WWE finishes up the new rosters!

The WWE Draft finishes up tonight, and Backlash is this Saturday! Plus, BROCK LESNAR is in town! Will he and Cody Rhodes cross paths tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Bayley & Dakota Kai; Bayley & Kai win.
• Braun Strowman & Ricochet VS The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri; Braun & Ricochet win.
• Matt Riddle w/ Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso; Riddle wins.
• Omos w/ MVP VS Anthony Alanis; Omos wins.
• Mixed Six Tag Match: The Judgment Day VS The Latino World Order; The Judgment Day wins.
• Seth Rollins VS Solo Sikoa w/ Paul Heyman; Rollins wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

Triple H is here!

Just as he did on Friday Night SmackDown, The Game is here to open night two of the WWE Draft! But this time, he has the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt by his side at the podium. HHH says it is sold out and LOUD in the arena! Fans cheer, and HHH welcomes us to Monday Night Raw and the last night of the 2023 WWE Draft. “Now this Friday night on SmackDown, things got a little crazy and shook the WWE right down to its foundation. Tonight, I’m sure will be no different. But before we get into the fun, let’s set some ground rules.

“All remaining undrafted WWE superstars on Raw and SmackDown are subject to the possibility of transferring to other brands. Half the roster was drafted on Friday, the remaining half will be drafted here tonight.” Fans cheer that, too. HHH says, As a result of the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, being drafted to SmackDown, we will be crowning a new World Heavyweight Champion. That title and it’s holder will be exclusive to Monday Night Raw.” Fans like the sound of that. And HHH says out of everyone eligible tonight, we could see a new champion emerge.

Tonight’s draft pool is: Akira Tozawa; The Alpha Academy; Los Lotharios, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Asuka; Austin Theory; Baron Corbin; Braun Strowman & Ricochet as a dynamic duo; Bronson Reed; Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin as a tag team; Charlotte Flair; Dana Brooke; Elias; Emma; Johnny Gargano; The Judgment Day as a unit; Karrion Kross & Scarlett; Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn as a unit; LA Knight; Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez as a unite; Nikki Cross; Piper Niven; Rick Boogs;  Riddick Moss; Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler as a unit; Seth Rollins; Shotzi Blackheart; Tamina; Tegan Nox; The Brawling Brutes as a unit; The LWO as a unit; The New Day as a unit; The Usos as a unit; Trish Stratus; and Xia Li.

HHH continues to say that before we get started, there is one superstar that is NOT eligible to be drafted tonight in Brock Lesnar. Fans boo but HHH says earlier today, Lesnar renegotiated his status as a free agent, and can appear on any brand at any time. Superstars from NXT are also eligible tonight, and these new rosters go into affect next week, May 8th, after Backlash. But enough about the rules, let’s get to it! Are you ready? No, no, ARE! YOU! READY!? Then with the very first pick of night two, Raw selects… THE ERADICATOR, RHEA RIPLEY! The SmackDown Women’s Champion stays on Raw to counter SmackDown taking Bianca Belair.

SmackDown uses their pick to select… THE NOW, AUSTIN THEORY! The United States Champion now goes to SmackDown as a counter to Imperium and the Intercontinental Championship coming to Raw! Raw now selects… THE VISIONARY, THE REVOLUTIONARY, SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! That’s right, we are still watching Monday Night Rollins! Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” and HHH nods along. To finish up the first round, SmackDown selects… THE QUEEN, CHARLOTTE FLAIR! Charlotte stays on the Blue Brand, will SmackDown continue to bow down?

And now, HHH introduces the Wise Man, Paul Heyman. Fans boo as Heyman walks out on stage, and he shakes his head while chuckling. Heyman and HHH shake hands, and HHH walks him to the podium to show him the World Heavyweight Championship. Heyman says it is beautiful. Heyman continues on to the ring, what will he have to say about all the Bloodline’s business heading towards Backlash? Heyman gets the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen. My name is Paul Heyman. I serve as Special Counsel to YOUR Tribal Chief, Roman…! Reigns!

“The Tribal Chief has asked me to address a number of business items for the entire WWE Universe to just revel in my wisdom. Item number one: The Draft. Roman Reigns, Solo, and Paul Heyman have been drafted to Friday Night SmackDown. Which leaves tonight for us to determine the fate of the Usos. The Usos, who did not, NOT, NOT win back their tag team titles this past Friday from Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.” Fans cheer that but Heyman says he will address the Usos in private later tonight. But the Usos will address their problems this Saturday at Backlash in Puerto Rico when they team with the problem solver, Solo Sikoa, against Kevin, Sami and of all people, Matt Riddle.

“Now these items will not only be addressed by your Wise Man tonight, but one week from this Friday, on SmackDown, live, and I don’t even know what city we’re in, so long as it’s not in the state of Texas.” fans boo, but Heyman says the Tribal Chief will take care of all business items. As a preview, one is that hunk of beautiful gold up on that podium right now. Guys, c’mon. Wouldn’t that title look relevant around the waist of Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Fans boo, he already has titles. But here we are, almost 1000 DAYS into a title reign!

