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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/29/24)

Next stop: Elimination Chamber!

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We’re on the Road to WrestleMania 40!

With the Royal Rumble come and gone, all of the WWE now turns their eyes to Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia! Who gets in on the opportunity of a lifetime?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & Damian Priest VS #DIY; Finn & Priest win and retain the titles.
  • Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven; Shayna & Stark win.
  • Jey Uso VS Bronson Reed; Jey wins.
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Kofi Kingston; Gunther wins and retains the title.
  • The Kabuki Warriors VS Tegan Nox & Natalya; The Kabuki Warriors win.
  • Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn; McIntyre wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

This first hour of Raw is COMMERCIAL FREE!

 

Damage CTRL arrives backstage!

The winner of the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble, Bayley, leads Dakota Kai, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, the Kabuki Warriors, and THE WWE Women’s Champion, Iyo Sky, into the arena as they’re all ready to take over all of the WWE!

 

Pat McAfee is here!

He returned to WWE commentary, and even in-ring action, for the Royal Rumble and now he’s here to join Raw! And wouldn’t you know? Corey Graves is nowhere to be found because of it. Because BREAKING NEWS, Pat and Maggle are carrying commentary on Raw from here on out!

 

CM Punk is here!

The fans in Tampa fire up as the Best in the World makes his way out, but uh oh, his arm is in a sling. Punk still autographs a belt for a young fan and high-fives the rest, but clearly things aren’t looking good for Punk. Punk steps into the ring, the fans chant for him, and he grabs a mic. He stares at the WrestleMania 40 sign, and sighs before he says, “I came real close Saturday night. And I felt like I had it in the palm of my hand. And I’m not mad at anybody, really. I’m not mad at Cody Rhodes. I’d actually like to take this time off the top to congratulate Cody.”

Fans cheer that, and Punk says sometimes it isn’t about what you deserve but what you earned, and Cody busted his ass. Punk wants to see Cody finish his story in Philadelphia. Going back to back in the Rumble is no small feat. It’s a lot like the Tampa Lightning going back to back to win the Stanley Cup. Fans cheer that! But Punk continues with, “And while I came close, close don’t count in this business. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. And I’ve never believed in luck. But I feel a little bit unlucky. In the course of the Rumble, I tore my right tricep.

“And as much as I tried and I asked, ‘Maybe I can just tape it. Maybe I can make it to Elimination Chamber, and I can try to win that and I can get my main event at WrestleMania.’ But it’s just not in the cards. And I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me. Because when I think of this situation and how much it bums me out, how much I have talked from the highest mountains about how my goal and my dream ever since I was a little kid was to main event WrestleMania, maybe it’s just not ever gonna happen.” Fans boo but Punk doesn’t want pity. Realistically, is this a problem?

He has a friend, Chad Gilbert, who he loves to death and thinks about a lot. Chad has cancer, has been dealing with it for a long time. He’s got a beautiful wife, a beautiful daughter, and Punk visits Chad while he gets chemo. Chad’s always in a good mood, never down about any of it, even though it’s soul crushing. That is a fight! This here is just a flesh wound. When Punk says he is Best in the World, that’s not because he always wins. Did you see him in the UFC? Yeah, not great, huh? But dammit, Punk had a dream and a chance, and was asked, “Do you wanna do this?” And he said yes BECAUSE it scared him!

Fans cheer Punk on as he gets emotional. It scared him as much as coming back after 10 years in a place he never wanted to leave in the first place, but he had to! It scared him! Mania scares him! This might be a goal that haunts him for the rest of his life! But this is just a bump in the road. Best in the World is the people who fight things like cancer! Who put their lives on the line like Matt Flannigan in Chicago, a firefighter! Punk just entertains people, and for some reason, y’all love him. He promises he is gonna keep doing it until the wheels fall off. This is a bump in the road, it is adversity, and he has overcome that countless times!

Punk doesn’t focus on the negative, on those who says “You can’t!” Not tall enough, not big enough, not the right hair or tattoos. That doesn’t matter! Because everyone watching around the world, they wake up, they do their jobs, and they just keep on going! You put food on your family’s tables, so that is what he’s gonna do. Mania 40 might not be in the cards, but he’s a Cubs fan, and this isn’t the first time or the last time he says this: There’s always next year! But then DREW MCINTYRE walks out! Punk says he should’ve known… The Scottish Terminator makes his way to the ring, staring down the man who eliminated him from the Rumble.

McIntyre goes right into the ring, Punk ready to hit him with the mic if he has to. But McIntyre gets his own mic, and while fans are torn, he says, “I’ve said some terrible things about you since your return to WWE. And I meant them. You were a terrible person to me in the past, you’re a poison to the locker room, but I’m listening to you now and I can relate to everything you’re saying.” McIntyre has had his dreams taken away, too. He was fired from WWE, and hearing about Chad, he can relate. McIntyre isn’t sure what he believes in anymore, he went through recent changes, and was never much of a spiritual person.

But he wants Punk to know this: McIntyre prayed for this and it happened. At the Rumble, McIntyre targeted Punk, assaulted him, didn’t want him to win. Seth Rollins is gonna take his title until his body falls apart but who’s gonna take it to the net level? McIntyre couldn’t let it be Punk, but then Punk eliminates him! McIntyre was so angry that he couldn’t sleep. But then he heard the news the next day, and he slept like a baby. Punk won the battle, but not the war. McIntyre exorcised the demon that is CM Punk! Now McIntyre will find his way to the World Heavyweight Championship at Mania, and he will live Punk’s dream, again!

Punk sighs while McIntyre smirks, but the fans are on Punk’s side. McIntyre says c’mon, look him in the eyes. Punk does look McIntyre in the eyes, and he says his heart hurts more than his arm. Punk will rehab, he will come back, and he will main event Mania. But first will be McIntyre, and Punk will be coming right at him. Punk drops the mic, McIntyre says okay, then takes a swing! Punk dodges, fires forearms, and even hits with the bad arm! But a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT drops him! McIntyre STOMPS the bad arm! Fans boo, but McIntyre wants Punk to scream in pain! But here comes SAMI ZAYN!

Fans fire up as Sami runs in, slides and dodges to fire off haymakers! McIntyre runs away! Sami shouts at McIntyre to get back here but McIntyre grins. Sami helps Punk to his feet and the fans cheer. McIntyre takes his leave, but has he just made sure Punk will be out much longer than before?

 

The Judgment Day is watching backstage.

