Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (7/3/23)
Judgment Day is (not) fine.
We begin the Road to SummerSlam!
Judgment Day was all over Money in the Bank, but only Damian Priest came away a winner! Can Rhea defend her title tonight on Raw so the team breaks even?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Priest wins.
- Undisputed WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil; Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville win and will challenge Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez for the titles.
- Mixed Six Tag: The Alpha Academy VS The Viking Raiders; The Alpha Academy wins.
- WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Natalya; Rhea wins and retains the title.
- Matt Riddle VS Giovanni Vinci w/ Imperium; Riddle wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Judgment Day; Rollins wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns the loss of Darren “Droz” Drozdov.
Seth Rollins is here!
Baltimore fires up and sings along as the Visionary is still WWE World Heavyweight Champion after Money in the Bank. Rollins swaggers his way into the ring, and he of course revels in the echoing, “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins then takes a bow and the fans cheer. Rollins gets the mic to welcome Baltimore to Monday Night Rollins! “Let me introduce you to our host for this evening’s festivities! I am a Visionary, I am a Revolutionary, I am…” “SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!!” Fans all cheer and Rollins gets them to sing again. Rollins says Baltimore sounds so sweet, but how sweet was MITB?
Fans all cheer because it was sweet! Rollins reviews: Jey Uso hands Roman Reigns his first pinfall defeat in three YEARS, ya love to see it! The NEW Miss MITB isn’t Becky Lynch, but it is Iyo Sky! The NEW Senor in the Bank is Damian Priest. And by the skin of Rollins’ teeth, he beat Finn Balor and is still here as WWE World Heavyweight Champion! But a little birdy told Rollins that SummerSlam is just five weeks away, and there’s only one thing on his mind! But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans sing along with his song now, “WHOA~ OH!” Pyro goes off, Cody grins but Rollins frowns as Cody continues to the ring.
Cody gets himself a mic, steps to Rollins, and Rollins takes off his sunglasses while the fans chant for Cody. “So…” BROCK LESNAR!?! Fans go nuts again as now The Beast joins in! Cody ditches Rollins to rush Lesnar, but Lesnar picks him up to RAM him into railing! And more railing! And then Lesnar fires knees again and gain, shoves Cody down the ramp, then fires off more shots! Cody hits back, Lesnar puts Cody in the ring, and Rollins moves aside. Cody goes back after Lesnar but Lesnar powers Cody to a fireman’s carry! Cody slips off, springboards, CODY CUTTER!! Lesnar bails out but Cody wants more!
Fans cheer Cody while Lesnar staggers up. The Beast returns and we know why, but will he and the American Nightmare go another round for SummerSlam?
Rollins is still in the ring.
Fans sing for the Visionary again as Raw returns. Rollins laughs and says, “Well, that was a crazy way to kick off the show. Looks like them boys’ got some unfinished business. But now, back to MY business! I am very much looking forward to seeing who is the next person in line-” Here comes Damian Priest! And he has Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio with him! Mami says “Seth, Seth, Seth. That’s enough about you. We all know that everyone’s here to see the Judgment Day take over.” Uh, everyone? Rollins knows all the fans and everyone at home, but the Judgment Day doesn’t even have everyone in their own group here. Where’s Finny Finn?
Rollins isn’t a stranger to sneak attacks, but something tells him that tonight is not the case. Rhea says Finn is fine. Finn has a match, but what he’s up to is not Rollins’ concern. Dom asks if that’s true and Rhea tells him yes…! Priest tells Rollins that he doesn’t need to worry about Judgment Day business, that is Judgment Day’s business. The only thing Rollins needs to worry about is the MITB briefcase. Rollins knows how this works, too, right? IF Priest decides to cash in for the World Heavyweight Championship, it could be at SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble. Or maybe it could happen tonight!
Fans like the sound of that. Priest says after he beats Shinsuke Nakamura, he might go from Senor MITB to El Campeon Mundo! Well, sounds all well and good, but the problem is, to cash in, Priest has to have a champion down and out, beaten and tired. And Rollins is fresh as a daisy right now! He has no match on the card, and honestly, when he was done here talking to you three idiots, he was planning to go party in Baltimore so they can sing his song in the streets! Priest says before Rollins gest too carried away, Priest will make sure Rollins is useless. And if Rollins is looking for a match, isn’t he the guy who loves giving opportunities? Isn’t Rollins the guy who loves to fight?
Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~” again and Priest dares them to try that after Rollins gets beat by a certain person next to Priest. Who? Well, Rhea’s defending her title against Natalya, but Dom-Dom’s looking for a fight. Fans boo as Dom tries to speak. Rollins gives Dom a chance, but the fans boo again. Rollins is very amused. Rhea whispers to Dom, but fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Rhea says Dom says he wants to fight Seth Freakin’ Rollins TONIGHT! Oh, c’mon, guys! As someone who knows all things MITB, this sounds like a very obvious, very poor attempt at a trap.
But… Rollins would love nothing more than to slap that weak ‘stache off Dom’s face. So this is a conundrum. He’ll let the fans decide. What do they think? The fans are already cheering but Rollins asks if “Sexy Seth” should beat the brakes off of “Dirty Dom” right here tonight in the main event. The fans cheer “YES!” Then that’s your answer, see you punks later! HAHAHAHA! The Punisher is ready for a fight of his own, but will he get more than he bargained for against the King of Strong Style?
Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Raw returns and Nakamura makes his entrance, to which fans sing along. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Priest calls for knuckle locks, and Nakamura obliges. But then Priest kicks low, wrenches a wrist, and twists the arm. Nakamura endures, but Priest RAMS him with a shoulder! Priest keeps on the arm, Rhea & Dom cheer him on, but Nakamura hits back. Priest goes after the wrist more, but Nakamura rolls, kips up and cartwheels to wrench back. Priest pulls hair, the ref counts, but Priest lets off at the ropes. Fans boo, but Priest sucker punches Nakamura! Dom & Rhea like that!
Priest wrenches and throws body shots, then whips Nakamura. Nakamura reverse to knee low, and then get Priest down for more knees! Nakamura runs, sliding BOOT! Priest staggers up, Nakamura storms up and fires off in the corner. Nakamura gives GOOD VIBRATIONS! But Priest pushes Nakamura back! Nakamura dodges and runs, ducks and dodges again but Priest runs him over! Cover, ONE!! Priest is annoyed and he drags Nakamura up. Priest ROCKS Nakamura, RAMS him into a corner, then stomps away! The ref counts, Priest lets off and fans boo. Nakamura checks his chin while Rhea coaches him up.
Priest whips corner to corner and ELBOWS Nakamura down! Rhea & Dom cheer while Priest drags Nakamura up. Priest suplexes and holds Nakamura up, but Nakamura fights down! Priest BELL CLAPS, then BOOTS! Priest runs in again, but Nakamura dodges to GAMANGIRI! Nakamura puts Priest up top, runs and TOP SHELF KNEE! Fans fire up while Priest sputters to the floor. Fans chants, “DOM, YOU SUCK!” while Nakamura pursues. Priest his Nakamura low, but then Nakamura blocks being thrown into barriers! Nakamura hits back, and SMACKS Priest off barriers! Nakamura reels Priest in, but Priest suplexes! BROKEN ARROW on the barriers!!
Nakamura writhes, the Judgment Day all sit on the apron and cheer themselves on while Raw goes picture in picture.
Dom and Rhea say Priest is the man, and Priest gets in the ring. Nakamura crawls but Priest goes out after him. Priest puts Nakamura in the ring, high-fives with Dom & Rhea, then goes back in. Priest stalks Nakamura, then JABS! JABS! And ROCKS Nakamura with a right! Priest soaks up the heat, brings Nakamura up, and talks some trash, but Nakamura fires off shots in return! Priest knees low, suplexes, and Nakamura writhes. Priest pushes Nakamura to a cover, TWO! Priest wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Nakamura down. Nakamura fights up while fans rally, and he gets to his feet.
Nakamura pries at the hold but Priest CLUBS him down! Priest soaks up more heat, then has Nakamura in a motorcycle stretch. Nakamura endures the knee in his back, and Priest kneels to pull back harder on the arms. Fans rally up and Nakamura fights to his feet again. Nakamura turns things around, kicks a leg and throws an elbow! And then he fires off forearms! Priest ROCKS Nakamura, but they both KICK an arm! And then they both BOOT the other! Raw returns to single picture as the ref checks both men. They’re both okay, and a standing count starts. Fans rally, both men rise before 5!
Nakamura fires off fast hands, but Priest fires off kicks! ROLLING- NO, Nakamura ducks to give more strikes back! Priest blocks a kick, but Nakamura clinches, STO! Fans fire up as Priest goes to a corner. Nakamura runs in, blocks boots and puts Priest in the ropes. ROUNDHOUSE, and SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura taunts Dom & Rhea with his own Latino Heat. Maybe Japanese Heat? He blows a kiss to Mami?! Nakamura runs in, dodges Priest and RYDER KICKS! Cover, TWO! Nakamura goes up, leaps, but Priest DECKS him outta the air! Priest snarls and he drags Nakamura up as the fans rally again.
Priest fires off more forearms, then clinches, for the FLAT- NO, Nakamura victory rolls it, TWO!! Priest gets up but Nakamura drags him down to a full mount and ARMBAR!! Priest clasps hands, fights up and looks to stack Nakamura. Nakamura fights it with kicks! Priest staggers away but comes back with the JUMP KICK! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives that shot and both Dom and Rhea argue with the ref! The fans boo Priest as he drags Nakamura up again, reels him in, and Canadian Racks. Crucifix lift, but Nakamura sunset flips through it! TWO!! Priest choke grips but Nakamura breaks free, WHEEL KCIK! Cover, TWO!!
Nakamura goes to a corner, climbs up, aims, and Priest stands, FLYING KNEE! Fans fire up with Nakamura as he goes to the other corner, “YAO~!” KIN- NO, Priest ducks and rolls Nakamura up! High stack, TWO, but Priest wrenches, hammerlocks, and PEPSI TWISTS!! Priest brings down the straps, choke grips, and SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
No jet lag here, Senor MITB keeps momentum going from London! When and where will he hit the jackpot to become a champion?
Ronda Rousey is here!
The Baddest Woman on the Planet is probably in an even worse mood after losing the Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Championships, because Shayna Baszler betrayed her! Ronda gets a mic, but before she can even say one word, Shayna makes her entrance! The Queen of Spades says she’s pretty confident when she says, on behalf of everyone here, “we are all sick and tired of hearing you try to speak on a microphone.” Fans cheer because that’s true. Ronda says fine, Shayna should talk. Shayna should tell us all why, after ten YEARS of “Loyalty means everything,” it suddenly means nothing!
Ronda wants an explanation! Shayna owes Ronda that much. OH, Shayna owes Ronda? What a narcissist! Shayna is the ONLY reason Ronda is in the WWE right now, yet Shayna owes her!? The only thing Shayna owes anyone is an apology for every bringing Ronda into this business! Ronda says what? Shayna’s been hiding this for how long? Why not say something to Ronda before, oh, uh, costing them the tag titles that they worked- THEY!? THEY!? Oh, sorry, Shayna doesn’t remember seeing Ronda beside her building rings just for a chance to wrestle in front of maybe 30 people. Shayna doesn’t remember seeing Ronda having to fill out an application or going to a tryout.
Shayna tells Ronda to look at her and fans cheer. Unlike Ronda, Shayna paid her dues! She scratched and clawed for her chance to get here. Shayna kicked the door down, while Ronda just walked in through the back door to WrestleMania. Believe it or not, Shayna LOVES this, and Ronda has ruined it for her! Shayna owes Ronda, alright. She owes Ronda the sobering reality that there is someone here, i.e. Shayna herself, who can finally shut Ronda up. Fans cheer Shayna on and Ronda is beside herself. So she BOOTS Shayna instead! Ronda goes out and CLOBBERS Shayna! And then puts her in the ring!
Fans boo Ronda, but Shayna comes back! Into a SLEEPER from Ronda! Only for Shayna to reach back, grab some hair, and THROW Ronda over! Shayna gets the ANKLE LOCK!! Ronda flails, grabs ropes, but there are no breaks in a fight! Shayna drags Ronda back in, but Ronda boots her away. Shayna comes back to KNEE Ronda down!! Ronda is slumped against ropes and Shayna storms off. Ronda looks up, demands Shayna come back because they’re not done! Shayna knows that, too, but she’s willing to wait for this to be on record. When and where will these former friends have it out?
The Alpha Academy works out backstage.
Maxxine Dupri works on her headlocks, using Otis as her sparring partner. Coach Chad Gable blows the whistle and says that was great. How’s Maxxine feeling before her first match? Not only is she ready, but the Fourth o’ July is coming early, cuz tonight, there will be fireworks. And y’know what? She is sick and tired of the Viking Raiders underestimating her, and Gable’s coaching abilities. They wanna do that to Gable? he’s a five star man, five star coach, an Olympian who has passed on his skills to his number one guy, Otis, and to Maxxine the Alpha Queen!
Tonight, they’ll use all that on the Eve of America’s Birthday to slap those Viking weirdos right in the face with the biggest dose of patriotism you’ve ever seen! Otis adds “OOOH YEAH~!” Will the Alpha Academy take Erik, Ivar & Sarah Logan to school? Or is this too tall an order for Maxxine’s in-ring debut?
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are here!
The fans are ready to #LiveLarge with the NEW Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Champions! They go to ringside, ready to watch this next match!
Undisputed WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil!
The Complaint Department is out first, and they’re just one of FIVE teams going for gold! Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae, Nikki Cross & Emma, as well as Dana Brooke & the returning Tegan Nox all have a fair shot, but who will come away with their golden tickets to the titles?
