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 BOMBÂ 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 JDÂ into the desk! Dunne hurries after JD, to rain down fists of fury! The fans are thunderous, but then CARLITO attacks Dunne! BACKSTABBERÂ 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 burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Hot off the heels of the TNA and WWE working relationship announcement, the Kickoff show already has the first sprinkle of NXT talent with Ashante “Thee” Adonis coming out after Ariana Grace tries to take all of the credit for the partnership. Jake something runs over Ashante, but it’s a good quick nod on free YouTube. Oh it also looks like the ring announcer is McKenzie Mitchel again. I did like her first run in TNA in what was that… like 2016-2018 or 19? She’s got personality, she’s cute and a solid announcer, so nice to see her back.
I’m not gonna run down any predictions on who I think will win, because honestly, I just feel like Hendry needs to win today or it’s been an entire waste of momentum. So lets get to the main show!
Ratings:
- X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin: Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/4
- The System vs Maniac Marines: Marines win via K.I.A. – ***
- Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c): Spitfire retain via Pressure Drop – **
- Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard: Tessa wins via Magnum – ****
- I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana: Santana wins! – ***
- TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz: Hardyz retain via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/2
- Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary: Masha wins via Avalanche Requiem – ** 3/4
- TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – *** 3/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!!!!!
Results:
X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin
As soon as the bell rings, Ace jumps on him, forces him into the corner and stomps on him. Moose tries to fight out but Ace stays relentless. Ace has a counter for everything Moose is trying to counter in the early goings. Even when Moose catches him during the apron Handstand Dodge, Ace still has a counter for his counter. It’s not until a rake to the eyes from Moose that finally gives him a moment to start dictating the pace. A huge Irish Whip on the outside through the barricade is what Ace feels…twice. Ace tries to fight back from Moose continuing the momentum, Ace eats a Pump Kick, but blocks Moose’s attempt at a Suplex and counters with his own Vertical Suplex on Moose! JDC gets in the proximity of Ace so Ace kicks him, which delays his springboard, so Moose catches him and bounces him off the apron like a super ball.
Moose lets the count go, Ace barely gets in at 9, Moose throws him corner to corner, is slowing things down and being very deliberate. Ace starts powering through the pain, catches a Pump Kick, dodges a Spear into the corner and puts together a few strikes, Double Stomp, Triangle Kick, wants The Fold but Moose puts the brakes on there. Ace tries to spring off the ropes but Moose grabs him and hits Go To Hell for two! Fighting Spirit spot, Ace starts winning the trade, a Headbutt from Moose stops Ace, Moose flips him over the ropes to the apron, tries a few more things, Ace looks for a Springboard, Moose catches him but Ace slips it for a Frankensteiner. Moose powders to the opposite apron and Ace hits his Inside Out Headscissors sending Moose crashing to the floor. Alisha and JDC try to help up Moose, and while the referee is distracted JDC posts Ace. Moose goes for the Around the World Lights Out, but Ace moves and Moose kills JDC! Ace hits The Fold on the floor!
Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers run down the ramp, Ace sees them so he hits the Fosbury Flop to take them out. Ace is rolling, he goes for the Triangle Kick but Moose counters with Lights Out! 1-2- KICK OUT? Moose sets up for another Lights Out, Ace sidesteps it for the Cradle, kickout, Uranage, Cradle counter, Art of Finesse from Ace but Lights Out to the Spine from Moose! Moose sets up another and lands the Lights Out to retain!
Post Match the System looks to beat down on Ace, but Maniac Marines music hits and they go after Myers and Edwards. Guess the match is now!Â
The System vs Maniac Marines
Steve and Eric beat the hell out of the System members while the referee tries to set the match, it still hasn’t started but we get stereo 10 count punches in the corner, big fists causing Myers and Edwards to powder. This is essentially a Tornado Tag right now because the match hasn’t even started. Okay it eventually starts and Maclin hits the Backbreaker on Edwards and Busaiku Knee on Myers. He looks for a SCUD but Lish grabs the foot which is just enough! Maclin tries to charge anyway but gets caught in the Blue Thunder Bomb and now the match slows down and Eddie is in control.
