Will NXT succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

The Iron Survivor Challenges have been won, and it is Giulia and Oba Femi aiming for the top of NXT! What will the current champions have to say about that?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Je’Von Evans VS Wes Lee; Je’Von wins.
• Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe; Hank ‘n’ Tank win.
• Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx w/ Fallon Henley; Jacy & Jazmyn win.
• NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ethan Page; Tony wins and retains the title.
• Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade VS Giulia & Kelani Jordan; Roxie & Cora win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Giulia is here!

The Beautiful Madness, the 2024 Miss Iron Survivor, returns to Orlando and the fans cheer her on. Giulia grabs the mic to say, “I am the IRON SURVIVOR!” The fans cheer more, and Giulia says that all means she will do what she came here to do. Roxanne Perez, New Year’s Evil in LA, the Beautiful Madness will become NXT Women’s Champion! But speaking of, Roxie interrupts! She congratulates Giulia and says she’s lucky for surviving Deadline. But in Roxie’s opinion. Sol Ruca was the MVP. And Wren Sinclair spent a lot of time in the penalty box, yet she still got a score. Zaria and Stephanie didn’t lose, they just ran out of time.

Roxie says Giulia won, but unfortunately, she’s just not on Roxie’s level. But Roxie will give it to them all. Those five proved why NXT has the best women’s division in ALL of wrestling. But like Roxie said, none of them are on her level! And none of that changes, even at New Year’s Evil. Because in case Giulia forgot, they’ve been here before. Roxie VS Giulia happened! And it was the same result then as it has this past year: Roxie holding her title over her head, reigning over her division. And at New Year’s Evil, new town, same result: Giulia falling short to The Prodigy. That is, if she makes it there.

Oh? Then how about they just do it right now? Giulia steps up, but here comes Cora Jade with a kendo stick. Cora agrees with Roxie, Giulia isn’t making it to New Year’s Evil. And Giulia may think her bestie, Stephanie, will come and save her, but she can’t, and she won’t. There is no question about who did it this time! Cora cues the tron and Vaquer is down in the back! Cora & Roxie grin as they surround Giulia, but Giulia DECKS Roxie! But then the kendo stick SMACKS Giulia in the side! The fans boo but wait! Here comes Kelani Jordan! The Standout slides in and TACKLES Cora! The fans fire up as Kelani dribbles Cora!

Cora & Roxie get away from Giulia & Kelani! Will Kelani make sure it’s Cora & Roxie who don’t make it to LA?

Other NXT superstars react to Ethan Page’s Deadline reaction.

All Ego said that after losing the Iron Survivor, he had no path back to the top. Tony D’Angelo & the family walk in and find Ethan himself. Ethan, c’mon, you’re killing the vibe of the room! So you lost, get over it! Get over it? Tony, Ethan doesn’t know how to get back into the NXT Championship picture. Sure, yeah, he blew it. Tony can’t even believe he’s saying this, but he has a soft spot for Ethan. How about an NXT North American Championship match? Ethan says he’s a former NXT Champion. When he was, he carried this brand on its back and turned it into NX-ME. So no offense, but Ethan’s above the North American title.

Wow, okay. Tony tries to be a nice guy, extend an olive branch, because he sees Ethan sulking in the corner. If he doesn’t want it, then he’ll open it up to the roster. Everyone else rushes over but Ethan says hold on, hold on! Ethan is reconsidering. No, no, Ethan, Tony gets it, he doesn’t want Ethan to be “stepping down” a level. It’s not, it’s not! If Ethan can’t beat the North American Champion, then his career… His career really is over. Oh, right, okay. NO, HE NEEDS THIS! Ethan calms down, and says he needs this. Well, that’s all he had to say! Tony will see Ethan out there.

The Don and his boys head out, the rest of the room is bummed. But will Ethan be able to take that title and revitalize his NXT career?

Lexis King talks with Charlie Dempsey.

The King speaks on his “soul searching” in Minneapolis, and he found he is a man of integrity, and that his wrestling has been top notch. So to cut to the point, Lexis wants one more shot at the Heritage Cup. Well of course he does. But Dempsey’s already given him a shot. So he’ll think on it. That’s all The King is asking for. Dempsey and King head out, and the No Quarter Catch Crew walks in. Dempsey tells Wren, Myles & Tavion that he is proud of them and that is an understatement. Myles & Tavion were this close to taking the NXT Tag Team Championships off the best team in this place.

And Wren showed the world she belongs at the top. Wren says he has no idea how much that means to her. But in steps OTM, and Bronco Nima says they told the NQCC they weren’t getting those belts. Price says they can’t hang with the big dogs. Wren says they were rally close! Jaida Parker says the only words that should be coming out of Wren’s mouth are, “Thank you, Miss Parker.” Because if Jaida hadn’t ducked that backhand during the Fatal 4, then Wren would never have fallen into the win. Oh, but then if Jaida hadn’t ducked, she would’ve gotten knocked out and lost. Jaida says she’ll knock Wren out here now!

NQCC and OTM argue as NXT is getting heated for the holidays. Will Jaida and her boys prove they’re worthy? Or will they get no quarter from the crew?

Je’Von Evans VS Wes Lee!

Two other men who lost in the Iron Survivor Challenge had their own disagreement about how to feel. The Young OG stayed positive, but the cutthroat Cardiac Kid is trying to bring him down. Will things stay bouncy~ in NXT? Or will Wes’s bitterness get to Je’Von?

The bell rings and Je’Von runs up on Wes! They fire hands fast and furious and the fans fire up! Je’Von gets the edge, and he fires shots over and over at the ropes! The ref counts, Je’Von lets off, but then Wes turns thing around to fire hands in return! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Wes argues with the ref. Je’Von TOSSES Wes out, builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Wes and the fans fire up! Je’Von rains down more fists while fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” Wes pushes free but Je’Von ROCKS him! Wes goes to the ring, Je’Von pursues, but Wes hits low! Wes dumps Je’Von in, then jumps up, but Je’Von avoids the stomp!

Je’Von ROCKS Wes again, springboards, but into a DROPKICK! Wes takes Je’Von outta the air and fans boo, but Wes hurries to cover, ONE, and Wes is annoyed. Wes stalks Je’Von to a corner and he fires hands! Je’Von goes to another corner, Wes storms up, but Je’Von fires a shot! Wes RAMS into Je’Von! And RAMS him again! The ref counts, Wes lets off, but Wes ELBOWS Je’Von! Je’Von DUMPS Wes out of the ring! Je’Von then aims, but Wes trips him up! Wes drags Je’Von out to throw him hard into barriers! Wes soaks up the heat and then THROWS Je’Von into barriers! The fans boo but Wes drags Je’Von up again.

Wes puts Je’Von in, but Je’Von ROCKS Wes again! Then PLANCHAS! Down goes Wes and the fans fire up! Je’Von stands Wes up to THROW him into barriers! The fans fire up, Je’Von puts Wes in the ring, and then Je’Von uses the ropes to BOUNCY RANA! The fans fire up again as Je’Von DROPKICKS Wes out! Wes staggers up, Je’Von builds speed, but Wes runs in to dropkick the legs out! Je’Von tumbles, Wes FLIES! Direct hit and Wes even lands on his feet! The fans boo but Wes soaks it all up as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Wes fights Je’Von up top! Wes ROCKS Je’Von, Je’Von steps back, and Wes FLYING 450, but Je’Von gets clear! Je’Von then SUPERKICKS Wes down! The fans are thunderous and Je’Von rises back up. Je’Von storms up on Wes to ROCK him, then he bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire more shots! Je’Von whips, LARIATS, and then LARIATS again! Je’Von whips, Wes reverses but Je’Von rebounds to NEURALIZER KICK! Je’Von then goes to the apron, springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Wes survives and Je’Von is stunned! The fans know “This is Awesome!” as Je’Von reels Wes in.

Wes fights the lift, backdrops Je’Von, but Je’Von sunset flips! Wes grabs the ref to stay up! Wes ROCKS Je’Von, then drops an elbow, only for Je’Von to dodge! JUMPING PUNCH! Wes ROCKS Je’Von in return! Je’Von ROLLING ELBOWS! Wes blocks the next shot to fire a strike fest! SUPERKICK! Je’Von rebounds to BOOT Wes! Wes slaps himself, fires up, but Je’Von ROUNDHOUSES! And then underhook for a TIGER- RANA from Wes!! Je’Von flounders and the fans rally up as Wes builds speed! But Je’Von is back! SPANISH FLY! Je’Von hurries to underhook, TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!

Wes survives and Je’Von is stunned. The fans are thunderous, Je’Von builds speed to go up ropes, but Wes trips him up! High stack, feet on the ropes! But the ref sees it in time!! The fans cheer but Wes is furious! Wes argues with the ref, but then Je’Von goes up and up and- NO, Wes gets under the leap! Wes tilt-o-whirls to DDT Je’Von! Wes builds speed, handsprings, CARDIAC KICK!! cover, TWO?!?! Je’Von survives and Wes is shocked! Fans are thunderous for “YOUNG OG! YOUNG OG!” but Wes snarls. Wes rises, runs in, but Je’Von SUPERKICKS again! Wes falls, Je’Von goes to the corner, but Wes anchors Je’Von.

Je’Von ROCKS Wes, then SUPERKICKS! Je’Von goes up and up and SKY TWISTERS! Cover, Je’Von wins!!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

Another win over Wes and the Young OG is looking to leave Wes behind. Will Wes’s bitterness only grow stronger from here?

BREAKING NEWS!

Given the confrontation that happened earlier tonight, we are getting a BIG main event tag match! Cora & Roxie VS Kelani & Giulia! Will the mean girls of NXT pay for what they did?

Nathan Frazer & Axiom meet up backstage.