Teams make their entrances in picture in picture, but we return to single picture as crazy Cross and Emma make their way out. They already seem a bit out of sync just here in their energy levels. Last but not least is KC Squared, ready to get some gold back. But it would seem we start this gauntlet with the Complaint Department and The Way.
Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell!
The teams sort out, Indi starts with the Hot Mess, and Indi BOOTS Chelsea, DECKS Sonya, then continues to rally! Scoop and SIDE SLAM for Chelsea, then another haymaker for Sonya! Indi gives Sonya SNAKE EYES, puts her in the ropes, and then UPPERCUTS! Tag to Candice before a BOOT! Half nelson GUT BUSTER, and Candice hits a ROLLING NECKBREAKER BACKBREAKER! Cover, Chelsea breaks it! Indi returns to fire off on Chelsea, but Chelsea SUPERKICKS! Candice TOSSES Chelsea, runs up on Sonya, STEP-UP SENTON! LIONSAULT FLOPS and Chelsea tags in!
Chelsea gets Candice up, Sonya DECKS Indi, I’M PRETTIER to the RUNNING KNEE! Double cover, the Complaint Department ELIMINATES The Way! But now Nikki & Emma get in!
Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Nikki Cross & Emma!
Nikki CLOBBERS Sonya & Chelsea from behind, then fires off on Chelsea! Fans fire up with Nikki as she throws her jacket around! Nikki thrashes Chelsea, but then gets worried about Candice. Tag to Emma and Emma asks what’s going on! Nikki still wants to be friends with Candice but Emma BOOTS Chelsea down! Cover, TWO! Emma dribbles Chelsea off buckles, then brings her around. Emma suplexes, covers, TWO! Emma drags Chelsea around, and stands on her hair while pulling the arms! The ref counts, Emma lets off at 4, and she TOSSES Chelsea to a corner! Emma runs corner to corner, EMMAMITE SANDWICH! Cover, Sonya breaks it!
Fans boo and Emma storms up on Sonya but she gets away. Emma SUCKER PUNCHES Sonya! Emma underhooks Chelsea but she wrenches out to ROCK Emma! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Both women crawl but Nikki’s nowhere to be seen! She’s distraught over not being Candice’s friend? Sonya tags in, I’M PRETTIER to RUNNING KNEE!! Cover, the Complaint Department ELIMINATES Nikki & Emma! But next is Nox & Brooke!
Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Dana Brooke & Tegan Nox!
Nox SHOTGUNS Chelsea to a corner! And runs in to UPPERCUT! Nox keeps going, another UPPERCUT! Nox eggs Sonya on, then UPPERCUTS Chelsea in the corner! Tag to Dana, she and Nox double suplex to DOUBLE GOURD BUSTER! Chelsea flops around, gets out of the ring, and she wants a timeout! But Dana & Nox DOUBLE WRECKING BALL DROPKICK! Down go Chelsea & Sonya, Dana & Nox say they’ve got this. Liv says we’ll see, and Raw goes picture in picture.
Dana & Nox get Chelsea up and into the ring. But Sonya trips Dana up! Dana kicks Sonya away but Chelsea BLASTS Dana down! The ref starts a ring count while Sonya soaks up heat. Sonya taunts Dana but the ref tells her to stay back. Nox coaches Dana up, the champs also cheer her on, and Dana crawls her way back. Dana slides in at 8 of 10 but Chelsea hammers away on her! Chelsea bumps Dana off buckles, tags in Sonya, and Sonya fires off kicks! Snapmare and chinlock! Dana endures, fights up, but Sonya whips her away to the corner. Dana BOOTS back, then DECKS Chelsea! She dodges Sonya, but not by much as Sonya grabs a leg!
Dana hops and hops and reaches, but then she ENZIGURIS! Down goes Sonya, but Chelsea trips Nox! Sonya runs in, Dana dodges and LARIATS! Dana rallies on Sonya, fires up with the fans, but Chelsea tags in. Dana spins her around, short arm LARAIT after short arm LARIAT, and then a whip. Nox tags in, Dana runs Chelsea over, and Nox goes up! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives and shocks Nox! Chelsea flounders around, the champs like where this is going, and Nox UPPERCUTS! Sonya sneaks a tag, Nox runs in, CANNONBALL only gets buckles! Another I’M PRETTIER, and another RUNNING KNEE!! Cover, Complaint Department ELIMINATES Nox & Dana!
Fans are annoyed with Sonya & Chelsea but here comes KC Squared!
Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
Kayden & Katana fire off on Sonya & Chelsea, fans fire up, but Chelsea & Sonya get the edge. Katana and Kayden hit back, they stagger, but Sonya gets around. Kayden bucks the O’Conner, Sonya ducks the Buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO!! Sonya survives but Kayden hurries to get her to the corner. Tag to Katana, and they both springboard, but Katana has a slip-up! Kayden hits her LEG DROP, and Katana resets to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The delay may’ve saved Sonya, but Katana drags her up. Sonya YANKS Katana into ropes! Sonya storms up, fires off, and then tags Chelsea.
Chelsea & Sonya double stalling suplex! ELBOW DROP, cover, TWO! Chelsea is annoyed with Katana, bumps her off buckles, and tags Sonya back in. They mug Katana in the corner, then tag back. Chelsea pushes Katana around, taunts Kayden, and says it’s too easy. Chelsea whips but Katana holds ropes, and she BOOTS back! Kayden sneaks a tag, Katana ducks Chelsea and Kayden ROCKS her! Kayden whips Chelsea into the corner but Chelsea BLASTS Katana! Chelsea dodges Kayden but Kayden ROCKS her first! Kayden drags Chelsea up, but Chelsea ROCKS her! Chelsea climbs onto Kayden but Katana tags in!
Fans fire up as Katana fires off on Chelsea, then coordinates with Kayden. SUPER DUPER STEINER!!! Cover, Sonya break sit!! The champs can’t believe it! Kayden forgot to play defense, but she TOSSES Sonya out now! Fans rally up for KC Squared as Katana gest up, tag to Kayden. Kayden gets Chelsea up, turns her, but Sonya SHOVES Katana down! Kayden DECKS Sonya, but Chelsea SLAPS Kayden! I’M- NO, no prettier! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Into a sucker punch from Sonya! Reset! I’M PRETTIER!! Cover, COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT WIN!!
Winners: Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Championships)
A clean sweep!? From Sonya & Chelsea?! Well, at least they won’t have anything to complain about now. Will this finally be their time? Or will nothing stop Morgan & Rodriguez from #LivingLarge?
Bronson Reed speaks.
“You wanna know how I got to where I am? Fear. Someone disrespects me, they get hurt. They challenge me, I break them. Truly, a spectacle of gruesome acts is what’s needed to keep things in order. Enough to impress a brutal reminder of ramifications. And it’s not by choice because… I’m a nice guy. But sooner or later, everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences. And Bronson Reed… is inescapable.” Then who will be next to feel the full force of Auszilla?
Becky Lynch is here!
Baltimore has entered The Big Time as she heads to the ring. Becky gets the mic as the fans cheer and she says, “The Man has come around to Baltimore! And well, I didn’t win MITB. But that’s okay, I can move on from that, but there is one thing that I can’t seem to move on from. The thorn in my side, that shrill, high-pitched ringing in my ears that is Trish Stratus.” Fans boo and Becky says, “But I can’t think of a better time or a better place to end this than right here, right now! So Trish Stratus, come on down and let’s fight!” Becky waits and fans want to see it, but no music for Trish. Becky says she’s waiting!
The music plays now, and Trish makes her entrance, with Zoey Stark by her side. But Trish shows off the new face mask! Becky laughs at her “stupid face!” Get at close up! Trish & Zoey say no, stay back! It’s not funny! Oh, it’s very funny! Trish says haha, Becky broke her face, her moneymaker! Very funny, Lynch. And the fans can shut up! She is still prettier than all of them, even with this face mask! In fact, they all need a mask like this to hide all the ugliness! And Trish would love to indulge Becky’s request, but she is not medically cleared cuz Becky broke her face! Becky yawns, and says well then, she regrets nothing.
But if Trish can’t fight, send the lap dog, Zoey Stark! Uh, is Becky sure she wants that after we saw Stark dominate at MITB? Well, she’s certainly better than Trish’s “broke ass” anyway! Excuse me?! No one is better than Trish! Becky’s kinda thinking there is. Trish says no one, including Becky. One day, Zoey will perhaps be better than Trish, thanks to Trish’s teachings. But currently, presently, no one is better than Trish because Trish is the greatest of all time! Becky is skeptical about that. But if Trish thinks that, that’s funny seeing as how Trish couldn’t beat Becky on her own. If Becky recalls, Zoey stuck her dopey head out, hit a Z360, and Trish got the pin.
Now why is that, Trish? Seems like Trish ain’t the GOAT, it seems Becky is! And if Stark wants to get better, she has to go through Becky! We all know that Trish isn’t gonna be sticking around. She’s only here to get glory, rub up against The Big Time, push her crappy little talent show or whatever little magazine she paid to be on the cover of. And then, what’s gonna happen? What happens to Stark? Will she push the Trish merch, wearing the same janky T-shirt she’s been wearing the last six weeks? Is Trish gonna bring her home to Canada, sit her at the front desk of her little yoga studio, and make her answer calls?
Why is Trish still here, if she doesn’t wanna fight? Trish repeats, “Why am I here? Because I am the face of the Women’s Division! The division I built, the division I gave relevancy to!” And Becky hated when Trish and her were strolling around backstage, and people excitedly walked up and said, “Thank You, Trish!” Oh yes, Becky hated that. And the irony is not lost on Trish that Becky tried to break the face of the face of the Women’s Division. But now Zoey is gonna break Becky’s face! Becky is ready to go, but then Trish says she has an appointment she has to take care of. They’ll leave this dump called Baltimore. Or maybe “Balti-less!”
But hey, keep the calendar open for next week. Trish & Zoey leave, Becky is more than ready. Will The Man finally get some payback next week?
On-stage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Jackie Redmond welcomes the American Nightmare back out, and fans again get to sing along, “WHOA~ OH!” Cody’s in a suit now, so he’s not looking for a fight anymore. Jackie says that earlier tonight, he got a fight with Lesnar, does he have a comment? Cody notes this is Jackie’s Raw debut, so everyone say hi. “Hi, Jackie!” Now, Cody is a man of his word. He said that after Night of Champions, he would be waiting on Brock Lesnar. Tonight, The Beast reared his head, Cody spoke Lesnar’s language, and the translation was simple: “Welcome back, Brock! We are not done yet!”
Cody says Lesnar broke Cody’s arm, but Cody busted Lesnar’s face. There is no way that they can continue to coexist on Raw, so Cody wants one more shot at Lesnar. And he’ll fight Lesnar any night, and every night! Cody thanks Jackie and heads back out. But then when and where will we see round three between American Nightmare and Beast Incarnate?
Mixed Six Tag: The Alpha Academy VS The Viking Raiders!
We’ve heard both sides out the last couple of weeks, but now it’s time to “SHOOOOOSH! Shoosh, please.” Will Maxxine join Gable & Otis in saying “A THANK YEW~!” tonight? Or will Erik, Ivar & Sarah Logan bring about Ragnarök before Independence Day?
The trios sort out and Erik starts against Gable. They tie up. Gable wrenches but Erik whips. Gable goes up and over, sunset flips, ONE! “A THANK YEW~!” Erik runs in but into a headlock. Erik powers out and runs Gable over! Erik scowls, brings Gable up, and ROCKS him with a forearm! Erik chinlocks to grind Gable down but Gable endures. Gable reaches out, throws body shots, but Erik shifts to back suplex! Gable lands on his feet, dodges and tags in Otis! Otis hits Erik, hits Ivar, CLOBBERS Erik, and then Ivar gets in, but Otis scoops him! And SLAMS him! Fans fire up with the Dozer as he SPLASHES Erik in a corner!
Erik staggers and falls, and Gable says its time! Off comes the shirt, the fans fire up as Otis pumps and does the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Erik bails out, the Academy stands together to say “A THANK YEW~!” with Baltimore, and Raw goes picture in picture.
Erik bails out to regroup with the Vikings, but Otis waits. Ivar storms back in but the ref says there was no tag. Ivar goes out, but Erik RAMS Otis into a corner! It was all a strategy! Tag to Ivar now, and he SPLASHES Otis against the apron! Otis sputters, Sarah has a sinister smile, and Ivar tags Erik. The Vikings get Otis up and in, then Erik covers. TWO, and Erik clamps on with a facelock. Erik drags Otis up, Ivar tags in, and they KNEE Otis, and KNEE him down! Ivar beats his chest and roars, but Otis flounders to ropes. Ivar throws crossfaces but Otis snarls and shakes his head. Ivar stands Otis up but Otis throws hands!
Ivar knees low, Otis goes back to ropes, and Ivar tags Erik. The Vikings mug Otis again, hammer him down, but the ref counts. Ivar lets off, Erik looms over Otis. Erik stomps Otis, then stays between him and the Academy. Erik stomps more and more, but Otis fires back! Erik RAMS Otis into ropes and they scrap! Erik ROCKS Otis and throws hands from all sides! Erik chinlocks, grinds Otis, but Otis fights up to throw more hands! Raw returns to single picture as the two scrap, and Erik RAKES eyes! Tag to Ivar, the Vikings double whip to ropes. Otis blasts through the lariats to DOUBLE SHOULDER the Vikings down!
