Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (7/24/23)
Big Time BET!
Paving the road to SummerSlam!
Tensions on Raw are high, and so are the stakes! If Becky Lynch loses to Zoey Stark again, she must TATTOO #ThankYouTrish on her chest! But if she wins, she gets a match with Trish Stratus at SummerSlam!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Big Time Stakes: Becky Lynch VS Zoey Stark w/ Trish Stratus; Becky wins and will face Trish at SummerSlam.
- NXT North American Championship: Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest VS Sami Zayn w/ Kevin Owens; Dom wins and retains the title.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Bronson Reed; Reed wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio; No Contest.
- Damian Priest VS Apollo Crews; Priest wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Imperium; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Judgment Day is in the ring.
At least, Rhea Ripley, Damian Priest & Finn Balor are. Fans are torn, but Priest welcomes us to the show, and tells us to ALL RISE for the Judgment Day! And he says tonight, they’re in Tampa! And Rhea says they don’t just run Raw, they run ALL of the WWE! Finn says that’s because they have the unbeatable Women’s World Champion in Rhea! They have Senor Money in the Bank in Damian! And yours truly, the next World Heavyweight Champion in Finn. But before they get to the man of the moment, let’s take a look at what he achieved just last week! They of course mean last Tuesday on NXT when Dominik Mysterio stole- er, won the North American Championship.
The video package at least shows it without bias or editing: the Judgment Day all helped Dom win the match, Wes Lee couldn’t withstand a 4v1 attack like that. In the present, Rhea takes the honor of introducing the NEW NXT North American Champion, “the hardest man I know, my Latino Heat, Dirty Dominik Mysterio!” Fans boo as Dom makes his way to the ring and shines up the belt as he holds it up. Dom says he IS your “fighting” NXT North American Champion! And to celebrate his greatness, they have another video package! It’s all highlights of Dom as he says “I’m not afraid of anyone in the world.”
Fans boo even more but the Judgment Day all smiles. Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Dom repeats he is the NEW NXT North American Champion! But wait, who is this? It’s KEVIN OWENS & SAMI ZAYN! Fans cheer the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, and Kevin says, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but… I’m almost sure we did this last week, didn’t we? They came out, they stood in the ring and tried to look all menacing and scary, and they talked for awhile. And then the one with the mullet, Dom I think is his name, he tried to talk and nobody wanted to listen to him, right? I didn’t dream that, right?” Fans cheer, Kevin is remembering correctly.
Kevin then says that what really upsets him about this is when people don’t learn. When you teach them a lesson and they still don’t learn. THEY DIDN’T LEARN, so Kevin is gonna say this again: No one cares what Dom has to say, EVER!! Dom is so desperate for respect, so passionate about this industry, he has videos to convince people, but if he wants to help this industry is to shut his mouth forever! Dom say she will NOT be disrespected! He is a champion now! Sami says that is a good point. Dom is being disrespected, yes. But… That’s only because no one here respects him. It’s an easy thing to grasp!
But here’s a way Dom can win respect. SHUT UP! No, hold on. What if Dom went 1v1 with one half of the Undisputed Tag Team Champions tonight? Dom VS Sami in Tampa here tonight! Fans like the sound of that, and Dom says okay, Sami wants some of Dirty Dom. Then come get some, “Baby Rojo!” Oh, okay, just a reminder, though. When they all had a tag team match, the Judgment Day made a whole stink about how the tag titles weren’t on the line. So if Dom is a fighting champion, the way he just said he is, then he’d put his title on the line tonight. Fans REALLY like that idea!
Rhea says Dom accepts! Dom looks worried, though. Will his reign still be cut short at just six days? Or will the Judgment Day again have his back?
Big Time Stakes: Becky Lynch VS Zoey Stark w/ Trish Stratus!
The Man wants a fight with the legend, but she has to go through the protégé to get it! Will Becky win big time to force Trish into a rematch? Or will Becky lose and be forced to tattoo herself with three awful words, “Thank You Trish?”
Raw returns and Stark makes her entrance, Trish by her side. The bell rings and the two rush in! Becky sends Stark into a corner, fires off haymakers and stomps! The ref backs Becky off but then Becky fires off more fists! Stark shoves Becky, Becky dodges and CLOBBERS Stark! Cover, ONE! Becky goes for an arm but Zoey scrambles out of the ring! Fans boo and Becky is fired up. Stark goes to the apron but Becky DECKS Her! Becky runs, slides, but Stark dodges the dropkick! Becky still ROCKS Stark with forearms, then puts her in the ring. Tampa rallies behind Becky as she clinches but Stark goes up a corner!
Becky CLUBS Stark on the back, but Stark fights off the bomb. Stark mule kicks Becky away, hops down then springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Trish argues the count but Stark drags Becky up. Stark ROCKS Becky, runs, but Becky dodges the knee! Stark runs in but is sent into buckles! Becky KICKS then CLOBBERS Stark, cover, TWO! Stark goes to the apron, and she HOTSHOTS Becky to then throw her by her air! INSIDE-OUT ARABIAN SENTON! Cover, TWO! Becky is still in this and Trish looks worried as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Becky throws Stark into barriers! And again! And again! Trish complains, the ring count climbs, but Becky puts Stark in at 5 of 10. Becky climbs and fans fire up, for the MAN’S LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Trish is relieved but Becky knows that means she’s worried. Fans rally for Becky and she drags Stark up and around. Stark whips, Becky BOOTS her! Stark comes back, but Becky puts her in the ropes to ROCK, UPPERCUT and SOBAT! Becky goes to the corner, but Stark avoids the guillotine leg drop! Becky ROCKS Stark again to dropkick the legs out! And then FLYING FOREARMS from the apron!
Becky puts Stark in but Trish HEADBUTTS Becky!! Trish shoves Becky in and Stark SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and fans are thunderous! Trish is furious her screw job didn’t work! Stark hammers Becky and tells fans to shut up as they cheer Becky on. Stark scoops Becky but Becky blocks Z360 to hit a BECKSPLODER! Fans fire up, Becky runs in but misses in the corner! Stark GAMANGIRIS, goes up top, but Becky ROCKS Stark first! Becky climbs up after Stark, brings her up, and hits a SUPERPLEX! Roll through tot he ARMBAR!! Stark flails, kicks around, stacks Becky, and deadlifts for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Becky survives and Trish is worried again. Fans continue to rally behind Becky but Stark drags her to a drop zone. Stark goes up the corner, to PHOENIX- NO, she has to roll through as Becky moves! She returns, MANHAN- NO, Stark victory rolls! TWO, Becky has it, TWO! INTO THE DISARM-HER!! Stark flails, but Trish throws her mask into the ring! Becky DECKS Trish, but Stark rolls her up! TWO!!! Becky escapes but now Stark wants an arm! Becky spins to throw Stark out, but Stark HOTSHOTS her away! Stark then springboards, but Becky catches her! MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (will face Trish Stratus at SummerSlam)
Trish is furious that none of her tricks stopped Becky! Now she has no choice but to face Becky one more time! Will this big some big time payback for The Man in Motor City?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Tampa fires up for the American Nightmare and sings his song, “WHOA~ OH!” The pyro goes off, but Cody keeps his left arm close to him after Brock Lesnar tried to break it just last week. Cody then goes to the ring and climbs up on the corner, “WHOA~ OH!” for more pyro. Cody then gets a mic and says, “So, Tampa Bay… Whaddya wanna talk about?” His friends at home should forgive him, he has to turn around to see everyone here tonight. Fans cheer as Cody looks at the crowd opposite hard cam. Cody then turns back to bring up we’ve all seen the clip of Lesnar beating him up. With a chair. In front of Cody’s own mother.
Admittedly, Cody didn’t have that on his 2023 bucket list, but is he surprised? No. If anything, Cody is impressed. We’re talking about Brrrock…. Lesnar…! Who hasn’t even had five professional fights before winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Who hadn’t even played football before and made it on an NFL team. And a man who is simultaneous with SummerSlam. So surprised? No. Impressed? Yes. You wanna know who wasn’t impressed? Cody’s mom, Michelle Runnels. She wasn’t impressed. Remember, she is the same lady who watched Terry Funk throw fire at Dusty’s face. Who was drinking with Gordon Solie at the Colombia!
Fans fire up and Cody says if anything, Brock and Cody’s mother know what Cody’s about to say, and that is that Brock made a mistake. The mistake wasn’t beating Cody up in front of his friends and family. It was that he left Cody breathing! Cody takes a deep breath, and says now, he doesn’t wanna just go to SummerSlam to win a tiebreaker. he wants to embarrass Lesnar! Cody knows there are a bunch of people freaking out over Cody saying that! Cody’s poking the bear! No, he’s SLAPPING the bear across the face and saying come and get it!
Fans fire up and cheer Cody on as he continues to say that he doesn’t just wanna beat Lesnar because of the positive ramifications it’ll have on Cody’s life and career. He doesn’t wanna beat Lesnar just because this is personal. Cody wants to beat Lesnar because it’s what Lesnar deserves! So when Cody is old and grey, smoking a Fuente 858, he can open the chapter about him and Lesnar, he’ll know it wasn’t pretty, but he’ll know he penned the final paragraph! So then, Lesnar, at SummerSlam, Cody ends this! The American Nightmare is fired up and Tampa is fired up with him! Will Cody tear down Suplex City when he arrives in Motor City?
Backstage interview with Ricochet.
Jackie Redmond catches up with The One and Only to ask him his thoughts on Logan Paul showing up tonight on Raw. Ricochet says he is thrilled that Logan actually accepted the invitation. But Ricochet doesn’t get Logan, though. Logan shows up late, comes and goes as he pleases, why? Because he’s a YouTube star? Hilarious. But when Logan does show up, there is business they’ll take care of. So everything Ricochet is going to say to Logan, he’ll wait to say to Logan’s face.
NXT North American Championship: Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest VS Sami Zayn w/ Kevin Owens!
The Judgment Day all but handed this title to Dirty Dom last Tuesday, and Mami even helped him hold onto it last Tuesday. Can Dom gain respect by doing this on his own for once? Or will he call upon Rhea and Damian to save him against Sami, too?
Raw returns as Dom makes his entrance, the Judgment Day by his side. The introductions are made, the NXT belt is raised, and we see if Dom survives his first week!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Dom headlocks and grinds Sami down. Sami fights up, powers out, then drops and hurdles and arm-drags! Sami has the armlock but Dom fights up. Dom pulls hair and has Sami on the ropes. The ref counts, Dom whips but Sami reverses. Dom holds ropes but Sami clotheslines him up and out! Sami then builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on Dom and the Judgment Day is furious as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Sami fires off on Dom in the corner! Rhea tells fans to stop chanting for Sami but the ref counts. Sami lets off at 4, then climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count all the way to TEN, and fire up as Sami brings Dom around. Sami scoops to SLAM Dom, then he goes up the corner. But Rhea distracts and Priest SHOVES Sami down! But Kevin CLBOBERS Priest! Fans fire up but the ref sees Kevin on the apron! Kevin explains what was going on but the ref doesn’t hear it, he EJECTS Kevin! Fans boo as the wrong person gets punished, but then he says Mami & Priest are ALSO EJECTED!
Fans cheer as the ref is being fair, and Dom freaks out! Dom turns around, into a MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Dom survives but Sami keeps his cool. Dom goes to a corner, Sami runs corner to corner, but Dom bails out! Fans boo but Sami is after Dom. Dom HOTSHOTS Sami away! Dom runs in to DROPKICK Sami to ropes! Dom dials it up, but Sami LARIATS Dom inside out! Cover, TWO! Dom survives again but Sami stays focused. Sami drags Dom to a drop zone and he goes up the corner. Fans rally, but Dom rises to ROCK Sami first! Dom climbs up, CLUBS Sami again and again, then ROCKS him with haymakers!
