Revenge is a dish best served HOT!

For the first time ever, it is the two-week event, NXT REVENGE! But will Jacy Jayne take the Women’s Championship back from Lola Vice?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jaida Parker VS Kelani Jordan; Lani wins.
• Kali Armstrong VS Skylar Raye; Kali wins.
• NXT Championship: Tony D’Angelo VS Ethan Page; Tony wins and retains the title.
• WWE Speed Championship Tournament: EK Prosper VS Dorian Van Dux; EK wins and advances to the finals.
• NXT Women’s Championship: Lola Vice VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence; Lola wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Change is inevitable…

And when the stakes are raised, so is the price of revenge. Those who overcome and succeed stand in the crosshairs of all who dare challenge them. Not every battle is a fight for gold. Some are for pride that demand everything. Tonight on NXT, it’s just the beginning! Those who yearn for it will stop at nothing… for REVENGE!

Jaida Parker VS Kelani Jordan!

Miss Parker got the win at Madison Square Garden, but the Standout got the last word when she attacked backstage! These two downright hate each other, but who will be satisfied with one final victory?

The bell rings and The two tie up. They go around, go along the ropes, then in and out of a corner. The ref counts the ropebreak but these two keep moving around! They finally settle, but then they get off the ropes and go around at center. Jaida powers Lani to ropes, the fans chant, “Whoop, Her Ass, Jaida!” Jaida backs off, Lani shoves her, but Jaida SHOVES Lani outta the ring! Lani scrambles back in, they tie back up, and they end up on ropes again. The fans continue to cheer Jaida on, but Lani HOTSHOTS Jaida under the ropes! The fans boo but Lani storms up again, only for Jaida to CHOP! And CHOP!

Jaida lifts Lani, Lani sunset flips, but Jaida rolls through to basement BOOT! Jaida runs, and she slides into the headlock! Jaida eggs Lani on as Lani endures, and Lani fights up to her feet. Jaida hits a headlock takeover, then grinds Lani down. Lani powers Jaida down but Jaida just fights back to the headlock! The fans cheer as Jaida grinds Lani again. Lani fights up, but Jaida gator rolls her! Jaida gator rolls Lani again, showing she can do technique, too. Lani fights up to her feet, fires body shots, but Jaida CLUBS her for it! Jaida suplexes, Lani slips free, and Lani waistlocks. Jaida stops the O’Conner, switches, but Lani switches back!

Jaida bucks the O’Conner this time, but Lani kicks low! Lani whips Jaida, Jaida reverses, then arm-drags! The fans cheer as Jaida RUNS Lani over! Jaida keeps moving, she rolls over the dropdown, then bypasses to BACKDROP! The fans fire up while Lani flounders out! Jaida goes out to the apron, but Lani SWEEPS the legs! Jaida flops down, but Lani runs up! Jaida dodges, Lani avoids hitting steps, and Lani runs back in! DOUBLE LARIATS and both women are down! The fans cheer while NXT goes picture in picture.

Jaida and Lani stir while the ring count climbs. Jaida drags herself up with the apron skirt, Lani follows, and they both leap in at 9! Then Lani runs up, but into an ELBOW! Jaida goes up, but Lani KICKS the legs out! Jaida hits the mat, Lani gets her leg, and Lani puts Jaida’s foot on the rope. Lani stands on the foot to stretch it! The ref counts, Lani stops, but then she slingshots to STOMP the leg! Jaida writhes but Lani pushes her down. Lani grabs the bad leg to stomp away! Lani then holds the leg, mocks the dancing, and DDTS the foot! Jaida scrambles away but Lani puts the foot back on the ropes. Lani stomps Jaida, then HIP DROPS the leg!

The ref wants to check Jaida’s leg but Lani gets right after it. Lani has a standing toehold and she puts on the pressure. Jaida endures, keeps her shoulders up, and kicks back at Lani with the good leg. Jaida BOOTS Lani away, then crawls to the ropes. Lani runs up, but into another ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Lani KICKS the bad leg! Jaida hobbles, but Lani KNEE DROPS on the knee! Lani pushes Jaida over, has the leg, and puts on another standing toehold. Jaida endures, SLAPS at Lani, but Lani SLAPS back! Lani steps through, but Jaida makes it a cradle! TWO, and Lani KICKS the bad leg out!

Jaida writhes but Lani drags her around. Lani stands on the bad leg, then SMASHES it down! Lani drags Jaida up while NXT returns to single picture. The fans rally but Lani snapmares Jaida into the ropes! Jaida clutches the leg while Lani talks trash. The fans boo but Lani pushes Jaida to a corner. Lani grabs that bad leg, and bends it against the post! The ref counts, Lani stops at 4, but Jaida kicks at Lani. Lani SLAMS the bad leg into the post! Lani CHOP BLOCKS Jaida, then scowls as Jaida hobbles to a corner. Lani runs up, but into another elbow! Jaida bumps Lani off buckles again and again, then does her best to walk on the bad leg.

Jaida storms up on Lani, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPELXES! The buckle pad goes flying along with Lani! Jaida snarls as Lani writhes. Jaida storms up, but Lani KICKS the bad leg! Lani steps over into the STF! The fans boo but Jaida endures as she crawls forward. Lani puts on the pressure and even talks trash, but Jaida caws at the hold. Jaida fights forward, reaches out, but Lani drags her away! Lani steps on the leg to SMASH it again! Lani talks trash on Jaida, then she pie faces her. “No one does it like ME, Jaida!” Jaida SLAPS Lani! The fans fire up as Jaida fires body shots on Lani! Lani KICKS the bad leg, but Jaida still throws hands!

Lani KICKS the leg, kicks again, but Jaida blocks! But the DRAGON WHIP finds her! Lani kips up, fires up, but the fans boo as she runs at the corner. Jaida dodges and Lani hits buckles! Lani gets mad, but she runs into a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP! Jaida fires up, runs up, and RUNS Lani over! And RUNS her over again! Jaida whips, Lani reverses, but Jaida ducks to BACKSTABBER! The fans fire up while Lani flounders away. Jaida grits her teeth as she rises up, runs up, and she blocks kicks! Jaida puts Lani in the ropes, CHOPS, CHOPS, and manages the TEARDROP! Jaida can’t quite high step but the energy is still there!

Lani bails out, Jaida pursues, and the fans rally up. But Lani RAMS Jaida into the apron! Lani puts Jaida back in, slingshots, and CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Lani is furious as Jaida survives! Lani goes up the corner, takes aim, but Jaida rises! Jaida SLAPS Lani, then she climbs up after her! Jaida SMACKS Lani, Lani CHOPS back, and repeat! Jaida staggers back, Lani CROSSBODIES, but Jaida catches Lani! Jaida rolls through, powers up, and lifts, but Lani slips free! Lani wags her finger with a smile as she has the dragon sleeper, but Jaida spins that around! Suplex for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Now Lani survives and Jaida is furious!

Jaida hobbles around, takes aim, and runs up, but Lani dodge! HIP-NOTIC into that bare buckle!! Lani THROWS Jaida down, then goes up, ONE OF A KIND MOONSAULT! Cover, LANI WINS!

Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall

Was that a bit of serendipity? Or did Lani plan it all along? Either way, Lani gets the better of Jaida. Will this lead Lani to a golden opportunity after WrestleMania Season?

Shiloh Hill takes stock.

Wood upstairs, nails downstairs, miter saw downstairs, hammer in hand. Pump gear…? Ricky Saints walks in and says every time he sees Shiloh, he is up to something. What’s he building now? A time machine? Wanna go back in time to make sure those teeth don’t get jacked up? Shiloh laughs it off and asks if this looks like a super conductor to him. If he was building a time machine, he wouldn’t be done until at least last week. Get it? Hah! No, it’s something for Tatum, she had this great idea- Ethan Page steps in and asks if this is a bad time to talk. Ricky says no, not at all. Ethan has saved Ricky, and Ricky is glad, because they need to talk.

Ethan agrees, they need to talk about Stand & Deliver where things between friends really got out of hand. Oh, wow, does Ethan mean when he started it? And Ricky escalated it! But y’know what? Ethan will try it one more time. He wants to extend the olive branch. Last week went well, right? Yes, for Ethan. Ethan says divided, they are distracted, but together, they are powerful. Allow Ethan to help Ricky help Ethan, which in the long run will help Ricky. Ricky needs to help Ethan become two-time NXT Champion, so that he can get first crack at it on the other side. Ricky says he is sorry, and these two hug it out.

The Absolute Egos feel good now, they’re gonna party! Shiloh can’t make heads or tails of this, but will Tony D’Angelo need someone watching is back tonight?

Sol Ruca speaks.

“Zaria and I walked into last year’s Stand & Deliver as a team, competing for singles gold. We both had a mutual understanding that it was every woman for herself. Yet, I ended it on top of the ladder. I became a double champion, but I wanted my best friend to become a champion, as well. So we decided to go after the tag team titles at Evolution. Zaria hit me with a spear, and I knew it wasn’t her fault, and things happen in the ring, we move on. A few months later, we had another title opportunity on SmackDown. Unfortunately, I hurt my knee and I felt like I let my best friend down.

“Because of this injury, I wasn’t able to defend my title at Halloween Havoc. I was about to vacate the title, but when Zaria wanted to defend the title for me, I thought of it as a way to make it up to her for losing the tag matches. I know it was a risk, but I trusted Zaria with my life, so of course I was gonna let her step up. However, she gets distracted and loses. I vacated the Speed title, focused on getting cleared, and I finally got my title rematch. I was reaching for the ropes, and Zaria threw in the towel. Zaria took the decision out of my hand, and I know that if I did that to her, she would’ve lost her mind.

“Now thinking back, it’s because she couldn’t stand the thought of me being a champion again instead of her. It makes sense now because that’s the reason why she didn’t hesitate when I said she should be the one to go after the TNA Knockouts Championship. I knew how badly she wanted to be a champion, she wanted to be a champion so that she could feel superior to me. I never claimed to be perfect friend, but I know I was a good friend to Zaria. Every time we argued, I apologized. Every time she called me out for being greedy, I vouched for her so she could get her own opportunities. I owned up to everything I did.

