Will Chad Gable stop Der Ring General?

Gunther is weeks away from the all-time longest WWE Intercontinental Championship reign, but Chad Gable looks to stop him tonight on Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle VS The New Day; The New Day wins.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Chad Gable; Gable wins by count-out, Gunther retains the title.
• Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell; Rhea wins.
• The Miz VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins.
• Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Chelsea & Piper win.
• Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor & Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day; Finn & Priest win, by disqualification.
• Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes VS The Judgment Day; Kevin, Sami & Cody win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Sami Zayn is here!

Quebec City, Quebec is all fired up for their hometown hero! The Great Liberator heads to the ring, borrowing a fan’s Quebec flag for a moment to show his love for his home. Fans continue to sing along with his theme and Sami revels in the moment. The music dies down but the fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” as hard as they can. Sami gets the mic, and the fans change to singing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Sami fires up and the fans fire up with him! Sami shows the goosebumps on his arm and the hair standing on end, and the singing just keeps on going! Then the chanting for “SAMI! SAMI!” returns!

Sami finally says, “Madame and monsieur! Bienvenu to Monday Night Raw!” But then The Judgment Day makes their way out! Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio and even Finn Balor walk out and head for the ring as fans boo. The Judgment Day flanks the ring and have Sami all alone. Sami says, “Alright, hey. Before you do whatever it is you’re about to do, I just have one question for you.” In French, he asks, “You know you’re in Quebec, right?” So did they think he’d come here of all places, alone? HERE COMES KEVIN OWENS! He DECKS Dom and stomps him down!

Fans fire up, Sami dodges Finn and Kevin trips Finn to drag him out! Damian has Sami, Sami fights free, and Kevin gives him a STUNNER! The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions stand tall and Quebec is all fired up! Sami picks up the mic and hands it to Kevin, and fans fire up more as Kevin stares the Judgment Day down. Fans chant for “KEVIN OWENS! KEVIN OWENS!” and Kevin says, “It’s uh… It’s been far too long since I’ve had a match on Raw, so how ’bout this? Right here, tonight, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn against any two of you!” Finn and Priest say they’re ready, so Kevin says, “Guess what?” In French, Kevin basically says they’re gonna kick Judgment Day’s ass!

Will The Prizefighter & Great Liberator not just #FightTogether but win together? Or will The Prince & The Punisher prove Judgment Day is on the same page?

Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle VS The New Day!

The Scottish Warrior & The Original Bro are giving it a go in the tag division, but they’re up against one of the very best to ever do it! Will #GlasBro be a force to be reckoned with? Or will Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston remind us all that New Day Rocks?

Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, followed by McIntyre’s. The teams sort out, Woods starts against Riddle and the two tie up. Woods headlocks, Riddle powers out, things speed up and Riddle hurdles. Woods stops to pie face Riddle! Woods says, “You are NOT a real tag team!” Riddle says, “Yes we are!” Woods dodges Riddle to DROPKICK him! Woods kips up, runs in, clothesline and a tag to Kofi! Feed to the GAMANGIRI, then BIG back suplex to a double-jump SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kofi brings Riddle up but Riddle slips around to back suplex! Kofi lands on his feet, and he dropkicks Riddle down!

Riddle scrambles to his corner, tag to McIntyre! Fans fire up as the two former WWE Champions tie up. Kofi waistlocks, headlocks, but McIntyre powers up and out. Kofi ducks ‘n’ dodges and slips around to then DROPKICK! McIntyre goes to a corner, Kofi runs in to clothesline! Kofi whips, McIntyre reverses but Kofi goes up and up and leaps, into McIntyre’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Woods runs in, he gets an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Riddle runs in and he hugs McIntyre! Fans cheer and Riddle goes on about how cool that was. McIntyre grins, and he clinches Riddle? To OVERHEAD TOSS him onto the New Day!

Fans fire up and Riddle is surprised! He gives a thumbs up and McIntyre gives it back, #GlasBro is rolling as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Kofi covers Riddle, TWO! Kofi drags Riddle around with a double wristlock, but Riddle endures. Fans rally up, Riddle fights up, but Kofi waistlocks. Riddle reaches out for McIntyre, but he elbows free. Kofi clamps onto the other arm, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Kofi snapmares Riddle, runs and tags Woods, PENALTY KICK to SLIDING FOREARM to IMPLODER SPLASH to FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps cool, Riddle flounders, and Woods clamps on with an armlock and chinbar. Woods grinds his forearm into Riddle’s face but he endures. Fans rally, Riddle fights up, and Riddle breaks free!

Riddle fires off fast hands, but Woods blocks a kick! Woods ducks the enziguri! Woods runs, tag to Kofi before the SLIDING COMPLETE SHOT! Kofi goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY to the back! Cover, TWO! Riddle survives but Kofi clamps on with another armlock and chinbar. Riddle endures all over again, and fights up as the fans rally. Riddle reaches out, McIntyre reaches out, but they’re fingertips away! Kofi kicks low, CLUBS and whips and trips Riddle, then hurries up a corner. Kofi aims as Riddle rises, FLYING- KNEE!! Riddle’s knee takes Kofi outta the sky! Hot tag to Woods and he CLOBBERS Riddle!

Woods wags his finger at McIntyre, puts Riddle in a corner, but Riddle puts Woods up top! Riddle paint brushes Woods with SLAPS! Riddle climbs up, fires off hands, then goes to the very top! Woods fights and fans fire up, Riddle has a leg! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Fans are thunderous and McIntyre is feeling it! Riddle crawls, Woods stirs, and Woods grabs a foot. Riddle kicks at Woods with the other foot, but THE VIKING RAIDERS trip McIntyre!? Where’d they come from!? Kofi tags in, leaps over Riddle, spins him around, TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Cover, New Day wins!!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall

Then the Viking Raiders attack the New Day! They stand Woods up to CLOBBER him! And then they drag Kofi up, he fights back, but gets the HEEL KICK O’ DOOM! Fans boo but McIntyre is back! He GLASGOW KISSES Erik, but Ivar BOOTS him! Ivar runs, into a SPINEBUSTER!! McIntyre is all fired up, he clotheslines Ivar up and out! The Vikings regroup but McIntyre still wants more! Will #GlasBro look to end the raid once and for all?

