The Last Real Champion returns home!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Triple H is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS John Cena!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The roster celebrates with Cena backstage.

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

WWE honors our American veterans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AJ Styles & Dragon Lee meet with Adam Pearce.

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

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

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

CM Punk is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Punk, Jey and Cody regroup backstage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam Pearce presents more Last Time is Now entries.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 9/10