The Vision better watch out!

Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch kicked up a hornet’s nest! AJ LEE returned to the WWE on Friday, and now she’s here on Monday Night Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AJ Styles VS El Grande Americano; Styles wins.
• Lyra Valkyria VS Raquel Rodriguez w/ Roxanne Perez; Raquel wins.
• PENTA VS Rusev; Rusev wins.
• Asuka w/ Kairi Sane VS Nikki Bella; Asuka wins.
• LA Knight VS Bronson Reed w/ Bron Breakker; Bronson wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Usos are here!

Jey Uso goes through the crowded concourse and out into the crowd as the fans bounce and “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Milwaukee is ready to become Milwauk-YEET as Jey continues down the stands, and surprise! There’s Jimmy! They YEET together as the fans sing along with the theme song! The Usos get in the ring and everyone bounces again. The Usos then get the mic, but the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey signals that they’ll run it back, and we get the encore! Jey then blows a big kiss to the crowd, and he gets the handoff from Jimmy. The fans “YEET!” and Jey says, “I said, the Usos are now in your citaaaay~!”

Jey calls out, “The Vision, Seth Rollins, The Bronnies, the Bronzos, The Brusos, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, y’all messed up. You screwed up, Uce.” But then here come Bron & Bronson! The fans boo the Unpredictable Badass & The Tribal Thief, but they’ve already got mics of their own. Bron says, “Hey, Reed, look! It’s the twins! Hey, Big Jim, you lost, man? This ain’t SmackDown! This is Monday Night Raw, Uce. The Vision runs Monday Night Raw! The dogs run Monday Night Raw! And y’all got some nerve coming out here and standing in our ring after what y’all’s family did to Paul Heyman.”

Bron is raring to go but Bronson holds him back! Bronson gets Bron to back down and says not tonight. Tonight, all Bronson wants from Roman’s family is for them to ACKNOWLEDGE their Tribal Thief. The fans boo and chant for “O T C! O T C!” Bronson tells “Big Jim” to listen to “Big Bronson.” Jimmy was not a factor in Rollins’ vision while he was on SmackDown. But now he’s on Raw. The fans sing for “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” Bronson tells them to shut up! They won’t listen to the people. Roman ain’t coming back! They dealt with him! And now they’ll deal with Jimmy! If you wanna know what’s gonna happen, just check on your cousin in the hospital!

Jimmy tells Bronson to shut his mouth when it comes to The OTC. The fans cheer that! And as for Bron, YEAH Big Jim knows where he is! HE’s on Mon-JEY Night Raw! “YEET!” And Jimmy is happy to be here. He remembers J&J Security, and now we got PBJ Security! We know who you two punks are, but here’s a reminder of who they are! You the twos, they the ONES! And what irks Jimmy more? That these two got the same damn name, or that they’re taking orders from, uh, what’s his name? Paul Heyman? Yeah, you’re taking orders from Heyman! The Advocate! AKA The Wiseman! AKA The Orca! He built like one. AKA in the words of the Tribal Chief: DUMBASS!

But hey, check this out. They wanna come out here and make a name for themselves? Cool! Guess what The Usos did? They went to Adam Pearce, talked with him, and guess what? At WrestlePalooza, Breakker & “Big Head” VS The best damn tag team in the game, Jimmy & Jey, THE USOS! Check it, we don’t even have to wait! We can get it right now! Talk to ’em! Four letters, one word… UH UH, YEET! Bronson says no, they can wait! Not tonight! But then LA KNIGHT attacks! The fans fire up as The Mega Star gets his on Bron & Bronson, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bron & Bronson mug Knight, RAM him into the apron, but then The Usos DIVE!

The fans fire up as Jimmy & Jey wipe out the big boys! Jey & Knight get Bronson in the ring, and they “YEET! “YEAH!” pinball Bronson like before! “YEET! YEAH!” and repeat! Then they DOUBLE HAYMAKER! Bron runs in, DOUBLE HAYMAKER! Jimmy is in, SUPERKICK for Bron! Bronson staggers, B F- NO, Bronson shoves Knight at Jey! And then runs up to SPLASH Jey! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bronson for it! Bronson tumbles out and regroups with Bron while the fans cheer. Knight wants more, the Usos want more, but everyone will have to wait. Knight and Jey are a bit tense after the miscommunication, but can they all focus on the real enemies here?

LA Knight argues with Adam Pearce.

Pearce isn’t sure how many times he has to say it, but Knight says it’ll be as many times as need be until Pearce gets this done. Then Pearce will handle it! Thank you! Pearce storms off, Byron Saxton walks over, and Byron asks about that brawl out there. Is it safe to assume that- Knight says no, it is never safe to assume. Knight wants what he wants, but he hears about a tag match at WrestlePalooza! Usos VS Vision, yay~! Like Knight cares about family reunions. What he wants is what is his. But firstly, Jey suddenly thinks what? Knight threw himself at Jey? HUH!? Seriously? If you think Knight needed to do that to take someone out, no, he’d just do it to Jey’s face.

There’s no problem here, but if Jey wants to make it a problem, Knight ain’t a hard man to find! So come on over. But what Knight wants, what he needs, is a match with one of the Bron-Brons! He said give him Reed, Breaker, LeBron, Lil’ Bronnie, Charles Bronson, if his name has B R O N in it, he wants them in the ring! Knight doesn’t even cares if he wins or loses, but he will take a piece with him and stomp the piss outta them! YEAH! Knight storms off, will he get the fight he wants?

