Dark State takes on the Stand & Deliver main event!

Before they battle for THE NXT Championship, Oba Femi, Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans must work together against Dark State in a Six Man Tag! Will they survive?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jordynne Grace VS Jaida Parker; No Contest.
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Sol Ruca w/ Zaria VS ???
• Six Man Tag: Oba Femi, Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans VS Dark State; win(s).

PLAY BY PLAY

Stephanie Vaquer is here!

Kelly Kincaid knows the NXT Women’s Champion gets to choose her opponent for Stand & Deliver, but when can we expect that decision? Vaquer is sure she’ll have that decision after this match. La Primera goes to ringside, who will impress her with a victory?

Jordynne Grace VS Jaida Parker!

The Juggernaut and Miss Parker have had a bit of back ‘n’ forth, both in words and in brawling backstage. But this here could very well be seen as a #1 contender’s match! Will Grace make an impact on WrestleMania Weekend? Or will Jaida get #OutTheMud with this one?

The bell rings and and the two run up! Grace TACKLES Jaida, rains down fists, and teh fans fire up! Jaida turns things around, Grace turns it back, and they scrap out to the floor! The fans fire up more as the shots keep going! Grace stomps Jaida, then SMACKS her off the apron. Grace jumps on for a SLEEPER, but Jaida RAMS her into the apron! And into the apron again! Jaida goes into the ring, but Grace drags her back out. Grace slides in, but Jaida drags her back out! Grace ELBOWS Jaida, SMACKS her off the apron, then TOSSES her into the ring. Grace slides in, but Jaida stomps her down!

Jaida drags Grace up, whips, but Grace reverses to atomic drop! Then she fireman’s carries Jaida for a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then a SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Jaida stays in this but Grace stays on her. Grace TOSSES Jaida to the apron, then goes out after her. Grace CLUBS Jaida, Alabama Lifts her, and even Vaquer is worried about this one. Jaida fights that slam off to lift Grace! Grace kicks free, but then Jaida fireman’s carries! HOTSHOT off the ropes! The fans fire up while Grace flounders, but Jaida storms in and runs, BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Grace survives and the fans fire up more!

Jaida drags Grace up, but Grace fights the suplex! Grace RAMS Jaida into a corner, then RAMS her in again! Grace backs up, runs in, but Jaida puts her on the apron! Grace blocks a shot to ROCK Jaida! Grace then climbs, but Jaida trips her up! Grace is in the ropes, Jaida ROCKS her, then puts her in the corner! Jaida CHOPS, then runs, TEARDROP! Jaida high steps and the fans fire up! Jaida says Parker don’t play, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jaida talks trash on Grace, then drags her up to CLUB her in the corner. Jaida runs to LARIAT Grace in the back! Jaida reels Grace in, REVERSE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Grace survives that rough landing, and she seems to be okay to continue. Jaida clamps onto Grace with a GROUND COBRA TWIST! Grace endures, fights around, but Jaida CLUBS her! Grace fires HEADBUTTS into Jaida, but Jaida CLUBS her again and again! Jaida pushes Grace onto her stomach, then clamps on with a chinlock stretch! Grace endures, fights up, and has Jaida as a backpack! BACKPACK SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jaida stays in this but Grace stays focused.

Grace drags Jaida up, whips her to a corner hard, and then scoops Jaida for a POWERSLAM! Grace goes up, up, VADER BOMB FLOPS as Jaida moves !HIP- NO! Grace rolls Jaida up, TWO! Jaida trips Grace, and she rains down furious fists! Grace turns things around but Jaida pulls hair! But then Grace pulls Jaida’s hair! The ref counts, both women let go at 4, and then Grace rains down fists! Cover, TWO! Grace tumbles to ropes, Jaida storms up to cravat. Jaida grinds Grace’s face off the ropes, puts her in the corner, then runs, but into an ELBOW! Grace reels Jaida in, but Jaida hoists Grace up top!

Jaida fires forearms and a CHOP, then climbs up after Grace. NXT returns to single picture as Grace fires forearms! Jaida fires a body shot in return! Jaida reaches the top, brings Grace up to join her, but Grace fights back! SUPER SUNSET FLIP, but Jaida holds onto the ropes! Jaida ROCKS Grace, then kicks her away! The fans rally as Jaida adjusts, but Grace runs up! Jaida leaps over, fireman’s carries, but Grace fires elbows! Jaida still RAMS Grace into buckles, and pops Grace around! But Grace fights through to have Jaida up! The fans are thunderous as Grace then ALLEY-OOPS Jaida away!

The fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener, and even Vaquer is impressed. Grace and Jaida rise up, go forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The fans fire up, Grace gets the edge, and she RAMS Jaida into the corner! Grace swings, Jaida dodges, but then Grace catches Jaida to a backslide! Jaida rolls through, Grace blocks the kick, but the POINT-BLANK HIP hits! Jaida then whips corner to corner, but Grace goes up and over! GRIZZLY MAGNUM! The fans fire up for that double chop, and then Grace blocks a boot! Grace lifts Jaida into the Electric Chair, and SLAMS her into buckles!

