Will this rematch be an absolute classic?

Ricky Saints and Trick Williams battle one last time for the NXT Championship, in a Last Man Standing Match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Speed Championship: El Grande Americano VS Jasper Troy; Troy wins and becomes the new WWE Speed Champion.
• Thea Hail w/ Joe Hendry VS Alba Fyre w/ Chelsea Green & Ethan Page; Thea wins.
• WWE Speed Women’s Championship Contender’s Tournament: Fallon Henley VS Skylar Raye; Fallon wins and advances to Gold Rush.
• Tavion Heights VS Josh Briggs; Tavion wins.
• NXT Championship Last Man Standing Match: Ricky Saints VS Trick Williams; Ricky wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE honors our American veterans.

To the men and women who stepped forward to answer the call to protect our freedoms and safeguard our future, we are forever grateful to their selflessness and are forever humbled by their sacrifice. To these brave heroes on Veteran’s Day, we remember and say thank you.

The Culling is here!

The fans cheer because that means THE NXT Women’s Champion, Tatum Paxley, is leading the way to the ring. Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears & Niko Vance follow #TuesdayAddams, and she is all smiles as she gets the mic. “Guys, guys, you guys have no idea how much I love hearing this announcement. It just gives me goosebumps when I hear it: Tatum Paxley, NXT Women’s Champion!” The fans cheer that! Tatum says she could hear that over and over and over and over again! The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and even sing the Addams Family theme.

But Tatum knows if she wants to keep hearing that announcement, she has to listen to her friends. Last week didn’t really go the way she planned it, she was just so excited. They were fighting, dancing, they got carried away, and poor Izzi was just trying to protect her! Tatum still feels awful and that it was her fault they lost. But Izzi forgave Tatum because that is what best friends do. Izzi says, “Exactly, Tatum!” And she said it before, The Culling just wants the best for Tatum. They know how long, long, long, long and hard Tatum had to fight to get here, to become a champion!

But, Tatum, if you wanna keep being the silly, goofy, dancing, smiling, amazing NXT Women’s Champion, you gotta promise Izzi one thing: Stop making irrational decisions, and stop giving out title matches to anyone that walks out here. Promise? Tatum says she knows she can be impulsive… But that’s why she has The Culling and thanks them for reminding her. But spinning the wheel was so fun, right? We all love the wheel! Izzi says the fans would be entertained by freakin’ fruit flies if you put those in front of them! This is NOT about what makes the fans happy, this is about what’s best for Tatum!

The fans already chant “Spin the Wheel!” while Izzi tries to get Tatum to understand: Is Tatum being champion for them? Or for herself? Because if she doesn’t recall, the last time she fought for “them,” she was left abandoned and alone. The Culling took her in, and look at her now! She’s everything they imagined and more! She’s perfect! Tatum says yes, that’s right, but… Why can’t she be a champion that does both? She doesn’t want one girl to feel the way she felt! Izzi says because! Because… The more you defend the title, the more you risk losing it. Tatum is treating the title like a participation trophy, just handing out opportunities to everyone.

The reality is, not everyone deserves an opportunity at the title. Tatum is better than that. Don’t risk losing the title, don’t keep giving out free chances. That is not what’s best for Tatum or that title. But then Jacy Jayne & Fatal Influence storm out here! The fans boo as Jacy waves hi and says, “Tatum~! Tatum, Tatum, listen. Nobody knows how you feel more than me. And to be honest, you’re at the point where yo need to decide what kind of champion do you really wanna be.” The fans boo, but Jacy says when the star speaks, you all sit down and shut up. Jacy runs this place, with or without a title.

The fans boo more but Jacy tells Tatum she did work so hard for so long to get to where she is today that she wants to prove beating Jacy wasn’t a fluke. And the best way to do that is to be a fighting champion! So please, erase any doubts you have in your mind or in any of these losers’ minds… The fans chant “Jacy Sucks! Jacy Sucks!” Jacy does admit, Izzi’s got a point. Tatum shouldn’t go blindly giving out opportunities to randos. Instead, give it to someone who has earned it, and who, oh well, let’s see… carried this division on her back all year! Someone who deserves it!

Izzi says, “Wow, Jacy, such big words from someone with such little significance these days. Too bad Tatum’s not falling for it. Right, Tatum? … Right, Tatum?” Izzi says Jacy is saying whatever she has to in order to get a rematch but Tatum owes her nothing! Jacy asks Izzi what’s wrong. Does Izzi not have faith in her best friend to get the job done? Because newsflash: It’s Tatum’s title, not Izzi’s! Izzi doesn’t even know what it means to hold a championship. Tatum needs to be the one who is in charge of how she’s remembered as champion. And the right thing would be to give the former champion her rematch.

The fans chant “We Want Lainey!” “No, We Don’t!” Tatum says that she has to be smart about this. She has to be more selective. And she is absolutely going to do that. Right after New York! Jacy will get her rematch at NXT Gold Rush, BUT! It is Jacy’s last opportunity while Tatum is champ. Jacy is fine with that! Tatum’s excited, Jacy pretends to be excited, but Izzi is feeling a migraine coming on. Will Tatum survive this big rematch in the Big Apple? Or will we all end up under the Influence once again?

Ava Raine meets with The Vanity Project.

Jackson Drake & Swipe Right are in the NXT General Manager’s office, and Drake thanks her for this opportunity to defend his WWE Evolve Championship at Gold Rush. She says you’re welcome. Drake says of course, it’s not like Ava could resist having “the hottest faction in Evolve, The Vanity Project, grace New York City.” And he’ll say one thing: NXT and the Big Apple are gonna get a firsthand look of the future. Yes, and Ava bet the fans cannot wait for Sean Legacy become champion. Seriously? She’s gonna say that right here? But then in strut Ethan Page & Chelsea Green, Alba Fyre watching their six.

Vanity Project cheers “All Ego~!” and he says Ava really is the worst. Ethan promises to catch up with the VP boys, but first! AVA! What?! Ethan doesn’t think Ava’s congratulated Chelsea Green on becoming the NEW WWE Women’s United States Champion, joining Ethan in the Double Champ Club. Yes, congratulations, Double Champ Chelsea. Friday was a big deal, but they should really be preparing for their AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match with Thea Hail and- Don’t! Don’t say his name, we’ve all learned a lesson there. But Alba says the match isn’t happening, because neither Thea nor Mr. Unmentionable have security clearance.

Oh, actually, they do. Um, no, that’s a negative. Meow, Slaygent A! Um, yeah, whatever. But Ava says the challengers do have proper clearance, or whatever excuse they’re using. But maybe Alba can settle that in the ring tonight. Chelsea protests but Ethan says no, this is perfect. If Alba eliminates the threat, then they win out in the end. Chelsea says okay, they will do that! Gracias! The Two Canadian Power Trip heads out, but will Slaygent A be able to bring down the Grown-Ass Woman? Or will Thea prove that she, and by extension Joe Hendry, are more than worthy of those AAA titles?

WWE Speed Championship: El Grande Americano w/ Los Americanos VS Jasper Troy!

The (self-proclaimed) greatest luchador in history has held onto this title for a good stretch, but now he runs into a brick wall in the form of the LFG Season 1 Champion! Will the MonStar make quick work of El Campeon de Velocidad? Or will Grande finish this in under cinco minutos?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who reaches top speed first!

The bell rings and Troy RAMS Grande into a corner! The fans fire up and sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” while Troy RAMS Grande again and again! The ref counts, Troy stops and then whips corner to corner. Grande hits buckles hard and falls back, Troy roars, but the fans continue to sing. Grande stands, but Troy scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Grande survives but Troy stalks Grande. Troy runs up, blocks a boot, but Troy reels him in and KICKS! Grande goes up, but Troy runs in! Grande kicks him back, CROSSBODIES, but Troy catches him! Pop up and- NO, Grande lisp free to then CALF KICK! The fans fire up with Grande as we’re one minute deep.

Grande urns, PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Troy is still in this but he’s reeling. Grande clamps onto the arms, knuckle locks and goes up the ropes, but Troy YANKS him down for a LARIAT! The fans still sing for Grande while he flounders. Troy whips Grande to ropes, and ELBOWS him down! Grande flounders around again, but Troy stomps him down. Troy digs his boots in at the ropes but the ref counts. Troy steps off at 4, we’re under three minutes, and Grande fires shots! The fans rally but Troy catches the arms! Troy HEADBUTTS, then he Mongolian Chops! Grande drops to his knee, Troy BOOTS him down!

Troy runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Grande survives and the fans cheer, but Troy stalks Grande to a corner. Troy stomps away, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Troy backs off, runs corner to corner, but into a LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up and Grande rises up! Grande knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goe sup, up, and FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! We hit the two minute warning and the fans fire up! Troy bails out, Grande builds speed, and Grande DIVES into a FOREARM! Grande tumbles down, Troy drags Grande up, and he puts Grande in the ring. Grande trips up the ref a bit, and Troy wants his chain!?

Bravo Americano rushes over to stop Troy, but Troy SHOVES him down! Rayo grabs the chain! Los Americanos are the ones caught, and the ref EJECTS them! Troy tells ’em to go on and git! The fans boo but Grande DIVES! Down goes Troy and the fans fire up with Grande! But we hit the last minute! Wait, did Rayo just slip the metal plate to Grande? Grande rolls into the ring, the fans rally up, but Troy guzels Grande! Grande SMACKS Troy, runs, JUMPING HEADBUTT! Troy is down but still moving, and we have just over 30 seconds left! Grande loads up the mask! The ref spots that! And Troy SPLASHES in the corner! BLACK HOLE SLAM!!! Cover, TROY WINS!!

Winner: Jasper Troy, by pinfall (NEW WWE Speed Champion)

We 18 SECONDS to spare, Troy breaks through and takes the gold! Will anyone have a chance of bringing him down in under five minutes?

Thea Hail prepares backstage.

She wonders where Joe Hendry is, and takes out her phone, but then realizes duh, just say his name and he appears! Joe Hendry is magically there! She loves it every single time. She thanks him for last week and he says no, no, he thanks her for that. The energy she had popping out the cake and pied everyone in the face, that inspired Hendry. And he wants to let her know that he could not ask for a better tag partner going into Gold Rush. She says HAIL~ YEAH~! She has been waiting for a big moment like this, he gave it to her, and now in just one week, Hendry & Hail will become AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions!

But tonight, Hail will take it to a former NXT UK Women’s Champion. HAIL YEAH! A former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion! HAIL YEAH! And y’know why? Why? Because she believes in Joe Hendry! The fans believe in Thea Hail! And Thea Hail believes in Thea Hail! LET’S GO~! Hail heads out, but will she be ready for whatever “Slaygent A” will throw at her?

