does have this “hot gothic warrior” thing going for her, and Mella likes that. And Rhea could destroy anyone with her bare hands. And she did beat the beloved queen last week.
But this will be a tag team match, which means Nikki will need to tag in. And we all know how that ends. Mella feels a bit bad for Rhea. But Nikki said it was Rhea’s choice to team with her. The fact Nikki has all these people convinced she’s almost a superhero when she’s not even close is sad. Nikki is almost second best. She is almost a good partner. She is almost good enough. But almost doesn’t count! And Zelina & Mella are definitely going to remain WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions!
AJ Styles VS Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez!
Raw returns, the bell rings, and despite how it looked, we’re getting The Phenomenal One VS the Pride of Nigeria! Last minute changes aside, will Styles still prove he can beat anyone at any time?
The bell rings, the two circle and approach, and Apollo kicks low to CLUB Styles on the back. Apollo fires off haymakers, CLUBS him, then runs, into Styles’ dropkick! Styles drags Apollo up, CHOPS him in the corner, then follows him to another corner to whip corner to corner. Styles runs in and hits a BIG clothesline! Styles throws Apollo down, fires up, and then runs to drop a knee! Cover, ONE! Apollo flounders away to the ropes, Styles storms over after him. Styles stands Apollo up but Apollo throat chops! Apollo suplexes and SLAMS Styles down! Styles goes to ropes, Apollo whips him to ropes but Styles holds ropes to BOOT back!
Styles runs in but into a back drop! Cover, ONE! Apollo drags Styles up, whips him to a corner hard, and Styles bounces off the buckles! Apollo drags Styles up, wrenches but Styles throws forearms! Apollo hits back, kicks and whips Styles into the corner again, and Styles bounces off chest first! Apollo soaks up the heat from Detroit as he stalks Styles. Apollo throws hands, but Styles headscissors Apollo out! Styles then slingshots but Apollo moves! Apollo gets a leg, yanks Styles down and KNEES him low! Apollo then trophy lifts and SNAKE EYES Styles off apron, to then BOOT him down! Apollo is fired up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Apollo grinds Styles down with a chinlock. Styles fights up but Apollo wrangles him down. Fans rally as Styles endures, and Styles fights up again. Styles throws body shots, throws haymakers, but Apollo hits back. Styles ducks to PELE! Apollo is down and fans rally up. Styles gets up to fire off the Phenomenal Blitz! SLIDING FOREARM! Styles fires up and fans are with him as he run sin at the corner. Apollo BOOTS Styles, but runs into a fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Styles drags Apollo up and reels him in. Apollo back drops out of the Clash but Styles sunset flips!
Apollo rolls through to DEADLIFT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Apollo grows frustrated as Styles survives. Apollo drags Styles back up, trophy lifts but Styles slips off. Styles is in the corner, he elbows Apollo away. Styles goes up to QUEBRADA DDT! Styles goes to the apron and prepares his armband. But Azeez gets Apollo out of the ring! The ref reprimand Azeez, Styles runs in but Apollo gets him for fireman’s carry, and APRON DEATH VALLEY!! Apollo drags Styles in for a cover, TWO!! Styles survives and fans fire up again while Apollo loses his cool! Styles crawls to a corner, Apollo drags him up and to the top rope.
Apollo climbs up, but Styles slips under to trip him up! Styles then gets Apollo for a back suplex, but Apollo lands on his feet to ENZIGURI! Apollo pops Styles up but Styles turns Crews Missile into HURICANRANA! Cover, TWO!! Apollo escapes, but he runs into a trip and jackknife! TWO, into position, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Azeez is upset and storms into the ring, but Styles gets away! Will Azeez get his shot at Styles next time? He turns around, Styles hits a PHENOMENAL FOREARM on Azeez! When and where will Styles get his shot on Omos?
Seth Rollins speaks via video message.
“Classic Kevin Owens, trying to take all the credit. Well, is he lying? Is he telling the truth? Nobody knows!” But since it’s the holidays, Rollins is in a giving spirit. He’ll give Kevin all the credit! Because at Day 1, Rollins takes what is rightfully his: the WWE Championship. Because even from afar, he is the Visionary, the revolutionary, he is Seth Freakin’ Rollins!
Kevin Owens heads to the ring!
