Adrenaline, in my soul…!

The American Nightmare is back on Raw, even in the wake of Kevin Owens’ betrayal! Will he be able to focus on Gunther and Crown Jewel?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Damage CTRL; Bianca & Jade win and retain the titles.
• WWE World Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Tournament Opening Round: Otis & Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri VS ???; The War Raiders win and advance.
• Bron Breakker VS Kofi Kingston; Bron wins.
• The Miz VS R-Truth; Truth wins.
• Rhea Ripley & Tiffany Stratton VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.

PLAY BY PLAY

Rhea Ripley walks to gorilla.

And Mami tells the cameraman to follow her. The fans fire up as Rhea makes her way out on stage and down to the ring! Rhea is intensely serious as ever, and we all know why. She got screwed out of the title at Bad Blood, and she even got some semblance of revenge last Friday Night SmackDown. Rhea grabs a mic to call out Liv Morgan! “I’m not done with you or Raquel Rodriguez. No, because this doesn’t end until I get back what I never lost, and that is my Women’s World Championship! So Liv, Raquel, if you’re done running and hiding, then get down here into my ring so I can whoop your asses!”

Instead of Liv or Raquel, we get Tiffany Stratton! Speaking of Friday, Miss Money in the Bank was there when Rhea wrecked everyone, and now Tiff steps into the ring. Tiff says, “Not who you were expecting, Rhea? I’m here because I have a very important message from the WWE Women’s Champion, Nia Jax.” The fans boo already but Tiff tells Rhea to stay out of Nia’s business, or else she’ll have a problem. A big problem! Rhea tells Tiff that she gets she thinks this is “Tiffy Time” but it’s not! Cuz Rhea doesn’t have time for this. Either Rhea gets her hands on Liv, or Raquel, or Rhea “welcomes” Tiff back the Rhea Ripley way.

Tiff starts shoving Rhea, they argue, but then Raquel & Liv CLOBBER them both! The fans boo, what’d Tiff do to them? Raquel still SLAMS Tiff down, and she saves Liv from Rhea. Raquel BOOTS Rhea down, and Liv picks up the MITB briefcase. Liv CLOBBERS Tiff with it! Then she slam dunks it onto Tiff! Raquel gives Liv the Women’s World title to raise over her head. Will no one stop Judgment Day now that Ricky Desperado is watching Liv’s back?

Rhea finds Adam Pearce backstage.

And she tells the Raw General Manager that she wants Liv & Raquel, TONIGHT! Pearce says got it, he already talked with them. But… He can’t let her fight them alone. It has to be a tag match or not at all. Rhea says she doesn’t need a partner, doesn’t want a partner, and who would she even get? It can’t be Priest! But then Tiffany storms in, asking what the heck! Is this how Pearce treats his guests? Nick Aldis would never treat her like this. Pearce has a lightbulb moment. What about Tiff? Rhea already has a headache, but she says fine. Tiff asks what that means. Oh, she’ll figure it out. Tiff is flustered, but will she and Rhea make it work against Liv & Raquel?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Damage CTRL!

The StrongEST Duo just got these titles back via a Triple Threat featuring the Unholy Union and their opponents here tonight. Will Bianca & Jade prove no team can touch them? Or will the Evil Genius & Pirate Princess have a foolproof plan to be back on top?

Raw returns and we see Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson watching ringside. They just had their shot on SmackDown, are they scouting this match for another try? DMG CTRL makes their entrance now, all fired up to take control. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly the B E S T team!

The teams sort out and Iyo starts with Jade. They tie up, and Jade SHOVES Iyo down! Jade flexes, Iyo comes back and slips around. Iyo headlocks but Jade fights the takeover. Jade powers up but Iyo slips free. Iyo runs, handsprings, but Jade dodges. Jade runs up but Iyo DROPKICKS her! Jade rebounds to CLOBBER Iyo! Jade drags Iyo up, gets the fans chanting “E S T!” and tags Bianca in. The StrongEST double whip, double hip toss, and then DOUBLE SLAM Iyo! Cover, TWO! Bianca stalks Iyo, runs in at the corner and RAMS Iyo! And RAMS her again and again! The fans duel as Bianca picks Iyo up, but Iyo sunset flips!

