Will the Samoan Werewolf submit?

Roman Reigns survived his WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Backlash, but can he convince Jacob Fatu to ACKNOWLEDGE the Tribal Chief?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: The Vision VS Joe Hendry & The Street Profits; Hendry & The Profits win.
• Je’Von Evans VS Rusev; Evans wins.
• Iyo Sky VS Sol Ruca; Iyo wins.
• The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS Los Garzas; Oba wins.
• AAA Mega Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS El Grande Americano Original; Dom wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns arrives backstage.

And Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce, is there to meet him. Pearce knows Roman has his plans, but Backlash was too much! Jacob Fatu put his hands on Pearce, tossed referees around, and went way too far with Roman. So Jacob doesn’t deserve to be here tonight, and maybe not at all. Roman says first off, where is his title? Why is it not in his hands right now? Pearce calls for someone to get the man his title. The World Heavyweight Championship is brought over, handed over to Roman, and Roman double checks: Pearce plans to fire Jacob? Yes. Well, he can’t do it tonight. Why not? Because Jacob hasn’t acknowledge Roman yet.

In fact, who brought Jacob Fatu into the WWE? Who cleared him? Pearce says Roman Reigns did… Then Roman will be the one who takes him out. Roman heads inside the building, and to his private room. Will the Tribal Chief make sure Jacob Fatu submits to him as his last act in the WWE? Or is he only putting himself in harm’s way?

The Vision is here!

Knoxville boos as Paul Heyman follows behind Bron Breakker, Austin Theory & Logan Paul as they go to the ring. Heyman hugs Bron before he gives his usual introductions: “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. As tradition would have it, we’re supposed to open the show on a high note. Let’s do it for the world, shall we? Live from the inbred capital of Eastern Tennessee, welcome to Monday Night Raw!” The fans boo that, but Heyman says this is an unappreciative audience. But what The Vision does appreciate inside this ring is pure talent! Talent that was demonstrated Saturday at Backlash by Bron Breakker!

Which leads to a question that is rhetorical, but Heyman will ask anyway: Who’s not ready now? And the answer to the question is Seth Freakin’ Rollins! On Saturday night at Backlash, Seth Freakin’ Rollins was NOT ready for the physical onslaught of Bron Breakker. A year ago, Seth Freakin Rollins was not ready for the wisdom of the Wise Man. And now we all know that Seth will never be ready to have a vision of victory over any of them! So let’s expunge from the history of The Vision the fact that Rollins was ever among them. There will never be a reason ever again to ever mention the name, “Seth Freakin’ Rollins.”

So let’s talk about the WWE World Tag Team Champions, Logan Paul & Austin Theory! The fans boo again, but Heyman says, “Mr. Theory, please, to the entire world, air your many grievances.” Theory takes the mic to say that now with Bron back, they can have a Six Man Tag tonight. That brings Theory to the Street Profits. The Profits keep putting their noises in Vision business. But Theory gets why: The Profits want the tag titles. No, he misspoke, they need the tag titles, because Bianca Belair can’t pay the bills anymore! The fans boo and even Heyman says that was rough. Theory then brings up “this Joe Hendry nerd.”

But wait, The Profits make their entrance, and Ford says, “First of all, Rocky Top!” And Ford admits, he is here because his wife can’t take care of the bills. But since she’s busy with the baby, somebody had to come to Raw and whoop The Vision’s asses all over Knoxville, Tennessee! And they always think it’s about them, but it ain’t about them! The Profits came back to Raw with gold in mind, partner. Because the motto ain’t changed. The Street Profits are always up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! Logan says, “Well damn! Hey, I’ma say something nice. Everybody knows The Street Profits are a legendary tag team. But y’all are about to find out they are old news.”

The only notable thing Ford has done the last six months was organize a baby shower! What’s in his cup? His BALLS?! Ford, your girl is better than you! But if you want the smoke, The Vision will bring the smoke! They’re ready anytime, anywhere! Bron Breakker was born ready! Austin Theory was born ready! And guess who was ready before they were even born? LOGAN PAUL- “Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul~!” JOE HENDRY sneaks in from the crowd with his guitar! Hendry sings an acoustic version, “Paul~, Paul~, Can We Fire Logan~?” Knoxville joins in, Hendry says keep it going, but Raw is going to break!

Six Man Tag: The Vision VS Joe Hendry & The Street Profits!

Raw returns with the match already going, and Dawkins whips Theory. Theory reverses, Dawkins hurdles and UPPERCUTS! Dawkins then runs up in the corner to CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGIRI! Theory flops over, Dawkins covers, TWO! Theory sits up but Dawkins clamps onto his arm. Dawkins wrenches but Theory kicks low, ROCKS Dawkins, then tags Logan. The fans boo as Logan fires body shots! The ref reprimands, The Vision stops mugging Dawkins so Logan can whip Dawkins to a corner. But Dawkins dodges the splash! Dawkins tags Ford, whips Logan,  but Bron sneaks a tag before Ford DROPKICKS Logan down!

Bron runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he LARIATS Ford! Bron snarls, then he stands Ford up so he can snap suplex! Cover, but then Bron picks Ford up. Bron is toying with Ford as he smacks him off buckles. Tag to Logan, and Bron gorilla presses Ford to THROW him into the UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford survives but Logan goes after him in a corner. Logan digs his knees in, even as the fans chant, “LOGAN SUCKS!” Logan soaks up that heat but Ford fires body shots. Logan shoves Ford to LARIAT him down! Cover, TWO! Logan clamps onto Ford with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Ford rises, pries at the hold, but Logan hits him low.