Dom stands Sami up, but Sami blocks and throws body shots! Sami HEADBUTTS Dom down! Dom staggers up and Sami adjusts, but Dom DROPKICKS Sami outta the sky! Cover, TWO! Sami is still in this and Dom is furious! Dom stomps Sami, rains down fists, and fans boo. Dom soaks up heat and says he’s the man around here! Dom stomps Sami, goes to the apron, and slingshot SENTONS! Sami staggers up. Dom DROPKICKS him back down! Dom then brings Sami around, gives us some Latino Heat, but Sami slips free and waistlocks! Dom ELBOWS away on Sami, runs, but Sami reels him in! BLUE THUNDER- RANA!
Dom has Sami on ropes again, and he redials! But Sami ducks the 619 to get Dom! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and shocks Tampa! Sami storms up on Dom but Dom wants mercy. Fans boo, and Sami sure doesn’t trust that. But then Dom scrambles away! So Sami drags him back in! Dom kicks at Sami, and DROPKICKS him back onto ropes! Dom redials again, 619!! Cover, TWO!!! Sami survives and now Dom is shocked! Dom pounds the mat in frustration, Sami sits up to shake out the stars, and fans rally. Dom brings Sami up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker!
Dom eggs Sami on, says HE’S the champion, but Sami fires haymakers in return! Sami whips, Dom reverses to kick and suplex! Uno Amigo! Then DOS AMIGOS! Dom gets Sami up again, THREE AMIGOS complete! Dom goes up the corner, to FROG SPLASH onto knees!! Sami goes to a corner, Dom staggers up, into a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami then goes to the far corner, fans are thunderous as Dom drags himself up, but Rhea & Priest are beating Kevin up on the ramp! Sami is distracted, Dom rolls Sami up! Dom wins!!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Sami runs Priest & Rhea off but the damage has been done! Dom’s team comes through for him, will he soon set his own record as North American Champion? As for Kevin, did the Judgment Day just bring down the tag team champions without needing a match?
Raw returns as Kevin gets checked by medical.
The concern seems to be his right arm and ribs on that side. Will Kevin be able to #JustKeepFighting against the Judgment Day and their punk tactics?
Ricochet finds Shinsuke Nakamura backstage.
Ricochet asks if Nakamura’s seen Logan Paul around. No, he hasn’t. Of course, that guy… But let him know if you do, alright? Nakamura nods, but then turns around into Tommaso Ciampa. Ciampa says the loss last week was on him, and that kick to the face, well, Ciampa will let it slide. But this ain’t charity. You get one free one. Tonight, Ciampa will settle things with Bronson Reed, so he better not see Nakamura out there. And if Ciampa does, then they will have a problem. Understood? Nakamura just smirks so Ciampa says, “Good talk.” The Psycho Killer leaves, but will the King of Strong Style have a more physical response?
The Judgment Day regroups backstage.
Dom says they just put a whooping on the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. But then they pass by Apollo Crews and Akira Tozawa, and Dom wants some respect. Crews says he was just standing here. Priest says yeah, is that a problem? Rhea asks Tozawa if they have a problem, and Tozawa says nope, then leaves. Crews says this is typical of them. They walk around and pick on people. What he’d love to see is Priest try that with him. Oh really? Crews is stepping to the most dangerous man in the WWE? Okay. They’ll do that tonight. And Crews will receive his punishment. The Judgment Day heads out, Tozawa returns to say Crews has this. Does he?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Bronson Reed!
Raw returns and Ciampa makes his entrance. Auszilla cost Ciampa against The Miz in that No Disqualification match, will Ciampa make sure Reed pays for that himself?
The bell rings, the two rush in and Ciampa fires off fists! Reed HEADBUTTS Ciampa down, but Ciampa is right up! Reed CLUBS Ciampa, suplexes him, and holds him, but Ciampa knees free! Reed ELBOWS Ciampa, brings him around and throws him out of the ring! Reed storms out but Ciampa CHOPS him first! Ciampa fires hands, Reed throws them back! Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS but Reed CLUBS Ciampa! They brawl, Ciampa BOOTS, and then tries to fireman’s carry!? Reed is too big and he CLUBS Ciampa! Then Reed fireman’s carries, but Ciampa fights free. Reed ROCKS Ciampa, but Ciampa KICKS Reed in the ropes!
Ciampa fires hands, stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, goes side to side, and he KNEE WASHES Reed’s face! Ciampa pushes Reed around, blows a kiss, and runs again, but into a scoop! Reed RAMS Ciampa into buckles, then hits a POWERSLAM! Oklahoma Stampeded with an Aussie twist, and Reed covers, TWO! Reed looms over Ciampa, kicks him to ropes, and then stands on him! The ref counts, fans rally, and Reed steps off at 4. Fans cheer Ciampa on but Reed scoops. Ciampa slips off to get a SLEEPER! Reed sputters and drops to a knee, and Ciampa shifts his position for a BULLY CHOKE!
Reed endures, and he gets a second wind! Reed picks Ciampa up, BACKPACK SENTON! Ciampa sputters now while both men are down! Reed stands, he drags Ciampa up, and Reed whips Ciampa to then BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! Ciampa writhes and crawls out of the ring, but Reed goes to the apron. FLYING SHOULDER into a JUMP KNEE!! Ciampa takes Reed outta the sky and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Ciampa endures a BEARHUG! Fans rally up and Ciampa fights to his feet. Ciampa throws elbows, gets free, but Reed CLUBS him down! Reed ripcords to “CYCLONE” POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Ciampa crawls away, Reed runs in, but into a BOOT! Ciampa leaps, but into Reed’s arms! Reed RAMS Ciampa into buckles, but then Ciampa slips around to REVERSE DDT! Both men are down again and fans rally up. They rise, and Ciampa CHOPS! Reed CHOPS, but Ciampa CHOPS and forearms! Reed ROCKS Ciampa, Ciampa ROCKS Reed! Reed shoves, Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges and ROCKS Reed!
Ciampa ROCKS Reed again, has him in a corner, and runs in to forearm smash! Ciampa keeps going to clothesline! And again! Ciampa keeps moving, and he slides under Reed’s body check! BOOT! ROLLING ELBOW! KOTARO KRUSHER! Cover, TWO!! Reed survives the onslaught and Ciampa grows frustrated. Ciampa drags Reed up, underhooks the arms, but Reed fights the lift! Reed lifts Ciampa, but Ciampa sunset flips! So Reed DROPS onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives being squashed but Reed drags him to a drop zone. Reed grins but Ciampa anchors him! Ciampa kicks away but Reed stomps and SENTONS!
Ciampa sputters but Reed drags him back up. Reed gives a thumbs down and he hauls Ciampa up. Ciampa slips out, bobs ‘n’ weaves, ROCKS and CHOPS and SLAPS and ROCKS, but Reed CHOPS in return! Reed runs, into a BOOT! Ciampa brings kneepads down, runs again, but Reed LARIATS! But Ciampa is right back up!? Fans fire up as the two go forehead to forehead, and then forearm for forearm! Ciampa ROUNDHOUSES, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Reed! Reed huffs and puffs and runs, but into a JUMP KNEE!! And then fireman’s carry!? For the AIR RAID CRASH!! Fans are thunderous for the cover, TWO!?!?
Reed survives and no one can believe it! And wait, here comes Nakamura! The King of Strong Style swaggers his way to the ring as Ciampa wants after Reed on the apron. But then Ciampa sees Nakamura and tells him to go backstage. Nakamura says Ciampa should watch out., Ciampa turns around, into the FLYING SHOULDER from Reed! Reed puts Ciampa in the ring and goes up top, TSUNAMI!! Cover, Reed wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
The Colossal Aussie keeps his momentum going, but Nakamura did have something to do with it. Will Ciampa shift gears and look to settle things with Nakamura now?
Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.
Byron Saxton asks Liv her reaction to everything last week. It would seem Raquel Rodriguez suffered a severe knee injury during that brawl with Rhea Ripley. Liv says yes, Raquel is hurting, but she is a big, strong girl and will be back soon to take care of Rhea. But as far as tonight goes, Rhea is all Liv’s! Not only did Rhea take out Raquel, but she is also why Raquel & Liv lost the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Rhea walks around like she can do whatever she wants because she thinks no one can stop her. And Liv doesn’t know if anyone remembers, but Liv is the very last person to defeat Rhea.
So tonight, Liv and Rhea go toe to toe. Maybe Liv gets beat up, maybe she doesn’t. But there’s no way Liv is going down without a fight. #WatchMe! But then in walk the new Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Champions, Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green. And they would like something explained to them: Why is Byron so stupid as to interview Liv instead of them!? Well, respectfully, champions, he interviewed them last week after they won. And Liv has a match later tonight against Rhea. Oh, classic deflection. If it’s not about Liv, it’s about Rhea, and if it’s not about Rhea, it’s about Liv. The whole Raw roster revolves around-
Rhea! Hey! They were just saying that Raw does revolve around you! As it should, champ! They’re all champs! #ChampThings, only they can understand. Speaking of, they gotta do their own champ things so see you around. Love what you do with leather, though. Sonya & Chelsea leave, and Rhea says she warned Liv & Raquel to stay out of her way. They chose not to listen. So Rhea took Raquel out, and Liv is next. You see a pattern forming, Byron? He nods and Rhea leaves. Will the Eradicator be the one to send Morgan in to ObLIVion?
Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio!
Raw returns as Liv makes her entrance, ready to exact revenge! But then Rhea CLOBBERS Liv from outta nowhere! And she THROWS Liv into barriers! “How’s that feel, huh!?” Rhea then gets Liv up to POST her! And throws her into more barriers! Fans boo but Rhea grins and goes around the way to drag Liv onto barriers, to HOTSHOT an arm! Liv falls, and Rhea gets a chair! Liv scrambles into the ring but Rhea stalks her. Rhea storms up to HEADBUTT Liv! Rhea then drags Liv over to put the chair around that arm! Rhea says this is what Liv gets for getting in her business. Rhea STOMPS the chair!!
Rhea says Liv is dead to her! “Done! Finished! Bye-bye, Liv! Get outta MY business! I warned you!” A ref and a medic rush out and Rhea holds up her title. Rhea says Liv means NOTHING to her, “have fun in rehab.” Liv writhes and cries in pain, but then Rhea grabs the chair again! The ref tells Rhea no but Rhea puts the chair back on the arm!! Fans boo as Rhea STOMPS the chair again!! If the arm wasn’t broken, it might be now! Rhea says this is HER division, and now she leaves Liv alone. Will anyone stop the ruthlessness from the Judgment Day?
Medical has moved Liv backstage.
They check her arm, but she can barely even raise it before it hurts. Adam Pearce has a lot on his hands all because of Judgment Day, will there be any consequences for these vicious thugs?
The Alpha Academy meets backstage.
Chad Gable paces and says “congrats” to the Viking Raiders. They won their own little Viking Rules Match. But the problem is, no one knows what “Viking Rules” actually are! But how about this? How about an ACADEMY RULES match? You wanna put Gable’s head through shields? How about they go through some freakin’ chalkboards?! A THANK YEW~! Maxxine has Gable calm down and says she has this. Listen, “Val,” Maxxine doesn’t get what your deal is or why you’re so obsessed with her, but she has been embarrassing you week after week! Then Sarah Logan gets one up on Maxxine and thinks she’s just gonna fall off?
Sis, hate to bring the bad news, but no one puts the Alpha Queen through tables. They handle this Maxxine’s way: 1v1, her and Valhalla, in her first singles match ever! See you next week. OOOOH YEEEEH! Will Erik, Ivar & Sarah all fall down when the tables are turned?
Ricochet heads to the ring.
The One and Only is about to have his ImPAULsive face-to-face with the Maverick, assuming Logan is even really here in Tampa. Ricochet gets the mic to say, “Logan, where you at, homeboy?” Ricochet knows Logan is here, so it is time to come out to the ring and show his stupid face! No? Where are you, Logan? Ricochet knows Logan isn’t hanging out because there is a locker room full of guys who know Logan doesn’t belong. They’re here in Tampa in an arena full of people who know Logan doesn’t belong here! Fans cheer that! And there is one man in this ring right now who knows Logan doesn’t belong here.