AJ Styles VS El Grande Americano!

The Phenomenal One was so close to getting the Intercontinental Champion, if not for this supposed lucha legend. But will this be some phenomenal revenge? Or will Ludwig- er, El Grande pay for helping Dirty Dom?

Raw returns and El Grande American makes his entrance, a new theme to accompany his new ring gear. But then Styles WERCKES him with a dropkick! The fans cheer as Styles drags Grande outta his cape and throws him into barriers! And more barriers! Styles throws hands, POSTS him, then storms after him. The fans cheer for Styles, the ref reprimands, but Styles CHOPS Grande against barriers! And ROCKS him against the apron! Styles whips Grande into more barriers! Grande falls into the front row! The ref reprimands, but this isn’t even a match yet! Styles puts Grande in the ring, storms in, and Styles argues with the ref to make it a match!

Grande runs up during the arguing, but Styles dodges to PELE! Grande flounders, Styles runs, and Styles LARIATS Grande up and out! The bell rings now, and Styles PLANCHAS! Down goes Grande and the fans fire up! Styles stalks Grande, brings him up, and CHOPS! And ROCKS! And CHOPS! Styles ROCKS Grande again, puts him in the ring, and then takes aim. But Grande runs up! Styles ROCKS him again, then prepares the elbow! The fans fire up, but EL GRANDE DOS is here! Styles kicks him away, but Grande GAMANGIRIS! Styles falls, Grande goes out and whips Styles hard into steel steps! Styles flies and tumbles, the fans go nuts, and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Grande POSTS Styles! Then he has Styles stuck in the ropes! Grande runs to DROPKICK Styles out of the Tree of Woe! Grande drags Styles to a cover, TWO! Styles is tougher than that, but Grande clamps on with a cobra clutch. The fans rally as Styles endures, and he fights up to his feet. Styles powers through but Grande facelocks! Styles still RAMS Grande into the corner! Styles staggers back but he is free only for Grande to BOOT him! Grande goes up, TORNADO- NO, Styles stops the DDT to snap suplex into the corner! The fans fire up and “Dos” coaches Grande. Styles rises, he LARIATS, and the fans fire up!

Grande dodges, Styles fires the Phenomenal Blitz, LARIAT included! The fans fire up and Styles SLIDING FOREARMS! Then he LARIATS in the corner, fireman’s carries, but Grande slips free! Styles switches, Grande throws elbows, but Styles gets under! Torture rack and TOWER HACKER BOMB! cover, TWO! Grande survives and the fans fire up! Styles stalks Grande, brings him up and reels him in, but Grande flops away! Grande wants mercy, but Styles storms up on him. Grande FLAPJACKS Styles off buckles! Grande CHOPS Styles, goes up, up, and FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up a Styles survives! Grande storms around, the fans boo, but he brings Styles up and reels him in. POWER- NO, Styles fights it, the mask is loose! Grande fixes the mask, but Styles ENZIGIRIS! Styles reels Grande in, but Dos distracts! The fans boo, but DRATGON LEE is here! The Boy Wonder YANKS Dos down, then FLYING RANAS! The fans fire up, but Kaiser- er, Grande rolls Styles! TWO, and Styles rolls through, high stack, and then the STYLES CLASH!! Cover, STYLES WINS!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall

Dragon Lee came through for Styles, and they both got some payback on the would-be greatest luchador in history! Will all the Grandes finally stop with the facade?

Pearce talks with Iyo Sky.

The Raw General Manager wants the Genius to know that Stephanie Vaquer was not able to come to Milwaukee, so the contract signing is cancelled. What about the title match? Nikki Bella steps in and asks about Vaquer. Pearce says they were just talking about that. No contract signing tonight, but Vaquer should make it to WrestlePalooza for the match, everyone can rest easy. Iyo says that’s great. Pearce heads out, and Nikki says that’s great! Iyo VS Vaquer is going to be a great match. But wait, here come the Kabuki Warriors. Asuka is still so pushy about Iyo not talking to others, but Nikki says they were having a conversation.

Asuka says Nikki has nothing to say to Iyo. Nikki disagrees, and while Asuka doesn’t have to like Nikki, she will respect her. Respect? HAH! But how about Asuka just beats the respect into Nikki tonight? Nikki says you’re on! Nikki leaves, Asuka leaves, Kairi sighs, and Kairi apologizes, only for Asuka to call her away. Will the Empress of Tomorrow remind us that even #FearlessNikki is not ready for Asuka?

Lyra Valkyria VS Raquel Rodriguez w/ Roxanne Perez!

The Morrigan did not appreciate how Judgment Day was mocking Bayley, so this is her standing up for The Role Model when she can’t stand up for herself. Will Lyra shut down Judgment Day once and for all? Or will there be no change of fortunes for Ricky Desperado?

Raw returns as Raquel makes her entrance, Roxie by her side. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. Raquel stays put as Lyra pushes, then she THROWS Lyra down! Raquel taunts Lyra, Lyra gets up, and the two reset. They circle, Lyra slips around to RAM Raquel into ropes. Raquel powers Lyra up with a gut wrench, but Lyra slips out to the apron. Lyra then slides under, keeps her distance, and throws some KICKS at Raquel’s leg. Raquel blocks one, reels Lyra in, and facelock SWINGS her! The fans rally as Raquel THROWS Lyra away. Lyra gets up, circles with Raquel again, and throws another KICK!