Logan sucker punches Dawkins, runs up on Ford, but Ford dodges to hot tag Hendry! The fans fire up as Hendry LARIATS Logan again and again! Hendry whips, Logan dodges, but Hendry catches Logan to FALL AWAY SLAM! Hendry kips up, and… TURNS! Theory runs up, btu Hendry catches him now! But Logan CLOBBERS Hendry! The fans boo as Theory rains down fists! Theory soaks up heat while Logan rains down fists now! Tag to Bron, he ROCKS Hendry, then waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Hendry flounders away while Bron taunts The Profits, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Logan brings Hendry up, but Hendry fires body shots! Logan CLUBS Hendry, then reels him in. Logan talks trash, but Hendry suplexes first! The fans cheer as both men are down! Hendry crawls, so does Logan, hot tags to Ford and Theory! Ford goes up to SUPER CROSSBODY Theory! Ford BLASTS Bron, BOOTS Logan, then swings on Theory. Theory back suplexes but Ford lands out! Ford then slips past Theory to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Ford, but here comes Bron! Ford DUMPS Bron out, ROCKS him, then Dawkins DECKS him! Ford builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Bron, then Ford GAMANGIRIS Theory!

Ford goes up, up, and FROM- NO, Theory dodges! Ford rolls through, comes back, but Theory BOOTS him! Theory somersaults, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Ford crawls over to Theory, brings him up, but Theory SUPERKICKS! Dawkins sneaks the tag before the ENZIGIRI! Dawkins then hurries to Electric Chair Lift! Ford hurries to climb, but Logan runs up to SHOVE him down! The fans boo but Dawkins DECKS Logan! The fans cheer that, and Hendry is there to run up on Logan! Logan sends Hendry into steps! ROLLING ELBOW from Theory to Dawkins! Theory TOSSES Dawkins out, and Bron has a target!

Theory distracts the ref so Bron can build speed, but ROLLING LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous as The Architect gets one on Bron! Then Dawkins rolls Theory, PROFITS & HENDRY WIN!!

Winners: Joe Hendry & The Street Profits, by pinfall

Theory CLOBBERS Dawkins, but Rollins goes after Theory! Rollins TOSSES Theory out, then he offers a hand to Dawkins. Dawkins accepts and the fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” But Bron runs up! Rollins dodges, DSPEAR on Dawkins!! SUPERKICK for Bron! Rollins dares Bron to come right back, but all Ford sees is Dawkins is down because of Rollins! Ford and Rollins argue about that, shove each other, then go their separate ways. Will Rollins get his revenge on Bron Breakker one way or another? Will this win still lead The Profits back to the Promised Land?

Adam Pearce meets with Los Americanos Hermanos.

He is saying this could be some kind of HR nightmare or copyright lawsuit waiting to happen. El Grande Americano Original is insisting that this is “Bruto y Julio?” Si, Bruto y Julia. Todos saben español? Un pequeno. Fine… But then Judgment Day interrupts. Liv & Dom hope Pearce is having a good day, but they’re just wondering what Pearce has planned for the hottest rising star in the wrestling world, aka THE Dirty Dom. Grande says they were in the middle of something. Yeah, they understand you three are a few tendies short of a ten piece. But if you wanna have any sense left, get out of their way when they wanna talk to Adam Pearce. Bye~!

Grande Original says this is real lucha business here, not whatever Liv wanted to talk about. Dom says bro, you’re not even a real luchador! Que, ese?! Whatchu say? Huh!? Pearce wants them to calm down, and yes, Dom is in need of a title opportunity, but he’s also wearing a title in the AAA Mega Championship. Today’s the opportunity to defend the title against OG Americano, TONIGHT! No, that’s not what they meant! Pearce leaves them to argue with Los Americanos Hermanos, will there be a major change to the plans in AAA? As for Pearce, he encounters Los Garza. They wanna talk about some opportunity outside of SmackDown.

Well, Los Garza wants opportunities, Judgment Day wants opportunities, today is a day for opportunities. Let’s have a conversation in his office. Angel y Berto follow Pearce, will Los Garza be Raw from now on?

PENTA is here!

The fans cheer the WWE Intercontinental Champion as he does his iconic strut to the ring. What does he have planned for his own title? We’ll hear about it, after the break.

Raw returns with Penta in the ring, mic in hand. The fans cheer, and Penta says, “Last week, I heard some pendejo talking about my Intercontinental Championship. Ethan Page…! Penta is a fighting champion. Listen! Why don’t you come out here, and you say it to my face?! C’mon! HUH?!” Penta doesn’t have to wait long, All Ego indeed makes his way out here. The fans boo but Ethan joins Penta in the ring. Ethan grabs a mic to say okay, okay, the audacity of this man to stand in the middle of this ring and say, “Why don’t you come say it to my face?” Ethan would love to, but he’s pretty sure Penta sat in front of a mirror for 30 minutes painting his chin, then make that his entire identity!

