Will Der Ring General learn about respect?

For the first time ever, AJ Styles battles Gunther 1v1, for a phenomenal Monday Night Raw, live from Düsseldorf, Germany!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Je’Von Evans VS Bravo Americano w/ Los Americanos; Je’Von wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez VS Bayley & Lyra Valkyria VS The Kabuki Warriors; Liv & Roxie win and will challenge Rhea & Iyo for the titles.
• Dragon Lee & PENTA VS Austin Theory & Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Logan Paul; Dragon & Penta win, by disqualification.
• GUNTHER VS AJ Styles; Gunther wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky open the show!

Dusseldorf cheers the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions as they head to the ring. Mami & The Genius clink belts then get the mics. Rhea tells Dusseldorf, “Welcome to Monday Night RHEYO!” The fans cheer, and Rhea says for weeks now, they’ve been battling both physically and mentally with the Kabuki Warriors, and they finally put them in their place. Because you are looking at the NEW W W E Women’s Tag Team Champions! The fans cheer, “You Deserve It!” Rhea and Iyo smile and hug, and Iyo says, “Thank you, guys. So, Asuka & Kairi have no respect.” The fans boo that, but Iyo says she and Rhea beat the respect into them!

Because… No one is ready for #RHEYO~! Rhea says the party is just getting started, because they are here to lay out the challenge to any tag team that- Wait! Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez are here! The fans are torn seeing Judgment Day walk out here, and Liv says, “Excuse me. Hi, Iyo. Hi, Rhea. Long time no see, buddies. You look good. Well, Roxie and I just wanted to come out and congratulate you. Last week, you guys won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, and what a reason to celebrate! So c’mon, guys, let’s give another round of applause for Rheyo! WOOO~! So cool! It’s so cool, guys. Soooo cool.”

Liv goes to the apron and says, “But… My only problem is, those still belong to ME!” The fans duel as Liv says she is still one half of the greatest tag team champions ever, and she never lost her title! So… They can do things the easy way and they can just hand the titles over, or they dot his the hard way and Liv takes them back. But hold on, now Bayley & Lyra Valkyria show up! The fans cheer the Role Model & Morrigan as they make their way to the ring. “Uh, ding dong! Welcome back, Liv Morgan, great to have ya. Excuse me while they sing for me real quick, HAHA!” “HOO! HAH! I WANNA KNOOOoOooOoW! Will you be my girl?”

Bayley loves Dusseldorf, thanks so much! Bayley says she knows Liv didn’t lose the tag titles, but y’know who did? Her little tag partner, Roxie, did! And well, if Bayley isn’t mistaken, she beat Roxie just a couple weeks ago, so she thinks that if anyone deserves a tag title opportunity, it is these cool guys with their brand new gear! Bayley & Lyra! What about that? The fans like that idea! Rhea says like she said, they’re putting out the challenge to anyone. Iyo says she’s got this. She tells them all off in Japanese that Rheyo are ICHIBAN~! If they want it, fight for it! But then ASUKA & KAIRI drag Rhea & Iyo out to THROW them into the barriers!

The Kabuki Warriors then stare down Judgment Day and #BayLyra, and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Lyra is after Roxie, Kairi is after Liv, and Asuka brawls with Bayley! Asuka TOSSES Bayley, Kairi TOSSES Liv, then they go after Lyra and Roxie! Roxie and Lyra turn things around, but now Rhea & Iyo are back! They TOSS Roxie to SHOTEI! Then scoop FALL WAY SLAM on Kairi! Then a DOUBLE SHOTGUN on Asuka and Lyra! The champs stand tall and the fans cheer them on! But are the walls already closing in on #RheYo? Or can they defy the odds and still be golden?

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

Jackie Redmond is with the Phenomenal One and brings up tonight’s main event. Styles faces the man who defeated John Cena in his final match ever, Der Ring General, Gunther What is it about Gunther that makes this personal for Styles? Styles says when he first got into this business, he learned very quickly that it is about respect. Respect for the ring, for your opponent, and for those who paved the way. Now, Styles isn’t saying he and Cena were on the same page, but they bonded over the word, “Respect.” And week after week, Gunther disrespects John Cena’s legacy. So Styles slapped the taste outta Gunther’s mouth since Cena couldn’t.

Styles tells Gunther that Styles will teach him about respect. That it is a hill worth dying on. In fact, Styles will make Gunther tap out! Like a little b*tch! The Phenomenal One means business, will he be the man to humble Der Ring General?

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

Liv & Roxie are still feeling good after everything out there, and they ask if Finn saw what happened. Finn is too busy playing WWE 2K, himself VS Cody Rhodes. Liv asks what he’s doing, and he says he’s playing the game. Yeah, but she was asking more about what he’s doing. Last week, he said he’d carry Judgment Day on his back, that he wanted gold. Was that all talk? Judgment Day doesn’t run Raw by just sitting around, waiting for stuff to happen. Raquel isn’t waiting, neither are Liv and Roxie, so what is Finn waiting for? No more games! Liv leaves, Roxie says Liv’s got a point. Also Finn’s character is losing in the game now.