Big E said his piece, Rollins just said his, and now Kevin wants to say even more! What will he have to say about Day 1’s Fatal 4 Way after the break?
Raw returns and Kevin says, “I gotta tell you all, I am in a great mood. In a festive mood, you might even say!” He had a great Christmas, and last night he main evented in Madison Square Garden! He won, just trust him, don’t look it up. And in five days, the entire world will rejoice when Kevin becomes WWE Champion at Day 1! And look, Kevin’s the only one out of the four that’s actually here tonight! Not sure why that is, but it makes Kevin smarter than Rollins, tougher than Big E and a LOT stronger than Bobby Lashley! But Kevin can’t blame those guys for not showing up in a dump like Detroit, but it is important Kevin is here to show everyone the example.
At Day 1, we will finally get a champion we can be proud of. The odds might not be in Kevin’s favor as he has to survive three of the top performer sin the WWE. But let’s think about those odds based on last week. First of all, Rollins stomped Lashley’s head right through steel steps. Kevin was an innocent bystander in all that, but that helps Kevin. If Lashley shows up, he’ll go after Rollins. Big E got speared by Lashley and is dealing with MVP’s crap, so Big E goes after them. And then Rollins and Kevin are like this! One mind, one heart, one soul! That is because Kevin created the perfect plan, executed it perfectly, and that will make Kevin THE WWE Champion!
But MVP appears! And he tells Kevin, “Oh contraire, monfrair.” Kevin could not be more wrong! As a matter of fact, MVP will give Kevin credit for a well orchestrated plan. He whined his way into Day 1, pitted his foes against each other to throw them all off, all very well done. But if Kevin thinks Lashley forgot about the apron powerbomb, he is very, very mistaken. As Kevin will find out when he gets snatched up into a Hurt Lock. It takes a lot more than a stomp on steps to take Lashley out, or a powerbomb to the apron. But Kevin is right about one thing: Lashley will be at Day 1 to wreak havoc on Rollins.
But here’s a specific message for Kevin: “I am going to rip the wet noodle arms off of Kevin’s ectomorphic body.” There’s no way Lashley wrote that big word. MVP says it doesn’t matter if it’s Rollins, Big E or Kevin Owens, someone is gonna end up in a Hurt Lock, because we are back in the All Mighty Era. Now what was that about Kevin’s odds of winning? Think about it before you answer. “Well, as utterly terrifying as that text message is,” Kevin still feels really good about his odds of walking out of Day 1. Text Lashley that in return! Well that’s only because Kevin’s an idiot. Kevin says his mom says he’s special, first of all.
Wait, Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin show up! The Hurt Business is back to 100% power with these two backing MVP up. Kevin sees how it is. He’s not the only one who plans ahead. MVP isn’t taking credit for this. Why are these two here? Alexander says Kevin is right. Hate to admit it, but he is. One man cannot beat three. Even the All Mighty can’t take on the whole world. So just think about it? When was Lashley at his best? When he was rolling with them! They know what Lashley needs. MVP stops them there before they say something they’ll regret. Lashley doesn’t need anyone. Not even MVP. But if they wanna talk business…
Kevin says we know where this is going! Cedric & Shelton want to reform the group, they want MVP to tell Lashley that’s a good idea, and maybe by beating up Kevin, that’ll convince Lashley. Skip all that so Kevin can have his match with Cedric! MVP says that is something they agree on. Let’s get to work. MVP walks with PRIME Alexander and the Gold Standard to the ring, will they make sure the Prizefighter is in no shape for Day 1?
Kevin Owens VS Cedric Alexander w/ MVP & Shelton Benjamin!
Raw returns again and the bell rings. Kevin kicks and fires off hands on Cedric, has him in the corner, then lets off as the ref counts. Cedric comes back with haymakers, then runs. Things speed up and Kevin CLBOBERS Cedric with an elbow! Then he drops a SENTON! MVP is on commentary as Kevin whips Cedric into the corner. Kevin runs in to CANNONBALL! Kevin drags Cedric to a drop zone, stomps him down, then goes up the corner. MVP says Lashley will rip those noodly arms off Kevin, and Cedric bails out. Kevin hops down, gets Cedric in a fireman’s carry, but Cedric fights his way off to then ROUNDHOUSE and STO to the apron!
