Cobra Kai or the Morrigan, who makes history?

Raw on Netflix continues to raise the bar! Dakota Kai and Lyra Valkyria battle to be THE INAUGURAL WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS ???; Penta wins.
• Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser; Sheamus wins.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai VS Lyra Valkyria; Lyra wins and is the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
• The Miz VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins.
• Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Finn Balor; Priest wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Someone arrives backstage.

The fans in San Jose are chanting, and they’re right! It’s C M PUNK! The Voice of the Voiceless is wearing a brand new shirt to celebrate his big win last week, and the fans fire up as he heads right to the stage! Punk high-fives fans on his way down the ramp, borrows some YEET glasses for a moment, then hops up onto the desk to get the fans even more pumped up! Punk waits for a staffer to bring him a mic, then he carefully goes from desk to barrier to ring! The fans continue to chant for Punk, and he says that does his heart good, he loves San Jose for it.

But real quick, before they get to business, he wants to say something real fast. He acknowledges all the firefighters and first-responders here in California and from everywhere else to fight this natural disaster. Mexico, Canada, the PEOPLE, Punk hears you and respects you! And now, tot he entertainment portion of the evening: Is it good to be alive on a Monday night in San Jose or what? The fans fire up for that! Punk says Netflix’s soul crushing pressure. Did you watch last week? “YES!” Did you watch Punk beat the Monday Night Messiah? “YES!” And Punk knows everyone has a lot on their minds, but Punk has a lot on his plate.

One thing OFF his plate is Seth Freakin’ Rollins. Last year, at the Royal Rumble, Punk’s first televised match back in WWE over a decade, it didn’t go his way. Not only did he lose, his triceps took a vacation. Separated from the bone, and he didn’t know what the future held. Winning the Rumble is one of his dreams, but that loss caused him to see his career fading away. There were a lot of things he couldn’t see. Like for one, a big neon sign almost blinding Punk as it says WrestleMania, but Punk sees it! Punk’s biggest setback makes for his biggest comeback. And speaking of comebacks, the man who you can’t see…

Punk sees John Cena, and always has. And Cena has declared for the Rumble, but live and in living color, so has Punk! Punk 2025 edition is gonna throw 29 other people out of the ring, whether you can see them or not! And Punk will raise his hand to point at the music, and you will hear his song! But instead, “BURN IT DOWN~!” Rollins is back and Punk is in disbelief! The Visionary doesn’t strut his way out here in his sequin suit, but he does go to the ring. Punk wishes it was someone like Rhea Ripley interrupting. Rollins still has fans singing for him, and Punk says this was his time, not Rollins’.

Rollins grabs himself a mic, the singing continues, “WHOA~ OH~! OHH~!” Rollins takes off his sunglasses, the fans cheer as they see that black eye, and Punk also likes how it looks. Rollins says he knows Punk isn’t happy to see him, but he can’t be surprised. Rollins told Punk last week that win, lose or draw, Rollins would be standing here in the middle of this ring on Monday Night Raw. Rollins is a man of his word. If he wasn’t, if he didn’t show when times got hard, that wouldn’t be Rollins. That’d be Punk. But Punk did win still, right? Rollins says he would rather be the worst version of himself than be any version of Punk.

Rollins has lost a lot of matches. He’s lost “big matches,” main events, title matches, and even at WrestleMania. But last week, that was the worst loss of his career. Rollins has never been more confident in himself, that he underestimated Punk, and he couldn’t get the job done! The only way Rollins can seek redemption is to take Punk’s WrestleMania dreams and flush ’em down the toilet! Punk will not win the Royal Rumble because Rollins will! The fans boo and Punk sighs. Punk figured, it’s every man for himself. Rollins says yes, and he will take great pride in not only winning, but dumping Punk’s ass out on ROLLINS’ way to the WrestleMania main event!

Punk isn’t so sure. Where Rollins eses opportunity is just a guy who couldn’t pin Punk and is now taking the easy road. But now DREW MCINTYRE is here! Punk is again beside himself as now The Scottish Terminator makes his way out. McIntyre says, “Just when I think you can’t get any more disgusting, selfish, self-serving, you go and top yourself, don’t you?” Punk tells Drew that last time they saw each other, Drew was on his knees, tears in his eyes, bleeding on this mat, begging for his life! Punk says if Drew takes another step closer, it’ll take more than just 15 staples to close Drew’s head!

Drew smirks and says this might come as a shock, “Phil,” but not everything revolves around you. Drew was talking to Seth. Oh, well, Punk’s invitation is Rollins’ invitation, he’ll stomp Drew’s head into the mat! Drew says maybe they should take a look at each other. It’ll be like a mirror. The only difference is, Punk admits what a piece of crap he is! Punk says he’s a winner, and McIntyre should remember from getting dragged around Hell in a Cell! Drew tells Seth that he acts like a leader, but it’s just an act. Rollins is all talk, the actions don’t line up. Tribal Combat, “We can’t let Roman get power!”