Finn says, “Just you watch, girls. Just you watch.” Just what will Finn do to feel like The Prince again?

Je’Von Evans VS Bravo Americano w/ Los Americanos!

Dusseldorf is about to get BOUNCY~! The Young OG is officially part of Raw, but will he keep up the momentum from NXT? Or will Los Americanos find a way to bring him down to Earth?

Raw returns Los Americanos make their entrance. The bell rings, Je’Von and Bravo circle, and feel things out. Bravo uses the ropes as defense, the fans mock Los Americanos, but then Bravo trips Je’Von! Je’Von headscissors, Bravo rolls and floats to a waistlock, but Je’Von arm-drags to a headlock. Bravo headscissors, Je’Von kips free, and the fans cheer. Bravo kips up, too, and takes a bow. Je’Von applauds, and Bravo offers a handshake. Je’Von fist bumps instead, but Bravo SMACKS him! The fans boo but Bravo CLUBS Je’Von, stomps away, then stops as the ref counts. Bravo puts Je’Von on ropes to CHOKE him!

The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Bravo steps off at 4. Bravo then runs, but Je’Von dodges the straddle attack! Bravo hobbles and Je’Von SMACKS him back! Je’Von mocks the weak handshake, then swivels them hips! Bravo runs up but Je’Von jumps up, over, around, and RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von keeps moving, BOUNCY~ RANA! The fans fire up again and the DROPKICK knocks Bravo down! Je’Von sees Bravo bails out, he builds speed, but Rayo gets in the way! The ref argues with Rayo but then El Grande distracts Je’Von. Je’Von storms up, but into a GAMANGIRI! The fans boo again but Bravo CLOBBERS Je’Von!

Bravo HAMMERS away on Je’Von while Los Americanos applauds. Bravo drags Je’Von up, whips, and scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Je’Von stays in this, but Bravo clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally while Je’Von endures, and Je’Von fights up. Bravo THROWS Je’Von down by his hair! Bravo then FALLING HEADBUTTS! Bravo clamps on another chinlock but the fans rally up. Je’Von fights up, fires body shots, and is free. But Bravo KNEES low! Bravo runs, but Je’Von SMACKS him again! Then bobs ‘n’ weaves to SMACK, and fire fast hands! The fans fire up as Je’Von whips, but Bravo reverses.

Je’Von ducks ‘n’ dodges to SUPER PUNCH! Then he rebounds, RED DOT ENZIGIRI! Bravo bails out, Je’Von fires up, and Je’Von FLIES! Down goes Bravo at the narrow rampway and the fans fire up again! Je’Von puts Bravo in the ring, aims again, springboard and- NO, Bravo ducks under! Both men run, JUMP KNEE from Je’Von! Cover, TWO! Bravo survives but Je’Von keeps cool. Je’Von aims from a corner, then runs up, but Bravo blocks a kick to KNEE Je’Von! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS back! Je’Von runs, RED- NO, Bravo torture racks Je’Von, for an AIRPLANE SPIN! Bravo is a Big Strong Boy! NO HANDS! Then the SLAM!

Bravo can’t make the cover, maybe a little dizzy. Bravo goes to the corner, climbs up, and he calls his shot, but Je’Von is right up there to get him! SUPER SPANISH FLY! The fans are thunderous and Je’Von goes up, up, SUPER O G CUTTER!! Cover, Je’Von wins!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

His first win as a full-time member of Raw, but his second win on Los Americanos! But Rayo gets up, Je’Von DECKS him! El Grande drags Je’Von out, SMACKS him, then THROWS him over the desk! The fans boo but El Grande rallies his familia. But Je’Von is back up! Je’Von is on the barrier behind commentary, and he LEAPS over them all to get back in the ring! Then he gets outta the ring and up the ramp! The fans cheer Je’Von’s escape act, will he continue to thrill the WWE Universe everywhere he goes?

Adam Pearce talks with the referees.

He wants all three teams in the Triple Threat tag to know that one way or another, it gets settled tonight. The refs head out to spread the word, and in steps Paul Heyman. Pearce asks The Oracle, “Where is he?” Heyman pretends not to realize who Pearce is talking to, and then “realizes” it was him. No “Hello, Mr. Heyman” first? No, he’s not in the mood. Pearce wants Heyman to tell Bron Breakker, when he shows up with bad intentions, Heyman needs to tell him to just go home. Tonight is not the night, Pearce will not tolerate it. Heyman says you don’t have to tell him that. It is Heyman’s honor to be Pearce’s messenger. He’ll let Bron know. If he even shows up.

Yes, thank you so much, Heyman. Heyman leaves and Pearce frowns. Will the Unpredictable Badass be just that? Or can they stop the dog from getting off the leash and tearing up Raw?

CM Punk is here!

