Will the All Mighty and Nigerian Giant tear down the house?

Monday Night Raw looks to settle the score between Bobby Lashley and MVP’s new client, Omos, and it’ll be inside a 15 FOOT TALL STEEL CAGE!!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Steel Cage: Bobby Lashley VS Omos w/ MVP; Lashley wins.
• (Austin) Theory VS Mustafa Ali; changed to…
• Mustafa Ali VS Veer Mahaan, Special Guest Referee: The Miz; Veer wins.
• Matt Riddle VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso; Riddle wins.
• AJ Styles & Finn Balor w/ Liv Morgan VS Los Lotharios; Styles & Balor win.
• Alexa Bliss VS Sonya Deville; Bliss wins.
• Chad Gable w/ Otis VS Ezekiel; Ezekiel wins.
• Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Six Pack Challenge: Sasha Banks VS Naomi VS Asuka VS Becky Lynch VS Nikki A.S.H. VS “Doudrop” Piper Nivens; changed to…
• Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Becky Lynch VS Asuka; Asuka wins and will challenge Bianca Belair for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Steel Cage: Bobby Lashley VS Omos w/ MVP!

The Rocky Mountain Machine won at WrestleMania 38, but then lost at WrestleMania Backlash because of the betrayal by Montel Vontavius Porter! But now the score will be settled inside the steel! Will Lashley topple the Nigerian Giant once again? Or will Omos leave Lashley for dead inside this 15 foot high structure?

Before the match, MVP gets the mic to welcome the fans to the show. “Tonight, you will witness a spectacle of destruction. One of the competitors stepping into this 15 foot high steel cage is a man who got a little too big for his boots. A man who wanted to claim the spotlight of WrestleMania all to himself without me. You know that I’m talking about the former WWE Champion, the so-called All Mighty, Bobby Lashley. The other competitor is the future of the WWE! A man bigger, stronger, meaner than Bobby Lashley could ever be! I present to you the 7-foot-3-ince, 403 pound Nigerian Giant, Omos!”

MVP expects Lashley to put up a hell of a fight because that’s the man he is, but let’s be real. This match is a foregone conclusion. Omos can win inside the cage by pinning Lashley, 1-2-3, or he could crush Lashley until he screams out in painful submission. Or Omos could just leave Lashley’s broken body behind and leave the cage. But considering this is a steel cage match with no disqualifications, Omos will brutalize Lashley even worse than he did at Backlash! “Let’s be clear, The All Mighty Era ends tonight. You all are blessed and fortunate to be living in the Age of the Nigerian Giant, Omos!”

But now Lashley makes his entrance! He has the fireworks go off and makes his way down the ramp, but Cedric Alexander attacks from behind! Lashley and Cedric brawl, Omos goes out after Lashley to throw hands! Lashley gets mugged but keeps on fighting! Referees rush out but fans are fired up for Lashley! Adam Pearce shouts at them both to stop, and Lashley goes right into the cage! Lashley wants this fight now, so Omos will give it to him! We see who makes it back out of the cage, after the break!

Raw returns and the bell rings! Omos rushes in but Lashley dodges to then try for a tackle. Omos stays up, CLUBS Lashley and KNEES him down! Omos runs to KICK Lashley down, and MVP shouts for Omos to hurt Lashley. Fans rally for Lashley and he gets to ropes but Omos just stands on Lashley’s back! Omos lets off but MVP JABS Lashley with his cane! Omos clamps on both hands but Lashley fights free! Lashley CLUBS and jumps on for a SLEEPER! Omos stays up and pries free, only for Lashley to RAM him into a corner! Lashley fires off hands, then runs corner to corner, into Omos’ choke grip! Omos CLUBS Lashley down!

Omos roars and he stalks Lashley to a corner. Lashley stands up but Omos back body blocks! Fans rally but Omos hits another back body block! Lashley flounders, MVP aims the cane and JABS Lashley in the neck! Lashley writhes, but Omos drags him up to scoop him and SNAKE EYES! Lashley staggers while Omos runs and Omos BOOTS Lashley down! Fans boo but MVP says for Omos to keep on Lashley. Omos bumps Lashley, runs corner to corner and SPLASHES! Omos then CLUBS away on Lashley while MVP gets on the apron to taunt Lashley. MVP even reaches through the gap to SLAP Lashley!

But Lashley grabs that arm and YANKS MVP into the corner! Lashley then dodges Omos to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Omos survives and no one can believe it! Lashley gets up, he grabs Omos’ arms and CLUBS away with hammer ‘n’ anvil elbows! Lashley runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Omos falls over but Lashley isn’t done! Fans fire up as Lashley waits on Omos. Omos gets up, half nelson! Lashley wants the full, HURT LOCK IS ON!! But Omos powers back! Lashley throws Omos into the corner! Omos comes back but Lashley BOOTS him! Lashley hurries up the corner, but not to escape the cage. Omos grabs Lashley, but Lashley has a STANDING ARMBAR!

Lashley stomps Omos over and over, Omos staggers! But Cedric returns! Cedric climbs the cage to stop Lashley from escaping! Fans boo but Cedric gets inside with Lashley to kick at him! Lashley grabs Cedric to SLAM him down! Lashley LEAPS, but into Omos’ arms! Omos brings Lashley around to a fireman’s carry, to TOSS him into the steel! Lashley tumbles down against the side of the cage, and Omos drags him to center. Omos roars, MVP tells Omos to finish this! Omos drags Lashley up, palms his head, but Lashley fires off haymakers! Lashley roars and keeps on Omos, then runs, into another BOOT!