Ava Raine now meets with Sean Legacy.

She knows he’s ready to represent Evolve, and he thanks her for this opportunity, the biggest opportunity of his life! He can’t wait to put an end to Jackson Drake’s title reign! Ava says the rest of Gold Rush is shaping up to be great, she knows Legacy will have a great match. Then in steps #ZaRuca, he says hey, and they say hey. Then they say “jinx” cuz they both said it at the same time. Legacy hopes Sol’s rehab is going super, because we all miss seeing her in action. Sol says that’s why she’s here. He moves aside to let Sol and Ava talk. Yes, Ava saw the medical report, and saw that Sol is medically cleared.

But… it is as tolerated. And knowing Sol, she’ll do it anyway, so this is entirely up to her. Sol says yes, she wants her title back next week. Zaria says she’d love nothing more than for them both to walk out of NYC as champions at Gold Rush, but she doesn’t want Sol to rush this. Ava says that’s a good point. They can always wait a couple more weeks, maybe even for Deadline. Sol says she’s cleared, it is her choice, and she wants the match with Blake Monroe next week. Alright, as long as Sol understands the risks. Sol says she does, so Ava’s hands are tied.

The Women’s North American Championship match is set, but will Sol regret going after The Glamour so quickly? Or will The Woman From Hell make sure Sol doesn’t survive in the Big Apple?

Thea Hail w/ Joe Hendry VS Alba Fyre w/ Chelsea Green & Ethan Page!

The Chase U alumni believes in the fans that believe in her, but she also believes in the Thea that believes in Thea! Will that inspirational energy help her win big tonight? Or will she be shut out by the Green Administration’s “red tape?”

The bell rings, the two rush up, and Thea dodges to then jump on Alba! Thea wants the arm but Alba RAMS her into the corner! Alba RAMS Thea again and again, then snapmares. Alba stomps away on Thea’s arm, then drags her up. Alba whips Thea to a corner, then RAMS her again! And again! And again! Ethan & Chelsea applaud while Alba snapmares Thea. Alba stands on Thea’s hair while she pulls Thea’s arm, and Alba salutes while the fans recite their Pledge of Allegiance to Chelsea Green. Alba KICKS the arm, drags Thea up, and whips her to the corner. Alba runs up, but Thea goes up and over to roll Alba up, TWO!

Thea snapmares Alba, runs, but Alba avoids the kick! Roll-up, TWO! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Alba scrambles around to stand up, then she SLAPS Thea! Thea gets mad now! Thea roars and THESZ PRESS! Fast hands! Alba shoves Thea away, but Thea wrenches to YANK the arm again and again! Thea goes to drag Alba down but Alba pull s hair. Alba whips Thea away, then scoops, but Thea arm-drags! Thea wheelbarrows and arm-drags again! Then she DROPKICKS Alba right outta the ring! The fans fire up and Thea hurries to the apron! Alba stands into the TRUST FALL! The fans fire up with Thea while Chelsea protests!

Thea puts Alba in the ring, argues with Chelsea, but then Chelsea swings! Thea blocks the slap, but Alba DIVES onto Thea! The fans are torn but Hendry storms over to make sure the others stay back. Thea is down while the Two Canadian Power Trip gloats, and NXT goes picture in picture.

The ring count climbs while Hendry coaches Thea up. Thea sits up slowly, but Alba drags her up. Alba SMACKS Thea off the apron, then throws her suit vest at her! Alba puts Thea in the ring, storms up on her at the ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Alba stops at 4, then she KICKS the ropes to jam Thea up! Thea flounders but Alba KNEES her in the back! Alba paces while Thea hobbles and goes to ropes. Alba CHOKES her again! The ref reprimands and counts, but Alba YANKS Thea back. Cover, TWO! Alba clamps onto Thea with a chinlock and she grinds Thea down. Thea endures and Hendry rallies the fans.

Thea fights up, fires body shots, and is free to roll Alba up! TWO, and Alba LARIATS Thea down! Cover, TWO! Alba is frustrated, but she sits Thea up by pulling hair. The ref reprimands but Alba whips Thea to the corner. Alba then storms up and CHOPS! Thea sputters and flounders, Alba salutes again, and Alba goes back to bring Thea up. Thea fires body shots, Alba CLUBS her and CHOKES her on the ropes! The ref counts, Alba stops at 4, but that lets Chelsea CHOKE Thea behind his back! Chelsea gets away with it all but Alba drags Thea around. Alba suplexes, GOURD BUSTER, and cover, TWO!

Thea survives and Chelsea is frustrated, but Alba clamps onto Thea with a COBRA CLUTCH! Thea endures, fights, but Alba leans on the hold. Thea rises up, fires body shots, and NXT returns to single picture. Alba spins Thea around, SLAPS her, then SLAPS her again! Thea HEADBUTTS! Alba HEADBUTTS in return! Thea HEADBUTTS again! Then Thea ROCKS Alba, ROCKS her again, and repeat! Thea runs to ropes, comes back, but Alba DECKS her! Alba whips Thea to the ropes, Thea reverses, and Thea ROCKS Alba! Thea kicks, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! But Thea slips through and arm-drags! Then POLISH HAMMER! POLISH HAMMER!

Thea runs, wrenches, and kicks a leg out! Thea says eat it! BASEMENT LARIAT! Thea then scoops Alba for a WORLD’S SMALLEST SLAM! Somersault and Thea shakes the ropes! TRUST FALL FLOPS as Alba moves! Ghost pin! TWO!! Thea escapes, and has the arm! KIMURA!! Alba flails, pulls hair, and she sends Thea into buckles! Thea falls, Alba reels her in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Thea survives and Alba is stunned! The fans fire up, Alba suplexes, but Thea cradle counters! TWO!! Thea and Alba stand, Thea scoops! MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Alba survives but the fans are thunderous for Thea!

Thea goes up a corner, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref tells her to back off, but Thea leaps over Alba! Thea blocks a kick, spins Alba, and jumps on! KIMURA!! Alba drops to her knees, Ethan gets on the apron! Hendry rushes over and YANKS Ethan down! Then POSTS him! The fans cheer, Hendry smiles, but Chelsea takes a swing! Hendry ducks and Chelsea SLAPS Ethan!! The fans fire up and Chelsea says that’s Hendry’s fault! Thea DIVES onto Chelsea! The fans are thunderous again as Thea hurries back into the ring! SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Thea survives but Alba hooks her up! GORY- SUNSET FLIP! THEA WINS!!

Winner: Thea Hail, by pinfall

The power of believing in yourself comes through! Thea beats Alba here tonight and we all get to wave our hands side to side, but can Hail & Hendry do it all again in New York City?

Tatum Paxley talks with someone backstage.

She is really struggling on deciding who is truly deserving of opportunities. Does he know what she means? Ricky Saints says he gets it. You think Trick Williams is really deserving of another shot? No! But he is deserving of getting his ass kicked. Ricky thanks the doc for taping up his ribs, and he tells Tatum she’s in the same spot. Next week, she’ll do the same to Jacy Jayne. She just needs to understand that she can be the champion she wants to be. Don’t let nobody else tell you how. But in step The Culling. Izzi says hey to “Rick.” Izzi says The Culling was looking for her everywhere, but guess that’s because she’s been a little “everywhere” lately.

Niko says they should leave “the champ” to think about what’s coming his way tonight. Tatum says before she forgets, just a few minutes ago, she- Izzi interrupts Tatum but Tatum says Ricky needs to know about this. Izzi insists they leave, so Tatum leaves. As The Culling heads out, Ricky says Tatum’s a bit weird, but he kinda likes it. Will whatever news Tatum had turn out to be crucial information? Or can Ricky survive on his own?

Blake Monroe sits down for an interview.

“I was so excited when I got your message. You know I always carry you with me. And look what I got us~!” Blake shows off the Women’s North American Championship, but another Blake tells her, “Don’t kiss my ass, Blake. But congratulations. The Glamour, new NXT Women’s North American Champion. How does victory taste?” Glamour Blake says, “Delicious, darling. It’s everything I deserve, and The Glamour always does get what she wants. They all said, ‘Oh, Blake Monroe, she’s just a look.’ And I proved we’re more than that. We’re power.” Dark Blake says, “Power fades, slips through manicured fingers. And I mean, ‘deserved?’ Such an interesting word.”

So to the questions: How long ’til the light burns out, Blake? It won’t! She worked way too hard to get here, and no one is taking this title from her. But Sol never lost her title. And well, Blake drove a wedge through the ZaRuca friendship, but she didn’t tear them apart. That title isn’t Blake’s until she beats Sol. But it IS hers! After all, she’s the total package! She’s the most complete woman in the NXT locker room. But Dark Blake says Sol’s more complete. And with that mindset she has right now, she’ll take that title, IF Blake lets her. Does Blake think her attitude is enough to hold the championship?

Blake says yes! She’s confident, polished! The Glamour is a champion who doesn’t get her hands dirty! Hah! Nothing about Blake is clean. She’s as dirty as can be, and that nail polish cracks under pressure. Blake won’t beat Sol by outshining her. Sol is an incredible athlete, injured or not, so there’s only one way they beat her. How? Think, Blake! Sol’s not truly 100%, but Blake can be with Dark Blake by her side. Break Sol, make her feel every bit of pain, do whatever it takes to keep the title, and remind Sol what she’s lost! Blake needs to let the darkness be part of this. No, that’s not the champion Blake wants to be.

But it’s the kind of champion Blake NEEDS to be! If she wants to keep her title. Doesn’t Blake love the Woman From Hell? Doesn’t she want her to be part of this? Blake needs her, and she always shows up when Blake needs her most. Go on, Blake. Be the Glamour, blind them with your beauty, but Hell is what makes them fear you! Blake says let’s hypothetically entertain this. Say she breaks Sol. Then “they” won’t like that. They won’t care. Because Blake will still be champion! And Dark Blake doesn’t want to destroy Blake! They don’t compete, they coexist! Blake loves to be adored, but she hates what she has to do to stay that way.

That’s where the other Blake steps in. They need each other. The Glamour to be seen, and The Woman From Hell to be remembered. Spotlight needs shadow. Together, they make one perfect champion! See you at Gold Rush, love. Blake’s two sides are ready to work in tandem, will Sol stand a chance against a duo like that?

Je’Von Evans arrives.

His phone rings and he picks up. He tells Leon Slater that you are now talking to the man entering the Last Time is Now Tournament! Leon’s surprised Je’Von picked up at all. But what about that stuff with DarkState after him last week? Je’Von was a madman! Je’Von says he does wish Leon was here last week. But Je’Von is gonna make a special announcement to the fans! And he talked to the truck, they set things up so Leon can be part of hits. Call him back in a few. Je’Von hangs up for now, but just what does The Young OG have planned for after the break?

