Monday Night Raw… ACKNOWLEDGE THEM!

The last Raw before WrestleMania may be April 1st, but this is serious business! The Rock AND Roman Reigns are in Brooklyn tonight!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS The New Day & #DIY; Judgment Day wins.
• Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed; Sami wins, by disqualification.
• Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri; Ivy & Maxxine win.
• Ricochet VS Ivar; Ricochet wins.
• Six Woman Tag: Damage CTRL VS Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark & Tegan Nox; DMG CTRL wins.
• Bloodline Rules: Seth Rollins VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Bloodline; No Contest.

PLAY BY PLAY

The first hour of tonight’s Raw is commercial free!

The Rock is here!

The Barclays Center fires up as the lightning strikes and The Final Boss struts his way down to the ring, bringing back the cowhide vest. The Rock goes into the ring, poses on the corner, and the fans cheer. The Rock then goes across the way to pose on the other corner. Brooklyn chants “ROCKY! ROCKY!” as The Rock catches a mic. The boos start coming in now as The Rock stands under the spotlight. The Rock revels in the cheers and the jeers, then says, “I made that boy bleed. The Rock took his hands and he wrapped it around that little head, and I rammed that boy’s head into that bus, and I split his head wide open. And there was blood all over The Rock’s hands!

“And just as promised, The Rock took his blood, and wiped it on that belt. And now the only thig missing from that belt is the tears of Mama Rhodes.” The fans are again torn, but The Rock continues. The Rock is a man of his words, he whispered to Cody and said he would make Cody bleed, and that is what The Rock did. And ALLLL~ the Cody Crybabies did not like that! All the Cody Crybabies around the world were so upset that The Rock made their hero bleed! Any crybabies here tonight? There are plenty of fans that speak up, but still plenty more that cheer on The Rock. The Cody Crybabies didn’t like it but The Rock laughed.

The Rock laughed at grown adults crying about the whooping The Rock put on Cody that he said he would, like Cody was just a dog. Now there are some reactions The Rock saw that stopped him in his tracks. Here’s the footage. The Rock cues up a video of a little girl watching Raw last week and getting upset. She vowed she’d never watch Raw again until Rock went away! Same for another girl on TikTok, thinking Cody died. Brooklyn is again torn over the childhood trauma The Rock caused. “Now as you see, stuff like that, it breaks The Rock’s heart. Just like I know that it breaks your hearts, too. Like a lot of you, you got little ones at home, Rock’s got little ones at home, too.

“The Rock is a proud three-time Girl Dad. So when I see our little ones crying like that, it breaks my heart. However… To those mommies and daddies of all those little kids who were crying, The Rock wants you to take your little kids right now, put ’em in front of the TV, right now! Because Uncle Rock is gonna drop some gospel on ya. Uncle Rock and everyone here tonight, little boys and little girls, here’s the deal: There are moments in life where a man has got to do what a man has got to do. And there are moments in life where we gotta do what we gotta do. And there are moments in life where people stick their nose in business that it doesn’t belong.

“There are moments in life where people talk SH*T when they shouldn’t be talking sh*t! And that is exactly what Cody Rhodes did! So there are moments in life like now where The Rock has just gotta beat that punk ass down over and over and over again!” Again the fans are torn on that. The Rock asks if Brooklyn feels that. What they’re feeling is the energy, the mana, because right now, professional wrestling is cool. Right now, the ratings have skyrocketed because of The Rock. Right now, tonight, you have set a record for the largest gate in the history of Raw ever, congratulations! Brooklyn cheers themselves for that.

And The Rock says there is one reason why: FINALLY…! Blood was shed. Finally, we are five days out from Mania. And finally, The Final Boss has come back to Brooklyn! The fans cheer that, and The Rock tells Brooklyn that he didn’t come alone. Because now, Roman Reigns makes his entrance! He leads the way for Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa, then holds up the Universal Championship for the pyro. This is Day 1,310 with just six more until Roman defends the title against Cody Rhodes. The Bloodline joins The Rock in the ring and those who cheered The Rock also put up the ones as we get the second round of pyro.

Heyman is handed the title and hands Roman a mic. Roman tells Brooklyn, New York, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The ones go back up, and Roman continues by saying, “Now if you’ve seen my A&E bio last night, then you already know this. But if you look at my hoody, then you’ll clearly understand that it’s Family Above All. And that’s how I’ve always felt, that’s how I’ve always operated, and I wouldn’t come to Raw for no reason. No, no, no. I came here to acknowledge my family.” The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” for Jey Uso but Roman says NO yeet! And if you continue to yeet, Roman will just leave. So the yeet continues!

Roman apologizes for the idiots distracting him, he is just trying to do some business here. And he’s trying to put his family over, so please, shut your mouths! Roman wants to take this opportunity to thank his cousin, The Rock, because to be completely transparent, this will be the easiest Mania of Roman’s life! A tag team match to determine the stipulation for Sunday night, c’mon! They’re gonna SMASH those fools! And then Bloodline Rules and that means they’ll have their way with Cody! And for that, thank you, Rock. But that’s not all! Rock went above and beyond as usual, and he made that boy bleed.

If you didn’t see it yourself, you saw it all over the internet. The Rock whooped Cody, not because Roman need it, but damn was it good to see it. And for that, thank you, Rock. Rock put his family above all, just like Roman, and that sets an example only The Final Boss can set. That is how you lead! Cody, you’re not fit for these shoes, for this role, you’re just lucky to be here! When The Bloodline was making this cool again back in 2020, Cody was off somewhere else doing a whole lotta nothing. Then he saw what The Tribal Chief was doing and was like, “I need to be a part of that!” The Bloodline was nice, they allowed Cody back, but enough is enough.