But when everyone else gets involved, Rollins was nowhere to be seen! Rollins is only worried about his own selfish agenda, and then he goes and loses! Now Rollins is going, “I told you so!” PATHETIC! Rollins tells Drew that he has no patience for any of this. OH, Rollins has no patience?! Punk has none for Rollins, none for Drew, he’s done talking. If you wanna swing, he’s right here! Rollins says okay then! Punk watches Seth and Drew closely, and Drew says a Triple Threat of these three… He heads for the ring! But then Drew says NO! Why would he ever do that?! The fans boo, but Drew says they have not listened!

There is a bigger problem here! Roman is playing chess while all you idiots are playing checkers! Drew is always the reluctant hero, so he’ll step up for all of this locker room. If only he could get his hands on the title before Roman does. Roman has the “falafel” back, if only there was a match where it was every man for themselves. Oh wait! See you both in The Royal Rumble. The fans are a bit torn, but the field is only growing more and more stacked! Roman, Cena, Punk, Rollins, Jey Uso, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and more! Just how big is this Road of WrestleMania going to get?

Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS ???

“Master” Gable’s New Year’s Resolutions were to A) finally win a singles title and B) prove he is NOT afraid to face the lucha libre style. He dared Adam Pearce to give him a new challenge, but will he learn what having no fear is really all about?

Raw returns and the lights go down. Gable’s had experience with that a lot last year, but it isn’t for the Wyatts. The fans fire up as the music plays, and reveal! “CERO! MIEDO!” PENTAGON has come to WWE! The Man with No Fear steps into the ring, some fans are in tears finally getting to see him for themselves, and the bell rings. Penta and Gable circle, and the chant of “CERO! MIEDO!” echoes out. Penta then steps to Gable and says if he wanted a real luchador, then listen! CERO- Gable grabs the arm! Gable wrenches it, the fans boo, but Penta wrenches back. Penta headlocks, Gable powers up and out, but Penta steps over the dropdown!

Penta stands Gable up to headlock again, then he wrenches again and again. Gable rolls, spins, slips free and spins around to drop toehold! Gabe headlocks and taunts the fans, but Penta powers up and slips out the back. Penta ties up the legs, SLAPS Gable on the back, and he has the arms! BRIDGING surfboard, then LA MAGISTROL! ONE, Gable LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Gable dodges to arm-drag! Penta arm-drags back! Gable trips Penta, covers, ONE! Penta trips and covers, ONE! The two reset and the fans fire up again! Gable and Penta circle, the fans rally again, and they’re all behind “PENTA! PENTA!”

Gable SLAPS Penta! The fans boo but Gable fires hands. Gable CHOPS Penta in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Penta dodges and rolls to RANA Gable to the ropes! Penta hurries to IMPLODER LEG DROP! Not the cleanest but Gable bails out. Penta builds speed, but Gable slide sin. Gable clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Gable is frustrated but he drags Penta up to bump him off buckles. Gable climbs, fans chant “YOU SUCK!” but Gable rains down fists! Penta stops Gable at 5 with body shots! Penta tucks Gable in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Then a headstand into the DROPKICK!

The fans fire up as Gable bails out again. Penta runs up, blocks a punch, and SOBATS! Penta says time to go around, and he goes up, up, and- NO, Gable ROCKS Penta first! Penta swings, but into an APRON GERMAN! Penta flops to the floor, the ref checks him, but Gable hurries to KICK Penta’s leg! Gable drags Penta up and into the ring but the fans boo. Gable drags Penta to the corner and he SLAMS the leg against the post! Penta screams in pain, but Gable storms in and drags Penta back. Gable has the leg for a spinning toehold! And another! And then a YANK! Penta writhes, the fans boo, but Gable looms over Penta.

Gable drags Penta up, Penta pushes him away, and the fans again chant “YOU SUCK!” Gable YANKS the leg again, then drags Penta up. Gable has the leg, and he lifts for a SHIN BREAKER to BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this but Gable grows frustrated. Gable goes to a corner, climbs up, and DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS! Penta moves in time and the fans fire up! Penta hurries to SUPERKICK! Gable falls but Penta has to hobble around. Penta runs in, but Gable OVERHEAD SUPLEXES him into buckles! Penta and Gable are both down but the fans rally up. Gable and Penta stir, and they head for each other.

Gable CHOPS, but Penta hushes the fans. Penta CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Gable CHOPS, Penta CHOPS, repeat! The CHOPS keep going, and Gable fires off a flurry! Gable whips, but Penta KICKS back! Penta hits a SLING-DOG! The fans fire up, Gable runs up but Penta TOSSES him up and out! Penta builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans are going nuts while both men are down again! Penta puts Gable in, “This is Awesome!” but Gable swings! Penta blocks to GAMANGIRI! Penta fires up, the fans are with him, and Penta climbs. Penta leaps to CROSSBODY! The fans rally as Gable goes to a corner, but Penta KICKS him in the leg!

