What is the fate of the NXT Championship?

Oba Femi retained the title last week, only to vacate it?! That means General Manager Ava must decide how to crown a NEW NXT Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Lola Vice VS Kelani Jordan; Lola wins.
• WWE Speed Championship: Jasper Troy VS Tavion Heights; Jasper wins and retains the title.
• TNA International Championship: Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Arianna Grace VS Shiloh Hill; Stacks wins and retains the title.
• No Disqualifications: Joe Hendry w/ OTM VS Dion Lennox w/ DarkState; Hendry wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The title sits in the ring.

Ava is here to say, “Last week, Oba Femi vacated the NXT Championship. And while some people might see this as a challenge, I see it as the perfect opportunity. Because now the Men’s Division is wide open. And I cannot wait to see who steps up. Because whether you’ve been grinding at this for awhile, you feel like you’ve been over looked, or you’re a new face who just stepped in then door, there is no better moment than right now.” And then RICKY SAINTS steps in! Ricky pushes past The Vanity Project and Stacks to step into the ring. The Absolute grabs a mic and says, “I just wanna say to everyone, thank you all for coming.

“And Ava, thank you for holding all of this. Before I go any further, I just wanna say, I told ya! I ran the Stand & Deliver main event right out of NXT!” The fans boo, but Ricky says, “That is what you call an Absolute Hattrick! Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Oba Femi! He didn’t want the rematch with me, because The ruler is afraid! But they are in the past. And I am the now. At the start of every show, that signature says something. Well guess what? Ricky Saints is the then, now, and forever! And together, you’ll all be watching me.” The fans boo, but Ricky wants everyone to hold on. He sees everyone here, we’re looking at great talent! Future champions!

But that’s the future. And all eyes are on Saints right now, who he can only assume is going to be a TWO-TIME Champion. But okay, he’ll stop and let Ava have the honors of handing the title over. Uh, no. Ricky, you deserve an opportunity, but no more than all these other men who came to her office and said the exact same thing! So what she was going to say before he rudely interrupted was that on February 3rd, NXT will hold a Six Pack Ladder Match for the NXT Championship! Whoever climbs up and pulls the belt down becomes the NEW NXT Champion! And qualifying matches begin next week.

Ava cannot wait to see who steps up and makes this moment their own. The fans cheer that! Saints is speechless, but Ava hangs the belt on the hook and lifts it up high. And then JOE HENDRY steps to Saints! And then it’s chaos! The fans love it, but here comes KEANU CARVER from Evolve! He TOSSES someone into the crowd! Then he CLOBBERS more would-be champions! Hendry TOSSES Saints, but Keanu gets in and POUNCES Ricky Smokes onto Vanity Project! Jensen drags Keanu out to brawl with him, and Keanu hauls him up, POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE! Jackson Drake DIVE into a forearm!

Keanu lifts the Evolve Champion to TOSS him onto everyone else! Keanu is the only man left standing, will he be unstoppable on the road to the title?

NXT returns and…

Ava is on the phone, and this person says they’re on their way. She says sounds good, see you later tonight. She hangs up, Robert Stone steps in, and he says Blake Monroe just arrived and has a lot to get off her chest. Of course she does… Will The Glamour only add to the headache that the show’s become?

Lola Vice VS Kelani Jordan!

The tension in this one has been building, and it popped off last week in a backstage confrontation! They’re about to have it out in the ring, who proves they’re the real deal and deserving of a title opportunity?

Kelani BLASTS Lola off the apron! Then she PLANCHAS! Down goes Lola and the ref reprimands, but it’s not a match yet! Lani puts Lola in, climbs up a corner, then CROSS- BODY BLOW! Lola says ring the bell, so the bell rings! Lola SPINEBUSTERS Lani, rains down fists, but Lani turns things around! The fans rally as the two scrap, and they get up to swing! Lola blocks a shot to CHOP Lani, CHOP again, then SLINGSHOT ARM-DRAG! Lola LEG SWEEPS, then she RUNS Lani over! The fans rally up, but Lani rolls Lola up! TWO, Lani dodges, drops down, then hurdles. Lani ducks a roundhouse, Lola avoids a sweep, but not the second sweep!

Lani stalks Lola to a corner, bumps her off buckles, and we get picture in picture of The Culling arriving. Lani stomps away on Lola, drags her up, and SCRAPES her face against the ropes! Lani whips and ELBOWS Lola down, then covers, TWO! Lani stomps Lola in frustration, kicks her around, but the fans rally for Lola. Lani drags Lola around to whip, but Lola reverses and KICKS! Lola whips Lani to KICK again, then whips, but Lani rolls Lola up! Lola sits on it, ONE! Lani has it, TWO! Lola has it, TWO! But into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Lani flails, reaches out, and ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Lola lets go, and Lola winds up.

Lola SOBATS, then she follows Lani to a corner. Lola fires fast hands, the ref count, and Lola backs off. Lani SLAPS Lola! Lola smiles, then she glares. Lani runs away! Lola pursues, they go back into the ring, but Lola avoids a stomp to trip Lani. Lani BOOTS Lola into the desk and LARIATS her down! Lani talks trash on Lola while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Lola pushes back on the body scissors for a cover! TWO as Lani lets Lola go. They both stand, and Lola mule kicks! Lani runs back up, Lola dodges, but then Lani dodge! DOUBLE BOOTS take both women down! The fans fire up again while both women stir. They cheer “Women’s Wrestling!” as both women sit up. They fire hands back and forth, then Lani BOOTS! Lola ROUNDOHOUSES! Then she ducks a kick to SNAP GERMAN! Lola fires up, and she KICKS Lani down! And KICKS her again! And SPIN KICKS! SPIN KICKS! SPIN KICKS! Lola then bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire LIGHTNING KICKS!

Lani falls into the corner, and Lola reminds us, “I’m a LATINA~!” HIP- NO, Lani bails out! Lani says she will not take that, but Lola goes to the apron! LEG LARIAT! Lola drags Lani up, puts her in the ring, and Lani scrambles to a corner. Lola runs up, HIP ATTACK! Lola gives Lani that twerk! Lani still fights the back suplex! Lani facelocks, but Lola wrenches out, ducks one kick, and blocks the other! REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Lani flails, reaches out, pushes back, and now she has a cover, TWO!! Lola lets go just in time! BUZZ- NO, Lani blocks the kick! Step-over and CALF KICK! Lani hurries to a corner, goes up, and FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO?!?

Lani is shocked and furious but the fans are loving this! Lani drags Lola to the drop zone, goes up, up, and ONE OF A KIND into the TRIANGLE!! Lani flails, reaches out, but Lola rolls her away! Lola squeezes tight but Lani fights to a stack, TWO! Lola URA- NO, Lani BOOTS the lariat! ANGLE SLAM!! Lani hurries to a corner, goes up, and 450- NO, Lola dodges! But Lani ducks a kick! Lani RAMS Lola into a corner, O’Conner Roll, and holding ropes! The ref sees that and says no! URAKEN!! Cover, Lola wins!

Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall

Lani tried to steal one, but she got caught! The Standout is down and out, will the Latina Heat head back for gold?

Tavion Heights speaks.

“In 2025, I broke out, and I showed you exactly what I was capable of. But in 2026, bro, I’m gonna show you exactly what it looks like to reach new heights. Jasper, I’ll be coming your way shortly, winning my first title, and becoming your NEW WWE Speed Champion.”

Jasper Troy responds.

“Congrats, Tavion. You earned five minutes in the ring with me. But unfortunately, I don’t need five minutes. And whatever momentum you think you’ve gained recently hits a dead end tonight.” The MonStar is ready to face the Olympian, who will prove their bona fides in five minutes or less?

WWE Speed Championship: Jasper Troy VS Tavion Heights!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and time to put pedal to the metal!

The bell rings, the two run up, and Tavion DROPKICKS! Then Tavion runs up, but Jasper catches him! Tavion sunset flips, Jasper stays up, but Tavion avoids the fist drop! Tavion runs back up to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Tavion hurries to facelock and squeeze, but Jasper fights around. Tavion squeezes even tighter but Jasper RMAS him into the corner! Jasper is free, he runs back in, but Tavion dodges! Tavion runs, but Jasper CLOBBERS him! And SPLASHES down! And SPLASHES DOWN! And SPLASHES again! We’re under four minutes and Tavion bails out.

Jasper waits for Tavion to roll back in, and he stomps away! Jasper stands on Tavion but the rf back shim off. The fans rally up, Jasper fires body shots, and Jasper whips Tavion into a corner. Jasper SPLASHES, then he brings Tavion around to whip corner to corner. Jasper runs, Tavion dodges and fires hands! The ref counts, Jasper BODY BLOWS, then he scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jasper drags Tavion around to clamp on a GROUND COBRA! Tavion endures, fights around, and the fans rally up. We’re at the halfway point, but Jasper HAMMERS Tavion in the chest! And KICKS him in the side!

The fans duel as Tavion fires body shots. Jasper storms up, Tavion UP KICKS, but Jasper keeps after him. Tavion fires hands, we hit the orange phase of two minutes, and Tavion storms up. Jasper shoves, but Tavion scoops! POWERSLAM! The fans fire up but Jasper runs in! Tavion BOOTS him, then LARIATS! Tavion ducks ‘n’ dodges to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Tavion hurries up the corner, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jasper survives, and we hit the one minute round! Jasper guzels Tavion! Tavion breaks free, slips around, but into the BLACKHOLE!! Cover, Jasper wins!