“Our ambitions became our bond, and I thought our bond was stronger than our ambitions. After I beat Zaria at Stand & Deliver, I realized she was right: I wasn’t the villain, I was just the last woman standing every time an opportunity presented itself. All Zaria does is point the blame at me and give excuses as to why she can’t get it done. So, Zaria, next week, Last Woman Standing, what’s your excuse gonna be?”

Joe Hendry is here!

The fans cheer, because it is time for another Joe Hendry concert! The fans wave their hands from side to side as Hendry steps into the ring and picks up his guitar. Hendry takes his seat, adjusts his mic, and hears the fans chant, “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” “Say his name and he appears. Let’s call it like it is: I lost the NXT Championship. And that means I need to ask myself some really difficult questions. ‘Is this the end of the road? Should I just stop now? Should I just quit?’ Well, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I said, ‘Joe says no!'” The fans cheer for that! “Joe Says No! Joe Says No!”

Hendry says what we’re gonna do now is lift everyone’s spirits with a concert! The fans cheer again, and they clap along as Hendry strums his guitar. “I was the champion for all of NXT. And now it’s some guy leaving the mafia, his name is Tony D. Can I reclaim? I guess we’ll have to see. Everybody wants the title, so many challengers remain. Including Ethan and Ricky now, they’re on the same page again, pun intended. Can Tony D retain? The title was my life, it’s a shame that I lost her. Can I get it back? Or will I go to the…” Before Hendry can sing “main roster,” Keanu Carver storms out here! Hendry says whoa, hold on, no, no, no. We’re not doing this!

Hendry tells Keanu he saw him disrespecting everyone in NXT. The fans were promised a Joe Hendry concert, and they are gonna get a Joe Hendry concert! The fans cheer, but Keanu shoves Hendry! So Hendry fires hands! The fans cheer again as Keanu kicks low, gets his spare, and gives Keanu a SMASH HIT! But Keanu shrugs it off?! Keanu LARIATS Hendry down! Keanu rains down fists while the fans boo! Security rushes in but Keanu SHVOES them both away! Then he DECKS on, HEADBUTTS the other, and pursues Hendry on the outside. More security rushes in, but Keanu POUNCES them and Hendry through the barriers!!

The fans go nuts as the One Man Demolition Crew just wrecked half a dozen men without breaking a sweat! But will he be breaking through to that next level?

Tony D’Angelo speaks.

“Tonight, I set the tone on how my reign as NXT Champion goes, because I’m about to face Ethan Page, a man who has made is mark in NXT. A former NXT Champion, arguably the greatest North American Champion of all time. The man who broke The Ruler’s record. Now The Ruler, he’s about to slay the Beast at WrestleMania. Well, Page, you’re looking at the man who dethroned The Ruler! That’s a big notch in my belt, and I’m gonna need a couple more of those if I’m gonna get to where I wanna be. Now Ethan, I picked you cuz I don’t like you, your smile, or your style. But I also picked you because for the last two years, you’ve been at the forefront on NXT.

“Now, I changed my life for this title. And tonight, I’m gonna smash you and your ego to keep it.” The Vigilante has spoken, but will he still be the champion? Or is Ethan about to have his Revenge for Stand & Deliver?

Lola Vice prepares backstage.

And then in steps Stephanie Vaquer! Champion and champion say hola, and Vaquer says, “Amiga, that title looks good on you.” Lola says gracias. Is she ready for tonight? Si, and Lola can’t wait to see Vaquer bring La Primera to WrestleMania. Beat Liv! They hip bump and Vaquer wishes Lola luck. Will NXT still be the capital of Vice City? Or will the Fatal Influence find a way to exact their revenge?

Kali Armstrong VS Skylar Raye!

The inaugural WWE Evolve Women’s Champion has been on NXT before, and is even fighting for that title again tomorrow night in a Gauntlet Eliminator. But will the Difference Maker start making that difference in the NXT Women’s Division here tonight?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Kali and Skylar stare down, and Skylar offers a handshake. Kali slaps it away and flexes on Skylar quite literally. They tie up, Kali THROWS Skylar down, then grinds the armlock. Kali LIFTS Skylar to then SLAM her down, and repeat! Kali eggs Skylar on, Skylar fights up and around, but Kali knees low! Kali reels Skylar in, but Skylar wrenches out to kick low. Skylar ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Kali flounders to a corner, Skylar whips, but Kali reverses and SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up for Kali, and she runs up on Skylar in the corner to RAM her! Kali digs her shoulder in, but stops as the ref counts 4.

Kali runs corner to corner, RAMS Skylar again, then brings Skylar around for a scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Skylar survives but Kali is still laser focused. Kali pie faces Skylar, eggs her on, and the fans rally up. Skylar fires body shots, backs Kali down, then whips. Kali goes up and over, then JABS! JABS! And JABS! Kali gets a shimmy, shake, and DECKS Skylar! Cover, TWO! Kali snarls as she drags Skylar into a neck wrench. Skylar endures, even as Kali puts on the pressure. The fans rally, Skylar fights up, but Kali THROWS her down! Skylar avoids the elbow drop and the fans cheer. Kali hoists Skylar up in a fireman’s carry, but Skylar slips free!

Skylar kicks, KICKS, and CHOPS! Skylar DOUBLE CHOPS, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kali! The fans fire up with Skylar, then she runs up on Kali to BACK ELBOW! Skylar keeps moving, tilt-o-whirls again, DDT! Cover, TWO! Kali is tougher than that but Skylar hurries to the corner. Skylar climbs up top, leaps, but Kali DECKS her out of the sky! Kali brings Skylar around, whips her and POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up with Kali now, and she kicks it into gear! Kali is rolling down the highway, KALI CONNECTION! Cover, Kali wins!

Winner: Kali Armstrong, by pinfall

The Pride of Inglewood just broke the speed limit, but will Armstrong be #TooStrong for NXT?

Blake Monroe & The Vanity Project are in Robert Stone’s office.

And the NXT General Manager isn’t happy about it. They all made quite the statement last week. Blake says that’s right they did, that is why they’re here. He figured that. Well, that said, she pinned the champion so… Yes, yes, Blake earned her opportunity at the NXT Women’s North American Championship. Stone already talked with Tatum Paxley, she’ll take the rematch for next week. HOWEVER…! She insisted on selecting the stipulation for the match, and Stone approved. What?! Why!? Hold on, hold on, Drake will handle this. The Carolina Reaper has no idea what kind of bias Suit Man Stone has against the rightful champion, Blake Monroe, but it will not stand!

Brad Baylor says hundos! Blake, look, calm down. You are the Glamour! It won’t matter what the stipulation is, she’ll be fine! Ricky Smokes agrees. Plus, how bad could it be? Blake says fine! They’re leaving! Vanity Project hopes Stone is happy making Blake cry! Stone tells them to just get out. But wait, what stipulation will Tatum choose to settle things between her and Blake?

NXT Championship: Tony D’Angelo VS Ethan Page!

Stand & Deliver raised the bar with that Fatal 4 Way, and while Tony D came out on top, he knew all three of his opponents would want their turn. All Ego gets to go first, but will he just be the first to fall? Or will he absolutely become a two-time NXT Champion?

NXT returns as Tony makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly NXT’s best!

The bell rings and Ethan talks a lot of trash already. Ethan says HE is the Face of NXT, but then Tony dodges his punch to fire fast hands! Tony backs Ethan into a corner, stomps him, then follows Ethan to another corner. Ethan kicks in return but Tony ROCKS Ethan. Tony SMACKS Ethan off buckles, then bumps him off more buckles. Ethan sputters but Tony scoops him for the SLAM! The fans cheer while Tony paces around Ethan. Tony whips Ethan and LARIATS him down! Ethan flounders to ropes but Tony is right on him. Ethan ROCKS Tony in return, CLUBS away, then whips him to a corner. Tony reverses, runs up, but into a KNEE!

Ethan hurries to reel Tony in, and he suplexes, only for Tony to fight it! Tony tries to suplex, Ethan fights it, and Ethan suplexes Tony up and over! The fans boo, but now Ricky is here! Saints is already trying to put in the fix, but someone trips him up?! Who is that under the ring!? Who is dragging Ricky into the unknown?! Ethan is just as shocked, but Tony whips Ethan to ropes. Ethan ducks to swing on Tony, but Tony dodges back! DOUBLE LARIATS bring them both down and the fans rally up! Wait, out the other side is SHILOH HILL! He has Saints’ legs tied up with a rope, and he’s dragging Saints along!

Saints grabs the ring frame in desperation, but Shiloh just laughs as he YANKS Saints free! Then Shiloh drags Saints up the ramp and to the back! Ethan whips Tony, Tony reverses, and fireman’s carry for the DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Ethan flounders to the apron, but Tony goes out after him! Ethan slips free again, then KICKS Tony in the ropes! KNEE SMASH and Tony flops down. Ethan goes out after Tony, SWINGING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Both men are down while NXT goes picture in picture.

Ethan snarls as he watches Tony writhe. Ethan drags Tony up, SMACKS him off the steel steps, then throws hands. Ethan puts Tony in the ring, but Tony fires hands in return! They throw haymakers back and forth, Ethan gets the edge, then he whips. Tony reverses to atomic drop! Ethan hobbles, Tony runs, and Tony LARIATS Ethan down! Tony runs and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Ethan is tougher than that, but Tony stays focused. Tony stalks Ethan to a corner, but Ethan YANKS him into buckles! Ethan stomps away on Tony, then rains down fists. Ethan drags Tony up, reels him in, and hits another SWINGING NECKBREAKER!