Maclin absorbs some Chops from Eddie in the corner, no sells a little and fires, Eddie tags out Myers tries to slow things down with a Russian Leg Sweep but Maclin continues to try and rally. Eddie’s back in, shortarm Gowan Lariat into a cocky cover for two. Eddie tries to keep moving but Maclin hits the Vertical Suplex. Maclin is too slow to tag out so Eddie tags out and Myers cuts off Maclin. After a few more quick tags from System members, Maclin finally lands a Lariat to get the simultaneous tag and EY comes in hot. EY does the Flair corner flip, knocks Eddie off the apron, Myers eats a Macho Elbow but only two. Eddie knocks Maclin off the apron, Tandem Tiger Driver for two, EY fights back to level Eddie, Tree of Woe Myers Caught in Crosshairs but Lish gets in the ring! Eddie grabs Eric and distracts the ref, Lish clocks Maclin with either knuckles or a full hand of rings, Spear from Myers is only a two!
System Overload attempt, it’s thwarted by EY, Myers gets crotched in like a Reverse Tree of Woe, so Maclin hits the Caught in the Crosshairs on the back, EY with a Plancha to the outside to take Edwards out and K.I.A. from Maclin means Maniac Marines win!
Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c)
Elegance duo comes out dressed like Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They do a Go Eagles chant right before the bell rings to a chorus of Boos.
Even though Elegance Clique throws their pompoms and try a cheap shot, Spitfire just plow through them, literally. Quick tags, some assisted moves, Ash gets away from Spitfire, tags in Heather and shoves her forward trying to take them off guard, but they turn around…grab Heather and a long Tandem Stalling Suplex with a Deep Squat for two. Concierge distracts the referee, looks for a low Dive onto Heather but Ash just kicks Dani in the face, and the referee sees nothing. Heather rolls her back in, Kawada Kicks, Forearm Shiver, trip into a Dropkick to the face! Ash hangs Dani off the apron and Heather hits the Double Stomp from the apron to the floor.
Ash starts choking Dani on the ropes, distracts the referee and Heather paintbrushes Dani with pompoms as Ash goes for a series of pinfall attempts. Quick tags, Dani is in their corner, Cartwheel Back Handspring Elbow from Ash into a Seated Dropkick from Heather. Dani has been getting smacked around for the last 4 or 5 minutes. Ash leans on Dani for a while, but Dani gets a head of steam, comes off the ropes and Shotgun Dropkick gives her space. Jody gets a hot tag, she Sack of Shits them both, Vader Hammers in the corner into a Michinoku Driver, which Ash breaks up with a Meteora. Heather and Ash have a nice tandem move for a two count. Jody tries to fight back, but Elegance stops it, blind tag from Dani, Senton takes out both Elegance Clique members and Dani stalks her prey. Snap Suplex two times on Ash, but Heather stops the third and Jody just tosses Heather out of the ring in a rough way. Jody tries her Double Knees German Suplex spot but Ash moves. Dani with the Shinsuke Nakamura Inside Out German, Pressure Drop and Spitfire retains.
Boo…
Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard
Grace charges Tessa immediately, and the ref needs to pull her off, but Tessa gets thrown around the ring literally, the crowd is chanting “Fuck You Tessa”, Tessa powders, eats a Dive and then a Jackhammer on the outside! Grace puts Tessa on her shoulders up to the ring, but Tessa finally fights off and flips off the crowd, revels in it for a second, tries the Frankensteiner, but Grace holds on, smashes Tessa into the guardrail twice, looks for the Reverse Bomb on the apron, but Tessa gets out, stomps on Jordynne a few times, hooks Jordynne’s face with the crook of her leg and drives Jordynne’s face into the apron. Unique looking and decent.
Tessa has the correct intensity, pushes into two quick pinfall attempts and starts getting deliberate. Drags Jordynne’s face across the rope, throats Grace, kicks her in the face and Slingshot Elbow is another near fall. Tessa with the Front Facelock, Grace tries to fight out but Tessa holds on and drops her with a Scorpion Death Drop for another near fall. Jordynne fights Tessa off with a few elbows, looks for a Superplex, but Tessa fights off, wants the Avalanche Sunset Bomb, but Jordynne stops it, Tessa kicks Grace’s feet, looks for a Rope Hung Death Drop but Jordynne fights it off and smashes Tessa’s face into the turnbuckles but Tessa hits the Rope Hung Backstabber for two. Tessa looks for Magnum, but Jordynne cuts her off, they fight at the top, Avalanche Sack of Shit! They both sell the exhaustion of the match so far.