Frazer is still banged up, using some coffee to wake up. Axiom says Frazer was so close. He could’ve gotten just one more pin and become Iron Survivor. Frazer says look on the bright side: They still have the tag titles, don’t they? That they do. Frazer coughs a bit from sore ribs, but Axiom wants to apologize. Axiom was worried about Frazer competing twice in one night, but somehow, he did it. Frazer got his nose smashed to pieces, but it didn’t matter, he still walked out there with Axiom and defended the titles. Frazer admits, Axiom carried them. Frazer could barely breathe, but without Axiom, they wouldn’t be champions. Frazer owes him.

Axiom’s performance? No, Frazer was amazing! Frazer really deserves to be both tag champion and Iron Survivor. Yeah, well, Oba Femi kinda screwed that up. Man, he wasn’t even originally in that match! Wow, Axiom’s really mad at Oba, huh? Well of course! Axiom wanted Frazer to succeed. They’re tag team partners. Axiom would do anything for him. Frazer says no, he has to make this right. They each want to make up for something, and they both head out. Just what will each half of Fraxiom do in the wake of Deadline?

Josh Briggs speaks.

“This past summer, I fought in the Pro-Wrestling Noah N1 Victory tournament in Japan. The Japanese wrestling style is different. It’s tough, it’s gritty, it feels like it was made for me. And in the two months I was there, one wrestler impressed me. It was Inamura.” Inamura himself says his first impression was that Briggs fit Japanese Strong Style. He has a fighting spirit like WWE Hall of Famer, Stan Hansen. In the ring, when Brigs gets in the zone, he has that crazy side, which Inamura likes. These two clicked because they’re “grown ass men.” Inamura was raised in a different culture, so there isn’t the immaturity Briggs dealt with before.

Briggs & Inamura may have a language barrier in the way, but with this opportunity, Inamura knew he and Briggs could do damage in the NXT Tag Team Division. Briggs didn’t want to be back in a tag team, but he saw how Inamura trained. Ava Raine wants more out of this division, but there won’t be a division after Briggs & Inamura get through with it. Inamura loves competition, the fight, the struggle. He and “Josh-san” are ready to create chaos in NXT!

Sarah Schreiber is stationed outside NXT Medical.

She’s hoping for some updates on Stephanie Vaquer, and out walk Kelani & Giulia. Giulia rants in Japanese, clearly mad with Cora & Roxie. Kelani gets the gist and says what goes around comes around. Stephanie is banged up, but she’ll be okay. And honestly, Kelani is just sick and tired of Cora & Roxie walking around like they run NXT. Because let’s be real, Cora & Roxie couldn’t run a lemonade stand in a desert! And Cora thinks Kelani is the one that left Michigan State a few years ago? Newsflash: this Kelani would eat that Kelani alive, so what does Cora think is gonna happen to her?

Kelani will put her résumé up against Cora’s any day of the week. Now, time to get ready for their main event tag match. Kelani & Giulia head out, will they avenge Stephanie here tonight?

Zaria and Sol Ruca are watching from the locker room.

Sol says that Iron Survivor match was the most fun she’s had in a long time. Zaria says she’s never felt anything like that before. The heat of the battle made her feel alive. Sol kind of felt the opposite of that stuck in the penalty box watching the clock run out. Freakin’- SKIRRRR~! Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson pull up, and Lash says she could’ve told them both that neither one of them was winning that match. And newsflash, if the Meta Girls were in there, one of them would be the Iron Survivor. But Zaria, they heard about you. The mystique, the power. Zaria may have all these other girls shook, but Lash knows like Zaria knows, that she ain’t Lash Legend and that she can’t hang.

Sol says Lash may be bougie, but if she was in that match with Zaria, she’d learn that she can’t bully Zaria. Jakara asks why Sol is sticking up for someone who wanted to rip her head off 48 hours ago? EW~. It’s giving delusional. The Meta Girls head out, but will they be the ones getting their heads ripped off by the Aussie powerhouse?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe!

The Tag Team Battle Royal was wild, but while Walker & Ledger had a respectful handshake with Tyson, Tyriek wasn’t about that, and he cost Hank ‘n’ Tank in that match! Will settling this 2v2 be enough to make one of these teams the next #1 contenders?

NXT returns as Ty & Ty make their entrance. The teams sort out and Tank starts with Tyson. They tie up, Tank headlocks but Tyson powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, and then things keep moving! Tyson CLOBBERS Tank! The fans are torn but Tyson whips Tank. Tank reverses to reel Tyson in for a BIG atomic drop! Tyson hobbles, Tank goes up and up, Hank tags in before the CROSSBODY! Hank drops a leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Hank clamps onto Tyson, whips him to a corner, but Tyson dodges the splash! Tag to Tyriek and they double whip Hank to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Tyriek drops a knee!

The fans rally, Tyriek stalks Hank to a corner and headlocks. Hank powers up and out but Tyriek reverses. Hank whips Tyriek on the return, but Tyrike hurdles then DROPKICKS! The fans rally and Tyriek goes corner to corner. Hank BOOTS Tyriek, puts him in the corner, and he fires body shots and a HAYMAKER! Hank goes side to side, Tank tags in before the SPLASH! Tank adds a RAM, then Hank SPLASHES for a BULLDOG! The fans fire up, “HONK! HONK!” BELLY SANDWICH! The fans fire up as Tyriek flounders. Tank storms up but Tyriek fires shots! Tank ROCKS Tyriek, whips, but Tyriek reverses and ELBOWS Tank down!

Tyriek bumps Tank off the buckles a few times, then he whips corner to corner hard! Tank sputters, Tyriek SPLASHES, then he wrenches for a BIG back suplex! Tag to Tyson and Tyson runs to BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Tank stays in this and Hank coaches him, but Tyson drags Tank up. Tyson CLUBS Tank, whips him to a corner, but Tank comes back, only for Tyson to CLOBBER him! Tyson kips up, the fans fire up, and Tyson tags Tyriek. They mug Tank but Tank fights back! Tyriek puts Tank in a corner but Tank ELBOWS back! Tank hurries for his corner, but Tyriek RAMS him into the other!

Tyson runs up to SPLASH! Tank falls, Tyriek covers, TWO! Tank is tougher than that but Tyriek clamps on a chinlock! Tank endures, fights up, but Tyriek whips him to a corner! Tyriek runs in to ELBOW, then he whips corner to corner. Hank takes the bump for Tank, and Tank LARIATS Tyriek! The fans fire up with the blue collar brawls, and Tank crawls his way over! Hot tags to Tyson and Hank! Hank CLOBBERS Tyson again and again, then POLISH HAMMERS him! The fans fire up as Hank whips Tyson to a corner, runs, but Tyson falls under the splash! Hank pulls up, whips Tyson corner to corner and SPLASHES!

Hank keeps going, he whips and LARIATS Tyson down! The fans fire up and Hank even goes out to CLOBBER Tyriek! Hank hurries up top?! FLYING- NO, Tyson dodges, comes back, but into the BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! And off comes the jersey! Tag to Tank and Hank scoops! HIT FIRST, HIT LAST! cover, HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!

Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall

Big win for these big boys, but they still wanna show respect to Ty & Ty. And again, Tyson is willing, Tyriek is not. Tyson apologizes for his friend then follows after. What will it take for Ty & Ty to get up the ranks of NXT?

Oba Femi is here!

Orlando fires up for The Ruler, for he is the 2024 Mr. Iron Survivor! Oba goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and says, “Surprise, surprise. The Ruler is back! At Deadline, I stormed into the building, I kicked down the opposition, and destroyed everybody! And now, I am the Iron Survivor.” The fans cheer that. Oba says in four weeks, in Los Angeles, at New Year’s Evil, Oba will reclaim his rightful place on the throne as THE RULER of NXT. The fans also like the sound of that, but Oba says that brings him to Trick Williams. Trick and Oba haven’t officially crossed paths yet. But they have been very dominant in their own runs, haven’t they?

But now, it is time to find out who the real top man is! To Oba’s surprise, here comes Trick! The fans cheer Trick on as he makes his way to the ring. The two eye each other, but wait, EDDY THORPE is here! The Alpha Wolf has his music cut and says this ain’t happening. Eddy tells Oba that he won’t ignore what happened last week! Eddy and his people have been through enough. Eddy storms into the ring and says Oba attacked him, took him out, and the biggest chance of Eddy’s career was just gone. On top of that, Oba took Eddy’s place in The Iron Survivor! Where is the justice? Is it just because Oba’s some big badass that he can do whatever he wants?

Eddy will not stand for this! But then Oba tells him to shut his mouth! The fans are on Oba’s side, and Oba says Eddy is making a bold accusation. Did Eddy see Oba attack him? No, because it was a blindside attack! But Eddy’s never been hit so hard! And there’s only one person who can hit like that, and it’s Oba. Oba says thanks for the compliment, but he is done wasting his time. Now, Trick! Trick interrupts Oba there, because he’s heard Oba talk enough. Time for Oba to listen to Trick. Trick’s been where Oba’s been. The highs and the lows, Trick’s done that. Winning Iron Survivor, Trick’s done that.

And Trick knows everyone has been waiting for Trick and Oba to go 1v1. LA, the City of Angels, the City of Stars, and the two biggest stars NXT has to offer in Trick and Oba, will collide on New Year’s Evil. That sounds good, don’t it? Oba and Trick ain’t really talked, but Trick’s glad Oba’s here. The legacy of a title reign isn’t defined about how long it lasts, but by who you beat while you carry it! Oba says all this noise about being champion, but here’s the truth. No one has hit Trick with truth like this. The only reason Trick was the number one guy is because Oba LET him be! The fans like those fighting words!