Talk about Undisputed! Not one, not two, but three! You create a championship, and Roman Reigns will dominate that title to the main event of WrestleMania! But Roman can’t compete for it, because Roman is not here on Raw anymore. Fans cheer that. But the worst thing about that is that all the “children” in the locker room who think that they’re men are running around, flapping their gums, about the Tribal Chief. Those are people who should know better. Men who need to start acting like men! Men who are freakin’ jokers! Men who are freakin’ jokes. Men who are freakin’ clowns! Who are-

“BURN IT DOWN!” Rollins interrupts Heyman! Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins makes his way to the ring. Rollins joins Heyman, and Rollins smiles as he motions to the chorus. Heyman shakes his head and Rollins laughs. Rollins says, “Pauly! Good to see you! Why the long face? C’mon, man.” Today is Christmas for Heyman! Roman Reigns is drafted away to SmackDown, and Rollins is still on HIS show! Which means Roman doesn’t have to run away from Rollins anymore. And Heyman doesn’t have to waste all that energy pulling strings backstage to make sure Rollins never gets a title match again.

Heyman can use all that extra energy to make sure The Bloodline doesn’t go POOF, right in his face. Heyman’s a “spoiler” guy, right? Loves a good spoiler, right? Here’s a spoiler for Heyman: At Night of Champions, ROLLINS wins the WWE World Heavyweight Championship! Fans love the sound of that! And the entire world will see what a real champion looks like. Heyman gets his phone out to call Roman. Fans boo and Rollins says it’s gonna be hard for Heyman to have a phone conversation with all this singing. “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Heyman shouts, “I can’t hear My Tribal Chief!!” That just makes fans sing more.

Heyman finishes up talking with Roman, and tells Rollins, “You’re pissing off your Tribal Chief.” GASP! Aww… Well, if Roman’s upset now, he’s really not gonna like this one. Texas, Rollins has ha question! How long do you think it’d take for Rollins to get Heyman down on the mat so he can stop that big bald head into it? Would it take five seconds? No! Four? NO! Three? NO! Two? NO! But wait, here comes Solo Sikoa! The Enforcer of the Island is storming out to ringside to defend the Wise Man, but Rollins just smiles. Heyman still has Solo stand down. Here’s a spoiler: All the strings are being pulled at this moment!

And after the break, the match will be made for Fort Worth! Seth Rollins VS Solo Sikoa!! Rollins says they don’t need to wait! Solo wants to fight tonight? “YOU’RE ON! HAHAHAHAHA!” The Visionary is not afraid, will he put Solo down as we prepare for Backlash?

Adam Pearce talks with Cody Rhodes backstage.

Pearce wants Cody to know, this is a huge night, and it’d be nice if it didn’t spiral into chaos. Cody sighs and heads out. We know Lesnar is going to be here tonight, will the American Nightmare be able to wait for Backlash?

The NXT roster is having another watch party!

Indi Hartwell, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn were drafted on Friday, who will be the lucky ones to be chosen tonight?

Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Bayley & Dakota Kai!

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions can go on any brands, so they don’t sweat the Draft. But DMG CTRL is all on SmackDown now. Will the Role Model & #CobraKai earn themselves a title opportunity to match the Evil Genius’ shot at Bianca Belair’s belt?

The teams sort out, Kai starts with Liv and the two circle. They tie up, Kai headlocks, but Liv powers out. Liv dodges Kai, gest around her, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kai rolls Liv up, ONE! Liv ducks a kick, Kai ducks the enziguri, and Kai waistlocks! Liv booty bumps and victory rolls, TWO! Liv SHOTGUNS Kai down! Fans fire up, but Kai HOTSHOTS Liv! Tag to Bayley, and she drags Liv up to scoop and SLAM! Liv avoids the elbow drop, tag to Raquel! Raquel scoops, Bayley slips out, and Bayley SLAPS Raquel! Big Mami Cool is mad now! She RAMS Bayley into the corner, RAMS her more, then tags Liv.

Liv taunts Kai, Raquel whips her in to back body block Bayley! Then Liv RANAS Raquel into Bayley! SHINING WIZARD added on! Cover, TWO! Liv keeps Bayley from Kai, Kai tags a foot but she was away from the corner! The ref stops Kai but that allows Bayley to rake Liv’s eyes! Bayley throws Liv out, tags Kai, and Kai BOOTS Liv down! DMG CTRL takes control as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Bayley BOOTS Liv in the corner! Tag to Kai, she goes side to side to BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Kai grows frustrated, she drags Liv to the corner, and she stomps away on Liv! The ref counts, Kai lets off at 4, but Bayley pulls hair! Liv still BOOTS Kai and ELBOWS Bayley! Liv then goes up and over, Kai hits buckles! Fans fire up as Liv crawls, but Kai CLOBBERS her first! Liv fights Kai off but Kai gets the arm! Kai keeps Liv away then DECKS her! Kai laughs but Liv blocks a kick! Liv rolls Kai, then hot tags Raquel! Fans fire up as Raquel rallies on Kai! Kai ducks the lariat but not the SOUTHPAW!

Raquel scoops Kai to FALL AWAY SLAM! Bayley gets Kai out of the way to take the SPLASH! But Raquel just FALL AWAY SLAMS Kai again! TWISTING VADER! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives but Raquel drags her back. Tag to Liv and Liv climbs up onto Raquel! But Bayley trips Raquel! That throws off the senton, and Kai gets her KNEES up! Bayley drags Raquel out and RAMS her into the apron! Kai mule kicks Liv, hops on, KAI-ROPRACTOR!! Cover, Raquel breaks it in time! Bayley gets in but Raquel TOSSES her out! Bayley holds Raquel in place, kai BOOTS Raquel! But Kai turns around into a CODE BREAKER!