The Bloodline cannot allow Cody to knock Roman off the top of the mountain. Roman’s children cannot afford Cody doing that. The Usos’ kids can’t have that. The Final Boss’ kids can’t have that! This is THEIR mountain! THEY run this! And on Sunday… It ain’t ever gonna be more crystal clear- “BURN IT DOWN~!” Seth Rollins is here! The Bloodline is already upset, but where is Rollins? He’s coming down through the crowd! Rollins has the mic as he waves to Roman from their old hangout spot. The fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins revels in it a moment before speaking.

“Now, if you two idiots think I’m walking into that ambush after what you pulled on Cody Rhodes last week, then you are even stupider than I thought you were! You wanna pull that crap on me? Then you gotta come on up here and fight the whole city of Brooklyn!” The fans like that idea! Rollins says last week, The Bloodline crossed the line. So the time for talk is over! He is ready for a fight! Roman chuckles at that but Rollins doesn’t mean five days from now, no! He wants to fight TONIGHT! The fans really like that idea! So here’s what Rollins is thinking. Biggest Mania of all time, so tonight in Brooklyn, biggest Raw of all time!

Rollins thinks that Brooklyn deserves the biggest Raw main event of all time! So… you think this is all here because of you, right? You think you’re responsible for all of these people filing into this building tonight? How about you put your money where your mouth is? How about tonight, in the main event, it’s Seth Freakin’ Rollins VS The Final Boss, THE ROCK!!” The fans REALLY like that idea! Or maybe ol’ DJ ain’t got the balls? BUT! His cousin, The Tribal Chief, he might have grown a set the last few years, who knows. So if The Rock won’t, then Rollins will be more than happy to take on Roman Reigns!

Rollins will leave it up to them! Who fights the real champ? They can even name the stipulation! A cage, Bloodline rules, ladder match, First Blood since that’s Rock’s thing. But who’s got the balls? Rollins grins as fans chant for Rock. The Rock raises his mic and points at Rollins. The Rock will tell that punk something right now. Rollins comes out here, runs his mouth, challenges Rock and Roman, the most dominant Universal Champion in the history of the WWE, challenge the Final Boss, but did he not see what Rock did to his partner? Beat his brain in and gave him brain damage! Rollins doesn’t want none of that! Not at Mania, and not tonight!

Rollins ain’t fighting The Rock, or Roman Reigns. The fans boo that idea, but The Rock says they can sit there, shut their mouths and enjoy the ride he’s taking them on! Rollins is a tough, crazy SOB and The Rock knows it. Bu the ain’t fighting them tonight. But they’ve always got a plan. Fans now chant “ROCKY SUCKS!” Rock looks to Roman, Roman nods and looks to The Enforcer. Solo Sikoa steps up with mic in hand to say, “Yo, Seth. You ain’t fighting The Tribal Chief tonight. You not fighting The Final Boss tonight, either. You’re fighting ME tonight.” The fans still boo but Rollins says it turns out Solo’s got the biggest sack in the Bloodline. “You’re on.”

The Rock tells us that it will be Rollins VS Solo on the biggest Raw of all time, leading into the biggest Mania of all time. But here’s the thing: It’s BLOODLINE RULES. See you later, boy. The Visionary did give The Rock the upper hand, but will he be able to turn things around and still win the biggest Raw main event ever?

Rhea Ripley was on The MMA Hour.

She was with Ariel Helwani to talk about their Mania showdown, but Becky Lynch called in. The Man asked if Mami needs attention, she’s right here! Like, in the building! Becky was let in, then got right in Rhea’s face. The arguing from last week continued in the studio, but security pulled Becky back so things wouldn’t get physical.

Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.

Cathy Kelley is with The Man to discuss that confrontation. Would she care to comment on that? Becky says she’s here to finish what she started. She’ll go to the ring later tonight, if Rhea cares to answer the call. Becky storms off, is this already heated Raw going to hit The Big Time before it’s all over?

8 Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS The New Day & #DIY!

Finn Balor, Damian Priest, JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio attacked Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano last week in hopes of improving the odds in WrestleMania’s Six Pack Ladder Match. However, that only united their enemies against them! Can the Prince, the Punisher, the Ace and the Prodigal Son still make it through to this weekend? Or will this be where the tables turn?

But the moment the Judgment Day is ringside, they’re all blasted off the apron! Then DIY and New Day coordinate, QUADRUPLE PLANCHAS! The fans fire up as all of Judgment Day falls over! Gargano puts Finn in, the bell rings, but Finn kicks back! Finn throws hands, bumps Gargano off buckles then fires off fists! The ref counts, Finn lets off, and he tags Dom. Dom runs up to BLAST New Day, then he comes back so he can mug Gargano. Dom snap suplexes Gargano for Uno Amigo! Then Dos Amigos! But Gargano fights off the third, so Dom tags Finn. Gargano suplexes Dom then avoids Finn’s elbow drop! Dom runs up, Gargano TOSSES him, but Finn and Gargano DOUBLE LARIAT!

Both men are down and the fans rally up. Finn and Gargano crawl, hot tags to McDonagh and Ciampa! Ciampa CLOBBERS JD, BLASTS Priest, then fires off on McDonagh! Ciampa CHOPS, ROCKS then whips, but JD reverses. Ciampa CLOBBERS JD, then CLBOBERS Dom! Ciampa keeps moving, he clotheslines JD in one corner, then clotheslines Dom in another! Ciampa keeps going, another clothesline for JD, and another for Dom! Kofi tags in before Ciampa clotheslines JD again! Dom & JD run up but Ciampa dodges to then DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up and Ciampa scares off Finn! But Priest SUPERKICKS Ciampa! Kofi is up top to FLYING AX HANDLE Priest!