Backstage interview with Jordynne Grace.

Sarah Schreiber is with the Juggernaut, and brings up Kelani Jordan speaking her mind last week. What does Grace have to say in response? Grace says, “All Kelani did last week was try to justify why she took the easy way out. Cheating isn’t original, it’s uninspired and it’s lazy. Literally anybody could do it. What’s more important is what Santino said about the Triple Threat for the TNA Knockouts Championship at Gold Rush. Before I was an NXT Superstar, I was a TNA Knockout. In fact, I would go so far as to say I was THE TNA Knockout. That title was synonymous with MY name.

“Before Kelani even thought about stepping foot into a ring, while she was still flipping around over at Michigan State, I was TNA Knockouts Champion not once, not twice, but THREE times. In two weeks in New York City, I have the opportunity to course correct an entire division and make history. As for Lei Ying Lee, I’m sorry, but at this point, she’s just gonna have to be collateral damage. Kelani keeps saying that the world is why she is the way that she is now. But at Gold Rush, she can just blame me.” Grace has spoken, but will the Juggernaut strike TNA gold for the FOURTH time in New York City?

Je’Von Evans is in the ring.

The fans cheer The Young OG, and he says alright, c’mon now, hold on. YUUURT~! But now, he ain’t gonna lie, ya boi is pretty excited about what he heard last night on Raw. The fans cheer that! Je’Von Evans is gonna be in the Last Time is Now Tournament! But hear him out, he also won’t lie… He’s pretty nervous. Not only because he’s going against Gunther in the first round, which is crazy, but because he’s wrestling in Madison Square Garden at the age of 21, gang! The fans cheer that! Je’Von says look, MSG has been around longer than Je’Von’s been alive. But that’s next Monday. Let’s talk next Tuesday.

Je’Von and Leon have a big announcement. Leon isn’t here physically to join Je’Von, but…! He got something figured out. So, uh, Miss Amy in the truck, please connect Leon. Leon is on the tron! The fans cheer and the TNA X-Division Champion is all fired up being on the big screen! Je’Von says he’s got some pull around here. Now, he knows Leon’s been doing his thing back home in TNA, taking care of business, but that doesn’t mean Je’Von stopped scheming. Je’Von talked to Ava, he knows Leon talked to Santino, and they both finally agreed to give them what they want. And that is an opportunity in NYC at Gold Rush…

To go against that goofy ass DarkState for the NXT Tag Team Championships! The fans fire up for that! Leon says let’s get it! Damn right, OG! And seeing what those four did to the GOATS, Matt & Jeff Hardy, then trying to do Je’Von like that before he dipped outta there, Leon says they gotta get this back the only way they know how. That’s jacking the gold, baby! Yeah, yeah, yeah~! And look, look, Leon knows it, Je’Von knows it, and everyone here knows it, that when The Youngest In Charge & The Young OG are in the same ring, they make magic! They’ll do that next week in the process of taking those tag team titles!

And not only that, but guess what? OH NO! DARKSTATE IS HERE! The lights go down, and the four wild dogs are already in the crowd. Osiris Griffin says they’ve got their next two victims right in front of them, huh? Hey, fellas, these young’uns didn’t learn a thing when DarkState put down their daddies, the so-called greatest tag team of all time. Dion Lennox tells Je’Von and his boy, Leon, think they’re the future of this business, but their future is in DarkState’s hands! And they end the future in NYC! Cutler James says Je’Von ducking them last week only bought him more time to think on the consequences of confronting DarkState!

Saquon Shugars says Santino and Ava got it all under control, but that don’t mean nothing unless DarkState enforces it! What is Je’Von even doing in the ring? Not thinking, obviously, because if he was, he and Leon would’ve taken their beating! Now, Je’Von is just standing there looking stupid without his man here to save him. Leon, you fittin’ to do Gold Rush on your own. Je’Von says they got ’em! Leon rushes off screen, and Je’Von says THEY the ones dumb as hell! That wasn’t a remote video call at all! Leon Slater is HERE! And now it is 4v2! The fans cheer but this is still a bit lopsided! But then Leon TOSSES Dion so he can LEG LARIAT Cutler!

Je’Von ROCKS Shugars, Leon SUPERKICKS Osiris! Je’Von SUPERKICKS Osiris, then they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as DarkState regroups outside, only for Leon to FLY! Down goes Dion & Cutler, but then Je’Von FLIES to take out Osiris & Shugars! The fans are all fired up as the young guns are poppin’ off! Will nothing stop them from taking those tag titles?

Kelani Jordan talks with Trick Williams.

The Standout says she knows what she said about Trick last week, but the more she thinks about it, she realized Trick was right. Trick looks around for witnesses on that, but Lani says it gets lonely at the top and he would know. Trick says yes, he would. Lani has come to grips with how it’s like he said: If you wanna be successful, the only person you should worry about is yourself. Exactly! He’s been saying it for years. Lani says she doesn’t care what anyone says, she’s picking Trick to win tonight. Trick says she’s got her head on straight for once. And yeah, sometimes you gotta be selfish. Selfish is the word.

That’s why Trick’s taking care of Ricky tonight, and Lani will take care of that Triple Threat in New York. Show everyone here why she’s #HER. Lani says yeah, she IS #HER! They fist bump and Lani heads out, but will no one really do it like #HER? Will Trick actually find a way to be better than The Absolute?

WWE Speed Women’s Championship Contender’s Tournament: Fallon Henley VS Skylar Raye!

Jacy Jayne has her title match for Gold Rush, and now The Toxic Cowgirl wants to wrangle one of her own. Zaria is waiting on the other side, will Fallon meet her in New York City? Or will the new girl say LFG in MSG?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Fallon doesn’t think much of Skylar and laughs it off with Jacy & Lainey, but then she turns around into DOUBLE KNEES! Skylar then runs up, wheelbarrows, and victory rolls! ONE, but Skylar runs up. Fallon puts her in a corner to fire off forearms! Skylar arm-drags, then hooks Fallon up and slips around, leg clutch! TWO, and Fallon body scissor cradles! TWO and Skylar swings into a crucifix takedown, TWO! Fallon CHOPS Skylar down! The fans are torn, Skylar sputters, but Fallon fireman’s carries. Skylar slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Fallon WRANGLES Skylar, BUTTERFLY STRETCH!

Skylar tips things into a cover at the two minute warning, TWO! Fallon cradles Skylar, TWO! Both women stand, Fallon kicks low! Fallon reels Skylar in, lifts, but Skylar RANAS! The fans fire up and Skylar runs in for a BACK BODY BLOCK! Skylar whips, Fallon reverse, but Skylar ELBOWS her back! Skylar goes up, HIGH FLY CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Skylar ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirl, DDT! Not the cleanest but Fallon is still down! Skylar hurries to cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Skylar and she wheelbarrows again! Fallon turns that into a STUN GUN! One minute warning and Fallon runs up, YEEHAW FACEBUSTER!

Fallon keeps moving, FAMOUSER! Cover, Fallon wins!

Winner: Fallon Henley, by pinfall (advances to Gold Rush)

With 44 seconds to spare, Fallon smiles ear to ear. Jacy & Lainey celebrate with Fallon, but will Fatal Influence be even happier when they bring home two belts? Or will they split the difference when the pressure is on?

NXT Media catches up with Jasper Troy.

The reporter asks for words from the NEW Men’s Speed Champion, and Troy says he might be the last person you think of when it comes to speed, but this title proves that whoever steps into the ring with him gets shut down because he makes time stand still! There is a whole lot more carnage on the way, and everyone in NXT will bend the knee! Meanwhile, DarkState storms out of the building to rant and complain. Je’Von & Leon think they’re smart, but they won’t be laughing next week when they get they asses knocked out! Dion guarantees it! Cutler says you can’t hit ‘n’ run forever. When DarkState gets hold of Je’Von & Leon, it’s lights out!

Osiris says if you thought what they did to The Hardy Boyz was bad, just watch next week! Shugars says when DarkState strikes, ain’t NOBODY safe! Will that statement be true in the worst way? Or can Je’Von & Leon get DarkState off their game with how angry they are?

The Fatal Influence regroups backstage.

Jacy says it seems she won’t be the only one leaving Gold Rush as champion. Lainey says that’s right! Jacy will win back the NXT Women’s Championship, and Fallon will become the NEW Women’s Speed Champion. And Lainey knows exactly what she has to do next. Oh? Fallon asks, “What is she doing?” Jacy says, “What always works.” And knowing the Southern Charm, does that mean what it sounds like?

Tavion Heights VS Josh Briggs!

Speaking of angry, this is a grudge match right here! The Olympian wants an opportunity to prove himself, but the Bullhead Brawler is trying to keep everybody down. As Briggs said, there’s only room for one at the top, but will Briggs be the one to come out on top? Or is Tavion about to reach those new heights?

NXT returns and Tavion makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two run up! Briggs BOOTS Tavion right down! The fans fire up but they boo as Briggs rains down fists. Tavion goes to ropes, Briggs stands him up and DECKS him! Tavion flounders, the fans taunt Briggs with “You Tapped Out!” in reference to last week with El Grande Americano, but Briggs ignores that to stomp away on Tavion at the ropes! The ref reprimands, Briggs steps off, and he shouts at the fans to shut up. Briggs stalks Tavion, drags him up, and then scoops, only for Tavion to slip free. Tavion waistlocks, Briggs ELBOWS fere, but then Tavion hits a fireman’s carry takeover!

Briggs staggers up, Tavion hits a HIP TOSS! Briggs gets back up, but Tavion slips around, and Tavion SLAMS Briggs down! The fans rally while Tavion holds onto Briggs. Briggs endures, fights up, and the fans rally. But Tavion just SLAMS Briggs back down! Tavion then gator rolls Briggs around, but Briggs fights around. Tavion squeezes tighter but Briggs still fights up. Briggs pulls Tavion’s hair, then REAR HEADBUTTS! Tavion staggers, Briggs CLOBBERS him! Briggs HAMMERS Tavion, then whips him to ropes! SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Tavion survives but Briggs talks trash right to his face. Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Briggs stalks Tavion, then he CLUBS Tavion. Briggs drops an ELBOW on Tavion’s back, then covers, TWO! Tavion stays in this and Briggs is upset with the ref, but the count was fair. Briggs winds up, but Tavion counter punches! Tavion fires fast hands, but Briggs shoves and ELBOWS him down! Briggs throws Tavion and soaks up the heat. But Tavion trips Briggs, spins him, and jackknife roll into the fireman’s carry! Brigg sis big but Tavion still lifts him! Briggs CLUBS Tavion, shoves free, but then both men duck ‘n’ dodge! LEAPING LARIAT from Briggs! Briggs roars right in Tavion’s face while the fans boo, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Briggs looms over Tavion, then taunts the fans. Briggs KICKS Tavion to the ropes, digs his boots in, but he stops as the ref counts. Tavion sputters, Briggs slaps him around, then stands Tavion up. Briggs whips but Tavion reverses to LARIAT at the ropes! Tavion whips and LARIATS Briggs again, then whips again for a LEAPING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Briggs survives and Tavion is frustrated, but both men rise up. Tavion is on Briggs first but Briggs shoves him, then kicks out the leg! Briggs DECKS Tavion with a right hand! Tavion sputters, Briggs stalks him, and he stomps Tavion down while the fans continue to taunt him.

