Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/13/24)
Raw enters the second round!
Can Kofi Kingston avenge Xavier Woods?
Der Ring General put Xavier Woods on the shelf, then took out The Fella in the first round! But will Kofi Kingston show him why New Day Rocks?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Quarterfinals: Shayna Baszler VS Iyo Sky; Iyo wins and advances.
- King of the Ring Quarterfinals: GUNTHER VS Kofi Kingston; Gunther wins and advances.
- Akira Tozawa VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins.
- Queen of the Ring Quarterfinals: Lyra Valkyria VS Zoey Stark; Lyra wins and advances.
- Otis VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins.
- Becky Lynch VS Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL; Becky wins, by disqualification.
- WWE World Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: New Catch Republic VS Authors of Pain VS The Creed Brothers VS Finn Balor & JD McDonagh; Finn & JD win and will challenge The Awesome Truth for the titles.
- King of the Ring Quarterfinals: Jey Uso VS Ilja Dragunov; Jey wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
Drew McIntyre storms right to gorilla.
The Scottish Terminator’s music hits and he goes right out on stage! The fans in Greenville, South Carolina fire up as he gets his pyro, then he goes to the ring. He passes by commentary and Pat McAfee sells out Michael Cole about calling McIntyre a hypocrite! McIntyre then steps into the ring, gets more pyro, but then the fans chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” McIntyre says maybe if we were in Atlanta or Charlotte, sure, but Punk’s not coming to Greenville. He only works the big cities, brother! The fans boo but McIntyre brings up Punk’s favorite line, “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn’t exist.”
McIntyre says the greatest trick Punk ever pulled was looking like a drug without ever taking any drugs. No, in seriousness, the greatest trick of Punk’s is making the fans believe in him, no matter how many times he breaks their trust! Management takes Punk back like an abusive relationship and McIntyre doesn’t understand it. Another thing he doesn’t understand is the fans buy all the crap he spews! McIntyre doesn’t like talking down to people like they’re stupid, but if you’re a fan of CM Punk, you’re stupid! Just look at the facts! Punk was here, calling McIntyre a coward, challenging him to a fight, after literally watching McIntyre take his leave!
Punk arrived a second later, talked trash, and it’s like he’s got a stooge on the inside, Adam Pearce. And then before that, McIntyre’s on stage, Punk’s in a skybox. McIntyre goes to the skybox, Punk’s down in the ring! Punk is running from McIntyre, but eventually, McIntyre will get his hands on Punk, torture him, and Punk will be begging for McIntyre to tear his triceps again. But until then, McIntyre won’t waste time on a guy who might not be cleared for the next 20 YEARS. And speaking of things that’ll never happen, Jey Uso lost another title match. The fans boo but McIntyre says that should’ve been his title match. Jey’s reward? McIntyre’s spot in King of the Ring!
McIntyre will deal with that BS later because number one on his list is the World Heavyweight Championship and that paper champion, Damian Priest! McIntyre’s been watching Priest, walking around like the big man with his limp Bloodline- Wait! Here comes Damian Priest! The fans fire up for El Campeon as he raises the world title up and heads to the ring. McIntyre smirks as Priest steps into the ring with him, then Priest gets himself a mic. Priest tells McIntyre that he’s got some serious issues. Since McIntyre can’t shut that hole in his face, maybe he should do something different tonight? McIntyre should say what he says, to that person’s face.
McIntyre says he’d love to, but if Priest was listening, Punk keeps running away from McIntyre every week. But at least Priest is stepping up to him. McIntyre will say something positive. Priest has a very inspirational story, worked his arse off, put his shift in, paid his dues. He deserves all the success in the world, but just not the World Heavyweight Championship. McIntyre’s next door neighbor, Dave, has a pretty inspirational story, but that doesn’t mean he should be world champion. But this is a case of the title making the title. This title is in its infant stage still, and it needs the man to make the title! It needs Drew McIntyre!
The fans boo but McIntyre says Priest knew he couldn’t beat McIntyre 1v1, so he had to use the briefcase- Priest stops McIntyre there. McIntyre is delusional! McIntyre is out here blaming everyone else for his own failures! Priest asks a question: did McIntyre not choose this life? He chose to be a WWE superstar, right? Yes, since he was 21 years old! And say “What” if you think Priest is a BS champion. “WHAT?” Gottee! Priest says that means he’s still champion. But check it, here’s what McIntyre should do. McIntyre should choose to find a mirror, take a look at the reflection, and then blame “that a-hole.”
Priest will break it down for McIntyre more. Priest wanted to cash in on Rollins, he really did. Then he and McIntyre could’ve gone to war at WrestleMania. But McIntyre had to go and stop Priest multiple times. That is McIntyre’s fault. Wait, oh, and then, McIntyre explained to the world that if Priest was smart, he’d wait for McIntyre to beat Rollins, and then he’d cash in on McIntyre! And so what happened? That’s on McIntyre. But let’s go back to WrestleMania. McIntyre finally achieved his goal, and all he had to do was take his wife and leave, enjoy the moment. But what happened? Priest says he acted like an idiot.
McIntyre saw Punk, made Punk more important than himself, this title, and his wife. Oh, wait, let’s also not forget that McIntyre got whooped by a one-armed man. So yeah Priest cashed in! McIntyre’s elbow will heal, he’ll get cleared. He wants his shot at the world title? Fine, he’s got it! But check this out, McIntyre. Call Priest a paper champion all you want, but when Priest is done, McIntyre will eat his words. #ALLRISE to that. Priest drops the mic and leaves McIntyre seething. That seems to happen a lot to McIntyre these days. Will McIntyre make good on this shot now that he has it?
WWE share footage from just before the show.
Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark arrived at the same time as Damage CTRL. Iyo Sky gets Shayna’s attention, tells her off in Japanese, but Shayna shoves Iyo! Producers stepped in to keep this from getting physical, and DMG CTRL moved on. The Evil Genius and the Queen of Spades will have it out tonight, who takes one step closer to the throne?
Queen of the Ring Quarterfinals: Shayna Baszler VS Iyo Sky!
The moment Iyo’s in the ring, Shayna rushes up from outta nowhere and TOSSES her back out! The fans fire up as Iyo is learning not to give Shayna fuel for the fire! Shayna ROCKS Iyo, refs rush out here, and they keep Shayna from adding on! The Evil Genius needs to rethink her strategy fast while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and the match is officially underway as Shayna whips Iyo to ropes. Iyo ducks ‘n’ waistlocks then redirects. Iyo ducks the boot, handsprings over Shayna’s back, then trips Shayna up! Iyo won’t stop, she basement dropkicks! The fans fire up as Iyo kips up! Iyo says she’ll wear the crown, then she runs up, but Shayna moves! Iyo slips out to the outside safe, but Shayna is on the apron! Iyo blocks the Penalty Kick, TRIPS Shayna up, and we get a QR Code before Iyo hurries back to the apron. Shayna stands, catches Iyo from the springboard, and HOTSHOTS her down! Shayna then goes up a corner, and she drags Iyo up by her arm!
The fans fire up for the HANGING WRISTLOCK! The ref counts, Shayna drops Iyo, and Iyo flops to the floor! Shayna goes out to get Iyo and whip her into barriers! Then into the apron! Then the barriers! The ring count climbs so Shayna SMACKS Iyo off the apron and puts her in the ring. Shayna slides in, Iyo scrambles back out, and Shayna is annoyed. Shayna goes out after Iyo to KICK her in the back! Shayna then opens the apron skirt and gets Iyo’s arm through the frame! Shayna BOOTS the arm, and she grins as Iyo writhes! The count climbs to 5 of 10, fans want tables, but that’s not this kind of match, Greenville.
Shayna puts Iyo in the ring, covers, TWO! Shayna clamps onto the bad arm and grinds it to a top wristlock. Shayna isolates that arm, lets her hair down, and the fans know what that means! But Iyo trips Shayna first! Shayna gets up, goes after the arm, but Iyo fires forearms! Iyo is free but Shayna shoves her. Things speed up and Iyo RANAS! Shayna tumbles, Iyo BUZZSAWS! The fans rally and duel while Iyo shakes out the bad arm. Iyo gets Shayna up, reels her in, underhooks, but Shayna wrenches out! Shayna headlocks but Iyo slips out the back to hammerlock. Shayna wrenches the arm again to hit SOLE FOOD!
Iyo staggers to a corner, Shayna runs up to KNEE! Shayna puts Iyo up top, climbs up after her, and the fans fire up! Shayna brings Iyo into a gut wrench, but Iyo fights with body shots! Shayna still tries but Iyo still fights the suplex! Iyo manages to SUSNET FLIP free! Iyo then SHOVES Shayna down! Shayna’s stuck in a Tree of Woe, the ref checks and helps her get free. Shayna goes to the floor but Iyo goes to the apron! ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and down goes Shayna! The fans are fired up and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Shayna goes for an ARMBAR! Iyo stacks, TWO! SHOTEI!! Iyo fires forearms, puts Shayna in a corner, then fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Iyo lets off and she goes corner to corner, but is put on the apron! Shayna kicks, Iyo blocks, to HOTSHOT the leg! Shayna scrambles away, and Iyo takes aim again. Iyo springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Shayna tumbles to ropes, Iyo runs up to DOUBLE KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives but Iyo stays focused. Iyo steps on Shayna, goes up the corner, and OVER THE MOONSAULT! Iyo blocks Shayna’s boots! Iyo sits Shayna up, BUZZSAW!
Shayna wobbles, Iyo steps over, LA MAGISTROL, and bridge! TWO!! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!!! Iyo flails, reaches out, but Shayna shifts grips! Iyo rolls it back, pops free, and has a CROSSFACE!! Now Iyo makes Shayna suffer! Shayna fights up, pries free, dragon sleeper, BACKBREAKER! KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives and Shayna is beside herself! “This is Awesome!” as Shayna aims from a corner., Shayna runs up, but Iyo blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Shayna hobbles to a corner, Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN! Then she puts Shayna in the drop zone, goes up top, OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Iyo wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
And with that, The Evil Genius moves on to the semifinals! Jackie Redmond interviews Iyo in the ring, congratulating her on advancing. She faces either Zoey Stark or Lyra Valkyria, what can we expect? Iyo takes the mic, and in Japanese, she promises to be the Queen of the Ring, and then the WWE Women’s World Champion! The fans fire up for that! Will the Evil Genius soon become an evil queen?
The Judgment Day are in the clubhouse.
They finish playing darts, and JD McDonagh says should get bonus points for his grouping rather than his accuracy. Finn says to worry more about Braun Strowman than about a game. And wait, Carlito is in here? Priest steps in and asks what’s up. Dom says he knows Carlito and Priest have history, but now is a good time to work together. They all agree on a lot of things, right? They agree that Rey Mysterio is a selfish bastard, right? Right! They know that from when Rey gave away Carlito’s WrestleMania moment to Dragon Lee. But no one knows more than Dom.
But hey, Rhea Ripley is out, Dom is hurt. Carlito can be the crew’s extra muscle. Well, all he’s saying is, they can all benefit mutually from this arrangement. Priest says what Carlito is saying does sound good. If the boys want to work with him, fine. But as far as Priest is concerned, Carlito’s not welcomed. Carlito gets it. Priest doesn’t trust him. But he trusts the boys, right? Then Carlito will say this: the most stubborn minds can be changed, and maybe one day, they can all be amigos. Carlito leaves, will The Punisher come around to accepting Caribbean Cool?
The Alpha Academy meets backstage.
Chad Gable says, “Well here we are. On the cusp of my big Intercontinental Championship match in Saudi, and uh… Maxxine. What a weekend you had, huh? Out there, galivanting around, blowing opportunities in Queen of the Ring, embarrassing the Alpha Academy, it’s pathetic! You’ve learned nothing! fortunately, I’ve got a chance at redemption. Talked with Pearce, got a couple matches for you two.” Otis will face Bronson Reed while Tozawa will face… Wait, no. It should be Otis VS Sami Zayn! That’s what Gable needs! He needs his number one guy to soften up Sami for Saudi, but no funny business! No hips shaking, no Worm stuff. Be serious, Otis. You know what that means, right?
Otis says yes, sir. No matter what. But Gable wants him to say it louder. No matter what. Otis heads out, and Gable tells Tozawa he has a big opportunity tonight so don’t blow it. He’s taking on Bronson Reed, and Gable swears, if he sees that dance…! Let’s go. Gable leads Tozawa away and Maxxine stays behind. Ivy Nile finds Maxxine and asks why she didn’t mention that QOTR match. Ivy could’ve helped her prepare. Maxxine says she’s sorry, but Coach Gable doesn’t want her training outside The Academy anymore. What? Maxxine, you don’t have to put up with this. But then Gable comes back and asks what is going on. Go do something! Anything!
Maxxine hurries away and Gable says Ivy has talent. She even has potential. But a piece of advice: stop wasting time with “Taylor Not So Swift,” okay? That one’s free. Gable heads out and Ivy can’t even! But is The Academy only going to fail when put under so much pressure?
Backstage interview with The New Day.
Cathy Kelley is with Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods. Kofi did the unthinkable time and again in his career. He is preparing for Gunther tonight, how will he do the unthinkable again and win against Der Ring General? Kofi says not to toot his own horn, but he is quite familiar with the unthinkable. But tonight isn’t about that. Tonight is about payback! Tonight is giving Gunther what he deserves for what he did to Woods! Over the weekend, Kofi went toe to toe with the greatest luchador of all time in Rey Mysterio. And it reminded Kofi of a few things: there is no room for fear in that ring. There is no room for self doubt! And most of all, there’s no room for failure!
Kofi knows how much this all means to Woods. Woods says this is something Gunther will never understand. Everyone knows how dangerous Gunther is, but Gunther… King of the Ring is something that brings honor! Earning that title brings honor! Because of what Gunther did to him, Woods can’t go out there to defend that honor. But luckily, Woods knows someone who is an incredible candidate to go out there and beat the hell outta Gunther, and that is one of the greatest champions of all time in Kofi Kingston. Tonight, Kofi goes out there and shows Gunther exactly why… NEW! DAY ROCKS!
Samantha Irvin introduces Lilian Garcia!
The iconic ring announcer is back and the fans cheer! Samantha wants Lilian to help her do the honor of introducing this next match. Lilian says she would absolutely love to! It’d be amazing, the fans are amazing, Samantha is amazing! The fans cheer, Lilian says she is so proud of Samantha, and they hug it out. Lilian then says the following is a King of the Ring Quarterfinals Match scheduled for one fall! Kofi makes his entrance first, looks at the crown on display, but will he get to wear it at the end of all this? Or will Der Ring General make himself Der Konig des Ring?
Adam Pearce talks with R-Truth.
Does the Raw General Manager see what he’s saying? He does. Truth thinks they’ve got a great plan for these titles. Tonight’s gonna be hot as hell! Miz steps in and again says please talk to him before putting their titles on the line. Truth says their titles aren’t on the line. Pearce confirms, it wasn’t about that. But they do need #1 contenders, so tonight, the Raw Tag Division will be having a hell of an opportunity. Truth says tell ’em! Miz double checks, The Awesome Truth is not defending the belts? Then why’re they here? In steps Kiana James!
The newest member of the division says that while they spoke on the phone last week, she wants to reiterate that she is so looking forward to working with Adam Pearce. And she looks forward to leveraging this opportunity to prove she is The One Percent. Pearce appreciates that, and says if she needs anything at all, don’t hesitate to call. She never hesitates. She adjudicates. She does what in the workplace? Truth doesn’t even know if that’s PG. Pearce sighs, but what is cooking for the Raw Tag Division here?
King of the Ring Quarterfinals: GUNTHER VS Kofi Kingston!
Raw returns and Der Ring General makes his entrance. And then Kofi DROPKICKS him off the apron! The fans fire up, Kofi goes out after Gunther to fire off hands, then he gets in the ring to build speed! Kofi DIVES and takes Gunther down! Kofi fires more hands, Gunther gets loose, but Kofi DROPKICKS him into the apron! Kofi SLAMS Gunther’s leg against the apron! Kofi stomps that leg, all payback for Woods! But Gunther CHOPS back! The ref wants this in the ring, it isn’t even a match yet! Gunther whips, but Kofi goes up and up and SUPER CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up with Kofi and he keeps Gunther from getting away!