Bayley sneaks a tag! ObLIVion for Kai! Sunset flip from Bayley! DMG CTRL WINS!

Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall

Bayley snuck that one from the tag team champions! Will DMG CTRL take control with all the gold once again?

The guest speakers are here tonight!

Booker T is here for Raw, but his Queen, Sharmell, is here for SmackDown! The Royal Couple of WWE heads to the stage, who will Raw and SmackDown choose next?

Adam Pearce finds Brock Lesnar backstage now.

Pearce knows Lesnar knows Cody is here, and as big as tonight is, Pearce would love if they kept the peace. Lesnar laughs. “Good luck with that.” The Beast isn’t promising anything, will tonight end up like that night almost a month ago?

Booker T & Sharmell make their entrance!

They go to the podium, and he asks, “What up, D Town?” With the first pick of the second round, Raw selects, the UNDISPUTED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn! The Prizefighter & Great Liberator stick together one way or another! Sharmell says SmackDown selects… THE USOS! Jimmy & Jey stay with The Bloodline on SmackDown, but will they still be on the Island of Relevancy? Raw selects… JUDGMENT DAY! Finn Balor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio stick close to Mami! SmackDown finishes the round by selecting… LATINO WORLD ORDER! They get Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, Zelina Vega AND Rey Mysterio!

Braun Strowman & Ricochet VS The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri!

The dynamic duo didn’t win on SmackDown in that massive Triple Threat Tag, but perhaps they’ll make an impression on Raw here tonight. Or will Chad Gable & Otis (Otise?) make them SHOOOOSH?

Raw returns and The Alpha Academy make their entrance. The teams sort out and Gable starts against Ricochet. They tie up, Gable waistlocks, wrenches and wristlocks. Ricochet rolls, kips up and flips to slip through to wristlock! Gable rolls, bridges, handsprings and wrenches to break and trip Ricochet to a cover! ONE, Ricochet trips Gable to a cover, ONE! Gable CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” but Gable “SHOOSH!” Gable whips, Ricochet rolls off his back, rolls under then handsprings back to headscissor and DROPKICK! Fans fire up with Ricochet and he runs in again. Gable blocks a kick, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches.

Gable switches, Ricochet elbows free but Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ricochet lands on his feet! Gable rushes in, Ricochet goes up and out to GAMANGIRI! Ricochet springboards, Gable gets under, and he wiastlocks to O’Conner Roll and CHAOS THEORY! Fans fire up while both men are down, and they crawl, hot tags to Otis and Braun! Fans fire up as these titans shove each other! Otis dodges, fires off hands, and he puts Braun in a corner! Otis runs side to side to SPLASH! Maxxine loves it! But then Braun CLOBBERS Otis! And keeps moving, breaks through the lariat, and CROSSBODIES?!

Fans fire up as Braun’s shirt comes off but Maxxine is upset. Braun scoops and SLAMS Otis! Fans fire up more as Braun tags Ricochet! Ricochet climbs up onto Braun, MONSTER SWANTON!! Cover, Braun & Ricochet win!

Winners: Braun Strowman & Ricochet, by pinfall

The dynamic duo does it again! Speed and strength combined, but will they stay together? And on what brand?

The next guest speakers are headed to gorilla.

Shawn Michaels is back to select for Raw, and Adam Pearce is going to select for SmackDown! The third round of the night goes down after the break.

Shawn Michaels makes his entrance!

NXT goes nuts for their General Manager, and then Adam Pearce makes his entrance. HBK gets right to it by saying Raw’s- OH SNAP, BROCK LESNAR?! That’s not the pick because HHH said earlier that he’s a free agent. But because Brock’s a free agent, he’s doing what HE wants! Pearce tries to tell him not to do this, but Lesnar just stares at him and Pearce backs off. Lesnar goes to the ring, he gets the mic, and while fans boo, Lesnar says, “Fort Worth, Texas. How does it feel to be looking at the only real cowboy in the state?” Fans boo but Pearce brings security out now. Lesnar was asked politely, the Draft trumps everything, so please, leave peacefully.

With all due respect- Oh, with all due respect, it’s gonna take more men than these. So Pearce calls on even more security. Lesnar has about twenty guards telling him to leave, but then CODY RHODES makes his entrance! But from BEHIND! Cody CLOBBERS Lesnar! The brawl is on and fans go nuts! Security rushes in to stop this, Lesnar slips away and taunts Cody. Cody fights his way free, but gets caught again at the ropes! Cody still hammers guards away, but the other half tells Lesnar to stand down. Lesnar smirks and takes his leave. Perhaps Lesnar got what he wants, but Cody didn’t. Cody shouts, “MAKE ME EARN IT!” Will that happen at Backlash?

Raw returns and HBK is back at the podium.

“Alrighty. I think we’re gonna try this again, shall we?” With the first pick of the third round, Raw selects… THE WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez! And without Pearce here, HBK reads the SmackDown choice! SmackDown selects… THE EMPRESS OF TOMORROW, ASUKA! Will Fridays not be ready for Asuka? Raw selects… THE NEW~ DAY~! Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and even Big E get to bring the Power of Positivity to Mondays! And SmackDown closes out the round with… THE BRAWLING BRUTES! Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Pete Dunne stick together on Friday Fight Night!

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn talk at gorilla.