Kofi BLASTS Finn, dodges JD then LEAP- BOOT from JD! JD whips, Kofi goes up and up and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Kofi SUPERKICKS Priest! Kofi has the fans behind him as he brings JD up. JD cradle counters, TWO! Tag to Woods, Kofi GAMANGIRIS JD and Woods steps in to TORNADO DDT! Kofi goes up top to SUPER TRUST FALL on Finn! Woods fires up and reels JD in, for a BIG BANG CATASTROPHE! Cover, Dom breaks it! Fans boo but Ciampa runs in! Dom dodges to drop toehold! Dom dials it up, but Ciampa blocks the 619! Gargano BOOTS Dom down! Gargano runs, Ciampa holds the way open, Gargano DIVES!

Direct hit and the desk is part of it! Woods aims at JD, mule kick and reel in, for a POWER- NO, JD slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPANISH FLY! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Woods and JD crawl, reach out, hot tags to Ciampa and Priest! Ciampa fires off CHOPS and forearms all over, but Priest shoves him! Ciampa dodges to BOOT Priest! Ciampa then brings the kneepad down, runs up, but into a LARIAT! But Kofi is up top! Kofi leaps, but into Priest’s grip! Gargano is back but Priest BOOTS him! CHOKE SLAM for Kofi, then Priest gets Ciampa! Canadian Rack, for the RAZOR’S EDGE! Cover, Judgment Day wins!

Winners: Judgment Day, by pinfall

Senor Money in the Bank cleans up for the team, and they’re all rolling into WrestleMania! Will Priest & Finn be able to keep all their belts when they have to bring all the belts down to win? Or will they be anything but Undisputed in the end?

The Bloodline is backstage.

The Rock and Roman watch as Solo prepares his mind. Solo’s ready, they’ve got this on lock. Roman should get outta here. Rock says yeah, that’s fine. Where’s Roman going? He’s gotta write the speech. Oh, right, for The Wise Man. Someone’s gotta induct him. Hall of Fame! Hit Roman up if you need anything. Heyman says that for anyone watching who don’t understand, Roman Reigns is going to induct The Wise Man into the Hall of Fame this Friday. Heyman kisses The Rock’s hand and thanks him before heading out. Will The Final Boss be able to handle this without The Tribal Chief?

Sami Zayn and Chad Gable went to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

Sami appreciates Gable helping him train. Is Sami ready to change his approach? Yeah. Let’s do this. They study film of Gunther as Gable says this could very well be the hardest match in Sami’s entire life. All this power game can be avoided if you can grab a leg. Watch for that chance. Gable also puts Sami through drills to hit his limit and then push past it. Faster, faster, faster! Harder! Keep going! Sami is definitely tired, and then Gable adds on with a sleeper of his own! Sami taps, and then gets mad at Gable. What was that!? Gable says Gunther’s not gonna care if you’re tired. Run it again. No, not again!

Sami doesn’t know what Gable is doing running him into the ground this close to the big match! Does Gable really think Sami’s not good enough? Gable says no, Sami is BETTER than good enough. Sami main-evented Mania last year, but that’s when he had the hunger. The hunger is gone now! Gable wants to bring that back out, but Sami won’t let it out. What is holding Sami back? Sami says he’s not holding back but Gable begs to differ. What is it, Sami? What is it? Sami admits, he’s afraid! Is that what Gable wanted to hear? Sami’s afraid of letting people down, of letting himself down! Everyone who has believed in him!

Sami doesn’t want to see his wife’s disappointed face, or his son crying! Just like Gable’s daughter. Gable gets that, right? Right? Gable says he gets it better than anyone. And yet he still told Sami he couldn’t win? That wasn’t Gable saying what Sami wanted to hear, he was telling Sami what he needed to hear. Sami is at his best when people are doubting him, so find that hunger and prove them all wrong, together. Sami nods, and the training continues. Find the fighter, the fire, the edge, and bring it out! Sami goes through the drills again and again, and then even one more time after that! Gable says that’s the fire!

And when Gable tries his surprise, Sami is ready this time! They hug it out, but will all of this training truly forge Sami into the fighter that can beat Gunther? Guess we’ll see after tonight’s colossal rematch!

The Judgment Day regroups at the clubhouse.

Rhea says they really are ready for WrestleMania. Priest says they saw how it went down on The MMA Hour, is Rhea all good? Yeah, she’s good, she just has Becky’s attention. And then hey, Legado’s here! Dom welcomes Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo in, to the surprise of the rest. Priest pulls Dom over and says they gave Dom their blessing for the Mania match, but this? This is too much. Cut the crap. Priest is gonna go make a call. Rhea scolds Dom and Dom wants her to tell Priest not to be so angry. Fine, she’ll talk with Priest. But remember, they need to get this communication thing right, okay?

Dom says yeah, he knows. Rhea tells him he can have his friends here. Dom introduces everyone, Santos thanks them for having him. How about they play darts? Dom hands Santos the darts and Santos takes aim. Just what is going on with The Prodigal Son these days?

Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed!

Raw returns as Auszilla makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Bronson eggs Sami on since he wanted this rematch. The tie up, Bronson shoves Sami away, then flexes. Sami runs up to fire forearms! The fans fire up as Sami COHPS, but Bronson shoves Sami again. Sami returns, gets around and waistlocks, but Bronson backs him up! Sami uses that to send Bronson into buckles, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Bronson TOSES Sami to the corner, runs up, but Sami dodges to CHPO, CHOP and CHOP! Sami climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, but Bronson stops this at seven! Bronson throws Sami away, kicks low, then brings him up.

Bronson whips, Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges to then sunset flip! Bronson stays up, but Sami avoids the hip drop! Crucifix pin, TWO! Sami fires off body shots on Bronson, then LARIATS! Bronson stays up, Sami runs, but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson eggs Sami on again, then brings him up. The fans sing “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~!” but Bronson CHOPS Sami down! Bronson stands Sami up, CHOPS again, then whips Sami to ropes. Sami goes up and over then clotheslines Bronson up and out! The fans fire up as Sami builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Bronson! The fans fire up with Sami as he stands!

