Will Finn & JD (not) survive The War Raiders?

The Judgment Day survived Erik & Ivar last time, but now Finn & JD must defend the World Tag Team Championships without any help! Will the Prince lose everything tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Ludwig Kaiser; Bron wins and retains the title.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Raquel Rodriguez VS Kayden Carter VS Zoey Stark; Zoey wins and advances to the next round.
• WWE World Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & JD McDonagh VS The War Raiders; The War Raiders win and become the new WWE World Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

CM Punk is here!

Boston, Massachusetts fires up as the Best in the World makes his way out, and he says, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Punk high-fives fans on the ramp and in the front row as he makes his way to the ring. Punk grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, but he says careful, some people might get mad when you chant his name. “Not to call attention to people that don’t matter, but somebody that might get mad is the brave guy in the New York jersey over here.” The fans boo that man, but Punk says it takes balls to show up in Boston wearing a New York anything. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves!

“Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Boston or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk says he has to be honest, though, he’s feeling a little low. He is in a bit of a bad mood. Two weeks ago, in this ring, face to face, Punk told Seth Rollins, after Rollins said he spends a lot of time thinking of Punk, that Punk told Rollins he doesn’t think of Rollins at all! But over the course of the past two weeks, his mind did wander back to Rollins, and that put Punk in a bad mood. Because Rollins is right: Whatever this is between them, as much as Punk wants to sidestep it, put it in the past, even completely avoid it, it’s only a matter of time before they lock up in this ring.

Punk is also upset because something he very much enjoy doing, which is coming to this ring, mic in hand, and talking to his people, will always be overshadowed by the fact that every time he does it, he knows at some point… “That stupid music is going to hit.” Fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH!” and Punk says yeah, that’s the one. And Rollins is gonna tiptoe on out here in those stupid clogs like the Purple Pie Man from Porcupine Peak, laughing and looking like Liberace. And no, for the sensitive types, that’s not an insult. Punk happens to think Liberace is cool as Hell. What he’s saying, Seth, if you wanna interrupt him before he says it…

Rollins may wear Elton John’s sunglasses, that doesn’t make Rollins Elton John. And just because Rollins grew up idolizing Punk, putting on a pair of wrestling boots does not make you CM Punk! The fans chant for Punk and Punk says Rollins came out here, with a straight face, and told us all Punk “ghosted” him. And that’s true. But Punk isn’t going to litigate the past. HE looks to the future. And “lil’ bro” Rollins isn’t that future, but it seems they’re on a collision course. Rollins wants to paint a picture that Punk is bad. Fine, Punk will be the bad guy. Boston, show of hands: Have you ever been “the bad guy” in your life?

C’mon, now. Boston Bad Boys? Bean Town? Where are ya? Punk owns being the bad guy, but that’s because there’s no such thing as a bad student, just bad teachers. Rollins is CM Punk’s failure. That 16-year-old kid that wanted training, Punk will do it all over again. So if Rollins wants to interrupt, Punk will give Rollins that free lesson he wanted. But hold on, ladies and gentlemen. If Rollins wants to give Punk some shoes to fill, he will fill them. The bad news is, the last guy who did that was Drew McIntyre. Ask yourself the question: Are you tougher than Drew McIntyre? You might think you are, but Boston knows that you’re not!

And one think Punk knows beyond the shadow of a doubt: There’s not enough staples to put Rollins back together after Punk’s done with him. Oh, that doesn’t piss him off enough? Well, here’s something that will. It is the same thing that’s pissed Rollins off the 7 YEARS Punk was gone from here. It is hearing that during Rollins’ time, the world chant Punk’s name! The fans loudly chant “C M PUNK!” but then Rollins joins in! Where is he, though? Punk looks, a spotlight finds him, and Rollins is up in the bleachers! Rollins gets the fans to keep going while he goes step by step.

Rollins says, “Life is about perspective! And I thought, maybe if I came out here, I saw you the way these people see you, it might give me a new perspective. It might make me feel differently about who you are. So if you don’t mind, lemme take a good, hard look here.” Rollins squints as he looks at the ring. No, even from way out here, Punk’s still an a-hole. The fans go nuts hearing that and Punk says while he’s overjoyed Rollins didn’t come out here with that stupid song, this is the first time where Rollins is coming from the right spot. He belongs in the audience with the rest of the fans!

Oh, Punk thinks this embarrasses Rollins? It doesn’t embarrass him to be with the people. Rollins is a fan, he will always be a fan of WWE, even when Punk abandoned WWE and hoped it would die without him. Rollins put WWE on his back and made it stronger than it ever was! If anyone’s embarrassed, it is Punk! Because this “Fan” has more WrestleMania main events than Punk ever will! And that is FACT, Phil! Punk storms out of the ring, and he meets Rollins at the barrier! They brawl and the fans fire up! Rollins RAMS Punk, Punk turns things around, but producers rush out here, along with security and refs!

Boston wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Punk LEAPS off barriers to get at Rollins! They scrap on the ground, Adam Pearce gets them separate, and the fans boo. But Rollins breaks free to LEAP off the steps! They brawl more, Punk and Rollins are fuming, but then they go into the ring! They throw hands fast ‘n’ furious, and the fans love it! Refs and producers hurry in there but Boston still wants to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Punk is dragged out of the ring, Rollins is kept inside, but Punk grabs a chair! Rollins gets out, Punk drops the chair, Rollins picks up the chair, and producers continue to herd Punk away.

The fans boo but we all know this is inevitable. Wait, Rollins leaps over barriers to cut Punk off at the pass! The fans are thunderous as the fists fly again! Pearce only has so many refs and producers to stop this, and it takes them and the security to get these two to finally stop. Punk has Boston on his side, but will we see this go down in the near future?

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Finn Balor still seethes over his Saturday Night’s Main Event loss, but Liv Morgan says she listened to Finn, and she did win! But why didn’t it work for Finn himself? Finn is just wondering where they all were on Saturday when he was left 2v1! Aren’t they a team? Liv says the group believed in him, they didn’t he needed the help. Plus, JD was focusing on the War Raiders, as he was asked. And well, Liv isn’t trying to tell Finn what to do, but Finn should try doing the same. The rest of the group is banned from ringside tonight, after all. But hey, don’t worry, Finn & JD have everything under control just like always, right?

And just like Raquel has her Triple Threat under control tonight. Because when we listen to Finn, we win. So, so much luck to Finn & JD! They’re gonna kill it! Finn thanks Liv for that, and Liv says she has something special for Dom & Raquel, let’s go get it. They head out, and Finn is back to seething. Will The Prince and his Irish Ace be able to survive with their gold? Or will it be lil’ sis Liv that holds all the power in the clubhouse?

Seth Rollins storms around backstage.

But Adam Pearce tells him to stop walking away from him. What was that out there?! What does Pearce mean, what was that? Pearce should listen to ROLLINS for once! He wants this fight! He wants the world to see this is the biggest fight they can put on! Pearce knows what to do, so he needs to make it happen stat! Pearce says if the two of them would stop trying to pull each other’s eyes out for ten minutes, maybe he could! Just give it a rest so Pearce can do his job! Yeah, do your job, Pearce! DO YOUR JOB! Pearce laves, but McIntyre steps in.

McIntyre says Rollins once told him, when it comes to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, he just needed to “get over it.” Not so easy when it’s staring you in the face, is it? Did Rollins hear what Roman had to say last Friday? Once Roman vanquishes Solo Sikoa, the world will have no choice but to once again acknowledge him. Roman is the same person. Everyone is fooled except Rollins and McIntyre. And they both know that everyone enabling Roman needs to be taken out. That includes Jey, Sami, Jimmy, and ends with Roman. Rollins laughs and says yeah, McIntyre thinks they have this common cause and that makes them friends.