Kevin looks at the blue SmackDown Tag Team Championship belt. Kevin & Sami are both on Raw, but obviously as tag team champions, they should be able to go to SmackDown, too, right? Matt Riddle finds them and says this is the best week ever! Kevin & Sami beat the Usos and retained the titles, and they’re all on Raw! they can hang out together all the time! Plus, Backlash and the Six Man Tag means they’re gonna put the hurt on the Bloodline! And Riddle gets to do that tonight against Jimmy Uso! Riddle pats them both on the back, Sami is excited but Kevin isn’t so sure about this.

Matt Riddle w/ Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso!

The Original Bro has the Prizefighter & Great Liberator watching his back here tonight, will they be rolling into San Juan, Puerto Rico? Or will the Riddle be solved one way or another tonight?

The bell rings and the two fire off fists! Riddle gets the edge, whips, but Jimmy reverses. Riddle holds ropes, BOOTS Jimmy, but Jimmy distracts and Jey ENZIGURIS Riddle down! Fans boo but Jimmy CHOKES Riddle at the ropes! KO & Sami get at Jey but Jimmy sees that. Jimmy focuses on Riddle with haymakers, but then Kevin falls over? And Sami SMACKS a chair against the desk! To then toss it to Jey! They’re playing some Latino Heat on Jey! The ref sees what he thinks he sees, and Jey is stunned! Jey is mad, he didn’t do nothing! But the ref EJECTS him anyway! Fans fire up and Jimmy protests, but the decision is final!

Riddle joins Kevin and Sami in having a laugh as Jey has no choice but to leave. Now things are in their favor as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Riddle fires off forearms on Jimmy! Riddle runs, but into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Riddle is still in this but Jimmy puts him in the corner. Kevin tells Corey Graves not to spread disinformation on commentary, Jey really did hit him. Jimmy throws hands in the corner but Riddle counter punches! And again! And again! Riddle fires off palm strikes, a BOOT, and then spins Jimmy for a PELE! Jimmy staggers, Riddle kips up and he forearm smashes in the corner! Then he runs side to side to SMASH! And BROSPLODER! And BROTON onto knees! Jimmy saves himself and Riddle goes to a corner.

Jimmy runs in but into an ELBOW! Riddle goes up, but Jimmy SHOVES him off the top! Riddle hits barriers on the way down! Kevin checks on Riddle, coaches him up, but Jimmy goes out to SUPERKICK Kevin! That really did happen! Jimmy puts Riddle in, but Riddle gets around to ripcord. Jimmy breaks free, Riddle blocks the kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Riddle down! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Jimmy grows frustrated. So he SUPERKICKS Riddle again! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Jimmy might be getting flashbacks to Friday and how Kevin kept surviving.

Jimmy puts Riddle on the ropes, the ref checks on him, but Jimmy pulls at a buckle pad! Sami protests to the ref but the ref just argues with him, so Kevin SMACKS Jimmy off the buckles! Jimmy staggers into a FINAL FLASH! Riddle goes up for the FLOATING BRO!! Cover, Riddle wins!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

Turnabout IS fair play! Riddle, Kevin & Sami use numbers against Jimmy to get even, but will this work out the same way at Backlash? Or will facing the full Bloodline be a different story?

The next guest speakers are…

ERIC BISCHOFF for Raw!! And Rob Van Dam for SmackDown! Elias & Boogs are there to geek out over him being here, they all do the “R! V! D!” thumbs. Will Elias & Boogs be picked in the fourth round? And if so, by which side?

Heyman talks with Solo Sikoa backstage.

The Wise Man says The Tribal Chief has so much faith in The Enforcer to take out “this clown,” Seth Rollins, with his big nose and floppy feet. The Tribal Chief wants Solo to take Rollins out! Heyman tops it off with some Samoan, but then Jey walks in. He has a quick question. Why wasn’t Solo ringside tonight? The brothers stare down but Heyman says Solo is “pent up.” Roman has assigned him the extermination of one clown here on Raw, so he had to stay focused on that. Jey accepts that. Is there something else? Oh, Jey wants the room! Introspection after last Friday. Heyman understands.

Heyman says he and Solo can leave the room to Jey. The Tribal Chief loves you, by the way! Loves! #WeTheOnes! Jey is a bit confused now. Just what games are being played by the Tribal Chief now?

Eric Bischoff makes his entrance!

The WWE Hall of Famer and former General Manager of Raw is back! But then so is the One of a Kind! Fans join in on “R! V! D!” and Eric asks if the fans are ready. He’s been ready for this! RVD hears the fans chanting for him and says he loves them, too. Okay, the first pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE WWE HALL OF FAMER, TRISH STRATUS! Stratusfaction comes to Raw! And SmackDown selects… MR. & MRS. DOOMSDAY, KARRION KROSS & SCARLETT! Will the clock continue to count down on Fridays? Raw selects… THE BADDEST WOMEN ON THE PLANET, SHAYNA BASZLER & RONDA ROUSEY!

SmackDown finishes up with… THE MEGA STAR, L! A! KNIGHT, YEAH!! And that’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life, dummy!

The Miz is here!

And the Hollywood A-Lister welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, MizTV! What a draft it has been, and Raw is stacked! They’ve got Cody Rhodes! The title Miz made prestigious again in the Intercontinental Championship is back on Raw with the addition of Imperium! A women’s champion in Rhea Ripley! And someone Miz can’t stand but everyone else loves, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. But the biggest acquisition was none other than yours truly, THE MIZ! Fans boo but Miz says tonight’s guest is someone who was drafted to Raw for the first time ever. It is the KING OF STRONG STYLE, SHINSUKE NAKAMURA!