Sami puts Bronson in the ring, goes up and LEAPS, but Bronson catches him! Bronson RAMS Sami into buckles, then hits a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Gable is watching backstage, coaching Sami though he can’t hear him. Bronson throws hands, then whips Sami to the corner. Bronson runs up but Sami ELBOWS him away! Sami goes up and up and AX HANDLES! Bronson drops to a knee so Sami goes up the other corner, AX HANDLE! Sami goes up again, AX HAN- NO, URENAGE and ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Bronson grows frustrated. Bronson puts Sami up top then ROCKS him!

Bronson climbs up after Sami, fireman’s carries, but Sami fights and flails! Sami shifts to SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Sami thinks what he has to do. The fans fire up as Sami waits. Sami kicks low, and tries to fireman’s carry!? Bronson’s too big! Sami almost has Bronson up, but Bronson slips free, fireman’s carries Sami, and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and frustrates Bronson, and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Bronson sits Sami up to CLUB him in the chest again and again and again! Then he HEADBUTTS Sami down! Sami sits up and shakes his head! The fans rally, Bronson has Sami on ropes and ROCKS him with haymaker after haymaker! Sami staggers, Bronson reels him in, but Sami fights the lift! Sami wrenches, knuckle locks, then CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Sami goes up and up and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Bronson survives and now Sami is frustrated, but the fans rally again. Sami brings Bronson up, but Bronson RAMS him into a corner! Bronson runs in, into a clinch!

Sami tries but Bronson’s too big for the exploder! Bronson elbows Sami, reels him in, ANARCH SUPLEX, to a SENTON! Bronson says this is it, and he goes up top! The fans freak out, but Sami rises! Sami ROCKS Bronson, then he climbs up! Bronson fights Sami off and Sami falls! Bronson adjusts and takes aim again, TSUNAMI FLOPS!! Sami avoids disaster and the fans fire up! Bronson is in the corner, Sami goes corner to corner, but oh no! Gunther drags Gable out here by a leg!! The fans boo as Der Ring General beat up on Coach Gable just to get at Sami! Sami runs up the ramp but Gunther gets away, so Sami checks on Gable,

Sami looks around for medical help, but Gunther BOOTS Sami down!!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by disqualification

Gunther just gave Sami the match but then he continues to give Sami a beating! Sami is sent into the LED wall, then Gunther LARIATS Sami down! The fans boo as Gunther CHOPS Sami, then talks trash! Gunther brings Sami up to SLAP him down! Gunther rains down forearms on Sami, talks more trash, then says the games are over! Gunther hauls Sami up to BOOT him back down! Gunther tells Sami to stop dreaming! Gunther drags Sami up again, and CHOPS him! Sami wobbles, so Gunther CHOPS him down! Gunther holds the Intercontinental Championship up high while standing on Sami, is this going to be how it happens in Philadelphia? Or will it end up worse?

Wait, Sami is still moving? Sami kicks and flails and rises up, and that upsets Gunther! Brooklyn cheers Sami on as he makes it to his feet! So Gunther BELT SHOTS Sami down!! Gunther scowls as he leaves, is he going to snuff out that fire inside Sami one way or another?

Jey Uso is backstage.

Main Event Jey is hyped, because he finds Lil’ Wayne! They say hey, and Jey says if Wayne is free next weekend, come to Philly, Uce. WrestleMania 40, Jey gonna whoop his brother’s ass, Uce, what you say? Lil’ Wayne says yeah, he’s coming. Say less, Uce! YEET! See you there! WrestleMania, you already know.

Damage CTRL is here.

Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Asuka & Kairi had a rough Friday Night SmackDown, but they’re looking to redeem themselves on Raw. They’ll be in action tonight, will the Evil Genius and her cohorts prove they’re still in control?

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri!

The Poison Pixie continues to get more and more toxic, and #IndiWrestling isn’t sure what to do about it. But the Diamond Pitbull and Alpha Queen have an idea: beat Candice up! Will they get payback on the pixie? Or will Candice have a new way to tear them down and take the win?

The teams sort out, Candice starts against Ivy and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Candice pulls hair! Ivy puts Candice in a corner, but then Candice uses ropes as a defense! The ref counts, Ivy backs off, and Candice hurries away to tag Indi. Indi and Ivy tie up, Ivy wrenches an arm to a wristlock then steps over to wrangle Indi to a cover. TWO, but Ivy keeps on Indi with a wrench, YANK, and then she tags in Maxxine. Maxxine goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Maxxine wrenches but Indi scoops to SLAM! Indi drags Maxxine up, wrenches, then tags in Candice. Candice throws Maxxine by her hair!

Candice CLUBS Maxxine down, then grins as she looms over her. Candice bumps Maxxine off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in. The ref counts, Candice sits Maxxine down to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Candice lets off to flex on Ivy, then she goes back for Maxxine. But Maxxine cradle counters, TWO! Candice DECKS Maxxine, HAMMERS away on her, then covers, TWO! Candice is annoyed but she CLUBS Maxxine again. Cover, TWO! Candice brings Maxxine over, CHOPS her, then taunts Ivy. Candice runs in but Maxxine moves! Candice only gets buckles, Indi tags in! Indi drags Maxxine back but Maxxine BOOTS her, tag to Ivy!