Unlike Ethan, who stands in the spotlight with no mask, no hidden identity. No, he is All Ego Ethan Page, and he hails from the greatest country on Earth, CANADA! The fans boo but Ethan says you wanna know about him? He PINNED the champion int he middle of this ring last week. Now in his mind, that makes him #1 contender to said championship, but Penta might be a little afraid to lose to Ethan again. Ethan laughs, but Penta tells him, “Listen, pendejo. I’m not afraid to defend my title against you. And y’know what? Let’s fight right now, cabron!” Penta throws off his jacket but Ethan says hold your horses, pal! Pump the brakes!

Penta is a man of his world, Ethan will give him that. Penta’s ready to go right now. But Ethan is not. Penta might not even understand what title he holds! That’s the Intercontinental Championship, buddy! That is the token of excellence in ALL of WWE! Every mega star in this history’s company had to hold that to prove their point. And papi, you’re looking at the NEXT mega star! So that title needs a spotlight it deserves, just like Ethan. So he’s thinking May 23rd, Saturday Night’s Main Event! The fans boo, but Ethan says duh, not here tonight, even they got that. Penta tells Ethan that look at this title. Ethan wants it? He has to work hard for it.

And Penta is always ready for the world! Penta will face Ethan any time, anywhere, because he IS Penta, and- RUSEV INTERRUPTS! The Son of Thunder storms out on stage and tells everyone stop this! He tells the fans to shut up, and he tells Ethan that Ethan amuses him. But Ethan getting a title match before Rusev doesn’t sit well with him. Because last week, it was them both who won a match, and it was Rusev who bounced the head of Penta off the desk! Ethan says he agrees, but Rusev says he’s not done yet! Ethan says okay, please continue. Rusev steps into the ring and says Ethan better watch what he says before he needs new amusement.

Ethan says he agrees with everything Rusev said. So much so that he said it in Pearce’s office. Ethan said he was the new guy, he won’t skip the line, and Rusev is deserving. Ethan almost convinced Pearce until Je’Von Evans busted in, screamed at the top of his lungs, saying nonsense like Rusev isn’t good enough. In fact, why would Rusev get a match when he can’t even beat Je’Von? But speaking of The Young OG, he makes his way out here now! Evans tells Ethan whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa… Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Ethan, you know you lyin’ with your little ugly ass! N-No! Yes! Evans says excuse him as he steps into the ring.

Evans knows Ethan knows Evans didn’t say anything to him, to Pearce, and anything about Rusev not being able to beat him. Even though that last part is true. Rusev turns Evans around and Evans says calm down. But then Ethan SHOVES Evans into Rusev! Penta runs up to SUPERKICK Ethan, then LARIATS him up and out! Penta PLANCHAS onto Ethan while Rusev stomps away on Evans! Rusev lets off so he can run up, but Evans DUMPS him out! Evans then DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and Evans hurries back inside. Evans and Penta meet, and they do the strut! The fans cheer, but are we about to run it back from last week?

Je’Von Evans VS Rusev!

Raw returns and indeed, we’re getting a partial rematch as The Young OG fires off hands on the Lion of Bulgaria in a corner. The fans fire up as Evans storms around, and he runs back up, but into a KNEE! Rusev has Evans down, and he drags Evans back up to ROCK him with a right! Rusev ROCKS in the back, but Evans ROCKS Rusev in return! Rusev ROCKS Evans again, has him on the ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Rusev stops, and he KICKS Evans in the back! The fans rally for Evans but Rusev eggs him on. Evans drags himself up, but Rusev swings! Evans blocks to ROCK Rusev in return! And ROCK him again!

Evans fires more shots, then whips, but Rusev reverses, then WHEEL KICKS! Rusev is all fired up but the fans boo. Rusev stalks Evans, brings him up, and suplexes high and hard! The fans chant, “Rusev Sucks!” but Rusev just suplexes again! Evans flounders to a corner but Rusev storms over that way. Rusev pie faces Evans again and again, then talks trash. Evans fires hands on Rusev! The fans rally, but Rusev KNEES low! Rusev puts Evans up top, ROCKS him again, then climbs up the corner. The fans rally as Evans resists! Evans fires forearms and haymakers, then a HEADBUTT! Rusev falls back and the fans cheer!

Evans adjusts his position up top, he BOOTS Rusev away, then he jumps up to WHISPER IN THE WIND! The fans fire up but Rusev is back! Evans dodges, swings around, and fires forearms! Then a BOUNCY~ RANA! Rusev tumbles and stumbles, and Evans DROPKICKS him out! Evans builds speed and DIVES into a FOREARM! Rusev keeps Evans grounded as he drags him out of the ring! Then a few knees before the FALL AWAY SLAM onto the desk! Evans writhes, Rusev says Evans is just a kid, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rusev drags Evans up, just to push him around. Rusev pie faces Evans, eggs him on, but the fans rally up. Evans huffs ‘n’ puffs and LARIATS! Rusev brushes it off and eggs Evans on again. Evans winds up to LARIAT, but Rusev just gets in his face! “You got nothing, kid! You got nothing!” Rusev whips Evans to a corner, then runs in, only for Evans to dodge! And SUPERKICK! And LARIAT! Rusev falls and the fans fire up! Evans feels it, he goes to a corner, but Rusev runs up! Rusev blocks the kick but Evans ROCKS him! Then Evans bumps Rusev off buckles, ENZIGIRIS, then goes up and out!