Fans fire up and even Miz rocks out to Nakamura’s classic theme song as Nakamura makes his way out. Nakamura and Miz bow, and just in time for the long chord. Miz says he is the first to welcome Nakamura to Monday Night Raw! They take their seats, and Miz notes Nakamura has done a lot in the WWE: NXT Champion; United States Champion; Intercontinental Champion; Royal Rumble winner; and here on Raw, he could become the inaugural NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion! Does Nakamura think he has a chance? Nakamura says, “Hai.” Hi? Hello, yes, we did introductions.

Maybe Nakamura doesn’t wanna answer that question. But when HHH said he wants this title to be on a workhorse champion, he clearly meant Miz. The TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion! He main evented Mania! Always up for whatever, from press conferences to media appearances! Miz is the epitome of a workhorse! Nakamura chuckles, and Miz says he’d be a great number two. They can help each other out! Think about it! They could be a partnership, a merger! They could be #Mizuke! Fans boo that idea but Miz says things are different on Raw. You need someone to watch your back, and who better than the Face of Mondays?

Look, bottom line is Miz helps Nakamura, Nakamura helps Miz, what does he say? Nakamura says thank you, and Miz has more experience in the WWE, but Nakamura knows Miz has… “Chisai kintama.” What? Chisai kintama? Yes! That sounds positive! Is it awesome? Kinda… Miz takes pride in saying “CHISAI KINTAMA!” They say it together! Nakamura does his best not to laugh but the fans join in. Miz says it sounds amazing. What does it translate to? It means… Tiny balls. Miz is no longer happy. But now fans really love it! “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” Miz takes a swing, but Nakamura dodges!

Nakamura kicks Miz’s legs out, then hits the KINSHASA!! The King of Strong Style is Raw, but will he soon be World Heavyweight Champion?

Omos w/ MVP VS Anthony Alanis!

As of this moment, The Nigerian Giant is a free agent, just like Brock Lesnar. Will he continue to make a huge impression no matter where he goes?

The bell rings and Alanis rushes in with fast hands! But Omos swats him down! Alanis gets up and throws a BIG right! He asks how that tastes, then he kicks and whips. But Omos blocks, reels Alanis in, and scoops to SNAKE EYES! Then BOOT! Fans rally up as Omos drags Alanis up again, for the MOUNTAINTOP CHOKE BOMB! Cover, Omos wins!

Winner: Omos, by pinfall

Alanis sank like Atlantis, and Omos grinds his boot in harder! Will nothing stop Omos from decimating Seth Rollins this Saturday?

BREAKING NEWS on the WWE World Heavyweight Championship!

A tournament is in the works! Superstars will compete starting next Monday on Raw, and all of this culminating at Night of Champions! Who will make the cut to head for the gold?

The next guest speakers are…

Molly Holly is here for Raw, and Road Dogg is back for SmackDown! What big moves will happen this late in the draft?

Oh you didn’t know?

You better call somebody! The Road Dogg makes his way out first, followed by Molly Holly! Molly starts us right off with Raw’s first pick of the fifth round: BRAUN STROWMAN & RICOCHET! The superpowers stick together and are here on Raw! SmackDown selects… THE BALLSY SHOTZI BLACKHEART! Will she turn Fridays into TankDown? Raw continues by choosing… THE COLOSSAL, BRONSON REED! And SmackDown finishes the round with… well, HBK won’t like this. PRETTY DEADLY, Elton Prince & Kit Wilson! #YesBoy~! And they’re at the Performance Center celebrating, especially since they survived sleeping with the fishes…

The Judgment Day is here!

Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio and of course Rhea Ripley head to the ring together, staying on Raw despite Rhea having the SmackDown Women’s Championship. They get the mics, and Priest says, “All Rise for the Judgment Day staying united right here on Monday Night Raw! And all rise for tonight’s first draft pick, your champion, our champion, RHEA RIPLEY!” Rhea says, “Was there really any doubt who the first draft pick would be, huh? Mami’s always on top. And you guys thought you could get rid of us that easily? Nuh uh! Because I said it before and I’ll say it again, The Judgment Day, we run Monday Night Raw!”

Rhea says this Saturday, Zelina Vega will regret everything she’s done to her on SmackDown when Rhea pretzels her and reminds us all why Rhea is the most dominant champion in the WWE! Finn says that’s right! Zelina gets rolled up like snot and flicked! And they have some bad news for Bad Bunny: Damian is gonna tear Bunny apart and leave fluffy little pieces all over Puerto Rico! Tell ’em, Damian. “Bad Bunny. I want you to listen to my words very carefully. Because I choose them very, very carefully.” Priest then fires off in Spanish that he is the best Puerto Rican wrestler!

And while he knows that Bunny is a big star in the music world, this is the world of wrestling. That means Bunny can try to be a wrestler, but he’s not better than Priest. There is nothing Bunny can do against Priest, and the fans aren’t going to help, either. Priest tells “Bonito” that in front of his fans, his friends and his family, in his home of Puerto Rico, he’s done. In Puerto Rico at Backlash, Bunny receives his punishment. Dom starts to speak but then all the fans boo. Finn says to ignore all that and speak anyway. Dom says he can’t wait. But then the fans boo more! Dom tries again, but still gets more boos.

