Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/31/22)
Royal Rumble fallout!
Raw, welcome back to the All Mighty Era!
Bobby Lashley is once again WWE World Champion, but BROCK LESNAR won the Rumble! Will Raw see the Beast choose the All Mighty? Or will he choose revenge on Roman Reigns?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rhea Ripley VS Nikki A.S.H; Ripley wins.
- The Miz VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio; The Miz wins.
- WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Kevin Owens VS Austin Theory; Theory wins and enters the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match.
- Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Dolph Ziggler; Dawkins wins.
- Alpha Academy Academic Challenge, Round Two – Scooter Race: RKBRO VS Alpha Academy; Alpha Academy wins and chooses the final Academy Challenge.
- WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Otis w/ Chad Gable; Riddle wins and enters the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match.
- Bianca Belair VS Carmella; Belair wins.
- WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: AJ Styles VS Rey Mysterio; Styles wins and enters the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match.
PLAY BY PLAY
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Raw!” And we’re officially on the Road to WrestleMania after the Royal Rumble event and the shocking return of Rowdy Rhonda Rousey! Plus, we saw the crowning of the All Mighty Bobby Lashley, and pure decimation from The Beast, Brock Lesnar. But on this road, there is a road block: The Elimination Chamber! And in just three weeks, the NEW WWE World Champion will step inside the chamber to defend his title! There will be five other competitors- But here comes Lashley! He’s in a shiny red suit, MVP right behind him, and Lashley is in a great mood.
MVP gets a mic for Lashley, and MVP says that is NOT how this works. Lashley pinned Brock Lesnar 1-2-3, already proved his superiority, going to Hell and back to do it. And now Pearce wants Lashley to defend his title inside the Elimination Chamber? That’s not fair! The odds are awful! What Pearce is doing is wrong! The Chamber is the most brutal and barbaric match in the WWE. What is wrong with Pearce?! Lashley then asks Pearce, “Who the hell do you think you are?” He’s supposed to be celebrating his win over Lesnar. He knew he was better all along. Lashley is a better amateur wrestler, a better MMA fighter and a better WWE Champion!
Everyone thought the Beast could not be slain, and Lashley slayed the Beast. Watch the footage if you have any doubts. So all the Lesnar fans, Lashley asks you, “Who’s the conqueror now? Who’s the beast now? Who’s the champion now? Bobby Lashley.” Pearce tries to reason with Lashley but here comes Lesnar! And he’s still dressed for a fight! Lesnar smiles now as Mr. Royal Rumble 2022 and takes a victory lap to fist bump fans. Lesnar then gets in the ring, gets the mic from Pearce, and tells MVP to shut up or he’ll stick that cane up MVP’s ass. And as for “Bobby Who,” he’s gonna stand here and pretend like he’s the champion? C’mon, Bobby!
From one athlete to another, where’s the pride in that? Lashley knows he didn’t actually win. C’mon. Now, they know the only way Lashley won was cuz of Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. Lashley laughs that off but Lesnar says he isn’t mad at Lashley. They’re good. Lesnar is mad at Roman and Heyman. Now, after that little “debacle,” a good contest honestly, kudos to Lashley, but uh… Lesnar took it upon himself to enter the Royal Rumble match. News flash: Lesnar won the Royal Rumble! Ain’t that a knee slapper? But Lesnar won, and because he won, he can choose a champion for a fight at WrestleMania.
“Now, listen. No need to worry, Bobby. It’s not you. Y’see, at WrestleMania, I’m gonna face Roman Reigns.” Fans like the sound of that! Lesnar says what this has to do with Lashley, is that at WrestleMania, Lesnar VS Roman is going to be title VS title. So that’s where Lashley comes back into this. See, Lesnar is dressed to fight. So uh, because of that, Lesnar challenges Lashley for a rematch right here in Cinci-freakin-nati! Lesnar is fired up, he wants Lashley to get that $5 suit off and get in gear. Lashley isn’t a fighter, his manager is holding him back! C’mon, Bobby! MVP says “after conferring” with Lashley, the answer is Lesnar can go to the end of the line and earn a shot! Challenge DELCINED!
Lesnar shouts after Lashley as he and MVP go to leave. But Lesnar says Lashley is just CHICKEN SH*T! That pisses Lashley off, but MVP keeps telling him to use logic. Lashley exits the ring, fans boo, but then Lesnar swipes at MVP! MVP gets away, he and Lashley hurry to the ramp. Lesnar keeps shouting, “CHICKEN SH*T!” but Lashley tunes it out. Pearce says Lashley may have said no to a title match tonight, but he will have to defend the title against five superstars at the Elimination Chamber. So then, one of those five will BE Brock Lesnar!! MVP is furious, but Lashley is ready. Will the All Mighty still be mighty inside the Chamber?
Rhea Ripley VS Nikki A.S.H!
The Nightmare and the Almost Super “Hero” are broken up, and now they’re looking to break the other apart! Will Rhea body slam some sense into Nikki? Or will Nikki ride out the Riptide to leave Rhea in the dust?