Omos clamps onto Lashley again, IRON CLAW! Omos then fireman’s carries, to RAM Lashley into the side! The cage wall gives way! Lashley is on the outside, and just stands up!! Lashley wins!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by escape

MVP can’t believe it! Lashley wins because Omos was too strong for his own good! Will Lashley move on from Omos to even bigger and better? Or will this only make Omos and MVP want another fight with the All Mighty?

(Austin) Theory VS Mustafa Ali!

The youngest WWE United States Champion in history has strung The Beacon along for long enough, now he’s finally facing him 1v1! But will Vince McMahon’s golden boy have another way to stack the deck? Or will this actually be a fair fight for once?

Raw returns as Ali makes his entrance. But then Theory gets a mic to tell Ali, “I’m sorry, I almost forgot. I can’t from a good faith place figure out with you what makes you think this is gonna happen. I mean, seriously. This match, I can’t go through with it unless somebody that I can trust that’s going to call this straight down the middle, somebody that I can trust 100%. I guess we’re gonna have to have a special guest referee for this match: THE MIZ!” And as Ali frowns, The Miz makes his entrance! The Most Must-See Referee struts his way out and replaces the ref we already had, and Miz asks if they’re both ready.

Theory says he isn’t sure. He’s Mr. McMahon’s protégé, the youngest US Champion ever, but it just doesn’t seem fair that Ali fails his way into a match with the champ. Y’know what? Theory will help Ali out, to take us back tot he first lesson Vince taught Theory: expect the unexpected. Theory has arranged a match for Ali to prove he is championship material. His opponent isn’t Theory, it’s VEER MAHAAN! And just as Theory said, here comes the Ravenous Lion! Does Ali stand a chance of winning, let alone surviving?

Mustafa Ali VS Veer Mahaan!

The bell rings and Ali dropkicks Veer! Veer stays up but Ali dropkicks him again! Ali runs but Veer runs to THESZ PRESS! Theory likes the look of that! Ali staggers up, Veer TOSSES him to a corner, then runs in. Ali goes up and over, Veer hits buckles and Ali CHOPS and fires off hands! Miz calls the ropebreka and backs Ali down. Ali jukes Miz to fire off on Veer again! Veer shoves Ali away to BOOT him down! Theory applauds but he’s the only one. Veer glares at Ali, drags him up and whips him to ropes. FLAPJACK! Veer stomps Ali then drops a BIG elbow! Theory likes that, too, and Veer looms over Ali.

Veer hauls Ali up to trophy lift him! Ali slips off to SUOPERKICK! Veer wobbles but stays up, so Ali SUPERKICKS again! Ali runs but Theory trips him! And Miz acts like he didn’t see it. Veer runs in, but Ali dumps Veer out! Veer gets up but Ali WRECKS him with a dropkick! Ali keeps moving and he dropkicks Veer gain! Veer stays on his feet somehow, but Ali builds speed, only for Miz to stand in his way! Miz starts the ring count and pretends like he had no idea what happened. Ali and Miz argue, then Miz pie faces Ali! Veer gets in, MILLION DOLLAR LARIAT!! Veer snarls, Theory is loving this, and Veer HIP DROPS Ali down! CERVICAL CLUTCH!! Ali taps, Veer wins!

Winner: Veer Mahaan, by submission

Veer’s undefeated streak continues, but he had a lot of help from Theory and Miz. Theory then convinces Veer to put on the Cervical Clutch again! They get a selfie! Miz complains, where is his part of this? Theory says Miz can get in on it, and they all get to be part of this. Veer lets Ali go, but then looks to the table. Fans boo but Miz and Theory support this idea. Veer makes his way over, commentary backs off, but here comes Rey and Dominik Mysterio! They get in and CLOBBER Veer! Then dropkick him down! Then Dom PLANCHAS! Veer catches him, but Rey SEATED SENTONS!

The Mysterios get back in the ring, and Veer is furious but he can’t fight those numbers! Will the Mysterios and Ali get their payback on Theory, Miz and Veer together?

Becky Lynch finds Adam Pearce backstage.

Big Time Becks is out of breath, she apologizes but says she’s been talking to a lot of people. That Six Pack Challenge can’t happen! She knows they advertised it but it’s not fair! Will Becky convince Pearce to change his mind? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Becky keeps saying it can’t happen. is he listening? Becky saw Sasha and Naomi leave! They left the building! It’s a gross injustice that now it’s just a Fatal 4, and so it shouldn’t happen at all. But Becky hasn’t had her rematch after being the greatest Raw Women’s Champion to ever live. She should just be the #1 contender, so let’s do that so she can have the night off. Pearce says he’s aware of what’s going on, but no, it will happen because we need a main event. So breaking news, Becky goes 1v1 with Asuka, the winner takes on Bianca Belair. It’s official. Pearce leaves Becky speechless, will she also end up on the losing end tonight?

Matt Riddle VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso!

The Raw Tag Team Champions got The Bloodline to accept the challenge, and this Friday, we will get the WWE Tag Team Championship Unification match! But with the Viper away, will the Stallion stay on the right track? Or will Jimmy put Riddle in the Uso Penitentiary on behalf of SmackDown?

