The Visionary, the Wise Man, and the Badass…

After a wild Raw After Mania, Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker will be here to establish themselves as the new force of nature on Monday nights!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rhea Ripley VS Roxanne Perez; Rhea wins, by disqualification.
• Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Carlito VS The War Raiders; The War Raiders win.
• Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile w/ Chad Gable; Vaquer wins.
• Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins; Bron wins, by referee stoppage.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nick Aldis is filling in for Adam Pearce.

The Raw General Manager is taking some administrative leave given last week’s particularly chaotic and violent Raw, so the SmackDown GM will gladly step in. Surely no ulterior motives like showing he’s a superior GM…

Seth Rollins is here!

Kansas City fires up for the Visionary as he leads The Wise Man and the Badass to the ring. And while Rollins wears stylish sunglasses and long-tailed coat, Paul Heyman got Bron Breakker to wear a suit! The fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as the three step into the ring, and Rollins pats both Heyman and Bron on the shoulder. The fans bark for Bron, and they again sing for Rollins as Rollins has the mic already. Rollins revels in this moment as usual, then he tells Kansas City, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!” He is the Visionary, he is the Revolutionary, he is Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!

“And in case you didn’t know, you’ve been living under a rock, you’re looking at the winner of the main event of WrestleMania! And I know it’s a little difficult for some of you out there that still wanna chant for CM Punk…” Some fans do indeed still chant for CM Punk. Rollins nods and says, “I knew there were still a few out there. And I know it might be painful for you who still wanna put your fingers in the air for Roman Reigns…” And fans do indeed raise the ones and chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says what you are looking at in this ring right now is the future of this industry! The fans do cheer that.

Rollins says the future runs through one man. That man is NOT CM Punk. That man is NOT Roman Reigns. Hell, it’s not even John Cena, Jey Uso or Cody Rhodes! The future of this industry, with Paul Heyman to his left, and Bron Breakker to his right, the future of this industry runs through SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! But wait! Sami Zayn makes his way out here! Sami goes to the ring and grabs himself a mic, but Rollins gives Sami the introductions. The fans do cheer, and Rollins has Bron stand down. Rollins says it is good to see Sami back on Monday Night Raw! Rollins assumes Sami caught WrestleMania.

Sami says yes, he did. He saw the main event of night one. How long have they been friends? A long time, right? Well, then Sami feels the need to come out here as a friend, as someone who has known Rollins a long time, to say that this… “This is a load of crap, man.” What/ What does he mean? Uh, how much time did Rollins talk about Punk, Roman, and how one the one thing those two had in common is standing by Rollins now. How is Rollins any different? Whoa, wait, is Sami comparing Rollins to Punk and Roman? How can this NOT be different? Sami says for the longest time, he started to believe Rollins just had this hatred for Punk and Roman.

But now, maybe Rollins was just jealous of them. Maybe Rollins just wanted to be in the position that they were in. Rollins says Sami, look, Rollins is not Punk, he is not Roman, this is the vision for the future! They go back many, many years, talking about what the vision of the future would look like. Oh, yes, isn’t that a coincidence? The “vision” for the future of the WWE and of the entire industry for years to come, it all revolves around Rollins being front and center. That’s not a coincidence! Rollins is the best man for the job! That’s Sami’s point, Rollins. It isn’t coincidence, it is hypocrisy.

Sami says all this time talking about The Bloodline this, the Bloodline that, and- Rollins stops Sami there. This is NOT The Bloodline, stop making that comparison! Well how is it different? The Wise Man over on that side, and a lapdog over on the other. And if Bron keeps looking at Sami like that, Sami will kick Bron’s face in! The fans fire up hearing that! Rollins shouts for everyone to calm down. Sami, what is this? You came out here to be honest with Rollins, so Rollins will be honest with you. This IS the vision for the future. And Sami is either with them, or they are against them. And that’s not a threat.

Rollins doesn’t want Sami to be an enemy. This whole thing is bigger than Rollins. It doesn’t matter if Rollins hates you like he does Roman and Punk, or if he loves you like a brother. You stand in his way, you become a target, and Rollins doesn’t want that for Sami. So they can find a solution to this. It doesn’t have to come to blows. Wise Man, please, pull some strings. Sami can be moved off Raw. The fans boo and Rollins says no, that’s not a threat! It’s just that Sami clearly won’t buy in, so maybe they can cash him out. That is not a threat. But it is an offer. A favor, even. So look, Sami, just think about it. But they will need an answer by the end of the night.

Rollins turns to go, Heyman has Bron stand down, and the clock is ticking. Will the Underdog from the Underground side with Rollins’ vision? Or will he be the first to stand against it?

Rhea Ripley VS Roxanne Perez!

Mami came to the rescue last week when The Prodigy and Giulia went after Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer. Rhea still wants to be on top, will her brutality go a long way towards that? Or will the former NXT Women’s Champion pop off against the former Women’s World Champion?

Raw returns and Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Rhea and Roxie circle, the fans behind “MAMI! MAMI!” The two tie up, Roxie dodges and then bails out. The fans boo but Roxie tells the ref to back Rhea off. Rhea does back up, and Roxie takes her time stepping inside. Roxie and Rhea feel things out, but then Roxie bails out again! The fans boo but Roxie is clearly trolling. Roxie then throws her jacket at Rhea! Roxie storms in and CHOP BLOCKS! Rhea writhes, the fans boo but Roxie talks trash. Roxie CLUBS and kicks and stomps, but then Rhea grabs Roxie by the hair!

Roxie SLAPS Rhea, then laughs. Rhea is furious so now Roxie apologizes. But then Roxie dropkicks the legs out and Rhea hits buckles! Roxie runs in, UPPERCUTS, then comes back, but into a BOOT! Rhea reels Roxie in, Canadian Racks, but Roxie hooks the ropes! Roxie slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges to wheelbarrow, but no bulldog! Roxie shifts to roll Rhea, and she stomps away on the bad leg! Rhea BOOTS Roxie away with the good leg! But then Roxie SWEEPS the legs! The fans rally but Roxie DROPKICKS Rhea out! Roxie builds speed to DIVE! But Rhea catches her! The fans fire up as Rhea THROWS Roxie into barriers!

Roxie is down, Rhea shakes out the bad leg, then she drags Roxie up. SNAKE EYES off the barriers! The ring count climbs, Rhea stalks Roxie, and Rhea puts Roxie in the ring. Roxie backs up but Rhea puts her on the apron! Rhea DECKS Roxie, then drags her back up, only for Roxie to trip Rhea! Roxie SLAMS Rhea’s bad leg into the post! Rhea resists as Roxie tries again, but Roxie CLUBS away, then she SLAMS the leg back into post! The fans boo but Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirl RUSSIAN- NO, Rhea blocks with power! Roxie slips free of the scoop but Rhea LARIATS her down! The fans fire up while Rhea gets her leg moving.

Rhea hauls Roxie up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Roxie BOOTS Rhea away, then goes up and leaps! But Rhea catches her again! Rhea powers through to suplex high and hard! Roxie staggers up, but Rhea DROPKICKS Roxie down! Roxie bails out, Rhea shakes the bad leg out, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Roxie double jumps and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives and Roxie grows frustrated. The fans rally but Roxie goes for the bad legs. Spinning toehold, then a DEATHLOCK! Rhea endures as Roxie puts on the pressure! Rhea CLUBS Roxie, Roxie pushes on the bad leg, repeat! Roxie fires a forearm, Rhea fires a haymaker, but Roxie fires a flurry! Roxie lets Rhea go to then have a standing toehold! Roxie pushes on the knee and ankle, but Rhea kicks with the free leg! Roxie still holds on so Rhea kicks at her again and again! Rhea finally BOOTS free, then ENZIGIRIS! Roxie comes back, but Rhea wrenches to a short arm LARIAT!

Rhea short arm LARIATS, then ducks a shot to wrench and HOOK KICK! Rhea reels Roxie in and lifts her up, Canadian Rack for the RAZOR’S EDGE! Roxie flounders, Rhea SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO!! The bad leg holds Rhea back and Roxie survives for it! Rhea hobbles and goes back for Roxie. Rhea drags Roxie up, then fires off in the corner! The ref counts but the fans fire up! Wait, is that Giulia!? The Beautiful Madness is back again, taunting Rhea. Rhea eggs Giulia on, but Roxie snatches Rhea to a cradle! TWO!! Roxie runs and tilt-o-whirls to SPIKE-RANA! Roxie gets moving and she HANDSPRING KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO!!