They trade blows, two Scoop Slams from Jordynne, Lawn Dart into the Top Turnbuckle! Package Powerbomb for two! Dragon Suplex attempt from Grace, Tessa breaks it, Headlock Takeover, quick counter wrestling, Tiger Destroyer from Tessa! Only for a two count, but still nice. Buzzsaw attempt is shrugged off, Tessa comes off the ropes and eats the Spinebuster from Jordynne for two quick pinfall attempts. Tessa with the Body Scissors and pulls herself up and fights back, Jordynne slaps her around, looks for the Suplex but Tessa slips it and Neckbreaker Counter for a two count! The brawl to the apron, Grace eats a forearm and Tessa hits the Tornillo on Jordynne! They posture on the steps, Tessa wants a move but Jordynne counters her and Spicolli Driver from the stairs to the floor from Jordynne!
More back and forth in the corner, just positioning and counters, it’s like watching chess. Jordynne grabs Tessa for an Avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Tessa fights it and turns it into an Avalanche Crucifix Bomb! After trying a grounded submission Tessa locks in the Octopus, tries to wrench the fingers but Jordynne counters, Rope Assisted German Suplex into a Capture Suplex for 2! Kudome Valentine attempt from Grace but Tessa gets out, Backfist from Jordynne, Tessa bounces off and Cutter gives her a two count! Tessa calls for Magnum, Jordynne dodges it, Tessa rolls through, tries boots but Grace grabs Tessa and hits the around the world Reverse Alabama Slam! Tessa keeps trying to remove Buckle Pads but they’re on good, Tessa reverses out of the Kinikku Buster, hits the Buzzsaw into the partially exposed buckle but Grace grabs the rope. Tessa removes another pad, Bulldog into exposed buckle, Magnum, and Tessa is still sexy.
The turnbuckle pads being on too well made the finish a little flat, but it was a damn good match. There’s also a joke in the match with Tessa coming out wearing Red and Gold (Yellow), so the racism allegations are never going away if she keeps making it easy.
I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana
There’s intensity but its all just technical tactics to take each other to the ground and grab a limb. But since we just came off of a pretty good match, things can’t start too hot. Every time Santana throws Josh to the outside, Josh scurries back to the ring, he’s playing scared. There’s a “He’s a bitch” chant that pops up. Santana cuts off Josh’s charge with a few well placed boots which sends Josh outside, Tope con Hilo levels the bald man. Santana throws Josh into a guardrail, Yakuza Kicks back to back rock Josh a bit. Fans call for tables and Santana slides one out to a huge pop. Santana sets it up, plays to the crowd, tries a Powerbomb onto the table but Josh slips it and Overhead Belly to Belly sends Santana crashing. A fan can be heard saying “That look like it hurt” to which Santana replies ” It did asshole”. Now Josh is dissecting Santana’s legs to soften him up for the Ankle Lock. Josh goes for the corner spot with the Figure Four around the post after bouncing the knee off the post a few times.
Josh tries to continue but Santana slides out and counters Josh and bounces his face off the post. Josh walks it off a bit as Santana stalks him and then a quick Chop Block has Santana writhing in pain. Josh decides to be a heel and do the Three Amigos instead of the Kurt Angle Germans. Disrespectful bald jerk. Santana gets throated, dropped to the apron on his ass, Low Crossbody but Santana flattens out and Josh goes flying! Santana tries a Dive, but Josh catches him and just drops him spine first on the apron. After a small resilient flurry of slaps from Santana Josh goes for the Germans. Santana brushes off on the third, goes for the Rolling Buck Fifty, gets caught in the Torture Rack, Santana fights off Josh’s shoulders, kicks him into the corner, Senton into the seated Josh. Perches him up top, points at the table, tries something but Josh fights him off, Moonsault from Josh misses and a Death Valley Driver gives both a moment to breathe.
Santana Spin the-BLOCK-ED! Josh sweeps the leg, Ankle Lock and Santana refuses to quit twice but slips the boot ala Eddie Guerrero. Josh pauses a moment, Santana charges and Josh dumps him over the top rope through the table! Santana says he doesn’t quit, Josh looks surprised, so he goes looking for more plywood. He also grabs the bottom set of stairs and throws them into the ring. Scoop Slams Santana into the broken table and continues looking for weapons, like a chair and zip ties. Santana crawls into the ring, Josh steps on the worked on leg and smashes it repeatedly with the chair. Josh goes into Full Mount, rains down strikes, exposes the elbow for Elbow Strikes and tries to soften him up for the zip ties. C4 Spike but Santana raises up like the Undertaker and fires into beating the piss out of Josh. Frankensteiner on Josh into the Frog Splash, Spin the Block! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana grabs the zip ties that Josh introduced, ties the hands behind Josh’s back, Spin the Block 2! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana sets up the steps as a ramp, table in front of Josh in the corner and Cannonballs through the table into Josh! Josh still doesn’t quit off the Jackass stunt. Santana finds a sock filled with quarters and starts beating Josh like it’s a slapjack. Josh still doesn’t quit. Santana tells Josh to bite the curb and is about to Curb Stomp him into the steps and Josh gets scared and quits.
TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz
Fraxiom comes out to watch the match, so this nicely sets up a potential early angle between NXT and TNA for the crossover.Â
Trey and Matt start, but it’s a slow Headlock basic counters and feint spots. Jeff and Wentz want to play, so this is very Japanese in giving each member a free chance to interact before any cutoffs or tandems. The crowd likes both men, so this is interesting but more Stalemate spots. Jeff manages a Polish Hammer to tag in Matt and go for a quick tandem move and keep Wentz in the Hardy Corner bouncing his face off buckles in Delete fashion. Tag from Jeff for another tandem Rocket Launcher into the bottom rope and Leg Drop from Jeff. Wentz counters the Twist with a Jumping Knee so he manages a tag to Trey and then a few quick striking double team spots. Quick tag to Wentz, Matt comes in to break it up, drops Matt and Wishbone. Quick Tag, MCMG ACS Rush homage. Wentz Dives onto Matt on the outside, Matt catches him into the Side Effect on the floor! Jeff gets the best of Trey after he’s a little distracted. Manhattan Drop from Jeff, into a tag to Matt and then some double team strikes for a near fall. Delete Head Smashes again on Trey.
Vertical Suplex from Matt for another 2. Matt tags out and Hardys look for more Tandem attacks, Plot Twist but Wentz recovers and makes the break! Trey flips out of Jeff’s arms, tags in Wentz, and Wentz cleans house on both Hardys. Corner to corner, tags back in Trey they hit the Saki Kashima assisted Dropkick on each Hardy and then they dump the Hardys at the feet of Fraxiom. FIVE HOLE DIVE FROM RASCALZ! Misses the Hardys and hits Fraxiom! This builds heat for The Rascalz and Fraxiom as Hardys attack the Rascalz while distracted. Poetry in Motion off the stairs from Jeff!
Facebuster from Jeff for two! Wentz hits a Busaiku Knee on Jeff to stop him from hitting Trey, Side Effect drops Wentz, Enzuigiri from Trey drops Matt and all four are down to catch their breath a bit. Original Poetry in Motion on Trey! Twist of Fate from Matt but countered and Matt is thrown into Jeff who’s selling a knee. Superkick into Feed Em to the Lions! Wentz Dives on Matt but Trey can’t quite make a clean pinfall. Jeff eats a Cheeky Nandos and Top Rope Tiger Feint, Twist of Fates for everyone and Jeff re-NO Trey kicks out! Another Twist but eats a Superkick from Wentz, tries the UFO Cutter on Matt but Matt just throws him to the outside. A Twist of Fate from each Hardy Boy, Swanton Bomb and the Hardyz retain!
Thursday’s Live Show will have Fraxiom vs The Rascalz for the NXT Titles!Â
Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary
Do Rosemary’s shorts have Pokemon Gym Badges on em? Masha goes for the Staple Gun, it almost gets countered immediately, but she gets the first few clicks of the Staple gun, it actually doesn’t backfire, but she lets Rosemary powder and starts grabbing a few weapons. Masha finally decides to attack Rosemary with a cane, but Rosemary turns things around with the green mist. Slamovich gets some of the mist out of her eyes, chases her into the ring and eats a Drop Toehold into a Chair. Rosemary sets up the table, panders to the crowd and Masha launches herself over the top with a Crossbody, into Rosemary and then through the table! Masha finds her old chain she used to make Killer Kelly submissive and starts choking and dragging Rosemary around the ring and then Sabus the chair at Rosemary for emphasis.
Masha tries to hit the front flip Senton onto a seated Rosemary, but Rosemary moves and Masha hits the chair weird. Rosemary beats her with a chair a few times, looks under the ring, gets giddy and finds Janice! Rosemary swings Janice, breaks it, and then uses the two pieces to block the cane Masha had and then pressed the nail portion into Masha’s back! Rosemary is talking to Janice and goes to the back to find tacks that she spills out on the stage. Rosemary wants a Chokeslam into tacks, Masha counters, misses a Lariat and then eats the Spear into the tacks! Barbed Wire board is set up in the ring, Spicolli…nope! Russian Death Device into the Barbed Wire! Masha goes to the top, Footstomp into the barbed wire but only for 2 again! Masha goes to the outside and grabs a ladder.