Penta whips corner to corner, Gable reverses, but Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Penta then drags Gable to a cover, TWO! Gable survives and Penta grows frustrated. The fans rally up again, and Penta brings Gable around. Penta pushes Gable, eggs him on, and then BUZZSAWS! Gable sputters, but Penta brings him up. Gable shoots around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Penta escapes in time, and both men go to corners. Gable runs in, but Penta puts him up top! Penta CHOPS and the fans fire up! Penta shakes out the bad leg, winds up, but Gable blocks the chop to DRAPING ARMBAR!

The ref counts, the fans boo, and Gable lets go at 4. Penta flops to the apron, Gable goes along the ropes, and Gable brings Penta up! Penta CHOPS back! Gable sputters, Penta jumps to RANA Gable into the ring! Then a DESTROYER!! The fans are thunderous as Penta covers, TWO!! Gable survives and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!” as both men stir. Penta rises, he feeds off the energy, and he waits on Gable. Gable sits up, Penta says “CERO! MIEDO!” BUZZSAW! The fans fire up again and Penta roars! Penta has a wild look in his eyes, but Gable blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW!

Penta writhes, Gable grabs the leg, ANKLE LOCK!! Penta endures, reaches out, and he fights forward! Gable drags Penta back! The fans rally for Penta as he turns, and he drags Gable down! DISARMER! But then hammerlock, and he CLUBS away on Gable! Penta grabs the other arm, THE SACRIFICE!! Gable writhes now, but Penta isn’t done! Tuck and PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!

Winner: Pentagon, by pinfall

Jackie Redmond appears and interviews Penta in the ring. She congratulates him and welcomes him to Monday Night Raw. The fans cheer that, and this was a huge debut victory. He’s one of the biggest signings in recent memory, and San Jose was behind him. What does this moment mean to him? Penta thanks Jackie for that, and he wants to say something first. “Thank you, San Jose!! This is my new home. This is my new home, guys! But I know everyone, you, you, you, and you! And you! And you! Waited for this moment. But I wanna say something. The real truth is… I’ve been waiting for this moment!” The fans cheer that.

Penta says for all of Mexico, for Latinos, gracias for being with him on this journey. And you know this is only the beginning. Come closer, cameraman. This is for all the Mexicanos! Gracias to his familia, and he knows that this is a new era. This is the WWE’s new era. This isn’t just the Netflix Era. Now it is the PENTA ERA!! And you know why? Because he is Penta, and he has CERO! MIEDO!! Penta again thanks the fans, embraces his family at ringside, will all of Raw learn to fear the man with no fear?

Judgment Day talks backstage.

Finn Balor has his Street Fight with Damian Priest, but Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez walk in. What’s going on, boys? Oh, Finn was just saying how Liv will be Women’s World Champion again real soon. Like, real soon. Oh, Liv knows she will. The revenge tour wasn’t just about being champion but about taking a piece of Rhea she’ll never get back. And that is what she did. Oh, is that so? Well, speaking of revenge, Finn will let the lovers sort through their issues. Dominik walks in with a bouquet of roses to apologize. Liv says she’s not mad. Oh, really? At all? Nope. She said she’s not, so she’s not. But could Dom get her bags? And Raquel’s?

Oh, and Dom should have the valet ready to go for them at the end of the night. Okay, honey~? Carli, put these somewhere nice. Liv leaves, Dom is in denial, but Finn says more importantly, he ends Priest once and for all! Then he and JD take the titles back! They only lost to The War Raiders because of Priest anyway! JD says that’s right! In fact, he’ll go to Adam Pearce right now, get in his face, and say that if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll give Judgment Day their rematch for those tag titles! C’mon, Carlito, let’s go. JD leads the way, Carlito gives Dom the flowers back, and Dom asks if Finn is sure he doesn’t need them out there against Priest.

Finn says no, Dom should hang back. He’s gotta sort things out with Liv. Start by getting her bags. Dom heads out, Finn finishes his preparations, but will the Prince face his punishment?

Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser!

The Celtic Warrior and the European Elegance have had about enough of each other, so they both want this to be the end of it! But will it be Sheamus or Kaiser that finally stands tall over the other?

Raw returns as Kaiser makes his entrance, and we spot Bron Breakker watching from the crowd. Could the winner be in line for another shot at his Intercontinental Championship? The bell rings and the two circle. Kaiser SLAPS Sheamus, the fans boo, but then the two tie up. Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser to a corner and fires off hands! The ref counts, Sheamus whips Kaiser, but Kaiser reverses. Sheamus blocks the hip toss to LARIAT Kaiser down! Kaiser goes to the apron, b ug Sheamus fishhooks him! The fans cheer but the ref counts. Kaiser KICKS Sheamus away, and Sheamus tumbles out. Sheamus fires body shots but Kaiser CHOPS!

