Can the Prince slay the Rampaging Dragon?

Callum Newman won the New Japan Cup, won THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but can he survive his first title defense against Shingo Takagi?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Taisei Nakahara; Yasuda wins.
• NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
• Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Gedo & Daiki Nagai; Gedo & Daiki win.
• OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma; Oskar & Yuto win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
• Yuya Uemura & Taichi VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Yuya & Taichi win.
• 8 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico; win and
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Bolten Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare; win and
• IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens w/ Yujiro Takahashi!

Although the Alpha is preparing for his match with Kazuchika Okada at AEW Double or Nothing, he must still fulfill his duties as a champion in NJPW! But will Konosuke still be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Lonestar Outlaw steal the spotlight?

But as Konosuke reaches ringside, Chase runs up! Konosuke avoids his wrecking ball dropkick to then fire forearms! They go back and forth but Konosuke ROCKS Chase! Konosuke stalks Chase around the way, ROCKS him again, and again! Chase KNEES low, then whips, but Konosuke stops short of the railing. Konosuke pops Chase up to SMACK off the railing, then DDTS him on the floor! The fans cheer as Konosuke then drags Chase up and puts him in the ring. The bell sounds and we’re on the clock! Konosuke brings Chase up, headlocks, but Chase endures the grind. Chase pulls hair to power up and out, but Konosuke drops down on the dropdown!

Konosuke has the headlock again, and he grinds Chase down. The fans rally as Chase fights up, and he KNEES low! Chase KNEES Konosuke again, then headlocks in return. Konosuke powers up and out, then hurdles, drops down, and DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Konosuke then hits another headlock takeover. Chase pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Konosuke grinds the hold but Chase rolls to a cover, ONE! They stand up, and Chase pulls hair again to put Konosuke on the ropes. The ref counts, Chase lets go slowly, but he BOOTS the ropes to jam Konosuke up! Konosuke sputters as he slumps outside, and Chase WRECKS him with a dropkick!

The fans are torn as Chase goes out to bring Konosuke up. Chase scoops to then HOTSHOT Konosuke off the railing! Konosuke coughs and sputters again, but Chase SMACKS him off the apron. Chase drags Konosuke up to the apron now, and he cravats for a SNAPMARE DRIVER on the apron! The fans applaud while Chase puts Konosuke in the ring, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer more as Konosuke stays in this. Chase argues the count but the ref defends it was fair. Konosuke sits up but Chase runs in at the corner for a forearm smash! Then a short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Konosuke shows his grit but Chase just grins.

The fans rally up again as Chase paces around Konosuke. Chase drags Konosuke up, fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights free. Konosuke ROCKS Chase, but Chase ROCKS Konosuke back! Konosuke ROCKS Chase again, but Chase fires back! They go back and forth until Chase CLAWS Konosuke’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Chase runs, into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Chase reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE finds him! The fans cheer while Chase goes to a corner. Konosuke runs in and JUMP KNEES! Then clinch and EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Chase toughs it out, but Konosuke stays calm.

Konosuke stand Chase up, but Chase fights the lift. Chase CLUBS away, then headlock punches! The ref reprimands, but Konosuke keeps Chase from running the ropes! Chase ROCKS Konosuke for it, then eggs him on. We pass five minutes as Konosuke ROCKS Chase! The fans rally up as Chase fires back! Konosuke staggers to ropes, but he comes back to ROCK Chase! Chase fires fast hands, but Konosuke fires boxing elbows! ROLLING- BACK ELBOW from Chase! Chase cravats but Konosuke powers out! Chase blocks a shot to C-TRIGGER! Then he avoids the boot to I HATE YOUR FACE KNEE! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this but Chase stays on him.

Chase wrenches and hammerlocks, but Konosuke ducks High Noon to spin Chase for a BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Konosuke roars as he rises, and then he gator rolls Chase into a suplex! Chase fights the rest, then bails out! Chase hobbles around the way but Konosuke pursues! HELLUVA KICK against the railing! Konosuke then brings Chase around to APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans rally as Chase crawls, but Konosuke drags him back outside, for another APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans cheer while Konosuke shoves Chase inside, but Yujiro gets a PIMP CANE CHEAP SHOT on Konosuke!

The fans boo Tokyo Pimp as he puts Konosuke in, the ref none the wiser! Konosuke drags himself up at the ropes, but Chase runs up for C-TRIGGER! Then he wrenches, hammerlocks, and HIGH NOON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as Konosuke survives! Chase is frustrated but he drags Konosuke up and tucks him in! But Konosuke wrenches free, slips around, only for Chase to grab the ref! Konosuke can’t suplex them both, and Chase sends Konosuke into the ref! The fans boo but now Yujiro storms in so he can stomp away on Konosuke! Yujiro then sets Konosuke up for Chase, but SHOTA UMINO is here!

Shota DECKS Chase, then ROCKS and ROLLING ELBOWS Yujiro! The fans cheer as The Roughneck has evened things up for The Alpha! Shota even cheers Konosuke on, only for the rest of the House to attack! Sho, Kanemaru, Ren, and Dick all stomp Shota, but Konosuke hurries to shield his ally! And then HONTAI rushes out here! Wolf, Yano, Yoh, Wato & Tiger Mask all go after The House! They’ve all got their match later tonight, so this ends up a rather interesting warm-up! The fans cheer as Hontai drags The House out of the ring, and even gets Don Fale, to then gather them all at the ramp side!