Bianca stays up, and deadlifts Iyo into a suplex! Iyo slips free, runs, and Kairi tags in! Iyo redirects Bianca, Kairi shoves her, and Iyo trips her! Kairi AX KICKS, then snapmares! Iyo and Kairi coordinate, DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up, and Kairi sucker punches Jade! Kairi goes out, Iyo slides at Jade. Jade dodges to SUPERKICK! But Kairi is up top! SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans fire up with Kairi as she storms around the ramp, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, Iyo has Bianca down in a crossface, but Bianca powers it back to a cover! TWO! Iyo lets go in time to ROCK, SHOTEI, SHOTEI and SHOTEI! Bianca staggers, Iyo runs to victory roll, STOMP 182! Iyo fires up, brings Bianca around, and underhooks the arms. But Bianca backdrops free! Iyo lands out on her feet! Iyo then runs up, Bianca bypasses and SPEARS! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Iyo and Bianca crawl, hot tags to Kairi and Jade! The fans fire up but Kairi dodges the boot to URAKEN! And CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Kairi whips, Jade blocks to reverses! Jade scoops, Kairi slips around to a SLEEPER!

The fans fire up as Kairi squeezes tight! Jade gets a second wind to THROW Kairi away! Jade runs in at the corner, but into a BOOT! Kairi goes up, leaps, but Jade catches her! SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Kairi writhes, Jade brings her around, and the fans fire up for the lift! POWERBOMB! Cover, Iyo breaks it! Bianca runs up to TOSS Iyo, and then Jade tags Bianca in. They get Kairi in position, handspring and scoop, DOMINATOR FLOP as Kairi moves! Jade is angry now, and runs up, only for Kairi to DUMP her out! Tag to Iyo and Iyo springboards in! MISSILE DROPKICK on Bianca! Iyo kips up, and the fans fire up!

Kairi runs, she and Iyo combine, POP-UP INSANE ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!?! Bianca survives and DMG CTRL can’t believe it! Iyo fires herself back up, goes right up top, and OVER THE MOONSAULT FLOPS as Jade saves Bianca! But Kairi LEAPS at Jade! Jade stops the rana, she and Bianca SLING Kairi into barriers! Meta Four gets at them, and Iyo QUEBRADAS! Down go the champs! Jakara & Lash says that’s what they get! Iyo puts Bianca in, but now Meta Four has to bark at Iyo! They grab Iyo’s hair, and Lash SUCKER PUNCHES her! The ref missed that checking on Bianca!! Bianca brings Iyo up, suplexes, and she shifts to a torture rack! KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca & Jade win!!

Winners: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Meta Four may not like Bianca & Jade, but they handed them this win! Will DMG CTRL have to teach Lash & Jakara a lesson after this?

Finn Balor & JD McDonagh walk ‘n’ talk backstage.

The WWE World Tag Team Champions find Adam Pearce, and note he wanted to talk with them. Finn says good timing, because he wants to talk a rematch with Damian Priest. Uh, no, that’s not what this is about, they misunderstood. Finn says no, Pearce is misunderstanding. When is the rematch with Damian? Finn wants it and he wants to know when! Pearce says no, this has nothing to do with Priest, and everything to do with the obligations these two have as tag team champions! AKA defending them! But they defended these just last month. That’s the thing, Pearce gave Judgment Day time to resolve things with Priest and-

Finn says it’s not resolved! Pearce says yes they are! And now, there will be a tournament to determine new contenders to the titles. Does it look like they care? Pearce says they better. JD says he is really starting to dislike Pearce. The rest of Judgment Day walks in and asks when’s the match with Damian. Finn says it’s a no go. Finn storms off, but Liv says at least we can all focus on keeping the titles. True. And Liv makes formal introductions to Raquel. Carlito is a bit lovestruck. Will things really turn out alright for The Judgment Day? Or will they all get their just desserts soon enough?