Sheamus DECKS Kaiser, then puts him in the ring! Sheamus storms up, ROCKS Kaiser, and has him against ropes! But Kaiser HOTSHOTS free! The fans boo but Kaiser runs, and he BLASTS Sheamus off the apron and into the desk! The fans boo but Kaiser slides out the side. Kaiser builds speed going around the way, and he SHOTGUNS Sheamus down! The fans boo but Kaiser soaks up that heat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Kaiser PENALTY KICKS Sheamus! Cover, TWO! Kaiser KICKS Sheamus again, but Sheamus rises up! Sheamus is all red but he grits his teeth. Kaiser runs to KICK Sheamus again! Sheamus eggs Kaiser on! The fans fire up but Kaiser KICKS, KICKS, and then KICKS! But Sheamus blocks, and he CHOPS, CHPOS, CHOPS! Sheamus LARIATS Kaiser down and the fans fire up! Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser up and out, and has him on ropes! The fans fire up as Sheamus gives Kaiser BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count, and Sheamus goes to TEN! Then he TOSSES Kaiser into the ring!

Sheamus has Kaiser for a fireman’s carry, and he climbs up the corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO!! Kaiser survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! The fans rally up, Sheamus nods, and he stalks Kaiser to a corner. But Kaiser grabs the shillelagh! He pokes Sheamus int he eyes, then takes aim! But Sheamus gives him a KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO!! Kaiser survives again and Sheamus grows frustrated. The fans rally as Sheamus pounds the mat. Sheamus goes to a corner, takes aim, and beats his chest! The fans fire up for the- Kaiser CHOP! ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Kaiser fires up but fans boo!

Kaiser clinches, but Sheamus slips free! Shove and scop, but Kaiser slips free! Kaiser CHOPS, but Sheamus KNEE CAPPERS! Sheamus runs, into the KAISER ROLL! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and Kaiser is beside himself! “This is Awesome!” and the fans rally up. Kaiser goes to a corner, he shakes his head, and he mocks Sheamus’ chest beating. The fans boo but Kaiser dares Sheamus to stand. Sheamus ducks the gamangiri! BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The Fella finally finishes things with Kaiser, and he pounds the desk in celebration! Sheamus and high-fives Pat, but then Bron stands up. Sheamus stares down with Bron and the fans bark it up. Bron says if Sheamus thinks he can win, then how’s this? SLAP!! The ref hurries to stop this from getting any wilder, but will

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Cathy Kelley says Rollins just met with Adam Pearce, and it is official: Rollins VS McIntyre next week. Rollins says McIntyre has been needling and needling, and Rollins is over it. Rollins wanted a fight tonight, McIntyre didn’t, but next week is on. Rollins owes McIntyre for WrestleMania, so it’s on. The Visionary then continues on his way out, only to come across Sami Zayn. Sami heard what Rollins was saying, how tough that loss to Punk was, so he just figured if Rollins wants to talk, Sami’s here for him. Rollins says yes, it was rough. But great week for Sami, right? What’s that supposed to mean?

Aw c’mon, Sami. Sami’s boy has the ula fala back, he’s Tribal Chief! Sami helped Roman, just like he did at WarGames. But what’s next? Help him win the Royal Rumble? Help him beat Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania? Help him STAY the Tribal Chief? Or is Sami going to finally help himself? Rollins leaves and now Sami has something to think on. What will the Honorary Uce do now that we’re in Roman Reigns’ second era?

The Miz meets with Karrion Kross backstage.

Kross exits Pearce’s office, and Miz asks, “Well?” Apparently the Wyatt Sick6 have been moved to SmackDown. If Miz had anything to do with this…! Sami walks in and asks if Pearce is in there. Kross says yes, he is. But he also heard that conversation Sami had with Rollins. Kross found it interesting. He thought The Bloodline unifying them for a common goal. And then Sami’s aspirations for the world title, oh how Kross would love to see that tear them apart. Well, not that they’d have to worry about Sami. Sami says Miz has been Kross’ lacky for so long, no one’s gonna worry about Miz again, ever.

Miz says he’s already been world champion twice in his career. Two more times than Sami ever will! Sami says he was going talk with Pearce about some other business, but maybe he’ll put that on hold. Sami will now ask for a match with The Miz, for tonight! Sami steps inside and Kross smirks. Miz says great, now they have Sami to deal with. Uh, they? Kross leaves, and it seems Sami is just Miz’s problem. Will the Hollywood A-Lister be able to handle things on his own? Or will the Underdog from the Underground be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?

GUNTHER is here!

The fans are torn seeing Der Ring General head to the ring, World Heavyweight Championship on his shoulder. Gunther says last week, he watched the Raw Netflix debut, a monumental moment in the history of this company. it was a visual attraction and he was very impressed. But not so much with the performances in the ring. Because to be honest, aside from Gunther, Raw doesn’t have a roster to fulfill such high expectations. Everyone is fighting over personal drama, “Who’s the Head of the Table? Who’s the Best int he World?” WHO CARES?! The only prize worth fighting for his THE World Heavyweight Championship!

And Gunther is the man who- WAIT! Here comes Jey Uso! Jey comes in from the ramp side this time, but he still gets fans to YEET with him! Jey then steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and Pat hops off the desk. The fans still “YEET!” Jey asks if he heard Gunther right. He needs someone to carry the World Heavyweight Championship? You’re looking at him! Main Event “YEET!” Jey “YEET!” USO. “YEET!” Jey says Drew is behind him now. Bloodline family drama is behind him now. So it’s Jey now! “YEET!” 1v1! “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event! “YEET!” For Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship! “YEET!”