Oba says that in fact, the only reason there even was a Whoop Dat Trick Era is because Oba ALLOWED there to be one! Trick feels like he got spat on, and Oba says the truth is also this. Oba has always known that whenever he was ready, he would take that title and easily! And at New Year’s Evil, it seems Oba and Trick have a date with destiny. Oba VS Trick for THE NXT Championship! And Oba promises, he swears, that 2025 begins with the END of Trick’s era. Trick is riled up, Oba ignores Eddy as he leaves, but then Eddy steps to Trick! Eddy asks what the hell. Trick’s the NXT Champion! He’s supposed to be the leader around here, right?

But Trick didn’t press Oba once about what he did to Eddy! And here Eddy thought that maybe, just maybe, Trick would give Eddy a title match for the injustices done to him. Seems Eddy was wrong about that! Just like Eddy was wrong about Trick. Eddy used to see Trick as a man of the people. Everyone follows Trick wherever he goes. But when it’s time to check under the hood of the Lamborghini, all there is to see is a manufactured sports entertainer. And Eddy knows that Trick reached the top here very quickly, but Trick wouldn’t have lasted two WEEKS in the Japanese dojo that Eddy came up in.

so what? This is the real Trick? The guy we’re supposed to be chasing? A guy that came from the Eagles’ training camp and went to a WWE tryout? Unlimited charisma? Eddy doesn’t care about that! Trick tells Eddy to shut his ass up! The fans fire up for Trick and Trick says he is sick of Eddy and all the doubters. Those same doubters who called Trick a sidekick! But look at Trick now. Those same doubters when it was Trick VS Mad Dragon, but look at him now! Those same doubters who think they got to see Trick 1v1 and take his title! You think you can, Eddy? You think you the one? Then believe that, because Trick ain’t got a problem whooping every single ass inside that locker room.

Trick has no problem proving to everyone he is what he says he is, and that is THE NXT Champion. So then, let’s find out, Eddy! Next week! Trick tells Ava, set it up. Then Trick DECKS Eddy! The fans fire up as Trick storms off, but Eddy laughs that off. Will Eddy get exactly what he wants out of this? Or is he only getting what he deserves?

The Fatal Influence talks backstage.

Jacy Jayne is so sick of Gigi, why won’t she just go away? She is obsessed with Jacy! Fallon thinks it’s more Gigi wants Fallon’s title. Jacy frowns and says Gigi’s after her. Jazmyn keeps the peace by saying it doesn’t matter. They just need to get rid of her. Okay? The trio heads out, will they keep their own toxicity down enough to handle business?

Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley talk backstage.

Gigi is glad they have- Friendship? Tatum gives Gigi a big hug! Y-yes, friendship. And as fun as it is pissing off Fatal Influence, it’s still three against two. Tatum says no worries there. Tatum made a brand new- Izzi Dame steps in and tells them that whatever drama they have with Fatal Influence, put it aside. Izzi ain’t done with Gigi, she wants to run it back. Shawn Spears and his crew walk in and says easy now, Miss Dame. He doesn’t want anything happening to Gigi & Tatum. Gigi & Tatum head out and Spears wishes them luck. Now, Izzi, you seem… lost. But he couldn’t overlook how impressive she was in that match last week.

Izzi says what she doesn’t need is someone’s approval. Dame knows how damn impressive she is. Izzi storms off, but could The It Girl be just the thing Spears’ squad needs to take over NXT?

Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx w/ Fallon Henley!

Hell’s Favorite Harlot made her return to help out the twisted outcast that is Tatum, and while she already has Jacy and Fallon snipping at each other, who’s to say it isn’t two bird brains with one stone? Will Gigi & Tatum take down common enemies and open a path to the Women’s North American Championship? Or will NXT still be under the Influence?

NXT returns as Gigi & Tatum make their entrance. The teams sort out and Jacy dares Gigi to step up, but gets Tatum instead. Jacy gets around Tatum to CLUB her, then she throws her to the corner. Tag to Jazmyn and she sends Jacy in, but Tatum dodges to then BOOT Jazmyn! Tatum wrenches Jazmyn, YANKS her arm, and tags Gigi. They KICK and SWITCH KICK, then SPLASH! Gigi covers, TWO! Gigi drags Jazmyn up, but Jazmyn kicks low! Jazmyn whips, Gigi goes up and over and keps moving, but Jazmyn drops under. Gigi blocks hip toss to give hip toss, then she SHOTGUNS Jazmyn down

The fans fire up, Gigi keeps moving, and she DROPKICKS Jazmyn agianst ropes! Jazmyn flops out, Gigi goes after her, but Jazmyn POSTS Gigi first! Jazmyn grins and puts Gigi in, and Jacy shouts to be tagged in! Jacy is the one sounding obsessed, but Jazmyn hurries over to tag. Jacy rains down shots and Fallon talks trash. The fans rally but Jacy SUPERKICKS Gigi down! The fans boo but Jacy runs up to RAM Gigi! Tag to Jazmyn and they mug Gigi. The ref counts as Jazmyn digs boots in, and she tags to Jacy. Jazmyn sends Jacy in to ELBOW Gigi, then a snapmare to a BASEMENT KICK! Jazmyn adds another kick, then Jacy adds another!

Jacy runs, but Gigi avoids the senton! Jacy gets up to swing on Tatum but she ducks. Gigi dodges Jacy to hot tag Tatum! The fans fire up as Tatum rallies on Jacy, then she CLOBBERS Jazmyn! Tatum wrenches Jacy, brings her in< BUTTERFLY PLEX! Jacy runs up but is sent into Jacy! Tatum rusn to CROSSBODY them both in the corner! Tatum reels Jacy in for a fireman’s carry, then a SWINGING SLAM! Tatum goes up a corner, Jazmyn distracts the ref, and Fallon SHOVES Tatum down! Jacy hits the ENCORE ELBOW! High stack, Fatal Influence wins!

Winners: Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx, by pinfall

The fans boo but now Fatal Influence mugs Tatum! Gigi gets in to fight back, but that’s still 3v2! Just as Gigi said before the match! The fans boo, but here comes SHOTZI!?! The Ballsy Badass is back in NXT! She TOSSES Jacy, dodges Fallon and BOOTS Jazmyn! The fans are thunderous as Shotzi KICKS Jacy, ROCKS her, then QUESTION MARK KICKS! Gigi & Tatum ENZIGIRI the rest! Then they hold the way open so Shotzi can DIVE onto the Influence! The fans are thunderous, and this is that new friend Tatum was talking about! Will the misfits make the mean girls pay once and for all?

Fraxiom regroups.

They’re both excited and they sit down to talk. Axiom knows has told Frazer to control his emotions, but he went to Ava and made a match for him and Oba Femi. Wait, what? Yeah, he did! When…? It’ll be next week. And yeah, Axiom knows Frazer is concerned, because it is Oba, but they’re tag partners. Axiom is standing up for Frazer! Oba will feel the pain he put Frazer through! Wait, why is he upset? Frazer says first, thanks, but Frazer was about to tell Axiom that he felt bad Axiom had to carry the team. So Frazer went to Ava and made themselves a tag team championship match! For…? Next week…

So now Axiom has a double header? Frazer says hey, if anyone can pull it off, it’s Axiom! How bad can it be? Did Frazer not see his face? Well, Axiom does wear a mask… Fraxiom has gotten themselves in another bind, but will they make it out in one piece?

NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ethan Page!

The Don was just being a nice guy, but he did get the better of All Ego’s, well, ego to make this match happen. Will Tony beat a former NXT Champion to bolster his own standing? Or will Ethan have new gold to keep him afloat?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really championship material!

The bell rings and the two tie up. Tony headlocks, hits a takeover, but Ethan headscissors. Tony kips free, hits another headlock takeover, but Ethan headscissors again. Another kip free, another takeover, and this time Tony holds off the headscissors. Ethan pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Ethan gets the headscissors, and now Ethan holds tight. Tony still pops fee, but Ethan SMACKS him! Ethan scoops and SLAMS Tony, then storms up on him. Ethan whips corner to corner, but Tony comes back to CLOBBER Ethan! Tony scoops and SLAMS Ethan, then stalks him to a corner. Tony whips corner to corner, Ethan bounces off buckles!

Tony headlocks but Ethan powers up and out. Tony dodges Ethan then comes back to LARIAT Ethan and himself up and out! The fans fire up while both men are down, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Tony and Ethan slowly rise, and The D’Angelo Family coaches up The Don. Tony CLUBS Ethan, puts him in the ring, then storms in after him. Tony stomps Ethan around, drags him up, and whips him hard into buckles! Ethan falls and Tony paces. Tony storms up, stands Ethan up, and whips, only for Ethan to reverse. Tony BOOTS back and Ethan falls right over! Tony drags Ethan to a high stack, TWO! Ethan stays in this but Tony stays on him with a chinlock. Ethan endures, even as Tony squeezes tight. Tony grinds Ethan down, but Ethan flails and fights around. Ethan fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free!

Ethan runs and he CLOBBERS Tony! Cover, TWO! Ethan stays on Tony with a rain of fists! Ethan lets off, and he stalks Tony to a corner. Ethan stomps away on a leg, then drags Tony up. Ethan bumps Tony off his boot, then ROCKS him again! Ethan stalks Tony, but Tony ROCKS Ethan in return! Tony fires shots, then has Ethan in a corner. Tony climbs up to rain down fists! Tony goes all the way to nine, winds up, then hits TEN! Ethan sputters and Tony follows him from the corner. Tony drags Ethan up, but Ethan fights the suplex! Ethan fires body shots, and he GOURD BUSTERS! Tony flounders but Ethan is right on him.