Ivy dodges INdi, BLASTS Candice, then KICKS, KICKS and ROUNDHOUSES Indi! Ivy runs to tilt-o-whirl RANA Indi! Indi blocks one kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Ivy runs around the way to CALF KICK! The fans fire up, Ivy goes up, but Indi CLUBS Ivy first! Indi climbs, Ivy DECKS her! The ref checks Indi, Candice SHOVES Ivy down! The fans boo but Indi saw that. Indi isn’t happy, but Maxine tags in! She DROPKCIKS Indi into Candice, rolls Indi up deep, Maxxine & Ivy win!

Winners: Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri, by pinfall

Now Candice is more upset that Indi let them lose! But is the real problem here the toxicity levels in LeRae?

Jey finds Rollins backstage.

Jey’s just the man Rollins wanted to see. Jey says Rollins is one crazy dude, but hey, it’s Bloodline Rules, right? Anything goes. If they try something shady, Jey’s got Rollins’ back like Rollins had his last week. Rollins is glad he said that. Let’s walk ‘n’ talk. The Visionary and the Yeet Master talk strategy, will they be able to thwart The Bloodline’s numbers game even without Cody Rhodes here tonight?

Drew McIntyre is in a funeral home…?

He hears the voices of CM Punk and Seth Rollins as he goes to the altar and tests the mic. “Look in my eyes. What do you see? CM Punk has no match in Philly. On January 27th, the world lost the opportunity to see an out of shape has-been main event WrestleMania when his brittle, fragile body failed him worse than it did in the UFC. Punk’s triceps, like the rest of us, wanted to get as far away from him as possible. Now we’re left with a thin skinned guy who saw Jared Leto’s Joker and based an entire personality off of it. Seth ‘Cringe Lord’ Rollins.

“Seth, you’re broken. You already have one foot in the grave. Your pride has convinced you you’ll survive The Rock, Roman and The Bloodline, and you’ll still beat me. You deserve all the beatings coming your way. You deserve all the pain and suffering and misery because you have begged me for it. You deserve to have the casket close on your championship reign. And at WrestleMania, I will do just that. I will take that broken down old workhorse out back and put him down once and for all. Amen.” The Scottish Terminator is preying on The Visionary, but will he really get everything he wants?

Ricochet VS Ivar!

As The One and Only continues his momentum, he now shifts from Judgment Day to Ragnarök! Will Ricochet continue to add to his highlight reel? Or will the raid continue where it left off?

The bell rings, the two rush in, and Ricochet dodges to RAM Ivar! Ivar brushes himself off, so Ricochet runs to wheelbarrow! Ivar blocks the arm-drag, and he whips Ricochet to ropes to then CLOBBER him! The fans boo as Ivar beats his chest, then he drags Ricochet up. Ivar whips, Ricochet rolls off Ivar’s back then rolls under to handspring and RANA! And then DROPKICK! Ivar tumbles out, Ricochet takes aim and PLANCHAS, but has to roll through as Ivar dodges! Ivar kicks low, underhooks, and lifts to a Canadian Rack! Ricochet slips free, mule kicks from the apron, then goes up, only for Ivar to clip the leg! Ricochet takes a tumble and Ivar stands tall as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Ivar grinds Ricochet down with a chinlock. Ricochet endures, fights up, but Ivar CLUBS him! Ricochet throws body shots in return, but Ivar knees low! Ivar hauls Ricochet up to back suplex, but Ricochet lands out! Ricochet goes to a corner, dodges, and Ivar hits buckles! Ricochet SUPERKICKS, then runs in at the corner, but right into a SEATED SENTON! Ricochet writhes and goes to the apron, but Ivar goes out to clamp onto his neck! Ivar drags Ricochet up, shoves him into the LED apron, and then takes aim. He hit one of these in the commercial break, and runs in, SPLASH only into LED!

Ricochet didn’t let that splash hit a second time, and he gets in to build speed! Ricochet SASUKE SPECIALS! The fans fire up for that one, and Ricochet puts Ivar back in! Ricochet points up, goes up, and the fans fire up again! 630- NO, Ricochet has to bail out of that as Ivar moves. Ricochet runs back in, is put on the apron, but he GAMANGIRIS! Then he springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up again as Ricochet STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Ivar stays in this but Ricochet stays cool. Ricochet wrenches, fireman’s carries, but Ivar’s so big! Ivar slips free as Ricochet’s back gives up!

Ricochet ducks the heel kick o’ doom, handsprings to BACK ELBOW, then tries again! Ivar gets under Ricochet to HEEL KICK O’ DOOM! Then the underhooks, for the TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ivar can’t believe it! The fans rally as Ricochet goes to a corner. Ivar runs in to BRONCO BUSTER only buckles! Ricochet runs up to TIGER WALL KICK, V-TRIGGER, and Ivar wobbles! Ricochet springboards but Ivar catches him! SPINNING POWERSLAM! Ivar roars, runs, and SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives again and Ivar is furious!

Ivar hurries up a corner, the fans freak out, DOOMSAULT FLOPS!! Ricochet again avoids disaster and he goes to a corner. Ivar runs in, but Ricochet catches the splash?! FALL AWAY SLAM!! Ricochet is showing he can go Super Saiyan as he goes up top, for the 630 SENTON!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

The momentum continues to build for the King of Flight! Is Ricochet going to be primed for golden opportunities on the other side of WrestleMania?

We check back in at the Judgment Day clubhouse.

The game of darts is now to hit the stolen mask of Rey Mysterio. But Priest is upset that somehow, Ricochet has still not been handled. Are they NOT The Judgment Day!? JD says damn right they’re The Judgment Day! But hey, JD is gonna be in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal with Ricochet, so the Irish Ace will have his chance to get Ricochet, and he will. Finn says please do. He is getting sick and tired of Ricochet! What kind of name is “Ricochet” anyway? Dom says don’t worry, he is confident JD will handle that situation. But for whatever reason he doesn’t, Dom has just the guy for the job.