The fans cheer Konosuke as he builds speed, and Konosuke FLIES! Air Alpha brings down The House! The fans cheer again as Konosuke gets Chase in the ring while Hontai takes the rest of the House to the back! And we’ve finally hit ten minutes! Konosuke checks on the ref, and then deadlifts him into the ring. The fans cheer, but Chase is up to something! Konosuke ducks the punch, BLUE THUNDER- SPUR KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Chase hides the evidence quickly. Chase vows to end it now, and he drags Konosuke back up. C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK! Then he brings Konosuke around to tuck him in!

Chase lifts for LAST TES- NO, Konosuke fights the lift, BACKDROPS, but Chase sunset flips! Konosuke rolls through, WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Konosuke then aims from a corner, WAGAMAMA KNEE AGAIN!! Konosuke then hauls Chase up for RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)

The House of Torture tried and failed to cheat this one away, this is still The Alpha Show! But wait, the lights go down! A video on the tron shows that same mysterious man in suit and mask from last time. He walks into the backstage area of this very arena, but who is it? Where are they going? What do they want? Wait, now they’re IN THE RING! And they CLOBBER Konosuke with some big satchel! WHO IS THIS?! They take off the mask, and IT’S SANADA! The Cold-Blooded Snake is STILL in NJPW! And he drags Konosuke right up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves with a word, but his intent is now clear. Will he make himself the star of NJPW World?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico!

The Ichiban Sweet Boys only just took these titles back, but they’re already putting them back on the line! Will the Sniper of the Skies & Japanese Young Punk outdraw The Rogue Luchador & The Talisman? Or will these titles soon go internacional?

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

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi may have failed to take the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, and the big man from Kazakhstan may have failed to take the NEVER Openweight Championship, they still stand together as trios champions. But will these titles still belong to Bishamon & BARS? Or will Ospreay lead the Dominator & Mauler to victory for the United Empire?

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi!

From youngest man to win the New Japan Cup to youngest man to win this title, The Prince has proven himself as a powerful wrestler. But to prove himself as truly worthy of this title, he must make it through his first defense. A former heavyweight champion in his own right, will the Rampaging Dragon soon stand atop the mountain? Or will he suffer the Prince’s Curse?

ACKNOWLEDGE the contract signing!

With the World Heavyweight Championship match set for Backlash, all that’s left is for Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu to sign the contract!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
• PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page; Rusev & Ethan win.
• Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry; Hendry wins, by disqualification.
• The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS Otis w/ The Alpha Academy; Oba wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Hermanos Americanos; Los Hermanos Americanos win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns arrives backstage.

And Adam Pearce catches him right as he exits the car. The Raw General Manager knows Roman is heated from last week but they need to discuss things first. Roman says first off, no, he wants to know where Jacob Fatu is at. And second, don’t you hear the fans already cheering for him? Hit his music! Pearce tries to calm Roman down but has to shout at him first. Jacob Fatu is not here… yet. But Seth Rollins is! Architect and Tribal Chief stare down, and Rollins says Roman is in his way. Roman steps aside, and Rollins’ song hits first! The fans in Omaha, Nebraska sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins heads to the ring.

But then BRON BREAKKER CLOBBERS ROLLINS! Bron HAMMERS away on Rollins, drags him around, and throws hockey scrum body shots! Bron CLOBBERS Rollins again, then stands him back up so he can gorilla press him! Bron drops Rollins on barriers! Rollins falls back, sputters, but security and producers hurry out here. Bron THROWS security around! Then he drags Rollins up to RAM him into steel steps! Adam Pearce shouts at Bron but Bron drags Rollins into the ring! The refs get Bron to back off, producers check on Rollins, but then Bron breaks through to slip into the ring! SPEAR!!

Bron looms over Rollins while the fans bark. Rollins coughs and sputters while Bron tells him this is just a taste. Bron takes his leave, the damage done. But will he do even worse when the match is on for Backlash?

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Liv Morgan says that Stephanie Vaquer is injured, no worrying about her anymore. But now to talk about the not so good news. Like what the hell was Finn doing in here last week?! Roxie doesn’t know, he must be delusional. Liv says she’s not worried about Finn, JD McDonagh finishes this tonight. Liv is worried about Roxie. Why did Finn think it was okay to talk to Roxie? Why didn’t Roxie tell them about it? Why did Liv have to watch it through Netflix to learn about what’s going on? Roxie says she didn’t mention it because she made it clear to Finn. She told him to get out and never come back. But Liv’s right, Roxie should’ve said something.

But don’t worry! Roxie’s loyal to Judgment Day, they know that. Yes, Liv is glad to hear that, because she believes in Roxie. Roxie & Raquel are going to be the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, they just can’t let anything get between the family. Promise Liv that you won’t keep secrets, Roxie. Roxie promises. Promises what…? That she will never keep any secrets from Judgment Day. Good. So they ready? Liv, Dom & JD head out, and Raquel pats Roxie on the head. But will things be (not) fine for Judgment Day?

Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

Raw returns as The Irish Ace makes his entrance, Dirty Dom by his side. The bell rings, the two tie up, and JD wrenches to wristlock. JD YANKS the arm, but the fans taunt him as “BOBBLEHEAD! BOBBLEHEAD!” Finn rolls, wrenches, but JD wrangles Finn back down. JD puts on the pressure but Finn kips up to wrench, slip through, and headlock. JD powers up but can’t power out as Finn holds on tight! JD endures, rolls to a cover, ONE! JD headscissors, Finn kips free, and Finn arm-drags! Finn grinds JD with the armlock, but JD fights up. JD rolls, powers Finn to ropes, but the ref counts.