JD McDonagh says that was rough. But Rhea Ripley says it doesn’t matter what McIntyre does. It’s not their business. They have bigger things to handle. Dom says yeah, like Bayley being dumb enough to show up tonight. Mami has nothing to sweat. Rhea says yeah, if Bayley chooses Rhea, it’ll be Bayley’s funeral. Tonight, it is about sending a message that wasn’t sent at the Rumble. Are the boys gonna remind everyone who they are? Or are we gonna let distractions get in the way? Priest says it’s agreed, they’re done letting distractions get to them. And Rhea doesn’t have to worry about Priest. After tonight, NOTHING can stop them!

Finn says exactly! Everyone is getting too comfortable challenging them. So tonight, they show just how vicious they are! Rhea likes that. Priest & Finn head out, but will the Punisher & Prince still be undisputed?

 

#DIY speaks.

Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa are on the move as Gargano tells Tampa, Florida, “Two hours from where DIY was born, we’ve waited seven years for this moment.” Ciampa says it isn’t just seven years, this is a lifetime in the making! Two little kids sat down watching Saturday wrestling dreaming about this moment here. This is about the tag team titles! This is about showing the world who they are! And they are… D I Y!! Johnny Wrestling & The Sicilian Psycho are ready, will they be undisputed?

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & Damian Priest VS #DIY!

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Judgment Day sends that message to the WWE Tag Division!

The teams sort out and Ciampa starts with Priest. They tie up, Priest puts Ciampa in a corner then grinds forearms. Priest lets off, then ROCKS Priest! Priest bumps Ciampa off buckles, ROCKS him again, then tags Finn. They mug Ciampa, Finn CLUBS Ciampa then facelocks. Finn whips but Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges! Finn still ROCKS Ciampa with rights! Finn CLUBS Ciampa, whips, but Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges. Gargano tags in, Ciampa CHOPS then Gargano LARIATS! JAWBREAKER to feed, LARIAT! Then DIY DOUBLE LARIAT Priest! They TOSS Finn out to join him, and then DOUBLE PLANCHA! Double direct hit!

Fans fire up as DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back! Fans rally and Gargano puts Finn in. Gargano ROCKS Finn, tags Ciampa, and Ciampa sends Gargano in to ELBOW! Gargano feeds Finn to Ciampa’s ELBOW! Finn bails out and fans boo, but Ciampa pursues. They go into the ring, Priest sneaks a tag, but Ciampa ROCKS Priest! Finn DECKS Ciampa, and Priest goes out with Ciampa to scoop and SNAKE EYES off the apron! Fans boo but Priest refreshes the ring count to then put Ciampa in. Priest stalks Ciampa, brings him up, tag to Finn. They whip, mule kick, front kick and mid-kick! SCISSOR KICK from Finn! Cover, TWO!

Finn clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Ciampa down. The fans rally for Ciampa but Finn squeezes tight. Ciampa fights up, reaches out, but Finn facelocks. Ciampa powers up, powers Finn back step by step, but Finn grinds the hold! Ciampa still fights, but Priest distracts! The ref misses the tag! The ref says go back! Finn whips Ciampa, Priest ROUNDHOUSES him! The ref misses that, too! Finn covers, TWO! Ciampa survives and fans cheer. Finn tags Priest and Priest stands Ciampa up to ROCK him! Priest taunts Ciampa, “You feeling like a champion? Is that what you are?” Ciampa SLAPS and CHOPS and throws hands!

Fans fire up as Ciampa fights out of the corner! But Priest picks him up! But Ciampa sunset flips, TWO! Priest ROLLING HAYMAKERS! Tag back to Finn and he brings Ciampa up, but Ciampa ROCKS Finn! And again! And again! And again! Ciampa swings, but into the dragon sleeper! But Ciampa turns that around, REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ciampa and Finn crawl, hot tag to Gargano! Priest runs in, but into a GAMANGIRI! Gargano rallies on Finn with big hands, then he DOUBLE KNEES Priest! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano and he runs in at Finn!

Finn puts Gargano on the apron, but Gargano RAMS into him! Gargano avoids Priest’s sweep to SUPERKICK! SLINGSHOT SPEAR into Finn! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives but the fans rally with Gargano. Gargano runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Finn stops La Mystica to EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Tag to Priest, he and Finn get Gargano up. They double whip, Gargano duck sunder and Ciampa trips Finn! Ciampa sends Finn into barriers! Gargano rolls Priest up, TWO!! Gargano baits Priest in, tag to Ciampa before Priest hits buckles! Then DIY work together, ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Ciampa drags Priest up and reels him in. Priest fights the underhooks and back drops free! ROUNDHOUSE to Gargano! Priest runs in, BIG back elbow! Tag to Finn, then snapmare to STOMP! Finn tags Priest back, they get Ciampa up again, BACKBREAKER LEG DROP COMBO! Priest covers while Finn flexes, TWO! Ciampa survives and the fans fire up! Priest storms around while Ciampa rises. Priest aims, choke grips, but Ciampa KNEES free! Ciampa DECKS Finn, but Priest scoops! TOMBSTONE! Cover, GARGANO BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Priest is furious! Priest TOSSES Gargano!

Priest goes back to Ciampa, and Finn says let’s finish this! Priest aims, Finn tags, and SOUTH OF- NO, Ciampa slips free to trip Finn! Ciampa LEBOWS Priest, into Gargano’s ONE FINAL BEAT!! Ciampa goes up to get Finn!! SUPER AIR RAID CRASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Finn survives and shocks everyone! Gargano tags back in, and the fans are thunderous as DIY aims at Finn! Finn sits up, for them to MEET IN THE MIDDLE!! Cover, PRIEST DRAGS FINN OUT! Gargano and Ciampa are stunned! Ciampa PLANCHAS, but into a HAYMAKER! Gargano DIVES and sends Priest over the desk!

Gargano hurries in but Finn cradles him! TWO!!! Gargano escapes, but Finn SLINGBLADES! Finn aims, SHOTGUNS and Gargano goes down! Finn climbs up, COUP DE- NO! Gargano moves, he runs back in, LA MYSTICA! Then GargaNO Escape!!! Ciampa intercepts Priest to a CROSSFACE!! Both Priest & Finn endure while fans go nuts! Priest powers up to SIDEWALK SLAM Ciampa onto Gargano! All four men are down and “This is Awesome!” The teams regroup, Finn and Gargano crawl for their corners, and the fans rally hard for DIY. Hot tag to Priest, and he runs to DECK Ciampa!

Priest hauls Gargano up, Canadian Rack, but Gargano fights free! Hot tag to Ciampa! Ciampa fires off fast hands, he puts Priest in a corner, Gargano and Finn start to brawl! The ref reprimands, but Gargano gets the edge on Finn! ROLLING ELBOW! But Finn PELES! Ciampa KNEES Finn! Priest SUPERKICKS Ciampa! Ciampa falls out of the ring, Priest says it is done! Priest goes out after Ciampa, brings him around, and aims for the desk! No, not the table! But Gargano DIVES! Priest catches Gargano, FLATLINER on the desk!! Priest hurries back in, but Ciampa gets him for a cradle! TWO!!! Priest escapes, and DECKS Ciampa!