Grace torture racks Jaida now, for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jaida survives and “This is Awesome!” Grace and Jaida rise up again, and Grace pump handles! Jaida fights free, dragon sleepers, REVSRE- NO, Grace turns suplex into dragon sleeper! Jaida fires knees, powers through, and she standard suplexes to GOURD BUSTER! And now, the HIP- NO!! Grace ducks and Jaida crashes! Grace runs to DIVE! The ropes get her first, she crashes at Jaida’s feet! Jaida hurries to get Grace up, but Grace shoves her away. Jaida bumps into Vaquer, and Vaquer takes exception to that. Jaida SLAPS Vaquer!

The fans fire up but Grace fires off on Jaida! Vaquer swings on Jaida, Jaida dodges, Grace takes the shot! Jaida then SLAPS Vaquer! The ref stops the match but the brawl continues!

No Contest

Grace ROCKS Jaida, then goes to the ring to off on Vaquer! Jaida storms in and goes after Grace! The fans fire up, and now GIULIA is back?!? The former NXT Women’s Champion returns, and she dodges Grace to BOOT Jaida! And she ROCKS Grace! ELBOW for Jaida, SHOTGUN for Grace! Vaquer SHOTGUNS Jaida! The fans fire up as now Giulia and Vaquer bump into each other! They turn and see who it is, and while Vaquer smiles, Giulia HEADBUTTS Vaquer! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! And she holds up the NXT Women’s Championship! The Beautiful Madness is back, will it be madness this close to Mania?

A Second City Saint, a Wise Man and a Visionary walk into an arena…

After revealing “The Favor,” CM Punk and Paul Heyman will both be here tonight on Monday Night Raw in Minneapolis, but so will Seth Rollins!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Bayley; Lyra wins and retains the title.
• Six Man Tag: El Grande Americano & The Creed Brothers VS The LWO; Americano & The Creeds win.
• WWE World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS The New Day; New Day wins by disqualifications, the War Raiders retain the titles.
• PENTA VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Carlito; Penta wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

The Raw General Manager welcomes Minneapolis to the show, and he knows we all saw what happened last week revolving around the WWE Women’s World Championship. The situation needs to be address, so please welcome out THE champion, Iyo Sky! The fans cheer as the Evil Genius makes her way out, her title already sitting on the pedestal in the ring. She shakes Pearce’s hand and then takes up a mic. The fans cheer, Iyo bows in thanks, and Pearce now welcomes out Iyo’s opponent, Bianca Belair! The fans are a bit more torn about The EST, but she still makes her way out here to join Iyo and Pearce in the ring.

Bianca points to the WrestleMania sign, but then Pearce welcomes out the wild card, “representing Judgment Day,” Rhea Ripley! Mami makes her way out, and Pearce must be out of sorts if he thinks she’s still part of that group. Rhea and Bianca each have mics now as Pearce welcomes them all here, and says he takes responsibility for last week. He was wrong. Wrong to put Bianca in that position as referee, wrong to assume any of the three could handle this like professionals. The fans boo Pearce there, but he says there is one way to right this wrong: Iyo Sky will defend the WWE Women’s World Championship IN A TRIPLE THREAT!

The fans love that idea! Iyo and Bianca aren’t so happy, but Pearce wants everyone to sign the new contract. Bianca says a couple weeks ago, this would’ve pissed her off because she earned her way to WrestleMania. Win Elimination Chamber? Did that. Be special guest ref? Did that. But she didn’t do all that just so Rhea could just waltz into the match with them! But she doesn’t care anymore, because she is not afraid of Rhea. She went through Elimination Chamber, watched two of her closest friends tear each other apart, and she still won! If she can overcome all that, of course she can overcome a Triple Threat!

The fans rally for Rhea but Bianca says no, Bianca WILL be Women’s World Champion, and she will go through Rhea to get it! Bianca signs her part, and Rhea says, “You really think I’m scared of you?” Bianca tells Rhea to shut up and just sign her part. She whined enough to get here, so here is what she wants! Rhea signs, and then throws the contract back at Bianca! Bianca catches it, but Iyo has them both hold on. Only for Rhea to push her side! Iyo says screw it! She storms out of the ring but Pearce brings her the contract. Iyo says yeah, okay. But then she springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS Rhea AND Bianca!

Iyo smiles as she signs her part of the contract, and then holds up the belt! The fans like that! Will Iyo not be some underdog afterthought champion? Will she have the formula for defeating The Brutality AND EST?

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Carlito is upset that he’s only a 77 on 2K25, but that cracks everyone else up. Finn Balor walks in and says he can’t believe the announcement! A Fatal 4 Way for the Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Penta VS Finn VS Dom! That’s incredible! Finn didn’t realize Dom wanted the shot, too. But hey, the more the merrier, right? Liv says that’s what she was thinking when she suggested Pearce put Dom in the match. Because what’s better than one member of The Judgment Day fighting for the title on the Grandest Stage of Them All? Finn says, “Two.” Yes! Now that doubles the odds of them bringing that title back.

Because it doesn’t matter who wins, so long as it’s one of them, right? Of course not! And Finn knows the people are saying Dom doesn’t have what it takes. That Dom isn’t tough enough. That Dom doesn’t have the killer instincts. That he’s just a loser! But tonight, Dom gets to prove them wrong when he beats Penta all by himself, because Finn beloves in him. Finn pats Dom on the shoulder, then heads out, but Dom asks the others what he’s supposed to do. Carlito says don’t worry, he’s got Dom’s back. Oh! And Mall of America! Biggest mall in America! Carlito’s gonna check it out. Will Judgment Day (not) be fine at WrestleMania?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Bayley!