Team American Made speaks.

Chad Gable quotes the Webster’s Dictionary definition of greatness: “The quality or state of being excellent in size, skill, achievement, or power.” Brutus Creed tells Merriam Webster, “you idiot, how about next time, just look at a photo of American Made. HAHAHA!” Ivy Nile says America is the land of opportunity, so everyone in that locker room has the opportunity to get their teeth kicked in by the greatest athletes in the world. And Julius Creed adds that they are sick and tired of entitled degenerates looking for handouts! Gable says this country needs a hero. All of the WWE Universe needs a hero.

And it is Gable’s pleasure to tell us all that Team American Made will be those heroes! They will put the team on their back and show the world what it is to be American Made!

Bron Breakker speaks.

“Everybody wants to know… Why? Why did I turn my back on Jey Uso? It’s really not all that complicated. See, Jey, you lucked into the biggest lottery of your entire life a few weeks ago when you beat me for the Intercontinental Championship. So what’d I do out of respect? I march down to the ring, I shake your hand, and tell you congratulations, out of respect. And what did you do? Throw it back in my face as if I’m not gonna see it! Not once did you say that you respected me. Not one time did you say that you respected me as a champion, and that one day, you would be the kind of champion that I am, which we all know you won’t.

“See, we’re not the same, Jey. We’re not a couple second, third generation superstars carrying on our family’s legacies. Because I’m doing this on my own. I don’t need my family’s help. I don’t need the name. I don’t need them here. Because one day, when I surpass them in success, they can give me the stamp approval. The same amount of respect I have for them, they’ll have for me. Not like you. You’ve been sucking off your family’s legacy for the past 14 years. And finally, when your cousin is on top of the mountain, you all of a sudden decide that you wanna do it on your own now. You wanna get fed, too.

“You wanna do it on your own, Jey? You wanna do it on your own? Well you’re gonna take this ass kicking on your own, too! Because I’m coming back for my Intercontinental Championship. And the beautiful thing is, Jey, you’re family… cannot save you… from me!” The Badass is ready to break Main Event Jey, will Kofi Kingston be an appetizer?

Raw shares a conversation from last Saturday.

Adam Pearce sat down to talk with Bronson Reed, and Pearce says it might be hard to believe, but he appreciates Bronson’s time. The reason for this meeting is simple. Pearce wants to make sure- Bronson stops Pearce there, and says let’s just get to business. Pearce says okay, he’ll give Bronson credit. He has made a name for himself in a short period of time. Everyone knows Pearce gives the roster the leeway they want to handle things how they want, and sometimes there’s chaos, it gets wild, and Pearce takes the heat for that. But what Bronson’s been doing with Braun Strowman, even in Last Monster Standing, he throws refs around, goes through barriers, putting fans at risk!

Pearce cannot have that. Bronson says sorry if he crossed some line. But in a match like that, no one can stop him. If not for Seth Rollins, Bronson would’ve been the Last Monster Standing. So when is Pearce making the match? Oh, so it’s like that? Pearce isn’t even thinking about that until he and Bronson are on the same page. Bronson says all the destruction, all his Tsunamis, it was all to get to the main event. Isn’t that the level of ambition he wants? Of course! Then make the match and there’ll be no trouble. Bronson just wants the spotlight. He wants the 1v1 with Rollins to show he is a top guy here in WWE.

So it is that simple? Bronson’s a man of his word now? Pearce wants to make sure they’re on the same page. He will talk with Rollins. Bronson says Pearce is smarter than he thought. Imagine that. Pearce says they’ll talk again soon. Bronson says not to keep him waiting too long. When and where will the Colossal Aussie get his match with The Visionary?

WWE World Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Tournament Opening Round: Otis & Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri VS ???

The tournament Pearce promised begins, and it is the Alpha Academy that starts us off! But who against? We’ll have to wait and see, after the break!