JD backs off slowly, but Dom trips Finn up! The fans boo Dom but then JD RAMS Finn! Dom flexes and soaks up the heat while JD RAMS Finn more. JD lets off so he can soak up heat, then he stalks Finn to another corner. JD CHOPS, then he whips corner to corner. Finn goes up and over to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Finn warns Dom, but JD turns things around. Finn dodges JD to CHOP him back! Cover, TWO! Finn drags JD up, brings him around, and gives some Latino Heat! JD wrenches free but Finn ducks JD’s lariat to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn keeps his eyes on Dom, then goes back to JD.

JD drop toeholds Finn, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Finn goes to ropes but JD KICKS his leg! JD KICKS the leg again, then puts the leg on ropes. JD drops a KNEE on the knee! Finn writhes, the fans boo, but Dom applauds as JD YANKS the bad leg. GROUND DRAGON SCREW! JD then drops an ELBOW on the leg, then clamps on a toehold. Finn endures, kicks JD in the back, and the fans rally as both men stand. JD storms up on Finn, whips, but Finn reverses. JD sunset flips, Finn rolls through and basement DROPKICKS! JD goes to ropes, Finn LARIATS him up and out! The fans fire up as Finn builds speed, but Dom trips him up again!

The fans boo as Finn shouts at Dom, but JD CLOBBERS Finn! Finn tumbles out of the ring, but here comes Roxie! The fans boo Judgment Day as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn fights up in the headlock. Finn fires body shots, and now the rest of Judgment Day hurries out here. JD CLUBS Finn, whips him, but Finn goes up and- NO, JD catches Finn on the over, but Finn holds onto the ropes! JD pries Finn free, but Finn slips down to dragon sleeper! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans cheer Finn on, but he’s all alone ringside now that it is 5v1! JD and Finn rise up, but Finn ROCKS JD! And ROCKS him again! And again, and again! Finn whips and BACKDROPS JD! JD flounders, Finn trips him to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer Finn as he flexes!

Finn drags JD up, whips him to ropes, but JD reverses. Finn comes back to SLINGBLADE! The fans cheer as Finn aims from a corner. But Dom gets on the apron! Finn DECKS Dom, JD rolls Finn, TWO! JD swings, Finn dodges and CHOPS! Finn runs, but into the SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives but just barely! Finn goes to the apron while the fans rally harder and harder. JD storms over, but Finn RAMS into him! Then GAMANGIRIS! Finn goes up, up, but Raquel distracts the ref! Dom shakes the ropes, and Finn falls! The ref realizes something is wrong, so she EJECTS Dom! The fans cheer as things are a bit more even now.

Liv & Dom are upset but JD still drags Finn to a drop zone. JD goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS, but onto knees! Cover, TWO! Finn hurries to SLINGBLADE JD again! The fans rally for Finn while the ladies of Judgment Day coach JD. Liv gets on the apron, but the ref tells her to back off. Liv sneaks something to Roxie! The bell hammer!? Finn SHOTGUNS JD! Roxie has the bell hammer to CRACK Finn!! The fans boo but JD HEADBUTTS Finn! JD falls on the cover, JD wins!

Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall

Roxie proves her loyalties by doing Liv’s dirty work, and JD finally gets a win over his old mentor. Is there no hope for Finn against this many enemies?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Jackie Redmond apologizes to The Architect for bothering him, as he is clearly in pain after that vicious assault from Bron Breakker. But what does this mean for Backlash. Will Rollins be okay? Rollins says Backlash is in five days, he’ll be fine. Rollins told “the kid” last week, that if you take your shot, you better be able to finish the job. Rollins ain’t dead yet. Rollins storms off, will he be able to game plan a way to get around Bron’s speed, strength, and ruthless aggression?

The Vision regroups backstage.

Bron Breakker says he couldn’t let Rollins go to the ring and get on the mic to bore us all to death. He can’t stand listening to that guy! He’s like a duck! “Quack, quack! I’m the best wrestler in the world! Quack!” Austin Theory joins in, “Lemme sing my song! Quack quack!” Paul Heyman walks in and says, “Is Seth Rollins still breathing?” Bron says yes, he is. Logan Paul says one guy who won’t be is Joe Hendry! Logan’s gonna beat him to a pulp! Logan swears to God, let him get his hands on Hendry and he’ll hospitalize him permanently! PLEASE! Heyman says that’s why tonight, Logan is not fighting Joe Hendry. W-What?!

Heyman says Bron almost got suspended again, Brock Lesnar retired on us, and if Logan were to get his hands on Hendry, he’ll be put in jail for what he does to him! That’s why tonight, it is Joe Hendry VS Austin Theory. Theory says it’s alright, Maverick. If Logan wants Hendry smacked around, Theory will smack him around. If Logan wants Hendry hurt, Theory will hurt him. He’ll put the Pressure on Hendry, and Logan can just watch. Bron says relax, you’re THE Logan Paul. Vision will get ’em all, one by one. They fist bump on that, but will The Vision all be turned into believers soon enough?

PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page!