The Morrigan promised the Role Model to give her a fair shot after making it through Raquel Rodriguez, and since she did that, here’s that match! Will Lyra regret giving #GrandSlamBayley this shot at her gold? Or will she still hold on to the #ShinyShiny?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who brings this belt down the Road to WrestleMania!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, clinch, and Bayley goes for a leg. Lyra rolls Bayley, ONE, Lyra facelocks but Bayley trips her up! Bayley goes to stack but Lyra moves around. Bayley facelocks, Lyra wrenches out to wristlock, but Bayley headlocks. They fight for control, and Lyra wrangles Bayley to then chinbar. The fans duel as Bayley fights up, but Lyra snapmares. Bayley stands to wrench, Lyra waistlocks but Bayley facelocks. Bayley headlocks, but Lyra powers up and out. Lyra drops down, hurdles, but Bayley avoids the monkey flip! Lyra kips up but Bayley rolls her up, TWO!

The fans cheer as the two stand off. They circle and feel things out again. Lyra waistlocks, Bayley switches, repeat, then Lyra shoves to drop toehold. Lyra headlocks but Bayley slips out and has the arm! LA MAGISTROL, but Lyra rolls through to return the LA MAGIST- NO, Bayley stuffs it to a cover, TWO! Bayley says it was that close. Lyra storms up, kicks, but Bayley blocks to KNEE Lyra! Lyra staggers to the corner, Bayley runs up, SUNSET- NO, Lyra stops that and reels Bayley into her own sunset, TWO! They clinch, Lyra UPPERCUTS, but Bayley forearms! They go back and forth, Lyra kicks and kicks and sweeps the legs!

Lyra basement DROPKICKS, then she NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up. Lyra stands Bayley up to then whip her to the corner. Bayley reverses, Lyra goes up and over and cartwheels! Lyra comes back, leg scissor takedown, then Lyra steps through! Lyra holds onto Bayley’s legs to turn her over! Bayley fights but Lyra has the arms, MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Bayley endures, and Lyra swings her around! Lyra drops Bayley, flips her into a ghost pin, TWO! Lyra looms over Bayley, then brings her up again. Lyra UPPERCUTS Bayley to a corner, but Bayley ELBOWS in return.

Bayley storms up, puts Lyra on ropes and grinds forearms into her face. The ref counts, Bayley stops to whip, but Lyra reverses. Bayley ducks ‘n’ dodges, and avoids the leg lariat! Lyra gets stuck, but she manages to dodge Bayley! Bayley tumbles out, Lyra WRECKS her with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Lyra puts Bayley in the ring, then climbs for a CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and Lyra is a bit frustrated, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Bayley has Lyra down with a HALF CRAB! Lyra powers up, turns over, and BOOTS Bayley away! The fans rally up, Bayley rises, but Lyra fires a forearm! Bayley fires back! Lyra ROCKS Bayley, but Bayley ROCKS Lyra! Lyra fires a flurry, then runs up, but Bayley puts her in the ropes! HOTSHOT! Lyra flops to the floor, Bayley goes out the side! DAREDEVIL DROPKICK through the corner! The fans fire up and Bayley goes back inside. Bayley builds speed and DIVES but Lyra moves! Bayley crashes ‘n’ burns, Lyra builds speed, but Bayley stops the dropkick! BAYLEY2BELLY on the floor!

The fans fire up and a ring count starts! Both women are down at 5 of 10, but Lyra sits up at 7. Both women rise up, and they spring in at 9! The fans fire up as this continues! Bayley crawls over to Lyra, brings her up and fireman’s carries, but Lyra fights around to swing and arm-drag! Lyra then ENZIGIRIS and Bayley staggers! Lyra gut wrenches for a DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Lyra is frustrated, but she hurries to to fireman’s carry. Bayley fights free, but Lyra KNEES low! Lyra fireman’s carries, but Bayley flails free! Bayley runs to KNEE Lyra down! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Bayley can’t believe it!

The fans rally up as both Bayley and Lyra rise. Bayley has Lyra in a corner and puts her up top. Bayley climbs up, the fans duel, and Lyra resists the suplex! Lyra fires body shots and CLUBS Bayley, to then slip down and bring her off the corner! Bayley fights free, runs back in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Lyra flops down, Bayley drags herself to the apron, and the fans rally up again. Lyra grabs at Bayley’s foot to anchor her but Bayley kicks free. Bayley rises up, but Lyra has Bayley in the ropes! Lyra then drags Bayley in, uses the corner, TORNADO DDT! Lyra then rolls through, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Lyra covers, TWO!!

Bayley survives and Lyra frowns, but “This is Awesome!” Lyra goes to the corner, climbs to the top, and she watches Bayley rise. TURN OF- NO, Bayley SLAMS Lyra down, turns her over, BOSTON CRAB! Lyra endures while the fans fire up! Lyra claws her way over, reaches out, but Bayley drags her away from the ropes! Bayley sits deep on the hold, but Lyra pries at the legs! Bayley shifts, ROSE- NO, Lyra rolls through, trips Bayley, jackknife bridge! LYRA WINS!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

Bayley is stunned, but Minneapolis gives a standing ovation! Lyra found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and she shows Bayley respect. Bayley nods and slaps Lyra’s hand away!? But then Bayley knows that’s not right, and she HUGS Lyra! These two are still going on to Friday Night SmackDown to be part of that big Women’s Tag Team gauntlet, could they both be going to Mania together?

Backstage interview with Bert Kreischer.