Raw returns and Nikki makes her entrance. The bell rings, Nikki rushes Rhea but gets run over! Nikki realizes she’s yet to get super strength, but she goes for a leg. Rhea gut wrenches Nikki up to TOSS her! Rhea then drags Nikki back up, scoops, but Nikki slips out and dropkicks the leg. Nikki runs and leaps, but into Rhea’s arms. Rhea pops Nikki around to a suplex! Rhea holds Nikki up there and walks around before she SLAMS Nikki down! Nikki bails out, super durability still not her power. Rhea waits on Nikki but Nikki wants a timeout. Rhea goes out, Nikki slides in. “So you wanna play that game, huh, Nikki?”
Rhea slides in, Nikki slides back out, then traps Rhea in the skirt! Nikki fires off on Rhea, drags her out from the bottom of the skirt, and fans boo while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Nikki grinds Rhea down with a top wristlock. Rhea endures, fights up and fans rally. Nikki whips Rhea to a corner, RAMS into her and stomps away. The ref counts, Nikki lets off but ROCKS Rhea with a forearm! Nikki pushes Rhea, goes up top, and she drags Rhea up and in. Tornado but no DDT! Rhea elbows Nikki, then catches her haymaker in a cording hold! Short arm LARAIT! And then another LARIAT! Nikki tries another haymaker but Rhea catches her again, for a HEADBUTT! Snapmare, basement dropkick! Rhea roars and fans fire up with her. Rhea aims from a corner, runs in but Nikki dodges, roll up! ONE, SUPERKICK!
Rhea hauls Nikki up, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Nikki survives but Rhea gets her up top. Rhea and Nikki brawl with wild haymakers, but then Nikki SMACKS Rhea in the nose! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Nikki loses her cool! Nikki hurries back up top, Rhea stands, CROSS- NO! Rhea gets under, Nikki rolls, dodges, and CLUBS Rhea on the back. Nikki reels Rhea in, takes a moment to pose, but Rhea slips out of the neckbreaker to pump handle and RIPTIDE! Cover, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
Nikki let her super ego get the better of her and now Rhea is standing tall! Will Rhea be able to move on from this and head back for the Raw Women’s Championship?
Alpha Academy Academic Challenge, Round Two – Scooter Race: RKBRO VS Alpha Academy!
Kevin Patrick welcomes us to this special event. Representing the Alpha Academy will be Chad Gable, and representing RKBRO will be Matt Riddle. RKBRO has a 1-0 lead in this best of three series, and Riddle chose this stipulation. Would he like to elaborate on the rules of this race? Riddle would be glad to, KP. This is dedicated to Randy. Love you, bro. Gable grabs Riddle’s crumpled paper and sees it. It just says “Gustavo!” Yeah, that’s the name of his scooter. SHOOSH. Shoosh. This is a joke, and a slap in the face to the Alpha Academy that this is part of an academic challenge.
And that spelling bee was rigged! Accents have given Gable nightmares all week. He oughta dissolution both of them. Bro, save the big words for the master spellers. Don’t even right now. Kevin, hit them with the rules they talked about. Certainly. The first man to complete 50 laps around the arena and arrive at ringside first will be the winner. Gable says that’s easier than he thought. And he called some Olympic friends, the speed skaters. They sent him this speed suit to make him more aerodynamic, bro. Gotta admit, that’s a sweet suit. But more flow means quadruple the acceleration. That’s just science.
Kevin introduces the special guest race starter, R-Truth! Scooterers, to your marks! Ready, get set, GOOO~! Gable takes an early lead, but where will they be after fifty laps?
Raw checks in with Alexa Bliss’ therapy sessions.
The wheels are spinning. What is she thinking about? “Two weeks ago, you mentioned ‘imaginary.’ But Lily was real. Lily’s always been real.” Any time she was pushed around, looked down on, or made fun of, Lily’s been there for her. That was real. Then how would she feel if Lily returned? Really? Well… She’d hug her, play with her, dress her up in her pajamas, maybe have a sleepover and watch scary movies. They always had so much fun. The doctor would like to show her a replica Lily. It shouldn’t mean anything then, since it’s not really her. He brings it out. How does Alexa feel? She smiles, but is that a good or bad sign?
The Miz VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio!
The Hollywood A-Lister may have lost to Edge again, but he won’t let that stop him from stroking his ego. Will he start on re-inflating it at the expense of the Son of Mysterio?
Raw returns and the Mysterios make their entrance. The bell rings, Miz taunts Rey, but then Miz circles with Dom. They tie up, Miz powers Dom to a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Miz musses Dom’s hair but Dom pushes back. Dom dodges a haymaker to ROCK Miz with one! Miz grins and gets up to circle with Dom again. They tie up, Dom waistlocks but Miz swings an elbow. Dom ducks, fires haymakers, runs and wheelbarrows to body scissor Miz onto ropes! Miz ducks the 619 and asks if Rey thinks this is funny. Dom drags Miz up to the apron! But Miz hotshots Dom back, then shoves Rey!