A trash can lid gets thrown at Rosemary for good measure, Masha ascends the ladder and then Rosemary pushes the ladder and Masha goes crashing through one of two tables set up on the outside. Rough spot, rough looking, but Masha manages to move enough to break the pinfall since its falls count anywhere. Rosemary now goes full Kevin Steen and makes some chair art for a spot, drags Masha into the ring, sets he on the chairs and goes to the top. Masha sits up as Rosemary climbs, counters the momentum and Avalanche Requiem through the chairs! Masha retains.
Cora Jade’s music hits and sets up nicely after Masha was on NXT.Â
The Countdown Panel starts off with their main event picks they hinted towards and it’s necessary because they have to clean up the ring. Mark Henry picks Joe Hendry, and he better be correct. Ryan Nemeth interrupts with the “my brootthhheerrr” stuff, and Santino calls him “Fuck Face Guy”. It’s all good stuff, and I’m still a big fan of the Mokuba gimmick, but now they ban Ryan Nemeth.Â
TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry
Simple chain wrestling start until Nic has a few words and then snaps off a Dropkick, does his show off Dolph stuff so Hendry runs him over with a Shoulder Block and then a Knee Lift. Hendry tries his Stalling Suplex but Nic slips it into a Rear Naked Choke! Hendry spins Nic around, walks around with the Stalling Suplex before finally dropping Nic. Ryan Nemeth shows up with a ticket, so he’s sitting in the crowd now. Joe gets distracted just enough for Nic to jump up and hit a delayed DDT. After Nic tries to stretch Joe a little, Hendry goes into locomotion Cradles but Nic drops Joe to take a breather. Nic does his single Shot to the Heart Elbow and he’s really embracing the old Dolph Ziggler show off ego. Ziggler looks for a Rude Awakening after more arrogant moments, but Joe tries to fight it off, so Nic just snaps off a Jumping Neckbreaker.
Joe manages to hit a Cutter off the ropes to try and get some energy from the crowd. Strike exchange happens here, Uppercuts from Joe and Fists from Nic. Joe blocks one fist, throws a few of his own together and a Lariat levels Nic. Sack of Shit into the Kip Up! Counters galore from both men before Nic gets caught in the Pop-Up Powerbomb! Attitude Adjustment for just a near fall. You see moments of Nic trying to cheat or find an angle but he hasn’t done anything overtly heelish yet. Joe is rocking him with chops, perches Nic on the top, looks for the Superplex but Nic fights back, Hendry gets pushed off, Crossbody but Hendry rolls through, holds on and gets his Powerbomb countered into a FAMEasser for two! Nic crawls to a corner, looks to climb for something big, Hendry cuts him off, Avalanche Sack of Shit! Kaz walks out with the trophy as both men sell, but JBL comes out of the crowd and Clothesline from Hell on Kaz. JBL punches Ryan in the face as he comes out to say something. Then Tuxedo JBL leaves after doing his job. Standing Ovation from HENDRY! 1-2-NO! Nic kicks out!
The crowd chants “One More Time” and it fires up Hendry, he does the heel turn and goes full Queen Stomp, tries again, but Nic slips it. Superkick into Danger Zone and it’s….HENDRY KICKS OUT! Nic is tuning up the band, Hendry catches Nic, Sack of Shit, Kip Up, big fire, Standing Ovation! JOE HENDRY WINS!
Overall Score: 7/10
Even if the match quality wasn’t bonkers, mostly all the matches did what they needed to do, were fairly good and a good number of NXT talent showed up to make the Live iMPACT! and TNA really feel like something special right now. I’m an unabashed Tessa fan, so I’m giddy she won and Hendry finally getting the title is the latest they could’ve really dragged this out to, but at least it stops him from becoming Tetsuya Nai-Joe.
I’m not gonna be a hypocrite from previous complaints I made with too many champions being babyfaces, because that’s still bad and proves the next few title defenses could prove volatile. However, I of course just enjoy most of the current champions. So while it doesn’t erase the fact it’s bad, it makes it more palatable for me personally. Now if only PCO destroyed the Knockouts Tags instead of a different irrelevant belt.
Also let’s be very clear, anyone that believes the PCO stunt was a legit shoot doesn’t know wrestling. Everything is a work until it isn’t and then it still could be turned into a work. Don’t be gullible and just anticipate something to be worked out of it one way or the other.
Still though, good show with a lot of hype for the Live iMPACT, so Thursday should be fun! See you there!
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!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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