After the multiple blindsides the past few weeks, he WWE Intercontinental Champion and the Young OG team up against some common enemies in The Bulgarian Lion and All Ego! But will the power of #CeroMiedo see them through? Or will Rusev CRUSH while Ethan steals everyone’s smile?

Raw returns as Rusev makes his entrance, followed by Ethan’s. The teams sort out and Evans starts against Rusev. They circle while the fans rally, and Rusev picks Evans up! Rusev RAMS Evans into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but stops as the ref counts 4. Rusev snarls, ROCKS Evans, then CLUBS him on the back. Evans flounders but Rusev stands him up. Rusev whips, Evans stops himself and BOOST back! Evans ROCKS Rusev with haymaker after haymaker! Evans runs, but Rusev ELBOWS him down! The fans boo but Rusev stalks Evans to a corner. Rusev drags Evans up by his hair, then tags Ethan.

The fans boo more as Ethan and Rusev mug Evans. Ethan says see, they’re a team! Ethan drags Evans up but Evans CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but Ethan takes a swing. Evans ducks that to DECK Ethan! Then he ROCKS Rusev, too! Ethan runs up, Evans wrenches and kicks! Evans snap suplexes, kips up, and does the Penta swagger! The fans cheer while Evans taunts Rusev. Evans whips, Ethan reverses, but Evans grabs ropes to stop himself. Ethan runs up, Evans flips up and over, tag to Penta! Ethan runs up again but into Penta’s GAMANGIRI! Evans adds a DROPKICK! Penta GAMANGIRIS Ethan again!

Penta sits Ethan down, then headstands for the SWINGING DROPKICK! Rusev runs up, but Penta & Evans dodge to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Then Penta gives Evans the boost to RANA Rusev! Rusev tumbles out, Evans PLANCHAS, and down goes Rusev! Ethan grabs Penta by the mask, reels him in, but Penta wrenches out! Half nelson, pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives but sputters while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rusev UPPERCUTS Penta! The fans rally for Penta as Rusev whips corner to corner and SPLASHES! Penta tumbles outside but Rusev goes out after him. Rusev puts Penta back in, but Penta triangle jumps to LARIAT! Rusev is down and Penta crawls! The fans rally harder and harder, but Rusev YANKS Evans from the apron! The fans boo as Rusev denies Penta a tag. Rusev whips Penta to the corner, but P etnta BLASTS Ethan! Then he dodges Rusev! Penta goes to his corner, but Evans is still down! Ethan tags in and he CLOBBERS Penta! Ethan rains down fists, then drags Penta from the corner.

Ethan CLUBS Penta, soaks up heat, and Rusev runs up on Evans! Evans hurdles, Rusev crashes into steel steps! Penta dodges Twisted Grin to BACKSTABBER! The fans fire up as Penta crawls! Hot tag to Evans and Omaha erupts! Evans BOOTS, SUPERKICKS, then LARIATS Ethan! And goes Matrix to dodge, kip up and STUNNER! Ethan wobbles, Evans WRECKS Rusev, then he slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX Ethan! The fans fire up as Evans builds speed to FLY! #WeOutside! Evans throws off his shirt, springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives, he isn’t a former NXT Champion for nothing!

The fans rally for Evans, he goes up a corner, and he MOONSAULTS, but Ethan gets under! ROUNDHOUSE! Ethan reels Evans in, TWISTED- NO, Evans pops free to SUPERKICK! Evans runs, but Ethan BOOTS him first! Ethan whips, but Evans rebounds, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Hot tag to Penta, springboard TORNADO DDT! Cover, but Rusev breaks it! Evans goes after Rusev but Rusev shoves him away. Evans DUMPS Rusev out, then DIVES! Another hit on Rusev, and now he’s on the desk! The fans are thunderous as they see that look in Evans’ eyes! Evans hurries to the corner and climbs up top!

The fans are going nuts already, but Etan SHOVES Evans down! Penta SUPERKICKS Ethan! Penta then slingshots to- NO, Ethan dodges and SWEEPS the leg! Penta is down but the ref won’t let Ethan go after him. Rusev handles that with an URENAGE on the desk! Rusev feeds Penta to Ethan, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, ETHAN & RUSEV WIN!

Winners: Rusev & Ethan Page, by pinfall

Both Bulgarian Brute and All Ego have sinister grins on their face, and they celebrate their victory! Not too buddy-buddy, of course. But will these two both have their shot at Penta’s Intercontinental Championship?

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

“When I was a coach in NXT, my favorite, my absolute favorite days, was when a surefire, can’t-miss, blue chip future superstar saw their dreams come true when they got the opportunity to sign one of these to join Raw or SmackDown. Guys, today is one of those days. Let’s take a look.” The fans cheer as we get a highlight reel of the former NXT Women’s North American & WWE Speed Women’s Champion, and Pearce asks we all welcome the newest Raw superstar, Sol Ruca! Sol makes her entrance with a new song, and high-fives fans as she heads down the ramp. Sol joins Pearce in the ring, grabs herself a mic, and Pearce congratulates her.

The fans cheer and Sol smiles as she takes the contract. “Damn. It is going to feel so damn good when I sign this and officially be a part of Monday Night Raw.” But wait, Becky Lynch is interrupting! Pearce is upset as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion storms her way to the ring. Becky grabs herself a mic to tell Petty Pearce that she’s been looking for him all day! She was told that THIS would be her time for her Celebration of Greatness! Who told her that?! Doesn’t matter, she knows they were a very credible, reliable source. But point is, after her monumental WrestleMania moment, Pearce came out and illegally sanctioned a match with “Iyo Jennetty.”