Ethan whips Tony while NXT returns yo single picture. Tony hit as KNEE SMASH first! Then a KNEE LIFT! The fans fire up while Ethan flounders. Tony runs up, Ethan dodges, and Tony POSTS himself! Ethan goes up to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Ethan hurries to scoop Tony, and SLAM him down! Cover, TWO! Ethan drags Tony up and tells him to stay down. But Tony ducks a punch to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men rise up. Ethan throws body shots first! Tony hits back, they go back and forth! Tony gets the edge, then whips, to LARIAT Ethan! And LARIAT again!

Tony clinches Ethan for a BELLY2BELLY! And then another BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up with Tony and he whips Ethan for a SPINE- NO, Ethan CLUBS Tony, then ROUNDHOUSES Him! Ethan runs, Tony dodges, and Tony SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives and Tony grows frustrated. Tony drags Ethan up, hooks a leg, but Ethan fights that to a cradle! TWO!! Ethan BOOTS Tony down! Cover, TWO!! Tony survives again but Ethan reels Tony in. Tony fights the lift, then RAMS Ethan into a corner. Tony whips Ethan corner to corner, runs up, and he LARIATS! Tony hoists Ethan up, climbs up, and fires more shots!

Tony brings Ethan to the top but Ethan fires body shots! Tony hops down, but he comes back, into a BOOT! Ethan then FLYING ENZIGIRIS! Ethan reels Tony in, TWIST OF FATE! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is furious that his shoutout to the Hardy Boys was not enough! Ethan snarls as he drags Tony back up, hoists him up, but Tony slips free of the crucifix! SPINEBUSTER!! High stack, Tony wins!!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

The Don adds to All Ego’s woes, clearly Ethan has no idea what is becoming of his NXT career. What path must he take to get his confidence back?

Lexis King talks with someone backstage.

Lexis is honored to be meeting with Ryan Leaf! Second draft pick overall in the NFL back in the day! Granted, it didn’t work out, but just look how Ryan turned his life around! Pac-12 commentator on CW, not to mention all the charity he does for mental health. Ryan says no, Lexis is the inspiration here. They both competed week in and week out, very publicly at that. Lexis is so much more relatable. We all get to see it. You don’t decide what your story is when it starts, but once you figure things out, you know how to finish it. Ryan can’t wait to see that. Lexis appreciates that, and appreciates that advice on going to Minneapolis to close the book on that part of his life.

Dempsey walks over and says he finished thinking it over. Lexis is becoming the best version of himself, so why not? Heritage Cup Championship will happen in two weeks! But first, Lexis needs to make it through a workout with Dempsey. Done! Dempsey says excellent. Ryan asks if Dempsey’s workout regiment is hard. Lexis says he’s about to find out. Lexis and Leaf shake hands, but will The King finally have his crowning moment?

NXT Media catches up with Ethan Page.

Reporters want a word but Ethan is in no mood. He knows what they want to ask, but he just can’t right now. He really can’t. Ethan knows he is better than this, he’s been better than this, but he’s lost his way. He says he’s All Ego, but the reality is… Ethan isn’t. Ethan doesn’t think he’s good enough to get the North American title, has no clue how to get back to THE NXT title, and he’s just… lost. And ashamed. And… Ethan goes to his car to leave for the night, but will he be back next week?

Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade VS Giulia & Kelani Jordan!

The Prodigy and her bad bad best friend made sure Vaquer got the message, and they look to do the same to The Iron Survivor. But will they be able to bully The Beautiful Madness & The Standout so easily? Or are we about to get a preview of New Year’s Evil?

NXT returns as Giulia makes her entrance, and Roxie & Cora rush up the ramp to get her! Kelani hurries out to even things up again, and the fans fire up as these four brawl back to ringside! Giulia & Kelani SMACK Cora & Roxie off the apron, then push them into the ring. The brawling continues as Roxie & Cora turn the tables! They put Kelani & Giulia in corners, then whip them at each other. But Giulia rolls and Kelani hurdles, they trade enemies! Kelani ROCKS Cora, Giulia ROCKS Roxie, and then they send Roxie & Cora into each other! Then they DOUBLE DROPKICK! Roxie & Cora bails out while Kelani kips up.

Giulia rolls out to set Cora & Roxie up, and Kelani PLANCHAS! Down go the mean girls and the fans fire up! Kelani puts Roxie in, now the bell rings, and Kelani hits a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kelani brings Roxie up, wrenches, and cranks the wristlock. Tag to Giulia, but Roxie breaks away. Roxie and Giulia get face to face, then Roxie takes a swing. Giulia whips, Roxie rolls and rolls back, but Giulia says no to the rana! Roxie avoids the elbow drop to then ghost pin, TWO! Giulia pulls Roxie’s hair! The fans cheer as Giulia wrenches the hair, but Cora storms in. Giulia runs up on her but Cora runs away! Roxie runs up to CLOBBER Giulia!

Roxie stomps away, then tags Cora. Cora SCRAPES Giulia’s face on the ropes! Cora whips, sends Giulia into the ropes, then runs, only for Giulia to dodge! Giulia rolls Cora up, TWO! Giulia has a facelock and she tags Kelani. They double whip Cora to drop down, and DROPKICK! Kelani covers, TWO! Kelani wrenches Cora’s arm, but Cora pulls hair! Cora puts Kelani on ropes, then ROCKS her! Cora whips, Kelani reverses and slingshot arm-drags! Cora hurries to tag Roxie, but Kelani arm-drags her around! Then DROPKICK! Kelani whips corner to corner hard and Roxie slumps down. Tag to Giulia and she sends Kelani in, handspring ELBOW!

Kelani sits Roxie down, Giulia runs up, but Cora drags Roxie out to safety! Giulia stops short, she and Kelani tell Roxie to get back in, but NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie & Cora regroup, then complain about Giulia & Kelani. Kelani goes to the corner, Giulia backs up, and Roxie rolls back in. Roxie runs up, but Giulia blocks the kick! Giulia spins around and backslides Roxie, TWO! Giulia keeps on Roxie with a facelock, then a wrench. Giulia YANKS the arm, then tags Kelani. Kelani goes up to AX HANDLE! Kelani drags Roxie up to wrench the arm again, but Roxie rolls, breaks free, and SLAPS Kelani! Kelani just gets mad, and she TACKLES Roxie! Kelani dribbles Roxie off the mat! Roxie fights free, but Kelani swings on Cora for good measure. Cora gets away, Kelani whips Roxie, but Roxie reverses.

Cora trips Kelani up! Kelani KICKS Cora, but Roxie hits a THESZ PRESS! Roxie rains down fists, then steps on Kelani before stomping her. Tag to Cora and they mug Kelani. Cora SMACKS Kelani off the mat, then runs to IMPLODER STOMP! Cover, TWO! Cora drags Kelani over, tags Roxie, and they mug Kelani. Roxie brings Kelani up, talks trash, but Kelani throws hands! Roxie ROCKS Kelani, wrenches and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Kelani stays in this but Roxie stays on her with a chinlock. Kelani endures, even as Roxie leans on her. Roxie thrashes Kelani around, then shifts to a CROSSFACE!

Kelani fights up, fights with body shots, and NXT returns to single picture as she arm-drags free! Roxie runs up, but Kelani ORCKS her first! And ROCKS her again! Kelani whips, Roxie reverses, and Roxie UPPERCUTS! Kelani flops out of the ring, Roxie builds speed, and Roxie DIVES! Down goes Kelani! Roxie hauls Kelani up and into the ring, then tags Cora. Roxie sets Kelani up for Cora to ELBOW her down! Roxie then LIONSAULTS! Cora covers, TWO! Cora is furious but she drags Kelani up. Cora pie faces Kelani, but Kelani fires body shots and forearms! Cora ROCKS Kelani back, then KICKS her!

Cora storms up, tags Roxie, and they mug Kelani more. Roxie & Cora double whip, then Roxie runs in, but Kelani BOOTS Roxie! Kelani stops the shining wizard to DUMP Cora out hard! Kelani hurries, hot tag to Giulia! The fans fire up as Giulia DECKS Roxie! And DECKS her again! And again! The fans fire up and Giulia stomps away on Roxie at the ropes! Giulia sits Roxie up to run and BOOT WASH! Roxie sputters, Giulia drags her up, hammerlock and lift, for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives but Giulia drags her up. Giulia hammerlocks and scoops again, spin and- NO, Roxie slips free to kick low!

Roxie hops on, but Giulia pops free! Giulia ROCKS Roxie, Roxie runs up to ROCK Giulia! Giulia ROCKS Roxie, and eggs Roxie on! Roxie ROCKS Giulia, Giulia ROCKS Roxie, repeat! They go back and forth, Roxie gets the edge, then Roxie whips. Giulia reverses to wrench and SAIDO! The fans fire up with Giulia and she brings Roxie up. Another wrench, another hammerlock, and another scoop! Giulia tags Kelani in before she hits the GLORIOUS DRIVER! Kelani hits the FIVE STAR FROG SPLAASH! Cora breaks the cover! The fans boo but Cora TOSES Giulia! Cora backs away, Kelani hauls Roxie up, but Roxie fights the suplex to cradle! TWO!!

Roxie SHOTGUNS Kelani down! Roxie tags Cora and they bring Kelani up. They talk trash, then Roxie runs, but Giulia drags Roxie out! Giulia DECKS Roxie, goes up, but Cora SHINING WIZARDS at the corner! Cora turns around, but Kelani blocks a kick to WHEEL KICK! Cora bails out but Kelani aims again. PLANCHA and down goes Cora! Roxie got herself clear, but then she grabs Kelani! SOBAT! Roxie hops on, POP ROX!! Cora kept the ref distracted from seeing that! But then Giulia FLYING MISSILE DROPKICKS Roxie! Roxie and Giulia brawl up the ramp while Cora and Kelani are in the ring.

Cora kicks Kelani, underhooks, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, Cora & Roxie win!