It isn’t because Logan isn’t good or doesn’t put in the work. Ricochet admits, Logan has done that. And Logan is good, maybe even “special.” Maybe. But Ricochet is Ricochet, he is special every time he gets in the ring every damn week! Fans cheer that, too! Ricochet says it isn’t about ability that Logan doesn’t belong. No. “Simply put, it’s because you are an arrogant little prick.” And Logan doesn’t even respect anything the wrestlers do! Ricochet and the others dedicate their lives to this. They go days, weeks, months without seeing their families for even just a small chance that they actually get to fight for something bigger than themselves.
Logan doesn’t understand that and he never will! But sure, he can go around, show up when he wants, leave when he wants, that’s okay. Because where Logan is right now, Ricochet is here to say one thing: Ricochet wants a match at SummerSlam! Logan goes around, runs his mouth, talks about fights. If he wants a fight, then a fight- AMBUSH!! Logan cheap shots Ricochet then just shrugs. Logan then picks up the mic, takes out his phone, and selfie videos this for Ricochet to say he accepts the challenge. That’s right, Tampa! He’s gonna show all of you why HE is the best in the WWE! That’s right, guy with the mustache. Smile, you about to be famous. You need to get laid, ya virgins.
Logan laughs and says they all look stupid, But Ricochet KIPS UP AND SUPERKICKS Logan down!! And then STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Ricochet tells Logan, “See you at SummerSlam!” That should shut Logan up for tonight, but will Ricochet shut Logan up and kick him out for good in Detroit?
Backstage interview with Shayna Baszler.
Jackie asks Shayna’s feelings about everything with her and Ronda Rousey. Shayna says she is so sick and tired of hearing “that name.” To always have her name brought up in everything Shayna does, she is just tired of it! Talking hasn’t settled it, a match won’t settle it, Shayna plans on settling this in the only way it can be: at SummerSlam, in a language only she and Ronda know best. At SummerSlam, Shayna will fight Ronda Rousey. Will the Queen of Spades finally trump Rowdy Ronda as the Baddest Woman on the Planet?
Logan Paul storms backstage.
Byron finds him and wants a comment but Logan asks if Byron saw what just happened. “That was unprofessional as hell.” He feels that was inappropriate, and he feels victimized. But none of that matters, because next week, he’ll be in Houston for Raw, and he’ll make sure to pop Ricochet in his “stupid bald head.” No offense, Byron. Logan heads out, but will even payback be bigger in Texas?
Damian Priest VS Apollo Crews!
Senor Dinero En El Banco considers himself the most dangerous man in the WWE today, and he certainly is that for anyone holding a title. But will he prove he doesn’t need back-up to back up his words? Or will Apollo’s return to Raw be humbling for Priest?
Raw returns as Apollo makes his entrance. The bell rings and Priest BOOTS Crews down! Priest soaks up the cheers and jeers, then drags Crews up to TOSS him to a corner! Priest ROCKS Crews, then brings him around, but Crews hits back! Priest knees low, whips Crews to ropes, but Crews ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides under to waistlock and O’Conner, only for Priest to buck that. Things speed up, Crews drops then DROPKICKS Priest! Fans rally up as the two stare down. Priest rushes in but Crews dumps him out! Crews goes out, avoids the leg sweep and mule kicks! Then ASAI MOONSAULTS!
Fans fire up as Crews takes Priest down, then gets him back into the ring. Crews then climbs, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Crews says he’ll raise the roof and fans fire up. Crews lifts Priest, Priest slips free to BELL CLAP! And DECK Crews! Priest then puts Crews in a corner, to run in and STAGE DIVE ELBOW! Then BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Crews is hanging tough but Priest keeps his cool. Priest calls his shot and fans rally. Crews rises, into the choke grip! SOUTH OF- NO, Crews slips free! And JUMP KNEES! And ENZIGURIS! Crews runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Priest drags Crews right up, wrenches, hammerlocks, PEPSI TWIST!
Priest brings down the straps and fans fire up. Priest waits on Crews, and then choke grips, for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
Crews’ return to Raw, ruined by the Punisher. But it was fair and square, so will Priest prove he is the strongest member of the Judgment Day?
Becky Lynch storms around backstage.
She says she told us she’d do it! She even puppets a little skull doohickey to say it. Jackie finds Becky and congratulates her. She must be ecstatic! Yeah, Becky was so focused on not getting a tattoo, that she never got a chance to say The Man has come around to Tampa! And now that she has her rematch with Trish, she’ll say it here: “It ain’t over ’til I win.” Becky hurries off to continue celebrating, will she bring Detroit into the Big Time?
The Viking Raiders speak.
Erik says, “It is known throughout the Nine Realms that no one loves to fight more than Vikings.” Ivar says, “And the gods are pleased when we do battle in their name.” Sarah tells Maxxine, “It is with a glad heart that I accept your foolish challenge. Because after all, the gods do smile upon brave women. But let me offer you one piece of advice: consult those gods, Maxxine. You’re gonna need them.”
Imperium heads to the ring.
Der Ring General leads his soldiers out, ready for a face to face with the Scottish Warrior. But will Gunther, Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser keep things civil with Drew McIntyre? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns as McIntyre makes his entrance and Tampa fires up! McIntyre has his pyro and he storms right down to the ring. McIntyre gets a mic, Gunther has one already, and McIntyre says, “Alright, Gunther, I heard what you had to say last week when I wasn’t here, issuing challenges to Drew McIntyre. I’m here, I’m dressed, I see the Intercontinental Championship. Why don’t we do this right here and now?” Fans like the sound of that! But Gunther says, “So, after all that happened, you want me to put the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on the line, here tonight?” Fans cheer and McIntyre says, “Did I studder?!”
Gunther says Drew wants him to put this title on the line, here in Tampa, Florida. Yes, he DARES him! Gunther says he put prestige back on this title and raised it to a level never seen before, and yet McIntyre wants him to defend it in front of these “degenerates?” Fans boo as Gunther says that is unacceptable. But it makes sense, though. Gunther sees why the fans connect with McIntyre. Because like them, McIntyre’s done nothing in life. McIntyre failed at Clash of the Castle, was humiliated by Gunther at WrestleMania. Gunther grins and tells McIntyre that if he wants to ride on the coat tails, then he accepts. And Gunther will just humiliate McIntyre again at SummerSlam.
McIntyre says okay, if we’re talking about Mania, here’s a quick story. When Sheamus and McIntyre first met, McIntyre was 19 and Sheamus was 42. They wanted to get to a match at Mania, and this past year, they had that! It was over 10 minutes of Brogues, Claymores, top rope dives, and at their weakest, Gunther picked the bones to win the match, as he should have. The personal issue got in the way of a Triple Threat, but now, this will be 1v1. And Gunther will find out why they called McIntyre the Chosen One, the Psychopath, the Scottish Warrior, and when he’s done beating Gunther’s ass, the NEW Intercontinental Champion!!
Fans cheer that, but Ludwig takes up a mic to say nein, nein, nein. Scottish Psycho, Chosen One, wahtever Drew calls himself, how DARE he speak to Der Ring General like that! McIntyre says “I actualyl like you,” Ludwig. Yeah, he has charisma and more exciting than Gunther. Gunther’s like watching paint dry half the time. McIntyre thinks LUDWIG should be the leader of Imperium! Gunther lets Ludwig continue and Ludwig says he is not going to stand here for such disrespect! Oh, well, then since Gunther won’t do something, they’re all dressed to go… How about McIntyre and Ludwig fight right now?
Ludwig gets in McIntyre’s face, so McIntyre calls for a ref. Will the Scottish Warrior wreck the Impeccable German as an example to what’s coming for Gunther?
Drew McIntyre VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Imperium!
Raw returns and this match is official! The bell rings and the two circle. They stare down as fans rally up for McIntyre. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but McIntyre uses his size to put Ludwig in a corner. McIntyre backs off, Ludwig storms up, but McIntyre shoves him back to the corner! And then again! The ref counts, McIntyre lets off slowly, but Ludwig throat chops! Fans boo but Ludwig kicks low, CLUBS him, and then headlocks. McIntyre powers up and powers out. They RAM shoulders, but McIntyre doesn’t budge! Ludwig kicks low, CLUBS McIntyre again, then headlocks, only for McIntyre to power out again.
McIntyre dodges Ludwig to then CLOBBER him! McIntyre scoops Ludwig to SLAM him! Ludwig staggers up, and McIntyre clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up as McIntyre goes out, and he backs Gunther down. McIntyre then storms up to CHOP Ludwig! Ludwig is stinging, and then McIntyre POSTS him! And CHOPS again! McIntyre puts Ludwig in the ring, but Ludwig bails out the side. McIntyre storms up on Ludwig again, to CHOP again! Ludwig throws haymakers in return but McIntyre CHOPS him off his feet! McIntyre drags Ludwig up to RAM him into barriers! McIntyre tells Gunther this is what he’s gonna get. And then he CHOPS Ludwig again!
The ring count is 6 of 10 but McIntyre puts Ludwig into the ring. But Vinci distracts, and Ludwig GAMANGIRIS! Ludwig POSTS McIntyre now! And then drags him in, only for McIntyre to fireman’s carry! Ludwig claws the eyes and slips free, then he POSTS McIntyre again! Ludwig ties McIntyre up in the ropes, runs side to side, and he DROPKCIKS McIntyre to the floor! Imperium stands tall but fans boo as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ludwig is up top, but McIntyre CHOPS him first! And ROCKS him with a haymaker! McIntyre climbs up after Ludwig, to SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Shoutout to Sheamus and both men are down! McIntyre drags himself up the ropes, fans rally and McIntyre starts to rally on Ludwig! McIntyre whips to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Ludwig staggers up, into another OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! And then a NECKBREAKER! Both men are down again, but McIntyre kips up! Fans fire up as McIntyre watches Ludwig stand. Ludwig fights the underhooks to UPPERCUT, but the GLASGOW KISS knocks him down!
McIntyre aims from a corner as Ludwig rises. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- GAMANGIRI!! Cover, TWO!! Ludwig almost had McIntyre there but Gunther coaches him up. Ludwig drags McIntyre up, and Ludwig fires off forearms! But McIntyre shoves him back, only for Ludwig to UPPERCUT and ENIGURI! Ludwig urns, into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Vinci storms up onto the apron, but it’s Gunther who rushes in! Gunther GERMAN SUPLEXES McIntyre, and Imperium mugs him! Fans boo, but here comes RIDDLE! Matt Riddle gets in, Vinci is after him but Riddle boots him away then FINAL FLASH KNEES! But Gunther BOOTS the Bro, to then get him up, GENERAL BOMB!! Gunther then goes out after McIntyre to BOOT him down! Fans boo but Gunther talks trash on McIntyre! Gunther then clears off the desk and fans fire up! Gunther drags McIntyre up, but McIntyre fights the bomb to back drop Gunther! And then McIntyre brings Gunther up! POWERBOMB through the desk!!
Fans are thunderous as the Intercontinental Champion is down! McIntyre holds up the belt, will he be taking it home after these two battle at SummerSlam?
Backstage interview with Ronda Rousey.
Jackie asks Ronda about Shayna’s comments, that it will be less a match but a fight at SummerSlam. What’s her response? Uh, a fight? Shayna can’t challenge Ronda to “a fight.” Ronda doesn’t get in “a fight.” Whenever Ronda fights, it’s THE fight. So challenge accepted! Does this mean the stakes are raised on an already explosive encounter between them?
Finn Balor heads to the ring.
The Prince makes his way back out here, because it is time to sign on the dotted line. A rematch from Money in the Bank, a battle at SummerSlam, where this all started seven YEARS ago. But will it be as easy as writing their names? Or will the Judgment Day continue to do whatever they want here on Raw?