Briggs digs his boots in, stops as the ref counts 4, then paces around while he soaks up the heat. Briggs goes back to Tavion but Tavion fires body shots! And forearms! Tavion rises to whip, but Briggs reverses. Tavion ducks ‘n’ dodges to then DROPKICK! Briggs staggers back against ropes, Tavion runs up, but into a BOOT! Both men are down again, but Briggs crawls to a cover, TWO! Tavion survives and the fans cheer while Briggs seethes. Briggs drags Tavion into a chinlock and he squeezes tight. Tavion endures, even as Briggs smothers and thrashes him! Tavion fights up, fires body shots, and NXT returns to single picture.

Tavion fires forearm after forearm, then ROCKS Briggs! The fans fire up and Tavion storms up, but Briggs is on the ropes. The ref has Tavion hold on a moment, but Briggs uses that to CHOP BLOCK! Briggs CLOBBERS Tavion, HAMMERs away, and the fans boo. Briggs covers, TWO!! Tavion survives and Briggs is frustrated now. Briggs looms over Tavion, slaps him around, and eggs him on. Tavion gets mad, he gets up and under Briggs, but Briggs fights the lift! Briggs HAMMERS Tavion again, but Tavion powers up! SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up and Tavion runs to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And then a SLINGBLADE!

The fans fire up as Tavion whips Briggs to ropes, then shoots past him! Briggs BOOTS, and BOOTS again! Tavion is back down, Briggs huffs ‘n’ puffs, and then Briggs builds speed! But Tavion avoids the boot! Briggs gets stuck on the ropes! Tavion clinches, BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TAVION WINS!

Winner: Tavion Heights, by pinfall

The Bullhead Brawl built a head of steam, but he just got derailed! Will Tavion’s train make it to a golden destination in the not-too-distant future?

Myles Borne and Ava Raine finish watching this backstage.

The NXT GM knows Myles wants his own opportunities, but they already talked about this: Ricky VS Trick is for the title tonight, and while it is Last Man Standing, that doesn’t change what they talked about. Myles says he loves it. Yes, and she knows he’d love even more to cost Trick his title opportunity, but we can’t have that happening. But Trick hit Myles in the back with a chair for no good reason. Retribution is coming. Yes, but there is a time and a place, and she can’t have anyone interfere in the main event. Myles gave her his word, remember? But then Wren Sinclair walks over. She and Myles say hi, and Myles excuses himself so he can get a “closer look” at the main event.

Myles leaves, Ava asks he not interfere. Kenda Grey walks in and asks what Wren was talking with Myles about. Is she already second-guessing the #WrenQCC? Uh, no, of course not! Myles is just obsessed with Trick, and Wren is so focused on getting the team off the ground. Kendal says that’s good, they’ve got something here. Wren agrees, but they need at least one more person. They gotta get on the same page, put their heads together (which she makes Kendal do with her literally) and mind meld! Mind meld! W-What? Lainey says she’s got something to tell Kendal. SLAP! Kendal TACKLES Lainey for that!

Wren and Ava freak out as these two brawl, refs rush in, and even the rest of Fatal Influence is here. But Jacy & Fallon laugh, they realize now what Lainey’s up to. Will The Southern Charm prove she’s ready to Evolve? Or will she regret stepping into The Grey Area?

NXT Championship Last Man Standing Match: Ricky Saints VS Trick Williams!

The Absolute may not be 100%, but he is 110% determined to finally shut down and shut up the so-called best NXT has ever had. Will Ricky #WhoopDatTrick once and for all? Or are we about to crown a THREE-TIME NXT Champion?

NXT returns and Ricky makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, as are the stakes! It is time to see who truly defines this era of NXT!

The bell rings and Trick takes a swing with a kendo stick! Ricky dodges and fires haymakers in return! He ducks another kendo stick shot, fires a CHOP and more forearms, then ducks another shot to CLUB Trick! Ricky kicks low, goes up, but then blocks the kendo stick! Ricky uses that to go up and tightrope walk. They tug-o-war, Trick stops the Old School, but Ricky takes the stick to SMACK, SMACK, and SMACK! Then he KENDO STICK LARIATS Trick up and out! The fans fire up with Ricky and he goes outside to bring out chairs from under the ring. Trick CLUBS Ricky, each man gets a chair, and they CLASH!

Ricky is disarmed with hands shaking, and Trick KNEES low into those bad ribs. Trick whips, Ricky reverses, and Trick hits steel steps hard! The fans cheer while Trick is down, and the count begins! Ricky hurries to bring out a trash can, and even a chain, but the fans chant, “We Want Tables!” Trick rises at 7 and is up at 8, but Ricky puts him in the ring. Ricky then goes up the corner, springboards, but into a TRASH CAN ATTACK! Right to the ribs! Trick SMACKS Ricky with the can again! And again! Trick brings Ricky around, whips, and then FLAPJACKS Ricky onto the can! Ricky writhes and sputters while the ring count begins.

Trick paces, waits on Ricky, and Ricky is still down at 5 of 10. Ricky uses the ropes to stand at 8, but Trick LEG LARIATS! Trick fires up and says this is still his house! The fans cheer as Trick paces, and Ricky stands at 5 this time. Trick CHOPS Ricky, stalks him to a corner, then brings him around for another CHOP! Ricky flounders against ropes, the fans duel, and Trick stands Ricky up again. Trick traps Ricky’s arms in the ropes! The fans fire up as Trick SMACKS Ricky with the kendo stick, and breaks it!

The fans fire upas Trick keeps going, and he SMACKS Ricky again, in the ribs! The stick is busted, Trick lets Ricky fall, and the count begins. Trick grabs a chair, Ricky rises at 7, but into a SMACK on the back! Ricky writhes and flounders, Trick egg shim on, and then SMACKS him while he’s down! Trick clutches his neck while Trick tries to make the chair sit up. The chair is too bent, it just falls over. Trick goes to get the other chair, he makes that one sit up, and he fetches some more! Ricky is up at 8, but he then slumps back down. Trick says this is his house, this is his NXT! Ricky eggs Trick on, and he blocks the trash can lid!

Ricky SMACKS Trick in return! Trick staggers, Ricky SMACKS him again! And again! Then he JAMS Trick up to SMACK him on the back! Trick falls out of the ring, Ricky leans on the one good chair, and the fans cheer while NXT goes picture in picture.

The standing count starts while Trick clutches his back. Trick uses the apron to stand at 6, Ricky runs up, but Trick traps him in the apron skirt! Trick HAMMERS away on Ricky, then ROCKS him! Trick even looks under the ring for something, and he finds a trash can! Trick puts the can over Ricky, then grabs a new kendo stick. Trick SMCKS the can! And SMACKS it again! And again, and again, and again, until this kendo stick breaks! The ref checks on Ricky as he slumps out of the trash can, and Ricky is still in this. The standing count starts while Trick stays close. Trick puts the trash can in the ring, then a couple more chairs.

Ricky is still down at 5, but he rises at 6, so Trick shoves him into the ring. Trick rips at the rib tape! Ricky flails but can’t get away as Trick drags him around using the tape. Trick then hits a BOOKEND onto the chair! Ricky writhes but Trick plans ahead. Trick wedges a chair into the corner, clears some space, and Ricky stands at 7. Trick SMACKS him with the trash can! Ricky sits down in the corner and the ref checks him. Ricky is still in this so Trick whips him at the corner. Ricky reverses but his ribs won’t let him do much more than that! Trick CLUBS Ricky, and then THROWS him out of the ring! Ricky lands hard on the outside!

Trick goes to commentary and clears the desk! Trick then drags Ricky up, SMACKS him off the apron, and ROCKS him with a right hand! Ricky hits back, they brawl, and NXT returns to single picture. Trick hits a SPIN KICK! Ricky falls back, Trick dares him to get up, then runs back in, only to be sent into and through the barriers! The fans go nuts while Trick goes down in a heap! The count is on Trick now while Ricky goes to the ring. Ricky checks under the ring and he brings out another chair. Trick rises at 8, but he staggers and topples more barriers. Ricky has to use a kendo stick like a walking stick but he’s up!

Ricky SMACKS away on Trick again and again and again! Trick wants mercy!? Ricky does hesitate, but then he breaks the stick on his knee! Ricky grabs a chair, but Trick BOOTS it into Ricky! Trick runs, but into a SMACK! And another SMACK! And another! Ricky is going yard with these homerun derby shots! Ricky stops after about a dozen, and the fans are thunderous as the standing count is on Trick. Trick is down at 5, at 6, at 7, but he rises at 8! Trick is bloody, but Rick builds speed to ABSOLUTE SPEAR!! The fans fire up as Trick is back down and the count starts again! Trick is still down at 5, at 6, at 7, at 8, but he springs to life at 9!

Trick rises, but Ricky kicks low! Ricky hauls Trick up, but Trick slips free of the Canadian Rack! Ricky runs in, but is send into the corner chair! Ricky tumbles out to the apron and then the floor! Ricky manages to crawl but that’s not the same as standing. Trick grabs the top part of the steel steps! Trick aims as Ricky stands at 8, and he RAMS Ricky down! The count restarts, “This is Awesome!” as Ricky stirs. Ricky is still down at 5, at 6, at 7, but he sputters at 8. Ricky stands at 9, but into a FLYING TRICK SHOT! Trick is fired up, he says he just got the knockout! Ricky is down at 5! At 6! At 7! But Ricky stirs at 8 so Trick is not satisfied!

Trick drags Ricky over, BOOKEND onto the steps! Then he grabs the steps, and he puts them over Ricky so he can stand ON Ricky! The fans are torn as the ring count starts, but Ricky manages to slip free from the trap! Trick is gloating too much, he doesn’t see that! Ricky SHOVES Trick off the steps, and Trick SMACKS off the timekeeper’s desk! Maybe even the ring bell! And then deja vu, Ricky lines up a shot! Ricky runs up, but Trick dodges this time! Ricky CRASHES through the wall under the perch!! The fans lose their minds all over again and Trick says he’s already won! Ricky is still down at 7! At 8! But Ricky LEAPS out at 9!