Cathy Kelley welcomes the actor-comedian, and brings up his new Netflix special. But before Bert can go on about it, Team American Made interrupts! Chad Gable says it’s great to see Bert! He’s a big fan of Bert’s, and surely Bert is a big fan of Gable’s, because it’s the only reason Bert would be here. Gable’s the only real star to come outta Minnesota. Too bad for everyone that Gable isn’t competing tonight. But what he does have is his guys, the Creed Brothers, taking down the LWO in tag team action, as well as seeing the greatest luchador of all time, El Grande Americano! Bert says this is awkward, but he isn’t here for them.

The Alpha Academy steps in and Bert hugs it out with Otis! Then they both rip off their shirts! Gable shouts, “Idiots!” American Made storms off, and Otis tells, “Minneapolis, we’re coming, man~!” Bert is all fired up, but will we still see everything Gable just said? Or will the LWO get some payback on Julius & Brutus?

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

Jackie Redmond is with the Phenomenal One, and says Logan Paul had quite the audacity to do and say what he did last week. But where is Styles’ head at going into that match? Styles says he’s in a good place. He gets to embarrass Logan Paul on the Grandest Stage of Them All, because you can’t beat experience. But then Karrion Kross interrupts with, “Experience? How did that experience work for you last week? And who exactly got embarrassed? Explain this whole situation to me, please.” Styles asks what Kross wants from him, and Kross says Styles knows what he wants: to help Styles. WWE needs the Styles that can get the job done.

What Styles is that? What is this obsession Kross has with that Styles? Kross says it’s because Styles needs to win at WrestleMania! If Styles loses, they ALL lose! WWE NEEDS Styles! Oh, if that’s what Kross wants, fine! Styles will talk with Pearce, and then next Monday Night Raw, Styles will give Kross a taste. Styles heads out, and Scarlett has Kross stand down. “That worked.” Kross says he agrees. Is Kross pushing Styles’ buttons actually for a good reason?

Six Man Tag: El Grande Americano & The Creed Brothers VS The LWO!

While it’s “hard to imagine,” Chad Gable managed to bridge the gap between the so-called greatest luchador of all time with Team American Made. Will Gable be celebrating here in his hometown, despite “not” competing here tonight? Or will Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde throw them all into the Gulf of America?

The trios sort out, and Brutus starts, but Dragon Lee calls out Americano for what he did last week. Brutus says they don’t have to listen to Dragon, so Cruz starts instead. Brutus TACKLES Cruz, goes for a top mount, then a rear mount. Cruz fights up, Brutus hammerlocks, but Cruz reaches back to FLYING-MARE! Cruz then bypasses, but Brutus CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Brutus tags Julius. Julius runs up, but Cruz arm-drags him down! Tag to Wilde, they double whip, then DOUBLE ELBOW! Wilde runs, Cruz helps out, HIP TOSS SPLASH COMBO! Cover, TWO! Wilde keeps Julius down, but Julius throws Wilde by his hair!

Wilde reaches up to headscissor and swing! The fans cheer as Wilde RANAS Julius, then runs up, goes up, crucifix takedown! Julius fights off the armbar, Brutus and El Grande storm in and stomp Wilde! Dragon Lee & Cruz get in there, it’s a wild brawl, and the fans fire up! LWO triple whip everyone to corners, then they crisscross! LARIATS! LARIATS! And then DROPKICKS! LWO stands tall while Americano Made regroups. “L! W! O!” then TRIPLE TOPE CONJILO! The fans fire up as LWO stands tall! They put Americano Made in the ring, Lee tags in, and everyone goes up to the top rope! But Americano Made trips them all up! TRIPLE SUPERPLEX!!

The fans fire up as all six men are down in the ring, and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Lee fires body shots on Julius. Julius DECKS Lee, then he BLASTS the LWO corner! The fans boo but Julius whips Lee to a corner. Julius runs up, but into a BOOT! Lee DECKS Brutus, then goes up the corner. Julius is up after Lee and fires hands! Julius goes to the very top, but Lee trips him into the Tree of Woe! WOE STOMPS! The fans fire up, Lee and Julius crawl, hot tags to Brutus and Cruz! Cruz springboards to CROSSBODY! Then he LARIATS! He BLASTS Americano! Then he runs to RANA Brutus to a corner! Julius runs up, Cruz dodges, POP-UP RANA! Cruz runs at Brutus, GAMANGIRI!

Cruz brings Brutus in, ANARCHY! Cruz throws off his shirt and then throws it to the fans! Free souvenir! Cruz goes up, up, and SWANTON BOMBS! Then he DIVES onto Julius!! The fans fire up with Cruz, but Americano gets in! Cruz GAMANGIRIS him away, springboards, but Americano ducks under! Americano waistlocks. Cruz switches, repeat, and Americano O’Conner Rolls! TWO, and Cruz BOOTS Americano! Tag to Lee and Lee brings Americano in! Cruz goes up, LWO hits a BLOCKBUSTER- SPANISH FLY!?! Americano turned that around! But now Lee has him all alone. Lee is furious over the disrespect, and he BOOTS Americano!