Hot tag to Gable! Gable fires off on Ivar! Throat chop and UPPERCUT then knee and UPPERCUT! Ivar swings but misses and Gable mule kicks! “SHOOSH!” ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Erik is in, but runs into an EXPLODER! “A THANK YEW~!” Fans fire up with Gable and he goes up the corner. But Ivar ROCKS him! And ROCKS him again! Ivar climbs up after Gable, but Gable fires forearms and headbutts! FLYING BULLDOG! Gable runs to clothesline Erik and himself up and outta the ring! Gable then goes to the apron, CANNONBALL! Down goes Erik but Gable keeps moving! DIVING HEADBUTT on Ivar!! Cover, Erik breaks it in time!!
Otis runs in but Erik dodges! Ace Ten Maou! ROLLING ELBOW from Gable! LEG LARIAT from Ivar!! Both men are down, and they crawl to their corners. Fans fire up for the hot tags to Sarah and Maxxine! Maxxine dodges Sarah, and arm-drags! And arm-drags! And then facelocks, for the suplex! Maxxine says “A THANK YEW~!” Maxxine SPLASHES in the corner a la Otis, and then Sarah falls! Otis says, “MAXXINE~! Do the worm, baby!” Maxxine shakes it up, fires up, and hits the worm! But Sarah KNEES her down!! The Vikings go after Otis! Gable goes up to ARIHARA MOONSAULT to take them out!!
Maxxine staggers, Sarah clamps onto her face, and whips her to a corner! Maxxine goes up and over and sunset flips! THE ACADEMY WINS!
Winners: The Alpha Academy, by pinfall
Maxxine’s in-ring debut is a success! Will this finally SHOOSH the doubters?
WWE shares footage from backstage at MITB.
After the Men’s MITB ladder match, and after their quite truly death defying crash through tables, Ricochet and Logan Paul brawled it out! Security, refs and producers had to pull them apart, is this beef between them only heating up?
Backstage interview with Ricochet.
Jackie is with the One and Only and brings up the “interactions” with Logan Paul, both during and after the ladder match. Ricochet says a lot of people felt Logan never belonged in that match in the first place. But take it from Ricochet, from Royal Rumble to MITB, Logan can hang and Ricochet can respect that. But what he doesn’t respect is Logan gets in Ricochet’s face, made things personal, when it just wasn’t Logan’s night. Ricochet issues a challenge to Logan. But not on social media like a keyboard warrior. No, they do it BIG in the WWE. So how about next week, here on Raw, Logan returns to meet Ricochet in the ring face to face?
WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Natalya!
At Night of Champions, Mami got the advantage thanks to her Dom-Dom. The second time around wasn’t even a match because Rhea used her brutality. Will the third time be the charm for the Queen of Harts? Or will this time be when Natty is truly eradicated?
Wait, Natty rushes down the ramp to get the ambush on Rhea! Natty fires off on Rhea and the fans fire up! Natty RAMS Rhea into barriers, hammers away on her again, then brings her up to RAM into steel steps! Rhea falls over and Natty gets in her face. Natty says this is for those other times! Natty SMACKS Rhea off the apron, CLUBS her, and then pushes her in. The ref reprimands, Natty gets in, but Rhea still wants this face. The bell rings, and Natty fires off on Rhea for real now! The ref counts, Natty lets off, and then storms back in. Trip and leg lock, then Natty throws more fast hands!
Natty wants the legs but Rhea scrambles away! Fans fire up as Natty goes out after Rhea! But Rhea DECKS Natty! Rhea SMACKS Natty off the desk! And again! And again! And again! Natty flops over with the desk hood! Rhea TOSSES the hood, puts Natty in the ring, and then runs in. Natty gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Natty drags Rhea up to CLUB her again and again! Fans duel, Natty SLAPS Rhea, and Natty scoops. Rhea slips free, and CLUBS Natty on the back now. Rhea scowls and she clamps onto Natty. Rhea whips Natty to CLUB her on the back! Natty grits her teeth while Rhea argues with the ref.
Rhea shoves and CLUBS Natty again! The ref reprimands Rhea more but Rhea tells him to shut up. Rhea shoves, but Natty comes back with haymakers! Fans fire up, Natty has Rhea in the corner and fires off again. Rhea shoves Natty away, then catches her in body scissors to HEADBUTT her down! That’s new. Rhea covers, TWO!! Natty survives and Rhea grows frustrated. Rhea slaps Natty around and eggs her on. “You wanna fight me, Natty? HUH?” Rhea SLAPS Natty! Fans rally and duel, Rhea HIP DROPS Natty, then HIP DROPS her again! And again! Rhea taunts Natty, drags her up, and KICKS her in the side!
Natty writhes, but Rhea sits her up to MULE KICK! But Natty comes back with more fists and forearms! Rhea hits low, kicks Natty down, and looms over her. Rhea bumps Natty off buckles, hoists her up top, then ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Rhea climbs, but Natty resists, so Rhea fires off more hands! Natty hits back, HEADBUTTS, and Rhea staggers away. Natty adjusts, and CROSSBODIES! Direct hit and both women are down! Fans rally up, Rhea and Natty stir, and Rhea crawls over to Natty. Rhea swings but Natty counter punches! And again! And again! And again! Rhea kicks low, stomps feet, and hits a KNEE SMASH!
Rhea runs to DROPKICK Natty down! Cover, TWO! Rhea argues the count as Raw goes picture in picture.
Rhea scowls as she gets to her feet. She tells Baltimore to “SUCK IT!” and to shove it, then she stomps Natty more. Rhea KICKS Natty in the back, then swings around one of the leather straps that snapped off her leg. Rhea bumps Natty off buckles, then RAMS and RAMS and RAMS her! Rhea lets off as the ref counts and they argue again. Natty goes to ropes, but Rhea CHOKES her! The ref counts, Rhea lets off again, but Natty comes back with hands! Natty CLUBS Rhea, but Rhea kicks low! And KICKS Natty down! Rhea SMACKS Natty off the mat, pushes her to a cover, TWO! The Queen of Harts is still in this!
Rhea frowns, throws hands, but Natty throws them back! Natty whips, but Rhea reverses, and reels Natty right into a COBRA TWIST! Natty claws at Rhea’s legs, Rhea drives an elbow into Natty’s ribs, but Natty keeps fighting. Natty smacks and clubs Rhea’s leg, gets around, and puts the Cobra Twist on her! Rhea endures, grabs at hair, and powers her way back to the Cobra Twist! But Natty pops free to HIP TOSS Rhea away! Rhea gets up, Natty ELBOWS her! And BOOTS her! And runs up, gets around, and SLAPS her! Natty whips, Rhea reverses but Natty dodges in the corner! REBOUND SIT-DOWN!
Natty steps on Rhea and basement dropkicks! Raw returns to single picture as Natty gets the legs! Rhea BOOTS Natty away, and again! Rhea then reaches up to EDDY GORDO KICK! Both women are down and fans fire up again! Rhea stands, she drags Natty up and reels her in, but Natty RANAS free! Rhea stands, into the DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is still in this and Natty grows frustrated. Natty gets the legs, steps through, but Rhea powers it to a cradle! TWO, and Natty CLUBS Rhea again. Natty whips, runs in at the corner, but Rhea BOOTS her down! Rhea goes up top, and leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!!
Rhea is beside herself! This is thee same person she bullied and decimated, maybe that’s why Natty’s fighting so hard. But then Rhea ROUNDHOUSES Natty down! Rhea pushes Natty over, gets her legs now, PRISM TRAP!! Natty endures the inverted cloverleaf as fans fire up again! Natty reaches out, crawls and claws to roll and send Rhea into buckles! Rhea is dazed and Natty has new life! Natty trips Rhea up, steps through, but Rhea YANKS her into buckles! Rhea returns the favor, and then stomps Natty! Rhea drags Natty out, stomps her, then goes to the corner. Rhea says this is for Dom-Dom!
Rhea climbs up, gives us Latina Heat, and then FROG SPLASHES onto BOOTS!! Natty saves herself and Rhea is dazed again! Rhea runs back in, but only gets POST! Rhea staggers and stumbles, into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Natty gets Rhea’s legs, steps through, SHARPSHOOTER!! Rhea endures, powers up, blood in her mouth, and she powers her way over to the ROPEBREAK!! Natty lets go reluctantly, and Rhea bails out of the ring. Natty builds speed, to slide, but Rhea dodges! Natty pursues but Rhea KICKS, HEADBUTTS, and pump handles! RIPTIDE!!! Cover, Rhea wins!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)
The Queen of Harts gave Rhea one hell of a fight, but now Rhea gives Natty a beating for it! Rhea throws down hands and headbutts, but here come Liv & Raquel! The Women’s Tag Champions run off the world champion, but Rhea waves bye to her old rival. Will Big Mami Cool look to revisit the past with Mami Eradicator?
Raw shares Tommaso Ciampa’s WWE social media exclusive.
“You know what the difference is between Tommaso Ciampa and The Miz? When I had a problem with The Miz, I walked down that aisle, I looked him in the eye, and I punched him in the teeth. When Miz had the opportunity to do the same, instead he chose to attack me from behind like a coward. There is a silver lining in all of this. Y’see, this past Monday, I finally saw that look in his eye again. The Miz, he’s a guy who’s accomplished everything there is in the WWE, and he’ll be the first to tell ya. But the last couple o’ years, he’s had loss after loss after loss.
“Until finally, that spark is back in his eye! That ruthless aggression that has gotten him to the top time and time again! It’s back. That’s the thing. Miz, I want you to listen to me very closely. The next time we’re in the same arena together, I want you to bring that same energy, and I’ll bring the same chip on my shoulder with me. Because now, you’ve shown me your cards, and you have no idea what I’m holding in my hand.”
The Miz responds.
“You wanna talk cards, Tommaso Ciampa? I don’t care if you have the high card, two of a kind, three of a kind, four of a kind, straight, Full House, I am the unbeatable Royal Flush, and I am not bluffing! You wanna talk about me losing and losing and losing, and call me a coward?! The last person to call me a coward is gone! Everyone that I have taken under my wing and has double-crossed me is gone, yet I’m still here. So who’s the real winner? But you’re right, I do have a spark in my eye. I am feeling better than I’ve ever felt before.
“So next week, I want you to bring that chip on your shoulder to our No Disqualification Match! I want the best version of Tommaso Ciampa, because you will be getting the best version of me! And you and everybody else will put respect on my name! Cuz I’m the Miz… and I’m awesome.” The Hollywood A-Lister is about to bring out his full anger, will Ciampa like what he sees?
Rhea Ripley encounters Iyo Sky backstage!
And Miss MITB tells the champ, “Yabai yo, yabai yo.” That is to say, Rhea is in danger. Iyo holds up her MITB briefcase, and tells her, “See you around, Rhea.” Rhea says, “Try me. It’ll be the biggest mistake of your life.” The Evil Genius takes her leave, does she already have a plan in motion? As for Rhea, Dom & Priest walk over and check in on her. And has anyone even heard from Finn? Not since Saturday. But Rhea asks if they saw what happened out there. Liv & Raquel came to help Natty? They wanna get in Rhea’s business after she warned Raquel not to? Raquel either didn’t get the message, or is just thick in the skull. They do that again, they’ll regret it.
Dom says yeah, it’ll be just like Rollins regretting getting in the ring with Dom! Dom’s gonna be the last man standing! The Judgment Day is in agreement, but is Finn (not) fine with how things went on Saturday?
Matt Riddle VS Giovanni Vinci w/ Imperium!
The Original Bro still has his ankle taped up from the damage Gunther did to it, but he isn’t letting it get him down. But he’s now facing the Pride of Italy, who owes Riddle for damaging his ankle! Will Vinci avenge himself and allow Imperium to move on? Or will Riddle get back up now that he’s back in the States?
Raw returns as Imperium makes their entrance. The bell rings and Ludwig swipes at Riddle’s bad foot! The fans boo, Riddle swipes back, but Vinci CLOBBERS Riddle! Vinci stomps and UPPERCUTS and CHOPS Riddle! Vinci scoops and SLAMS Riddle into ropes! Fans boo but Riddle gets up to fire strikes! And KICKS! Vinci ducks, runs, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Vinci stomps Riddle’s bad foot, then grabs it for a toehold. But Riddle kicks with the good leg! Riddle kicks again, Vinci blocks but Riddle breaks free and spins Vinci to a PELE! Riddle kips up, forearm smashes, and then runs again, but into a fireman’s carry!
Vinci ROLLING SENTONS, goes up, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Riddle escapes, but Vinci drags him up and reels him in. Riddle fights outta the bomb, FINAL FLASH! Gut wrench, but Vinci drops to get the foot! ANKLE LOCK! But Riddle rolls it to a cover, and Riddle wins!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
But Ludwig PENALTY KICKS! Imperium beats up on Riddle and fans boo, but here comes DREW MCINTYRE! Fans fire up and Gunther says hurry, go after him! Ludwig & Vinci hesitate, but they run out. McIntyre BOOTS Ludwig, then HEADBUTTS Vinci! Riddle hits a FINAL FLASH on Vinci again, and McIntyre glares at Gunther. But then he smiles and looks at Vinci. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAYMORE!! Vinci goes down, McIntyre kips up, and now Gunther gets on the apron. But McIntyre stares him down and dares him to do something. Gunther chooses a tactical retreat, but will he have to face the Scottish Warrior soon enough?
Riddle and McIntyre regroup backstage.
The Bro tells McIntyre thanks for that save. The Imperium has been beating him up for weeks. Well not anymore. But then here comes Byron! Byron says McIntyre made his return at MITB, and just made his presence felt in a big way. That’s right! Drew McIntyre is back! And Riddle says now that Drew is back, they should team up and take out Imperium next week. What’s McIntyre say? McIntyre hears the fans saying take his shirt off, but that tag match sounds like a hell of a return match. But that’s next week. Tonight, let’s go out in Baltimore to get some pints? Riddle likes the way McIntyre thinks! And let’s get some Jimmies! Yeah, love it!