Winner: Jasper Troy, by pinfall (still WWE Speed Champion)

With 53 seconds to spare, Troy clocks it! Who will be able to keep up and take down the MonStar? And then LEXIS KING ATTACKS TAVION! The Drama King is furious that he lost in eight seconds, so he hits Tavion with the CORONATION! The fans boo, but Lexis never leaves well enough alone. Will Tavion get back at Lexis for this?

Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair are outside Ava’s office.

The Evolve Women’s Champion wants to talk to the General Manager, because it literally took the entire Fatal Influence to keep that title. So yeah, Kendal wants another chance. But ZaRuca step in. Kendal & Wren say they’re not done with Fatal Influence? Well, ZaRuca gets next. Wait, which one? Either one of them, doesn’t matter. And is Wren really gonna let Kendal get another shot before her? Y-yeah, Kendal’s way better right now. No, Wren, Kendal wouldn’t be here without you! If Wren wants her shot, Kendal will support her. Sol says last they checked, Jacy beat both of them, so…

But then Jacy pokes her head out of Ava’s office to tell them all to keep it down, they’re having a meeting. But this lets everyone barge in. Now they’re all arguing, and Ava says okay! Since they’re all here, she’ll tell them all now. Ava was trying to figure out how to choose Jacy’s next challenger, but Santino Morella also said an NXT team can get their shot at the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships. So next week, we have a Triple Threat Tag match. They’re all excited about that, and Zaria points out that as the Best Tag Team of 2025, ZaRuca should just have that opportunity. The other two are not. Wren says they have a name: WrenQCC.

Uh, wow, just argue amongst yourselves, because it will be Fatal Influence that brings home more gold. The teams are back to arguing, but who will overcome the odds to then cross the line with The Elegance Brand?

Lexis King returns backstage.

He feels good about the drama he started, and he says it was majestic. No one embarrasses The King and gets away with it. Mr. Chase tells Uriah & Kale that this is a #TeachableMoment in what not to do. BZZ, wrong. You heard Ava: The Men’s Division is wide open, and Lexis will claim that top spot. Why? One: it is his birthright! And two: Taking charge and making opportunities is something they all should be doing. Stacks says The King is holding court dropping knowledge. This guy knows what he is talking about, because he helped Stacks win the TNA International Championship. Chase says he’s out. Kale leaves, Uriah lingers.

Lexis says those rubes will never learn. Stacks has the “Toothless Wonder,” will he be alright? Stacks says yeah, he has his exotic queen. That’s all he needs. Lexis says good man. They leave, Robert Stone walks by to reprimand Lexis, and then Stone encounters Myles Borne. Myles wants to talk real quick, and he is tense! He is not asking, he is telling, he wants a qualifier. Does Stone hear him? Yes, he will talk to Ava. Myles leaves, and NXT might end up a powder keg. But who will blow the competition out of the water on their way to the mountaintop?

Elio LeFleur speaks.

“When you look at me, it isn’t what you’d expect. A Frenchman in a mask, it’s unique. This mask tells my story. When I began training at 16 years old, I was mentored by a Mexican luchador named Nitro. He held a seminar in my hometown every year, and told us he would give a mask to his best trainee. At the end of the seminar, he awarded me the mask. I was very young, but he saw the potential in me to be his star protege. It’s one of the proudest moments in my career. Now every time I enter the ring, I represent him by wearing this mask. And with my style, I aim to prove him right and honor the lucha tradition.

“Because without him, by wearing this mask with my style, I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today. The French Luchador, Elio LeFleur, is coming to NXT. And I am here to slash the sky.”

Ethan Page finds Ava.

Ava sighs, and is pretty sure All Ego is gonna blindside her with Vanity Project again. Ethan says no, absolutely not. But he does want to remind her that he loves those boys. And he congratulates her that she signed those three studs. Then what does he want? Oh, to focus on the future: THE NXT Championship. “Boss, who will my qualifying match be against? And when will it be?” Oh, well, no one and never. Amazing! He’s automatically in! No, no, he’s not in the match at all. What? Why? Who here deserves it more than Ethan? Ava says she knows, he is a double champion, had the year he had, she knows.

And look, she could put Ethan in a qualifying match, he just has to give over the North American Championship. Absolutely not. Well, if Ethan was in the ladder match and won, he’d have to vacate the North American title anyway, but Ava won’t make him do it, because again, we’re focusing on the future. Ethan says after everything he’s done as North American Champion, record number of matches in his reign, and now we’re already approaching a record number of days, he has beaten blue chip prospects, veterans, stars from all around the world, AND a bunch of zoo animals! Yes, he has had an incredible year and has taken the title to new heights.

In fact, he IS the longest standing champion as of right now. Um, is she trying to be serious? Yes, she’s serious. That title deserves all the spotlight. Which is why it’ll be defended next week. No, absolutely not! Yes, actually. Doesn’t Ethan feel it deserves all the recognition? No. Well, too bad. Because Ethan will be facing Elio LeFleur in his debut match. Okay, okay, hold on. This Elio is debuting in a title match? Yeah! Ethan knows something about that, right? Good luck! Ava heads out, will All Ego keep his reign going at the cost of not getting back to the top title? Or will it not matter when the French high-flyer brings him down to earth?

Blake Monroe goes to the ring.

The Glamour is here and blowing kisses to everyone, and she gets a mic to say, “Let’s talk about it. Last week, I came out here with every intention of reclaiming my Women’s North American Championship. Yes, I attacked Thea Hail. But so what? All I did was bring a little Hell out to play. I mean, it was a travesty I was even having to compete for MY title in the first place. It was! And instead of letting Blake Monroe rise to the occasion, they turned it into controversy. They turned it into chaos. I was exactly where I was supposed to be, right in the middle of the conversation. Then suddenly, the narrative changed.

“And instead of answers, I was walked out the building like I’M the problem!” The fans are torn on that, but Blake says she’ll let us in on a little secret. Shh… “When you’re as talented as I am, people don’t always know what to do with you.” The fans applaud, and Blake says they’ll call you controversial, debate about you, whine about everything you do wrong, but they’ll never admit the obvious: Blake Monroe IS the standard! She’s the most complete woman in NXT! Ava wants to go on and on about the future, needing something new, but no one even compares to The Glamour. She is the moment! Every move she makes is monumental and sends everyone into a frenzy!

We saw it last week! The spotlight literally only exists because Blake wants it to. And the minute you take her out of the equation, we see how fragile the system really is. Blake didn’t lose control, she just lost her patience. She lost her patience for a system that doesn’t know how to exist when things aren’t convenient. The moment Blake steps out of line, the moment she does something… Well, it is alright. Those girls can fight over the scraps of attention she left them. They can even borrow some of her shine. Because every story ends in the same truth: There are stars, and then there are women who spend-

JAIDA PARKER IS BACK!? The fans fire up for “Miss Parker! Miss Parker!” Blake sneers while Jaida steps into the ring, mic in hand. Jaida smiles as the fans chant for her. Jaida tells Blake, “All I gotta say is, Miss Parker-” Blake interrupts to ask, “Can I help you? In fact…” Blake takes a swing! But Jaida blocks it to ROCK Blake! And RAM her into the corner again and again! Jaida scoops Blake to put her in the ropes, and CHOP! The fans fire up for the TEARDROP! High step it out! Jaida says, “I’m back!” HIPNOTIC off the apron! The fans cheer Jaida on, she blows kisses, and she tells Blake to clock it.

Miss Parker is back and she don’t play games! Will Blake learn to accept that before she gets herself sidelined?

DarkState speaks.

Cutler James says, “We never wanted to compete, we came to take over. Four men, one mission. We didn’t build our way slowly to the top, we started there, slotted our way in with the best of them, NXT Champions, Tag Team Champions, main eventers, it didn’t matter! No one was safe!” Osiris Griffin says, “In 2025, we did it all. We dismantled The Family, we snatched tag team gold, we beat the greatest of all time, The Hardys, at their own game. We dropped the new age golden boys, Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater.” Saquon Shugars says, “I don’t know what’s so hard for y’all to understand, bruh. Anybody that steps to DarkState gets dropped by DarkState!”

They made NXT into their playground, and they gonna hop-scotch through the roster. You’ve seen what they have do, but you don’t know what they’re capable of. Dion Lennox says that DarkState stood over Joe Hendry, so he needs to remember he asked for what’s coming. It doesn’t matter who he has as body guards, DarkState will beat their asses, too. OTM, you wanna box for real? You’ll get get like you ain’t ever been got! When DarkState strikes, ain’t nobody safe.

TNA International Championship: Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Arianna Grace VS Shiloh Hill!

Not only was the former Underboss humiliated during the Christmas Chaos Mixed Tag, but he got clobbered in that free-for-all, and Miss NXT was even charmed by the LFG Season 2 Champion, until his false tooth fell out right onto her chest… Will Stacks get revenge for them both tonight? Or will #ToothlessAggression make an impact in the New Year?

NXT returns as Shiloh makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who crosses the line with it!

Stacks dips Arianna, kisses her, then swings her out so she can SLAP Shiloh! Shiloh just grins and fires hands on Stacks! The bell rings and Shiloh puts Stacks in a corner. They scrap, Shiloh THROWS Stacks across the ring, then storms up again. Stacks BOOTS Shiloh, UPPERCUTS, then fires hands. Stacks bumps Shiloh off buckles, talks trash, then whips corner to corner. Stacks runs up to BODY BLOW! Stacks BELL CLAPS, then he mocks the fans. Stacks whips corner to corner, runs in again, but Shiloh dodges! Roll-up and TWO!! Stacks narrowly escapes and even he has to check! Shiloh says it was that close.