Lee reels Americano in, hoists him up, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Julius SHOOTING STARS that apart!! The fans fire up while everyone is down at ringside! “This is Awesome!” and Rey coaches his guys. Wilde uses Cruz as a boost to SUPER TOPE onto Brutus! Cruz LARIATS Julius out, then he has the ref move aside! Cruz goes up, up, TRIANGLE TORNILLO onto Julius!! The fans are thunderous, but wait! Ivy slips a metal panel to Americano! He puts that in his mask! Rey saw that, he tells Americano to get off the corner! Americano HEADBUTTS Rey with the loaded mask!! But Lee trips Americano up! Lee goes up, and says he’s gonna reveal the truth!

But Americano HEADBUTTS Lee!! Lee falls, Americano DIVING HEADBUTTS!! Cover, Americano Made wins!

Winners: El Grande Americano & The Creed Brothers, by pinfall

Rey tries to explain what happened, but he’s so dazed from the loaded headbutt. Will nothing stop El Grande Americano from taking over the WWE?

GUNTHER is here!

Minneapolis boos Der Ring General as he struts out here, wearing the World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, as well as a very politician style suit ‘n’ tie. Gunther stands on the desk, even as fans chant, “We Want Jey!” Gunther steps down, grabs a mic, and then goes into the ring. He holds up the title and has a big smile on his face as the fans boo. But then Jey Uso appears! Gunther is even more amused as Minneapolis now bounces with Main Event Jey, but Jey is not really in the mood to YEET right now. Jey, dressed all in black, glares at Gunther as he makes his way down the steps to ringside.

The fans still YEET and bounce for Jey as he walks up the steel steps into the ring. Gunther grins and lets Jey step inside. The fans still “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but then Jey snatches the mic out of Gunther’s hand! Gunther is rather surprised, but still smiling as Jey seethes behind his sunglasses. Jey takes those off, the fans “YEET!” even harder, and Gunther starts to chuckle. The fans rally with “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” as Jey gathers his thoughts. Jey tells Gunther, “You have a mother. You got a mom. You talk to your mom? What do y’all talk about? Family stuff? She ask you like, ‘How’s the wife? How’s the grandson doing?'”

You walk your dog, cook food, regular family stuff, right? Fans “YEET!” for that. Jey says he’s got a mom, too. Wanna know what they talked about this week? You wanna know what he had to tell her? Her oldest son, laid up in a hospital bed. Her oldest son, 15 stitches across the forehead. Wanna know what she asked Jey? She said, “Why didn’t you protect him, Joshua?” As a grown man, Jey ain’t eve lied to her, and he won’t do that now. He said he was afraid! Afraid of Gunther! Gunther had Jey! Gunther had the drop on Jey, three steps ahead of him, playing chess while Jey’s playing checkers! But that wasn’t enough for Gunther, was it?

Gunther had to get family involved. We all know how Jey feels about his family, especially Jimmy. The fans rally behind Jey while he paces. Gunther violated Jimmy, left him a bloody pulp, while Jey was zip tied to the ropes! Jey watched as Gunther painted Jimmy’s blood all over his body. Jimmy’s blood is on Jey’s hands, too! Jey ain’t never felt so hopeless, helpless, disrespected, pissed off, mad, angry, and damn near scared! Gunther made the whole world stop! He violated Jey’s twin brother in front of him! That made Jey’s heart stop. You know what the crazy thing is, Uce? In Jey’s darkest moment, right here in front of the world, a lightbulb went off. Ain’t that something?

You wanna know what Jey realized? You wanna know what Jey knows now, Uce? Gunther, look at Jey: Jey ain’t afraid no more. The fans fire up for that! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Gunther is a bit rattled himself right now, but Jey tells him no. Before WrestleMania, Gunther needs to hug and kiss his family. Before WrestleMania, Jey will lay his head down and say a prayer. He will pray about Gunther, but more so for himself. Jey will ask the Lord to forgive him for the man he is about to become. Because at WrestleMania, Jey will get Gunther! Jey will get Gunther for Jey, for Jimmy, for the whole damn family, and Jey will take that World Heavyweight Championship!!

The fans are thunderous for Jey as he throws down the mic and truly throws down the gauntlet! Will nothing stop what is coming for Gunther in just 12 days time?

Natalya & Maxxine Dupri talk with Adam Pearce backstage.

The Queen of Harts says, “It’s one thing to team with Maxxine, it’s another to team with her in a gauntlet match.” Pearce understands, but this is WrestleMania season! Go into the deep end! Natty says fine, and Pearce wishes this duo good luck. Rey walks in, and Pearce already knows what he’s going to ask. We all saw what happened out there, so Pearce will let Rey have Gable wherever and whenever he wants. Oh, no, Rey doesn’t want a match with Gable. He wants “the idiot” who has been disrespecting everything Rey stands for! The guy who’s been making a mockery out of everything Rey has worked his entire life for, the art and tradition of lucha libre!

And that means Rey wants El Grande Americano! Rey will expose him for the fraud that he is! Rey will pick the place, though, on where he’ll face that guy. Pearce says yes, out of respect for Rey, he’ll do it. Then it’ll be Rey Mysterio VS El Grande Americano… at WrestleMania! Pearce says then it is official! Muchos gracias. Rey heads out, but is this really a case of two birds with one stone?

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS The New Day!

This is quite the storied rivalry that Raw reignites tonight. Erik & Ivar have gone to Ragnarök and back with Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston, but that was a very different New Day back then. Will the Raiders stay golden this close to WrestleMania? Or will Woods & Kofi once again be W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Champions~?

Raw returns and the War Raiders have made their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly the best team in WWE today!