Kofi SLAMS the leg on the apron! Then he drags Gunther to a corner, to SLAM it into the post! Kofi storms into the ring, puts the leg around ropes and pulls! The ref reprimands, Kofi lets off, just to run and DROPKICK the leg! The fans are all fired up for KofiMania, and the bell rings! Gunther hobbles up, but he avoids Trouble in Paradise! GERMAN SUPLEX, but Kofi lands out! Kofi runs up to dropkick the legs! Gunther falls, Kofi goes to a corner! Kofi climbs, aims, and SUPER BOOM DROPS!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Kofi scowls while the fans fire up! Gunther bails out, leans on the desk, but Kofi builds speed! Kofi DIVES, but into a clinch!
Gunther RAMS Kofi into the apron! Gunther seethes, drags Kofi up, and CHOPS him! Gunther then hits a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Kofi writhes, the ring count starts, but Gunther gets Kofi up. Gunther copies Randy Orton with a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Kofi writhes, Gunther refreshes the count, and he goes back for Kofi. Gunther gets Kofi’s legs as he stands on the desk, for a BOSTON CRAB! The ref reprimands and counts, Gunther lets off at 4 and the fans boo. Gunther goes to a HALF CRAB!! Kofi endures, the ref reprimands, but Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Gunther has Kofi in the ring. Gunther shoves but Kofi ROCKS Gunther! Kofi kicks at the bad leg, has Gunther in a corner, but Gunther turns things around to CHOP! The fans “WOO~!” for that one, but Gunther goes out to the apron to stomp Kofi back into the ring! Gunther taunts Kofi, kicks him around, and he brings Kofi up. Gunther whips Kofi to the corner hard, and Kofi falls to the mat! The fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” but Gunther brings Kofi up. Kofi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And fires forearms! Kofi KICKS the bad leg, but Gunther scoops to SLAM him!
Gunther scowls, Kofi writhes, and Gunther knees on Kofi’s back. Gunther ties up the legs, even as the fans rally, but Gunther pulls Kofi into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Kofi endures, pops free to a cover, TWO! Gunther BOOTS Kofi down! Gunther hobbles while Kofi flops on the ropes. Gunther looms over Kofi, drags him back around, and he eggs Kofi on. Kofi slowly rises, and he KICKS the bad leg! Kofi stands to KICK again! But Gunther CHOPS! Kofi storms up to JAWBREAKER! Kofi runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Kofi writhes, Gunther shakes out the bad leg since he had to use it in the move, and the fans continue to rally.
Gunther drags Kofi around, and drops an ELBOW on the back! Gunther goes up a corner, to FALLING ELBOW DROP but misses as Kofi moves! The fans fire up with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” as Kofi stands. Kofi KICKS the bad leg! And KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS, but Gunther blocks! Gunther CLUBS Kofi on the back, ripcords, but Kofi slips under! But Gunther turns SOS into gut wrench! Kofi slips free, Gunther hobbles, and Gunther runs into a PENDULUM KICK! Kofi goes up top, and CROSSBODIES! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Kofi stands, but Gunther trips him! BOSTON CRAB!!
Kofi endures, the fans freak out! Gunther puts pressure on the hold but Kofi slips under and kicks from below! Kick kicks the bad leg! Gunther hobbles away, swings, but into SOS!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and the fans rally again! “This is Awesome!” as Kofi goes to a corner. Kofi climbs up, and CROSS- NO, Gunther moves! Kofi staggers up, into a BLINDSIDE SHOTGUN! Gunther then ripcords Kofi to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Kofi survives and Gunther is a bit surprised, but the fans continue to rally. Gunther taunts Kofi, eggs him on, then drags him to a corner. Gunther pulls Kofi against the post!
The ref reprimands and counts, Gunther lets go at 4, and the fans boo. Gunther gets Kofi up, to GENERAL- RANA!! Kofi posts Gunther with that, and then runs up to TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Both men are down on the outside and the ring count is climbing! Kofi crawls, drags himself up with the apron skirt, and slides in at 7! Gunther stands at 8 and hobbles around! Gunther is in at 9.5!! The fans can’t believe it, but the match continues! Kofi aims from a corner, Gunther stands, into TROUBLE IN- NO, Gunther avoids it again, to GENERAL BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! BOSTON CRAB!!! Gunther sits deep on the hold! Kofi TAPS, Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission (advances to the next round)
A fiery start but a miscalculation at the end, Kofi fails to avenge Woods’ injury! Gunther already claims the crown, but who will meet him in the semifinals?
Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.
Jackie Redmond is now with The Morrigan and asks how she’s feeling after last week’s big Raw debut. Not only did Lyra beat Dakota Kai, she came to the rescue for The Man, Becky Lynch. Lyra says what a perfect way to kickstart her rise to the top! And, to also send a message at the same time. DMG CTRL better get used to seeing Lyra, because she’s here to stay. And any time Becky needs a little Irish back-up, Lyra will be there. Speaking of, Becky steps in to thank Lyra for it! Great to have her on Raw! Becky wants Lyra to go crush it later tonight! Fighting Irish, ‘ey? Jackie says Becky’s the best, huh?
But to the match, Lyra faces Zoey Stark, how has she been preparing? Well, Zoey and Lyra have never gone 1v1 but- In steps Liv Morgan. Liv “doesn’t mean” to interrupt, but she just wanted to say hi and to congratulate Lyra, and says she’ll have so much fun here. Oh, uh, thanks, Liv. That’s really nice of you. Liv does want to say one thing, though. Has Becky always been such a b*tch? Lyra tells Liv to ask her directly. Becky circled back around to get behind Liv! Liv turns around, they both smile, and then Becky BOPS Liv right in the mouth! Becky says she’s not the one scared of a face-to-face fight, b*tch!
Becky heads out for real this time, but Liv seems to smirk. Will this revenge tour hit the Big Time as hard as the Big Time hit her?
Kofi returns backstage.
He’s definitely hurting, but then Karrion Kross finds him! Kross tells Kofi that was a “tough loss.” But don’t worry, there’s always time to turn things around. Kross leaves, Woods finds Koi and gives him an icepack. What did Kross want? Kofi isn’t sure. But will Mr. Doomsday make his intentions clear sooner rather than later?
Akira Tozawa w/ Chad Gable VS Bronson Reed!
The Alpha Academy is having to deal with major tests, all because Master Gable wants his opponents worn out before the Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat. Will the Stamina Monster find a way to bring down the Colossal Aussie? Or will it just be disappointment after disappointment for Gable?
The bell rings, Bronson runs in but Tozawa dodge! Tozawa fires off fists, but Bronson TOSSES Tozawa to a corner! Tozawa BOOTS Bronson, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides under to SUPERKICK! Gable keeps on shouting how this is what happens when you listen to him! Tozawa spins, but Bronson ducks the kick, only for the SPIN KICK to hit on the second try! Tozawa hurries up top, MISSILE DROPKICKS, and Bronson actually falls! The fans fire up and Tozawa rips the shirt open! Gable gets mad, no fan pandering! That’s not what he taught Tozawa! Tozawa goes up, leaps, but Bronson catches him!
Bronson pops Tozawa up into a fireman’s carry, and a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Tozawa is dazed, Bronson puts him in the drop zone! Gable says Tozawa’s an idiot, this is not on him! TSUNAMI!! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
Well, whether or not Tozawa’s failure is on Gable’s hands, he has a big fight on his hands in two weeks. Will Gable fail his own greatest test in that Triple Threat?
Imperium regroups backstage.
Ludwig Kaiser says that was impressive out there, but then Cathy Kelley walks over. She excuses the intrusion but Gunther says sorry, no interview today. Kaiser scolds Cathy. The first thing when he comes out of there, she bothers him? After winning, he has to answer questions? What’re we doing here? Cathy says there’s no denying the momentum, but she did want to address his history with the remaining competitors in this tournament. The last time Gunther faced Ilja Dragunov, Ilja won. And Gunther’s win over Jey Uso was partially because of Jimmy Uso interfering. And then last week, Kaiser had to help Gunther against Sheamus.
Kaiser asks Cathy, “Who’re we talking about here? We are talking about Der Ring General, we are talking about the most successful, the longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Campion in history! 666 DAYS! Gunther does not have to prove anything to anyone around here. Is that clear?” And she brought up Sheamus. If anyone out there actually believes, if Sheamus himself thinks he lost because of Kaiser, then they must be delusional! But Sheamus has had a legendary career, no problem admitting that. But one thing he’s never achieved is beating Gunther 1v1. Never happened, never will.
In fact, Sheamus should be standing here next to Kaiser thanking him, because Kaiser saved Sheamus last week! If Sheamus has a problem with that, then Kaiser will be the guy to put Sheamus out of his misery! Kaiser will expose and embarrass Sheamus in front of the whole wide world! We’re done here. Kaiser follows after Gunther, but is the Impeccable German perhaps getting ahead of himself when it comes to the Celtic Warrior?
Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.
Jackie Redmond is now with the Raw GM, and wants to talk this big announcement he has for the tag division. But first in steps New Catch Republic! Tyler Bate has to usher Pete Dunne along, and then he apologizes to everyone for the interruption. He just wants to thank Pearce for this great opportunity here on Raw to show some unbelievable tekkers. Well, Pearce appreciates that and wishes them luck. They head out, and Pearce says the Draft is behind us, the roster has a new look, and it is a new era. That means new opportunities. Tonight, he put together a Fatal 4 Way to determine new #1 contenders to the World Tag Team Championships.
So obvious, New Catch Republic, VS Authors of Pain VS The Creed Brothers VS Finn Balor & JD McDonagh. The winners get their shot at The Awesome Truth. Jackie loves it! Opportunity is in the air, but also, while she has him, she wants to ask Pearce why Bron Breakker, a top pick in the Draft, wasn’t in the KOTR. Can he explain that decision? Well isn’t she a broadcast journalist. Pearce already talked with Bron last week. Bron has unlimited potential, anyone with eyes can see it, but the guy son this roster have earned spots at the highest levels. Pearce explained this to Bron, didn’t wanna shove him into the deep end.
But wait, here comes Bron. “The deep end,” huh? Bron will explain this to Pearce now: Bron’s opponents, when it comes to KOTR, he wouldn’t have been in the deep end with them, they would’ve been in that deep end with him. And Bron would’ve dragged them all under and watched them drown, while he smiled. Bron should’ve been in the damn thing. Bron storms out, Pearce is a bit stunned, but will the Big Bad Booty Nephew prove he’s a genetic freak and he’s not normal?
Queen of the Ring Quarterfinals: Lyra Valkyria VS Zoey Stark!
A former NXT Women’s Champion faces off with a former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, and it is truly a glimpse at the bright future of the Raw Women’s Division. But will The Morrigan soar to new heights as she steps closer to the crown? Or will the Hunter take down her prey as she builds her legacy?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Zoey powers Lyra back but Lyra puts her in the corner. Lyra lets off, Zoey shoves her, so Lyra shoves back! Lyra dodges the lariat to headlock, but Zoey powers out. Lyra goes up and over, handsprings, then arm-drags Zoey! Lyra then dodges Zoey to go up and up and FLYING ELBOW! Another arm-drag, and Lyra has the armlock! Zoey fights up, powers Lyra to ropes and KNEES low! Zoey pie faces Lyra, whips, but Lyra ducks ‘n’ dodges. Lyra then jumps up to RANA Zoey out of the ring! The fans fire up as Lyra goes to the apron, but Zoey blocks the kick! Lyra kicks free, leaps, but Zoey dodges!
Zoey runs up to LARIAT Lyra down! The fans boo but Zoey soaks it up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Lyra flounders. Zoey springboards in to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Zoey mocks Lyra’s posing, flexes on her, then clamps onto Lyra with a cravat. Lyra endures the neck wrench, Zoey shouts at Pat McAfee to put her dropkick over, but Lyra fights up. The fans rally as Lyra fires body shots, but Zoey fires forearms and elbows! Zoey kicks the legs out, then pushes Lyra around. Zoey runs, but Lyra avoids the knee to ghost pin! TWO, and both women stand up! Lyra blocks a shot to ROCK Zoey! And ROCK! SOBAT! KICK! ENZIGIRI! Zoey tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up!
Lyra builds speed and WRECKS Zoey with a dropkick! Lyra puts Zoey in fast, goes up a corner, and CROSSBODIES! Lyra pushes Zoey around, gets her up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Zoey stays in this but Lyra stays focused. The fans rally behind Lyra and she drags Zoey up. Lyra fireman’s carries, but Zoey slips free to waistlock. Lyra switches, Zoey elbows out! Zoey CLUBS Lyra, KICKS the legs out, then runs up, but Lyra ducks the kick! Lyra kips up but Zoey ducks the enzigiri to SUPERKICK! And then HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and Zoey is losing her cool! Zoey storms to a corner, says she’s done!
Zoey climbs, DIVING- NO, Lyra moves and Zoey rolls through! But Lyra hits a WHEEL KICK! And then she reels Zoey in, TORNADO- NO, Zoey stops that to snap suplex into the buckles! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives again and Zoey is furious! Zoey pie faces and pushes Lyra around, then she drags her up. Zoey SLAPS Lyra, Lyra SLAPS back! The fans fire up and Zoey SUPERKICKS again! Zoey scoops, Z 3- NO, Lyra blocks and fireman’s carries, into the NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Cover, Lyra wins!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
And now Raw’s half of the semifinals are set! Jackie interviews Lyra in the ring, saying she is making quite the first impression! Congratulations on moving on in the QOTR! Anything she’d like to say to Iyo ahead of their match? Lyra asks back if they wanna know why she’s so confident. Lyra speaks in Gaelic, then says you’ll find out what that means later. But she will say that she is Lyra Valkyria, the former NXT Women’s Champion, and she travels as the crow flies: straight to the top! The fans fire up as The Morrigan and the Evil Genius are set to collide! Who will own the skies and fly right to the finals?
Jey Uso speaks.
“Uh-huh! Uh-huh! Drew McIntyre couldn’t cut it, so they put ya boi in the King of the Ring tournament! Last week, Finn Balor got the YEET down! Tonight, though, the newcomer, Ilja Dragunov, welcome to Mon-Jey Night Raw, Uce! But you gonna get this work, too! Just like next week, Da Ring General, Gunther, YEET down. And then I’m gonna get a new crown, where it’s gonna go down, where I become the NEW King of the Ring. YEET!” Main Event Jey is ready for said main event, but will he be able to slay the Mad Dragon?
Otis w/ Chad Gable VS Sami Zayn!
Tozawa failed to slow Bronson Reed down by even a step, but now the Academy’s number one guy steps up to the Intercontinental Champion himself! Will this tree trunk fall on Sami and ruin his run up to the KQOTR event? Or will the Great Liberator help show the Academy’s ways aren’t working?
Raw returns as The Academy makes their entrance. The bell rings, Sami and Otis tie up, and Otis powers Sami to a corner., Sami gets free to fire off forearms! Otis puts Sami back in the corner to CLUB away on him! The fans boo but Gable cheers. The ref counts, Otis lets off, and Otis whips Sami to ropes. WRECKER ELBOW! Otis huffs and puffs and Gable says that’s the one he’s been looking for! Sami goes to a corner, Otis runs in to SPLASH! Sami flops and Otis is tempted. The fans want it, Pat wants it, but Gable says don’t do it! Otis starts getting that motor running but Gable tells him no! Otis really wants to, though!
Gable says NO, slow that roll! Otis listens… TO HIS HEART! He rips the shirt open, does the CATERPILLAR and ELBOW DROPS! The fans fire up but Gable is furious! Otis looks at Gable shouting at him, and he goes up the corner as told. VADER BOMB FLOPS! Sami now takes aim, and runs in to HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Sami wins!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall
Okay, that one was on Gable. If he’d just let Otis be Otis, Otis would’ve won, the whole point of this match! Gable storms into the ring to berate Otis, but the fans boo. Gable SLAPS Otis?! Sami rushes back into the ring to go after Gable! CORNER EXPLODER! The fans are thunderous as Sami then runs up, but Gable bails out! Otis helps Gable up, even though he doesn’t deserve it, and Gable shakes Otis off. Gable doesn’t want Otis’ help! Gable blames Otis for all this, and then SLAPS Otis again!! Gable storms off, just how much more abuse is Otis going to put up with?
Braun Strowman talks with The Creed Brothers.