Raquel grabs Lyra by the neck! Raquel THRWOS her to the corner, ROCKS her with a forearm, but the fans rally for Lyra. Raquel whips Lyra, Lyra goes up, but Raquel catches her to a waistlock. Lyra throws elbows, runs, and slips around to crucifix- NO, Raquel stays up and swings Lyra again. Lyra just uses that to GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans cheer but Raquel powers up to suplex! Raquel holds Lyra up, but Lyra slips free! Lyra RAMS Raquel, RAMS her again, and CROSSBODIES, but into Raquel’s arms! Raquel pops Lyra up, Lyra slips out, springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Lyra kips up, ENZIGIRI, and Raquel tumbles out!

The fans fire up and join in on the “WHEW~!” Lyra builds speed, and WRECKS Raquel with a dropkick! The fans cheer, Lyra puts Raquel back in, and Lyra goes up a corner. The ref has Roxie back off, and Lyra aims. CROSSBODY again, but Raquel catches her! Raquel fires knees, then FALL AWAY SLAMS! The fans cheer, Raquel drags Lyra to the corner, and Raquel bends Lyra by pulling a leg and Lyra’s hair! The fans boo, Raquel stops, and she storms in just to stand on Lyra! Raquel then goes up the corner, TWISTING VADER! She steps on Lyra again, another TWISTING VADER! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives but La Ruda is in control as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Lyra endures the Argentine Backbreaker Rack! But she fights up, sunset flips, TWO! Raquel has the legs, INVERTED SURFBOARD! Lyra endures this hybrid of Boston Crab and surfboard stretch, but she’s at center! Lyra reaches back to have a facelock, but Raquel lets go of the legs to get away. Then she BOOTS Lyra! Raquel taunts Lyra, pie faces her, and says, “Nobody cares.” Raquel whips, pop-up, but Lyra DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Lyra rises up! Roxie panics and coaches Raquel but Lyra is up first! Lyra runs to ROCK Raquel! And runs to ROCK her again! And again! Raquel wobbles, Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, RAMS, and KICKS again!

Lyra dodges a shot, then WHEEL KICKS! Raquel staggers, Lyra comes back, wheelbarrow and STUNNER! Lyra goes up, up, but Raquel stands! So Lyra FLYING TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO! Raquel survives and the fans rally up! Lyra reels Raquel in, but Raquel stops the DDT this time! Raquel suplexes to then SLINGSHOT and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and Raquel is furious! Roxie coaches Raquel and Raquel drags Lyra up. Raquel gut wrenches has the Canadian Rack, and she RAMS Lyra into a corner! The fans rally for Lyra but Raquel ROCKS her! Raquel climbs up, CLUBS Lyra, but Lyra fights the superplex!

Lyra fires body shots, then adjusts position! SUPER- NO, Raquel blocks! Lyra uses that whole core to POWERBOMB Raquel! Cover, TWO!! Lyra is beside herself as Raquel survives! Milwaukee knows “This is Awesome!” as Lyra fireman’s carries! But the back gives up! Roxie distracts, Lyra storms up on her, but Raquel CLUBS Lyra! Raquel whips, Lyra dodges, and WRECKS Roxie with a dropkick! But Raquel gets Lyra again, only for Lyra to fire elbows! Lyra mule kicks, runs, po-up- NO, Lyra heel kicks free! Victory roll, with hooks! TWO!! Raquel escapes and Lyra is frustrated. Lyra roars, runs, ENZIGIRI!

Raquel flounders, Lyra goes up, and the fans rally behind Lyra! Raquel grabs a leg, YANKS Lyra into position, TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, RAQUEL WINS!

Winner: Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall

There was indeed no turn of fortune here, Raquel was just too powerful! Will this victory lead her and Roxie back to the gold?

PROGRAMMING NOTE for Monday Night Raw!

Starting next week, Raw will start an hour earlier! That’s right, 7PM Eastern, 4 Pacific, but always on Netflix!

Penta talks with The War Raiders.

Penta thanks Erik & Ivar for last week, and they say no problem. They’ve got his back any time he needs. They fist bump and Penta says he’s got their back, too. The Raiders head out, Penta and Pearce now talk. Penta says when he came to WWE, everyone loved Penta. Of course. But why doesn’t Pearce love Penta? Pearce doesn’t know what he means, he of course loves Penta. But then what about opportunities? He wants the Intercontinental Championship and that idiot, Dom! Because then Penta will be the champion with Cero Miedo! But then Rusev storms in, and he says Pearce didn’t follow the plan.

Plan? What plan? The will of the Son of Thunder! Rusev returns, crushes Sheamus, then becomes champion. Pearce is wasting his time on these clowns. Penta says hey now, he is not a clown, and talk doesn’t mean much. Pearce cools things off, and says no fighting back here. If you have something to prove, do it in the ring. First-time-ever, Penta VS Rusev, tonight in Milwaukee! Penta says let’s go! Rusev says then he will just add beating Penta to the plan. Who will will in the Good Land to go for that gold?

AJ Styles and Dragon Lee talk backstage.

The Phenomenal One appreciates Lee had his back. So he will have Lee’s back in return. But then in steps Jimmy Uso to say sup, and he asks if they’ve seen Jey. Jimmy looks over and spots his brother. They’ll talk later. Jimmy walks over and asks where Jey is going. Jey says he’s out for the night. What? But they’ve got a play to run. What play? What does Jey mean? Knight VS Bronson tonight, Knight’s gonna need their help. Jey says he doesn’t care about no Knight, that’s not their problem. But The Vision is their problem. Jey says Jimmy saw what happened. Knight tried to get one on Jey, and he’s supposed to let that slide?

