Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/5/24)
The story isn’t over yet!
The King of Strong Style isn’t done with the American Nightmare!
Just when Cody Rhodes was free and clear, Shinsuke Nakamura comes back for revenge, in the first bull rope match on Monday Night Raw in SEVENTEEN YEARS!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Contenders Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers VS Imperium VS The New Day; DIY wins and advance to the #1 contender’s match.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Shayna Baszler; Becky wins and advances to Elimination Chamber: Perth.
- Mixed Tag: Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri VS Ivar & “Valhalla” Sarah Logan; Ivar & Sarah win.
- The Miz VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Miz wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; The Kabuki Warriors win and retain the titles.
- Bull Rope Match: Cody Rhodes VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
St. Louis fires up for the Visionary, the Revolutionary, the World Heavyweight Champion, and they sing his song! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins has a brace on the leg so no competing tonight, but he still gets the mic and revels in the “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins tells St. Louis, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans continue to sing and Rollins smiles. Rollins says this sounds like a pretty big pop to him. Because he is a Visionary, a Revolutionary and “Seth! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” Another big pop, how ’bout that? But it has been one hell of a week in the WWE. And after last Friday, Rollins certainly smells what’s cooking.
Fans boo and Rollins is surprised. The fans chant for “CODY! CODY! CODY!” and Rollins senses they want Cody. The fans cheer that! Well, good news for the fans tonight, because Rollins wants Cody, too! And after last Friday, he’s got more questions than answers so Rollins ain’t wasting no more time! Cody Rhodes, c’mon down! And so he does! The fans now cheer on The American Nightmare and sing his song, “WHOA~OH~!” Cody joins Rollins in the ring and gets himself a mic. “So, World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and St. Louis…! What do we wanna talk about?”
Fans chant “ROCKY SUCKS!” and that takes Rollins by surprise. Rollins says he has to be honest, he didn’t think he was ever gonna hear that one. But it has been a hell of a week for Cody. Fans chant “We Want Cody!” and Cody revels in it. The “ROCKY SUCKS!” returns, and Rollins says he’ll cut to the chase. Rollins gets what Cody is going through, he’s been there, but we need answers. Last week, Rollins said his WHC is the most prestigious championship in the entire industry and stands by those words. St. Louis, understand, if Rollins is being perfectly honest, he needs this match as much as Cody does.
Fans boo but Rollins is being real right now. He’s gotta know that he is better than he was the last time they did this dance. He’s gotta know that he is the best! And the only way he can know if he’s the best is if he tests himself against the best, and Cody Rhodes, YOU are the best! Fans cheer that! So let’s cut the crap and let’s have an answer. Is Cody gonna fight Rollins at WrestleMania?! Cody looks around as the fans say “NO! NO! NO!” but then here comes Drew McIntyre! The Scottish Terminator steps on stage, down the ramp, and into the ring. McIntyre gets himself a mic, and he says, “I think I speak on behalf of everybody when I say… What the hell?”
McIntyre laid both men up perfectly for Mania and now they’re gonna screw it all up! Rollins is the only other person that hates CM Punk as much as McIntyre does! Rollins knew how bad Punk would be for the WWE, and McIntyre took him out! They were supposed to be talking about their main event match for the WHC at WrestleMania! Fans seem to like that! McIntyre even had a shirt made! He unzips his hoodie to show the meme! The extra small for Rollins is in the back. But why did Rollins have to get in Cody’s head? And Cody, don’t listen to Rollins! Cody has GOT to #FinishTheStory! McIntyre fakes being dramatic but fans still cheer.
McIntyre says we’ve been talking about it for two years now, and wants Cody to realize all the work he put in on TV, off TV and the media events. Cody EARNED his moment!! Don’t let McIntyre down, don’t let the Rhodes family down, and don’t let the fans all around the world down! McIntyre doesn’t wanna go there, because everyone else already does, but he was close to the man down in Florida Championship Wrestling. Don’t let Dusty down! Cody rolls his eyes and Rollins says hey, don’t be a prick, Drew. What in the world even makes McIntyre think that if Cody doesn’t accept Rollins’ challenge that McIntyre just automatically gets it?
They’ve done the dance twice, and uh, McIntyre lost. McIntyre says we all know there were outside reasons as to why he lost. But is this pot calling kettle black? Didn’t Rollins lose to Cody three times? Then here’s something nice he’ll say. McIntyre heard everything Rollins had to say last week, and everything Roman had to say last Friday. If Rollins is that insecure, McIntyre will tell him personally. Rollins has done an amazing job with the WHC! He worked his ass off every single week to make it mean something, it IS the workhorse title! Ignore Roman, ignore the fans. This is a case where when they fight for Roman’s title, no one “fights” for it, the family gets in the way every time.
Did it to McIntyre, to Cody, to everyone! The WHC is the title of “may the best man win!” Except, y’know, the couple times where stuff screwed McIntyre over, but still. And he has Cody hold on, he’s not done yet. Fans boo that but McIntyre says if Rollins was a real workhorse, he would’ve been shot dead the first time. But 17 injuries later, it is time for someone to do that. Rollins has done an amazing job taking the title this far, but it is time for McIntyre to take it from here. Then McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cody fires off on McIntyre, DECKS him out of the ring, but McIntyre just grins as he gets up.
The fans fire up behind Cody as he defends Rollins, but McIntyre says maybe it SHOULD be Cody who faces Rollins. Will the Scottish Terminator still get what he wants one way or another?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Contenders Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers VS Imperium VS The New Day!
We already know Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne await, but now Raw pits the best of its tag division against each other! Will it be Gargano & Ciampa, Julius & Brutus, Vinci & Kaiser or Kofi & Woods that meet British Strong Style this Friday Night SmackDown?
The teams sort out, and just like on SmackDown last Friday, only two teams are legal at a time. Therefore, Ciampa starts against Woods. The fans rally as these two circle, and the chant of “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” echoes out. Ciampa and Woods tie up, Ciampa headlocks, but Woods powers up and out. Ciampa runs Woods over, then things keep moving. Woods hurdles, then DROPKICKS! Woods brings Ciampa up, tags Kofi, and Kofi RAMS into Ciampa! Woods rolls Ciampa for Kofi to SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Kofi wrenches Ciampa, tags Woods, and they hit the speed combo! KICK, LARIAT, SPLASH and FIST DROP! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Woods brings Ciampa up again and wrenches. Tag back to Kofi, he climbs up, and he DOUBLE STOMPS Ciampa’s arm! Kofi scares off Imperium, waistlocks Ciampa but Ciampa elbows free. Things speed up, Kofi hurdles, hurdles, but Ciampa slides to BOOT Kofi! Vinci tags in off Ciampa, but Ciampa DECKS him for it! Kofi DROPKICKS Ciampa but Kaiser POSTS Kofi! Imperium meets at the corner for the DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Kofi is down, Imperium soaks up the heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kaiser CLUBS away on Kofi in the ropes! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, and Kaiser lets off. Kaiser keeps Kofi from the corners but Kofi throws body shots! Kaiser CLUBS Kofi down, then brings him up to whip. Kofi goes up and leaps away from Vinci to CLOBBER Kaiser! Both men crawl, hot tags to Vinci and Woods! Woods rallies on Vinci, BLASTS Kaiser, then whips Vinci to LEG LARIAT! Ciampa gets in to whip Woods but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides to ROLLING ELBOW! Julius whips Woods, runs in but into a BOOT! Woods hits the HONOR ROLL! Fans fire up as Woods dodges Vinci to SUPERKICK!
Vinci goes to ropes, Woods runs but Gargano tags in to SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Woods falls out, Brutus runs in! Brutus sends Gargano into Ciampa but DIY stops from colliding. Ciampa then pushes Gargano so he can ELBOW Brutus! Gargano then cravats Brutus, Ciampa gives Gargano the boost, SLICED BREAD! DIY then aim at The Creed Brothers on the outside, DOUBLE PLANCHAS! DIY sit on the apron, they applaud and pat themselves on the backs! But then they turn around and Kofi DOUBLE SHOTGUNS them down! The fans fire up as Kofi builds speed, but Imperium trips him up! Imperium mugs Kofi while fans boo!
But then Gargano DIVES and wipes Imperium out! But Julius goes up and up and SUPER CANNONBALLS onto everyone!! The fans fire up as those five men are down, but then Woods climbs a corner! But Ciampa CHOPS him first! Ciampa throws body shots, climbs up and fireman’s carries Woods, but Woods CLUBS away on Ciampa! Ciampa CLUBS Woods back, the others are brawling, and Ciampa manages the fireman’s carry again! SUPER AIR RAID CRASH onto everyone!!! The fans are losing their minds as all eight men are down at ringside! “This is Awesome!” as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Gargano brawls with Julius while Vinci has Brutus up top. Brutus tries to lift Vinci! Vinci fights that to BACK DROP Brutus onto both Gargano and Julius! But Ciampa then ROCKS Vinci! Ciampa goes up after him, fireman’s carries, but Vinci throws down elbows! Vinci CHOPS Ciampa, then Kaiser joins in. Imperium goes after Ciampa but The New Day join in! They get Imperium, we get a TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans lose their minds over the Double Powerbomb Superplex, but now Brutus climbs! Brutus aims at Kaiser, to MOONSAULT!! Cover, but The New Day breaks it!
The fans rally up again, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Vinci tags in and he LARIATS with Brutus! And they LARIAT again! Vinci ducks ‘n’ dodges and BODY CHECKS Brutus! Vinci turns around, into a JUMP KNEE from Julius! But Julius turns around into an ENZIGIRI from Gargano! Kofi swings, misses, and ends up in the schoolboy, but he ducks the kick! FAMOUSER for Gargano! Kaiser DISCUS LARIATS Kofi, but Woods fireman’s carries Kaiser to a GUTBUSTER! Ciampa puts Woods in ropes to V-TRIGGER him down! Ciampa runs, but Brutus POUNCES!! The fans are torn as Brutus turns around, Vinci CROSSBODIES!
But Brutus rolls through! Brutus has Vinci in an ANKLE LOCK!! The fans fire up, but then Kaiser runs in! Julius intercepts, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Julius kips up, he gets Gargano for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Julius kips up, Kofi is up top! Kofi leaps, but into a clinch and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! But Ciampa jumps on Brutus! Julius drags Ciampa off Brutus, then he blocks Woods’ superkick! DOUBLE OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!!! And the straps come down! Brutus still has Vinci’s leg, but Gargano, Kaiser, and well, EVERYONE attacks the Creeds!! All eight men are down in the ring and the fans are loving it!
Vinci clutches his ankle, “This is Awesome!” as the teams all stir and regroup. Kaiser runs up at Woods to BLAST him down! But Kofi CROSSBODIES Kaiser and himself out! New Day mugs Kaiser, but Vinci LEAPS in! Those four brawl right in front of commentary! Brutus is up top! BRUTUS BALL!! Those five go down and the fans go nuts! Brutus drags Vinci up, puts him in, and Julius is there! Electric Chair but Ciampa tags in before the BRUTUS BALL TOWER! Ciampa KNEES Brutus down! Gargano SUPERKICKS Julius! DIY aims at Vinci! MEET IN THE MIDDLE!!! Cover, DIY WINS!!!
Winners: #DIY, by pinfall (advance to the #1 contender’s match)
The fans give this one a standing ovation, it was an absolute classic! And in the end, the Sicilian Psycho and Johnny Wrestling are heading to SmackDown for a showdown with the Big Strong Boi & Bruiserweight! Will Ciampa & Gargano get another shot at Finn Balor & Damian Priest? Or will it be British Strong Style that faces Judgment Day?
Shayna Baszler speaks.
“The last time I was in an Elimination Chamber match, I destroyed everybody in it in order to get to Becky Lynch. But that didn’t go the way I wanted. But tonight, I don’t have to do all that. I get Becky right away, and I can take care of her and tear her apart limb by limb.”
Becky Lynch speaks.
“Last time I fought Shayna Baszler, I wanted to beat her because my title was on the line. But this time, when I face Shayna, I need to beat her because my future is on the line.” The Man is ready, the Queen of Spades is ready, but who proves they are worthy of going to Perth and fighting for a WrestleMania moment? We find out, after the break!
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Shayna Baszler!
Raw returns and Shayna makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally for Becky and Shayna is annoyed, but they tie up. Becky waistlocks but Shayna wrenches. Becky gets around but Shayna again gets the arm. Becky clinches, Shayna hammerlocks, headlocks, but Becky slips out to a headlock. Shayna switches then SLAMS Becky down. Becky moves around, goes for an arm, but Shayna rolls and headlocks. Becky slips out again, still wants the arm, steps over, but Shayna stays up. Becky tries the Oklahoma Roll but Shayna blocks that! Shayna goes for the sleeper but Becky JAWBREAKERS! Becky then victory rolls, TWO!
Becky wants the arm again! Shayna shoves her away and the fans cheer the standoff. Zoey Stark watches as her tag partner circles with Becky. Shayna kicks, Becky dodges but then Shayna dodges back! Becky dodges the Penalty Kick, wants the arm, but Shayna arm-drags! Shayna then KNEES Becky in the corner! The fans boo but Shayna just soaks it up. Shayna stalks Becky, drags her up and around to then SLEEPER! Becky runs to ropes and throws Shayna out! Fans fire up as Becky runs, and she WRECKS Shayna with a dropkick! Becky then aims from the apron, leaps, but into the SLEEPER! Becky fights free but Shayna ROUNDHOUSES her!
Shayna storms up on Becky, puts Becky’s hand inside the steel steps’ handle, and STOMPS! Becky writhes, fans boo but Shayna soaks it all up again as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the forearms are flying! Becky gets the edge but Shayna shoves her. Becky UPPERCUTS, SOBATS and runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Shayna! The fans fire up and Becky runs in at the corner to forearm again! Then she clinches, but Shayna fights around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Becky sits up, into the SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Becky toughs it out but Shayna taunts the fans, “That’s your hero?!” Shayna gets Becky’s arm, isolates it, but the fans rally up. Becky avoids the stomp! Then she clinches, but Shayna fights the lift! Becky slips around to SLEEPER, but Shayna goes after the arm!
Becky changes sides, but Shayna arm-drags free. Becky runs in but is put on the apron. Becky ROCKS Shayna, goes up, and she leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! But into the DISARM-HER!! Shayna endures, fights up, and shoves Becky into ropes! Becky sputters to the apron, Shayna shakes out her arm, and she runs up, into a KNEE! Becky has Shayna in the ropes, ROUNDHOUSES her, then goes up top! But Shayna GAMANGIRIS first! Then she TOSSES Becky down! Shayna runs up to KNEE Becky again! Cover, TWO!!! Becky survives by nanoseconds and Shayna is beside herself.