Shiloh scoops, Stacks slips free, and Stacks ROCKS him in the back! Stacks hammerlocks an arm to RAM Shiloh into buckles! Stacks wrangles Shiloh with a wristlock and he cranks the arm. Shiloh endures, the fans rally up, and Shiloh stands. Shiloh uses the ropes to flip through and he clamps onto Stacks’ arm! Stacks flails and fights around, but Shiloh SWINGS Stacks to bring him down! The fans cheer but Stacks fights up and puts Shiloh oh the ropes. The ref counts, Stacks fires a body shot, then whips. Shiloh ELBOWS Stacks, then DUMPS Stacks out hard! The fans fire up and Arianna is worried. Shiloh storms out after Stacks to SMACK him off the apron!

Stacks kicks low in return, then whips. Shiloh uses a tiger feint to come back and LARIAT! The fans fire up for Shiloh, he aims at Stacks, but Arianna YANKS Stacks outta the way! Shiloh slides through the corner! Stacks thanks his exotic queen, but Shiloh comes back! CANNONBALL! Down goes Stacks and the fans fire up again while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Stacks stomps away on Shiloh in a Tree of Woe! Stacks JUMP STOMPS Shiloh down, but the fans still rally up. Stacks runs up, but Shiloh ELBOWS him away! And fires hands! Shiloh whips, Stacks reverses, and Stacks kitchen sink KNEES! Then SLIDING SHOULDER! Cover, TWO! Shiloh stays in this but Stacks slaps him around. Stacks brings Shiloh up to slap him around, then UPPERCUT! Stacks runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shiloh and Stacks stir, rise up, and go to ropes. The fans fire up as Shiloh TAKES OUT HIS TOOTH!

The fans cheer for “Toothless Aggression!” but Stacks is furious! Stacks storms up, but Shiloh blocks a punch to ROCK Stacks! And ROCK him again! Then HEABDUTT! Shiloh ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Stacks! Shiloh SLAPS away on Stacks’ back, then hits a BUTTERFLY SLAM! Then Shiloh sits up for a IMPLODER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Stacks survives but Shiloh still smiles. Shiloh brings Stacks up, but Stacks fights the suplex with body shots! The fans boo, but then Stacks YANKS Shiloh into ropes! And he BACK ELBOWS Shiloh down! Stacks fireman’s carries, GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!! Shiloh survives and the fans fire up again!

Stacks looks to Arianna, she coaches him on, and Stacks runs up again, but Shiloh ducks the wizard! Kick to a leg, then Shiloh runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides out? He puts his tooth back in and puts his arm around Arianna’s shoulders. She smiles, thinking it’s Stacks, but then freaks out when it ain’t! Stacks hurries out, Shiloh slides back in, and Arianna calms down. Stacks hurries back in, he DUMPS Shiloh out, but Shiloh RAMS Stacks! And he avoids Arianna’s sweep! Sunset flip, but Stacks stays up! Stacks and Arianna hold hands! The ref reprimands, she lets go, but then the ref KICKS Stacks’ arms from the ropes! Shiloh sunset flips Stacks, TWO!!

Stacks rebounds, Shiloh reels him into a cradle! But Arianna kicks it over to Stacks’ favor! STACKS WINS!!

Winner: Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, by pinfall (still TNA International Champion)

Shiloh is shocked and the fans are disappointed, but Arianna made sure to stack the deck in Stacks’ favor! Will they both continue make an impact on NXT?

Izzi Dame is here.

The fans boo as the NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion walks to the ring. Izzi holds up the belt and soaks up the heat before she grabs a mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, and everyone who thought they understood how this division works, welcome to your new reality.” The fans boo more, but Izzi says, “I am your NXT Women’s North American Champion. NOT Tatum Paxley, NOT Thea Hail, and certainly not Blake Monroe. Me.” The fans boo more, but Izzi says she won’t give us “the same tired story” about making the most of an opportunity. That is what people say when they stumble into success.

And let her be clear: This was not a stumble, this was calculation, timing, and simply outsmarting everyone else. She will talk about how funny it is how happy everyone was over Izzi losing to Tatum. The fans do cheer that. Now, can she ask why? What exactly did they think she was gonna do after that loss? Cry, go to the back and hide in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity? Because that is all of you would’ve done. One thing about Izzi, she doesn’t waste losses, she studies them. And while every other woman in the back sits there and feels sorry for themselves, she is watching, learning, figuring out exactly how this place runs.

She sees who panics, who folds, who is delusional enough to think that emotions are strength instead of weakness. All that loss did for her last wee was bring her clarity. The fans chant, “Turn The Mic Off!” Izzi says The Culling has always been about removing weakness, exploiting mistakes, and making sure that when moments come, every other person is already outta place while she is standing exactly where she planned to be all along. Every step, every move, every second, have always been part of the plan. And last week proved that she is always three steps ahead. Izzi engineered her opportunity, she designed the outcome, and because of that, she is now a champion!

The fans boo more, but Izzi says everyone wants a piece of her. Let’s not act like Izzi didn’t hear Lola earlier, already wanting her shot at the title. Well, wanting something and getting it are two very different things, mamacita. And Thea, she must be back there running around, convincing herself that the louder she whines, the better chance she gets at getting a rematch. But crying doesn’t change the fact that this title is Izzi’s now, and she is in control of when and how anyone gets close to it. Just ask Tatum! They all love Tatum so much, but apparently love isn’t enough to keep someone on top. Izzi didn’t become champion from how beloved she is.

Izzi is champion because she thinks faster, plans longer, and pulls the trigger without hesitation. The fans chant, “We Want Tatum!” but Izzi says if anyone thinks they’re gonna get close to the title, they need to understand what they’re signing up for. Cuz you’re not fighting for a title, you’re walking into a trap, a game that you didn’t realize has already begun. And- Tatum is here! The fans fire up as #TuesdayAddams goes to the ring, but refs stand in the way! Tatum just pushes through to get at Izzi! The fans fire up as Tatum rains down fists on Izzi! The refs drag Tatum back and Izzi slips away. Tatum HEADBUTTS a ref!!

The fans are stunned, Tatum shouts at Izzi that she will get the title! Izzi is nothing but a snake!! Will Tatum cut the head off that snake soon enough? Or will Izzi just poison Tatum with her venom again?

Backstage interview with Ricky Saints.

Kelly Kincaid is with The Absolute and brings up the NXT Championship Ladder Match set for February 3rd, and that Ricky seems to be of the opinion that the title should’ve just been handed to him. Ricky took exception to the news, but has he had a chance to cool off? Ricky asks what happened to unbiased journalism around here! Yes, he cooled off. He had a conversation with Miss Ava, and they talked about what he was owed, and that was a title rematch. They reached a compromise, and that is Ricky Saints does NOT need to qualify! Ricky is IN the ladder match! So guess what? Breaking news: He will be front and center for next week’s qualifiers!

Ricky says one of them will be Sean Legacy VS Eli Knight, and another being Josh Briggs VS Shiloh Hill. Ava said that if we’re talking new, this is brand new. We’re talking triple-double-title brand new! Stacks steps in and asks if Ricky just mentioned Shiloh. Stacks just beat that trailer park chief, and now SHILOH gets the qualifier? Yeah, bro, your girl helped you win! But you still have the title and the girl, so c’mon! Ricky heads out, will he like what he sees when he watches the future of NXT unfold? As for Stacks, Lexis pats him on the shoulder and says time to talk. Is there about to be more drama between NXT and TNA?

NXT returns and…

Blake Howard is on the scene as Tatum is being escorted out of the building for assaulting the referee. Vanity Project steps in and says that’s a shame. But Drake says let’s walk this way, he’ll love this. Howard will get a real scoop, because in case you haven’t heard, The Vanity Project signed their NXT contracts! BOOM! Ricky Smokes can’t wait to see what crazy girls they run into now that they’re here. Drake says yes, it is a dream come true for all three. But he must know, since he is still Evolve Champion, he’ll of course be in the NXT Championship Ladder match qualifiers, right? Right? Brad Baylor says yes, of course he will.

Plus, Stone just let Swipe Right know, they’re gonna be facing Chase U, and they will learn what everyone else learned in 2025, and that- Oh no, Keanu’s coming! RUN! Vanity Project bails and Howard asks the One Man Demolition Crew for a word. Keanu says get out his face, bruh! Get this camera out his face, too! Keanu shoves the cameraman and the feed goes out. Will Keanu simply carve a path through NXT like he did Evolve?

No Disqualifications: Joe Hendry w/ OTM VS Dion Lennox w/ DarkState!

The Prestigious Joe Hendry has been going back and forth with these four ferocious feral dogs calling themselves as faction, but the WWE Universe still believes. And while Bronco Nima & Lucien Price were reluctant to get involved, they saw that this could help them get at those NXT Tag Team Championships. Will Nima & Price help Hendry get out the mud? Or will they see firsthand that #NoOneIsSafe?

The bell rings, Hendry and Dion circle, and they tie up. They go along the ropes, in a corner, and along more ropes. They end up in another corner, then back on the ropes. They keep going and going, Dion RAMS Hendry into the corner, then RAMS him again. Dion ROCKS Hendry, HAMMERS away, then drags him up. Dion TOSSES Hendry out, Hendry slips back in before DarkState can swarm, and Hendry kicks Dion low. Hendry SMACKS Dion off buckles, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! The fans “WOO~” as Hendry CHOPS again! Hendry TOSSES Dion out, Dion slips away before OTM can swarm, and Dion dodges a lariat.