The fans fire up, but Gunther laughs. Just to make sure, is Jey serious about this? “YEET!” Then he admires Jey’s courage for coming out here. And he would be naive to say he can hold onto the title forever. But it’s more naive for Jey to think that he is the one to take this from Gunther. No, Jey, really think about it. If you remember, they faced off for the Intercontinental Championship twice, and Gunther won twice. Gunther knows what Jey is capable of, and it is a whole lot less than what Gunther’s capable of. Now, Jey is funny, Jey is entertaining, but when that bell rings, Gunther will expose Jey for what he is: A really talented tag team wrestler.

The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to face it, he is just not on Gunther’s level. “Main event” is Jey’s nickname, but “main event” is where Gunther belongs! So Gunther suggests something: stay out of championship business. Saturday Night’s Main Event? That’s fine by Gunther. But the choice is up to Jey. Gunther turns to leave, the fans “YEET!” for Jey, and Jey paces. Jey says hold on, Gunther. Jey does respect Gunther. No, really. Everything Gunther said, that’s all true. Jey’s not supposed to be here, not in this spot, sell all this merch, is just a tag team guy. Hell yeah he was scared to do this alone, but look, Uce.

Jey wakes up every day betting on himself, because he is still working to earn that respect! SO Gunther will respect Jey when he beats dat ass for the World Heavyweight Championship! It isn’t just a nickname for Jey, it is where he belongs! So if you wanna see Jey win the world title, let this fool know! One, two, three! “YEET!!” The fans fire up, and now San Antonio is going to be Gunther VS Jey Round 3! Will Main Event Jey finally reach the mountaintop? Or will Gunther chop him down to size?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai VS Lyra Valkyria!

Both women have held gold in WWE before, but while #CobraKai has only been a tag team champion, The Morrigan knows she is capable of standing alone from her days as NXT Women’s Champion. But now, there’s more on the line than just the title. This is about making history as THE FIRST Women’s Intercontinental Champion! Both women have had their setbacks and their comebacks, but who defines the future of the WWE Women’s Division here tonight?

The introductions are made, Adam Pearce brings the belt to the ring, and it is time to carve someone’s name down in history!

The bell rings and the two tie up. Kai headlocks, Lyra powers up and out, then drops down to hurdle. Kai leaps over, then she ducks a kick! Kai fireman’s carries, Lyra slips free to waistlock. Kai switches, shoves, but Lyra fireman’s carries! Kai fights free, the two reset, and the fans cheer. The two tie up, Lyra wrenches and wristlocks but Kai breaks free to snapmare. Lyra handsprings through, but Kai hits a flying-mare! Kai kicks and puts Lyra in the ropes, to then springboard, but Lyra avoids the stomp! Lyra trips Kai, drags her out, and RAMS her into the apron! Lyra hurries in, builds speed, but Kai blocks the dropkicks!

Kai drags Lyra out in a wheelbarrow, to SMACK her off the apron! Kai then goes up, takes aim, but Lyra blocks a kick! Lyra trips Kai and Kai smacks off the apron! Lyra goes up to get Kai up, and then suplexes her to the floor! The fans go wild while both women writhe, and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Lyra has Kai in the ring, and has her in a deep motorcycle stretch! Kai endures so Lyra sits back to push both her boots into Kai’s back! Kai still endures, and she pushes back to stack Lyra! TWO as Lyra kicks Kai back down! The fans rally, Kai fights up again, but Lyra LIFTS Kai to BOOT her away! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Lyra drags Kai up. Lyra hooks a leg, FISHER- NO, Kai cradle counters, TWO! Both women stand, and Kai SUPERKICKS! Lyra wobbles, but then she dodges a boot to SOBOAT! KICK! RAM! KICK! Kai ducks a heel kick, but Lyra stops the Scorpion Kick! Kai fires more kicks with the free leg!

Lyra still holds onto Kai, hauls her up, and hits a POWER- RANA! Kai turns things around, then runs Around the World to BOOT Lyra again! Snapmare, and then a KAI-ROPRACTOR! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Kai is beside herself! Kai hurries to get Lyra up, wrenches and fireman’s carries, but Lyra blocks the Detonation Kick! Then she stands Kai up to RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives but Lyra stands her up  again! HEEL KICK! Kai goes down in a heap, and Lyra hurries up top! Lyra aims, TURN OF FORTUNES! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives and now Lyra is beside herself! But “This is Awesome!” as both women rise.

Lyra stands Kai up, fireman’s carries, but Kai fights the swing! SCORPION KICK! Kai puts Lyra in the ropes, to SPINRGBOARD STOMP! Kai roars and fireman’s carries! G T K!! But Lyra flops out of the ring!! Kai cannot believe she was that close to victory! Kai drags Lyra back up and puts her in the ring. Lyra flounders to a corner and Kai goes Around the World again! But Lyra ducks the boot, then hits a ZIGZAG!! And now, fireman’s carry, NIGHTWING DRIVER!!! Cover, LYRA WINS!!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (INAUGURAL WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

The fans are torn, but it was a hard fought match between two deserving women! Pearce puts the belt around Lyra’s waist then raises her hand in victory. Is this just the beginning of even greater things for Lyra? Kai shows respect by shaking Lyra’s hand, and the two hug it out. Will Kai just have to fight that much harder to finally have gold all her own?