Evans springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rusev survives but Evans stays focused. The fans rally as Evans rises up, and Evans runs, only for Rusev to reel him in and ROCK him int he back! Rusev snarls as he ROCKS Evans again, those shots to the lumbar bringing Evans to his knees. Rusev shoves Evans, but Evans SUPERKICKS! Evans goes up, up, and O G- NO, Rusev clinches for a URENAGE! Then a MACHKA KICK! Cover, TWO! Evans survives and shocks Rusev! The fans fire up while Rusev keeps saying he’s just a kid! A freakin’ child! Rusev vows to crush, but Evans dodges the stomp!

Evans UP KICKS, then ducks ‘n’ dodges! RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Rusev tumbles out, the fans fire up, and Evans builds speed! Evans FLIES, #WeOutside~! Another direct hit and Evans gets Rusev in the ring! Evans hurries to go up, up, and O G CUTTER!! Cover, EVANS WINS!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

Maybe he’s a kid, but maybe he’s a prodigy! Will the Young OG prove himself worthy of his own golden opportunity?

Asuka meets with Iyo Sky backstage.

The Empress of Tomorrow lost on Saturday at Backlash, but just like then, she hugs it out with The Genius. In Japanese, Asuka tells Iyo thanks for that incredible match on Saturday, truly. Iyo thanks her for that, and Asuka says she was looking for someone to take her place here, and Iyo has finally become that person! She is so glad it is Iyo. She is so proud of Iyo! Iyo thanks Asuka for that praise, she is so happy. Even if they fight, they will always be family! It’s a little sad, though. Goodbye, Asuka-san. Asuka says no, this is just “see you later.” Asuka wishes Iyo good luck, and they hug again. Asuka heads out, but is she truly leaving WWE and the ring behind?

As for Iyo, what will be next for her as she has gone from genius to master?

Brie Bella & Paige are here!

Knoxville cheers as the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions head to the ring. They know the Women’s Tag Division is only heating up, but what will they have to say about a certain team in particular? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns as Brie & Paige have the mics. Brie says last week, Raquel & Roxie dared them to come to Raw, and as the defending WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, here they are! Paige says yeah, and they’re ready for a fight. But where’s Judgment Day? If you’re calling out the champions, you better come out and let them know what you have to say. With that, Judgment Day makes their entrance. The fans are torn as Raquel tells Brie & Paige, “Welcome to our show. I’m so glad you guys can make it take a little time from your nostalgia tour that’s keeping you so busy.” Roxie says no, seriously. She can’t believe she’s finally face to face with them!

Roxie used to love watching them on TV. Y’know, back when Brie and Paige were still young and relevant. Roxie & Raquel step into the ring and Roxie brings up Brie meeting Roxie as a little girl. Brie told Roxie that she was gonna care on the legacy, and that meant everything to her! Until she realized how dare Brie set the bar so low! Oh, so low? Roxie might confusing Brie with Liv. See, what Brie wanted for Roxie was to start her own legacy, not be a footnote for the Judgment Day. But there is someone more disappointed in Roxie than Brie, and that’s Roxie’s mom! Raquel keeps Roxie back and says take it easy, Brie’s just making this about herself, as she always does.

But let’s not forget about Paige! Yes, give it up for the big comeback! The fans do cheer, and Raquel says it’s the girl who has been given a million chances, and yet still fumbles each and every one. We’re all just waiting for the next big scandal to hit, so why not just do us a favor and save us all the time by handing the titles over? There is nothing sadder than two washed-up has-beens clinging to gold they don’t deserve. The fans boo, but Paige looks at her belt. Then she ROCKS Raquel! Brie fires off on Roxie and the fans cheer the brawl! Brie bumps Roxie off buckles, helps Paige with Raquel, but Liv slithers in! CODE BREAKER on Paige!

Judgment Day mugs Brie & Paige in a 3v2! The fans boo but Roxie hits the SATOMURA SPECIAL! Then she runs up on Paige to tilt-o-whirl, and Raquel adds on, BOOT LEG SWEEP COMBO! Judgment Day holds up all the gold, but will they own all the gold soon enough?

Roman Reigns sits in the private suite.

And in walks Jimmy Uso. Big Jim daps it up with Roman, and Roman asks about Jey. Jimmy says Jey is waiting in the parking lot for when Jacob arrives. Jey wants to talk Jacob out of coming to the ring tonight. What? Why? Uh, why not? Roman must’ve gotten hit in the head harder than they thought. Roman and Jacob went to war, Roman won, and Jimmy says he can just leave it alone. Roman says no, they made a deal. There was a contract involved, Jacob signed on the line, so there has to be order here. You can’t make promises and then break your word. They have to be men of their word.

They’re at the top of this business. And if “they” don’t trust The Bloodline, then they lose everything. If Jacob can’t have the respect for his own family, then there will never be respect on the outside. They can’t have it. Jacob HAS to acknowledge Roman. Jimmy understands that. But he still has a feeling, he doesn’t trust Jacob. Well, if Jacob doesn’t acknowledge Roman, then his ass is outta here. Jimmy says okay, he’ll go find Jey and Jacob. Jimmy heads back out, but will the Acknowledgement Ceremony be a disaster?

Dominik Mysterio speaks.