The teams sort out and Ivar starts with Kofi. Kofi dodges Ivar, headlocks, but Iva powers out to fireman’s carry. Kofi slips free, shoves, drops down then hurdles over, but Ivar stops himself. Ivar then CLOBBERS Kofi, and he scares Kofi with just showing haymaker! Kofi bails out, Woods calms him down, and Kofi goes back to the ring. Tag to Woods, and then Woods slowly goes around the outside. Erik tags in, he runs up, but Woods stays back. Kofi slips in, that distracts Erik, and Woods slides in so he can BLINDSIDE Erik! The fans boo but Woods stomps away on Erik! The fans boo more but Woods soaks up the heat.

Erik CHOPS Woods, Woods ROCKS Erik, and Woods rains down fits! Tag to Kofi, he stomps away, then he tags Woods! The stampede has begun, and then Kofi tags back in. Woods goes to send Kofi in, but Erik CLOBBERS them both! The fans fire up as Erik tags Ivar! Ivar scoops Kofi for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar then runs to SPLASH! The fans fire up and Ivar tags Erik. Erik whips Kofi to the corner, Kofi goes up and over, then comes back, but into a scoop and SLAM! Erik tags Ivar, then he scoops Woods! Erik SLAMS Woods, Ivar scoops and SLAMS Kofi! Ivar says “UP!” and Erik scoops hm! Erik SLAMS Ivar onto Kofi!

The fans fire up as Erik brings Woods around to TOSS him! The Raiders have The New Day on the outside, but Woods ELBOWS Erik! And he grabs a chair! But Erik DECKS Woods first! Ivar whips Kofi hard into barriers, then Erik calls to him. The Raiders say “WAR! WAR! WAR!” and Ivar SPLASHES Woods against the barriers! The fans fire up again while the Raiders stand tall and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Woods has Ivar in the corner. The fans chant, “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Ivar shoves Woods away, Woods comes back, but into a SEATED SENTON! Both men are down, the fans rally, hot tags to Kofi and Erik! Erik CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then reels Kofi in for an EXPLODER! The fans fire up, Woods is back, but Erik scoops to GUT BUSTER! Ace Ten Mao! But Kofi runs up, only for Erik to dodge and URENAGE! Tag to Ivar, they catch Woods, THOR’S HAMMER! Then the pop-up for Kofi, and the WAR MACHINE!! Cover, WOODS BREAKS IT! The fans are torn but Erik TOSSES Woods!

Woods has a chair! The ref is busy with Erik but Ivar stops Woods! They tug-o-war, and Ivar takes the chair! He SMACKS Woods down, but the ref saw that!

Winners: The New Day, by disqualification (War Raiders retain the titles)

Ivar explains to the ref what was going on, but the ref already made his decision. The only silver lining is that Champion’s Advantage comes into play. But then Kofi SMACKS Ivar with the chair! Erik fires hands on Kofi, Woods is up to CLUB Erik! They beat Erik down while the fans boo, but Kofi wedges that chair into the corner. The New Day drags Erik up to RAM him into the chair! The fans boo but New Day says THEY are the best, not anyone else! They then TOSS Ivar into the timekeeper’s area! The ref reprimands, but Woods brings out more chairs! Woods slashes the throat, he wants to end the Raiders!

Woods sits that chair up, then drags Erik up and over. Woods puts Erik’s head against the chair, and Kofi climbs up! The ref reprimands, but here come producers and other refs! They stop Woods & Kofi from injuring Erik! The New Day is furious, but will they have their day?

PENTA VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Carlito!

Adam Pearce really raised the ante on WrestleMania 41 as we will be getting an Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way. But will those odds not matter to the Man with Cero Miedo? Or will “Dirty Dom” prove he can actually do things all by himself?

Raw returns Dom has already made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Penta circle, and the fans chant, “Dom, You Suck!” The two tie up, Penta puts Dom in the corner, but the ref counts. Penta backs off, he and Dom reset, and Dom flexes. The fans boo but the two tie up. Penta waistlocks, Dom switches, Penta switches, repeat. Penta then CHOPS, but Dom CHOPS! Dom kicks, CLUBS, and he fires off on Penta! The fans boo but Dom stomps Penta as he stands back up. Dom soaks up the heat, then drags Penta up. Dom whips Penta to a corner, then runs in and LARIATS! Dom pushes Penta down but the fans boo Dom more.

Dom tunes up the booing, but Penta fires body shots! Dom knees low, ROCKS Penta, then brings him around to put in the corner. Dom fires body s hots, then RAMS into Penta again and again. The ref backs Dom off, but then Dom goes up the corner in his fuzzy sheepskin boots to soak up the heat. Dom then whips Penta to ropes, but Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up while Dom flounders! Penta scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans cheer as Penta runs, SLING-DOG! Dom flounders out of the ring and the fans rally for Penta! Penta goes up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down go Dom & Carlito, and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Penta is up top. Dom climbs up after him, but Penta throws hands! Dom backs off, Penta leaps, but into a kick! Dom snap suplexes for Uno Amigo! Then he snap suplexes for Dos Amigos! The fans boo, but Dom still hits THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Dom drags Penta up, but Penta breaks free! Penta dodges a lariat, but Dom trips him onto the ropes! The fans boo as Dom dials it up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Dom flounders to a corner, Penta runs in and GAMANGIRIS! Penta sits Dom down, then headstands for the DROPKICK! Penta drags Dom to a cover, TWO! The fans rally while Penta stands again.

