ACKNOWLEDGE a new chapter!

SummerSlam Weekend is past, and Roman Reigns is still WWE World Heavyweight Champion! But then, who is next for the OTC?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Je’Von Evans VS Ethan Page; Je’Von wins.
• Roxanne Perez VS Sol Ruca; Sol wins, by disqualification.
• Bron Breakker w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry; Bron wins.
• Chad Gable & PENTA VS Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh; Gable & Penta win.
• Street Fight: Jacob Fatu VS Royce Keys; Fatu wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns arrives backstage.

The World Heavyweight Championship is handed over, and the OTC goes to gorilla. The music hits, and Des Moines puts their fingers to the sky. Roman walks out on stage, holds up the title, and gets the pyro. The fans cheer and Roman smiles as he continues down the ramp and to the ring. Roman then raises the belt again, and gets the second round of pyro. Roman gets the mic as the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” and sing “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” Roman then tells Iowa, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and Roman says, “You know your Tribal Chief. I’m a man of my word. I called my shot, and I delivered.”

Before he went out to the desert, he said he’d win the Rumble and save this place. And that’s what he’s done. Roman went to WrestleMania, beat the old man, and owned the whole summer! And last night, he beat Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans are a bit torn, but Roman says he knows that in these parts, that stings. That’s your boy, and that is Roman’s brother. Last night, they found some peace. But you know The OTC, he can only acknowledge so much. But he doesn’t mind if the fans do. Roman holds up his mic so fans can cheer and sing for Rollins, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” But then L A KNIGHT appears!

Roman is confused and perhaps annoyed by Knight making his way to the ring. Knight gets a mic, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” “YEAH!” Knight tells Roman, “Congratulations. Congratulations on the win at SummerSlam. Congratulations on still being the World Heavyweight Champion. And despite the fact that Seth Rollins and myself, I’ll eat the crow on this, we said you couldn’t do it by yourself, congratulations, you did it by your damn self.” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “But you’re still a fraud.” Knight has been calling Roman out for months. And instead of answering, he sicks his dogs!

Roman sent The Bloodline, but Knight beat all of them, so now he wants what Roman owes him! Roman is probably sitting there wondering what he owes, but rewind your mind a little bit. Last time they were 1v1, it wasn’t so 1v1. So what Knight wants is what Roman gave Rollins: Roman, Knight, NO Bloodline or outside BS. They can do it here tonight! They can do it next week! They can do it at Money in the Bank! If Roman needs to wait all the way until WrestleMania, fine, they can do it then, too! But bottom line is, the only right answer is YEAH! Roman paces as he thinks on that, but Des Moines sure wants to see it!

Roman says this is what he’s talking about! Fraud?! Who the hell you talking to? Roman sees only one fraud. He doesn’t come out here claiming he’s a mega star then wears a Walmart watch on his wrist! A mega star, but zoom in! This is what a mega star wears on his wrist! Skeleton Turbion! And this is what Roman’s talking about! Everyone runs their mouths, but what has Knight done? He won against Roman’s cousins? Oh, congrats! So proud! It was a Six Man Tag! What else has Knight done? There’s no validity in what Knight has said! He hasn’t won a tournament, he hasn’t won a battle royal, he hasn’t won a big match!

Let him know! This goes for everyone! You don’t get a contender’s shot by bitchin’ and moanin’! We ain’t gonna sit here and complain anymore! Knight may have wasted The Usos’ time, but he won’t waste Roman’s! Get to the back of the line! Roman storms out but Knight says hold on, hold on. One more thing. Before we get there, Knight wants to say, Roman’s aura? He’s so much cooler when he’s not standing right in front of Knight. Roman’s standing here, making his scrunchy faces, and talks about not having earned it. HUH!? Knight’s earned it time and again, but it took Roman and 38 others to stop him!

What a coincidence that Roman and Rollins were in a group called Shield. They’ve both used numbers and factions to shield themselves from guys like Knight! Because pshh pssh “Yankee, Oscar, Uniform, Sierra, Uniform, Charlie, Kilo. YOU SUCK!” Roman’s the biggest fraud and vomit in the business! Roman’s on another level because he holds the title, but don’t get lost in the sauce, brother brother. You’re not on Knight’s level, pal! Knight’s lightning in a bottle! He’s everything Roman wished he could be but he couldn’t! So tell ya what? When you figure where to buy a pair if you can’t grow one, come back to Knight and he’ll slap you back to factory settings!