Rhea survives and Roxie is freaking out! Giulia is just as frustrated over that count, but Roxie drags Rhea up. Roxie SLAPS Rhea, Rhea SLAPS Roxie! Roxie SOBATS, hops on, POP- NO, Rhea flips that over and KNEES Roxie down! Rhea then glares at Giulia. Giulia eggs Rhea on, Rhea grabs Giulia’s hair! Roxie rolls Rhea, but Rhea rolls through and HEADBUTTS! Rhea pump handles, but Giulia CHOP BLOCKS Rhea!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by disqualification 

The fans boo but Giulia HAMMERS away on Rhea! Roxie joins in, but here comes Iyo Sky! The fans fire up as the Evil Genius rushes in, dodges Roxie and SHOTEIS Giulia! SHOTEI for Roxie! Iyo blocks Giulia’s kick to send it into Roxie! Then victory roll, STOMP 182! The fans fire up with Iyo, and then she runs at Roxie! Roxie puts Iyo on the apron, but Iyo GAMANGIRIS! Giulia is up, and she trips Iyo up on the springboard! Now the champ is getting mugged! Rhea returns, and that sends Roxie & Giulia running! Roxie & Giulia never used to be friends, but they have common targets in Iyo & Rhea. Will they come to regret it?

Judgment Day talks in the clubhouse.

They’re all excited, and then Finn joins in! Finn formally welcomes JD McDonagh back from injury, and mentions they need to talk later. They go off to the side and Finn thought JD was going to tell him when he was back. JD says he told Dom first, he meant to tell Finn, and he’s sorry. Finn is fine with that, he just wishes JD had told him. JD knows, but with the Intercontinental Championship match, JD was cleared quicker than he thought and- Liv checks in. Is everything okay? Sure, of course! Just catching up. Okay, but why aren’t they getting ready for their match? Wait, what match?

JD says he was also going to tell Finn but it got away from him. Liv said it’d be great if JD & Finn made another run at the World Tag Team Championships, and JD agreed, so he went to Nick Aldis and they’ve got a match with the War Raiders tonight. JD thought Liv was going to tell Finn. Liv says it’s just been so busy, it slipped her mind. But she just figured, since Finn isn’t a champion right now, that he’d be interested. Well of course he’d be interested. But in the future, please keep Finn in the loop. Yes, absolutely. Finn says he’ll go get ready, JD and Liv grumble at each other, but Carlito says it’ll be great once everyone is champion. Oh wait, maybe Carlito should be, too…

Liv & JD go back to the game with Dom and Raquel, and Carlito seems to have an idea. But what title could Caribbean Cool possibly capture?

Logan Paul is here!

Raw returns as The Maverick is already in the ring. Kansas City boos, but Logan says, “Hey, yo! That’s crazy, cuz I dunno if y’all remember, but I beat the Phenomenal AJ Styles last weekend at WrestleMania. And I hear you. You people still aren’t satisfied. Hey, hey, hey, I get it. You’re from Kansas City, you’re a victim of circumstance. You don’t know greatness when it’s standing right in front of you. You people are so, so stupid! You don’t know what a true legend looks like. And hey, hey, I’m gonna say something, and it might offend some of you, you’re not gonna like it. But a true legend certainly does not look like your current World Heavyweight Champion, Jey Uso.”

The fans boo but Logan says he has had seven days to think. He realized he’s done just about everything there is in this industry, except win the world title. “So Jey Uso! Consider your days numbered, because you have something that I want!” But then YEET! Here comes Main Event Jey! The fans fire up and sing along with that Day One Ish, and the bounce is on! Jey even bestows his YEET sunglasses to a young fan who beat cancer and is at his first WWE show. The fans fire up for that, and they YEET again! Jey steps in the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Logan looks right at the belt, and Jey tells him hold up.

Let’s silence this noise! Cuz Logan thinks that after 15 YEARS of Jey making a name for himself, finally becoming World Heavyweight Champion, that Jey’s just gonna hand this over to some punk YouTuber like Logan Paul! STOP! “YEET!” Jey tells Pat, “Can you believe this?” Jey says let’s get real for a minute. Jey watched Gunther beat his twin brother to a bloody pulp. That did something to Jey. It lit a fire inside of him that ain’t ever going out. So look, Logan, this title is not given, it is earned. And it’s Jey’s! So if you want it, come take it! Four letters, one word. Uh, uh, YEET!! The fans fire up, but Logan rolls his eyes.

“YEET? You sound so stupid, Uce. I’ve done more in four years than you have in 15! All of you know that’s true!” So Logan has something for Jey! This is how it’s gonna go: That title? Logan will take it from Jey. And Jey will do what he does best, what he always does, and that is crash out, screw up, and lose in less time than he held the Intercontinental Championship. So enjoy it while you- SUPERKICK!! The fans fire up as Jey just knocks this punk ass YouTuber on his punk ass! Will this be the story of Logan trying to take the main event from Main Event Jey?

Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Carlito VS The War Raiders!

The Prince was as surprised as the fans to see The Irish Ace return, but while JD helped Dirty Dom become Intercontinental Champion, now the lads can be WWE World Tag Team Champions again. Well, that’s if they can get past Erik & Ivar to go after the New Day. Will this be a bright new chapter for Judgment Day? Or will they simply run into Ragnarök?

Speaking of The New Day, they’re ringside to be part of commentary, and they’re just running down everyone, even claiming that by supporting the War Raiders, you’re supporting literal war. The teams sort out and Ivar starts against JD. The bell rings and they tie up. JD waistlocks, headlocks, but Ivar powers out. JD RAMS Ivar but he’s the one that falls back! Finn swipes at Ivar, Ivar storms up on Finn, but JD headlocks Ivar. Ivar powers up and out again, but JD slips through the backdrop! JD waistlocks, Ivar bucks the O’Conner, then Ivar DECKS Finn! JD CLUBS Ivar, kicks away, and Finn tags in. The Judgment Day mugs Ivar, then soaks up the cheers and jeers.

Finn tags JD back in, JD wrenches Ivar’s beard! Ivar whips JD away, then he BACKDROPS JD! Tag to Erik and he DECKS JD! Finn runs up, but Erik wrenches and lifts Finn for an EXPLODER! JD runs, Erik dodges and SHOTGUN KNEES! The fans fire up and Erik tags Ivar in. Erik sends Ivar in and he LARIATS Finn! Then he feeds Finn to Erik’s ELBOW! Ivar KNEES JD, whips and Erik KNEES JD down! Erik drags JD up, TOSSES him out to join Finn, and the fans cheer on the Raiders. The New Day taunts the raiders with the titles, and Judgment Day returns! But the Raiders scoop and SLAM both JD & Finn!

Finn tumbles away, Ivar scoops JD to SLAM him again! Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto JD! Erik steps outside so Ivar can tag him back in. Ivar then lines up a shot, and the fans fire up as he runs in. But Carlito drags Finn who drags JD to get him out of the way! Ivar crashes into the LED apron! Erik checks on Ivar, Woods mockingly says, “It’s impressive cuz he’s fat, wow~.” The New Day verbally runs down the Raiders while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and JD RAMS Erik into the Judgment Day corner. The ref counts as JD throws hands, but fans count along. Erik stops JD at 5, BLASTS Finn, but JD kicks Erik. Erik DECKS JD! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and New Day makes bald jokes on Erik. JD and Erik crawl, hot tags to Ivar and Finn! The fans fire up as Ivar rallies on Finn! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar runs to SPLASH! The fans fire up with Ivar and he runs, but Finn dodges. Ivar SEATED SENTONS! Then he cartwheels past JD to HEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Ivar gets them to chant, “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar runs to BRONCO BUSTER!

Finn sputters into the drop zone, Ivar goes up, and the fans fire up again. DOOMSAULT FLOPS as Finn moves! Carlito is relieved while Finn and Ivar are both down. Finn crawls, Ivar stirs, and New Day just puts themselves over. Hot tag to JD, and he uses Ivar as a step to BLAST Erik! Then JD DUMPS Ivar out, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and no desk to worry about on that side! JD puts Ivar in the ring, climbs up again, and he MOONSAULTS! Cover, Erik breaks it! Finn returns to fire hands on Erik! Finn TOSSES Erik out, then he and JD double whip Ivar. Erik sneaks a tag, Ivar breaks the double lariat!