Ethan snarls as he clamps onto Tony with a chinlock. Tony endures the squeeze, then fights around. Ethan puts on the pressure, grinds Tony back down, but Tony continues to endure. Tony fights up to his feet, but Ethan wrangles him right back down! Ethan grins as he puts on the pressure again, but Tony still fights. Tony sits up, even as Ethan squeezes tighter. Tony pushes up, up, and NXT returns to single picture as Tony fires body shots! The fans rally for Tony as he ROCKS Ethan, then whips him to a corner. Ethan reverses, but Tony ELBOWS Ethan away! Tony goes up, but Ethan pulls hair! Ethan drags Tony off the corner for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally up as Tony survives. Ethan grows frustrated, but he throws down hands. Tony shakes his head but Ethan fires more hands. Tony huffs ‘n’ puffs and the fans fire up! Ethan ROCKS Tony, Tony just gets fired up again! Tonty HEADBUTTS the fist! Then he DECKS Ethan! Tony slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX Ethan, then SPLASHES in the corner! Then BELLY2BELLY! Ethan flounders but Tony GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans fire up as Tony gets moving, and he SPEARS Ethan down! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again, and Tony hauls Ethan up. Tony hooks a leg, but Ethan fights free to kick low!

Ethan Canadian Racks but Tony slips free! Tony ROCKS Ethan, Ethan ROCKS Tony, repeat! The fans duel as the punches fly, but Ethan dodges one to BOOT Tony! Tony goes to ropes, he BOOTS Ethan in return, then he FLYING PUNCHES! And the THROWBACK! Then the hook for FOGEDABOUTIT! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives and Tony is surprised! The fans rally as Tony waits on Ethan. Ethan stands, Tony winds up, guzel and- NO, Ethan CLAWS Tony’s eyes! Ethan whips Tony but Tony reverses. Ethan goes up and over, Tony POSTS himself! Ethan then drags Tony out to hoist him up top! Ethan ROCKS Tony, then climbs the corner.

Ethan drags Tony onto his shoulder, and SUPER POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Tony survives and the fans fire up! Ethan goes right up top, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Tony survives again and Ethan is beside himself! Ethan bails out of the ring, and he storms his way over to the title! Ethan picks it up off the pedestal, but the ref can see him sneaking it in! The two tug-o-war, but Tony rolls Ethan up! TWO, and Ethan reels Tony in! Canadian Rack, EGO’S EDGE on the belt!! Cover, TWO!! Tony survives again and the fans are thunderous! Ethan is furious as he rains down fists! Ethan then brings Tony outside, and clears off commentary!

The fans fire up as Ethan brings Tony up, puts him on the desk, then climbs up to join him. Ethan reels Tony in, the fans fire up already, but Tony turns Twisted Grin into a FACEBUSTER off the barriers! Tony puts Ethan on the desk now, and he goes up the barriers! The fans fire up as Tony gets a running start, SPEAR onto the desk! The table stays standing but Ethan is hobbling! Tony pushes Ethan into the ring, he picks Ethan up, DEAD TO RIGHTS! Cover, Tony wins!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)

Tony knew it’d be one heck of a fight with Ethan, and that’s exactly what he got! But will Tony make sure to check every name off the list?

NXT returns as Ricky Saints storms around backstage.

He demands to know where Shiloh went! How dare he hogtie Ricky, like everything is a joke! Saints says Shiloh stuck his nose in Saints’ business! This ain’t over! Shiloh says oh, good, Saints can help him with this stuff. Shiloh holds up the electric drill and the electric saw! Saints says this ain’t over! Saints storms off, Shiloh laughs again, but just what is this project he’s helping Tatum with…?

Myles Borne is in the ring.

The NXT North American Champion is back, and he has the mic to say, “At Stand & Deliver, I pulled the black ‘n’ gold outta Johnny Wrestling, and I sent him right back to SmackDown. What a feeling! I was standing there on my own with this title that I busted my ass for, about to go home and celebrate with my favorite dessert.” Myles winks and the fans cheer. Myles says then, he gets hit with a chair from behind by Dion Lennox! Now, he knows that we all know he’s deaf. But he heard that chair shot, and more importantly, he felt it. And all the chatter after the match wasn’t about how Myles beat an NXT legend. It was that Dion Lennox might be our next champion?!

So last week, Myles decided to DarkState DarkState, minus the cute little masks that they wear. Dion, at Stand & Deliver, you stole Myles’ moment. So it is only fair when Myles says this: “DarkState… When you attack the North American Champion, ain’t nobody safe!” But wait, DARKSTATE IS HERE! The fans freak out already as Osiris Griffin, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, and of course Dion Lennox, stand in the crowd. Dion tells Myles that he may have gotten this championship edge from Ethan Page, but he sure didn’t get any brains. Over the last year, DarkState has dropped champions, won titles, and put fear into NXT!

And over the last few months, Dion has been fingertips away from the NXT title. Distractions keep getting in the way, but Dion’s gonna put a stop to all of that! The DarkState slump is over! And their future is on Myles’ shoulder in that North American title! So Dion will give Myles two options: Accept your fate, or try and deny the inevitable. Myles tells Dion if he wants a title match, they can just put that together for next week, no problems. But as for his ultimatum, Myles goes with option C: he keeps the title! Dion doesn’t like that answer, huh? Well, Dion can either have the title match, or DarkState can do what DarkState does and slide into this ring, and try and take him out!

But if you do that, you might not get your match. So Dion, as the leader of DarkState, you have a decision to make. Either way, Myles is ready. Saquon has everyone hold on. Leader of DarkState? Fool, you misinformed. There ain’t no leader, and ain’t no damn reason you should be talking out the side of your neck like they ain’t gonna break it! Listen, fool! Nobody care about no damn title match! Myles says it’s on then! But Dion says hold on, hold on! They ain’t doing this right now. Saquon asks what Dion is talking about, and Dion says he’s talking about their future! And their future IS that title! Saquon asks if Dion means their figure, or just Dion’s.

Saquon rushes the ring, Myles dodges, and BORNE AGAIN for the Sugar Man! DarkState regroups on the outside, and Cutler keeps the peace between Dion and Saquon. Will DarkState work on their dysfunction before they even try to go for a goal?

Zaria speaks.

“The writing was on the wall at least year’s Stand & Deliver. I was the first to qualify for the North American title ladder match, and then Sol had to go and do the same thing, under the impression that it was every woman for herself. When we met at the top of that ladder, the only thing in that moment that mattered was her. She was everything. The only thing that mattered to Sol was gold! So she kicked me off of the ladder, and she won. I did my best to be the supportive best friend when she had two titles while I had nothing. We finally got our first change at tag team gold at Evolution, Sol screws it up, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“But of course, it’s not Sol’s fault. Just like it was a few months later on SmackDown. When I needed Sol to come through, what happens? She gets hurt. Who gest the worst of it? Me. So instead of leaving her, I did what any good friend would do, and I volunteered to defend er North American title so she didn’t have to watch all of her hard work slip through her hands. And what happens in the match? Sol makes it about her, and it costs me again. But this time, Sol got a taste of it cuz she lost the title. Now in the rematch, the girl can barely stand. I throw in the towel so that Sol doesn’t go on the injured list for a year, and I’m the bad friend?

“No, I think it’s the complete opposite. I shouldn’t have thrown in the towel, because then I wouldn’t have to watch her get handpicked for every single opportunity! Every time I get close to something, Sol was there to keep me down. Sol, you tried to keep me in your shadow because you know I am better than you! No one has ever kicked out of a Soul Snatcher, except me. It took THREE Soul Snatchers to keep me down at Stand & Deliver. But I promise that will never happen again. Sol, I would have let the world burn for you. But after everything you’ve done, you will be burning beside it. Next week, I will be the Last Woman Standing!”

WWE Speed Championship Tournament: EK Prosper VS Dorian Van Dux!

With Lexis King waiting in the finals, the Disrespectfully Athletic and the Muscles from Brussels meet, three minutes between them and a golden opportunity! But will the Drama King soon be facing the Knight? Or will will this tournament soon be on DVD?

The bell rings and both men run up! EK RAN- NO! DVD stops the rana, throws EK to the corner, but EK goes up and over! EK gets moving, but DVD puts him on the apron. EK goes back up and over to keep moving, but DVD hurdles. EK pommels off DVD’s back, but DVD ducks ‘n’ dodges to then fake EK out! EK runs up but DVD catches him and THROWS him outside! Then DVD FLIES! He just manages to clear the ropes but he takes EK down all the same! The fans fire up for DVD as he puts EK in, goes up top, and DIVING BODY PRESS! That was two-thirds of the way! Cover, TWO!! EK survives but the fans rally up again.

DVD reels EK in, lifts him up, and POP-UP- NO, EK sunset BOMBS DVD! We hit the orange phase but EK goes to the apron! TOP ROPE ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes DVD but EK hurries to put him back in! EK runs up on the corner, blocks the kick and DROPKICKS back! EK then aims from the apron, springboards in, but DVD dodges! DVD goes up the corner and MISSILE DROPKICKS in return! The fans fire up as DVD keeps moving, and he LARIATS EK inside-out! Cover, TWO! EK survives but DVD goes up the corner again. We hit the red phase as EK DROPKICKS again! EK then goes to the UPPER ROOM!

DVD flounders, EK runs up, SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! DVD survives but EK hurries! DVD SMACKS EK, EK SUPERKICKS back! DVD KNEES EK, then goes up, up, and fakes EK out before the FLYING CUTTER!! DVD keeps going, we’re under THIRTY! DVD is up, up, and away! But EK avoids the Shooting Star! EK hurries up top, MOONSAULT! Cover, EK WINS!!

Winner: EK Prosper, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

With SEVEN seconds to spare, EK snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! He shows respect to DVD, DVD shows it back. We all got to see what Van Dux can do, but will we see EK prosper in the Speed tournament finals?

Robert Stone reprimands Keanu Carver.

Suit Man Stone asks what Keanu thought he was doing out there, ruining the Hendry concert. Keanu says time for talking is done! No more singing, no more guitarists, none of it. Stone isn’t sure about all that, but Keanu is forcing his hand. Next week, Keanu VS Hendry. Keanu asks if Stone is really putting Hendry in a match with him. Keanu promises us, it’ll be Hendry’s funeral! Keanu doesn’t seem to believe in Joe Hendry like the rest of us, but will he have no choice but to respect Hendry after they go 1v1?