Because Knight knows Roman knows and the world knows, the uncrowned champion of this world, with everybody saying, “L A KNIGHT! YEAH!” The Mega Star shoots his shot, will he hit the mark soon enough?

Je’Von Evans VS Ethan Page!

The Young OG is still rolling hot this summer, having gotten one over on Rusev last week. But All Ego is only getting cockier after overcoming Rey Mysterio last week, as well. These archnemeses from NXT meet again, will Des Moines get BOUNCY? Or will Ethan be the one smiling ear to ear?

Raw returns as Ethan makes his entrance, joining Je’Von in the ring. The bell rings, the fans fire up with Je’Von, and he circles with Ethan. They tie up, Ethan headlocks, but Je’Von endures the grind. Je’Von powers up and out, Ethan RUNS him over, and Ethan does jumping jacks to mock him. The fans boo, Ethan runs but Je’Von stays low. Je’Von then hurdles, springboards, and rolls Ethan up, ONE! Ethan kicks low, then CLUBS Je’Von. Ethan has Je’Von on the ropes, scoops, but Je’Von slips free! Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge the lariat, then he flips up and over! Je’Von BOOTS from the corner, then runs up to whip and BOOT!

Ethan staggers, Je’Von runs up, BOUNCY~ RANA! The fans fire up as Ethan staggers up, and Je’Von DROPKICKS him out! The fans fire up and wave their hands with Je’Von. Je’Von then builds speed, #WeOutside! Down goes Ethan at the ramp and Je’Von fires up again! The fans cheer, Je’Von puts Ethan in, and Je’Von goes up. CROSSBODY! Je’Von hit so hard, he tumbles through Ethan! Je’Von then hurries back to the corner, climbs back up, and the fans fire up. But Ethan runs in! Je’Von hops down, ROCKS Ethan, then brings him up. Ethan fights the suplex, fires body shots, then he suplexes, but Je’Von slips through!

Je’Von O’Conner Rolls, TWO! DROPKICK! Ethan falls, Je’Von covers, TWO! Ethan is tougher than that but he’s still dazed. Je’Von goes to the corner, eggs Ethan on, then RAMS low! Je’Von steps in, but Ethan THROWS him into buckles! Ethan BOOTS Je’Von down, Ethan snarls, and Raw goes picture in picture.

Ethan storms out after Je’Von, SMACKS him off the apron, then brings him around to ROCK him with a forearm. Je’Von staggers, Ethan shoves him into the ring, and Ethan whips Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Je’Von is tougher than that but n ow he’s dazed. Ethan drags Je’Von up, scoops, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Je’Von writhes, but Ethan looms over him. Ethan drags Je’Von up, ROCKS him, then bumps him off buckles. Ethan wrenches and whips Je’Von corner to corner hard! Je’Von flounders and falls, and Ethan soaks up the heat from Des Moines. Ethan then kicks Je’Von down, rains down fists, then stomps Je’Von.

Ethan brings Je’Von up, but Je’Von ROCKS Ethan! And ROCKS him again! But Ethan slips under to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Ethan scowls as he clamps on a chinlock and grinds Je’Von down. Je’Von endures, even as Ethan leans on the hold. Je’Von fights up, up, and fires body shots. Ethan squeezes tighter, but Je’Von fights up. Raw returns to single picture as Je’Von fire smore body shots. The fans rally but Ethan shoves Je’Von. Ethan ROCKS Je’Von with a shot to the back! The fans boo but Ethan kicks Je’Von around. Ethan drags Je’Von up, ROCKS him again, then talks trash, “Is that all the fight you’ve got?!”