Ricky and Trick brawl, Trick THROWS Ricky into the crowd! They brawl up into the stands of the NXT Arena! The fans move aside as these two go up, and up, and then TRICK SHOT!! Ricky sits back in a chair, sputters, but Trick is all fired up! Trick still thinks he’s got this in the bag, but Ricky stands at 8! And he SPEARS Trick off the ledge and down through commentary!! The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Both men flounder, they somehow rise at 8! Ricky PUSHES Trick down to stand up, and RICKY WINS!!

Winner: Ricky Saints (still NXT Champion)

But before Ricky can even pick up the belt to celebrate, OBA FEMI RETURNS?!?! The Ruler is back, and it’s already clear what he wants! Has Ricky only jumped out of the frying pan to jump into the fire?

My Thoughts:

A great NXT, especially as go-home to Gold Rush for the next two weeks (at least on TV, I’m pretty sure it’s all happening on one night IRL). Very good promo from Vanity Project with the Two Canadian Power Trip, and then subsequently with Sean Legacy and ZaRuca. Vanity Project just being Jackson Drake & Swipe Right is proof that Zayda Steel has moved on IRL, but setting up Drake VS Legacy for Gold Rush heavily indicates Drake retains the title against Keanu Carver on tomorrow night’s Evolve. But if that’s the case, can Legacy please at least win the title off Drake to move things forward in Evolve?

Great match from Thea VS Alba to come from that promo, but Thea winning out clearly indicates she and Hendry aren’t taking the AAA Mixed Tag titles, as I figured last week. Sol being determined to win even though she’s only “cleared as tolerated,” aka like 80 or 90 percent healthy in kayfabe, might mean she loses. Plus, Blake had a very good promo with, well, herself. I’m a little surprised we’re having another case where a character’s multiple sides interact given we got that from Bayley not too long ago, but it still works in story. Blake could do a Two Face cosplay as a play off of Gotham City in DC Comics being New York.

Very good Speed match from Fallon VS Skylar, and a very good debut for Skylar, but I figured Fallon would win. Then Lainey going after Kendal was actually a good surprise. I don’t see Lainey taking the Evolve Women’s Championship because then that means she’d have to be on episodes of Evolve, but Fallon could certainly take the Women’s Speed title. At the same time, it might be more compelling if Zaria wins and Sol loses so that the dysfunction in ZaRuca grows. As for Jacy, I would hope Tatum retains to further the dysfunction within The Culling. Tatum winning despite going against Izzi’s wishes can be used to show Tatum is right and that only upsets Izzi more until Izzi demands a title match with Tatum.

Great Speed Championship from Troy VS Grande, and I like that this is a rate time where Grande going for the cheat costs him. But as I said before, the WWE Speed titles being on NXT, it was gonna be an NXT star holding the men’s title soon enough. Very good promos from Jordynne Grace and Kelani Jordan, and I would think Lei Ying Lee gets to say something on TNA this week. I feel like Lani is going to retain through opportunistic means, maybe even being the one to introduce “weapons” into the No Disqualification environment of a Triple Threat. Great stuff with Je’Von, Leon and DarkState, especially with how Je’Von & Leon used the video call to fake out DarkState. DarkState also had a good promo later, but it feels like they’re winning at Gold Rush anyway.

Great match from Tavion VS Briggs, and a great win for Tavion. Tavion could certainly find himself on track for another shot at the North American title, but that depends if they choose to do Ethan VS Hendry or not. Good tease from Myles to be part of the main event, but he kept his promise to Ava and stayed away. That main event was awesome stuff, though maybe they were a little sloppy with how they were hitting each other with the chairs and kendo sticks. A little bit of sloppy and rough treatment helped make it a grittier, realer fight, and falling off the ledge was a wild spot. Ricky shoving Trick down to win was slightly anticlimactic, but something about that also works for a sake of realism.

Oba Femi returning was also great to see, but I wish they gave us more time with that. Oba VS Ricky is certainly going to be for Deadline, but I wonder if this undercuts Oba Femi being an entry in the Last Time is Now tournament. By the way, so much for that tournament having more from AAA or even TNA, but maybe that’s still to be seen with those wild cards Aldis and Pearce are holding. But if Oba loses to Ricky at Deadline, you can bet Oba goes to main roster and even gets in on the Royal Rumble.

My Score: 8.9/10

The Last Real Champion returns home!

John Cena returns to Raw and to Boston as the Last Time is Now Tournament begins! Sheamus, Nakamura, Rusev, Priest, who survives the opening round?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS John Cena; Cena wins and becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
• The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Rusev VS Damian Priest; Rusev wins and advances.
• WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez; Vaquer wins and retains the title.
• The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Sheamus VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Sheamus wins and advances.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS The Kabuki Warriors; The Kabuki Warriors win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

Triple H is here!

Boston fires up as The Game is already in the ring, and HHH has the mic to say, “That will never get old. We live in a magical time, right? A time where we can all be here for a night like this. We also live in a time where people don’t agree on much. Everybody has their opinion, especially when it comes to this business. It seems that everybody has an opinion. Whether it’s fans, whether it’s talent, whether it’s media, whether it’s the people in the back running the business, they all have their opinions on who the Greatest Of All Time is. The thing is, you can measure it from a million different ways.

“In-ring performance, charisma, the ability to tear somebody up on this microphone, the ability to do PR, the ability to be a box office attraction. The categories are endless, but the truth is, they are all subjective. I have the unique ability to see it from a lot of different sides: as a fan, as a talent, as a performer, as a businessman, as a promoter, I can see all sides of what it takes to be considered great in this, and I think that tonight might be one of those nights where everybody in this building can agree on one thing.” The fans already cheer, and HHH says when he breaks it down from every side and look at it as the most objective person there is…

“There is only one person at the top of that list. One person who was a box office attraction, one person who left it in this ring every single night for 20 years, one person that was ruthless on this microphone and could tear anybody apart. One person who did it all, did it all with a smile on his face, and did it all because he loved this business as much as anybody on the face of this planet and just wanted to see it elevated to the biggest form of entertainment on this planet possible.” The fans cheer again, and HHH says that one person, when looking at it objectively, is without a doubt the single greatest asset that this business has ever seen.

For HHH objectively, this man is without a doubt THE Greatest Of All Time, and it is HHH’s honor to bring him out here now for you all. On your feet, ladies and gentlemen, for the hometown hero! The one, the only, the greatest of all time, JOHN CENA~! The fans erupt as the music hits, and Cena makes his entrance! Cena has the Boston Celtics inspired merch as he revels in the moment. Then he heads to the ring and slides in! The fans cheer Cena on as he gets the mic, and he says, “Man, what an introduction, and what an amazing night we have here. Ever since I announced my retirement, the one question I’ve heard a lot is, ‘Who would you like to face?'”

The fans chant, “Thank You, Cena,” and Cena says what goes on in here is a team effort. It doesn’t happen without the fans, so he thanks the fans. But it is amazing how often the question came up: Who should John Cena’s final opponent be? There was one question he wanted to hear, and only one person asked Cena that: What does Cena want to do? What is his goal? And what Cena’s goal is, is to leave this business better than he found it, and to pay back all the opportunities and chances to showcase himself in front of the WWE, and what the fans have put up with over the years.

Cena is super exited about tonight, because the Last Time is Now Tournament gives superstars a showcase for their skills to earn the opportunity to say they retired John Cena. And they’ll have to bring it, he ain’t going down without a fight! The other thing he wanted to do, and he thanks HHH to let him make this announcement. On December 13th, Saturday Night’s Main Event… Now, this is where it gets good and means so much to him. It is a night to close one chapter, and also a night of opportunity. It will be Cena’s final in-ring performance, but it also gives a chance for people to shine. The main roster superstars will host exhibitions for the brightest NXT has to offer as the future!

Cena said this does not happen without the fans, and without their interesting in the WWE, the WWE would cease to exist. And so, December 13th, it is about paving the road ahead. That is what Cena wants for this tour. Cena did have one last ask, so thank you, HHH, because this was a little selfish. Cena wanted to be in Boston one last time. He doesn’t book the dates, the towns, but they’ve been in Brussels, London, Perth, and Cena just wanted to come home one last time. Cena saw his first WWE show in the OLD Garden, and it means so much to be in the TD Garden, to look up at the banners and feel the greatness in this building.

To be surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. To be filled with joy as he stands in this ring to say, “Thank you.” But then DOMINIK MYSTERIO interrupts! The fans boo as Dirty Dom Two Belts struts down to the ring. Dom gets himself a mic and the fans boo more. Dom tells them off in Spanish, and then in English, if we’re talking about the future of the WWE… The fans tell Dom to STFU, but Dom asks “Hunter” what he’s gonna do about what happened last week. Dom is the AAA Mega Campeon, the GREATEST Intercontinental Champion of all time, and HIS celebration was interrupted by some deadbeat!

That doesn’t happen to Dom, Dom interrupts old men celebrating! He doesn’t care what’s going on here, because it is not as important as Dom. Cena tells Dom to hold on, hold on, hold on. Let’s all calm down, this is a rowdy crowd, we got off on the wrong foot. Dom Mysterio, welcome to Boston! The fans cheer again, but Dom says this is not about Cena or Boston. So why not go sit in the corner, let the grown folks handle business, and speak when spoken to? Or… Dom will put Cena down! The fans boo Dom and cheer Cena, and Cena says, “Fine speech. But I think in the midst of your anger and your ego, you forgot where you were and who you’re talking to.

“I’m John Cena! This is Boston, Massachusetts! And on any other night in any other city, I give you a chance. Tonight, you don’t have a chance! Tonight, I! AM! INVINCIBLE! So ‘champ,’ choose your words very carefully. Because if your next are to try and pick a fight with me, I promise tonight, you will LOSE! Wrong time, wrong place, wrong guy. But, I’m gonna do you a favor. Out of the respect I have for your father, right now, I’m gonna let you turn around and walk your ass back through that curtain.” Cena backs off, Dom just chews his gum and says, “Oh, really, John? You’re gonna need more than magic to touch me.

“Because I’m not even at my peak yet, and I’m better than you ever were in your prime. Any time, any place, any era, I woulda whooped John Cena’s ass!” The fans tell Dom he messed up, but HHH steps in and says if he could just take this for a second… HHH agrees with Boston. What did Dom say? “Any time, any place, any era? Seems like a pretty damn good era. Seems like a pretty damn good place. And seems like one hell of a time. So if it’s okay with you (Cena), Dominik… You will defend that Intercontinental Championship tonight! Right here, right now, against the one and the only JOHN CENA! Now, get me a referee, and let’s get to work!”