The boos just get louder and louder, so Dom shouts that he can’t wait until Mami and Priest DOMINATE at Backlash! Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Dom just smirks as the fans keep booing. He repeats what he said: He can’t wait until Mami & Priest DOMINATE at Backlash! Just like they’re gonna dominate Santos, Zelina and his “deadbeat dad,” Rey! And since the LWO got drafted to SmackDown, this will be the last night Dom gets to embarrass his dad and his “loser friends.” They’ll go run away and hide on Friday nights! But then here comes Rey and the Latino World Order!

Fans fire up as Rey tells Dom, “No one’s running or hiding anywhere. We were selected by SmackDown to compete Friday nights. That’s how the Draft works. Don’t you get that, son?” But Rey is glad that they’re being separated. If Dom thought getting whooped at Mania with a belt was bad, the next time, it would’ve ben LA CHANCLA! Fans fire up for that, and Rey says he can’t wait to see Zelina leave with Rhea’s belt around her waist! And he is looking forward to watching Bad Bunny beat down Priest and anyone else from the Judgment Day who is stupid enough to get in his way! “But before all that, the Judgment Day is gonna get smacked right now by the L! W! O!”

The tension rises again as we get what could be the final fight between father and son! Who rolls into Puerto Rico? We see, after the break!

Mixed Six Tag Match: The Judgment Day VS The Latino World Order!

Raw returns and the bell rings as Rey starts against Dom. But then Rhea tags right in, and she taunts Rey. Rhea pie faces Rey, but Rey helps Zelina hit the RANA! Rhea flounders, Zelina runs up, dodges, but Rhea BOOTS her down! Rhea talks smack, drags Zelina up and pump handles, but Zelina DDT- NO, Rhea counters the counter to a suplex! Zelina knees free, but Rhea grabs her by the hair! Zelina JAWBREAKERS free, Rhea stumbles back and Priest tags in. Escobar steps up but Priest kicks him low. Priest whips, Escobar ducks ‘n’ dodges and CLOBBERS Priest! Priest goes to a corner, fans count along, “Uno! Dos! Tres!” DOUBLE KNEES!

Escobar brings Priest around, throws hands, CHOPS and ROCKS and repeat! Escobar whips, Priest reverses but Escobar kicks him back! And again! Escobar runs, but into a BIG forearm! And then Priest DECKS Rey with a sucker punch! Fans boo but Judgment Day applauds. Priest glares at Zelina but she backs away. Priest drags Escobar up, runs, but Escobar KNEES Priest first! Dom runs in, but into a BACKBREAKER! They both bail out, Rey tags in, SEATED SENTON for Priest! Rhea protects “Dom-Dom” but Rey goes into the ring to pose with Escobar and Zelina. Fans fire up and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Priest ROCKS Escobar! Escobar goes to a corner, Priest runs in to clothesline! And then another clothesline! Priest wants uno mas, but Escobar DROPKICKS him down! Fans rally up as both men crawl, hot tags to Dom and Rey! Rey dodges Dom to DECK him! And DECK him again! Rey whips, Dom reverses but Rey tilt-o-whirls to RANA Dom! Dom staggers around into the corner, and Rey goes after him with fists! Fans fire up but Dom slips out to CLUB Rey! Dom whips, Rey KICKS, and then Rey returns to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, but Rhea breaks it!

Zelina runs in but Rhea DECKS her! The ref reprimands but Rhea stalks Rey! Rhea fireman’s carries, lifts, but Zelina 619s low!! Rhea staggers, runs back in, but Zelina dumps her out! Rey drags Dom up but Dom DROPKICKS! Hot tag to Priest! Priest runs in at Rey, but Rey dodges! Priest POSTS himself! Rey then dropkicks Priest onto ropes! Dial it up, 61- NO, Finn distracts the ref as Dom trips Rey up! Fans boo but Escobar DIVES onto Dom! Escobar then hurries up, but Rhea DROPKICKS him! Zelina FLYING METEORAS Rhea to the floor! Priest mule kicks Rey, drags him up, crucifix for the RAZOR- NO, Rey slips free!

Rey RANAS Priest onto ropes! Redial, but Finn takes the shot!! SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!!! Cover, Judgment Day wins!

Winners: The Judgment Day, by pinfall

The LWO couldn’t finish this off all because The Prince was a wild card! Will all this momentum help Rhea retain her title and Priest “punish” Bad Bunny? Or will there be shocker after shocker in San Juan?

Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.

Cathy Kelly catches Cody on his way out and asks him if Lesnar is in his head after tonight. Cody admits, Lesnar is in Cody’s head. He’s been in Cody’s head ever since the Raw after WrestleMania. And now, Lesnar has negotiated his “free agent status,” where he can come and go as he pleases, on either Raw or SmackDown. Lesnar gets what Lesnar wants. “Just not on Saturday. Not at Backlash.” The most decorated combat sports athlete, and Cody has made sure to point that out, but here is what we found out tonight: Doomsday bleeds. Lesnar is human. And Lesnar doesn’t even need to win this match. It’s Cody who HAS to win!

Because if Cody doesn’t… The whole idea of Cody finishing his story ceases to exist. And then he moves to the back of the line. And Cody refuses to do that. He won’t be the back of the line now, not ever. Cody thanks Cathy, and heads out. Will there be no stopping the American Nightmare from making a dream come true?