Seth Rollins VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Judgment Day!
The Visionary didn’t mind changing his plans to go from partying to fighting, but he’s also aware this could all be a trap to set him up for Priest. Will Rollins finish this fast and get to the festivities? Or will “Dirty Dom” make sure Raw belongs to the Judgment Day?
Raw returns as Rollins makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle while the fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Dom and Rollins approach, but Rollins dodges to go up the corner and enjoy the singing. Dom is annoyed, but he and Rollins circle again. They tie up, go around, and Rollins wrenches to wristlock and hammerlock. Rollins then spins, headlocks and hits a takeover! Fans chant “DOM, YOU SUCK!” while Rollins grinds him down. Rhea says shut up, Dom’s the best Mysterio ever. Dom pulls hair, headscissors, but Rollins kips free. Dom kicks low, headlocks and he hits a takeover.
Rollins moves around, fans rally, and Rollins fights up. Rollins powers out, but Dom runs him over! Things keep moving, Rollins hurdles then redirects to then run Dom over! Fans fire up and sing, and Rollins brings Dom around to throw body shots! Rollins throws Dom out of the ring to the ramp side, and he builds speed, only for Rhea to stand in the way. Fans boo but Dom runs in! Rollins tosses Dom out at Rhea’s feet! Rollins goes out to then FLYING KNEE Dom down! Priest glares at Rollins and Rollins uses Scott Hall fingers to taunt him. Fans sing for Rollins as he gets back in the ring. Rhea keeps Dom calm and Raw goes picture in picture.
Rollins waits on Dom, and Dom takes his time. Rhea and Priest also get on the apron, they flank Rollins. Priest steps in, Rollins rushes over, but he still sees Dom’s attack coming! Rollins CHOPS Dom to a corner, CHOPS him to another corner, then whips him corner to corner. Dom bounces off buckles, into a CHOP! Rhea & Priest are annoyed but Rollins runs back in at Dom, but Dom dodges! Rollins hits buckles and Dom stomps away on him! Dom tells fans it’s done, and he wants a mic. Rhea fetches a mic while Dom throws hands on Rollins! Rhea hands the mic in, but chances are the fans are booing even now.
Dom gets on the corner and tells them off, then he runs at Rollins to stomp him down. Dom soaks up more heat and he stomps Rollins at the ropes. The ref counts, Dom lets off, and Dom gets on the corner again, only for Rollins to Electric Chair Lift! HOTSHOT! Rollins runs to SLINGBLADE! Dom flounders around, Rollins dares him to get up. Rollins stomps Dom again and again and again, then digs the heel in. Rollins lets off, drags Dom up, and Rollins smirks at Rhea before UNO AMIGO! Fans fire up as Rollins goes again, Dos Amigos! Rollins shows off his Latino Heat, and hits THREE AMIGOS!
Fans fire up and Rollins goes to the corner. Rollins climbs, but Rhea gets on the apron. The ref reprimands, but Priest SHOVES Rollins down! Rollins crashes on the mat, and now Dom goes up! FROG SPLASH! But Dom doesn’t cover, he wants to add on! Dom stomps Rollins but fans chant “DOM, YOU SUCK!” Dom goes back up, takes aim, FROG SPLASH again!! But Dom isn’t covering, he is just here to hurt Rollins! Dom stomps Rollins again, then goes up a third time. FROG SPLASH onto knees!! Rollins saves himself and the Judgment Day freaks out! Rollins rises as the fans rally and he runs in at Dom.
Rollins rallies on Dom with lariats, then a mule kick, front kick, and DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up more as Rollins grits his teeth. Rollins runs in at the corner, forearm smash! Rollins keeps going, another forearm smash! And then another! Rollins reels Dom in, BACKBREAKER! And then Rollins runs, to KNEE Dom down! Fans fire up again and sing the song! “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins watches as Dom stirs, and Dom rises into a kick! Underhooks, but Priest gets up on the apron! Rollins DECKS Priest, dodges Dom, and clotheslines Dom up and out! Rollins builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on Dom & Priest!
Priest hits the desk, and Rollins gets Dom up and in! Rhea panics as Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS Dom, then turns him for a DREAM SMASHER! Dom drops, Rollins aims. But Priest gest in!! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification
Priest hammers away on Rollins! Fans boo as Priest drags Rollins up and TOSSES him out! Rhea has the briefcase for Priest, and Priest RAMS Rollins into the steel steps! Priest fires off hands, then RAMS Rollins into the desk! Those battered ribs are getting beaten up all over again! And now Priest TOSSES Rollins into barriers! Priest has Rollins against the desk to HAMMER away on him! FLATLINER to the desk! Rollins sputters and falls, Priest brings the straps down again! Priest clears off the desk! Fans are thunderous as Priest drags Rollins back up! Priest reels Rollins in, gets him up, Canadian rack to the crucifix, but Rollins slips free!
Rollins SUPERKICKS! Rollins gets Priest in, but Dom CLOBBERS Rollins with the briefcase! Dom RAMS Rollins into the steps, then puts him in the ring. Dom has the briefcase again and he says Priest can do it! Priest looks at the briefcase, thinks about it, and he steps up to the apron! But FINN BALOR is here! He CLOBBERS Rollins into Priest! Priest falls as Finn stomps and punches away on Rollins! Finn climbs up, but Priest gets up on the apron. They argue about what the hell is going on! Dom wants them to keep the peace, there’s bigger fish to fry! But that fish is getting away! Rollins bails out, Dom rushes him, but Rollins kicks low! PEDIGREE to the floor!
Rollins retreats as Priest rushes after him! The fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Priest says Finn ruined this for him! Finn says Priest ruined things on Saturday for Finn! Priest doesn’t care that Finn lost that on his own. Don’t make this about yourself, make this about the team! Rhea tells them to stop arguing as she checks on Dom. Is the Judgment Day falling apart before our very eyes?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to follow up MITB. Though, this also did suffer just a bit from the new condition, “Aftermath Show Syndrome.” A lot more recaps than I thought they were going to give, but they did their best to make it all relevant to what we were seeing. Great opening promo segment that ended up being multiple segments. I do like that Cody, in ring gear, was operating under the assumption Brock was never gonna face him again so he just wanted right after the title. But then Brock shows up, we get a really good brawl, and per Cody’s interview promo where he’s back in a suit, they of course get us on course for a match at SummerSlam.
Great stuff with the Judgment Day all night, too. Good promo with Rollins where they brush past the issue with Finn while in the ring, but then talk about it when they’re “alone” backstage. The one thing WWE still needs to work on is that their wrestlers don’t acknowledge backstage cameramen as if they don’t exist. There should’ve been a moment here where they tried to get away from the cameras, only for the mics to still pick up audio. Great main event from Rollins VS Dom and of course there was the tease of a cash-in. Finn ruins that for Priest, possibly accidental payback for MITB but also totally on purpose. The Bloodline had their civil war, now it’s Judgment Day’s turn. And as I see it, the moment JD McDonagh returns, you know something’s going down.
Rhea also had awesome stuff with Natty and the Women’s Division. Natty had a great showing but of course Rhea wins. Raquel & Liv making the save made some sense, they’re Faces, they respect Natty, and there’s also the history with Raquel and Rhea going back to their NXT days. And good little visit by Iyo Sky backstage to remind Rhea that Miss MITB can target anyone. All those possibilities are great, but Raquel & Liv also have to once again deal with Sonya & Chelsea. I am truly shocked it was a clean sweep from start to finish for Chelsea & Sonya, but the gauntlet did help get other stories get going again, like Nikki’s obsession with Candice.
Raquel & Liv will get past Chelsea & Sonya as their first defense of the titles, and I hope they visit NXT to give the teams down there some chances. Nikki might end up fighting Emma after abandoning her, or Emma helps her take on Candice & Indi. Something feels a bit jumbled in that story, I’m not sure what happened. But also great to see Tegan Nox is back, let’s all hope and pray she doesn’t get hurt again, she really deserves a fair chance on RawDown. And good promo from Becky, Trish & Zoey to show Trish is hurt (not sure how much is work versus shoot), and Becky will have a good match against Zoey next week.
Great stuff out of Shayna and Ronda, and Shayna is definitely the Face here. She calls upon the trope of “I earned this, you were handed it,” same as LA Knight just did to Logan Paul on SmackDown. Good brawl, and while Shayna came out on top here, she could still win out when they finally have their match. Speaking of Logan Paul, I like that they got their feud going while MITB was still on, and Ricochet has a good promo to call Logan out. They’re gonna have a great feud, though I also kinda hope Logan still feuds with LA Knight this year. Great promos from Ciampa and Miz, this is a great callback to “Talking Smack with Daniel Bryan incident” Miz, No Disqualifications is gonna be awesome.
Really good, really fun Mixed Six match from Alpha Academy and Viking Raiders. The fans are really loving Gable and Otis, and now loving Maxxine because she’s along for the ride. Maxxine really did do a good Worm, though she could still be smoother. But also great win for her in her first match, it really feels like she does genuinely wanna get in on the action, not just be a manager/valet character like she was as Sophia Cramwell in NXT, and as Maxxine Dupri with Maximum Male Models. Just still a shame we didn’t get a proper blowoff in that story, Maxxine just kinda ditched her guys for Otis & Gable.
Good promo from Bronson Reed, though they had him use big words. I am still not sure where he’s supposed to be going post Draft since he’s on Raw where the US Championship is not, and Gunther still has the Intercontinental title. Decent match from Riddle VS Vinci, but rather quick. But that was cuz it was all to set up McIntyre making the save. McIntyre and Riddle have a good backstage promo, they’ll have a great tag match against Ludwig & Vinci, and I’m sure this is still leading to McIntyre VS Gunther at SummerSlam for the Intercontinental Championship. Maybe if McIntyre gets the title off Gunther, Bronson will step in to face McIntyre. But even then, I kinda wanna see Gunther VS Face Bronson with this whole “Mr. Nice Guy” thing he’s coming up with.
My Score: 8.6/10
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El Phantasmo defeated cancer, and he won the NJPW World Television Championship! But will this feel good story take a Tour of the Island?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Katsuya Murashima VS Masatora Yasuda; Murashima wins.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Daiki Nagai; Tanahashi wins.
- Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato VS The United Empire; Shota, Taguchi & Wato win.
- Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma; Naito & Hiromu win.
- Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors; Sanada & Connors win, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Bullet Club wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, YOH, Tomohiro Ishii & El Desperado VS TMDK; Goto, Hashi, Yoh, Ishii & Desperado win.
- NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb; ELP wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, YOH, Tomohiro Ishii & El Desperado VS TMDK!
We saw The Fierce Warrior and Front Man lead teams before in a Six Man Tag, but now we raise the bar! Will Chaos plus Despy defeat The Mighty? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out, and we get tense stare downs. ZSJ and Goto, Oiwa and Hashi, Fujita and Despy, Eagles and Yoh, Hartley and Ishii. The ref tells everyone to settle down, and eventually it’s Despy and Fujita starting off. The bell rings and the fans rally. Chants “FU-JI-TA!” and “DE-SU-PEY!” are fairly even, and the two circle. They feel things out, Fujita goes for a leg but Despy facelocks to counter. Fujita spins to use his leg guard but Despy gets around to go for the headlock again. Fujita waistlocks, Despy wrenches an arm, but Fujita slips away. The fans cheer as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Despy wrenches an arm.
Fujita fires elbows, wrenches back, but Despy slips around to wrench and hammerlock. Fujita wrenches out to hammerlock in return, and they switch the hammerlock onto each other again and again. Despy wrangles Fujita with a top wristlock and grinds him down. Fujita fights up, Despy cording holds, but Fujita whips him, to then wrench and wrangle in return! Fujita STOMPS Despy’s arm and the fans cheer. Despy storms up on Fujita, then CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS, but Despy doesn’t flinch! The CHOPS go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans fire up as they just keep going! Despy starts to feel that stinging, but then he YANKS Fujita’s arm!
Despy drags Fujita up, CHOPS him again, then brings him over to the corner. Tag to Yoh, but Fujita fires forearms on Despy! Yoh CLUBS Fujita, Despy stomps Fujita down, then Yoh stomps Fujita. Yoh drags Fujita up, kicks him low, then fires a forearm. Eagles sneaks a tag and Fujita whips Yoh away! Trip, KICK, SENTON, and basement DROPKICK! Fujita then BLASTS the Chaos corner! Eagles drags Yoh by a leg, steps through, but Yoh fights his way to a ROPEBREAK! Eagles drags Yoh back, Yoh scrambles to another ROPEBREAK! Eagles drags Yoh back again, but Yoh scrambles to yet another ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts, Eagles finally lets go, and he follows Yoh to the center. Eagles CHOPS Yoh to a corner, then runs in, only for Yoh to put him on the apron! Eagles ROCKS Yoh first, then springboards, but Yoh dodges! Yoh then drop toeholds Eagles, and basement DROPKICKS him! The fans cheer while Eagles scrambles away. Eagles tags Oiwa, so Yoh tags Hashi. Mighty Mullet and Headhunter RAM, and RAM, and then Oiwa runs, but Hashi dodges to BLOCKBUSTER! Goto & Ishii BLAST ZSJ & Hartley! Then Bishamon whips Oiwa to a corner! Goto LARIATS, then feeds Oiwa to DOUBLE SHOULDERS from Hashi & Ishii!