The Miz VS Sami Zayn!

The Hollywood A-Lister has stuck his foot in his mouth quite a few times over the years, but he might’ve stepped in it this time. He got on the bad side of an Honorary Uce that’s in a bad mood. Will Sami take some of his frustrations out on Miz? Or will Miz remind us of those days when he was a world champion?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Miz puts Sami in a corner, the ref counts, but Miz lets off with a kick! Miz fires hands, then he mocks Sami’s song while he headlocks. Sami powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over. Sami DECKS Miz and the fans fire up! Sami bumps Miz off buckles, climbs up, and he leaps to AX HANDLE! Miz flounders, the fans rally, and Sami has Miz again. But Miz pulls Sami’s beard! Miz KNEES low, whips, then kitchen sink knees! Miz runs to basement BOOT! Miz tells fans to shut up about “Sami Uso,” but the fans boo instead. Miz runs to basement BOOT again!

Miz paces around Sami, talks some smack, then stands Sami up just to DECK him! Miz KNEES Sami in the back, KNEES him again, then ELBOWS him over and over! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Sami while Miz scowls. Miz soaks up the heat, then points to Sami. The fans boo Miz and cheer Sami back and forth, Then Sami fires hands on Miz! Sami whips, Miz reverses, but Sami goes up and over! Then LARIAT! Miz flounders, Sami storms up on him and bumps him off buckles. Sami climbs up to rain down fists, and he goes way past TEN! The fans cheer as Sami gets to TWENTY, then fires up again!

Miz staggers away, runs back in but Sami gets him for a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami goes corner to corner, but Miz BOOTS first! Miz sits Sami up to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Sami stays in this and Miz grows frustrated. Miz KICKS Sami, and KICKS again! The fans boo the “It Kicks” as Miz fires more and more! Miz then runs up, but Sami ducks the buzzsaw! BLUE THUNDER- NO, Miz slips free! Full nelson, but Sami victory rolls it! TWO! Miz escapes, but Sami full nelsons! Miz RAMS Sami into buckles, fires elbows, then he runs corner to corner. Sami follows for a HELLUVA KICK!! And then BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, Sami wins!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall

San Jose cheers on Sami’s big win, and this could be the spark Sami needs going towards the Royal Rumble! Will the Underdog from the Underground defy the odds and surpass all the stars on this Road to WrestleMania?

Rhea Ripley heads to gorilla.

She passes by Natalya and the Alpha Academy, and she waves hi. What will Mami have to tell everyone here on a Monday night?

Rhea heads to the ring!

Raw returns as the NEW WWE Women’s World Champion makes her entrance and San Jose fires up! Rhea grabs a mic, gives her title belt a kiss, and revels in the chants for “MAMI! MAMI!” Rhea says, “Mami is back on top!” The fans cheer that! Rhea adds that she might seem a little like a broken record, but she just wanted to remind those who forgot that she is Rhea Bloody Ripley! And she is one of the most dominant women in the WWE, and now she is once again your Women’s World Champion! The fans cheer that! But wait, is that Nia Jax?! The former WWE Women’s Champion is usually on SmackDown, but could this be the Transfer Window?

Nia says no, she cannot take this anymore. The fans boo as she walks to the ring, but she brings up how she was talking with Adam Pearce, and she just couldn’t help herself. She had to bring herself out here to talk to “Mami~.” Nia steps into the ring with Rhea, and Nia wants Rhea and everyone else to know that Nia WILL be winning the Royal Rumble! And then she’ll take whatever title she wants. And Tiffy~ might think she’s at the Tiffy Top, and Mami might think she’s “on top,” and then Bayley in the crowd here, why is she even here? Bayley says she’s from here! Oh, yeah, she would be from this poor, nasty town!

The fans boo but Nia tells Rhea and everyone needs to know there is only ONE woman at the very top of the WWE, and that is Nia Jax! No, it’s not Rhea, it’s not Tiffy, and it sure ain’t Bayley! But then Bayley hops the barriers! Nia pretends to be so scared! Bayley gets a mic and tells Nia to come up with n ew stuff. All due respect, Mami, may she? Rhea says sure. Bayley says yeah, this may not be her show, but San Jose is HER city! The fans cheer that! If Nia has something to say, just say it to her face, “you big ol’ dumb idiot!” Nia SHOVES Bayley down! Then she gets in Rhea’s face! Nia shoves Rhea, but rhea HEADBUTTS Nia!

The fans fire up, but Nia HEADBUTTS Rhea down! Nia talks smack, but Bayley CHOP BLOCKS, then KNEES Nia! Rhea comes back to BOOT Nia! Nia tumbles out, and both Rhea and Bayley smile. Mami has the gold, The Role Model will battle Tiffany for hers, will we see them both on top on this Road to WrestleMania?

Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Finn Balor!