Miz gets in the ring, has the ref keep Rey back, and Miz laughs at Rey. But Dom runs in to kick, whip, but Miz kicks him back. Miz runs, but then pretends Rey tripped him! Miz is using a Guerrero tactic to get Rey in trouble! The ref EJECTS Rey! Dom is distracted by Rey having to leave. Miz gets Dom in a SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, Miz wins!
Winner: The Miz, by pinfall
The A-Lister outsmarted the Mysterios to get back on the winning track! Will Dom get payback soon enough?
Dana Brooke is on alert.
But Tamina still finds her! They scuffle, Dana pushes Tamina away and gets moving. The scooterers go by, 18 of 50 laps down! Will Tamina ever catch the 24/7 Champion again? Will Riddle make it a 2-0 sweep for RKBRO?
Riddle has the lead in the scooter race!
But wait, he has to stop because Omos is in his way! Oh, hey, Omos. You’ve got beautiful eyes. What? Gable gets the lead back! Oh, sorry, Omos, gotta go! They’re at the halfway point of 25 laps! The finish line is waiting at ringside, who reaches it first?
Kevin Owens heads to the ring!
Before his Elimination Chamber qualifier tonight, The Prizefighter is holding a “Road to WrestleMania” edition of the KO Show! What will Kevin have to say about his journey back to the Grandest Stage of Them All? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Kevin welcomes us back to his show. The last few nights have been very exciting. People were thrown over the top ropes, titles were defended and titles were won. We have a new All Mighty WWE Champion! But Kevin agrees, boo that result. But things are only going to get more exciting because we’re headed to, get this, the most STUPENDOUS WrestleMania ever! Two nights, double the stupendousness! And as exciting as that might be, here’s a little scoop. Kevin Owens is in the Elimination Chamber match! Well, as soon as he beats that protected, sheltered wannabe, Austin Theory. But he’ll get it done.
Enough about that, tonight is about Kevin’s guest. A man who should be here as your WWE Universal Champion. It is Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! The Visionary walks out, still moving despite being sore from the chairshots Roman gave him. Rollins goes to the ring and Kevin hands him a mic. Kevin asks how Rollins is feeling. Are they going to sit? Yeah, they’ll sit tonight, Rollins isn’t 100%. Kevin thanks Rollins for accepting his invitation. Rollins says Cincy is the hottest city in the country! He wouldn’t miss this for the world. Fans chant, “WHO DEY? WHO DEY?” Kevin doesn’t get it but Rollins says it’s a football thing.
Kevin wants to remind everyone what happened on Saturday. “Despicable people in the truck, play the footage.” A highlight reel shows us how Rollins used The Shield attire and theme to mess with Roman, and how he came so close to winning the title. Rollins trolling Roman might’ve gone a bit too far with the fist bump offer, as Roman held onto his guillotine headlock during the ropebreak and got himself disqualified. Roman still retained the title despite losing, but that only made Roman snap and recreate the chair attack from the night of the Shield betrayal. Kevin say she can’t sit, he’s all fired up.
What Roman did to Rollins was “disgusting, it was shameful.” But Roman did that on purpose because he knew he couldn’t beat Rollins. And y’know what? While Rollins may not officially be champion, Kevin wants Rollins to look at him when he says he is the Universal Champion of Kevin’s heart. Rollins tells Kevin thanks, that means a lot. Rollins stands up to say that he may not be Universal Champion, he did acquire something else. And that is a permanent piece of real estate int he mind of Roman Reigns. And the net time he goes back, he will bring back that Universal title. But that’s SmackDown business. Tonight is Raw. Yes, that is true.
So it has come to Rollins’ attention that Lashley is defending his title inside Elimination Chamber. Rollins is here with a special announcement for that match. Oh? Rollins didn’t tell Kevin. Well it’s a surprise. Oh, okay. Surprises are good. Go ahead, the floor is Rollins. Drum roll, please. Uh, ok. The speakers give a drum roll, and Rollins says one of the men in that Elimination Chamber will be… SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! Whoa, so he’s in the match? Automatically? Kevin has to qualify. Well Rollins’ match with Roman was enough. Be happy for him. Kevin is happy for Rollins! He’s pumped!
Kevin says this is well deserved. Rollins in the Chamber, that’s awesome. Kevin will get in, too. But where are Pearce and Sonya? In the back. Well maybe Rollins can tell them to just put Kevin in the Chamber or else Rollins will give up his spot. That way, Kevin can just be in the match, too! Uh… Maybe. Kevin says he’d do it for Rollins. That is 100% truth. Well, Rollins wants to believe that but… Austin Theory shows up! Vince McMahon’s pet project is ready for his chance to get in the Chamber! Will KO make his discussion with Rollins moot by winning his way in? Or will Theory make Vince proud with a big win over the Prizefighter?