Cedric catches his breath, puts Kevin in, covers, TWO! Cedric drags Kevin up, throws forearms, then waistlocks. Kevin fights free, pump handles and suplexes for a GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kevin is frustrated but he drags Cedric up to whip him to ropes. Pop-up but Cedric slips out! Handspring and NEURALIZER! Kevin bails out, Cedric builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into barriers! Fans fire up and Cedric puts Kevin in the ring. Cedric GAMANGIRIS, steps in and hits the COMPLETE SHOT! cover, TWO! Kevin survives but Cedric is frustrated. Cedric gets Kevin up, throws uppercuts, then runs, but Kevin LARIATS him inside-out! Then reels him in to pop-up POWERBOMB!
Kevin isn’t done there! He tells Lashley to watch this! STUNNER! Cover, Kevin wins!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
MVP applauds, but then Benjamin gets in! He wants his shot at Kevin! Kevin isn’t so sure, Benjamin calls for a mic. Benjamin gets the mic, only to get a STUNNER! Kevin takes care of the Hurt Business, but will he take care of the business waiting for him at Day 1?
WWE United States Championship: Damian Priest VS Dolph Ziggler!
The Archer of Infamy really only owes the Show-Off this match because of “Big Bob” giving a GLORIOUS assist. But without the other Dirty Dawg at ringside, does Ziggler stand a chance of taking the title from Priest?
Raw returns and Damian Priest speaks on the darkness he keeps at bay. He did lose control of “Damian” last week. Priest enjoyed planting Roode’s head into the floor. When the blind rage takes control, no one can stop him. That same rage could hurt him against Ziggler, who has held just about every title there is to hold here in the WWE. That doesn’t happen by accident. At any moment, Ziggler could steal the whole show. If Priest loses control, Ziggler will take advantage. But he’ll come face to face with Damian, and there’s not where you want to be. Damian’s rage has cost him in the past, but it’ll also be what keeps the title exactly where it belongs.
Priest finally makes his entrance. Will Priest control his dark side to still shine into the New Year?
Raw returns, the introductions are made, and the belt is raised. Who wins gold in the last Raw main event of 2021?
Priest approaches but Ziggler uses ropes as a defense. The ref has Priest back off, but Priest blocks the sucker superkick! Priest throws the foot down but Ziggler dodges to fire off body shots! Priest grabs Ziggler to TOSS him to the corner! Ziggler dodges again to fire off hands, but Priest shoves him away. Priest kicks but Ziggler dodges to ZIG- NO! Priest bucks Ziggler, Ziggler dodges and ducks, but Priest BOOTS him down! Priest drags Ziggler back up, bumps him off buckles, then drags him up again. Priest ROCKS Ziggler with a forearm, then he puts Ziggler in the corner for knee after knee. Priest ROCKS Ziggler again, then drags him back up.
Priest whips corner to corner, runs in, but Ziggler dodges the back elbow! Ziggler kicks Priest, scrapes laces off Priest’s face, then bumps him off buckles. Ziggler throws body shots, bumps him off buckles again, then throws body shots against the ropes. Priest ROCKS Ziggler again, and again! Priest whips, Ziggler kicks back! Ziggler runs but into the back elbow! Priest runs at Ziggler to clothesline him out of the ring! A ring count starts while Ziggler is down, but Priest goes out after him. Ziggler dodges to shove Priest into barriers! Ziggler runs in but Priest TOSSES him off the DDT and Ziggler crashes into spare chairs in the timekeeper’s area! Ziggler is down as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Ziggler fires off on Priest in the corner with fast hands! Ziggler goes corner to corner, but he misses the splash as Priest moves! Priest ROCKS Ziggler with more haymakers, then he whips but Ziggler reverses to kick low and FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO! Ziggler is growing frustrated but he shakes his head. Ziggler throws hands and says, “I call the shots here!” He DECKS Priest, says we’re looking at the new champ, but Priest counter punches! And ROCKS Ziggler again! Priest fires off hands from all sides, then WHEEL KICKS! Priest fires up, runs in and back elbows in the corner! Priest pushes Ziggler along to run in and hit another back elbow in the other corner!