NXT presents Chronicle: Kendal Grey.

“This isn’t my typical style. Getting dressed up, talking about myself. I’m the type of person to let my actions speak for me. But coming off of Stand & Deliver and competing for the NXT Women’s Championship, even though I didn’t win the title, I’ve had a ton of time to reflect over the past year. I remember asking last year what my chances were to get on Stand & Deliver, because it was in my hometown, Las Vegas, Nevada. And the answer I got was, umm, probably like 1%. I was on nobody’s radar, nobody knew who Kendal Grey was, and when it came to the NXT Women’s Division, I was pretty much non-existent, so it’s pretty cool to see how far I’ve grown over the past year.

“And a big part of that has been my friendship with Wren. When I get in the ring, I’m serious, I’m locked in, I’m laser focused. But then when I’m making videos with her and going backstage, and doing #Wrensdays, I’m silly, I’m goofy. I let that goofy side come out. Another big part of my growth over the past year is Evolve. If you look at my very first match on Evolve, to my last match on Evolve, I’m a completely different person. Evolve gave me a platform to find myself, to find confidence inside and outside of the ring. And most importantly, it gave me confidence in believing I will be a WWE Superstar.

“My transition from amateur wrestling to pro-wrestling hasn’t been easy. And just because a few people have done it doesn’t mean it’s not difficult. But without Evolve, I would have no success on NXT, and I definitely wouldn’t be the 2025 Iron Survivor. That was the night that I truly believed that I can hang with the best in NXT. That was the night the WWE Universe saw me as a star, NXT saw me as a star. And you’re telling me John Cena picked me to be in that match? Like, bro, c’mon, that’s the best I could be! I mean, I remember as a kid wearing John Cena merch, having his chains, my dad would take me and my brother just to watch John Cena!

“Me and my brother would argue who was gonna be John Cena on the video games, and now he chose ME as someone worthy of going after the NXT Women’s Championship? I’d always find little pieces of advice John Cena would say in podcasts and interviews. He would say to always show up early, outwork everyone, and be coachable. And that’s exactly what I did at my tryout to get to NXT. I remember after winning my third national title, I had Julius Creed reach out saying, ‘WWE next?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, okay, totally.’ Because I didn’t even think this would be a possibility. And days later, I had WWE reaching out, asking me if I wanted to try out.

“It was right after Nationals, I was still cutting weight, like 110 pounds, I was the smallest girl at the tryout. And I remember in that moment, I was like, ‘What am I doing here? I don’t fit in. I’m too small, stuttering over my words.’ But the more I got in the ring, the more I realized I was starting to fall in love with it. And once my competitive edge kicked in, I knew I wasn’t walking out without a contract. That’s what got me to NXT, but trust me, there’s a whole different side to me that NXT doesn’t know.” The Ice Woman is ready to do more than Evolve, but will Grey be golden soon enough?

Robert Stone checks in with Tatum Paxley.

Stone gets she wanted to talk but he was thinking more his office. Why is she up this high in the shelves?! Tatum says this is where she goes to think. To think?! Stone, look, this has to stop! She is the one and only NXT Women’s North American Champion! Yes, and they have the match set, but what is the stipulation she’s chosen? Well, it seems that no matter what Tatum says or does, Blake keeps finding ways of calling herself a champion. Yes, but can they talk about this on the ground? No. The more Blake is pushed, the more she becomes the ruthless, vindictive Woman From Hell. So Tatum will do what she should’ve done the moment Blake set foot in NXT.

Tatum will lay Blake to rest. W-What? How? Tatum will send Blake and that fake belt to HELL where they belong! Shiloh calls to Tatum and says he’s finished! It’s all done! Is that a CASKET?! Tatum loves it! And it’s perfect for their Casket Match! A c-c-casket match?! Tatum and Shiloh are both laughing but Stone might be ready to faint. Will Tatum make Blake rest in pieces next week?

DarkState regroups backstage.

Dion is heated at Saquon but Saquon says it’s all good, right? Dion got what he wanted. Dion says no, it ain’t good! Saquon ain’t listening to Dion, he questions everything Dion does, and he dropped on to Ethan Page last week! Oh, and where was Dion last week? Fool, Saquon got mobbed while Dion was worried about the North American title. They been down and Dion don’t care! Dion says if they’re down, he’s down, don’t act like he doesn’t care! Saquon says that’s not how they rule! If it was anyone else, Osiris & Cutty would’ve sent his ass through the clouds! But no, they gotta worry about Dion and his title match! What do Dion wanna do? Dion keeps changing the play!

Dion shouts that he isn’t changing anything! He’s trying to be smart, UNLIKE Saquon! Osiris & Cutler step in and tell them to calm down! They gotta stick together! Dion takes a breath, and says in order to get to the top of NXT, something they all want, they need gold. Right now, this is their only shot, so why risk it? Saquon just leaves, but the others seem to understand. Will DarkState (not) be alright after Dion gets his shot at Myles?

NXT Women’s Championship: Lola Vice VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence!

A wild finish in Madison Square Garden led to a wild Triple Threat in St. Louis, and in the end, it was the Mayor of Vice City standing tall! But now the Toxic Rockstar wants her Revenge, so here is the rematch! Will Lola’s moment only last for a moment? Or will her reign survive through WrestleMania Season?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who says buenas noches to the spotlight!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for Lola. Jacy and Lola circle slowly, put their dukes up, and they tie up. They go around, end up on the ropes, and Jacy pie faces Lola, but Lola shoves past her. The fans duel as the two reset, tie up, and Lola wrangles Jacy with a chinbar! Lola digs her knee in, but Jacy headscissors! Lola powers out to get a leg but Jacy kicks free. Jacy is frustrated already but the two reset. Lola and Jacy tie up, and Jacy pulls hair to put Lola on the ropes. The ref counts, Jacy lets off slowly, and she CHOPS! Lola CHOPS back! The CHOPS continue, then Lola blocks a shot to fire off palm strikes!

Lola runs and uses the ropes for a slingshot arm-drag! Jacy tumbles, Lola runs up, but Jacy ducks a kick! Jacy jukes around, arm-drags back, then trips Lola to a cover, ONE! Lola trips Jacy to a cover, ONE! Lola ghost pins, TWO! Jacy CLOBBERS Lola, then does her dance. Jacy runs, Lola stays low, but Jacy counters hip toss with hip toss, only for Lola to counter with an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Jacy flails, Fallon & Lainey panic, but Jacy high stacks Lola. TWO as Lola lets Jacy go, and Lola BODY BLOWS Jacy! The fans fire up as Lola then storms up on Jacy, whips her to ropes, and she KICKS low! Lola whips and KICKS again!

Lola SOBATS Jacy outta the ring, then goes to the apron. Lola waits, runs up, but Lainey takes the SEATED SENTON for Jacy! Jacy returns to BOOT Lola down! The fans are torn but Jacy smiles as she stands tall, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jacy leans on the pedestal, getting a photo op with the belt as she signals she’s gonna be a THREE-TIME champion. Jacy then drags Lola up, RAMS her into the apron, and RAMS her in again! Jacy puts Lola in the ring, then hurries after her for a NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Lola is tougher than that but Jacy stalks her to the ropes. Jacy drags Lola up, bumps her off buckles, then bumps her off more buckles. Jacy fires hands, stomps Lola down, and repeat! The ref counts, Jacy digs her boots in, but she stops at 4. Jacy swaggers before she brings Lola up and around for a snapmare. Jacy KICKS Lola in the back, then basement SUPERKICKS her down!

Jacy runs to SENTON onto Lola! Cover, TWO! Lola survives but Jacy keeps on her. Jacy clamps on with a neck wrench but Lola endures. Lola fights up, fires body shots, but Jacy CLUBS her! Lola fires in return, whips Jacy to ropes, but Jacy reverses and ELBOWS Lola down! Jacy snarls as she ELBOWS Lola in the head ‘n’ neck again and again! Jacy clamps onto a chinlock and grinds Lola down. Jacy almost has a Bully Choke but Lola still endures. Lola fights around, rises up, and RAMS Jacy into the buckles again and again! But Jacy THROWS Lola into the corner! Jacy runs up, but Lola BOOTS her away!

Lola ELBOWS Jacy, then dodges to run, dodge, again, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both women down! NXT returns to single picture as the fans rally harder and harder for Lola. Jacy flounders away, but comes back to ROCK Lola! Lola ROCKS Jacy, Jacy mule kicks, and they throw shots back and forth! Jacy ROCKS Lola, Lola ROCKS Jacy, but Jacy mule kicks, front kicks, and- NO, Lola ducks the enzigiri to then GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up while Jacy flounders. Lola waits on Jacy to stand, so she can KICK her down! And KICK her again! And SPIN KICK! SPIN KICK! And LIGHTNING KICK! Jacy falls into the corner, and the fans know waht’s next!

Lola reminds us, “I’M A LATINA~!” HIP ATTACK! Lola keeps moving, HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again as Lola drags Jacy up, SAIDO! Lola keeps moving, SEATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! But into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Jacy makes it a cover, TWO! Jacy SUPERKICKS! Lola wobbles, Jacy ducks the heel kick, but not the second HEEL KICK! Jacy flops back out of the ring but Lola pursues! The fans chant “SI SE PUEDES!” as Lola drags Jacy into the ring. Lainey talks trash on Lola, the ref warns her, but Lola focus on Jacy, ROCKSTAR KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Jacy almost stole this thanks to Fatal Influence but Lola is tougher than that!