The fans boo but Ethan kicks Je’Von around. Ethan slaps Je’Von, Je’Von ROCKS Ethan! And ROCKS him again! And bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire a flurry! The fans fire up as Je’Von has Ethan in a corner for a storm of stomps! The ref counts, Je’Von stops, then he dodges Ethan! Ethan blocks a boot but Je’Von SMACKS him! Then puts him in the corner for the ENZIGIRI! Ethan is down, Je’Von goes out, springboard and FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Je’Von throws off the shirt! Ethan staggers up, Je’Von goes up, but Ethan trips Je’Von! The fans boo but Ethan has the straitjacket and leg hook, TRAPPED BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Je’Von survives but Ethan drags him back up. Ethan reels Je’Von in, hooks a leg, but Je’Von fights the lift! Cradle counter, TWO! Ethan hurries to reel Je’Von in, back suplex, but Je’Von makes it a CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Je’Von goes to ropes. Ethan runs up, Je’Von TOSSES him! Je’Von goes to run but Ethan trips him! Ethan drags Je’Von out to RAM him into the desk! Then Ethan scoops, but Je’Von slips free! Je’Von sends Ethan into the desk! Then the POST! Then the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up as Je’Von builds speed going around the entire ring! Je’Von hurries to FLY! Direct hit into Ethan in the timekeeper’s area!

The fans fire up and Je’Von gets Ethan in the ring. Je’Von handsprings, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives but Je’Von shakes his head. Je’Von waits on Ethan to rise up, then goes up, up, and- NO, Ethan YANKS him down! High stack, but feet on the ropes!! The ref sees it just in time! The fans cheer while Ethan is furious! But Je’Von BOOTS Ethan, runs the ropes, but the CONFIDENCE BREAKER hits! Cover, TWO! Je’Von survives, but Ethan RIPCORDS for the POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Je’Von survives again and Ethan is beside himself! Ethan TOSSES Je’Von out, then he goes after a buckle pad!

The ref sees Ethan’s shenanigans, stops him from that, and Je’Von hurries back in! Je’Von LEAP FROGS Ethan and the ref, to then go up, up, and SUPER O G CUTTER!! Cover, Je’Von wins!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

Je’Von isn’t just on a hot streak, he’s blazing a trail! But will he get his- OH NO, BIG CASS IS HERE! And he BOOTS Je’Von down!! The fans boo but the promise to appear tonight has been fulfilled! Cass winds up and LARIATS Je’Von down! The fans boo more but Cass throws off his shirt, looms over Je’Von, and he drags Je’Von by his hair! Cass has a wild look in his eyes as he looks at Je’Von. Cass whips Je’Von to pick him up and BEARHUG, then the EAST RIVER CROSSING! The fans boo more but it doesn’t matter, Big Cass is back, ready to tear through the roster, and you can’t teach that!

Roman Reigns regroups with The Bloodline.

The Tribal Chief tells Jacob Fatu & The Usos that he wants to keep the respect, he wants to keep them as equals, that’s what they deserve, that’s what they wanted. But there is a standard. The Usos know this! It doesn’t work if they lose! They’re family, but a Six Man Tag? They had the advantage automatically, and yet they lose?! Forget Solo Sikoa, where even is he? He should be on Roman’s hip right now! “Coffee, go get us some, Solo.” That should be it. And then LA Knight, this is crazy! This fool, calling Roman a fraud, disrespecting Roman! And then Royce Keys. Royce Keys, Royce Keys, Royce Keys, you know how stupid that name is?

Why does Roman keep hearing Royce is Jacob’s “family?” Jacob goes to speak but Roman cuts him off by asking if Jacob is Roman’s family. He is, right? But Royce Keys is not. He is not Jacob’s family, either. He’s just “one of the boys.” But don’t let the circus folks confuse you. This is it. The Bloodline is the only bloodline here. This is all they have, trust no one else. Jimmy says just say the word, and they’ll go get Knight. No, no word. No play. Shut it down. They had their chance. Leave that fool to Roman. And don’t touch him. Jey is annoyed as Roman heads out, but then LA Knight steps in!

Knight says he’s here with his Walmart watch and his Walmart bag, but uh, he overheard someone saying to leave him alone. Jey steps up but Knight says watch out, don’t make daddy come back and bend you over his knee. Anyway, Knight’s outta here, see you next week. You be good. Knight does the step just to get Jey to flinch, then heads out. Will Roman have to wait until next time to handle The Mega Star?

Royce Keys finds Jacob Fatu in the locker room.

Raw returns as The Monstar asks Jacob what’s going on. How many times have they been through this? Fought against each other, fought with each other, think about all the times they fought in Oakland, Sacramento, LA. Keys can forget everything. They’re brothers, ten toes down, still rolling with him. They’re family. Jacob stands up to say Keys ain’t his brother, he ain’t his family, he’s just one of the boys and Fatu is Bloodline. Enough of the back and forth. Jacob VS Royce, tonight, in a STREET FIGHT! And Jacob bets he dog walks Royce tonight. The Samoan Werewolf storms out, and Royce says aight. Will Royce be able to beat some sense into Fatu?