The next guest speakers are…

JBL is back, ready to represent for Raw! And for SmackDown, it’s Teddy Long, player! Will the sixth round be the biggest one yet?

Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.

Byron Saxton is with the RawEST Women’s Champion, and asks her initial reaction to finding out she was drafted to SmackDown. She says it doesn’t matter what brand she’s on, so long as she’s able to represent the WWE Universe to the best of her ability. And that means retaining this title on Saturday. Even though she’ll rep blue from now on, she still has love for Monday nights. So best believe she’s sending Iyo Sky along emptyhanded. But in come DMG CTRL, Bayley and Kai chuckling. Good one, Bianca.

But Bayley has a question for Byron: Why is he here interviewing Bianca when he should be talking to the top three draft picks in the WWE? Did you see that Bayley & Kai are the future WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions? And Iyo Sky is gonna give Bianca a real reason to be blue, when she beats you for that title! Get it? Blue like sad. Bianca says what actually makes her sad is that she has always been impressed by Sky. In fact, when Sky showed up at SummerSlam last year, Bianca knew Sky would be the unique, talented and competitive athlete this division needed. Bianca was excited to see what Sky was gonna do next.

But what’d she really do? Went and got influenced by two chicks who have done nothing but hold her back. Yeah, that’s what she said. So hopefully Saturday gives Sky a taste what it feels like to finally step out on her own and shine. After Bianca beats her, that is. Sky says in Japanese that Bianca will not leave Backlash champion after Sky gets through with her! Bianca says Kai doesn’t need to translate that. They understand each other. DMG CTRL leaves, but will they be able to take control away from The EST?

Teddy Long walks on stage!

Fans cheer for the Hall of Fame SmackDown General Manager, and then here comes John Bradshaw Layfield! They tease each other, and JBL says with the first pick of the final round, Raw selects… SHOOOOSH! The Alpha Academy, Chad Gable & Otis! But will this only prolong the push and pull of Alpha Academy and Maximum Male Models on Otis? Teddy says SmackDown selects… “THE MEAT MOUNTAIN,” RICK BOOGS! Fridays are about to rock! Raw selects… NXT’s KATANA CHANCE & KAYDEN CARTER! KC Squared is about to face Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn for the NXT Women’s Tag titles, what’s gonna happen now?

As for SmackDown, the final pick of this final round of the 2023 WWE Draft, they select… CAMERON GRIMES! SmackDown is finally going TO! THE! MOON~! The rest of the picks will be part of Raw Talk tonight on Peacock, who will avoid being left in the void of undrafted and unsigned free agency?

Xavier Woods speaks.

“Ooooh~! It’s Xavier Woods here, and it looks like ya bois, the NEW~! DAY~! Just got drafted to the red brand. They said, ‘Hey, we need you to inject a little life back into Monday nights.’ So USA Network, get ready. BECAAAUSE~! NEW! DAY ROCKS!”

Seth Rollins VS Solo Sikoa w/ Paul Heyman!

The Visionary saw through Paul Heyman’s not so subtle message earlier and responded in kind, only for The Enforcer of the Island of Relevancy to respond right back. Rollins is preparing for Omos at Backlash while Solo is going to join his brothers against Kevin, Sami & Riddle. Will Rollins #BurnItDown tonight? Or will Solo “exterminate” on behalf of the Tribal Chief?

Raw returns and Rollins makes his entrance. The fans sing along again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins swaggers in his fur coat. The bell rings and Rollins stares Solo down. They circle, approach, but then Rollins dodges to revel in the singing. Rollins grins at Heyman, then circles with Solo. They tie up now, and Solo powers Rollins to a corner. The ref counts, Solo lets off at 4, but then swings! Rollins avoids the sucker punch, and the singing continues. Solo works to tune out the “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Solo and Rollins tie up, Solo headlocks but Rollins powers out. Things speed up, Rollins hurdles then redirects!

Rollins slides out and he uses the singing to get on Solo’s nerves. Solo rushes out but Rollins slides in to keep the trolling. Solo slides in, but then quickly slides out to avoid the Curb Stomp! Rollins says it was that close. Solo storms into the ring, they approach but Solo kicks low! And HEADBUTTS! Solo fires off on Rollins in the corner, the ref counts, but Solo lets off with a furious roar! Fans boo but Rollins fires haymakers in return! Solo shoves Rollins away, runs in, but Rollins dumps him out! Rollins WRECKS Solo with a dropkick, then builds speed! But Solo intercepts Rollins with a WHEEL KICK! Solo solved that problem while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more and fans sing as Rollins throws body shots! Rollins runs, but Solo fireman’s carries! Rollins fights free, dodge the clothesline and PELES! Solo staggers to ropes and Heyman looks worried. Rollins goes to a corner, Solo runs in but only gets buckles! Solo staggers around again, and Rollins CHOPS! And ROCKS with a haymaker! And CHOPS again! And another haymaker! Rollins repeats, fires off fists from all sides, and fans fire up! Rollins whips, Solo reverses but Rollins reverses back to ROCK Solo with a forearm! And LARIAT! Solo stays up so Rollins LARIATS again!