The Monster Among Men just wants to let Julius & Brutus know, they have a hell of an opportunity. It has been a lot of fun watching them make a name for themselves here on Raw, they’ve got a hecc of a future ahead of them. And just check the pipes on Ivy, she could give Braun a run for his money. But then JD calls Strowman out. Braun asks what JD wants, and JD says Braun got in their business. And? Here on Raw, Judgment Day doesn’t appreciate people sticking their nose in their business. Braun chuckles. What’s JD gonna do about it? JD says he should consider himself warned. JD storms off and Braun chuckles. He’s been warned~!
But anyway, Braun wishes The Creeds good luck in the Fatal 4 Way. Will Julius & Brutus make it through to then reach The Awesome Truth?
Becky Lynch VS Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL!
The Women’s World Champion got even with Liv Morgan for leaving her high and dry, but now she’s going to settle things with #CobraKai for picking the fight in the first place. Will Dakota see what happens when The Man comes around? Or will she be ready for The Big Time?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally up, the two start shoving, and then Becky dodges a shot to ROCK Dakota! Becky stomps away on Dakota in a corner, lets off as the ref counts, then runs back in. Dakota boots but Becky blocks to ELBOW Dakota! Becky bumps Dakota off buckles, brings her around, and bumps her off more buckles! And then off buckles in the third corner! Becky dribbles Dakota off the buckle, then lets off as the ref counts. Dakota bails out, Becky builds speed, and Becky WRECKS Dakota with a dropkick! Becky goes to the apron, and then hits a FLYING FOREARM! Dakota falls again, but Becky gets her up.
Becky SMACKS Dakota off the apron, brings her around, and SMACKS her off more apron. Becky puts Dakota in, storms up but Dakota shoulders in. Becky KICKS Dakota in the ropes, ROUNDHOUSES her away, but Iyo runs up! Becky BOOTS Iyo, then Becky goes up a corner. Kairi is there to distract Becky, and Dakota BOOTS Becky! Dakota THROWS Becky off the top, then storms over to stomp her! Dakota puts Becky on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Dakota lets off, and she taunts Becky as she hits buckle bumps in return! Dakota counts along with her dribbling, but Becky hits back to bump Dakota off buckles!
Becky whips, Dakota reverses, but Becky reverses again! Dakota dodges, runs around the world, and BOOTS Becky down! Dakota stomps Becky, drags her up, and clamps on a chinlock! Becky endures as Dakota squeezes tight, and the fans rally up. Becky fights up, arm-drags free, but then Dakota blocks a boot! Becky ENZIGIRIS! Dakota goes to a corner, Becky runs up but only gets buckles. Dakota tries going Around the World again but Becky dodges! JUMP KICK! Both women are down and the fans fire up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Dakota drags Becky up to a fireman’s carry. Becky slips free, waistlocks, and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Dakota has the roll-up, TWO! Becky stands, Dakota kicks and TOSSES her to the apron! Dakota puts Becky in ropes to JUMP STOMP her down! Cover, TWO! Becky survives and Dakota is furious! Dakota rises, tells Becky to get up, and then Dakota runs in, but Becky BOOTS back! Dakota ROCKS Becky, runs again, but Becky runs! Dakota sees that and ROCKS Becky again! But Becky runs up, into an ELBOW! Dakota whips, Becky reverses, and now Dakota’s on the apron! But Dakota RAMS into Becky!
Dakota drags Becky into ropes, but Becky avoids the stomp! She gets Dakota in the ropes to ROCK, UPPERCUT and SOBAT! Becky goes up the corner, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Dakota stays in this and DMG CTRL is relieved. The fans rally up as Becky and Dakota stir. Becky slaps herself to get that fire back, and she storms up on Dakota. Clinch and- NO, Dakota slips free, shoves and BOOTS in the corner! Becky falls, Dakota covers, TWO!! Becky survives and Dakota is losing her mind! Dakota goes back to the corner, climbs up, but Becky trips her up first! Becky now climbs and the fans rally!
Dakota CLUBS Becky, Becky hits back! They brawl up top, Becky CLUBS away and then brings Dakota up! The fans fire up for the SUPERPLEX! And then ARMBAR! Dakota flails, fights around, stacks, TWO! Becky pops Dakota into a cradle, TWO! Dakota high stacks, ONE!! DISARM-HER! DMG CTRL ATTACKS!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by disqualification
The fans boo as Iyo & Kairi beat Becky down, but here comes Lyra! Lyra did say she’d have Becky’s back so here she is! ENZIGIRI for Dakota! ENZIGIRI for Kairi! Iyo and Lyra stare down, but Iyo swings first! Lyra ducks, Becky CLOBBERS Iyo! The fans fire up as the Irish lasses kick some asses, but then Liv runs in to POST Becky!! Liv runs away, but this blindside only proves Becky right! Will Liv do whatever she has to in order to get that Women’s World Championship? Will Becky do what she must to put Liv in her place?
Backstage interview with Ilja Dragunov.
Jackie is now with The Mad Dragon and says last week, he kicked off the tournament with a thrilling victory over Ricochet. Tonight is a quarterfinal match with Main Event Jey in the main event, what is Ilja’s mindset going in? Dragunov says some believe it is a dream, or destiny, to be here. To be in this spot, to feel a moment like this. But for Dragunov, it is not enough just to be here. He is here to make an impact night in and night out, and it starts with him becoming The Czar of the Ring! Last week, he and Ricochet pushed themselves to the absolute limits! And when it was time to strike, Dragunov took it!
Dragunov promises to bring the same fight to the Main Event, Jey Uso, tonight! And Dragunov knows Jey is ready for a battle. But what is waiting on the other side is a different kind of animal. One only a few have beaten. But Dragunov is more than a different kind of animal. He is a different kind of DRAGON! Dragunov beat Gunther! And so Dragunov and Gunther have a long history together. But one thing is for sure, it is NOT over! And wait, Gunther steps in! Gunther smirks a bit as he looks Dragunov over. Gunther leaves, will he end up with an even better look in the semifinals?
WWE World Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: New Catch Republic VS Authors of Pain VS The Creed Brothers VS Finn Balor & JD McDonagh!
Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne, Akam & Rezar, Julius & Brutus, The Prince & The Irish Ace. This is a star-studded match to be sure, but only one team can make it through! Who defies the odds to head for The Awesome Truth?
Raw returns and speaking of The Awesome Truth, they’re ringside to watch this in person! New Catch Republic make their entrance now, followed by The Creeds, and that leaves The Final Testament to make theirs last but certainly not least. For this Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are legal at a time, so The Big Strong Boi steps to Finn. They circle, feel things out, and Finn kicks low! Finn CLUBS Bate, bumps him off buckles, then ROCKS him. Tag to JD, he stomps Bate a few times, then snapmares. Bate is up but JD trips him. JD stomps Bate in the stomach, but Bate reaches up to twist and headscissor hold JD!
Bate handstand walks his way to the corner, tag to The Bruiserweight, and Bate RANAS! NCR double whip JD, then double back drop! The fans fire up, Dunne keeps JD from Finn and bends the fingers! JD suffers, the fans fire up, and Dunne isolates that arm to STOMP it! JD writhes but Dunne brings him up to wrench. JD ROCKS Dunne, Julius tags in! Julis tags Brutus, they KNEE JD back and forth! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! The Creeds double whip JD, but JD holds ropes to BOOT them both away! Akam CLOBBERS JD, then Rezar CLOBBERS The Creeds! Akam BLASTS Finn, Rezar SPINEBUSTERS Bate! Akam scoops and SLAMS Dunne onto Bate!
The fans boo but the AOP just shout at everyone. AOP get JD up to DOUBLE HIP TOSS him out onto everyone else! The fans boo but the Authors of Pain are all fired up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn fires off hands on Brutus in the corner. The fans boo but Finn soaks up the heat. Tag to JD, JD stomps Brutus down, then he tags Finn back in. The Judgment Day gets Brutus up but then they sucker punch NCR! The fans boo again but JD & Finn turn around, into DOUBLE LARIATS from Brutus! The fans rally as Brutus crawls for his corner, Finn goes to the other wat. Hot tag to Julius, Finn runs up into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Julius kips up to OVERHEAD SUPLEX JD! Julius kips up to DROPKICK Akam, and he DECKS Rezar! JD & Finn mug Julius, double whip, but Juilus reverse sto reel them in! DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS!
Julius kips up, the fans fire up, and Awesome Truth are in awe as Julius STANDING SHOOTING STARS! JD hurries over but Juilus oves, the ax handle hits Finn! Julius TOSSES JD out, but Finn rolls Julius up! TWO, and Finn aims form a corner! SLINGBLADE! Finn aims again, to SHOTGUN Julius down! Finn hurries up top but that’s the AOP corner! NCR CLOBBER Finn first, fight off AOP, but then Dunne ASAI MOONSAULTS Akam, Bate ASAI MOONSAULTS Rezar! Julius gets Finn for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Julius hurries to get Finn up. Tag to Brutus, and Julius Electric Chair Lifts!
JD saves Finn and shoves Julius into Brutus! AOP get in to attack Judgment Day! “This is Awesome!” as we get a SUPER COLLIDER!! Bate & Dunne DOUBLE GAMANGIRI Akam! Then they DOUBLE FOREARM Rezar! Akam returns, grabs both of them and he SHOVES NCR up and out! Akam gets Brutus up but Brutus lifts Akam! SAIDO!! The fans fire up with Brutus and he goes up a corner. Bate tags in before the BRUTUS BALL!! Brutus takes out the AOP and Dunne, but Bate aims at Akam! REBOUNDER, and fireman’s carry!! For an AIRPLANE SPIN!! Around and around and around we go, and the fans fire up for the THROW!
But Finn gets Bate for a roll-up! TWO!! Bate says Bop up, BANG! Dunne tags in, NCR get Finn for a DOUBLE TYLER DRIVER!! Cover, JD breaks it!! The fans boo but Bate builds speed to DIVE and take out JD into the desk! Dunne hurries after JD, to rain down fists of fury! The fans are thunderous, but then CARLITO attacks Dunne! BACKSTABBER on the desk!! Caribbean Cool helps out his amigos, and JD HEADBUTTS Bate! JD puts Dunne in, Finn goes up top! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Judgment Day wins!!
Winners: Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the World Tag Team Championships)
Finn grins at Miz & Truth, because here we go again! Finn also nods to Carlito for the assist, is Carlito going to win the Judgment Day over the way JD once did? Will it be even better when Finn & JD bring the tag titles back to the Judgment Day?
Ricochet finds Ilja Dragunov backstage.
The One and Only says he just wants to show respect for the match last week. That was one hell of a fight. And the next time this happens, Ricochet promises the outcome will be different. But as far as tonight goes, he wishes Dragunov good luck, and to go get the crown. Will the Czar do just that? Or will we all hail #KingYEET?
Judgment Day regroups backstage.
Priest talks Dom’s new facial hair with him, but then gets serious. Are Dom and Rhea good? Yeah, why does he ask? But then Finn & JD step in, celebrating with Carlito! Big assist to have the #1 contendership, they’re getting those tag titles! But Priest doesn’t look happy, and Carlito says he gest it. He’s not wanted. But then Priest tells Carlito that what happened out there… was cool. He said it! Priest then tells Carlito that he brought up Rey Mysterio. The boys will have his back, but Carlito can handle his business, right? Of course! Good. Because the crew doesn’t roll with cowards. Don’t let them down, amigo.
Priest heads out, Carlito says no one’s scared of Rey. But they all celebrate winning Priest over, will Caribbean Cool bring down the King of Lucha Libre?
King of the Ring Quarterfinals: Jey Uso VS Ilja Dragunov!
Raw returns and Dragunov makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” as Jey circles with Dragunov. They tie up, go around, and Jey puts Dragunov in a corner. Dragunov turns it around, but lets off slowly. The fans chant for “UCE! OH!” but Jey ducks the backhand! Dragunov blocks a haymaker to CHOP! And CHOP! Jey shoves, kicks, but Dragunov blocks! And he ducks the Dragon Whip! Jey stagger sup, into a SPINNING CHOP! The fans rally but Dragunov says he will be the CZAR of the Ring! Jey goes to a corner, Dragunov runs up to KNEE him down! Dragunov then pushes Jey down, goes up, and KING KONG KNEE DROPS!
Dragunov fires up, fans are torn, and Dragunov goes up a corner. But Jey gets up to UPPERCUT first! Dragunov tumbles to the apron then the floor, and Jey builds speed! Jey DIVES and Dragunov hits the desk! Both men fall and the fans fire up! A standing count starts, but fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” as Jey gets Dragunov up. Jey fireman’s carries, but Dragunov slips free and JUMP KICKS! Jey falls, Dragunov refreshes the count, and he fires up again! The fans are torn but they like him clearing off the desk! Dragunov brings Jey up to CHOP him onto the desk! Dragunov then positions Jey just right, and goes up the barriers!
The fans fire up as Dragunov aims, to H-BOMB only desk! Jey avoids disaster and Dragunov clutches his hand! Jey slides into the ring but slides right back out, to SPEAR Dragunov over the desk!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Dragunov has Jey caught with a COBRA TWIST! Jey endures, pries at the hold, and the fans rally up. Jey hip tosses free! Both men are down and the fans rally again. Jey rises and he aims at Dragunov. Jey runs up to ROCK him with a haymaker! Dragunov wobbles, but he comes back to ROCK Jey! Jey ROCKS Dragunov, “YEET!” Dragunov drops to a knee, but he rises to CHOP! Jey UPPERCUTS, “YEET!” Jey shoves Dragunov, Dragunov CHOPS back! Dragunov fires boxing elbows, then winds up, but Jey counter punches! And again! And again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks ‘n’ puts stank on it to DECK Dragunov!
The fans fire up, Jey kicks but Dragunov blocks! The DRAGON WHIP hits this time! Dragunov falls, Jey has the fans fire up with a “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey runs corner to corner, but Dragunov BOOTS him down! Dragunov stalks Jey, Jey rises, and Dragunov waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX! Dragunov holds on and says Jey’s not going anywhere! Dragunov hauls Jey up, to GERMAN SUPLEX again! Dragunov still holds on, but Jey fights with elbows! Jey arm-drags free, and mule kicks! Then UPERCUTS! But Dragunov springs up to PELE! Dragunov runs, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and Dragunov is stunned!
The fans rally, “This is Awesome!” as both men rise. Dragunov shakes his head, he storms up on Jey in a corner, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” as Dragunov MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Dragunov then scrapes his boot on Jey’s face! And again! Dragunov runs side to side, to BOOT WASH! Dragunov snarls and he drags Jey back up. Dragunov waistlocks, but Jey fights the hold! Jey switches, shoves, CONSTANTINE- BOOT! Jey then SUPERKICKS! SUPERKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives but Jey keeps cool. Jey’s ear is bleeding from where the earring is, but he doesn’t let it bother him.
Jey aims from a corner, runs up, but into a KNEE! Dragunov runs up to KNEE Jey down! Dragunov then drags Jey up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS! Dragunov goes to a corner, takes aim, and H-BOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov couldn’t keep Jey down from the pain in his hand, but now he reloads! “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO MOS- SPEAR!! Jey hurries up top to USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Dragunov brought out the intensity, and Jey managed to match it! And that means Jey will be facing Gunther in the semifinals in Greensboro! And speaking of, Gunther makes his way out here! He gives a look to Dragunov, then steps into the ring with Jey. The fans fire up as Jey and Gunther have a stare down! Will Der Ring General catch this YEET down? Or will nothing stop Gunther from heading for the crown?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Raw, and they really gave each of these quarterfinal matches the room to breathe and really get going. Great use of recording the superstar arrivals to add to story this time, with Iyo getting at Shayna for Shayna to then get at her right before the match. Great promo segment from Lyra, Liv and Becky, really good match from Lyra VS Zoey. Really good match from Becky VS Dakota, but it was a little sloppy in the middle. Perhaps just simple miscommunication. Those two haven’t faced off much, they just needed to get a rhythm. Good move having Becky win by DQ, and then good move of Liv getting back at Becky for the punch. Iyo VS Lyra next week is going to be awesome, Becky VS Liv is going to be wild stuff for KQOTR.
The King of the Ring matches were also great. Kofi & Woods had a really good promo going into Kofi’s match with Gunther, which was awesome. Gunther winning out made sense, though, given who was on the other side of the bracket. Great promo from Kaiser running down Sheamus, and you can bet Sheamus comes back to Brogue Kaiser in the face. Good promo from Jey to call out Gunther and Dragunov, good promo from Dragunov, and great little bit of Gunther during Dragunov’s segment. Awesome main event match, and while Gunther VS Dragunov would’ve been awesome, it’ll still be awesome later on so let’s get the awesome rematch of Gunther VS Jey now. That match could really go either way, SmackDown’s bracket will also go a long way to figuring this out.