The fans rally as Lola goes to a corner, Jacy runs in and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Jacy SMACKS Lola, puts her up top, then SLAPS Lola! Jacy goes for another shot, but Lola gets her in a HANGING TRIANGLE!! The fans fire up, but Lainey distracts the ref so Fallon can YEEHAW KICK from the post!! Fallon puts Lola in, Jacy runs up, ROLLING ENCORE!! Cover, TWO!!! Lola survives and Fatal Influence is both shocked and furious! The fans rally even harder for Lola now, but Jacy runs up! Lola avoids the knee to roll Jacy, into a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Jacy flails as she’s in the body scissors, but she fights up!

Lola lets the scissors go to swing Jacy around! Then with the corner, TORNADO TAKEDOWN! GUILLOTINE!! Jacy fights back up but Lola holds on tight! They roll, Jacy has the jackknife bridge! TWO, Jacy is free, but Lola dodges to waistlock! O’Conner Roll, TWO! LAINEY SMACKS LOLA!! The fans boo as Jacy runs up, ROLLING- NO! Lola ducks it! URAKEN!! Cover, LOLA WINS!!!

Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)

Lainey tried to repeat history from when she screwed Lola over to help Jacy, but it did NOT work! Lola overcame these 3v1 odds to solidify her reign! But then KALI ARMSTRONG clobbers Fatal Influence?! Kali stares Lola down, but then surprise! Kendal Grey appears from the crowd side. And so does Izzi Dame! And then ZARIA makes her entrance?! Only for SOL TO FLY IN FROM OUTTA NOWHERE!! Sol and Zaria go brawling off backstage, what happens when those to go all out in a Last Woman Standing match? As for the rest, did Lola win just to have the walls close in on her? Or can she survive the most stacked division in wrestling today?

My Thoughts:

A great first night for the first-ever NXT Revenge, this can definitely work as their equivalent of Backlash. I will say, Kendal Grey’s promo definitely hinted that Stand & Deliver was meant to be in Vegas this year, but then something complicated that and they went with St. Louis as the fallback. That aside, very good promo from Kendal, and it surely helped the NXT-only audience understand Evolve is a great starting place for a lot of the new NXT stars. Kali Armstrong certainly made a case for herself winning her match tonight and then attacking Fatal Influence. But if Kali is already looking to THE NXT Women’s Championship, that basically spoils she isn’t winning the Evolve Women’s Championship on tomorrow’s episode of Evolve…

Honestly, where was Kelani Jordan in that ending? Lani VS Jaida was a very good match, very good win for Lani, and I would think Lani would stake her claim to the title, too. Izzi Dame of course did, but does she really have that much of an argument when she’s coming off a loss to Tatum? We’ll get a great series of matches to determine a contender, though, with Izzi, Kendal, Kali and Lani making for either a great two round tournament or an awesome Fatal 4 Way. That said, great match from Lola VS Jacy, and now with Jacy out of the way, we can see them build to Jacy’s farewell to NXT, and maybe even all of Fatal Influence with her to bring that all to main roster.

We also got great promos from Sol and Zaria, though it didn’t add much to what we had going into Stand & Deliver. Both women still stand by their feelings, and then they had that great scrap at the end of the show, their Last Woman Standing will be the highlight of Revenge Night 2. EK VS DVD was a great Speed match, and that was really risky to push that close to the time limit. Great win for EK, he and Lexis will have a great title match, but I feel like Lexis finds a way to steal the win so that Birthright has something going for them.

Very good Joe Hendry concert, including where Keanu interrupted and then demolished Hendry and some Evolve prospects dressed up as security. The detail of Hendry being interrupted right as he was going to say “main roster” is great, too, because I would think that’s exactly what happens next for him. Good stuff with Ethan & Ricky patching things up, but Shiloh Hill also getting involved so that Ricky doesn’t cheat Tony out of the title. With that, great win for Tony, and I think Keanu is next for him. Ricky’s gonna feud with Shiloh with Ethan helping, Hendry’s halfway to main roster, and no one else is ready for the top title.

Myles had a very good promo with DarkState, and the DarkState dysfunction is going well. Myles VS Dion is going to be really good as a match, and I can’t be sure how it goes given the DarkState story. If Dion wins out, all is well. If Dion loses, the tension only grows, and someone’s gonna get jumped out of the team. And very good build to this Women’s North American title Casket Match. That casket is HUGE, makes me think someone ends up in it by falling through the lid. But perhaps not, that’s pretty wild for WWE. But as I said before, they’re not gonna waste the time and money to make a custom belt for Blake to not have her win, she will surely be the Undisputed Women’s North American Champion.

My Score: 8.8/10

The Road to WrestleMania’s final lap!

We are just DAYS away from WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, and all the stars are shining tonight in Sacramento! But given the tension, is that a good idea or a bad idea?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Lyra Valkyria w/ Bayley; Lyra wins.
• Six Man Tag: LA Knight & The Usos VS MFT; Knight & The Usos win.
• Iyo Sky VS Kairi Sane w/ Asuka; Kairi wins.
• Je’Von Evans & Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh & Rusev; Evans & Dragon win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns speaks.

“What’d I tell you? I told you to take advantage of your time. When I won the Rumble, I told you to enjoy the relevancy that you had left. And what’d you do? You did exactly what I thought you would: You lied. You tried to revise all of the Tribal Chief’s history. But that’s the thing: Our fanbase, our crowd, the WWE Universe, they lived through it all, and all you did was expose yourself as a hypocrite.” Scenes review how Punk contradicted himself from his past, and even over the past year. Even Pat McAfee called Punk out on being a fraud. “What’d I say? Embarrassing.”

Roman admits he likes Pat, he really does. But never in the world has a punter ran his mouth to Roman. No one believes in Punk, it’s not 2012 anymore. The Tribal Chief doesn’t lie. That’s why everyone believes in him and trusts him. Tonight, Roman gives Punk one last opportunity: Either Punk tells the truth, or Roman will. “This message has been approved by Your Tribal Chief.”

Triple H and Adam Pearce are in the ring.

The Raw General Manager welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and says that in order to make sure this match makes it to WrestleMania, Pearce has decided that the contract will be signed separately. But then “Ladies and gentlemen…” Paul Heyman walks out, makes his introductions, and says that for once in his life, Adam Pearce is correct! You damn right they’ll sign separately, because now it is Fight Week! That means no one needs to even get CLOSE to the Beast, BRRROCK! LESNAR!! With that, Sacramento cheers as Lesnar himself makes his entrance, pyro and all.

Lesnar & Heyman go to the ring, and Lesnar takes the pen to sign on the dotted line. No time wasted as Lesnar even tips his cap to HHH and Pearce. The fans cheer Lesnar, and Heyman says there we go. History made, contract signed, and it may as well be a death warrant with one man’s name across the bottom of it. The fans already cheer for “O~BA! HOOT!” Heyman frowns, but he says he is glad- OH, Lesnar takes the mic! “You wont’ even know his name after this weekend!”

Lesnar hands the mic back, and Heyman says this is what it boils down to. Sunday, in the REAL main event of WrestleMania, this is not a prediction, this is a spoiler: There is going to be a winner, there is going to be a loser. This Sunday, at WrestleMania, the loser’s name will be OBA, FEMI! The fans boo, but Heyman says the rumors that there can handle The Beast, the winner will be the greatest combat sports athlete ever, The Conqueror, BRRROCK! LESNARRR!! Lesnar & Heyman leave, but will Oba’s response be with actions, not words?

IShowSpeed starts training.

Austin Theory & Logan Paul meet up with him and ask if he’s ready. He says he’s not a pro-wrestler, this is his first match, and it’s at WrestleMania! Logan asks what Speed is saying. It doesn’t matter! Doubt looks disgusting on him! He’s a phenom! He IS IShowSpeed! Time to lock in! Grandest Stage of Them All! Think about it: The Usos are no longer WWE World Tag Team Champions, because of Speed; LA Knight got hit by those brass knuckles by Speed. They’re out to get him! If he thought being thrown into his computer was bad, it’ll be way worse. Lock in! Everyone hates Speed, except The Vision!

The Vision has Speed’s back, so time for Speed to have their back! Lock in! Let’s get this bread! Show of Shows! Speed says okay, let’s do it. The training montage begins, Logan & Theory coaching Speed through the drills. They tell Speed to tie up like you mean it! Speed does the scoops, the jumps, and even a suplex. Speed even goes the extra mile with a Boston Crab! Logan & Theory like it! Speed has locked in, but will he get shut down to start WrestleMania Saturday?

Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Lyra Valkyria w/ Bayley!

The Queen helped “Blisster” sneak one on Bayley last Friday Night SmackDown, but now she must face The Morrigan! Will The Daughter of the Dirtiest Player in the Game have some more tricks up her proverbial sleeve? Or will Lyra make sure there’s a Change of Fortune before WrestleMania in Vegas?

Raw returns as Lyra makes her entrance, Bayley by her side. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The fans “WOO~” for Charlotte but Lyra brushes that off. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Lyra headlocks for a takeover. Charlotte slips through to get a leg, but Lyra kicks her away. The fans cheer, Lyra headlocks for another takeover, but Charlotte headscissors. The fans rally up, Lyra moves around, and Lyra handstands to walk free! The fans “WHEW~!” for Lyra but Charlotte kips up, and the fans “WOO~!” Charlotte then eggs Lyra on, dodges her, and waistlocks for the SLAM!

The fans cheer while Charlotte taunts Lyra. Lyra rises, runs up, but Charlotte dodges and runs to RUN Lyra over! Charlotte throws up the Four Horsewomen for Bayley, but Lyra gets up to pie face Charlotte! The fans rally, Charlotte gets mad, but Lyra still pie faces her! Charlotte CHOPS Lyra, but Lyra dodges the next to CROSSBODY! And WHEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Bayley coaches Lyra. Lyra whips Charlotte, Charlotte reverses, but Lyra goes up and over! Lyra runs up, Charlotte dodges, but Lyra BOOTS her! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS in return! Charlotte whips, Lyra reverses, but Charlotte goes up and out!