Backstage interview with JD McDonagh & Finn Balor.

Jackie Redmond welcomes the Irish Ace and Prince, and asks McDonagh about this friendship with Finn and if it’s created only more tension between Finn and the Judgment Day. Finn shakes his head and McDonagh says he hopes not. He’s known Finn his whole life, Finn’s like his older brother. And if anything, he hopes this friendship makes the Judgment Day stronger. Finn adds that he isn’t sure what she’s doing, trying to stir the pot. They’re not having it. Last week, the Judgment Day laid out Sami Zayn AND Cody Rhodes because of JD! And if anything- Wait, Rhea & Dom walk in. They apologize to Finn & JD, but not to Jackie.

Jackie scoots away while Rhea says they need to talk about just who is facing Sami & Kevin. They go, but Rhea tells McDonagh to stay. Judgment Day only. Finn says it’s okay, he’ll catch McDonagh later. Will the Irish Ace be on the outside looking in?

Shayna Baszler speaks.

“Opera Non Verba. You are what you do, not what you say you do. I’ve watched all these frail toy soldiers parading as opposition for long enough. You’ve all got me in a vendetta kind of mood.” Highlights play of Shayna’s win over Ronda Rousey, and Shayna says no one understands. She’s not here to be a hero. She’s gonna set it all on fire. Their only hope is to survive. “Let the world burn.” Who will the Queen of Spades use to stoke the flames next?

Gunther speaks.

“Tonight, the world will witness the glory of the greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all-time, Der Ring General, Gunther. Chad Gable thinks that time is my enemy. But indeed, time is my friend. Because with every day passing, I keep building my lifelong legacy. Chad Gable, I respect all your accomplishments. But you will not make a name for yourself on my expense. Your little fairytale story will end tonight!”

Chad Gable & The Alpha Academy are at gorilla position.

Byron Saxton is with them and brings up what Gunther had to say. Does Gable have any final comments before the biggest match of his career? Otis takes this first. “Coach, at the lowest point of my career, you brought me into the Alpha Academy, we became world tag team champions together. OH YEAAAAH~! But tonight, live in Quebec City, it’s your own golden opportunity.” Maxxine Dupri says that she could never have imagined becoming an in-ring competitor until Coach Gable showed her the way. “Chad has been working for this moment for ten YEARS! Some of you may think that disgusting ogre is unbeatable. Okay, but let me remind you, Byron, if anyone can do the impossible, it’s Chad Gable.”

Gable says he’s blushing. In this moment, there’s only one thing left to say. “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy heads out, will they leave Quebec with that Intercontinental Championship?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Chad Gable!

Raw returns as Gunther makes his entrance, without Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci. This looks to be a truly 1v1 match-up so that there is no doubt when one of these great wrestlers wins the war. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if an American Alpha can stop an Austrian Juggernaut!

The bell rings and fans rally up behind Gable. They circle, tie up, and Gunther powers Gable back to a corner. The ref counts, gets in there, and Gunther swings! Gable dodges to CHOP! Gunther storms up on Gable but Gable gets back. They tie up, Gunther wrenches and wristlocks then knuckle locks for the straight arm lever and SLAM! Gunther drops a knee on the arm, then shifts to have a cording hold. Gable endures, fights up, but Gunther twists the arm as part of a double wristlock. Gable endures, fans rally, but Gunther wrenches to hit a hip toss! Then back to the wristlock! Gable endures and fights up again.

Gunther keeps on that arm, but Gable CHOPS! And then rolls, bridges, handsprings and spins to headlock, spin, and drop toehold! Fans fire up as Gable facelocks! Gunther rolls, Gable rolls with him! And again! Gunther picks Gable up, and TOSSES him out of the ring! Gable tumbles, fans boo but Gunther eggs Gable on. The ring count climbs, Gunther crawls his way over, and he slides in at 5 of 10. Gunther CHOPS him down! Fans boo more while Gunther paces around, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Gable is outside the ring. The ring count is 6 of 10 but Gunther goes out to BOOT him down! And then BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Gable flops to the ground and Gunther goes back into the ring. The ring count starts again, Gunther waiting on Gable. Gable crawls over, flounders at 6 of 10, drags himself up at 8 and in at 9! Fans fire up but Gunther drags Gable up, underhooks and lifts for a stalling Butterfly Suplex! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this and Gunther is getting frustrated with him! Fans rally, Gunther drags Gable up and whips him hard into a corner! Gable bounces off buckles and falls back!

Gunther talks trash how this is HIS ring, then he kicks Gable around. Gunther drags Gable up, whips him to a corner, but Gable flops over before even making it! Gunther grins and mocks Gable, and the ref checks if Gable is okay. Gable drags himself to the corner, Gunther gives him kicks and mockingly asks what’s going on. The ref counts, Gunther lets off, but then grabs for a foot. Gable BOOTS him! And BOOTS him again! Gable goes up, BOOTS Gunther again and again and again! Gunther gets Gable’s leg, swings, but the chop is blocked! HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Gable lets go at 4!

Gable sits up, leaps, but into a CHOP!! Gunther watches Gable stagger up, and runs in to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Gable is still in this and fans fire up! Gunther storms around, eggs Gable on, and then runs, into a DROPKICK! Gable gets up again, but Gunther LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Gunther is losing his cool as Gable keeps finding power to kick out! Gunther watches from the corner, shouts at Gable, and runs in, into an arm-drag! Ghost pin! TWO!!! Gunther CHOPS, then clamps on a SLEEPER!! Gunther falls back into body scissors! Gable flails, claws at the grip, and fans rally up! Gable fights around, Gunther is a backpack now!