Boston is erupting again as Dom has stepped in it! Will Dom find a way to survive The Greatest Of All Time? Or will The Never-Seen Seventeen finally hit that Grand Slam?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS John Cena!

Raw returns and the fans boo as Dom stomps away on Cena in the corner. The ref counts, Dom backs off, and Dom soaks up the heat as he flexes. The fans rally up behind Cena but Dom covers his ears. Dom whips Cena corner to corner, but Cena reverses! Dom hits buckles, staggers, and Cena BULLDOGS! Cena whips again but Dom bails out! The fans boo but Cena waits on Dom. Dom paces while the ring count climbs, but then Cena has the ref hold on. Dom tells Cena to stay back, and then Dom walks up the steps. Dom steps inside, but then steps right back outside! The fans boo as Dom goes up the ramp! So Cena pursues!

The fans cheer as Cena spins Dom around and ROCKS him! Cena ROCKS and even HEADBUTTS Dom back to ringside. Cena whips, but Dom reverses, and Cena hits the steel steps hard! Dom flexes but the fans boo, and the ref reprimands as Dom walks around the way. Dom steps up onto the steps just to flex, then he eggs Cena on. Cena rises up, Dom brings Cena up, and Dom SMACKS Cena off the steel steps! Dom slides into the ring so he can flex and soak up the heat again. The ring count restarts, and Cena is down even as we pass 5 of 10! The fans rally harder and harder and Cena rises at 8! He leaps in at 9 and the fans cheer!

Dom storms up on Cena, reel shim in, and snap suplexes! That’s Uno Amigo as Dom brings Cena up. Dos Amigos and Dom drags Cena up again. Dom gives some Latino Heat, THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Cena survives and the fans rally as Dom frowns. Dom paces, tunes out the fans, and he drags Cena up. Dom fires a haymaker but Cena fires back! Cena ROCKS Dom again and again, then fireman’s carries! Dom slips free to DDT! Cover, TWO! Dom is annoyed but in control as Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns again and Dom has Cena down. Slingshot SENTON but onto knees! The fans fire up as Cena fires up, and he runs to rally with SHOULDER TACKLE after SHOULDER TACKLE! Then the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up and Cena raises his hand! Cena says, “The last time is now!” Boston joins in for, “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” Cena runs, FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Dom staggers, and Cena fireman’s carries! Dom slips free again! And he POSTS Cena! The fans boo, and Dom sneaks to a corner while the ref checks Cena. Dom undoes a buckle pad! The ref sees the exposed steel and goes to fix that, but Dom goes to grab a chair!

Dom brings the chair to the ring, he aims at Cena, but then he pulls the Eddie! But Cena knows that move, and he also falls over! The fans love it while ref has no idea what happened! The fans cheer “EDDIE! EDDIE!” as Cena winks. Dom is furious, and he tells the ref that Cena did the chair thing! But then the chair is taken away, and Cena fireman’s carries! But Dom grabs ropes! Dom lets go, and ends up hitting the ref! Cena drop toeholds into the STF!! The fans fire up but there’s no ref! Dom is tapping, Cena lets go, but Cena realizes there’s NO REF! The fans boo but now Dom goes to grab the belt!

Dom sneaks in, takes aim, and the fans freak out! Cena turns around, but he avoids the belt shot! Fireman’s carry, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Cena shouts for the ref, tosses the belt, and a NEW ref is here! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives thanks to that delay and no one can believe it! The fans rally for “CENA! CENA!” as hard as they can as Cena and Dom rise up. Dom drop toeholds Cena onto the ropes! Dom dials it up, 619!! Cena is down, Dom goes up! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, BUT CENA ROLLS THROUGH! Cena pops Dom up, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!!! Cover, CENA WINS!!

Winner: John Cena, by pinfall (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)

HE’S DONE IT! The Greatest Of All Time solidifies that moniker by becoming a Grand Slam Champion! Cena then gets the mic again, and he thanks Boston. Because of them, THE CHAMP IS HERE~! Cena holds up the belt and gets pyro! Does this make Cena’s retirement match in Washington, DC a championship match now?

The roster celebrates with Cena backstage.

Cena hugs it out with Sheamus and shakes hands with Stephanie Vaquer, Jey Uso and Shinsuke Nakamura while the rest of the superstars applaud. Rey Mysterio then steps in, and he shakes Cena’s hand. Rey says Dom needed that whooping. Cena says yeah, Dom’s a good kid deep down, hopefully that was a good life lesson. Cena heads out and gets one more round of applause, and then Cody Rhodes is here! The American Nightmare congrats Cena on the win. Cena’s last night in Boston, Cody wasn’t gonna miss that. Cena says class act, thank you. They shake hands, will the celebration go all the way until Saturday Night’s Main Event?

WWE honors our American veterans.

To the men and women who stepped forward to answer the call to protect our freedoms and safeguard our future, we are forever grateful to their faithfulness and are forever humbled by their sacrifice. To these brave heroes on the eve of Veteran’s Day, we remember and say thank you.

The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Rusev VS Damian Priest!

The Bulgarian Brute has a storied history with John Cena, but the Archer of Infamy is looking to live forever in those very history books. Will the Son of Thunder look to add this tournament to his accolades? Or will there be only pain and Punishment on the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event?

Raw returns and Rusev makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they go around the ropes. Rusev pulls hair to put Priest back on the ropes, then he claws at Priest’s bad eye! Priest turns things around, but Rusev KNEES low! Rusev CLUBS Priest and fires body shots! Rusev KICKS away in the corner, stopping as the ref counts, but Priest puts Rusev in the corner! Priest HAMMERS away, then ROCKS Rusev! The fans rally, Priest whips corner to corner, but Rusev reverses. Priest BOOTS in return, then runs the ropes, but Rusev ELBOWS him! Rusev runs, and WHEEL KICKS! Cover, ONE!!

Priest tries to blink with the bad eye but Rusev CLUBS him! And KICKS him! And KICKS him again! Rusev kicks Priest around more, then ROCKS him with a right! Rusev swings again but Priest ROCKS him in return! And again! And again! Rusev KNEES low, whips Priest to ropes, but Priest reverses and BACK ELBOWS him down! The fans rally and Priest drags Rusev up. Priest wrenches an arm, goes up the corner, and the fans cheer as Priest goes Old- NO, Rusev YANKS Priest down! Scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM! Priest flops out of the ring and Rusev nods while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and the fans rally while both men are down from an other collision. They rise up, and Rusev fires hands! Priest snarls, then he ROCKS Rusev again! And ROCKS him again! And again, and again! Priest ROCKS and whips Rusev, but Rusev reverses, only for Priest to CLOBBER him! Priest runs corner to corner to ELBOW! And then BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rusev is still in this but Priest powers up the arms. The fans rally behind Priest and he runs the ropes, but Rusev ROUNDHOUSES first! Rusev then runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Rusev is frustrated. Rusev shouts that he HAS to face Cena now!

Priest rises, blinks again, but Rusev KICKS him! And KICKS! And KICKS again! Priest snarls, pounds the mat, and the fans fire up. Rusev KICKS, Priest rises up! And repeat! Priest KICKS, Rusev KICKS, and they go KICK for KICK! Priest KICKS, KICKS, KICKS from all sides, then a ROLLING ELBOW! But Rusev BOOTS in return! Priest hits the COMEBACKER! The fans fire up, and Priest wrenches Rusev. Priest goes up, and he OLD SCHOOL CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as the straps come down and Priest clamps onto Rusev. But Rusev fires elbows! Priest ducks, but then Rusev pokes the bad eye!

Rusev RAMS Priest into a corner, CLAWS the bad eye, then runs for a MACHKA KICK!! Cover, RUSEV WINS!

Winner: Rusev, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Rusev mocks the You Can’t See Me, and he says he CAN see Cena! But will Rusev see Cena in DC for one final match?

AJ Styles & Dragon Lee meet with Adam Pearce.

The Phenomenal One & The Boy Wonder tell the Raw General Manager that being the WWE World Tag Team Champions, they want to keep the momentum going. Set them up, the champs will knock ’em down. Dragon agrees, they wanna make a difference here. So Pearce can bring the opponents while Styles & Dragon bring the fire. Pearce loves the sound of that, he’ll get back to them on challengers. But for now, do they have a team name? Styles says no, but Dragon says yes, and Dragon promises they’ll love it. Los Dragones con Estylo. Or in English, The Dragons with Style! Styles says it’s a little long, but they can work on that.

Styles & Dragon head out, and then Maxxine walks in! Pearce says hey, and asks her two questions: How is the training going? And is she feeling ready for Becky? Yes to the first, no to the second. Training is great, but Maxxine has realized she can keep training forever, but she’ll never “feel” ready. Because ready isn’t a feeling, it is a choice. Oh, Pearce likes that. Maxxine says she has made her choice. It is time. Give her Becky. Yeah? Then try this on: Next week, Madison Squad Garden, The Man VS Maxxine for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Maxxine says that is perfect! Then Pearce says it is official. Good luck, but he’s sure she doesn’t need it.

Maxxine is all smiles, until she turns around and BECKY SMACKS HER! The Man thrashes Maxxine and says welcome to the big time! You don’t stand a chance! Becky leaves, Maxxine is no longer smiling. But will Maxxine have the last laugh when these two battle in the Big Apple?

CM Punk is here!

The fans fire up as now the WWE World Heavyweight Champion walks out on stage! But he is in such a foul mood, he doesn’t even do “Clobberin’ time!” What will the Best in the World have to say about the worst, aka Paul Logan and The Vision? We find out after the break.

Raw returns and Punk paces in the ring, mic in hand. The fans cheer him on, and Punk says, “I’m a lot pissed off right now and I’m not gonna wait for a douchebag to come interrupt me. I’m gonna call him out right here, right now. And I’m not in my wrestling gear because I’m not fixin’ to have no wrestling match. I’m here in Boston, and I’m fightin’ someone in the streets!” The fans cheer that! Punk says, “Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but last week, I got sucker punched with brass knuckles by a piece of garbage by the name Logan Paul. Now I knew going into this what a piece of garbage Logan Paul was, but I didn’t know how big a piece of garbage Logan Paul was.

“Now, Logan Paul, I ain’t gonna fight you for my title, I ain’t gonna fight you for my strap, but I am gonna fight you. You got your eyes on my belt? Well I’m gonna have my boot on your broccoli-headed Millennial neck! Now get out here so I can give you this ass whipping that you have earned!” The fans fire up for that, and Logan Paul actually obliges. The fans boo The Maverick as he struts out on stage, mic in hand. Logan asks why Punk’s so mad. That Logan’s smarter than you? It’s not just you, Logan is smarter than every single person in this building! Punk says this is just buying Logan time before Punk busts up that pretty little face of his.