“The AAA Mega Campeonato is the pinnacle of lucha libre. I have carried this title for eight months, dominating my competition as the greatest luchador in the world. I have surpassed absolutely everything my deadbeat dad has ever done, proving why I am the King of the Luchadores. Grande Americano, you will never be a real luchador. You will never get your hands on MY AAA Mega Campeonato.” Dirty Dom has spoken, but will EGA Original make sure to finally clean up this title?

Iyo Sky VS Sol Ruca!

The Genius has finally made amends with Asuka and can move on from her dramatic past. Meanwhile, the Soul Surfer is here to prove she’s not just the future but the present. With them both aiming for Becky Lynch and the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, who proves they’re the next one up with a win here tonight?

Raw returns as Sol makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. They tie up, Sol uses her height to power Iyo back, but Iyo slips around to waistlock. Sol switches, SLAMS Iyo down, but Iyo moves around. Iyo wrenches to wristlock and hammerlock. Sol stands up, sits down, then rolls to wrench and YANK the arm. Sol wristlocks, YANKS the arm again, then wrenches for a snapmare, only for Iyo to handspring through! Iyo wags her finger, then dodges Sol. Sol handstands over the dropdown, then handsprings back to RANA! Sol strikes a pose and the fans cheer. Iyo rises but Sol whips her, only for Iyo to reverse!

Iyo wheelbarrows but Sol stops the rest. Sol waistlocks, Iyo switches, Sol switches back, and she lifts Sol for a spinning ATOMIC SLAM! Sol then stands on Iyo to use her as a board! Sol steps off but Iyo blocks the superkick! Iyo then slips around, redirects, and handsprings, but Sol dodges! Iyo runs up, Sol handstands over the sweep, but Iyo stops the handspring this time to push Sol and DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up with Iyo while Sol sputters, and Iyo kicks Sol around. Iyo clamps onto Sol with a chinlock and digs her knee into Sol’s back. Sol endures, fights up, and powers Iyo to ropes. Iyo holds onto the headlock but Sol tries again.

Sol powers out and sends Iyo to a corner. Iyo slips outside, eggs Sol on, then avoids a punch! Sol avoids the shoulder to BOOT Iyo down! The fans rally as Sol goes to the apron. Sol runs to go up the corner, QUEBRADA! Iyo slips into the ring to avoid that! Iyo then aims from the apron to FLYING RANA! Sol tumbles and the fans fire up again! Iyo drags Sol up, puts her back in the ring, but Sol TIGER FEINT KICKS from the apron! And then Sol ASAI TORNILLOS! Down goes Iyo and the fans fire up with Sol while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and both women fight on the corner. Iyo tries to suplex but Sol blocks! Sol suplexes, but Iyo lands safe in the ring! Iyo then somersaults to SHOTEI SHORYUKEN! Sol wobbles, Iyo climbs, and the fans fire up again! Iyo brings Sol to the very top, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Sol survives and the fans fire up! Iyo is frustrated, but “This is Awesome!” as both women slowly rise again. Iyo fires a forearm, Sol fires back, so Iyo fires another forearm. The shots go back and forth as both women stand. Sol mule kicks, but Iyo fires a flurry of forearms! Iyo winds up, BACK ELBOW! SHOTEI!

Sol sputters, Iyo winds up, but Sol ducks the buzzsaw! Sol shoves Iyo, pops her up, and fireman’s carries for a SWINGING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives whatever you wanna call that, but Sol runs up in the corner. Iyo slips through the ropes, PENDULUM KICKS, then goes up the corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Sol is down while Iyo kips up, and the fans cheer that crazy taunt! Iyo runs corner to corner at Sol, SHINKANSEN misses! Sol then BLINDSIDE METEORAS! Sol runs back in, waistlocks, but Iyo victory rolls! STOMP 182! Iyo crawls to the cover, TWO! Sol is still in this, and Iyo has to check her own teeth after all that.

The fans rally up again as Iyo rises again. Iyo drags Sol into the drop zone before she goes to the corner. Iyo climbs right up, but Sol springs to her feet! Sol SHOVES Iyo, and Iyo falls to the crossbar! Iyo keeps from falling to the floor, only for Sol to run up! Iyo blocks the boot to HOTSHOT the leg! Sol hobbles away, Iyo springboards back in, but Sol avoids the dropkick! Sol goes up, she BOOTS Iyo down, then shakes out her leg. Sol goes up, up, and TUBULAR DDT!! High stack cover, TWO!! Iyo survives another innovative move, and “This is Awesome!” Sol goes up a corner but Iyo trips her up! Sol is in the Tree of Woe, Iyo SHINKANSENS her out of it!

Iyo gets moving, another SHINKANSEN!! Sol sputters, Iyo steps on her as she goes back to the corner, and then up, up, and OVER THE MOONSAULT! But into boots!! Sol saves herself, and both women rise. Sol snatches Iyo in a drop toehold, then somersaults to the corner! SOUL SNATCHER misses, and Iyo ghost pins Sol! IYO WINS!!

Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall

Sol is shocked, she’s the one who got snatched! Is this the true power of the Genius? Iyo still shows Sol respect and Sol gives it back. But will Iyo make sure her new chapter includes another match with The Man?

Jey Uso paces in the parking lot.