Priest tags Finn, gets Ciampa up, RAZOR’S EDGE!! COUP DE GRACE!!! Cover, THE JUDGMENT DAY WINS!

Winners: Finn Balor & Damian Priest, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions)

The Prince & The Punisher showed that vicious edge, just as Mami wanted! Dom & JD join in the celebration, and then Priest gets the mics. Finn says, “Who’s the Undisputed Tag Team Champions? The Judgment Day!” Priest says, “Alright, alright. For weeks, you’ve all seen a different side of The Judgment Day. And we all know who’s the reason for that. it’s the same person I feel like everybody in this ring owes an apology to. In fact, after the Rumble, I feel like I should apologize to him. Yeah, you guys know who it is. It ain’t a secret. Truth, I know you can hear us. Come join us in the ring.”

R-Truth makes his entrance and the fans fire up! Truth heads to the ring and Finn even joins in on the “What’s up? What’s up?” Priest says it is okay, Truth, c’mere. The music cuts and Priest says Truth has his word, he won’t attack. Priest knows Truth wants to say the deal. Truth joins the others in the ring, has a mic now, and he says he’s glad he gets to say it cuz it never works when Priest says it. He just isn’t nice enough. So, ALL RISE for the Judgment Day! The fans cheer and Priest says that was good. But look, Truth, at the Rumble, Priest was thinking about last Monday. Truth says that’s fine, they can talk about that later.

Truth hasn’t been able to sleep, this has been bothering him. He relocated Priest’s cash to crypto, don’t worry. He even filed the taxes and liquidated the assets, Priest is good to go! Priest sighs and says there’s no way Truth knows what any of that means. But what Priest is saying is that they’re a family. Yeah, that’s what Truth is saying! They’ve been family the whole time! Priest is like Truth’s older brother. But Truth, you’re older than all of them! Truth says Finn is “that weird uncle,” unpredictable but they still love him. What more is there to say “Tom ‘n’ Nick?” Fans boo Dominik and Truth is confused. Sorry, his bad.

But then, there’s JD. He’s that stepbrother who they don’t wanna admit is in the family. Priest says Truth has to let someone else talk. Priest was gonna say that the Judgment Day was family. But sadly, Truth ain’t Judgment Day. He’s not? No, he never was. But Priest has always liked Truth, he is very funny. So that’s why Priest isn’t the one who is gonna do this. Dom? JD TAKES INITIATIVE! Fans boo as JD smacks Truth around, kicks him, but wait! Here comes The Miz! Miz wants to save his friend, but he just gets mugged, too! It’s a 4v2 beating! Fans boo but then Priest & Finn set Miz up for Dom! Dom goes up, to FROG SPLASH!

JD drags Truth over to put next to Miz, and The Judgment Day stands tall. United and undisputed, will anyone ever bring them down now?

 

Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven!

The Queen of Spade & The Hunter want the tag titles, but the Hot Mess & The Scottish Viper want those titles back! Will Shayna & Stark tear through the former champs to get at the current champs? Or will they refuse to #TapNapOrSnap?

The teams sort out, and Piper SPLASHES Stark in the corner at the bell! Piper CLOBBERS Stark, fans are torn, but Stark JAWBREAKERS back! Piper goes to ropes, she ELBOWS back, but Shayna KICKS Piper from behind! Stark HEEL KCIKS Piper from the front! Tag to Shayna, she storms in and CLUBS Piper down! Shayna fires off hands, the fans fire up, and Shayna pulls on an arm. Shayna isolates that arm to STOMP it! Shayna drags Piper around, wrenches to a double wristlock, but Piper endures. Piper scoops, Shayna slips free to waistlock, but Piper fights! Piper RAMS Shayna into the corner!

Shayna and Piper are down, but Piper crawls to hot tag Green! Hot tag to Stark! Chelsea isn’t sure what to do, so she dodges Stark, then drop toeholds her into ropes! Green smiles, but Shayna has the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Chelsea TOSSES Shayna, dodges Stark’s dropkick, then hits a ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO! Stark survives and Chelsea is upset. She hurries to tag but Shayna YANKS Piper down! And Stark hits Z 360!! Cover, Stark & Shayna win!

Winners: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark, by pinfall

Well that was fast! If they can put away former champs that fast, will Shayna & Stark be unstoppable going for the titles?

 

Cody Rhodes is here!

Tampa fires up for the back to back winner of the Men’s Royal Rumble, The American Nightmare, as he heads to the ring, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets the mic but takes a moment as he hears the fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Cody then asks Tampa Bay, “What do we wanna talk about?” He had something in mind to say, first in response to his own question. But on the way out, he heard something for the very first time that was music to his ears. Samantha Irvin, could you do him the honor of saying it one more time? Samantha smiles and grabs the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome of the 2023 AND 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The American Nightmare~! CODY! RHOOODES!”

Fans cheer and Cody is feeling it now! He thanks Samantha, and then says we have a lot of people here tonight. Cody knows that they come to Raw, to the WWE shows, to SmackDown and the PLEs, and the expectation is on the superstars to give us the best time of their lives and to escape for a moment. But some don’t realize that even the WWE superstars need to escape. The last 48 hours of Cody’s life outside of here have been rather… challenging. It’s all good, all is well, but on Saturday, you will never know how much he needed the fans. Cody is endlessly grateful for that, but let’s get to it.

“Let’s make WrestleMania 40 official.” But then Seth Rollins makes his way out here?! The Visionary, the Revolutionary, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, has fans singing his song now, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~! OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” while he makes his way to the ring. Rollins gets a mic of his own, the fans continue to sing, and Rollins revels in it a moment before telling Cody, “Tampa Bay is right, you do deserve it, man.” Rollins says that because these two haven’t always seen eye to eye, but the past year, they’ve developed a… mutual respect for each other. So man to man, back-to-back Royal Rumbles, congrats! That is special.

They shake hands, but then Rollins wants to be real. Sunglasses coming off now. If Cody chooses Roman Reigns at Mania, that is a mistake. Rollins thinks Cody should fight him instead. Fans are surprised to hear that, and are torn on that. Rollins understands the concerns. But all he is asking is for Cody to hear him out. Rollins watched Cody at the Rumble press conference. Cody said unequivocally that he is “The Guy.” And Rollins isn’t trying to be a jerk, but no, Cody is not The Guy. Roman Reigns isn’t even The Guy anymore! Rollins is The Guy. Rollins is The Guy, and the World Heavyweight Championship is THE title in the WWE!