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Kevin Owens VS Austin Theory!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Kevin kicks Theory, CHOPS him, COHPS him more and more, then has him in the corner for more CHOPS! Kevin bumps Theory off buckles, headlocks, but Theory powers out. Kevin runs Theory over, things speed up as Kevin keeps moving, and Theory hurdles. Kevin drops to then CLOBBER Theory, and drop a SENTON! Fans fire up for Kevin as he stands Theory up for more CHOPS! Kevin whips Theory to a corner hard, and Theory bounces off buckles. Kevin stomps Theory, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again. Theory shoves back, kicks and forearms, then throws haymakers.
Theory stomps Kevin in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and wrenches to whip corner to corner. Kevin puts Theory on the apron but Theory hotshots him! Theory slingshots and somersaults to SHOTGUN dropkick! Cover, TWO! Theory keeps cool, drags Kevin up, and Theory ROCKS Kevin with a forearm. Theory throws back elbow after back elbow then haymakers and body shots. The ref counts, backs Theory off, and Kevin CHOPS him! Kevin ROCKS Theory, CHOPS him, whips, but Theory reverses. Kevin kicks Theory and CLOBBERS him again! Theory goes to a corner, Kevin runs in, but Theory bails out.
Kevin keeps cool but Theory trips him and drags him out. Kevin whips Theory into barriers! And then CANNONBALL! Kevin roars and fans fires up with him. Kevin drags Theory up and into the ring, but Theory bails out the other side. Fans boo, Kevin goes out after Theory, but Theory BOOTS Kevin! Theory throws Kevin backwards onto the steel steps! Kevin writhes on the floor as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kevin throws forearms over and over on Theory. Theory shoves, kicks, but Kevin ENZIGURIS back! And DDT! Both men are down and fans fire up! Kevin gets up, goes to a corner and climbs up top. But Theory ROCKS him with a forearm first! Theory climbs up, Kevin hits back and headbutts Theory down! Kevin adjusts, goes up, MOONSAULT! Theory moves, Kevin FLOPS! Theory hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Theory is shocked but he shakes his head. Theory stalks Kevin, fireman’s carries, but Kevin fights free to ROCK Theory, and CHOP him! Kevin runs, Theory ROCKS Kevin back!
Theory gets Kevin reeled in, fisherman and AOI SHODOU! Cover, TWO! Kevin survives and Theory is frustrated. Theory drags Kevin up, tries again but Kevin wrenches out and pump handles for a MADE IN JAPAN USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and Kevin can’t believe it! Kevin aims, kicks, but Theory denies the Stunner. Kevin SUPERKICKS back! Theory is down, Kevin goes up, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! Theory survives and Kevin is beside himself! Kevin goes up the corner, reels Theory in, but Theory climbs up to fire off haymakers and forearms! Theory then goes to the very top, but Kevin blocks!
Kevin throws body shots, hooks a leg, SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER! Kevin crawls, covers, ROPEBREAK!! Theory saves himself by mere inches and fans can’t believe it! Theory gets out of the ring while Kevin seethes. Kevin goes out, CLUBS away on Theory’s back, then bumps him off the apron again and again! And then off the announce desk! And then Kevin reels Theory in, APRON POWER- NO! Theory slips into the ring, Kevin hurries in, Theory kicks the ropes! Kevin gets Kevin up, A T L!! Cover, Theory wins!!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall (qualifies for the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber)
And Theory takes a victory selfie. Fans aren’t happy about it, but will Mr. McMahon shower Theory with praises for taking down the Prizefighter?
The Street Profits see Riddle scootering up.
They give him a drink as a pitstop, and Riddle says that isn’t a sports drink. But it’ll definitely wash down that tasty burrito from earlier. Thanks, bros! Riddle hurries off, and Gable comes up behind him. He wants a drink, but Angelo Dawkins says NOPE. They’re parched. No! Gable needs a drink! Luckily Otis is there for Gable. Ew, what is this? Steak sauce?! Yes, only the best for Master Gable. No, the sodium will dehydrate him! Gable frowns and scooters on, they’re nearing the last 10 laps! Will Gable be able to come back from behind?
Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Dolph Ziggler!
Cincy’s own is here to represent on the Road to WrestleMania! #WhoDey that thinks they can beat the Curse of Greatness? Will the Show-Off be just the Dirty Dawg to do it?
Raw returns and Ziggler makes his entrance. The bell rings, Ziggler KNEES Dawkins down! Cover, TWO! Ziggler talks trash, scrapes laces off Dawkins’ face, then POSTS him! Cover, TWO! Ziggler grins as he keeps on Dawkins and claws at the eyes! The ref counts, Ziggler lets off at 4, then scrapes laces off the face again. Ziggler stalks Dawkins, scrapes his face again, then covers. TWO, Ziggler hurries to full mount and then shoot the half into a headlock. Dawkins endures, fans chant, “WHO DEY!” and Dawkins fights up. Dawkins throws body shots, gets free, but Ziggler kicks low to turn and NECKBREAKER!