Liv Morgan is watching, she has a qualifier next week. The fans rally, Shayna stalks Becky and waistlocks, but Becky throws elbows. Becky switches, Shayna switches, repeat! Becky hits the EYE OF THE STORM! Cover, TWO! Shayna survives and Becky thinks what she has to do. Becky fires herself back up and the fans are with her! Becky wants Shayna to get up, and then she storms up to clinch. But Shayna slips free, rolls Becky and has the ANKLE LOCK!! Becky endures, reaches out, but Shayna drags her back! Becky moves around, goes the other way, and she rolls! Shayna ends up on the apron, Becky hurries to UPPERCUT, SOBAT and fire off furious fists!
The ref counts, Becky lets off to go to the corner. GUILLOTINE- NO, Shayna avoids the leg drop to HOTSHOT the arm! Shayna wraps that arm around the ropes and tuck sit into Becky’s own leotard! Shayna goes up, but Becky gets loose! Becky ROCKS Shayna first, climbs up after her and they brawl! Becky fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then gets Shayna up for the SUPERPLEX! Roll through to the ARMBAR! Shayna blocks but Becky breaks the grip! Shayna rolls, gut wrenches and SLAMS Becky down! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives again and Shayna sighs in frustration. Shayna storms up and kicks Becky around.
Shayna says Becky can’t beat her and she knows it! But Becky SLAPS her! Shayna returns fire, they slap and slap and chop, then KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Becky flails, reaches out, pushes back to cover, TWO, into the ARMBAR!! Shayna rolls, gut wrenches, but Becky rolls through! She rolls Shayna, dodges the knee, and clinches! MANHANDLE SLAM!! cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
For the first time ever, Becky will be inside the sinister structure that is THE Elimination Chamber! Will Becky use that massive match to return to the Big Time?
Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.
Cathy Kelley says Liv is in her own qualifying match next week against Zoey Stark, how is Live feeling since her return? Well first, Stark is pretty incredible. “But respectfully… these girls have absolutely nothing to do with my business. And my business has absolutely nothing to do with these girls. I had almost one whole year of my career taken away from me, Cathy Kelley. Now just think about that for a second. That is a really long time. So next week… is about my revenge. And my revenge is about Rhea. Ripley. Watch me.” Liv calls out the Eradicator, will the Road to WrestleMania be headed for ObLIVion?
Adam Pearce meets with Drew McIntyre.
The Raw General Manager doesn’t understand what McIntyre is doing, so he wants McIntyre to make it make sense. What is it about “not medically cleared” that McIntyre doesn’t understand? CM Punk isn’t cleared, McIntyre goes after him. The World Heavyweight Champion is out there on one leg, and McIntyre headbutts him! But since McIntyre doesn’t seem to understand “not medically cleared,” how about this? If McIntyre goes home and checks his bank account to find a few zeros are missing, then that means he’s been fined! And if he sees that stupid meme shirt again, Pearce will double it!
What Pearce wants is to maintain some order around here. McIntyre says okay, but instead of shouting at him, why not just do your job? And at this moment, to Pearce’s surprise, Rhea Ripley heads to the ring! McIntyre says she doesn’t look too happy so Pearce should deal with that. Yeah, nice advice. Pearce heads out and McIntyre says at least there’s one strong leader around here.
As for Rhea, the fans fire up as she makes her way to the ring. The Women’s World Champion is taking things into her own hands, and also gets a mic. The fans chant for “MAMI! MAMI!” but Rhea says yeah, Becky Lynch just qualified for the Elimination Chamber. “But I’m not out here to talk about qualifying matches! I’m out here because I want Nia Jax, in this ring, one-on-one, so I can rip her BLOODY HEAD OFF!!” Rhea advises Nia to show up right now so she can fight her! But Pearce says hold on, no, no, no. They both know this is NOT the time for this. Everyone can see Rhea is upset, but this isn’t happening right now.
Fans boo, they wanna see it. Pearce understands what Rhea is after, so here’s what he’s done. He’s giving Nia Jax to Rhea, for the title at Elimination Chamber: Perth. Is that good? Rhea says yes, so Pearce says good, but please, we have to keep the show going. WAIT! Here comes Nia! Rhea grins, Pearce is furious, and he hurries to stop Nia, only for her to blow right past him! Nia ROCKS Rhea, Rhea ROCKS Nia, and Nia bumps into Pearce! Nia and Rhea fire off furious fists, and then Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner! Pearce shouts for security to rush in there! Rhea hammers away on Nia but security pulls her back!
The fans boo, Nia shrieks, then she runs in to CLOBBER them all!! Nia SWATS the security left standing, then shrieks again! The fans boo but Nia goes up the corner! Pearce says no but too late, A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia tells Rhea she’ll see her in Perth! Nia then SLAPS Rhea before soaking up the heat and taking her leave. Is Rhea going to learn to be more careful with what she asks for?
Mixed Tag: Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri VS Ivar & “Valhalla” Sarah Logan!
The Alpha Academy’s Stamina Monster and Alpha Queen are ready to represent, but will they be able to settle the score with the Viking Raiders? Or will all their heart and determination be trampled by the raid?
Raw returns as Ivar & Sarah make their entrance. The teams sort out and then all the teams just rush in! Tozawa & Maxxine dodge to DOUBLE SCREW HIGH KICK! Ivar falls out but Sarah stays up, and she kicks Maxxine into the corner! Tozawa rips the shirt open and the fans go wild! Sarah rushes Tozawa, he dodges to then DIVE onto Ivar! Direct hit and down goes Ivar! Sarah whips Maxxine, she goes up and over to sunset flip! Not the cleanest, but still a cover, TWO! ENZIGIRI! Maxxine handsprings to BACK ELBOW! “A THANK YEW~!” Tozawa tags in, he goes up, and he CROSSBODIES, but Ivar catches him!
Maxxine goes up, she CROSSBODIES and topples Ivar! Double cover, but Sarah breaks it! Sarah swings, Maxxine dodges but not the SOUTHPAW! Sarah drags Maxxine out, but Maxxine LARIATS in return! The ladies are down, Ivar runs up to LEG LARIAT OF DOOM! Tozawa flounders, Ivar goes up, but Maxxine asks hey, h old on. But then Sarah gets Maxxine, POP-UP HEADBUTT! But Tozawa GAMANGIRIS Ivar! Tozawa goes up, SUPER SUNSET FLIP- NO, Ivar blocks that one! He kicks Tozawa away, then choke grips, for a deadlift into the SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, The Vikings win!
Winners: Ivar & Sarah Logan, by pinfall
The Academy tried the same trick as last time, but it didn’t work out like before. Will nothing stop the raid from storming up the Road to WrestleMania?
Judgment Day talks backstage.
Finn Balor looks at the two options in the #1 contender’s match. Pete ‘n’ Tyler, DIY. Pete ‘n’ Tyler, DIY. Doesn’t matter to him who they beat. What about Damian Priest? Priest says it doesn’t matter to him, either. Dom shows up, says hey to everybody, and says Rhea is good, just not happy. Give her some space. JD McDonagh says Rhea will be alright. And Nia’s got her work cut out for her now when Rhea gets her hands on her. Priest says no doubt. Rhea’s got her division on lock, and they’ll continue having theirs on lock. Bet. Tonight, JD handles The Miz.
R-Truth walks in and says que paso! What’re y’all talking about? Priest sighs and Truth apologizes for being late. JD says Truth is so lucky he has a match with Miz, or else he’d wipe the floor with Truth. Truth says JD should wipe the windowsills, those’re getting dusty. Dom keeps JD back and they head out for gorilla. Truth knows what’s going on. He feels bad, but he’s in-in now, right? All that before was a pre-initiation, and last week’s beating was a re-initiation, right? Truth, no! There was no initiation EVER. What planet is he even on? Priest, you deal with this. Finn is out. Truth says Finn must feel bad.
Priest tells Truth… Never mind, make yourself at home. Much obliged, DP! Truth sits down, and sees they got a box of shirts just waiting to be sold. And then he gets an idea. What even is going on with Truth’s Judgment Day status anymore!?
The Miz VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
The Hollywood A-Lister made the save for Truth but also got beat down, so now he wants his payback! Will Miz trump the Irish Ace? Or will he suffer at the hands of the “Necessary Evil” once again?
Raw returns and Jackie Redmond interviews The Miz at gorilla. After what happened last week, and considering Truth’s “tumultuous” relationship with Judgment Day, how is Miz approaching tonight’s match? Miz knows Truth still believes he is Judgment Day 4 Life, and Miz isn’t sure if that means Truth is crazy or a genius. But one thing about Truth is, he finds that fine line between crazy and genius and that is why we love him, that is why we always have his back. Truth thinks that was an initiation last week, but Miz says that is a declaration of war! The battlelines have been drawn, and the Judgment Day have no idea what’s in store!
Because he is The Miz, and he is…! AWESOME~! The music hits and Miz heads to the ring. The bell rings and Dom distracts Miz so that JD can CLOBBER him! JD drops elbows on Miz, stomps away at the ropes, but he lets off to bring Miz up. JD bumps Miz off buckles, stomps away, then lets off as the ref counts. JD whips Miz to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then talks trash. JD drags Miz up, DECKS him, then stalks him to ropes again. JD CHOPS Miz, whips him to ropes, but Miz catches the dropkick! Miz CATAPULTS JD into the buckles! Then Miz runs not LARIAT JD down! The fans fire up as Miz glares at Dom.
Miz stalks after JD, throws knees and has him in a corner. Miz whips corner to corner, JD tumbles up and out then back in, Miz back drops him away! Fans rally, Miz runs up and clotheslines JD up and out! JD flounders around, Miz goes out after him, but he keeps his eyes on Dom. Miz whips JD hard into barriers! JD tumbles up and over into the timekeeper’s aera and Miz storms up. Miz brings JD up to suplex JD to the floor! Miz grins and fans cheer while JD writhes. The ring count climbs, Miz revels in the cheers, and then Miz brings JD up. Miz SMACKS JD off the desk! Miz puts JD in the ring and aims, but Dom creeps up.
Miz BOOTS JD, JD distracts the ref, and Dom grabs at Miz! Fans boo but JD BLASTS Miz into the desk! Fans boo more, and even Michael Cole and Pat McAfee tell Dom he sucks! Dom just shrugs, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Miz throws elbows to get free of a chinlock. JD knees low, whips Miz to a corner, but Miz BOOTS back! Miz runs up, but into an URENAGE and STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Dom argues the count but the ref says it was fair. JD drags Miz to the drop zone, goes up the corner, but here comes Truth! The fans fire up as Truth is now being a merchandise seller? He throws the R-Truth edition Judgment Day shirts! The fans cheer as Truth goes along, hands shirts, throws shirts, and so on. JD refocuses, MOONSAULTS, but Miz BOOTS him! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Truth is still going through the crowd!
Miz hurries after JD and throws haymakers! Miz backs JD down, kicks and kicks and kicks in the corner! Miz goes corner to corner as the fans fire up, A-LIST LARIAT! Fans fire up and Truth gives more shirts out. Miz goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Dom is annoyed by all the things, but Miz fires up to say, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” Full nelson and- NO, JD arm-drags free! JD runs in but Miz TOSSES him out! Miz then WRECKS Dom with a dropkick! And RANAS JD for good measure! Truth has made it ringside while Miz puts JD in. Truth puts a shirt on over Dom’s head! Dom is upset, it’s not his size! Miz BOOTS Dom down!
The fans fire up, Truth is confused, and Miz gets in to get JD up. JD HEADBUTTS Miz back!! Miz falls, JD goes up, and Truth helps Dom back up. JD MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Miz survives and Truth calls to JD! Truth brings out JD’s cut! Money money money~! JD grabs the money, figures why not, and then Miz full nelsons! SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, Miz wins!!
Winner: The Miz, by pinfall
The money goes flying so Truth hurries to grab it up! Dom argues with Truth about what’s going on! Miz leaves the winner, is Truth’s blend of genius and madness going to be just the thing that tears the Judgment Day down?
Imperium meets with Pearce.
Kaiser wants to make absolutely sure, because it is very, very important. Is everything prepared? Pearce says he’ll say it again and much slower: Everything, will be, just as they discussed. Gunther will have a great ceremony, don’t worry about it. It better be, because we are talking OVER 600 DAYS as Intercontinental Champion! This has to be absolutely perfect! It will be just as discussed, Gunther will be more than happy, and if they don’t mind, he needs the room because he has a very important meeting. Speaking of, there’s a knock at the door. And in walks Bron Breakker! Bron smiles at Imperium, Imperium takes their leave.
Pearce welcomes Bron, thanks him for his time, and wants Bron to know that whatever Nick Aldis has promised, he’s overpromised, but Pearce is willing to beat it. They go over the contract, and Bron has a lot to think about. The Wolf Dogs won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but is Bron only gonna be in it for himself?
WWE followed CM Punk through his week.
It was time for surgery on his triceps. Always a “fun” day. Punk was checked in, went under, and some time later, he was done. Punk knows the hardest part is doing the simplest things. He is in pain, but it is more mental than anything. He can power through physical pain and therapy, it is the mental and emotional that are the challenge. But the Best in the World plans to have the best comeback of all time.
Imperium is in the ring.
Fans boo but Ludwig Kaiser has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen… I demand all your gratitude for the longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion… SIX HUNDRED DAYS of… Derrrrrr RIIING GENERAL~! GUUUNTHERRR~!” And with that, Gunther makes his entrance, and he gets pyro! The fans boo as Gunther is handed the mic, but he just smiles. Gunther says, “To the surprise of absolutely nobody, I’m standing here today, celebrating the jubilee of 600 days as Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion. But to be honest, Ludwig, I really appreciate the gesture of setting all of that up. But I don’t want it anymore going forward.
“Because what’s the point? 600 days, 700 days, 800 days. ONE THOUSAND DAYS! All of that is a given anyway! Because one thing will never change, and that is Der Ring General being the greatest and longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time! And the matter of fact is, I’m running out of competition here. There is no man back there that is worthy of challenging me for this great championship. I mean, who is it? You tell me!” “USOOO~!” The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way out! Jey goes to the ring, and even Pat is bouncing along to the beat.
Jey is all fired up as he gets himself a mic, the fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!” Gunther gets it, yeah, it’s fun. Simple gestures for a simple audience. Fans boo the insult but Imperium chuckles. Gunther says the last time they saw each other, Gunther eliminated Jey from the Royal Rumble. So he expected Jey wanted to have a word with Gunther, but this is not the way. This is still a celebration, so this is disrespectful. Fans chant “YEET! YEET!” but Jey says no disrespect, Uce. Gunther’s earned his stripes. We all see the work he’s put in. 600+ days, the longest IC Champion in WWE history, the Ring General, Gunther!