Rollins already took Roman out of power back at WrestleMania. And y’know who was by his side when they did that? Jey and Sami! They’re Rollins’ friends. McIntyre is not Rollins’ friend. Common interests don’t make friendships, friendships are made from respect. Rollins respects Sami, he respects Jey, but McIntyre…? Well, jury’s out there. So if he doesn’t mind, Rollins is going to do something that McIntyre couldn’t, and that’s end CM Punk. Rollins leaves, but will the Scottish Terminator only add him to the hit list?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Ludwig Kaiser!

While Survivor Series saw these two put on a banger with Sheamus, it is time for these two second-generation superstars to settle their score. Will Boston be barking with the Badass? Or will the Impeccable German follow in Der Ring General’s footsteps?

Raw returns and Bron makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!

The bell rings and Kaiser runs up, but Braon RAMS him into a corner! Bron RAMS into Kaiser again and again but lets off as the ref counts. Bron then whips corner to corner, and Kaiser stumbles forward, into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Bron storms up on Kaiser but Kaiser fires hands! Kaiser storms up but Bron fires body shots! Bron wrenches and smothers Kaiser in a corner, the ref counts, and Bron steps off. Bron whips corner to corner but Kaiser reverses. Kaiser runs up, blocks a boot, “NEIN!” SLAP! Bron just scowls, and he TACKLES Kaiser! Bron rains down fists, then he doesn’t get why people slap him!

Bron whips, Kaiser reverses but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and LARIATS! The fans bark it up for Bron already while Kaiser bails out. Bron lets Kaiser think about what he’s done while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Kaiser has Bron in a double wristlock. Bron powers up and out but Kaiser KICKS back! Bron LARIATS Kaiser! The fans fire up while Kaiser goes to a corner. Bron storms up on Kaiser, the fans fire up, and Bron rains down fists! Boston counts along all the way to nine, then Bron winds up, for TEN! The fans cheer while Kaiser staggers. Bron dodges Kaiser, catches him and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Bron stays cool while he stalks Kaiser to ropes. Kaiser KICKS Bron from below! Kaiser goes back for the arm, but Bron scoops! Bron SLAMS Kaiser, then shakes out the bad arm.

Bron storms back up on Kaiser, but Kaiser CLAWS Bron’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Kaiser then puts Bron on ropes. Kaiser lets off at 4, but KICKS the ropes to jam up that arm! The fans boo but Kaiser’s homed in on a target. Kaiser stands Bron up, reels him in, but Bron suplexes first! Kaiser flops out of the ring, only for Bron to go to the apron! Bron aims, leaps, FLYING LARIAT onto and over the desk! Boston barks it up for Bron but that might’ve been double-edged for Bron. Both men rise up, and Bron brings Kaiser around to the ring. Bron puts Kaiser in the ring, checks his left arm, and rolls inside.

The fans rally up as Bron storms over to Kaiser, and Bron hoists Kaiser up top. Bron then climbs up after Kaiser, but Kaiser CLAWS eyes! Kaiser wrenches and WRINGS the bad arm out! Bron writhes, Kaiser pushes Bron around, and Kaiser stomps away on the arm! The ref counts as Bron is in the ropes, but Kaiser stops at 4. Kaiser drags Bron into SHANKLY GATES! And he uses the ropes for leverage! The ref counts, Kaiser stops at 4 again, and Bron writhes on the mat. Kaiser soaks up the heat while he paces around. Bron rises up but Kaiser KICKS the bad arm! Kaiser stomps away again, but the ref counts.

Kaiser brings Bron up, traps the bad arm, and TWEAKS it! The fans rally for Bron, but Kaiser has the bad arm again. Kaiser wraps it around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Kaiser lets off, and then Kaiser runs to DROPKICK the arm! Bron falls in a heap and Boston boos Kaiser while Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns again and Kaiser has the double wristlock, but Bron powers him to ropes! The ref counts, Kaiser lets go and Bron fires haymakers! The ref counts and Bron stops, but mostly from his arm hurting. Kaiser hammerlocks to HOTSHOT the arm! Bron drops to his knees, Kaiser runs up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Kaiser then grabs the arm, KICKS it, and hauls Bron up again. Kaiser fires knees but Bron fires haymakers! Bron gets the edge, and he ROCKS Kaiser! Kaiser shoves Bron but Bron comes back, into an ARMBAR DDT! Kaiser covers, TWO! Bron survives but Bron has the top wristlock!

Bron endures as Kaiser leans on the hold. The fans rally and Bron fights up. Bron rises, the fans bark, and Bron fires more hands! Kaiser CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Kaiser runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Bron rises slowly and the barking gives him the strength to fire more shots! Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and FLYING ELBOWS! Kaiser falls, Bron rises, and Kaiser goes to a corner. The fans fire up as Bron storms over to hoist Kaiser up again. Bron climbs, but Kaiser fires body shots! Kaiser CHOPS away on the bad arm! Bron drops back, but he gets right up! The legs still work! SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!

Kaiser stays in this and Bron grits his teeth. Bron rises, goes to a corner, and he vows to end this! The fans fire up, Bron runs up, but Kaiser fireman’s carries! KAISER ROLL! Cover, TWO! Kaiser has Bron in the SHANKLY GATES!! Bron endures but the fans rally up! Bron fights up with his legs again, and he manages to RAM Kaiser to a corner! Bron is free, he gets moving, but Kaiser dodges! Bron hits buckles shoulder first! Bron falls to the apron and Kaiser kicks him to the floor. Bron is near the steps, and Kaiser grins. Kaiser goes out the side, builds speed, and fans boo as Kaiser runs in, but where’d Bron go!?

Bron is doing a lap! FLYING SHOULDER outta nowhere!! The fans are barking as loud as they can for Bron! Bron puts Kaiser in the ring, then starts running! Kaiser UPPERCUTS, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! The fans fire up as Bron brings down straps! Bron runs, runs and SPEARS!! Cover, Bron wins!!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Boston is all fired up as Bron proves he truly has that dog in him! Bron toughs it out, takes a bite out of Kaiser, and moves on with the title. Will anyone ever end this badass reign?

The New Day arrives backstage.

They still don’t get why everyone hates them. And then they cross paths with Rey Mysterio. Oh, wow, he’s not gonna let them into the locker room? Rey says it isn’t just him. It is everyone else in there. Whoa, hold up. It is bad enough the fans are treating them like this, but Rey’s doing it, too? Ten YEARS of sharing a locker room, and no one has their back? Rey’s supposed to be a locker room leader, he should do something! Rey says he doesn’t know what to tell them, other than that they crossed a line with Big E. And Rey thinks it is best for New Day’s own good to find somewhere else to change.

Woods says wow. That’s fine. They didn’t wanna share a locker room with the others anyway. New Day rolls on, what will it take for them to get the message?

WWE shares footage from just after Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Kevin Owens brought about the controversy in his loss to Cody Rhodes when he wiped out two refs and brought in a chair. But even so, the Prizefighter was a sore loser, and he attacked Cody from behind! Then, even knowing the damage he’s done with that move to Randy Orton, he used a PACKAGE PILEDRIVER on Cody! The medical team got Cody on a backboard, but Kevin would STAND on Cody’s body, holding up the title belt like he’d won it. Cody was taken away to an ambulance, and social media had Triple H confronting Kevin, resulting in shoving and harsh words. What is the fate of the Undisputed Championship after Saturday night?

The War Raiders speak.

Erik says, “Tonight, we go to war with The Judgment Day. And for us, it’s more than just the tag titles on the line.” Ivar says, “When we first laced up our boots, the last thing on our minds was, ‘What could go wrong when the bell rings?'” Now, they know all too well. Erik tells us, “No one can describe the unbearable guilt when the strength hasn’t returned to your arms, and you can’t pick up your son.” Ivar says, “No one will tell you what it’s like to sit in a hospital bed and wonder if the nerve pain in your arms and your legs will go away.”