And we still got great non-tournament content going towards KQOTR. Great promo from McIntyre to call out Punk, because I just knew he’d spin Punk calling him out around like that. Great stuff from Priest, too, as McIntyre again gets the truth thrown in his face and can’t reply in the moment. Great stuff with Judgment Day wanting to have Carlito join up and all that, and I did not think Carlito would make a move to earn his place so soon. That Fatal 4 Tag was awesome stuff, but it made a lot of sense for JD & Finn to win their shot at the tag titles. I hope Awesome Truth find a way to retain, they’ve been too fun as a team to lose these belts already.
Good little promo from Braun with The Creeds and JD. Braun being the “Monster” is sure being a nice guy right now, but he’ll definitely pulverize JD at some point. All this Wyatt 6 teasing, I wonder if Braun’s being a nice guy all to “swerve” us and reveal he’s one of the masterminds behind what’s coming. And really good stuff with the Intercontinental Championship story. Gable keeps taking his anger all out on The Academy, and that is the real reason they’ve been failing. I almost thought Gable slapping Otis was gonna be the last straw, but perhaps The Academy standing up to Gable is why he loses at KQOTR. It’ll definitely be a great moment as the fans are definitely behind Otis on this. Otis has been doing good stuff for a long time, he deserves to have something.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Time to defy the odds!
A tag team gauntlet and a Fatal 4 Way determine contenders that will challenge for NXT gold this Saturday at Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins and will challenge Ricky Saints for the title at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice; Lola wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet: Hank ‘n’ Tank win and will challenge Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS Thea Hail; Thea wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page!
The Absolute holds what many want, but only one gets their shot. Will the Alpha Wolf be one step closer to his “birthright?” Will the Drama King look to go for another crown? Will the Wes Side return to former glory? Or will it be All Ego that meets Saints in Sin City?
But speaking of Saints, Ricky makes his entrance after everyone else is already in the ring! The fans fire up as the champion decides to join commentary. The bell rings and Eddy kicks at Ethan but Ethan blocks, only for Lexis to DECK Ethan! Wes then rolls Eddy up, but Lexis shoves Wes away! Lexis basement SUPERKICKS Eddy! Wes and Lexis stare down, things speed up, and Lexis hurdles, but Wes leaps over. Wes dodges Lexis, but Lexis steps on Wes’s dropdown! The fans are torn, but Eddy is up. Lexis wants Eddy to calm down, but then Ethan is also up. Lexis tells them both to calm down, but now Wes is up.
Lexis finds himself surrounded, and Wes feeds Lexis to Eddy’s KICK, and Ethan’s HAYMAKER! Wes adds a HAYMAKER, then Eddy KIKS again! Ethan HAYMAKERS, Wes ENZIGIRIS, and Lexis wobbles. Eddy TOSSES Lexis, the fans fire up, but then Ethan DECKS Wes! Eddy ROCKS and KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS on Ethan! Wes runs up, Eddy gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Wes tumbles to a corner, Eddy BOOTS Ethan! Eddy runs and BOOTS Wes! Lexis is back, but Eddy dodges to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Ethan breaks it! Ethan ROCKS Eddy, but Wes ROCKS Ethan! Eddy spins Wes, but Wes BODY BLOWS!
Wes KICKS, KICKS, and ENZIGIRIS Eddy, to then DOUBLE STOMP him down! Wes runs to ELBOW Ethan in a corner, mule kick, and AX KICKS! Wes then runs at Lexis, but Lexis dodges! Lexis dodges Eddy so Eddy runs into Wes! Lexis dodges Ethan, Ethan runs into Wes & Eddy! Lexis then SUPERKICKS Ethan into them both! Lexis runs corner to corner, but everyone clears out! Lexis POSTS himself! Wes BOOTS Ethan, Eddy kicks Wes, then Eddy reels Wes in. Wes wrenches out, slips around, but Eddy elbows free. Eddy runs, Wes dodges, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Eddy tumbles up and out and to the floor!
Wes runs up, Ethan puts him on the apron, but Wes RAMS into Ethan! Eddy grabs at Wes, Wes kicks him away, but Ethan ROCKS Wes! Wes is stuck in the ropes, so Ethan hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives, Ethan drags Wes up, but then he sees Lexis climbing a corner. Ethan pushes Wes aside to ROCK Lexis! Ethan then climbs up to join Lexis, reels him in, but they both fire body shots! Lexis CLUBS Ethan, Eddy UPPERCUTS Lexis! Eddy climbs up to work with Ethan, but then Wes throws hands on the legs! Wes gets under all of this, and the fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!!
All four men are down while the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener! Lexis flops out of the ring, Ethan and Eddy flounder, but Wes runs, SHOOTING STAR on Ethan! Cover, Eddy breaks it! The fans fire up as Wes and Eddy stand to trade forearms! Wes fires a body shot then a forearm, but Eddy fires a forearm, an UPPERCUT, and a KICK! Eddy snarls, but Ethan waistlocks! Eddy fires elbows to get free, but Wes BOOTS Eddy! Ethan DUMPS Eddy out, Wes DECKS Ethan! Wes builds speed and he DIVES into Lexis! Ethan let Lexis take that shot while he grabs Eddy. Eddy blocks the apron bump to elbow Ethan!
Eddy runs up, Ethan dodges, and Eddy almost hits Ricky! Ricky says watch it, but then Ethan SHOVES Eddy into Ricky! The fans go nuts, Ricky is pissed, and he THROWS Eddy aside to get at Ethan! The ref tries to stop this, but Ricky is too heated, so the ref EJECTS Ricky from ringside! The fans boo but Ethan just mockingly waves bye-bye. Ricky warns Ethan, the fans chant, “Ref, You Suck!” but NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Lexis ROCKS Wes. Lexis reels Wes in, but Ethan BOOTS Lexis down! Ethan then scoops Wes to SLAM him onto Lexis! Ethan then THROWS Lexis into Eddy! Ethan drags Lexis up, but Lexis slips free of the Canadian Rack! Lexis grabs the arms, crosses them, then reels Ethan in, but Ethan trips Lexis up! Ethan turns Lexis over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans are torn as Lexis endures, and Lexis claws at the mat! Lexis crawls forward, but Ethan drags him back from the ropes! Wes runs up, Ethan ducks the lariat, but then Eddy YANKS Wes outta the ring! Eddy clamps onto Lexis with a CROSSFACE!!
Lexis endures double submissions, but then Wes STOPS Lexis from tapping!! The fans are thunderous, but Eddy is furious! Eddy lets go of Lexis to STOMP Wes down! Eddy then BOOTS Ethan down! Eddy goes up a corner as the fans duel, and Lexis UPPERCUTS Eddy! Lexis climbs, fires forearms on Eddy, and Eddy falls to the apron! Ethan CLUBS Lexis! Ethan has an Electric Chair, then he has Eddy in a facelock! But Wes goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS onto a DOOMSDAY DDT COMBO!! The fans are going nuts all over again while all four men are down! But then Ethan crawls to cover Eddy while Wes crawls to cover Lexis! Double covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up while Wes and Ethan grow frustrated. They stare down, then they throw hands! Wes fires a flurry, but Ethan ROCKS Wes with one! Wes PELES in return! Wes hurries to go up a corner! But Lexis SHOVES him down! Wes hits apron, Lexis climbs, SWANTON BOMB on Ethan! But Eddy is up top! He MACHO ELBOWS the cover apart! Eddy then drags Lexis up, but Wes rises! METEORA for Eddy!! Cover, Lexis YANKS Wes up! CORONATION!! But Ethan has Lexis! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)
Ethan smirks as he takes advantage of this golden opportunity. Ethan grabs a mic to say, “Well, I guess that makes me the man then, huh?” The fans are torn but Ethan says he is the #1 contender. Ethan knows he isn’t the guy Ricky wanted to win, and he has every right to believe that. Because everyone remembers their first. And the first championship in WWE for Ricky was ruined by Ethan Page! At Stand & Deliver, Ricky’s first title defense will also be ruined by- RICKY SPEARS ETHAN!! No more ringside ban, and the champ gets some payback! But will Las Vegas be absolute? Or will All Ego’s ego only expand exponentially this Saturday?
Jordynne Grace speaks.
“What you see today as The Juggernaut, multiple time TNA Knockouts Champion, this wasn’t how I started. I wasn’t scouted, I never had ‘star power,’ never really been a beauty queen. If it were possible to have negative aura, that is who I was. I was just a little girl wrestling in half-empty gyms, trying to find a place to fit in a world that didn’t seem built for me. I knew what people saw, or really rather what they didn’t see. But something I did have that not a lot of people in wrestling do, is self-awareness. So I finally stopped wishing that I had what I was supposed to have, and started building what I could become.
“I turned insecurity into intensity, doubt into discipline, and that was the day The Juggernaut was born. I fell in love with getting stronger. I became laser focused into building my body into an atomic bomb. Waking up at 3AM to train, jumping into a car to drive 8 hours to wrestle, hit another gym session after that, then sleep two hours and do it all over again the next day. And as hard as that was, I was obsessed with it. It was a way that I could stand out against all the other women. And to me, it was the only way. I wanted the WWE Universe to say, ‘Yeah, the WWE women are killing it, but have you seen Jordynne Grace over in TNA? That’s Jordynne Grace!?’
“I’ve put in the work so that no one could ignore me. I forced my way into the conversation and made people believe in The Juggernaut the way I believed in myself. Now, the biggest hurdle of my career is right in front of me this Saturday, when I have the opportunity to become NXT Women’s Champion. And just like I’ve been my entire career, I’m aware of exactly what I’m gonna have to do to leave Vegas with my first WWE championship.” Jordynne is ready, but will Grace survive in Sin City?
The NXT Women’s Division holds another watch party.
Sol Ruca asks Zaria who she thinks will take the last two spots in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match. Zaria isn’t sure, but it won’t matter when the outcome will be the same. Sol agrees there, because it’ll be one of them as the champ. Oh, really? Doesn’t Sol mean Zaria? Kelani Jordan hears this and takes offense. She thought #ZaRuca was fine. Uh, they are. New shirts and everything, thanks for asking. Well, it won’t be either of them, because Kelani’s going to be a TWO-TIME Women’s North American Champion. And she’ll show everyone why no one can do it like Lan- Izzi Dame interjects.
Izzi says good one, idiots. But y’know who Izzi misses these days? The old Kelani. She was way more likeable. Old Kelani, new Kelani, it won’t matter when Izzi’s the one on top of the ladder, holding the title, and bringing it home to The Culling. Keep dreaming, Izzi, it’ll never happen. Those two both head out, and Sol says it’s just like she said, either her or Zaria will walk out as champion. Zaria says sure, something like that. But to the point, who will get the remaining spots and fill out the six pack?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice!
The weird girls are hungry for some gold, but so is the MMA Mamacita! Will Tatum take over? Or will there be a Vice in Sin City?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Tatum rolls Lola, TWO, and Tatum narrowly avoids the roundhouse! The fans rally as the two reset and tie up. Tatum waistlocks, Lola switches, and Lola SLAMS Tatum down. Lola holds on as Tatum fights around, and Gigi coaches Tatum up. Tatum pries free, backflips up and over to then Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Lola has Tatum in a modified CROSSFACE! Tatum endures, fights to stack Lola, TWO! Lola runs up but Tatum kicks her away. Tatum wrenches, UPPERCUTS, then CLUBS the arm. Tatum grinds Lola down, the fans duel, and Lola endures. Tatum hits a BRIDGING FUJIWARA!
The fans rally, Lola fights around and reels Tatum into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tatum high stacks, TWO! Lola lets Tatum go, but then BODY BLOWS! Tatum drops to her knees, Lola clamps on with a headlock, and Lola hits a takeover. Tatum fights around, but Lola puts on the pressure. Tatum fights up, Lola thrashes, but Tatum powers up and out. Lola ducks ‘n’ dodges to then whip Tatum, and Lola catches Tatum to a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Tatum powers out fast, but then Lola hits a SPINEBUSTER! Tatum bails out, Lola rushes after her! Tatum crawls under the ring? Lola grabs at Tatum but Tatum kicks her away!
Tatum scurries under the ring, Gigi taunts Lola, but Lola tells Gigi she’s estupida. Lola goes looking for Tatum, but Tatum YANKS her into the ring frame! Tatum laughs, Gigi says that’s what Lola gets, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tatum taunts Lola, brings her up and into the ring, then drags Lola up to KNEE the arm again and again! Tatum wrenches and WRINGS the arm, then JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tatum grabs Lola’s arm, stomps it, then twists the wrist! Lola endures, but Tatum SLAMS the arm off the mat! Tatum bends the fingers, mockingly high-fives the hand, but Lola kicks her away! Tatum comes back and wrenches again, but Lola wrenches and WRINGS it in return! Lola SOBATS Tatum, whips and KNEES her low, and Tatum is in the ropes. Lola goes to the apron to AX KICK Tatum down! Tatum flounders into the ring but Lola pursues.
Lola whips and KICKS Tatum, then drags her up to reel her in. Lola snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Lola gets up, for Dos Amigas! Lola drags Tatum up again, gives some Latina Heat, and hits THREE AMIGAS! Cover, TWO! Tatum stays in this and Lola grows frustrated. Lola stalks Tatum to the ropes, stands her up, and whips her to KNEE- NO, Tatum rolls Lola up! TWO, and Lola KICKS Tatum back down! Lola drags Tatum around, then clamps on with a chinlock. Tatum endures, even as Lola thrashes her around. Tatum fights up, RAMS Lola into a corner, but Lola holds on! Tatum RAMS Lola into another corner, but Lola clamps on again!
Tatum pries at the hold, RAMS Lola into the corner again, and now she’s free. Only to run up into headscissors! Tatum brings Lola off the corner to POWERBOMB! NXT returns to single picture as both women rise. Tatum dodges a kick, and she CLOBBERS Lola! And CLOBBERS her again! And ENZIGIRIS! Tatum wrenches Lola for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Tatum runs corner to corner and CROSSBODIES Lola in the corner! Tatum whips corner to corner to CROSSBODY again! Tatum goes for a third, but Lola KNEES the crossbody down! The fans rally, Gigi coaches Tatum, but Lola AX KICKS again!
Lola fires LIGHTNING KICKS and she backs Tatum up into the corner! The fans fire up for Lola as she reminds us, “I’m a Latina~!” HIP ATTACK! Lola drags Tatum out of the corner, covers, TWO!! Tatum survives and the fans fire up! Lola drags Tatum up, lifts her up, but Tatum sunset flips! TWO, and Tatum hurries to a corner. Lola runs in, but Tatum dodges! Lola gets stuck in ropes, Tatum CROSSBODIES again! Tatum brings Lola around to hoist her up top, and the fans duel even harder! Tatum climbs, Lola fires body shots, and Lola shoves Tatum down! Tatum comes back to GAMANGIRI! Tatum then climbs up, brings Lola up, and SUPERPLEXES!
The fans fire up, Tatum crawls to the cover, TWO!! Lola survives, but Tatum doesn’t stop! She hooks Lola up, but Lola pops free! SLEEPER!! Lola drags Tatum down, but Tatum rolls back to a cover! TWO!! Lola lets go in time, but Tatum throat chops! Tatum goes up the ropes, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! And then the BUENAS NOCHES BACKHAND!! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Lola got the knockout, and now she’s punched her ticket to Las Vegas! Will everything come up LV this Saturday?
Giulia speaks.
“For the past few weeks, I watched Stephanie bask in the glory of being a double champion. I waited and waited for her to give me a rematch, but it never happened. Friendships only go so far when it comes to the NXT Women’s Championship. Last week, I reminded Stephanie of what Beautiful Madness is. Jaida Parker? I don’t know her, but I can tell she is very confident. She likes to dish out punishment, but she doesn’t like to take it. Jordynne Grace is strong, but on Saturday, I will introduce her to Strong Style. Jordynne and Jaida are obstacles in my way to Stephanie. My goal was to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Losing it only made me more dangerous.
“Last year at Stand & Deliver, I introduced myself. This year, I leave as the NXT Women’s Champion.” Giulia is ready, will all succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
A car pulls up real fast.