Ivar handsprings and DOUBLE BACK ELBOWS! Kofi say she can do that, too. Erik goes out to fetch JD, Ivar has Finn, and the fans fire up as the Raiders DOUBLE LAWN DART Finn & JD into each other! New Day says get those two in the ring then! Dummies! Erik puts JD in, then glares at Kofi & Woods. Ivar throws Finn at the New Day! The fans fire up, and then Ivar SPLASHES them all!! The fans fire up, Carlito gets up, Erik DECKS him! JD rolls Erik up, TWO! Erik has JD but JD JAWBREAKERS! JD goes up, Carlito distracts more, but PENTA is here! He SHOVES JD to screw JD! Payback for WrestleMania!

Erik tags Ivar, the fans fire up as JD is popped up for the WAR MACHINE!! Cover, War Raiders win!

Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall

The man with Cero Miedo made sure JD & Finn get nothing! Will Dirty Dom and the Intercontinental Championship be next? Will New Day have to face the raid once more?

Sami Zayn contemplates backstage.

Otis asks him what he’s thinking, and Sami says he isn’t sure. But then in steps Paul Heyman. The Wise Man sits with Sami and asks Otis give them the room. Otis obliges, and Heyman says he was thinking about what Sami said about The Bloodline. Heyman & Sami are OG Bloodline, y’know? Sami says that is true. But Heyman blew up whatever was left. Well, Heyman respected when Sami broke away. Maybe one day, Sami will respect what Heyman did. But Heyman isn’t here to talk about that. “Seth Rollins views himself as the vanguard of the future of this entire industry. And whether he is or he isn’t, that’s how he views himself.

“And Bron Breakker? Well, that’s his dog at the gate. And whether he is or he isn’t, that’s how Bron Breakker views himself. And Bron Breakker right now is demanding a match with you. Seth and I, we can’t say no to that because Bron Breakker is the key to our plans. But Seth Rollins, he holds you in such reverence, he is offering you a pass. If you accept being traded to SmackDown starting this Friday, everybody wins!” Sami is about to get up but Heyman has him hold on. Heyman has spoken with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis. Seth Rollins is going to do Sami a favor. Oh, is he? Yes.

If Sami accepts the offer, the moment Sami arrives on SmackDown, he is set to face the winner of John Cena VS Randy Orton after Backlash! Just like that! Instant #1 contender. That’s how much Rollins thinks of Sami. Think of your future, Sami. And of your family’s future. “Sami, you can live in the future… Or you can die with the past. Think about it.” Heyman pats Sami on the back, leaves, and Bron is there around the corner. Will the dog still get to take a bite out of the underdog? Or will Sami make his dreams come true?

Becky Lynch is here!

Kansas City isn’t quite as excited to see The Man as usual given what she did to The Morrigan the moment they lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Becky grabs a mic and says, “The Man has come around to Kansas City! And The Man is back in business, so let’s get down to business, shall we? Bayley was tragically taken out of her WrestleMania match, but there won’t be any murder mystery, any weeks long whodunnit. I have examined the evidence, I have reviewed the footage, and we have found the culprit. It was me! I did it!” The fans boo, but Becky says no no no no no no! Don’t make her the bad guy here!

They can’t act like Becky is the villain! You can’t fake outrage! Bayley has attacked Becky nonstop since 2019! And not one time did Bayley apologize! But are we supposed to just forget about it? Just like how Bayley’s forgotten just what this business is! While Bayley’s out here going, “Everyone, please like me!” and wearing everybody else’s merch, and dancing to everyone else’s music, and asking, “Why aren’t I a bigger star?” Well, she just saw what a bigger star looks like when Becky walked down the ramp at WrestleMania! The fans boo, but Becky says that brings her to Lyra Valkyria. As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

But then the reverse works, too. The friend of an enemy is an enemy! Lyra wouldn’t be in this business if not for Becky! Becky had high hopes for Lyra. But while Becky was out, Lyra cozied up to the woman Becky’s been fighting for the last six YEARS!? Even then, Becky still tried to save Lyra and get her to “ditch that b*tch!” Lyra never would’ve won those tag titles with Bayley! But it was too late, she was already compromised as a loser. Becky showed Bayley what she thought of her before- Wait! Lyra is here! Lyra has a mic already and she says, “You had high hopes for me? Do you know how many women in that locker room warned me about you?”

Becky says, “I bet they did.” Lyra says Bayley was one of the first! Well, of course she was. Bayley said Becky would step on anyone just to get ahead. Lyra didn’t buy any of it, because she was so caught up in some stupid fairytale dream of two Irish women as tag team champions at WrestleMania! Because of the hopes she had for Becky! And Lyra isn’t sure how it took her all those Manhandle Slams, but Lyra finally sees it now. She knows exactly what Becky is: The Illusion of Becky Lynch is dead. And Lyra will make her pay for what she did! Becky bails as Lyra storms in, and Lyra says c’mon, she’s really gonna run away?

Kansas City wants to see a fight, right? The fans cheer that yes they do! Lyra asks what’s the matter. Is Becky thinking back to the last time they went 1v1? When Lyra beat Becky and took the NXT Women’s Championship? Becky says no, no, no, from now on, The Man only fights when it matters. And it doesn’t matter here in Kansas City! Lyra says she should’ve seen this coming, too. Sorry, Kansas City, but The Man is too good for you. But fine, they’ll do it at Backlash. And The Man will only want it if the Women’s Intercontinental Championship is on the line. Then Becky’s got it! Well, okay. Becky will make that title matter like she did Lyra matter!

So welcome to the- OH SHUT THE HELL UP, BECKY! Becky didn’t make Lura matter, Lyra made herself matter. Lyra doesn’t want to be the next Becky Lynch. She is Lyra Valkyria, and she will be both a better person than Becky, and she already knows she’s a better wrestler! Becky tells Lyra, “You listen to me, you little punk!” Becky rants about how Lyra wouldn’t even be in WWE if not for Becky paving the way! But then Lyra WERCKS Becks with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Lyra then goes after Becky on the outside, shoves her into the ring, and then hurries to throw down hands! The fans fire up more but Becky bails out again!

Becky runs away into the crowd and then into the night, but Lyra eggs her on. Will Becky face all the backlash for what she’s done since her return? Wait, speaking of return, Becky CLOBBERS Lyra on the ramp! The Man uses a cheap shot, but will Lyra make sure she sees the next one?

Nick Aldis talks with Penta backstage.

The substitute GM wants Penta to tranquilo. He knows what Judgment Day did, he knows Penta wants payback, so he’ll let Penta off without a fine. But we can’t have this happening, okay? Penta thanks Aldis. Aldis does have good news. He has put it on the books for next week: Penta VS JD McDonagh! Good! Penta will be ready! Penta thanks Aldis again, and then Penta turns around, to see Chad Gable & Ivy Nile. Chad, in his new “El Grande Americano es Numero Uno” shirt, tells Penta that he was just walking Ivy to gorilla and couldn’t resist to talk to another luchador on his descent.

Penta thought he was pretty slick pulling out a cheap victory on Gable for the Netflix debut, huh? But look at him now. Dropping the big one at WrestleMania. Oh, nothing to say? Isn’t it Cero Miedo? More like cero comebacks, clown! And also, Penta losing wasn’t the favorite part of WrestleMania for Gable. It was Penta’s loser brother, Fenix, dropping the ball in his WrestleMania debut to El Grande Americano! Penta BOOTS Gable down! Penta tells him not to talk bad on his brother! Don’t mess with the Lucha Brothers! And yes, he IS Penta, and he does have Cero Miedo, pendejo! Penta storms off, will Gable still be able to coach Ivy for her match?

Rusev speaks.

“Once upon a time I had it all. The gold, the fame, the tank at WrestleMania, then I lost myself. I left the WWE, and on my way home to Bulgaria, I fell into the abyss. In that abyss is where I found myself, healed myself, redeemed myself, and fixed myself. In that Hell, I realized I will no longer fight for a woman that isn’t mine, nor a flag that never was. An epiphany. I was finally free to crush people not because I was told to, but because I wanted to. So now, I will use my hands and jacked body for good. I will hunt the frauds, the arrogant, those who waste their talents like I did. And through pain, I will perfect them all for good.

“So my brothers, your lack of suffering ends now. I am the tempest rolling in. I will hunt you, forgive and fix you, like I fixed myself. But choose your next steps wisely, because for a righteous man, savagery will be no hardship. Ending you will be no loss.” Rusev is ready to fix the Raw roster, who will he choose to work on first?

Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile w/ Chad Gable!