What happened to them should have ended their careers, but it didn’t! Ivar has walked out of the hospital TWICE. Erik held his newborn son. The Judgment Day tried to end them. They cheated the Raiders out of their glory once. But the Raiders are stronger than ever. Every match could be their last, but their moment HAS to be now! Erik’s sons have to know that all the pain and the damage was worth it. The only way to prove that is by bringing home the World Tag Team Championships. Erik & Ivar are ready, will nothing stop them now?

Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.

Cathy Kelley is with the Raw General Manager and says the Raw Netflix debut is highly anticipated already! There have been some rumblings of other matches set for that night, can Pearce give us any confirmation? Pearce says we’re in luck. One of the biggest nights in WWE history has just gotten bigger. After negotiating with representatives of both men, which were exasperated by tonight’s events, it is official! Raw’s Netflix debut in Los Angeles will have CM PUNK VS SETH ROLLINS! Cathy agrees, that big night just got bigger! The Best in the World and The Visionary finally have it out, but who will win on the biggest night in WWE history?

Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio & Raquel Rodriguez head to the ring!

The WWE Women’s World Champion has her “Daddy” Dom and her Big Mami Cool with her, and she is still the champion after overcoming Iyo Sky 1v1. Liv nuzzles noses with Dom before they get mics to speak. The fans boo as Dom is about to speak, but Liv pets him on the head to calm him down. The fans just boo louder. Dom tells everyone to please put your hands together to welcome the GREATEST Women’s World Champion of all time! Liv says the fans didn’t hear what Dom said, so she gets her megaphone! “I AM THE GREATEST WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION OF ALLLL~ TIIIIME~!”

Liv laughs but the fans boo more. Liv thanks Dom becuase without a shadow of a doubt, 2024 was the Year of Monday Night Morgan! Liv says be mad, because it’s just getting started. “There are a lot of historic changes happening in the WWE next year, and there is no one better, hotter, more iconic, and more dominant to lead this company to the future than me.” So if you think this year was something, just wait for- RHEA RIPLEY IS HERE! The fans fire up as Mami tells Liv that she’ll wanna stick around to hear what Rhea has to say. Liv says guess what? Nobody in this arena cares what-

Rhea tells Liv to shut the hell up!! This has gone on long enough. So it is time they settle this once and for all. The fans like the sound of that. Adam Pearce just made it official! Rhea is the #1 Contender to the Women’s World Championship! The fans fire up and Rhea tells Liv that she sees into the future. The only thing Liv can get excited about is the end of her title reign. Because Rhea will be the NEW Women’s World Champion! And all Liv will be left with his her “little chicken tender SLUT!” Dom catching strays, but when and where will Rhea look to rip that title away from Liv once and for all?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Jackie Redmond catches up with Rollins and brings up Pearce making it official. Rollins gets what he wants when it is him and CM Punk in Los Angel- SAMI IS GOING AFTER MCINTYRE! Sami wants payback for the sneak attacks and the loss at Saturday Night’s Main Event! The producers and refs rush in to stop this, but McIntyre vows to put Sami in a box! The hands keep flying, but clearly this won’t end without one more fight! When and where will we see Scottish Terminator and Honorary Uce settle the score?

Miz meets with The Final Testament.

The Hollywood A-Lister tells Paul Ellering & The Authors of Pain that he can’t say this enough, he has been so proud to team with them. Ellering is terrifying, Akam & Rezar are big and powerful, they don’t need Miz anymore. They don’t need anybody! Karrion Kross walks over and asks what they’re talking about. Just that they’re done with the Wyatts. They can all move on after beating the Wyatts. Miz and the Final Testament can go their separate ways. Kross tells Miz to stop right there. What the Wyatts did to Ellering and to Scarlett, this whole thing isn’t over until Kross says it’s over. Miz wants to speak but Kross stops him again.

Kross says they’ve just been reactionary to The Wyatts. Now, it is time to take the first strike. Remember the guy who kidnapped and tortured Miz? D-Dexter Lumis…? Yes. Miz is going to face him next week on Monday Night Raw. Miz isn’t gonna do that. Oh yes he is. Ellering says the way he sees it, Ellering has saved Miz twice. Miz owes them. Kross says Miz can just go to Pearce and get the match made. But as a reminder: Miz has won 22 championships in the WWE. Miz can do this. Rezar pats Miz on the back, and Miz says he’ll go talk to Pearce. Miz heads out, and Rezar asks if Kross really thinks Miz can take Lumis.

Kross says honestly, he doesn’t know. But they’re going to test The Wyatts. And Miz will learn a very valuable lesson: When you make a deal with the devil, you don’t run out on him. Kross leaves, and that last part may have been pointed at Ellering & AOP, too. Will Kross keep control of everything? Or is he the one messing with forces beyond his comprehension?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Raquel Rodriguez VS Kayden Carter VS Zoey Stark!

While Liv still has her world title, Big Mami Cool is hoping to join her as the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Championship. But will she make it through the Pinay Party Girl and the Sin City Superstar? Or will one of them be the David to Raquel’s Goliath?

Raw returns and Kayden makes her entrance. The bell rings and Kayden runs up on Zoey! Raquel THROWS Kayden aside to then TOSS Zoey! Zoey and Kayden end up in a corner, Raquel runs up to SPLASH them both! Raquel fireman’s carries but Kayden slips fere! Kayden KICKS, KICKS, but Raquel CLOBBERS her! Cover, Zoey breaks it! Zoey fires hands on Raquel, the fans are torn, but Zoey runs up at Kayden Kayden dodges to then go up, and MONKEY FLIP! Zoey lands out! Zoey SYUPERKICKS Kayden, then slips around Raquel to DDT! Raquel flounders, Zoey runs up on Kayden, but Kayden KCIKS!

Kayden knuckle locks and CHOPS Zoey, to then go up, up and jump around to FLYING RANA Raquel! But Zoey fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Kayden survives but Zoey brushes that off. Zoey follows Kayden to the apron, but Raquel is there, too! Kayden ducks and the SUPERKICK hits Raquel! Kayden ROCKS Zoey, but Raquel roars! Kayden ducks again and the BOOT hits Zoey! Kayden BLASTS Raquel off the apron! The fans fire up as Kayden builds speed to TORNILLO TOPE! Direct and down go both Raquel and Zoey! Kayden is all fired up with Boston while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Kayden runs to DROPKICK SPLASH COMBO! But then she has to move, and Raquel’s ELBOW DROP hits Zoey! Basement SUPERKICK for Raquel! Kayden drags Raquel around by her legs, steps through, and ties Raquel up, but here comes Zoey! Kayden RAMS Zoey, reels her in, and she combines FISHERMAN SCREW with NAVARRO DEATH ROLL!! Raquel endures, Kayden pushes on the legs, but Raquel drags herself to the apron. Kayden lets Raquel go and focuses on Zoey. The fans rally up as Kayden runs, BOOT WASH! Kayden kicks Zoey and then IMPLODER LEG DROPS! Cover, Raquel drags Kayden out!

The fans boo but Raquel hobbles and brings Kayden up. Raquel scoops and aims, but Kayden slips free! Raquel runs into the apron! Zoey springboards to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Kayden and Raquel! Zoey puts Raquel in the ring, the fans rally up, and Zoey runs up. Raquel swings, Zoey dodges, but then Raquel POUNCES Zoey out of the ring! But Kayden O’Conner Rolls Raquel! ONEE, but Kayden springboards to BASEMENT DROPKICK! High stack, TWO! Raquel flounders to ropes while Kayden grows frustrated. Kayden runs up to SPLASH in a corner! Kayden climbs, but Raquel gets up and under!