Penta brings Dom around, pump handles, but Dom slips fere! Dom SUPERKICKS, but not the strongest! Dom runs, to DESTROYER! And then he DROPKICKS Penta to the ropes! Dom redials, 619! Penta falls back, Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH onto knees! Penta cradles Dom, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dom drags Penta up, fireman’s carries, but Penta fights free! Penta dodges a lariat, wrenches and WRINGS Dom’s arm! Penta traps one arm, grabs the other, but Dom resists! Penta SLAPS Dom, and shouts, “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!! Dom clutches that arm, but Penta pump handles! PENTA DRIVER! Cover, Penta wins!

Winner: Penta, by pinfall

Cero Miedo is undefeated, and he just proved Dom can’t do it on his own! But here comes Carlito! Carlito CLOBBERS Penta, then throws more hands! Penta fires back, but Dom anchors Penta’s legs! Carlito hits the BACKSTABBER! The fans boo as Dom & Carlito mug Penta, but then HERE COMES BRON! The fans bark it up for the Badass Intercontinental Champion! Carlito runs out there to intercept, but Bron SPEARS Carlito! Bron hit Carlito so hard, Bron then flips through to stand back up! Bron goes after Dom, Dom dodges, but a SPEAR hits Dom! Bron is seething, he aims at Penta, and he SPEARS!!

The fans bark even louder as Bron just demolished three men in under a minute! But then Finn gets Bron! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans boo as The Prince takes advantage. Finn tells Penta that this title is HIS, cabron! Finn doesn’t even really pay attention to Dom as he holds up the belt. But Bron is up! Finn runs away before he gets destroyed! Finn doesn’t have to beat everyone, he just has to pick his opening, same as he did tonight. Will that be enough to take this title home to the Judgment Day? Or will Bron show he can defy the odds with brawn alone?

Paul Heyman is here!

“Ladies and gentlemen,” The Wise Man gives his introductions, and he wants to state a couple of things for the record so that we can get it out of the way and move on to WrestleMania. Item Number 1: Heyman will always be loyal to his Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. The fans are torn, but Heyman continues. Item Number 2: Heyman will always be loyal to his best friend in the world, CM Punk! The fans are again torn, but Heyman says just because he is loyal to both of them does not mean he will ever in his life be disloyal to either of them. “So when it comes to WrestleMania, let’s get one thing perfectly clear!”

Seth Rollins is here! The fans fire up and sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins struts out in denim bellbottoms and what appears to be a robe or coat made from recycled denim. Rollins grabs a mic as he revels in the singing from Minneapolis. Rollins smiles at Heyman, then tells Minneapolis, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans cheer, and Rollins says in case you don’t know, he will introduce himself! He is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he IS Seth! FREAKIN’! Rollins! But tonight, it isn’t about him! Tonight is about… Paul… Heyman…! And Heyman’s out here talking about loyalty, which is why Rollins wants to be out here.

Rollins wants to ask Heyman a question that has been on everyone’s minds: Whose side is Heyman on? Who IS Paul Heyman? Who does he wanna be? Is he the very best friend~ to CM Punk? The fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Or is Heyman the Special Counsel, the Wise Man, to Roman Reigns? “O T C! O T C!” Rollins hears Heyman out here right now, trying to convince all of us, including himself, that he can do both at the same time! And Heyman… It occurred to Rollins over the past week that Heyman is neither. Heyman smirks as Rollins takes off his sunglasses.

Rollins knows Heyman’s spiel: Roman Reigns plucked him from obscurity~! He brought Heyman to the Island of Relevancy~! Roman Reigns doesn’t give a DAMN about Heyman! Roman Reigns uses Heyman! Y’know what Roman likes Heyman for? Shining his shoes, booking his private jets, ordering his steaks, and handing him his ula fala. That is what Roman has Heyman for. Roman Reigns does not respect Heyman. Don’t play dumb! Here’s a history lesson: WrestleMania 40! Roman Reigns loses the WWE Championship in the main event thanks to… Hmm, hmm, hmm… A very well-dressed Visionary.

Roman then does what he does best, and he disappears. Does he take Heyman with him? No! He left Heyman in the “very caring” hands of Solo Sikoa, and the rest of The Bloodline. Did they treat Heyman well? Were they kind to him? No! Every single day, they treated Heyman like he was the scum of the Earth! Every single day, we all waited, we all wondered, “Is Roman Reigns gonna come save Paul Heyman?” Did Roman come to Heyman’s rescue?! No. He left Heyman to be massacred in his hometown, in front of his own children. Jacob & Azalea Heyman had to watch their father be put through a table because Roman Reigns doesn’t care about him!

And y’know who else wasn’t there? Heyman’s best friend in the world~, C… M… Punk. “Best friends love each other, Paul. They’re there for each other. They don’t use each other when it’s convenient. Ten years ago, CM Punk walked out on every single person in this arena, and you included. He walked out on you, too! Did he take you with him, Paul? No! He tried to tear down everything that you were building here! And when he came back, did he come back because you asked him to come back? Did he come back and embrace you, and take you with him on his ride? No!” Punk & Paul sure love to reminisce and romanticize about WarGames.