Raw returns and the Usos make their entrance. The bell rings, Jimmy and Riddle circle but Jey slides in. Riddle is distracted and Jimmy CLOBBERS Riddle! Jimmy stomps a mudhole on Riddle in the corner, then he stands Riddle up to ROCK him with an uppercut. Jimmy whips corner to corner, Riddle goes up and over and ROUNDHOUSES Jimmy down! Riddle gut wrenches for the suplex! Cover, ONE! Riddle keeps cool, he brings Jimmy up but Jimmy DECKS Riddle with an uppercut! Jey applauds and Jimmy CHOKES Riddle on the ropes! The ref backs Jimmy down but Jey sucker punches Riddle!

Fans boo but the Usos raise the fingers, #WeTheOnes. Jimmy brings Riddle up, bumps Riddle off buckles, then uppercuts, but into a HANGING TRIANGLE HOLD! Riddle drags Jimmy up and out and to the floor! Then Riddle aims, but Jey pushes Jimmy aside, APRON PENALTY KICK! Riddle goes up but Jimmy DECKS Riddle out of the springboard! Jimmy then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Riddle goes down at the ramp! Jimmy then gets Riddle up to whip him hard into the steel steps! Jey snatches up Riddle’s Raw Tag Team title and holds it up as foreshadowing for Friday! The fans boo but the Usos soak it up as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Riddle fires off hands on Jimmy! Jimmy shoves him back, kicks, but Riddle blocks. Riddle spins Jimmy, but gets the DRAGON WHIP for it! Riddle goes to a corner, Jimmy hushes the fans so they can hear the “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in to HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Riddle survives and the Usos can’t believe it. Jimmy clamps onto Riddle with a chinlock and thrashes him about. Riddle endures and fights up as the fans rally, and Riddle throws body shots. Riddle fires off palm strikes, a BOOT, then spins Jimmy for the PELE! Jimmy wobbles around and Riddle handsprings, to forearm smash!

Riddle runs side to side, another forearm smash! Jimmy fights the Brosploder, swings, but into the clinch! BROSPLODER! Riddle runs, BROTON onto knees! Both men are down but fans rally up. Jimmy and Riddle crawl over to each other, and Jimmy headbutts! Riddle CHOPS, Jimmy headbutts again! They start throwing forearms, Riddle gets the edge and he whips. Jimmy reverses and pops Riddle up into the SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Jey is losing his cool! Fans rally and chant, “BRO! BRO! BRO!” Jimmy and Riddle slowly stir, and Jimmy drags himself to a corner.

Jimmy goes outside, climbs up the corner, and Jey nods as he raises the finger. But Riddle springs up to get Jimmy, fans fire up, but Jimmy fights the RKO! Jimmy HEADBUTTS Riddle down! USO SPLASH onto knees! Jimmy and Riddle are down again and Jey is freaking out! Riddle gets up, gets to a corner, and Jimmy runs in, into a back elbow! Riddle goes up but Jey trips him up while the ref is checking Jimmy! Jimmy rolls him, Jey gives the assist! The ref sees that one, though! Fans fire up as the ref EJECTS Jey!! Jey has no choice but to leave, even as Jimmy protests. Riddle gets a cradle, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

The Bro snatches victory from the jaws of the Usos! Riddle & Orton have the bromentum going the title unification match, but will they be able to capitalize? Or will Jimmy & Jey still be the ones with all the gold?

Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.

Kevin Patrick asks how she feels about Rhea Ripley beating her down for The Judgement Day. Well, whether Rhea joined a motorcycle gang, a women’s rugby club or The Judgement Day, Rhea will never get away with this. No matter the odds, Liv never gives up. So Rhea can say and do whatever she wants, Liv- But in come Los Lotharios, and they shoo Kevin Patrick away. Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo say they saw what happened, so they’re here to comfort her. They’re gentlemen, and they know what cheers a young woman up. A kiss. Uh, no thanks. What? Why not?

But in walk AJ Styles & Finn Balor! They tell the “creepy McGees” to beat feet. Hasta luego, muchachos. They’ll see them in a tag match later tonight. Styles then tells Liv that they won’t offer a kiss cam or anything like that, but they do have an opportunity. They all have problems with Judgement Day, so why not team up? They can work together. Otherwise, Judgement Day will just pick them apart one at a time. So how about it, sis? Wanna be ringside with them? She isn’t so sure. She’ll think about it. Well alright. Finn & Styles head out, and Liv has quite a few offers on the table. Will she look to join the club against their common enemies?

Judgement Day speaks.

Damian Priest asks if we’ve been listening. Do we get it yet? Seems we haven’t been. Because otherwise we should all rise and show respect! Judgment Day does not take orders. they do what they want to whoever they want. And if any of our heroes step to them, they will face nothing but punishment. Rhea Ripley says she has embraced the movement and enjoyed every single second of it. They are done being everything the fans wanted them to be. Rhea will not be the figure of her mistakes. There is nothing holding her back. And now, it’s time for complete and utter eradication.

Edge says he’d listen to his Saints of Fate. They don’t take names, they don’t speak lies. The Judgement Day is at the forefront of evolution, far above the low hanging fruit that is the rest of us. But there are some among us that are tired of pretending. Edge travels the world and sees it in our faces. We’re angry, and who can blame us? So stop being sheep and join Judgement Day. Grab this bolt of lightning and throw some meaning into your life. Judgement Day is power, so accept their gift, or continue to live in purgatory. We’ve seen what Judgement Day has done to the favorites like Finn, Styles & Liv.