Dion comes back, ducks again, but Hendry ELBOWS him down! Then kick and underhooks, then a swing and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Dion stays in this and shakes out the stars. Hendry storms up on Dion, UPPERCUTS him, then whips him to a corner. Hendry storms up but Dino body blows! Dion UPPERCUDTS Hendry down, stomps him, and stomps again! Dion drags Hendry up, BACKBREAKER! Hendry writhes, Dion covers, TWO! Dion clamps on with a facelock to turn Hendry and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Dion snarls, goes up a corner, but Hendry ROCKS him first! Hendry climbs up to throw hands!

The fans rally, but Dion fights back! They brawl, Dion ROCKS Hendry, but Hendry ROCKS Dion! Dion DECKS Hendry, adjusts, but Hendry kips up! Hendry springs up the corner to SUPERPLEX! Both men are down but the fans fire up while NXT goes picture in picture.

Dion and Hendry both crawl, and Dion goes to a corner. Hendry rises first, storms his way over, then UPPERCUTS! Hendry runs Dion side to side to bump off buckles! Then to more buckles! Then to a third corner! Hendry winds up to complete the lap! Dion stumbles but Hendry brings him up to suplex hard! Cover, TWO! Dion toughs it out but Hendry stays cool. Hendry storms over to Dion, snapmares and clamps on for a half nelson chinbar combo! Dion endures while OTM watches DarkState closely. Dion rises up to fire body shots! Hendry staggers, runs back in, but gets a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT for it!

Dion then throat chops Hendry down! Dion stomps Hendry, KNEE DROPS, then drags Hendry up to whip and LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Hendry toughs it out but Dion clamps on with a chinlock! Hendry endures, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Dion has Hendry in the chinlock again. Hendry fights up, but Dion wrangles him back down. The fans rally, Hendry stands, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Dion kicks low, whips Hendry to the corner hard, and Hendry falls to his knees. Dion whips the other way just as hard, and Hendry drops to his knees again. Shugars then sets up a chair in the corner! Dion likes it, and he whips Hendry! Hendry reverses, and Dion is sent hard into the chair, which also knocks Shugars down! The fans fire up while both Dion and Hendry are down, too! Hendry rises, he fires shots on Dion, then DECKS him!

The fans rally up, and Nima says turnabout is fair play: He gives Hendry a knuckle duster of sorts! Hendry loads up, he dodges Dion, and he DECKS Dion with that right hand! Cover, TWO!! Dion survives and the fans are a bit stunned, but Hendry whips him and scoops him, and FALL AWAY SLAMS him! Then the kip up and… TURN! The fans cheer and Hendry starts up the stomp stomp clap! Guzel and- NO, Cutty passes a kendo stick to Dion! SMACK on Hendry’s back! And then SMACK on the side! And again! And again! Dion fires off on Hendry, then SMACKS him one more time! But Hendry blocks one!

The fans fire up as Hendry snatches the stick to SMACK away on Dion! Then a CRACK across the chest! The fans fire up as now Hendry guzels and STANDING OVATION!! Cover, but DarkState YANKS Hendry out! They mug Hendry, put him back in, and Dion its the SLINGSHOT BOMB! Cover, OTM YANKS Dion out! They mug Dion now! The fans fire up as now OTM and DarkState shout at each other! They step into the ring, and it is on 3v2! But then Price TOSSES Shugars so now it is 2v2! The fans cheer on TOM but DarkState TOSS them out! So OTM just drags them out! The brawling continues up the ramp, leaving it up to Dion and Hendry!

Dion sets up the table his boys brought out, and he puts it in a corner. Then Dion gets a new chair, but so does Hendry! The fans fire up as these two stare down! They CLASH chairs, both men are disarmed! Hendry kicks, whips, but Dion reverses, SPINEBUSTER on a chair! Cover, TWO!! Hendry survives, the fans are thunderous, but now Dion aims for the table! But Hendry guzels! STANDING OVATION on the chair!! Cover, TWO!! Dion survives now and the fans rally up. Hendry looks to the table, he eggs Dion on, and Dion fires hands! Hendry and Dion go back and forth, then Dion SPEARS Hendry through the table!! The fans go nuts, Hendry covers, TWO!?!

The fans are thunderous as Hendry survives! Dion grabs the chair and he tells Joe to just stay down. Hendry does not, he sits up. TONY D SMACKS DION!! The fans fire up as Tony then gives Dion a SPINEBUSTER of his own! The fans fire up, and Tony helps Hendry up. BUT THEN SPINEBUSTERS HIM, TOO!! Tony still puts Hendry on Dion for the cover, Hendry wins!

Winner: Joe Hendry, by pinfall

Don no more, but Tony might still be calling the shots. Is this Tony’s way of saying that he will be the NEW NXT Champion, no matter who he has to fight through? Ava rushes out here with security, and they tell Tony to stand down. Tony just TOSSES guys around instead! Tony SPEARS a guy, but the others drag him up. Tony fires hands on them, and he POSTS one! GERMAN SUPLEX for another! Then SPINEBUSTER for the third! Tony snarls as he moves past Ava, does D’Angelo still run NXT?

My Thoughts:

A very good NXT here to follow up Oba Femi vacating the NXT Championship, and to essentially address the roster turnover with Oba, Trick, Je’Von, and Jordynne going to main roster. NXT is at the whims of main roster, which also means that Evolve is affected by those same moves. Keanu Carver and Vanity Project moving up to NXT is great for them, but it’s still disappointing that Sean Legacy didn’t win the Evolve title off Jackson Drake. For that matter, Keanu didn’t win that title when he certainly should have by now, but if Keanu can get in the NXT Championship ladder match, that’s a pretty good tradeoff.

Naturally, Ricky Saints thought he was automatically a champion, but obviously not. And just as naturally, he’s automatically in that ladder match. I thought it was gonna be a tournament but having the top six stars fighting it all out at once is just as good. Ricky will certainly be a strong choice for new champion, but I feel like he shouldn’t win the ladder match. He can feud with whoever does win, but let’s freshen things up a bit. Myles is certainly heading towards Heel territory with how forceful he was, who knows what happens there. And great Speed title match from Jasper and Tavion, with a solid win for Jasper.

Lexis going after Tavion was a logical move for him, and that can be a very good rematch in a full, no-time-limit match. Shiloh VS Stacks was a great match, even with Arianna helping Stacks cheat that win. From Ethan’s promo with Ava, it seems A) she isn’t letting guys who are already champions into the ladder match series, and B) she’s limiting double champions for a similar reason. Ethan VS Elio will be a great match, and it’d be pretty wild if Elio won a title right from day one. At the same time, Ethan could try and spin it that he should have a chance at the NXT title after losing, only to be denied anyway.

Great match from Lola VS Lani, and I was a little surprised Lola won. But Lola calling out Izzi and Izzi even responding to it, maybe we see them have a match as a way for Izzi to avoid Tatum. In the end, I would think Izzi VS Tatum Part 3 happens and with the title on the line. Good promo from ZaRuca, WrenQCC and The Fatal Influence to set up the tag team match, as well as tease some possibilities for the top title. And very good promo from Blake to then get interrupted by Jaida Parker. Also, great return for Jaida Parker, because I feel like everyone was wondering what happened to her. Blake VS Jaida will be a great match, and I would think winner gets a title match while loser moves to main roster.

Great main event from Hendry VS Dion, though I really expected more overbooking than that. But it still went about as expected where the others brawled all the way to the back. I didn’t expect Tony D to be the difference maker, but he did need to do something this week, so here it was. Tony certainly wins his way into that ladder match, and he might actually be the one to win it. He hasn’t even said a word as this new, more vicious Tony D, so I hope he gets a chance to reveal what happened to him, because that’s an automatic feud right there.

My Score: 8.8/10

Will Der Ring General learn about respect?

For the first time ever, AJ Styles battles Gunther 1v1, for a phenomenal Monday Night Raw, live from Düsseldorf, Germany!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Je’Von Evans VS Bravo Americano w/ Los Americanos; Je’Von wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez VS Bayley & Lyra Valkyria VS The Kabuki Warriors; Liv & Roxie win and will challenge Rhea & Iyo for the titles.
• Dragon Lee & PENTA VS Austin Theory & Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Logan Paul; Dragon & Penta win, by disqualification.
• GUNTHER VS AJ Styles; Gunther wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky open the show!

Dusseldorf cheers the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions as they head to the ring. Mami & The Genius clink belts then get the mics. Rhea tells Dusseldorf, “Welcome to Monday Night RHEYO!” The fans cheer, and Rhea says for weeks now, they’ve been battling both physically and mentally with the Kabuki Warriors, and they finally put them in their place. Because you are looking at the NEW W W E Women’s Tag Team Champions! The fans cheer, “You Deserve It!” Rhea and Iyo smile and hug, and Iyo says, “Thank you, guys. So, Asuka & Kairi have no respect.” The fans boo that, but Iyo says she and Rhea beat the respect into them!

Because… No one is ready for #RHEYO~! Rhea says the party is just getting started, because they are here to lay out the challenge to any tag team that- Wait! Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez are here! The fans are torn seeing Judgment Day walk out here, and Liv says, “Excuse me. Hi, Iyo. Hi, Rhea. Long time no see, buddies. You look good. Well, Roxie and I just wanted to come out and congratulate you. Last week, you guys won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, and what a reason to celebrate! So c’mon, guys, let’s give another round of applause for Rheyo! WOOO~! So cool! It’s so cool, guys. Soooo cool.”