And in steps Andrade El Idolo. Come estas? Priest says tranquilo, all good. Dom introduces Santos and Andrade, and the two multi-generation stars shake hands. Dom says if Andrade takes care of Ricochet, they’ll make him a full member of Judgment Day. The others are a bit taken aback Dom is the one making that call, but Andrade likes the offer. So they need him? N-No…! But he’s going to take care of this Ricochet business, right? Dom says he wants Andrade to take care of this. Andrade says okay, then. They shake hands on it, and Rhea says enough. Becky’s going to the ring, so Rhea’s gonna say “hi.”

Mami heads out, and Priest asks Dom if they’re using his darts. Dom says no, he told them not to use those. Dom is thinking he’s a shot caller now, but are his shots going to hit or miss?

Becky Lynch heads to the ring!

Just as she said she would, Becky is here to bring Raw into the Big Time! Becky gets a mic to say, “The Man has come around to Brooklyn! And she came here lookin’ for a fight! Now I started one earlier, but we don’t have to wait ’til WrestleMania to finish it. We can finish it right here, right now. Rhea Ripley, we have done all the talking that we need to do. So come on out here and fight me!” The fans like that but Adam Pearce walks out to say no. The fans boo and he says that’s fine, boo all you want. He’s the April Fool for trying to do the right thing. But they are NOT doing this tonight. After what he saw earlier, he cannot jeopardize one of the biggest matches on the biggest Mania of all time.

Security walks out here and Pearce knows what Becky wants, but she has to wait until WrestleMania. So please, he is asking nicely, leave the ring. Wait! Here comes Rhea! Becky is all fired up but Pearce says no, save it for Mania, Rhea! We’re just days away! Rhea says she’s not saving nothing but he says she has to. Please. Rhea sighs, steps back and says okay. But then she shoves him aside and fires off on the guards! She gets in the ring and throws hands with Becky! The fans fire up, Rhea trips Becky and rains down fists! Security rushes in to stop them and pull them apart, but Becky LOW BLWOS one and DECKS the other!

Becky goes up and up and SUPER CROSSBODIES the pile!! Becky finds Rhea in there and throws hands back! The security recovers, gets in the way, but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” The champion and challenger are separated, but we’ve got no less than five days until this fight will happen! Will Mami keep her reign going? Or will Becky make the biggest WrestleMania into Wrestle-MAN-ia?

Damage CTRL speaks.

Dakota Kai says Bianca Belair, Naomi & Jade Cargill can celebrate their big moment from SmackDown all they want. But that doesn’t change the fact that DMG CTRL is the most dominant faction in women’s wrestling. Does Dakota need to remind people who holds the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and THE WWE Women’s Championship? At WrestleMania, they prove to Bianca, Naomi, Jade AND Bayley that DMG CTRL is the future! But for now, they’re on Raw to see if anyone has what it takes to prove them wrong. But the reality is, WrestleMania XL is the biggest Mania of all time, and it doesn’t get much bigger than DMG CTRL.

#CobraKai is spitting fire and venom, but she and the Kabuki Warriors will need to put their money where their mouths are as they go up against Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark & Tegan Nox, after the break.

Rhea and Becky are still after each other backstage!

Adam Pearce is caught in the middle quite literally as security struggles to keep them apart! Becky gets loose to fire shots on Rhea! Pearce says get her outta here, and the security guards drag Becky away. Even Dom gets involved and Pearce says to control his Mami!

Six Woman Tag: Damage CTRL VS Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark & Tegan Nox!

#CobraKai and the Kabuki Warriors are all very familiar with the Queen of Spades, The Hunter and The Welsh Firecracker, so there’s animosity here even without factoring in titles and brand warfare. But then will Dakota, Asuka & Kairi continue to dole out damage? Or will they start to lose control as the walls start closing in?

The trios sort out, but DMG CTRL CLOBBERS their opponents! Nox ends up alone in the ring, and Dakota soaks up the heat while looming over her former teammate. Dakota stomps Nox, drags her up and whips her to a corner. Then Dakota tags Kairi and she tags in Asuka. The Kabuki Warriors double whip, bypass, KICK, AX KICK, BULLDOG and BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Iyo still likes what she sees as Asuka stomps Nox. Tag back to Kairi, tag back to Dakota, and DMG CTRL coordinate. Ichi, ni, san- Shayna & Zoey get in to stop that! Then they and Nox all waistlock someone, TRIPLE GERMAN SUPLEXES!

The fans fire up as DMG CTRL sits up, into TRIPLE PENALTY KICKS! Then Shayna & Nox run to baseball slide dropkick Asuka and Dakota! Zoey aims, springboards, and CROSSBODIES DMG CTRL down! Iyo is NOT happy anymore, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Kairi BLASTS Nox off the apron! Kairi marches, then runs up on Shayna, but Shayna BOOTS the Sliding D away! Tag to Zoey and she rallies on the Kabuki Warriors! The fans fire up with Zoey and she baits Asuka into a corner, Zoey goes up and over, ducks under a kick then waistlocks, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Kairi runs up, but Zoey gets around to wrench and ROCK and ELBOW! Zoey whips Kairi to a corner, runs up and RAMS her, then goes right to the apron! Zoey shoves Kairi away, springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Kairi survives but Zoey keeps her from DMG CTRL’s corner.

Zoey suplexes, Kairi fights and DDTS! Both women crawl for their corners, reach out, and hot tags to Dakota and Nox! The former Team Kick meets again but Nox fires off on Dakota! Nox LARIATS, then CHOKE SLAMS! Dakota gets up to swing but Nox blocks to then HEADBUTT! Nox reels Dakota in to suplex and KNEE SMASH! Dakota wobbles, Nox runs up, and PENALTY KICKS again! Nox runs in at the corner, CANNONBALL! Nox drags Dakota to a cover, Asuka breaks it! Shayna runs up , ducks a kick, and has the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! But Kairi drags Shayna by a foot! Asuka gets loose to ROUNDHOUSE!