Goto sits Oiwa up for a CHAOS TRIPLE KICK! Cover, TWO! Hashi brings Oiwa up, but Oiwa CHOPS! Oiwa fires a forearm, Hashi CHOPS, and the fans fire up! Hashi brings Oiwa up but Oiwa CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS, Oiwa CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up as the CHOPS go back and forth! Oiwa runs, but into a CHOP! And then DOUBLE CHOP! Hashi runs, but Oiwa RUNS Hashi over! The fans fire up and Oiwa tags in #BigJag! Hartley CHOPS Hashi! And then he suplexes Hashi high and hard! Then BIG ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Hartley BLASTS the Chaos corner! Then Hartley plays defense while TMDK swarms Hashi!
ZSJ and Oiwa have Hashi’s arms, Fujita & Eagles have Hashi’s legs! Then they rotate! And rotate! And rotate again! The ref reprimands and counts them all, and all five TMDK members put their hands up, even though Hartley wasn’t doing anything. But then Hartley SENTONS onto Hashi! The fans cheer, Hartley covers, but Yoh & Despy break it! TMDK throws Yoh & Despy back out, then Hartley tags ZSJ. The fans cheer as ZSJ brings Hashi up in a cravat. Hashi endures the neck wrench, throws body shots, then a CHOP! ZSJ eggs Hashi on, then blocks a chop to JAB low! ZSJ facelocks Hashi, but Hashi powers out with a suplex!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi and ZSJ crawl, hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior runs ZSJ over, intercepts Goto, and snap suplexes him onto ZSJ! Goto then BLASTS Hartley & Fujita! Goto brings ZSJ up, fires forearms, then whips him to a corner. ZSJ reverses, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ keeps moving but Goto LARIATS ZSJ in the corner! The fans fire up with Goto, but ZSJ stops the hip toss to THROW Goto down! And NECK TWIST! ZSJ then runs to PENALTY- NO, Goto blocks the kick! Goto ROCKS ZSJ, but ZSJ fires up! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Goto fires up!
Goto fires a forearm, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, repeat! The forearms fly, Goto ROCKS ZSJ again and again! But ZSJ UPPERCUTS right back! ZSJ runs, but Goto follows, only for ZSJ to wrangle him! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! TMDK BLASTS the Chaos corner! Goto endures, ZSJ shifts, DISARMER! Goto still endures, so ZSJ shifts to trap that arm and grab the other! CLARKY CAT! Goto endures, reaches out, but ZSJ pulls that arm way back! Goto still kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets go in frustration. ZSJ drags Goto up, reels him in, ZACK- NO, Goto slips out, but ZSJ elbows him away.
ZSJ runs up but Goto dodges to schoolboy with some stank on it! Cover, TWO! ZSJ escapes, but Goto fireman’s carries! Goto feints Ushigoroshi to have the dragon sleeper! G T- NO, ZSJ drops down to victory roll and EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!! Goto escapes but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto rises to LARIAT!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! ZSj and Goto crawl, hot tags to Hartley and Ishii! The big meaty men DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Ishii ducks a lariat to LARIAT back! Hartley DROPKICKS Ishii!! Hartley SPLASHES in the corner, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO!
Hartley reels Ishii in but Despy LOCO MONOS! Fujita runs up, Despy dodges, but then Fujita dodges Despy! Despy blocks a kick, knees low, then sends Fujita at the corner. Eagles puts Fujita on the apron, BOOTS Despy, then Fujita MISSILE DORPKICKS Despy! Fujita runs, into Yoh’s SUPERKICK! Eagles SOBATS and ASAI- NO, Yoh slips free! But Eagles avoids the elbow to ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK and PELE! But Yoh says I’LL BE BACK, SUPERKICK!! Yoh aims, but Hartley stops the plancha! Yoh elbows free, but Hartley CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up as Hartley now has Ishii! Fireman’s carry, but Ishii fights free!
Ishii waistlocks, but Hartley is too big to German Suplex! Hartley elbows free, then sends Ishii to Oiwa. Ishii ROCKS Oiwa first! Then Ishii dodges to send Hartley into Oiwa! The fans fire up as Ishii feeds Hartley to Hashi’s SUPERKICK! Then Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES Hartley!! The fans are thunderous, and Hashi dodges Oiwa to feed him to Ishii’s forearm! Hashi mule kicks, then he and Ishii whip Oiwa, but Oiwa DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans are thunderous as now Oiwa hauls Ishii up, THE- NO, Ishii swats the Grip, dodges again, but Oiwa DROPKICKS Ishii down! Oiwa hauls Ishii up, for the DAIGO SHIKI SAIDO!
Oiwa sets Ishii up for Hartley, BIG JAG DEATH VALLEY!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous again! Hartley hauls Ishii up, reels him in, BIG JAG BOMB!! Cover, GOTO BREAKS IT! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto, UPPERCUTS again, and again! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, USHIGOROSHI! Hartley is up, he DOUBLE LARIATS with Goto! Goto HEADBUTTS Hartley, Ishii HEADBUTTS Hartley, then Ishii LARIATS Hartley down! High stack, TWO!! Hartley survives but Ishii hauls him up. No way! Ishii suplexes Hartley!? BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, CHAOS WINS!
Winners: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Yoh & El Desperado, by pinfall
That was definitely a mighty battle, and while The Mighty Don’t Kneel, Hartley sure fell hard! Eagles still goes after Yoh on the outside, their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship battle still to come. The Young Lions separate them, but will Yoh & Rocky Romero revise who is on top? And what about Fujita and El Desperado? They battle tomorrow for THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, will the Rogue Luchador still be the Best of the Super Juniors?
NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb!
The Headbanga fought cancer, and won. He fought three opponents in one match, and won! But now, he and the Imperial Unit are going to go 1v1, can ELP still win? Or will his “season” be over already?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s the real main character of NJPW World!
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans rally up as Cobb and ELP step up. ELP and Cobb shake hands and the fans cheer. The two tie up, Cobb headlocks, but ELP powers up and out, only for Cobb to run him over! Cobb runs but ELP stays low, then ELP DROPKICKS Cobb! Cobb staggers to a corner while ELP kips up. The fans cheer and ELP goes to Cobb, but Cobb POUNCES him away! Cobb throws hands to put ELP in a corner, then he RAMS into him! Cobb then TOSSES ELP across the ring! Jado coaches ELP up and ELP stands. Cobb runs in, ELP goes up and over, then dodges to springboard, but Cobb catches him!
Cobb pops ELP up into a suplex, then THROWS him away! Cobb flexes and the fans cheer, but Jado still coaches ELP. Cobb drags ELP up, HEADBUTTS him to the corner, then whips corner to corner. ELP goes up and over, then spins to CHOP! ELP knuckle locks Cobb, CHOPS again, then goes up, up, jumps around, and FLYING- NO! Cobb stops the rana to then bring ELP up. ELP fires hands, and he manages to RANA Cobb out of the ring! ELP skins the cat, the fans cheer, and ELP builds speed. ELP DIVES, and he sends Cobb into railing! The fans cheer and ELP DUMPS Cobb into the front row! The fans step aside while ELP brings Cobb back up.
ELP ROCKS Cobb, Cobb ends up taking a seat, so ELP goes up the corner! The fans fire up already as ELP spells it out! “E! L! P!” SUPER ARIHARA MOONSAULT but no Cobb!? Cobb let the Young Lions take that hit for him! ELP crawls and Cobb drags him up from the chairs. Cobb brings ELP around to and tosses him to the orange seats! Cobb stalks ELP up the bleachers, brings him up, and he suplexes!? The fans freak out, but then Cobb carries ELP as he marches up the steps! The fans cheer, but ELP manages to slip free! ELP shoves Cobb into the side of the stairwell! ELP then uses Cobb as a step to get onto the ledge!
The fans freak out already as ELP takes aim, “E! L! P!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Both men are down and Red Shoes wants them to get to the ring. However, the time hits five minutes, this is already working in ELP’s favor. ELP and Cobb stand, and ELP fires a forearm! Cobb staggers away, ELP follows, and ELP CHOPS! Cobb staggers away again, and ELP struts over to CHOP again! Cobb stumbles down the stairs, ELP pursues, and we return to the ground floor. ELP uses a fan’s ELP towel to blind Cobb, and ELP CHOPS him! ELP gives the towel a kiss before giving it back to the fan.
But Cobb fires body shots! Cobb POSTS ELP, then brings him around to APRON BACK SUPLEX! ELP writhes but Cobb slips into the ring. Cobb storms over, drags ELP up from the apron, and Jado already doesn’t like where this is going. Cobb deadlifts ELP for the stalling- NO, ELP slips free again! And he gets under, to carry Cobb out for a POWERBOMB! The fans fire up and ELP high stacks, TWO! Cobb survives that but the fans rally for ELP. Time is still ticking away, but ELP tunes up the band! ELP aims as Cobb rises up, SUDDEN- NO, Cobb blocks the kick and reels ELP in! FALL AWAY SLAM!
ELP flounders to a corner and Cobb flounders to the other. Both men drag themselves up, and Cobb runs in, LEAPING BACK ELBOW! Cobb huffs ‘n’ puffs but he clearly has a bloody nose. Cobb wipes the blood away, but ELP kicks from below! Cobb grabs the legs and he YANKS ELP right up into an ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans cheer. Cobb hauls ELP back up, whips him to ropes, but ELP grabs ropes to stop! ELP BOOTS back, runs up, but Cobb catches him! ELP BELL CLAPS free, then ROCKS Cobb! Cobb DOUBLE CHOPS, ELP mule kicks, front KICKS, then ENZIGIRIS!
The fans fire up and ELP throws off the elbow pads! ELP winds up and LARIATS! LARIAT! And LARIAT! ELP runs, but Cobb dodges to come back and LARIAT! Cobb hits so hard, he tumbles to the apron! ELP sputters while Cobb rises up. The fans rally for ELP, but Cobb climbs the ropes!? “JEFF! COB-BU!” THUNDER FLOP!! ELP rolls Cobb up, TWO! Cobb is still in this but ELP steps over, LA MAGIST- NO, Cobb smothers it to a cover, TWO!! ELP escapes, then hooks Cobb, but Cobb fights the backslide! Cobb switches the hooks to FLIP ELP! Cobb HEADBUTTS ELP, ELP staggers and rebounds, and Cobb SUPERKICKS!
ELP leans against ropes, Cobb reels him in, TOUR OF THE- CRUCIFIX TAKEDOWN! TWO!! Cobb escapes again! SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP covers, ONE?!? Cobb survives so ELP tunes up again! Cobb staggers up, into SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cobb survives again and ELP is stunned! Jado and the fans continue to rally for ELP and ELP vows to finish this! Three minute warning as ELP hooks Cobb up, but Cobb wrenches free! TOUR OF- DDT!! ELP hits a shocking counter, then goes to the apron! ELP climbs up, Cobb rises, CROSSBODY! Then he goes up the ropes again, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, ELP WINS!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)
Cobb put a powerful fight worthy of a former champion like him. But in the end, he couldn’t “cancel” the Headbanga Show. ELP shows Cobb respect by helping him stand, but Cobb doesn’t want it! Cobb snatches the title, so that he can give it to ELP himself. Cobb shows ELP respect in return, but will Cobb be moving on to another title scene?
As for ELP, after catching his breath a bit, he grabs the mic to tell Korakuen Hall, “Daisuki desu! <I really like you~!>” The fans cheer that! ELP grabs a second mic so “Papa Jado” can also speak. Is he feeling good? Jado says yeah, he’s feeling good! ELP asks Korakuen if they feel good, and the fans cheer that they do. “Sugoi. <Amazing.>” ELP apologizes, he knows little Japanese. But ELP knows Jado knows a lot of Japanese! Maybe Jado can translate? Jado says yeah, it’s all good! The fans applaud, and ELP says it has been a long time since he was in the main event of NJPW! And yes, Jado translates.
The fans cheer, and ELP says he won’t use this time to put himself over. Jado hesitates, he isn’t sure how “put myself over” would translate… Jado just goes with, “Good luck with that.” ELP says he doesn’t want fans to cheer him, he wants fans to cheer for all the guys in the back who drove the bus for 9.5 HOURS to get here from Morioka. Jado translates that, and the fans do cheer. ELP wants fans to cheer for the cameramen who film this all day, while ELP only has to wrestle 15 minutes. The fans cheer already, and Jado still isn’t sure how to translate. ELP simplifies it to: I love the cameramen who work so hard. Jado can do that.
ELP wants cheers for Milano Collection AT and Hiroshi Tanahashi on commentary. They do way more work than him, so cheer them. The fans do cheer, but Jado’s translation is more about teasing Milano & Tanahashi than praising. ELP also points to the timekeeper, and English commentary’s Walker Stewart, who is doing this for like, the 12 English speaking fans who watch this live! The fans do cheer, and ELP says F Clark Connors, the guest commentator. ELP thanks the referees and office staff who help set up the ring and tear it down every show, and Jado translates. ELP says there are a lot of people who deserve more love than him.
So for everyone who isn’t a wrestler, but who makes NJPW run on a daily basis, make some noise! The fans cheer, and ELP says hold on, this is for the Osaka fans. ELP isn’t on the New Beginning show, but he will do an autograph signing there because of all the love they showed when he had his little cancer thing back then. “Osaka, see you soon.” The fans cheer, and ELP tells Korakuen, “I am the Headbanga! I am the NJPW World TV Champion! And I am… E! L! P!” The fans join in on that! Will The Headbanga Show continue to be the people’s show?
My Thoughts:
A great continuation of Road to New Beginning, though about as much filler as before, too. I do appreciate that Tanahashi is doing this series of “Final Road Connection” matches. With these Young Lions still in that phase of their career, Tanahashi will never get to wrestle them when they’re established stars, so this is nice of him as a veteran, an icon, a legend, to be giving back and paying it forward. Good stuff in the other matches, too, and Sanada finding another way to get Taichi disqualified is actually hilarious. Sanada is really leaning into being a sneaky, underhanded Heel, I feel like his blowoff with Taichi should be No Disqualifications just so he can’t frame Taichi.