Fans are again torn but plenty still sing for Rollins. Rollins says see, we’re getting there. Now last year, Cody won the Rumble, it made perfect sense to go after Roman. But that was when there was only one champion. The landscape has changed. But Rollins gets it. Every single day, all Cody has thought about this past year is Roman, Roman, Roman. But Rollins and Cody have been together on this ride. Rollins won this belt, Cody’s been on the road with him, town after town, city after city, show after show. And who was there int he main event? Cuz it sure wasn’t Roman. And what title was Rollins defending? Cuz it sure wasn’t the WWE Universal Championship! It was the WORLD HEAVYEWIGHT TITLE!

And does Cody remember why this title came to be? It was because every single one of these people was sick and tired of Roman Reigns. They were sick and tired of Roman showing up every other week, then every other month. Then every six months, never defending the title and then cheating to win when he had to instead of being an honorable man! The WHC is THE PEOPLE’S TITLE! It is for the us, by us, and has been built up by us! Broken bones, bad backs, blown out knee, all of them, Cody included, has leveled the playing field.

So they don’t need to pretend Roman is “The Guy” anymore, cuz he’s not. We don’t need to pretend Roman is on some untouchable pedestal. Hell, we don’t need Roman at all! So Rollins just has to ask: What title does Cody want? The Hollywood title? The Hogan title? The one for posers and frauds? The one for those who politic to the top? Or does he want the Dusty Rhodes title? The workhorse title, the blue collar title, because that is what the WHC means! It is about who is the very best between these ropes!

And Rollins could try and ask what title Dusty would want, but it wouldn’t matter, because he’s not here, this isn’t about him, and hasn’t been for some time. This is about Cody and Cody’s decision. And Rollins doesn’t need an answer right now, but he wants Cody to think on this because this is the biggest decision in Cody’s entire life. Just ask yourself, “What’s in here (your heart)? What kind of man do you wanna be?” Rollins steps back and Cody isn’t sure what to make of that. Cody tells Seth, “I have an insane amount of respect for you. And this is the last thing I woke up thinking that we would be talking about, that I would be thinking about.

“But let me tell you this. I’ll think about it.” Fans cheer and Rollins is a little surprised. Did Rollins just redirect the Road to WrestleMania towards him? Or does Cody still want to #FinishTheStory that badly?

 

Kofi Kingston speaks.

“Hey! I’m still on Cloud Nine because what we did last week to Imperium. We took ’em on and we took ’em down!” Now Kofi said it before and he’ll say it again: When you think about New Day, you talk about pancakes, Booty-O’s, ice cream, bright colors. But the one thing you forget o talk about, the most important thing, is the fact that they win championships! Talk about that! That is what Kofi is about to do here tonight when he beats Gunther for the Intercontinental Champsionship! FIVE-TIME, BRO! Xavier Woods is just as fired up, will Kofi end the reign at just short of 600 DAYS?!

 

Jey Uso VS Bronson Reed!

Main Event Jey wants after singles gold, but so does the Colossal Aussie! Will Jey manage to YEET Reed out of the way? Or will the Uso Splash not compare to the Tsunami?

Raw returns and Reed makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. Reed puts Jey in a corner, lets off, but Jey avoids the haymaker to fire off hands. The fans “YEET! YEET!” and Jey runs, but Reed runs him over! Reed paces, drags Jey up and HEADBUTTS back! Reed drags Jey up to HEADBUTT again! Reed clotheslines in the corner, to then short arm LARIAT Jey down! Fans boo but Reed stalks Jey to ropes. Reed HEADBUTTS again, then mocks the yeet. The fans rally for Jey but Reed drags him up to ROCK him with a right. Reed brings Jey around to CLUB him in the chest!

Reed whips, Jey holds ropes, and then Jey dumps Reed out! Jey builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Reed hits barriers! The fans fire up with Jey and he gets Reed up, only for Reed to POST him! Reed runs in, but Jey ducks and Reed POSTS himself!! Fans fire up while Raw goes picture in picture.

Jey slides into the ring, lets the ring count climb, and Reed drags himself up at 6 of 10. Reed rolls in at 8, but Jey runs up to fire haymakers! Jey ROCKS Reed, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! Reed wobbles, Jey runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Reed ELBOWS him down! Reed flexes, soaks up the heat, then goes back to Jey. Reed runs to ELBOW DROP! Jey sputters, Reed stalks him, then he drags Jey up into a neck wrench! Jey endures, fights up, and throws body shots! Jey throws haymakers, but Reed HEADBUTTS again! Jey falls into a corner, Reed steadies himself, and then storms up on Jey.

Reed stands on Jey at the ropes! The ref counts, Reed steps away, and then he drags Jey up. Reed CHOKES Jey on the ropes, thrashes him, then lets off as the ref counts again. Reed stands Jey up in a corner, ROCKS him with a right, then whips him corner to corner. Jey bounces off buckles and falls to his knees, but Reed soaks up the heat. Reed drags Jey up, CLUBS him to another corner, then CHOKES Jey on the buckles. The ref counts, Reed lets off, and he mocks the “UCE! OH!” chant. Reed goes corner to corner to HIP ATTACK! Jey flounders and Reed grins. Reed drags Jey into a chinlock!

Jey endures as Reed squeezes tight. Jey fights up, Raw returns to single picture. and Jey throws body shots. The fans rally as Jey counter punches! And counter punches! And counter punches! Fans “YEET! YEET!” and Jey pops ‘n’ locks, before he ROCKS Reed again! The fans fire up as Jey runs in, but Reed puts him on the apron. Jey GAMANGIRIS then climbs up! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Reed is tougher than that but Jey keeps cool. Reed stands, into a mule kick! UPPERCUT! Reed blocks a kick, spins Jey and blocks the Dragon Whip to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jey is tougher than that, too!

The fans rally up, Reed hauls Jeyu up but Jey ducks the ripcord lariat to SUPERKICK! Reed growls but Jey SUPERKCIKS! Reed roars, but Jey CALF KICKS! Cover, TWO! Reed is still in this but Jey hurries to a corner. Jey climbs but Reed trips him up! Reed climbs, brings Jey up, but Jey fights the superplex! Jey fires body shots and forearms, then a HEADBUTT! Reed falls down! Jey adjusts, to USO- NO, he has to bail out of the splash as Reed moves! Reed gets Jey in a fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and Reed is furious! Reed says time to end this!

Reed drags Jey up, fireman’s carries again, but Jey slips free! Reed still SPLASHES in the corner! Jey falls, Reed climbs! Fans fire up as Reed aims, TSUNAMI FLOPS as Jey moves! Fans fire up and Jey rises! SUPERKICK! Reed stays up, so Jey runs and SPEARS Reed down!! Jey hurries back up, and he hits the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jey wins!!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall

Truly a huge win for Jey! And while Kofi is facing Gunther later tonight, will this help Jey be right in line for his own Intercontinental Championship match?