The fans rally as Kayden fights with fists! Zoey returns and springs up behind Kayden! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX for Kayden! A little double-edged but Zoey rises up. Zoey then runs up on Raquel, dodges a lariat, but the SOUTHPAW hits! Raquel covers, TWO!! Zoey survives and Raquel is furious! Raquel stalks Zoey to the apron, drags her up by the hair, but Kayden goes to roll Raquel! Raquel picks Kayden up! FALL AWAY SLAM! Then the VADER  ELBOW! But Raquel isn’t done! TEJANA- MISSILE DROPKICK from Zoey! SUPERKICK on Kayden! Z 360!! Cover, ZOEY WINS!!

Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Raquel is furious but she just got sniped by PFC’s sharpshooter! Will Zoey do the same to #CobraKai in the next round? Or will Dakota Kai make sure Damage CTRL takes control of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship?

The Alpha Academy is backstage.

And the “Alpha Babes” are showing off the new merchandise. Maxxine Dupri asks what R-Truth thought of their True Classics commercial. Truth says it was outstanding! They influenced the influencers! Squats, lunges, scorpion, Truth changed his workout cuz of them! If that son of a Butch had just taken their advice, Truth wouldn’t have beaten them so easy. But speaking of, Dunne storms in! Truth needs to keep that name out of his mouth! Dunne keeps hearing it because of him! Truth didn’t tell anyone to say anything! Yes, he did! It all came from Truth! And if Dunne has to hear it one more time, Truth gets his face broken!

Truth says #ButchPlease! Otis steps in between them, and Dunne says this is the last warning. Truth and Dunne go their separate ways, and then American Made walks by. Chad Gable says, “Look at this clown show.” They’re happy with what they’ve done to Gable’s academy?! They RUINED it! Gable made them into stars they could’ve never been, helped them flourish, and they make it a joke! Gable saw that commercial, it was pathetic! Maxxine’s pathetic, Tozawa’s pathetic, and Otis is the worst of them all! When Gable first met Otis, Otis was an insignificant little- Otis tells Gable to SHUT UP!

Gable is taken aback, but he says he was right. Time to kill the past. And he starts with… Tozawa! Gable leads his new team away, but will he regret treating the Stamina Monster as the weakest link?

Backstage interview with The New Day.

Jackie Redmond is with Kofi & Woods as they clearly are still looking for a place to call a locker room. But that’s besides the point. Last week, the Raw media team tried to interview them and it didn’t go well. Woods says yeah,  yeah, sure. But it was biased journalism! If someone would give them a fair chance to tell their story- OH NO, another disturbance?! PFC just put Kairi Sane’s arm in a road case and SLAMMED the lid on it!! They run away, DMG CTRL hurries over, and the Pirate Princess might have just been taken out of the tournament without a match! Will Adam Pearce be able to get a replacement for Kairi in time for the final Triple Threat?

WWE World Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & JD McDonagh VS The War Raiders!

With all the cheating, scheming, yet also complaining, The Prince has made his bed and is going to have to lie in it! But will he be bringing the Irish Ace down with him? Or will they be able to survive the war without the rest of Judgment Day watching their backs?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly the best!

The teams sort out and Ivar starts against JD. They knuckle lock but JD kicks again and again. JD headlocks but Ivar powers up and out. JD leaps but he bounces off of Ivar! JD scrambles out of the ring, Finn coaches him up, but Ivar TOSSES Finn into the ring! JD returns, but Ivar scoops and SLAMS him! Ivar then scoops and SLAMS Finn onto JD! Tag to Erik, and Ivar scoops to SLAM JD again! Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto JD! JD sputters and the fans fire up with the Raiders while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Erik brings JD up to whip him into Ivar’s knee! Ivar whips JD into Erik’s KNEE! JD flops over and the fans fire up! Ivar whips JD, JD grabs ropes and KICKS back! Tag to Finn, but Ivar scoops! Finn slips free, waistlocks, but I var elbows him away. Finn stumbles into the ref, distracting him from JD’s HOTSHOT! Ivar staggers, Finn dragon sleepers! FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Finn CHOKES Ivar on ropes but the ref counts. Finn stops at 4, flexes as he soaks up heat, and then he CHOKES Ivar again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but then he CHOKES Ivar on the bottom rope.

Finn lets off and “apologizes” this time, but JD GUILLOTINE LEG DROPS Ivar in the ropes! The fans boo but JD taunts them all. Finn stomps away on Ivar, then he CLUBS Ivar down. Finn throws hands, tags JD, and they double whip Ivar to ropes. Ivar breaks the line with bulk alone! Ivar then handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Boston goes wild and Ivar reaches out! JD anchors a foot, but Ivar still fights his way forward! Ivar drags JD along, then tags in Erik! Erik wrenches JD to clinch and EXPLODER! JD flounders up, Erik blocks a shot to DECK JD! Then Erik deadlifts JD for a BIG back suplex!

The fans fire up again but here comes Finn! Erik dodges and clinches to URENAGE! The fans fire up with Erik and he whips JD. JD reverses but Erik goes up and over and keeps moving. Erik CLOBBERS JD! Erik TOSSES JD right out of the ring and the fans fire up again! Erik takes aim, and he builds speed, only for Finn to trip him up! Erik drags Finn up by his neck! But JD KNEES Erik out of the ring! Tag to Finn, he and JD double whip Erik hard into steel steps! Finn drags Erik back up, brings him back around, and Judgment Day double whip Erik back into the steps! The steps go sliding away while Finn soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more and Finn stomps away on Erik at the ropes! The ref counts, Finn stops at 4, and he tags in JD. JD aims to slingshot ARABIAN PRESS! Cover, TWO! Erik is tougher than that, but JD drags him over. JD has the neck for a NECK TWIST! JD then runs to FALLING AX HANDLE! Erik writhes, his neck a major concern. JD goes up the corner, and he DIVING AX HANDLE FLOPS as Erik moves! The fans fire up as Erik crawls, but so does JD! Hot tags to Ivar and Finn! The War Beard rallies on Finn, hits a SIDEWALK SLAM, and a SPLASH! The fans fire up and Ivar runs corner to corner.

Finn dodges, comes back in, but into a SEATED SENTON! JD is back, Ivar cartwheels and clips JD! Then he HEEL KICKS! JD falls in a heap and Ivar has the fans fired up! “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar aims at Finn in a corner, BRONCO BUSTER! Ivar then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Finn trips Ivar first! Finn tags JD, JD hurries after Ivar, but Ivar’s too much to superplex! Ivar scoops JD for a SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO!! JD survives but Ivar tags in Erik! The Raiders haul JD up, whip and pop-up, THOR’S HAMMER! Cover, FINN BREAKS IT! Ivar grabs Finn to TOSS him out!

The War Raiders regroup and Erik tags Ivar back in. Tag back to Erik and the fans rally up. Erik hauls JD up, feeds him to Ivar, another pop up! Ivar goes up the ropes, but Finn trips Ivar up! JD slips free of Erik to roll him up! TWO!! Erik escapes but JD HEADBUTTS! JD falls back but tags in Finn! Finn hauls Erik up, but Erik KICKS, KNEES, and ROCKS Finn! Finn rebounds, into a clinch! Full nelson and BACKBREAKER KNEE! Erik runs but into a SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, Erik rises, SHOTGUN into the corner! Tag to JD and then tag back to Finn! JD goes up to MOONSAULT! Finn goes up to COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, IVAR BREAKS IT!