Which explicitly went against the parameters of her open challenge! But even with that meddling, Becky won! Uncontroversial because she’s the greatest female wrestler of all time, and it’s not just her saying it, other people say it. Sports Illustrated says it, Bleacher Report says it! Sol asks Becky, “Are you done?!” Becky says no, actually, and she’s also a New York Times best seller. Sol says not everything is about Becky. Becky says okay, okay, Sol is very new here, but the sooner she learns this the better. Everything is about her! Well, not this. Everyone knows who Becky is, we know what Becky’s done and accomplished.

But the thing is, Sol didn’t expect to find out that upon meeting Becky, Becky is exactly what everyone says she is. W-Which is? The Man? The history maker? The ground breaker? No. They say Becky is a rude, big-headed B*TCH! And it’s not just Sol saying it, it’s New York Times, Sports Illustrated- Becky says Pearce may be terrible at her job, but is he really letting Sol talk to her like this?! Becky asks if the fans are letting Sol talk to her like this. “YES!” Becky is flabbergasted but the fans cheer Sol on. Becky ask who even is this, and Sol finishes singing her contract. This is Sol Ruca, and if you ever interrupt her again, not only will Sol kick your ass, but she’ll snatch your soul.

Becky takes a swing, Sol dodges, so the punch hits PEARCE! Oops! Becky apologizes but Pearce is furious! Sol smiles as Becky panics, and then she runs up to use the corner! SOUL SNATCHER! The Man is down! Is Sol about to turn the tides and wash away Becky’s big time ego?

The Usos are backstage.

Jackie Redmond catches them as they head for Roman Reigns’ room, and asks them how they’re feeling ahead of the contract signing. Jimmy says it is a big night! Contract signing night between OTC and Samoan Werewolf, and they wouldn’t miss this for nothing. Now, they got a lot of love for Jacob, but Jacob needs to understand how OTC does business, especially when there’s championship gold on the line. Ya feel ’em? Jackie understands, but aren’t they conflicted considering their relationship with both? Jey says nah, Jackie, this right here is family bidness, plain and simple. OTC knows how to handle himself. The Usos are just in case something pops off.

But Jacob, The Usos already told you, Uce! You swimming in deep water now. You bit off more than you can chew. You’re swinging for the fences, though! But they respect that, aight? But Jey is telling you, The Bloodline has been drawn! And at Backlash, you gonna find out who you messing with, Jacob. Good luck, lil’ cousin. YEET. The Usos then step inside Roman’s room. What will the OG Bloodline discuss in regards to this very same family business?

Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry!

The Vision were a bit… triggered, perhaps, by what The Prestigious Joe Hendry joked about during his concert. But will Hendry feel the Pressure here tonight? Or will Omaha be full of believers after tonight?

Raw returns as Hendry continues his concert where it left off! “He’s one amazing athlete, but he’s a piece of trash! He can shove his trading cards directly up his.. Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul? Everyone! Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul?” Logan storms out and shouts that he thought he made it clear that Hendry cannot fire Logan Paul! He is UN-FIREABLE! TKO cannot fire Logan, that’s bad business! Logan IS business! Logan is the heart and soul of the WWE! Hendry says he knows Logan is upset, and he’s glad to see Logan, because this part of the song is the apology. It goes like this: “Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul?”

Logan swears to kill Hendry, but Theory runs up! The bell rings, Hendry fires hands, then LAIRATS Theory up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, Logan tells Theory to handle this! Theory and Logan reset, circle, but the Logan shouts at Hendry. That distraction lets Theory CLOBBER Hendry from behind! The fans boo but Theory CLUBS away on Hendry. Theory then clamps onto Hendry to throw hands right into the side of his head! The fans boo more but Theory CLOBBERS Hendry again! Theory & Logan soak up the heat, then Theory slaps Hendry around. Theory scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Theory and Logan fire each other up, but the ref has Logan back off.

Theory stands Hendry up, but Hendry UPPERCUTS and CHOPS and repeat! Hendry whips corner to corner, Theory reverses hard, and Hendry falls to the mat. Theory rains down fists, talks trash, but the fans chant, “Logan Sucks! Logan Sucks!” Logan shouts back that he does not, and Theory goes back to Hendry. Theory drags Hendry up, talks trash, and snap suplexes! “Who sucks now?!” The Vision soaks up more heat, then Theory drags Hendry up. Theory talks more trash, but Hendry suplexes Theory now! The fans cheer while Logan is already upset again. Hendry rises, the fans rally behind him, and Hendry fires haymakers!

Hendry whips Theory to ropes to then LARIAT! Theory flounders from taking the “Commonwealth Clothesline,” and Hendry runs to LARIAT in the corner! Hendry keeps moving, but Theory blows past! Only for Hendry to catch him! FALL AWAY SLAM! And then a kip up, for the… TURN! The fans cheer, but LOGAN ATTACKS!

Winner: Joe Hendry, by disqualification

The fans boo but Logan HAMMERS away on Hendry! Logan hands Hendry the win but he snarls as he tells Hendry, “Nobody can fire me!” Hendry fires off fists! Theory goes after Hendry, the fans boo as The Vision mugs Hendry! They stomp and punch away, but here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins again take the fight to The Vision! SUPERKICK for Logan! Then Ford spins Theory around to ENZIGIRI! Dawkins takes Theory for THE SILENCER! The fans pump it up for The Profits, and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Theory! Ford climbs up, but BRON runs in! Bron THROWS Ford out of the ring! Then Bron CLOBBERS Dawkins!