Dusseldorf fires up for the Best in the World, they sing along with Cult of Personality, and they high-five the man who is still WWE World Heavyweight Champion! They even join in on, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” They chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” as he goes to the ring and grabs a mic. “Is it good to be alive on a Monday night in Dusseldorf or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk says he’ll never get tired of saying that, or of the privilege of being our WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And as outlandish as it sounds, his plan is to be champion forever. But we are on the long Road to WrestleMania, and anything can happen. Hell, just as Cody Rhodes.

The fans boo, but Punk says yeah, he can plan on being champion forever, he can plan on being champion come WrestleMania, but that doesn’t mean it’ll happen. But sometimes, he feels with the fans having his back, he can do the impossible. The fans cheer that! Punk said he’d be fighting champion, and right around the corner, it is the Royal Rumble and the Elimination Chamber. Two opportunities for someone to call their shot. Punk is the one wearing the gold, so the Road to WrestleMania goes through him! He just survived a battle with Bron Breakker, so him, Heyman, and The Vision are in Punk’s rearview mirror. Time for the champ to look forward and do champ stuff.

So with the fans’ support, Punk looks forward to finding out who his next challenger will be. Thank you, Dusseldorf! WAIT! Finn Balor makes his way out here! The fans fire up seeing The Prince come out here. Is this what he meant when he said to wait and see? Finn goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans are torn seeing Finn stare down Punk. Finn says he’s not waiting for the Rumble. He’s not waiting for the Chamber. And he’s not asking for a handout. But when Punk won the title, he did name Finn as someone he’d want to face, so here he is, champ! Punk says that’s right, he did mention Finn on a long list of very talented individuals.

But where is Finn’s ambition? That was two months ago. Where’s Finn been? Punk saw Finn playing video games, saw him worrying more about Dom and helping JD McDonagh. Some weeks, Finn is just shining Liv’s shoes. Did Finn think it’d be easy coming out here and picking on Punk? After seeing Punk get his ass handed to him at WarGames, go through a war with Bron Breakker, he’d get to come out here and just pick the bones? If Finn gets a title shot, is Punk gonna be wrestling Finn Balor or Finn Balor & The Judgment Day? Punk just did the whole numbers game with The Vision, okay? Finn knows what Punk’s capable of. The fans cheer that!

Punk is a man of his word, though. Punk did mention Finn because Finn is talented, Punk is a fan of Finn. Punk said he was gonna be a fighting champion yesterday, and he will be a fighting champion today. Tonight, he’ll put his boots on and we can do this tonight! The fans are all fired up for that! Finn smiles and nods, but then says, “See, Punk, I’ve been around long enough to know that timing’s everything.” The fans already boo that, but Finn says he isn’t jumping the line to face Punk. Anyone who has watched Finn’s career, from Europe to Japan to NXT to Raw that the line starts HERE! So Punk doesn’t have to worry about Dom or JD, but Finn won’t be alone.

Finn watched Punk’s career, too. Time and time again, homefield advantage in Chicago for Punk. But check the calendar: Next week, Raw will be in Belfast, Ireland! And it will be The Punk VS The Prince, and there will be a NEW Irish World Heavyweight Champion! Fans are torn, but Punk says, “Alright, Prince, you’re on. I apologize to the fans in Dusseldorf for you disappointing them, because they wanted to see the champ work. And I’d like to take the time now to apologize to the fans in Belfast when they have to watch me put their countryman to sleep with a GTS.

“Because at the end of the night, I’m gonna be standing on your chest, with the ring announcer saying, ‘And STILL WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World…! C M PUNK!'” The challenge has been made, and surely Adam Pearce will make it official! Will Punk prove he is the Best in the World no matter where he is in the world? Or will this be just the thing for Finn to be back on top?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez VS Bayley & Lyra Valkyria VS The Kabuki Warriors!

Rhea & Iyo put out the challenge and they got a bit more than they expected. The three teams that want their shot must now fight it out amongst themselves, will Judgment Day go back for more gold? Will #BayLyra finally get a fair shot? Or will Asuka & Kairi Sane earn their way to a rematch with #RheYo?

Raw returns and Bayley & Lyra make their entrance. Liv & Roxie are already in the ring with the Kabuki Warriors, so the teams sort out. In this form of Triple Threat, we get one member from each team, so Bayley starts against Liv and Asuka. The fans sing for Bayley again, but Roxie helps Liv cover her ears to tune it out. Kairi oddly seems to enjoy the tune. Asuka, Liv and Bayley circle, feel things out, and Bayley ducks Asuka’s kick! Liv ducks Bayley’s lariat, Asuka ducks Liv’s lariat, and Asuka wheelbarrows Bayley to victory roll. ONE as Liv rolls Asuka! ONE as Bayley backslides Liv, ONE! The three stand off and the fans cheer.

Liv, Asuka and Bayley reset, then Bayley DECKS Asuka! Bayley blocks Liv’s kick to KNEE Liv to the corner. Bayley runs up, RAMS Liv, then rolls back to wacky waving arm, but Liv avoids the elbow! Liv runs up to SHINING WIZARD! Snapmare on Bayley, Asuka runs up to ELBOW Liv! Asuka BOOTS Bayley, then BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! Cover on Liv, TWO! Asuka mule kicks Bayley, brings Liv up, and Asuka tags Kairi. Liv ROCKS Asuka, tags Roxie, and Bayley tags Lyra. All six women watch each other, and the fans rally up again. Things calm down, Kairi, Roxie and Lyra step up. They feel things out, and Roxie wants a team-up with Kairi?