And out steps Trick Williams! #CrashOutTrick looks ready for a fight, will he find one this close to his NXT Championship Triple Threat?
Ava Raine is arguing with The Fatal Influence and Meta Four!
The NXT General Manager is trying to get Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to all listen to her, but then Gigi & Tatum stumble in. Gigi brings up this other opportunity Ava talked about last week, and Ava says yes, that’s what this is about. But Jacy says it won’t be an opportunity for Gigi & Tatum. Ava says hold on, hold on. Everyone will get their opportunity at Stand & Deliver. There will be a Triple Threat Tag Team match, and after talking it over with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, the winners will get a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match for the NXT after WrestleMania.
Tatum & Gigi are fired up, as are the Meta Girls and Fatal Influence, but then Roxie storms in and says she just knew Ava would do this. Every single woman is going to be on Stand & Deliver except for Roxie, the woman who made this division the best Women’s Division in the WORLD! Ava says yes, hi, how are you, Roxie? Good job losing to Tiffany on SmackDown last Friday. But clearly she didn’t get enough because she’s back here bothering Ava. But hey, if Roxie can charm herself a tag partner, then Ava will happily make this a Fatal 4 Way. The others chuckle and Roxie says Ava has always had it out for her,
Roxie storms off and the others sarcastically wish her luck. Will Roxie be able to salvage one of the many bridges she’s burned around here? Or will the Prodigy be out of luck this close to Stand & Deliver?
NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet!
Speaking of luck, the luck of the draw is going to be tested, and the team that survives the odds will battle Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the titles! But who do we have first? It’s Hank ‘n’ Tank! The Street Profits told them to just be themselves and it’ll be alright, but will Hank ‘n’ Tank be able to run the table?
Starting with them are Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont! Will Ty & Ty represent for the Wes Side?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont!
The teams sort out and Tank starts against Tyson. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They break, circle again, then tie back up. Tyson waistlocks, full nelsons, but Tank powers up. Tyson spins Tank to KNEE him in the face! Tyson runs and UPPERCUTS Tank down! Cover, TWO! Tyson storms up but Tank fires a body shot. Tyson ROCKS Tank, SPLASHES in the corner, then tags Tyriek. Tyson feeds Tank to Tyriek for a kitchen sink knee! Tyriek UPPERCUTS, then KICKS a leg out, to then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tank is toughing it out, but Tyriek bumps him off buckles. Tyriek runs, but Tank BOOTS him back!
Tank storms up, Tyriek headlocks, but Hank tags in as Tank powers up and out! Tank blows past Tyriek, Tyriek gets distracted, and Hank CLOBBERS him! Tank dodges Tyson’s sucker punch to triangle jump LARIAT! Hank ‘n’ Tank take the corners, and as Tyriek stands up, “HONK! HONK!” BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Hank scoops, Tank runs up, GRIDIRON! Cover, Hank ‘n’ Tank ELIMINATE Ty & Ty! The fans fire up while Wes is freaking out! But no time to rest, here comes Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank be victims of The Culling?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen!
Jensen keeps Vance back, they have to do this the right way. Vance does start against Hank, and the two tie up. Niko RAMS Hank into the corner, then Jensen throws hands! Jensen tags in, and he ROCKS Hank! Jensen whips corner to corner but Hank reverses. Hank runs up and SPLASHES, then he runs side to side! Tank tags in, Hank LARIATS again! Tank adds a LARIAT! Niko runs up, Hank hits him with an atomic drop! Niko hobbles to a corner, Tank runs up to LARIAT! Hank LARIATS Jensen, then Hank ‘n’ Tank switch, more LARIATS for Jensen & Niko! And then more LARIATS! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Niko!!
Jensen staggers up, Tank gives Hank the boost into the SEATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jensen survives but Tank clamps on, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Jensen endures, fights up, and he bumps Tank off buckles. Jensen gives Tank more buckle bumps, but then Tank stops that! Tank keeps Jensen from running away to give him buckle bumps of his own! Shoutout to Matt Hardy with these “DELETE!” bumps, and then he SLAM DUNKS Jensen off the corner! Tag to Hank, and Tank puts Jensen up top. Hank ‘n’ Tank coordinate, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT Jensen in the ribs! Hank pushes Jensen down, covers, TWO! Jensen stays in this but Hank stays on him. Hank whips Jensen to a corner, runs up, but Jensen BOOTS him! Jensen brings Hank over, tags Niko, but Hank gets loose!
Hank ROCKS Jensen, DECKS Niko, then dodges Jensen, only for Jensen to DUMP Hank to the apron! Jensen ROCKS Hank, and Niko Electric Chair Lifts Hank! Jensen lines up the shot, DOOMSDAY BULLDOG to the desk!! Hank goes down in a heap while The Culling stands tall! Niko then drags Hank up, bumps him off the apron, and Hank sputters around the way. Niko puts Hank in the ring, stomps him around, then drags him from his corner. Niko bumps Hank off buckles, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Niko lets off, and he stalks Hank to a corner. Niko whips Hank corner to corner hard!
Niko tags Jensen, Jensen throws hands on Hank, then JABS, JABS, JABS! Jensen DECKS Hank, covers, TWO! Hank stays in this, even with blood in his mouth, but Jensen ELBOWS him in the head. NXT returns to single picture as Jensen whips and CLOBBERS Hank! Cover, TWO! Tank coaches Hank, the fans rally up, but Jensen clamps onto Hank with a chinlock. The fans rally harder, Hank fights up to his feet, and Hank fires body shots! The fans cheer, but Jensen turns Hank! Hank turns that to a backslide! TWO, and we see Fraxiom watching backstage as Jensen grabs Hank’s leg! Jensen drags Hank back, tag to Niko.
Niko stomps Hank again and again, then talks trash. Hank fires body shots in return, but Niko CLUBS him down! Niko taunts Tank, Tank warns Niko, and Hank LARIATS Niko down! The fans fire up, but Niko grabs Hank’s leg! Hank still crawls, but Jensen distracts the ref! The ref misses Hank’s hot tag! The fans boo as Tank has to go back! Niko scoops Hank, Jensen goes up, ASSISTED POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Hank survives and the fans are thunderous! Jensen & Niko have no idea how this is possibly, but Niko facelocks Hank. Hank fights up, fights forward, but Niko CLUBS him down!
Niko tries to suplex but Hank blocks it! Hank suplexes Niko, but Jensen reaches out to push it down! The ref reprimands, but Niko suplexes! Hank slips free, shoves Niko away, Jensen tags in, but Hank hot tags Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on The Culling! Tank LARIATS Niko up and out! Then he dodges Jensen to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Tank dodges Niko to ROCK him! Tank runs to BLAST Niko off the apron! Jensen runs up, Tank cartwheels and LARIATS! A shoutout to the War Raiders, perhaps? Tank covers, Niko breaks it! The fans boo, but Hank is back! Hank and Niko grapple, Niko TOSSES Hank, but Tank TOSSES Niko!
But Jensen rolls Tank up! TWO, and Jensen runs! Tank ducks under the leg lariat, goes up, up, but leaps into a WHEEL KICK! Niko tags in, then he tags Jensen back! They hoist Tank up to the Electric Chair, and Jensen goes up, DOOMSDAY BELLY2BELLY!? Tank turns things around on Jensen, and Hank trips Niko! Tank covers, HANK ‘N’ TANK ELIMINATE THE CULLING!! Blink and you might’ve missed it! But Hank ‘n’ Tank have to regroup quickly, because here comes the No Quarter Catch Crew! Will Myles Borne & Tavion Heights be the ones to go the distance?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Myles Borne & Tavion Heights!
Myles & Heights rush in, they dodge Hank ‘n’ Tank, and Myles DROPKICKS Hank! Tavion fireman’s carries Tank for the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Tank survives but Tavion knows he has Tank where he wants him! Tavion ROCKS Tank, whips Tank, and LARIATS Tank! Tag to Myles, the NQCC double whip to then DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Tank is still in this, but Myles drags him up. Myles ROCKS Tank, ROCKS him again, and then tags Tavion. Feed to the fireman’s carry throw! Cover, TWO! The fans duel while Tavion rains down forearms! Tavion clamps on a chinlock but Tank endures the squeeze.
Tank fights up, the fans rally harder, and Tank fights up to his feet. Tank fights around, and JAWBREAKERS free! Myles tags in, but Tank tags Hank! Hank DUMPS Tavion, then fires haymakers on Myles! The fans fire up as Hank swings away, then fires fast hands from all sides! Hank whips, ELBOWS and then DECKS Myles! Myles staggers to a corner, Hank runs corner to corner, SPLASH and BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Hank goes to the outside, and he gets on the tracks! He uses the steps to FLYING BODY ATTACK on Tavion! The fans are thunderous as Tank is up, too! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Tavion!!
Wait, Myles FLIES?! Down goes Hank ‘n’ Tank and the fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture!
Myles drags Hank up, puts him in the ring, and pushes him to a cover, TWO! Hank is still in this, but Myles KNEES him in the back. Myles drags Hank up, ROCKS him, then UPPERCUTS him! Hank flops against the ropes, Myles stomps away, but then stops as the ref counts. Tag to Tavion, and Tavion stomps away on Hank on the apron! Tavion steps in, kicks Hank to the floor, then takes a bow. Tavion goes out to fetch Hank for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Hank writhes, Tavion pushes him in and covers, TWO! Hank is showing true grit, but Tavion fires forearms! Tavion whisp Hank to ropes, then LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!
Tavion drags Hank up, whips him into a corner, then tags Myles. Tavion stands Hank up to feed him to the SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Myles is frustrated, but he sits Hank up to KNEE him int he back! Myles CLUBS Hank, ROCKS him, then fires body shots! Hank fires hands in return but Myles kicks low. Myles reels Hank in but Hank blocks the suplex! Hank cradles Myles, TWO! Myles stomps Hank down, then drags him up to ROCK him with a right! Hank flops over, Myles stomps him and taunts him, then ROCKS him again! Hank fires a body shot in return! Myles fires another haymaker! Myles stalks Hank, but Hank ROCKS Myles!
Myles comes back to ROCK Hank, but Hank ROCKS Myles! NXT returns to single picture as the hands keep going! Hank ROCKS Myles, both men flounder to their corners, hot tags to Tavion and Tank! Tank and Tavion fire fast ‘n’ furious fists and the fans fire up! Tavion RIPOS Tank’s shirt off! Tank ROCKS Tavion again and again! Tank whips, Tavion reverses to LARIAT! Tavion runs, but Tank ELBOWS him! Then Tank hits a BIG back suplex! Tavion is up!? Tavion hits a BIG back suplex! But Tank is up!? The fans are thunderous as these two run up, LARIAT from Tavion again! Cover, Hank just breaks it in time!
Myles storms in and TOSSES Hank! NQCC get Tank up, fireman’s carry, but then Hank drags Myles out! Tank shoves Tavion, rolls him up, HANK ‘N’ TANK ELIMINATE NQCC!! What a hot streak! But now, the final team is none other than Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank get past the Bullhead Brawler & Great Rush? Or will being themselves only get them this far?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura!
Tank steps outside, but Briggs just goes after him! Briggs THROWS Tank into the steel steps while Inamura runs up on Hank! Inamura wrenches Hank to fire those fast hands! Then Inamura hits a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO!! Hank still has something but Briggs tags in. Briggs CLUBS Hank, talks trash, but Hank fires a haymaker! Briggs likes the fighting spirit and eggs Hank on. Hank fires more hands, but there’s not a lot of mustard. Briggs BOOTS Hank, whips him, then scoops him, SIDEWALK SLAM and a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Hank still has something left, and Fraxiom likes where this is going. Briggs tags Inamura and Inamura CHOPS Hank!
Inamura CHOPS and JABS on hyper speed! Tag to Briggs, he runs side to side and BOOTS Hank! Briggs brings Hank around, tags Inamura, CHOP into the CHOKE SLAM BACKBREKER COMBO!! Cover, TANK BREAKS IT! The fans cheer and Tank coaches Hank. The fans rally as hard as they can, but then Inamura runs up! Tank takes the CHOP for Hank! Briggs BOOTS Tank down, then he and Inamura double whip Hank! Hank ducks Briggs, shoves him into Inamura, then cradle for Briggs!! Inamura leaps but Tank anchors him! HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!?!?
Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships)
Incredible! Hank ‘n’ Tank start and finish this gauntlet, and now they’re headed to Las Vegas! Fraxiom may #NeverSlowDown, but Hank ‘n’ Tank never give up. What happens when irresistible forces meet immovable objects at Stand & Deliver?
Stevie Turner talks with Kali Armstrong.
The Evolve General Manager, and Ava’s assistant NXT GM, is very impressed with Kali, which is why she’s in the Fatal 4 Way main event of tomorrow night’s Evolve! Kali will take on Brinley Reece, Kendal Grey, and Chantel Monroe. Kali likes that, and says thanks for the opportunity, Stevie. Kali heads out, and Ava is there to say Kali’s gonna be a big star one day. Robert Stone agrees. But how stoked are we that Hank ‘n’ Tank just won the tag team gauntlet? He is so happy for those guys. Stevie agrees, the tag title match is set. But alas, there’s one last spot in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match to fill.
Ava says yes, but she found a last minute entry for that match. Oh? Who? Ava says don’t worry, you’ll know when the music hits. Ava teases something big, who will make a surprise entry? And will that certain someone soon Stand & Deliver?
A truck pulls into the parking lot.
And it’s Oba Femi! The Ruler brings his NXT Championship with him, but wait! Is that Dark State sneaking up behind him!? Are they going to go after the champ and ruin Stand & Deliver?
Jaida Parker speaks.
“When you see Jaida Parker, you’ve already made your mind up. Because of my old life, people have already made assumptions about me. And to be honest, I don’t care, because I never fit in anywhere anyways. People think just because you look the part that it’s easy. But just because I carry something with ease don’t mean that it ain’t heavy. See, this path to Stand & Deliver started right here, in Port St. Lucie. I laughed in these streets, I cried in these streets, and I started making a damn name for myself in these streets. And Stephanie, Jordynne, and Giulia, they all come from somewhere. I’m the only homegrown talent in this match.
“And yeah, other women might be intimidated by that. Hell, the entire world IS intimidated by that. But I learned right here in Port St. Lucie that if I can hang with the boys, then I can hang with anybody. Because baby, I am pressure. And I ain’t talking about the pressure that burst pipes. I’m talking about the pressure that creates diamonds! Because growing up, if you didn’t apply it, it was damn sure applied to you. See, my dad’s a coach, and he would never let me play football like my brother did. So I decided to go for the next best thing: Soccer. And that physicality, what? Man, I loved it.
“But with my dad also being my coach, people already made the assumption about me. I’ve been in a women’s locker room my whole life, so I know exactly how vicious it can be. All women wanna do is try and cut you down. And out here in NXT, we have the best division in the world. But I know deep down, none of them want me to succeed before they do. And that’s not my problem. My best friend is actually my uncle. Man, you talk about a support system, You wanna talk about keeping a smile on my face. That’s exactly what he did to me. And when I lost him, I learned real early on that I couldn’t trust nobody. Because if I could lose my best friend, who else can I trust?
“See, people assume I have an attitude. Nah, I’m just the way that I am because that’s what happens when you don’t fit other people’s agendas. That’s what happens when you lose the purpose of this all. Life made me hard. So nah, I don’t need no damn friends in no damn locker room. All I need is that big game situation. The moments that make or break you. And ain’t nobody been able to break me. And come this Saturday in Las Vegas, I’m gonna show the entire world that Jaida Parker don’t play. And I’m taking that NXT championship with me.” Miss Parker got #OutTheMud, but will she get that gold?
The D’Angelo Family arrives!
Stacks, Rizzo, Luca, and a few other cousins are here, but where’s Tony? Where’s The Don? Stacks says T ain’t coming. This was Stacks’ call. Wait, Stacks didn’t run this by Tony? Stacks tells Luca that he doesn’t need to justify his decisions, he’s the Underboss, this is his call. Are they with him or not? Luca says they’ve never backed down from a fight before, they sure won’t do that tonight. Dark State is already waiting, so it’s go time! Stacks has Rizzo move aside, and the boys get the crowbars out! Rizzo hurries to call Tony, but the fight is on! The crowbars hit first and they hit hard! The random cousins get taken out, but Stacks & Luca stand their ground!