Priest runs, gets around, shoves Ziggler to ropes and pops him up for a FLAPJACK! Then Priest spins Ziggler around, BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Ziggler survives and Priest sighs. Priest takes aim at Ziggler, but Ziggler goes into ropes to avoid the choke grip. Priest chases after but Ziggler hits a cheap shot! Ziggler runs, into the choke grip! SOUTH OF- NO! Body scissor takedown to a over, TWO! Ziggler dodges in the corner, runs in, SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! Ziggler is beside himself, but he shakes his head again. Ziggler watches Priest get up, pushes him around, and shouts, “You will never be like me! This is what a champion looks like!”
Priest slaps Ziggler’s hands away, so Ziggler SLAPS him! Damian is here! Priest fires off haymakers and knees from all sides! The ref counts as Priest throws Ziggler down and rains down elbows! Ziggler gets to a corner, Priest runs in to forearm smash! Priest fires off more shouts, the ref is counting! The count hits 5, Priest is disqualified!
Winner: Dolph Ziggler, by disqualification; Priest retains the WWE US Championship
But Priest doesn’t stop! He kicks Ziggler out of the ring, drags Ziggler up, and he hoists Ziggler up to RAM him into barriers! Priest drags Ziggler back up, dragon sleeper, and THE RECKONING on the floor! Priest’s rage subsides, and he still has the gold. Will anyone ever survive the Archer of Infamy’s anger to take that title from him?
Eric Bischoff heads to the ring!
He’s back, and ready to officiate the It Couple’s vow renewal! But will things go about as smoothly as the usual, well, any special occasion that happens on WWE TV?
Raw returns and the ringside area has been turned into a wedding altar. Bischoff says it is truly, truly great to be back in a WWE ring. Especially for such an amazing moment, a cherished moment, as we’re about to see. In this industry, they honor and respect the sanctity of marriage. And this couple, they’re a perfect example of that. So introducing first, the groom, the man that is the Most Must-See Superstar in WWE History, THE MIZ! Miz makes his entrance, and he staggers a bit going up the steps into the ring. Miz manages to laugh it off, but is it a bad omen? But moving on, the blushing bride, Maryse! “Here Comes The Bride” plays as Maryse walks out to the ring.
Miz helps Maryse up the steps to avoid any mishaps, and then they go to the mics. Miz says this is the last Raw of 2021, so what better way to commemorate a year where he was WWE Champion, dominated Dancing with the Stars, and her wife made a triumphant return to Raw as they embarrassed one of the most decorated stars in Edge. And then Saturday, at Day 1, the old Edge is gone, and this new Edge can’t live up to the new standards set by Miz! Miz will dominate at Day 1! So in honor of that, they wanted to give us something uplifting to cap off the year. Here is their wedding vow renewal!
Miz says they were married in the sunny and beautiful Bahamas, but now they’re here, in decrepit, disgusting Detroit. But it’s not where they are, but who they are with. Miz is with his one true love in Maryse. Miz thanks Bischoff for officiating. Bischoff is a legend in this business and a visionary just like Miz. Bischoff says it means so much that they wanted him to share this moment. Bischoff has Maryse go first. “Michael, the first time I met you 15 years ago, I knew right there and then that you are the man of my dreams. You are my rock, you are my world, you are my everything. I love you so, so much.” The fans boo the entire time Maryse gets emotional.
At Day 1, Maryse knows Miz will show the world what she already knows: That he is the best father, the best husband, and a way better WWE superstar compared to Edge. If loving Miz is wrong, then she never wants to be right. “Michael Mizanin, will you continue to be my husband?” Miz jokingly asks if he should. Oh, the fans’ opinions don’t matter, they willing live in Detroit! And cheer for the Lions. Miz has his turn now. “Maryse, when we met in 2006, you didn’t speak a word of English, so I’m going to do my vows in French.” Oh no… Miz does his best job with it, but the accent seems a bit thick. Maryse corrects him here and there, and he slips into Spanish.
Okay, just do it in English. Miz says she is beautiful, intelligent, and a perfect role model to their daughters. If he was a woman, he’d want to be just like Maryse! When they make love, it’s like fireworks! And Maryse is the only person that can tame Miz’s wild heart. If she stays by his side, he will continue to love her in return. “Maryse, will you continue to be my wife?” Miz brings back, “When my hand goes up, your mouth goes shut!” Maryse says YES, and Bischoff says this was so beautiful! So now, without further ado, if anyone has any objections- Well hell, we know how this will turn out. EDGE is here!