Gable stands up with Gunther on his back?! But then Gunther CLUBS Gable! Gable comes back to throat chop! Gable runs, and forearms! And again! Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Gunther gets another sleeper! But Gable spins it to a BIG back suplex!! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Gable crawls, as does Gunther, and Gable stands up first. Gable storms up to waistlock, but Gunther fights the lift! Gunther knees low and hard, backs away to a corner, then runs in, but Gable blocks the knee! Gable glares at Gunther, before the DRAGON SCREW! Into the ANKLE LOCK!! Gunther flails and freaks out!

Fans fire up as Gable leans on the hold! Then he drags Gunther from ropes! Gunther rolls and kicks at Gable! Gable holds on but Gunther kicks and kicks until he’s free! Gunther CHOPS Gable, Gable TACKLES Gunther! And fires off some fists for ground ‘n’ pound! Gable ROCKS Gunther, CHOPS Gunther, and deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and fans know “This is Awesome!” Gable goes to a corner, he climbs up, but Gunther SHOVES him off! Gable hits barriers on the way down! A ring count starts again and fans rally up. Gable rises, Gunther storms out after him, and CHOPS him again the barriers!

Gunther BOOTS Gable, has him against barriers, and says this is HIS ring! Gunther CHOPS Gable down again! Gunther shoves Gable, swings, but Gable dodges! The chop hits POST!! And then Gable POSTS Gunther! And then GERMAN SUPLEXES Gunther into the timekeeper’s area! Gable slides in, the ring count hits TEN!!

Winner: Chad Gable, by count-out (Gunther retains the title)

It’s a huge victory for Chad Gable, but he doesn’t win the Intercontinental Championship! And yet, Gunther is furious! He is more upset that he lost to Gable than anything! Imperium rushes out and they tell Samantha to announce the last part! Yes, and STILL champion, Der Ring General! That is the silver lining for Gunther, but Gable still rubs it in that he won! Gable will be back for more, will he take that title the very next time these two face off?

The Judgment Day talks backstage.

Rhea says they’ve been going on for too long, they need to figure out who is facing Kevin & Sami. Finn says he doesn’t know how many times he has to say it! He thinks the team should be him and Dom. Priest says yeah, fair, they’d make a great team. But seeing as how Dom is already NXT North American Champion, and Priest is Mr. MITB, that makes more sense. Finn asks what that’s supposed to mean. Priest says don’t get hot. Dom, what do you think? U-Um, Finn & Priest are both amazing. Mami, what’s your vote? She thought they buried the hatchet! They did! Then stop doing this! They don’t have time for this!

Rhea has her own beef with Candice LeRae, so it’s not like she can be in the match! Someone decide before Rhea & Dom get back, or she’ll make it for them. Mami & Dommy head out, are things not okay in the Judgment Day?

Imperium regroups backstage.

Gunther is upset with Ludwig & Vinci, again. He then storms off, and Ludwig says they have to make this right. What’s Vinci gonna do? Ludwig storms off and Vinci is left speechless. Why is it on him to do something? Is there anything Imperium can do about this?

Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.

Byron Saxton is with the American Nightmare and congratulates him on last week’s win over Finn Balor. But how did he feel the way Raw ended last week? Cody smirks and says Finn sat on him like a piece of furniture. And what the hell is wrong with JD McDonagh? Head so big on a little body, he’s like a Funko Pop. Byron, y’know what? Sorry, but this isn’t working. This setting isn’t his vibe. Let’s take a walk. Cody wants to introduce Byron to some friends. They go from the backstage area to gorilla, to right on stage! Fans fire up for getting to see Cody with their own eyes, and Cody asks Quebec, in French, “Whaddya wanna talk about?”

Byron then asks Cody that since we’re out here now, what would Cody like to talk about? Cody says that first order of business, down the aisle from here, hello and welcome to the newest commentators, Wade Barrett and “the voice of the WWE,” Michael Cole! Fans cheer for them, and for Cody, it feels like the JBL Cole Show. Shoutout to the Cowboy, John Bradshaw Layfield. But we’ve all seen the clips, Judgment Day vying to be the strongest group in all of sports entertainment, and what do they have on their side? The numbers! Gotta respect that.

“But if there was one place on the map where the numbers didn’t matter, if there was one place on the map where the odds weren’t in their favor, it’d be down the road from where Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn grew up!” Cody wants to hear ya! Quebec gets louder and Cody says he wants the Judgment Day to hear this! Will they be in the corner of Kevin & Sami tonight? The fans cheer so that’s a yes! And Cody says they won’t be alone, either. There is no love lost between him and the Judgment Day. He will be watching very closely, but tonight is about Kevin and Sami as we watch the Judgment Day rise… and fall!

Fans cheer that, but will Cody’s backing help the tag team champions make it through the night?

Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.

In Japanese, the King of Strong Style says, “Everyone asks me what I whispered to Seth Rollins. What could I have possibly said to fill him with fear? Seth is a man who acts like he has it all. Prosperous, charismatic, a champion. But… I know Seth. And I know his weaknesses.” In English, he tells us, “I whispered to Seth, ‘I know about your back.’ Seth’s back has been broken for many years. He lives in pain, and this pain creates a void inside of him that nothing can fill. No matter how successful he is, he is still in pain. When he hugs his wife, he is in pain. When he picks up his child, he is in pain.

“He is a world champion, yet every day of his life is filled with pain. And now his worst fears are coming true. He knows that I can break him once and for all! You see, Seth and I are not so different. I have a void, too. We live by a code that others do not. In fact, that code is displayed on his back. The very same back that is failing to hold him together, just like he is failing to live by that code. His body has crumbled, under the pressure of his own vanity. Are you satisfied, Seth? With what you have done with your life? Are you satisfied, Seth? Because I will not be satisfied until I take this burden from you when I break you once and for all. Watch your back.”

Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!

The Women’s World Champion may be #MondayNightMami, but she isn’t going to be kind or caring here against #MamaWrestling! Will Rhea have her way with Candice? Or will Candice avoid being eradicated?