Raw returns and… the WAR RAIDERS are back! That’s right, Erik & Ivar have moved past being just Vikings, and might be closer to machines at this point! Will they still bring the raid all the way to the tag titles?

The teams sort out, Ivar starts against Otis. The bell rings, Ivar BOOTS Otis, whips him, but Otis reverses. Ivar rolls off Otis’ back, then cartwheels past him! Otis dodges and he LARIATS Ivar down! The fans fire up, and Otis tags Tozawa. Otis whips Tozawa in to RAM Ivar! But Ivar shoves Tozawa! Tozawa dodges, but Erik tags in! Ivar scoop SLAMS Tozawa, then Erik scoop SLAMS Ivar onto Tozawa! The fans fire up and Erik brings Tozawa up. Feed to a KNEE from Ivar, then feed to a KNEE from Erik! Tozawa falls, Maxxine is worried, but Erik tags Ivar. Erik BLASTS Otis, then Ivar SPLASHES Tozawa!

Ivar feeds Tozawa to a FOREARM from Erik! Ivar covers, Otis breaks it! The fans cheer and Otis CLOBBERS Erik! Otis rips the shirt away and the fans fire up more! Otis hits the CATERPILLAR- HEEL KICK from Ivar! Ivar tags Erik, but Tozawa MISSILE DROPKICKS! Tozawa runs, but into THOR’S HAMMER! Ivar then hits a SEATED SENTON on Otis! Tozawa hits Ace Ten MAO! Erik tags Ivar and Ivar goes up. Erik hauls Tozawa right up, and feeds him to a RAIDER SPLASH!! Cover, War Raiders win!

Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall (advance to the next round)

The Alpha Academy just felt the Fallout from Erik & Ivar returning, will no one survive this tournament?

Adam Pearce meets with Seth Rollins.

Pearce thanks Rollins for his time, and Rollins says he saw that meeting with Bronson. So is the match made or what? Pearce says yeah, Bronson wants the match as much as Rollins, it’s Pearce who is hesitant. Here’s why: Rollins has had six matches this year, and he hasn’t been 100% for any of them. Bronson put Rollins on the shelf, and- Rollins sees where this is going. Injuries happens. Yeah, but there’s injuries, and then there’s injuries, and Pearce knows Rollins gets what he means. Rollins says hey, when you sign up for this business, you know it’s part of the game. And you fight through injuries to get to the top! To run the jungle!

Rollins also knows Pearce knows that upstarts like Reed are going to come in, try and make a name off someone else. It’s what Pearce did, it’s what Rollins did, it’s what Reed is doing. So to be honest, there’s a reason Rollins runs Raw, that he is at the top. Bronson’s forgotten, maybe Pearce has, too. Rollins has slain a beast, conquered kings, and you know what sounds nice? Hunting a monster. Rollins needs this fight, to bring out the best in him. It’s how he stays sharp and stays on top. Rollins wants this fight because Reed tried to put him on the shelf for good. But he also needs this fight if Pearce wants the best version of Rollins for Raw. Just think about it.

Rollins heads out, what will Pearce decide?

Cody Rhodes is here!

The fans sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” as the Undisputed WWE Champion makes his way to the ring. Cody even shakes hands with Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore before grabbing a mic and going into the ring. The fans cheer more, and Cody says there’s a lot of people in here tonight. Let’s say hey to the friends up there, over there, and down here. What’s the old saying? To know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been. As much as Cody wants to have his eyes on the future, he prides himself on being a pro-wrestling and sports entertainment traditionalist.

That means he is immensely proud to be standing in a city that has such rich history and rich roots in this business! Whether it was Sam Mushnik wrestling at The Chase, or everyone here tonight for Monday Night Raw! There has been some more recent history, though… Something very special happened in this building not too long ago. Something that genuinely changed Cody’s life for the better. Cody says yes, it was here in St. Louis, when we all first heard, “We Want Cody.” The fans cheer that! And Cody is sure someone will call him a politician for it, but there is nothing political about what is next. It is simple: Cody thanks you all very, very, very much!