The Rated R Superstar goes up the ramp, takes the steps slowly so he doesn’t trip like Miz did, and then he gets a mic. “Don’t fall. Good to see you, Eric.” Edge says he isn’t here to ruin anything. He could talk about how obnoxious The It Couple is and how he threw up in his mouth a little listening to them, but he won’t. He could talk about what kind of man Miz is for using his wife as a shield and then a decoy, but he won’t. And that’s because finally, Day 1, Edge has a match against Miz. And Edge is going to beat Miz’s ass! Miz says Edge thought they didn’t see this coming? No, they wanted him a front row seat of what true love looks like! The It Couple kisses to finish the renewal.
Edge says, “Get a room.” And true love? For the last few weeks, they have embarrassed him. Edge called it yet Miz still slipped through the cracks. But what goes around comes around. So before Edge beats Miz at Day 1, he’ll embarrass Miz here. And so Edge calls to someone in the back. Miz gets mad, what’s he doing?! Edge says he’s just messing with Miz. Playing mind games! Edge isn’t here to spoil the wedding so… Oh wait, he didn’t want this to be a white wedding did he? The red lights come up, and Edge hops off the ring so that BLACK PAINT can splatter all over the It Couple! Edge grins as he shouts out The Brood, but will he make things even worse come New Year’s Day?
My Thoughts:
There was a lot of news just today about WWE doing wonky things with their COVID-19 protocols. They pull the biggest names from their Madison Square Garden event, and even here tonight, but then say they won’t do as much testing. That’s a can of worms for another article, but that meant much of Raw tonight was adlibbed and altered, and sadly not all for the better. For one, we still got the usual crap of recap packages and extra commercial breaks before the main event match, and then that US Championship match just wasn’t what it should’ve been. They’re still insisting on giving Priest his Jekyll & Hyde, Incredible Hulk berserker rage, and he had Champion’s Advantage save him from losing the belt. Sigh…
Now, I should’ve figured the vow renewal would close the night out, and it went just as expected, but I love that Edge got to reference The Brood again and dump that gunk all over Miz & Maryse. Edge VS Miz is going to be a really good match, and I hope we see Beth Phoenix counteract Maryse. Meanwhile, there seemed to be just this mess of an adjustment for not having Styles VS Omos tonight. Waller showing up was nice and all to give us continuity between Raw and NXT (probably only because Vince is in charge of both now), but then Azeez challenges Styles only for Apollo to face him? Styles of course wins either way, but it all just seemed a bit sloppy.
The Mixed Tag was an oddly logical step for the 24/7 Championship story, even though no one tried to go for the title after. What was even more awkward was Dana and Reggie insisting on actually tagging in and out. It’s Mixed, not Co-Ed. Though, I suppose this could be a roundabout way for WWE to do away with some of that for the sake of this 24/7 Division? Of course, WWE went and cut talent that could be competing for this belt in the Women’s Division, even if this title isn’t that big of a deal anymore. Maybe it should go to NXT and give some 2.0 kids something to do. I bet Andre Chase could make a great 24/7 Champion.
Everything else we got was great, though. Good video messages from Big E and Seth Rollins, and Kevin Owens had good promos, both with Kevin “Bert” Patrick and with MVP and the still not quite reunited Hurt Business. Kevin had a really good match, but I’m thinking that he takes the loss at Day 1. RKBRO had a great promo that blended Christmas and New Year’s, and they had great singles matches against The Alpha Academy. The Profits VS The Mysterios was a great match, and I’m a touch surprised the Profits won here, as I’m pretty sure RKBRO still retains at Day 1. But at the same time, the Profits make the better choice because they’ll be able to give RKBRO a great match. Then Rey & Dom can try again at the Royal Rumble or something.
My Score: 8.2/10
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)
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 Podcast
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!
Who will grab their golden tickets to Tampa?
While TWENTY-FIVE men fight in a Battle Royal to face Oba Femi, Jordynne Grace and Giulia go 1v1 to face NXT Women’s Champion, Stephanie Vaquer!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: ??? wins and will challenge Oba Femi for the title at NXT Battleground: Tampa.
- Kelani Jordan VS ZARIA w/ Sol Ruca; wins.
- Six Man Tag: Joe Hendry, Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Dark State; win(s).
- NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Giulia VS Jordynne Grace; wins and will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the title at NXT Battleground: Tampa.
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)
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 Podcast
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!
Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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