Raw returns once more and Finn is at the table. Finn opens the folder, take a mic, and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Pearce was supposed to be here to oversee this contract signing, but due to the chaos The Judgment Day have caused tonight, he seems to somewhat have his hands full. But alas, I’m a professional.” Fans already sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” and Finn says that Seth Rollins is a professional. Seth wants this match, Finn wants this match, so they can handle this like gentlemen. So Seth, how about you come out here, sign this contract, and they can make this match for SummerSlam official.
“BURN IT DOWN!” The fans fire up as Rollins makes his entrance, swaggering in a pearl white suite, belt around his waist. Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins steps into the ring and swaggers to the table. Rollins takes a pen, finds his spot in the contract, and signs his name. Then he spins that around and slides it to Finn before taking a seat and putting his feet up. Finn takes the other pen, finds his spot in the contract, and Rollins says, “Oh… Well looky here, Tampa. Finn Balor finally figured out what we all have known for a long, long time, and that’s that you have absolute ZERO chance of walking out SummerSlam as a World Heavyweight Champion!”
Now the most obvious scenario is Rollins beats Finn’s ass, Finn mopes away, and the whole world sings his song! “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” But miracles happen every day, and so if someway, somehow, Finn IS the better man, Finn’s World title reign will end up even shorter than his Universal title one, because his boy, Damian Priest, is just gonna cash in on Finn right then and there! Rollins knows it, and he knows Finn knows it, because Finn would do the exact same thing to Priest. So keep chasing the ghosts, Finn. Because SummerSlam won’t be the coronation of the Judgment Day, no no. It will be the END of the Judgment Day!
Rollins drops the mic and fans cheer, but Finn smirks. Then the smirk becomes a grin, and Finn signs the contract. Finn then takes the mic back up and says Rollins sure thinks he has it all figured out. Rollins thinks he is just so smart. Seth Freakin’ Rollins, the Architect, thinks he runs this place. But he doesn’t. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. And see, Rollins said if Finn loses, he loses. And he also said, if he wins, he loses. But wait, here comes the Judgment Day from all sides! Finn says he’s been losing for seven YEARS, and it has slowly been driving him insane. And it’s all because of ROLLINS.
Priest, Dom and Rhea reach the ring from the three sides, and Finn says, “Y’know what that insanity feels like? It feels like an itch. IT feels like an itch that you just can’t scratch. It feels like a seven year itch. But at SummerSlam, I’m gonna make you my seven year B*TCH!” Rollins smirks as he is now surrounded. But he TOSSES the table at Priest! And then fires off on Finn! Dom gets in, but Rollins gives him some! Rollins TOSSES Dom, but Priest CLOBBERS Rollins with the briefcase! And then both he and Finn look at it. But before either says a word, here comes Sami and a chair!
Sami gets in, he dodges Priest to JAM Finn! And then he JAMS Priest, and SMACKS him! And JAMS Dom, but Rhea stops Sami! Finn TACKLES Sami and rains down fists! Fans boo as Finn stomps away, and the Judgment Day now drag Sami up. They clear furniture out, almost hitting referees! SOUTH OF HEAVEN for Sami!! Dom kicks Sami out, then the Judgment Day buries Sami under the furniture! Rollins gets up, throws his jacket off, but he’s in another 4v1 scenario. So he just goes for Finn! The Judgment Day beats Rollins down, not listening to the refs! Finn rips Rollins’ shirt open, feeds him to Priest, and Priest hits RAZOR’S EDGE!!
Finn drags Seth to a drop zone and Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!! Then Finn adds COUP DE GRACE!! Fans boo as the Judgment Day stands tall, and Finn says that Rollins better enjoy what time he’s got left. At SummerSlam, this seven year grudge is OVER! Will Judgment Day truly run Raw and the entirety of WWE?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, though something about the flow felt off by the last hour. Granted, they sprung a great match on us with McIntyre VS Ludwig, and great win for McIntyre to then also get in a brawl alongside Riddle. Riddle goes down but McIntyre takes out Gunther, so as it stands, it feels like McIntyre ain’t winning at SummerSlam. Gunther will make it past Macho Man Randy Savage on the single-reign rankings, and hopefully they build the IC title as a start attraction for Payback in September, where Gunther is going to be at the doorstep of eclipsing Honky Tonk Man. I honestly can’t think of who it’ll be, though, but there’s a way to give us something huge.
In relation to the episode’s flow problem, there just seemed to be a lot of promos tonight, like they were trying to fill time. Now, I really liked the little bits we got from Shayna and Ronda to go from “match” to “fight,” and maybe we get some kind of MMA Rules thing, or the first Women’s Fight Pit match, something to relate how these two are legit. And I like that we’re not just getting Maxxine VS Sarah Logan 1v1 but potentially getting the first “Academy Rules” match, aka a Street Fight that’s school themed with chalkboards, individual student chair-desks, textbooks, maybe an old pointer stick in place of a kendo stick, I’d love to see that.
Good stuff from Nakamura and Ciampa, and a great match from Ciampa VS Reed, but of course Nakamura costs Ciampa. Nakamura VS Ciampa needs to be as amazing as we know it can be, but I do have this weird feeling that while Gargano returns to team with Ciampa for DIY reunited, we’re now getting #Mizuke as Nakamura actually sides with Miz on this issue. Or maybe Nakamura and Reed team up, that’d be better. And Ricochet had a solid promo, and of course Logan attacks. But great move that Ricochet gets up after the sucker punch to give something back. These two are definitely going to have a highly athletic match, perhaps a show-stealer kind.
Great match of Becky VS Stark, with Trish trying and failing to screw Becky over again, which is what was expected. Becky VS Trish at SummerSlam is going to be so good, and I can only hope Lita returns to keep Stark from helping Trish so that this can finish and Becky can move on to the title or something like that. And of course, a great promo from Cody Rhodes to fire up the fans, and he puts more of that Cody Rhodes passion into the build towards this blowoff with Brock. I don’t think Cody will actually “embarrass/humiliate” Brock but this has to be the best of their matches.
And perhaps more than past weeks, the Judgment Day was truly all over Raw tonight. I do appreciate them just inflating Dom’s ego more with the individual entrance and the various video packages, that is all good stuff. And of course Sami & Kevin confront them again, with a great promo of their own. Great NXT North American Championship match so Dom gets a second defense on his record. With Great American Bash next Sunday, before SummerSlam, I do hope Dom defends the title against Wes and Ali, and a Triple Threat can be the way he loses the belt after just two weeks without taking the pin.
And of course Dom wins here with that distraction of Kevin getting beat up. Kevin is said to have a real injury, though nothing so bad as to keep him away, but this beatdown was the kayfabe way for giving him time. Similarly, Liv getting injured by Rhea in place of a match, perhaps that is a way to help Liv take time off with a kayfabe reason. And Priest gets a “surprise” match with Apollo Crews. Poor Crews. I thought he was hitting his stride in his NXT “callback” and then he gets drafted back to Raw just so he can fill out the roster and take a loss like this. Maybe he should’ve been put on SmackDown so he could feud with Austin Theory instead.
But Judgment Day helped Raw close out strong with that contract signing segment that of course turned into a brawl. Great promos from Finn and Rollins, great move for Sami to go after the Judgment Day only to be beat down, but there was also a great moment where Finn and Priest did seem to question if they really were going to stick to Finn VS Rollins. But the match at SummerSlam is going to be awesome, there will probably be references to SummerSlam 2016 just like at MITB this year, and because Priest is Mr. MITB, it really is hard to predict what will happen, and that makes this fun.
My Score: 8.8/10
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One step away from the Cup!
David Finlay awaits in the New Japan Cup finals, and will either face Shota Umino or Shingo Takagi! Can the Roughneck slay the Rampaging Dragon?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata; Kojima & Nagata win.
- 10 Man Tag: The United Empire VS El Phantasmo, Jado, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Daiki Nagai; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Shota wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture!
Yota Tsuji was cheated out of the New Japan Cup by the King of Darkness, but that’s no surprise. However, that means Evil has a golden ticket to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. Will Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi help Darkness Fall? Or can Testuya Naito & Bushi help Yota keep everything tranquilo?
Even now, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Eventually, the pants are put aside, and Naito is wearing the new Tendedero merch shirt. LIJ fist bumps, but The House attacks! The fans boo but the bell rings so this is on record. Evil has Yota on the outside and he CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yujiro CHOKES Naito, Dick bumps Bushi off buckles, and then Yujiro TOSSES Naito! Dick CHOKES Bushi now, then he and Yujiro double whip. Dick runs corner to corner but Bushi dodges! Bushi BOOTS Yujiro, then headlocks Dick! BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Bushi hurries to tag Naito.
Naito stomps Yujiro, Bushi joins in, and Evil protests. Evil runs in, but into an atomic drop! Evil staggers away to a corner, Naito & Bushi whip Yujiro into him! Evil falls, Naito kicks Yujiro, and holds him in place, for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer. Naito then covers, TWO! Tokyo Pimp is tougher than that, but Naito drags Yujiro up to cravat. Yujiro endures the neck wrench, Naito CLUBS him then whips. Yujiro reverses and Dick gets a cheap shot in! Yujiro runs, but Bushi gets as cheap shot in! Naito runs but Evil trips him up! Dick BLASTS Bushi, Yujiro BLASTS Yota, and Evil drags Naito out.
Evil RAMS Naito into the timekeeper! Abe-san again suffers at the hands of Evil! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Evil drags Naito up. Evil pushes Naito into the ring, then he and Dick loosen the blue buckle pad. Yujiro covers Naito, TWO! Yujiro drags Naito up while the fans rally, but Yujiro snapmares to drop a leg! And he drops another leg! And another leg! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, but Yujiro taunts LIJ. Yujiro drags Naito up, bumps him off Evil’s boot, and then he tags Evil in. Evil CLAWS Naito’s eyes then stomps away on the legs! The ref reprimands, Evil drags Naito out, and then Evil stomps the leg more!
Evil drops an ELBOW on the knee! Evil pulls on the leg in a toehold, then traps the leg in a leg scissors! Yota runs in and stomps Evil, but Dick TOSSES Yota back out! Evil pulls on the leg, almost has an ankle lock, but Naito has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go, and he tags in Dick. They split the wishbone on Naito! The fans rally for Naito but Dick throws down fists. Cover, TWO! Naito is tougher than that and the fans continue to rally. Dick is annoyed, but Naito fires body shots on him! Dick CLAWS Naito’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Dick whips. Naito reverses and ELBOWS Dick, to then arm-drag him!
Naito dropkicks Dick’s legs out! The fans rally, Dick and Naito crawl, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota CLOBBERS Dick, then BLASTS the House! But Dick CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yota runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota runs corner to corner, to SPLASH! Yota scoops and SLAMS to then run and BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he paces around. Yota drags Dick up, suplexes, but Dick fights that! Dick wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches Yota! Tag to Evil and they mug Yota! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dick & Evil stand Yota up.
Dick & Evil double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Yota down! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that and the fans rally up, but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil drags Yota to his feet, talks more trash on the fans, but the fans give that back. Evil “puts one out” on Yota, then fireman’s carries! Yota slips free to ROCK Evil! The fans fire up with Yota, he runs, but Evil goes the other way! But Yota catches the pounce into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! The Gene Combination hits and the fans fire up! Evil sputters, Yota rolls and tags in Bushi. Bushi runs up to dropkick Evil’s legs out! Then Bushi BLASTS Dick!
Yujiro kicks Bushi, whips him to ropes, but Bushi reverses to dropkick the legs out! Evil is back but Bushi DECKS him! Bushi then builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Evil is sent into railing! The fans fire up, Bushi puts Evil back in, and Bushi aims from a corner. Bushi runs corner to corner to ELBOW Evil, then he puts a leg in the ropes to DROPKICK it! Bushi brings Evil out and has the leg, but Evil pulls on the mask! Bushi breaks free, kicks, but Evil blocks, hands it to the ref, and mule kicks Bushi down! Dick & Yujiro BLAST Naito & Yota off the apron! They then double whip Bushi to a corner! Dick ELBOWS Bushi! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS!