Winners: Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade, by pinfall

Cora soaks up the heat as she stands over the former Women’s North American Champion, but wait! Vaquer is making her way out here!? Cora gets her kendo stick, ready to hit Vaquer some more! But Vaquer doesn’t come out from the ramp, she comes out from the crowd side! She turns Cora around to DECK her! And DECK her again! And HEADBUTT! The fans fire up as La Primera stands tall, Cora’s kendo stick in hand. Vaquer BREAKS the stick, then she storms out after Cora! Cora runs away going up the bleachers, but Vaquer pursues! Vaquer broke that kendo stick rather easily, will she do the same to the Generation of Cora Jade?

Eddy Thorpe signs the contract.

Now his NXT Championship match with Trick Williams is official. Eddy can’t believe this is happening. The biggest match of his life is next week. Ava says yep, it is official. She’ll see him in Lowell. Eddy says he deserves this. Ava says they’re still looking into who attacked Eddy, but Eddy says he knows who it was. Wait, what? Eddy says, “You’re looking at him. I got my title match, and I didn’t have to go through 25 minutes of hell to get it. See you in Lowell.” The Alpha Wolf admits to being a snake! He gamed the system, but is he about to be THE champion of NXT?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT here to turn the corner from Deadline to New Year’s Evil, and what a brilliant twist with this newest whodunnit. After Eddy Thorpe inserts himself in the face-to-face of Oba Femi and Trick Williams, after he makes a big stink about Oba being his attacker and Trick not supporting him, and after goading Trick into giving him that title match, Eddy reveals that he somehow faked being attacked backstage, and all this implies he fooled medical into thinking he couldn’t compete. Given how Eddy angered Trick that badly, he was already getting whooped something fierce, but with this reveal, Trick might go the extra mile just to humiliate Eddy.

Great stuff with this Ethan Page crisis of confidence story, and I was just thinking a midcard title could’ve been a way to go. But then they kinda skip a few weeks in build by just giving him a match, and then he loses. Ethan’s promo afterward was good, because I really feel he could be called up to RawDown already. Ethan is probably more a SmackDown guy to add to the US Championship scene, and maybe one day be in the Undisputed WWE Championship scene. Oh, well, maybe after the “Transfer Window” closes, it’ll be the World Heavyweight Championship instead. Ethan VS Gunther wouldn’t be too bad really.

Great tag match from Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Ty & Ty to build a bit of a feud there. Hank ‘n’ Tank win to stay strong, but it also allows Tyriek to show more of his frustration and reluctance to show respect. If other tag team stories are to be believed, Tyriek will get Tyson to see things his way and Tyson will become a very aggressive Heel in the rematch. Good promo from Briggs & Inamura, who I feel will get those tag titles in early 2025. And I say that because Frazer & Axiom are perhaps just a week away from losing the belts. They didn’t communicate with each other, Axiom is now gonna get crushed by Oba, and then he and Frazer are going into a match with Gallus at far less than 100%. Gallus can get those belts to then drop them to Briggs & Inamura at New Year’s Evil.

Awesome match from Je’Von VS Wes, building on how they opened the Iron Survivor on Saturday. Great win for Je’Von, but Wes will surely double down on being bitter and trying to drag Je’Von down to his level, we probably get another match at New Year’s Evil. Good promos from Lexis King with Charlie Dempsey, and some good CW integration with Ryan Leaf showing up to talk with Lexis. Lexis will definitely be put through the wringer by Dempsey next week, and that Heritage Cup match could probably go either way. Lexis can’t keep losing the “big one,” so maybe he pulls this off with a late fall in the final round.

Also, good promo from the full NQCC with OTM to set up both a Mixed Six Tag as well as separate matches of Jaida VS Wren and Nima & Price VS Myles & Heights. Wren’s getting on a roll and the fans love her, but the fans still like Miss Parker, so that match is going to be really good and hard to call. At this point, it feels like Price & Nima missed the boat on becoming a top team, but that isn’t all their fault. I feel like there were bigger plans had Reggie/Scrypts stuck around, but someone somewhere up high in WWE said those plans didn’t matter. Maybe things can change in the event Frazer & Axiom stop being a team after next week.

And a lot of good stuff with tag matches in the women’s division. Good promo from Fatal Influence to show there’s dysfunction between Fallon and Jacy. After all, they were once enemies, so they’re not going to be best of friends here. Good promo from Gigi & Tatum with not just Izzi but with Spears’ team. Just as I was thinking, Spears is shifting gears to possibly recruit Izzi, and she really could use something to do. Very good match of Gigi & Tatum VS Jacy & Jazmyn, but the 3v2 numbers of course favored the Influence. But great return for Shotzi, not just to NXT but in general, and that’ll be a very fun Six Woman Tag that then sets up Fallon VS Gigi. Jacy thinking Gigi’s here for her could in effect cost Fallon, and then we get more Jacy VS Gigi but for a title.

Good promo from Zaria & Sol with Lash & Jakara, and I’m pretty sure Zaria & Sol win that tag match to stay strong overall. Very good opening promo from Giulia with Roxie & Cora confronting her while having “attacked” Vaquer backstage. Kelani making the save was good, as there was still a grudge for her and Cora to work out. Giulia and Roxie taking themselves out of the match by brawling away was good stuff, and Cora winning for her team was fine. Vaquer was of course coming out for revenge, I’m just not sure they’re going to wait until New Year’s Evil to have a match. They could easily have a match next week or for NXT Christmas Eve, and then the winner moves on to do something else. My guess would be Vaquer wins to challenge the winner of Roxie VS Giulia.

My Score: 8.8/10

Everyone is showing raw emotion!

The New Day’s no longer positive, Drew McIntyre’s back for revenge, and Rhea Ripley battles Raquel Rodriguez, all on one Monday Night Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: The Miz & The Final Testament VS The Wyatt Sick6; The Miz & Final Testament win.
• Dakota Kai VS Liv Morgan; Liv wins.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Lyra Valkyria VS Zelina Vega VS Ivy Nile; Lyra wins and advances to the next round.
• Anything Goes: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez; Rhea wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The New Day arrives backstage.

Xavier Woods wants high-fives, but no one is accepting. Kofi Kingston says hey to Natalya & The Alpha Academy, but they don’t return it. Their verbal shaming of Big E isn’t sitting well with anyone, will Woods & Kofi figure out who’s really in the wrong here?

Gunther is here!

Wichita, Kansas is a little torn as Der Ring General heads to the ring, dressed rather casually compared to other times, but he seems to have gotten over those multiple Coup de Grace double stomps from last week. Gunther grabs a mic, smiles as the fans both cheer and jeer, and he says, “As everybody has seen, quite obviously Finn Balor has made a grave mistake. And whether he deserves it or not, he now has my undivided attention. And I guarantee you right now, Saturday Night’s Main Event will not end up like Survivor Series for me.” But before he can continue, The Prince makes his way out here!

Finn, accompanied by The Judgment Day, also gets a mixed reaction from Wichita. But Finn tells Gunther that Gunther could’ve just given him the title match like he deserved. But instead, Gunther tried to mess with Finn by giving it to someone who didn’t deserve it, like Dirty Dom. The fans boo more but Finn says let’s be real! Finn is the only reason Gunther is still World Heavyweight Champion! And hearing what he said, Gunther is right about one thing: SNME will be NOTHING like Survivor Series. Because at Survivor Series, Gunther retained the title thanks to Finn. And at SNME, Gunther loses the title because of Finn!

And after eight long YEARS, Finn Balor walks out as the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! The Judgment Day applauds but the fans boo. Gunther tells Finn he’ll set one thing straight: Finn did NOT earn his title match. Finn’s audacity of claiming any responsibility of GUNTHER being champion is what did it. But Gunther gets it, Finn is frustrated. Eight years ago, Finn was the first-ever Universal Champion. And at that point in Gunther’s career, he looked up to Finn. Gunther respected Finn. But over the time, that respect kept fading and fading. Not because Gunther chose to, but because Finn chose to cut corners.

Finn chose to take shortcuts! Finn chose to hang out with a bunch of weirdos in a clubhouse! The fans cheer that but Gunther also adds that Finn chose to play second fiddle to Damian Priest. Finn gets heated, JD McDonagh keeps him back, and Gunther says, “So here we are now. Standing across from each other with no respect left. And I figuratively and literally am looking down on you. Eight years ago, you were the best in the world… for one night. I am the best in the world RIGHT NOW and for THOUSANDS of days to come! And this title proves it!!” The fans do cheer that.

Gunther tells Finn there is one reason he won’t leave Saturday as World Heavyweight Champion: Finn is NOT on Gunther’s level, and he never will be! Finn chuckles, and then The Judgment Day storms up to the ring! Gunther stands his ground, but here comes Damian Priest! Finn and his boys are shocked that The Punisher is storming down the ramp! Priest DOUBLE LARIATS JD & Carlito, KICKS and THROWS Dom aside, then fires hands on Finn! The fans fire up as Priest then THROWS Carlito down, then gives JD SNAKE EYES off railing! Finn goes after Priest now, and he sends Priest at the ring. Priest stops himself and fires hands on Finn

Priest puts Finn in the ring, and Gunther is there to CHOP him down! Priest SUPERKICKS Finn out of the ring! But then Gunther LARIATS Priest! The fans are torn as Gunther rains down fists on Priest, the guy who tried to help him! Gunther says he does not need help, and he TOSSES Priest out! Gunther storms out, clears off the desk, and now the fans are really fired up! Gunther brings Priest over, but Finn SLINGBLADES Gunther down! The Prince ends up saving Priest and he DROPKICKS Gunther into steel steps! But then Finn SMACKS Priest off the desk! Finn puts Priest in, climbs a corner, just to COUP DE GRACE Gunther!!