Zoey SUPERKICKS Asuka! Kairi CLUBS Zoey and TOSSES her, but Zoey lands on the apron! GAMANGIRI! Kairi staggers away, Zoey springboards in, but into a SUPERKICK from Dakota! But Nox rolls Dakota! TWO, and Dakota runs up! Nox dodges, comes back, UPPERCUT! Dakota falls into the corner and Nox runs in, CANNONBALL only gets buckles! Dakota goes side to side to BOOT! Tag to Asuka, she tags Kairi! Kairi goes up, Asuka has Nox in position, InSANE DDT!! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!

Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall

Iyo joins her team in the ring so they can hold up all their gold! Will nothing stop them from reigning over the Women’s Division?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Cathy Kelley is walking with the World Heavyweight Champion to gorilla as he prepares for the main event. Big weekend ahead at WrestleMania 40 with a lot on the line, so why take a match with Solo Sikoa? Rollins says he only has one gear, and it’s pedal to the metal and empty the tank! He doesn’t know if she knows him that well, but he’s always got a plan B. The Visionary keeps on going, and there’s Drew McIntyre… McIntyre smirks as he stares Rollins down, and Rollins says he ain’t dead yet. McIntyre says yeah, yet. Rollins goes through the curtain as his music plays, and it’s go time!

The biggest Raw right before the biggest WrestleMania, and this could very well be the biggest main event in Raw’s history! But will Rollins survive what is a clear sampling of what could happen to Cody Rhodes next Sunday? Or will he be made an example like Cody was last Monday?

Bloodline Rules: Seth Rollins VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Bloodline!

Raw returns as Solo makes his entrance. And Rollins BLASTS him off the apron! The bell rings and Rollins DIVES onto Solo! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Rollins fires hands on Solo, brings him around the way to SMACK off the apron, then SMACK him off barriers! Rollins CHOPS, the fans fire up as Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS, but Solo hits back! Fans say “We Want Tables”! already but Rollins kicks low and SMACKS Solo off the apron first. Rollins ROCKS Solo, whips, but Solo reverses! Rollins stops himself, then dodges Solo, and Solo hits steel steps head first! Rollins kicks low, underhooks, but Solo fights the Pedigree!

Solo RAMS Rollins into the apron, then SMACKS him off the desk! And SMACKS him off it again! Solo snarls, has cameramen move, and he TOSSES Rollins over the barriers into the timekeeper’s area! Solo soaks up the heat, goes back for Rollins, but Rollins HOTSHOTS Solo off the barriers! Rollins has a chair, and he CHUCKS it at Solo! Solo stays up, so Rollins CHUCKS another! And another! And another! Solo finally falls after the fourth one and the fans fire up again! Rollins storms up, has a chair, and he JAMS Solo, to then SMACK him on the back! Rollins sits the chair up, brings Solo around, DDT to the chair!

Rollins snarls, the fans fire up, and Solo writhes. Rollins looks around, then decides to go looking under the ring. And the fans love it as he brings out a table! Rollins puts the table in the ring, sets it up, but then Solo gets in! Solo CLUBS Rollins, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights with elbows! Rollins gets free, SUPERKICKS and Solo wobbles! Rollins runs to SUPERKICK and Solo flops onto the table! Rollins hurries up a corner, but Solo hurries up after him! Solo ROCKS Rollins, climbs up, then fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Solo fireman’s carries, and SUPER SAMOAN DROPS through the table! The fans lose their minds as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Solo has Rollins down against steel steps. Solo SMACKS Rollins off the steps, and again! Solo talks trash, rains down fists, then storms around. Solo gets space, runs back in, but Rollins moves! The hip attack hits steel! Rollins hobbles up, pulls the steps apart, and the fans fire up! Solo stands and Rollins RAMS him down with the steel! The fans fire up with Rollins and he looks back under the ring. Yep, here’s another table! The fans cheer again as Rollins again puts the table in the ring. Rollins sets it up, even though that didn’t go so well for him the first time… Rollins then drags Solo up from the apron.

Rollins tries but Solo resists the suplex! Solo suplexes to HOTSHOT Rollins! Rollins sputters and Solo storms in. He wants to repeat wat we saw earlier as he gets Rollins back up! Solo HEADBUTTS Rollins to the corner, hoists him up, then UPPERCUTS! Rollins sways up top but Solo goes up after him! Solo fireman’s carries again, but Rollins fights and flails! Rollins shifts, SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB through the table!! The fans are thunderous again, but Solo rises!? Into a CURB STOMP!! Solo flops out of the ring, and Jimmy’s here to SUPERKICK! Anything goes so of course this was going to happen!

But wait! Here comes JEY! Jimmy grins as Jey makes good on his own promise! The Usos fire hands at the ramp, a preview of their own big WrestleMania showdown! The fans fire up as Jey ROCKS Jimmy again and again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey keeps Jimmy moving, and the brawl goes backstage now! But then Jey is tossed back out, BY THE ROCK! The Final Boss tips the scales back in The Bloodline’s favor as he TOSSES Jey into the LED, then shoves him backstage for Jimmy to handle. The Rock makes his way down to the ring, Rollins glaring right at him. The Rock gets in the ring, the fans are torn, and The Rock dares Rollins to do something,

Rollins grins…? BECAUSE CODY RHODES IS HERE?!? Not cleared but not caring, The American Nightmare has the fans singing his song while he throws hands on The Rock! Cody fires shot after shot, stomps and kicks, then DECKS The Rock! No Roman around, the Bloodline ran out of cards to play! Rollins & Cody clear the desk, they bring Rock over and SMACK him off the desk! Rollins rains down fists, SMACKS Rock off the desk, then Cody drags him up! Cody says a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, right? Cody clinches, but wait! ROMAN REIGNS IS HERE!? The Tribal Chief trips Cody, throws him down, but Rollins goes after him!