Finn is shocked and furious, but JD goes after Ivar! JD TOSSES Ivar, and Finn wants a chair!? JD goes out and looks under the ring. JD brings out a chair! Time to use Champion’s Advantage! But the ref stops JD, so Finn goes out the side to get another chair! Wait, someone else is grabbing that chair! Finn looks over, it’s DAMIAN PRIEST! Judgment Day was banned from ringside, but Priest isn’t Judgment Day anymore! Priest YANKS Finn into the barriers! Finn is furious, but then Ivar CLOBBERS JD! Finn goes back to the ring, but Erik tags Ivar! Finn realizes too late what’s going on as Erik whips him to Ivar!

Ivar pops Finn up and Erik has him! Ivar springboards for WAR MACHINE!!! Cover, WAR RAIDERS WIN!!

Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall (NEW WWE World Tag Team Champions)

Priest applauds as justice is served to Judgment Day! Erik & Ivar once again have championships, and the pyro goes off in celebration! Will nothing stop the raid now that it’s captured gold? What will become of The Judgment Day now that Finn & JD dropped the ball?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here, though surprisingly with only three matches. Granted, there were big promos and set-up for the Netflix debut in three weeks. Punk VS Rollins was a given but that was a very good promo segment and very good brawl to set it up officially. The interaction of Rollins and McIntyre was also really good, especially with how it set up that later moment where Sami may have very well saved Rollins from a McIntyre ambush. McIntyre and Sami could easily have a rematch next week for the Raw Before Christmas, or even the last Raw of 2024, but I guess we’ll hear more on that later.

Great match from Bron VS Kaiser, with probably the most creative way to turn things around on Kaiser’s turn-the-corner dropkick. Bron also did a great job selling bad arm, and he of course wins here to keep his reign going. I feel like they need to do something big to determine his next challenger, which should be a match for either the last Raw of 2024 or the Netflix Raw. At the very least, give us a battle royal on the last Raw of 2024 so the winner can turn around and face Bron in LA. Speaking of LA, I feel like there has to be Nakamura VS LA Knight for the US Championship on that card just on the grounds of LA Knight being from LA.

Great stuff with New Day and how they got kicked out of the locker room, as well as them being used to set up PFC attacking Kairi Sane. Though, I’m not sure why PFC needed to take Kairi Sane out. Kairi’s Triple Threat is against Alba Fyre and Natalya. Dakota Kai is Zoey’s future opponent, but I suppose Dakota will have more heat behind fighting Zoey now, but this was some plot armor here. At the same time, I feel like they dropped Natty telling Sonya she was ready for a change, could they be circling back to Natty as PFC’s fourth member? Meanwhile, I think Iyo Sky could end up replacing Kairi in the match, and Iyo could go for the Intercontinental Championship to make up for not winning the Women’s World Championship.

Very good promo from Miz and Final Testament to not only keep the feud with The Wyatts going, but to also tease that Miz wanted AOP to strike out their own again. Kross counters that idea but saying everyone owes him for keeping them afloat, which in many ways is true, but Kross will have to be careful not to end up fighting The Wyatts and AOP at the same time. Miz VS Lumis will be good stuff, and it’ll surely set up a rematch of the 8 Man Tag, hopefully with a big stipulation that makes it really wild. And good stuff from R-Truth, Alpha Academy, Pete Dunne and American Made, that itself is a potential 8 Man Tag. Gable VS Tozawa next week should really lead to Gable VS Otis so those two can finally have it out in the ring.

We got great stuff out of Judgment Day on the side of that tournament, too. Good promo from the group with Liv being passive aggressive and sarcastically optimistic. Good promo from Liv with Dom & Raquel as well as Rhea, and Rhea ends up speaking for most fans saying this story has to end. Again, this is either a last Raw of 2024 or Netflix Raw debut level match, and I say again, if Tiffany Stratton is going to be in LA for NXT that week, why not have her cash in during the Netflix show? Get the world title to rub it in Candice LeRae’s face, and even tease Tiffany going after whoever is NXT Women’s Champion for a showdown of top champions.

And great main event for the tag titles. The War Raiders had a great promo to put their story in perspective. Their real-life injuries were definitely scary, and their comebacks have been great. And combined with Damian Priest screwing Finn over like Finn’s done to him, great win for the War Raiders here. Finn will probably implode and want after Priest for this, they can finally have it out, and maybe Judgment Day is torn apart because of it. Personally, there should be a “Loser Leaves Raw” stipulation. Even with the “Transfer Window” going on, it should get to where one of them has to go to SmackDown and start fresh.

My Score: 8.8/10

WWE hops in the Wayback Machine!

What’s old is new again as WWE brings back Saturday Night’s Main Event! But will Cody Rhodes overcome an old friend turned new enemy in Kevin Owens?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
• WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan VS Iyo Sky; Liv wins and retains the title.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat: GUNTHER VS Finn Balor VS Damian Priest; Gunther wins and retains the title.
• WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament Finals: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim; Chelsea wins and is the inaugural WWE Women’s United States Champion.
• Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens; Cody wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s Saturday Night’s Main Event…

… and the pleasure is all yours! A hot ticket to be sure, but let’s brush off the dust a bit. Old school intro with the new age of WWE, and plenty of pyro to go with it! But what about the fireworks we’re about to see in the ring?

Welcome to commentary: Jesse Ventura!

The Body is back in the WWE, and he joins Joe Tessitore on stage. Jesse thanks Joe for welcoming him, and he says it has been 40 YEARS since he’s been back, and here he is! He’s got the feather boas, the snake skin jacket, and Tessitore says WWE is experiencing sky-high popularity not seen since those classic days of Ventura’s time when it was him and Gene Okerlund, hence Tessitore’s red tie. So what has Ventura the most excited of tonight? Ventura says it has to be the world title match of Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens, a former friend. Venture questioned if Cody is really Dusty’s son. Cody has washboard abs, Dusty had “most abs.”

And Ventura will say that Cody proved it with his ego. Cody got involved in a match he wasn’t signed for, gets hurt, and could end up a one legged man in an ass-kicking contest! Tessitore says let’s get to the action with Michael Cole and… “Let’s Go~!” PAT MCAFEE!? Another special treat for a BIG night, but of course Pat wasn’t gonna miss this! He says for those watching WWE for the first time in a long time, you’re in for a treat! Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night’s Main Event!

Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!

The Bloodline Civil War inside WarGames has come and gone, but there will be no peace for the Honorary Uce bow that the Scottish Terminator is back! McIntyre attacked Jey Uso backstage, he hit Sami with a Claymore, and he most recently hit #BigJim with a Claymore! Will nothing stop McIntyre from taking out the entire OG Bloodline? Or will Sami have New York feeling Ucey?

The second Sami’s in the ring, Sami fires right off on McIntyre! The bell rings, McIntyre shoves Sami down, but Sami is right back for more! McIntyre puts Sami in the corner then CHOPS him down! The fans fire up for Sami but McIntyre stands him up in a corner. McIntyre CHOPS, then finishes taking off his entrance attire. McIntyre snarls, runs up, but Sami dodges! Sami CHOPs, CHPOS, and then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count and Sami goes way past ten! Sami hops down to then LARIAT McIntyre up and out! Sami then goes to the apron, kicks McIntyre away, to then ARABIAN PRESS! Down goes McIntyre and the fans fire up!

Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and brings McIntyre back up to put in the ring. Sami hurries in but McIntyre kicks low! And CHOPS again! The fans fire up as McIntyre whips Sami to ropes, but then Sami grabs the ropes to stop himself. McIntyre runs up but Sami DUMPS him out! Sami then aims to PLANCHA! But McIntyre catches him! McIntyre aims, and he SWINGS Sami onto and over the desk! Sami flops to the floor and the fans boo McIntyre while Saturday Night’s Main Event goes to break.