Judgment Day rushes Priest but he TOSSES Dom, throws JD into Carlito, then gives JD a FLAPJACK! SUPERKICK for Carlito! Dom throws hands, but Pries tis just pissed. Finn CLOBBERS Gunther on the outside, then hurries into the ring to save Dom! FINAL CUT! The Judgment Day mugs Priest now while fans boo. The boys set Priest up and Finn runs in, SHOTGUN! Priest hits buckles and falls! Judgment Day mugs Priest more while Finn goes up! COUP DE GRACE for Priest!! Finn wants more, his boys set Priest back up, COUP DE GRACE!! The fans boo even harder, but Finn wants another! Finn hits a third COUP DE GRACE on Priest!!

Wichita boos but Finn eyes the world title. Finn grins as he picks it up. Will Finn be a DOUBLE CHAMPION after Saturday Night’s Main Event? Or can Der Ring General stand against all of Judgment Day?

Judgment Day regroups backstage.

They’re all very excited after taking Gunther and Priest at the same time, and in steps Adam Pearce. He has to hand it to them. Another Monday, another night Judgment Day is causing chaos. But he is here as a courtesy to Finn. Pearce spoke with Gunther, and that conversation has brought about a change to Saturday Night’s Main Event. Huh? It will be Gunther VS Finn… VS PRIEST!! Finn is furious but then he says fine. Because it’ll make it even more satisfying when Finn beats both Gunther and Priest to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! The Judgment Day agrees, but Pearce has something else to say.

Since Finn is so worried about the other champions, here’s an opportunity to lead by example. Next week on Raw, Finn & JD will face the War Raiders again, for the tag titles again, and the best part? The rest of Judgment Day is BANNED FROM RINGSIDE! Pearce leaves, Judgment Day is furious, but the Liv says Finn should relax. He’s got everything under control. Though, she was wondering if Finn’s got any advice for Raquel’s match tonight. They wanna listen to Finn so they’ll win. Finn says yeah, Sis, just give him a couple minutes. Finn heads out, JD follows, and Liv says she feels good about tonight. Will Judgment Day be (not) fine?

8 Man Tag: The Miz & The Final Testament VS The Wyatt Sick6!

The Hollywood A-Lister’s sins came back to haunt him, but he aligned himself with men who are without conscience. But will any of them be conscious after facing Uncle Howdy and the new Wyatt Family? Or will Kross make Bo Dallas #FallAndPray?

The fans fire up for the Wyatts, and Bo talks to the rocking chair to say this is for the family. Then with a “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah~!” Bo and the Wyatts rush the ring! The fans fire up as the brawl is on and the bell rings! Lumis scares Miz and slithers after him while Gacy has Akam, Rowan has Rezar and Bo of course goes after Kross! The Wyatts manage to LARIAT the AOP up and out of the ring, then Bo CLOBBERS Kross! Bo clinches but Miz drags Kross out to safety! The Final Testament regroups while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Akam has Gacy down. The fans boo, Miz soaks it up, and Rezar tags in. AOP double whip to DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Rezar DRIBBLES Gacy’s face off the mat! Rezar then drags Gacy up, fires body shots, then talks trash. Rezar whips Gacy but Gacy BLASTS Kross! Gacy BOOTS Rezar, heads for his corner, but Rezar whips! But Gacy handsprings and comes back from THE UPSIDE-DOWN! The fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tags to Miz and Rowan! Big Red, the Ramblin’ Rabbit, rallies on Miz AND Akam! Then LARIAT in the corner for Miz, LARIAT in the corner for Akam!

Rowan runs back at Miz, but Miz BOOTS him! Miz runs but Rowan grabs him and TOSSES him! Miz lands hard out by Akam, and Rowan builds speed!? Rowan WRECKS Akam and Miz with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Rowan puts Miz in, and he BOOTS Akam! The fans fire up and Rowan slides in. Miz KICKS Rowan, but that just pisses Rowan off! Rowan suplexes for the CUTTER! Cover, AOP breaks it! AOP BLAST The Wyatts, then they hoist Rowan up! DOUBLE POWERBOMB!! But Gacy & Lumis get in to fire hands! They dodge, DROPKICK and SUPERKICK in stereo! Then Lumis whips Gacy so he can DIVE onto AOP!

Lumis goes up, Gacy sets AOP for the CANNONBALL! All four men are down and Miz is freaking out! Rowan crawls, hot tag to Howdy! Bo CLOBBERS Miz, then LARIATS in a corner! Bo reels Miz in, suplexes, and puts Miz on ropes for the MAGIC SCREW! The fans are thunderous and Bo waits on Miz. Miz rises up, scrambles to ropes, and he throws an elbow! Kross tags in, but Bo ROCKS Kross first! Bo LARIATS Kross up and out! The fans fire up for Bo, he builds speed, but Scarlett trips him up! The fans boo as the Femme Fatale gets away with that one. Or does she? NIKKI CRSS creeps out from nowhere, and she creeps Scarlett out!

Nikki waves, Scarlett runs away but into the ring! The ref tells her to get out, which she does, but Nikki is there on the other side! FLYING THESZ PRESS! Bo clinches Kross, but Miz CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Miz thinks he’s got him> Bo GRABS Miz with the MANDIBLE CLAW!! Miz flails desperately, but PAUL ELLERING is back! POCKET SAND!! Kross scoops Bo for the FINAL PRAYER! Cover, Final Testament wins!

Winners: The Final Testament, by pinfall

That mastermind, Ellering, returns when Kross needed him most! But is this only the first battle in a war with the Wyatts?

Sit-down interview with CM Punk.

Jackie Redmond is with the Second City Saint and thanks him for taking the time. He thanks her for inviting him, he appreciates it. Punk then teases if she’s going to belittle his Chicago Blackhawks, she’s in for a fight. Jackie says no, she’ll be asking something much more important. It is all anyone’s talking about, anyway: the promised favor from Paul Heyman! What is it? Can he hint anything about it? No, this isn’t the right time for that. That’s a personal thing. Punk and Heyman go back many years, the favor is between them.

Jackie accepts that and then asks about Seth Rollins. Last week, Punk let Rollins know that Punk doesn’t think about Rollins at all, but Rollins made it clear that he has his sights set on Punk. Rollins is willing to force the issue, so how will Punk handle it? Punk says it is no secret that he doesn’t shy away from a fight. If you go after him, he’ll start swinging. But when it comes to Rollins’ hatred for Punk, Punk is more confused than anything. Punk doesn’t hate Rollins. To understand, you have to talk about the history between them, which also goes back years.

We’re talking about a 16-year-old Seth Rollins coming to Punk to ask Punk to train him, for free. Now, that’s the key part everyone leaves out. Rollins’ entitlement gets carried over into adult Rollins, who wants to be the best in the world, in everyone’s Top Ten List. But Punk remembers when Rollins was on the top ten list of those to be fired from here. Punk “shielded” Rollins from that. If Punk had to live in his shadow, Punk would hate Punk, too. Rollins is a multiple time world champion, a Mr. Money in the Bank winner, but everything he’s done, Punk did before and did it better.

Now, Punk doesn’t claim to do those things because he wanted a thank you. He did recognize Rollins had all the potential in the world. And in Punk’s absence from the WWE, Rollins did a fantastic job filling to void. But simply put, the starting player is back, Rollins has to go back to the bench. Jackie appreciates the honesty, and thanks Punk for his time. But is Punk really telling the truth that he doesn’t hate Rollins with how he just talked down about him? Will Rollins’ hate for Punk only grow exponentially now?

Dakota Kai VS Liv Morgan!

#CobraKai is already into the second round of the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament, but she could capture a golden ticket off of the Women’s WORLD Champion here in Wichita. Will Damage CTRL be doing damage to Judgment Day for the holidays? Or will Liv simply use Kai to prepare for Iyo Sky?

The bell rings, Liv runs up and the two tie up. Dakota headlocks, but Liv pulls hair to get free! Liv shoves, drops down, but Dakota stops herself. Dakota bypasses Liv, then hurdles. Liv jumps over, comes back, but Dakota arm-drags her around and around! Dakota snapmares Liv to then NECK SNAPPER! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! Liv escapes and scurries away to a corner. Dakota runs up but Liv TOSSES her up and out! Dakota SMACKS off steps before hitting the floor, and Liv grins while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Liv SLAMS Dakota down! Dakota writhes but Liv kicks her around. Wait, Pure Fusion Collective make their way out here? They must be upset on Shayna Baszler’s behalf for how Dakota won that Triple Threat. Anyway, Liv hits a snap suplex, then rolls, that was Una Amiga! Now she hits Dos Amigas! And then Liv gives some Latina Heat for Daddy Dom, but Dakota hits a suplex first! The fans fire up while Liv flounders away. Liv runs back up but Dakota ROCKS her first! And again, and again, and again! Liv shoves Dakota, but Dakota LARIATS! And LARIATS! Then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Dakota as she goes after Liv!

Dakota whips Liv corner to corner hard, and Liv sits down! Dakota then runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Liv flounders to the apron but Dakota puts her in ropes, DRAPING STOMP! Cover, TWO! Liv survives and now Dakota notices PFC. They wave mockingly and also mockingly coach her. Dakota fireman’s carries Liv, but Liv slips free to shove! Dakota comes back with a SCORPION KICK! Dakota runs, Zoey is there, so Dakota BOOTS her! And PERNALTY KICKS Shayna! The ref tells PFC to back up, but Liv runs up! Dakota avoids ObLivion, rolls Liv up, TWO! Liv dodges a kick to hit a CODE BREAKER!