Gunther thanks Jey for that. But he also has to say, Jey is accomplished himself. One of the most decorated tag team champions of all time. “Yeet!” Jey was part of the best tag team in WWE history. “Yeet!” Heck, Jey even holds the record for longest reigning tag team champions of all time. “YEET!” And best of all, Jey only had to put in 50% of the work! Fans boo that and Jey says Gunther’s got jokes. But see, this is why Gunther is confused. Unlike Jey, Gunther achieved all of this doing ALL the work, on his own. Fans boo that, but Jey says that just means Gunther’s about to get 100% of this work then! Fans cheer that!
Jey says, “Allow me to reintroduce myself! They call me UUUUSO~! 1000+ days as tag team champ! First tag team to main event WrestleMania! And uh oh, it’s 2024! First singles champion, and if you want Jey to be the NEW Intercontinental Champion, then let me hear ya say ‘YEET!'” “YEET!” The fans want it, Jey wants it, and Imperium is confused. Gunther says good for Jey. After 15 YEARS, Jey finally has the guts to step out of the shadow of his family to achieve something for himself. So Gunther will put it plain and simple: Jey is not the first and he won’t be the last that wants to ride on Gunther’s coattails.
But when Gunther beats Jey, he will beat him worse than his own family ever did! Gunther will beat Jey so bad, he’ll wish for the good ole days where fans couldn’t tell Jey & Jimmy apart! Fans boo but Gunther mocks “Uce!” then shoves Jey! Jey TACKLES Gunther! Imperium jumps on Jey, they mug him, but here comes The New Day! Woods & Kofi run Imperium off, their own issues still not settled! Woods says it is 3v3 now, let’s go! When and where will we see that match? And will we see Gunther VS Jey at WrestleMania?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“Cody, you want to fight me so badly, fine. You chose a Bull Rope Match because you thought it’ll bring you an advantage. But the only thing it will do is bring embarrassment to your family name when I beat you in the match your family made famous. That is what you will get from this match. Pain. Loss. Shame. I see people saying, ‘We Want Cody~.’ But no, no, no, no. I want Cody!” The King of Strong Style will get Cody, but will he regret not leaving well enough alone?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
The Empress of Tomorrow & Pirate Princess are back on their thrones after winning these titles a couple weeks ago, but the former champions are looking to keep the party going. Will KC Squared be better prepared this time? Or is no one ever ready for Asuka & Kairi?
Raw returns as the Kabuki Warriors make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if DMG CTRL still has control!
The teams sort out and Katana starts against Asuka. The bell rings, the two circle and the fans rally. They tie up, Asuka throws Katana away and then taunts her. Katana comes back, dodges Asuka and fires forearms! Katana runs, but Asuka dodges to then CLOBBER Katana! The rest of the Raw Women’s Tag Division watches as Asuka stomps Katana around. Asuka kicks Katana, taunts her, and pie faces her over an dover. Asuka smothers Katana into the mat but the ref counts. Asuka lets off, she drags Katana up and talks trash, but Katana SLAPS her! Asuka says okay, and she gives Katana some Kawada Kicks!
Asuka throws Katana by her hair, then stalks her. Katana fights the waistlock, slips under then goes Matrix to avoid the roundhouse! Roll-up, TWO! SOBAT and Asuka backs away! Katana runs up, Asuka dodges but Kayden tags in. Asuka runs back up, Katana dodges the hip attack to KICK Asuka! Kayden drags Asuka out, Kairi goes after Kayden, but Katana WRECKS the Kabuki Warriors with a dropkick! Kayden then sends Asuka into Kairi, and Katana runs in for the ALLEY-OOP ATTACK! Down go the Kabuki Warriors! Katana says those titles are coming back home with them, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kairi drags Kayden over. Asuka tags in. the Kabuki Warriors double whip to bypass, KICK, AX KICK, BULLDOG and BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Asuka keeps on Kayden while the other teams are still watching. Asuka keeps Kayden from Katana, Kayden fires forearms! Asuka ROCKS Kayden, whips her to an open corner, then runs up. Kayden BOOTS Asuka, dodges Kairi, then dodges Asuka! Kairi hurries to tag in and climb up! FLYING KABUKI- NO, Kayden avoids the elbow to then GAMANGIRI! Kayden crawls, but Kairi anchors her by a leg! Kairi drags Kayden away but Kayden BOOTS her! Hot tag to Katana!
Katana trips Kairi, BLASTS Asuka, then BULLDOGS Kairi! Fans rally, Katana ducks ‘n’ dodges to SHOTGUN! Kairi ends up in a corner, Katana stomps a mudhole in! Katana roars, the fans fire up, and she A-LIST LARIATS! Katana puts Kairi in ropes, KNEES her, then goes up! GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Kairi survives and Katana grows frustrated. Katana hauls Kairi up, whips her to ropes, but Kairi holds ropes and Asuka tags! Kairi BOOTS Katana, Asuka hits the CODE BREAKER! BLOCKBUSTER added on! The fans boo but the DOUBLE SLIDING FOREARM hits! Cover, TWO!!
Katana survives but Asuka coordinates with Kairi. Asuka hauls Katana up but Katana fights the lift! She trips and jackknife bridges, TWO! Katana BLASTS Kairi, dodges Asuka and RAMS her! Katana whips, Asuka reverses but Katana reverses back! Katana blocks the boots, ROCKS Asuka and has her in the ropes. Tag to Kayden, and Katana runs corner to corner for the ALLEY-OOP METEORA! Katana then goes up, Kayden sets Asuka up, AFTER PARTY!! Cover, KAIRI BREAKS IT! Fans boo but Katana TOSSES Kairi! Kayden drags Asuka around and wants to go for more! Tag to Katana and she goes up!
But Kairi trips Kayden! The Keg Stand crashes ‘n’ burns! Kairi then sends Kayden into steel steps! Asuka runs up to BUZZSAW Katana! Tag to Kairi, she climbs and Asuka dragon sleepers, In-SANE DDT!! Cover, Kabuki Warriors win!
Winners: The Kabuki Warriors, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Asuka & Kairi ruined the party before, and they ruined the party again! But will nothing stop DMG CTRL from having control of the gold?
Jackie Redmond has a sit-down interview with Sami Zayn.
It was before the show began that they sat in the bleachers to talk. It is no secret that Sami’s faced adversity lately. He was in the stands since arriving, what is going on in his mind? And how much of it involves Drew McIntyre? Sami says he has been thinking a lot, and some of it has to do with McIntyre. He’s had a great year, and he remembers back to this time just last year. The period between the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, the biggest match of Sami’s career, facing Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship in his hometown. Cinderella story, he comes up a little short. He’s learned to not let that eat him up.
But then there was a conversation he had after that match that he can’t get out of his head. Triple H pulled him aside, saw Sami was down, but said he had nothing to be down about. Sami gave the performance of his life out there. Sami is Rocky Balboa, the underdog. Rocky overcame all these obstacles, and sure he lost in Rocky 1, but he goes the distance, makes a name for himself. That is what Sami did that night. And Sami wants us to know, in the ring, he will fight like that every single night. Really, he will give 100% of himself every single time, like it is life or death, because it is for him. If he doesn’t feel alive in the ring, he might as well be dead.
Sami will fight like an underdog, but he isn’t just an underdog anymore. He is a contender now. And he is a contender who will be champion again. Then what is it about being champion? Is there part of him that feels he has something to prove? Yeah, of course. Part of him wants to prove it to himself, but he also wants to prove it to the people in these seats, proving it to them. Proving that they didn’t believe in Sami for nothing. They have believed in him, so he wants to prove they are right for doing so. That is what this is about now. Jackie thanks Sami for his time, will Sami have his time at the top soon enough?
Bull Rope Match: Cody Rhodes VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Fourteen feet of braided rope, a cast-iron cowbell in the middle, and no rules holding them back! That is what this match has, but what this match means is the American Nightmare continuing a legacy and the King of Strong Style looking to end it. Nakamura attacked Cody out of nowhere at a house show over the weekend, will he make sure Cody falls with the entire world watching? Or will nothing keep Cody from finishing his story?
Fans sing along with Cody’s song for his entrance, but they also sing along with Nakamura’s song for his entrance. The ref straps the bull rope onto Cody’s wrist, and then onto Nakamura. Nakamura gathers up the slack already but the ref has him hold on. The strap is secure, Nakamura tosses the slack to Cody, and then ROUNDHOUSES Cody down! The fans boo but Nakamura fires off knees! The bell rings and this is on record now as Nakamura grins. Fans boo more but Nakamura paces around. Cody staggers to his feet, and he kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody and Nakamura fire forearms and the fans fire up!
Cody whips, kitchen sink knees, then shakes the cowbell! The fans cheer for that but Nakamura bails out. Cody pursues, and pulls on the rope to remind Nakamura there’s no leaving! Cody then YANKS Nakamura into the barriers! Cody rains down fists right in front of the fans, the fans fire up, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Cody uses the rope to YANK Nakamura into a post! The fans fire up as Cody YANKS Nakamura back in! Nakamura falls back, but Cody uses the rope to drag Nakamura to his feet, and YANK him in again! Cody gets in the ring, reels Nakamura in like a fish, and then headlocks for a punch! Fans fire up with Cody, Cody runs, but Nakamura YANKS the rope to mess up the springboard! Nakamura stalks Cody, stomps him around, then drags him up. Nakamura bumps Cody off buckles, KICKS him in the corner, then KICKS him again. Cody staggers to a corner, the fans rally, but Nakamura gives Cody BAD VIBRATIONS~!
Nakamura paces but Cody goes outside. But Nakamura YANKS Cody into the apron! Nakamura drags Cody back in, he stands on Cody’s hand, then drops a knee on Cody’s head! Cover, TWO! Nakamura is annoyed but he kicks Cody around. Nakamura stands on Cody’s neck, talks trash, but Cody powers up! Nakamura stomps him back down! Nakamura gathers up the slack to LASH Cody! Then he fireman’s carries Cody to put him on the top rope. Nakamura CLUBS Cody, runs back in, and hits the TOP SHELF KNEE! Cody falls, Nakamura covers, TWO! Nakamura paces around, kicks at Cody, and then KICKS Cody!
Cody grits his teeth but Nakamura KICKS again! The fans rally for Cody but Nakamura kicks, only for Cody to block! Nakamura ENZIGIRIS! Nakamura runs but Cody dropkicks the legs out! Cody steps through, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~!” and Nakamura endures! Nakamura reaches out, grabs the cowbell and CRACKS Cody! Cody lets go of the hold but both men are down as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Cody fights up out of a headlock. But Nakamura knees low, reels Cody in, and back suplexes, only for Cody to land on his feet! Cody waistlocks, Nakamura elbows free then runs, but Cody follows to CLOBBER Nakamura! Cody goes to a corner, he baits Nakamura in and dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Cody, and he runs to springboard, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO! Nakamura is still in this but Cody fires off haymakers. Cody whips Nakamura but Nakamura reverses, then blocks boots to put Cody in the ropes! ROUNDHOUSE and SLIDING GERMAN!
Fans boo but Nakamura storms back in to KNEE Cody in the side! And again! And again! Nakamura paces around, opens up the shirt and he takes aim. KIN- SUPERKICK! Cody then springboards, CODY CUTTER!! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Cody rises, fires off forearms but so does Nakamura! They go back and forth, harder and harder, and the fans rally! Nakamura fires a strike fest, but Cody blocks the kick to CLUB the leg! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flips, flops and- NO, Nakamura kicks low! But Cody avoids the Ax Kick! BIONIC ELBOW! But Nakamura PELES! The rope might’ve been involved in it, too!
Nakamura drags Cody up and reels him in, INVERTED EXPLODER! Nakamura then aims from the corner, runs in, but Cody rolls him up! And rolls through to underhook, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Cody is beside himself! Cody grabs the cowbell! Fans fire up as he shakes it up, and then aims at Nakamura! Nakamura rises, but he uses the RED MIST!! Cody flails blindly while fans boo, but Nakamura clamps on! Cody snapmares free! Dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES!! Cody finds Nakamura, covers, TWO!!! Nakamura survives and Cody is stunned! Cody wipes the mist from his face and stands back up.
Cody storms up on Nakamura but Nakamura CRACKS him with the cowbell again! And again! And again! And again! Then KIN- NO, the cowbell was Cody’s shield! Nakamura hobbles, kicks, but Cody ducks it! ROPE YANK LOW BLOW!! And then a YANK to throw Nakamura around, into the CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
The American Dream is surely smiling down on his son after this one! Cody finally puts an exclamation point on this chapter with Nakamura, and surely he’ll be in Las Vegas for this Thursday’s WrestleMania Press Event. WAIT! McIntyre CLOBBERS him from behind!! The Scottish Terminator rains down fists and elbows while the fans boo, but there’s nothing that can stop McIntyre! He aims from a corner, CLAYMORE!!! McIntyre looks up at the WrestleMania sign, is he planning to do Cody like he did to CM Punk?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, even with them following up the moment on SmackDown that was head-scratching for some and infuriating for others. I do want to note that when it came to the World Heavyweight Championship and Universal Championship situation, commentary was doing their best to smooth it over by saying nothing was official and that this week’s press event in Vegas would be where it is all hashed out. At the same time, that means nothing, it surely does feel like they’re still defaulting to Cody VS Rollins and Roman VS Rock, and clearly everyone in St. Louis was of the mindset that this is a dumb move.
To that point, Cody and Rollins did their best to handle the fans chanting what they wanted to about “We Want Cody (VS Roman)” and “Rocky Sucks!” I also really liked Drew McIntyre voicing those opinions of the fans not liking this change, while still riding that line of being sarcastic and passive aggressive. Also, I really like that McIntyre made the meme into a shirt, I hope WWE sells copies of that to make some serious money. McIntyre beating up Rollins and brawling with Cody, then arguing with Pearce, and then of course attacking at the end of the night, I would hope we get McIntyre VS Cody on the road to Cody VS Rollins, with McIntyre hoping to use that as his way to the title.
Cody VS Nakamura in the Bull Rope Match was great stuff, too, and of course Cody won. Not sure where Nakamura goes from here, outside of perhaps getting in on a Men’s Elimination Chamber match of some sort. Maybe there will be one to determine a #1 contender to the Intercontinental Championship. Jey getting in on Gunther’s “celebration” was a good promo to tease that match, but Gunther obviously isn’t gonna just give Jey the match so Jey has to earn it. Winning the Chamber would be a great singles win for Jey to then get his title match, which could also be an even greater win for Jey.