SNME returns and McIntyre stalks Sami to a corner. McIntyre drags Sami up, CHOPS him, and then CHOPS again! Sami fires in return with forearms! The fans fire up but McIntyre RAMS Sami back into the corner, then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! Sami flounders, McIntyre covers, TWO! McIntyre rains down fists on Sami! The fans rally for Sami but McIntyre shakes the ropes in anger. McIntyre storms back over to Sami, brings him up and whips, but Sami KICKS back! Sami goes to a corner, McIntyre runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! And BOOTS! Sami goes up to FLYING AX HANDLE!

The fans fire up and Sami goes to another corner! McIntyre rises up, runs up, but Sami moves! McIntyre POSTS himself! Sami then goes corner to corner but into a BOOT of McIntyre’s! McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER, a jackknife bridge, TWO! Sami stays in this but McIntyre deadlift POWERBOMBS him! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and McIntyre is beside himself! The fans fire up but McIntyre looms over Sami again. McIntyre drags Sami up and fireman’s carries him to a corner. McIntyre goes right up the corner! The fans fire up while Sami flails and slips into a SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as McIntyre survives and Sami is beside himself! The fans cheer Sami on and he brings McIntyre up in a waistlock. McIntyre fights the lift but Sami CLUBS McIntyre! Sami still tries but McIntyre still fights the lift. Sami CLUBS away, then goes again, but McIntyre slips out! GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! Sami falls, McIntyre stumbles a bit, but McIntyre aims from the corner. Sami slowly rises up, “Three! Two! One!” BOOT from Sami! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives that sudden turnaround and the fans are thunderous! Sami and McIntyre slowly rise, and Sami goes to a corner.

“This is Awesome!” as Sami aims, fires up, and he runs in, but McIntyre bails out! The fans boo but Sami hurries after McIntyre. McIntyre slides back in, gets space, CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

A sudden end to the match and McIntyre is all smiles. McIntyre stands over Sami, but are the issues with Roman Reigns’ Bloodline buried? Or was this just one more name crossed off the list?

WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan VS Iyo Sky!

The Liv Morgan Revenge Tour has so far succeeded, but while Liv’s been the mastermind of her own bad romance story, she’s run into Damage CTRL’s Evil Genius! Will Iyo dethrone Liv and once again take control? Or will Liv give herself an early Christmas present with a big win on this historic night?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who runs the world!

The bell rings and Liv dodges Iyo to throw her down! But Iyo kips up! Iyo dodges Liv, Liv dodges the handspring, and Liv DROPKICKS Iyo down! Iyo tumbles, Liv soaks up the cheers and jeers, then she runs up to back body block in the corner! But Iyo DROPKICKS in return! The fans fire up and Iyo hits Liv with a FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Iyo stays close. Iyo whips Liv to a corner, then runs up, but Liv slips out! Iyo slips out after her! Iyo ROCKS Liv, then waistlocks, but Liv grabs ropes to fight the suplex! Liv throws elbows, then flips to SUNSET FLIP, but Iyo holds onto the ropes! Iyo then PENALTY KICKS!

The fans fire up and Iyo takes aim, ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes Liv and New York is all fired up while SNME goes to break.

SNME returns and Iyo hits STOMP 182! Liv sputters as she crawls to ropes but the fans rally for Iyo. Iyo runs up to SHOTEI! And SHOTEI again! And then DROPKICK! Liv tumbles out, Iyo handsprings up and the fans fire up! Iyo builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and Liv is in a daze! Iyo hurries to get Liv in the ring and the fans rally up. Iyo aims, springboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Liv flops and Iyo hurries to cover, TWO! Liv survives but Iyo stays calm. Liv goes to a corner and Iyo goes to the other. All aboard, but Liv dodges! Iyo hits buckles and Liv hits a BACKSTABBER! Liv shouts in anger but the fans boo.

Liv goes up, up and FLYING CODE BREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Liv grows frustrated but Iyo’s a former world tier champion herself. Iyo goes to ropes, Liv runs up, but Iyo BOOTS her! Iyo waistlocks and lifts, GERMAN SUPELX! Bridging cover, but Iyo rolls through, another GERMAN SUPLEX! Iyo isn’t done as she rolls through again! A THIRD GERMAN SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Liv survives the hattrick and Iyo is shocked! The fans rally for Iyo as she drags Liv to a drop zone. Iyo climbs up top, but Liv hurries to trip Iyo up! Iyo goes to the apron, and she HOTSHOTS Liv in return!

Iyo steadies herself, goes up, but the springboard doesn’t work out! Liv CODE BREAKERS Iyo again! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives and Liv slaps herself in frustration. Liv hurries to get Iyo up, but Iyo cradles! TWO! Liv hurries to ENZIGIRI! Iyo goes to ropes, Liv runs in, but Iyo wrangles her into a CROSSFACE! The fans fire up, Liv rolls through, into a KAMI-GOYE! Liv sputters and goes to a corner, all aboard the SHINKANSEN! Liv is in the drop zone and Iyo steps on her to go up! OVER THE MOONSAULT into boots! Liv runs up, into OBLIVION!! Cover, LIV WINS!!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)

Liv has a bloody nose, but she’s all smiles as she keeps the title! Will nothing stop the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour from- RHEA RIPLEY IS HERE! Mami makes sure the celebration is cut short as she stares Liv down on the stage. Rhea waited patiently for this match to happen, will she make sure Liv does not stay a champion much longer?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat: GUNTHER VS Finn Balor VS Damian Priest!

Der Ring General retained this title at SummerSlam against The Punisher, and retained it again at Survivor Series also against The Punisher, all thanks to The Prince! At least, that’s what Finn would have us all believe. Gunther wants to prove he doesn’t need anyone’s help, and Priest deserves a real shot at this title, so Finn’s put himself between a rock and a hard place with this one. Will Gunther retain this title against The Punisher and The Prince? Or will someone end the reign one way or another?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who defies the odds!

The bell rings and Priest goes after Finn to put him in a corner! Finn dodges the haymaker, then he dodges Gunther’s chop! Finn tries to get out, Priest drags him back in, but Gunther goes after Priest. Priest ROCKS Gunther, swings again, but Gunther dodges to RAM Priest low! Gunther reels Priest in, Finn rolls Gunther up! TWO, and Priest ROCKS Finn! Gunther UPPERCUTS Finn! Priest ROCKS Finn again, Finn’s like a pinball! Gunther BOOTS Priest, but Priest stays up! Gunther runs, but Priest ELBOWS him to the apron! Priest fires more shots, then ROLLING ROUNDHOUSES! Gunther falls and the fans fire up!

Priest builds speed, and Priest FLIES! He almost doesn’t clear the ropes, but he still clips Gunther with his legs! Gunther falls, Priest rises and roars, and the fans cheer while SNME goes to break.

SNME returns and Finn has Priest in a corner. Finn whips but Priest blocks! Finn still tries, but Priest breaks the grip and ROCKS Finn! And ROCKS him again, and again! Priest whips Finn to the corner, then runs corner to corner, but Gunther BOOTS Priest! And he BOOTS Finn! Gunther storms around and the fans are torn, but Gunther brings Priest up. Priest KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Gunther blocks to CHOP! And then he turns Priest over, BOSTON CRAB! Priest endures as Gunther sits deep! Finn CHOPS, but Gunther just gets pissed! Gunther lets Priest go to get in Finn’s face, so Finn kicks low.