Liv goes to the apron and says, “But… My only problem is, those still belong to ME!” The fans duel as Liv says she is still one half of the greatest tag team champions ever, and she never lost her title! So… They can do things the easy way and they can just hand the titles over, or they dot his the hard way and Liv takes them back. But hold on, now Bayley & Lyra Valkyria show up! The fans cheer the Role Model & Morrigan as they make their way to the ring. “Uh, ding dong! Welcome back, Liv Morgan, great to have ya. Excuse me while they sing for me real quick, HAHA!” “HOO! HAH! I WANNA KNOOOoOooOoW! Will you be my girl?”

Bayley loves Dusseldorf, thanks so much! Bayley says she knows Liv didn’t lose the tag titles, but y’know who did? Her little tag partner, Roxie, did! And well, if Bayley isn’t mistaken, she beat Roxie just a couple weeks ago, so she thinks that if anyone deserves a tag title opportunity, it is these cool guys with their brand new gear! Bayley & Lyra! What about that? The fans like that idea! Rhea says like she said, they’re putting out the challenge to anyone. Iyo says she’s got this. She tells them all off in Japanese that Rheyo are ICHIBAN~! If they want it, fight for it! But then ASUKA & KAIRI drag Rhea & Iyo out to THROW them into the barriers!

The Kabuki Warriors then stare down Judgment Day and #BayLyra, and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Lyra is after Roxie, Kairi is after Liv, and Asuka brawls with Bayley! Asuka TOSSES Bayley, Kairi TOSSES Liv, then they go after Lyra and Roxie! Roxie and Lyra turn things around, but now Rhea & Iyo are back! They TOSS Roxie to SHOTEI! Then scoop FALL WAY SLAM on Kairi! Then a DOUBLE SHOTGUN on Asuka and Lyra! The champs stand tall and the fans cheer them on! But are the walls already closing in on #RheYo? Or can they defy the odds and still be golden?

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

Jackie Redmond is with the Phenomenal One and brings up tonight’s main event. Styles faces the man who defeated John Cena in his final match ever, Der Ring General, Gunther What is it about Gunther that makes this personal for Styles? Styles says when he first got into this business, he learned very quickly that it is about respect. Respect for the ring, for your opponent, and for those who paved the way. Now, Styles isn’t saying he and Cena were on the same page, but they bonded over the word, “Respect.” And week after week, Gunther disrespects John Cena’s legacy. So Styles slapped the taste outta Gunther’s mouth since Cena couldn’t.

Styles tells Gunther that Styles will teach him about respect. That it is a hill worth dying on. In fact, Styles will make Gunther tap out! Like a little b*tch! The Phenomenal One means business, will he be the man to humble Der Ring General?

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

Liv & Roxie are still feeling good after everything out there, and they ask if Finn saw what happened. Finn is too busy playing WWE 2K, himself VS Cody Rhodes. Liv asks what he’s doing, and he says he’s playing the game. Yeah, but she was asking more about what he’s doing. Last week, he said he’d carry Judgment Day on his back, that he wanted gold. Was that all talk? Judgment Day doesn’t run Raw by just sitting around, waiting for stuff to happen. Raquel isn’t waiting, neither are Liv and Roxie, so what is Finn waiting for? No more games! Liv leaves, Roxie says Liv’s got a point. Also Finn’s character is losing in the game now.

Finn says, “Just you watch, girls. Just you watch.” Just what will Finn do to feel like The Prince again?

Je’Von Evans VS Bravo Americano w/ Los Americanos!

Dusseldorf is about to get BOUNCY~! The Young OG is officially part of Raw, but will he keep up the momentum from NXT? Or will Los Americanos find a way to bring him down to Earth?

Raw returns Los Americanos make their entrance. The bell rings, Je’Von and Bravo circle, and feel things out. Bravo uses the ropes as defense, the fans mock Los Americanos, but then Bravo trips Je’Von! Je’Von headscissors, Bravo rolls and floats to a waistlock, but Je’Von arm-drags to a headlock. Bravo headscissors, Je’Von kips free, and the fans cheer. Bravo kips up, too, and takes a bow. Je’Von applauds, and Bravo offers a handshake. Je’Von fist bumps instead, but Bravo SMACKS him! The fans boo but Bravo CLUBS Je’Von, stomps away, then stops as the ref counts. Bravo puts Je’Von on ropes to CHOKE him!

The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Bravo steps off at 4. Bravo then runs, but Je’Von dodges the straddle attack! Bravo hobbles and Je’Von SMACKS him back! Je’Von mocks the weak handshake, then swivels them hips! Bravo runs up but Je’Von jumps up, over, around, and RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von keeps moving, BOUNCY~ RANA! The fans fire up again and the DROPKICK knocks Bravo down! Je’Von sees Bravo bails out, he builds speed, but Rayo gets in the way! The ref argues with Rayo but then El Grande distracts Je’Von. Je’Von storms up, but into a GAMANGIRI! The fans boo again but Bravo CLOBBERS Je’Von!

Bravo HAMMERS away on Je’Von while Los Americanos applauds. Bravo drags Je’Von up, whips, and scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Je’Von stays in this, but Bravo clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally while Je’Von endures, and Je’Von fights up. Bravo THROWS Je’Von down by his hair! Bravo then FALLING HEADBUTTS! Bravo clamps on another chinlock but the fans rally up. Je’Von fights up, fires body shots, and is free. But Bravo KNEES low! Bravo runs, but Je’Von SMACKS him again! Then bobs ‘n’ weaves to SMACK, and fire fast hands! The fans fire up as Je’Von whips, but Bravo reverses.

Je’Von ducks ‘n’ dodges to SUPER PUNCH! Then he rebounds, RED DOT ENZIGIRI! Bravo bails out, Je’Von fires up, and Je’Von FLIES! Down goes Bravo at the narrow rampway and the fans fire up again! Je’Von puts Bravo in the ring, aims again, springboard and- NO, Bravo ducks under! Both men run, JUMP KNEE from Je’Von! Cover, TWO! Bravo survives but Je’Von keeps cool. Je’Von aims from a corner, then runs up, but Bravo blocks a kick to KNEE Je’Von! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS back! Je’Von runs, RED- NO, Bravo torture racks Je’Von, for an AIRPLANE SPIN! Bravo is a Big Strong Boy! NO HANDS! Then the SLAM!

Bravo can’t make the cover, maybe a little dizzy. Bravo goes to the corner, climbs up, and he calls his shot, but Je’Von is right up there to get him! SUPER SPANISH FLY! The fans are thunderous and Je’Von goes up, up, SUPER O G CUTTER!! Cover, Je’Von wins!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

His first win as a full-time member of Raw, but his second win on Los Americanos! But Rayo gets up, Je’Von DECKS him! El Grande drags Je’Von out, SMACKS him, then THROWS him over the desk! The fans boo but El Grande rallies his familia. But Je’Von is back up! Je’Von is on the barrier behind commentary, and he LEAPS over them all to get back in the ring! Then he gets outta the ring and up the ramp! The fans cheer Je’Von’s escape act, will he continue to thrill the WWE Universe everywhere he goes?

Adam Pearce talks with the referees.

He wants all three teams in the Triple Threat tag to know that one way or another, it gets settled tonight. The refs head out to spread the word, and in steps Paul Heyman. Pearce asks The Oracle, “Where is he?” Heyman pretends not to realize who Pearce is talking to, and then “realizes” it was him. No “Hello, Mr. Heyman” first? No, he’s not in the mood. Pearce wants Heyman to tell Bron Breakker, when he shows up with bad intentions, Heyman needs to tell him to just go home. Tonight is not the night, Pearce will not tolerate it. Heyman says you don’t have to tell him that. It is Heyman’s honor to be Pearce’s messenger. He’ll let Bron know. If he even shows up.

Yes, thank you so much, Heyman. Heyman leaves and Pearce frowns. Will the Unpredictable Badass be just that? Or can they stop the dog from getting off the leash and tearing up Raw?

CM Punk is here!

Dusseldorf fires up for the Best in the World, they sing along with Cult of Personality, and they high-five the man who is still WWE World Heavyweight Champion! They even join in on, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” They chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” as he goes to the ring and grabs a mic. “Is it good to be alive on a Monday night in Dusseldorf or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk says he’ll never get tired of saying that, or of the privilege of being our WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And as outlandish as it sounds, his plan is to be champion forever. But we are on the long Road to WrestleMania, and anything can happen. Hell, just as Cody Rhodes.

The fans boo, but Punk says yeah, he can plan on being champion forever, he can plan on being champion come WrestleMania, but that doesn’t mean it’ll happen. But sometimes, he feels with the fans having his back, he can do the impossible. The fans cheer that! Punk said he’d be fighting champion, and right around the corner, it is the Royal Rumble and the Elimination Chamber. Two opportunities for someone to call their shot. Punk is the one wearing the gold, so the Road to WrestleMania goes through him! He just survived a battle with Bron Breakker, so him, Heyman, and The Vision are in Punk’s rearview mirror. Time for the champ to look forward and do champ stuff.

So with the fans’ support, Punk looks forward to finding out who his next challenger will be. Thank you, Dusseldorf! WAIT! Finn Balor makes his way out here! The fans fire up seeing The Prince come out here. Is this what he meant when he said to wait and see? Finn goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans are torn seeing Finn stare down Punk. Finn says he’s not waiting for the Rumble. He’s not waiting for the Chamber. And he’s not asking for a handout. But when Punk won the title, he did name Finn as someone he’d want to face, so here he is, champ! Punk says that’s right, he did mention Finn on a long list of very talented individuals.