Dick goes up, Evil & Yujiro hold Bushi open, and the ref reprimands! No one to distract him this time! But then Evil just grabs the ref and turns him around! The ref can’t get free, Bushi suffers the DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and the fans fire up! Evil is stunned but he brushes that off. Evil paces around Bushi, slashes his throat, and vows to end this! Evil drags Bushi up, spins him, EVERY- NO, Naito gets in to kick Evil down! Yujiro is in, Evil distracts the ref, and Yujiro blocks a kick to LOW BLOW Naito!! The fans boo, but Yota runs up! Yujiro blocks his kick, and trips him up, to FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW!!
The fans boo but Evil still holds onto the ref. Bushi stands, Evil shoves the ref at him! Bushi pushes the ref aside, and he blocks the low blow! But Dick LOW BLOWS from the other side! Evil & Dick get Bushi up, for MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, the House of Torture wins!!
Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall
But they’re not done, as they beat up on Yota now! They snatch the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship from him, and Evil holds it up. The fans boo, but Evil takes aim at Yota! But Yota LOW BLOWS Dick! And he dodges Evil’s attack to then pop-up LOW BLOW! Yujiro has his pimp cane! Yota blocks that, takes the cane, and LOW BLOWS Yujiro with it! The fans fire up behind Yota as he takes his belt back. Yota holds it up to show that not everything is Evil! Will the Gene Blast stop the House of Torture from having more gold?
2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!
The Paradigm Shift has certainly taken a turn after The Roughneck gave up his fiery red locks. Shota has changed up his style in the ring to match his new look, but will this Second Chapter lead to the Cup? Or will this young hero fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. They’re strongly behind “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” but Shota doesn’t let that bother him. Shota and Takagi slowly step forward, feel things out, then clinch. Takagi waistlocks but Shota turns around to facelock. Takagi wrenches out and has a wristlock, but Shota rolls, wrenches back, and then hammerlocks. Takagi reaches back to headlock and he hits the takeover, but Shota headscissors. Takagi kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and feel things out again. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength! Shota has the leverage but Takagi powers up.
Takagi breaks a grip, wrenches, headlocks, and he grinds the hold. The fans rally up while Shota endures. Shota pries at the headlock but Takagi keeps it on tight. Shota powers up and out the back, then headlocks in return. Takagi endures the grind now, and he powers up and out! They RAM shoulders, Shota keeps going to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RAM Shota, but Shota stands his ground! Shota fires a forearm, Takagi fires a DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi whips, but Shota reverses to scoop, HOTSHOT, and then he RUNS Takagi over! The fans fire up while Takagi bails out. Shota waits on Takagi, and the fans rally up again.
Takagi takes his time stepping back inside, and he resets with Shota. They knuckle lock, but then Shota shoots in and trips Takagi up. Shota stomps that leg, then he SMASHES the knee off the mat! Shota stalks Takagi to a corner, then puts the leg around ropes. The fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Shota pulls on the leg. Shota then brings Takagi out to trip him, and Shota stomps away on the leg. Shota drops an ELBOW on the knee, and pulls on the toehold! Takagi endures, works his way back, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go, but then he drops a knee on the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Shota stomps Takagi’s leg again.
Shota drags Takagi up, facelocks and turns him, but Takagi elbows free! Takagi runs in at the corner but Shota BOOTS him! Shota runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! Shota staggers around while the fans fire up, and Takagi LARIATS Shota up and out! Shota staggers into railing then slumps down. The fans rally behind Takagi while he shakes out the bad leg. Takagi goes out to fetch Shota, and he drags Shota back up. Takagi RAMS Shota into the apron, then RAMS him in again! Takagi whips Shota hard into railing and Shota slumps down! Red Shoes wants Takagi to get this back in the ring, so Takagi rolls in.
The fans applaud and the ring count begins. Shota is still down at 5 of 20, sits up at 8, and he rises up at 10. Shota stands at 13 and hobbles his way over. Shota rolls in at 15, but Takagi stands on him! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi marches in place before he steps off. Takagi KICKS Shota in the back, then drags him up to whip. Takagi KNEES Shota at the ropes, then runs to CLOBBER Shota! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Shota up, reels him in and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shota is tougher than that, but Takagi looks to the camera. Then he wags his finger, it’s not time yet.
Takagi clamps onto Shota with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Shota endures, so Takagi sits him up and shifts around to also trap an arm. Shota endures being twisted and turned, and he kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, and Takagi lets go, only to BELL CLAP! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi brings Shota around to SENTON! The fans cheer more and Takagi stands back up. Takagi looms over Shota, kicks him around, but Shota just gets mad. Shota glares at Takagi so Takagi eggs him on. Shota stands to fire a forearm! Takagi shakes his head, so Shota fires another forearm! And another!
Takagi wobbles a bit and Shota fires a flurry! But then Takagi blocks one to wrench and knuckle lock! Takagi goes up the ropes!? The fans fire up, but Shota breaks free! Takagi gives thumbs down, and the fans boo, but Takagi HIP ATTACKS Shota down! Takagi rallies the fans behind him, then reels Shota in. But Shota BACKDROPS free! Takagi gets up fast, but Shota dropkicks the legs! Shota turns Takagi for a NECKBREAKER! Shota snarls, goes to a corner, and the fans rally again. Takagi stands, Shota runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota stays clam.
Shota drags Takagi up and reels him in, but Takagi fights the lift! Shota CLUBS Takagi, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks a boot! KNEE JAMMER, and then a SHIN BREAKER! Shota turns Takagi over for the STF! The fans rally as Takagi endures and Shota pulls on the hold! Takagi reaches out, crawls his way over, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shota lets go in frustration. Shota stands Takagi back up to reel him back in, but again Takagi fights the lift! Shota KNEES Takagi again and again, then tries again. Takagi still fights that lift! Takagi CLUBS at the legs, but Shota CLUBS away on Takagi’s back!
Shota UPPERCUTS into a spin! Takagi suplexes, Shota fights it, so Takagi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Shota crawls away to a corner while Takagi slaps his leg into working. Takagi watches Shota stand, then he runs in. Takagi blocks a boot, CLUBS the leg, and he LARIATS Shota down! The fans fire up and Takagi gets them even more fired up. Takagi stands Shota up, but Shota fires forearms! Takagi SHOVES Shota down, but Shota is right up to fire more forearms! Takagi THROWS Shota down, but Shota’s right up to fire forearms! Takagi YUKON LARIATS outta nowhere!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi rises and grabs at Shota but Shota shakes him off. Takagi still tries to stand Shota up but Shota kicks him now! So Takagi short arm LARIATS Shota down! And he short arm LARIATS again! Then a scoop for a SLAM, and Takagi goes up! YUKON ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Shota up, and hits a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Into an STF! Takagi gives Shota a taste of his own medicine! Shota endures, the fans rally, and then Takagi shifts to Just Facelock! Shota still endures, then fights around and reaches out. Takagi shifts to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota still endures!
Shota reaches out but Takagi pulls on that arm! The fans rally, Takagi puts as much as he can into the Fujiwara, but Shota fights and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Takagi lets off, and he throws some elbows down for good measure. Takagi then brings Shota up, puts him on the top rope, and he fires ridge hand chops! Takagi climbs up, goes to the very top, and hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up and Shota writhes! Takagi covers, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again. Takagi finally says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has finally come! They then join in with “OI! OI! OI!”
Takagi stalks Shota, brings him up, and pump handles, only for Shota to fight the lift! Shota slips free, half nelsons, but Takagi elbows free! Shota UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Shota winds up and runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Shota gets around to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Takagi’s right up to SNAP GERMAN! Shota’s right up, ducks a lariat, and he SNAP GERMANS! Shota roars, runs up, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Shota go to opposite ends, and the fans rally up.
Takagi goes to a corner, drags himself up, and Shota is in the other corner. The fans rally harder, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! So they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Both stay up, Takagi SWATS a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then he whips Shota, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Takagi’s right up!? But Shota LARIATS him back down!! Shota also falls and the fans rally back up! Takagi and Shota stir, and Shota crawls his way over to Takagi. The “SHOTA! SHOTA!” fans are showing up now, and he reels Takagi in, for a POWERBOMB!! High stack cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up again and Shota fires himself up. Takagi slowly rises up, Shota runs, but Takagi swats the lariat! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- SHOTGUN! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER again!! Both men are down again as we hit 20 minutes! Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Takagi crawls over to Shota. The dueling is starting to sound even, and Takagi brings Shota up. Shota fires boxing elbows, then a ROLLING- NO, Takagi catches him! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Takagi shouts out Milano Collection AT with how he tucks Shota’s arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!
Shota survives but Takagi keeps moving, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Takagi gets going again, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and shocks everyone! Takagi thinks on what he must do now, and he brings Shota back up. The fans rally, Takagi pump handles and torture racks! But Shota kicks and flails to get free! Shota LARIATS, but Takagi stays up while Shota drops to his knees! Takagi shakes his head, brings Shota up again, but Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi goes to a corner, Shota fires forearms and an elbow, then a ROLLING ELBOW! Takagi stays up to ELBOW! JAB! And whip!
Shota reverses, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Shota brings Takagi to his feet for the fisherman and SECOND- NO, Takagi fights that to scoop Shota! LANDSLIDE DRIVER!! The fans rally up again and Takagi watches Shota rise. Takagi runs, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Shota falls on the cover, ONE?!?! Shota gest going again, SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi will not be beat at his own game and the fans fire up! Shota goes to a corner as the fans are dueling, and Shota BUSAIKU KNEES! Then he hooks the leg, SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!
Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
The Rampaging Dragon has been slain! Perhaps if this was the Shota from before New Beginning, the story would be different, but the Second Chapter writes Takagi out of the tournament. Will Takagi battle his way to the top from a different path?
As for Shota, he decides not to say anything, and exits the ring. But wait! David Finlay & Gedo make their way out here! Gedo grabs the mic to ask, “Oi, kid, where’d you go? Get back out yere, you punk! Get back here, kid!” Shota responds to that taunting and makes his way back out. Gedo tells Shota, “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but do you realize who you’re facing in the finals? The Savage King, David Finlay! He’s crazy strong, kid! Tougher than you can imagine! Whatever it took for you tog et here, in an instant, it’ll be destroyed! Get over here, ya punk! Get over here! I wanna know how much you want this!”
“You want to come in here, say your piece? Just try!” Gedo drops the mic for Shota, and then Shota stares Finlay down. Shota picks the mic up, and he tells Finlay, “I promise I will beat you.” Finlay likes the sound of that. These two stare down, and we are just days away from them battling for it all! Who will be the 2025 New Japan Cup Champion, and the man aimed squarely at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for New Japan Cup, but with as much filler as yesterday’s event. The War Dogs sure have their hands in many things, as does the House of Torture with how Evil is building to a title match with Yota Tsuji. The War Dogs and House of Torture going to Double Count-Out Draw again was a good move, it keeps both sides equal as we wait for them to do whatever huge faction warfare match they’re planning. As for Yota VS Evil, hard to say at this point as House of Torture won the match but then Yota stood tall after that scrap. It’d be really weird if Evil gets that title off Yota just to be a transitional champion to Finlay so that Finlay can get “his” title back.
Shota VS Shingo was a great match, but the crowd really took a second to get into it. There still seems to be a number of fans who are uncertain on Shota so they didn’t feel like cheering right away, but Shota got them on his side as things heated up. Shota winning makes sense, he’s got this new attitude and so that’s part of the push. I hope he changes his aesthetic enough once we get to the finals on March 20th. Take those all white paints, airbrush something on them that helps represent what “Second Chapter” Shota is about, or even just go with a solid color like red or blue to indicate the change visually. As for who wins, that is anyone’s guess, as Finlay will have to circle back to the Bullet Club Civil War at some point.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Adrenaline in Brussels, every thought out of control!