And speaking of that segment, great set up for a Six Man Tag of Imperium VS Jey & New Day, too, that’ll be a lot of fun. I also like that Bron got to join in during Imperium’s meeting with Pearce to plug his story. I almost want Bron to do a Steiner Math promo on the three brands, aka “THEY SAY ALL BRANDS ARE CREATED EQUAL!” Bron & Corbin are headed for the tag titles but Bron is also being courted by Raw and SmackDown, we could get some interesting story stuff across the entire week of WWE programming with this.
Awesome Fatal 4 Way Tag, and while everyone got a great showing, I do like that it’s DIY winning out. Ciampa & Gargano VS Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne is most certainly about two of HHH’s favorite teams facing off, but I’m not complaining because that match is going to be awesome stuff and both sides deserve something big. But DIY just had their shot, so I would love seeing British Strong Style win to move on to WrestleMania for their big moment. In a perfect world, Trent Seven would get to come back for full British Strong Style so that Seven could counter Judgment Day’s extra guys, but Seven only just signed with TNA Impact back in December.
The Mixed Tag was a little disappointing because it was over so quickly. But I figured Ivar & Sarah would win, and this probably gives Ivar momentum going into the potential Men’s Chamber match. Really good Women’s Tag Title match, about the same as the previous, but I wish the fans got a bit more fired up at the start. They were booing Asuka & Kairi being they’re the Heels, and that is good, but I wish they’d been doing that more to show they were still awake out there.
And once again, great stuff from Judgment Day all night. Rhea VS Nia for the title at Elimination Chamber makes sense, as that leaves the Women’s Chamber match to determine a WrestleMania opponent. Becky VS Shayna was awesome stuff tonight, and of course Becky wins. Liv has a good promo, and maybe it’s just me but she leaned into the crazy girl stuff a little much there. But Liv VS Stark will be a really good match next week, and I would think Liv wins. Not sure who else is getting in this match with quite a few women in the tag division right now. Unless… Jade Cargill makes her return to action? That’d be pretty cool.
And pun not intended but awesome stuff with Miz, Truth and the Judgment Day boys. Another hilarious promo where Truth still doesn’t get that he isn’t actually part of Judgment Day, and then Priest just letting him stay because it’s easier than beating him up again. And then of course Truth finds a way to cost JD McDonagh against Miz. Maybe Awesome Truth isn’t so much getting a title match with Judgment Day but a grudge match with like JD & Dom. Either way, Truth being the comedic genius he is, a national treasure in pro-wrestling, he deserves to be part of WrestleMania somehow, and that’d be a fun way to get there.
My Score: 8.8/10
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What’s next for NJPW?
Zack Sabre Jr. is STILL IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he already knows Hirooki Goto has the next shot! TMDK VS Chaos in the main event!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata VS Shoma Kato, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai; Tenzan, Kojima & Nagata win.
- Special Exhibition: Josh Barnett VS Boltin Oleg; Time Limit Draw.
- 10 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors; Sanada & Connors win.
- El Desperado & KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori & KENTA; Desperado & Kushida win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Naito & Hiromu win.
- 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK; Chaos wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Special Exhibition: Josh Barnett VS Boltin Oleg!
The War Master made his return to NJPW with the Ranbo, and he had quite the confrontation with his former student. Will Barnett show Boltin he still has a lot to learn? Or will Barnett end up behind BARS?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans rally as Boltin and Barnett circle. They feel things out, tie up, clinch, and go around. They break, clinch again, and Oleg gets a leg to bring Barnett down. Oleg powers to a cover, Barnett slips out, but Oleg hurries to waistlock. Barnett rolls, but Oleg gut wrenches! Barnett still rolls free, and the fans cheer this exchange. The two go again, clinch, and Barnett goes for an arm. Oleg powers Barnett down, floats around to stay on Barnett, and the two stand again. Barnett manages a double wristlock takeover, but Oleg slips out to go for legs. Barnett fights that so Oleg floats to a facelock.
Barnett slips out of the hold and the fans cheer. Oleg and Barnett go again, clinch, and they fight for control. Oleg throws Barnett down and the two reset again. Oleg and Barnett feel out another grapple, and Oleg gets around to waistlock. Oleg drags Barnett down to go for an arm, then he shifts to an armbar! Barnett has the ROPEBREAK, and Oleg lets go slowly. The fans applaud as the two reset again. They clinch, Barnett goes for a throw, and he has it on the third try! But Oleg hurries to float around and get Barnett’s back. Barnett turns that to a lateral press, TWO! Oleg fights but Barnett keeps him grounded with a wristlock.
We hit the two minute warning as Oleg rolls and rolls, and he goes for the wristlock. Barnett moves around, manages a headscissor, then a leglock! Oleg rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Barnett lets go. The two hurry to their feet and go again. They go around in the clinch, then Oleg goes for a leg. Barnett fights that off with a cravat! Oleg pushes free of that, then he and Barnett tie up again. One minute left, Barnett clinches but Oleg powers him to ropes. The ref calls the break, but the two come off the ropes. Oleg waistlocks, and he brings Barnett down, but Barnett headscissors! Barnett has an arm to keep Oleg grounded!
Oleg fights around, we hit 30 seconds but Barnett puts on the pressure! Oleg endures, the fans rally, and we are under 20! Oleg slips free, and he manages a gut wrench! GUT WRENCH PLEX! at 10 seconds! And then a fireman’s carry! But Barnett slips free to a SLEEPER! TIME’S UP!
Time Limit Draw
It was hard to say who was saved by the bell there, but Barnett shows his student respect with a handshake and a hug. Barnett makes sure to get the mic so he can tell Oleg, “Yesterday, it wasn’t the Ranbo for us. It was a test for you to see if you would come here today, and meet me in this ring. You showed up. That’s the first part, you passed that part. Then, you wrestled your ass off tonight. I told you I was gonna go for that arm, but you learned. So congratulations, you’re now moving up. This is not the end. I’ll take you as high as I can, which means I’mma make you a champion some day, I promise you.”
The fans applaud, and Oleg takes the mic to respond. In Japanese, Oleg apologizes, as his English isn’t so good. But Oleg does tell Barnett that Barnett does know some Japanese, so Oleg will use that to tell him at the Ranbo, it was amazing to see him back and to take him on. Oleg is also honored to train under Barnett, to have this match here, and is looking forward to where they go next. Student and teacher head out, what heights will Oleg reach in the New Year?
After the 10 Man Tag…
While the United Empire won against El Phantasmo, Shota Umino and team, Great-O-Khan felt the need to add insult to injury! He not only beats down The Roughneck on the outside, but he takes those fan-made replica belts, AND RIPS THEM UP! The fans boo Khan being a villainous dictator, and Shota is the angriest of all! Shota rushes in there, but he gets mugged by The Empire! Young Lions step in but they can’t save Shota or the gifts that Khan destroyed. Will Shota make sure Khan pays for this with his blood, sweat and tears?
After the 8 Man Tag…
The House of Torture found a way to cheat Hiroshi Tanahashi’s team, but what else is new? And speaking of not all that new, they beat down Tanahashi & Yano, basically calling them out for a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship match! But with that, here comes Boltin! Boltin runs off The House, but The House is getting away with stealing two of the three titles! Sho gets on the mic to talk trash on The Ace, the Joker & The Rook, and says that if they want their belts back, “Catch us if you can!”
The Murder Machine, Tokyo Pimp, Heel Master & Souled Out Son of Strong Style run away, leaving President Ace to consider his next course of action. Will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg once again put The House behind BARS? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road get a lot rockier from here on out?
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors!
Speaking of the New Japan Ranbo, The Holy Emperor and Cold Blooded had a confrontation that also cost them both the #1 contender’s spot. But at the same time, Sanada did cost Taichi the Global Heavyweight Championship just a few months ago. Will Taichi get a semblance of revenge? Or will Sanada and 100 Proof take down Taichi and the Blue Playmaker?
Well, the tables are turned as TakaTaichi goes after the War Dogs before the bell! The fans fire up as Taka brings Connors away, and then Taichi SMACKS Sanada off the timekeeper’s table! Taichi CLUBS Sanada, brings him back to the ramp, and CLUBS him again! The fans rally for Taichi as he moves railing aside, and has fans clear out. Taichi whips but Sanada reverses, STRIKE! Sanada even takes someone’s umbrella to JAM Taichi up! The fans boo but Sanada leaves Taichi behind. Connors has also turned things around on Taka, and then puts him in the ring. Connors talks trash, the fans boo, but the bell rings to finally get this on record.
Connors takes his time taking off his nice new fur jacket, but Taichi’s already back! Sanada kicks Taichi, then sends him into railing! Connors stomps away on Taka, drags him up, and CHOPS him! Taka staggers, Connors eggs him on, so Taka comes back. Taka eggs Connors on, so Connors CHOPS again! Taka staggers, but he comes back for more! Connors CHOPS again! The fans fire up with Taka, and then he pokes Connors in the eye! The fans cheer while Connors staggers away. Taka stomps Connors around, but Connors ROCKS Taka! Taka fakes an eye poke to kick the shin! Taka runs, but Sanada gets a cheap shot in!
Taka staggers around, Connors runs to JEEP FLIPPER! Sanada BLASTS Taichi off the apron! The fans boo but the War Dogs stalk Taka to their corner. Connors bumps Taka off buckles, then tags Sanada. Sanada CLAWS Taka’s back, then ignores the fans as they boo. Sanada brings Taka around, snapmares, and then clamps on a chinlock. Sanada has the ref watch Taichi, but then he uses wrist tape to CHOKE Taka! Fans boo, but Sanada hides it in the headscissors! The ref checks Taka but Taichi says something’s not right! The ref checks but Sanada’s quite the magician. The ref finally sees the trick and reprimands!
Sanada lets Taka go, the fans rally, but Sanada tags Connors. Connors stomps Taka around, then CHOKES Taka! The ref counts, Connors lets go and “apologizes,” but the fans rally again. Connors clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Taka down. Taka endures, and he pries at the hold, only for Connors to CLUB him down! Connors stands Taka up to CHOP him again! Connors whips, Taka reverses and wrangles Connors into a JUST FACELOCK! But Sanada stomps Taka! Sanada whips, Taka reverses and wrangles Sanada! JUST FACELOCK! But Connors stomps Taka, then he BLASTS Taichi! Connors CLUBS Taka again, then talks smack.
Connors runs, but Taka goes the other way! Connors avoids the boot to knee low! But Taka CALF KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taka and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Taichi! The fans fire up as the two run up, but Sanada dodges an Ax Bomber! Sanada kicks and whips, but Taichi comes back to BOOT! The fans fire up as Taichi gives Sanada some Kawada Kicks. Taichi whisp, Sanada reverses, but Taichi comes back. Sanada blocks the boot, trips Taichi, but Taichi fights against Paradise! Sanada comes back, kicks and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK!
The fans fire up, and Taichi BOOTS Connors for good measure! The fans rally for Taichi, and he paces around. Taichi drags Sanada up, but Sanada takes a swing! Taichi gets around, DANGER- NO, Sanada fights the saido! Sanada CLUBS away on Taichi, then whips, only for Taichi to reverse. But Sanada dropkicks the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Taichi out of the ring! Sanada storms up to the ropes, PLANCHAS, and down goes Taichi! The fans boo but Sanada soaks that up. Sanada drags Taichi up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Sanada stands Taichi up, fireman’s carries, but Taichi fights free!
Taichi swings, but Sanada catches him! Taichi fights the Skull End, so Sanada shifts to a waistlock. Taichi fights the suplex to then PELE! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taichi rises again, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up but Connors grabs Taichi’s hair! Taichi RIDGE HAND CHOPS Connors! But then Sanada CHOKES Taichi using the pants! Dragon sleeper, SKULL END, but Taichi rolls free! AX BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Connors crawl, hot tag to Taka! Taka runs up to BOOT! Taka runs again but Sanada gets around! O’Conner BRIDGE, but Taka flips it to JUST FACELOCK!
The fans fire up but Connors runs in! Taka kicks his legs out to get him in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Taichi then takes Connors for a SEITEI JUJIHOU! Taka CLUBS away on Sanada, pulls way back, but Sanada fights to the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go, whips Sanada to a corner, then SHINING WIZARDS! CALF KICK! BOOT! SUPER K!! Taka covers, TWO!! Taichi keeps Connors on the outside while Taka fires up! The fans rally behind Taka as he scoops Sanada! But Sanada slips free, only for Taka to SHOTEI! Taka runs, but Sanada shoves him at the ref! POP-UP LOW BLOW!! The fans boo, but Sanada has Taka in the SKULL END!!
Now Connors keeps Taichi out of the ring! Taka endures, but he TAPS! War Dogs win!
Winners: Sanada & Clark Connors, by submission
Cold Blooded indeed to cheat his former friends. But then Sanada grabs some beer from ringside, and he pours it all over Taka’s face! Taichi is pissed and he shoves Connors away! Taichi storms into the ring, but Sanada bails right out. Taichi grabs a chair and pursues! The War Dogs fall back while Young Lions do their best to stop Taichi! When and where will the War Dogs settle things with Just4Guys?
After El Desperado & KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori & KENTA…
The Time Splitter gets the win for his team by making The Fang Revived tap out to the Hoverboard! But now, Kushida gets the mic to speak. “Konosuke Takeshita! You also know ‘the world,’ so please, ‘teach’ me. I want the NEVER-” But then Taiji snatches the mic! Taiji says he’ll get to Kushida later. But DESPY! You know what Taiji wants, right? Put the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on the line against him! “Come, let’s play.” The fans like the sound of that! Desperado takes the mic, and he says Taiji’s getting better on the mic.
But sure, why not? After all, Taiji and the six other guys in that gauntlet ganged up on him! Desperado will do it wherever, dome or no dome, so long as he can beat Taiji. The fans like the sound of that! And so now it is official! El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and Kushida VS Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship, Saturday, January 11th, BATTLE IN THE VALLEY! Who leaves the Golden State with the gold?
After the 8 Man Tag: LIJ VS War Dogs…
Los Ingobernables de Japon comes away with the win as Titan forces Gedo to tap out to Llave Enmortal, but the rest of the teams still had some fire in them. Yota Tsuij and Gabe Kidd have a stare down, and Yota simply holds up the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship as a silent dare for Gabe to come after him. As for Drilla Moloney, he grabs the mic to shout at Shingo Takagi! Drilla tells Takagi that he’s a HEAVYWEIGHT now! “Rampaging Dragon, huh? Dragon’s aren’t real!! The only thing that’s real is me, and my dogs! Show me WTF you’re about, Takagi!” Another challenge has been issued, when and where will Takagi take on 44 Caliber?