But where is Finn’s ambition? That was two months ago. Where’s Finn been? Punk saw Finn playing video games, saw him worrying more about Dom and helping JD McDonagh. Some weeks, Finn is just shining Liv’s shoes. Did Finn think it’d be easy coming out here and picking on Punk? After seeing Punk get his ass handed to him at WarGames, go through a war with Bron Breakker, he’d get to come out here and just pick the bones? If Finn gets a title shot, is Punk gonna be wrestling Finn Balor or Finn Balor & The Judgment Day? Punk just did the whole numbers game with The Vision, okay? Finn knows what Punk’s capable of. The fans cheer that!

Punk is a man of his word, though. Punk did mention Finn because Finn is talented, Punk is a fan of Finn. Punk said he was gonna be a fighting champion yesterday, and he will be a fighting champion today. Tonight, he’ll put his boots on and we can do this tonight! The fans are all fired up for that! Finn smiles and nods, but then says, “See, Punk, I’ve been around long enough to know that timing’s everything.” The fans already boo that, but Finn says he isn’t jumping the line to face Punk. Anyone who has watched Finn’s career, from Europe to Japan to NXT to Raw that the line starts HERE! So Punk doesn’t have to worry about Dom or JD, but Finn won’t be alone.

Finn watched Punk’s career, too. Time and time again, homefield advantage in Chicago for Punk. But check the calendar: Next week, Raw will be in Belfast, Ireland! And it will be The Punk VS The Prince, and there will be a NEW Irish World Heavyweight Champion! Fans are torn, but Punk says, “Alright, Prince, you’re on. I apologize to the fans in Dusseldorf for you disappointing them, because they wanted to see the champ work. And I’d like to take the time now to apologize to the fans in Belfast when they have to watch me put their countryman to sleep with a GTS.

“Because at the end of the night, I’m gonna be standing on your chest, with the ring announcer saying, ‘And STILL WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World…! C M PUNK!'” The challenge has been made, and surely Adam Pearce will make it official! Will Punk prove he is the Best in the World no matter where he is in the world? Or will this be just the thing for Finn to be back on top?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez VS Bayley & Lyra Valkyria VS The Kabuki Warriors!

Rhea & Iyo put out the challenge and they got a bit more than they expected. The three teams that want their shot must now fight it out amongst themselves, will Judgment Day go back for more gold? Will #BayLyra finally get a fair shot? Or will Asuka & Kairi Sane earn their way to a rematch with #RheYo?

Raw returns and Bayley & Lyra make their entrance. Liv & Roxie are already in the ring with the Kabuki Warriors, so the teams sort out. In this form of Triple Threat, we get one member from each team, so Bayley starts against Liv and Asuka. The fans sing for Bayley again, but Roxie helps Liv cover her ears to tune it out. Kairi oddly seems to enjoy the tune. Asuka, Liv and Bayley circle, feel things out, and Bayley ducks Asuka’s kick! Liv ducks Bayley’s lariat, Asuka ducks Liv’s lariat, and Asuka wheelbarrows Bayley to victory roll. ONE as Liv rolls Asuka! ONE as Bayley backslides Liv, ONE! The three stand off and the fans cheer.

Liv, Asuka and Bayley reset, then Bayley DECKS Asuka! Bayley blocks Liv’s kick to KNEE Liv to the corner. Bayley runs up, RAMS Liv, then rolls back to wacky waving arm, but Liv avoids the elbow! Liv runs up to SHINING WIZARD! Snapmare on Bayley, Asuka runs up to ELBOW Liv! Asuka BOOTS Bayley, then BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! Cover on Liv, TWO! Asuka mule kicks Bayley, brings Liv up, and Asuka tags Kairi. Liv ROCKS Asuka, tags Roxie, and Bayley tags Lyra. All six women watch each other, and the fans rally up again. Things calm down, Kairi, Roxie and Lyra step up. They feel things out, and Roxie wants a team-up with Kairi?

Kairi obliges and they mug Lyra. They double whip Lyra, but then Roxie THROWS Kairi! Lyra returns to O’Conner Roll Roxie! ONE, Roxie rolls and bridges, TWO! Roxie kicks Lyra low, BOOTS Kairi, then whips Lyra to the open corner. Lyra reverses, then she catches Kairi! Wheelbarrow and roll, Roxie BOOTS Lyra! Kairi runs up but Roxie goes up and over! Kairi denies Roxie the Tarantula and pops her into Lyra’s BOOT! Lyra then DROPKICKS Kairi! Lyra fireman’s carries, she SMACKS Roxie with Kairi, but Kairi fights free. Kairi CLUBS Lyra, SLAPS her, then whips. Lyra reverses, but Kairi goes up and RANA ARM-DRAG COMBOS!

The fans rally up and Kairi soaks up cheers and jeers. Kairi then runs corner to corner to SLIDING D Roxie! Cover, TWO as Lyra rolls Kairi! ONE, and Kairi URA- NO, Lyra ducks under to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Kairi bails out, the fans rally up, and Lyra builds speed. Lyra WRECKS Roxie while Asuka saves Kairi! Liv BLASTS Lyra down, the fans boo, but Bayley goes after Liv! They’re all brawling, but Kairi climbs up! The fans fire up as Kairi aims, SUPER KABUKI ELBOW! The fans fire up with Kairi, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Asuka has Bayley on the apron, only for Bayley to HOTSHOT her away. Bayley crawls in, but Asuka hits a CODE BREAKER! Bayley rebounds to KNEE Asuka down! The fans fire up as they and Roxie all crawl, hot tags to Lyra, Kairi, and Lyra stops Roxie! Liv runs in anyway but gets a SOBAT, front kick and ENZIGIRI! Lyra WHEEL KICKS Kairi, dodges Roxie, and cartwheels through to ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Lyra kicks Kairi, picks her up, and RAMS her into a corner. Lyra puts Kairi up top, climbs after her, but Kairi fires hands. Asuka gets Lyra, Bayley goes after Asuka! SAIDO!

Lyra and Kairi continue to scrap, and Bayley climbs up to help Lyra. They mug Kairi, but then Roxie & Liv join in! TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans fire up for the Double Powerbomb Superplex combo! All six women are down but “This is Awesome!” The teams regroup again, and Asuka GERMAN SUPLEXES Liv! And GERMAN SUPLEXES Roxie! And then she blocks Lyra’s kick, slips around, but Bayley waistlocks Asuka! Asuka switches with Bayley, Bayley grabs Lyra, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up again and Asuka is feeling it! Lyra flounders, Asuka BUZZSAWS Lyra! Kairi climbs up, Asuka sets Lyra up, IN-SANE DDT!! Cover, but wait, who’s legal?

Liv CLOBBERS Kairi anyway, and the fans rally up again! Bayley runs up on Liv, but into a BACKSTABBER! Asuka POP-UP KNEES Liv! Roxie runs up to LA MYSTICA! URAKEN from Kairi to Roxie! Kairi goes up again, CROSSBODY, but Lyra catches her! Tag to Bayley before the BACKBREAKER! Bayley goes up, ELBOW DROP! Cover, Asuka breaks it! Lyra SHOTGUNS Asuka out! And PLANCHAS her down! Roxie hops onto Bayley, POP ROX! Cover, Kairi breaks it! The fans fire up again as Roxie hurries to HAMMER away on Kairi! Roxie drags Kairi up, whips, but Kairi reverses. Roxie grabs ropes, BOOTS Kairi, and tag to Liv!

Kairi whips Roxie away, but turns around into OBLIVION! Cover, Liv & Roxie win!

Winners: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)

A fast ‘n’ furious finish, and now Judgment Day is headed back for the titles! Saturday Night’s Main Event has a title match set up already, will Liv & Roxie strike gold in Montreal? Or will #RheYo

Becky Lynch speaks.

“It has only been one week since I took my title back, fair and square, absolutely no controversy, and already Mediocre Maxxine gets her rematch? It took me almost two months to take back the title that was stolen from me! There was illegal interference! AJ Lee has no manager’s license. Jessica Karr wasn’t counting. But that is only the beginning of the corruption that we are dealing with under Power-Mad Pearce. But I will do what I always do, which is take those lemons and turn them into lemonade. Because in my homeland of Belfast, Ireland, I am going to prove once and for all why I am the greatest female wrestler of all time.

“And it’s not just me saying it, other people say it. Everybody says it. Sports Illustrated says it. Bleacher Report says it. And now this says it!” Becky holds up the belt, and she tells Maxxine that she better have enjoyed her time in the spotlight. Because next week, it ends! Then Maxxine will have to say goodbye to The Big Time. Will The Man still hold Maxxine down? Or will the Dungeon Doll upset Becky in Belfast?

Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.

Jackie is now with Maxxine, Otis, and Akira Tozawa, aka “The Babes.” Maxxine did lose the title to Becky last week, but she now has a chance to win it back in Belfast. Jackie wanted to check in and see where Maxxine’s head is at. Maxxine says she will not cry. Is she disappointed? Of course. But becoming a champion proved to both Maxxine and the world that she belongs. And guys, she became champion because she finally believed in herself, and she learned how to do that. Now, it is time for Otis & Akira to do the same. Maxxine knows they are capable of great things.