Cody Rhodes has called him out and now it’s the moment of truth: Will John Cena return to Monday Night Raw live from Brussels, Belgium?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser; Penta wins.
- Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile; Dakota wins.
- Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller; Jey wins.
- The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee; Rey & Lee win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor; Bron wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA IS HERE!
Brussels erupts with booing as the traitorous GOAT makes his way out. He’s wearing the custom Belgium merchandise, but not even that is enough to appease the fans, and they still sing, “John Cena SUCKS~!” Cena grabs the mic and paces around while the fans boo and give thumbs down. The dueling does begin, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” and Cena just stands there to let it play out. Then he drops the mic and turns to leave, but that makes everyone boo! Cena picks up the mic, fans chant, “You Sold Out!” so Cena drops the mic again. The fans boo, so Cena picks the mic back up.
Cena finally speaks, “When someone is properly grounded in life… They shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” Fans chant and sing at Cena some more, but Cena says they are making this so easy for him. “For 25 years, I’ve been the victim, okay? I have been the victim of an abusive relationship. No, no, no, you have lost your time to talk!” The fans say, “You Sold Out!” Cena says fine, take the floor. But what do they do with it? They just abuse and bully him into being their damn puppet, and expect him to do it with a smile on his face! NO MORE! The fans tell Cena off, and he lets them say it. “So very classy. Thank you.”
“Look, I am not a ‘baby face,’ I am not a ‘heel.’ I’m a human being. And each and every one of you has been AWFUL to me! Go ahead, go ahead! You’ve been awful!” The fans boo more, but Cena says it has been the same damn noise for 25 YEARS! When he first got here, the fans let him know really loud that they hated him. Moments of embarrassment and shame, they let him know he wasn’t worthy of them. So he changed himself, and it worked for a second, but then it wasn’t enough! So what’d he do? He worked hard like always, he started to win and win and win and win, and win and win and win and win!
But oh, he won a lot, and fans hated it! It wasn’t enough! So what’d Cena do? He spent 10 YEARS giving away everything he possibly could, and it still wasn’t enough! The fans tell Cena to STFU, but he just smirks and shakes his head. In his final moments, what’s the only thing he can do? He can walk away. Wow, and now you cheer. But he announced his retirement in a move no one has done before. He really is walking away at the end of this year. He tried one last time to get along with the fans. He tried one last time to do something nice, but they ruined it! Just like they ruin everything!
Because just like right here tonight, it was great for two seconds, and then it wasn’t enough! The fans sing “Hey Hey Hey~, Goodbye~!” Cena says, “Each one of these idiots is proving my point with every breath. My point is, no matter what I do, it is never enough, and you should all be ashamed of yourselves. All you ever do is take. You take, you take, and you take! And you only care about yourselves! I put my values on the line to make a very important choice in my life, and all you could think is, ‘What do we get?’ My story changed! ‘What do we get? John Cena’s coming to my town! What do we get? This is trending! What do we get?’
“Not one of you SOBs asked me how I feel. No one! It’s just ‘What do we get? What do we get?’ YOU GET NOTHING! You get what you have earned, and what you have earned is NOTHING! You don’t get a new look, because you dress like me, I don’t dress like you idiots! You don’t get new music! That is MY voice on that song, and your time is finally up! And my time is finally now! The only thing you get is to take a long look in the mirror to see how awful each and every one of you has been for 25 years to me!” The fans still boo, and even shift to, “We Want Cody!” Oh, they want Cody? OH~, of course! The brand new, shiny toy! Because they’re about to put this one out to pasture.
Like he said, they’re just proving his point that they’re awful people. And that’s every single person here! No one is safe, no one can hide, especially those he can pick out in the crowd. This guy, that guy in the front row, and that other guy. Yes, he sees them. The “Let’s Go Cena” people. They’re the ones who support Cena. The dueling begins again, and Cena says, “You hear that, world? The Cena Sucks Jagoffs, they have already proved themselves awful people. I’m about ot tell you why the Let’s Go Cena people are just as awful. You claim to support me? What have you ever done? What have you, you, you, what have you ever done to support me, huh?!
“What have you ever done for me? All you ever do is steal from me! You steal! You steal my personal moments! You steal my time! You have made me your freakin’ toy! I am an object to you! You have made me the butt to a stupid ‘invisible’ joke for 15 years, and you still think it’s funny! It is NOT funny! It is pathetic! You are pathetic.” Fans tell Cena off again, but Cena says they don’t wanna hear this, huh? Not ready to hear this? Not ready to lean into the uncomfortable conversation. The truth is, the fans don’t wear his merch to support him. They wear it to feel good. They wear words like Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, but Cena LIVES them.
The fans think they can buy the words “Never Give Up?” Cena is the definition of perseverance, and everyone here knows it! “You do not support me. What you do is you use me as an excuse for your pathetic failure of a life. Because all you’ve ever done there for 25 years is sit on your ass and watch me be great! NO MORE! This, everybody, including that one kid right there, is a toxic, dysfunctional relationship! Oh, you don’t wanna hear it, huh? It’s too tough for ya? Well listen to this. I’m breaking up with you. I’m done. I’m breaking up with every single person. Whether you like me or you don’t, you’re dumped.
“I don’t need you anymore. I don’t care about you. And you don’t matter to me. And here’s the thing. There’s no noise you can make, there is nothing you can do, because you know I’m right and you know you are wrong!” WAIT! Here comes Cody! Brussels erupts with cheers this time, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, continues down the ramp and high-fives fans, and Cena just waits on Cody. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and more pyro as Cody throws off his jacket and steps into the ring with Cena. Cody raises the Undisputed WWE Championship, the fans cheer, and then Cody gets himself a mic.
The fans cheer as the song dies down and Cena scowls. The fans sing, “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~! CODY, CODY RHOOODES~!” Cody lifts the belt again and the fans cheer more. Cody then finally says, “I think everybody was willing to hear you out, even myself. If I understood correctly from what you just said, they’ve given you their worst. Sure, they might’ve given you their worst. But they’ve also given you their best for 25 years, and they did that because you were special. They did that because you were special. They did that because you could take it. They did that because you could carry it!” The fans cheer that.
Cena says, “Look, kid,” but Cody tells him, “ENOUGH! And it’s certainly not ‘kid.’ It’s champion!” The fans cheer that, too! And Cody wants to ask Cena something. “Who the hell are you? Where’s the guy on this shirt? Right here! Even after what you did, I was excited at the prospect of going week to week, face to face, with John Cena. And instead, I got this. Well this better not show up at WrestleMania. Because if it does, I run it over, I run it out, because I already took its best shot and it wasn’t good enough, I retire it early! So go find John Cena, because I wanna wrestle him at WrestleMania 41, not this whiny b*tch!”
Cody drops his mic and leaves the ring, the fans all fired up! Cody gives Cena one last look before he makes his way back up the ramp. The fans sing for “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~!” again, and he again lifts the belt. Cena is still in the ring, so the fans boo. Cena drops his mic, exits the ring, and the fans again sing “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye~!” Cena gives them one last look before he goes backstage. Will this Cena be all we get from now until the end of 2025?
No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser!
After going back and forth, and even adding Pete Dunne to the mix, the Man with No Fear and the Impeccable German have it out with nothing holding them back! Will Penta show Kaiser what #CeroMiedo looks like when it is fully unleashed? Or will Kaiser say NEIN to another loss?
Raw returns and Penta makes his entrance. The fans fire up with the pyro, and “CERO! MIEDO!” The fans even sing, “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CEROOO~, MIEDOOO~!” The bell rings and Penta eggs Kaiser on. Kaiser is annoyed with the fans, but then he and Penta start throwing hands! Kaiser gets the edge, but Penta avoids the lariat to CHOP Kaiser down! Kaiser staggers, Penta runs up, and Penta LARIATS Kaiser up and out! Then Penta slides out, runs up, but Kaiser THROWS him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans boo, but Penta gets up on the barriers! Penta tightrope walks his way to FLYING RANA Kaiser into the apron!
The fans fire up with Penta and he pursues, but Kaiser bails out. Kaiser grabs chairs, puts them in the ring, but Penta runs up to DROPKICK Kaiser down! Penta then builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit, the fans fire up, but then the fans cheer as Penta clears the commentary desk! Penta puts Kaiser up there, CHOPS him, but Kaiser CHOPS back! They CHOPS go back and forth, the fans cheer and boo. Penta fires off a flurry, but Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s face! Then KAISER ROLL on the desk! The fans lose their minds while Kaiser stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Kaiser has Penta up top, and he CLAWS at the mask! But Penta fights Kaiser off! The fans fire up as Kaiser staggers, and Penta CROSSBODIES! Kaiser staggers up, Penta dodges and KICKS Kaiser in the leg! Then SLING-DOG! Kaiser flounders to a corner, Penta whips, but Kaiser reverses. Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Penta rises. Penta aims from a corner, calls his shot, and runs up, but into a GAMANGIRI! Kaiser fireman’s carries, KAISER ROLL again, then cover! TWO! Penta survives, but Kaiser kicks him out of the ring. Kaiser UPPERCUTS Penta, then RAMS him into steel steps!
The fans boo, Kaiser leaves Penta behind, but only to go out the side. Kaiser gets running, wanting his favorite shot! But Penta BACKDROPS Kaiser onto the desk! The fans are thunderous as Kaiser writhes! Penta has the fans singing again, and he brings Kaiser off the desk to put in the ring. Penta stalks Kaiser, but Kaiser SMACKS Penta! The fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but Penta CHOPS! Kaiser fires a haymaker, Penta fires back, and the two stand. Kaiser ROCKS Penta, but Penta ROCKS Kaiser! The haymakers keep going, then Penta trades CHOPS with Kaiser’s haymakers! Penta fires a flurry of forearms, then says “CERO! MIEDO!”
Penta runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Kaiser SLAMS him down! BLINDSIDE SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Penta survives but Kaiser stalks him to ropes. Kaiser tells Penta to listen to him! Penta will fear KAISER! Kaiser will teach Penta what it means to fear! Kaiser CLUBS Penta down, the fans sing for Penta, but Kaiser grabs a chair. Kaiser dares Penta to get up, and then he SMACKS Penta on the back! Penta scrambles to a corner but Kaiser grins as he storms up. Kaiser CHOKES Penta with the chair and shouts, “Are you scared? Say it!” Kaiser wants Penta to admit he’s afraid, but Penta just powers up! The fans fire up as Penta pushes Kaiser back! “CERO! MIEDO!”
Kaiser drags Penta up, clinches, but Penta WRINGS that arm, then has the other! THE SACRIFICE!! Kaiser writhes, clutches that elbow, but now Penta has the chair! Penta winds up but Kaiser wants mercy! Penta shakes his head but Kaiser says he gives up?! Kaiser says Penta wins? Penta isn’t sure about that, but then Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s eyes! Kaiser has th echair, but Penta SUPERKICKS the chair into Kaiser! Then he SMACKS Kaiser! Then he gives the chair back to SUPERKICK it into Kaiser again! Penta goes up, Kaiser staggers around, and Penta reels him in, FLYING MEXICAN DESTROYER on the chair!!
The fans are losing their minds, but Penta then hits a PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Brussels gives this brutal opener a standing ovation! Will Penta now leave Kaiser in the past to go for bigger and better prizes? Cathy Kelley interviews Penta on the ramp and congratulates him on the win. That was a definitive end to that match, and we’re on the Road to WrestleMania. What is next for Penta? Penta says first off all, THANK YOU, BRUSSELS! They are amazing, he loves ’em! But the Penta New Era is here! It is alive in Europe, but also in every continent in the world! What is next for Penta? Listen: THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP!
Penta wants to tell everyone that he doesn’t care what he has to do, he WILL be champion! Because he is Penta, and he has CERO MIEDO! That very title is on the line later tonight, will Penta be aimed at Bron Breakker or Finn Balor for WrestleMania?