And Edge has seen how this all plays out. More will join them for his arms are outstretched to any superstar who wants to join and take their career to the next level. It could even be you, Styles. Think about it: after everything Styles has been through, he should know this feeling better than anyone. And Judgement Day could use someone of his athleticism, leadership and tenacity. Styles’ problem is, he tries to please everyone and Edge did that, too. Edge would leap off 20 foot ladders thinking the adulation of the fans would fulfill him. It didn’t. It left him with a body full of broken bones and a career that ended before it should have.

And where were the fans? Gone. Edge wants Styles to join the movement. They can put the past behind them and Styles can climb onward and upward. It is beautiful atop their mountain of omnipotence. The choice is Styles’, Finn’s and Liv’s. They can stand beside Judgement Day, or down at their feet again and again and again. Edge tips the scales, but will Judgement Day turn their enemies into allies?

Liv Morgan heads to the ring!

She wasn’t sure earlier, but perhaps after hearing Judgement Day speak, she made up her mind! She leads the way for The Prince and the Phenomenal One, will things be #JustTooSweet?

AJ Styles & Finn Balor w/ Liv Morgan VS Los Lotharios!

Raw returns and the Lethal Lovers make their entrance. And of course, Angel & Humberto prepare the kiss cam. As usually, they find a lovely lady in the front row and give her a kiss on each cheek. The teams sort out and Humberto starts against Styles. They circle, tie up, and Carrillo puts Styles in a corner. The ref counts, Carrillo lets off, but Styles dodges the sucker punch to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Styles CLUBS Carrillo, tags Finn, and they double whip. Styles dropkicks the legs out, Finn basement dropkicks! Cover, ONE! Finn clamps onto the arm and wrenches, then he tags Styles back in.

Styles kicks the arm, then bumps Carrillo off buckles. Styles grabs at Carrillo but Carrillo YANKS him into buckles! Fans boo as Carrillo stomps a mudhole into Styles. The ref counts, Carrillo lets off and then drags Styles up. Tag to Garza, they mug and CLUB Styles, then bring Styles up for a cobra twist. Garza CLUBS Styles in the ribs, tags Carrillo and they mug Styles more. Carrillo taunts Finn but the ref keeps Finn back. Carrillo CHOPS Styles, tags Garza back in, and the mugging continues. Then they double back suplex, but Styles lands on his feet! Styles BOOTS Gaza, TOSSES Carrillo, then tags Finn! Finn & Styles clothesline Garza out!

Carrillo returns but Finn feeds him to Styles to TOSS him out! Then Styles & Finn DOUBLE PLANCHA! Direct hit on both Los Lotharios and fans are fired up as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Carrillo has Styles in a HALF CRAB! Styles endures, reaches out but Carrillo drags him away from Finn! Garza taunts the fans and Carrillo tags him in. Garza runs to basement dropkick Styles down! Then Los Lotharios put on a DOUBLE HALF CRAB! The ref counts, Carrillo lets off and Garza bends Styles way back with a modified take on the full Boston Crab! Fans rally, Styles fights to get one free, and he kicks Garza down! Tag to Carrillo, Styles kicks at each of them! Styles gets away, ducks a roundhouse to ENZIGURI Carrillo down! Fans fire up, hot tags to Garza and Finn!

Finn rallies, whips but Garza reverses, only for Finn to CLOBBER him! Carrillo gets in but Finn trips him to DOUBLE STMOP! CHOP to Garza in a corner! Finn whips, Garza reverses but Finn reverses back, tilt-o-whirl RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Finn KICKS Carrillo out, gets around, but Garza cradles! TWO!! Finn kicks but Garza blocks to KNEE back! SHOTGUN for Styles! Garza hauls up Finn but Finn slips out of the Wing Clipper to SLINGBLADE! Liv and the fans fire up for Finn, but he runs into a SUPERKICK! Tag to Carrillo and he hurries up top! MOONSAULT into boots!

Finn aims from a corner, runs in, dodges Garza and SHOTGUNS Carrillo! Carrillo is down, Styles gives Garza a PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Finn gives Carrillo the COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn & Styles win!

Winners: AJ Styles & Finn Balor, by pinfall

Now that was Too Sweet! Liv celebrates with this phenomenal duo, and the boys throw up the Too Sweet. Liv joins in! Fans fire up, will this club shoot down Judgement Day?

Kevin Owens is anxious backstage.

Finally, Chad Gable arrives with the DNA results for Ezekiel! They got the sample from the red Solo cup and an old hair of Elias’. Inside this folder are the answers! finally they can expose that fraud! Hurry up! Kevin snatches the envelope, brings out the paper, and says the results… were contaminated by barbecue sauce. OTIS! Uh, no, Elias must’ve had pulled pork  and ribs before the show! Oh really? Give Otis the lie detector test because Kevin remembers Otis eating ribs in catering like there was no tomorrow! Gable has them calm down and says there was a problem in the chain of custody.

But don’t worry! They can use ancestry! NO! No more tests! they never work! Gable’s supposed to be the smartest man in the world or something, right? He is! Well Elias has been making him look like an idiot! SHOOSH! Gable vows to expose Ezekiel by beating it out of him in the ring. No, you’ve said that before! But fine, whatever! “A Thank Yew!” “You’re welcome.” Will “Master” Chad be able to get to the bottom of this? Or must they just accept the truth?

Alexa Bliss VS Sonya Deville!

The Goddess made her return to add insult to injury on “Cruella” Deville losing her role as a WWE Official. Alexa won handedly, but Sonya of course cites being emotionally distraught as the reason why she lost. Will Sonya regain some of her composure in this rematch? Or will Alexa go 2-0 rather quickly?