Logan tells Punk to shut up, and Punk has it all wrong. Logan has been punched in the face by the greatest boxer of all time, Floyd Mayweather, and that was nothing compared to getting literally flattened by Bronson Reed last week. You heard Paul Heyman! Since they dropped Seth “Deadweight” Rollins, if you’re not conforming with The Vision, you’re getting cracked every week. Punk tells Boston to tell Logan that they’re not here to talk, they’re here to fight. Logan says he’s talking! And he’s not gonna get cracked every week! That’s too much cracking, no thanks! See, Logan thought he knew it all. But after taking a Tsunami, his eyes have been opened to a whole new Vision.

The fans boo but then out walks Paul Heyman. The Oracle smiles as he stands beside Logan, and then they’re joined by Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker. Heyman takes it from here. “Um, stop me if you’ve heard this one before. You (Punk) are the single most unlikeable human being I have ever met in my life. You have no friends, you’re friendless, and it’s not because your friends betray you. It’s because you betray your friendships! Take it from your FORMER best friend in the world, you are simply one miserable rotten bastard! You are the most unlikeable person I have ever met. You could not be more unlikeable unless your name was AJ Lee!”

The fans boo and Punk brushes that off with a chuckle. If his wife was here right now, she’d leave all four of them in a pool of their own piss and blood. She’s not here, sot he job is up to Punk! Come get him! He’ll fight all five of ’em, and that’s counting Heyman as two! The Vision steps forward, they flank the ring, but Punk does not back down. And then JEY USO steps in! The fans cheer as things are a bit more even now. And then CODY RHODES makes his way out here! The fans fire up as the American Nightmare is backing up Jey & Punk! The fans sing the song, and the fight is on! The fans fire up as Cody has Bron, Jey has Bronson, and Punk goes after Logan!

Punk ROCKS Logan again and again, SHOVES him into the desk, then grabs Heyman! Logan CLUBS Punk, whips him, but Punk reverses! Logan hits barriers hard! Bron is sent out, then Cody gets a chair! Cody JAMS up Bron, then helps the others with Bronson! They pinball Bronson, RHODES UPPERCUT and a SUPERKICK! Bronson staggers, but Punk uses the chair to SMACK him! Bronson goes to the ropes, Jey & Cody DOUBLE LARIAT Bronson up and out! The fans cheer on Punk, Jey and Cody while The Vision regroups. Will Logan still get “cracked” week after week now that he’s on Punk’s bad side?

WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer w/ Nikki Bella VS Raquel Rodriguez w/ Roxanne Perez!

La Primera has been fighting off The Judgment Day’s lethal Latinas, and she has #FearlessNikki watching her back. Will things finally be settled here in Boston? Or will Big Mami Cool become La Primera Nueva?

Raw returns as Raquel makes her entrance, Roxie right behind her. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who really runs Raw!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, and Raquel waistlocks to SLAM Vaquer down. Raquel looms over Vaquer, reaches down, but Vaquer kips up and waistlocks. Raquel pries at the hold, then RAMS Vaquer into the corner. Raquel throws back elbow after back elbow, then tells the ref to shut up as she backs off. Vaquer stumbles, but Raquel RAMS her down! Raquel eggs Vaquer on, soaks up heat from Boston, then drags Vaquer up. Raquel RAMS Vaquer down again, then soaks up more heat. Nikki is annoyed for Vaquer, but Raquel scoops Vaquer. Vaquer slips free, shoves, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl roll-up! TWO!

The fans rally for Vaquer as she hurries to her feet. Nikki cheers as Vaquer fires forearms. Vaquer whips, Raquel reverses, but Vaquer RANAS! Raquel stumbles into ropes, then Vaquer runs up to DROPKICK her down! Nikki and the fans applaud, and Vaquer sits Raquel up! The fans cheer for the headscissors, and the DEVIL’S- NO! Raquel powers up and Electric Chair Lifts! Then she THROWS Vaquer into buckles! Vaquer staggers, Raquel LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives but Ricky Desperado is in control as Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns again and Raquel has Vaquer in a Gory Especial! The fans rally as Vaquer endures, and Vaquer pries the grip away. Vaquer sunset flips but they’re in the ropes! Raquel tumbles out of the ring, roars as she returns, but Vaquer JAWBREAKERS! Vaquer bobs ‘n’ weaves, ducks a boot, then ROCKS, CHOPS, and SOBATS! Then Vaquer HEADBUTTS and Raquel goes to the corner. Vaquer runs up, Raquel puts her on the apron, but Vaquer ROCKS Raquel and SMACKS her off buckles! Vaquer goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Down goes Raquel and Vaquer rolls to a corner! Vaquer then runs corner to corner, METEORA! Cover, TWO!

Vaquer keeps after Raquel as she tucks the arms! The fans rally, but Raquel might be too tall and too strong to lift! Raquel Alabama Lifts Vaquer, but Vaquer sunset flips! Raquel YANKS Vaquer back up, whips her, but Vaquer tilt-o-whirls! Raquel blocks it and powers up to SUPLEX! Then she runs to BOOT Vaquer back down! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives and Raquel is stunned! Nikki coaches Vaquer, Roxie coaches Raquel, and the fans rally up. Raquel drags Vaquer up, clamps onto her face, then hooks a leg! TEXANA- NO, Vaquer slips around and sends Raquel into buckles! METEORA BLOCKED?!

Raquel hauls Vaquer up, RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and the fans fire up! Raquel and Vaquer go to opposite corners, then Raquel runs in! Vaquer catches the lariat into a HANGING TRIANGLE! The ref counts, Vaquer lets go at 4, and Raquel says her arm hurts. The ref checks the arm, Roxie goes after Vaquer! Nikki KICKS and THROWS Roxie aside! The fans cheer, Vaquer springboards in, but Raquel catches her again! FALL AWAY SLAM! Then the TWISTING VADER! But Vaquer moves! And she has the headscissors! DEVIL’S KISSES! AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH! YEEEEEAH~!

Raquel sputters, the fans fire up, and Vaquer SUPERKICKS! Raquel falls into the drop zone, Vaquer hurries up top, SPIRAL TAP! Cover, Vaquer wins!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)

The #Sacacorcho finishes it off, but then ROXIE ATTACKS VAQUER! The fans boo, but then Nikki snatches Roxie for a SPINEBUSTER! Nikki HAMMERS away on Roxie, and then Vaquer adds a SUPERKICK! Roxie & Raquel regroup on the outside and Nikki celebrates with her amiga. But then NIKKI CLOBBERS VAQUER! The fans are going nuts as Nikki stands over Vaquer and holds the title up! Nikki smiles, was this the plan all along? Will Nikki use her friendship to screw over La Primera in the end?

Punk, Jey and Cody regroup backstage.

Punk thanks them for having his back out there, and then Pearce walks over. Pearce asks if they’re all good, and Punk says no, they’re not good! Physically, they’re good, but he knows he’s pissed off. What he wants is for Pearce to find Heyman. Punk’s got himself a team, so Pearce can tell Heyman to get that team going. No more games. Wait, are we saying what it sounds like we’re saying? Punk smiles, and he shouts for William Regal! Regal is indeed here, and he indeed agrees. “WARGAMES!” Then boys, officially prepare for war! Punk, Cody, Jey, but who more do they have in mind for a 5v5 battle inside the double-ring double-cage?

The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Sheamus VS Shinsuke Nakamura!

Both the Celtic Warrior and the King of Strong Style congratulated John Cena on his title victory, but now only one man can move on towards a battle with The GOAT! This one is a certified banger already, but who will continue on down the road to Washington DC?

Raw returns and Sheamus has already made his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, then approach. Nakamura dodges Sheamus and struts a bit while the fans applaud. The two go again, Sheamus hits a headlock takeover, but Nakamura headscissors. Sheamus kips free, headlocks again, but Nakamura powers out. Sheamus RUNS Nakamura over, then gives a strut of his own. Things keep moving, and Sheamus blocks a hip toss to LARIAT Nakamura! The fans cheer and Sheamus waves to his Celtics fans. Sheamus stands Nakamura up but gets a SHADOW ELBOW! And a KICK! And another KICKS!

Sheamus blocks a kick but Nakamura ENZIGIRIS! Nakamura gives Sheamus some GOOD VIBRATIONS in the corner! The fans cheer, Nakamura backs off as the ref counts, and Nakamura goes back to Sheamus. Sheamus stops the vibrations to BODY BLOW! Sheamus suplexes Nakamura for a FALCON ARROW! The fans cheer, Sheamus clamps onto Nakamura, and give shim a DUBLIN GRIN! Sheamus CLUBS Nakamura down, then bumps him off buckles. Sheamus fires hands, then stomps away. The ref counts, Sheamus backs off at 4, and Nakamura shouts, “C’MON~!” Sheamus runs up, but Nakamura dodges and ENZIGIRIS!

Nakamura puts Sheamus up top across the ropes, and TOP- NO, Sheamus avoids the Top Shelf Knee to hook Nakamura up in the ropes! The fans fire up, but Nakamura ELBOWS and ENZIGIRIS free! Nakamura then has Sheamus in the ropes for Kawada Kicks! Nakamura goes up the corner to GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP! Sheamus falls to the outside and the fans fire up! Nakamura goes out to the apron now, and he runs up, but Sheamus catches him! Sheamus aims and hits an APRON POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and high five Sheamus while Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns again and Sheamus fireman’s carries! ROLLING SENTON! The fans fire up as Sheamus then goes to the corner and climbs. Sheamus vows he’s getting that title from Cena! But Nakamura GAMANGIRIS Sheamus first! Nakamura goes up the corner now, fires some body shots, then SUPERPLEXES! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Nakamura looms over Sheamus. Nakamura KNEES Sheamus in the shoulder, then KNEES him again! Nakamura sits Sheamus up, but Sheamus BODY BLOWS! Nakamura KICKS! And BOOTS! And repeat! The fans fire up as Sheamus just grins and eggs Nakamura on!

Nakamura KICKS and KICKS and CLUBS, but Sheamus stands to throw hands! They go back and forth, harder and harder, then Nakamura fires a flurry! Nakamura runs, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus TOSSES Nakamura over, and has him for BEATS OF THE BODRHAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus gets TEN in before the ref hits 4! The fans fire up with Sheamus while Nakamura flounders. Sheamus beats his chest, the fans fire up, “FELLA~!” But Nakamura SLINGBLADES! A shoutout to The Ace, and then “YAO~!” KIN- NO, Sheamus dodges! But Nakamura BOOTS back! Nakamura goes up, leaps, into a KNEECAPPER!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!