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!
The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb were so close and yet so far from winning those IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships last night, but the chase is never ending. Will Naito & Hiromu stay tranquilo and head back for the titles? Or will they get burned by the Funky Sauce?
Hiromu brought back that ridiculous costume, and he still struggles to get out of it. But that aside, the teams sort out, and Taguchi makes sure his neck is alright before he steps up. Zayne says that’s fine, he and Taguchi are friends. And he’s friends with Red Shoes. See? Matching shoes! Taguchi feels awful, he should’ve thought of that. LIJ fist bump, the fans cheer, and Hiromu steps up against “Funky.” The bell rings, the fans rally, and Taguchi tests the waters with some big kicks. Hiromu stays back, then the two tie up. Hiromu headlocks, but Taguchi pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands, Taguchi powers up and out, then drops down.
Taguchi bypasses Hiromu, and bypasses, and bypasses! Hiromu slides out and says timeout! He knows that trick too well to fall for it again. The fans cheer, but Taguchi slides out! Taguchi chases Hiromu back into the ring, and then he bypasses him again! But then Taguchi drops under the CROSSBODY! Hiromu flops, but Taguchi may have overdone it there. Zayne BLASTS Naito off the apron, then he stomps Hiromu. Zayne calls to Taguchi, stomps Hiromu again, and then gets ice for Taguchi. Taguchi ices the groin, then he hobbles over to help Zayne double whip Hiromu. Zayne then blows past Hiromu to BULLDOG! Taguchi adds a basement DROPKICK!
The fans cheer but Taguchi still ices his groin. Zayne puts Hiromu in a corner, he and Taguchi double whip. Taguchi whips Zayne in, but Hiromu dodges! Zayne hits buckles, Naito trips him up, and Hiromu dodges the hip attack! Hiromu runs up on Zayne to CROSSBODY! Naito brings Taguchi up, and feeds him to a CROSSBODY! The fans cheer and Hiromu brings Taguchi back up. Hiromu wrenches Taguchi, tags Naito, and Naito CLUBS Taguchi’s arm. LIJ double whip Taguchi, atomic drop, and then dropkick to the legs! Naito basement DROPKICKS Taguchi, covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Naito cravats for the neck wrench.
Taguchi endures as Naito puts on the pressure, and then Hiromu tags in. LIJ mugs Taguchi, and Hiromu CHOPS Taguchi to a corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS, then snapmares to run and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Hiromu tags Naito back in. The fans rally while LIJ stands Taguchi up. Taguchi fires off CHOPS on them both! Hiromu kicks low, Naito kicks, then Hiromu CHOPS! LIJ double whips, Taguchi ducks the lariat to HIP- DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi staggers around, LIJ double whip him again, but he DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS!
The fans fire up while Taguchi and LIJ are all down! Taguchi rolls to hot tag Zayne! Zayne fires off forearms on Naito, whips him to ropes, and hip tosses! STANDING CINNAMON TWIST! The fans fire up and Zayne stands Naito up. Zayne suplexes, but Naito fights that! Naito suplexes, Zayne fights that! Zayne tries again, Naito slips around to waistlock, but Zayne powers Naito to a corner! Naito holds on, Zayne tries again, but Naito sends Zayne into buckles! Naito goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up and Naito brings Zayne around. Zayne CHOPS and ROCKS Naito, but Naito SPITS at him! Naito whips, but Zayne reverses, only for Naito to reverse back!
TORNA- NO! Zayne stops the DDT, then scoops Naito, but Naito wrenches the hair! Red Shoes reprimands but then Zayne BITES Naito’s fingers! Zayne rolls, wrenches, and ENZIGIRIS! Naito staggers away and the fans rally up. Hot tag to Taguchi, and he BLASTS Hiromu off the apron! Funky Sauce double whip Naito corner to corner, then Taguchi CORNER HIPS! Zayne uses Taguchi to LEAP FROG SHOTGUN! Then Taguchi helps Zayne roll to his feet, for Zayne to whip him in, HIP ATTACK! Then CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Zayne & Taguchi drag Naito to the cover, TWO! Naito stays in this and the fans rally.
Funky Sauce get Naito up, ROLLING AX KICK SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! Cover, but Hiromu breaks it! Zayne TOSSES Hiromu, Taguchi chicken wings Naito! But Naito rolls back, only for Taguchi to sit on the cover! TWO, but into OH MY GAH ANKLE! Someone is sent into railing outside, and Naito rolls free! But Taguchi stays back, and he BLINDSIDE KETSUYES! The fans fire up as Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Naito sends Taguchi into the corner! Hiromu LARIATS, Naito UPPERCUTS, Hiromu SUPERKICKS, and Naito ENZIGIRIS! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!
Hiromu CLOBBERS Zayne while Naito hits the ROLLING JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!! The fans fire up as Hiromu helps Naito with the BOOSTED TORNADO DDT!! Taguchi flounders, Naito drags him back up, wrench and DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall
They may have lost that Triple Threat last night, but Naito & Hiromu are still World Tag League winners for a reason. Will this be just the thing they need to get back to the tag titles? Wait, Naito gets the mic, and he says, “Buenas noches, OTA-KU~! The IWGP Tag Team Championship Three Way at The Dome… Hiromu and I couldn’t become the champions. I don’t want to say that they didn’t beat us. That’d be lame of me. The new IWGP Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks, please accept our request for a title shot!” The fans like the sound of that! Naito doesn’t know if The Bucks are watching this or not, but he looks forward to their answer, cabron!
Naito has called out Matthew & Nicholas, the ball is in their court! Will The Bucks make LIJ wait very long?
8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK!
Hirooki Goto is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship after winning the New Japan Ranbo. That has him aimed squarely at Zack Sabre Jr, so both men have brought their teams to back them up. Will the Fierce Warrior, Headhunter, Azucar & Direct Drive build momentum for the New Year? Or will The Front Man, The Mullet and the NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions prove this year is mighty?
The teams sort out and Yoh calls out Fujita. Wait, is that why Yoh has arm straps and his hair’s styled like that? Is he trying to be a Japanese Young Punk? The bell rings, the fans rally up behind both “FU-JI-TA!” and “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Yoh and Fujita take their time circling each other, then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Yoh’s height is leverage to push Fujita back. They end up on ropes, Yoh lets off slowly, and then he fakes a chop to pat Fujita on the shoulders. The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and now Fujita pushes Yoh right to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Fujita lets go, and he smooths Yoh’s hair, to then give him a kiss on the forehead.
The fans cheer and Yoh is flustered. Fujita eggs Yoh on, Yoh runs up but Fujita dodges. Fujita kicks, whips, but Yoh reverses. Yoh drops down, drop toeholds, then he basement- NO, Fujita avoids the dropkick! Yoh avoid the Penalty Kick, and the heel kick! Fujita avoids a lariat, Yoh avoids the backhand, and the fans fire up as the two reset. Fujita blows a kiss and Yoh is “shot through the heart!” Yoh composes himself and tags in Rocky Romero. The fans rally up as Fujita tags in Eagles, and Eagles circles with Rocky. They tie up, Rocky powers Eagles back to the ropes, but lets off slowly. Rocky rolls back and gives some Latino Heat.
The fans cheer, but then Eagles trips Rocky! Things speed up, Rocky hurdles but Eagles leaps over. They keep going and Eagles arm-drags! Rocky arm-drags! Rocky evades an arm-drag to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer while Eagles is in a daze, and Rocky tags Goto. The fans rally up as Goto & Rocky double whip, but Eagles reverses to crisscross! Eagles kicks Goto, then WHEEL KICKS Rocky! Hot tag to ZSJ! The fans fire up as ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again and again! ZSJ whips, Goto grabs ropes, and Yoshi-Hashi tags in! Goto BOOTS ZSJ, then Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! Then Hashi runs for ZANMAI! Yoh runs in, ZANMAI! Rocky runs in, ZANMAI!!
The fans fire up for that hattrick, and then Chaos says, “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up as Chaos all flexes! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans cheer “GO-TO-O!” but Hashi stands ZSJ up. Hashi CLUBS ZSJ, CLUBS him again, then wrenches. ZSJ wrenches back and then wristlocks! Hashi ends up in the TMDK corner and Ryohei Oiwa tags in. Oiwa kicks Hashi, wrenches his arm and YANKS it! Oiwa RAMS then whips Hashi, but Hashi dropkicks the legs! Hashi keeps moving, BLOCKBUSTER! The fans cheer and Hashi ROCKS Oiwa. And ROCKS him again! Oiwa goes to a corner, so Hashi CHOPS him!
Oiwa eggs Hashi on so Hashi CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Hashi whips corner to corner, runs up, and CHOPS again! The fans cheer while Oiwa sputters. Hashi turns Oiwa, but Oiwa wrenches out to top wristlock! Oiwa wrangles Hashi, isolates the arm and STOMPS it! Oiwa tags ZSJ, then BLASTS the Chaos corner! ZSJ drags Hashi up, wrenches an arm, and Oiwa adds on. They both top wristlock and wrangle Hashi, but then Fujita & Eagles step in! Eagles & Fujita get the legs for toeholds while Oiwa & ZSJ keep on the wristlocks! Red Shoes reprimands but the fans cheer this quadruple hold combo!
TMDK then rotates, Fujita & Oiwa with legs while ZSJ & Eagles have arms! And then rotate again, and rotate again! Red Shoes reprimands more but he also has to keep Chaos from storming in. Red Shoes counts all four TMDK members, and they all let off at 4. ZSJ tags Fujita and Fujita stomps Hashi’s arm. Fujita drags Hashi up, whips him to a corner, then CHOPS! Hashi sits right down and the fans fire up! Fujita stands Hashi up to snapmare, and he runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita BLASTS Rocky, but Rocky’s right back to fire hands! Eagles gets in and stomps Rocky out!
Fujita & Eagles double whip Hashi, double ELBOW, then split the wishbone before DOUBLE KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel while Fujita brings Hashi up. Fujita whips Hashi to the corner, then CHOPS! Tag to Oiwa, and Oiwa brings Hashi around for a headlock takeover. Hashi endures, fights up, but Oiwa grinds the hold. Hashi fires body shots, then CHOPS! Hashi headlocks and he grinds Oiwa down. Oiwa wrenches out, headlocks again, but Hashi powers up, only for Oiwa to hold on tight! Hashi fights up, lifts Oiwa, but Oiwa thrashes the hold. Hashi powers free this time, but Oiwa runs him over!
The fans fire up as Hashi rises, but then Oiwa headlocks for the takeover. Hashi headscissors, Oiwa kips free, and Oiwa ROCKS Hashi! Oiwa ROLLING- SUPERKICK from Hashi! Both men go to ropes, Oiwa fires up, but Hashi LARIATS him down! The fans fire up while both men fall! Hashi and Oiwa crawl, the fans rally up, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! Th efans fire up as ZSJ dodges Goto then fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, and Goto LARIATS! Goto whips corner to corner to MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Goto storms around. Goto brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ double wristlocks!
ZSJ wrenches the arm, but Goto fires forearms! ZSJ wrenches and PELES! ZSJ SWEEPS the legs, and the fans rally up again. ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Goto blocks that kick, he knows it well from Shibata. ZSJ fires forearms, but Goto fireman’s carries! But ZSJ slips free, and he hooks Goto up in the IRON OCTOPUS! TMDK BLASTS Chaos off the apron, and Goto falls into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Goto endures, fights around, but Rocky DOUBLE STOMPS ZSJ! Eagles kicks Rocky then TOSSES him out! Eagles keeps after Rocky on the outside while ZSJ stands up. ZSJ KICKS Goto, then KICKS, then KICKS again!
ZSJ runs but Goto follows, and he LARIATS ZSJ down! The fans fire up and Goto snarls. Goto rises, the fans are behind him, and he dragon sleepers! But ZSJ slips down, victory roll, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Goto escapes, but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto rises to run up, but into a full nelson! Goto fights that, so ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES! Goto rises up again! They DOUBLE LARIAT, and ZSJ staggers! DOUBLE LARIATS, and ZSJ staggers again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES the lariat away! But then Goto LARIATS after all! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ and Goto stir, crawl, and hot tag to Fujita and Yoh!
The fans rally as Yoh and Fujita fire forearms back and forth! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, ROCKS him again, and again! Yoh whips, Fujita reverses, and Eagles gets a KICK in! Yoh DECKS Eagles, Fujita ROCKS Yoh! Fujita whips, Yoh reverses, and Rocky gets a KICK in! Fujita DECKS Rocky! Yoh and Fujita storm up to each other, Yoh shoves Fujita around, and the forearms start flying! Eagles and Rocky storm in, and they fire forearms with each other! The fans fire up, Red Shoes reprimands, but Rocky CHOPS Eagles! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita turns things around on him! Eagles does the same with Rocky, and they each CHOP Rocky and Yoh!
TMDK whips RPG Revise, but RPG Revise dosido! TMDK dodges, but then RPG Revise dodges, and they LARIAT in the corners! Then they trade, but TMDK dodges! CHOP for Yoh and DOUBLE KNEES for Rocky! Eagles feeds Rocky to Fujita’s SOBAT! Eagles UPPERCUTS, then Eagles & Fujita SUPERKICK HEEL KICK COMBO! Rocky falls, the fans fire up, and TMDK drags Yoh up. They double wrench and lift Yoh, but Yoh fights free! Yoh fires shots on them both, then runs, but into a GAMANGIRI! Fujita fires up and the fans are with him! Tag to Eagles, he and Fujita stand Yoh up to wrench, lift, MAXXIE BOMB! Cover, Hashi breaks it!
Fujita whips but Hashi reverses, out goes Fujita! Oiwa runs up, Hashi dodges, but then Oiwa dodge! Oiwa LARIATS Hashi down! The fans fire up as Oiwa gets Hashi out of the ring. Eagles goes corner to corner at Yoh, but Yoh pops him up to the apron! Eagles kicks low, then springboards, SNIPER DROPKICK to the legs! But Yoh denies Eagles the figure four! Goto corner LARIATS, then feeds Eagles to Yoh’s FALCON GOROSHI! Cover, but ZSJ YANKS Yoh back! Goto goes after ZSJ and they fire forearms back and forth! The fans fire up while ZSJ eggs Goto on! The shots go faster and faster, harder and harder!