Fans boo but Ziggler grins. Dawkins gets away to a corner and Ford coaches him up. Ziggler runs in to SPLASH! Ziggler soaks up the heat, runs in again and SPLASHES! Ziggler mocks the Icky Shuffle, runs in but Dawkins DECKS him with a right! Ford fires up and the fans do, too, as both men are down. Dawkins and Ziggler crawl around, drag themselves up at ropes, and Dawkins speeds up to LARIAT! Dawkins whips, Ziggler reverses but Dawkins hurdles to FLYING ELBOW! Pump handle EXPLODER! Fans fire up with Dawkins and he runs in to CYCLONE SPLASH! Dawkins keeps moving, BULLDOG! Cover, TWO!
Dawkins keeps cool, brings Ziggler back up, and underhooks. Ziggler slips out, rolls Dawkins up, TWO! Dawkins clinches but Ziggler fires elbows. Dawkins shoves, pops up, SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! Dawkins survives and Ziggler can’t believe it! Dawkins flounders, Ziggler waits on him. Ford rallies the fans, Dawkins gets up, and he blocks the superkick to spin Ziggler around! Ziggler flips through the backslide but into the underhooks! SILENCER! Cover, Dawkins wins!
Winner: Angelo Dawkins, by pinfall
Who dey? Not Ziggler! Dawkins gets a big singles win, but will he and Ford get back up in the tag division?
The scooter race is still on!
They start restoring to pushing and shoving! We’re entering the final lap! Who will make it to the finish line first?!
Veer Mahaan is still coming.
“I have been patient like a lion. Waiting, watching, biding my time. But now, the hunter has finally spotted its prey. And soon, I will strike.”
Kevin Patrick welcomes us back.
He and R-Truth are at the finish line, waiting for what could be a photo finish here. RKBRO wants to earn that tag title rematch, but who does Truth think will win? The Bengals! Cincy likes the sound of that. Riddle and Gable are making the home stretch to gorilla! Gable has a lead, but Riddle has the stamina! Riddle gets around the corner, Gable goes down! Riddle laughs as he coasts, but then Otis CLOBBERS Riddle feet from the finish! Gable gets up, sees he has a chance, and he hurries back onto his scooter. Gable scoots around Riddle, does some taunting laps around Riddle, then crosses the line!
Winner: Chad Gable
Gable’s number one guy made sure to turn this race into a demolition derby! Riddle protests! That got rid of all the integrity! Randy always said- SHOOSH! Do Gable’s cauliflower ears deceive him, or is Riddle saying Gable’s a cheater? Gable’s never cheated at anything in his life. Not to make the Olympics, not to get a Master’s Degree, and not on his 4.0 GPA, thank you. But if Riddle wants a match, and because Gable is pissed, Riddle has his match with Otis. Will the Dozer demolish Riddle again? Or can The Bro get some semblance of revenge through the ring?
Matt Riddle VS Otis w/ Chad Gable!
Raw returns but then Adam Pearce walks out to officially inform us that this match is now an Elimination Chamber qualifier! Winner joins the WWE World Championship match! Ring the bell!
The bell does ring and Riddle fires off on Otis! Otis knees low, whips, runs, and POUNCES Riddle to the ropes! “For the Academy!” Riddle flounders to the corner, Otis runs in and SPLASHES! Otis whips back the other way hard, and Riddle bounces off buckles! Otis stands Riddle up to CLUB him and fire off body shots. Otis CLOBBERS Riddle, drags Riddle up again and back suplexes for a CLUBBING SLAM! Gable soaks up the heat on Otis’ behalf as he runs, for a BIG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Otis drags Riddle up again, clamps on a neck wrench, but fans rally for Riddle. Riddle fights up, throws body shots, and then forearms!
Riddle runs, but into the WRECKER ELBOW! Otis drags Riddle back up, CLUBS him back down, and says, “I’m the tree trunk!” But Riddle boots from the corner! Otis CLUBS Riddle again, RAMS a shoulder into him, then digs in. The ref counts, Otis lets off at 4, and he stalks Riddle. Otis kicks Riddle and Riddle falls out of the ring. The ref counts but Gable laughs at Riddle. Otis soaks up the heat but Riddle drags himself up. Riddle shoulders into Otis, slingshots up and over and gets moving, but Otis POUNCES him again! Otis is all fired up while Riddle writhes. Riddle manages to sit up but Otis CLUBS him again!
Otis has the neck wrench again and Riddle endures. Riddle fights up as fans rally, and Riddle throws more body shots. Otis CLUBS Riddle, scoops and SLAMS him, then runs to ELBOW DROP! Riddle flounders and writhes as he clutches his ribs. Riddle sputters, Otis stalks him to ropes. Otis stands on Riddle to choke him on the ropes! The ref counts, Otis lets off at 4, then he stands on Riddle’s chest! The ref counts again, Otis lets off, and Gable mocks Riddle’s pain. Riddle gets to the apron, Otis drags him up, but Riddle HOTSHOTS Otis away! Riddle hurries up, slingshots in and ROCKS Otis with forearms!