Charlotte BOOT- NO, Lyra blocks the leg and SWEEPS the other! Lyra then WRECKS Charlotte with the dropkick! The fans fire up with Lyra, she takes aim, but Charlotte avoids the plancha! Charlotte BOOTS Lyra down, the fans “WOO~,” and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Charlotte stands tall, then steps on Lyra as she goes to the corner. Charlotte climbs up, but Lyra anchors a foot! Charlotte kicks Lyra away, adjusts, but Lyra YANKS her down! The fans rally as Lyra goes up, and PERIPETEIA!! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives the flying leg drop but Bayley coaches Lyra through. Lyra goes up the corner, the fans cheer, and she MOONSAULTS, but onto knees! Charlotte steps through but Lyra makes it a cradle, TWO! Charlotte escapes, but Lyra ENZIGIRIS! Charlotte staggers to the ropes, but she BOOTS in return! The fans rally again while Charlotte drags Lyra into the drop zone.

Charlotte climbs back up the corner, Bayley warns Lyra, MOONSAULT still hits! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and Charlotte is shocked! Charlotte snarls, runs, and NATRUAL- NO, Lyra dodges, ghost pins, TWO!! Charlotte escapes again, but Lyra dodges the boot to ROCK her with a forearm! And RAM, then KICK, and CLUB away! Charlotte CHOPS back, then talks trash on Lyra. Charlotte kicks, Lyra blocks, and Lyra hooks the leg to FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and the fans fire up! Lyra is frustrated but Bayley coaches her again. Lyra drags Charlotte up, fireman’s carries, but Charlotte fights free!

Charlotte TOSSES Lyra out onto Bayley! Charlotte then hurries to get Lyra back inside, pushes her to a corner, then runs up. Lyra ENZI- NO, Charlotte ducks it! Charlotte O’Conner Rolls Lyra, but Bayley trips Charlotte up! Lyra has the O’Conner now, AND LYRA WINS!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall

Bayley just returned the favor for Friday, but that pisses Charlotte off! Alexa gets in on this, too, but the ref tries to keep this from turning into a fight! Add in the Irresistible Force AND The Bella Twins, are we about to see fireworks at WrestleMania?

LA Knight meets up with The Usos.

He asks them if they saw the IShowSpeed training montage, and they say nope. They just saw Knight throw him through his own screen on his own stream. Knight says they’ll all get a chance at those cross-eyed halfwits at WrestleMania. But wait, what’s MFT doing here? Solo Sikoa leads JC Mateo, Talla Tonga & Tonga Loa in, and he says good to see them, too. But this is what he was talking about! This family is just one big mess! Solo’s dealing with a lot on SmackDown with Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga isn’t here when he should be. And every time he watches Raw, The Usos make the family look bad just hanging out with this clown!

Jimmy says lil’ brother has a big problem. Knight says hey, they were all wondering how to get themselves on Raw tonight, and here’s our solution! Any three of the MFT goon squad can meet Knight & The Usos out there, they can get a Six Man Tag practice in! It’ll be him, Jim, and Jey, and ALL of MFT will get slapped back to factory settings! YEAH! Knight head out, Solo asks what Jey says to that. Jey says YEET. The Usos head out, will they and the Mega Star tear down Solo’s family tree as a warm-up for WrestleMania?

Stephanie Vaquer is here!

The fans cheer as La Primera heads to the ring, the WWE Women’s World Championship on her shoulder. Cathy Kelley is in the ring to talk about the escalation between Vaquer and Liv Morgan. OH SNAP, Liv CLOBBERS Vaquer into Cathy! Liv gets payback for Vaquer knocking Liv into Roxie last week, and Liv HAMMERS away on the champ! The fans fire up as Vaquer turns things around, but producers and refs rush out here already! The fans boo, they want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Liv is shrieking, Vaquer is seething, but Liv grabs a mic to shout that Vaquer fight her here and now!

Liv knew Vaquer’s mama was trash, but who knew she raised such a little b*tch!! Liv throws the mic down, Vaquer grabs it up and tells Liv off in Spanish, “Why wait ‘til WrestleMania?!” Vaquer storms the ring and the brawl is back on! The fans fire up, but the producers and refs hurry to pull them apart! Vaquer and Liv get what kicks they can, then Vaquer gets loose! Vaquer CLOBBERS Liv against the ropes! Liv tumbles out but she wants back in! “YOU’RE DONE FOR!!” There’s madness in Liv’s eyes, there’s determination in Vaquer’s, but who will survive when these two finally have it out?

Backstage interview with Iyo Sky.

Jackie Redmond is with The Genius and brings up her helping Rhea Ripley over the last few weeks. But after her match with Jade Cargill on SmackDown, is there anything Iyo wants to say? Iyo says she lost, but she doesn’t regret fighting for her friend. And at WrestleMania, no one will be rooting for Rhea Ripley more than Iyo Sky! But then in step the Kabuki Warriors. Asuka smirks as she tells Iyo that Rhea is not her problem, dummy. Last year, Iyo went into WrestleMania as Women’s World Champion. But this year, it’s just as “Rhea’s sidekick.” Iyo says she has had enough of this!

Iyo tells Kairi that she does NOT have to take this from Asuka! Asuka tells her to shut up! Asuka says Kairi is loyal to her senpai. And she’ll prove it tonight against IYO! Kairi is worried but Asuka says Kairi’s got this. Kairi says, “Right, senpai.” Asuka says good girl! Asuka leads Kairi away, but could this fight be just the thing to reach through to her? Or will the Empress of Tomorrow always have an iron grip on the Pirate Princess?

The Usos are in the concourse!

The fans are already fired up as Jimmy & Jey come through! Uce, please, please, hit their music! UH UH, YEET!! Sacramento bounces along, and it is time to see if #BigJim, Main Event Jey & The Mega Star can work as a trio!

Six Man Tag: LA Knight & The Usos VS MFT!

Raw returns as LA Knight makes his entrance, joining The Usos in the ring. Now MFT makes their entrance, and they’ve selected Tonga Loa, JC Mateo & Solo Sikoa himself to fight this one out. The teams sort out, and JC starts against Jimmy. The bell rings, the two tie up, and JC throws hands on Jimmy! JC whips, Jimmy goes up and over to mule kick! Then pop, lock and UPPERCUT! Jimmy RAMS JC into the corner, he tags Jey, and Jey runs up to ROCK JC! Jey waits on JC, runs up and LARIATS him up and out! JC flops to the floor, Jimmy holds the ropes for Jey to FLY! Direct hit on JC at the ramp and the fans fire up!

Jey hurries back into the ring, he gets the fans to YEET, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again, and Solo has Jey down with a shoulder claw! The fans rally for Jey, he fights up, and he fires body shots! Jey ROCKS Solo, then ROCKS JC and Loa for good measure! Jey fires more hands, then runs, but Solo CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Solo BLASTS Jimmy! Solo mocks Knight by spelling it out, then he drags Jey up. Solo taunts Knight, but he blocks Jey’s kick! Only to get the DRAGON WHIP! The fans fire up while both men are down, and they both crawl, hot tags to Knight and Loa! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Loa & JC with a LAIRAT, a BIG back suplex, then a TOSS!

The fans cheer as Knight waves by to JC, but Loa scoops! Knight slips free to REVERSE DDT! Knight rolls back to his feet and goes to the corner! The fans join in as Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, but JC SPLASHES on it! Jimmy SUPERKICKS JC! Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Jimmy! Jey dodges one, then he DUMPS Solo out! Jey builds speed and DIVES, but Solo catches him! And SLAM DUNKS him on the desk! The fans boo but Solo then spots… Tama Tonga! Solo demands to know where Tama was, as does Tama’s brother, Talla. But in the ring, B F T for Loa! Cover, Knight & Usos win!

Winners: LA Knight & The Usos, by pinfall

Solo is speechless! He got distracted by dysfunction and he lost the match! Does this not bode well for the coming Street Fight against the Wyatts?

GUNTHER is here!

Sacramento boos Der Ring General as he walks down the ramp and to the ring, a smile on his face. But what will “The Career Killer” have to say about his coming match with Seth Rollins? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns with Gunther in the ring, mic in hand. The fans boo but Gunther just soaks it all up with a laugh. But then SETH ROLLINS rushes the ring! Rollins TACKLES Gunther and the scrap is on! The fans cheer as Rollins takes the fight to Gunther, but Gunther bails out of the ring! Rollins throws off the jacket, grabs the mic, and shouts, “Two weeks in a row, you’ve jumped me! That’s your receipt, Gunther! And in six nights at WrestleMania, I finish the job!” The fans cheer that! Rollins says Gunther thinks this is personal for him.

If that’s the truth and not just Gunther kissing Heyman’s ass for a favor, then be a man and walk back into the ring, look Rollins in the eye, and tell him why he wants to fight Rollins! The fans cheer but Gunther hesitates. Gunther tells Rollins off in German, but then he storms back down to ringside. The fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” for Rollins while Gunther grabs a new mic. Gunther gets right in Rollins’ face and tells him, “Yeah, sure, Seth. I am solving Heyman’s problem, and I’ll do it with a smile on my face, because you are pissing me off!” For years, Rollins strutted around like he’s the best when in reality, he’s NOT, GUNTHER IS!

And if Rollins were honest with himself, he never wanted to find out! Because when Gunther was World Heavyweight Champion, seeking out the highest level of competition, Rollins became a useful idiot for Heyman! So at WrestleMania, it IS personal! Gunther is setting the record straight as he shows Rollins can’t lace Gunther’s boots! The forearms fly again and the fans fire up! Rollins fires more shots, but Gunther KNEES low! Gunther reels Rollins in, but Rollins slips free to BOOT Gunther down! Gunther bails out again! But then Rollins lines up a shot, only for Gunther to avoid the Curb Stomp!

Gunther runs away into the crowd, Rollins’ eyes locked on him like a hawk! Rollins goes back to the ring to stand on the corner, and the fans all sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins and Gunther finally have it out, but who will #BurnItDown in Las Vegas?

Dominik Mysterio talks with Adam Pearce in his office.