Raw returns and Sonya makes her entrance. The bell rings, Sonya rushes in and the two tie up. They go around, Sonya puts Alexa in a corner but lets off at 4. Sonya pie faces Alexa around then has her against ropes. Sonya lets off to argue with the ref, but Alexa SLAPS her! Sonya swings on Alexa but Alexa dodges to run her over! Alexa SHOTGUNS Sonya down, then spins her to reel her in, STO! And then INSULT2INJURY! Sonya dodges the second knee drop to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Sonya smirks and she drags Alexa up. Sonya dribbles Alexa off the mat, then again!

Sonya tells the ref to leave her alone and then she drags Alexa up. Sonya taunts the fans, brings Alexa up and boots her down! Sonya toys with Alexa, whips her to ropes, and CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Alexa grits her teeth and Sonya seethes, but Sonya wraps on a chinlock. Sonya thrashes Alexa around, grinds Alexa down, but Alexa endures. Fans rally as Sonya thrashes Alexa more. Sonya taunts “Lexi,” but Alexa fights up to her feet. Alexa throws body shots, then hits a JAWBREAKER! Sonya stagers but she knees Alexa low. Sonya snapmares, runs and SHINING WIZARDS again! Cover, TWO!

Sonya is fuming, and she bumps Alexa off buckles. Sonya then bumps Alexa off another corner, then pushes her down. Sonya undoes the crossbar’s pad, and even goes to untie the buckle! The ref stops that but then Sonya rushes Alexa for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, but the ref is busy! He gest to the count, TWO! Sonya’s own cheating bites her in the ass! Sonya brings Alexa up but Alexa ROCKS Sonya! DDT!! Cover, Alexa wins again!

Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall

That’s two in a row for Alexa and Sonya literally has no one to blame but herself! Will Alexa use this momentum to get back up the ranks? Sonya argues with the ref, gets in his face, but the ref tells him it was the buckle pad. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” but then Sonya SLAPS the ref! Sonya is not management, she is going to be in big trouble for this! What will Pearce choose as punishment for Sonya losing her cool?

Cody Rhodes is here!

The American Nightmare is in Norfolk, even after what Seth Freakin’ Rollins did to him last week. Cody has the pyro and goes to the ring, but how will he respond to the Visionary? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Cody gets the mic while fans fire up and chant his name. “I have been told that Seth Rollins is not here. And although I am surrounded by lovers here in Virginia, and millions watching at home, I hope at that Seth is listening. Last week, I tried to move forward. I tried to extinguish this chapter in our career. And Seth, he went ahead and dumped gasoline on the flames. He stomped my head on that desk right there, and he said the most peculiar thing. He said that I would never take away anything from him ever again. So inquiring minds, I have to know, what is it that I took away form you? What did he lose? Two matches? A winning bonus? A momentary spotlight?”

Cody didn’t cross a line or delude a legacy. If anything, the biggest threat to Rollins isn’t Cody, it’s Rollins himself. Rollins is trapped in pandemonium and hellbent on pulling Cody in with him. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane. 2012: Rollins shows up in the WWE, all Shielded up. Cody was one of those bitter boys in the back, because within a few months, Rollins won tag title gold. Within a few years, Rollins had climbed the metaphorical yet very real ladder and won the WWE World Championship and shattered the ceiling. For skeptics like Cody, Rollins proved there even was a ceiling, and still won his way to the top.

Cody says his story is a bit different. He didn’t win that much until recently. Cody scratched, clawed, and even painted his face with a smile but felt dead inside. The thing is, Cody endured. Fans cheer that sentiment. “You learn so much from loss. You learn how to live, how to love, how to adapt, how to reinvent yourself. The difference between a revolutionary interview and actual revolutionary actions, and the number one thing that I learned… I’m never gonna be the American Dream. So why not embrace the Nightmare?” Fans also cheer that sentiment.

Cody says he did lose his way to the top, but what it all comes down to, truly, is that Rollins’ embarrassment over losing twice outweighs Cody’s quest for vindication. If that sounds like an exaggeration, here’s another way to put it: Cody’s second chance! And you don’t take those for granted. If Rollins wants to deny Cody that second chance, well you’ll just have to kill him. And Cody will give Rollins that chance. Cody says we run it back! Cody says we lock all that angst in and leave it on the mat, playing for keeps! Rhodes VS Rollins III, and this time… INSIDE HELL IN A CELL!!! Fans really like the sound of that!

Rollins’ laugh echoes out from the tron as the Visionary lurks in a bright green suit. Oh, there’s Mr. Nightmare! Countdown to Cody and there he is! So Rollins wants to get this straight: trying to steal Rollins’ spotlight at WrestleMania wasn’t enough; cheating at Backlash wasn’t enough; one little stomp on the desk and now Cody is begging with Seth Freakin’ Rollins for one more round, and inside Hell in a Cell. Cody must be dumber than he looks! That is the biggest mistake Cody’s ever made in his life! Anyone who enters the cell with Rollins is changed forever!

Rollins says Cody knows the answer. Rollins will exploit every one of Cody’s insecurities and expose Cody for the fraud that he is! Rhodes VS Rollins III, HIAC, “I accept!” Well then, there’s nothing left to say other than, “See you in Hell.” The American Nightmare, the Architect, and that sinister steel structure! Will either of them survive what’s coming?

Backstage interview with Asuka.

Sarah notes that Asuka and Becky are now going 1v1 for a chance at the Raw Women’s Championship. What are her thoughts? Asuka pretends to cry as she taunts Becky for crying to Pearce like a baby. Asuka then laughs, and says tonight, she will give Becky a reason to cry! Because! Asuka is ready for the title! And Becky is NOT ready for Asuka! Will the Empress of Tomorrow make sure The Man’s comeback plans end tonight?