What about Jey? What about The Usos? Helping Knight won’t help them with WrestlePalooza, and it damn sure won’t help Jey get the world title back. Understand? So here is what they do: Usos will make sure they all ACKNOWLEDGE ’em, or Usos gonna SMASH ’em! Okay? Jimmy says Jey ain’t sounding like Jey. That sounds like Roman. Jey says maybe being Jey ain’t working. Jey takes his leave, and now Jimmy is stuck in the middle. Will Jey only worry about the bloodline from now on?

AJ LEE is here!

Milwaukee is ready to light it up as the returning “Anti-Diva” skips her way to the ring, wearing Becky Lynch’s WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, just as she snatched up on Friday! The fans cheer as AJ gets the mic. She smiles and says, “I kept you waiting, huh? Sorry.” The fans chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” AJ thanks them for that, and says for those not here ten years ago, and are perhaps really confused as to why your Millennial parents were so excited on Friday, allow her to introduce herself. “My name is AJ Lee. And I am your favorite wrestler’s favorite wrestler.” The fans cheer that!

AJ continues to say that ten years ago, she retired. The fans boo but she says she said sorry! AJ says she felt she’d accomplished all her dreams. She hung up the Chuck Taylors, thinking that was the end of her story. There was no way she was going to step back into a ring “wearing jean shorts that are two sizes too small. I was so sure.” And so, AJ went on a journey to accomplish all her other crazy dreams, and she did it. The most important was going on her mental health journey. The fans cheer that! AJ admits, she wasn’t healthy, needed to take care of herself and to get right, which the fans cheer even more.

AJ says she went to therapy, got treatment, and the fans chant, “THERAPY! THERAPY!” AJ says she also found a way to turn the chaos into a superpower. And the fight is not easy. Every day is a fight, but if you’re going through the same thing, the fight is worth it and you are worth it. AJ says she was doing really good for a long time. And then she watched Monday Night Raw. “And look, healing isn’t linear. Cuz it’s one thing to see your husband (CM Punk) fighting Drew McIntyre or Seth Rollins or John Cena. But it’s another thing entirely to see him in the ring with Becky Lynch.” The fans boo that name.

AJ agrees. She wanted to like Becky! She thought they had so much in common! Leaders, rebels, New York Times best-selling authors! But yeah AJ did it first. AJ is everyone’s favorite reference, yes. But on track, there is a world in which AJ and Becky could’ve been friends. But then Becky had to go and motorboat AJ’s husband! She put her hands on him, berated him, defamed him, and- interrupts AJ. The fans boo but The Man sulks her way out here, mic in hand and oversized sunglasses on her head. AJ waves hi as Becky approaches, and Becky stops at the end of the ramp. The fans boo while Becky gathers her thoughts.

“This has nothing to do with your stank ass husband!” The fans boo but Becky says, “Boo?! Is everybody insane? Has nobody noticed? Are you all stupid? Of course you are, you live in Milwaukee!” The fans boo more, but Becky says AJ is wearing BECKY’S title! AJ pretends to be shocked, and Becky says that is the title SHE has made the most important title in this division! And Becky and AJ are nothing alike! Because Becky, BECKY…! SHUT UP, FANS! BECKY is the greatest female wrestler of all time! And it’s not just her saying that, other people say it! Sports Illustrated says it! Fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!”

Becky says no, she does not suck! The Chicago Tribune AND Milwaukee Journal all say it, too! Becky says she needs therapy after this! And AJ LEE does not deserve to put a finger on that title! The fans again chant “THERAPY! THERAPY!” AJ says therapy works, she can recommend some names. But wow, this is so embarrassing, she forgot she was wearing the title. She was skipping around the house in it, slept in it, and that made things really awkward getting dressed this morning. Becky takes off the sunglasses to reveal the black eye AJ gave her on Friday while she says AJ does NOT deserve to put hands on that title!

AJ says Becky is sporting quite the shiner. Oh, was that her fists of fury that did that? Sorry, sometimes she goes feral and blacks out. Sorry. But AJ knows Becky is tough, since she’s “the greatest of all time” and everything. AJ puts the belt down and says why not come and get it. Becky storms up to the ring, but hesitates. The fans chant, “CHICKEN! CHICKEN!” Becky says she is NOT chicken! Becky gets flustered, and says okay, listen to her, “you Jersey trash bag weirdo!” Keep your hands off her title, she already had to bathe and bleach after touching AJ’s greasy husband. Which, by the way, where is he? Huh?

The fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” and Becky says yes, exactly! What kind of man hide behind his wife? This had nothing to do with AJ until Punk got her involved. This had everything to do with Becky and her husband, and their family, and their business, and their vision! AJ Lee did not need to stick her nose in where it didn’t belong. In fact, let’s show everyone what a proper man and a proper champion looks like! Hit the music! “BURN IT DOWN!” The fans do sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Seth Rollins makes his way out, in a matching red and white ensemble. Becky complains, Rollins says he’ll handle it.