Dakota staggers to a corner, Liv runs up, SHINING WIZARD! Liv kicks Dakota out, then goes up, FLYING- POWERBOMB!! The fans fire up but Sonya gets on the apron! Dakota BOOTS her down! Dakota runs Around the World, but Liv dodges the boot! Dakota hobbles, Liv runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, Liv wins!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall

The Women’s World Champion snatches her belt and leaves, but PFC goes after Dakota! They really ARE upset over last week’s Triple Threat! They mug Dakota, then drag her up. But wait, here comes DMG CTRL! Iyo Sky RAMS Shayna, Kairi drags Sonya out! URAKEN for Sonya! Zoey & Shayna dodge the handspring, but Iyo comes back to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Iyo kips up while Wichita fires up, and Kairi joins in! Iyo gives Kairi a hand to go up, up and AWAY! TRIPLE CROSSBODY!! PFC goes down, the fans fire up more, but then Iyo turns around into OBLIVION!! Liv gets the final shot on the Evil Genius, will this be how things go at Saturday Night’s Main Event?

Drew McIntyre speaks.

“Hell in a Cell was the most violent match of my 24-year career. And in the end, I succumbed to massive blood loss. I could’ve been at Raw post Bad Blood, against doctor’s orders. I proved time and time again The Scottish Warrior isn’t just a catchy nickname, it is earned. But I had to go back to Scotland. My family needed me. 2024 should’ve been a career year for Drew McIntyre, but time and time again, I kept getting screwed over at the finish line. While I was home in Scotland, that same thought kept going through my head, burning in my brain. ‘What if I’m wrong? What if everyone else was right? What if people truly can change? What if my gut was wrong?’

“Then I turned on Survivor Series and I saw Roman Reigns standing side by side with CM Punk. Who was by their side? Sami, Jimmy, Jey, with their stupid fingers in the air. After everything they know, Roman just snaps his fingers, they put their tails between their legs, they run right by his side? At least CM Punk took a bribe! They all sold out for absolutely nothing. That’s when it was clear, that’s when I knew I had to come back. That’s when I knew I was gonna take out Sami. That’s when I knew I was gonna take out Jey Uso. Spending time back home, I realized there’s no changing the past, no matter how much I want to.

“But I can change the present. And I will change the future.” The Scottish Terminator has new targets, or perhaps old depending on how you look at it. But will there be no running for Jey and Sami now that McIntyre’s making it his mission to destroy them?

Adam Pearce exits his office, with Cody Rhodes!

The Raw General Manager shakes hands with the Undisputed WWE Champion, and then The New Day walk by. They see the American Nightmare, and Cody says he’s known them both for a very long time. Cody and Woods have even known each other since they were kids. Cody says they should be ashamed of themselves. Woods laughs that off and says good coming from that guy, like he was so good in high school. The New Day continues on, who else will the find disapproves of this new attitude?

Seth Rollins is here!

Wichita sings for The Visionary, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” while he goes to the ring. Rollins grabs a mic and welcomes Wichita to Monday Night Rollins~! And he is your host tonight! He is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he IS Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! And there’s a lot to talk about tonight. Wichita, give it up for CM Punk, huh? The fans are torn but Rollins tells “Punker,” when you’re done in the ring, Punk can be a politician! That right there earlier tonight, that was a master class in how to spin the truth. Take a little bit of the truth, play the victim, and Punk’s been doing that his entire life!

Rollins says Punk is a fraud, a conman, and Rollins will share the truth between them. Punk was right, Rollins did go to get trained by The Best in the World, no doubt about it. Rollins looked up to Punk, idolized him, and Punk helped Rollins get his foot in the door here in the WWE. Rollins respected Punk, and they were once friends. And if the story ended there, you might wonder, too: Why does Rollins hate Punk? The part of Punk’s story that he left out will tell you why. When Punk walked out the door of WWE eleven years ago, Rollins called and texted as a friend and how he respected what Punk stood for.

What’d Rollins get in return? Nothing! Rollins got ghosted! And not just Rollins, it was everyone who was a friend of Punk’s here in WWE! Because if you didn’t quit your dream job, and your priorities didn’t line up with Team CM Punk, then you were evil. And if the story ended there, okay. But that’s not what happened! Because for the next ten years, all Punk ever tried to do was tear WWE down! That’s all he did! Punk talked crap, took pot shots, and when Punk finally walked back in here, do you know why that was? Because Punk FAILED at everything else, burned every single bridge that would lead him to water, and… the money was right.

The fans are still torn, but plenty of fans still chant “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” Rollins says yeah, once upon a time, he used to chant for Punk, too. He used to respect Punk, used to want to be just like Punk, follow in his footsteps. But somewhere along the way, Rollins realized Punk was a fraud and that he wanted to be BETTER than Punk! And Rollins was! Everything Punk did, Rollins did it TWICE! And he did the one thing Punk could never do, and that was main event WrestleMania! But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! Rollins tells Sami to stay outta this but the fans cheer Sami on as he goes right down to the ring.

Sami steps in with a mic in hand, and Rollins says if Sami is out here to defend Punk again, then they’re gonna be fighting again. Rollins does not wanna hear it, he has no time for it. Sami says last week, Rollins was angry, Sami was angry, they said some things and had it out in the ring. That’s bound to happen when they’ve known each other for as long as they have. But it was wrong of Sami to assume Rollins dropped Jey. Sami’s known Rollins long enough so he was wrong, and for that, he is sorry. The fans cheer the apology, and Rollins says he is glad Sami brought that up.

Because the thing that’s been eating Rollins up is, as far back as they go, 20 YEARS, and their kids play together, they’re tight! But when Jey went down, Rollins was the first person Sami thought of! And Rollins wants to know why. Well there is a reason! The way Rollins was talking, he was outta his mind! No, go back and watch. Rollins wasn’t talking like Rollins, he wasn’t like the guy Sami’s known those 20 years. Rollins was being someone who points his fingers at everyone else, that blames everyone else, and acts like they’re the only person with moral clarity. He wasn’t being Seth Rollins, he was being Drew McIntyre!

Rollins stares Sami down and says, “I am not Drew McIntyre.” Sami says he knows that, because Rollins is a better person. But this thing with Rollins and Punk, it is bringing out the worst in Rollins. And maybe Sami shouldn’t have gotten involved. Sami saw a guy he’s known forever and a guy he’d just gone to war with, they were fighting, and Sami got involved when he shouldn’t have. That is why he is here. Sami has to tell Rollins that this thing with Punk is worse than Sami thought possible, so Sami will let Rollins deal with it however he wants. Rollins thanks Sami for that, that is all Rollins has wanted.

Okay, so what about them? Are Sami and Rollins good? The fans chant “HUG IT OUT! HUG IT OUT!” Rollins says, “Yeah, Sami, we’re good, man.” Rollins appreciates Sami letting him handle things with Punk, and notes it seems Sami has something with Drew. Rollins heads out, and Sami says yeah, that’s good advice. Sami will handle things with Drew! Sami says this thing with Drew, they won’t run it back like before. Sami won’t listen to Drew coming out here, week after week, talking about everyone else is wrong and he is wrong and is some martyr. Sami’s gonna end this as quickly as it started, so this is how it goes!

Sami has already spoken with Adam Pearce. The fans cheer that! Sami says Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sami VS Drew, and Sami will see Drew in Long Island!! The fans fire up as SNME just gets that much bigger. Sami heads out, but then McIntyre CLOBBERS Sami on the stage!! The fans boo, producers and refs rush out, and they have to drag McIntyre off of Sami. McIntyre grins and says okay, he’s done with Sami, for now. Will McIntyre put Sami out of action like he did to Jey last week? Or can Sami stop the Scottish Terminator before he gets started?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Lyra Valkyria VS Zelina Vega VS Ivy Nile!

Another spot in the semifinals awaits, and we’ll see The Morrigan, La Muneca & The Diamond Pitbull battle it out! Will Lyra fly on to the second round? Will the LWO have the Queen of the Ring representing them? Or will this tournament soon be American Made?

The bell rings and Zelina SHOTGUNS Ivy! Lyra rolls Zelina, TWO! Zelina and Lyra clinch, Lyra whips, but Zelina leaps to FACE SMASH! Then BASEMENT HEEL KCIK! The fans fire up and Zelina dials it up, 619! Lyra flops back but Ivy YANKS Zelina down! Ivy runs up, whips Lyra, then tilt-o-whirl POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Ivy stomps away on Lyra, then stands on her face! The fans boo and the ref reprimands while Raw goes to break

Raw returns and Lyra rallies the fans before she builds speed. Lyra WRECKS Ivy and Zelina with one dropkick! Lyra puts Ivy in, brings her around, and then runs up a corner! TORNADO DDT! Then a roll through to fisherman and BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ivy stays in this but Lyra stays on Ivy. Lyra fireman’s carries, but Ivy fights around to an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Ivy clasps hands and fights around, and she rolls back, but into a DISARM-HER! Ivy references The Man but Lyra rolls Ivy, TWO! Ivy lets go and runs up, but Lyra sunset flips! ONE, and Ivy jackknife bridges! ONE as Lyra rolls and rolls, but Zelina is up top! SWANTON BOMB!!

Zelina covers Ivy, TWO!! A cover on Lyra, TWO!! Zelina is annoyed but she builds speed to SLIDING SUNSET BOMB! A shoutout to Rey Mysterio and Zelina hurries up top. Zelina climbs up and the fans rally for the FLYING METEORA! Cover, Ivy BOOTS it apart! The fans boo but Ivy throws Zelina to a corner. Zelina BOOTS Ivy, goes up, and CROSSBODIES! Ivy catches Zelina for a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, Lyra breaks it! The fans fire up and all three women are down! The fans rally, Ivy drags Lyra up to waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! Ivy holds on, Lyra scrambles around, and Lyra grabs Zelina! Ivy DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES!