Chad Gable w/ Otis VS Ezekiel!

The Alpha Academy heads out, but they’re joined by the Prizefighter. Will they all finally reveal the truth behind Ezekiel’s identity? Or will Elias’ younger brother do their family proud?

Raw returns and Kevin is on commentary to insist Ezekiel is Elias because the papers are wrong. But even the ring announcer says it’s Ezekiel, so Kevin is even more upset. There’s nothing but liars in the WWE! He also doesn’t believe that picture of Elias and Ezekiel together, that has to be doctored. Ezekiel makes his entrance, the bell rings and Ezekiel ties up with Gable. They go to a corner, Gable has the ref back Ezekiel off, and the two reset. Gable and Ezekiel feel out a grapple, Gable fakes Ezekiel out then gets around to a waistlock. Ezekiel throws a back elbow but Gable ducks it to whip.

Ezekiel ducks, dodges and FLYING SHOULDERS Gable down! Ezekiel brings Gable up to CHOP! And forearm! And whip to ropes, only for Gable to tilt-o-whirl to a takedown! Ezekiel gets up out of the armlock to headlock and hit a takeover! Gable keeps his shoulder up, moves around, and fights up. Gable powers out, things speed up and Gable arm-drags, but Ezekiel slips out to headlock! Kevin says Elias is still athletic. And he points out that such a move could only be pulled off by a veteran wrestler, Ezekiel can’t possibly have that experience and is therefore Elias. Gable powers up for a BIG back suplex!

Gable says, “A THANK YEW~!” but fans boo. Gable gets Ezekiel up, whips him to ropes then hits a kitchen sink knee! Cover, ONE! Kevin says that was three but that’s not close at all. Gable rains down fists and then tells fans to SHOOSH! Gable brings Ezekiel up, whips him to ropes, but Ezekiel blocks hip toss into a Gory Especial! Gable endures the stretch, powers up, and he sunset flips! Ezekiel rolls through to get the foot! Gable scrambles around to the ROPEBREAK! Then he pulls Ezekiel’s hair and throws him out! Ezekiel has Gable on the apron to SLAM him on the edge! Then Ezekiel HOTSHOTS Gable!

Gable sputters, the ref checks on him, a nd Otis CLOBBERS Ezekiel while the ref isn’t looking! Kevin likes that one but fans boo as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Gable has a motorcycle stretch. Ezekiel fights up, Kevin applauds for Gable, but Ezekiel turns the hold around on Gable! Kevin says to stop clapping, but Gable arm-drags to get the SNAP LOCK on the arm! And another! And then he SLAMS the arm on the mat! Gable hits a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Kevin wants to edit the graphic to say “Gable VS Elias.” Gable clamps onto Ezekiel with a keylock and he grinds the arm down. Ezekiel endures again, fans rally, and Ezekiel fights up. Gable hammerlocks to RAM Ezekiel into the corner! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Otis grows frustrated but Gable climbs up top. MOONSAULT, but Ezekiel moves! Gable lands on his feet, dodges Ezekiel, but Ezekiel comes back to rally with clotheslines! Ezekiel whips, Gable kicks, but Ezekiel hits a SPIONEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Kevin says that was one but whatever. Ezekiel CHOPS Gable, hoists Gable up top, and fans chant for “ZEKE! ZEKE!” Ezekiel CHOPS Gable, climbs up, but Gable throws body shots! Gable headbutts Ezekiel away, then leaps, into a JUMP KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Kevin says that was one of Elias’ moves! And he won’t believe this is a tribute to his brother, either.

Ezekiel suplexes, Gable slips off but Ezekiel bucks the roll-up. Gable CLOBBERS Ezekiel, goes up top, MOONSAULT! Direct hit this time and cover, TWO!! Kevin rallies behind Gable as he drags Ezekiel back up. Gable fires forearms over and over, but Ezekiel hits back! Ezekiel CHOPS, haymakers, repeat! Ezekiel whips, Gable reverses but Ezekiel goes up to mule kick! Another Elias move! Ezekiel powers up, runs corner to corner, and he SPLASHES! Fans fire up but Otis rushes to the apron! Ezekiel KNEES Otis down, Gable rolls Ezekiel! Ezekiel slips out, Gable tries a cradle, but Ezekiel rocks it back to a cover of his own! EZEKIEL WINS!

Winner: Ezekiel, by pinfall

Kevin and Otis rush the ring but Ezekiel gets away! Is there no denying it now? Is Ezekiel who he says he is? Or is there still something Kevin can do to prove he’s been right all along?

R-Truth and Tamina lurk backstage.

She asks him what they’re doing and he has the divorce papers. He still didn’t give them to Akira Tozawa!? Shh, Truth knows where Tozawa is hiding. Trust him? How? To catch Tozawa, think like Tozawa. So Truth throws the papers in the trash? Now hold on. One. Two. Three. Tozawa pops out! He’s been served! Tozawa begs Tamina to take him back but then Dana Brooke walks in. She thanks Truth for serving Reggie the papers. IT was his pleasure. And y’know, starting and ending a marriage, chef’s kiss. Now we need to talk compensation. He wants the 24/7 Championship back! He has to have it back! Give it over, Dana!