The fans bark as Bron then GERMAN SUPLEXES Dawkins! The Unpredictable Badass turns the tides, but SETH ROLLINS trips him up! The fans cheer as Rollins gets revenge with furious fists! Rollins THROWS Bron into steel steps! Rollins stomps away, then they brawl in the ring! Rollins rains down fists while the fans cheer! Rollins BLASTS Logan & Theory off the apron, then LARIATS Bron down! Omaha is erupting as Rollins is shaking the ropes! Rollins aims, but hold on! Ford FLIES out to take out Logan & Theory! But Bron SPEARS Rollins in the distraction! Bron snarls as he tells Rollins he was that close.

Bron leaves Rollins down again, but he’s still roughed up himself. Will either man survive the Backlash?

Backstage interview with Judgment Day.

Jackie is now with Liv, Dom, JD, Raquel & Roxie, and brings up them sending a message to Finn. But what is the focus moving forward? Liv says yeah, you saw what they did to Finn tonight, and to Vaquer last week. The focus is getting all the gold and crushing anyone who gets in their way. And this season is all about Raquel & Roxie! Tell her, sister! Raquel warns Brie Bella & Paige that their nostalgia tour was cute for a night, but it’s time to get serious. She wants them both to come to their show, because- Bayley & Lyra Valkyria step in, and The Role Model says, “Well, well, well. Wouldya look at here? Can anyone in the Judgment Day get anything done on their own?”

Bayley has known them all for so long and she is just finally getting it. Lyra says they weren’t gonna forget what happened to them last week, either. If they’re such a big happy family, then they won’t be afraid to take them on. Liv mocks them and says families help each other win. Try it sometime, losers. Bye~! Bye~! Judgment Day leaves, but will #BayLyra humble them soon enough? And what of Brie & Paige answering the challenge to show up on “Judgment Day’s show?”

The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS ???

With champions either too busy, too lazy, or perhaps too afraid to accept a challenge, The Ruler is making HIMSELF into the challenge! Who will answer the call, and who will be thrown from the mountaintop in Omaha?

Oba has the mic to say,” The time has come. The Oba Femi Open Challenge will now begin.” And it’s AKIRA TOZAWA that answers the call! He is accompanied by Maxxine Dupri & Otis, but can The Stamina Monster even survive?

The bell rings and Tozawa steps up to be face to… chest with Oba… Tozawa gest scared, but Otis says that’s okay, HE will step up. Even Oba likes the look of this! The bell rings, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Oba SHOVES Otis! That alone is impressive, but Otis comes back to RAM Oba! Oba stays put and the fans continue to cheer. Oba and Otis are forehead to forehead, then Oba RAMS Otis! Otis doesn’t budge and the fans cheer! They start shoving, then Otis rips his shirt away! Oba RAMS Oba, Oba RAMS Otis, but Otis dodges! Only for Oba to UPPERCUT Otis down! Oba then hauls Otis up, for a SUPER SHOTPUT!

The fans are thunderous as Oba is fired up, and he watches Otis slowly get up. Even Oba is wondering if this is possible, but he kicks Otis first. Oba nods and says he knows how to get this done. Oba hoists Otis up the corner, then gets under Otis, for a SUPER SIZED FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall

The first challenge was already a big challenge, but Oba was still up to the challenge! And after seeing that, will anyone even want to step up next week?

Refs check on Rollins backstage.

Rollins insists that despite how he looks, he is fine. Just leave him alone. Rollins sees Hendry & The Profits, and he “thanks” Montez Ford for setting him up for that second spear. Ford says thanks to Rollins’ past antics, nobody, and Ford means NOBODY, trusts Rollins! Oh, wow, nobody? Ford doesn’t trust him, Dawkins doesn’t trust him, Rollins doesn’t even know Hendry but Hendry probably doesn’t trust him. Guess what? Rollins doesn’t even trust himself! But who cares!? They’re in the same fight! They’re all after The Vision, so those fights are gonna come together! But here’s the deal: They stay out of Rollins’ way, he’ll stay out of theirs. Got it?

Rollins storms off, but does he have it all backwards? Shouldn’t they all work together if they want to tear The Vision down?

Adam Pearce mediates a meeting between Iyo Sky and Asuka.

The Raw General Manager knows these two are set to face off at Backlash, so the floor is theirs. Iyo starts by telling “Asuka-san, I have avoided this fight for years. You know this. You are exactly what you say you are: my senpai; my mentor; I looked up to you. I loved you. And despite everything you have done to me, I still have the utmost respect for you. I never wanted to have this fight, and I never wanted it to come to this. But… You have changed.” Asuka says nothing has changed, but Iyo says yes, she has! The Asuka that Iyo looked up to is no longer here! Now, Iyo has no choice but to fight Asuka.

Asuka says Iyo continues her disrespect, so the Iyo that Asuka taught is no longer here, either! This person sitting here, who are you? “I don’t know anyone this disrespectful. Who are you?” Asuka says this is her biggest disappointment! Do you not get how she feels?! Asuka is done with Iyo. At Backlash, Asuka cuts Iyo out of her life for good. Iyo says fine, she understands. Because she IS ready for Asuka! Asuka rolls her eyes, then leans in close, to MIST IYO RIGHT IN THE FACE!! Pearce is furious, has Asuka get out of here, and shouts for a doctor! The Empress of Tomorrow shows no remorse, but will The Genius show no mercy at Backlash?