Judgment Day goes to the ring.

At least, the ladies do, as Roxanne Perez and the NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion, Raquel Rodriguez, accompany Liv Morgan, who is still the Greatest Women’s World Champion of Allll Time~! Liv gets the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, you are now in the presence of the Greatest Women’s World Champion of ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL~ TIIIIME~!” The fans boo, but she says they already knew that, right? Because on Saturday, Liv beat one of the best in the world! Liv beat the Genius of the Sky, Iyo Sky. Oh, are they mad? Well, stay mad! But Liv gives Iyo props because Iyo’s the only woman brave enough to challenge Liv.

And now that Liv is done with Iyo, she doesn’t see any challengers. Do they? Roxie & Raquel play along looking for something. So then that means Liv is going to be the LONGEST REIGNING Women’s World Champion of ALLLLLLL TIIIME~! But enough about Liv, she wants to take this moment to talk about another member of the Judgment Day. Liv’s best friend, her sister, and someone she is so proud to call the NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion, Rrrraquel Rrrrodriguez~! And of course, they could not have done it without Roxanne. And speaking of The Prodigy, she’s going to embarrass Sol Ruca, proving that Judgment Day runs Monday Night Raw.

Sol makes her entrance, and the fans finally cheer. Will the former Women’s Intercontinental Champion get right back up and ride a new wave to the title? Or will that deck still be stacked against her?

Roxanne Perez w/ The Judgment Day VS Sol Ruca!

Raw returns as Sol has Roxie in an armlock. Liv & Raquel coach Roxie up, but Sol wrenches and YANKS the arm. Roxie moves around, Sol wrenches and YANKS the arm again, then wrenches again. Roxie rolls, has the ROPEBREAK, but Sol holds until the ref counts 4. Sol lets go, Roxie bails out, and the fans boo as the Judgment Day regroups. They check the arm, but Roxie is okay. Sol chases Roxie around the outside, then keeps her from slipping into the ring. Roxie ROCKS Sol, slides in, btu Sol grabs a leg. Roxie kicks at Sol, BOOTS her away, but Sol still gives chase. Roxie ducks ‘n’ dodges as she runs the ropes to tilt-o-whirl and- NO, Sol scoops!

The fans cheer but Roxie slips free to O’Conner Roll and bridge, TWO! Sol has the O’Conner Roll, TWO! Roxie runs, cartwheels to dodge, then SLAPS Sol! Roxie THROWS Sol down, soaks up the heat, and takes a bow. Roxie pushes Sol down, stomps away, then drags her up. Roxie talks trash, stomps Sol, then digs her boot in. The ref counts, Roxie stops at 4, then stomps again. Roxie KICKS Sol, stomps her, but Sol blocks a stomp! Sol has Roxie out of reach, then trips her! Sol rains down forearms while the fans fire up! Sol whips Roxie to the corner, then whips again! And again! Roxie slumps down in the corner while the fans rally up.

Sol goes corner to corner, but Roxie dodges! Roxie comes back, Sol catches, and she SPIN-OUT FACE BUSTERS! Then she SLAPS Roxie! Sol SHOTGUNS Roxie down, then hurries to cover, TWO! Roxie survives but Sol drags her into position. Sol has the legs, pulls on the arms, and pulls her into the ROMERO SPECIAL SURFBOARD! The fans cheer, but Roxie fights free. Roxie runs, but Sol trips her, then handsprings over to SUPERKICK! Roxie flounders out of the ring but Sol follows. ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes Roxie and the fans fire up, but Judgment Day protests. Sol puts Roxie back in the ring, then goes up the corner.

Sol aims, cartwheels, but Roxie hotshots Sol out of the Tubular DDT! Roxie hits an ARM JAMMER, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns as both women are down again. They sit up, head for each other, and Roxie fires a shot! Sol fires back! Roxie rebounds to ROCK Sol, but Sol rebounds to ROCK Roxie! The shots keep going, fans cheering Sol, and she mule kicks, CLUBS, and UPPERCUTS! Sol whips to ELBOW Roxie down! Then ELBOW her again! Sol whips Roxie to a corner, ELBOWS her again, then ROCKS her over and over! Then a ripcord into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Sol kips up, the fans fire up, and Sol aims from a corner. Sol runs to KNEE Roxie down! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives but the fans still rally for Sol. Liv wants Roxie to get up, but Sol drags Roxie around.