And with that in mind, St. Louis, Missouri…! “What do you wanna talk about?” But then GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, the World Heavyweight Champion, goes right to the ring, and has a mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.” The fans do cheer that, and Gunther says usually, he would come out here and dress his opponent down, speak about some uncomfortable truths. But to be honest, there is not much negative to say about Cody. Because in fact, this company, this business, this sport, is in a boom period like never before, and it is all built on Cody’s back.

Cody makes every town, every country, every continent. He is truly the quarterback of the WWE. The fans chant “Thank You, Cody!” Gunther then says there is not many people in the WWE he respects, but he fully respects Cody Rhodes. Though, if he thinks about it, there might be one thing. Cody just loves to be everyone’s darling, doesn’t he? See, the thing is, because of that, Cody is in that mess with his old friend, Kevin Owens> Kevin realized everyone’s friend is no one’s real friend. So Gunther expects Cody to sort out that mess, because in Saudi Arabia, Gunther wants the best version of Cody Rhodes.

Cody says what Gunther thinks is his greatest weakness is actually his greatest strength. And Cody isn’t surrounded by friends, surely Gunther has seen what’s happening. But one champion to another, Cody has seen what happens when Der Ring General throws everything in his arsenal at his opponents, and they keep coming back. What happens is Gunther gets uncomfortable. What happens is, as seen firsthand at WrestleMania, Gunther breaks. Gunther does his best to smile that off but Cody says he could return the favor. Gunther is a champion, a workhorse, and there is great respect.

But Gunther thinks he is in deep waters? His feet are still touching the bottom of the pool. Gunther has never been 1v1 with Cody. The fans cheer that! Gunther says that’s fair, and spoken like a true secondary champion. Oh, there it is, there’s the dig. Cody expected that but he should’ve realized Raw is Gunther’s house now. Gunther really h as become intimidating, frightening, a beast. What’d he just say? “Secondary champion?” Let’s not forget that Cody defeated the most dominant champion in WWE history. And Gunther, Cody has already slain a frightening beast. Cody drops the mic to offer a handshake.

Gunther chuckles, considers the handshake, and then accepts. The fans applaud, and Gunther says yes, good luck to Gunther. Gunther heads out, and Cody leaves it at that. Crown Jewel is on the horizon, but who will be the BEST champion of all?

Raw shares footage from after last week’s Raw.

Kofi says if Woods was getting beaty up, you know Jey would be the first one out there. Woods says yeah, but Kofi also said Woods is the QB. He calls the play. But has that been happening? Tension is growing within The New Day, will it all fall apart at this rate? Or can Kofi show Bron Breakker he can’t just do what he wants to who he wants?

Dragon Lee speaks.

“The last year has been one of the most exciting and fulfilling times in my life. Not just coming to WWE, but becoming a champion and having the honor of joining the legendary LWO. It hasn’t all been easy. But with every setback, I’ve become stronger, wiser, and better than before. I remembered that I am capable of exceeding my greatest expectations, that my heroes look at me as their equal. That I belong, and not even the sky is my limit. Dragon Lee was destined to fly.” The Boy Wonder is ready to get back in action, will he strike gold once again?

Bron Breakker VS Kofi Kingston!

Raw returns and the Big Bad Booty Nephew makes his entrance. The bell rings and Kofi runs up to DROPKICK Bron! The fans fire up and Kofi SPLASHES in a corner! Kofi fires off forearms, the ref backs him up, but Kofi SPLASHES again! Bron flounders, Kofi runs, but Bron RUNS him over! The fans bark it up, and Bron seethes as he storms around. Bron drags Kofi up, puts him in a corner, and whips corner to corner hard! Kofi bounces off buckles, tumbles back, and Bron paces. The fans bark more, and Bron drags Kofi up again. Bron puts Kofi in a corner, to then BODY BLOW! Kofi goes to another corner, Bron storms up to whip corner to corner hard!