Dakota Kai heads to gorilla.
Iyo Sky gives her a pep talk before her match, but uh, is that Dominik Mysterio talking with Karrion Kross? Is Dom still trying to recruit new members? Or is Mr. Doomsday giving Dom some special advice of his own?
The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Carlito is adding to the great graffiti backstage, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez talk about how Dominik should’ve taken the match with Bron Breakker instead of- Finn walks in! Liv & Raquel say hey, and they wish him luck tonight. Finn thanks them for that, and he wishes them the best of luck in their matches. Jade Cargill is gonna be another stop on the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour! And Raquel, by this time next week, they’ll both be Intercontinental- Oh, Dom walks in! Hey, bud! The man of the moment! Finn knows Dom knows, but Finn wants to say from the bottom of his heart, thanks for getting him the title match.
Dom says of course! Whatever it takes to get Judgment Day back on top. But here’s the thing… Dom was talking with some people, and he has an idea. Oh, an idea? Is Dom sure he should say this? Dom says it’ll be okay. Ever since JD McDonagh went down, they kinda lost some muscle around here. So Dom found the perfect person to add to the Judgment Day! Finn is annoyed and asks who. Penta! Finn wants to get something straight. After all this time, and after all they’ve been through, Dom goes behind Finn’s back, has all these conversations with all these people, and the one he lands on… is offering a spot to Penta, the guy who just declared HE wants Finn’s Intercontinental title?!
Finn seethes, and tells Dom he’s just a snake! Finn storms out, the mood ruined. Dom didn’t know Penta was gonna go for the title. Carlito says Dom doesn’t watch the product, huh? Well, Dom stepped in it this time. Is there some way he can he make it up to Finn? Or should he just give up on adding members?
Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile w/ Team American Made!
Speaking of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, both #CobraKai and the Diamond Pitbull have fought for and failed to take that title from Lyra Valkyria. With Raquel Rodriguez facing Lyra next, who will prove they’re worthy of the shot after that?
What a surprise to see Chad Gable showing up. He apologizes for being late, and then he joins The Creed Brothers in Ivy’s corner. The bell rings, and Dakota fires off fast hands on Ivy! The ref reprimands as they’re in the corner, but Dakota backs off. Dakota runs up, but Ivy stops the flying-mare! Ivy throws Dakota away, Dakota keeps moving, but Ivy LARIATS! Ivy is already frustrated and she rains down fists! The fans boo, Ivy tells them to shut up, and Maggle taunts Gable about his lucha mask that he may or may not have. Ivy stands Dakota up, whips her to a corner, and Dakota bounces off buckles into Ivy’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Ivy is annoyed but Gable coaches her on. Ivy drags Dakota up, reels her in, and she suplexes. Dakota cradle counters! TWO, and Dakota goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, Dakota ELBOWS her away, then Dakota BOOTS her! Dakota runs to DISCUS LARIAT! And then LARIAT again! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Dakota while Ivy ends up in a corner. Dakota runs in to BOOT WASH! Dakota then puts Ivy through ropes, and JUMP- NO, Ivy avoids the stomp! But Dakota GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up again and Dakota builds speed, but Gable is on the apron! The fans boo, Ivy storms in, and Ivy scoops Dakota for a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Dakota survives, and here comes the LWO! They go after The Creeds for what Gable or not Gable did! Gable runs but gets flanked, so he goes into the crowd! The fans fire up as Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee chase after Gable! Ivy is shocked, but that lets Dakota run Around the World! BOOT! And then a fireman’s carry, GO TO KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall
American Made falls apart in Brussels, and now #CapKota is in pole position for the title chase! Will she get one more shot on goal with Lyra? Or will she and her old rival, Raquel, meet again?
Iyo Sky heads to the ring!
The fans fire up as the Evil Genius, the NEW Women’s World Champion, is ready to sign on the dotted line! She and Bianca Belair are going to put pen to paper, but will that be all that happens? We find out after the break.
Raw returns as Bianca is in the ring, and Adam Pearce has joined them. Pearce welcomes everyone in French, and says it is now time to make this world title match official between challenger Bianca Belair, and champion Iyo Sky! The fans cheer that! Pearce says they know how this works. Two signatures makes this official, so the floor is theirs. Iyo and Bianca both take their seats, and Iyo picks up her mic first. “Bianca, you will not disrespect me again. Rhea will not disrespect me again. No one will disrespect me again. Because I am the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer that! “And after WrestleMania, I will still be the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer even more for that!
Iyo signs her part, the fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Iyo bows in thanks for that. Now Bianca has her turn to speak. “Iyo, I have all the respect in the world for you. I really do. But last week, I gave you a pass because it was lowkey my fault, so I’ma tell you exactly what I told Rhea. If you put your hands on me and think you can get away with it, you don’t know me at all. So WrestleMania, you gonna find out exactly who I am. I am Bianca Belair, The EST of WWE, and I will be your NEW Women’s World Champion.” Fans are a bit more torn here, but Bianca signs her part. Pearce says it is now official!
The fans cheer and Pearce thanks them for being so professional. But then RHEA RIPLEY shows up! The fans fire up but Pearce, Bianca and Iyo are all shocked and upset about this. Mami has a mic as she storms down the ramp, but Pearce already calls in refs! Pearce asks what Rhea is doing out here, but Rhea asks them what they’re all doing out here. Because last she checked, Iyo slapped her in the face and she won’t do nothing about it, like Bianca over here. How the hell is Bianca acting like nothing happened? Well, for one, Bianca had to sign the contract for WrestleMania. That’s what she’s doing out here.
Rhea says real funny, coming from Bianca. Because Bianca had no business being out here for Rhea’s title match, but there she was. So time to take a page out of Bianca’s book, and she’s just out here to watch. Oh, then Rhea will be just watching WrestleMania! Bianca and Rhea argue, Iyo gets riled up, and she storms up like last time. But Bianca pie faces her first! Bianca says she ain’t getting smacked today! Well she gets a HEADBUTT from Rhea! Bianca ends up on the table, and then Rhea kicks Iyo! Rhea reels Iyo in, and hauls her up, to POEWRBOMB onto Bianca! The table doesn’t break, but Pearce has had enough of Rhea!
Rhea sees the contract on the floor, then picks it up. And she SIGNS IT, TOO!? Can she do that?! We have the two signatures, but is she making this into a Triple Threat?! Pearce argues with Rhea all the way to the back as she plays keep-away, but is Mami about to be on top one way or another?
Jey Uso walks ‘n’ talks.
“Yeah! Yeah! Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~! YEAH! I ain’t been myself lately. Been doubtin’ myself. Mind playin’ tricks on me. So I flew halfway around the world to whoop somebody’s ass! And that person tonight is Austin Theory. But at WrestleMania, it’s me and you, Gunther, when I shock the world and become World Heavyweight Champ! So Uce! Hey, Uce! Please hit my music-” GUNTHER IS AT GORILLA! Jey and Gunther get to shouting but Pearce and security barge in! Pearce says not tonight! Not after everything Rhea just did! Gunther says he talked to Jimmy on Friday, and he’s just as dumb as Jey!
Jey shoves Gunther, security ushers Gunther out, and Jey says he’ll see “G” out there! UH UH, YEET!! Jey makes his entrance, will he be even more fired up to fight #AllDay Austin Theory?
Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller!
Raw returns and A-Town Down Under makes their entrance. The bell rings, Waller distracts Jey already, and Theory fires off haymakers! They end up in the corner, the ref reprimands and counts, but Theory talks trash on the Yeet! Theory drags Jey up, whips him corner to corner, but Jey goes up and over. Jey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges then SPEARS!! Cover, Jey wins!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
That was fast! Jey really IS fired up to fight Gunther for Mania! Waller storms in, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! Jey then watches ATDU regroup, and Jey FLIES! Jey clips the ropes just a bit but he still takes ATDU down! Jey gets back up, but GUNTHER GETS HIM IN A SLEEPER!! Gunther squeezes tight, but Jey RAMS Gunther into a corner! Jey is free to fire haymakers! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, but Gunther blocks the shot! Jey ROCKS Gunther with his off hand, and then he YANKS the title from Gunther!! The fans fire up, Gunther runs up in a rage, but Jey DUMPS him out! The fans fire up as Jey holds up the belt!
Gunther is furious, the fans cheer, but then Jey tosses the belt back. Der Ring General tried to punk out Jey, but Jey turned the tables! Will nothing stop Jey from proving he IS a main event player?
Pearce argues with Rhea.
Pearce will not allow Rhea to get away with what she’s doing! You can’t just write your name on a contract! Rhea says yes she can, she literally just did it! This is like talking to a child. Give him the contract! No! Yes! No! YES! NO! Rhea Ripley, give her the contract! Rhea says then he should put her in the match, her name’s on the contract! She shoves the contract into Pearce’s chest, he thanks her and takes his leave. But here comes Bianca! She and Rhea brawl! Bianca HAMMERS away, but now Iyo gets in, to go after Rhea! Bianca shoves Iyo aside and says Rhea is hers! Iyo DECKS Bianca, tells Bianca not to screw with her, but then Rhea SHOVES Iyo into a door!
Rhea goes after Bianca, and throws her into road cases! Pearce returns to have refs usher Rhea out of here! Rhea demands to be in that title match! Will Mami get what she wants? Or will she throw things out of whack until she does?
The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee!
After that wild encounter earlier tonight, this was a natural choice for all parties involved! Will Julius & Brutus get payback for Master Gable being run out of the building? Or will American Made learn not to mess with the L W O?
The teams sort out and Julius starts against Dragon. The bell rings, and Julius JUMP KNEES Lee down! The fans boo but Julius drags Lee up for a fireman’s carry. But Lee pops up to RANA Julius away! Brutus runs up but Lee dodges to SUPERKICK! Brutus tumbles out, Lee DIVES onto Brutus! Lee goes up a corner, then CROSSBODIES Julius! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Lee clamps onto Julius. Lee reaches out but Brutus YANKS Rey down! Julius turns things around and hits Lee with a ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Then a SLIDING LARIAT! Julius scowls, the fans boo, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the fans rally as Lee wipes out the Creeds! Lee crawls for his corner, hot tags to Julius and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey BLASTS Brutus, BOOTS Julius, then ELBOWS Brutus to dodge Julius! Tilt-o-whirl DEJA VU RANA! Julius flounders around, the fans fire up, and Rey climbs up on Julius. Rey rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to “Sept” (seven in French) before Julius carries him off the corner! Brutus is there and Julius hands Rey off! But Rey fights back, elbowing Julius away and raining fists down on Brutus! But Brutus THROWS Rey at Julius, and Julius catches Rey!
Julius powers up and brings Rey around, but Rey swings to DDT! Lee is back, FLYING RANA for Brutus to the floor!! The fans are thunderous and Rey goes up top! But Julius springs up after him! Only for Rey to HEADBUTT him away! Rey leaps, FLYING RANA and Julius is on the ropes! Rey dials it up and the fans cheer the 619! DROP THE DIME! Cover, LWO WINS!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
The King of Lucha and his Boy Wonder took down the Creeds, but WAIT! That American Made luchador is back! He CLOBBERS Rey, dodges Lee, and then FLYING HEADBUTTS! El Americano rains down fists on Lee, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Rey storms up to fire forearms! The fans fire up, but Gable- er, uh, Americano waistlocks again! GERMAN SUPLEX and Rey lands on Lee! The fans boo “whoever this is,” but now he goes up top! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” a la Angle, but Americano says SHOOOOSH! DIVING HEADBUTT on Lee!! “UH GRACIAS~!” Americano runs away as security rushes out here!
Gable was ran off from the building, yet this luchador returns. What is going on with this masked man mystery?
Seth Rollins is here!