Dirty Dom complains that not only does Pearce give that deadbeat dad, Rey Mysterio, a chance at Dom’s Intercontinental Championship in that ladder match, and now Dom has to face THE DEMON at WrestleMania?! Finn Balor swore The Demon was dead, so that doesn’t even make any sense! The contract was for Dom VS Finn, not a demon! This is not fair, cancel the match. Does all Dom do is complain? First of all, Rey is a WWE Hall of Famer, he deserves to be in a title match like that at WrestleMania.

And if we wanna talk Dom VS Demon, when Dom goes back to the clubhouse, he should stop in front of the first mirror there is and stare right into the face looking back at him. Dom will hopefully see one of two things: One, Rey does deserve this match; and when it comes to Finn, Dom is getting what he deserves. Have a great night. Dom says that’s not fair! Dom got himself into this situation, can he find a way out of it? Or will The Demon drag Dom to Hell in Sin City?

Iyo Sky VS Kairi Sane w/ Asuka!

The Genius did what she could against The Storm on Friday, but now she handles some personal business of her own here on Monday. Will Iyo find a way to free Kairi from Asuka’s emotional manipulation? Or is Kairi already too far gone?

Raw returns as Kairi makes her entrance, Asuka by her side. The bell rings and Kairi runs up! Iyo dodges, but Kairi comes back to THESZ PRESS! Kairi rains down fists, but Iyo turns things around to return those shots. Kairi HAMMERS Iyo, DRIBBLES her off the mat, then stomps Iyo down! Cocky cover, ONE! Kairi whips Iyo but Iyo reverses, only for Kairi to reverse back. Kairi then RAMS Iyo into the corner! The fans are torn as Kairi runs corner to corner, SLIDING D! Then Kairi pushes Iyo to the drop zone and climbs the corner. Kairi hits a FLYING KABUKI ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Kairi sits Iyo up.

Kairi kicks Iyo around, pushes her around, and eggs her on. Kairi drags Iyo up, but Iyo fires body shots. Kairi snapmares and chinlocks, but the fans rally for Iyo as she endures. Iyo fights up, but Kairi CLUBS her back down! Kairi squeezes tight, but the fans rally up harder. Iyo rises again, but Kairi kicks low! Kairi whips, Iyo reverses, and Iyo hip tosses, only for Kairi to roll through! They speed things up, Kairi goes up and RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans cheer Iyo as she then ducks, redirects, and pommels over Kairi! Iyo sweeps the leg and SHOTGUNS Kairi out!

The fans fire up for Iyo while she goes to the apron. Kairi anchors a leg and she YANKS Iyo down! Iyo smacks off the apron, then Kairi sends her into barriers. Iyo mule kicks in return, then goes up onto the barriers, to QUEBRADA! Direct hit on Kairi and Sacramento cheers while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Iyo CLOBBERS Kairi! Kairi comes back, but Iyo dodges to ELBOW, UPPERCUT, and SHOTEI! Kairi ducks the buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Iyo whips, Kairi reverses, but Iyo goes up and out. Iyo KICKS Kairi in the ropes, then goes up top for a MISSILE DROPKICK! Iyo kips up and the fans fire up for the crazy taunt! Iyo runs corner to corner for the SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Kairi into the drop zone, steps on her as she goes to the corner, then climbs again. But Kairi trips Iyo up! Iyo hits buckles, but she fires a forearm in return! Kairi goes outside now and Iyo climbs up.

Iyo drags Kairi to the very top of the corner, and the fans fire up again. Kairi resists whatever Iyo is planning, and she HEADBUTTS Iyo! Iyo falls into the Tree of Woe, but she manages to SHOTEI! Kairi distracts the ref, Asuka SMACKS Iyo off the post! The fans boo, the ref wonders what happened, but RHEA RIPLEY is here! Iyo helped Rhea, now Rhea’s gonna help Iyo! Rhea runs up and HEADBUTTS Asuka! Then a pump handle for- NO, Jade Cargill CLOBBERS Rhea! The Storm followed Mami to Raw for a moment like this! But Iyo DIVES and takes Jade down! Asuka eggs Iyo on, but Kairi drags Iyo up!

Iyo ducks the uraken to GAMANGIRI! Kairi falls into place, Iyo climbs up again, but Kairi again distracts the ref! Asuka trips Iyo up again! Kairi rolls Iyo up, Kairi wins!

Winner: Kairi Sane, by pinfall

Iyo can’t believe it! The Kabuki Warriors celebrate their victory together, is there no freeing Kairi from the hold Asuka has on her?

Triple H and Adam Pearce are back in the ring!

Just as they did to open the night, The Game and the Raw General Manager are here, ready for the other signature on the contract. Pearce welcomes out Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania opponent, The Ruler, Oba Femi! The fans cheer as “O~BA!” indeed struts his way to the ring. Oba takes the contract and the pen, signs his part, then takes the mic. But HHH points to the stage, because Heyman has reappeared. The fans continue to chant for “O~BA!” Heyman says he’s been in this industry for his entire life, and he has never, ever seen someone come across to the audience as the biggest star as fast as Oba Femi.

And being in the industry his entire life, Heyman knows where he is safe and where he is not, for Oba is a violent man. Heyman will stay here on stage, if that’s okay with Oba. But being the violent man Oba is, he is the most violent person to come into the WWE since… Well, Brock Lesnar! Oba is the fastest rising star in the WWE since Brock Lesnar. Oba is the most impressive athlete, most impressive fighter, most impressive combat athlete. The fans chant more, but Heyman says they’re starting to piss him off. But the fact of the matter is, on Sunday, this all comes to an end.

On Sunday, everything that Oba has built comes crashing down! It comes crashing down in Suplex City, it comes crashing down with an F5, it comes crashing down when Oba is conquered by BRRROCK LESNARRR! The chants just get louder, but Heyman says there is no shame in a loss like this. There is nothing but pride, because Oba is in the real main event of WrestleMania! And when you get conquered, and by God you will be conquered by Brock Lesnar… Heyman gives Oba his word, that when Oba needs to rebuild after WrestleMania, Heyman’s door will always be open to Oba Femi.

The fans boo, but Oba says, “Paul, it’s taking everything in me to not come down that ramp and beat you pillar to post.” The fans cheer for that! They even chant, “BEAT HIS ASS!” Oba says it is deeper than that. The physical pain and scars will heal. If Oba beats Heyman up, the physical will heal. But the emotional wounds from Oba beating The Beast will last forever! The fans cheer again, and Oba says as far as that door, go ahead and close it. The only door Oba needs open is already open, and that is the door to WrestleMania!

Because two months ago, Heyman and his Beast issued an Open Challenge to whoever dared to step up, without even caring who would. And why would Heyman? Because there has been 25 years of history that says Lesnar cannot be beat. But Oba has four weeks of history that says Lesnar absolutely can! And this has never been personal, it is all just business. But this time, it is different! Heyman can feel it, Oba can feel it, the fans can feel it! It is time to put an end to The Beast! Heyman’s been there the whole way, has been Lesnar’s friend, Advocate, mouthpiece, and a good one at that. But he’s never been an honest one!

The fans chant for Oba again, and Oba says if Heyman were honest, he would’ve come out here and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman, and my client, Brock Lesnar, is SCARED of Oba Femi! He is AFRAID of Oba Femi!” Because this is The Ruler, the Bringer of War, the Mountain You Cannot Conquer, and at WrestleMania, Oba will slay the Beast, because he is THE ONE! The fans fire up again, and Oba says he IS the one. He knows it, the fans know it, and at WrestleMania, Heyman will know it, too! Heyman seems forlorn. But is it for Lesnar? Or over what Lesnar will do to Oba to prove Oba wrong?

Je’Von Evans & Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh & Rusev!

Before they all battle in the Six Pack Ladder Match, the Young OG teams with the Boy Wonder against the Irish Ace and Bulgarian Brute! Which side builds momentum before things truly escalate at WrestleMania?

Raw returns as JD makes his entrance, joining the others in the ring. The teams sort out and JD starts against Dragon, but then BLASTS Dragon and Je’Von in the corner! JD stomps Dragon, SLAPS him, then CHOPS him! Dragon turns things around to CHOP, but JD kicks low again. JD bumps Dragon off buckles, CHOPS him, then stomps him down. JD stomps away on Dragon but stops as the ref counts. JD drags Dragon up to short arm LARIAT! Then he BOOTS Evans off the apron! JD drags Dragon back up to snap suplex! Cover, ONE! Dragon is tougher than that, but JD drags him around.

JD bumps Dragon off buckles, then tags Rusev. Rusev drags Dragon up for a GUT WRENCH PLEX! Rusev brings Dragon back up to suplex high and hard! Rusev runs to ELBOW DROP! Dragon flounders but Rusev KICKS him in the back! Rusev drags Dragon up, tags JD in, and they mug Dragon. JD wrenches Dragon to then hit a BIG back suplex! Dragon writhes but the fans rally up. JD drags Dragon back to the corner and tags Rusev back in. Rusev and JD stomp Dragon down while the fans tell them off. Rusev and Dragon trade shots, but Rusev KNEES low! Rusev reels Dragon in, lifts him up, but Dragon fights to RANA!

The fans cheer as Dragon hurries, hot tag to Evans! Evans hurdles over Rusev, BLASTS JD, then dodges Rusev to DROPKICK! Evans says time to go crazy! He DIVES onto JD! Rusev storms up to the ropes but Evans GAMANGIRIS! Then he springboards to FLYIGN LARIAT! The fans fire up again, and Evans goes up and over to dodge JD! Evans clinches but Rusev whips! Evans grabs ropes, he DUMPS Rusev out, and he builds speed again, but Rusev blocks the kick! Rusev SWATS Evans, Evans staggers, but JD YANKS Dragon from the apron! JD RAMS Dragon into the apron, then goes up to ASAI MOONSAULT!