Kairi obliges and they mug Lyra. They double whip Lyra, but then Roxie THROWS Kairi! Lyra returns to O’Conner Roll Roxie! ONE, Roxie rolls and bridges, TWO! Roxie kicks Lyra low, BOOTS Kairi, then whips Lyra to the open corner. Lyra reverses, then she catches Kairi! Wheelbarrow and roll, Roxie BOOTS Lyra! Kairi runs up but Roxie goes up and over! Kairi denies Roxie the Tarantula and pops her into Lyra’s BOOT! Lyra then DROPKICKS Kairi! Lyra fireman’s carries, she SMACKS Roxie with Kairi, but Kairi fights free. Kairi CLUBS Lyra, SLAPS her, then whips. Lyra reverses, but Kairi goes up and RANA ARM-DRAG COMBOS!

The fans rally up and Kairi soaks up cheers and jeers. Kairi then runs corner to corner to SLIDING D Roxie! Cover, TWO as Lyra rolls Kairi! ONE, and Kairi URA- NO, Lyra ducks under to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Kairi bails out, the fans rally up, and Lyra builds speed. Lyra WRECKS Roxie while Asuka saves Kairi! Liv BLASTS Lyra down, the fans boo, but Bayley goes after Liv! They’re all brawling, but Kairi climbs up! The fans fire up as Kairi aims, SUPER KABUKI ELBOW! The fans fire up with Kairi, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Asuka has Bayley on the apron, only for Bayley to HOTSHOT her away. Bayley crawls in, but Asuka hits a CODE BREAKER! Bayley rebounds to KNEE Asuka down! The fans fire up as they and Roxie all crawl, hot tags to Lyra, Kairi, and Lyra stops Roxie! Liv runs in anyway but gets a SOBAT, front kick and ENZIGIRI! Lyra WHEEL KICKS Kairi, dodges Roxie, and cartwheels through to ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Lyra kicks Kairi, picks her up, and RAMS her into a corner. Lyra puts Kairi up top, climbs after her, but Kairi fires hands. Asuka gets Lyra, Bayley goes after Asuka! SAIDO!

Lyra and Kairi continue to scrap, and Bayley climbs up to help Lyra. They mug Kairi, but then Roxie & Liv join in! TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans fire up for the Double Powerbomb Superplex combo! All six women are down but “This is Awesome!” The teams regroup again, and Asuka GERMAN SUPLEXES Liv! And GERMAN SUPLEXES Roxie! And then she blocks Lyra’s kick, slips around, but Bayley waistlocks Asuka! Asuka switches with Bayley, Bayley grabs Lyra, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up again and Asuka is feeling it! Lyra flounders, Asuka BUZZSAWS Lyra! Kairi climbs up, Asuka sets Lyra up, IN-SANE DDT!! Cover, but wait, who’s legal?

Liv CLOBBERS Kairi anyway, and the fans rally up again! Bayley runs up on Liv, but into a BACKSTABBER! Asuka POP-UP KNEES Liv! Roxie runs up to LA MYSTICA! URAKEN from Kairi to Roxie! Kairi goes up again, CROSSBODY, but Lyra catches her! Tag to Bayley before the BACKBREAKER! Bayley goes up, ELBOW DROP! Cover, Asuka breaks it! Lyra SHOTGUNS Asuka out! And PLANCHAS her down! Roxie hops onto Bayley, POP ROX! Cover, Kairi breaks it! The fans fire up again as Roxie hurries to HAMMER away on Kairi! Roxie drags Kairi up, whips, but Kairi reverses. Roxie grabs ropes, BOOTS Kairi, and tag to Liv!

Kairi whips Roxie away, but turns around into OBLIVION! Cover, Liv & Roxie win!

Winners: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)

A fast ‘n’ furious finish, and now Judgment Day is headed back for the titles! Saturday Night’s Main Event has a title match set up already, will Liv & Roxie strike gold in Montreal? Or will #RheYo

Becky Lynch speaks.

“It has only been one week since I took my title back, fair and square, absolutely no controversy, and already Mediocre Maxxine gets her rematch? It took me almost two months to take back the title that was stolen from me! There was illegal interference! AJ Lee has no manager’s license. Jessica Karr wasn’t counting. But that is only the beginning of the corruption that we are dealing with under Power-Mad Pearce. But I will do what I always do, which is take those lemons and turn them into lemonade. Because in my homeland of Belfast, Ireland, I am going to prove once and for all why I am the greatest female wrestler of all time.

“And it’s not just me saying it, other people say it. Everybody says it. Sports Illustrated says it. Bleacher Report says it. And now this says it!” Becky holds up the belt, and she tells Maxxine that she better have enjoyed her time in the spotlight. Because next week, it ends! Then Maxxine will have to say goodbye to The Big Time. Will The Man still hold Maxxine down? Or will the Dungeon Doll upset Becky in Belfast?

Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.

Jackie is now with Maxxine, Otis, and Akira Tozawa, aka “The Babes.” Maxxine did lose the title to Becky last week, but she now has a chance to win it back in Belfast. Jackie wanted to check in and see where Maxxine’s head is at. Maxxine says she will not cry. Is she disappointed? Of course. But becoming a champion proved to both Maxxine and the world that she belongs. And guys, she became champion because she finally believed in herself, and she learned how to do that. Now, it is time for Otis & Akira to do the same. Maxxine knows they are capable of great things.

As for last week, that was a setback, not a defeat. And as for the rematch, Maxxine is fully aware Becky is arguably the greatest female wrestler of all time, and yes, Sports Illustrated says it. But Maxxine also knows that Becky had to cheat to win. So Becky, next week, Maxxine will put you in that Ankle Lock, and BREAK YOUR ANKLE! Maxxine leads the boys out, will they all be golden on the Road to WrestleMania?

Michael Cole is on stage.

The Voice of WWE asks we welcome out now, Raquel Rodriguez! The fans are torn as La Ruda makes her way out on stage, smiling ear to ear. Cole says it is no secret they’ve known each other for a long time. Cole was there to see her rise in NXT and to now Monday Night Raw. He always said she’d one day be world champion, so what she did last week took us all by surprise. She ambushed the Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer, who is already injured with a bad foot. Why did Raquel do that last week? Raquel says she remembers those days, too. She remembers the girl who smiled when she was told, and would patiently and politely wait for her turn.

But things change, and so do people. And Cole just said himself, he has had a front row seat to Raquel getting cheated out of HER Women’s World title night after night, week after week, again and again! And they wanna all act so sorry for STEPHANIE!? FINE! Go ahead! Feel sorry for her! But every single one of you should know, Raquel will not stop, she will keep coming, until she has Vaquer 1v1 in the ring. And when “Big Sexy Raquel Rodriguez” stands tall as your NEW Women’s World Champion, then you can feel sorry for Vaquer! Feel sorry when Raquel is done with her! But wait! Vaquer is here NOW! The refs and producers want her to hold on, that foot is still in a brace!

Raquel laughs as she walks away from the situation. La Primera tells Raquel and everyone that she IS the champion, and a bad foot will not stop her! Raquel, where you going? If you want it, come get it! But then Raquel does! She CLOBBERS Vaquer outta nowhere! Raquel dares refs to do something, then she SLAMS the bad foot down, just like she did last week! And then she uses the belt to LASH the leg! The fans boo but Raquel smiles as she leaves. Vaquer may have made a fatal error. Will she even have a leg to stand on when it comes to defending this title?

Jey Uso is on the phone with Jimmy.

Main Event Jey tells #BigJim that he is halfway across the world, and it feels colder than a polar bear’s toenail. But he’ll get back at you, Otis & Akira walk in. Jey hangs up the phone, says hey to Big O & Tozawa, and he asks what up with it. Otis says The Usos were calling out the whole tag division. That’s right, the Usos put them all on notice. Line ’em all up, knock ’em all down. Then how about giving Otis & Tozawa a little slice there? Jey isn’t sure, they’re all boys, y’know? He was kinda talking about errybody else. He wasn’t gonna do them all like that, then they’d have to get this work.

Otis says, “Uce! I’m serious.” Tozawa nods, and Jey sees that they are in fact serious. Then say less. Him and Big Jim will rap, see what happens. But Big Daddy Otis, this is a warning shot: You steppin’ in the ring with THE best tag team in the game. You understand? Otis & Tozawa say, “Yeet.” The Alpha boys head out, will The Usos be able to fight their friends like they’re not their friends?

Dragon Lee & PENTA w/ Rey Mysterio VS Austin Theory & Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Logan Paul!

Speaking of teams, The Boy Wonder and the Man without Fear are teaming up to help the King of Lucha handle their mutual Vision problem. Will Dragon & Penta be able to bring down Mr. All Day & The Colossal Aussie? Or will The Vision soon have their sights on those WWE World Tag Team Championships themselves?

The teams sort out and Penta starts against Theory. They circle, the fans rally for “CERO! MIEDO!” but Theory ignores it. Theory and Penta feel things out, tie up, then Theory headlocks. Penta powers up and out but Theory reverses that. Theory drops down but Penta swaggers and struts over him. The fans cheer Theory, then Penta dodges Theory to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! The fans tell Logan Paul off while Penta whips, but Theory reverses. Penta goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RANAS! The fans fire up again, and Penta runs to SLING-DOG Theory down! The fans fire up with Penta again, but Theory BOOTS him down!