 

Adam Pearce meets with Andrade Almas.

El Idolo signs on the dotted line, he is officially Raw! Pearce appreciates this, they shake hands, and then in walks Nick Aldis. Well, just the man Pearce wanted to see. Pearce introduces one of the biggest free agents in WWE history, a former NXT Champion and United States Champion, and is now the newest member of Raw. Aldis congratulates Andrade on the deal, but says it is a shame, as SmackDown had a very handsome offer. Pearce says maybe SmackDown should’ve been a little quicker. Yes, evidently. But Andrade shakes hands with Pearce and Aldis one more time, and wants Aldis to say hola to Santos for him.

Andrade heads out and Aldis says he loaned Pearce Bayley for the night so that Raw could have both Rumble winners for a very special night, and it’s like that, is it? It’s just business. Oh, well, speaking of business, they need to discuss Elimination Chamber. But then Aldis’ phone rings and he says he has to take it, it’s Bron Breakker. Aldis heads out, and it seems SmackDown is going to sign their own big name soon enough.

 

Gunther speaks.

Der Ring General tells Kofi, “I want to speak firm to you. Good on you for challenging me, because tonight, you’re about to have the biggest fight of your career. You’re fighting for your name, you’re fighting for your legacy, you’re fighting for every accomplishment you’ve ever made. You will remember this night for the rest of your life. But I? After tonight, I will forget about you. So here’s some advice: Leave it all out there in the ring tonight. Because when I’m done with you, nobody will be speaking about you anymore, and I will carry on being the longest reigning and greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time. Good luck, Kofi.”

 

Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.

Jackie Redmond is with The Man and says obviously Plan A was winning the Rumble, but that isn’t how things went. What is Plan B? Becky says the she let a lot of people down, including herself. But the only way she stays down is if she gives up and that ain’t in her nature. Then Plan B is to train harder, think smarter, fighter a little dirtier, but she does not stop until she’s back at the top, and takes that women’s title back into the main event like it deserves. The Man is planning to still be Big Time in time for Mania, how will she fight her way into Philadelphia?

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Kofi Kingston!

Der Ring General continues add to his historic reign, having now reached just shy of 600 DAYS! But just as Kofi said, the New Day always gets gold! Will Kofi become a FIVE-TIME Intercontinental Champion? Or will he be just another notch on the belt for Gunther?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see just who (who who who) brings gold down the Road to WrestleMania!

The bell rings and Kofi rushes Gunther with fast hands! Gunther shoves him away but Kofi comes back for more! Kofi climbs up a corner to rain down fists but Gunther throws him away. Kofi ducks ‘n’ dodges but Guntnher scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally while Kofi writhes, and Gunther gets the legs to go righ tinto a BOSTON CRAB! Kofi endures, reaches out, but Gunther sits deep while Raw goes picture in picture!

Kofi fights around, slips under, but Gunther stomps him down! Gunther stalks Kofi to ropes, then bends him against them! The ref reprimands, Gunther CLUBS Kofi as he lets off, then he stalks Kofi to a corner. Gunther drags Kofi up but Kofi body shots and mule kicks! Kofi fires hands but Gunther CHOPS him down! Gunther stalks Kofi, drags him up, and then CLUBS him down! Kofi goes to ropes, Gunther stomps away on him, but Gunther lets off as the ref counts. Gunther soaks up the heat, stalks Kofi to a corner, and then Gunther drags Kofi up again. Gunther shoves Kofi to ropes to then CLUB him in the back on the rebound!

Kofi falls, Gunther hip drops him down more! Gunther paces around. Kofi crawls, Gunther stalks him, then drags him up. Gunther shoves Kofi to ropes again, but this time Kofi ROCKS Gunther! Gunther staggers, Kofi fires more hands, but Gunther CLUBS him again. But Kofi dodges the hip drop to get a leg! Gunther grabs Kofi’s leg, stands up, and stomps Kofi down again! Kofi crawls while Gunther soaks up heat from the fans. Gunther storms up in the corner, but Kofi slips fere to ROCK and CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Gunther turns things around to CHOP! Kofi falls and sputters, but Gunther kicks him to the floor!

Gunther paces while Kofi drags himself up. Kofi gets in the ring but Gunther is on him with a snapmare. Gunther KICKS Kofi in the back! Kofi writhes, flounders to ropes, and Gunther stalks him. Gunther KICKS Kofi, Kofi is in the ropes again, and Raw returns to single picture as Gunther bends Kofi back! Gunther ELBOWS Kofi in the nose! Gunther eggs Kofi on, taunts him, but Kofi throws body shots and haymakers! Kofi HEADBUTTS, but Gunther CHOPS! Kofi falls back and Gunther storms up again. Gunther whips corner to corner hard and Kofi falls! Gunther taunts Kofi, stalks him to a corner, then drags him up.

Gunther brings Kofi up to whip him hard into the corner again, and Kofi again falls! Gunther grabs the legs but Kofi resists. Kofi BOOTS from below, and BOOTS again! Kofi is free, he goes to a corner, but Gunther storms up on him again. Gunther scoops to SLAM Kofi! Gunther taunts the fans and he taunts Kofi. He asks where Kofi’s fight is now, and then he drags Kofi up. Gunther UPPERCUTS Kofi, UPPERCUTS again, and Kofi goes to a corner. Gunther storms over and stands Kofi up, but Kofi fires haymakers! And a CHOP! Gunther CHOPS back! Gunther whips Kofi corner to corner, grins, but Kofi runs up to DECK Gunther!

Fans fire up as Gunther is staggered now! Kofi fires off haymakers and HEADBUTTS! The fans rally behind Kofi as he goes to a corner. Gunther runs in but Kofi BOOTS him away. Kofi then PENDULUM KICKS and Gunther falls back! Kofi goes up, and leaps, but into Gunther’s arms! BACKBREAKER! BOSTON CRAB! Kofi endures as Raw goes back to picture in picture!