The 10 Man Tag was good stuff, and with TMDK having won last time in the main event, it made sense for Goto’s team to win this time. It was also mostly to build momentum for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match tomorrow, and the tag title match for New Beginning in Osaka. Desperado VS Fujita is going to be great, but I don’t know if Fujita & Eagles really become a Junior Heavyweight Two Man Power Trip. The NJPW World TV Championship was a great main event, and that was a great win for ELP. ELP also gave a great promo where he showed love and appreciation for all the NJPW non-wrestler and production staff. Naturally he has a new lease on life, he’s learning to be grateful for everything, so this was a great way to show that.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Turning the corner on the Road to WrestleMania!
Charlotte Flair and Jey Uso are headed to WrestleMania 41, but will they choose the champions they’re after tonight on Raw? Or will they wait it out?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser; Penta wins.
- The New Day VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee; The New Day wins.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Liv Morgan VS Iyo Sky; Liv wins, by disqualification, and advances to Elimination Chamber.
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: CM Punk VS Sami Zayn; Punk wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
And the winner of the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble is in the pavilion as he asks the production truck to hit his music! Uh, YEET! Cleveland is all fired up as Jey makes his way out through the crowd, and it’s time to YEET in The Land! Jey high-fives as he makes it to ground level, then high-fives with Pat McAfee and Michael Cole before going to the ring. The fans continue to bounce as Jey stands on the corner, then he goes to the other corner! Jey then grabs a mic, but the fans still wanna “YEET!” The fans now chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says sure why not! Jey gets on the corner and everyone YEETS again!
Jey goes back to the mic, and the fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Jey soaks it all in, then takes a breath before taking off the sunglasses. The fans then chant for “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey goes to speak, but the positive energy is overwhelming. Cleveland continues to “YEET!” and Jey says, “Thank you guys for that. To be honest, I don’t even know what to say.” The fans say “YEET!” and Jey says besides that. Jey wants to rap at ya. Jey came in the game, like almost 15 years ago. Nah, he tried to make a good living with his twin brother to become pro-wrestlers. As far as carrying their family legacy, they did that, and that was cool.
Fast forward, pandemic, Jey goes with his family, The Bloodline. That was fire. They did cool chapters in his career. Jey was so scared, not confident in himself, to try and do this as a singles star. He didn’t have it, bruh. He didn’t. But coming out here tonight, Jey’s got it now! The fans cheer that! They again chant, “You Deserve It!” and Jey takes a breath. Jey says he worked, and worked, really hard, just to get to this spot. He worked hard to get in this position. But look. Jey’s got it. Jey has it because of every single fan. From his heart, from his family, thank you everyone! Every week with him! Jey gets teared up and the fans cheer more.
Jey says because of the fans, he is the 2025 Royal Rumble winner! EY EY! YEET!! And now, bruh, Jey is going to WrestleMania, the main event, and it’s just him, Uce! But wait! Gunther is here! Der Ring General, the World Heavyweight Champion, makes his way to the ring to stand across from Jey, a very familiar sight. The fans boo and Jey is frustrated, but Gunther tells Jey he’d offer congratulations here. But for what? In reality, Gunther is disappointed. Because honestly, this possible match up here, it doesn’t appeal to Gunther. Let’s be honest, Jey! Jey can’t even lace Gunther’s boots!
Gunther is the World Heavyweight Champion, he learned box office, and he learned how to make the fans all believe he’s barely holding on, when in reality, he is always in control! And y’know what? This time, Gunther refuses to do this with Jey again. Gunther asks if Jey even knows what it means to hold this world title. It means Gunther is in the process of building a legacy for himself. And quite honestly, beating Jey at Mania doesn’t add a thing to his legacy. Now, Jey, don’t give him that look. See Gunther’s expectations. Beating Roman, Cena, CM Punk, that would’ve added something to Gunther’s legacy.
So Jey, the situation here is clear. Jey has everything to gain and Gunther has everything to lose. So if Jey chooses Gunther, that forces Gunther into a position where he has to give himself something to gain. Gunther wants Jey to understand: If Jey chooses Gunther, every week is going to be Hell, With WrestleMania being the most horrible display of violence this business has ever seen! Gunther will hurt Jey. Gunther will put Jey down like a diseased dog! The fans boo, but Gunther says the good thing is, Jey has options. Gunther’s advice is to consider them. Gunther goes to leave but Jey says hold up, hold up.
Is Gunther not tired yet? Jey is. Cleveland, are you tired? YEET! Everyone telling Jey what he can and can’t be. YEET! Tag team guy. YEET! Not supposed to be in the main event. YEET! Not supposed to win the Royal Rumble! YEET! But Gunther, Jey is going to Friday Night SmackDown, holla at Cody, but he promises this: Whoever Jey chooses, he walks into WrestleMania as the 2025 Royal Rumble winner, and he guarantees us he walks out as Main Event Jey Uso, and as a champion! YEET! Jey hits the mic drop, but then who will he choose to main event with in Las Vegas?
WWE shares John Cena’s words from the Royal Rumble Post-Show.
John Cena announces now that he will compete in the Elimination Chamber. Because after 23 years of loyal service, that opportunity is earned. he is going in to win, and he is going to main event his final WrestleMania and win that 17th championship. Not for him, but to someday shake the hand of the person who wins 18. That is one spot already filled, who will win their way into the other five?
PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser!
The Man with No Fear made the Impeccable German the man with a lot of embarrassment after only lasting six seconds in the Royal Rumble. Kaiser might hate Penta more than he does Sheamus now, but will he get his Royal Rumble revenge? Or will Kaiser learn how dangerous #CeroMiedo really is?
The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s eyes through the mask, puts him in the corner, then UPPERCUTS him down! Kaiser stomps away on Penta, but the ref counts. Kaiser backs off, but then stands Penta up to whip. Penta KICKS Kaiser in return, then ducks ‘n’ dodges! Tilt-o-whirl RANA and Kaiser tumbles to a corner. The fans cheer, Penta runs up, GAMANGIRI! Penta sits Kaiser down, headstands, but Kaiser gets up to GAMANGIRI in return! Penta falls in a heap but Kaiser kicks him around. Kaiser shouts, “You wanna embarrass me?!” Kaiser pushes Penta around, then SPITS on him!
Kaiser stands Penta up to whip, but Penta reverses, and it’s a replay from the Rumble! The fans fire up and Kaiser is furious! Kaiser storms back up, but Penta blocks a shot to SOBAT! Penta then triangle jumps, but Kaiser UPPERCUTS first! Kaiser drags Penta up, fireman’s carries, and APRON KAISER ROLL! Penta falls to the floor, Kaiser dares Penta to embarrass him now, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Penta CHOPS Kaiser! And CHOPS again! Penta whips, Kaiser reverses, but Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, only for Kaiser to SLAM him down! Sliding LARIAT! Kaiser rains down forearms on the back of Penta’s head! The fans boo but Kaiser drags Penta to his feet, short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Penta, but Kaiser PENALTY KICKS! Penta stays up and the fans rally more. Penta eggs Kaiser on, so Kaiser KICKS! Kaiser mocks Cero Miedo, but Penta shakes his head. The fans boo Kaiser, Penta eggs Kaiser on! “Listen! CERO! MIEDO!” Kaiser runs, but Penta CHOPS him down!
Penta CHOPS again, and again, and again! Penta whips, kaiser reverses, but Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Kaiser sputters his way to a corner, but Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta sits Kaiser down, handstands, and he hits the SWINGING DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kaiser stays in this, Penta is a bit frustrated, and the forearms go back and forth. Then Penta CHOPS! Kaiser CHOPS! Penta CHOPS again! Kaiser CHOPS again! They go CHOP for CHOP, then Kaiser knees low. Kaiser CLUBS Penta on the neck, then brings him up to the ropes. But Penta DUMPS Kaiser to the floor!
Penta builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes Kaiser at the ramp and the fans fire up! Kaiser gets in the ring first, but Penta goes to the apron at 5 of 10. Penta climbs a corner, Kaiser turns around, into the CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated again but Kaiser CHOPS! So Penta CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth again, then Kaiser CLUBS Penta! Penta SUPERKICKS, and SUPERKICKS, then whips! Penta drops down, then jumps up, but Kaiser has him! KAISER ROLL again! Cover, TWO! Kaiser is furious but the fans fire up! Kaiser paces around, storms up on Penta, clinch and SIDE- NO, Penta slips free!
Penta half nelsons, Kaiser has the ropes, and then Kaiser elbows Penta! Kaiser uses ropes to roll Penta, but Penta slips through to trap the arm! FOR THE SACRIFICE!! Kaiser clutches his arm, but Penta clinches! PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Another big win on Raw and the Penta Era is undefeated! Jackie Redmond interviews Penta in the ring, congratulating him on the win streak. Penta said this is his era, so what can the WWE expect next? Penta thanks Jackie, but then Pete Dunne interrupts! The fans boo as The Bruiserweight makes his way out, but then Kaiser attacks Penta from behind! The fans boo as Kaiser is a sore loser, just like Dunne! Kaiser clinches Penta for the SIDEWINDER! The ref reprimands but the damage has been done! Will Kaiser and Dunne actually become an alliance over their disdain for the new kid on the block?
Judgment Day talks backstage.
While none of them won the Rumble, Liv is excited to get in on the Elimination Chamber. But then Finn Balor barges in, and wants to get this right. He’s gone for two weeks, recovering from that brutal Street Fight, and everything just falls to pieces. Not only did Dominik steal Finn’s tag title rematch, Dom stole Finn’s partner, JD McDonagh. And in the process, Dom got JD hurt! In the future, if Dom wants to call the shots, maybe he needs a babysitter. Dom says, “Is that so?” and Finn says yes it is. Liv & Raquel step in, and Liv says that’s not true! Dom had to step in or another team was going to get the title match. And The War Raiders hurt JD, not Dom.
Liv knows things are looking grim, but after tonight, she’ll qualify to be in the Elimination Chamber, and Liv & Raquel are promised a tag team title match! All thanks to Daddy Dom. Wow, so Dom does all this for Liv and nothing for Finn? Liv says no, Dom got Finn a Chamber qualifier, too. That was Dom? Yeah, cuz they’re family. And they will listen to Finn from now on. But Liv has to get ready for her match with Iyo, so she’s gotta go. Liv nuzzles noses with Dom before heading out, Raquel at her side. Dom says he told you so. Carlito asks what Dom got him. Dom got Carlito the apples. Will Finn make the most of Dom’s gifted qualifier? Will Judgment Day still (not) be okay?
Charlotte Flair is here!
The Land cheers as The Queen, the 2025 Women’s Rumble winner, the first-ever TWO TIME Women’s Rumble winner, is here! But much like Jey, she has a choice to make. Will Charlotte choose the champion she’s after? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Charlotte has a mic. “Hi, Cleveland.” The fans are a little torn now, but Charlotte says here’s the thing. A year and a half ago, the booing would’ve bothered her. But she actually missed the fans. No, really, it has been a year and two months. She missed the booing and the cheering. Last year sucked! Actually, up until last year, she really thought she was unbreakable, but last year broke her mentally and emotionally. There was even a point last year, she didn’t know if her knee was ever going to be better. She didn’t know if she’d make it to Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, or even WrestleMania! They just don’t get it!
The fans continue to be torn, and Charlotte says she’ll embrace the boos, because she still loves all the fans. And do they know why she still loves them all? Because whether they’re wooing or booing, love to hate her, hate to love her, it doesn’t change the fact that she is the GREATEST WWE Superstar in the history of this industry! So boo her now. Or is that not what they wanted? Did they not want her saying how hard last year was for her? Because it broke her, yet she still fought every single day to get back here. This is what she loves, this is her passion, this is what she wants to be the very best at!
So when she was able to walk that aisle again and punch her ticket to WrestleMania, she knew she was- RHEA RIPLEY is here! Charlotte smiles and the fans cheer as the Women’s World Champion makes her way out. Mami grabs a mic to then stand face to face with The Queen. Charlotte says she was trying to have a moment with Cleveland, but hello, Mami. Rhea says okay, but this is her show. And now we seem to have the possibility of these two once again. Rhea says when you go to war with someone, that is when you earn their respect the most. So Rhea does respect Charlotte.
So then please, please pick Rhea. Because the last time they faced off at WrestleMania, Rhea beat Charlotte. Charlotte says that is a good point, and makes no excuses, but there was the first time they fought, and Charlotte beat Rhea. The fans didn’t like that, huh? Rhea says it’s fine, because it’s true. But then, Charlotte might not understand. Back then, Rhea was just a kid. Charlotte is aware, but she came out here just to get things started. Rhea’s jumping the gun. Rhea wants an answer, but Charlotte has nothing but time. Charlotte is going to NXT tomorrow night to see if Giulia “inspires” her. Then she goes to SmackDown to see if Tiffany Stratton “inspires” her.
Because Charlotte needs, wants, to be inspired. But Rhea came out here, jumped the gun, got impatient. That showed Charlotte that Rhea is still just a kid. So on that note, see you next week. But then Rhea steps in Charlotte’s way. Charlotte saying Rhea is still a kid shows she doesn’t respect Rhea the way Rhea respects Charlotte. So please, pick Rhea, so that Rhea can beat that respect into her! The fans like the sound of that! Did the Queen’s gambit pay off? Or will she take a different course of action?