Tag to Bronson, he stomps Penta, and Bronson whips Penta to a corner. Bronson runs up, Penta dodges, hot tag to Dragon! Dragon JUMP KICKS, Penta GAMANGIRIS, and they sit Bronson down for the SWINGING DROPKICK! Penta adds a headstand DROPKICK! Then Dragon HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Cover, ONE?!? Bronson has power to spare, but Dragon fires forearms. Bronson blocks the whip, reverses, but Dragon BOOTS him! Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he RANAS! Bronson is sent into buckles! Dragon runs up, is put on the apron, and he RAMS Bronson! Dragon bumps Bronson off buckles, GAMANGIRIS, then goes up!

Dragon leaps, but Bronson catches him! And SLAMS him! The fans boo, but Bronson drags Dragon up to scoop and gorilla press! Bronson THROWS Dragon on the corner! Tag to Theory and he says he’s got something for Dragon. Theory DECKS Dragon with that left forearm! Theory snarls, The Vision feels good, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Bronson CHOKES Dragon on the ropes! The ref counts, Bronson stops, and the fans still tell Logan off. Bronson argues with the ref and Theory KNEES Dragon in the distraction! The fans boo, but Bronson drags Dragon from the ropes. Bronson fireman’s carries, tags Theory, and SLINGSHOT DROPKICK SAMOAN DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Dragon survives but Theory puts him in the corner to fire knees and elbows! Then a snap suplex! Dragon flounders while Theory looms over him. Tag to Bronson and they mug Dragon. Bronson drags Dragon away from Penta to back suplex, but Dragon lands out!

Dragon ROCKS Theory, SUPERKICKS Bronson, but Bronson still keeps him from Penta! Short arm LARIAT! Logan mocks the pain and Bronson roars. Bronson drags Dragon up, reels him in, POWER- DDT COUNTER! The fans fire up as Dragon and Bronson are both down! Dragon and Bronson crawl, hot tags to Theory and Penta! Penta LARIATS Theory! And LARIATS! And whips, but Theory reverses, only for Penta to go up and over, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Penta feeds off that energy, and he brings Theory around. But Theory fireman’s carries! Penta slips free, shove to Dragon, and then a SUPERKICK!

Penta tags Dragon, they DOUBLE SUPERKICK Theory up and out! Bronson gets up but Dragon SUPERKICKS him! Logan gets on the apron, but they DOUBLE SUPERKICK him! The fans fire up again while Heyman scowls. Dragon builds speed and FLIES out onto Logan & Theory! But BRON BREAKKER SPEARS OUTTA NOWHERE!!

Winners: Dragon Lee & Penta, by disqualification

The fans bark it up, but Penta eggs Bron on! Bron storms in, dodges Penta, and SPEARS him down!! But Bron isn’t done, he sees Dragon on the outside. Bron slides out, builds speed around the way, but PEARCE is there! He says not tonight! Go home, Bron! But Bronson drags Penta to the corner! Pearce is so focused on Bron that the TSUNAMI hits Penta!! Pearce is furious, and now he tells the rest of The Vision to go home! They’re done for the night! But Bron SPEARS Dragon after all!! Pearce is pissed now! Pearce gets right in Bron’s face and says he is sick of this s*it! But then Bron SHOVES Pearce into a corner and threatens to KILL Pearce for touching him!

Heyman hurries in there to calm his guy down, but Bron dares Pearce to do something! The Vision has Bron stand down, the fans cheer Pearce, and he tells them all to get out of the building! Heyman tries to smooth this over but it seems even he is having trouble controlling his attack dog. Pearce keeps shouting at them to get out so they go. Logan also apologies, but he wants Pearce to understand, Bron is ready to hurt Pearce. Pearce doesn’t care, HE is the authority! Raw goes to break while tensions are still high, what will happen as we’re only just starting on the Road to WrestleMania?

Raw returns and…

Penta and Dragon are both being checked by medical, and obviously their ribs are the issue. Je’Von steps in and checks on them. They good? For the most part, yeah. Je’Von says he’ll be here if they need anything. Will the Young OG get himself involved with The Vision’s business one way or another?

Bron Breakker goes through the halls.

Pearce asks where the hell he thinks he’s going! They ain’t done talking! Bron hasn’t learned a damn thing! And now he puts his hands on the General Manager?! Look at him when he’s talking to you! Who you listening to? You ain’t learning a damn thing, so now you can have some time to think about it! Bron is SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY! Pearce and Bron are both foaming at the mouth, but Bronson ushers Bron away. Heyman walks up and Pearce can’t even say anything. Heyman says that was a big mistake. Yeah, BRON’s biggest mistake! The biggest mistake of his career, all thanks to Heyman!

No, Heyman was talking about your mistake, Pearce. Mr. General Manager, from Heyman’s vantage point, Pearce put your hands on Bron first. The Oracle leaves with his Vision, will he find a way to twist things around towards their advantage?

GUNTHER VS AJ Styles!

Der Ring General won the Last Time is Now Tournament, he faced John Cena on Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC, and for the first time in 20 YEARS, John Cena tapped out. It is one thing for Gunther to be proud of that victory, but it is another thing entirely for him to insult Cena again and again when he knows Cena will never step back in this ring again. However, the Phenomenal One has so much respect for John Cena and this sport that he cannot stand idly by! Will Styles humble Gunther when he makes Gunther tap out? Or will Gunther just add another legendary name to his résumé?