Sol fireman’s carries Roxie, then pops her up, but Roxie RANAS through! Cover, TWO! Sol has a sunset flip, TWO! Both women hurry to their feet, and Sol blocks the sobat to X- NO! Roxie handstands out! But Sol narrowly ducks the enzigiri! Roxie still runs to hop on, but Sol pops free of Pop Rox! X-FACTOR! But Raquel gets on the apron! Sol DECKS Raquel! Sol goes to the corner, but Liv YANKS her down! The ref SAW that!

Winner; Sol Ruca, by disqualification

But it doesn’t matter, Raquel BOOTS Sol down! Then POP ROX! The fans boo, but Raquel hauls Sol up for a TEXANA BOMB! Judgment Day stands over Sol, but “THE MAN HAS COME AROUND!” Des Moines erupts as Becky Lynch is here! Becky goes to the ring, not even concerned that Judgment Day is three women strong. Becky gets a mic, the fans cheer her on, and Becky says, “The Man has come around to Des Moines!” The fans cheer again, and Becky laughs at how they think she’s here to take back the Intercontinental title. She already made that famous, her work there is done.

Liv puts two and two together even before Becky says, “I came for you, sweet cheeks! To make sure it’s not another 100 days before you defend that title again. Cuz I’ve watched you prance around here like you’ve actually done something since WrestleMania. But all you’ve done is become a glorified valet. Because a Women’s Champion should be fightin’, not just flirtin’. And you… You have had the worst title reign of alllll~ time~! And it’s not just me sayin’ it. Everybody’s sayin’ it!” The fans cheer that! And Becky says unfortunately for Liv, things are about to get a whole lot worse. Liv says very, very typical Becky Lynch, she should not be surprised.

Y’know what Becky should be doing right now? Being at home being a mommy to her daughter! But she’s not! Instead, she’s in Liv’s face, which is pathetic. And y’know why? Because Becky’s jealous! Yeah! Jealous because Becky’s time is over and Liv’s time is now. Becky is jealous cuz Liv IS the greatest women’s world champion of allllllllll~ time! Liv says let’s go! The Judgment Day goes to leave, but Becky laughs. Sorry, sorry, Liv’s not even the greatest champ in her own group! Hell! Liv’s not even the greatest women’s champion to sleep with Dom Mysterio! Des Moines likes that one!

And then BOOM, STEPHANIE VAQUER IS BACK! Liv is freaking out, but La Primera storms right out! Raquel runs up but Vaquer dodges to SUPERKICK! Vaquer then sends Roxie into the LED tron! Liv scrambles back down the ramp, but that puts her between a rock and a hard place! Liv still goes into the ring but Vaquer grabs at her! Liv kicks free, crawls away, but Vaquer drags her back into the ring to rain down fists! Becky watches as Vaquer HAMMERS away! Vaquer smiles as she stands back up, but here come Raquel & Roxie! Vaquer ROCKS Raquel, HEADBUTTS her down, then BOOTS Roxie! Liv runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER!

Vaquer smiles again as Liv retreats with Judgment Day! But then Becky sneaks up on Vaquer. The fans chant “Welcome Back!” for Vaquer, but also in part for Becky. The two stare down, both after the same target. They’re arguing it out now, but will they have to fight it out to see who gets Liv first?

Paul Heyman is backstage.

The Wise Man, The Advocate, The Oracle, finishes watching the Brock Lesnar tribute video. Oba Femi then walks over, and he says, “Paul.” Heyman says, “Sir.” Oba says he never got to thank Brock for all the things he said about him and to him. So when Heyman sees Lesnar, tell him Oba says thanks. Heyman says that’d be a pleasure, sir. And Oba, Heyman congratulates you. They shake hands, and Oba continues to gorilla. The Ruler will address the WWE Universe. What will be his next decree as King of the Ring?

Oba Femi heads to the ring!