Bridging cover on Lyra, TWO!! Lyra stays in this but Ivy stays on her! Lyra fights #SuplexIvy to switch, but Ivy switches for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Lyra stays in this, but Zelina hops on! CODE RED for Ivy! Cover, Lyra breaks it again! Lyra hurries to get Ivy up, fireman’s carries, and hits the NIGHTWING DRIVER! Cover, LYRA WINS!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Morrigan finds her opening, and now she’s flying back to a “shiny shiny!” But the next match will have Alba Fyre VS Kairi Sane VS Natalya, who wins that Triple Threat to meet Lyra in the semifinals?

Rhea Ripley prepares backstage.

Priest finds her, and he simply tells her, “Eradicate.” They fist bump and Priest heads out. Will Rhea do exactly that when she and Raquel Rodriguez go Anything Goes?

Backstage interview with The New Day.

Cathy Kelley is with Woods & Kofi and brings up last week’s celebration becoming anything but “don’t you dare be sour,” the very phrase they coined ten years ago. What was the intention behind them berating their longtime friend, Big E? Kofi says hold on, she is supposed to be neutral, why is she asking a question like that? Woods says Cathy is cleary biased, so they’re going to go talk to the people they need to, and that’s the fans. Can’t he just answer the question? Woods says no, Cathy, please. Now hand Woods the camera. What? Woods doesn’t care if John Cena’s his best friend, the cameraman is gonna hand it over!

Woods takes the camera from this guy, then he and Kofi head on through the backstage area and towards gorilla. The fans can be heard booing as they do, and The New Day make their entrance without music or fanfare. The fans instead chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS! NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods asks, “What’d we do?” Kofi and Woods go into the ring, we get a different camera perspective while they get mics. Kofi says no no no no no, but the fans just boo more. “You mean to tell me… after the ten years of positivity that Woods and I have given you, you mean to tell me you’re this mad, all from one day?”

The fans boo and give thumbs down, but Woods says that New Day came out here… The fans chant “We Want Big E! We Want Big E!” and “NEW! DAY SUCKS! NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods says they didn’t even do anything to Big E! The fans boo because yes they did! Kofi says they could’ve hit Big E with a steel chair! They could’ve hit him with a sledgehammer! The fans chant for Big E more, and Woods says, “Y’know what? We were gonna try to come out here and talk…” The fans boo more so New Day just gives up and drops their mics. New Day leaves, acting like they’re somehow NOT in the wrong, but will someone get it through their heads what they did?

Anything Goes: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez!

After weeks of being this close to getting even with Liv Morgan, and yet being so far from revenge because of Big Mami Cool, these two finally have it out 1v1! No disqualifications, no count outs, no holding these two back from what they really wanna do to each other! Who will be the Top Mami after tonight?

Raw returns and Raquel makes her entrance. But Rhea goes after her at the ramp! Rhea fires hands, then she whips Raquel into barriers! The fans fire up as this match is happening in front of them, and Raquel sends Rhea into the railing! And then the barriers! Then she CLUBS away! Rhea hits back, they brawl, and Rhea SMACKS Raquel off a trash can! The fans fire up but Rhea has them move aside. Rhea makes Raquel take a seat so she can CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Rhea then runs and TOSSES Raquel over the barriers! We’re finally ringside and Rhea CHUCKS a trash can at Raquel! The trash flies everywhere while Rhea storms up on Raquel.

Rhea puts Raquel in the ring, where a lot of items are already waiting! Rhea gathered those during commercial it seems, and Rhea hits a FACE SMASH then LARAIT! Raquel stays up, so Rhea SMACKS her with a kendo stick! Raquel falls, and Rhea SMACKS her again! Raquel grabs the stick, throws Rhea to a corner, but Rhea BOOTS in return! Rhea goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Down goes Raquel and the fans fire up! Raquel tumbles out, Rhea builds speed and WRECKS her with a dropkick! The fans fire up with Rhea, and she looks under the ring. Rhea brings out a TABLE! The fans love it!

But then Raquel RAMS Rhea into the post! Raquel scoops Rhea, to FALL AWAY SLAM her onto the desk! Rhea tumbles, Wade Barrett & Joe Tessitore get clear, and Raquel roars while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Rhea DOUBLE BOOTS Raquel! Both women are down and Wichita fires up! Rhea and Raquel rise, Rhea wrenches Raquel to short arm LARIAT! And then ROUNDHOUSE! Rhea grabs a chair, tosses it to Raquel, then DROPKICKS the chair into her! The fans fire up and Rhea runs, but into a KNEE! Raquel hoists Rhea up, ALLEY-OOP into buckles! Cover, TWO! Rhea stays in this but Raquel is furious! Fans want tables but Raquel sets up a chair. Raquel gut wrenches Rhea but Rhea slips free! Rhea gets around, and atomic FACEBUSTERS Raquel off the chair! Then Rhea SMACKS Raquel with another chair! Cover, TWO!

Rhea is seething and she piles chairs together. Rhea hauls Raquel up, pump handles, but here comes Liv! Liv taunts Rhea, Rhea runs up to TOSS Liv into the ring! Liv flounders, almost hitting those chairs on that landing! But Raquel CLOBBERS Rhea! Raquel decides to use that chair pile herself! Scoop and SLAM onto the chairs! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives but Raquel sits a chair up upside-down! Raquel aims Rhea at the chair legs, but Rhea slips free! Rhea HEADBUTTS Raquel! Then she pump handles, but Liv jumps on for a SLEEPER! Liv thrashes but Rhea THROWS her down! Rhea runs up and tells Liv that she’s gonna pay!

Raquel runs up but Rhea SUPERKICKS her! But Liv gets Rhea into OBLIVION!! But wait, Iyo Sky is here! Payback with a MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Iyo kips up! Iyo then builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Liv! But Raquel covers Rhea! TWO!! Rhea survives again but Raquel brings that table up! The fans are torn because they like the table but the want Rhea to rise up! Raquel hoists Rhea up, but Rhea slips free again! Raquel runs up, but is sent into a CORNER CHAIR!! Rhea then hauls Raquel up, pump handles, and RIPTIDE through the table!!! Cover, Rhea wins!!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall

That was brutal to be sure, but Rhea grins as she gets one over on Raquel. Rhea spots the world title, but so does Iyo. They both grab it, then stare down with each other. With Iyo facing Liv this Saturday, could the Evil Genius be leaving Long Island the NEW Women’s World Champion, and Rhea’s new target?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw tonight, especially as the go-home to Saturday Night’s Main Event. There were also more hints at this WWE Transfer Window, with Tiffany Stratton in the background as Rollins was on his way to gorilla, and then Cody Rhodes having his moment with Adam Pearce and The New Day. As I said for SmackDown, this is clearly Netflix wanting THE Undisputed WWE Championship on Raw, and we’ll basically get a direct trade of Cody for Gunther. But speaking of The New Day, brilliant stuff out of them. They’re Heels who don’t realize they’re Heels, but everyone else does, and that is definitely something special for this next chapter of The New Day’s careers.

Great 8 Man Tag from Wyatts and Final Testa-Miz, but it got overbooked real quick. Scarlett was a given, as was Nikki Cross, but I did NOT see Ellering showing up and throwing that HUGE amount of sand or powder. I do commend them for this, as cheating was really the only way anyone was gonna beat The Wyatts. I hope the rematch lets them let loose with a No Disqualification stipulation, maybe even something rather Bray Wyatt in style. Though at the same time, we’re almost at Christmas so they could do like, a Nightmare Before Christmas match so that it’ll be themed for the holidays, but also spooky for The Wyatts.

Great promo from McIntyre to help us understand it really was him who attacked Jey Uso, and to quickly establish he and Sami are gonna fight it out. Great promos from CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn, too, and even though the Royal Rumble is first, I feel like we’ve got a great field for Elimination Chamber already. Punk, Rollins and McIntyre all hate each other, but McIntyre also hates those who help Roman Reigns, which will bring Sami into it. And the match itself could be for a top championship, or at least a shot at it, so you can throw in just about anyone, it really depends on how this Transfer Window sorts out.

The World Heavyweight Championship going from 1v1 to a Triple Threat is some wild stuff. Great promo segment from Gunther with Finn & The Judgment Day, and then of course Priest gets involved. I feel like with the Triple Threat, that’s their way of keeping the title on Gunther while keeping everyone strong. Or also letting Judgment Day get involved so they can tilt things in Finn’s favor, but then still let Gunther get away with the title. Finn & JD VS War Raiders next week, probably with Finn NOT World Heavyweight Champion, and NO Judgment Day allowed ringside, that has to be a title change, right?

Great Triple Threat from Lyra, Zelina and Ivy, but it also felt a little secondary with everything else going on tonight. Great win for Lyra, and I feel like it’s either Alba Fyre or Natalya who meets her in the next round. Dakota VS Liv was a good match to give Liv some momentum going towards SNME, but it was also a vehicle for Pure Fusion Collective to get involved. I feel like we’ll be getting a Six Woman Tag of PFC VS DMG CTRL after Saturday, assuming Iyo doesn’t win the title on Saturday. Liv of course got involved with the Anything Goes main event tonight, which cued Iyo to return the favor, and that helped Rhea win.

The main event was still awesome even without the overbooking, but now they’re teasing Rhea VS Iyo. Iyo might win, but maybe Tiffany Stratton shows up with her Money in the Bank briefcase. Tiff could cash in and take that title from Liv and Iyo, setting up some Tiff VS Rhea, but then what happens to Iyo? Again, we’ve got a good field for a Women’s Elimination Chamber right there: Liv VS Rhea VS Iyo VS Tiff VS… I dunno, two women in this Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament that don’t win. Again, the Transfer Window will have to sort out who is where first, then we’ll go from there.

My Score: 8.8/10