Raw returns and Jackie interviews Gunther at gorilla. Jackie brings up Styles talking about Gunther’s lack of respect, and Gunther laughs that off. Gunther says how dare AJ Styles talk about respect after he slapped Gunther across the face over something that has nothing to do with him! And how disrespectful to do that to the greatest pro-wrestler in the WWE, and to do that to the man that made John Cena tap out… like a little b*tch! Gunther says if he can do that to the so-called Greatest Of All Time, then Styles shouldn’t worry about respect, but about what happens to him once that bell rings.

Der Ring General makes his entrance, with fans singing along with Symphony Number 9, and Gunther goes right to the ring. The crowd is a bit torn, but we get our big fight main event introductions. This is a first-time-ever, so who will be get their first-ever win over the other?

The bell rings, the fans duel, and the two circle. Styles and Gunther feel things out, they knuckle lock, and then Styles KICKS Gunther’s leg. Gunther snarls but he and Styles reset. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Styles fights off a headlock to wrench and wristlock. Gunther puts Styles in a corner, the ref counts, and Gunther lets off, but Styles avoids the chop! Styles KICKS the leg again and Gunther bails out. The fans rally, Gunther storms back into the ring, and he circles with Styles again. They feel things out, tie up again, and Gunther waistlocks. The fans rally as Styles fights the lift and wrenches the hold open.

Styles KICKS Gunther’s leg, KICKS it again, and Gunther bails out again. The fans are torn again while Gunther walks it off. Gunther storms back into the ring, he and Styles reset, and they circle. The two tie up, Gunther headlocks for a takeover, and he smothers Styles. The fans duel as Styles endures, and Styles uses a chinbar to fight back. Styles rises, the fans rally again, and Styles powers up and out of the hold. Gunther runs up but Styles ROCKS him first! Gunther powers through to wrench, but Styles KICKS the leg. Gunther headlocks again, Styles powers up and out, then hurdles! Styles drops, but he also feints the dropkick!

Gunther runs up, Styles dodges, and he KICKS the leg! Then he DROPKICKS Gunther down! Gunther bails out and the fans fire up again! Styles goes to the apron, slingshot and FOREARM! Down goes Gunther and the fans fire up again! Styles keeps the ring count fresh, but then Gunther hauls him up! APRON BACK SUPLEX! Styles slumps down while Gunther walks off the pain in his leg. Gunther comes back to UPPERCUTS Styles, then another APRON BACK- NO, Styles lands safe and KICKS Gunther away! Then SLIDING KNEE! The fans rally and Styles hurries to get Gunther up. Styles puts Gunther in, Gunther hobbles, and Styles KICKS the leg!

Styles KICKS and KICKS, but Gunther blocks! Gunther short arm LARIATS Styles down! The fans fire up again while Gunther shakes out his leg. Styles sits up in a daze while the fans duel. Gunther swings, but Styles blocks! Styles CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Styles whips corner to corner, Gunther reverses, and Gunther runs up. Styles BOOTS Gunther, goes up, but Gunther CHOPS Styles to the floor! The fans fire up again while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more and Gunther whips Styles to ropes. Styles KICKS Gunther away, but Gunther CHOPS him down! The fans continue to rally, and Gunther stalks Styles to ropes. Gunther wrenches Styles, and CHOPS him down! Gunther holds onto the wristlock, stands Styles up, and CHOPS him back down! The fans rally as Gunther goes again, but Styles ducks that chop! Styles fires the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT! Gunther staggers, rebounds, and LARIATS in return! Dusseldorf fires up again while Gunther watches Styles. Gunther stalks Styles to ropes while the fans duel. Gunther headlocks Styles, then brings him around to say, “You Can’t See Me!”

Gunther runs, Styles dodges and he DROPKICKS the legs! SLIDING FOREARM! Then Styles gest a leg to DRAGON SCREW! And DRAGON SCREW! Styles grabs the leg again, DRAGON SCREW! Styles shouts out the Strong Style of The Ace, and he LARIATS in the corner! Then Styles fireman’s carries! Gunther slips free, ripcords, but Styles dodges the lariat to PELE! Styles knows that one, too! Then he rolls Gunther, CALF CRUSHER!! The fans fire up as Gunther endures! Gunther reaches out, claws at the mat, but Styles puts on the pressure! The fans are thunderous as Gunther fights to the ROPEBREAK! Styles lets go in frustration while the fans duel again.

Gunther crawls to a corner, Styles runs up, but Gunther puts Styles on the apron! Styles ROCKS Gunther, but he gets stuck for a moment. Styles resets, but Gunther CHOPS him! Gunther drags Styles up against the ropes, SLEEPER! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Styles grabs the leg! HOTSHOT! Gunther falls back and Styles resets again. Styles springboards, PHENOMENAL LEG DROP on the bad leg! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Gunther survives that, but Styles paces around. The fans duel again while Styles goes back to the apron. Styles winds up, springboards, and PHENOMENA- NO, Gunther dodges to SLEEPER!!