Jimmy walks over and teases his brother as the valet. Jimmy & Jey dap it up, and Jey asks what Roman had to say. Jimmy says it was horrible. It was bad. Sometimes, OTC gets a little bit delusional. What if Jacob snaps tonight, Uce? Does Jey really think Jacob’s gonna acknowledge Roman tonight? Jey says hell no, Uce. Jimmy knew that. Jey says this is a very different type of family business going on. Jimmy agrees there. This family can be stressful. Jey says their family is why they’re here today, remember that. Jimmy nods, and says he’ll go out there with The OTC. He wishes Jey good luck with Jacob. YEET.

Big Jim heads out, leaving Main Event Jey to wait on the Samoan Werewolf. Will this Bloodline civil war only escalate once again?

Backstage interview with The Street Profits.

Jackie Redmond is with Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins and brings up how they said they were back with one goal: the tag team titles. Well, in two weeks, they have that chance at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Fort Wayne, Indiana! They look good, are they feeling good? Yeah, they’re feeling great! This is exactly what they came back for, fam! But then in steps Seth Rollins. The smiles turn to frowns, but Rollins says if they’re serious about getting the tag titles off The Vision, “then it’s time we all talked. Ford says this is what he was talking about! Rollins keeps saying “we,” there is no “we” here! Dawkins says maybe they should hear Rollins out.

Ford asks for what?! He told The Profits that if they stayed out of his way, he’d stay out of theirs! Isn’t that right, Rollins? Yes, he said that, and he was wrong. Oh, no, Rollins is every single thing everyone says about him. He’s the greatest of their generation, the Revolutionary, but y’know what they also say? That Rollins isn’t to be trusted. The Profits don’t need Rollins’ ass to win those tag titles, bet on that! Ford heads out, Dawkins shrugs and follows. Will The Architect have to accept that? Or can he find a way to make up for his past mistakes?

Iyo Sky talks with Sol Ruca backstage.

The Genius tells the Surfer that she truly is the future of the WWE. They will surely fight again some day. Sol says she looks forward to it. They shake hands and part ways, but Becky Lynch walks by. Becky laughs, saying that Sol’s supposed to be the “Next Big Thing” when she couldn’t even beat “Iyo Janetty.” Guess those lights are too bright for her. Becky laughs her way out, but will someone humble her soon enough?

The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS ???

Knoxville already cheers for “O~BA!” even before he makes his entrance, because the whole world knows of his strength. Oba proved it in NXT, he proved it at WrestleMania when he slayed The Beast, and he even topped that by throwing Otis around like Otis was a normal sized man! Will anyone even dare to answer tonight’s open challenge? Will it still be an easy night on the job for Oba if they do?

Oba grabs the mic and he says, “The time has come. Now the Oba Femi Open Challenge begins.” The fans cheer but Pearce hurries out here. He says we’re all excited for this, believe him. The fans boo in anticipation, but Pearce says no one back there was brave enough to accept! Therefore, it is Pearce’s duty to inform Oba that the challenge is cancelled for tonight. He is sorry about this. Oba is the most upset of all and he storms out of the ring. Oba goes to the back, and he says we’ll see if no one’s willing to fight! Oba THROWS the Garzas around! He CHUCKS Angel, then carries Berto, and then brings them both out from the back!

The fans cheer and Pearce is flabbergasted as Oba is MAKING this match happen! He SHOVES Angel into the LED, throws Berto into the ring, and he tells the ref to ring the bell! Now it’s a HANDICAP match, but it’s Los Garza in trouble! The bell rings, Oba UPPERCUTS Berto, UPPERCUTS Angel, repeat! And repeat! And repeat! The fans cheer as Oba CLOBBERS Angel! Angel sputters, but Oba hauls him up, SHOTPUT over Berto! Berto panics but can’t get away, before Oba SHOTPUTS him! The fans are fired up as Oba then pops Berto up, for a FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall

If no one is willing to take their shot at The Ruler, The Ruler will run roughshod over the roster! Will nothing stop Oba from making himself THE top of the mountain in WWE?

El Grande Americano Original speaks.

“The AAA Mega Championship is one of prestige and honor, and it belongs around the waist of an authentic lucha libre legend. And you, Dirty Dom, do not fit that description. So tonight, when I pin you uno-dos-tres in the middle of that ring we will witness the birth of a nuevo King of the Luchadores! The NEW AAA Mega Campeon, The Original El Grande Americano!”

JD McDonagh walks ‘n’ talks with Dominik Mysterio.

The Irish Ace fires Dom up for this title match main event, but then FINN BALOR CLOBBERS JD! The Prince smiles as he then SMACKS JD off the road case and CHUCKS him over another. He asks Dom, doesn’t he have a match tonight? Guess he’ll have to do it alone. Dom says at least he has gold to defend! Dom is still very worried as he goes to gorilla alone. Has Dom already lost the match before it’s even begun? Or can he prove he’s the best when he does this all on his own?

AAA Mega Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS El Grande Americano Original!

Raw returns as El Grande Americano Original makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, history is being made here tonight!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Grande waistlocks but Dom wrenches free to wristlock. Grande rolls, wrenches, and headlocks, but Dom powers up and out. Grande RUNS Dom over, “AH GRACIAS~!” Things speed up, Dom drops down then hurdles over Grande, but Grande picks a leg to trip Dom and get the ANKLE LOCK! Dom flails, reaches out, then turns over to BOOT Grande away. Grande runs up but into a BOOT! Dom goes up, leaps, but into an arm-drag! Grande has the armlock, then steps over for a TWISTER! And then another TWISTER! Dom writhes but Grande paces around him.