Solo still stays up so Rollins tries again, but Solo catches him into a clinch! Rollins fights with elbow after elbow, gets free, and he mule kicks! And front kicks! And DISCUS LARIATS! Fans fire up and Rollins is feeling it while Solo bails out. The fans sing, Rollins builds speed, and Rollins DIVES! Direct hit and Solo hits the desk! Rollins gets back in, he builds more speed, and he DIVES again! Another hit and Solo is on the desk! Rollins slides back in, builds more speed and he DIVES again! The hattrick sends Solo tumbling over the desk! Fans fire up and sing some more, and Rollins brings Solo back into the ring.

Rollins aims from the apron, springboards in, but Solo gets under! Rollins comes back, into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Solo grows frustrated, and Heyman is muttering into his phone. Another call to Roman? Solo storms up on Rollins, drags him up, and clinches, for the SPINNING- NO, Rollins slips free to roll Solo up! TWO!! SUPERKICK! Solo wobbles, into the ROLLING- SPINNING SOLO!! Cover, TWO!! Solo is shocked that Rollins survives! Solo stands Rollins up, but Rollins SLAPS him! Rollins laughs and eggs the “big boy” on! “Is that all you got? Or are you just Roman’s little b*tch?”

Solo drags Rollins right up for a SPINNING SOLO!! But Solo isn’t done, he rains down hammer fists! The ref reprimands, Solo storms up on him, but Heyman has him stand down. Solo pursues Rollins out of the ring, around the way, and SMACKS him off the desk! Rollins staggers around, Solo scoops him, but Rollins slips off! Rollins POSTS Solo! They both slide into the ring, and Rollins SUPERKICKS! Solo wobbles, into the ROLLING ELBOW! But THE USOS ATTACK!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification

But here come Riddle, Kevin & Sami! They all brawl with the Bloodline! Rollins joins in to mug Solo, and Raw is going off the air! Which side will even make it to SmackDown this Friday in Puerto Rico?

My Thoughts:

A really good Raw, but this still had a bit of that Go-Home Syndrome with a lot of video packages to hype up superstars, even those staying on Raw. As for the Draft, HHH overhyped it by quite a bit. This didn’t really shake WWE to its core. We got the same dumb change Vince pulled: move the women’s champions to force them to trade belts. That means with Rhea staying on Raw and LWO staying on SmackDown, Rhea keeps the title. And after a really good Mixed Six, the Judgment Day finds a way to beat the LWO again, so how is Zelina supposed to believably beat Rhea? I will say, Priest had a great promo (and Fort Worth was stupid to “What” him just cuz it was in Spanish), but with Priest being the one standing tall, pretty sure Bad Bunny wins that Street Fight.

On the flipside, Bianca and DMG CTRL all being on SmackDown means there’s a tiny chance Iyo Sky can get the Raw Women’s title, and then she trades belts with Rhea. And good match from Bayley & Kai VS Liv & Raquel, and good win for DMG CTRL. Now, them challenging for the belts make sense, but I don’t see Bayley & Kai winning them, because the logical move is that DMG CTRL is falling apart and Bayley will be to blame. But Ronda & Shayna are on Raw to be on the same brand as Liv & Raquel, so pretty sure they’re still going to give us that feud and that will get Ronda & Shayna the titles.

Another title outcome ruined by the Draft is the US Championship. Bronson Reed is staying here on Raw, so he’s immediately out of the running since Theory and Lashley are on SmackDown. And it’d be a shame if Theory retained because of another Triple Threat. And Sheamus no longer gets a chance at the Intercontinental Championship because the Brawling Brutes stay on SmackDown. But at least that means they can feud with LA Knight, which could actually be a lot of fun. Asuka going to SmackDown is also a little odd, if only because she already feuded with Bianca and DMG CTRL. Why not give us Asuka VS Rhea on Raw?

Also a little disappointed there wasn’t more thought put into Pretty Deadly getting called up. NXT showed them supposedly being drowned, but there could’ve been something that showed them surviving and making it back in time to be picked here tonight. And then Kayden & Katana being called up when they’re facing Alba & Isla on NXT tomorrow night, what good is that? Who are supposed to be the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions after next Monday? But at least Cameron Grimes is going to resurface on SmackDown. He’d been off NXT TV so long, I wasn’t sure what was going on. He should’ve been called up sooner, really.

Good match from Braun & Ricochet VS Alpha Academy, good win for Braun & Ricochet, but surprising everyone ends up on Raw. Where’s the drama of Gable not getting to stick with Otis to keep him from going full Otise? Or is that going to finally play out after Backlash, where Otis has to choose? Of course Lesnar is a “free agent”, and he had a great segment with Cody with that ambush and haymaker. But Omos is a Lesnar-esque free agent? What? I suppose it’s fine, as he’ll move to whatever brand needs a big monster for some kind of build. And I actually like that Boogs got picked but Elias hasn’t been. Kinda humbles Elias a bit, doesn’t it?

Really good stuff out of Miz and Nakamura, and I knew right away where Nakamura was going with “chisai kintama.” With word of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship having a tournament (which replaces the King of the Ring tournament for the time being), I bet Nakamura beats Miz to have an easy first round win. And again, great stuff out of The Bloodline stories. Great interaction between Heyman and Rollins to set up Rollins VS Solo, and great stuff from Riddle VS Jimmy, especially the very complex Eddie Guerrero play where Kevin played hurt and Sami did the reporting. And of course Rollins wins by disqualification. This keeps Solo strong where his only clean loss was against Cody Rhodes, and we get a great brawl to close.

My Score: 8.6/10