Oh how greed and ambition can drive friends apart. These two took over the Judgment Day from the Rated R Superstar, and while they were once Undisputed Tag Team Champions, only one of them could be THE World Heavyweight Champion. The Prince was jealous of the Punisher and betrayed him, not thinking of the consequences that would follow. Will Priest use everything at his disposal to make Finn regret that betrayal? Or will Finn finally lave Priest in the past?

Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance. Priest is already armed with a kendo stick and quite a few chairs, but Finn sneaks in from behind! Finn SMACKS Priest with his own kendo stick! The bell rings, Finn SMACKS away on Priest, but the fans boo as he “kicks dirt” at Priest. Finn winds up, and he SMACKS Priest in the legs! Then SMACKS him again! Finn talks smack, but then Priest blocks the swing! Finn apologies, but Priest TOSSES him! Priest SMACKS Finn now, and SMACKS again, and again, and again! Priest is a big fan of Aaron Judge, this is pretty Judge like! Priest whips and FLAPJACKS Finn!

Finn bails out but Priest pursues! Finn kicks low and he SMACKS Priest off the desk! Finn DRIBBLES Priest, the fans want tables, but Finn goes up. AX HANDLE into a clinch! FLATLINER onto the desk! The fans fire up as Priest TOSSES Finn over the desk! Priest then goes looking under the ring, and yes, he finds a table! The fans cheer as Priest sets that up nearby, then he climbs the desk to get Finn. Finn CHOP BLOCKS Priest and Priest falls! Priest slips off the desk, but Finn goes up to FLYING FOREARM! Priest staggers away, Finn runs up, and he CLOBBERS Priest over the barriers!

The fans fire up as Finn pursues, but Priest mule kicks back! Priest then sends Finn over the hockey boards! This is where the Sharks play, after all. Priest drags Finn up but Finn SMACKS him with a trash can! Finn stalks Priest, can still in hand. Finn SMACKS Priest on the back! And SMACKS him again! But Priest ROCKS Finn in return! Priest knees low, CLUBS Finn, then uses the trash can on Finn! Finn takes a seat but Priest stands him back up to scoop him. The fans cheer as Priest gives Finn SNAKE EYES off the barriers! Priest dumps Finn over to ringside, and Finn again wants mercy. But then he kicks low!

Finn TOSSES Priest into the crowd! The fans fire up as Priest staggers, and Finn uses a fan’s chair to JAM Priest up! Finn pursues, CHOPS Priest, then brings him around to whip. Priest reverses and Finn is sent into railing! Finn tumbles, and Priest pursues, this is moving up into the bleachers! The fans fire up as Priest pursues and CLUBS Finn! Priest CHOPS Finn, they continue going up higher, but Finn CLAWS Priest’s eyes! Finn CHOPS Priest, then CLUBS him! Priest is dangling over the railing, steps onto some random road cases, and Finn keeps throwing hands! Priest ROCKS Finn right back!

Priest reels Finn in and the fans are already fired up! Priest aims for down below! SUPER BROKEN ARROW down through tables!!! The fans are losing their minds as both men are down in the wreckage! Refs and producers hurry out here, they call for medics, but the fans know “This is Awesome!” Priest slowly rises, Finn starts to stir, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn is being stretchered from ringside!? Carlito and JD McDonagh are with him while Priest is in the ring. But Priest still wants to win! Priest storms out to THROW Carlito, DECK JD, and then he TOSSES JD! The fans fire up as Priest stares Finn in the eyes. Priest then CLUBS away on Finn! Priest wheels Finn back to ringside! And then lets the stretcher hit the apron! Finn tumbles into the ring and Priest storms in after him! The fans fire up as Priest powers up his arm! Priest runs, and he LARIATS Finn down! Priest calls for it, the fans fire up for it, and Finn stands up, into the choke grip!

But Carlito attacks! BACKSTABBER! JD returns, he and Carlito mug Priest on Finn’s behalf! The fans boo but there’s nothing to be done in a match like this! They put Priest int he drop zone, and JD hits a MOONSAULT! JD helps Finn stand, and he and Carlito get Finn up top! Finn rips off the neck brace, and no matter what, he’s gonna hit this! COUP DE GRACE!! JD helps Finn cover, TWO!!! Priest survives and the fans are thunderous! JD coaches Finn up and then goes out to look under the ring. JD brings out a table now! JD and Carlito set that up near a corner, but here come the WAR RAIDERS!

The fans fire up as Erick CLOBBERS Carlito, then Ivar dodges JD to hit a LEG LARIAT! Then JD gets sent into the WAR MACHINE!! The Raiders take JD & Carlito away from ringside, and now it’s just Finn and Priest. Finn hits a SLINGBLADE! Finn hobbles, grabs a chair, and he SMACKS Priest on the back! And SMACKS him again! And again! Again! Again! Priest writhes but Finn just SMACKS him some more! The fans boo but Finn gets a fresh chair to sit up in a corner. The fans tell Finn off but he ROCKS Priest! Priest sits in the chair, and Finn JAMS him with another chair! Finn puts that second chair around Priest’s neck!