Roman TOSSES Rollins away, gets him up, and then POSTS him! Did Roman trick us like Rollins tricked Rock? The fans want CM Punk but there’s nothing Punk can do about this! Rock puts Rollins in and Roman runs up, SUPERMAN PUNCH! Then Rock has Cody up, puts him in, and Roman aims from the corner! “OOOAH~!” SPEAR!! The Rock gets in the ring to talk trash on Cody for pulling this stunt, and Roman says this is what you’ll see for the rest of your career! “This is it! This is everything!” Roman and Rock shake hands and hug it out while the fans boo. Then Roman checks his watch. Raw’s still got some time.

Roman takes off the belt! It’s another custom one just for Cody! Rock LASHES Cody, then LASHES Rollins with it! The Rock lets Roman have the belt while fans boo and cuss them out. Roman LASHES Cody! Then he LASHES Rollins! Another for Rollins, another for Cody, repeat! The Rock says Rollins wants more, and holds him down so Roman can LASH Rollins again! Then another for Cody! Rollins gets up, grabs Roman, but Rock gets the belt while Roman GUILLOTINE CHOKES Rollins! Rock LASHES Rollins again and again, then calls to Solo. Solo has Cody on the ropes, pulls him in, and Rock rips the shirt away! Rock winds up to LASH Cody again!!

Cody writhes, but Rock LASHES him again! Roman says this is what happens when you mess with The Bloodline!! Roman says someone needs to come up with a plan to take this from him. But this is a vice grip, so they ain’t never gonna take this from him! Rock stands over Rollins and Cody as the fans chant “ROCKY SUCKS! ROCKY SUCKS!” Roman joins Rock, holding the Universal Championship belt alongside The Rock’s weight belt. Will this be how night one of WrestleMania goes? Will this be how every WrestleMania goes from here on out? Or is there still hope for Cody & Rollins to overthrow the Bloodline’s tyranny?

My Thoughts:

An awesome episode of Raw tonight, especially as the go-home to Mania. Though, it certainly started feeling like a go-home by the end. The commercial free first hour certainly made for many more commercial breaks in the later hours than usual, so it kinda killed a lot of the fun. But that first hour was great stuff, with a great opening promo to set up the main event. The main event was still great stuff, too, with Rollins bringing in Cody, only for Roman to also still show up. It’s a bit of a shame if this was The Bloodline outsmarting Rollins trying to outsmart them, like one too many steps in mind game logic. But at the same time, and depending on how things go with SmackDown, this is Bloodline standing tall so that one way or another, Cody wins out in the end.

Good tag match from Candice & Indi VS Ivy & Maxxine, and great move in the story for Candice & Indi to lose. The wedge between Candice & Indi has to be forced in more and more so them losing and Indi taking the blame is a good way of doing that. Really good promo from Dakota and really good Six Woman Tag to give DMG CTRL momentum going into their Mania Six Woman Tag with Bianca, Naomi & Jade. And great training vignette from Gable and Sami ahead of Sami’s rematch with Bronson, but also a great rematch. Sami’s the first person I’ve seen in awhile that dodged the Tsunami, but of course Gunther gets involved. Like with the Bloodline story, SmackDown could give us another segment, but the math is saying Gunther actually loses, which is nuts.

And I am just digging all of the story intertwining from The Judgment Day. Becky and Rhea bring the story even to Ariel Helwani’s show, then to this show, and I really thought they were going to go wild like Becky, Charlotte and Ronda did a few years ago. But there’s also this continued dysfunction in Judgment Day where Dominik is doing all this stuff without even telling the others, and it’s such a twist from where a few months ago, it felt like Priest was going to leave the group because of his MITB failings. Dom inviting Legado to Raw and to the clubhouse is a great detail towards my thinking that Dom is leaving Judgment Day to join Legado instead.

Ricochet VS Ivar was an awesome match, probably the actual best match of the night, and Ricochet’s win getting on Judgment Day’s nerves is also a great detail. Andrade being tasked with also taking out Ricochet, that could be a sign that either he or Ricochet is winning The Andre the Giant Battle Royal. That battle royal will be a lot of fun like always, and here’s hoping that in this HHHBK era, the winner of the battle royal actually does something substantial afterward. Ricochet or Andrade having that win under their belt could really help them go for the Intercontinental Championship in the run-up to Backlash France and Bash in Berlin.

The 8 Man Tag from Judgment Day VS New Day & DIY was really good stuff, but there are a lot of details in this that hint at least some form of loss at WrestleMania. Commentary made sure to let us know here that the Undisputed Tag Team Championship Ladder match is about bringing both sets of belts down, not just one or the other. This is the very clever and very subtle way of saying the Undisputed titles could easily return to being the Raw and SmackDown exclusive titles. All it would take is one of the SmackDown teams *cough* New Catch Republic */cough* taking the blue straps down, and then even if Judgment Day gets the red straps, that’s all they leave with and it upsets the group.

Of course, worse case scenario for Judgment Day is that one of the other Raw teams *cough* Awesome Truth */cough* take the red straps, leaving Judgment Day with nothing but Rhea’s title, and Priest will desperately cash-in on the World Heavyweight Championship match. And McIntyre had such a great fake funeral promo, how could it not be McIntyre taking the title off Rollins and possibly having to fend off Priest to keep it? Depending on what the rest of the year has for Rollins, whether Marvel movie stuff or even actually resting up from being all banged up, he could definitely pass the baton on to McIntyre and Priest to feud into the Spring and Summer.

My Score: 8.9/10