La Primera made quite the impression on the Raw After Mania, then she thwarted Roxanne Perez on the NXT After Stand & Deliver. She has returned once again, will she continue to show why she is THE NXT Women’s Champion? Or will the Diamond Pitbull show her American Made strength?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally as the two feel things out. Ivy refuses the knuckle lock but Vaquer avoids the leg pick. Ivy comes back to lift and SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ivy facelocks, gator rolls, and she keeps hold of Vaquer to then float around, flip her over and cover, TWO! Vaquer waistlocks now, pops Ivy down to a O’Conner BRIDGE, TWO! Ivy gets up, runs up, and she kicks low. Ivy headlocks, Vaquer endures, and Vaquer powers up and out. Ivy runs Vaquer over, kisses the biceps, and things speed up. Vaquer bypasses Ivy then runs her over! The fans cheer, Vaquer storms up on Ivy, and whips her to ropes.

Ivy tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Vaquer comes back, Ivy ducks and whips, and Vaquer tilt-o-whirls to roll-up deep! TWO, and Ivy stands back up. The fans cheer the standoff, and then the two step up. Ivy swings, but into a wrench and snap suplex! Vaquer sits Ivy up and smiles. The fans like where this is going! Headscissors for the- NO, Ivy pops free to tie up the legs! QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH, into a SURFBOARD! Vaquer endures, pushes back to roll, andshe has the headscissors! DEVIL’S KISS! TEN kisses, yeeeeeeeah~! Gable is frustrated, the fans are fired up, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, and we get more DEVIL’S KISSES! Another TEN, yeeeeeeeah~! The fans fire up more while Gable is protesting. Ivy goes to a corner, Vaquer runs in, METEORA! Vaquer drags Ivy out, pushes her down to a cover, but Gable gives Ivy the ropebreak! The fans boo and Vaquer knows what happened. Gable plays innocent, but she storms out after him! Gable asks what’s her problem. But Ivy runs up to GERMAN SUPLEX Vaquer to the floor! Ivy puts Vaquer in the ring, hurries to go Around the World, CALF KICK! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Vaquer survives but Ivy is right on her.

Ivy pushes Vaquer to the drop zone, climbs up the corner, but Vaquer rises to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer and Vaquer goes up! Vaquer brings Ivy to the top, but Ivy fights with body shots! Vaquer fires a flurry of HEADBUTTS! Vaquer shakes that off, then hoists Ivy up, SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ivy survives and Gable can breathe again. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Ivy and Vaquer rise. Vaquer HEADBUTTS, but Ivy fires a forearm! Vaquer CHOPS, so Ivy CHOPS! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and they turn to forearms! Ivy gets the edge, but Vaquer ducks a kick to mule kick!

Vaquer tucks Ivy, but Ivy powers out and scoops! SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives and the fans fire up! Vaquer goes to a corner, Ivy runs in, but Vaquer dodges the kick! Vaquer grabs the other leg, sticks it in the ropes, and then SUPERKICK! Then the DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Vaquer tucks Ivy in, S V B!! Cover, Vaquer wins!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall

The NXT Women’s Champion has been busy, but it isn’t slowing her down! Will the Dark Angel continue to fly high no matter where she goes?

Aldis talks with AJ Styles.

Aldis knows The Phenomenal One is upset with how things went for him at WrestleMania. Logan Paul, Karrion Kross, trickery, all that. But Aldis knows Styles is still phenomenal. They’ve got a long list of opponents to help Styles get back on the horse. Styles says he’s got some ideas himself. But in step Judgment Day first… Liv has Dom & Raquel with her as she “apologizes” for interrupting, but she’ll need time off for Liv’s big Hollywood movie role! Yes, Aldis is aware. Congrats on that, that’s very exciting. And as far as he knows, the paperwork is all good. Liv thanks Aldis, but now Dom asks that he gets time off, too.

Um, why? Because Dom is a champion and he gets what he wants. Oh, is that so? No, Dom should’ve listened to his dad more. When you’re champion, you have to do more work. So request denied. And if they don’t mind, Aldis was in the middle of a conversation. Dom asks what Styles has to talk about, a retirement home? HAHAH! Didn’t Styles break a hip like Dom’s deadbeat dad? No, actually. Styles is thinking about breaking something else, if you catch his drift. Liv has this stop here. Judgment Day leaves, and Styles says if we’re talking opportunities, he just got an idea. Aldis says he knows exactly what Styles means. Is Dom’s name about to move way up the list?

Sami Zayn paces.

But Karrion Kross finds him. Kross says Sami’s got a really big decision to make tonight! And hopefully, Sami makes the right choice. Kross smiles and leaves, are his mind games only going to make things harder for Sami?

Pat McAfee addresses Gunther’s actions last week.

After reviewing footage of Der Ring General taking umbrage with Michael Cole’s mere opinion, and then the brutal physical assault on Pat McAfee for him simply sticking up for Cole, it is announced that Gunther has been fined an undisclosed yet large amount of money, and has been suspended indefinitely. Pat then stands up on the desk with a mic in hand, and the fans cheer as he says, “It is my honor to get a chance to chat in the city of the Home~ of the~ Chiefs! This place is glorious, and it’s the right place for me to deliver this message. There are a lot of people that have forgotten who the hell I am.

“I’ve had such a successful career on a microphone, I think even I have forgotten who the hell I am! This past week has made me look in the mirror and realize some things. That I’m still that dog that was born in the east  hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a truck driver that was just trying to go paycheck to paycheck to paycheck. I am a man that was not handed a lot in this life. I am a man that is lucky to be blessed with great friends. I am a man that went from being a irrelevant bum to a human that is known in basically every city in this country. I don’t have more talent than anybody, I’m definitely not better looking than most folks.

“But I happen to have a few things that I hope people will remember me by whenever my time has come to pass. When I die and I’m six feet in the dirt, I hope they say, ‘That guy was an incredibly hard worker. He worked his ass off. Not only for himself but for his friends, for his family, and for his community.'” The fans cheer that! Pat continues to say that he hopes they say he was empathetic. Whenever he received a lot, he gave back a lot. He gave millions, “AND MILLIONS~!” of dollars to his community and to children’s hospitals across this country. To military foundations, to homeless shelters, to LGBTQ reach out.

To public schools, to underprivileged communities and societies! Pat hopes that the people know he gave back and made the world better than when he came into it. And last but not least, when Pat is dead and gone, he hopes they will say that he was a loyal mother effer! The fans definitely cheer that! Pat says, “You must ride for those that ride for you. If one go, all go. You’re either with me or against me. And there’s one man that has been with me since the day I met him, and he just so happens to be the greatest of all time, MICHAEL COLE!” The fans cheer for Maggle, and Pat says to Cole, he will be loyal until he’s in the soil.

And if someone has something with Cole, then they have something with Pat. So last week, when that Austrian a-hole put his hands on Cole, Pat had no other option than to protect his guy! IT was deep in Pat’s soul, his blood. Afterward, Pat got attacked. Pat sees himself choked out all over the internet and TV. Friends and family told him not to do this with Gunther. Gunther is in his prime, a former World Heavyweight Champion. Pat said, “F THAT!! If I die, I die. If you’ve got a problem with Cole, you’ve got a problem with me, Gunther! SmackDown’s version of Adam Pearce, please come out here!”

Nick Aldis does make his way on stage, and Aldis wants Mr. McAfee to calm down. Pearce’s style tends to be, “let chaos reign,” but Aldis is in charge tonight and he does things a little different. And we all know that this is not the time nor the place for this. But Pat called Aldis out, so here he is. Please, keep it professional. Pat says he knows Aldis is just some middle manager, just like Pearce. Pearce, we miss you. But Pat knows Aldis has the power on this particular evening to make some things happen. Pat doesn’t like that Pearce suspended Gunther, that Gunther isn’t here. Aldis, lift the suspension so Pat can fight Gunther ASAP!

The fans like the sound of that, and Aldis says he figured it’d be something like that. That is why Aldis discussed this ahead of time with Pearce. As far as the suspension goes for Pat to go after Gunther, the answer is… No. The fans boo, but Aldis says both Gunther and Pat are far too valuable of assets to the WWE to take such a risk. But speaking of value, Aldis does have an alternative. They can lift he suspension on Gunther, and Pat can get his hands on Gunther, in a sanctioned contest inside the ring. Pat, what Aldis is proposing is Pat McAfee VS Gunther 1v1 at Backlash! The fans like the sound of that, too!

Pat says him and Gunther, 1v1, St. Louis, Backlash… DEAL! The fans cheer Pat on, but Cole is a bit worried. Win, lose, or draw, will Pat put Gunther in his place and show you can’t just bully anyone you want?