But let Rollins remind you that CM Punk was not the first choice for Team Roman at WarGames, Rollins was. Stop him when he’s telling lies! Heyman admits, that is true. Rollins declined, but Punk was the last and only choice left. Did he join Team Roman out of the goodness of his heart because he loved Heyman? No, it’s because he used it to get a favor out of Heyman! Heyman tears up a bit as Rollins says Punk is NOT Heyman’s best friend. Punk loves no one but himself. And to be honest, Heyman, and with Minneapolis, Rollins feels bad for Heyman. Heyman is in a very difficult, unenviable position. He is between a rock and a hard place.

The easiest solution for everyone involved would be Heyman removing himself from the situation entirely, letting Rollins, Punk and Roman battle it out for the soul of this industry! But Heyman can’t do that? Or he won’t? He won’t betray his Tribal Chief, he won’t betray his best friend, Rollins understands that. If only there was a solution. If only there was a way they could remove Heyman from the situation… Rollins circles Heyman like a denim shark, and Rollins says, “It’s for your own good.” Rollins will take it as a privilege to remove Heyman from this situation right here, and right now. The fans boo and Heyman glares at Rollins.

Rollins says it’ll be quick and easy. Just a boot to the head, then a stomp, and it’s all over. Nobody’s here to save Heyman. Roman isn’t here. CM Punk… What’s that thing he likes to say? He’s not here to make friends, he’s here to make money. So the question then is… How much is Heyman worth? Is he worth this much? And Rollins slaps Heyman in the arm. Rollins wonders… Is it this much? And now he SLAPS Heyman in the face! C’mon, Paul… Rollins pushes Heyman around, but Heyman shouts, “Don’t put your damn hands on me again!” The fans fire up for Heyman, but Rollins smiles.

Rollins SMOTHERS Heyman into a corner, but here comes Punk! Seems Punk does care, and he slides right in! Rollins and Punk brawl, Punk TACKLES Rollins to the mat and rains down fists! They go out of the ring, the fans fire up, and Punk THROWS Rollins over the desk! The brawl continues against the barriers, into the Hydration Station, and then around the way! Rollins throws Punk, but then Punk throws Rollins into steel steps! Punk pulls those apart, and he drags Rollins over to throw hands! The fans fire up as Punk smothers Rollins with the steel! Punk then lines up a shot, runs in and- NO, Rollins gets away before a stomp!

Punk slides into the ring to pursue, but Rollins STOMPS Punk!! The fans fire up and Heyman is devastated! Heyman checks on Punk, but Rollins takes aim! CURB STMOP just short of Heyman! Heyman is scared silent, and Rollins takes the mic to say, “Now you owe me a favor.” What?! Rollins can’t be serious! But will the Visionary put Heyman in a lose-lose situation in Vegas?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here, though it feels rather slim without John Cena or even Cody Rhodes showing up. But given they already gave us their hottest promo battle, and a really well done video package, I feel like we’ve gotten all the math we’ll get for that match. In place of Cena and Cody live, we did get that powerful promo from Jey. This fire Jey is bringing, he surely must be winning at WrestleMania. And naturally, the Women’s World Championship Triple Threat is finally official with a speed run version of a contract signing. Iyo standing tall here with just one more episode to go, I wonder if that is the go-home math signaling someone else (Bianca?) wins the title.

A great opening match with Lyra VS Bayley, and I figured Lyra would win. An intriguing detail was Bayley almost disrespecting Lyra, and now they’ll be going to SmackDown as a team. I don’t see them winning the gauntlet, but perhaps there is something to how Liv & Raquel want to be a Two Woman Power Trip. Maybe Bayley & Lyra do win, but Liv & Raquel want an Intercontinental Championship match in return, really upping things for WrestleMania weekend. Also, I don’t see Natalya & Maxxine winning with Natty being so down about having to team with Maxxine for a gauntlet, not just a one-fall match.

Very good promo from Styles and Kross, because in the end, Kross just doesn’t want Logan Paul winning at WrestleMania. Which I agree with, and not even in kayfabe. But Styles VS Kross will be really good stuff, can’t wait to see Styles bring out his aggression. Really fun promo from Gable with Bert Kreischer and Alpha Academy, and a great Six Man Tag of LWO VS Americano Made. That was probably one of LWO’s better showings because Wilde got to do that wild tope and Cruz got to do his own high-flying. But of course there was cheating for Americano Made, and now we’re getting Rey VS Americano. Duh, Rey has to snatch that mask off Gable at some point or this is for naught.

Very good tag title match, but I was a little surprised we got it here. At the same time, New Day winning by disqualification and then beating War Raiders down, surely we get a rematch of this for either the go-home into WrestleMania or even as part of WrestleMania. Two nights and I’ve lost count of how many matches, they might be able to do something with this. Good stuff in building the Men’s Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4. Judgment Day continues to have passive aggressive dysfunction, and then Penta VS Dom was a very good main event match. Good win for Penta, but of course Judgment Day beats Penta down. Bron and Finn getting involved was good stuff, too, there are all sorts of possibilities with that Fatal 4.

And a great closing segment with Rollins confronting Heyman. There has been this notion that perhaps Heyman joins Rollins, and that feeling was kinda coming and going during Rollins’ promo. Rollins and Punk had a good brawl, and Rollins standing tall to then “spare” Heyman was good stuff. Rollins wanting his own favor also feeds that notion, but I personally don’t see it happening because at this point, I’m not sure it’d make sense. Heyman staying with Roman and upsetting Punk makes sense. Heyman joining Punk and leaving Roman also makes sense. Heyman choosing Rollins after being threatened doesn’t make sense.

My Score: 8.8/10