Raw returns and Candice makes her entrance, Indi by her side for the no-look high-five. The bell rings and the two rush in! They tie up, Rhea powers Candice back to a corner and fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Rhea lets off, and then runs in, but into a roll-up! ONE, Candice dodges and Rhea hits buckles! Rhea staggers, Candice goes up, but Dom gets on the apron! Indi drags him down! Indi chases Dom off, but Rhea catches the crossbody to a BACKBREAKER! And then pop into the pump handle! RIP- DDT!! Candice turns things around, then hurries to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally and Candice fires off haymakers! Rhea choke grips back! CHOKE- NO, Candice wheelbarrows, but Rhea blocks! PRISM TRAP!! Candice taps, Rhea wins!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission

Dom says that’s right! Mami breaks Candice down one way or another, but wait! Here comes Raquel Rodriguez! She’s on a crutch, did her knee only get worse as she tried to get back to 100%? Dom & Rhea laugh at Raquel, but then Raquel holds the crutch up to throw it at Rhea! And BOOTS her down!! It was a fake out! Big Mami Cool RAMS Mami Rhea all around ringside! Fans fire up as Raquel puts Rhea in the ring, but Rhea BOOTS her! Rhea CLUBS away, but Raquel throws hands in return! Raquel TOSSES Rhea to a corner, then fires off more shots! Raquel brings Rhea around, but Rhea breaks free!

Rhea ducks one lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW! And then Raquel scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Rhea tumbles out and retreats! Fans fire up and Raquel gets a mic to tell Rhea not to go anywhere. If it isn’t obvious, as of today, Raquel has been medically cleared for action! And don’t worry, she already spoke to Adam Pearce. It will be Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez at PAYBACK! Fans fire up for that, and Raquel tells Rhea that there can only be ONE Mami, and there can only be ONE Women’s World Champion! Rhea says bring it on! Who will be La Mami del Mundo after these two throw down?

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“It has been nine weeks since I’ve returned to Monday Night Raw. A long, 63 days to reflect on the man I’ve been since returning. I’m the man who lied in that ring two weeks ago as Chad Gable celebrated with his son. And this is nothing against Chad Gable, he is a workhorse. But I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t want that Intercontinental title opportunity versus Gunther. This close. And heck, even before Chad Gable, I’m the man who Shinsuke Nakamura defeated, and now look at him: Challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship. This close.

“But I didn’t come back to be this close! I didn’t come back to be that guy. I came back to be THE guy! I’ve been him before, I know that feeling, I know that pressure. It’s like oxygen and I am dying to take a breath. So I’m going to be the change that I want to see. Do It Yourself! Because I ain’t here to play no more games. I am here to take over the game.” Ciampa storms off, just what is he aiming to do next?

The Miz VS ???

All to prove he’s the bigger and better “mega star,” The Hollywood A-Lister promised us last week that he’d be facing someone bigger, faster and stronger than anyone LA Knight has ever face! Then just who is going to face The Miz tonight? We find out, after the break!

Raw returns, Miz has the mic, and fans chant for Maryse. Miz says she is from Montreal, she would never come to Quebec City. Fans boo but Miz says in his best French, “Let me talk to yah!” Friday on SmackDown, LA Knight lost a match to earn a US Championship match, and everyone is blaming Miz! What Knight fails to realize is that on the big show, there is no room for excuses. Things happen! Champions know that! Roman Reigns knows it, Gunther knows it, and in the main event of WrestleMania, The Rock messed with The Miz’s match with John Cena and The Miz still retained the WWE Championship, because that is what champions do!

Miz is not a trend! Trends come and go! Miz evolves! 20 years from now, fans will remember Miz as a game changer, a trend setter! A two-time Grand Slam Champion and a WrestleMania main eventer! 20 years from now, we will remember Knight as “a blip on the radar, a human fidget spinner. The Hoobastank of WWE!” Miz says LA Knight is NOT on his level! And to prove it, Miz talked with Pearce and he got Pearce to let Miz handpick his opponent tonight. Miz went with someone faster, stronger, bigger and more dominant than anyone Knight has ever faced ever! So ladies and gentlemen, Miz’s opponent tonight is… Akira Tozawa?!

The Stamina Monster isn’t bigger than Knight himself! He’s a former Cruiserweight Champion who would still qualify as a Cruiserweight! Miz gives Tozawa his introduction, and brings up that Tozawa is a former WWE 24/7 Champion. A shame that title doesn’t exist anymore, because it is the perfect title for someone like LA Knight: “a watered-down throwback to the Attitude Era.” But this isn’t about Knight, this is about Tozawa! Is this the biggest match of Tozawa’s career? YEAH. Wow, Miz thought Tozawa would have more to say. YEAH! No, he didn’t finish his next question. And don’t say that word, Miz doesn’t like that word!

Tozawa asks, “Say what?” “Yeah-” “YEAH!” Really? YEAH! Really? YEAH! Really? YEAH! Really really really? YEAH YEAH YEAH! STOP IT, THIS IS STUPID! Miz is giving Tozawa the opportunity of a lifetime! Does he think this is funny?! Tozawa grins as fans say “YEAH.” And then Tozawa says “YE-” BOOT from Miz! Fans boo, the ref reprimands and Miz backs off. Miz puts his jacket aside and Tozawa gets back up. Tozawa still wants to fight, sot he bell rings. Miz and Tozawa approach, but then LA KNIGHT is here!! Quebec goes wild and Miz is furiously shocked! Tozawa SHOTGUNS Miz out of the ring!

Fans fire up as Knight goes to the ring and gives Miz some tissues so he can cry more. Fans fire up and Knight joins commentary! Miz gets in the ring, rushes up but Tozawa dumps Miz out! Miz sees Knight again and Knight tells him to pay attention. Tozawa DIVES and hits Miz into the desk! Fans fire up with Tozawa and Knight, “YEAH!” and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns as Miz hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Miz dumps Tozawa out of the corner, climbs up and leaps, AX HANDLE! Knight is on commentary saying Miz is going on about stuff that happened 12 years ago when he was a background dancer for The Rock and John Cena. Good for him! Talk about flash in the pan, but Miz hasn’t been a trend in the last 10 years. Miz gives Tozawa It Kicks and says Knight is in HIS space! Miz hits more kicks, then soaks up the heat. Miz runs in to BUZZSAW Tozawa down! Cover, TWO! Knight continues to mock Miz over him constantly bringing up his early years.