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Jackie Redmond is now with the Underdog from the Underground, and notes that while the Rumble was rather rough with him being eliminated by good friend, Jey Uso, he does have an Elimination Chamber qualifier tonight against CM Punk. Hard to believe these two have never been 1v1 before, but how is he feeling about it? Sami says yeah, it was difficult. He really thought this was his year to win the Rumble, he had the most momentum he’s had, but it happens. And he can still punch his ticket to WrestleMania through the Elimination Chamber, but that means getting through CM Punk. That is the only thing on his mind.
Well, the other big question is Kevin Owens’ status. Has Sami had a chance to talk with Kevin since Saturday and that brutal ladder match? Sami sees someone else and apologizes to Jackie, he has to go talk to them. Sami walks over to Jey Uso! Jey tells Sami that he wasn’t aiming for him that night, but sorry for kicking him in the face. Sami says stop! They hug it out and Sami is so proud of Jey! Jey did it when no one else thought he could. This is Jey’s moment. So it doesn’t matter if it’s Gunther or Cody, this is Jey’s time, so go out there and do it! Jey thanks Sami for that, they do their handshake, and Jey wishes Sami luck against Punk.
They hug it out again, Jey heads out, but Karrion Kross steps in. That was a very touching moment. Kross wants to ask, though: What is it like to watch everyone else live out Sami’s dreams? Sami says maybe he wasn’t clear. He is getting real sick seeing Kross. If Kross keeps coming up, they’re gonna have a problem. What? No, Kross isn’t here to be a problem. But he could be, at any given time. Kross heads out, will Sami be able to watch his back while trying to move forward?
Rhea Ripley returns backstage.
But then, Mami crosses paths with Iyo Sky. The Evil Genius says maybe she sees Rhea at WrestleMania. Rhea says maybe. Rhea continues on, only for Liv to attack Iyo! Rhea runs back up to run Liv off, but then Raquel CLOBBERS Rhea! The Judgment Day laid the trap and it worked out! Liv mockingly says she’ll see Iyo later, but has she only added fuel to the fire?
The New Day VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods finally have a new theme song to go with their new bad attitudes, but they look to settle the score with the King of Lucha & The Boy Wonder! Will Kofi & Woods prove New Day doesn’t suck? Or will we be calling the 619 here in The Land?
Raw returns and the LWO makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Lee starts against Woods. They circle, tie up, and go around. Lee headlocks but Woods pulls on the mask! The ref reprimands, but Kofi tags in. Woods powers out, Kofi trips Lee, and Woods fist drops! Kofi slingshot stomps! Kofi whips Lee to a corner, then runs in, but Lee dodges! Kofi hits buckles, but he puts Lee on the apron! Lee RAMS, bumps and ROUNDHOUSES Kofi away! Lee goes up and CROSSBODIES! Lee builds speed, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS Kofi! Kofi goes to a corner, Lee runs in, and he JUMP KICKS! Leg sweep! COMBINACION CABRON! Cover, TWO!
Lee keeps on Kofi and he tags in Rey. LWO double whips Kofi, mule kicks, front kicks, then dropkicks the legs! Rey basement DROPKICKS then covers, TWO! Rey brings Kofi up, but Kofi powers Rey to the corner! Tag to Woods, New Day mugs Rey! The fans boo but Woods kicks Rey down. Woods stands on Rey in the corner! The fans boo but Woods soaks up the heat. Woods hops down to “apologize,” then he whips corner to corner. Woods runs up, but into an ELBOW! Rey goes up to FLYING RANA! Woods flounders, Rey RAMS him into the corner, then Rey rains down fists! The fans count to nine, Lee tags in, and SUPERKICK for ten! Cover, TWO!
Woods stays in this but Lee stays on Woods. But then Woods FLAPJACKS Lee! Tag to Kofi and he KICKS Lee to a corner! Kofi fires off, then hoists Lee up top. Kofi ROCKS Lee, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans boo, but Kofi goes to the very top. But Lee slips down to trip Kofi up! Lee KICKS Kofi, then runs corner to corner, DROPKICK! Lee then goes out to the apron, but LOGAN PAUL is here? Well, okay, he is Cleveland’s own, but he also wants to mess with Rey, his future opponent for an Elimination Chamber spot. But this distraction lets Kofi sit up to THROW Lee down, and then Woods SHOVES Rey into barriers!
The fans boo while Logan grins and asks what happened. Logan laughs at Rey’s pain while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Woods has Lee down with a chinlock. Lee endures, fights up, and Logan watches from ringside as Lee fires body shots. Woods CLUBS Lee, shoves and mule kicks him, then tags Kofi. Woods whips Lee for Kofi to drop toehold! Woods goes out to trap Lee on the ropes, and Kofi APRON SENTONS! While Logan argues with a fan, Kofi puts Lee in the ring and goes up the corner, AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! Lee toughs it out but Kofi rains down fists! Kofi and the ref argue, then Kofi puts Lee in the ropes. Kofi runs side to side to knee lift! Tag to Woods, and he goes up the ropes to GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMP!
Woods soaks up the heat, then struts around before he flexes. The fans boo but Woods drags Lee up. Lee breaks free to ROCK Woods! Woods ROCKS Lee! Woods whips Lee, Lee slips through the lariat to lift and SITOUT POWERBOMB! The fans fire up while both men are down! Lee and Woods crawl, reach out, hot tags to Kofi and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey rallies on Kofi with LARIAT after LARIAT! Rey whips, Kofi reverses, but Rey tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi ends up in a corner, Rey ROCKS him with a forearm! Rey then whips corner to corner, runs up, but Kofi slips out to SWING KICK!
Kofi goes up, up and leaps, but Rey dodges! Rey RANAS Kofi onto ropes! The fans fire up and Rey dials in, but Woods gets Kofi outta there! The fans boo, but Rey SEATED SENTONS Kofi instead! Only for Logan to get up in Rey’s face. The fans boo, Logan pats Rey on the head, but Rey SHOVES Logan down! The fans fire up, Rey ROCKS and POSTS Kofi! Woods kicks, Rey blocks, and Rey SLINGS the leg into the POST! Then Lee gives Woods a FLYING RANA to the floor! Rey puts Kofi in, but Kofi distracts the ref for Logan to YANK Rey out! Logan TOSSES Rey back in, and Kofi hits TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Cover, New Day wins!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall
When you’re on the same wavelength as Logan Paul, you know that’s a bad thing! But New Day doesn’t care, they still won. Will they use this to get back to the WWE World Tag Team Championships? Will Logan be smiling when he and Rey fight next week for a spot in the Elimination Chamber?
Medical update on Roman Reigns.
They explain that they can really only share what The Tribal Chief is willing to disclose. They therefore cannot share what injuries Roman sustained when Seth Rollins attacked him after they both lost the Royal Rumble match. However, it would seem Roman Reigns will be out for the “foreseeable future.” Is Roman going to miss out on his first WrestleMania in years?
Backstage interview with CM Punk.
Cathy Kelley is with the Second City Saint and brings up how he didn’t get the win he wanted in the Royal Rumble, either. The good news is, he can go on to Elimination Chamber, after a match with Sami Zayn. Punk says the real good news is that while he didn’t win the Rumble, neither did Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. But yes, his course of action is facing Sami in a qualifier. Apologies in advance for Sami’s fans, but it won’t be Sami winning tonight. Punk has goals he has set, he needs WrestleMania, and maybe he put too much pressure on himself before. But this time, the pressure will be on everyone else. Punk excuses himself to go get ready, will he have his WrestleMania moment after all?
Iyo Sky heads to gorilla.
She’s still sore and upset from Liv’s ambush earlier, but we can also see Pure Fusion Collective watching. If Liv doesn’t put Iyo down, will Sonya, Shayna & Stark finish the job?
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Iyo Sky!
Raw returns with Iyo already in the ring, trying to work out her left shoulder from Liv’s attack. And speaking of, Liv now makes her entrance, Raquel naturally by her side. The bell rings and Liv runs away from an angry Iyo! Iyo still grabs at Liv in the ropes, but Liv uses that to trip Iyo! Iyo still ROCKS Liv, bumps her off barriers, then THROWS her into more barriers! Iyo SMACKS Liv off the apron again and again, then shoves her in. Iyo hurries in now, blocks a kick, and CLUBS the leg! Iyo fires forearms, Liv shoves her away, but then Iyo FLAPJACKS Liv! Iyo runs to basement DROPKICK! Cover, ONE!
Iyo is annoyed, but she drags Liv up by her hair. Iyo whips Liv to a corner, runs in, but Liv STOMPS her down! Cover, TWO! Iyo stays in this but Raquel coaches Liv. Liv CLUBS away on Iyo, talks trash that she’s going to the Chamber, then Liv whips Iyo to a corner. Liv runs in for a back body block, then she SHINING WIZARDS! Snapmare, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Iyo stays in this but Liv stays on her with a clinch. Iyo fires body shots, but Liv shoves her away. Iyo returns, Liv ROCKS Iyo! And KICKS Iyo! Liv runs, Iyo dodges, but Liv avoids the handspring, only for Iyo to SHOTGUN Liv down!
Iyo kips up, the fans fire up, but then Liv TOSSES Iyo out! The fans rally, Liv runs, but Iyo slides in and ROCKS Liv first! Iyo runs, but Liv follows, only for Iyo to SHOTEI! Liv falls out of the ring and the fans fire up! Iyo builds speed, then DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up with Iyo while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Iyo snapmares Liv, but Liv gets up to BOOT Iyo down! Liv grins, then brings Iyo up to reel her in. Liv suplexes, then brings Iyo back up, that’s Una Amiga! Another suplex, Dos Amigas! Then THREE AMIGAS! Raquel cheers and Liv gives some Latina Heat. The fans boo but Liv runs, only for Iyo to duck the enzigiri! Iyo KNEES Liv down! The fans fire up while Liv sputters. Liv crawls away but Iyo roars as she rises up! The fans fire up with Iyo, and she SHOTEIS! SHOTEIS! And then DROPKICKS! Iyo hauls Liv up, whips her, but Liv reverses. Iyo slips out to the apron, blocks Liv’s punch and HOTSHOTS the arm!
Iyo climbs, the fans cheer, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Liv! The fans fire up with another kip up from Iyo! Iyo waits on Liv, then runs in, wheelbarrow and STOMP 182! Liv sputters, Iyo pushes her to a cover, TWO! Liv toughs it out and Iyo grows frustrated. Liv crawls to a corner, Iyo says all aboard! SHINKAN- NO, Liv dodges, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Iyo tumbles, Liv lines up a shot! But Iyo stops Oblivion to have the CROSSFACE! Liv fights free, but Iyo BUZZSAWS her down! Iyo steps on Liv as she goes to the corner. Iyo goes up, up, but Raquel is on the apron! The ref reprimands but Liv SHOVES Iyo down!
The fans boo but Liv RAMS Iyo, then runs up, SLINGSHOT SUNSET FLIP, but Iyo holds on! Iyo STOMPS Liv! Liv sputters, Iyo lines up a shot, but then Liv YANKS her down! Liv swings, Iyo dodges, and Iyo GERMAN SUPLEXES Liv to the floor! Liv is dazed, Iyo goes back to the ring, and then Iyo goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Iyo drags Liv back into the ring, goes up the corner again, and Liv stands. Iyo MISSILE- CODE BREAKER!! Liv covers, TWO!!! Iyo survives and Cleveland is thunderous! Raquel is furious and Liv is despairing! Liv hurries to put Iyo in a corner, then runs up, but Iyo dodges!
“This is Awesome!” as Iyo has the waistlock. Liv elbows free, then goes up, but Iyo GAMANGIRIS! Iyo roars, climbs, and brings Liv up. SUPER STEINER Liv flounders to the far side, and Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN!! Then Iyo puts Liv in the drop zone to go up, up, but Raquel is there again! The ref backs Raquel off, Iyo resets, OVER THE MOON0 KNEES! Liv hurries, but Iyo dodges! Liv clings to ropes, but Iyo still GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Liv flops over, Iyo can’t make the cover, but RHEA rushes out here to CLOBBER Raquel!! The fans fire up as Mami gets the better of Big Mami Cool with a HEADBUTT!
Rhea stomps away, Liv grabs Rhea! Rhea SLAPS Liv, the ref sees that!!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by disqualification (advances to the Elimination Chamber)
Rhea realizes in trying to help Iyo, she only helped Liv! Liv & Raquel run away, having the last laugh! Will Liv find a way to get back to the championship? Iyo asks Rhea what happened, and Rhea apologizes for how it went down. Iyo pushes past Rhea, Rhea defends it was an accident, but will Iyo just have to look for another Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with The War Raiders.
Cathy Kelley is with Erik & Ivar, the WWE World Tag Team Champions, and congratulates them on retaining their titles. But she does have to ask, what is next for them? Ivar says he never thought he’d say this, but last week, JD McDonagh actually won some respect from them. Erik says that no one on this planet knows what it takes to fight through injuries like the War Raiders. But then Chad Gable walks in, leading Team American Made, and he says he’s heard enough from the two of them. Just listen to themselves! They hurt JD McDude and just run away clinging to their belts. The Creed Brothers are real championship material, and they’ll wrestle circles around them.
Erik says he’ll just let Gable assume what he wants. But what will Julius & Brutus do when this becomes a fight? Ivar says if Gable’s boys want these titles, they better be ready to go to war. Erik & Ivar head out, and Gable says he must let his boys do this alone. He is going on a quest to conquer the dark arts of lucha libre. When he returns, he wants to see Ivy with the Intercontinental Championship, the Creeds with tag team gold, and American Made flourishing. Don’t disappoint him. Gable puts on sunglasses, and says, “I’ll be back.” Gable heads out, Julius asks if he really just quoted the Terminator, but Ivy has him let that go. But just who is Gable going to learn lucha libre from?
Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.
Cathy is with the Raw General Manager and brings up the rumblings that there’s a massive announcement tonight. Pearce says “massive” is an understatement. And while the Transfer Window has closed with Royal Rumble weekend, Pearce managed to make one more deal. Welcome to the Monday Night Raw roster, the PHENOMENAL AJ Styles! That IS big! But in steps Bron Breakker. Bron says Styles is on the roster now. Yes, and he’ll be here next week. Then do Bron a favor and keep that guy away from him. In fact, let’s talk about Bron. Who is next for him? Because it doesn’t seem to matter.
Pearce says Bron knows he respects Bron and that title. Then let’s go talk business about how much it matters to him. And now, please. Pearce excuses himself and Bron, they go off to talk business, so who will be next for the Badass Intercontinental Champion?
Seth Rollins is here!
The Land fires up for The Visionary as he looks like a cross between The Undertaker and Neo from The Matrix. Rollins was eliminated from the Royal Rumble alongside Roman Reigns by CM Punk, then took his anger out on them both. But what will he have to say as we continue down the Road to WrestleMania? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Rollins has a mic to tell Cleveland, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~! I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary! I am SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! And oh, baby, Cleveland, I’ve got a lot to talk about tonight. Some of it, you guys are gonna love. Some of it, you’re gonna hate. But I gotta get it off my chest.” Firstly: Jey Uso. He won the Royal Rumble, punched his ticket to WrestleMania. It stings for Rollins, but he is happy for Jey, he is proud of Jey, and he loves to see good things happen for good people. He loves seeing people getting what they deserve. That brings Rollins… to CM Punk.
Rollins says yeah, the Punk fans won’t like this. Punk LOST the Royal Rumble, his future for WrestleMania is up in the air, and Rollins loves to see it! That scumbag piece of trash embarrassment getting embarrassed by getting dumped out by that idiot, Logan Paul! Third: Roman Reigns. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says they really won’t like this. OTC LOST the Royal Rumble, and he may not even make it to WrestleMania at all. Now, you guys have been getting the vague updates about “out indefinitely,” untold injuries. Roman is hurt. Roman won’t admit it, Heyman won’t admit it, WEW won’t admit it, but Rollins will, because Rollins is the one who hurt Roman!
And yeah, he told you that you wouldn’t like it! Blame him all you want, but Rollins wasn’t wrong. For the past four years, Roman has done nothing but hurt everyone close to him. Friends, family, and he wouldn’t done the same to Rollins if he had the chance. The truth is, Roman and Heyman just love talk about the limited schedule, so Rollins just did Roman a favor. Now, he saved the best for last: himself. Rollins LOST the Royal Rumble… And that hurts. But luckily for him, that is the past, and there is a future that lies ahead. There are many different paths to WrestleMania, and his will go through Elimination Chamber.
Now, he has a qualifying match in a couple weeks against his old rival, Finn Balor. Rollins will handle that later. But there is someone else in a qualifier tonight that needs to handle business, and that man is Sami Zayn! The fans cheer Sami, and Rollins knows Sami is having his match real soon. But if Sami could come out here a few minutes early, Rollins wants to tell him some things, so Sami Zayn, c’mon down! Sami does make his way to the ring, and the fans cheer and sing along with the song. Sami joins Rollins in the ring, then Rollins starts a “Sami! Sami!” chant. Rollins says Sami is his guy! They go back a long ways, a LONG ways.
Rollins knows Sami will be at his best, he always ins. But it has been a tough month, especially between them. But the past is the past, the future is ahead of them, and it could be Elimination Chamber, it could be WrestleMania, but the immediate future is CM Punk. Now, the world knows Rollins hates Punk, that is a fact and Rollins isn’t afraid to admit it. These two are very different people, they handle problems differently. But what Rollins knows is that Sami hates Punk, too. And Sami puts on a good face, he did at WarGames, but tonight is not the night for that. Tonight is for the fight of his life!
Rollins knows Sami doesn’t like Punk! And after what Punk said weeks ago, that thing about Sami not being on Punk’s level, saying that to Sami’s face, that delusional narcissist, saying Sami isn’t on Punk’s level? No, this is SAMI ZAYN! Sami is a WrestleMania main eventer! He is a good man, and that is something Punk will never bee. So yeah, Sami isn’t on Punk’s level, he is levels above! So tonight is Sami’s night. Rollins wants the absolute best out of Sami to keep Punk out of the Elimination Chamber! People like Sami deserve to be in that match, and people like Punk, who don’t care about the fans, or about this company, do not!
Tonight, Sami, is your night! Put Punk’s WrestleMania dream in the dirt for good! Then he and Rollins can fight in that chamber! LET’S GO!! Rollins is fired up, will that help spark something in Sami Zayn? Wait, here comes Punk! Rollins turns around slowly to scowl at Punk, then he throws off his duster! Refs rush in to stop this, but Punk and Rollins get a couple shots in on each other! Rollins moves on for now, will Sami get rid of Punk for both their sakes? Or will Punk keep his Mania dream alive a little longer?
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: CM Punk VS Sami Zayn!
Raw returns and the bell rings on this main event. The fans fire up already as the two circle. Punk headlocks and grinds the hold, but Sami powers up and out. Punk runs Sami over, covers him, ONE! Punk says if there’s levels to this, show him what level you’re on, Sami! Sami and Punk reset, tie up, and Sami headlocks to grind the hold. Punk endures, fights up and powers out, only for Sami to run him over! Cover, ONE! Sami headlocks for the takeover, the fans duel as Punk headscissors, but Sami kips free. Punk hits the headlock takeover now, and he grinds the hold. Sami fights around, finds the ROPEBREAK, and Punk lets go.
Punk looms over Sami, so Sami shoves Punk, then SLAPS him! The fans rally as the two reset, tie up, and then Sami just pie faces Punk! Punk hits back, they clinch and end up on ropes. The ref counts, Punk and Sami go along ropes, and fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Punk RAMS Sami, CHOPS him, but Sami CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! And again! The fans “WOO~” then Sami fires a forearm. The fans rally more as Sami whips corner to corner. Punk reverses to RAM Sami, then he wrenches the arm. Sami fights but Punk still hits the ELBOW BREAKER! Punk keeps the wristlock, and he stands Sami up to RAM his shoulder again.
Punk wrenches to RAM Sami yet again, then wrenches Sami to CHOP! Sami sits down and shakes out the arm. Sami goes to a corner but Punk’s on him with a CHOP! The fans “WOO~” again, and then Punk wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts, Punk lets off at 4, and Punk brings Sami up. Sami fires a forearm, a CHOP, and repeat! Punk kicks low, then whips Sami to ropes. Sami goes up and over, LARIATS Punk down, and the fans fire up! Punk goes to a corner, Sami CHOPS him again! And CHOPS again! Sami bumps Punk off buckles, then Sami climbs up. Sami rains down fists, the fans count along, and Sami goes past ten to get to about TWENTY!
Punk sits down in the corner while the fans fire up. Sami hops down to then bring Punk up. Sami wrenches, whips, but Punk comes back to LARIAT! Punk then DECKS Sami, wrenches Sami, and hits a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! The fans are torn as Punk stands over Sami again. Punk goes up the corner, Cleveland gets louder, and Punk says hail to the king! But Sami ROCKS Punk first! Sami goes up to CLUB away on Punk, then hoists him up for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men writhe and The Land fires up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami ROCKS Punk, but Punk wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS! Punk hammerlocks the arm and RAMS Sami into buckles! Punk knuckle locks to wrench the arm, but Sami fires CHOP after CHOP! Sami goes up, up, and TORNADO DDTS! Sami has to drag Punk from the corner, but he can’t turn Punk over with the bad arm. The fans rally up, Sami shakes out the arm, and Sami drags Punk to his feet. Sami waistlocks Punk, but Punk fights the lift! Punk throws down elbows, then fireman’s carries. Sami fights free, ducks a shot, and hits a BLUE- NO, Punk fights free and ROUNDHOUSES!
Sami goes to a corner, Punk runs in, and he RAMS Sami in! Then SHINING WIZARDS! Then BULL- BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Punk survives and Sami is stunned! “This is Awesome!” as Sami rises up. Sami drags Punk up, but Punk breaks free! ARMBAR DDT! Sami clutches the elbow as he goes to a corner. Punk runs in, but Sami dodges, Punk POSTS himself! Sami goes to the far side, the fans fire up, and Punk turns around, HELLUVA- NO, Punk rolls Sami up, TWO!! Sami escapes, but Punk hits a headlock takeover! ANACONDA VICE!! Sami flails, reaches out, and the fans rally harder!
Sami kicks around, moves around, and now the “SAMI! SAMI!” is louder than the “C M PUNK!” Sami fights and fights, and finally has the ROPEBREAK! Punk lets go in frustration, but then he stomps Sami’s arm. Punk looks to the WrestleMania sign, and the fans duel as hard as they can. SHINING WIZARD in the corner! SHINING WIZARD again! Punk headlocks Sami, tells him to look at the WrestleMania sign, and says that’s for him! Punk runs, Sami follows! HELLUVA- NO, Punk dodges in time! Sami falls back, Punk says night-night! Fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO, Sami snatches Punk to a cradle! TWO?!?!
Even Punk has to check, and is relieved to find he is safe, if only barely. Punk ROCKS Sami with a haymaker, then ROCKS him again! Punk points to the sign, fires another shot, then another shot! Sami fires back! Sami fires forearm after forearm, but Punk hits back! They ROCK each other, then ROCK each other again! Sami runs up, into a fireman’s carry! Sami slips free, catches Punk, CORNER EXPLODER!! The fans are thunderous as Sami goes to the far corner! Punk rises, Sami runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!! Cover, Punk wins!!
Winner: CM Punk, by pinfall (advances to the Elimination Chamber)
Sami tried so hard, but maybe he went too hard, because Punk used that to his advantage! John Cena and CM Punk will be in the dreaded Elimination Chamber, both fighting for one more opportunity to go to WrestleMania. However, Punk does go back to Sami to show him respect. Sami does take the handshake, but then KEVIN OWENS ATTACKS THEM BOTH!? Kevin is somehow still walking after what happened at WrestleMania, and he reels Sami in!! PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!!! Kevin sits back, blackeye and battered ribs, and even wearing a Sami Zayn Forever shirt, but why did he do this?!
My Thoughts:
A great episode to follow the Royal Rumble and quickly shift towards Elimination Chamber. John Cena just taking a spot in that match is fairly fitting. For one, he’s not gonna wrestle to qualify for it, this is his last year and so why waste one of his appearances on Netflix? We then got great intertwining of stories in the qualifiers tonight. Then Judgment Day had a good promo to show their growing dysfunction. Dom doing his best to make amends is good, it really paints Finn as the troublesome element in this group. And when they said Finn has a qualifier, I could just feel it was going to be Seth Rollins, because that is just an awesome match anyway.
Speaking of Rollins, they apparently used what he did to Roman to write Roman off through Elimination Chamber. Like Cena, Roman’s not wrestling to qualify for that, and he can come back on the other side to set up something Rollins, maybe even with Punk. Punk had a good promo, and Rollins had a really good one, all to hype up Punk VS Sami. Kross and Sami also had a good promo, and between what Kross said and what Rollins said, that could explain Sami being so gung-ho by the end. Punk of course wins, though, that adds star power to the Chamber match. But I did NOT think Kevin would attack like he did, that was wild. Kevin VS Sami one more time?
We got parallel promos from Jey and Charlotte, in that Raw’s world champions confronted them to tease matches. Jey was definitely feeling real emotions, that’s why his promo was a bit hesitant at first. But then when it became kayfabe with Gunther, he was able to smooth it out. Though, that also felt the same as their other promos, with Jey getting the last word. Charlotte may have also been dealing with her own real emotions, given how the fans really were booing her that hard. But she played it off well, and she had good stuff with Rhea. I do appreciate Charlotte teases going to even NXT, since she did do that before when it was her and Rhea the first time around.
Liv & Raquel of course attacked Iyo ahead of Iyo VS Liv, and in kayfabe, Rhea may have been a bonus for them. Rhea going after Raquel only to cost Iyo was some clever stuff. There’s a lot of time between now and WrestleMania, I could see them give us Rhea VS Iyo as a title match at Elimination Chamber or something. It’d be a way for Rhea to make things up to Iyo, but also it teases that things could change for WrestleMania. And even though Charlotte namedropped Giulia and Tiffany, they literally pointed out how Rhea and Charlotte are tied for title matches at WrestleMania, so this year would be a great tiebreaker between them.
Very good tag team match from New Day VS Rey & Lee, but I should’ve figured Logan Paul would show up tonight given he’s from Cleveland. Logan helping the New Day win works given New Day kinda does need a win, and then Logan VS Rey for next week has some extra heat now. I have a bad feeling Logan wins that so he can get in the Chamber, mix it up with Cena, Punk, and whoever else. Good promo from War Raiders with American Made to start on a tag title story there, but also to start on Gable’s lucha libre “dark arts” training. Penta VS Kaiser was a great match, and a great win for Penta, but Dunne and Kaiser as a duo seems really odd.
AJ Styles joining Raw is great stuff, and good stuff from Bron talking with Pearce. I feel like Styles will end up challenging Bron for the Intercontinental Championship at some point, though. At the same time, I hope we get a huge match, where we can get a lot of big names in the match at the same time. Hell, intertwine stories here and make it Bron, Styles, Penta, Kaiser, Dunne, and… Sheamus! Sheamus can surely win a Six Pack Challenge to finally get that title, right? Right?
My Score: 8.8/10
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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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