Rollins wants them to calm down, then shouts at them to shut up! Pump the brakes! This is very simple, they can make this super easy. AJ just has to give Becky the belt back, and they can all leave this dump of a city! Super simple, easy peasy. Just give it back. Oh, yeah, good idea. AJ didn’t think of it. But just quick, while they could do that, AJ has a better idea. Two choices here. One: Becky can come into the ring and take it, but that risks another black eye. Two: AJ will give Becky the belt if they agree to a tag match. AJ Lee & CM Punk VS Becky & Seth! The fans love that idea! Rollins has Becky hold his belt and glasses while the fans chant for “C M PUNK!”

Rollins wants AJ to understand… She has been gone 10 years, may not understand how things go around here, but Rollins is the World Heavyweight Champion! This is HIS show now! These are HIS people now! The fans boo that. Rollins says AJ has been back for a cup of coffee, she doesn’t call the shots, Rollins does. He will step into the ring, take the belt, give it back to his incredible wife, and that’s the end of it. Oh, thanks for mansplaining, everyone loves that. Rollins says he just wants to do this easy and simple. But then AJ stands in front of the belt! Rollins is annoyed, tries to go around, but she stays in the way.

Rollins gets frustrated, and he says she better listen and listen well. That does NOT belong to her! That is HIS title, so- CM PUNK bumps into Becky! Punk then pushes past Becky, gets in the ring, and fireman’s carry! Rollins slips away, regroups with Becky, and the fans cheer! Rollins is furious, Becky is panicked, but Milwaukee cheers for Punk. Rollins has his mic again and says if they wanna match, they got a match! At WrestlePalooza, Punk & Lee are done for! AJ says okay! And she gives the belt a kiss before THROWING it at Becky! The fans cheer, and now we have quite the double date for Indianapolis! But who will be THE power couple of WWE?

Bayley speaks.

“I don’t even know what the next step is. I don’t know what good this has done, or if it’s done anything at all, but… All I know is that the last person I wanted to hurt was Lyra. And, I’ve hurt a lot of people in the past, but they mostly deserved it.” Bayley laughs a little, she calms down, and says that those people found it in their hearts to forgive her because deep down, she’s a good person, so maybe… Maybe…? Bayley stops herself again and says she isn’t sure how Lyra can find it in her to forgive Bayley when Bayley can’t forgive herself. The voices return, and Ding Dong Bayley says, “Oh my God, are you finished yet? Save it for your diary! HAHA~!”

But Hugger Bayley is very proud Prime Bayley is admitting her mistakes and owning up to them. Bug DING DONG, HELLO~! Bayley just needs to take a hint! Move on! They have to do what’s best for Bayley! And what’s best for Bayley is to make it right! Bayley knows what is in her heart, she can make it right. She will make it right. Bayley has her next goal, but how will she go about it?

PENTA VS Rusev!

While both men were once all elite, they never crossed paths in the ring. And now that they’re both Raw, their paths have crossed on the road to the Intercontinental Championship. Who establishes dominance while also taking a step closer to Dirty Dom?

Raw returns and Rusev makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as these two stare down. Penta says listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” Rusev swings, Penta dodges, and Penta CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Penta fires off CHOPS but Rusev just gets mad! Rusev blocks a whip to reverses the whip, and he avoids the up ‘n’ over to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rusev stomps Penta, has him on the ropes, then rains down fists! The fans rally for Penta but Rusev snarls. Rusev drags Penta up, short arm LARIATS, and he storms around. The fans boo but Rusev just focuses on Penta. Rusev brings Penta up, suplexes, but Penta slips free!

Penta fires body shots, then runs, tilt-o-whirl and RANA! Rusev tumbles, runs up, but Penta dodges! Rusev hits POST, then Penta hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, ONE!! Penta stays on Rusev with body shots and a KICK! Penta SUPERKICKS, then he goes up a corner. Rusev bails out, the fans boo, but Penta hops down to the apron. Penta PENALTY- NO, Rusev blocks and he YANKS Penta down! Then Rusev scoops Penta to THROW him onto the desk! Penta writhes, but Rusev lines up a shot. Rusev runs in, Penta dodges, and Rusev RAMS steel steps! The steps go tumbling, the ref checks Rusev, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Rusev snarls as Penta stirs. Rusev drags Penta up, but Penta JAWBREAKERS! Penta CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Rusev shoves Penta, Penta KICKS Rusev, and then Penta dodges Rusev to kicka  leg out! Penta runs to SLING-DOG! The fans fire up while Rusev sputters. Rusev goes to a corner, Penta GAMANGIRIS! Penta sits Rusev down, then headstands for the DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Penta on, but wait! The New Day & Grayson Waller are here? The fans boo as Penta glares at these three. But then Rusev hits a back suplex! Penta lands out, ducks ‘n dodges, and Penta FLIES out onto New Day!

The fans fire up as Waller & Kofi go down, Woods gets away! Rusev runs up, Penta DUMPS him out, and Penta builds speed! Penta DIVES into a HAYMAKER! Rusev storms into the ring, Penta comes back, and he hops on! CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Rusev survives and the fans fire up! Rusev survives, “This is Awesome!” and Penta rises up. Penta brings Rusev around, stomps him to center, then calls his shot. The fans cheer, Penta aims from a corner, but Woods gets on the apron! Penta BOOTS Woods down! Penta leaps, but into a MACHKA KICK!! Cover, RUSEV WINS!

Winner: Rusev, by pinfall

The fans boo but Rusev shouts, “Fear me now!” Give the assist to the mourning New Day, but will Rusev still fight his way to the Intercontinental Championship?

Jimmy Uso checks with LA Knight.