Riddle runs, ROCKS Otis again, then keeps moving. But Otis LARIATS Riddle right down! “You can’t run through a brick wall!” Cover, TWO! Otis still gloats, and he sits Riddle up again. Otis clamps onto the neck wrench a third time but fans still rally. Riddle fights up, throws body shots, but Otis CLUBS him yet again. Otis drags Riddle back up, back suplexes, but Riddle lands on his feet! Riddle fires off palm strikes and a ROUNDHOUSE! Riddle fires off KICKS in the corner, but Otis blocks to EXPLODER! Gable says Otis has to shut this down. Riddle dodges in the corner to forearm smash! And then side to side, another forearm smash!
Riddle is slowing down but he dodges Otis to ripcord, FINAL FLASH! Otis drops to a knee, FINAL FLASHÂ again! Riddle hurries to a corner and up top, FLOATING BRO!! On Otis’ leg! Otis hobbles as Riddle fires up and hears the voices, bro! Otis stands, and he blocks the RKO! Riddle elbows Otis away from the corner, goes up, FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Jackknife cover, Riddle wins!!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall (qualifies for the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber)
A HUGE win for The Bro! The Viper may not be here, but is he proud of The Stallion here tonight?
Bianca Belair VS Carmella!
The EST didn’t make history with back-to-back Rumble wins, but she’s still the Iron Woman three years running! Will she fight her way to that Raw Women’s Championship on this Road to WrestleMania? Or will the self-proclaimed Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE put her on a detour?
Raw returns, and Mella wants a timeout. She goes to her team to put on the protective mask. Fans boo, Bianca is annoyed, but Mella finally returns to the ring. The bell sounds, they tie up and Bianca waistlocks to SLAM Mella down. Bianca keeps the waistlock, Mella complains and fights up, but Bianca SLAMS her back down. Mella flails but she can’t get away. “Am I still pretty?” Umm… Mella gets up, Bianca picks her up but Mella elbows free. Mella pushes Bianca and says she’s the hottEST. Bianca laughs it off, but Mella shoves her again. Bianca winds up the hair, and Mella freaks! Bianca says GOTTEE, and then shoves Mella down!
Bianca says kiss this, but Mella SLAPS Bianca! Bianca can’t believe Mella did that, and the chase is on! They go around the ring, back in the ring, and Mella stomps Bianca down at the ropes. The ref counts, Mella lets off and says she’s the prettiEST. But Bianca kips up and runs Mella over! Bianca says she’s the prettiEST. And then she RAMS into Mella, but Mella pushes Bianca back. Bianca stomps Mella, storms up on her, but Mella YANKS her into the buckles. Mella stomps away on Bianca then fires off hands. Mella lets off, fans boo, but Mella soaks it all up. Mella clubs and stomps Bianca, then struts around.
Mella has Bianca in a corner, she digs forearms into Bianca’s face then throws back elbow after back elbow. Mella lets off just a second, then elbows Bianca down! Mella drags Bianca up to CLUB her, then pushes her around to a cover. ONE, but Mella clamps on with a chinlock. Bianca endures, fans rally up for the “E S T! E S T!” and Bianca fights up. Bianca scoops but Mella slips out to throw Bianca down by her hair! Cover, TWO, and Mella clamps on with another chinlock. Mella leans on the hold, “I’m the hottEST!” Bianca endures, fans rally up again, and Bianca powers up against Mella’s leverage.
Bianca throws body shots, scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Mella gets to ropes, she runs back in but Bianca spins her around for a suplex! Bianca kips up, fires up, and fires off on Mella! Bianca whips, Mella ducks and dodges but Bianca ROCKS her! Torture rack for the KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
Mella can have her opinion about her looks, but Bianca proved that she’s still the strongEST with that win! Will Bianca find a way to make it WrESTleMania once again?
Raw checks back in with Alexa.
Her smile at the substitute Lily assures the doctor that they’re making progress. Alexa says she’s missed Lily so much. But this isn’t the real Lily. This is just a replica from WWE’s shop. Now, he will let Alexa hold her just to prove to her it isn’t THE Lily. Alexa holds onto Not Lily and she gets emotional. Alexa cries, but is she finally getting past her past?
Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.
Chad Gable & Otis split the difference with Matt Riddle, but they did win the scooter race. Gable laughs and says of course he won the race! He’s an Olympian! And that means he gets to choose the final challenge. It’ll be a doozy! It’ll be a QUIZ BOWL! And when Riddle & Orton lose the quiz bowl, just like the Bengals will lose their bowl game, RKBRO can kiss their tag title rematch good-bye. SHOOSH. Do the Stallion & Viper stand a chance in the final Alpha Academy Academic Challenge?
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: AJ Styles VS Rey Mysterio!
The Phenomenal One was this year’s Ironman of the Rumble, but he still has to fight his way to the world title! Will Styles make the Elimination Chamber that much more phenomenal? Or will the King of Lucha start on his own Road to WrestleMania here tonight?