Kofi fights up but Gunther puts more pressure on the back! Kofi crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Gunther lets go, and he catches his breath while Kofi drags himself up. Gunther stomps Kofi, then brings him around to CHOP down! Kofi flounders to another corner, and Gunther soaks up the heat. Gunther mocks the fans as they cheer Kofi, and then he storms after Kofi. Kofi mule kicks back! And THRUST KICKS! But Gunther waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Gunther scowls as he looks at Kofi writhing, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Gunther ripcords Kofi, but Kofi ducks the lariat! V-TRIGGER! Fans fire up as Gunther is stunned! Kofi goes to a corner, stands back up and he runs up to DOUBLE CHOP! And DOUBLE CHOP! And DROPKICK! Gunther wobbles, Kofi keeps moving, but Gunther gets around! SLEEPER!! Kofi flails, reaches out, but then Gunther spins Kofi around to lift and- NO, Kofi fights the bomb! Kofi goes to ropes to RANA Gunther to the floor! Fans fire up as Kofi builds speed, and Kofi DIVES! But Gunther catches him, to SLAM him into the apron!! Gunther drags Kofi up, lifts, but Kofi RANAS again, and Gunther hits POST!

Kofi and Gunther stagger, Kofi slides into the ring first and he builds speed! Kofi DIVES and Gunther hits the desk! Kofi keeps moving, he DIVES again, and again Gunther hits the desk! The fans fire up but this time Gunther follows! Kofi ducks ‘n’ dodges, RUNNING TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Kofi crawls, but Gunther crawls away, and out of the ring! Gunther saves himself and Kofi can’t believe it! Kofi hurries outside to KICK Gunther, SMACK him off steel steps, and CLUB away on him! Fans fire up with Kofi, but the ring count is climbing. Kofi goes up the barriers?! Kofi aims, to leap, GUILLOTINE AX HANDLE OFF THE STEPS!!!

Kofi shoves Gunther in the ring and then he goes up the corner! Kofi aims, to SUPER BOOM DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and no one can believe it! Kofi aims from a corner, he spins, but Gunther BLOCKS Trouble in Paradise! Gunther tries the Crab but Kofi cradles it! TWO!! Gunther LARIATS outta nowhere!! Gunther powers up the arm again and fans boo, as Gunther runs to- S O S!!! Cover, TWO!!! Gunther survives again and Kofi is beside himself! “This is Awesome!” as Kofi and Gunther rise again, and then Gunther LARIATS!! And then SHOTGUNS Kofi into a corner! Gunther drags Kofi out, up, and GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

And that secures Gunther past 600 days! Woods checks on Kofi, but then the rest of Imperium pounces! Vinci & Kaiser were just waiting, and Gunther smiles as his soldiers beat down The New Day! Vinci BOOTS Kofi down, but then Woods rises! Woods runs up to CLOBBER Vinci and fire fast hands on Ludwig! But that’s still a 2v1 situation! They mug Woods, drag him out, and then double whip him into a POST!! Gunther taunts The New Day, then he and Imperium make their leave. Will nothing stop Der Ring General and his reign of terror?

 

Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.

Jackie is now with the returning Great Liberator, and notes that just 48 hours removed from his return, he is facing the man who put him on the shelf in Drew McIntyre. How is Sami managing his emotions going into tonight’s main event? Sami says that’s a good question, because this has all been emotional. It is hard to just sit on the sidelines when it was an injury at the hands of a man like McIntyre, especially when McIntyre always has an excuse for why he does anything. And then, the moment of a lifetime, to come out as Number 30 in the Rumble, even that was somehow taken away by McIntyre.

Now, if it was just Sami, he could deal with it. But when it comes to McIntyre, he is targeting everyone, including CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso and Seth Rollins. McIntyre points the finger at everyone except himself. So as far as Sami is concerned, it is time for a reality check, and he’ll be the one to give it! Sami is ready for a fight, will he be able to bring down the Scottish Terminator?

 

The Kabuki Warriors VS Tegan Nox & Natalya!

The Empress of Tomorrow & The Pirate Princess are once again WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and they’re ready to fight to prove they’re still that dangerous! But will the Welsh Firecracker and Queen of Harts find a way to grab some golden tickets? Or will they not be ready for Asuka & Kairi?

Raw returns and Nox & Natty make their entrance. The teams sort out and Nox starts against Kairi Sane. They circle, Kairi uses the ref as a shield, plays some peekaboo, then she kicks Nox low. Kairi headlocks but Nox powers out. Nox trips Kairi, Oklahoma Rolls, ONE!! Nox clinches, Natty tags in, and they double whip Kairi. They drop toehold then basement dropkick, and Natty covers, TWO! Natty scoops but Kairi slips free to throw Natty down by her hair! The ref reprimands, but Kairi tags Asuka. Kairi bumps Natty off Asuka’s boots, then Asuka grins as she whips. Natty reverses to send Asuka hard into buckles!

Tag to Nox, she runs up to fire hands on Asuka! Nox whips, Asuka reverses but Nox goes up and over. Nox runs back in to UPPERCUT! Nox then GAMANGIRIS Asuka down, and she goes corner to corner for a CANNONBALL! Asuka flounders but Nox stalks her. Nox drags Asuka around, but Kairi runs in! Nox dodges, Natty is there and she snapmares Kairi. Natty & Nox coordinate, they both run, then DOUBLE BASEMENT BOOT! The fans fire up with Natty and Nox kicks Kairi out while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Asuka kneels on Nox’s neck! The ref counts, Asuka steps away and tags Kairi. The Kabuki Warriors mug Nox, double whip, then bypass to kick, AX KICK and BULLDOG, into the BASEMENT DROPKICK! Fans cheer and Kairi drags Nox up. Kairi CHOPS Nox, CHOPS again, and Nox sits down. Kairi puts Nox in the corner, stomps a mudhole in, then lets off as the ref counts. Natty rallies the fans for “Tegan! Tegan!” but Asuka tags in. Asuka stalks Nox, stomps her around, scuffs her, then taunts Natty. Asuka scuffs Nox more and more but Nox snarls. Nox blocks and spins Asuka but Asuka ROCKS Nox first!

Asuka whips, Nox BLASTS Kairi! Asuka runs in but Nox ROCKS her! Nox DECKS Kairi, then BOOTS Asuka! Nox hobbles, but Kairi runs up! Nox spins Kairi around to throw her out, then dodges Asuka, only for Asuka to block the kick! ANKLE LOCK! Nox rolls but Asuka holds on! They roll again, but Nox fights her way forward! Natty reaches out, but Kairi YANKS Natty down! Asuka reels Nox in, but Nox wheelbarrows! Victory roll, TWO! HEADBUTT! Asuka wobbles, kicks, but Nox duck sit to UPPERCUT! Nox and Asuka are down, they crawl, hot tag to Natty! Natty fires hands on Asuka, then snap suplexes!

Natty hurries to snap suplex again! Natty bumps Asuka off buckles, fires off hands, and the fans fire up more. N atty runs, Asuka swings, but Natty gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! DISCUS LARIAT! Natty drags Asuka around, steps through, and fans fire up, but Asuka fights the Sharpshooter! Asuka calls to Kairi, Kairi sneaks in from behind to CLUB Natty! Natty TOSSES Kairi out for that, then asks for a tag, but Nox goes to kick Kairi! Kairi blocks to trip Nox up! Natty is upset, she WRECKS Kairi with a dropkick! Asuka runs in, Natty dodges and drags her into a cradle! TWO!! Natty gets the legs but Asuka BOOTS her!