Backstage interview with El Grande Americano Original and…?

Jackie is with Chad G- er, uh, the Original EGA and The Creed Brothers, who are now “Los Americanos Hermanos,” The American Brothers… After that surprise attack on the other El Grande Americano at AAA during the Mask VS Mask contract signing, how are they feeling going into this trios match? Well, thankfully, the No Physicality Agreement was for Mexico. That means here in Middle America, all bets are off! Now, the boys saw how they great EGA Original in AAA, it’s ridiculous! So they decided to do the honorable thing and help him out. They take inspiration from a close personal friend of his, Chad Gable, still sidelined with injury.

But on May 30th, we find out once and for all that there is only ONE El Grande Americano, and you’re lookin’ at him! The ORIGINAL El Grande Americano! AH GRACIAS~! Los Americanos Original heads to the ring, but will this be an American made victory? Or will the real Americanos please stand up?

Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Americanos Original!

Raw returns as the other Los Americanos make their entrance. The trios sort out, but then El Grande Dos throws his cape at Original! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! The fists fly, but “Julio” DUMPS Rayo out, then “Bruto” ROCKS Bravo! The brothers THROW Bravo out before Original LARIATS Americano Dos out! The fans cheer, “AH GRACIAS~!” Bravo rushes in, Bruto FLAPJACKS him, and now the match is on! Bruto copies Bravo’s dance, then UPPERCUTS! Tag to Julio, they double whip to DOUBLE BACKDROP! Julio struts but Rayo tags in. Rayo ROCKS and KICKS Julio, then CHOPS! Rayo runs, but into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELL!

Julio kips up while Rayo hobbles. Julio reels Rayo in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Bruto, then tag to Original. Julio ELBOWS Rayo in the corner, Bruto BACK BODY BLOCKS, then feed to Original’s HIP TOSS! The fans cheer and Original covers, TWO! Original drags Rayo up, wrenches, wristlocks, but Rayo breaks free to SMACK him! Tag to El Grande Dos! The Grandes tie up, go around, and Original arm-drags! They fight back up, Dos wrenches but Original rolls to SLAP back! Original headlocks but Rayo tags in as Dos powers up and out. They then trip Original out, bring him to the outside, and Grande Dos WRECKS Original with a dropkick!

The fans are torn as Los Americanos stand tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rayo BOOTS Bruto off the corner! Rayo then clamps onto Julio with a SLEEPER! The fans rally as Julio endures, reaches out, but drops to his knees. Julio powers up again to BACKPACK SENTON! The fans rally while both men are down, hot tags to the Grandes! Original THROWS Dos, then rains down fists! Dos gets free, Bravo goes up and leaps in! Original catches him for an EXPLODER! Original fires hands, then clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ROLLING LIGER KICK on Rayo! Then Original ducks the discus to ANGLE SLAM! The fans fire up with Original and he waistlocks, but Bravo tags in!

Bravo y Rayo save their Americano from Chaos Theory, only for Original to waistlock Bravo! Bravo grabs Rayo in a panic, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Original Grande, and he goes out to CANNONBALL! He CLOBBERS Rayo, goes up a corner, but Dos distracts the ref! That lets Rayo SHOVE Original off the corner! But Julio springs right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Bruto is up to MOONSAULT! But Dos CLOBBERS Bruto with the headbutt! GAMANGIRI for Julio! But then both Grandes run up, DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Bravo is up top, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Bravo is furious but the fans rally up, “This is Awesome!”

Rayo aims at Bruto, runs up, and SUPERKICKS from the apron! Then he SEATED SENTONS! But Julio gets Bravo up, APRON BOMB! Grande Dos PENALTY KICKS Julio! But Original has Bravo, RAMS him into Dos, then hits CHAOS THEORY! The fans cheer as Original goes up top, but Grande Dos grabs him! But the brothers RAM him into the barriers! Original DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, Los Americanos Original win!

Winners: Los Americanos Original, by pinfall

AH GRACIAS~! But will this momentum carry El Grande Americano Original through that Mask VS Mask match at the end of May?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

Now that there is no one to stand in his way, The OTC, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, walks out on stage and raises his finger to the sky. The pyro goes off, and it is time for the title fight contract signing. But will things stay civil in this family civil war? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns as Roman gets his second round of pyro, then joins Pearce in the ring. Roman makes sure to sit at the head of the table, then Pearce introduces the challenger, Jacob Fatu! The fans cheer the Samoan Werewolf as he makes his entrance. Pearce says we all know how this works: two signatures on the contract makes this match official. The fans sing for “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” while he stares down with Jacob. Roman picks up his mic first to say, “Nah, Pearce, you know how this works. Omaha, Nebraska…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans cheer and chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman asks if Jacob hears all that.

Roman says that’s not just love, but the sound of respect! The fans cheer that, and Roman says you don’t think he knows where Jacob comes from? That he wasn’t watching from afar? That respect wasn’t earned just from hanging out. Jacob was grinding for 12 years, but Roman was here for OVER 12 years! The fans cheer again, and Roman tells Jacob that Roman was the one in this company, his foot holding the door open for Solo Sikoa. Solo brought Fatu in? Well guess what? Roman brought Solo in. Therefore, Roman brought Fatu in. And Roman will be damned if there is not respect to be had in this business for him!