Big Jim wants to make sure that was an accident out there. Knight says c’mon, everyone else saw it. Knight was shoved at Jey, Jey didn’t move. What was Knight gonna do about it? Jimmy says alright, cool. And he knows that Knight and Jey have beef, but they gotta put that aside because tonight, “we” have beef with The Vision. Uh, who’s “we?” There is no “we,” Knight has tried to do the play nice thing, teamwork thing, “we” thing, and what’d he get? Superkick to the mouth. In fact, last time he went for the world title, Jey kept Knight from it. If we rewind further, Knight going after Roman Reigns and the world title, it was Jimmy who kept him from it.

So there is no “we” here. If Jimmy wants to help, then don’t help. Knight can do this himself, YEAH. The Mega Star heads out, but will he make it out of Milwaukee in one piece?

Asuka w/ Kairi Sane VS Nikki Bella!

Now isn’t this a blast from the past. But while the Empress of Tomorrow has changed things up, #FearlessNikki is still very much the leader of the Bella Army. Will that army have Nikki’s back in Milwaukee? Or will no one, no matter who they are, be ready for Asuka?

Raw returns, Asuka makes her entrance, and the bell rings. The fans rally as the two circle, and Asuka tests the water with kicks. Nikki stays back, the fans cheer her on, but there are plenty of fans cheering Asuka. too. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and they go shoulder to shoulder. Asuka kicks, Nikki ducks, and Nikki rolls Asuka up, TWO! Nikki Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Asuka SLIDING KICKS! Nikki clutches her arm, but she avoids a kick. Asuka avoids a kick, sunset flips, but Nikki sits on it, TWO! The two reset while the fans duel. Kairi cheers Asuka on as the two circle again. They tie up, Nikki headlocks, but Asuka fires body shots.

Asuka powers out, Nikki RAMS Asuka, but Asuka stays up. Asuka eggs Nikki on, Nikki runs, and Asuka RAMS Nikki! Nikki staggers, Asuka grins, but Nikki storms back up. Nikki dares Asuka to run. Asuka says okay, and they both run, but Asuka feints! Asuka follows Nikki, but Nikki dodges to DROPKICK! The fans cheer, Asuka goes to a corner, and Nikki runs up. Asuka dodges, Nikki hits buckles, and Asuka runs in. Nikki BOOTS back, then runs up, but into a POP-UP KNEE! Nikki is stunned, the fans cheer, and Asuka storms up on Nikki. Asuka puts Nikki on the ropes, KICKS away on her, then climbs up so she can have a ROPE OCTOPUS!

The ref counts, Asuka stops at 4, and then Asuka runs up, but Nikki dodges! Asuka jumps off the ropes, but Nikki ROCKS her! And SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Asuka bails out, but Kairi gets her out of the way for that dropkick! But now Asuka uses Kairi as a shield! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Nikki shoves Kairi! Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Nikki down, and she cheers herself on! Kairi also applauds, though she’s literally being used, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Nikki crawls to ropes. The fans rally, Asuka scuffs Nikki, but Nikki gets mad. Asuka scuffs her again, then kicks, but Nikki blocks! Nikki spins Asuka to ROCK her with a forearm! Asuka goes to a corner, but she dodges Nikki to GERMAN SUPLEX! Nikki tumbles, Kairi cheers, and Asuka goes up. The fans cheer as Asuka aims, but Nikki avoids the missile dropkick! The fans rally up while both women are down. Nikki drags herself to the corner while Asuka goes to the other. Nikki runs up and LARIATS! And LARIATS! And DROPKICKS! Nikki drags Asuka up, RAMS her into the post, and the fans fire up!

Nikki runs corner to corner, LARIATS, then she snapmares. Nikki lines up a shot, FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Asuka survives but Nikki keeps her focus. Nikki storms around, she drags Asuka up, and the fans rally. Nikki fires a forearm, then Alabama Lifts! Nikki sunset flips, Nikki fights, but Asuka finishes the roll! ONE, but Asuka KICKS Nikki again! The fans rally, Asuka feeds off the energy, and she storms up on Nikki. Asuka stands Nikki up, Nikki blocks the uraken, but not the SOBAT! Or the front KICK! HAYMAKER! Asuka winds up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Nikki survives, the fans duel, and Asuka is feeling it.

Asuka brings Nikki up, wrangles her, ASUKA LOCK, but Nikki powers up! Nikki throws Asuka off, but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES again! Asuka drags Nikki up with the chicken wing, but Nikki drops! Victory roll, TWO!! Asuka escapes, but Nikki Alabama Lifts! ALABAMA SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and Kairi is worried, but Nikki drags Asuka up. Nikki fireman’s carries, but Asuka lands out! Nikki ducks the uraken! Asuka ducks a roundhouse! Asuka HEEL KICKS! Down goes Nikki and the fans fire up! Asuka runs, EMPRESS IMPACT! But that’s not all, ASUKA LOCK!! Nikki fights, flails, but she TAPS, Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by submission

The Pirate Princess celebrates with her Empress of Tomorrow! Asuka is on a roll, will she be waiting on the other side of Vaquer VS Iyo for her own title shot?