Sami is still thinking…

And then he crosses paths with Jey Uso. Jey tells his brother from another mother, Jey just wants to check in. Sami appreciates that. It is a big decision. Jey says whatever Sami decides, it’ll be the best for Sami. Jey loves you, dawg. Sami says he loves Jey, too. They hug it out, and Sami heads out. Will Jey having his back help Sami with that decision? But then LOGAN PAUL SUCKER PUNCHES Jey! Logan says that’s karma, Uce! Logan leaves Jey down and out, but will Logan face some karma of his own?

Seth Rollins is back in the ring.

The fans again sing for the Visionary, and he says, “Well, we are here. It is nearly the end of the night, so… Sami Zayn, I’d love for you to come out here and let’s talk this out, my friend.” Rollins waits, and Sami makes his entrance once again. The moment of truth is here as Sami again joins Rollins in the ring. Rollins says before Sami makes his decision, he just wants Sami to hear him out. Sami is putting Rollins in a very, very difficult position. He really is. They go back a long way, and Rollins does not want to see anything bad happen to Sami. Rollins gets it, Sami doesn’t like Bron or Heyman, but this is Rollins!

Twenty YEARS of friendship, Rollins and Sami. Last week, Sami came back to Raw, celebrated with Jey & Jimmy Uso because they’re friends. When Sami came out here, Rollins thought Sami was giving him the same respect. Rollins knows Sami doesn’t agree with it, but Rollins and Bron and Heyman, that is the way forward. Rollins believes with his whole heart that this IS the vision for the best future of the WWE. Rollins wishes he had someone else to believe in, but there is no one better to lead us into the future than Rollins. And the fact Sami doesn’t believe in Rollins hurts. Because this business tears relationships apart, friendships apart.

They’ve both been on either side of that, and Sami knows that after everything is said and done, how many true friends can Sami count he’s made in this business? It’s all on one hand, right? Less than five. But for Rollins, Sami was one of those true friends. When Rollins’ baby girl was born, Sami was one of the first people he called, as he’d just become a new father himself. Rollins was scared out of his mind, had nowhere to turn, so he turned to Sami. Sami gave him some of the best advice he’d ever gotten in his entire life, and he will forever be grateful. So please, allow Rollins to return the favor and give Sami some advice that could save his life.

Rollins wants Sami to take the pass. Take the way out. Whatever Heyman’s got lined up, go take it. Because if Sami stays on Raw and doesn’t believe in Rollins… Bad things are gonna happen. And Rollins loves Sami, he doesn’t want that to happen, so just take the pass. Take the way out. Rollins is begging Sami to take the out! The fans are torn, Sami is conflicted, and Sami says if he hurts Rollins’ feeling as a friend, he is sorry. Everything Rollins is saying is true, their friendship transcends the business, their children are friends, these two are good friends. Outside of this ring, that is true.

But when it comes to everything that Rollins says inside this ring… Sami says Rollins is playing games. Rollins is good, always has been. Sami’s never been good at that stuff. That’s why Rollins is in this position. And Rollins knows because of how close they are, he knows what cards to play. Sami confided in Rollins over the years, and how the one thing that’s eluded him in his entire career, how much it nags at him, that one thing Sami has yet to get is a world championship. And now, Rollins is dangling that in front of Sami. That is what Rollins is doing. Friend or not, for as long as Rollins has known Sami, has he ever, ever known Sami to run away?

Talk about hurt feelings, Sami will not stand here as his “friend” threatens him. Because that is what Rollins is doing. Rollins is saying if Sami doesn’t submit to Rollins’ future, he is a target. Guess what? Sami’s been a target 1000 times before! Sami can live with bein ga target, but he can’t live with being blackmailed, blackballed, blacklisted, extorted, manipulated! He will NOT be threatened!! The fans fire up as Sami says he WILL win a WWE world championship!! And when Sami does, it will not because of a favor from anyone., It will be from Sami doing it his way, and doing it the right way!

The fans cheer Sami on as Sami says, “As a friend, I respect you, I love you, but this is me telling you to go to Hell.” Rollins sighs, and here comes Bron! Heyman did say the dog would be coming for the underdog, will Sami not back down from this fight, either?

Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins!

The bell rings and Sami runs up, only for Bron to RAM him into a corner! Bron RAMS Sami again and again and again, then stops as the ref counts. Bron THROWS Sami overhead! Rollins watches on as Bron storms up on Sami to ROCK him! Bron scrapes Sami’s face against the ropes! Bron then whips Sami, but Sami KICKS the backdrop away! Sami goes to a corner, Bron runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, and he AX HANDLES Bron down! The fans fire up, Sami runs up on Bron and kicks him! Sami bumps Bron off buckles, then pushes him down. Sami goes back up, and he AX- NO, Bron hits another OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

The fans are torn, but plenty bark it up for Bron. Bron stalks Sami, drags him up and throws haymakers. Bron talks trash, CHOKES Sami on the ropes, then steps off. The ref reprimands and Sami sputters but Bron comes back for more. Bron whips Sami to then ELBOW him down! Bron smirks while fans are torn between boos and barks. Bron drags Sami up, brings him around, but Sami fires forearms and CHOPS! Sami fires more shots, more CHOPS, but Bron knees low! Bron headlocks, Sami powers up and out, drops down then jumps, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Sami is tougher than that, but Bron stays focused.

Bron drags Sami up and puts him on the ropes. Bron fires knee after knee, then whips Sami to ropes. Sami springboards to go up and over, then LARIAT! The fans fire up as now Bron scrambles. Bron runs back in but Sami TOSSES him out! Sami goes to the apron but Bron grabs a leg! Bron YANKS Sami down, then SMACKS him off the desk! Rollins doesn’t even look as Sami sputters. Bron goes up, aims, and FLYING LARIATS Sami onto the desk! Sami flops to the floor in a heap, but Rollins is still stoic as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more as Bron has Sami up top. Bron brings Sami up, but Sami fights the suplex with body shots! The fans fire up as Sami CLUBS away on Bron’s back! Sami then adjusts and SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives, the fans fire up, and while Heyman nods, Rollins almost starts to scowl. Sami rises, the fans bring the fireflies out for Sami, and Sami storms up on Bron. Sami clinches, but Bron fights the exploder with elbows! Bron then wrenches, but Sami CHOPS, goes up, and up and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives, and now Heyman is a bit worried.

Rollins is still scowling the same as he was a moment ago, but the fans rally up for Sami. Sami goes to a corner, climbs up, and the fans cheer him on. But Bron is right after him! Bron anchors a leg, Sami throws down elbows, and Bron staggers away. But Bron is right back up! SUPER STEINER! The fans fire up as Bron brings down the straps! Bron aims, runs in, but Sami KICKS Bron! Sami clinches to CORNER EXPLODER! Bron sputters and the fans fire up for Sami! Sami is in the corner, he wants Bron to rise up, and he runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Bron turns things back around, and then he looms over Sami.

Bron looks to Rollins, Rollins gives the slightest nod, and Bron builds speed! SPEAR!! The fans bark while Sami flounders away to the apron. Rollins is there to tell Sami, “It doesn’t have to be this way. Take the out! There’s still time!” Sami tells Rollins, “GO TO HELL!” Sami drags himself up, but Bron builds speed! SPEAR!!! Sami is down and writhing again while the fans bark. Rollins frowns as Sami flops out to the floor. The ref checks Sami, and then he calls in the medics! Sami took a lot of damage, especially from those spears. Heyman tells Rollins to not feel bad, this isn’t on Rollins. And then Rollins tells Bron to finish this.

Bron goes outside, takes a lap, and he builds speed for the SUPER SPEAR!!! Bron just devastated Sami all over again! But then Bron tells the producers and refs to back off! Bron isn’t going to stop until Sami either gives up or is unconscious! Bron puts Sami in the ring, but the ref calls this! Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by referee stoppage

Bron says no, this doesn’t end like that! Rollins steps inside, even as medics check Sami. Rollins has Bron stand down, he’s done his part. Sami sits up, and Rollins says tonight is the first lesson: There are people who deserve their respect! Who deserve their compassion! Sami made his bed, so now he’ll sleep in it. THEN ROLLINS CURB STOMPS SAMI!!! Heyman grins a sinister grin, fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Is Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw and all of WWE all but inevitable?

My Thoughts:

Great episode tonight, but they snapped back to under 2.5 hours after last week’s big Raw After Mania. Rhea VS Roxie was a great match, even with Giulia getting involved. Iyo helping Rhea was good stuff, and that’s gotta be a tag match at some point. Judgment Day has continued disfunction as Finn is all out of the loop and getting put in a tag match. Great trash talk from The New Day, and great move from Penta to screw Judgment Day over. While Penta is getting a match with McDonagh, his interaction with Gable might invite an appearance from El Grande Americano. I bet Penta VS El Grande Americano could be set for Backlash. And then how hilarious would it be for the secret to be exposed just because the Lucha Brothers want a tag match with Gable and El Grande.