Raw returns and Rey makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They shake hands to show sportsmanship, and then they tie up. Styles powers Rey to a corner, but he lets off clean. Rey comes back, they feel out the grapple, and Rey shoots in to waistlock. Styles switches, SLAMS Rey, but Rey grabs the ropes. Styles lets off clean again, and he waits on Rey. They circle, feel things out, knuckle lock for a test of strength, but Styles pushes Rey down. Rey kicks up, sunset flips, ONE! Styles sweeps, covers, ONE! Styles has a headlock to keep Rey down. Rey powers up, powers out, things speed up and Styles runs Rey over!
Styles keeps moving, Rey follows and RANAS! Styles gets to a corner, fans fire up with Rey as he runs in, but Styles blocks the monkey flip to put Rey up top. Styles CHOPS, climbs up, but Rey headbutts him back down! Leap frog RANA! Rey whips, Styles reverses but Rey tilt-o-whirls, into a BACKBREAKER! Styles takes a moment to catch his breath, then he drags Rey up. Rey throws body shots, Styles CLUBS and whips Rey to slide him out of the ring! Rey rolls through, that’s new! But Styles slingshots out! Rey dodges, dropkicks Styles down, then builds speed to slide and SPLASHÂ onto knees!
Styles suckered Rey in, and now he fireman’s carries. But Rey RANAS free and sends Styles into barriers! Both men are down while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Styles drags Rey into a chinlock. Rey endures as Styles squeezes tight and leans his weight on Rey. Rey fights up, throws body shots then forearms. Styles shoves, Rey kicks back, and then Rey springboards to QUEBRADA! Styles catches, spins Rey but Rey uses that to DDT! Both men are down and fans rally back up. Rey gets to ropes, drags himself up, and he runs at Styles to tilt-o-whirl headscissors! Rey whips, Styles reverses but Rey ducks and springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Rey keeps his cool, fans fire up again and Rey KICKS Styles’ leg. Rey KICKS, whips, but Styles holds ropes to deny the dropkick! SLIDING FOREARM!
Styles fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Rey is still in this but Styles keeps focus. Styles waistlocks and gets Rey up, but Rey victory rolls to put Styles on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Styles ducks the 619! Styles ROCKS Rey from the apron, springboards in, but Rey gets under! Rey runs in but Styles catches him and rolls him. Rey rolls through to BUZZSAW! But Rey collapses, both men are down on the mat! Rey crawls to a cover, TWO!! Rey almost caught Styles sleeping on the job, but he keeps cool as he stalks Styles to the corner. Rey RAMS his shoulder in, hoists Styles up top and climbs.
Rey calls his shot, but Styles blocks the Super Steiner! Styles drags Rey into position, SUPER- NO! No Clash! Rey pops out, elbows back and goes up to leap, RANA onto the ropes! Rey redials, 619!! Rey goes up top as fast as he can, for the FROG SPLASHÂ but he flops as Styles sits up! But Rey still gets him for a ghost pin! TWO!! Styles ducks Rey’s clothesline to PELE! Both men are down again, but Styles hurries to get up. Styles drags Rey up, reels him in, but Rey turns Clash into SEATED SENTON! Rey hurries back up top, SEATED SENTON again, but Styles rolls through! STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (qualifies for the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber)
Once again, a phenomenal finish! Styles finds a way to win, and now he is the sixth and final man in that grueling title match! Will he find a way to take that title from the All Mighty Lashley?
Rhonda Rousey is here!
As promised, the Baddest Woman on the Planet is in Cincinnati, and she’s back as the winner of the Women’s Royal Rumble! Rhonda gets a mic, she smirks as the fans cheer for her, and then she says, “I’ve been debating since Saturday whose title I want to take at WrestleMania. Charlotte’s, or Rebecca’s. I have unfinished business with both. Now, I could choose Rebecca, but… My attention is a compliment she doesn’t really deserve. Because the biggest fight for any woman at any time is always with me. And Rebecca’s stagnating title reign is not my problem. It is hers, though.
“Now, I could choose Charlotte, just to prove that even as a contender, not even a champion yet, that Rebecca is still on my undercard. Then Charlotte will know, Rebecca will know, and everyone will know, that the baddest big time bitch is me!” But here comes Becky! Dressed like a playing card…? “Oh Ronnie, ya little weirdo. I missed ya!” Using her gov’t name and spouting nonsense. Nice to see Rhonda hasn’t changed. But she’s losing credibility with statements like that, when Becky’s the only one who beat Rhonda. And no one’s beat Becky for a title ever since. Wasn’t even sure we’d ever see Rhonda again.