Grande drags Dom up, clinches, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Grande drags Dom around to have the armlock, and he grinds Dom down with the chicken wing. Grande steps over to CRANK the arm into the armlock! Dom endures, fights up, but Grande knees low! Grande whips Dom to a corner, runs up, but Dom BOOTS him away! Grande comes back, Dom puts him on the corner, and he ROCKS Grande! Then CHOPS Grande! The fans rally, but then Grande catches Dom in a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Grande lets go, and Grande drags Dom up again. Grande suplexes but Dom lands safe on the apron.

Dom takes a swing, but Grande ducks! Grande waistlocks, Dom fights the suplex and he ELBOWS Grande back. Grande runs up, but Dom UP KICKS Grande into the POST! Grande falls to the floor, and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and the fans rally as Dom and Grande trade shots. Grande gets the edge, but Dom ducks on to DROPKICK him onto ropes! The fans cheer as Dom dials it up, but Grande ducks the 619! Grande then ANGLE SLAMS, and he goes up top! GRANDE MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Dom survives and Grande is shocked! The fans rally up again while Grande stalks Dom. Grande waistlocks but Dom victory rolls, only for Grande to stuff it! TWO, and Dom finishes the roll, TWO! Dom kicks Grande low, then knuckle locks to go up, up, and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Dom holds on to reel Grande in, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Dom hurries to the apron. Slingshot SENTON misses as Grande dodges! Dom comes back, but into a CORNER BELLY2BELLY! Grande full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Dom survives but Grande just drags him to the drop zone! Grande goes up, up, but wait! Rayo y Bravo Americano rush up! Bravo distracts the ref, but Grande BOOTS Rayo away! But Dom avoids the leap, and El Grande Americano Nuevo ROCKS Grande with a haymaker! Dom reels Grande Original in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Grande Original is tougher than that! But then here come Los Americanos Hermanos!

Julius & Brutus, or rather, Julio y Bruto, CLOBBER Rayo y Bravo, fire hands on them, and they all brawl around the way! Bruto ROCKS Bravo, Julio RAMS Rayo, and now things spill over the barriers and into the crowd! Dom focuses on Grande Original, but he gets snatched into an ANKLE LOCK! El Grande Nuevo gets up, Grande Original DECKS him! And grabs at the mask! But Dom dials it up, 619!! Down goes Original, and Dom goes up! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Dom wins!

Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still AAA Mega Champion)

While Dom didn’t have his Judgment Day familia, he still had his amigos Americanos! 241 DAYS and counting, will anyone ever dethrone the King of the Luchadores? And as for Grande VS Grande, Original VS New, they’re still set to battle Mask VS Mask. Who settles the score once and for all at the end of May?

The Vision regroups backstage.

Jackie Redmond catches them on the way out. She says it is clear to everyone that this situation with The Profits isn’t going away. What is their reaction to tonight? Yeah, Logan’s honest reaction, “Wacky,” is that he wishes she’d just go away. As for Joe Hendry, if Logan has to listen to that damn song- Oh, #FireLoganPaul? STOP! Unless you wanna get fired, Jackie. But if Logan has to hear that song one more time, he’s gonna Vincent Van Gogh himself, aka he’ll cut off his ears! He can’t stand Joe Hendry! Hendry is tone deaf, for one. And Logan’s already made the superior version of that song, #AdmireLoganPaul! That’s what it should be!

Theory calms Logan down, blames Jackie for this, and says they’ll just get Bron and Heyman and get dinner. But Jackie wants to ask about the title defense. How are they preparing for the challenge? Wait, is that Maxxine Dupri joining The Vision in their SUV?! Theory asks if Jackie wants to join them, she says no, thanks. The Vision heads out, but are they overlooking The Profits already? Or will their vision be clouded when The Profits bring the smoke?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

As we’ve known all night, The OTC wants to hold an Acknowledgement Ceremony, even though that’s a bit like the days of old… But will Roman get what he wants in Jacob Fatu joining the fold? Or will the Samoan Werewolf end up back on the streets? Roman and Jimmy raise their fingers for the pyro, and we’ll see how this all goes, after the break.

Raw returns for the second round of pyro, and the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” and sing for “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” Roman takes a moment to soak in the moment, then he tells, “Knoxville, Tennessee…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and raise their fingers while again chanting, “O T C! O T C!” But wait, now Jacob arrives, and Jey wants to talk. Jacob ain’t hearing that, so Jey follows him into the building. Jey wants Jacob to think about this real quick. If Jacob goes out there and does this, he’s gonna create a whole bunch of problems for himself and this family. You hear him? Jacob just shakes his head.

Jey says Jacob needs to be smart about this. Don’t do this, Jacob! Jey knows Jacob doesn’t give a damn about Roman, but he needs to be smart! Jey keeps trying, Jacob isn’t listening nor stopping, so Jey steps in his way! Jey tells Jacob to be smart! Jacob HEADBUTTS Jey down instead! Jacob then HEADBUTTS Jey again and again and again! Jacob says, “What you think? You want me to come and acknowledge you, Roman? HELL NAH! You better have to beat the acknowledgement outta me!” With that, Jacob makes his entrance. Jimmy is there trying to reason with Jacob, gut Jacob UPPERCUTS him!