As for last week, that was a setback, not a defeat. And as for the rematch, Maxxine is fully aware Becky is arguably the greatest female wrestler of all time, and yes, Sports Illustrated says it. But Maxxine also knows that Becky had to cheat to win. So Becky, next week, Maxxine will put you in that Ankle Lock, and BREAK YOUR ANKLE! Maxxine leads the boys out, will they all be golden on the Road to WrestleMania?

Michael Cole is on stage.

The Voice of WWE asks we welcome out now, Raquel Rodriguez! The fans are torn as La Ruda makes her way out on stage, smiling ear to ear. Cole says it is no secret they’ve known each other for a long time. Cole was there to see her rise in NXT and to now Monday Night Raw. He always said she’d one day be world champion, so what she did last week took us all by surprise. She ambushed the Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer, who is already injured with a bad foot. Why did Raquel do that last week? Raquel says she remembers those days, too. She remembers the girl who smiled when she was told, and would patiently and politely wait for her turn.

But things change, and so do people. And Cole just said himself, he has had a front row seat to Raquel getting cheated out of HER Women’s World title night after night, week after week, again and again! And they wanna all act so sorry for STEPHANIE!? FINE! Go ahead! Feel sorry for her! But every single one of you should know, Raquel will not stop, she will keep coming, until she has Vaquer 1v1 in the ring. And when “Big Sexy Raquel Rodriguez” stands tall as your NEW Women’s World Champion, then you can feel sorry for Vaquer! Feel sorry when Raquel is done with her! But wait! Vaquer is here NOW! The refs and producers want her to hold on, that foot is still in a brace!

Raquel laughs as she walks away from the situation. La Primera tells Raquel and everyone that she IS the champion, and a bad foot will not stop her! Raquel, where you going? If you want it, come get it! But then Raquel does! She CLOBBERS Vaquer outta nowhere! Raquel dares refs to do something, then she SLAMS the bad foot down, just like she did last week! And then she uses the belt to LASH the leg! The fans boo but Raquel smiles as she leaves. Vaquer may have made a fatal error. Will she even have a leg to stand on when it comes to defending this title?

Jey Uso is on the phone with Jimmy.

Main Event Jey tells #BigJim that he is halfway across the world, and it feels colder than a polar bear’s toenail. But he’ll get back at you, Otis & Akira walk in. Jey hangs up the phone, says hey to Big O & Tozawa, and he asks what up with it. Otis says The Usos were calling out the whole tag division. That’s right, the Usos put them all on notice. Line ’em all up, knock ’em all down. Then how about giving Otis & Tozawa a little slice there? Jey isn’t sure, they’re all boys, y’know? He was kinda talking about errybody else. He wasn’t gonna do them all like that, then they’d have to get this work.

Otis says, “Uce! I’m serious.” Tozawa nods, and Jey sees that they are in fact serious. Then say less. Him and Big Jim will rap, see what happens. But Big Daddy Otis, this is a warning shot: You steppin’ in the ring with THE best tag team in the game. You understand? Otis & Tozawa say, “Yeet.” The Alpha boys head out, will The Usos be able to fight their friends like they’re not their friends?

Dragon Lee & PENTA w/ Rey Mysterio VS Austin Theory & Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Logan Paul!

Speaking of teams, The Boy Wonder and the Man without Fear are teaming up to help the King of Lucha handle their mutual Vision problem. Will Dragon & Penta be able to bring down Mr. All Day & The Colossal Aussie? Or will The Vision soon have their sights on those WWE World Tag Team Championships themselves?

The teams sort out and Penta starts against Theory. They circle, the fans rally for “CERO! MIEDO!” but Theory ignores it. Theory and Penta feel things out, tie up, then Theory headlocks. Penta powers up and out but Theory reverses that. Theory drops down but Penta swaggers and struts over him. The fans cheer Theory, then Penta dodges Theory to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! The fans tell Logan Paul off while Penta whips, but Theory reverses. Penta goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RANAS! The fans fire up again, and Penta runs to SLING-DOG Theory down! The fans fire up with Penta again, but Theory BOOTS him down!

Tag to Bronson, he stomps Penta, and Bronson whips Penta to a corner. Bronson runs up, Penta dodges, hot tag to Dragon! Dragon JUMP KICKS, Penta GAMANGIRIS, and they sit Bronson down for the SWINGING DROPKICK! Penta adds a headstand DROPKICK! Then Dragon HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Cover, ONE?!? Bronson has power to spare, but Dragon fires forearms. Bronson blocks the whip, reverses, but Dragon BOOTS him! Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he RANAS! Bronson is sent into buckles! Dragon runs up, is put on the apron, and he RAMS Bronson! Dragon bumps Bronson off buckles, GAMANGIRIS, then goes up!

Dragon leaps, but Bronson catches him! And SLAMS him! The fans boo, but Bronson drags Dragon up to scoop and gorilla press! Bronson THROWS Dragon on the corner! Tag to Theory and he says he’s got something for Dragon. Theory DECKS Dragon with that left forearm! Theory snarls, The Vision feels good, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Bronson CHOKES Dragon on the ropes! The ref counts, Bronson stops, and the fans still tell Logan off. Bronson argues with the ref and Theory KNEES Dragon in the distraction! The fans boo, but Bronson drags Dragon from the ropes. Bronson fireman’s carries, tags Theory, and SLINGSHOT DROPKICK SAMOAN DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Dragon survives but Theory puts him in the corner to fire knees and elbows! Then a snap suplex! Dragon flounders while Theory looms over him. Tag to Bronson and they mug Dragon. Bronson drags Dragon away from Penta to back suplex, but Dragon lands out!

Dragon ROCKS Theory, SUPERKICKS Bronson, but Bronson still keeps him from Penta! Short arm LARIAT! Logan mocks the pain and Bronson roars. Bronson drags Dragon up, reels him in, POWER- DDT COUNTER! The fans fire up as Dragon and Bronson are both down! Dragon and Bronson crawl, hot tags to Theory and Penta! Penta LARIATS Theory! And LARIATS! And whips, but Theory reverses, only for Penta to go up and over, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Penta feeds off that energy, and he brings Theory around. But Theory fireman’s carries! Penta slips free, shove to Dragon, and then a SUPERKICK!

Penta tags Dragon, they DOUBLE SUPERKICK Theory up and out! Bronson gets up but Dragon SUPERKICKS him! Logan gets on the apron, but they DOUBLE SUPERKICK him! The fans fire up again while Heyman scowls. Dragon builds speed and FLIES out onto Logan & Theory! But BRON BREAKKER SPEARS OUTTA NOWHERE!!

Winners: Dragon Lee & Penta, by disqualification

The fans bark it up, but Penta eggs Bron on! Bron storms in, dodges Penta, and SPEARS him down!! But Bron isn’t done, he sees Dragon on the outside. Bron slides out, builds speed around the way, but PEARCE is there! He says not tonight! Go home, Bron! But Bronson drags Penta to the corner! Pearce is so focused on Bron that the TSUNAMI hits Penta!! Pearce is furious, and now he tells the rest of The Vision to go home! They’re done for the night! But Bron SPEARS Dragon after all!! Pearce is pissed now! Pearce gets right in Bron’s face and says he is sick of this s*it! But then Bron SHOVES Pearce into a corner and threatens to KILL Pearce for touching him!

Heyman hurries in there to calm his guy down, but Bron dares Pearce to do something! The Vision has Bron stand down, the fans cheer Pearce, and he tells them all to get out of the building! Heyman tries to smooth this over but it seems even he is having trouble controlling his attack dog. Pearce keeps shouting at them to get out so they go. Logan also apologies, but he wants Pearce to understand, Bron is ready to hurt Pearce. Pearce doesn’t care, HE is the authority! Raw goes to break while tensions are still high, what will happen as we’re only just starting on the Road to WrestleMania?

Raw returns and…

Penta and Dragon are both being checked by medical, and obviously their ribs are the issue. Je’Von steps in and checks on them. They good? For the most part, yeah. Je’Von says he’ll be here if they need anything. Will the Young OG get himself involved with The Vision’s business one way or another?

Bron Breakker goes through the halls.

Pearce asks where the hell he thinks he’s going! They ain’t done talking! Bron hasn’t learned a damn thing! And now he puts his hands on the General Manager?! Look at him when he’s talking to you! Who you listening to? You ain’t learning a damn thing, so now you can have some time to think about it! Bron is SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY! Pearce and Bron are both foaming at the mouth, but Bronson ushers Bron away. Heyman walks up and Pearce can’t even say anything. Heyman says that was a big mistake. Yeah, BRON’s biggest mistake! The biggest mistake of his career, all thanks to Heyman!

No, Heyman was talking about your mistake, Pearce. Mr. General Manager, from Heyman’s vantage point, Pearce put your hands on Bron first. The Oracle leaves with his Vision, will he find a way to twist things around towards their advantage?

GUNTHER VS AJ Styles!

Der Ring General won the Last Time is Now Tournament, he faced John Cena on Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC, and for the first time in 20 YEARS, John Cena tapped out. It is one thing for Gunther to be proud of that victory, but it is another thing entirely for him to insult Cena again and again when he knows Cena will never step back in this ring again. However, the Phenomenal One has so much respect for John Cena and this sport that he cannot stand idly by! Will Styles humble Gunther when he makes Gunther tap out? Or will Gunther just add another legendary name to his résumé?

Raw returns and Jackie interviews Gunther at gorilla. Jackie brings up Styles talking about Gunther’s lack of respect, and Gunther laughs that off. Gunther says how dare AJ Styles talk about respect after he slapped Gunther across the face over something that has nothing to do with him! And how disrespectful to do that to the greatest pro-wrestler in the WWE, and to do that to the man that made John Cena tap out… like a little b*tch! Gunther says if he can do that to the so-called Greatest Of All Time, then Styles shouldn’t worry about respect, but about what happens to him once that bell rings.