The fans can’t believe it, but Sheamus’ miscalculation saves Nakamura! The fans rally up again and Sheamus brings Nakamura up. Sheamus fireman’s carries again, and he goes up the corner! The fans already worry, but Nakamura slips free! SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and the fans fire up again! Nakamura aims from the corner, “YAO~!” Sheamus sits up into the KIN- NO, Sheamus rolls Nakamura! TWO!! Sheamus ducks the roundhouse but not the WHEEL KCIK! But a BROGUE outta nowhere!! Cover, SHEAMUS WINS!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Sheamus hits that shot outta nowhere, and now he moves forward in the tournament! Sheamus shows Nakamura much respect, and Nakamura returns it. Will The Fella make sure it is banger after banger after banger on his road to Saturday Night’s Main Event?

Adam Pearce presents more Last Time is Now entries.

“Next week, on the hallowed ground that is Madison Square Garden, the Last Time is Now tournament continues. Which means that four men drawn at random will have the opportunity of a lifetime for a chance to compete, advance, and maybe, just maybe, stand across the ring from The Greatest Of All Time, John Cena, in his final match.” In the next match-up, NXT’s Young OG, Je’Von Evans, will face one of the most dominant superstars of the modern era. DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER, RETURNS! And then, the dangerous leader of MFT, Solo Sikoa, will battle… Well, Pearce will wait until we all see next week on Raw. “And that is official.”

The Raw GM is keeping a surprise in store the same as Nick Aldis on SmackDown, but who could it be? Who is this wild card that Solo Sikoa will have to handle? And will Je’Von find a way to get BOUNCY~ against a former World Heavyweight Champion?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS The Kabuki Warriors!

#Charlexa thwarted #BayLyra and #ZaRuca, only to get punked out by Nia Jax & Lash Legend last Friday Night SmackDown, AND THEN get jumped by Asuka & Kairi Sane on the same night! Will The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss settle things with The Empress of Tomorrow & The Pirate Princess? Or will no one, not even this dysfunctional yet dynamic duo, be ready for The Kabuki Warriors?

Raw returns as The Kabuki Warriors make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who leaves The Garden with the gold!

The fans “WOO~” while the teams sort out, and Alexa starts against Kairi. Alexa rushes Kairi for a THESZ PRESS right at the bell! Asuka storms in, but Charlotte gets her for a THESZ PRESS! Fast hands rain down, then Alexa SLAPs, ROCKS, and KNEES Kairi! Then she DROPKICKS Kairi down! The fans fire up and Alexa steps on Kairi. Tag to Charlotte before the SENTON! Then Alexa stands Kairi up, but Kairi gets away! Tag to Asuka, Asuka dodges a boot but Charlotte avoids the roundhouse! Charlotte shoves Asuka to RUN her over! Charlotte whips, Asuka reverses, but Charlotte goes up and out!

Charlotte BOOTS Asuka, slingshots and rolls Asuka up, TWO! Asuka ELBOWS from a corner, but Charlotte GAMANGIRIS in return! Charlotte brings Asuka up to scoop, but Asuka slips free to shove and SOBAT! Asuka runs, but Charlotte dodge! Kairi tags in before Charlotte BOOTS Asuka! Kairi FLYING KABUKI ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Kairi keeps Charlotte from Alexa to CHOP! Kairi whips, Charlotte reverses, but Kairi goes up. Charlotte catches her, puts her on the apron, and then BOOTS Kairi to the floor! Charlotte flexes, the fans “WOO~,” and Alexa tags in. Charlotte whips Alexa, but Asuka helps Kairi dodge the dropkick!

Asuka then taunts Alexa, dodges her haymaker, and Kairi FLYING KABUKI ELBOWS Alexa! The Kabuki Warriors soak up the heat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more as The Kabuki Warriors mug Alexa. They reel her in while the fans rally up, and Alexa fights the double suplex! She makes it a DOUBLE DDT! The fans and Charlotte fire up as Alexa crawls! Hot tag to Charlotte! The Queen goes up, up, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES The Kabuki Warriors! The fans fire up, Charlotte does a You Can’t See Me for Cena and Boston, then she CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS away! “WOO~! WOO~! WOO~!” Kairi falls, Asuka runs up, but Charlotte dodges! WALKOVER LARIAT! The fans fire up and Charlotte gets Asuka up again, FALL AWAY SLAM!

Charlotte kips up, catches Kairi, and wags her finger. FALL AWAY SLAM! Kairi ends up right next to Asuka, and Charlotte kips up again! The fans cheer as Charlotte steps on Kairi and Asuka to go up the corner. Charlotte is at the very top, DOUBLE MOONSAULT! Cover on Asuka, TWO!! Asuka survives and Charlotte is a bit surprised. The fans rally as Charlotte drags Asuka up, but Asuka ROCKS Charlotte! Charlotte ROCKS Asuka back! They go forearm for forearm, faster and faster, harder and harder! Asuka wobbles, but she comes back for more! Charlotte fires shot after shot, but Asuka URAKENS her right down!

Charlotte rises, but into a strike fest! Charltote still ducks a roundhouse but not the SOBAT! Asuka runs up, HIP- NO, Charltote stops the hip attack to GERMAN SUPLEX! Kairi is back, but Alexa ROCKS her first! Kairi drops to her knees, Charlotte & Alexa look to each other, and they nod. They both run, STEREO- NO! Kairi takes the hit but Asuka catches Charlotte to an ASUKA LOCK!! Alexa has to watch as Charltote flails and fights around! Charlotte rolls back, covers, TWO! Asuka lets go, and she ROUNBDHOSES! But Charlotte SUPERKICKS! Charltote wobbles, reaches out, but Kairi YANKS Alexa down!

Asuka runs up to roll Charlotte up, TWO! PO-UP KNEE! Then Asuka jumps on for an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Charlotte flails again, fights around, ends up in a TRIANGLE, but she high stacks Asuka! Asuka keeps a shoulder up but Charlotte CLUBS her! Charlotte has the legs! BOSTON CRAB IN BOSTON! Asuka flaisl, reaches out, but then powers through! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte is up, but into a BUZZSAW! Asuka talks some trash, then runs, but Charlotte BOOTS her back down! Charltote gets the legs, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! But Kairi is up top! In-SANE- NO! Alexa catches Kairi!! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!!

Charlotte has the FIGURE EIGHT!!! Asuka endures, but NIA & LASH trip Chalrotte behind the ref’s back! The fans boo, Alexa charges Nia & Lash, but then Kairi THROWS Alexa into the desk! Charlotte grabs Kairi, but Asuka CHOP BLOCKS Charlotte! Tag and they SMACK Charlotte off buckles! Kairi goes up, and we get the IN-SANE DDT!! Cover, KABUKI WARRIORS WIN!

Winners: The Kabuki Warriors, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

A massive assist from the Irresistible Force & Bougie Bully, and now they look to pick the bones! Alexa fires hands, but Lash ROCKS her back! Lash whips Alexa into the BODY CHECK from Nia! Nia grins as she has to fix her shirt, and she feeds Charlotte to Lash’s LARIAT! Asuka & Kairi stare Nia & Lash down, perhaps a new title feud in the making. But for now, they all just mug Charlotte & Alexa 4v2! The fans boo, but IYO SKY IS BACK! The Genius of the Sky rushes out here, and she DUMPS Lash out! And ROUNDHOUSES Nia! Then she springboards in for a DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK on Asuka & Kairi!

Boston fires up with Iyo, and she SHOTEIS! SHOTEIS! SHOTEIS! Then a victory- NO, Nia powers out of the wheelbarrow to feed Lash’s HAYMAKER! And now it is a 4v3! The fans boo, but they also cheer for “RHEA! RHEA!” And YES! MAMI IS HOME!! Face brace and fury, Rhea rushes out here to LARIAT and HEADBUTT everyone! SUPERKICK for Lash! Nia CLUBS Rhea, but Alexa KICKS the legs out! Iyo BUZZSAWS, and Charlotte BOOTS! Nia tumbles to regroup with Lash, but Kairi is still in the ring! So Rhea hauls her up, RAZOR’S EDGE onto everyone else! Rhea shouts for a mic and a mic is given!

Rhea tells Nia, Lash, Asuka & Kairi… “WARGAMES!!” The fans are thunderous as we have a solid 4v4, but will this escalate to 5v5? And either way, who will survive when they step inside the cage?

My Thoughts:

A great, maybe even an awesome night for Raw. HHH had a very good promo, though I question the timing of him using “opinions” and “objectivity” as the theme of the promo. But either way, it was a great introduction for Cena, and then Dom making his appearance here was great stuff. We got the rumored Intercontinental Championship match of Cena VS Dom, and while I didn’t think they would, it is awesome that they went through with making Cena a Grand Slam Champion. It makes sense, really, as Cena can’t really be The GOAT if he doesn’t have all the same accomplishments as those who aren’t “The GOAT.”

Plus, this adds a new dimension to the Last Time is Now Tournament. It is not just the honor of “retiring” Cena, but it will be a title match to see if Cena retires a champion. He won’t, and so giving the winner a title is a great way to give that person an automatic story. Assuming the rumors are right and it’s Gunther that wins it all, he will immediately be a champion and can have all the other guys chasing him towards the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. Sheamus and Rusev sure made a point of that during their tournament matches, and so naturally they got the wins. Even so, awesome stuff, and it’s clever for both Aldis and Pearce to have a surprise waiting.

Good promo from AJ Styles & Dragon Lee with Pearce to tease that they’re working on a name, and then good promo from Maxxine to set up her own title match. Becky of course sucker punches Maxxine over it, and that title match is going to be a show stealer. Great promo segment from Punk with Logan Paul & The Vision, and Logan’s excuse for joining being he’d rather be with them than against them is actually pretty good logic for a selfish Heel. But good move bringing Jey and Cody in, and WarGames will be great stuff. Now while Jimmy Uso is an obvious fourth man, will Roman end up the fifth man to revisit everything from last year? For some reason, that seems weird to me.

And of course, great stuff in the Women’s Division. Vaquer VS Raquel was really good, and naturally Vaquer won for Nikki to be her next challenger, but even I didn’t think it’d be an outright attack like that. Also, Nikki didn’t do a good job with her spinebuster or said attack, but that’s par for the course even after all this time. Vaquer VS Nikki will be a solid match, but I would think Vaquer wins that, too. Great tag title match for the main event, and then Lash & Nia affecting the outcome was a surprise. Great win for Kabuki Warriors, and then we have our Women’s WarGames. It is 4v4 right now but I could see them throwing Vaquer and Nikki on top to make it 5v5.

My Score: 9/10