Very good match from Vaquer VS Nile, and that was probably one of Ivy’s best matches in awhile. Nothing else happened so this might’ve just been a good showcase for Vaquer. For all anyone knows, she’ll have a great feud with Giulia and Jordynne Grace, then Vaquer drops the title so she can jump right to Raw. Good promo from AJ Styles and Aldis to also bring in Dom, Liv & Raquel. Liv going off to do some movie stuff is cool, and I like that Dom thinks he can just get time off along with Liv. If Penta’s shifting to Gable/Grande, I bet Styles VS Dom will be the first Intercontinental Championship match for Dom’s reign.

Great promo from Becky, though I should’ve figured they were making her Bayley’s attacker. Lyra had a very good response, and their Women’s Intercontinental Championship will be a great match. I feel like Becky is about to return the favor of that NXT Women’s Championship match and take Lyra’s title. They’ll be 1-1 in their 1v1 series, and the tiebreaker can be some epic stuff for Money in the Bank in June. Very good promo from Rusev to put his return into perspective. I still think he and Otis have a match as Rusev’s in-ring return, and then he will win so he can move on to even bigger names.

Good promo from Logan, though as a Heel, he glosses over how he hasn’t actually done everything. There are a lot of titles and match accomplishments for him to still do, but whatever. Plus, great response from Jey, both verbally and with that superkick. Logan getting payback backstage was fitting of Logan being such an obnoxious Heel, and I am pretty sure this is a sign that they learned from their bad pacing with the Jey VS Gunther build. Speaking of, great promo from Pat to hype things up going into Pat VS Gunther at Backlash. I guess Pat must’ve been getting himself ready this whole time, because we’re talking 12 days until it’s time.

And of course, Seth Rollins’ new faction and how Sami Zayn stood up to him is THE story going now. Good promo to start the show, bringing up how Rollins is being no better than certainly Roman by starting a faction, and then Rollins being diplomatic in a backhanded way. Sami contemplating the choice while hearing from others was good stuff, and I like that Kross is back to copying Sami’s hair the way he also copied Styles. Naturally, Sami as a Face, he chose to stand against Rollins and his attempt to control the WWE, and we get a great main event.

If I had a nickel every time Sami lost by referee stoppage, I’d have (at least) two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but I like that it’s kinda Sami’s thing. And the framing of Rollins giving Sami that Curb Stomp was a bit obvious, but that’s why it was also perfect. I don’t know if Sami gets any allies in this fight, with so many names out there preoccupied in other stories right now, but I guess we’ll have to see if Sami even returns next week to keep fighting.

My Score: 8.8/10

So aside from the Hardy Compound cinema, TNA has been kind of crap the last month or so. We find out that JDC can’t make the show due to “travel issues” so Moose will pull double duty. The opening Ultimate X and then the specialty trios closer to the middle of the show, most likely. I’m also not really a big fan of trying to say “Joe reaggravated the injury at WM” when he didn’t sell it, didn’t have tape on it, didn’t wince, nothing. Stop treating the people like they’re stupid to the gimmicky crap.

But let’s be honest, if we can’t get a good match out of Tessa vs Masha. Maclin vs EY or Santana vs Ali…then TNA will be a very difficult watch moving forward.

Only good thing to happen before Rebellion officially starts is Fallon Henley looked like a complete snack in the Countdown. *chef’s kiss*

Now let’s see if this disappoints.

Will @FrankieKazarian finally achieve destiny and capture the TNA World Championship TONIGHT at #TNARebellion!?

WATCH the Countdown to #TNARebellion LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/qLutt7oQsZ pic.twitter.com/76aElXO5ox

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 27, 2025

Ratings:

• X Division Championship: Ultimate X Match: Matt Cardona vs El Hijo del Vikingo vs KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Leon Slater vs Sidney Akeem vs Moose (c): Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/2
• TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Hot Topic Hotties (Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley) vs Spitfire vs Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend vs Elegance Clique (c): Elegance Clique retain via Rarefied Air – ***
• Rascalz & Ace Austin w/Sean Waltman vs The System: Wentz wins via UFO Cutter – *** 1/4
• TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Armoury Jabronis: Maclin retains via Cradle – *** 1/4
• Falls Count Anywhere: Mustafa Ali w/Tasha Steelz & Great Hands vs Mike Santana: Santana wins via Spin the Block – *** 3/4
• TNA Knockouts Championship: Tessa Blanchard vs Masha Slamovich (c): Masha retains via Fujiwara Armbar – *** 1/2
• TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardy Boyz (c) vs The Kaiba Boys: Ryan wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!
• TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Frankie Kazarian vs Ethan Page: Hendry retains via Standing Ovation – ****

Results:

X Division Championship: Ultimate X Match: Matt Cardona vs El Hijo del Vikingo vs KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Leon Slater vs Sidney Akeem vs Moose (c)

As soon as the bell rings, four guys scramble to the corners, Cardona and Moose grab chairs and swat the smaller guys off the ropes and then lay into each other. Chair duel, Radio Silence attempt from Cardona, but Moose catches him and Pop-Up Powerbomb sends Cardona to the outside. Moose tries to just stand on a chair because he’s afraid of heights, obviously can’t reach and Vikingo flies into screen with a Cutter on Moose. KC and Vikingo start going back and forth. Vikingo misses the Double Knees, KC catches him with the 305 and looks to head for the belt but Sidney Akeem makes it into the ring and works over KC. Cardona attacks Akeem, Leon lays out Cardona after a Handspring Back Elbow. Moose stops Leon from climbing anything but a few kicks and a Tope con…CAUGHT! Moose tries to Powerbomb Leon on the ramp, Leon turns it into a Frankensteiner. Vikingo flies from the ring out to lay out Leon and then we get Dive Car Crash spot from all the smaller wrestlers.

Akeem tries to take advantage of things but Moose had time to recover, Moose plucks Akeem off the truss, Superplex into Powerbombing Akeem into everyone on the floor. Moose then asks Alisha if she can get the belt for him because he’s afraid of heights. It almost worked but Lish slips and falls, Moose catches her and while distracted Leon Superkicks Moose and Moose and Lish go crashing and spilling out. Leon and Vikingo try some goofy launch spot that takes too long to set up and looks dumb. Vikingo stops Leo, KC hits the Blessing In Disguise  on Vikingo. Akeem slows down KC, but KC fights off everyone until Leon grabs him, drops him on his shoulder but KC turns it into a DDT. KC hits a ReBoot on Cardona when he tries to take advantage and KC is in complete control. Cardona gets up before KC can make it across the X and rips KC down violently.

Cardona tries to climb but gets crotched. Akeem starts to climb but Moose tries to stop him, flips him around like the Uneven Bars and Akeem Senton Splashes into Moose. Smaller guys use the Tower of Doom to basically throw KC into Cardona and Moose who were brawling, Mexican Destroyer from Vikingo on Akeem. AJ gets in the ring and hits Vikingo with a Down Payment and tries to help KC on AJ’s shoulders. Moose walks in, smirks and Spears AJ, then Jacknife Powerbomb for KC, Radio Silence from Cardon, Harlem Sidekick from Leon, and Leon is the only one moving right now. Leon climbs the entire truss and pulls off a Swanton 450 from like 20 feet in the air to the pile of people on the floor. Leon does manage to get up even though no one really caught him. Leon climbs across, grabs the title, has to get the ground and Moose intercepts Leon with a Lights Out, Leon drops the title before hitting the ground to secure it, and Moose grabs the belt, so he retains.

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Hot Topic Hotties (Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley) vs Spitfire vs Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend vs Elegance Clique (c)

Hotties kick the Meta Girls out of the ring before the bell so Ash and Tatum start, but Ash tags out before contact to Heather. Tatum is stalking Heather on all fours so Heather gets freaked out and tags in Dani Luna. Dani starts a short arm Should Block before Jody turns it around in the Spitfire corner and Dani and Jody pull off some tandem offense. Tatum tags in Gigi so the Hotties double team Dani a bit before the Elegance Clique trip Dani and pull her out before we just get dives for the heck of it into the pile of people. Heather wants to join too, but Lash cuts her off and hits the Gorilla Press to toss Heather out. Jakara stands on Lash’s shoulders and jumps off into the pile of waiting morons. Gigi and Jakara are legal I think and I don’t know who to root for…but Gigi tags out to Heather to catch her breath.