Down goes Dragon, but Evans DECKS JD! The fans fire up for Evans as he runs in around the way, but Rusev catches the crossbody! The fans fire up as Rusev FALL AWAY SLAMS Evans up and over the desk! The Son of Thunder roars while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again with Evans and Rusev both down! They crawl, hot tags to Dragon and JD! Dragon runs to FLYING RANA JD onto Rusev! Then Dragon puts JD back in, he dodges JD to SNAP GERMAN! And SUPERKICK! And then he builds speed, but JD STANDING SPANISH FLIES to counter! Cover, Evans breaks it up! But Rusev returns to CLUB Evans, whips him to ropes, but Evans hits the RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Rusev goes outside, but Evans FLIES out to take him down! Dragon aims at JD, but JD dodges the Dragon Blade! Dragon slips through JD’s lariat, sunset flips and stacks, TWO! But into the STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Dragon & Evans win!

Winners: Je’Von Evans & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

It was fast ‘n’ furious to finish, but Rusev CLOBBERS the winners for it! FALL AWAY SLAM for Evans, SWINGING SLAM for Dragon! Rusev stomps Dragon Lee and clamps on the ACCOLADE! But REY MYSTERIO rushes out here! The King of Lucha slides in, dodges Rusev, and fires off fast hands! Rusev shoves Rey but Rey dropkicks the legs out! Rusev’s on the ropes, and the fans fire up as Rey dials it up! But Rusev LARIATS first! Wait, here comes PENTA! The final piece of the puzzle is here, and he GAMANGIRIS Rusev! Then he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Penta runs, springboards, but into a MACHKA KICK!!

Evans ROCKS Rusev, then goes up, up, O G- NO, Rusev catches Evans to URENAGE! Rusev is rampaging, he even shoves JD to MACHKA KICK! MACHKA KICK for Rey! MACHKA KICK for Penta! And then a MACHKA KICK for Dragon Lee! Rusev clamps the ACCOLADE back on, and he bends Dragon back! Dragon taps, but it doesn’t matter now! Rusev shoves Dragon down, will nothing stop him from rising up to take the Intercontinental Championship?

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

The Raw GM says it doesn’t get any bigger! The Greatest of All Time, JOHN CENA, hosting WrestleMania 42! Yeah, that’s huge! But then Danhausen interrupts. Is that him? Him who? John Cena. Speaking of which, Danhausen would like to address his demandhausens. Since Danhausen is undefeated at 1-0 and surely a future Hall of Famer, some referring to him as the Uberest of All Time, Danhausen demands to speak with Mr. Cena. No, not happening. But since Cena is hosting WrestleMania, Danhausen can talk to him there, surely Cena will be delighted for that. Now, if you’ll excuse Pearce, he has to finish this call.

Danhausen hopes he can see Cena, since you can’t see me. Pearce says he needs a drink. He ends his call, but then Danhausen is gone. Maybe we really can’t see Danhausen… But is WrestleMania about to be cursed?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

Sacramento cheers, raising their ones to the sky for the OTC! Roman gave CM Punk the ultimatum to open the show, how will the WWE World Heavyweight Champion choose to close the show? We’re going to find out, after the break.

Raw returns as Roman stands in the ring. He raises his finger to the sky and gets the pyro. Roman then grabs a mic, and the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman takes a moment while the fans duel between “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” and “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” The “O T C! O T C!” takes over, and Roman nods before saying, “Sacramento…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer, but then CM Punk makes his entrance after all! The fans cheer all the same, and they even sing along with Cult of Personality. Roman waits, but Punk doesn’t come out from the stage! He’s in the crowd!

Roman realizes this, and he watches Punk make his way down, high-fiving fans as he goes. Punk eventually reaches ringside, and he smiles as he sees Roman’s eyes are locked on him. Punk steps up onto the desk, shows off the Sacramento Kings colored merch shirt, and says, “After watching the cold open, what amounts to a political smear campaign put together I assume by yourself, I’ve come out here to tell the truth. And I’m gonna have the people of Sacramento be my witnesses, and Roman, you can be the judge, the jury, and the executioner. So, as I tell my story, as I tell my truth, tell me when I’m telling lies.”

Punk hops off the desk, but Roman tells him if he steps into the ring, they won’t need these mics. Punk still walks up the steel steps, goes to the apron, and he stares Roman down while the fans continue dueling chants. Punk says he thought about this over the last few weeks. He hates Roman, because he envies Roman. “This is all I ever wanted. This is the only dream I had in my heart since I was a little kid. And I envy the fact that it was handed to you. And I hate that you were champion for 1,316 days. Because after some self-reflection, I hate that I know how hard you worked your ass off to be that great.

“In the history books, in the future, when they talk about legacy, they’re not gonna ask how, they’re gonna ask how many. And I hate that number, 1316. I hate the amount of times you’ve main-evented WrestleMania. Tell me when I’m telling lies, Roman. Have I lied? I hate that I envy, I hate that I feel this way. Sika was a great man. Sika was a great wrestler. Sika was a champion, Sika’s a Hall of Famer. And I love and respect the old-timers. And I hate the fact that I invoked your father’s name in vain. And I sincerely apologize to you.”

The fans are a bit torn over that, but now Punk steps into the ring, steps closer to Roman, and Punk says, “I hate that there’s more than one royal family in professional wrestling. And I hate that I envy the fact that I wasn’t born into a dynasty. I don’t know what having that kind of family is like. CM Punk was born in the backyards, avenues, and alleyways of Chicago. I was a misfit who had to find my own family, and I found my family in the streets of Sacramento.

“I found my family in the locker rooms of every VFW Hall or Knights of Columbus, or in dilapidated, burned out, Midwest barns, Fireside Bowl bowling alleys, abandoned churches. I found my family and my people on the indies, and I conquered the indies, and then I went to Japan. I went to England, I went to Puerto Rico, I went all around the world twice. I wasn’t handed anything, I wasn’t born on third base with a silver spoon. I busted my ass, and I made pro-wrestling my home, and I made them my family.” The fans cheer all that, too!

Punk says he hates that he feels this way, that he has to share any of it with Roman, especially the fact that it’s his first singles match headlining WrestleMania. Tell him when he’s telling lies. Punk says on April 19th, he has gold on his shoes, gold around his waist, and later that night, after the desert sun has set and the dry air gets cold with steam rising off his beat up, bloody face, he’ll have gold above his head. The ring announcer will be saying, “AND STILL Heavyweight Champion of the World,” with Las Vegas chanting, “C! M! PUNK!” The fans duel again while Roman starts to get anxious.

Punk says again, “Tell me when I’m telling lies.” Roman says that’s the truest stuff he’s ever heard Punk say. Until the end. Roman will tell Punk some truths. Roman hates Punk, too. Roman has hated Punk for a long time. But the main reason is because of Punk’s relationship with all the fans. Roman hopes he can get to the point where when he leaves, the fans all miss him as much as they missed Punk. That one day, when Roman leaves, they chant for Roman for ten years straight. That’s the truest thing Punk has, it’s the connection with the fans, and no one can ever take that from him.

But on Sunday, that is Punk’s truth, but it is not the reality. The reality is that time is up. Punk had two months and he did nothing with it! On Sunday, it ain’t #AndStill, it is #AndNEW! This nostalgia act experiment is done. On Sunday, they fix the mess Punk started. On Sunday, they make this place where they had it: at the very top, worth every single dollar! On Sunday, Tribal Chief takes over, and Punk will ACKNOWLEDGE HIM! Roman and Punk stare down while the fans chant for them both. Raw goes off the air, but who wins the most important match of all at WrestleMania?

My Thoughts:

A very good go-home episode of Raw, though it couldn’t quite escape the Go Home Syndrome. Very good promo from Roman to call out Punk, and a very good segment from them both to end the show, but they already maxed out the heat so there wasn’t much they could add. On the flipside, really good stuff with Vaquer’s interview promo turning into a brawl with Liv. They turned up the heat again, which I didn’t think was possible, and those two are gonna tear each other apart. Kudos to Cathy Kelley for taking that bump, too.

Rollins and Gunther had a good brawl that then turned into a promo that then turned back into a brawl, but I don’t know if it really explained why this was “personal.” Gunther might dislike Rollins being flamboyant and all, but this is still just to get the eventual match with Lesnar. Speaking of Lesnar, very good stuff with him, Heyman, and Oba Femi. Heyman does great on the mic as always, but Oba held his own, especially for only being in pro-wrestling for just a couple years. I would really hope Oba does win at Mania, especially with it opening WrestleMania Sunday, which they’re making sure to have air even on “ESPN proper,” the cable channel! The most eyes on that match possible, and WWE better make the right move.

Very good matches to send some people to Mania with momentum, though the Women’s Tag Division is missing some fire given Nikki Bella is still a game day decision. Charlotte VS Lyra was a very good match all the same, with Bayley cheating Charlotte back for what happened on Friday. No idea where the math lands on that, but that makes the Fatal 4 Way tag a lot of fun. Meanwhile, Rusev clearly go-home-mathed himself out of winning the Intercontinental title after he destroyed all five other men in that ladder match. To me, it’ll either be Rey Mysterio winning or Penta retaining, and we can have something just as fun for Backlash.

Very good interaction from Knight, Usos and MFT, though MFT showing up was literally just so they could do this Six Man Tag and have a team lose to Knight & Usos. Well, they did add to the MFT dysfunction so there is that. It might be a bit obvious, but someone is likely leaving MFT this Friday during that Street Fight. The obvious move is Tama being exiled, but I would love if Tama got his literal brothers, Talla & Loa, on his side to exile Solo. Good montage from IShowSpeed with Logan & Theory, but this is still wrestling tropes/cliche where Speed doesn’t just apologize and wash his hands of this. Either Speed should ditch Vision, or Vision ditches Speed.

We finally got some better stuff with Rhea and Jade, but that was only because it joined the Iyo-Kairi-Asuka triangle here on Raw. It’d be a little last minute, but #RheYo VS Kabuki Warriors could be a good go-home match on SmackDown to see how Rhea looks going into her match with Jade. The Iyo-Kairi-Asuka triangle can also continue with a proper build going towards Backlash.

My Score: 8.7/10