NO! Dana shoves Truth down! But then Dana bumps into Carmella! Dana apologizes and Mella says Dana almost smashed her face. She said she’s sorry! Yes, she is sorry. A sorry excuse for a competitor and a wife. Not Mella, though, she’s perfect. Because her hubby can’t get enough of her. And she is relevant. Well here’s a reality check, honey. The last time Mella was relevant,. was when that chinless guy was here. Big game from Dana. Oh, Mella should know. Graves talks a big game. But he couldn’t cut it, and neither can Mella. But then Truth rushes in and Dana takes off. OH no! Mella’s back! Where she been? Truth, no.

Oh, it’s like that, huh? Well, help him get his baby back! She will, when the time is right. She wants Dana. Alright, that’s fair. Truth takes off, will he be able to arrange a showdown between the Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE and 24/7 Champion?

Please welcome mother, wife, daughter, sister, United States Marine and WWE Superstar, Lacey Evans!

The Model Soldier makes her way out, now moved over from SmackDown to Raw. We heard her story, but what will her plans be now that she’s back? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Lacey has a mic to say how much she admires and respects the men and women of our US Armed Forces, and how much they keep volunteering their time and their life to protect us. She wants us all to give them a standing ovation with her. And the fans do get up to applaud! “U S A! U S A!” Lacey says, “HELL YEAH!” And she also wants to thank the fans for that warm welcome back, and how honored she is to be here in front of some service men and women. Where you all at? She knows what you’ve been through, what their families go through, so thank you for your service.

“Finding the courage to fight is hard. Finding the courage to try to change your circumstances in life to be successful is hard. But we’ve got what it takes to do so.” Lacey is thankful to be back on Raw to not only show the WWE Universe that you all have what it takes to beat the cycle, but also to show her two beautiful baby girls that anyone can do it! We all have what it takes to make it, that we all have what it takes to wake up, work and win! Lacey may not be better than the other WWE Superstars in that locker room, but they damn sure ain’t better than her! Fans cheer Lacey and she thanks them. Will Lacey #WakeUpWorkandWin her way to the Raw Women’s Championship?

Matt Riddle speaks backstage.

In a very Uso style, Riddle calls out Jimmy & Jey and says nothing is going to stop him and Orton this Friday and unifying the tag titles. Oh, and one more thing, RKBRO 4:20 says we just smoked your ass, bro.

But the Usos respond!

Jimmy says Riddle got lucky. That luck runs out on Friday. Jey says RKBRO came to the Bloodline’s house, sat at the Bloodline’s table, and disrespected The Tribal Chief! On SmackDown, it’s one ‘n’ done! The Bloodline will be dripping in gold. The Usos will be undisputed tag team champions, the Usos will be the best tag team in the WWE, because the Usos represent the Bloodline because #WeTheOnes! It finally happens, but who comes out with four belts when it’s all said and done?

Bianca Belair is here!

The RawEST Women’s Champion makes her way to the ring, because she wants to see for herself who she’s up against next!

Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Becky Lynch VS Asuka!

It was meant to be a Six Pack, but for whatever reason, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Sasha Banks & Naomi, just up and left! That made Pearce cut out Nikki A.S.H. and “Doudrop” Piper Niven, and now it’s just between The Man and the Empress. Who meets Bianca at Hell in a Cell for the title?

Raw returns and Asuka makes her entrance, followed by Becky’s. The bell rings and Asuka circles with Becky. Fans fire up as they approach, Becky ducks a backhand but the CODE BREAKER hits! Asuka runs in at the corner but is put on the apron. Becky hits Asuka then JUMP KICKS her down! Becky then builds speed to baseball slide, but Asuka blocks, spins Becky around and HIP ATTACKS! Becky flounders, Asuka gets in, but Becky bails out. Asuka pursues, but Becky dodges and Asuka kicks steps. Asuka mule kicks Becky on the return, but then Becky blocks a clothesline and BECKSPLODERS Asuka into barriers! Asuka is down as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns once again and Becky stomps and slaps Asuka around. Becky pokes Asuka in the head, so Asuka pushes Becky! Asuka gets Becky in a backslide, TWO! Roll-up, TWO! BUZZSAW! Both women are down and even Bianca is shocked to see that! Both Becky and Asuka are down and fans rally up. Becky manages to get up first and she goes after Asuka with haymakers. Asuka gives back forearms, they brawl, Asuka ducks, fires off shots, then BACK HANDS! And again! And a sobat! Asuka runs in at the corner, HIP ATTACK! Becky fights the waistlock, but runs into a pop-up KNEE! GERMAN SUPLEX!

Asuka roars and runs, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives but Asuka is right on her. Asuka chicken wings an arm but Becky fights the Asuka Lock! Victory roll, TWO! Becky reels Asuka in, MANHANDLE- NO! Arm-drag! Asuka runs but misses at ropes, Becky BOOTS her! Becky has Asuka in the ropes to fire off forearms and uppercuts! Becky goes to the corner, goes up, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Becky is losing her cool and Bianca wags her finger. Fans rally as Becky waits on Asuka to get up. Asuka grits her teeth and glares at Becky, and she fights the takedown! Becky ducks a kick, but Asuka rolls Becky up, TWO!

Becky hurries to waistlock to O’Conner Roll, TWO! INTO THE ASUKA LOCK!! Becky endures, reaches out, fights to get up and back to a cover, but Asuka keeps a shoulder up! Becky forces it back down, TWO!! Becky kicks low, whips but Asuka reverses to send Becky out. Becky KICKS and ROUNDHOUSES and climbs up! Becky leaps but Asuka gets under! Asuka runs in, FLYING ARMBAR!! Becky is caught again, reaches out, fights to get around, ROPEBREAK! Asuka lets go and even Bianca is feeling the stress. Asuka vows to get the title, and she drags Becky up the ropes! But Becky HOTSHOTS her down!