Finn runs, but Gunther CHOPS! Finn sputters, but he ducks another chop to PELE! Gunther staggers, Priest runs past them both, and he DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up for Priest as he rises, but Gunther CHOPS! Priest just gets mad, and he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Priest winds up to DECK Gunther! Finn stands, but into KICK after KICK! And a ROLLING ELBOW, then a HAYMAKER! Finn falls, Priest roars, and New York is with their King of the Streets! Priest ELBOWS Finn in a corner, ELBOWS Gunther in another! SUPERKICK for Finn! But Gunther puts Priest on the apron! Priest blocks the chop, Gunther apologizes.

Priest twists the wrist! Priest climbs up the ropes, tightrope walks it, now that’s Old School! CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Priest then catches Finn for a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives but Priest keeps his cool. Priest drags Finn back up, reels him in, and he lifts Finn to the Canadian Rack., But Gunther kicks low! Finn gets free for that, and Gunther hauls Priest up! But Priest slips free to kick! Finn gets moving, SLINGBLADE on Priest! But Gunther kicks Finn! Gunther whips but Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, to SLINGBLADE! The fans are torn as Finn takes aim! SHOT- NO, Gunther catches Finn to a SLEEPER!

But Priest ROUNDHOUSES Gunther, Gunther falls back, and Finn uses that to roll back and cover! TWO!! Priest almost gave Finn that one! Priest TOSSES Finn, but Gunther has the SLEEPER on Priest! Gunther drops back to the body scissors! Priest endures but Gunther rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then the REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Priest is caught and Gunther shouts for him to give up! Priest is fading, but he gets a second wind! Priest fights up and the fans fire up! Priest snapmares free, then clamps onto the neck! Gunther CHOPS free! Priest just roars and goes again! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!

But Finn dragon sleepers! FINAL CUT! The fans are torn as Finn reloads, SHOTGUN! Priest hits buckles and falls into the drop zone! Finn goes up, aims, but Gunther hits ropes! The Prince lands on his crown, and Gunther climbs up! But Priest CLUBS Gunther! Priest gets under Gunther with the crucifix! RAZOR’S EDGE! But Finn adds COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, PRIEST BREAKS IT! Priest then deadlifts Finn, RAZOR’S- SUNSET FLIP!! TWO! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Gunther drags Priest off the cover, and into a SLEEPER! They’re outside the ring, Gunther fires more HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!

“This is Awesome!” and Gunther aims at steel steps! Priest is a tall man, but Gunther still hoists him up, POWERBOMB on the steps! Gunther SHOTGUNS Finn!! And then POWERBOMB! High stack, Gunther wins!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

Der Ring General may have just unlocked a new gear with this one! He defeats Priest and Finn at the same time, will anyone ever take this title from him now?

We check in with Tessitore & Ventura.

Three matches in, what has gotten The Body’s attention so far? Ventura says what he liked seeing was Liv Morgan. She took a shot to the head that would’ve stopped any normal person and still won. That Dominik Mysterio sure can pick the ladies, can’t he? Yes, Liv retained her title, but moments ago it was Gunther’s victory. The fans declared, “This is Awesome!” and those three men earned it. How does this energy compare to the original in 1985? Ventura says wrestling is even bigger today, 40 years later, and the fans can be proud of that! Way to go! We still have Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens, but up next, the Women’s US Championship Tournament Finals!

WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament Finals: Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven VS Mia Yim!

The WWE Women’s Division is continuing to build and build at the best in the world, and that means needing more championships to show it! And after fighting through Triple Threats and top tier competition, we have our two finalists! Will the Hot Mess or the Head Baddie in Charge bring this belt home as the historic first-ever?

The bell rings and Chelsea runs up! Mia dodges, but then Chelsea dodges a roundhouse! They argue, Mia waistlocks but Chelsea switches. Mia snapmares free, has a chinlock, but Chelsea fights up to switch. Mia switches and arm-drags Chelsea away. Chelsea staggers up, into an overhead arm-drag! Chelsea staggers but avoids a third arm-drag, and she SLAPS Mia! Chelsea TOSSES Mia out, but the ref warns Piper. Piper stays back, Chelsea runs up, but Mia SLAPS Chelsea back! Mia brings Chelsea to the apron, and then into the ropes, TARANTULA 2.0! The ref counts, Mia lets go, and Chelsea distracts the ref so Piper can SCRAPBUSTER Mia!

The fans boo but Chelsea slides out to say, “See that? You see that?!” Michael Cole can’t believe Chelsea’s proud of that, but SNME goes to break.

SNME returns and Piper cheers Chelsea on as she aims from a corner. Mia rises, Chelsea runs up, ROUGH- POWERBOMB! No Rough Ryder here, and Mia runs up to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Mia then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Chelsea flounders, Mia reels her in, and Mia uses the ropes for a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives and Mia grows frustrated. Mia drags Chelsea up, wrenches, but Chelsea says no to Da Feet! Chelsea hooks arms, Mia powers out but the ROUGH RYDER returns! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is beside herself and Piper is also frustrated. Chelsea sees Mia go to the apron and she gets moving.

Chelsea DIVES but onto Piper! Mia avoided disaster, but in a way so does Chelsea as Piper is mostly able to catch her. They stand up, and Mia DOUBLE CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up and Mia tells the belt she’ll see it soon enough. Mia puts Chelsea in the ring, and hits Piper with EAT DA FEET! Mia fires up, the fans are torn, but Mia gets in, only for Chelsea to KICK her in the face! UNPRETTY- ROLL UP! TWO, and Mia wrenches, EAT DA FEET! Chelsea flounders and flops away, Mia covers, ROPEBREAK!! Chelsea survives by a literal foot and Mia can’t believe it! The fans fire up for Chelsea as Mia drags her up.

Mia brings Chelsea up to put her on the top rope. Mia fires forearms, then SLAPS Chelsea! Mia climbs, SLAPS Chelsea again, but Piper gets on the apron! That distraction lets Chelsea HEADBUTT Mia down! Mia runs at Piper to SHOTGUN her down! But then Chelsea SLAPS Mia! Chelsea hooks the arms, flips forward, and hits the UNPRETTY-HER!! Cover, CHELSEA WINS!!

Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (INAUGURAL WWE Women’s United States Champion)

History made, and Chelsea makes everyone else green with envy as she gets the gold! Nick Aldis brings the belt over to put around Chelsea’s waist, but will we ever hear the end of this?

Tonight won’t be the ONLY Saturday Night’s Main Event!

The tradition’s comeback tour continues in the New Year with a trip down to San Antonio, Texas! Saturday Night’s Main Event will return on January 25th, but tickets are on sale now!

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens!

While we all saw these two work together to #FinishTheStory at WrestleMania 40, that story just spun off into this story. Cody helping Roman Reigns was seen as a betrayal to Kevin, so Kevin is just exacting what accounts for justice in his mind. Though, that doesn’t really excuse the insults Kevin has been throwing at Cody about his father, his brother, or his past. But will the American Nightmare keep The Prizefighter from having his prize? Or is this where Cody’s story comes to an end?

As Kevin makes his entrance, that red elbow pad and that new shirt, “The Canadian Dream,” are some clear shots taken at Cody and Cody’s father. Cody makes his entrance and the fans sing along with his song, “WHOA~ OH~!”  But surprise! He’s not wearing the WWE logo with gold backing, that’s the WINGED EAGLE! Triple H gifted him that belt for “one night only,” will he make sure not to lose it?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who lives the dream of winning Saturday Night’s Main Event!

The bell rings and the two rush in, only for Kevin to bail out! The fans boo and Cody tells Kevin to get in here, but Kevin just ignores it all. Kevin glances at the Winged Eagle, steps back inside, but then bails right back out! So Cody goes out after him! The fans fire up as Cody throws hands! Cody SMACKS Kevin off the apron, SMACKS him off the desk, then puts him in the ring. Kevin bails out the side but Cody DIVES! Direct hit and they both hit barriers hard! Kevin clutches an ear but Cody clutches his bad ankle! Cody manages to stand up and he hobbles over to put Kevin in the ring. Cody storms in and kicks Kevin, then drops down to RHODES UPPERCUT!