Luca’s got Dion, Stacks has Saquon, they drag those two inside, but then Dion & Saquon fight free! They brawl around backstage, knocking into ladders and walls. Luca CHUCKS a trash can at Dion! Saquon SMACKS Luca with the trash can’s lid, then throws it into Stacks! Saquon grabs a chair, but Stacks grabs it from him! Luca SMACKS Saquon with another chair! But now Cutler & Osiris have caught up! They’re throwing off the other cousins, as well as security, and Cutler CLOBBERS Luca! Security still tries, but Cutler ELBOWS one, and CHOKE SLAMS another through a table! But then Stacks & Luca get Cutler with a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX through a table!
Osiris shakes free of security to run up on Luca with a crowbar! Stacks gets Luca outta the way, and that crowbar goes into the wall! Then Luca & Stacks DOUBLE SPEAR Osiris through that wall!! Security drags Luca & Stacks up, Saquon and Dion are back, this brawl moves down some other hallway! They’re in the storage area, they crash into spare pipes, and Dion THROWS Stacks up against some spare lockers! And then Dion SLAMS the lockers down! Stacks avoids disaster, Luca SMACKS Dion off the lockers! Saquon comes back, armed with a fire extinguisher! Cutler & Osiris are back up, they brawl with the D’Angelos, but Saquon just BLASTS everybody!
Saquon is going wild, but then he JAMS Luca up with the extinguisher itself! Cutler THROWS Stacks against someone’s car! Security steps in, but one of them is sent into the car! Stacks CHUCKS a cinderblock! Cutler dodges, the block shatters on the ground, and Cutler scoops Stacks to LAWN DART him into the garage door! Saquon SMACKS Luca off the side of the car, then Dark State gets him up. DOUBLE URENAGE onto the hood! Another car pulls up, and it’s TON! CROWBAR SHOTS FOR EVERYBODY! Dark State is going into retreat as the cops get involved! Tony helps Stacks up, and he says HE called the police.
Tony now asks what the hell Stacks is doing! Going over his head?! Risking the family for something Tony didn’t sign off on?! Stacks says Dark State disrespected the family! Tony says yeah, but Tony had a plan. Stacks says he got caught up, and Tony says yeah, and Stacks should’ve listened instead. Because while Stacks got caught up in whatever the hell this was, Tony was handling business the way it’s supposed to be handled. They all want Dark State, okay? But not in some street, in some parking lot. They’ll do it in front of the entire world, on the biggest stage: Stand & Deliver! Because that’s what they do.
Tony knows what is best for the family. Stacks, do NOT question him again. Understood? Understood. Tony hugs it out with Stacks, but will the D’Angelos be able to end Dark State the right way?
Stephanie Vaquer speaks.
La Primera went home to Chile, and not only does she get to see family and friends again, but she’s also part of Chilean TV specials on this Road to WrestleMania. She is very happy to represent Chile at Stand & Deliver as well as all of WrestleMania Week, the most important week of the year. She reviews how she is not only the first woman to hold both the NXT Women’s & NXT Women’s North American Championships at the same time, but she’s the first Chilean women’s champion.
She then goes to her hometown of San Fernando to have a media moment with the mayor, Pablo Silva Perez, who is very proud that one of their own is now a world class professional wrestler. Vaquer tells the story of when, years ago, she told her father she wanted to be a wrestler. He was of course worried, but she told him she would one day be a champion in the WWE. During her career, she was winning titles all over the world, but he never got to see that because she couldn’t come home. But now, she gets to give him a big surprise, because she brought home replicas of the titles she won in NXT.
Vaquer feels so blessed to be home to have all the love and support of her people in Chile. And at Stand & Deliver, she promises to continue representing them with pride, passion and courage, always keeping Chile’s name high. Vaquer is ready, but will La Primera still be THE champion here in NXT?
Backstage interview with Hank ‘n’ Tank.
Kelly Kincaid is with tonight’s big gauntlet winners, and says they’re going to Stand & Deliver! Yeah, baby! Here we come! These past few weeks, they’ve gotten tons of advice from teams on Raw, SmackDown, and beyond. Some was good, some not so good. But tonight, Hank ‘n’ Tank stayed true to who they are, and they pulled it off! They learned who they are! But they also learned who they’re not. They didn’t change who they are, and they left it all in the ring! They took the gauntlet and gave it a bodacious belly boy booming twice! And now… They’ve got a chance at the titles at Stand & Deliver!
But in steps Frazer & Axiom. Axiom loves it! Hank ‘n’ Tank found themselves and they did it! Now they’re ready to put themselves to the test on the biggest stage, against the best tag team in NXT. Axiom looks forward to it. Frazer says he knew they could do it! He knew the entire time. Uh, no, Frazer gave them the worst advice possible. Oh, did he? They ran the entire gauntlet, but it’s just a shame they did it for nothing. Axiom is annoyed by Frazer, but Tank says agree to disagree. See you at Stand & Deliver. Hank ‘n’ Tank offer handshakes, Frazer says, “We most certainly will,” and then heads out? Axiom shakes hands, so at least one champion is respectful.
But will Frazer also learn to respect the bodacious belly boys? Or will Fraxiom, dysfunctional once again, still pull off the win?
Roxie meets with Ava again.
Roxie is so upset! Even Hank ‘n’ Tank get to go to Stand & Deliver and she doesn’t? Stone says those two beat four other teams, they deserve it. Well so does Roxie! Ava asks if Roxie found a tag partner. Actually, yes. Roxie thought about it, and she realized she’s a Prodigy for a reason. She’ll just be her own tag partner. That’s not how that works… And one Roxie is plenty anyway. Ava asks how bad she wants this. Really badly! Oh, is that so? Cora Jade steps in! Does Roxie want it so bad that she’s willing to apologize? Roxie is speechless, but she’s only got 4 days left. Will Roxie swallow her pride to go for glory with an old friend?
BREAKING NEWS for Stand & Deliver!
It seems during commercial, Roxanne did apologize to Cora, and now the mean girls are back in action! The Fatal 4 Way Tag match is now an ELIMINATION MATCH, and set for the Stand & Deliver Countdown Show! Who will start off their WrestleMania Weekend with a big win and head right for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS ???
It’s the main event and there’s one spot left in that six pack challenge! Karmen is ready to represent for Team SHING SHING, but who’s she up against? We find out, after the break.
NXT returns and wait, Andre Chase is talking with Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon. The boys want Mr. Chase to reconsider reopening Chase U, but he tells them that while he’s thankful for everything they’ve done for him, he’s… He’s just scared. What if he ruins their lives like he has everyone else’s? “You didn’t ruin mine.” THEA HAIL!? She’s back! And Thea says Mr. Chase has her blessings. He can reopen Chase U. Does that mean she’s back in? No, but she’ll always be a proud alumni. For now, she’s qualifying for the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match! Then go get ’em, champ! Thea fist bumps Mr. Chase and fires up!
The music starts, “I’m a grown ass woman!” Thea runs out there, the fans go nuts already, Thea almost licks the title! Will everyone be shouting #HailYeah this Saturday in Las Vegas?
The bell rings, the fans chant “Welcome Back!” and even Karmen is happy to have Thea back. But then Karmen kicks, only for Thea to block! Thea spins Karmen, rolls her up, ONE! Karmen trips and covers, ONE! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Karmen and Thea reset, then things speed up. Thea rolls over the dropdown, then arm-drags! And arm-drags again! The fans fire up with Thea, she runs in and ELBOWS Karmen! Thea clinches for an EXPLODER! Karmen bails out, Adonis coaches her, but Thea builds speed! Thea DIVES, but into a GAMANGIRI! Karmen storms in, runs up, and she SLINGBLADES!
Karmen dares Thea to get up, then whips her, only for Thea to reverse. Karmen goes up to JUMP SOBAT! Thea flounders, Karmen DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Karmen is annoyed but she rains down fists! Thea kicks free, but Karmen brings her up for a KICK! And KICK! And KICK, but Thea blocks it! Thea HEADBUTTS Karmen, then dodges a lariat to ELBOW Karmen down! And ELBOW her again! And then wrench and kick to the leg! BASEMENT CLOTHESLINE! The fans fire up and Thea runs, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Thea hauls Karmen up, scoops and POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up with Thea as she shakes the ropes!
Thea SEANTONS, then TRUST FALLS! The fans fire up and Karmen flounders. Thea runs in, floats over, and underhooks for the BUTTERFLY TWIST! Then KIMURA!! Karmen TAPS, Thea wins!
Winner: Thea Hail, by submission (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Thea makes a return in a big way, and she’s on to perhaps the biggest match in her career! Thea looks around at ringside, we see #ZaRuca up in the perch, while Izzi Dame, Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice have appeared in different parts of the crowd. The six pack is complete, but who will be toasting their victory at Stand & Deliver?
Trick Williams heads to the ring!
The fans fire up and chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” as he makes his way out for what is to be one final faceoff between the NXT Championship Triple Threat competitors. Trick grabs a mic to keep that Booker T energy going, “Huh? I like it!” Trick says he’s been doing a whole lot of thinking lately about who he is. A couple weeks ago, Young OG came out here and said Trick… is the new Carmelo Hayes… But Trick gets it now. Because you either die the hero, or live long enough to become the villain. But Trick Willy still alive! And heavy is the head that wears the crown. Oba, your head may be heavy, but on Saturday, Trick’s coming for that crown, dawg!
And Je’Von, that means better luck next year for you! The fans cheer, but here comes Oba Femi! The Ruler changes the mood as he has belt around his waist and mic in his hand. Oba tells “Mr. Williams, it’s funny how you still talk like you’re the man around here. Well guess what? You’re not the man. What you are is a broken record playing the same hits over and over, and over and over again. And nobody is singing along, because you are the only one who is still whooping dat trick!” The fans disagree as they chant, “Whoop Dat Trick!” Oba says he’ll give Trick a word of advice: The spotlight is moving on, so Trick should do the same.
Trick gets one last chance to stand in the spotlight alongside Oba at Stand & Deliver on Saturday, and that will be Trick’s last time. Because when Oba is done with him, Oba is moving on, as well. Trick wants to ask, do Oba’s ears not work that good? Are those braids too tight? The fans are still chanting Whoop Dat Trick around the world, let’s talk about it! The fans cheer, and they again chant for Trick. But hey, what’s Oba got? He’s still The Ruler? It takes more than a few Black Panther chants to be the man around here, dawg! Trick says he’ll help Oba out, because it looks like Oba is struggling to hold that title up ever since Trick let him have it.
Trick will take that from Oba, that’ll help Oba out, and- Here comes Je’Von Evans! The Young OG has them cut his music, and he tells Trick, “Please, please, PLEASE shut yo’ ass up! Oh, I mean, I dunno, I could be trippin’, gang. But like, I guess the Young OG was right about Trick a few weeks ago. I mean, bruh, you come here week, after week, after week, after week, after week, after week… talking about a match that you deserve. And honestly, I’m gonna speak for some people here, at least for some. We tired of that! Like, if you gon’ talk, talk about something else. But you already know how I feel about you, so Trick Williams, you’re dismissed.
“Let’s talk about the Ruler now! HOO!” Je’Von steps in, fans chant “O~BA! O~BA!” Je’Von says, “I ain’t gonna lie, that’s cool. I ain’t gonna lie. Real recognizes real, OG. You’ve been glued to a championship ever since you got to NXT. Y’know what I mean? It’s like you’re on track to success. You walk into a room, and everybody knows who you are. And honestly, I’m not trying to be a smart ass fool, but those two times I dropped you, I was hype about it. Cuz I didn’t drop a regular wrestler, Oba. I dropped the NXT Champion! You feel me? That’s real talk.” The fans do cheer that. Je’Von asks how many times are we gonna hear, “Oba Femi will main event WrestleMania in a couple of years.”
And that’s not an “if,” it’s a “when” Oba gets drafted. And c’mon, Big O. C’mon, champ. Je’Von pats him on the shoulder and says yeah, he did that. But c’mon! Oba from the University of Alabama! Roll Tide! Roll Tide! The fans here being from Orlando, Florida, they’re not as into that. But Je’Von says bruh, Oba was supposed to get to Raw, SmackDown, and be great! But he walks around this arena, around the Performance Center, and around NXT like all this revolves around here. Deadass right now, bro bro… This kid from North Carolina wasn’t supposed to make it to WWE. But what’d he do? He did that!
And you think Oba is the favorite? But little do you know, that’s how Je’Von likes it. YERRR! Oba chuckles, and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, Je’Von Evans!” The fans cheer, and Oba says, “The Young OG! This is what 20 years looks like. Look at him. 20 years old. You’ve had a phenomenal rookie year. If anybody knows anything about having a phenomenal rookie year, it’s The Ruler, isn’t that right? And you’re the future of this place. But like I said, I’m the present. The future is not here yet. And you’re right about one thing: This place does revolve around me, because I have this!” Oba holds up the NXT Championship.
“Because I have this, that makes me the man! Because I have this, I’m the top dog! And you cannot handle this, because you are a CHILD!” The fans boo that, and Je’Von brushes that off. Trick says he’ll hope both of them out. After they’re done hugging and giving compliments, they’ll talk about what matters, and that’s Trick getting that title back. Belee dat! Je’Von says if they’re gonna talk about Saturday, it’ll be how neither Trick nor Oba can touch Je’Von in this ring. Because we all know Je’Von can wrestle circles around both of them, and that’s facts. The mics drop, but then Trick & Oba SHOVE Je’Von out of the ring!
And now Trick and Oba start throwing hands! The fans fire up, Je’Von returns, but he gets TOSSED out this time! Trick and Oba throw more hands, but Je’Von springboards in! DOUBLE O G CUTTER!! Je’Von stands tall over Trick and Oba, then holds up the title! Is this what we’ll see at the end of Stand & Deliver?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home NXT here, especially with the “last minute” builds to some big matches. I was a little surprised the Fatal 4 Way went first, but I suppose it was the match that needed time to breathe, while also one of the matches they couldn’t adjust on the fly if they needed to cut something for time. That technical stuff aside, it was an awesome opener with all four guys looking strong. Ethan did a great job sniping the finish there, but great stuff with Ricky being ejected just to come back and spear Ethan down. I hope Ricky doesn’t lose given he stood tall, but he and Ethan will have a great match for this title.
Very good stuff in the Women’s North American Championship build. Good promo from Sol, Zaria, Kelani and Izzi, and good stuff in connection. Thea Hail making her TV return was a great move, and a great win over Karmen here. Also, I do appreciate she gave Mr. Chase the encouragement to restart Chase U. Lola VS Tatum was also a very good match, and very good win for Lola. I can’t really be sure who wins the ladder match, but I feel like it’d be boring for Kelani to win again, she has to have a proper feud with someone before she becomes a two-time Women’s North American Champion. It’d be the most fun if Thea finally got a title reign with this match.
Branching off from that, good stuff with building a Fatal 4 Way tag. Roxie having to make amends with Cora is an interesting twist but I figured that would happen. I don’t know their chances when we’re talking an Elimination Fatal 4, but I suppose Roxie & Cora wouldn’t reunite if they weren’t going to have a strong showing. At the same time, it really depends on if Liv & Raquel are meant to win against Lyra & Bayley. Speaking of Lyra & Bayley, I’m surprised Hank ‘n’ Tank ran the table just like they did, but it was done in an awesome way. Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Fraxiom will be awesome, and this really will come down to how Hank ‘n’ Tank are of like minds while Frazer & Axiom keep disagreeing.
The backstage brawl of Stacks & Luca VS Dark State was both a bit cheesy but also really good. Tony making the save was great, and now we’re getting a big Six Man Tag out of it. It feels like this will be the make or break for the D’Angelo Family, as Stacks keeps pushing the boundaries of his authority within the family. Great cameo from Kali Armstrong to help plug Evolve, that’ll be a great Fatal 4 Way over there. Great promos from the women in the NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way. Jaida’s promo felt like the longest and most in-depth, but Vaquer’s was pretty close. I feel like it’ll be between the two of them for who wins the title. I’m leaning towards Vaquer retaining, but Jaida really does deserve some kind of title reign before her NXT run is over.
And a great promo segment from Trick, Oba & Je’Von to close the show. All three made strong points, but then Je’Von standing tall was quite the surprise but also a great image. The math would now say he doesn’t win, but it’s a Triple Threat so maybe there’s a way for him to still win out. It could even have to do with all these theories of someone leading Dark State, but that’s only if there is someone else leading Dark State. It’d be a great way to kick off a new chapter for NXT if Dark State had the NXT Champion leading them, and their feud with the D’Angelos continued as Tony tried to go after that title to complete his Grand Slam.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a truly star-studded Raw!