ZSJ ROCKS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses to fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Goto stomps ZSJ out of the ring, leaving Yoh and Eagles to rise up. Yoh pounds the mat, the fans rally, and Yoh vows to end this. Yoh brings Eagles around, underhooks, DIRECT- NO, Eagles fights the lift, wrenches, schoolboy BRIDGE! TWO!! Yoh runs up but into a scoop! Fujita is in, but Rocky saves Yoh from the Sweet Buster! Rocky shoves Eagles into Fujita, but Fujita fights off RPG Revise! Fujita runs, into the 3K!! Eagles runs up, but Rocky gets around to BACKSTABBER! Yoh gives Eagles the FALCON ARROW!
The fans fire up and RPG Revise tune up! Eagles stands, staggers, and Rocky reels him in, 3- NO, Eagles hits Yoh first! Eagles runs up, Rocky blocks Eagles’ kick, and he sets Eagles up. Yoh runs in, but Eagles slips free, SUPERKICK hits Rocky! Yoh freaks out, Eagles trips him and steps through! But Yoh cradle counters! TWO!! Eagles escapes, and he ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZI- NO, Yoh ducks! Yoh tunes up fast, and he SUPER- NO, Eagles mule kicks the leg! Then TRIG- NO, Yoh ducks that and GROUND COBRA CRADLES! Cover, CHAOS WINS!!
Winners: Chaos, by pinfall
Eagles can’t believe it, but Rocky is thrilled! RPG Revise just got a win over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Will Yoh & Rocky look to take those titles off the Ichiban Sweet Boys? But speaking of titles, ZSJ quite literally rubs the world title in Goto’s face. We also have Hashi and Oiwa still scrapping on the outside, and then Eagles gives a shove to Yoh. Rocky gets in Eagles’ face, Fujita and Yoh seem to at least keeping things to trash talk, and now Young Lions have to get in between Hashi and Oiwa as they CHOP each other! Hashi CHOPS Oiwa and he goes staggering away! Hashi storms up, Oiwa gets in Hashi’s face, and ZSJ wants his guys stand down.
Easier said than done as Fujita & Eagles hold up the tag titles to taunt Yoh & Rocky. And then Hashi and Oiwa trade CHOPS again! Oiwa even adds some SLAPS! But then Hashi CHOPS Oiwa, and Oiwa almost falls back! Oiwa runs up to fire forearms! ZSJ is frustrated but Oiwa fires LARIATS! Hashi CHOPS again, then eggs Oiwa on. The fans sound like they’re on Oiwa’s side, and Red Shoes has everyone separate. But then Oiwa gets loose to go after Hashi again! Oiwa fires forearms but Hashi CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Oiwa roars, despite his chest being so red! Hashi CHOPS him again and again, and this goes up the ramp!
Oiwa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS but Hashi doesn’t care, he just CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Talk about chaos! Oiwa tries to scoop Hashi! Young Lions stop him, but Hashi fights free to ROCK Oiwa! Red Shoes reprimands, but then Yoh gets on the mic! “Hey! Hey! Stop! Stop the fighting! Stop!” The fans cheer him being het voice of reason. Yoh says they are ruining New Year Dash! If they wanna fight so bad, just do it in the ring. Yoh then says that CHAOS won the night! The fans cheer that, and Yoh says that “2025 will belong to Chaos. Everyone already knows that Chaos is truly the strongest.
“Isn’t that right, Goto-san? Goto, who won an IWGP World title shot, don’t you agree?” The fans cheer as Yoh offers the mic. Goto picks up his title contract and takes the mic to say, “I won this! I finally made it back to this point.” The fans applaud that. Goto says he WILL challenge for the title… in OSAKA! The fans cheer that, too, and Goto says “No matter how many times you get beat, if you don’t give up, you aren’t defeated. The battle has only just begun. In the year 2025, join the Goto Revolution!” The fans are ready, will The Fierce Warrior finally stand atop the mountain? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?
My Thoughts:
A great New Year Dash, and though I skipped the matches, they still had meaningful moments after so this was a really packed show. Barnett saying he wants to bring Oleg to a title, which of course means singles title, I have a bad feeling that the House of Torture will win those NEVER Openweight Six Man titles off Oleg, Yano & Tanahashi. Barnett will then take Oleg to like the NEVER Openweight singles title or maybe the NJPW Strong Openweight title. Kushida calling out Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER title is wild, that and Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori this Saturday at Battle in the Valley will be some awesome stuff.
Drilla calling out Takagi after LIJ won against the War Dogs was pretty wild, too. Takagi VS Drilla 1v1 will be great stuff, can’t wait to see who wins out. Naito & Hiromu of course rebound but that was a really fun match against Funky Sauce. Naito calling out The Bucks is great, but I think that’ll be saved for New Beginnings in Osaka, Battle in the Valley is too soon to waste that title match on. And clearly, Goto wants New Beginnings in Osaka to be where he battles ZSJ. Great 8 Man Tag that also helped set up Hashi VS Oiwa 1v1 and then TMDK VS RPG Revise for the Junior Heavyweight titles. Those will all be great matches, and a Chaos VS TMDK faction warfare story is some good stuff to carry NJPW through to the Spring.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Monday nights will never be the same again!
New Year, new home for the WWE! Monday Night Raw’s live on Netflix and in Los Angeles, and it’s time to ACKNOWLEDGE the UNDISPUTED Tribal Chief!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tribal Combat: Roman Reigns VS Solo Sikoa; Roman wins and is the Undisputed Tribal Chief.
- WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley; Rhea wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s World Champion.
- Jey Uso VS Drew McIntyre; Jey wins.
- CM Punk VS Seth Rollins; Punk wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
We all are part of history in the making.
Triple H narrates and says, “It’s as real as our ancient yearning. Not merely for a hero, but a villain, as well. Just as they need each other, so do you need them to tell a story. But what of the story of wrestling itself? What if the canvas could speak? Of an ageless carnival with primeval roots that came of age with the most American of institutions: television. As television changed, so did wrestling. And together, they changed America. Truth is, a great swath of American culture of that eternal battle between the Face and the Heel. From ecstasy to humiliation, fame to obscurity, and back again.
“An endless cycle that changed the rules and blurred the lines. Made it harder to distinguish the good guys from the bad. The shoot from the work. The real from the unreal. Because wrestling’s greatest stories, every damn one, has that element of truth. The screens get smaller, but the show gets bigger. Global. From television to streaming, America to the world. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the all real, ever fantastic, never to end, story of WWE.”
The curtain goes down and HHH is there himself! The fans go wild for The Game, and HHH has the mic to tell the 17 THOUSAND PLUS in the Intuit Dome, “LEMME HEAR YOU!” The fans fire up even more, and HHH says in this moment, and this is THE moment, all of them are being seen and heard by the entire globe! “Show them who you are! Tell them that this is the WWE, and we are louder than anything you have ever seen before!” HHH already knows the answer, but he’ll ask them anyway… “ARE… YOU… READY!?” The fans definitely are! Then welcome to Monday Night Raw, and welcome to the Netflix Era!!
Pyro goes off and the fans are even more fired up than they were two seconds ago! Will this first-ever Raw on Netflix tear the house down?
THE ROCK IS HERE!
Scratch that, they’re gonna BLOW the roof off this place! Los Angeles goes wild as The People’s Champion, The Great One, The Most Electrifying Man in ALL of Sports Entertainment, The Final Boss has arrived on Raw! The Rock high-fives the fans as he goes down the ramp, then he makes sure to shake hands with Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, and leaves his People’s Championship right with his young daughters in the front row. The Rock then goes to the sponsorship covered ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. The Rock then smiles, raises his legendary eyebrow, and even acknowledges the CHEE-HOO in the crowd.
The Rock says, “Years ago, when The Rock was a little rock, little pebble, and I used to travel these highways all across this country with my dad, WWE Hall of Famer, he’s in Heaven now, The Soul Man, Rocky Johnson, the only way to watch WWE was to either buy a ticket, or you watched it on Saturday morning. You can still buy a ticket, but watching it now is a totally different story. Because right now, around the world, you are watching it on Netflix. And by the way, lemme just take a moment to say that here tonight, in Los Angeles, the Intuit Dome, live on Netflix, we’re making history.
“Tonight is the largest arena gate in the history of the WWE. Congratulations!” The fans cheer that genuine compliment, and Rock says that means FINALLY…! The WWE has come back to Netflix. Okay, he knows everyone’s like, “Wait, no, that’s BS, get to the real one.” Okay, here it comes, and he’ll says it loud and proud. FINALLY… The Rock has come back to Los Angeles! The fans cheer, and he wants to acknowledge some people. When it comes to great partners, you need someone who loves the WWE and loves pro-wrestling and can see the bigger picture. That partner is Netflix. The Rock shouts out the execs up in their skybox.
The fans cheer, but Rock assures them, if this part glitched, he’ll go all Squid Game on them. But now, to acknowledge another man who The Rock has spilt blood with, spilt blood across the country, and ready to do it all over again. This man has carried this company on his back for a year. He has done an amazing job. Cody Rhodes, thank you! The fans cheer as we spot The American Nightmare in the crowd! Cody’s not on the card tonight but you know he was going to be here for this. By the way, Rock wants Cody to tell Mama Rhodes that The Rock said hello.
And lastly, Rock will acknowledge one other man, and that is his cousin, Roman Reigns. The fans fire up for the “O T C! O T C!” The Rock says not only is Roman the Tribal Chief, but he is the ORIGINAL Tribal Chief! And in their culture, let’s get another CHII-HOO~! The fans echo that, and Rock says in Tribal Combat, Rock will be watching, as will the world. The Rock is proudly a High Chief himself, he carries it with pride, respect, and a warrior spirit. He will watch this very closely. Rock loves LA, he loves Netflix, let’s get this show on the road! IF YA SMELLLLLLL~… Wait for it… Rock smirks as the fans fire up a bit more.
…WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING! Mic drop from The Final Boss, but will he be forced to acknowledge a NEW Tribal Chief? Or can Roman take back the ula fala from Solo Sikoa?
Tribal Combat: Roman Reigns VS Solo Sikoa!
Well, we won’t have to wait long to find out! The Bloodline: Civil War has gone through constant battles, and even a 5v5 WarGames match! But finally, it comes down to the leaders of each side fighting for THE title of Undisputed Tribal Chief! Who will the world truly ACKNOWLEDGE?
The introductions are made, Paul Heyman doing his part for Roman, the ula fala is raised, and it is time for the civil war to end!
The fans already chant “F YOU, SOLO!” Solo hands the ula fala over, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the fans again chant for “O T C! O T C!” The bell rings, and the two stare down. The fans rally as the two circle, but Solo points to the ula fala and Heyman, saying those will both be his after tonight. The two tie up, go around, and Solo pushes Roman back. Roman powers up to push Solo back, and they go around the ring. The fans rally behind Roman as he pushes Solo. Solo pushes back but Roman uses that to TOSS Solo out! The fans cheer, Roman goes out after Solo, and they tie up again. They run into the post, into barriers, and then the apron! Solo POSTS Roman, the fans boo, but Solo SMACKS Roman off the desk!
Solo talks trash, puts Roman in the ring, then storms in after Roman. Solo LARIATS Roman down but the fans boo. Solo soaks it all up, then talks more trash on Roman. Solo HEADBUTTS Roman down, then HEADBUTTS him again! Solo whips Roman, Roman LARIATS in return! The fans fire up and Roman whisp. Solo reverses but Roman LEAPING LARIATS! The fans fire up more as Solo flounders to a corner. Roman storms up on Solo to fire POINT-BLANK LARIATS! Roman fires shot after shot, and fans count to TEN! The fans cheer and Roman runs, but Solo follows! Solo ROCKS Roman, then snarls.
Solo runs, but Roman ROCKS Solo! Roman runs, BOOTS Solo out of the ring, then hurries out after him. Roman storms up on Solo but Solo UREANGES him on the desk! The fans boo but Solo clears the desk off, then climbs up onto it! Solo looms over Roman, then hops down to pick up a monitor. The fans boo but Solo SMACKS Roman with a monitor! Roman falls over, Solo soaks up the heat, then Solo hops down to go for the steel steps. Solo pulls the steps apart and tells Roman to get up. Roman rises, Solo tells Heyman to watch this. Solo has the steps, and he BATTERING RAMS Roman! Roman falls, clutching his head, but Solo takes a seat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Roman is in the ring, but Solo is bringing a chair! And another chair! Solo stalks Roman, eggs him on, and as Roman stands, Solo runs up to JAM him! The fans boo but Solo SMACKS Roman on the back! Roman writhes, Solo talks trash, and then he SMACKS Roman again! And again! And again! Roman writhes but Solo SMACKS him yet again! Solo raises the one but the fans boo. Solo stalks Roman while Roman crawls, and Solo puts Roman in the corner. Solo rains down fists, and he says he gave Roman everything! He loved him! Solo rains down fists again, and he says he has to take Roman out, for good.
Solo sits Roman up, puts the chair around his head, and the fans freak out already! Solo goes corner to corner while Heyman pleads for mercy. Solo ignores those pleas and he runs in! But Roman dodges! Solo hits only buckles! Roman stands, armed with that chair! He JAMS Solo up now! And SMACKS Solo on the back! And again! And again! And again, and again, and again! Roman SMACKS Solo off the chair now, then does it again! Roman has the other chair, and he’s thinking about it. The fans want tables, but Roman says hold on. Let’s get Rated R first! CON-CHAIR- NO, Solo dodges! Roman loses the chair and Solo LOW BLOWS!
The fans boo but there’s nothing to be done! URENAGE onto the chairs! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives and Heyman can breathe again. Solo seethes, taunts the fans over their love for OTC, and he just dribbles Roman off the mat! Solo has the chair, but throws it aside. Solo goes outside, looks under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! The fans fire up for that, but Solo hesitates to do anything with the table. Roman hits a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Solo falls and Roman grits his teeth. Roman looks at the table, and he hears the fans cheering him on. Roman puts the table in the ring! Roman sets the table up and the fans rally.
Roman drags Solo up, but Solo SMACKS him with a kendo stick! Solo grins as he gets the better of Roman there. Solo SMACKS Roman again and again, and he talks trash on Heyman. The fans boo but Solo stands Roman up in the corner. Solo climbs up and he CHOKES Roman with the kendo stick! Solo says he loved Roman, but Roman never loved Solo. No matter what Solo did to prove himself! But wait, Roman bench presses the stick away! The fans fire up, and Roman ROCKS Solo! Then he gets under Solo, to POWERBOMB him through the table!! The fans are thunderous as Roman crawls to the cover, BUT TAMA TONGA YANKS THE REF OUT!