Cody reels Kevin in, but Kevin fires body shots! Cody still suplexes enough to GOURD BUSTER! Kevin flops out of the ring but Cody goes out after him again. Kevin POSTS Cody! And SMACKS him off the desk! And then a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Kevin references Randy Orton, and then says hi to Randy through the camera. Kevin CLUBS Cody down, Ventura loves this, and SNME goes picture in picture.

Kevin throws Cody into the steel steps! And KICKS Cody low! Cody sputters but Kevin pushes him into the ring. Kevin stomps Cody, storms up on him in a corner, and Kevin puts a leg in the ropes. Kevin KICKS the ropes to jam that leg up! Kevin soaks up the heat while Cody hobbles, then Kevin KICKS the leg out! Kevin stands on Cody’s ankle! The ref counts as Cody has the ropes, but Kevin steps away at 4. Kevin then brings Cody out of the corner, and around by his leg, to trip him up! Kevin puts the leg on ropes to HIP DROP the ankle! The ref reprimands but Kevin stalks Cody. Kevin grabs a leg and has a standing toehold!

Cody endures, kicks free, but Kevin stomps away on Cody! SENTON! Cover, TWO! Cody crawls away but Kevin snarls and stalks him again. Kevin stands Cody up to whip and ELBOW down! Kevin mocks the deep breath of Goldust, then says “SUCK IT!” to Cody and everyone in New York! Kevin drags Cody up, just to DDT him back down! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and Kevin grows frustrated. Kevin talks more trash, drags Cody up, and Kevin hits a back suplex. Cody lands out and kicks Kevin, to then drop and RHODES UP KICK! Kevin staggers, Cody fires forearms, and he fires off in the corner! Cody puts Kevin up top then ROCKS him!

Cody cartwheels, does the Stardust, and then runs back up on Kevin to SMACK him! Clearly the mind games have no effect since Cody owns his past. Cody climbs up, but Kevin fights the superplex! Kevin CLUBS Cody, SNME returns to single picture, and Cody fights the fisherman! Cody fires hands while up top, but Kevin SHOVES Cody! Cody lands on the top rope, right on his crossroads! Cody falls down, Kevin jumps up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and Kevin grows frustrated but Ventura likes the tactics Kevin’s been using so far. Maybe just stay on that bad leg. Kevin waits on Cody, then JABS! JABS! JABS!

The fans boo as Kevin flips, flops, and “SUCK IT!” But Cody kicks, JABS, JABS, and JABS! Flip, flop, swivel, BIONIC ELBOW! Cody runs, and he CLOBBERS Kevin! And then goes up and over in a corner. Bad ankle be damned, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Cody is feeling it! Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Kevin stays in this and Ventura says Kevin sure is tough. Cody pounds the mat and the fans rally, is Cody hearing voices in his head? Cody goes up and up but Kevin bails out! Cody hops down, storms out after Kevin, but Kevin SUPERKICKS! Kevin clears off the desk!

The fans fire up as Cole does his best to get his things before Kevin brings Cody over. They both stand on the desk, but Cody hits an RKO!! Talk about a shoutout to Randy! Kevin flops around, Cody drags Kevin into the ring, and now Cody takes aim. Cody goes up, up and away, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!? Kevin survives and Ventura does not know how! Cody is frustrated but the fans are thunderous. Cody snarls as Kevin goes to the corner, and Cody storms over. Cody puts Kevin up top, and he ROCKS Kevin with a haymaker! Cody climbs and brings Kevin up. Cody fires body shots, then a HEADBUTT!

The fans rally up as Cody goes to the very top, but Kevin fires hands! Cody fights back, these two brawl up top, and Kevin gets the edge! Kevin hooks a leg, SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and Kevin grows frustrated. “This is Awesome!” as Kevin rises up. Kevin seethes as he looks at Cody. Kevin storms up on Cody, waits on him to stand, kick and- NO, Cody stops the stunner! But Kevin slips out of the Cross Rhodes to shove Cody into the ref! The ref goes down hard and the fans boo! Kevin dodges Cody to STUNNER!! Cover, but the ref is nowhere to be seen! The fans count, Kevin would’ve had this twice over!

Kevin is furious, a second ref shows up and Kevin covers, TWO!! Kevin is upset with this ref but what can Kevin expect when he wiped out the other guy? Kevin gets in this ref’s face, but then drags Cody back up. Kevin whips Cody, pop-up, but Cody slips free! SUPERKICK! Kevin wobbles, Cody springboards, but Kevin ducks! Cody collides with this ref, too!! Kevin hurries to POST Cody! Kevin sees he is without refs, so he can do whatever he wants! Kevin grabs himself a chair! Kevin brings that chair in, but Cody dodges the shot! Springboard, CODY CUTTER!! The fans are thunderous as Cody roars to his feet!

Cody dragon sleepers, for a FULL METAL CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, but where’s a ref?! The first ref is back, he counts it, CODY WINS!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)

If not for his rage, Kevin might have had this! Two refs and a chair were needed to figure this one out, but will the American Nightmare continue to live his dream?

My Thoughts:

A great return for Saturday Night’s Main Event, though the booking kinda followed a cookie cutter formula given the broadcast format. And even without that, we kept the status quo with titles, which on some level seemed a bit disappointing to me. Liv VS Iyo was great but Liv winning clean was shocking. Obviously they want Liv VS Rhea to still be a thing, but the sentiment out there from fans is that we’ve had enough Liv VS Rhea, we needed someone to shake this up. If not Iyo, then it should’ve been Tiffany attempting a cash-in. Tiff’s the one that can change brands the easiest with the MITB briefcase, and we’ve already seen them test the waters by giving her interactions with Rhea and Iyo, so why not pull the trigger?

That Triple Threat was awesome, but I should’ve figured Gunther would win. It wasn’t going to be Priest, as good as he is, because then we’d just be running back all this stuff with Gunther, Finn and Priest from the Summer. And it wasn’t gonna be Finn given Judgment Day stayed out of it, and also because Finn being double champion going into Monday was probably too much. Like, it wouldn’t help if the world champ was gonna lose his tag title on Monday, so he just wasn’t gonna be world champion. Judgment Day is going to fall apart because Finn’s gonna be selfish, maybe blame JD McDonagh for the loss, and get mad at the other members just because.

Great match from Chelsea VS Mia, and the backstory of this being 7 years to the day from when they battled for the TNA Knockouts Championship and Chelsea won her first singles title period really added to this. Great win for Chelsea to be the first-ever, and as I said last night, she and Mia could still feud over this title and give some great matches to build this title. The one non-title match of the night, which didn’t necessarily need to be here, Sami VS McIntyre was still really good. But I figured McIntyre was going to win because he just came back and he’s on this mission to go after all OG Bloodline members. I do feel he should end up on SmackDown to go for the US Championship, maybe even feud with Solo’s Bloodline because he still owes Solo some payback, too.

And of course, the Undisputed Championship was the main event, and the Winged Eagle looked so good live on TV. The two ref bumps made me think for just a moment that Kevin was going to win, because he could’ve gotten away with the chair shots and what not, but no, Cody still wins. But then stuff that happened off the air, but can be seen on social media, is that Kevin attacked as a sore loser, and he stole the belt! Kevin stole Winged Eagle, got into it with Triple H, and the only detail missing to me is that Kevin could’ve actually won the belt. But whatever, this can still spur a third Cody VS Kevin, maybe put it on the Raw Netflix debut, and we’ll see what happens going into the January SNME and even the Royal Rumble.

My Score: 8.8/10