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

JD McDonagh cheers on Big Mami Cool, and Finn Balor says he knew they’d rebound. Great domination of Lyra! And lucky for Roxie, she gets to do the exact same thing! Two for the price of one, mate! But Dom, what’s wrong? Where have you been? Dom says he was just preparing for Worlds Collide: Vegas, and his moment of becoming AAA Mega Campeon. Oh, that’s where he’s been? How about his new amigo, El Grande Americano? It’s not even like that. JD says no, it is a fair question. They’re all in the dark about this stuff. And Finn has been around long enough to know that no one lends a hand unless they’re expecting something in return. JD says, “No free lunches.”

Dom says no, it isn’t like that. Grande was just helping because, well, it’s a lucha thing. These guys wouldn’t understand. And maybe Dom wouldn’t need help if Finn & JD didn’t get banned from ringside. Dom leaves in a huff, Roxie says she’ll go talk to him. Raquel is worried about that, but should they all be worried about this “lucha thing?”

Nikki Bella returns backstage.

And Asuka storms over to tell Nikki to tell Stephanie that what just happened to Nikki is exactly what Iyo will do to her! Nikki says she’s real sick of Asuka! Does she want round two because Nikki will go again! Kairi stays between them but Nikki still shoves Asuka! And now Rhea Ripley storms in! Mami asks if there’s a problem here. Asuka says yeah, two of them: Nikki and Rhea. Asuka tells them that SHE is the top woman in WWE, for she is Asuka! Oh, top woman? Isn’t it Iyo going for the world title, though? Or did Asuka forget that? Asuka says it doesn’t matter, just don’t talk to Iyo! Asuka storms off, Kairi is a deer in headlights until Asuka shouts for her.

Kairi skitters away, Nikki and Rhea have each other’s backs, but what will happen as all the mutual friends of Iyo keep fighting each other?

LA Knight VS Bronson Reed w/ Bron Breakker!

The Mega Star helped The Usos but he was more helping himself, and now tensions are higher between him and Main Event Jey. But will Knight make himself the real main event star this close to WrestlePalooza? Or will there be a Tsunami in Milwaukee?

Raw returns, Auszilla makes his entrance, and the bell rings. Knight is wary as Badass Bron is near. Bronson and Knight circle, the two approach, and Knight dodges a shot to fire haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight has Bronson in a corner, Bronson turns things around, but Knight dodges! Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight whips corner to corner, but Bronson blocks! Bronson puts Knight in a corner, but Knight dodges again! Knight stomps and fires hands, “YEAH!” Knight bumps Bronson off buckles, then whips corner to corner. Bronson blocks again! And he whips Knight hard into buckles!

Bronson then TOSSES Knight to the floor! Bronson huffs ‘n’ puffs, Bron is nearby again, but the ref warns Bron. The fans bark it up as Bron talks smack on Knight. Bronson then drags Knight up by his hair! But Knight HOTSHOTS free! Knight slingshots, but Bronson catches him to a fireman’s carry! Knight fights free, sunset flips, and then avoids the hip drop! Bronson staggers, Knight runs, and Knight LARIATS! Bronson stays up so Knight LARIATS! Knight runs again, but Bronson LARIATS in return! The fans boo but Bronson huffs ‘n’ puffs. Bronson rains down fists on Knight, then HEADBUTTS! And ELBOW DROPS!

Bronson raises the one, the fans boo, but Bronson eggs Knight on. Bronson CLUBS Knight to the corner, then stands him up. Bronson RAMS into Knight, digs his shoulder in, and RAMS again! And again! Bronson HEADBUTTS Knight, Knight staggers away, and Bronson goes after him. Knight kicks and JABS, “YEAH!” But Bronson HEADBUTTS again! Knight falls, Bronson eggs him on, and Bronson drags Knight up. Bronson whips, Knight grabs ropes, and Knight ELBOWS Bronson away! Bronson comes back, Knight TOSSES him out now, and Knight WRECKS Bronson with a dropkick! Bronson hits the desk and fans fire up!

Knight glares at Bron, Bron dares him to do something, and fans bark again. But Bronson runs up! Knight sends him into the POST! And then the steel steps! The steps come apart, Knight stands on them to say “YEAH!” Knight dares Bron to try something, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, Knight fights up from a chinlock and fires body shots! The fans rally, Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight runs, but Bronson swings! Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges and CROSSBODIES, but Bronson catches him! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Cover, TWO! Knight survives, the fans rally up, but Bronson looms over Knight. Bronson drags Knight up, DECKS him, then puts him on the ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Bronson stops at 4, and Knight sputters. Bronson and the ref argue, but that lets Bron get his shots in! The fans boo, Bron gets away with it, but Bronson stomps Knight to the corner.

Bronson drags Knight up, CHOKES him in the corner, and the ref counts. Bronson stops at 4, mocks the “UCE! OH!” and then runs corner to corner, but Knight drop toeholds! Bronson hits buckles face-first! The fans fire up, Knight rises up to throw hands! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight kicks Bronson to the corner, stomps away on him, then fires up! The fans fire up with Knight, and he runs corner to corner for a- NO, Bronson fireman’s carries! But Knight slips free, and he JAWBREAKERS! Bronson staggers, Knight fires more hands! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson blocks one to TOSS Knight up and out of the ring!

The fans boo but Bron taunts Knight. Knight drags himself up at the barriers, but here comes Bronson! But Knight TOSSES Bronson into the timekeeper’s area! And Knight gets on the desk! He uses that as a runway to jump, FLY, and CLOBBER Bronson! The fans fire up as Knight then drags Bronson up, brings him around, but Bronson fires body shots! Bronson puts Knight in the ring, but Knight fires forearms! Knight LARIATS, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he LEAPS, but into Bronson’s hands! Bronson TOSSES Knight to a corner! Knight dodges the splash, but Bronson blocks the jumping neckbreaker! SENTON FLOPS as Knight moves!