Finn goes corner to corner and- SWINGING SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Priest takes Finn down first, then covers, TWO!?!? Finn survives and Priest seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Finn flounders out one side and Priest rolls out the other. Priest is there to meet Finn, and he sees the pair of tables waiting. Priest hauls Finn up, RAZOR- NO, Finn slips free, SLINGBLADE to the floor! Finn hurries to get Priest up onto one of the tables! Finn CLUBS away on Priest, then goes up to the apron. Finn snarls and says this is for everything Priest has done! COUP DE GRACE through the table!! The fans go wild again!

Finn hobbles back up, and he brings Priest around. But Priest hoists him up! Priest RAMS Finn through barriers! They’re in the timekeeper’s area, the fans lose their minds, and the ref checks both men. Priest stands, and he brings Finn out of the wreckage. Priest brings Finn over to the ring, but sees there’s still the other table to go! Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE through the table!! The fans are thunderous and Priest roars! Priest drags Finn back into the ring, brings down the straps, and he clamps onto Finn’s neck once more! “I am NOT my brother’s keeper!” SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! Cover, Priest wins!!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

Finally, and in brutal fashion, this beef is put to bed! Priest slowly stands back up, triumphant over “Backstabber Balor!” Will Priest finally have a clear path to a brighter future?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here, and wow, I knew HHH said Raw on Netflix could have an “unknown” runtime, but I didn’t think we’d get our first 2.5 hour Raw so soon. Not too shabby, really, as we still got a lot of great stuff and could’ve had a little more. For example, New Day was advertised for next week, when we’ve already been waiting on their match with Rey Mysterio and “mystery partner.” Originally it was meant to be Penta, but then apparent time restraints kept Penta from being part of last week’s debut since they had The Rock and Cena and even Taker, who knows what to make of that.

Great opening promo from Punk, Rollins and McIntyre to keep the heat going in all the different feuds, but to also add to the Royal Rumble match itself. It is going to be some wild stuff with the star power and storylines all converging on that match. And it feels like Sami wants to declare for the Rumble, too, but Kross & Miz got on his nerves. Great match from Sami VS Miz and a great win for Sami. Also, what a way to subtly announce Wyatt Sick6 are now SmackDown via the Transfer Window. I suppose that’s fine for them, they can still have good feuds over there. And it seems Nia is at least teasing a move to Raw, as she, Rhea and Bayley have a great promo together.

Bayley getting back some of that “Ding Dong, Hello~” stuff from when she was a Heel is great, she was too tame when she was a Face and champion. Tiff VS Bayley on Friday will be great but I would think Tiff retains, and then we can have Bayley move to Raw in time for the Rumble. Nia and Bayley moving over to Raw can certainly freshen things up now that Rhea’s past Liv. At the same time, there’s the Women’s Intercontinental Championship here, and we got an awesome match out of Dakota and Lyra. Lyra winning is only a touch surprising, but this was probably a tough decision given how great both women are.

Awesome stuff from Gable VS Penta, and I was actually a little worried Penta was rattled from that Exploder suplex. Penta of course wins, and he had a great promo tonight to let everyone know he’s ready to do big things. For AEW fans, it is a shame things couldn’t work out for AEW and the Lucha Brothers, but the Lucha Brothers will do great things here in WWE, both as a tag team and as singles wrestlers. I honestly hope we get Penta & Fenix as a new Two Man Power Trip, or maybe more Brothers of Destruction. My point being, those two could believably be tag champs while also singles champs.

Very good promo from Gunther and Jey, and their Saturday Night’s Main Event match will be awesome. I just fear it’s a holdover so Gunther can get a defense in before the Royal Rumble and wait on a challenger for WrestleMania. Sheamus VS Kaiser (hopefully) one last time was great, and great choice for Sheamus to win. Bron starting beef with Sheamus is good stuff, and they’ll certainly have one more banger. But it feels a shame if Sheamus is just going to lose another Intercontinental Championship match. At the same time, with how long Sheamus and Sheamus’ fans have waited on the IC title, is SNME really a big enough stage for that moment?

Great stuff from Judgment Day again tonight. Liv being passive aggressive to Dom and Dom not realizing it is great. The Liv-Dom break-up is definitely the next phase of the story, can’t wait to see it. Finn VS Priest was indeed awesome, especially that very daring Broken Arrow off the ledge and down through tables. Incredibly clever move of kayfabing Finn needing the stretcher and then Priest not letting it end that way. And of course this ended up overbooked given the No Disqualification rules. War Raiders helping Priest is good stuff, that helps set up the final rematch of Raiders VS Finn & JD. Priest winning was the right choice, too, as this lets both men move on.

Priest could stay on Raw, he could go to SmackDown, really depends on where they feel he fits in. Judgment Day probably stays on Raw, as Wyatt Sick6 are going to SmackDown and moving two factions over might be a bit much. Though, Judgment Day interacting with LA Knight is a tempting opportunity. If nothing else, Finn goes into the Royal Rumble in hopes of jumping back up to the top, only to fail and blame everyone else in Judgment Day.

My Score: 8.9/10