Ahead of their WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Main Event, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, CM Punk & Paul Heyman are all here on Monday Night Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Bayley wins.
- Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made; Rey wins.
- AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Styles wins.
- PENTA VS Finn Balor; Finn wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Gunther is here!
Sacramento boos Der Ring General as he storms to the ring. Michael Cole was going to interview the World Heavyweight Champion later tonight, but it seems Gunther wants to get to it. Gunther and Cole meet in the ring, Cole says two weeks ago, he left Jimmy Uso bloodied in this ring. That caused Jey Uso to march out here last week- Gunther cuts Cole off to says that last week, Jey walked out here, looked Gunther in the eyes, and claimed he’s not afraid anymore. The fans boo as Gunther says this week, he is here to look us all in the eyes to tell us that Jey Uso is full of crap! Cole understands the fans are upset, but speaking of that, it seems Gunther is also upset.
We saw last year at WrestleMania, when… The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Gunther says screw the questions! Screw Jey Uso! Screw everything Jey stands for! And screw everybody who stands with Jey! The fans boo more, and Gunther says ever since he stepped for in the WWE, he is the greatest gift this company has ever received! For 80% of his time in the WWE, he has been a champion! And now, he is the GREATEST World Heavyweight Champion of all time! The fans boo more, but Gunther says he refuses to let somebody like Jey Uso ruin that for him. The fans “YEET!” more and he says fine, do it as much as you want!
Gunther tells Jey to puff his chest out, walk into WrestleMania with the most confidence he’s ever had, because it won’t matter! In the end, the bell has to ring! And when that happens, Jey still can’t lace Gunther’s boots! Gunther will put Jey down for a FOURTRH time! These last two weeks, Gunther has been accused, told he went too far, that he lost control. Jey, trust one thing: In 37 years of LIFE, Gunther has never lost control! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Gunther says two weeks ago, when he took a bath in Jimmy’s blood, Gunther was in full control, and he LOVED it!
And Jey, go pray to the Lord, thank Him for how Gunther was in control, or else he would’ve drowned them both in Jimmy’s blood! Gunther looks forward to next week, calling his mother and telling her how much he enjoyed beating the living hell out of Jey, and is STILL World Heavyweight Champion! Gunther storms off, having done his part for tonight. Will nothing and no one stop Der Ring General from destroying Jey?
Bianca Belair speaks.
“I’ll be the first to admit that lately, I’ve been in my head. Everything that’s happened with Jade and Naomi, it really messed me up. And now, this whole situation with Iyo and Rhea has brought out a different version of me. But different isn’t wrong. My Road to WrestleMania has filled with nothing but blood, sweat and tears. Not no complaining, no whining, no excuses. No, just straight facts. I’ve been doing nothing but standing up for myself and speaking the truth, something that anybody would do. Something I would hope people are teaching their kids to do. And you don’t have to like the truth, but you can’t deny it.
“Just like I can’t deny now it’s a Triple Threat. Yeah, I’ve been through a lot. But I’m still the best. So I’ma use the bit of everything that I’ve been through to be the Bianca I know I can be. I’m the Bianca that won Elimination Chamber, I’m the Bianca that’s never been pinned at WrestleMania, and I’m the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best Bianca that you have ever seen. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a Triple Threat, because there’s nothing that Rhea or Iyo can do to stop me from getting my flowers and walking out of WrestleMania as champion. Because you cannot spell WrestleMania without E S T.”
Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Role Model and the Morrigan ran the table on Friday Night SmackDown’s tag team gauntlet, and now they’re going to WrestleMania! Will they have even more momentum going into that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match? Or will the leading ladies of Judgment Day refuse to give up the spotlight even now?
Raw returns and Bayley has made her entrance, Lyra by her side. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Bayley circles with Liv. They approach, and Liv SLAPS Bayley! Liv laughs, but Bayley smirks. Liv apologizes, then runs away! Bayley chases Liv around the outside, but then they slip into the ring. Liv stomps away on Bayley, the fans are torn but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, and Liv bumps Bayley off buckles. Liv stomps a mudhole, but again stops at 4. Liv then stomps another mudhole in, and shouts, “OKAAAY~!” as she lets off. The fans are torn, Liv stands Bayley up, but Bayley fires forearms! The fans fire up, Liv swings, but into a fireman’s carry!
Liv fights free, ducks ‘n’ dodges Bayley, but Bayley hits a THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up and Bayley hits a NECK SNAPPER, then a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stomps Liv around, glares at Raquel, but Liv kicks from below. Bayley rains down fists on Liv, the fans rally behind her, and Bayley whips. Liv reverses, then avoids the up ‘n’ over to DROPKICK Bayley! Liv runs corner to corner, and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Liv rolls, but Bayley follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Bayley looms over Liv. Bayley glares at Raquel, then bumps Liv off buckles. Bayley ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again.
Bayley brings Liv around, the fans cheer her on as she bumps Liv off buckles. The fans duel, Bayley brings Liv in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Bayley stays on her. Bayley brings Liv over but Liv stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump! Liv runs up, but Bayley ELBOWS her! Bayley goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then she gest around to SAIDO! Liv bails out, Raquel checks on her, but Bayley smiles. Bayley aims, builds speed, and DIVES, but into a forearm! Liv drags Bayley out to snap suplex to the floor! That’s just Una Amiga as Liv gets Bayley up again! Dos Amigas to the floor!
Liv drags Bayley up again, but Bayley stops that to wrench and KNEE low! Bayley RAMS Liv into steel steps! The fans fire up, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley hits steps, then Liv STMOPS Bayley’s hands! Liv drags Bayley up, THREE AMIGAS to the floor, from OFF the steps! Liv gives some Latina Heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv has Bayley in the ring. Liv grinds Bayley down with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Bayley fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Liv staggers, comes back, but Bayley blocks to fire forearms! Bayley fires forearm after forearm, but Liv KICKS in return! Liv kicks again, but Bayley KNEES her down! Liv flounders, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley is sent into the buckles! The ref checks Bayley and she’s still in this, so Liv basement ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Liv gives her cheap hammer fists. Bayley hits back but Liv stomps her down.
Liv goes up the corner, waits on Bayley to rise, and FLYING- NO, Bayley grabs Liv’s legs! Liv fights the turnover, pops Bayley into the sunset flip, TWO! Bayley runs up, Liv ducks the knee to roll her up, TWO! KNEE!! Liv flounders around again, Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! The fans fire up as Bayley drags Liv to a cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Lyra coaches Bayley. Raquel coaches Liv while Liv crawls away. The fans duel and Liv stands. Bayley grabs a leg but Liv kicks at her! Liv BOOTS Bayley away, but Bayley comes back and slides out! But Liv gets her for a CODE BREAKER! Bayley flops down, and Liv snarls as she rises up.
Liv aims and MISSILE DROPKICKS to the floor! A little double-edged given that landing, but Liv hurries to get Bayley up and into the ring. Liv crawls to the cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Lyra is relieved. Liv snarls again and waits on Bayley. Bayley goes to the ropes, Liv runs up, OBLIV- NO, Bayley puts her on the apron! Bayley ROCKS Liv, has her in the ropes, but Liv denies the hotshot! GAMANGIRI! Liv storms in, gets moving, she goes up, up, and FLYING- STUNNER! Bayley turns things around on Liv, and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Bayley crawls to the cover, Raquel gives Liv the ROPEBREAK!
The fans boo, they all saw Raquel do it! Lyra goes after Raquel, Raquel fights her off and BOOTS her down! The fans boo, but Bayley DECKS Raquel, and hits the HOTSHOT in the ropes! The fans fire up but Liv hits Bayley with a BACKSTABBER!! And then OBLIV- NO, Lyra anchors Bayley’s feet! Bayley jackknife bridges, AND WINS!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
A huge bit of teamwork leads to a huge win over one-half of the tag champions! Liv is livid, will she and Raquel get their revenge at WrestleMania?
Paul Heyman waits backstage.
And like usual, he’s waiting on The Tribal Chief. Will Roman Reigns even bother with The Wise Man knowing he’ll be in CM Punk’s corner at WrestleMania?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Bianca, I can see right through you. You said you were just out there to watch, and then you said you were just out there to call it down the middle. But I can see your true intentions now: You thrive on playing with my emotions, winding me up like I’m some sort of toy to you so you can get what you want and make it seem like I’m the bad guy. The thing that you failed to understand is that when I lose something that I love, I wills top at nothing to get it back. And Iyo, I never had to give you a championship match. But watching you pout and moan, it really pulled on the heartstrings that I had left. So I pulled a page out of your book, and I got what I wanted, too.
“So Iyo, I advise you to cherish every single moment you have with the Women’s World Championship. And Bianca, I can’t wait to make you feel what it’s like when I’m the bad guy. Because at WrestleMania 41, I get back what belongs to me.”
Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made!
Before going up against the supposed greatest luchador of a generation, El Grande Americano, the King of Lucha will take on one of the Creed Brothers. But is this going to be far more than just a tune-up? Or will Rey speed-dial the 619 here in Sacramento?
Raw returns and American Made has made their entrance. The bell rings, Rey and Julius circle, then Rey waistlocks. Julius backs Rey into a corner, the ref counts, and Rey lets go. Julius elbows Rey down! The fans boo but Julius pushes Rey around. Julius wrenches Rey, wristlocks, but Rey endures. Julius uses a straight arm lever to lift Rey! Then he drops Rey, grinds the arm down, but Rey fires forearms! Rey uses the ropes to flip through, then he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Julius wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rey reaches back! Rey jumps up, FLYING-MARE! Julius runs back up to CLOBBER Rey!
Julius talks trash, American Made soaks up the heat, and Julius whips Rey. Rey reverses, then blows past to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up as Julius tumbles to a corner! Rey fires up, but Julius comes back to CLOBBER him again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey but Julius clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, the fans rally up more, and Rey fights up. Rey throws body shots, runs, but Julius kitchen sink knees him down! Julius stands Rey up, whisp him to ropes, but Rey KICKS back! Rey dropkicks the legs and Julius ends up on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Julius dumps Rey out! Rey RAMS into Julius, ROCKS him, then climbs up!
The fans fire up, but Brutus distracts the ref! This lets Gable trip Rey up! The fans boo but Julius is right up top! So now Wilde distracts, and that lets Dragon Lee trip Julius! Turnabout is fair play, but now both teams are protesting! So the ref EJECTS everybody! Things will truly be 1v1, after the break!
Raw returns again and Julius has a neck wrench on Rey. Julius whips Rey hard to a corner, runs up, but Rey ELBOWS him! And BOOTS him! Rey goes up, up, but Julius Electric Chair Lifts! Rey fires hands, then spins to MYSTERIO RANA! Both men fall out of the ring pretty hard, but Rey gets back inside! Rey WRECKS Julius with a dropkick, the fans fire up, and Rey builds speed to SLIDING- NO, Julius stuffs Rey into a deadlift suplex! Julius marches with Rey, and then goes up the steel steps! Julius has Rey at the ropes, but Rey fights free! Julius BOOTS Rey back! Julius runs up, Rey moves, Julius POSTS himself!
The fans fire up while Julius flops into the ring. Rey hurries back up, climbs the corner, and FLYING RANAS! Julius ends up in a corner, Julius climbs up again, and he rains down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN! Rey fires up, the fans are with him, and Rey whips Julius corner to corner. Julius springs right up, goes over, but then Rey QUEBRADAS! But Julius catches him! Rey swings through to DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Rey rises, and he brings Julius around. Julius blocks the whip, shakes his head, and he whips Rey. Rey slides under, comes back, but Julius KNEES Rey down!
Julius brings down the straps, runs up, but Rey DUMPS Julius out tot he floor! Wait, El Grande Americano is here! Rey runs up, grabs him by his mask, but then Julius rolls Rey up! TWO!! Julius gets up, swings, but Rey shoves Julius into El Grande! Rey dropkicks Julius onto the ropes! Dial it up, 619!! Slingshot, DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But then El Grande CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, the LWO returns, but Julius holds them off! Grande CLOBBERS Cruz, but Dragon Lee fires off forearms! Dragon Lee whips, but Grande FLYING HEADBUTTS! The fans boo, but now Grande goes up top! DIVING HEADBUTT onto Rey! “UH GRACIAS~!” That mask is definitely loaded like last week, but will Rey be able to overcome that tactic and win for the honor of true lucha libre?
The War Raiders speak.
Ivar says, “Xavier, Kofi, you run your mouths about how the New Day is the greatest tag team of all time.” Erik says, “The fact of the matter is, the War Raiders have blazed a path of world domination for more than a decade. We’ve won gold on multiple continents.” “And last week, we had you beat, dead to rights.” The New Day took the cowardly way out because they knew they couldn’t beat the Raiders. The New Day says this is about the titles, but it has gotten much more personal. Kofi & Woods took this to a whole new level. They didn’t come for these titles, they came for Erik’s neck! They tried to put Erik on the shelf! They tried to end his career!
So at WrestleMania, this won’t be a match! It’ll barely be a fight! This is WAR!
The New Day is backstage.
They’re busy playing the Clash of Clans WWE crossover game, not that they’re in it. But Jackie Redmond walks over to talk with them. The New Day says that is rude, they’re busy playing a game. This lack of respect is audacious. Jackie does apologize, but she brings up the War Raiders saying that this match at Mania is now a war. War? New Day’s been in war from how they’ve been treated this whole time! The whole time! But the warpath stops when they take back what belongs to them, and that’s their WWE World Tag Team Championships! The entire world will see that ya bois, the NEW DAY~, are the best team on the face of Planet Earth!
Last week was just a taste of what they’re willing to do to get those titles back. And after Mania, Erik will wish they took his head off so that he and Ivar wouldn’t have to catch the beating they’re getting this weekend. At WrestleMania, every irrelevant and immature member of the WWE Universe will have no choice but to drop to their knees and THANK GOD for the New Day! Woods & Kofi head out, but will they survive this WrestleMania weekend?
AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
Before taking on The Maverick, Logan Paul, at WrestleMania, the Phenomenal One is going to prove to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday that this AJ Styles IS the AJ Styles that can get the job done! Does that mean Raw is going to be Too Sweet? Or will Kross be disappointed?
Raw returns as Kross makes his entrance, his femme fatale by his side. Kross is really taking this mirroring stuff to another level, wearing tights very similar to what Styles would wear. Kross still wants Styles to understand, Styles has to be like the Styles of the past in order to finally humble Logan Paul and save professional wrestling. Styles gets mad, but Kross shoves him! Styles RAMS Kross into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Styles storms back up, whips corner to corner, but Kross reverses. Kross runs up, but Styles BOOTS him away. Kross comes back to BOOT Styles down!
The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles around. Kross talks trash, but Styles KICKS Kross! And CHOPS! Kross YANKS Styles into ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Kross says it doesn’t have to be this way, but he lets off as the ref pulls him back. Scarlett CLAWS at Styles’ face in the distraction! The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles. Kross drags Styles up, but Styles JAWBREAKERS back! Styles runs up, but into a SAIDO! The fans boo, Kross stalks Styles to a corner, then he stomps away. Kross whips corner to corner hard, and Styles clutches his ribs as he falls. Kross laughs at Styles’ pain, then stomps him more.
Kross drags Styles up, but Styles DRPOKICKS Kross down! The fans cheer, Kross bails out, and Styles slides to DROPKICK! Kross hits barriers, then Styles PLANCHAS! Kross moves, Styles lands safe on the apron, but Kross sweeps the legs! Kross then whips Styles hard into barriers! Styles almost falls onto that guy cosplaying the Prime bottle. Kross whips Styles hard into more barriers, and Styles falls into the timekeeper’s area! Scarlett kisses Kross’ hand while he soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns Kross has a chinlock. Styles fights up, fires body shots, but Kross KNEES low! Kross scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kross scoops again, but Styles slips free! Styles goes for a leg but Kross stifles that and shoves Styles to a cover, TWO! Kross drags Styles up, reels him in, but Styles fights the bomb! Kross stops the rana, fireman’s carries, FINAL PRAYER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Kross asks if Styles is sandbagging. Kross looms over Styles, the fans rally up, and Kross smirks as Styles rises. Kross swings, but Styles counter punches! And counter punches! And CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS!