The fans boo but of course Solo’s Bloodline would be here to save him! The Good Bad Guy stares Roman down, but wait! The Samoan Werewolf is here! And he DECKS Roman! And SUPERKICKS him! Jacob Fatu shouts, “I LOVE YOU, SOLO!” IMPALER DDT!! Tama clears the wrecked table out of the ring, and Jacob goes up to hit the BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The fans boo more but Solo flounders around. Solo finds Roman, drags him up, and SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, the ref is back, TWO?!?! Roman survives and the fans are thunderous! Heyman is praying in thanks, but Solo’s henchmen corner the ref!
Solo has Jacob stand down. And then he SAMOAN SPIKES the ref!! The fans boo but Solo literally kicks the ref out of the ring! Jacob & Tama sit Roman up, but SAMI ZAYN s here! And he’s got Jimmy with him! They brawl with Tama & Jacob at the ramp! The fans fire up as Sami sends Jacob into steel steps! Jimmy POSTS Tama! They step up to Solo, dodge him, and SUPERKICK! Then HELLUVA KICK!! Roman is up, Sami sends Solo to him, SPEAR!! Cover, But where’s a ref?!? A ref slides in to count, TWO?!?! The delay was too much, the battle must continue! Solo regroups with his Bloodline while Sami & Jimmy stand with Roman.
“This is Awesome!” as #BigJim & Honorary Uce DOUBLE DIVE! Down go Tama and Jacob! And now Roman fires up! “OOOAH~!” But KEVIN OWENS ATTACKS!!! STUNNER!!! The Prizefighter hates Roman that much!! Solo covers, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Kevin beats down on Roman, but the fans cheer for Cody! Kevin hauls Roman up, tucks him in, and YES! Cody’s music hits, here comes The American Nightmare! Cody slides in, he and Kevin brawl, but Kevin kicks low! Kevin whips, but Cody springboards! CODY CUTTER!! Kevin tumbles away but Cody pursues! They brawl into the crowd and the fans love it!
Solo and Roman are all alone in the ring, and Heyman shows Roman the ula fala as inspiration. Roman resets, locks ‘n’ loads, SUPERMAN- NO, Solo catches Roman by his neck! SAMOAN- NO, Roan ducks the spike! SPEAR!!! The fans are thunderous again and Roman is going nuts! “OOOAH~!” SPEAR!!! Cover, ROMAN WINS!!
Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall (UNDISPUTED Tribal Chief)
Heyman steps into the ring, and he kneels to humbly present Roman with the ula fala. Roman nods, but wait, here comes The Rock! The Rock literally just said he’d be watching closely, and now he goes back to the ring so he may stand with Roman. Rock tells Heyman he’ll do the honors. Heyman nods and hands the ula fala to Rock, and Rock turns to Roman. Rock puts the ula fala around Roman’s neck, and the fans cheer as these two chiefs stand tall. Rock then takes off his sunglasses to look Roman in the eye, and he offers a handshake. Roman accepts, they hug it out, and the fans cheer again.
Roman is once again, truly and without question, THE Tribal Chief. He raises the one to the sky and LA joins him. Now that Roman has his ula fala back, what is next for The OTC?
It’s almost time…
Almost time to see what WWE is like with CERO! MIEDO! Get ready for PENTA!
The WWE Superstar watch party is going on!
Byron Saxton is hanging out with Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Carmelo Hayes, Austin Theory, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn are having a great time watching all the action.
JOHN CENA IS HERE!
The fans are thunderous as #TheLastTimeIsNow! Cena’s farewell tour begins on the biggest Monday Night Raw ever, but he still pulls off the run down the ramp and the slide into the ring! Cena gets the mic and he says everyone’s talking about it, but you don’t get it until you’re out there. There’s just something different about tonight. And there’s people everywhere! LA shows up, huh? The fans cheer for Cena, and he knows that everyone heard it, but yes, this is the first time in history that Raw is broadcasted around the world at the same time. The difference makers are the fans. The fans chant, “Thank You, Cena!”
Cena says yeah, let the world know! Over the years, he has learned that the fans are very, very smart. And now, the audience has gotten a whole lot bigger. Everyone can see the fans right now. The electricity is felt all around the world! South Korea, Brazil, India, let ’em know, Los Angeles! The fans fire up for that, and Cena thanks Netflix for allowing the world to finally see the experience of MONDAY NIGHT RAW! The fans cheer again, and Cena adds, “Thank you, Monday Night Raw, for allowing me the honor to stand in a WWE ring in Los Angeles, full jorts, for the last time.” Cena could not think of a better place to start the farewell tour than LA.
And it is not just LA’s excitement. Hell, he slept in his car when he was working at Gold’s Gym in Venice. He learned to wrestle at UPW in Orange County. He rented a two-bedroom at 106 and Doredy and that’s 600 feet from here. Inglewood is up to no good! LA is where The Prototype was born! It’s where Cena won his first world title! And for 25 YEARS, LA has allowed Cena the opportunity to perform in this ring. So one last time in the city where dreams are made, he humbly stands before you and thanks you. The fans cheer Cena, and Cena says that’s what this year is about. It is about making moments.
There’s a lot of noise in here, and out of here. A new headline from a new expert on the year ahead. Who does Cena face at Mania, in his last match, etc. Names fly out like Drew McIntyre (fans boo), CM Punk (fans cheer), Logan Paul (fans boo), Gunther (fans are torn), Cody Rhodes (YAY!) and everyone wants to know when on the farewell tour does Cena become a history making, record breaking, SEVENTEEN TIME World Champion? Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” But Cena says to be honest, since they’ve always been honest with him, he just doesn’t see it happening. But that’s okay. The reason is, there’s the streak. Not Gunther’s 666, not Roman’s 1316, not even Undertaker’s 21 years at WrestleMania.
Cena means his 2,446 DAYS since he won a match. But that’s okay, he is at peace with it. That’s why they’re doing this! His time is up, their time is now! The fans aren’t so sure but Cena says hey, we’ll have fun on this final year. But as far as a 17th world title, never gonna happen. But hold on now, wait. Cena forgot where he was, this is the WWE. You should never say never. But maybe not never, but that it would take a miracle. He has a better chance at winning an Oscar, and well… But with a streak like his, he can’t just walk into a main event. The only thing he could do is win Money in the Bank, win the Elimination Chamber, or… win the Royal Rumble!
The fans like the sound of all that! Cena realizes what he’s saying, and says hold on, crazy idea. Maybe he can win the Rumble? The fans erupt, and Cena says okay, okay, it’s a long shot, but… Well, you can’t win the lottery if you don’t play! So he should get in the Rumble, right? His last Rumble! No maybe next year! So the best way to say thanks to the fans is to win the Rumble and make history at WrestleMania! Elephant in the room, it sounds impossible. But if you know Cena, nothing is impossible. And the only time you say “never,” is when you say, “Never Give Up.”
Cena thanks LA. Because now he’s not just going to the Royal Rumble, he’s gonna WIN the Royal Rumble! “YOU WANT SOME? COME GET SOME!!” The fans fire up, can Cena make his last year his best year?
Logan Paul speaks.
The Maverick gets it, you don’t like him. He’s never respected the process or waited his turn. But what really keeps the haters up at night is that he is just so good at this. And now he is dedicating his life to this. No more “side hustle,” no more BS. 100% WWE Superstar, Logan Paul! This is the beginning of the Logan Paul Era.
WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan w/Dominik Mysterio & Raquel Rodriguez VS Rhea Ripley!
Roman and Solo put an end to their feud, Cena is on his farewell tour, and now, win, lose or draw, the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour comes to an end! Lil’ Liv took almost everything from Mami, but will she be the one to lose it all? Or will Rhea fail to eradicate Liv once and for all?
Raw returns and Rhea makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one last time, we see who is on top!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Liv and Rhea stare down. They step up, then they fire hands! The fans fire up as Rhea kicks low, stomps a foot, then KNEES Liv in the head! Liv dodges a lariat but Rhea choke grips her! Rhea lifts Liv to SLAM her back down! Liv tumbles out of the ring, Raquel & Dom go to her side, but Rhea grins as she CANNONBALLS! Down goes Ricky Desperado but Dom gets Liv to safety. Liv gets int he ring, Rhea pursues, but Dom trips her up! The fans boo but Liv KNEES Rhea to the floor! Rhea is on her feet, but Liv goes to the apron. Liv leaps, but Rhea stops the rana!
Rhea lifts Liv to POWERBOMB her on the desk! The fans fire up and Dom panics while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv has Rhea down in a corner. Liv stomps away on Rhea, the ref counts, and the fans boo! Liv lets off with a scream, but then Rhea YANKS her into buckles! The fans fire up while Liv is dazed. Rhea runs up, but Liv ELBOWS her away! Liv goes up, up, and FLYING FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Rhea stays in this but Liv stays on Rhea with slaps and SMACKS off the mat! Liv grins as she kicks and scuffs Rhea, then kicks her in the side! The fans rally for Rhea but Liv is amused. Liv steps on Rhea, then DOUBLE CHOPS her on the back! Liv DOUBLE CHOPS again, but Rhea is just getting mad.
Rhea stands, Liv SLAPS her, so Rhea eggs her on! Liv SLAPS and SLAPS, but Rhea blocks one to short arm LARIAT! And short arm LARIAT! And then ripcord and mule kick! Then a FACEBUSTER of her own! Rhea runs to KNEE Liv down! The fans fire up with Rhea and she brings Liv in. Rhea tucks the arms in a double pump handle! Flip and suplex! The fans fire up while Liv flounders away. Rhea runs in at the corner, but Liv dodges! Liv scurries away, comes back, but Rhea stops the wheelbarrow! Half nelson SUPLEX! Liv tumbles, Rhea covers, TWO! Liv survives and Rhea grows frustrated, but Dom & Raquel are relieved.
The fans rally while Dom coaches Liv. Rhea rises, she brings Liv around and pump handles again! Half nelson and RIP- NO, Liv slips free to BACKSTABBER! And then Liv RAMS Rhea into buckles! Liv reels Rhea in for a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Rhea is tougher than that but Liv is still frustrated. Dom & Raquel continue to coach Liv but the fans continue to rally behind Rhea. Rhea rises at the ropes, Liv runs up, but Rhea HEADBUTTS her! Liv tries again, ENZIGIRIS Rhea, and then whips. Rhea reverses to slide under and RIPTIDE!! High stack, TWO?!?! Liv survives and shocks everyone, even Dom & Raquel!
Rhea pleads with the ref but no, that was two. Or at least, it was a 2.9. Dom slides the title into the ring! But Rhea knows what that means! Rhea BLASTS Raquel off the apron, but Liv hits FULL METAL OBLIVION! Cover, TWO?!? Rhea survives and now Liv is shocked! Liv looks to Dom and Dom says just hit her again! Liv hauls Rhea up, reels her in, and manages a snap suplex! Una Amiga, and the fans boo. Dom grins as Liv hits Dos Amigas! Liv hits THREE AMIGAS, and she kicks Rhea around. Liv puts Rhea in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and gives some Latina Heat. The fans boo, but Liv aims, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!
Liv is freaking out and Dom is beside himself! Rhea crawls, Liv stalks her, and they go to ropes. Liv runs up, but Rhea stops Oblivion! Rhea shakes her head, grins, and blows a kiss goodnight. URENAGE! Rhea then hauls Liv up, pump handles, RIPTIDE!!! But then she flips Liv over, resets, RIPTIDE!!! Cover, RHEA WINS!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s World Champion)
The fans cheer because finally and for good, Mami is on top! But then Dom sneaks in? What’s he thinking? Rhea turns to see him standing there, and he offers a hug?! What a rat! Snake! Worm! Rhea looks at her title, looks at Dom, and she kisses the title, before she smiles and LOW BLOWS Dom!! The fans cheer as Rhea now hooks Dom up, RIPTIDE!! Dom gets what he deserves and Rhea’s finally leaving him behind once and for all! But now that she reigns supreme, what will be next for Monday Night Rhea?
Wait, The Undertaker’s here?!? And not only that, it’s AMERICAN BADASS TAKER! Rhea grins as she gets to be here for The Phenom’s return! Taker rides by on his motorcycle, goes to the ring and does a quick lap before going back up the ramp. He fist bumps with Mami, and she gets to raise the fist with him! Pyro goes off, Rhea and Taker high-five, and they head out again.
The watch party continues.
The New Day is here, but they’re not as excited as KC Squared or The LWO. Why’re they even here then? Or do they think they can scout Rey Mysterio’s partner for their match next week?
Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.
The Raw General Manager is talking with Bayley, and they shake hands. Cathy Kelley says this is a massive night already, but what else can we expect for the flagship show? But then American Made walks in. Chad Gable says the answer is the continued ascent of him and his elite group of athletes. A former Olympian, a valedictorian, and the man who singlehandedly dismantled The Alpha Academy. He WILL win a singles title, and he will dispel the rumors that he is lacking against luchadores. Give him the best one on the roster! Pearce asks if Gable is sure about that. Gable has never been more sure of anything in his life. Now make it official.
American Made heads out, Pearce excuses himself, he has a call to make. Is Gable going to regret leaving this up to Pearce? Or will Gable show he has no fear?
Travis Scott is here!
The fans go wild as the hit rapper and honorary WWE Hardcore Champion paves the way for Main Event Jey! Los Angeles is ready to YEET, but will Jey smoke the Scottish Terminator like whatever that is Travis has in his hand? Or will McIntyre check another name off his hitlist? We find out, after the break!
Jey Uso VS Drew McIntyre!
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. Jey DIVES on McIntyre at the ramp! The fans fire up with a “YEET!” and Jey DIVES again! But McIntyre catches Jey, RAMS him into the apron, then OVERHEAD TOSSES him up the ramp! The ref reprimands but this isn’t a match yet, so McIntyre doesn’t have to stop. He stands Jey up to CHOP! Jey goes to the ring, McIntyre storms in after him, and now the bell rings. McIntyre runs up, Jey dodges, and then Jey runs up to back body block and PELE! Jey whips corner to corner, McIntyre reverses, but Jey goes up, only for McIntyre to KICK him out of the air!