Gunther drops, Styles rolls, cover! TWO!! Gunther swings, misses, but he avoids the Pele! Gunther runs to LARIAT!! Then he drags Styles up and reels him in, GENERAL BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Styles survives and the fans are loving it! “This is Awesome!” as Gunther and Styles slowly sit up. Gunther eggs Styles on, daring him to slap him now! Gunther hobbles, but he storms over to Styles. Gunther sits Styles up to SLAP! Gunther asks where that fire from last week went! SLAP! Styles flops over and the fans duel more. Styles sits back up, Gunther is on him for a CHOP! Styles goes to ropes, but he comes back to ROCK Gunther!

Gunther CHOPS, Styles ROCKS, repeat! Then Gunther goes for a sleeper, but Styles slips around! Gunther tries to buck the O’Conner, but Styles just uses that to get the leg! Roll and CALF CRUSHER!! Gunther flails, reaches out, but he reaches back to DRIBBLE Styles off the mat! Styles lets go and the fans fire up again. Gunther clutches his leg while Styles slowly crawls away to a corner. Styles stands, but Gunther SHOTGUNS him down! Gunther drags Styles up, and GENERAL- NO, Styles slips free! He wants the leg! Roll and CALF CRUSHER!! Gunther flails, reaches out, but Styles pulls on the leg! Gunther reaches out, but Styles rolls him way!

CALF CRUSHER!! Gunther flails, freaks out, and Gunther reaches around behind Styles? Styles lets Gunther go?! Styles claims Gunther was tapping out! Gunther tapped out where the ref couldn’t see!! The ref and Styles argue that out, and some fans understand from where they were sitting! The ref says keep the match going, he didn’t see what Styles is talking about. And then the ref doesn’t see the LOW BLOW!! The fans boo because we ALL saw that! Gunther grins as he then drags Styles up, reels him in, GENERAL BOMB!! High stack, Gunther wins!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall

Der Ring General is indeed that, as he knew how he could trick both Styles and referee at the same time! Styles was robbed, but is this really how Gunther’s going to prove he’s the greatest wrestler in WWE today?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for Raw in Germany, another hot crowd in Dusseldorf, and these kinds of episodes being earlier for me as an American viewer are always fun. Great development with the Women’s Tag Team Championship story, and for Judgment Day as well. Very good promo from #RheYo, Liv & Roxie, and #BayLyra, as well as the Kabuki Warriors turning it into a brawl. The Triple Threat tag was a lot of fun, and it makes sense for Liv & Roxie to be #1 contenders. Raquel getting the better of Vaquer again also adds to their match, and I feel like Vaquer VS Raquel will help fill SNME in Montreal. Judgment Day’s leading ladies all going for gold on the same night would be some great stuff.

Good promo from Liv getting and at Finn and motivating him confronting Punk. Punk had a great promo, he and Finn and a good back and forth, but it makes sense they were gonna wait for next week. Not even because next week is in Ireland, but because tonight’s main event was Gunther VS Styles and they weren’t gonna upstage it. Becky VS Maxxine next week will also be great, and having two title matches involving Irish born wrestlers is definitely a big selling point for the Belfast crowd. I don’t see Finn taking the world title, and I don’t see Maxxine taking the IC title, but between the two, it’s more likely for Finn to win than Maxxine.

Honestly, doesn’t feel like the former Alpha Academy is gonna get much with Otis & Tozawa set up as The Usos’ first defense. Good promo, though, and I really like the character work here. Jey likes Otis & Tozawa, he is hesitant to put a beating on them, but he and Jimmy might have to in order to win the title match because Otis & Tozawa aren’t pushovers. Okay, they’re lower midcard, but they’ve been given moments of their full potential. And that’s how they could/should write the match, too. Otis has the strength and size, Tozawa is fast and is the “Stamina Monster,” they could really push Jimmy & Jey on those aspects.

Great match for Je’Von VS Bravo, and I like commentary was tongue in cheek about that obviously being Tyler Bate with the airplane spin. Great win for Je’Von, and it seems evading angry Heel factions is kinda his thing now, so he got another one of those in. But just as I thought we were getting Je’Von VS El Grande, they might be pivoting to put Je’Von against The Vision. Penta & Dragon VS Theory & Bronson was great stuff, but with Pearce and Heyman arguing about Bron, I could just feel Bron attacking outta nowhere. And everything after that was so good, too, with Pearce being overwhelmed as he tries to get The Vision under control. And that “suspension” definitely won’t hold up, Bron will probably be in the Men’s Rumble match and wreck everyone to earn that world title shot.

And great stuff in building the main event tonight. Very good promo from Styles, pretty good promo from Gunther, and just an awesome match. Styles going for the game plan of the tap out was great, and the finish was brilliant. Gunther cheats in a way that isn’t even really cheating, he was just taking advantage of how wrestling works. Now, I would hope we get a rematch of these two at either SNME or the Royal Rumble, this first-time-ever can’t be the only time ever.

My Score: 8.9/10