Kofi again falls after hitting buckles, and Bron mocks “New, Day Rocks. New, Day Rocks.” Bron stalks Kofi, drags him up, and whips again. Kofi goes up and up to DROPKICK back! The fans fire up, and Kofi dodges Bron, hurdles, but Bron dodges Kofi to CLOBBER him! Kofi tumbles to the apron, Bron kicks him down, and Bron fires up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Bron has Kofi with a chinlock. Bron grinds Kofi down while the fans rally up. Kofi fights up to his feet, fires body shots, and is free of the hold. Kofi fires more shots but Bron CLUBS Kofi down. Bron says it’s done, and he run sin, only for Kofi to dodge! Bron POSTS himself, and he flops to the apron. Bron staggers up, but Kofi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And DROPKICKS! Bron staggers around, Kofi runs but Bron dodges. Bron whips, Kofi goes up and up, CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE! Kofi PENALTY KICKS back! Kofi fires up, gets moving, “NEW~ DAY~” BOOM DROP! Bron sputters and Kofi goes to a corner.

The fans fire up and clap along, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi spins, but Bron ducks the kick! Waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! Kofi lands out, clinches, S O S! Cover, TWO! Bron survives, but he grits his teeth from taking that rolling shot. Kofi brings Bron up, but Bron RAMS him into a corner! And again! And again! Bron tells the ref to shut up with the count, but then Kofi SWING KICKS! Kofi goes up the corner slowly, and leaps, but into Bron’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The straps come down and the fans fire up. Bron builds speed, SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Kofi tried to get even with Bron, but he couldn’t survive that 20+ mile per hour tackle. Bron looms over Kofi, but here comes Woods! Woods won’t let Bron bully Kofi, and the fans cheer. Bron leaves, Woods checks on Kofi, but then Bron runs in and CLOBBERS Woods! Bron aims, but here comes Jey! Jey slides in, ducks ‘n’ dodges to SUPERKICK! Bron staggers, Jey says here’s respect for him! SPEAR! Jey is all fired up and Bron retreats while the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey helps Kofi up, but then Bron returns! SUPERKICK again! Jey was ready this time! YEET! Will Jey show Bron more of that “respect” when these two go one more round?

Rhea gets ready for her match.

Priest checks on her, and says she looks ready. Want him out there? Nah, it’s fine. It is Tiffy’s time to stand on the apron and watch. But has he put thought into what they talked about? Priest says yeah, but still… Rhea tells him hey, he already destroyed all the Judgment Day boys, he already got his revenge on Finn. it is time he gets back what he was robbed of. That is fair. Priest says as long as Rhea has beef with the Judgment Day, he has beef. So just tell him and he’s there. But yeah, time for Priest to once again be El Campeon. Rhea says there we go. They fist bump and Priest tells her to do her thing, go handle those girls. Rhea says she will. But will Tiffy be the big problem in that formula?

Jey goes back to the locker room.

And when he opens the door, Jimmy is there?! Jimmy asks if Jey’s got a second, but Jey turns right around and leaves. Well, Jimmy figured that’d be the reaction. Can the brothers Uso hash things out for the greater good of the family?

The Miz VS R-Truth!

The Awesome Truth is once again no more, all because the Hollywood A-Lister got fed up with it all. Will he take all his frustrations out on one of the major sources? Or is the truth of the matter that Miz is just selfish?

Raw returns and The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and Truth gets the fans to join in on, “WHAT’S UP?!” Miz is not for the good times, even as Truth breaks it down and offers a handshake. The fans boo as Miz refuses it! But then Miz takes it, but does NOT join in on the secret posing. The Wyatts add their little something to this, and then wait, Karrion Kross & The Final Testament are here? Miz gets distracted by them, and Truth uses that to roll him up! Truth wins!!

Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall

Truth celebrates with Miz, still thinking they’re friends! Truth is Truth, but he really needs to work on that memory problem. Kross shakes hands with Truth, but then sicks Authors of Pain on him! They TOSS Truth in for Miz to hit a SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! The fans boo as Miz just scowls at his former friend. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Miz doesn’t even flinch. Is Miz starting to see things Kross’ way?

Jimmy looks for Jey.

Jimmy goes room to room, door to door, but then finds Jey on his way out. Jimmy says please, just hear him out. Jey says he already said no. Now get out of his face. Jey leaves, but Jimmy doesn’t look ready to give up on his twin. What will it take for Jimmy to make up for the past?

Rhea Ripley & Tiffany Stratton VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!

“Unlikely allies” is a classic trope, but this might be pushing it. Mami and Tiffy are polar opposites, but can they hold together long enough to get past the Women’s World Champion and her heavy hitter? Or will Judgment Day continue to deny Rhea her retribution?

Raw returns and “It’s Tiffy Time~” as Miss MITB makes her entrance to join Rhea. Then Liv & Raquel make their entrance together, and the teams sort out. Rhea starts with Liv, the two circle, and then Liv dodges Rhea to SLAP her! Liv laughs, but then Rhea blocks her punches! Rhea HEADBUTTS Liv and the fans fire up. Rhea lifts Liv to atomic FACEBUSTER! Rhea runs to basement DROPKICK! Liv flounders, Rhea taunts Raquel, then runs in, but Liv dodges! Rhea keeps Liv from running away by pulling hair! Rhea scoops her but Liv slips free, shoves Rhea, and tags Raquel! Liv grins as now Mami once again meets Big Mami Cool.

Rhea says if Raquel wants to go, let’s go! But then Tiff tags in! Rhea is upset but Tiff says tootles. Raquel swings, Tiff dodges and handsprings over! The fans cheer and Tiff asks, “What time is it?” Tiff goes Matrix to dodge, but then Raquel grabs her! Raquel whips, Tiff holds ropes and DUMPS Raquel out! Rhea runs up but Tiff says don’t, she is not legal! Now Tiff does things by the rules? Liv tags in, and Raquel hoists her up to BOMB SENTON onto Rhea and Tiff! The fans boo but Liv laughs, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Liv hits a suplex on Tiff! Liv gives some Latina Heat, then CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Liv says okay, and she drags Tiff up. Liv puts Tiff in the corner, stomps her, then digs her boot in. The ref counts, Liv steps away, and Raquel taunts Tiff before tagging in. Raquel whips Liv in to back body block! Liv sends Raquel in to SPLASH! Raquel grins as she brings Tiff up with a scoop, and then pops her into a suplex! Cover, TWO! Tiff toughs it out but Raquel drags her up. Raquel CLUBS Tiff down, Rhea coaches Tiff angrily, but Raquel ROCKS Tiff! And DECKS Tiff! and then brings Tiff back up to scoop, for a BACKBREAKER!

Raquel pushes on Tiff in the backbreaker rack! Tiff endures and the fans rally up for her. Tiff fights, kicks at Raquel, but Raquel dumps her over. Raquel then UPPERCUTS Tiff down, then adds a KICK! Cover, TWO! Raquel suplexes, Tiff slips free, but she misses the tag! Raquel drags Tiff away, but Tiff BOOTS her! Hot tags to Liv and Rhea! Rhea rallies on Liv and the fans fire up! Rhea kicks, stomps a foot, SMASHES Liv off her knee, and LARIATS! Then she DROPKICKS Raquel for the hell of it! Liv JAWBREAKERS, leaps, but Rhea stops that to FLAPJACK Liv! Rhea runs to KNEE Liv in the face!

Rhea deadlifts Liv right into RIPTIDE!! Cover, Raquel breaks it! Raquel saves Liv like always, but Rhea TOSESS her out! Rhea says fine, and tags Tiff! Tiff goes up, Rhea CLBOBERS Raquel! Those two brawl, but Liv avoids the Prettiest Moonsault! Both Liv and Tiff are down, Rhea and Raquel still brawl, but wait! NIA CLOBBERS RHEA & RAQUEL! The Queen of the Ring is here, and she helps her Princess Tiffy up. But then Rhea brings Nia around to HEADBUTT! And scoop!? But Liv CHOP BLOCKS a leg out! Rhea falls, Liv KICKS away at her, but Nia is back up! Nia YANKS Liv back, ROCKS her, and fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP!