Asuka gets up, ROUNDHOUSE! Tag to Kairi and she climbs! Asuka hooks Natty up, and we saw this on Friday! In-SANE DDT!! Cover, Kabuki Warriors win!

Winners: The Kabuki Warriors, by pinfall

Natty and Nox were close, but one misstep cost them. Is this as far as their team can go? As for Asuka & Kairi, will they be ready for any and all challengers that come their way?

 

Backstage interview with Kayden Carter & Katana Chance.

Jackie is with the former tag team champions, and notes that it was only a few days ago that they were holding those belts. How do they plan on getting back into the picture? Katana says they talked with Adam Pearce, and the Life of the Party gets their rematch. Kayden says Asuka & Kairi have one more week to enjoy the reign, because those belts are coming back home to the Party. And that’s next week on Raw! KC Squared just gave us a scoop, but will they get things lit again on the Road to WrestleMania?

 

Bayley heads to the ring!

Samantha Irvin gives the winner of the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble a great introductions, and now the Role Model joins the Kabuki Warriors, Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai in the ring. What will she have to say about her big win? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Bayley points to the WrestleMania sign while she has the mic. The fans cheer her on, and Bayley says, “Before I get into the nitty gritty, I’m gonna give you all a rare opportunity to take a picture of us. I mean, c’mon, let’s ask ourselves, when’s the last time you saw the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, the WWE Women’s Champion, and your Women’s Royal Rumble winner standing int he same ring together, huh? Uh, the answer is never because it’s never been done! This right here is history, and it’s all thanks to ME!” The fans cheer and Bayley says she’s been telling all you idiots that DMG CTRL was going to take over, and nobody believed her!

Everyone thought Bayley’s idea was a flop. That Bayley’s not as good as she used to be. That Bayley’s been losing all of her matches. But luckily, she doesn’t listen to opinions, because she sees the bigger picture. She may not have been on the poster for the Royal Rumble, but she stands tall as your 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble winner! Fans cheer that! Bayley says in a time when we have the most stacked, talented WWE Women’s Division, Bayley came out on top! HA! She beat 29 other women on Saturday! Not only that, she beat Rhea Ripley’s precious little record as she was in that match for a total of 63 minutes and 3 seconds! DING DONG, HELLO!

“So at WrestleMania-” Wait! Here comes Rhea! And Rhea says, “Aww~, Bayley. You think that you’ve accomplished something? That’s very cute. You might’ve beat my time in the Rumble, but that’s only because I wasn’t in it. And I see that the rest of DMG CTRL has gold, and if you decide to challenge me at WrestleMania, then it’s gonna stay that way. You wanna know why? Because Mami-” GETS BLINDSIDED BY NIA JAX! Fans boo as Nia and Rhea brawl, DMG CTRL cheers it, but then things get in the ring! Rhea stomps Nia, runs, but Nia runs Rhea over! Nia then runs, and she drops the leg, brother!

Fans boo as Nia runs again, for another leg drop, brother! DMG CTRL stays way back as Nia hits a third leg drop! Fans boo as Nia then goes up, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia stares DMG CTRL down, and Bayley is the only one that stays in the ring! Bayley looks around, realizing she got left behind, and Nia storms up to her. Nia takes the mic to tell Bayley that she can pick Iyo Sky or anybody else. But Rhea Ripley isn’t making it to WrestleMania. Nia pushes the mic back into Bayley’s hands, and Bayley says hold on, Nia didn’t let her finish. Bayley’s gonna make her official announcement on Friday Night SmackDown.

Nia backs away, and while Rhea sputters and coughs, both Bayley and Iyo look worried. Is Bayley still going to dare to choose the Women’s World Championship? Or will she end up choosing the Evil Genius by default?

 

Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn!

The Scottish Terminator shows no remorse about what happened to CM Punk, and was even happy about it! He also injured Sami and enjoyed it, but will he come to regret it now that Sami’s back? Or will the Master Strategist’s return be cut short?

Raw returns and Jackie is with McIntyre at gorilla position. She notes Sami saying McIntyre needs a reality check. What is his response? McIntyre says all he has ever done is tell the truth, and all his actions are justified. As for Sami’s reality check, they have had countless matches. And McIntyre isn’t the best with math, Sami has beaten him exactly… ZERO times! And that ain’t changing tonight. So hit his music! McIntyre’s theme song plays, he makes his entrance, is there a first time for everything?

The bell rings and Sami runs in, only for McIntyre to RAM him into a corner! Sami gets free to CHOP and CHOP but McIntyre shoves him down. Sami dodges the lariat to JAB, JAB and CHOP! Sami whips, McIntyre reverses but Sami holds ropes. McIntyre runs in but Sami dumps him out! Sami then PLANCHAS, but McIntyre catches him! McIntyre brings Sami over to TOSS him over the desk! McIntyre leaves Sami behind, the ring count climbs, and McIntyre counts along. McAfee says Sami will be fine but McIntyre gets impatient. McIntyre goes out after Sami, drags him back up, and pushes him into the ring.

McIntyre tells Pat not to talk trash, but then Sami DIVES! Now McIntyre goes flying over the desk! Fans fire up with Sami and Maggle tells Pat to be more careful with what he says while Raw goes picture in picture.

Sami catches his breath, then fires back up as he fetches McIntyre. Sami SMACKS McIntyre off the desk, and SMACKS him off it again. Sami refreshes the ring count, brings McIntyre around, but McIntyre CHOPS! McIntyre whips Sami to the barriers, but Sami goes up to QUEBRADA! Direct hit and down goes McIntyre! Sami gets up on the desk as he’s all fired up and the fans are with him! McIntyre sits up in a huff, Sami refreshes the ring count again, and Sami brings McIntyre around into the ring. Sami stalks McIntyre to a corner and fires body shots. The ref counts, Sami wrenches and whips, but McIntyre reverses.

Sami goes up, but McIntyre KICKS him out of the air! McIntyre soaks up the heat while Sami sputters. McIntyre drags Sami up to DECK him! McIntyre stomps Sami on the face, then puts him in a corner. McIntyre CHOPS Sami, stalks him to ropes, then CHOPS him again! Sami falls over and McIntyre paces around. McIntyre smirks as he stands Sami up again, to CHOP him back down! Sami sputters but McIntyre looms over him. McIntyre stands Sami up to CHOP him again! Sami shakes his head as he refuses to fall! McIntyre CHOPS Sami again, but Sami shouts! Sami CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! McIntyre DOUBLE CHOPS Sami off his feet!