Styles KICKS Kross again, then whips. Kross hobbles then falls over, clutching his knee! The fans boo, thinking this is an act. Scarlett checks Kross as he clutches the ankle. Styles asks the ref about this, but then Kross sucker punches Styles! It WAS an act, and the fans boo that Kross got away with it! Kross shimmies and shuffles, then taunts Styles. Styles runs up to CLOBBER Kross! Styles fires off the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up, Styles runs in at the corner to LARIAT Kross! Fireman’s carry, but Kross slips free! Kick and DDT! Kross vows to end it, and the fans boo as Kross throws off his elbow pad.
Styles rises as Kross winds the hands of time. KROSS- NO, Styles ducks the hammer and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Kross hobbles, Styles runs up, but Kross puts him on the apron! Styles HOTSHOTS Kross, then DECKS him! The fans fire up, Kross rises, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Kross put Styles to the test, and that was definitely Styles acing that test! But then Logan Paul appears! Sacramento boos Logan as he walks out with mic in hand. Logan asks what’s up with the hostility. Chill, he’s here to congratulate Styles. No, seriously, good win! He did it! In front of Sacramento, “a bunch of people who weren’t cool enough to live in Los Angeles, or work smart enough to live in San Francisco.” But Styles showed these “generic California losers” why Styles VS Logan is gonna cook! But hey, why not show them why it’ll make money? Here is what Styles is up against. Please enjoy this piece of cinema.
Logan has his own hype video package, “I accomplish more in one weekend than you all will in your entire lives. I didn’t join the WWE to take part, I joined to take over.” Styles grabs a mic to say that’s a cute video, smartass. But let’s start Mania earlier! Get your ass to the ring right now! The fans fire up for that! Logan says okay, and he steps closer. But Kross runs up on Styles! Styles ROCKS Kross, ROCKS Logan, repeat! Styles DECKS Logan, ROCKS him again, btu Kross scoops! Styles slips free, REVERSE DDT! Styles snarls at Kross, but Logan is up! ONE LUCKY RIGHT!! Then the PAUL-VERIZER!! The Maverick is feeling so “humble,” but will he be humbled at Mania?
Paul Heyman is still waiting…
Will he be waiting all night at this rate?
Jey Uso is here!
The fans fire up as Main Event Jey pops right through the curtain to walk down the bleachers. Sacramento bounces for him and they “YEET!” along with the song, but Jey is once again very serious. Jey goes to the ground level, but then stands on the desk for everyone to see him. Jey grabs the mic while the bouncing continues, and the fans cheer as the song dies down. Jey takes a breath, fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and chant “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says okay, and the song starts up again! The bouncing starts up again, and then Jey paces as he waits for the music to die down.
“Aight, check it. I said what I had to say to Gunther last week.” “YEET!” “But I really wanted to come out here and holler at y’all.” “YEET!” Jey says what up, Sac Town! Mama out here somewhere in the crowd. But everyone keeps on asking Jey, “Jey, where your mind at?” Is he crashing out? HELL YEAH he’s crashing out! But he’s locked in! Locked in for him! For his family! And for y’all! Check it out, though. Listen to Gunther out here talking. Y’know what that made Jey feel like? He mad. Nah nah nah… Gunther’s afraid! Yeah, Gunther’s afraid! Afraid that Jey will whoop that ass in front of 60 THOUSAND and the world! See you Saturday, Uce!
Jey says one time for the one time… Hey, Uce, please, PLEASE hit his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up as the bouncing starts up yet again! Jey has all the confidence, all the fire, all the momentum. But will he have it all when it’s all said and done in Las Vegas?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Cathy Kelley is with the Badass WWE Intercontinental Champion and brings up this Sunday, the Fatal 4 Way that stacks the odds against him. How is he handling what could be the biggest defense of his career? Bron says obviously, this is the biggest match of his career. And- JUDGMENT DAY ATTACKS! Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & Carlito mug Bron! They stomp him around, then THROW him onto a road case! They still rain down fists, and Finn says the dog’s bark is worse than his bite! They CHUCK Bron into more road cases! Adam Pearce and producers storm in and stop The Judgment Day, but will Bron be alright in just 6 days?
As for Finn, he has a match to get to! Will The Prince be ready for #CeroMiedo?
PENTA VS Finn Balor!
Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, only for Penta to DROPKICK him off the apron! Penta then FLIES and takes Finn down! Penta strikes first since Finn did that to Bron, and the fans love it! Penta puts Finn in the ring, then storms in after him. The bell rings, the fans fire up as Penta runs up, but Finn puts him on the apron. Penta GAMANGIRIS, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Finn kicks Penta low, then brings Penta around. Penta WRINGS free, then traps that arm! But Finn trips Penta! Penta BOOTS Finn away, then pump handles! Finn pops free, dragon sleepers, but Penta drops to KICK from below!
Penta runs up to ENZIGIRI in the corner, then he headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this, the fans cheer for “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta nods and storms up on Finn to KICK the leg out! Finn flounders, stands back up, but Penta KICKS the leg again! Penta stalks Finn, and KICKS Finn’s leg out again! The fans fire up while Finn flounders around more. Penta has Finn on the ropes, hushes the fans, and he CHOPS! Finn is stinging as he staggers away, and the fans fire up as they want even more of that! Penta whips, Finn reverses, but Penta sunset flips. Finn rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Finn keeps Penta down with an ELBOW, then a chinlock. Finn grinds Penta down, Penta endures, and the fans rally. Penta fights up, but Finn yanks the mask! Finn has Penta down, and he soaks up the heat. Finn drags Penta, then jumps stomps! Finn soaks up more heat, jump stomps again, then argues with the ref. Finn taunts Sacramento, stomps Penta again and again and again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but he soaks up more heat. Finn goes back to Penta and says “Just Too Sweet!” They go to the apron, and Penta scoops! Finn slips free, and APRON EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down on the outside while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn has Penta up top! And then the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Penta stays in this and the fans fire up! Finn grows frustrated, but he clamps onto an arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally up, Penta fights to his feet, and Penta fires hands. Penta arm-drags free, then ducks ‘n ‘dodges, for a RANA! Finn flounders up, Penta LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up again as Penta then SUPERKICKS Finn! Finn wobbles, Penta whips, but Finn reverses, only for Penta to go up and over! BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives and Penta is frustrated, but the fans fire back up.
Penta stalks Finn, the fans sing, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~! MIEDO~!” Penta has Finn in the corner, he puts Finn up top, and then he CHOPS! Penta calls his shot and the fans cheer that. Penta climbs up and he goes to the very top! But Finn fires body shots! Penta hops down to the apron and CHOPS again! Then he jumps up to FLYING RANA! Finn staggers back up, Penta BOOTS him! Penta then runs to SLING-DOG! Penta keeps moving, but Finn SLINGBLADES! The fans rally, both men stand, and Finn aims from a corner! SHOT- NO, scoop and BACKBREAKER! Penta has the arm, traps it, and then pulls on the other! “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!!
The fans fire up while Finn writhes! Penta stalks Finn, clamps onto him again, “This is Awesome!” as the PENTA- NO, Finn victory rolls the driver! TWO!! DOUBLE LARITS collide! Penta fires body shots, a SOBAT, a KICK, then a SUPERKICK! Finn flops down, but Penta goes to a corner. But then Carlito & Dom rush out here! Penta glares at them, they back off, but Finn rolls Penta up! TWO!! Penta escapes, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, SHOTGUN! Penta hits buckles, then ends up in the drop zone, but HERE COMES BRON! You can’t keep a good dog down! Carlito fears for his life after last week…!
Carlito runs away, so Bron runs in and CLOBBERS Finn!! But that lets Finn win!
Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification
Bron keeps beating up on Finn, so Dom runs in and TACKLES Bron! Carlito joins in now that they have the advantage! They mug Bron 2v1, but Bron fights back! Bron dodges, and he DOUBLE SPEARS!! Sacramento barks for Bron as he aims at Penta! Bron roars, runs up, but Penta KICKS first! And mule kicks! And SUPERKICKS! And then tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bron tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed to go up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODY! Penta wipes out Bron, Dom & Carlito, but where’d Finn go? Finn is already up the ramp! The Prince got handed the win tonight, but will Penta take it all with his #CeroMiedo?
Iyo Sky speaks.
“This message is for Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. You keep forgetting that I’M the Women’s World Champion. You push me out of the way of your petty squabbles like I mean nothing. But I’m the whole reason you’re fighting in the first place, aren’t I? Because I have the one thing you both want: The Women’s World Championship! So, I’m done being ignored. I’m done being forgotten. Because you have to go through ME to get this title, and I’m not afraid to take you both on to defend it. I’ve beaten both of you before, and I’ll beat you again! At WrestleMania, you will never forget the name Iyo Sky, Women’s World Champion.”
Paul Heyman is still waiting, but CM Punk joins him!
Punk sits down with a coffee and says he’s never seen The Wise Man so stressed. Look in his eyes, what do you see? The Cult of Personality? No, a real friend. A friend who would never do anything to put Heyman in harm’s way. But then a car is pulling up. It’s ROMAN! Roman sees Punk and Heyman being buddy-buddy, and he storms off! Heyman tries to catch up to his Tribal Chief, but Roman won’t even look at him. Will this favor cause the break-up of Roman and Heyman?
Roman goes to the ring!
The fans cheer and put the ones up as The OTC makes his entrance, Wise Man trailing behind. What will happen with Roman, Heyman, Punk, and Seth Rollins, all in the building this close to WrestleMania? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns rather quickly, and Roman is now in the ring. He raises his finger up for the pyro and the fans cheer. Heyman has the mic while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Heyman tentatively holds it out for Roman, but Roman doesn’t take it! Roman gets a mic for himself, leaving Heyman a bit dismayed, but the cheering continues. Roman tells, “Sacramento…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and put up the ones as they cheer on “O T C! O T C!” Roman says, “The whole world can feel that. The whole world can hear that you love and acknowledge your Tribal Chief. And now the whole world understands that you would never betray your Tribal Chief.
“But not everybody’s like you. Some people would betray me. Sacramento, you got any guesses on who that might be?” Obviously it’s Heyman that Roman is referring to, but Roman asks The Wise Man, “How could you betray me?” The fans tell Heyman he messed up. Roman says Heyman can’t hear that well, say it louder. The fans get louder with it, and Heyman is a bit surly about that. Heyman goes to talk, but he reconsiders. Roman still asks him why, and Heyman is at a loss for words. The fans boo, but some do chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Roman smirks as Heyman finally says, “My Tribal Chief… It was not a betrayal. I paid back a favor that I owed.”
Roman doesn’t seem to like that answer, but he still smirks. Sacramento, maybe Roman’s a little confused here, but the way favors work is, you usually pay it back yourself, correct? The fans say yes. Roman says it feels the only one getting screwed here is him! And if there’s one thing about Roman Reigns, if there’s one thing about The Tribal Chief, it’s that he’d never ask for a favor. No, Roman takes what he wants! So Roman doesn’t owe a favor, because he never asked for any help, for anyone to join him at WarGames, so how is he supposed to cover the tab for Heyman’s dumbass favor? But now, “BURN IT DOWN!”
Seth Rollins makes his way out, and Roman is no longer in any good mood as the fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in a leather vest and black pants that both have a lot of pockets. Rollins steps into the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Sacramento, “Let’s give it up for Your Tribal Chief! Because after over a decade, you’re finally getting it, man! You’re finally putting the pieces together all by yourself! You’re almost there, you’re just missing one little piece, and it’s a real shame it’s too little, it’s too late, cuz I still gotta end you at WrestleMania.”
Rollins says it is for the same reason that it always has been: It’s the right thing to do! This Triple Threat at WrestleMania is the BIGGEST, most IMPORTANT one in the history of Mania, of the WWE, of professional wrestling! Because the winner of this match will define the future of this industry. And it can’t be Roman, it can’t be Punk. Because this business is filled with people like Roman, people who show up when it is convenient, expecting everyone else to do all the work. That’s how this business dies! Roman finally sees it can’t be Punk, either.
This business is filled with too many “little Punks” running around who wanna pick up their ball and go home when it gets tough, only to come back and leech off the profits of other people’s success, and that’s how this business dies! The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says okay, they want this business to die? Rollins doesn’t! If there are more people in this business like Rollins, who always sacrifices physical and mental well-being to do what is best for business, then the business not only lives, but it thrives! There can be only one, and it’s gotta be Rollins.
As for that one little piece that Roman hasn’t quite figured out… “Favors don’t happen by chance, Roman. Favors are a choice. I chose not to put Paul Heyman in the hospital last week, and now Paul Heyman can choose whether or not he pays that debt to me. But your Wise Man, he is dishonorable as they come, he is a scumbag, and I expect nothing from him.” The fans boo and Heyman frowns, but Rollins says Heyman is not in CM Punk’s corner by chance. Heyman has made a choice. It isn’t just a betrayal, Roman. What Roman needs to ask himself, what that final piece is, Heyman isn’t just returning a favor, he’s choosing. So why is Heyman choosing Punk over Roman?
Heyman tells Roman he’s not doing that, but Roman seems to be thinking Rollins has a point. Roman tells The Wise Man that Rollins is right, Heyman made his choice. But Roman has made his. LARIAT FOR ROLLINS! The fans fire up as Roman then POSTS Rollins! Rollins flops out of the ring, Heyman is very pleased, and he says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief! Roman nods, but then he PIE FACES Heyman!? Heyman is stunned, but here comes CM Punk! The fans fire up as Punk runs down to the ring, and he dodges Roman to fire hands! The fans fire up as they brawl, and then Punk LARIATS Roman up and out!
The fans are torn as Punk helps Heyman up. Heyman is distraught, but Roman is back! SPEAR for Punk!! Roman HAMMERS away on Punk! Roman shouts at Punk, HEADBUTTS him, but then Rollins returns! And with a chair! SMACK to the back of Roman Reigns, just like the night it all started! Sacramento is all fired up, and Rollins hits a CURB STOMP on Punk! And then CURB STOMP on Roman! Heyman is freaking out as both his guys are down! Rollins stares Heyman down, is Rollins’ favor going to come into play after all?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, especially for the go-home to WrestleMania. Great promo from Gunther with how he “doesn’t wait” for the proper interview with Michael Cole, and very good response promo from Jey. Gunther definitely sounds a bit on edge, and considering he might lose two WrestleManias in a row as the start of his WrestleMania career, I suppose I would be, too. And very good promos from Bianca, Rhea & Iyo to hype up their match, though I can’t say that changes anything for the go-home math. Iyo stood tall last time, so there’s a chance Rhea or Bianca take the other out to get the win. Rhea and Bianca talking about who’s the bad guy in this, could we see Bianca go Heel?
Good promo from War Raiders and New Day, but unless they add a stipulation, I don’t necessarily see this being “a war” of a match. Well, maybe they can break something like ringside barriers. But I feel like New Day is going to win so that this Heel turn has actual results. Very good match from Bayley VS Liv, but Bayley winning here surely indicates Liv & Raquel retain. Rey VS Julius was really good, but the LWO and American Made all being ejected, that of course meant El Grande Americano would show up. Rey wins here, but then El Grande stands tall, so I would think Rey wins at Mania to expose Grande as Gable.
Very good match from Styles VS Kross, and naturally Styles won. That along with Logan & Kross getting the better of Styles after, this has to mean Styles wins at Mania. I don’t think it’s possible to get anything Bullet Club related, but WWE works with TNA pretty closely now so maybe they can use one of Styles’ themes from TNA to really bring us back to “the Styles that can beat Logan Paul.” Very good stuff with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship build, with Bron being jumped by Judgment Day, then Judgment Day trying to cost Penta, only for Bron to actually cost Penta and give Finn the win. Penta standing tall now sadly might cross him off, but I personally do think Dom pinning Finn or Finn pinning Dom is the better route going forward.
And of course, great stuff with the Punk-Rollins-Reigns story. Heyman finding himself stuck between Roman and Punk, with Roman starting to distance himself from Heyman, that’s also very good stuff going forward. Rollins stands tall again, so not sure if that means he takes the loss or is just not in the decision. No matter who wins, Heyman no longer being Roman’s manager is the best move. Roman needs to do things on his own again, and Heyman can reunite with Punk and perhaps help Punk towards a title. Punk did say that he’d be coming for THE WWE Championship at some point, Heyman by his side for that like 10 years ago would be something.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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