The fans again cheer for “O T C! O T C!” and Roman says this is about respect. There has to be a code, there has to be an honor system. They can’t just run roughshod around here, bogarding everything for the family. No, there has to be a system of conduct that they can hang their hats on, understand? The Tongan Death Grip… Jacob disrespects Roman with something that he saves for desperate measures. Where does Jacob think they are? In some bar at 3AM, surrounded 8v1? THAT is when you bust out the Tongan Death Grip, THAT is when you snatch someone’s throat! You don’t do that to family! You don’t do that to your own. You don’t do that to your Tribal Chief!

The fans cheer again, but Fatu says, “Hold on, what?! Tribal Chief? Hey. That’s where you got it all wrong, you don’t understand. Yes, I am desperate. Yes, it feels like it’s just me against the world. Yes, my back is against the wall. So I have no other choice but to take you out, take this title, and everything that comes with it!” The fans are torn on that, but Fatu says to keep it 100, then he’ll put a choke hold on this game, and he’ll squeeze out every dollar and cent, just the way this company been doing their family for decades! So when Fatu’s talking all gas, no brakes with it, that doesn’t mean slowing down, it means moving forward and never going back to where he came from.

So yes, Roman, Fatu is desperate. Desperate enough to do anything for his household, even if he gotta run through his own blood! Roman says this is what he’s talking about! Fatu’s household?! Let’s get this out the way. Roman signs his part, the fans cheer, and then Roman pushes the contract to Fatu. Fatu is talking about his household, but Roman says he’s been up here over a decade for MULTIPLE households! Fatu is worried about seven kids, but Roman’s worried about 170 kids! Fatu is worried about higher education, but Roman is worried about generation after generation! Because Roman is the one that can do that! Proof of concept! The respect! WWE does business with HIM!

Roman already told everyone a long time ago, this is ALL HIS! This is HIS ring! And yes, in their family, they’re equals, of the same blood. But in this ring, Jacob, you’re beneath him! JACOB SNATCHES ROMAN! Roman CLAWS Fatu’s face, THROWS him into buckles, then THROWS an armchair at him! The fans fire up but Pearce wants Roman to calm down. Roman grabs the belt, but Fatu GRABS ROMAN’S THROAT! Roman HAMMERS Fatu down, climbs up in the corner, and rains down more fists! The fans count along, Roman goes all the way to TEN! But the TONGAN DEATH GRIP still finds him!!

Roman hurries to get loose, SUPERMAN- DEATH GRIP!! DEATH GRIP!! Pearce hurries in there, Roman grabs at Pearce out of desperation, but Fatu drags him around, CHOKE SLAM on the table!! The table didn’t break, but Roman is still down and out. Fatu signs his part, and he says they gonna do this! It is official, and as it looks, Fatu has the advantage! Will nothing stop the Samoan Werewolf from sinking his teeth deep into Roman? Or can Roman find a way to survive?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here as the go-home to Backlash, but with some great stuff that also had nothing to do with Backlash. Very good promos from Judgment Day, and I just knew Liv was gonna confront Roxie about Finn sneaking in. Her mentioning watching it back on Netflix was also a good detail, as they can reference it later if Roxie really does end up helping Finn as the mole. They were acting like enemies cuz they didn’t want the secret being exposed by cameras. But in the end, Judgment Day of course made sure Finn lost, but there might be hope for allies if Bayley & Lyra are gonna get in Judgment Day’s way of the women’s tag titles. Mixed Six Tag maybe?

Great 2v2 tag of Penta & Evans VS Rusev & Ethan, and the Heels winning out makes sense given Penta is a Face champion. Rusev will likely be betrayed by Ethan so that Ethan gets the title shot, only for Penta to win out. Great first match for the Oba Femi Open Challenge, Oba continues to build his power on main roster by just showing his physical power in throwing Otis. Very good promo from Sol and Becky, that’s clearly Becky’s first title defense right there, but I would think Becky cheats to win. Though, I can’t really see what Sol could do after she loses so maybe  Sol should win to humble Becky? Plus, they can just have a rematch after.

Great stuff with all the Americanos, especially with how convoluted it is to cover up the obvious identities of everyone. AAA gives the rest of the story where Gable Americano has escalated things to where even Kaiser Americano’s girlfriend is banned from AAA if Kaiser loses his mask, and that’s pretty wild. But probably also all the more reason we’re about to get Chad Gable back once he’s exposed. Great stuff with The Vision story, such as Rollins interacting with Roman only to get attacked by Bron Breakker. Also, that means Roman didn’t even care that Bron ran past him to go after Rollins, and that’s hilarious.

Hendry VS Theory ending in disqualification was fine, it works for Heels to be sore losers and such. Profits of course made the save, and while Rollins said they’d stay separate, I really do think there’s gonna be some kind of team up before this is over. Obviously, Hendry & Profits VS Vision can happen as a Six Man, and at the very least, they try to help Rollins against Bron when Logan & Theory try to cheat that match. And very good stuff in the story of Roman VS Jacob. Good promo from Usos, very good contract signing promos, especially with Roman referencing some of the real-life stories about Haku fighting off jackasses in bars. Jacob standing tall would suggest he loses, but there’s also SmackDown as a go-home to see if the tides turn at the last minute.

My Score: 8.9/10