Elbows, Sliding Lariats, random blind tags. Somewhat entertaining but it does make typing difficult. Malfunction time, Ash tries the save but hits Heather instead so Spitfire start German Suplexing everyone but Hotties get the blind tag. Tandem Sliding German, just lots of chaotic action…Jakara and Tatum are legal, assisted Powerbomb from the Meta Girls but Elegance Clique breaks the pin. Ash and Jody are the legal two, goofy chop spot, Airplane Spin TKO from Jody, but Lash breaks the pin then breaks Jody’s back. Gigi and Dani trade shots, Kajara with a Corkscrew Missile Dropkick, just move spam spot. Ash was trying to coordinate with Heather for Rarefied air, but opposite sides Tower of Doom. Maggie Lee runs out to help Ash not get suplexed, Rarefied Air from Ash, and the Elegance Clique retain!

The fact they’re still doing a shitty kayfabe Injury Report is moronic. No one needs a recap like that much less an insulting “Injury Report” like it thinks we think it’s real. 

Rascalz & Ace Austin w/Sean Waltman vs The System

So Wentz and Myers start, Myers got a few early strikes but a Corkscrew Crossbody tag out and tandem Wishbone, Double Dropkick give the Rascalz the early mojo. Myers tags out to Eddie and Trey is kinda working over Eddie so Trey tags out to Ace and Ace comes in with a flurry of kicks, strikes, knee lifts, Eddie counters the FameAsser but Ace stumbles back into Trey for a tag. Trey goes for some Road Dogg offense and Eddie powders, then uses Lish as a shield so the heels have the control now.

Moose gets tagged in so he uses the t-shirt he was wearing to choke out Trey. Waltman has to call the referees attention, but the shenanigans are keeping The System in control. Myers puts Trey in a Figure Four, Eddie digs his knee into Trey’s joints in some modified Indian Deathlock added spot before Trey tries to turn things around and counter Eddie’s offense with a Sunset…but Eddie doesn’t fully flip, manages a tag to Myers and Myers stifles Trey’s next few attempts at firing up. He sets for the Roster Cut but eats a V-Trigger from Trey. The System members try to stop Trey, Trey dodges in the ring, but when he dives to tag out, Moose and Eddie rip Ace and Wentz off the apron. Locomotion corner spots from System, Blue Thunder Bomb into a Jumping Senton for only two.

It looks like The System is toying with their food a little too long, so Trey flips out of a Suplex, Wentz tags in and starts lighting up everyone, his Back Handspring Knee Lift rocks Moose for a two count. Wentz and Trey quick tags, Lightning Fold into Spiral Tap! 1-2-SYSTEM BREAKS IT UP! Ace hits the FameAsser, Trey hits the Shake, Rattle and Roll, Lish gets in the ring to stop the boys from doing a DX reference. Waltman gets in the ring to stop Lish, she tries to hit him so he hits her with an X Factor! BRONCO BUSTERS FOR ALL! SUCK IT! Trey, Ace and Sean clear most of the Planeteers, Wentz looks to stop Moose, Moose counters first but Wentz counters the Lights Out with an X Factor then…UFO CUTTER! Wentz gets the pinfall!

TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Armoury Jabronis

Maclin shatters the mask EY gave him, so the jabronis attack before the bell and Maclin works past them with ease. Maclin a few clubbing blows, EY with an eye poke into a few clubs of his own, then Maclin Dives, but over the top rope instead of through the ropes. Jabronis get involved again since EY distracted the referee. Maclin reverses EY’s whip, EY goes the Flair corner flop, walks the apron, slides through the five hole though and tries to catch Maclin, but Maclin catches him, Tree of Woe, then the jabronis get involved again. But this time they’re in the ring, Maclin manages to get them seen by the referee, so they get ejected, but when Maclin finally goes for the Caught in the Crosshairs, EY sits up and Maclin goes crashing.

A little bit of brawling as EY tries to drag Maclin back in, he fights off EY’s grabs, Olympic Slam from Maclin! Maclin looks for the Jar Headbutt, but EY meets him on the top, Maclin fights off, EY’s foot slips and he’s caught in the Tree of Woe again. He tries to sit up but Maclin drops a Stomp into the Caught in the Crosshairs. Overhand Chop from Maclin as he perches EY, but EY bites Maclin to stop whatever he was planning, shoves him off and hits the Macho Elbow for only two. EY argues with the referee a lot, Maclin tries to hit a Spear but EY dodges, they wrestle to the apron and the move doesn’t go off perfect but gets dropped ass first on the apron. EY tries a dirty cover once he rolls him back in, but only two again!

They throw fists in the center, Maclin hits the ropes and Busaiku! Maclin tries KIA, but EY counters, EY tries the Piledriver but more repositioning and Maclin rolls through into a Cradle, and 1-2-3. Oh? Maclin wins via a wrestling move.

Falls Count Anywhere: Mustafa Ali w/Tasha Steelz & Great Hands vs Mike Santana

Both charge at each other and throw hands, Mustafa gets the bad part of the early trade, but speaking of bad, Santana is supposed to go for some kind of Triangle Plancha or Corkscrew Crossbody but loses his footing and looks kinda dumb trying to do something to Ali. He then takes forever to set up a weird steps spot after missing his one spot, but Ali counters the Whip and then goes into the ring for a Dive. Santana side steps the Dive and Ali lands ugly. Ali tries to run away, but Santana goes after him even grabs a bucket of popcorn to bonk Ali with. Santana hits an Asai Moonsault from the second section railing onto Ali on the walkway. Crackerjack boxes to the head, so after the bad looks dives, they’ve at least fired up the crowd with all the crowd work.

Secret Service and Great Hands attack, then Ali jumps from the second floor to the floor into the pile of bodies. Tries a pinfall but Santana gets his shoulder up barely. Ali looking for chairs, finds them and starts building the two chairs and a Powerbomb design. But Santana counters, tries it himself, Ali slips it, Superkick, runs forward and Santana turns it into a Spicolli Driver through the chairs. Santana slowly heads to the turnbuckles, so Ali recovers and whacks Santana with a chair, traps him in the corner on the apron with a chair and then Ali hits the Coast to Coast on the apron. That can’t feel good for anyone.

Ali paintbrushes Santana but Santana fires, then they start trading following offense into the corners until Santana Up and Overs, Ali turns and gets rammed face first into the buckles. Santana wants Spin the Block, but Great Hands grab him and grab a Table. They lay out Santana with a Double Chokeslam on the apron, they lay Santana on the table… Ali goes up and 450 through the table but no one is covered and Santana is talking too much because the spot is awkward. Great Hands grab the steps, they produce some handcuffs and they want to trap Santana against the Step, but he Double Coconuts the nerds and Double Rolling Buck Fifty. Santana handcuffs the Great Hands in front of the steps, Santana keeps looking for something under the ring and finds a barbed wire bat. Ali finally remembers he’s alive and Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker. Ali tries the 450 again but misses. Standing Spanish Fly from Santana, so he goes for a pinfall but Tasha Steelz makes the save!

Tasha finds another table, the crowd rejoices. Ali grabs Santana, but Santana sends Ali into the post. Tasha tries to step up to Santana, she slaps him and tries another but Santana grabs her arm Crucifix Powerbomb’s Tasha through the table. Ali clocks Santana with a chair and then finds, that’s right, another table. Ali puts Santana on the table, tries to go to the corner with the steps and Great Hands, but Santana cuts him off, Superplex with the steps through the table! 1-2-Ali kicks out!! Ali manages to grab the barbed wire bat and clock Santana right in the head! Ali is mouthing off too long, tries another swing once he realizes Santana is back up but Santana catches it on his side and Spin the Block! Santana wins!

Entertaining, but the sloppy start and over booking since it’s Falls Count Anywhere with a heel stable, can’t rank it super high. But it definitely wasn’t a chore to watch. 

TNA Knockouts Championship: Tessa Blanchard vs Masha Slamovich (c)

Slamovich dives at Tessa during her own entrance, then a sliding V Trigger into Snow Plow for a near fall. Masha vibes with the crowd chiding at Tessa, but Tessa fires, tries to jam Masha’s knee with a Hell Hook that she drives into the mat, more sudden and violent attacks on joints as Tessa starts going to work. Masha does slow her down on the Apron, Masha tries the Shinsuke Inside Out Vertical Suplex, but Masha stops it, trips her so she’s seated on the middle rope, Slingshot Crossbody and a two. Tessa has Masha in a Tree of Woe where she grabs the left leg she’s been working on and stretches it and Dropkicks the left knee. Tessa is trying to dismantle Masha. Tessa has an interesting Leg Lace Hyperextension submission before just grabbing the knee and laying in punches.