Miz runs but Tozawa ducks the boot! Tozawa KICKS and KICKS and stands up. Miz swings, Tozawa dodges and fires off haymakers! Miz throws hands, whips and pops Tozawa up, but Tozawa RANAS! Fans fire up for Tozawa and he runs to SHINING WIZARD! Fans fire up while Miz is down and Tozawa goes up the corner. But Miz BOOTS Tozawa down to the floor! Then Miz builds speed, to WRECK Tozawa with a dropkick! Miz asks Knight if he saw that! Knight says to keep his attention on Tozawa. Miz drags Tozawa up, and then sends him at Knight! But Tozawa goes up the desk to FLYING RANA! Miz is sent into steel steps!

Knight says that’s what he was talking about. Tozawa puts Miz in, then GAMANGIRIS! Tozawa goes up the corner, fans fire up, TOKYO TOWER SENTON onto knees! Knight says “Miz is what you get if Biff Tannen banged a frog and then pushed it down the stairs.” Miz glares at Knight and then soaks up the heat. Knight says Miz is an inspiration. Miz proved that even if you’re awful and boring, you can still make it in this business. Miz full nelsons Tozawa and mocks Knight’s usual spelling it out with “You Are Not Miz, YEAH!” But then Tozawa drops down to victory roll! TOZAWA WINS!!

Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall

Knight says look at that! That IS a game changer! Tozawa celebrates for the first time in a long time and Miz is going nuts! But then Knight hits Miz with B F T!! YEAH!! Will Miz ever get over this? Will he ever get past LA Knight?

McIntyre & Riddle regroup backstage.

Riddle says it’s okay, they’re 2-1 and that loss wasn’t even their fault. They still have a future, just keep trying. McIntyre says okay, but just listen for a second. McIntyre appreciates Riddle’s enthusiasm, but we’ve seen what’s happened with McIntyre these last couple of years. He has enough drama of his own, and now the Viking Raiders. This team isn’t gonna work out. The New Day walk over and can’t believe what they’re hearing. Did they not hear the people out there? Don’t go so fast, they’ve got a good thing going! And they really showed The New Day something out there. They’ve got potential.

Matter o’ fact, The New Day has a name for this team. “McRiddle.” Get it? Bada ba ba ba~~! Riddle’s loving it! Is McIntyre loving it? Yeah, can’t get enough… Now, they have issues with the Viking Raiders, but so does the New Day. New Day VS Erik & Ivar is next week, and then after that, if #McRiddle wants a rematch, Woods & Kofi are down. And thanks for having their backs. Pound it. Fist bumps! And then paper covers rock. Thanks, Riddle, kinda ruined the moment. Oh, sorry. New Day heads out, and Riddle is fired up! If New Day says they have potential, and those guys won the tag titles tons of times, don’t give up on this yet!

McIntyre doesn’t give an answer, and Riddle says it wasn’t a no! Will #McRiddle get cooking and go for some gold?

Rhea & Dom return to the Judgment Day lounge.

Priest asks where’ve they been, and Rhea asks if he and Finn worked out the tag team problem. No. Priest tried, Finn didn’t wanna hear him out, claims he doesn’t trust Priest, and then went off to talk with JD McDonagh. Rhea says Priest also isn’t trusting Finn. Uh, do you blame him? He’s here, there, all over the place! What can Priest do? Oh, fine, then that’s how this is gonna be? Rhea gave them a chance to work it out, so now they do things Rhea’s way! Rhea storms off, and Dom says Mami is not happy. What is Rhea going to decide for the team? Will it work out in their favor?

Becky Lynch is here!

Time and time again, The Man has been denied vengeance on Trish Stratus! But a big time Steel Cage match is coming, what are Becky’s thoughts on that? We’ll hear her out, after the break.

Raw returns and Becky has the mic to say, “The Man has come around to Quebec City! And The Man has Trish Stratus in a Steel Cage at Payback! Now, over the last few brutal months of this rivalry, there’s been a lot talk about who’s the best. Who is the greatest? And really, ultimately, it comes down to legacy. What do you want your legacy to be? What are you in control of? What are you not in control of? And how can you take those so-called lemons,” as she points out her new merch shirt, “and turn them into lemonade?”

And Becky has realized that her legacy will not be defined by wins or losses, or by championships, but by survival! Fans like the sound of that. Because you can beat Becky, put her on the shelf for months on end, break her bones and tear hear ligaments, but she will always come back! And not because she is unbeatable, but because she is unstoppable! And she is unstoppable because she always wins, but because she always, always, ALWAYS FIGHTS! Which brings us back to Trish. Trish and Becky are going into a Steel Cage, but there is still business with Zoey Stark. Becky talked with Adam Pearce and-

Wait! Here comes Trish & Zoey! Trish asks what’s up Quebec, it is so nice to hear them. They’ve been having to be south of this beautiful country, dealing with those silly USA-Holes. To be in her home country of Canada, Trish is very emotional. The fans chant “Thank You, Trish!” But she says she should be saying, “Merci beaucoup, Quebec.” Fans cheer and Trish says she can’t tell us what it means to be here in her home country, and in Quebec City, because it means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! HA! It’s not like this is Montreal. Or even Toronto! Fans boo but Trish says at least the Leaves made the playoffs.

Trish continues to the ring and says she wouldn’t be here tonight if not for this sourpuss running her mouth. Trish would’ve made like Trudeau and split. Trish steps into the ring with Becky, Zoey still by her side. The fans chant at Trish in French and she’s a bit surprised. But she also tells them the rest of the world doesn’t understand what they’re saying so this is pointless. As for Becky, Trish has some good news and some bad news. Good news: When Trish beats Becky 1v1, she will finally prove she is the greatest of all time. Not only of her generation but of this generation!