Brussels sings his song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary is in a comparatively normal outfit. Rollins high-fives fans and makes his way to the ring in his dark green suit and boots highlighted with gold chain and wristwatch. What will Rollins have to say about the shocking way Roman Reigns returned? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns as the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it while he has the mic in hand. The fans applaud as the singing just keeps going. Another round of applause, and then Rollins tells Brussels, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans cheer again, and Rollins says that by the sound of this, they already know it. In case you don’t, this is a Visionary, this is a Revolutionary, this is SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! The fans cheer more, the singing returns, and Rollins again smiles. The fans applaud, and Rollins says alright. He was coming out here mad as Hell, but it is hard to be mad with those beautiful voices serenading him.
Rollins takes a moment as fans start to chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Well, we’ll get to him, but Rollins wants to talk Roman Reigns first. “O T C! O T C!” Yes, you saw the footage last week. Is Rollins mad as Hell that Roman came for revenge? Absolutely not, cuz he’d have done the same damn thing! HAHAHA! “The problem is, even after all these years, and a Wise Man in his ear, Roman Reigns still can’t come up with a plan. He needs his Architect to do it for him.” Roman had the time, the place, the moment, but he left one detail out: That detail is the man the fans were all chanting for just a few moments ago.
The “C M PUNK!” chant returns and Rollins says yes, “The luckiest loser on the face of the planet.” Because of Rollins had just a few more seconds in that cage, he would’ve ended what he promised the world. He would’ve stomped Punk through the mat, ended the Mania dream, and put Punk’s career on ice! Rollins would’ve taken care of the Punk Problem for everyone, including Roman. But like the good ol’ days, Rollins is left to clean up Roman’s mess. The “O T C!” chants return, and Rollins says don’t worry, he’ll put OTC in his place along the way. And it just so happens that Rollins’ two favorite people are going to be in the same place at the same time this Friday Night SmackDown.
Oh, trust him, Brussels, Rollins wishes those two were here, too. But… Rollins was just thinking… Why let them boys have all the fun? Maybe Rollins makes a trip down to Italy, makes a trip to SmackDown, and he puts himself right in between Roman and Punk? What do the fans think about that? The fans cheer, and Rollins says yeah, that sounds like a nice way to solve a problem and clean up a mess. But that is Friday, this is Monday, this ain’t about SmackDown, this is about the fans! This has been one hell of a crowd all night long! They’ve been singing with their beautiful voices, there’s just one match left and that is the main event for the Intercontinental Championship!
So Brussels, sing Rollins’ beautiful song as he makes his way to SmackDown and we make our way to the main event! Give it to ’em, Brussels! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it again, and he says, “It’s on. See you boys on Friday, HAHAHA!”
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
Cathy is with the Phenomenal One and says he had a lot to say on the Raw Recap show about Logan Paul. Could he give us a bit of that here? Styles says he stands behind everything he said. Styles hears the fans sing for him, then says Logan Paul just doesn’t belong. But then Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux walk over. Kross asks if that’s really how Styles feels. Styles says he doesn’t need this. Kross says he is just offering a different perspective, but if Styles doesn’t want it… Kross turns to go but Styles says fine, let’s hear it. Maybe Styles isn’t mad about Logan Paul. Maybe Styles is mad at himself. That’s enough of that.
No, hey, hold on! Kross just wants Styles to think: How long did it take for Styles to get to the WWE and find validation? 16? Styles says it was 17. Okay, okay. But it didn’t take Logan that long, did it? Is Styles not able to respect a guy who just waltzed into the business and did everything Styles has ever wanted to in record time? Styles sees where Kross is going with this, and it’s not gonna work. Styles leaves, but Kross says it’s working. He and Scarlett do the Scott Hall fingers, will their mind games make Styles and Logan bitter enemies?
Bron Breakker heads to gorilla.
And Penta is there! Penta looks at the title, and Bron smirks. Will this be the match-up for the title? Or will this Road to WrestleMania take a detour thanks to The Judgment Day?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been chewing up this roster ever since he got here, but The Prince claims he chews up “rookies” like Bron his whole career. But until these two fight it out, it’s all just talk. Whose bark is worse than their bite when the bell rings?
Raw returns and Bron makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to see who’s the real badass around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. In fact, they’re even dueling, “Let’s Go, Balor!” and then barking for Bron. Finn and Bron feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Finn backs away to ropes. The ref has Bron stay back, Finn leaves the ropes, and the two reset. They tie up, Finn headlocks, but Bron powers up and out. Bron RUNS Finn over, the fans bark, and Bron snarls as he storms up on Finn. Finn kicks low, CLUBS Bron on the neck, then headlocks. Bron blocks the takeover with pure brawn, then he hoists Finn up! The fans fire up, but Finn uses that to flying headlock takeover! The fans cheer while Finn grinds Bron down.
Bron endures as Finn thrashes him around. Bron rolls Finn to a cover, TWO, and Finn holds onto the headlock. The fans rally, Bron powers out and headlocks. Finn powers out, drops down, then bypasses Bron to TOSS him out! Bron lands on his feet! The fans fire up, Bron storms in, and he RAMS Finn into a corner! Bron RAMS Finn again and again, then snarls again. Finn staggers to another corner, but Bron runs up to LARIAT! Bron whips Finn to TOSS him out, and Finn tumbles! Bron goes out the side, and he builds up speed! The fans fire up, but Finn SLINGBLADES Bron down! Finn has control while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn has Bron in a corner. Finn CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Finn paces, then he goes back to Bron for a haymaker. Bron counter punches! And counter punches! Bron fires hands, whips, then scoops, but Finn tilt-o-whirls through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn ELBOWS Bron in the neck, the fans rally up, and Finn stalks Bron. Finn scuffs Bron, SLAPS him, and talks trash. “You know who I am? I’m Finn Balor!” Finn keeps scuffing and slapping, and the fans tell Finn he done messed up! Finn fires hands, but Bron just snarls! Bron ROCKS Finn again and again, then whips. Finn reverses, but Bron LEAPING ELBOWS!
Bron storms up again, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Finn flounders, Bron whips again, but Finn KICKS the backdrop away. Finn runs, Bron dodges and then catches Finn for a POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and bark, and then Bron drags Finn up. But wait, here come Dom & Carlito! It was only a matter of time before Judgment Day pulled this move! They distract Bron and Finn rolls Bron up! TWO, and Finn runs up, but Bron catches him by the neck! Military press, but Finn slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Bron survives and Finn is frustrated, but Dom & Carlito cheer Finn on.
Bron crawls to ropes, Finn spins him around, and Finn JUMP STOMPS! The fans tell Dom he sucks, Carlito tells Dom to tune that out, and Finn gives more stomps! Finn asks Dom what he’s doing out here, so apparently this was another of Dom’s ideas. Finn CHOPS Bron, then whips, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed to CLOBBER Finn! The fans fire up and bark again while Finn bails out. Bron storms out after Finn and the ref tells Dom & Carlito to back off. Bron LEAPS from the apron and onto the desk! Both men go tumbling over and the fans lose their minds! Bron sputters, Corey Graves lost a shoe, and “This is Awesome!”
Bron and Finn slowly stir, and Bron is on his feet! Finn crawls, wants mercy, but Bron stomps him! Bron puts Finn in the ring, and he dares Dom & Carlito to pull something. Bron slides in and builds speed again! SLINGBLADE! Finn hits first, and then he hurries to go again! SHOTGUN and Bron hits buckles! Bron slumps down into the drop zone so Finn climbs up! The fans fire up as Finn reaches the top! COUP DE- NO, Bron dodges, runs up, but Finn hurdles over the Spear! Roll up, TWO!! Bron grabs Finn again, military press, BREAKKER SLAM! Cover, TWO! Finn survives, both men are down, and the fans are fired up!
Dom & Carlito coach Finn but Bron is up first. Bron has blood in his mouth, perhaps from a busted lip, but he doesn’t care. Bron runs in, but Finn KICKS him first! And ENZIGIRIS! Bron is down again so Finn goes back up! But Bron hurries to trip Finn! Finn CLAWS at Bron’s head, then throws hands! The fans rally, Finn stands, but Bron ROCKS him first! Bron climbs up and brings Finn to the top! But Carlito distracts the ref! Dom YANKS Bron into a HOTSHOT, but that trips Finn up, too! Finn lands on his prince and he’s pissed at Dom! Dom apologizes, but Bron is just as mad! Bron BLASTS Dom, BLASTS Carlito, then springs up after Finn! SUPER STEINER!!
The fans are thunderously barking, Bron hits the SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Bron is so badass, not even Judgment Day could cost him! But now Judgment Day attacks him! The fans boo but Dom goes to grab the belt. Carlito bumps Bron off buckles, but here comes Penta! The fans fire up as Penta slides in, and he dodges Dom to then SUPERKICK Dom down! Carlito runs up, into a SUPERKICK! Bron gives Carlito a SPEAR! But now Penta holds onto the title as he stares down Bron. The fans sing “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~ MIEDO~!” Penta hands the belt to Bron, and Bron holds it up. Will these two put it all on the line in Las Vegas?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Raw in Brussels, and the Brussels crowd was just as fun as the Barcelona crowd on Friday. Cena and Cody opening with their big promo segment was the right move to give it time to breathe. Cena did a perfect job of using the fans as part of his promo because he took the trope of “I blame the fans!” to the ultimate level. He didn’t just use recent stuff, he used his entire 25 years and all the phases he went through as part of it, and he really dug into some personal feelings for both him and the fans. Cody therefore had the perfect counter to show Cena was only focusing on the negative, and how that’s not who Cena has presented to us. I think we’re getting another appearance of Cena next week, can’t wait to see how Glasgow treats him.
Iyo and Bianca had a good contract signing but I expected a touch more from both promos. Rhea joining in was the main element, and this is clearly heading for a Triple Threat. That quick brawl backstage was good, and I feel like we’re going to get Rhea VS Bianca to see if Rhea earns her spot in the match. Good stuff from Jey and Gunther again, but I kinda wish we’d just gotten only brawl. Jey squashing Theory was pretty wild, and he still gets the better of Gunther here, but it should’ve just been all Jey and Gunther. Gunther promised a living Hell for Jey, but I’m not sure we’re quite there yet. All the more reason Gunther should’ve beat up Jimmy on Friday as a way to stick it to Jey.
Good promo from Styles and Kross to add to this Styles VS Logan Paul build. Kross continues to be a great instigator, but when is he going to get back in the ring for his own desires? Or is he just waiting for the right opening to mess with the right champion? Honestly, as it feels like Jey is going to win the world title, Jey is the perfect target for Kross. Jey admitted to himself that there is insecurity right now, and the belt can help give him confidence again, but Kross can certainly find ways to tear that back down on the way to Backlash and beyond.
Very good stuff from American Made. Gable being run off by the LWO of course set up “El Americano” for that tag match segment, but it was also a good part of Dakota being Ivy. I feel like it’d be a bit much of Dakota gets a third match with Lyra, but I don’t know if that means Judgment Day screws Lyra out of the title. Cheating Lyra could be a way to keep her strong in the loss, and we could get some good stuff as Dakota takes on Raquel. Plus, DMG CTRL currently having the world title makes them an eventual target of Judgment Day, and the tag titles could also be in the mix for some serious Two Woman Power Trip teasing.
Judgment Day also had great stuff tonight. Dom thinking Penta would want to join Judgment Day is interesting, I wonder if that was Kross’s idea. Penta VS Kaiser was a great opener, but I feel they could’ve done more for a No Holds Barred match. Still good stuff to give Penta the win and move on from Kaiser to call out the Intercontinental Championship. Bron VS Finn was a great match, even with Dom & Carlito showing up. Dom accidentally messing Finn up was pretty clever, and that just adds to the Judgment Day tension. While Bron VS Penta will be awesome stuff, I was kinda hoping we’d get Finn VS Penta to add even more intrigue to the Judgment Day story, but I guess that’s something that doesn’t need a title.
My Score: 8.9/10
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