Tessa has he set for Magnum, but Masha catches her, then Tessa turns it into a Destroyer. Tessa tries to charge into the corner but Masha turns it into a Code Red. Tessa is biting the ropes to try and stand back up. Masha is winning the strikes, Spinning Backfist, a couple hampered kicks, solid offense but injured looking, so good selling. Tessa counters Requiem with a Jacknife Cradle but Masha kicks out, a few more counters into a Dragon Screw Leg Whip and then Indian Deathlock! Tessa bites Masha then has some kind of Butterfly Indian Submission. It’s cool looking but in the corner so Masha can grab a rope.

Lots of corner struggles, Masha tries to grab Tessa for an Avalanche Requiem, but instead Tessa turns it into a Rope Hung Magnum. Masha kicks out, but now we’re looking for the Buzzsaw DDT, Masha counters, Requiem attempt, counter, counter again, Requiem hits! Tessa kicks out at two! Tessa hits the Cutter, into a Buzzsaw DDT but only…a two count? The crowd is completely shitting on this match, so I’m not sure if anything is being changed on the fly since an LA crowd isn’t gonna really go with Tessa. Tessa goes to the top but jaws with the crowd a bit, Masha manages to intercept, they struggle on the top rope again, Slaps, Headbutts, and Masha looks to be winning, Avalanche Death Valley Driver, V-Trigger! For only two! But Masha locks in the Fujiwara Armbar to submit Tessa.

Booooo…Masha is a good wrestler but such a God awful promo. Was it probably a good call given the crowd…but still, sheesh. 

TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardy Boyz (c) vs The Kaiba Boys

Hardyz hit the ring and immediately go after the Nemeths to recover the belts that were stolen from the Compound. But the match has yet to officially start. More just point of order, the Hardyz wanted to touch their belts.

Bell rings, all four are in and brawling. Older vs younger. Matt catches the Superkick, snaps off a DDT and Matt pins Nic but only a two count. Matt Rocket Launcher’s Nic into the middle rope throat first, tags in Jeff, Classic Back Elbows and Splash/Leg Drop combo for a near fall. Nic with a quick kick and an eye poke to tag in Ryan. Ryan keeps Jeff isolated, tags out quickly, and now the Nemeths are rocking and rolling with quick tags, quick hits an a few moments of using the ropes to choke Jeff. Ryan comes in, gets a few shots in, poses and shows off. Jeff tries to crawl to Matt, but Ryan cuts it off once until the Jawbreaker and leap brings in Matt!

Delete Head Smashes for Ryan, Lariat and Side Effect, but Ryan kicks out. Matt calls for the Twist, Ryan says no, Nic Stun Guns Matt and Ryan flies in with a Jumping DDT but only a two. Nic calls for the tag, a few pot shots, distracts the ref and Ryan starts taking cheap shots. Nic goes into his Shots Through the Heart, but stops after two and flips off the crowd. Isolation continues, tag to Ryan and face getting dragged across the rope, Snapmares, Headlocks, just the classic “heel slows things down” offense. Ryan tries to tie up Matt but Matt turns it into a Suplex, simultaneous Lariats lead to the simultaneous tags and it’s Jeff versus Nic. Classic Leg Drop, Dropkick, Elbow from Jeff, Twist but Nic pushes off, feeds to the corner, gets popped and then Jeff hits the Whisper in the Wind for another two count. Jeff hits a Twist of Fate, but Ryan breaks up the pin. Matt disposes of Ryan, Plot Twist time…they hit the move but Ryan manages to slip in to break up the pin!

Matt and Ryan go fighting to the outside, Jeff tries a Roll-Up on Nic but Nic kicks out, FameAsser got hit by Nic! Only two! Nic is getting an idea, tunes up the band, but Jeff blocks, Matt’s in the ring, Poetry in Motion! Side Effect into Splash but the Matt gets in the way of the referee inadvertently. Twist of Fate from Matt, Swanton…NO… Ryan crotches Jeff! Matt goes after Ryan again, Chairs and tables are coming into play. Matt looks to send Ryan through something but Ryan counters and bounces Matt’s back off the chair. Nic hits a Low Blow, Danger Zone, Ryan tags in, and gets the pinfall! MOKUBA DID IT!

TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Frankie Kazarian vs Ethan Page

Both heels try to go after Hendry but of course he fights them off fairly well. A few chops, throws Ethan out, Joe tries to go for the Standing Ovation fast, but Kaz gets out of it, tries to hit a Chicken Wing on the bad arm, but Ethan grabs Kaz to the floor. Joe is not one to be outdone so he jumps the rope for his dive and tries to take it to Kaz, but Ethan gets involved fairly quickly. Page looks to Suplex Joe, but Kaz starts to enter the ring and all three take shots at each other before Ethan Suplexes Joe into Frankie.

Kaz is looking for weapons while Joe and Ethan are trading blows in the ring. Slingshot Head and Leg Cradle but kick out at two. Kaz starts swinging on Hendry, Hendry looks to be firing, but Kaz keeps control, goes for a Japanese Leg Clutch but Ethan charges so Kaz catches him and a Northern Light Leg Clutch but only a near fall. Kaz loses control when both Ethan and Joe catch him in the corner but Ethan locks in a Guillotine on Joe, but Joe stays on his feet to fight it off, Kaz drips a big Springboard Leg Drop but only twos. Ego’s Edge gets slipped, Standing Ovation Slipped, Fade to Black dodges, Ethan hits a Davey Boy Powerslam but we’re setting up so corner spot next. Hendry has Kaz in a Powerbomb, Ethan was perched, Kaz grabs Ethan and Avalanche Power Superplex. All three men are exhausted, Hendry tries to get a piece of Kaz but Kaz does his apron dodges to Leg Drop Hendry. Kaz wants to crash into Ethan, but Ethan moves and Kaz kills the time keeper.

Ethan sets up the table, Ego wants to Ego’s Edge Joe through the table, but Kaz stops it with his trophy. Frankie throws Joe back in the ring, Slingshot DDT for a two count. Kaz gets cocky trying a Standing Ovation, Joe blocks it, a little jockeying, FADE TO BLACK! Page breaks up the pinfall and goes after Kaz. Backstabber from Kaz, Kaz tries a Springboard but Ethan catches him with a Codebreaker. Olympic Slam from Joe, but Kaz hits the Angel’s Wings from his buddy Christopher Daniels’ playbook. All three stumble up and go for the slugfest threeway spot. Kaz keeps wanting the Chicken Wing, they both Back Drop Ethan, Joe starts to fade but he fires, shrugs it off and they head to apron. Fade to Black through the table is teased, but Joe says no and instead Attitude Adjustment through the table! Ethan misses the title shot, but hits the Cutter into the title, only two! Sack of Shit, Kip Up, Standing Ovation! HENDRY WINS!

During the celebration, Trick Williams runs out to lay out Hendry and basically make his claim as next up.

Overall Score: 7/10

Okay well, the television episodes have been lukewarm dogwater, but at least this PLE was fun. None of the matches were truly exceptional, but nothing was offensive and most of the matches had legitimate entertainment value. There was also a touch of logic being thrown around here or there. Wentz does feel like a great person to take the X Division title off of Moose though, Maclin and EY aren’t quite done yet, Santana had to win since the story was a little too “good guy has to win”- but aside from the early sloppiness – it recovered to be a fun match. I agree that it was too early to crown Tessa…but I also didn’t want to see this so early because it’s obvious there’s only like 4 TNA women who are legit workers, Masha, Tessa, Lei Ying Lee and now Indi Hartwell. So the whole Knockouts Division needs some damn help, because Tessa is very obviously the best wrestler, and if you’re not pushing Lei as a singles right now…then what are we gonna do, just drag out the Tessa thing to the next PLE or Slammiversary?

The problem with TNA is they never write longer term stories without incessant matches or having the people touch. Even if it’s a No Contest finish or a DQ…they just have them do too much to stay interesting. Learn how to write a story where the tension is bubbling but things don’t need to fill a card at a worthless PLE. Masha has no real competition except Tessa right now cause the TNA heels aren’t good wrestlers. Could they continue to use NXT Women to bolster the Knockouts? Sure. But at some point a Knockout has to take it and the only one that makes sense is Tessa unless you turn Lei heel at some point.

All in all, it was a fine show for entertainment purposes and inoffensive matches. Nothing really flashy or great, but compared to the build, this over performed slightly, hence the 7.