McIntyre rains down fists and just HAMMERS away on Sami! The ref has McIntyre back off so he can check Sami, and Raw returns to single picture. Sami is okay to continue, so McIntyre CHOPS him to a corner! Sami sits down but says he can still go. McIntyre stands Sami up again, to CHOP him back down! McIntyre wants this to end already but Sami refuses to stay down. Sami CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but McIntyre RAMS him! And CHOPS! And CLUBS! McIntyre hoists Sami up top, then CHOPS again! Fans “WOO~!” but McIntyre has a murderous glare. McIntyre climbs up and he hauls Sami up.

Sami resists the lift, throws down elbows, then CLUBS away on McIntyre! Sami SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives but Sami is too sore to be upset. The fans rally up as both men rise, and Sami fires haymakers! Sami whips, McIntyre blocks to CLUB and underhook! Sami wrenches out, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up and up and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives again but Sami stays focused. Sami aims from a corner, he runs in, but McIntyre picks Sami up for a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! McIntyre deadlifts Sami to SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up as Sami survives and McIntyre is fuming. McIntyre looms over Sami, pie faces him, but Sami rises up to CHOP! McIntyre is angrier now, he runs in, but Sami moves! McIntyre POSTS himself! Sami reels McIntyre in, suplexes, but McIntyre’s so big! Sami still tries, but McIntyre fights free to GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! McIntyre goes to a corner, and he decides to go up?! Sami stands, and he trips McIntyre up! Fans rally as Sami climbs, he brings McIntyre to the top, and fans fire up for the SUPERPLEX!! Both men are down and “This is Awesome!” Sami and McIntyre stir, and Sami rises first!

Sami leans against ropes but he makes it to a corner. The fans fire up as Sami runs in, but McIntyre LARIATS Sami down! McIntyre aims from a corner now, “Three! Two! One!” CLAY- NO!! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives yet again and Sami is beside himself! Sami rises again, he brings McIntyre in, but McIntyre RAMS him into a corner, then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES him! McIntyre kips up, storms up, and he fireman’s carries Sami to climb up! Fans freak out but here comes SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sami survives and shocks McIntyre! McIntyre glares, Sami reaches up at him.

McIntyre asks why Sami has to do this. Sami has balls, sure, but he’s just out of his league. McIntyre pie faces Sami but Sami ROCKS him with haymaker after haymaker, and from all sides! The fans are thunderous, but McIntyre just GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS again! Then a forearm in the corner! McIntyre keeps moving, Sami follows, but McIntyre guards! LOW BLOW!? But was that by accident? The ref can’t be sure what really happened, and then McIntyre CLAYMORES!!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

Perhaps a serendipitous shot down low, and the Scottish Terminator takes this one away from Sami! McIntyre doesn’t really care how it looks, he just knows he’s won. Will McIntyre fight his way to the top of the WWE by any means necessary?


My Thoughts:

An awesome Raw right here to follow Royal Rumble and get us going on the Road to WrestleMania. They also did a good job pivoting things after unintended change of plans. For one, a damn shame that just as CM Punk got going again, he’s hurt, again. As great as Punk still is on the mic, maybe his body just isn’t able to keep it up anymore. I mean, his AEW run, if he wasn’t hurt, he was suspended, and those suspensions maybe helped him not get hurt worse. But he still gave an amazing opening promo, and then McIntyre had a great promo that just pissed all over Punk. I’m sure they wanted McIntyre VS Punk, but Sami taking McIntyre on tonight was great stuff, too.

Great promos, awesome main event, and what a clever finish because I’ve never seen someone do that guarding low blow to Sami like that. With Punk injured, someone else has to face Rollins at WrestleMania, maybe it’s McIntyre. I do like that Rollins interrupted Cody’s promo segment to perhaps tease an audible there, too. Rollins wanting Cody to choose him, harping on how Roman’s not “The Guy” anymore, there are elements of Rollins just wanting to puff up his own ego. But as it stands, there are plenty of other guys who can face Rollins at Mania but no one has been built like Cody to go after Roman again, so Cody surely tells Rollins, “Thanks but no thanks.”

Similarly, great stuff out of DMG CTRL. Kabuki Warriors of course beat Nox & Natty, which seems to be falling apart as a team. And Bayley shows up to brag about winning, about how DMG CTRL has lasted this long, but I did not think Nia would beat down Rhea right in front of them all. Bayley being intimidated into not choosing the Women’s World title and basically having no other choice but choosing Iyo is creative, but it also seems to take away the dynamic I was seeing in the DMG CTRL story. I thought Bayley was going to get dumped and then chooses Iyo as revenge, not Bayley choosing Iyo and then being dumped because DMG CTRL has had enough of her.

But clearly, Bayley VS Iyo is still gonna be the plan with Becky talking about fighting her own way to a title match. Nia VS Rhea is definitely the title match for Elimination Chamber: Perth, surely even the main event, while Becky is getting in the Chamber match and winning her shot for Mania. Also, Kayden & Katana getting their rematch next week, yeah that’s not gonna go well for them, I would think. Shayna & Stark got a fast win on Chelsea & Piper, they are surely contenders for the tag titles. I kinda hope they’ll get a contender from Raw and one from SmackDown for a Triple Threat at Mania to really do things up big.

Really good match out of Jey VS Reed, and I figured Jey was getting the win to build himself up towards a title match. Gunther and Kofi had great promos before their awesome title match, they really went the distance. Also I like that picture in picture returned for tonight, it helped the matches feel bigger. Gunther wins, of course, and Imperium beating New Day down, I was so hoping Big E was making a miraculous return. But no, Big E’s neck is still a major concern, we gotta give him time, if he’s ever coming back at all. But Gunther VS Jey could be awesome stuff as Jey goes for his first singles title and Gunther aims for… oh no, WrestleMania’s gonna be on Day 666 of his reign…

Well, speaking of titles, Finn & Priest VS DIY was an awesome tag title match, DIY coming so close and yet still so far from the win. But clearly, the story with R-Truth is not over. Priest lures him into a beatdown, Miz makes the save, Awesome Truth VS Finn & Priest for the titles? Truth has been a serious competitor before, and a tag champion before with Kofi Kingston, he and Miz could be a pretty fun championship team. I just don’t know the chances of that actually happening, but some team somewhere has to get these belts off Judgment Day some day.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to New Beginning Results & Report! (2/3/25)

It’s the Headbanga Show!

Published

on

Don’t touch that dial and stay on ’em!

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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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/3/25)

WOO~! YEET!

Published

on

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

About Chairshot Radio Network

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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