McIntyre snarls, storms up on Jey, but the fans rally. McIntyre stands Jey up to ROCK him with a right! Jey drops to his knees, and McIntyre mocks the yeet. McIntyre drags Jey back up, CHOPS him, and Jey goes to ropes. McIntyre storms up but Jey fires a haymaker! McIntyre hits back, then CHOPS again! McIntyre winds up to ROCK Jey, and he puts Jey in a corner. McIntyre CHOPS again, and then he climbs up. The fans are torn but McIntyre rains down fists! McIntyre goes all the way to TEN, then soaks up the cheers and jeers. But Jey uses that to POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
The ref checks both men, they’re okay to continue, so the fans rally up. Jey sits up first, but McIntyre follows. They stand and start throwing hands! Jey ROCKS McIntyre with haymaker after haymaker, “YEET!” Jey pops, locks ‘n’ puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! McIntyre wobbles, but he blocks a kick, only for the DRAGON WHIP to hit! McIntyre ends up in a corner, fans join in on an “UCE! OH!” Jey runs in to HIP ATTACK! McIntyre staggers around, Jey climbs up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! McIntyre stays in this and goes to ropes. The fans rally for Jey, Jey runs up, but McIntyre dodges! NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down again, but then McIntyre kips up! The fans fire up as McIntyre scowls and looms over Jey. McIntyre goes to a corner, takes aim, and Jey rises. The countdown is here, “THREE! TWO! ONE!” SUPERKICK from Jey!! Cover, TWO! Jey grows frustrated but he throws off the elbow pads and goes to the apron. The fans rally again as Jey drags himself up. Jey goes up the corner, to USO- NO, McIntyre’s knees get in the way! Jey sputters, McIntyre hauls him up, SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! But McIntyre deadlift POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and now McIntyre grows frustrated.
The fans rally for Jey but McIntyre laughs. McIntyre glares at Jey as he goes to a corner. McIntyre storms up but Jey shoves him back. McIntyre ROCKS Jey, and fans start to duel! Jey blocks a shot to ROCK McIntyre! McIntyre ROCKS Jey back! The shots go back and forth, then McIntyre CHOPS! Jey fires a forearm, McIntyre returns it, and the fans rally up! McIntyre kicks low, underhooks, but Jey slips free! Fireman’s carry, but McIntyre slips free! FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives again and McIntyre gets mad! The fans rally up as McIntyre goes back to a corner. Jey goes to another corner, so McIntyre runs in, but Jey SPEARS!! Cover, TWO!!
Jey is frustrated as McIntyre survives, but the fans rally up again. Jey goes to a corner, McIntyre sits up and eggs him on. Jey SUPERKICKS! McIntyre staggers so Jey SUPERKICKS again! McIntyre staggers around, Jey runs up, but McIntyre KICKS the spear! Jey SUPERKICKS! Both men run, CLAYMORE!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre is pulling at his hair in frustration but the fans fire back up! McIntyre’s rage boils over, McIntyre rains down fists! McIntyre dribbles Jey, storms around, and then drags Jey up. McIntyre CHOPS Jey in a corner, CHOPS again, and again! McIntyer ROCKS Jey, then backs up so he can GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!
McIntyre goes to the far corner, demands Jey get up, and Jey rises. Jey turns around, McIntyre runs in, but Jey flops to the mat! The fans are torn but McIntyre laughs again. McIntyre soaks up the cheers and jeers, goes back to a corner and aims again. McIntyre wants Jey to get up for one more shot! Jey stands, McIntyre runs up, but Jey ducks the Claymore! Ghost pin, JEY WINS!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
McIntyre is beside himself, but his anger got the best of him again! Jey celebrates with LA, but will this
Gunther speaks.
“I’ve heard everyone say we’re in a new era. It is a new era, for everyone else. But not for me. All their personal problems, and their emotional outbursts mean nothing to me. I am still where their dreams, their hopes, and their ambitions go to die. I am the light at the end of their tunnel, because I hold the prize they all want. I am the World Heavyweight Champion. I am Der Ring General, GUNTHER!”
Backstage interview with Gabriel Iglesias.
Cathy Kelley is with the world-renowned comedian and longtime WWE fan, and Fluffy is so excited. Cathy says Fluffy’s new special, Legend of Fluffy, debuts on Tuesday, January 7th. What is he most looking forward to here tonight? But then New Day cuts Fluffy off! They don’t understand why no one has let them explain themselves! Where is their time! This is Raw on Netflix, the biggest platform WWE has ever been on! Cathy should talk to the greatest tag team of all time, not this fluffy buffoon! Man, Gabriel liked them better when ethyl had a cereal. But then The Alpha Academy comes by to say Happy new Year to Fluffy!
Gabriel would love to hang out, but he has to get to his amazing seats. Thanks, Netflix! Also, NEW! DAY SUCKS! Cathy says time’s up, sorry! Kofi says no one likes Fluffy, no one’s gonna watch his special!
Heyman and Roman regroup backstage.
The Wise Man says the glory of the Island of Relevancy once again belongs to Roman Reigns. The Head of the Table, the end all, be all! OTC, Tribal Chief! They need a platform from which the whole WORLD can acknowledge him. When can we put that date on the calendar? Roman Reigns says January 27th. Heyman nods and notes that down. Then they walk into the WWE 2K25 room! Is Roman going to grace the cover of the newest WWE video game?
HULK HOGAN IS HERE!
The Mouth of the South, Jimmy Hart, leads the way and waves the star-spangled banner, and LA cheers on the Immortal One! Hogan has a mic already as he stands on stage, and he says, “Well lemme tell you somethin’, brother! Y’know something, Maniacs? I’ve been in this business for over 40 years, and the greatest part of my life was being a part of the great WWE, guys. I’ve had all kinds of tag team partners over the years, but you, the fans, have bene my greatest tag team partners, because you’ve stuck with me through thick ‘n’ thin, dudes.” But Hogan says his newest partner is the Real American Beer!
In the past, Hogan’s had a ton of partners! Incredible partners from The Macho Man, Randy Savage, to Andre the Giant! But the greatest partner the WWE has ever had is helping them making history, and that’s Netflix! So whatcha gonna do when the WWE and Netflix runs wild on you?! Hogan rips his shirt to reveal the “Netflix is Raw” shirt! Get ready to get real with Real American Beer!
CM Punk VS Seth Rollins!
HHH’s monologue was about heroes and villains, Faces and Heels, and how the lines have blurred over the years. And that blurring of the lines is crystal clear when it comes to these two. The Voice of the Voiceless and the Visionary have had it out with their words, but now it’s time to fight it out in the ring! Who proves that they are indeed the Best in the World? We find out, after the break!
Raw returns and CM Punk makes his entrance, “It’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” The bell rings and the fans are fired up already as they either chant for Punk or sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins and Punk stare down, and Punk smirks as Rollins scowls. The fans are already losing their minds, and then the hands start flying! The fans fire up as Punk gets the edge! Punk backs Rollins down, puts him on ropes for more shots, but Rollins dodges to LARIAT Punk against ropes! And again, and again! But Punk dodges to then LARIAT Rollins up and out! Punk aims, PLANCHAS< but Rollins rolls into the ring!
Rollins builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and both men hit barriers! The fans fire up, and Rollins clears the announce desk! The fans fire up, but Rollins tells the ref to watch his ring count. No one here wants a count out! The ref says don’t put him in that position then! Rollins seethes and goes back to Punk, to CHOP! Punk tries to turn things around but Rollins reverses that, and Punk hits barriers! Rollins runs up, but Punk TOSSES him over barriers! The fans fire up, and Punk goes up to CROSSBODY! Punk stomps away on Rollins, the ref storms out to tell Punk to watch it, but now Rollins and Punk fire hands!
Rollins RAMS Punk into the barriers, DUMPS him over, then CLUBS away on him! Rollins goes up the barriers, and he AX- NO, Punk body shots Rollins first! And then SMACKS him with the desk hood! The fans are thunderously dueling but the ref reprimands. Punk pushes Rollins into the ring, slides in, but avoids the stomp! Punk fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free with elbows! Rollins HAMMERS away on Punk, has Punk on the mat, but the fans start booing. Rollins lets off and Punk flounders to a corner. Rollins storms back up and he digs his boot into Punk’s face! The fans duel, the ref backs Rollins off, but Rollins goes back for more!
Rollins digs that boot in, then he argues with the ref! The fans fire up as Rollins gets the ref to ease up. But then Punk BOOTS Rollins! Punk suplexes Rollins to hang him out to dry! Rollins sputters as he goes to the apron, and Punk goes up the corner. Punk brings Rollins up to join him, and fans fire up already, for the SUPER SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans lose their minds! The ref checks both men, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans duel as the shots go back and forth. Rollins gets the edge, whips, but Punk reverses. Punk runs in, but Rollins dodges! The knee hits buckles, then Rollins forearm SMASHES Punk! Rollins snarls as he gets space, and the fans fire up again as Rollins eggs Punk on. Punk stands in the corner, and Rollins hits another forearm SMASH! Rollins SLAPS Punk, pie faces him around, then gets in his face. The fans rally, Rollins runs, but Punk follows! SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Then a whip corner to corner for another SHINING WIZARD! Rollins powers out of the Bulldog but Punk LARIATS!
Punk LARIATS again, then SWINGING NECKBREAKER! The fans duel as Punk says night-night! Punk stalks Rollins to the apron, drags him up by his hair, and he NECKBREAKER HOTSHOTS Rollins! Rollins falls to the floor, then Punk PLANCHAS! Down goes Rollins again and the fans fire up. Punk stalks Rollins, drags him up and puts him in, then goes to a corner. Punk climbs, aims, and CROSSBODIES! But Rollins rolls through! Rollins deadlifts Punk and the fans fire up! Rollins even pops Punk up to a fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!? But then Punk tumbles out of the ring! The fans are torn but Rollins still sticks it to Punk!
Rollins goes out the side, hobbles his way over to Punk, and he makes sure Punk hears the fans singing the song. “All of this! I built all of this!” The fans are torn, but Rollins puts Punk in the ring. Rollins slides in, but Punk steals the CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Both men survive their own moves and the fans fire up again! Punk rains down fists on Rollins, then drags him up. Punk underhooks, but then says night-night! GO TO- NO, Rollins blocks, and again steals GTS!! Cover, TWO?!? Punk survives again and Rollins is stunned! The fans rally up, they duel between the two, Rollins aims, runs up, but Punk avoids the stomp!
Punk bails out, Rollins pursues, and Rollins drags Punk up off the floor. Rollins says Punk is trying to run away like he always does! Rollins SMACKS Punk off the desk, then climbs up on there. Rollins brings Punk up, reels him in, but Punk fireman’s carries! But Rollins fights free! Rollins kicks low, underhooks, PEDIGREE on the desk!! The desk does not break but maybe Punk just did! Rollins clutches his leg, but he drags Punk into the ring. Rollins hurries to underhook again, PEDIGREE!! Rollins turns Punk over for the cover, TWO!! Punk still lives and the fans are thunderous! Rollins is frustrated and he shakes his head.
Punk sits up, he and Rollins stare down again. They both crawl to each other, and they throw SLAP after SLAP! Rollins winds up and ROCKS Punk with a right! Punk hits back, then throws a KNEE! And a CHOP! Rollins fires haymakers again! Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS then turns Punk! But Punk turns through to ROUNDHOUSE! Rollins ends up in a corner, SHINING- NO! Rollins stops Punk to then run and BUCKLE BOMB! Punk falls in a heap, Rollins runs up to CURB STOMP!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! The fans are electric as Punk survives by a literal foot! “This is Awesome!” as for the first time in a long time, Raw has overrun!
Rollins drags Punk up again, stands him up in the corner, then hoists him to the top rope. The fans rally as Rollins climbs. The fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow. Punk HEADBUTTS Rollins away! Rollins snarls, now he’s pissed! Rollins leaps right up top, brings Punk to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX! And roll through for the- Fireman’s carry!? GO TO SLEEP!! Rollins flounders around, and Punk gets under him for another fireman’s carry! Punk powers through to GO TO SLEEP!! Cover, PUNK WINS!
Winner: CM Punk, by pinfall
And though it isn’t a championship, Punk proves he is still Best in the World! The ref helps Punk stand so he can raise his hand, did this put the punctuation on the story that is CM Punk and Seth Rollins? Or will there still be another chapter in store down the line?
My Thoughts:
An awesome Raw for the Netflix debut, though I’m surprised they only did four matches for three hours. At the same time, we got some great promos for it, such as that cold open from Triple H. The Rock also had a great promo to not just commemorate the moment but to hype up the Tribal Combat match. I figured Tama & Jacob would help Solo, and as such, Jimmy & Sami would help Roman. A great bit with Cody and Kevin getting involved, too, but I kinda expected one more twist, like Hikuleo finally showing up in WWE, or even The Rock turning on Roman. But no, Roman wins and has everything going his way. He might even be on the cover of 2K25.
However, this does lead me to think one of my fantasy booking ideas is still possible. That is to say, Heyman’s favor to Punk. Rollins VS Punk was an awesome main event, and I really liked Rollins arguing with the ref to get the ref to be more lax with the count. Plus, stealing your opponent’s finisher is always a fun spot so I like how it happened a couple different times. Punk winning was only a little surprising, as he now has momentum going towards the Royal Rumble. Heyman’s favor can come in handy here, as Punk can either get a very good spot in the Rumble match, or he just gets a world title match at the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of all that, John Cena had a great promo to officially start the farewell tour and even aim for the Royal Rumble. It might be a bit obvious for him to win the Royal Rumble now, but Cena did mention the Elimination Chamber and Money in the Bank. Though, of the three, the Rumble is the least dangerous, given you could have a bad landing in either the Chamber or off a ladder. And very good promo from Gunther, and he’d be a great opponent for either Punk or Cena on the Road to WrestleMania. They probably could’ve not had Hogan do a promo tonight, it seems LA has not forgiven him for much of anything…
Similarly, I appreciate that Logan Paul’s promo was a vignette, and a short one, because the fans might’ve booed him just as bad. Very good promo from American Made with Adam Pearce, nice cameo by Bayley to tease a Transfer Window moment, and very good stuff from New Day again. I’m pretty sure Gable VS Penta is happening as opposed to Rey & Penta VS New Day. For one, it’d be a bit of a rip on the existing LWO for Rey to go with someone else when he can choose Dragon Lee. We’ll get great matches either way, and Penta’s gonna win. I feel like New Day should win their match with Rey & Lee, so as to build their Heel heat.
Great match from Jey VS McIntyre, but I feel like the crowd was a little tired by that point, and the match itself didn’t quite deliver on all fronts. Great win for Jey, but the ghost pin surely means McIntyre will come back for more. There is a lot of potential to McIntyre beating Jey in the blowoff and moving on to Roman in hopes of keeping Roman from the top titles. And awesome stuff from Rhea VS Liv tonight. Of course Raquel & Dom did their best to help Liv cheat, but awesome win for Rhea, and an awesome moment for her to be side by side with Taker. Bayley’s cameo here could tease Rhea VS Bayley going towards the Royal Rumble, but it really depends on how the Transfer Window sorts everything out.
My Score: 9/10
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