Der Ring General makes his entrance, with fans singing along with Symphony Number 9, and Gunther goes right to the ring. The crowd is a bit torn, but we get our big fight main event introductions. This is a first-time-ever, so who will be get their first-ever win over the other?

The bell rings, the fans duel, and the two circle. Styles and Gunther feel things out, they knuckle lock, and then Styles KICKS Gunther’s leg. Gunther snarls but he and Styles reset. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Styles fights off a headlock to wrench and wristlock. Gunther puts Styles in a corner, the ref counts, and Gunther lets off, but Styles avoids the chop! Styles KICKS the leg again and Gunther bails out. The fans rally, Gunther storms back into the ring, and he circles with Styles again. They feel things out, tie up again, and Gunther waistlocks. The fans rally as Styles fights the lift and wrenches the hold open.

Styles KICKS Gunther’s leg, KICKS it again, and Gunther bails out again. The fans are torn again while Gunther walks it off. Gunther storms back into the ring, he and Styles reset, and they circle. The two tie up, Gunther headlocks for a takeover, and he smothers Styles. The fans duel as Styles endures, and Styles uses a chinbar to fight back. Styles rises, the fans rally again, and Styles powers up and out of the hold. Gunther runs up but Styles ROCKS him first! Gunther powers through to wrench, but Styles KICKS the leg. Gunther headlocks again, Styles powers up and out, then hurdles! Styles drops, but he also feints the dropkick!

Gunther runs up, Styles dodges, and he KICKS the leg! Then he DROPKICKS Gunther down! Gunther bails out and the fans fire up again! Styles goes to the apron, slingshot and FOREARM! Down goes Gunther and the fans fire up again! Styles keeps the ring count fresh, but then Gunther hauls him up! APRON BACK SUPLEX! Styles slumps down while Gunther walks off the pain in his leg. Gunther comes back to UPPERCUTS Styles, then another APRON BACK- NO, Styles lands safe and KICKS Gunther away! Then SLIDING KNEE! The fans rally and Styles hurries to get Gunther up. Styles puts Gunther in, Gunther hobbles, and Styles KICKS the leg!

Styles KICKS and KICKS, but Gunther blocks! Gunther short arm LARIATS Styles down! The fans fire up again while Gunther shakes out his leg. Styles sits up in a daze while the fans duel. Gunther swings, but Styles blocks! Styles CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Styles whips corner to corner, Gunther reverses, and Gunther runs up. Styles BOOTS Gunther, goes up, but Gunther CHOPS Styles to the floor! The fans fire up again while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more and Gunther whips Styles to ropes. Styles KICKS Gunther away, but Gunther CHOPS him down! The fans continue to rally, and Gunther stalks Styles to ropes. Gunther wrenches Styles, and CHOPS him down! Gunther holds onto the wristlock, stands Styles up, and CHOPS him back down! The fans rally as Gunther goes again, but Styles ducks that chop! Styles fires the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT! Gunther staggers, rebounds, and LARIATS in return! Dusseldorf fires up again while Gunther watches Styles. Gunther stalks Styles to ropes while the fans duel. Gunther headlocks Styles, then brings him around to say, “You Can’t See Me!”

Gunther runs, Styles dodges and he DROPKICKS the legs! SLIDING FOREARM! Then Styles gest a leg to DRAGON SCREW! And DRAGON SCREW! Styles grabs the leg again, DRAGON SCREW! Styles shouts out the Strong Style of The Ace, and he LARIATS in the corner! Then Styles fireman’s carries! Gunther slips free, ripcords, but Styles dodges the lariat to PELE! Styles knows that one, too! Then he rolls Gunther, CALF CRUSHER!! The fans fire up as Gunther endures! Gunther reaches out, claws at the mat, but Styles puts on the pressure! The fans are thunderous as Gunther fights to the ROPEBREAK! Styles lets go in frustration while the fans duel again.

Gunther crawls to a corner, Styles runs up, but Gunther puts Styles on the apron! Styles ROCKS Gunther, but he gets stuck for a moment. Styles resets, but Gunther CHOPS him! Gunther drags Styles up against the ropes, SLEEPER! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Styles grabs the leg! HOTSHOT! Gunther falls back and Styles resets again. Styles springboards, PHENOMENAL LEG DROP on the bad leg! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Gunther survives that, but Styles paces around. The fans duel again while Styles goes back to the apron. Styles winds up, springboards, and PHENOMENA- NO, Gunther dodges to SLEEPER!!

Gunther drops, Styles rolls, cover! TWO!! Gunther swings, misses, but he avoids the Pele! Gunther runs to LARIAT!! Then he drags Styles up and reels him in, GENERAL BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Styles survives and the fans are loving it! “This is Awesome!” as Gunther and Styles slowly sit up. Gunther eggs Styles on, daring him to slap him now! Gunther hobbles, but he storms over to Styles. Gunther sits Styles up to SLAP! Gunther asks where that fire from last week went! SLAP! Styles flops over and the fans duel more. Styles sits back up, Gunther is on him for a CHOP! Styles goes to ropes, but he comes back to ROCK Gunther!

Gunther CHOPS, Styles ROCKS, repeat! Then Gunther goes for a sleeper, but Styles slips around! Gunther tries to buck the O’Conner, but Styles just uses that to get the leg! Roll and CALF CRUSHER!! Gunther flails, reaches out, but he reaches back to DRIBBLE Styles off the mat! Styles lets go and the fans fire up again. Gunther clutches his leg while Styles slowly crawls away to a corner. Styles stands, but Gunther SHOTGUNS him down! Gunther drags Styles up, and GENERAL- NO, Styles slips free! He wants the leg! Roll and CALF CRUSHER!! Gunther flails, reaches out, but Styles pulls on the leg! Gunther reaches out, but Styles rolls him way!

CALF CRUSHER!! Gunther flails, freaks out, and Gunther reaches around behind Styles? Styles lets Gunther go?! Styles claims Gunther was tapping out! Gunther tapped out where the ref couldn’t see!! The ref and Styles argue that out, and some fans understand from where they were sitting! The ref says keep the match going, he didn’t see what Styles is talking about. And then the ref doesn’t see the LOW BLOW!! The fans boo because we ALL saw that! Gunther grins as he then drags Styles up, reels him in, GENERAL BOMB!! High stack, Gunther wins!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall

Der Ring General is indeed that, as he knew how he could trick both Styles and referee at the same time! Styles was robbed, but is this really how Gunther’s going to prove he’s the greatest wrestler in WWE today?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for Raw in Germany, another hot crowd in Dusseldorf, and these kinds of episodes being earlier for me as an American viewer are always fun. Great development with the Women’s Tag Team Championship story, and for Judgment Day as well. Very good promo from #RheYo, Liv & Roxie, and #BayLyra, as well as the Kabuki Warriors turning it into a brawl. The Triple Threat tag was a lot of fun, and it makes sense for Liv & Roxie to be #1 contenders. Raquel getting the better of Vaquer again also adds to their match, and I feel like Vaquer VS Raquel will help fill SNME in Montreal. Judgment Day’s leading ladies all going for gold on the same night would be some great stuff.

Good promo from Liv getting and at Finn and motivating him confronting Punk. Punk had a great promo, he and Finn and a good back and forth, but it makes sense they were gonna wait for next week. Not even because next week is in Ireland, but because tonight’s main event was Gunther VS Styles and they weren’t gonna upstage it. Becky VS Maxxine next week will also be great, and having two title matches involving Irish born wrestlers is definitely a big selling point for the Belfast crowd. I don’t see Finn taking the world title, and I don’t see Maxxine taking the IC title, but between the two, it’s more likely for Finn to win than Maxxine.

Honestly, doesn’t feel like the former Alpha Academy is gonna get much with Otis & Tozawa set up as The Usos’ first defense. Good promo, though, and I really like the character work here. Jey likes Otis & Tozawa, he is hesitant to put a beating on them, but he and Jimmy might have to in order to win the title match because Otis & Tozawa aren’t pushovers. Okay, they’re lower midcard, but they’ve been given moments of their full potential. And that’s how they could/should write the match, too. Otis has the strength and size, Tozawa is fast and is the “Stamina Monster,” they could really push Jimmy & Jey on those aspects.

Great match for Je’Von VS Bravo, and I like commentary was tongue in cheek about that obviously being Tyler Bate with the airplane spin. Great win for Je’Von, and it seems evading angry Heel factions is kinda his thing now, so he got another one of those in. But just as I thought we were getting Je’Von VS El Grande, they might be pivoting to put Je’Von against The Vision. Penta & Dragon VS Theory & Bronson was great stuff, but with Pearce and Heyman arguing about Bron, I could just feel Bron attacking outta nowhere. And everything after that was so good, too, with Pearce being overwhelmed as he tries to get The Vision under control. And that “suspension” definitely won’t hold up, Bron will probably be in the Men’s Rumble match and wreck everyone to earn that world title shot.

And great stuff in building the main event tonight. Very good promo from Styles, pretty good promo from Gunther, and just an awesome match. Styles going for the game plan of the tap out was great, and the finish was brilliant. Gunther cheats in a way that isn’t even really cheating, he was just taking advantage of how wrestling works. Now, I would hope we get a rematch of these two at either SNME or the Royal Rumble, this first-time-ever can’t be the only time ever.

My Score: 8.9/10