And the bad news: Becky has Trish in a steel cage. Trish has never been in a steel cage match. And is she scared? Is she? Fans think so, and Becky asks if she is. Trish admits, she is scared! But was she scared at 24 years old, and thrown into the WWE ring with almost no experience? Yes, but she killed it! Was she scared as the first female to ever main event Raw? Yeah, but she killed it! Trish’s entire career has been her thrown into the fire and shining! She has proven herself. Shove her into a steel cage? Guess what? She will stand tall! Fans continue to chant at Trish and she asks what the frogs are doing.

Trish continues to tell Becky that if we’re talking survival and legacy, then here she is, 23 years later, face to face with one of the best in the business. And y’know what? Trish finds herself once again having to prove herself to everyone! She is sick and tired of proving herself to everyone! And y’know what? When Becky gets into that cage with Trish, you’ll see a side of Trish we’ve never seen before, and if Trish were Becky, Becky would be scared! Because Becky will NOT survive this one, b*tch! Becky says she’s so~ scared~! Trish brings up how Becky brought up Zoey. Oh, yes, Becky had something to say before Trish so rudely interrupted!

Trish, in two weeks, it will be you and Becky locked in a steel cage. But next week, Zoey, it’ll be the exact opposite! It will be Becky VS Zoey, FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE! Welcome to the Big Time! Becky drops the mic and is all fired up! She even takes Trish’s cowboy hat! Will Trish’s protégé survive when Becky can take her anywhere and do anything to her?

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven are at gorilla position.

Byron Saxton walks over to ask The Hot Mess and her newest tag team partner that as the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, where are their heads at- Chelsea stops him there. She doesn’t know whatever “Bryan” was gonna talk about, but let’s talk about how Chelsea had to authorize WWE Management to make them the new Tag Team Champions after Sonya’s injury. Piper seems confused by that, as Chelsea was about to be stripped of the gold, but Chelsea continues to say she handled it, as she always does. And now they will do what champions do. This chemistry is off the charts!

Piper steps in to put a stop to this interview but Chelsea keeps wanting to talk. Piper then gets Chelsea’s attention. “Did I stutter? Move.” Piper ushers Chelsea on, and this new duo heads for the ring! Will the chemistry really be all Chelsea says it is? Or will they simply be added to the Highlight Reel?

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

Raw returns as KC Squared make their entrance. The teams sort out, Katana starts against Chelsea. The two tie up, go around, and Chelsea tosses Katana aside. Chelsea taunts Kayden but Katana DROPKICKS her down! Tag to Kayden, she trips Chelsea and drags her halfway out so that Katana can backflip and KNEE DROP! Then Kayden slides back in, facelocks to keep Chelsea from Piper, but chelae powers out to kick a leg! Chelsea then sucker punches Katana! Kayden swings, misses, and Chelsea ROCKS her with a right! Chelsea talks trash but Kayden ROCKS her in return! Chelsea staggers back and Piper tags in!

Chelsea runs in, Kayden dodges and she SUPERKICKS Piper! Chelsea superkicks but Kayden blocks, to then spin Chelsea and SUPERKICK her now! Hot tag to Katana and KC Squared set up in a corner. Kayden carries Katana on her shoulders, HANDSTAND SPLASH! Cover, but Piper is the legal one! And speaking of, Piper drags Kayden out to TOSS her at the desk! And then Piper storms in, Katana storms up, and Piper DECKS her! Piper runs to SPLASH! Cover, Piper & Chelsea win!

Winners: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, by pinfall

Piper the Viper singlehandedly handles KC Squared, and singlehandedly celebrates while Chelsea writhes in the corner. Will Piper be just the thing Chelsea needs to make it through the Summer as champion?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Jackie is with the World Heavyweight Champion, but he stops her from asking her question. He knows they’ve been waiting all night long. Before they get to business, can’t we just take a second to “let, them, sing?” Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~” for Rollins and he soaks it all in. Rollins says now he presumes she’s going to ask about his back. Yes, is there an injury update? Or any truth at all to what Nakamura said about Rollins? Rollins takes off the sunglasses and says Shinsuke… He caught Rollins off guard bringing up the back injury, because the truth is, it isn’t something he talks about publicly.

“But if we’re being completely open here, I do have two fractures in my lumbar spine. I have been living with that injury for over four years, and it doesn’t get better by itself. As a matter of fact, it gets worse, and the truth is, I don’t really know, um… I don’t know what the endgame is, I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna be able to do this at the level I’m currently running at. And um, y’know what? That’s part of the gig. And it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke wants to bring up and target my injuries. And it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to take cheap shots, if he wants to play mind games.

“Hell, it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to question my character! Many have! He’s not the first, he won’t be the last. But if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to bring my family into it… My wife, and my daughter, and my livelihood into this, then he better be prepared… to face me man to man. But you’re not, are you, Shin? You’re not even here tonight, are you, Shin? You’re in a TV studio a thousand miles away, too afraid to face me!

“So here’s what I’m gonna do for you. Next week, I’m gonna give you one more chance to play your little mind games. Prove to the world that you are an honorable warrior, and I’ll repeat to you what I told you last week. I’m not a hard guy to find! I’ll be in the center of that ring, dressed to the nines, world title wrapped around my waist, with the whole world singing, my, song.” Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Will the Visionary and the King of Strong Style be face-to-face just days before their match at Payback? And what happens if they will?

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS ??? w/ The Judgment Day!

The Prizefighter is back in action, because he will always #JustKeepFighting! And with his best friend by his side, they #JustKeepFighting The Judgment Day! But who will it be that Mami decided will step up to them? And will it not keep the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions from getting a huge hometown win?