Jacob THROWS Jimmy into barriers, then into more barriers! No one is left in Jacob’s way, and he storms down to the ring. Roman puts the belt down. He didn’t want it to come to this, but now that it has, he’ll do what he must. The fans cheer Roman on, but there are plenty of cheers for Jacob, and the fists start flying! The fans fire up as Roman SMACKS Jacob off buckles! Roman whips Jacob, Jacob reverses, and now Roman hits buckles! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Roman! Roman sputters, flounders, and he crawls to ropes. Jacob runs up to LARIAT Roman up and out! Jacob is all fired up, and he builds speed to DIVE into a SUPERMAN PUNCH!

Roman snarls as Jacob falls to the floor. Roman decides to bring out a chair! Roman storms into the ring, and he SMACKS Jacob on the back! Jacob staggers along the ropes, Roman SMACKS him again! And SMACKS him again! Roman says acknowledge him or Jacob is OUT of the WWE! Roman SMACKS Jacob again and again, then JAMS the chair into Jacob’s ribs again and again! Then a SMACK on Jacob’s legs! Roman snarls as he paces, but Jacob still isn’t saying those words. Roman aims from a corner, “OOOAH~!” But Jacob SUPERKICKS first!! Then he clamps on the TONGAN DEATH GRIP!! Roman flails but Jacob SHOVES him up and out!

The fans fire up as Jacob DIVES! Direct hit and Roman hits barriers! Jacob looks to his taped fingers, and he tells Roman to acknowledge this! Jacob POSTS Roman! Jacob says Roman didn’t call nobody! Roman let Jacob’s family drown out there! The fans chant for tables but Jacob sends Roman into steel steps! Roman flounders against the steel, but Fatu clears the desk! The fans cheer as Jacob looks to finish what he started at Backlash. But Roman is up to SUPERMAN PUNCH again! Roman catches his breath, reloads, and SUPERMAN- TONGAN DEATH GRIPO!! Roman is fading, but Jacob adds HEADBUTTS!

Jacob then lifts Roman up, POWERBOMB down through the desk!! The fans go nuts as Roman is down in the wreckage! Finally, refs and producers hurry out here, but Jacob SHOVES one aside, to TONGAN DEATH GRIP Roman again!! Jacob shows no mercy as he drags Roman up, but Pearce himself gets Jacob off of Roman! Pearce says enough! Jacob JUMPS on Roman for the TONGAN DEATH GRIP!!! The producers pry Jacob free from Roman again, but the fans are cheering Fatu on as he picks up the World Heavyweight Championship! And he LICKS it! The Samoan Werewolf didn’t win it at Backlash, but will he sink his teeth into this title soon enough?

Wait, wait, Jacob’s appetite for destruction isn’t satisfied! He sees Roman being helped up by the Usos, and he runs in around the way! Jacob CLOBBERS THE ENTIRE BLOODLINE THROUGH THE BARRIERS!!! Knoxville is going nuts, will it truly be all gas, no brakes when it comes to taking Roman down?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw to follow Backlash, especially with the escalation in the Bloodline story. Roman not changing his mind as Jimmy tried to warn him, and that literally resulting in Jacob beating down Jey, Jimmy, and Roman, excellent stuff. It is certainly them building on the years of Bloodline history and then turning it around on Roman. Clearly, Jacob’s getting another shot at the title, likely for Night of Champions since Cody Rhodes VS Gunther is Clash in Italy’s top title match. And story wise, that has to be where Jacob wins, right? Roman won the first, Jacob can win the second, and SummerSlam can be an epic tiebreaker.

I really liked that the open challenge was also flipped around. Oba Femi instead made Los Garza, the newest additions to Raw (probably the kayfabe trade for SmackDown getting Rhea Ripley?) be his opponents. Not sure how next week will go, unless they want to bring in local enhancement talent for like a 3v1 handicap or something. Great match from Iyo VS Sol, and great win for Iyo to keep things going from Backlash. I wish we got a bit more on this being Asuka’s last time on screen as a wrestler, though. Becky mocking Sol clearly foreshadows Sol getting a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, and maybe Sol finds a way to win.

The Men’s Intercontinental Championship might end up with a busy schedule with Rusev, Ethan, and Je’Von all chasing Penta. Ethan is getting his shot at SNME for May, but after Evans won that great match with Rusev, he might get his own shot before or after that. It’d be fitting if Ethan and Evans continued their rivalry from NXT, but then that makes me wonder what Penta would do if the title moved on from him. Maybe he and Rey Fenix can tag up again? Very good promo from Paige & Brie with Judgment Day, and of course it turned into a brawl. Judgment Day stands tall, and either Nikki returns from injury or Paige & Brie call on Lyra & Bayley for help.

Great stuff with the AAA Mega Championship being featured tonight, with it feeding not just the Los Americanos story but also the Judgment Day story. Finn going after JD was good stuff, but of course Los Americanos made sure Gable Grande didn’t win. Mask VS Mask is big enough, and Dom still needs to defend that title and lose it to someone else in AAA. We can only hope they find a way to bring Rey Mysterio back into this so that we can get a Father VS Son story for the title, too. And of course, more interaction from Rollins with The Profits in this Vision story. Good stuff in Rollins helping Profits & Hendry win, thereby earning The Profits their title shot at SNME, and clearly this is still going to culminate in a Six Man Tag of Rollins & Profits VS Vision.

My Score: 8.8/10