Becky hobbles around the corner, she sees Bianca sitting there and taunts her. Bianca tells Becky to just get back to the ring. Asuka comes out after Becky and CLUBS her! Bianca says that’s what happens. Asuka brings Becky over but Becky bumps her off the apron! And then Becky throws Asuka into Bianca! Becky stomps Asuka, drags her up and puts her in, then scuffs Bianca. Bianca is pissed now! Becky hurries away, Bianca is on the apron! The ref stops Bianca, Asuka gets Asuka’s umbrella! But Asuka USES THE MIST!! ROUNDHOUSE!! Cover, Asuka wins!!

Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)

Bianca shrugs, and tells Becky that is also what she gets. Will Bianca soon add one of the biggest names to her list of victories? Or will not even the EST be ready for Asuka?

My Thoughts:

Pretty good stuff for Raw, but still a lot of odd stuff going on, too. We literally had a countdown to when Cody Rhodes would get his segment to start the third hour. Is that in his contract or something? Cody had a very good promo, Rollins had a good response, and of course we’re getting their third match at Hell in a Cell in Hell in a Cell. That is going to be great stuff, and could go either way. We also opened with the Steel Cage, which ended up going about how most WWE cage matches go. Even though cages are supposed to stop interference, it really just encourages it, so MVP and Cedric had parts to play.

And just as I remembered Lashley had that great cage spot where he broke off a panel with his whole body, that’s exactly how they finished it here! Lashley wins but in a way that isn’t definitive, so we’ll clearly get one more match out of Lashley and Omos, maybe also at HIAC. Lacey Evans officially shows up on Raw, doing the promo she probably would’ve done on SmackDown, and it was a great Face promo. Sadly, there’s still concern that she isn’t going to be a Face, but she’ll turn Heel by going overboard and be overbearing about patriotism and principles. She even has “The Three W’s” to parallel Kurt Angle’s Three I’s, so we’re doomed to see WWE go through with this, DESPITE USING HER LEGITIMATELY TRAGIC LIFE STORY TO START THIS OFF.

Alexa VS Sonya having a rematch made sense, but a little surprised Alexa won again. Sonya’s cheating backfiring again was a pretty good detail of the match, as was her losing her cool and slapping that ref. This could escalate to where Sonya has to fight to keep her job as a superstar since her behavior is getting worse. We got pretty good stuff out of the 24/7 Division, and it sounds like Mella is back in that now that she’s not in a team with Zelina Vega. Mella VS Dana might actually make for some good matches for this title, and they really should consider getting a bit more cinematic with this title again since it’s meant to go anywhere.

Great stuff from Kevin Owens and this Elias/Ezekiel story again. I had a feeling the DNA test wasn’t going to work out but I like that Otis was to blame. Kevin was great on commentary during Gable VS Ezekiel, and a great win for Ezekiel here. Maybe there’s a blow-off set for Hell in a Cell, maybe there’s another twist. Theory changing the plans was a fairly clever Heel move, and them tying together Veer’s undefeated streak with Ali’s story of getting screwed over was also pretty clever. The Mysterios making the save was a bit of a surprise. Again, I had expected Rey to show up sooner to get payback for what Veer did to Dom, but I suppose a Six Man of Ali & Mysterios VS Theory, Miz & Veer will be a good enough match.

The Judgement Day had a good promo, with Edge backing off of his rather generic insults to get back to being high ‘n’ mighty with his vocabulary. Edge making an appeal to Styles, but also to all their targets, was rather surprising. I hope it doesn’t set up some kind of betrayal. I mostly hope that because Finn and Styles had a great tag match with Los Lotharios. Finn & Styles could get in on the Tag Division once those titles are unified. Liv getting to join in the Too Sweet was clearly exciting for her as she had a big smile. And maybe we get a Six Person Tag instead of separate singles matches? Would save room on the card.

And speaking of unified titles, Matt Riddle VS Jimmy Uso was a great match, and Riddle had a great promo to copy the Usos’ style. Riddle winning kinda means Usos win the tag match, but WWE could surprise us and let RKBRO get the gold so that the Usos have to chase through the Summer. So, no, Usos are winning because that’s not surprising.

Now of course the surprising stuff is what was planned for the main event. They didn’t advertise that Six Pack Challenge for nothing, they really did want Sasha, Naomi, Piper and Nikki in it. However, what appears to be shoot events and not kayfabe happened. From what PWInsider has, there was a discussion about that match with Vince McMahon, Sasha disagreed with the decision, and then she and Naomi stormed out. The irony is that the decision was Naomi was going to win, and this could start a Two Woman Power Trip story, but with undertones of Naomi joining the Bloodline more directly.

Now, they still could’ve cut the match down to a Fatal 4 so that Piper and Nikki got to have time, but they chose to just give us who the match was going to come down to anyway in Asuka VS Becky. Probably should’ve just been Asuka VS Becky flat out, and maybe that was part of the disagreement, but we’ll probably never hear those details. In the end, the main event still only got under 10 minutes, but it was still pretty good stuff. Becky’s own cheating backfiring on her was also a good move, and now we’ll see Asuka VS Bianca play out in full and for the title. Unless of course Becky finds a way to give us a Triple Threat after all, since Asuka did use mist.

My Score: 8/10