Knight hurries up a corner, and he spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives but Bron is getting frustrated. The fans chant, “Bronson Reed!” “HE’S A BUM!” Knight kicks Bronson low, B F- NO, Bronson shoves Knight! Bron is there, but Knight DECKS Bron! The fans cheer, but Bronson fireman’s carries! JAGGED EDGE!! Cover, Bronson wins!

Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall

Just as we knew, the numbers game wins, and now Bron & Bronson mug Knight just because they can! EXPLODER from Bron and Knight tumbles! But JIMMY USO rushes out here! Big Jim SUPERKICKS Bronson! SUPERKICKS Bron! Repeat! But Bron SPEARS Jimmy!! The fans boo, others “YEET!” but Jey left! Jimmy is getting mugged now! Bronson rains down HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, Bron TOSSES Knight, and then Bronson SENTONS! WAIT! Jey is back?! The fans fire up as Jey rushes out here to save his brother! Jey dodges to SUPERKICK Bronson! And he fires haymakers on Bron, “YEET! YEET! YEET!”

Jey pops, locks, and UPPERCUTS! Then he SUPERKICKS Bronson! Jey runs, but Bron SPEARS first!! The fans bark it up as Bron drags Jey around. Then he brings Jimmy over and puts him right next to Jey! Bronson climbs up, but Knight SMACKS Bronson with a steel chair! Then he CHUCKS the chair at Bron! Knight runs off Bron & Bronson, but he dares them to come back for more! Bron & Bronson stay back, but Knight asks Jey if they’re good now. Knight helps Jimmy stand, too, and the fans cheer. Bronson tells Bron to back down, and JEY SPEARS KNIGHT?!? The fans boo, Jey asks Jimmy, “What?! We good now.”

Jimmy is upset, but fans still “YEET!” with Jey. Will this beef ever be squashed? Or will it only escalate going into the Fall?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw to build WrestlePalooza, and maybe even a little more as the Fall season means competing with returning programming and of course NFL Monday Night Football. That’s partly the belief behind the Raw schedule change next week and for a few more weeks after that. Luckily, Netflix does allow for fluidity of schedule, though I still don’t know if they really need to do it. Anyway, great stuff with Judgment Day, with Roxie of course helping Raquel beat Lyra, and a good group promo after. It’d be pretty wild if Finn didn’t need to betray and expel Dom if Dom’s gonna build a faction with the Grande Americanos.

Speaking of, great match from Styles VS Grande Americano, with Pete Dunne as “Americano Dos” returning to get involved. This brought out Dragon Lee, and maybe we get Styles and Dragon against the multiple Americanos. The more intriguing thing is that for international Netflix viewers, they got to witness Styles do a perhaps worked-shoot promo, in which he vents about being isolated (no Good Brothers was his example), and how “someone” no longer wants him in WWE. I say “worked-shoot” because he brought up how the match was his way of sending a message to that someone, and it really depends on if they play up that promo since American fans didn’t get to hear it.

Penta and Rusev had a good promo with Pearce, and they had a great match, but of course the New Day had to interfere because it’s Penta. Penta needs himself some allies, maybe Fenix and Andrade return as part of Raw given they’ve disappeared from SmackDown. New Day VS Lucha Brothers, it writes itself, even with this “Mourning” gimmick New Day is doing. As for Rusev winning, him pursuing Dom would be amazing stuff. Dom was spooked with Styles stalking him, Dom might not be able to sleep at night if Rusev is after him. And honestly, Rusev could believably smack down JD and even Finn to then still beat Dom to get the title.

Great promo from Bayley again, and even she seems to be going back and forth between her multiple sides in terms of behavior, not just her thoughts. I hope that next week, with Bayley wanting to make things up to Lyra and Lyra VS Roxie happening, that is when Bayley returns. More great stuff with this developing Kabuki Warriors story, with Kairi ending up more and more helpless as Asuka becomes more and more aggressive. Very good match for Asuka VS Nikki, great win for Asuka, and then very good promo from them and Rhea backstage. Seems with Iyo VS Vaquer still on the schedule, Nikki & Rhea VS Kabuki Warriors could be the tag match we get instead of my big Triple Threat idea.

And of course, great stuff with this Vision storyline. Great promo from AJ Lee to help understand her side of the return, and the timing of this all came together well with September being Mental Health Awareness Month. As I figured, this would lead to making the Mixed Tag Match of Punk & AJ VS Rollins & Becky. From there, I can see Punk & AJ winning, and then each part pairs off for title matches at Crown Jewel: Perth, with mixed results at best. That is to say, The Vision isn’t losing everything, so Becky can lose her title to AJ but Rollins won’t lose to Punk.

Then the tag team part of the story was also good, with The Usos reunion being complicated with how LA Knight still has his grudge against The Vision and Jey starting to think a little too much like Tribal Chief Roman from years past. The main event match was great, but I figured Bronson would win with Bron’s help, and then we’d get a brawl. Great surprise of Jey getting that last word with his spear on Knight. They could be teasing a Heel turn, or they’re just giving us a meaner, tougher Face Jey Uso. The tag match at WrestlePalooza will certainly go a long way to sorting that out, but they need something to keep things fresh and intriguing.

My Score: 8.8/10