But now that we are seeing her, the biggest match in anyone’s mind is Rhonda VS Becky. But seeing as this is Rhonda’s first WrestleMania back, Becky won’t blame her going for an appetizer like Charlotte before going after the main course. You don’t just sip down a cup of Gazpacho. But if Rhonda wants to go right for the meat ‘n’ potatoes and chooses Becky, Becky’s all game. But if Rhonda could just please decide soon, because this division has never been hotter, and Becky just wants to know who she’ll beat next. So then, who’s it gonna be? Rhonda stays quiet but Becky gets the fans in on it. The fans want to know, that’s why Rhonda came out.
Rhonda THROWS Becky down! Then she takes Becky’s mic to say, “You’ll have my answer on Friday.” Rhonda just gave everyone a reason to watch SmackDown! Well how rude! Becky thought they were catching up. Make it official, Ronnie Fears Becky! Or maybe Rhonda just wanted to get outta Cincy as bad as Becky does! But in that case, Ronnie, run and- LITA?! Lita’s here?! She’s wearing a Big Time Becks merch shirt, and says, “So rude, amirite?” Yes, so rude! What is Rhonda’s problem? That’s what Becky’s said the last four years! Fans are chanting for Lita, and Lita says Rhonda can’t talk like that to the GOAT. Yes, thank you!
Lita knew since day one that Becky would be right here. Becky has set the division on fire. Yes, completely right. And speaking of legends, Becky’s been a fan of Lita’s since she was growing up. She got in trouble wearing a thong outside the pants, but that’s neither here nor there. Well, Lita says the one thing she respects above anything is that Becky’s a fighting champion and never backs down. Yes, Becky never backs down. Wait, what’s Lita getting at? Well, if Becky never backs down from a challenge, Lita was just thinking… Becky VS Lita at Elimination Chamber? Uh, n-no. Fans say, “YES! YES! YES!”
But Becky never backs down, Lita is giving a challenge, so- Yeah, but Lita is putting words in Becky’s mouth, taking things outta context. Lita says it is a lot of work defending a title. If Becky’s scared, just say so. No, she is many things, but she is NOT scared. If Lita wants that match, she’s got it! Then the match is made! The Man takes on the extreme icon, will Becky regret being so big time?
My Thoughts:
After the Royal Rumble has good action but disappointing results, Raw here did a very good job of turning those lemons into lemonade as WWE turns the corner on the Road to WrestleMania. Lesnar setting out his roadmap was some great stuff. He got on Lashley’s nerve but is in the Elimination Chamber for the first time. Just Lesnar and Lashley could demolish that structure if they wanted to. I like that Rollins was automatically put in more as a point of upsetting Kevin Owens than anything. And we got great qualifier matches to give us the other three entries. Theory beating Kevin of course goes in line with Theory legit being Vince’s new favorite, and it could add to Kevin’s frustrations. Maybe Kevin still faces Damian Priest for the US title.
I really like that they found a way to blend Riddle’s tag team story with his singles story. He gets cheated out of the scooter race, which of course brings up round three of the Academic Challenge, but then Riddle wins huge off Otis to get in the Chamber. Riddle will get another chance to interact with Lesnar in the ring, as well as all these other great stars, he’ll definitely be a highlight of the Chamber match. Just no Floating Bro off the top of a pod, though. Styles VS Rey was great stuff as the main event match of the night, and with Theory in the Chamber, Styles getting in makes sense. Plus, Miz cheating Dom in their match, I’m thinking Miz sets something up with Rey for Mania.
WWE finally did something good for hometown wrestlers with Dawkins winning over Ziggler. Depending on how things go between Alpha Academy and RKBRO, I’m sure the Profits will be set back up for another tag title shot. Veer Mahaan’s still on his way so that’s nice to know. He did mention he has a target in mind now, maybe he’s aiming for the US Championship as his return feud. And we got perhaps one Alexa Bliss segment that was cut into two just for the sake of filling time. I have a feeling she’ll be holding onto that replica Lily as a surrogate, and trying to take it from her could trigger her.
We actually got decent stuff out of the women’s matches tonight. Rhea VS Nikki could’ve still been bigger, but we got a good match for just giving it to us so suddenly. Bianca VS Mella was perhaps one of Mella’s best singles matches in a long time. The stuff with the mask is getting old, though, but there isn’t exactly anything motivating her to give it up. Bianca sweeping the tag champs could lead to her going for tag titles, but I wouldn’t know who to give Bianca as a tag partner. And then Rhonda was of course the last segment of the night, in part. What she said was good teasing of the decision but she seemed bored delivering it. Her getting to throw Becky was probably the part she wanted to do most.
What a great surprise with Lita goading Becky into a title match. That is going to be a lot of fun for Elimination Chamber, and just as Charlotte has a win over Trish Stratus as a feather in her cap, Becky will have one on Lita. Then maybe, just maybe, they use WrestleMania 38 being two nights to set up Rhonda VS one champion, then winner of that VS the other, another Winner Takes All scenario.
My Score: 8.4/10
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)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will the landscape change again?
Eddy Thorpe keeps prodding and provoking Oba Femi, so he gets his last chance at the NXT Championship! Will Eddy truly be the alpha of NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; wins and
- NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; wins and
- NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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)
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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
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