Raw returns and the Judgment Day makes their entrance. Priest is storming out, and Rhea drags Finn along?! She says THEY are tagging! So get it together already and win! Will the Prince & Punisher have no choice but to do that with Mami on their case? Finn & Priest rush in, they brawl with Kevin & Sami! Fans fire up but the ref wants this to sort out! Sami TOSSES Finn, Kevin TOSSES Priest, but then Finn & Priest drag them both out! So the brawling just continues outside! Kevin ROCKS and CHOPS Priest, Sami RAMS Finn into barriers! Priest throws hands, fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!”

Sami goes after Priest now, puts him in the ring, and the match begins! Priest ROCKS Sami, CLUBS away on him, then fires off hands! Fans boo but Rhea cheers Priest on. Priest CLUBS Sami, whips him to ropes, but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges and comes back to clothesline! Priest goes up and out, Sami goes out after him, on the desk! Sami fires hands, Finn runs over but Sami SMACKS him off the desk! Sami fires off on Finn now, but Priest UPPERCUTS Sami! Priest puts Sami back in the ring, then DECKS him with a big forearms! Fans boo, Finn tags in, and Finn brings Sami in, but Sami suplexes first!

Fans fire up as Sami tags in Kevin! Kevin dodges Finn, DECKS Priest, then fires off on Finn! Fans fire up with every haymaker, and then Kevin stomps away on Finn at the ropes! Kevin lets off and he’s all fired up! Fans are even more fired up as he goes out to LARIAT Finn and then LARIAT Priest! Kevin hurries right back into the ring, he DECKS Finn, and then CANNONBALLS Priest down! Kevin goes up a corner, takes aim, SWANTON BOMB!! Fans are thunderous for the Prizefighter as he watches Finn flounder. Finn stands up, Kevin kicks low, but no Stunner! Finn SLINGBLADES in return! Both men are down and fans boo.

Priest has the briefcase? But Sami CLOBBERS him first! Rhea is shocked, but now Sami’s bad elbow bothers him! JD McDonagh is here! McDonagh tosses the briefcase into the ring, but Kevin intercepts it! And CLOBBERS Finn with it! But the ref saw that!!

Winners: The Judgment Day, by disqualification

Kevin argues that the Judgment Day brought the briefcase in! But then Priest CLOBBERS Kevin! Priest asks what McDonagh is even doing! Why’s he touching Priest’s stuff!? McDonagh says he’s just trying to help! But then Sami CLOBBERS McDonagh! But then Dom attacks Sami! The Judgment Day beats down Sami and fans boo! Kevin gets up, but that’s still 3v2! Fans want to see Cody, and so here comes Cody! He runs down, weight belt in hand so he can LASH Dom! Finn & Priest get away, and now the American Nightmare stands tall with the hometown heroes as he says they are NOT ending Raw like this! THREE VS THREE, LET’S GO!

Quebec fires up and Judgment Day is upset. But they have no choice, because here comes Adam Pearce! He says they ARE doing it! Will Judgment Day finally pay for what they’ve been up to?

Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes VS The Judgment Day!

Raw returns with this match underway! Dom whips Cody but Cody ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides under, to then kick low and RHODES UPPERCUT! Dom staggers, Cody bumps Dom off buckles, and then tag to Sami. Fans cheer as Cody holds Dom and Sami goes up, AX HANDLE! Sami brings Dom around, ROCKS him with rights, but Dom knees low! Dom fires haymakers, fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” but Dom fires more hands and knees against ropes. The ref reprimands, Dom gives us some Latino Heat but the fans boo. Dom whips, Sami reverses and back drops Dom high and hard! Dom flounders to a corner and Sami storms over.

Sami brings Dom up but Dom powers him to a corner! Tag to Finn, he stomps Sami and bumps him off buckles. Finn fires off hands, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Sami LARIATS first! Fans cheer as Sami bumps Finn off buckles and tags in Kevin. Kevin CHOPS Finn, whips him, and then body shots to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP and SENTON! “SUCK IT!” to Priest and Dom! Fans fire up, but the ref keeps the Judgment Day back., Finn knees low and bumps Kevin off buckles! Tag to Dom and fans boo as he stomps a mudhole in. Dom throws hands, knees low, but Kevin ROCKS Dom in return!

Kevin and Dom scrap, Dom ROCKS Kevin then gives us more Latino Heat! “I run this!” Dom wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Kevin down. Fans taunt Dom more, but Rhea tells him to grind that hold. Kevin endures, fights up, and fans rally as Kevin fights up. Kevin throws body shots, but Dom knees low and TOSSES Kevin out. Fans boo as Dom goes out and leaps, into a body shot! Fans fire up again as Kevin brings Dom up to put him in the ring. But Priest runs up! Kevin ELBOWS him down, then DECKS Dom, and ELBOWS Finn! Dom HOTSHOTS Kevin, tags Finn, and Finn sweeps the legs!

Kevin lands hard on the apron, Finn & Dom distract the ref so Priest can RAM Kevin into barriers, and so Rhea can scoop SLAM Kevin! Rhea high-fives Priest and tells Kevin to suck it! Fans boo as Judgment Day soaks up the heat. Finn goes out to get Kevin, RAMS him into the apron, and shoves him in the ring. Finn then slingshot stomps Kevin down! Fans boo but Finn tags Priest. Priest taunts Cody and Sami, goes back to Kevin and brings him up, but Kevin ROCKS Priest! And again! And again! But Priest LARIATS Kevin down! Cover, TWO! The Judgment Day is still in control and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Finn stomps away on Kevin at the ropes! Fans rally for Kevin, the ref counts, and Finn lets off at 4. Kevin goes out, Finn goes out after him, but Kevin hits a back suplex to the desk! Rhea is stunned and Kevin flounders back to the ring. Rhea tells Finn to get up, Finn hurries in and tags Priest. Priest CLOBBERS Kevin, then taunts Sami and Cody. Priest drags Kevin over, tags Finn back in, and they mug Kevin. Finn fires hands, then snapmares Kevin to elbow him in the neck. Finn wraps on a chinlock but fans rally for Kevin. Kevin endures, fights up, but Finn facelocks now to grind him down!