Nia runs, to drop the LEG! The fans actually cheer Nia! Nia isn’t done there, though! She puts Liv in the drop zone, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Tiff says that’s her queen! But then Nia says look! Do it! Oh yeah! Tiff gets her briefcase! Tiff goes to the ref, and she wants to cash in on Liv! But wait! Dom runs out here and saves his girlfriend! Tiff & Nia tell them all it is only a matter of time! Tiffy Time! Will Crown Jewel see Nia and Tiff both leave with championships? Or can Liv find a way to survive it all?

My Thoughts:

A very good Raw, but it was a little too obvious they recorded this right after last week’s episode. There were a lot more promos, especially for a two-hour show. It was almost like a bad go-home episode rather than a follow-up to anything. However, still very well-done promos, such as Pearce with Bronson and then Pearce with Rollins. Rollins VS Bronson is definitely going to be big, just not sure if it’ll be Crown Jewel big. Good promo from Pearce with Finn & JD to help set up this tag team tournament, that tournament is going to be great stuff. We saw the return of the War Raiders tonight, and they got a really good match from Otis & Tozawa. Erik & Ivar will definitely be top choices in the tournament. Honestly, they’ll probably win the whole thing.

Good promo from Team American Made, but it didn’t add too much to anything. I’m sure they’ll be in the tag team tournament, maybe go to the finals, but again, I’m thinking Erik & Ivar win out. Good promo from Dragon Lee, hopefully he will get going on the Raw roster, but hard to say in what way. Great stuff in the Intercontinental Championship story, from a really good match between Bron and Kofi to Woods and Jey each making a save. Jey VS Bron 2 is on its way, I just hope they don’t hot potato this back to Bron now that they’re also building to Jey reuniting with Jimmy & Roman.

Very good Women’s Tag Team Championship match tonight, and I suppose on some level, Lash & Jakara being the reason Bianca & Jade retain makes up for how SmackDown went. Feels like Lash & Jakara will be having a tag team match here on Raw next so DMG CTRL can get even with them. I really hope we get something big for the women’s tag titles at Survivor Series, with all the brands fighting for them since these are THE traveling titles in the WWE. Then because of the Triple Threat or Fatal 4 Way nature, Jade & Bianca can lose without being beat, and at least one of them can get going towards the WWE Women’s Championship.

The Miz and Truth being a very short match was only slightly disappointing, because it was mostly hilarious. And between The Wyatts flashing their symbols right as the match began, and The Final Testament showing up, this further teases Miz & Final Testament VS Wyatt Sick6 in some huge 8 Man Tag match. Good promo from Cody and Gunther, and clever stuff for Gunther to swerve us on not giving Cody any grief. That said, it wasn’t much different from what Gunther’s done before, or what anyone facing Cody’s done with Cody. In the end, we all know the Crown Jewel Champion story is just Saudi Princes throwing money at WWE so why not just go and do it.

Though, it is rather strange that the men’s build is not as fiery as the women’s. Rhea had a good promo to help bring about the “can they coexist?” tag team main event. This was definitely a test run for Tiffany on Raw or even Tiffany as Face. There are plenty of fans who really like Tiffany, and she can easily go Face with that, especially with how Nia’s been bullying her. But great interaction between Tiff and Rhea, very good match with Liv & Raquel, and Nia showing up was also a great touch. I liked Nia reminding Tiff she has the MITB briefcase, and this was a nice tease of Tiff cashing in at Crown Jewel. Nia & Tiff are coming out the lesser of two evils against Liv & Raquel, Crown Jewel could be a lot of fun just on the women’s title match.

My Score: 8.6/10