Kevin still fights, but Finn powers him back. Kevin powers his way forward, but Finn powers him back! Kevin powers forward, then JAWBREAKERS free! And SUPERKICKS! But Finn bumps into Cody and sends him off the apron! Finn then staggers, HEADS COLLIDE! Both men go down and fans rally up! Finn and Kevin crawl, flounder, hot tags to Priest and Sami! Fans are all fired up for Sami as he fires off on Priest! Sami whips, Priest reverses but Sami springboards to go up and over and then LARIAT! Sami BLASTS Finn & Dom, then baits Priest into an ELBOW! Sami goes up, to AX HANDLE!

Fans fire up again as Sami spins Priest around, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up and up and TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Priest is still in this and Rhea can breathe again. Sami positions Priest in a drop zone and fans rally up as he climbs. Rhea shouts to Dom, Dom hurries up but Sami DECKS him! Sami sees Finn and points him out to the ref, but that allows Rhea to trip Sami up! Fans boo as Sami staggers up, into Priest’s choke grip! SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!! Cover, Kevin breaks it! Fans fire up, but Finn whips! Kevin reverses to TOSS Finn! Priest LARIAT Kevin down! Hot tag to Dom!

Dom climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Sami saves himself, and Cody rises! Fans fire up as Sami crawls his way over, hot tag to Cody! Cody runs in, dodges Dom, then springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody dodges Priest, to hit DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives but fans fire up with Cody! Cody stalks Dom, drags him up, dragon sleeper but Finn runs in! So Cody gets Finn for CROSS RHODES instead! But Dom runs up, rolls Cody up, TWO!! Cody escapes, spins Dom around, CROSS RHODES!! Dom is in the corner, and Sami is back! Fans want it, Cody tags in Sami!

Sami aims at Dom, tags Kevin in first, then HELLUVA KICK!! Then feed to the STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin’s team wins!!

Winners: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

A massive victory for the WWE Tag Team Champions and American Nightmare, and a massive defeat for The Judgment Day! Sami gets the mic to say, “Hey, Judgment Day. Better luck next time, hey bud?” Then in French, Sami says that this title run is for Canada, and it is for Quebec. Merci beaucoup! Will anyone stop Kevin & Sami as they #FightTogether? Will this only cause Judgment Day to fight each other?

My Thoughts:

A really good Raw here, though maybe a bit redundant with how we got another Judgment Day VS Cody, Kevin & Sami match. Don’t get me wrong, all great stuff leading to it, like this returning dysfunction between Finn and Priest and how they played it with JD McDonagh. But it just seems like they’re relying a little too much on that combo again and again. JD McDonagh technically not costing them that 2v2 match was also clever, because Priest wasn’t even upset about the result but that it was McDonagh getting in the mix. This has to come down to like Finn & McDonagh VS Priest & Dom as Judgment Day starts falling apart more.

Rhea also had some great stuff tonight, with another quick win this week but against Candice. But then Raquel showing up and revealing she’s 100% and ready to go, we’re going to get a great title match from them at Payback. No idea who wins that, but I feel like Rhea finds a Heelish way to win so that she’s the one person in Judgment Day with any success. Great stuff out of the tag match of Chelsea & Piper VS KC Squared, especially that handstand splash combo KC Squared cooked up. Piper being the powerhouse keeping that team from losing is going to be a fun story, like the combo of Piper & Eva Marie if Eva Marie had a Heel persona that worked.

Great tag match from McIntyre & Riddle VS New Day, though I did not see them throwing Viking Riders into this. I’m not going to outright say this is just a rehash of RKBRO, but it’s dangerously close to it. The nickname, “McRiddle,” is pretty clever, though. If it comes down to it, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Triple Threat Tag to determine #1 contenders to Sami & Kevin, assuming Judgment Day falls apart before getting their own shot. Then, if #McRiddle loses, McIntyre turns on Riddle for their feud. At least, if WWE isn’t going to try and make McRiddle a thing. Which they might, though McIntyre deserves a shot at the new world title.

Speaking of, great promo from Nakamura, especially with that plot twist of the aggravating back injury for Rollins. And great promo from Rollins in response, with some real heat going into next week’s go-home episode. The back injury (assuming it is exaggerated for sake of story) could very well be how they have Rollins lose and write him off TV so he can do filming with the next Marvel Captain America project. But if not and he keeps going past Payback, then Rollins VS Heel McIntyre for Fastlane in October.

Becky had a really good promo segment with Trish and Zoey, and I like that Zoey was keeping Trish back as Trish was trying to step to Becky while also finally raising her voice. Becky VS Trish in the Steel Cage for Payback will be great, but Becky VS Zoey in Falls Count Anywhere for the go-home is a wild choice. But at the same time, that could be how Becky takes Zoey out of the equation, or at least thinks so until Zoey shows up and still interferes with the cage match anyhow. And again, please let Lita show up and get back in the story, it just makes sense.

Really good promo from Ciampa about how he has been the guy who others springboard off of to get to the titles. And he used the phrase “Do It Yourself,” DIY, his old tag team with Johnny Gargano. I hope they get back together and get into the tag title scene, too. And just great stuff from Miz, LA Knight and Tozawa. I should’ve known Miz wasn’t going to face someone actually big and strong. And Knight got me to legitimately laugh out loud with that line about Biff Tannen banging a frog, as stupid as that is. Great win for Tozawa out of this story, and we have to see Miz VS Knight at Payback at this rate. Miz probably even shows up on Friday to make the challenge.

And great stuff out of the Intercontinental Championship scene. Really good promos before the match, and the match itself was awesome. Maybe a bit too like “Lex Luger beating Yokozuna by count-out” from 30 years ago, just without the locker room celebrating with Gable. But Gunther getting so upset was great, because he was so confident he’d beat Gable. I’m sure we get yet another rematch at Payback, because then the deadline to Honky Tonk Man’s record reign will be even closer. If they can take the same energy from tonight’s match and somehow escalate it, the Intercontinental Championship could steal the show.

My Score: 8.7/10