Des Moines cheers for “O~BA!” as he makes his entrance, now with some fog to accompany his kingly garb. Oba hits his pose in the ring while the fans continue to chant his name, then he grabs the mic. Oba says, “Words cannot even describe the things that transpired on night one of SummerSlam. Me and Lesnar went to war in Hell in a Cell, and we came out the other side with scars and bruises, a winner, a loser, and most importantly, we came out with newfound respect for one another.” The fans cheer, and Oba says it may have been his ignorance. Oba thought Lesnar knew he was the one when he put Lesnar down at WrestleMania.

That is why when Lesnar came back to make his life miserable for weeks, Oba though tit was an action born out of ego, envy, or jealous. But now with wisdom and hindsight, Oba realizes it was all a test. Lesnar needed to come back and find out if he chose right. The question going into WrestleMania was: Can Oba Femi swim? That question was answered very, very quickly, But going into SummerSlam, the question changed. It went from, “Can you swim?” To “How long can you hold your breath?” Oba went into the cage with one of the most dangerous and decorated combat athletes of our generation. Oba went blow for blow, to the deepest depths, and Lesnar held him there.

Guess what? Oba swam up, emerged victorious, and he past the test. And now, The Beast can finally rest. The fans cheer that. Oba says now his destiny is clearer than ever. Often times, when the path is clear, that is when men miss it. There is no correct path, you forge your own destiny. So with this torch passed on to Oba, he will forge his own way, and lead a new generation! A new crop of talent! And with all that, the old guard will fall. And if any man has any problem with Oba, has a problem with the one who holds the torch, you will answer to The Ruler, The Destroyer, the Bringer of War! You will answer to Oba Femi!

The fans cheer as Oba has put out the message to the world! But who will heed this message as a warning?

But wait, as Oba makes his exit, The Vision makes their entrance. The fans boo and bark for Bron Breakker as he stares down with Oba. Austin Theory & Maxxine Dupri want Bron to move on so they can go to the ring, but Bron gives one last stare down first. Will that showdown have to wait for another time? Will Bron make sure to break Joe Hendry tonight as his own message to the world?

Bron Breakker w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry!

Raw returns as Hendry is in the ring, but Bron is still staring at the stage as if Oba’s going to come back. The bell rings, Hendry wonders what’s up with Bron, and he tells Bron to bring the fight. The fans chant for “O~BA! O~BA!” But then Bron LARIATS outta nowhere! The fans boo and bark while Hendry tumbles out of the ring. Theory even tells Bron to just break this fool already! But then Hendry POSTS Theory! The fans cheer, Hendry LARIATS Theory down, and Hendry’s angry now. But here comes Bron! Only for Hendry to hurdle him! Bron hits steel steps! Hendry puts Bron int he ring, and he tells Maxxine to watch this!

Hendry THROWS Theory over the desk! Hendry goes to the ring, but Bron SPEARS him down!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Bron TOSSES Hendry out, and he goes back to staring at the ramp. Bron is looking more like the Breakker of old, and he storms off without Theory. Theory goes after Hendry and Maxxine says get him! The fans boo, but Theory throws his shirt off so he can go after Hendry more! Maxxine says that’s right! But then TOZAWA jumps in! The fans fire up as Tozawa fires hands, but Theory THROWS Tozawa down! Tozawa fires off again, Theory shoves back, but Tozawa BOOTS and RANAS! Then he BOOTS Theory out! The fans fire up as the Stamina Monster rips his shirt off! Maxxine gets Theory to stand down, but Tozawa says payback is coming! When and where will the Alpha Academy get their revenge?

Backstage interview with Big Cass.

Jackie Redmond welcomes the newest Raw superstar, and welcomes him back to the WWE. We all knew about the debut, but we did not expect that. Why did he attack Je’Von? Cass takes the mic to say, “Eight years. I was left for dead in the dirt. Eight years, it took me to get back here from rock bottom. Je’Von Evans, nothing personal, bro. You were just in the way. Make no mistake about it, I am here to stack bodies. You were just the first. And surely, you won’t be the last.” Big Cass hands the mic back, then heads out. Will nothing stop him from crushing everyone underfoot until he’s at the top of the mountain?

Chad Gable is here!

Des Moines cheers the American Made Man, the NEW Intercontinental Champion, and some even do the SKOL clap as he goes to the ring. The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” as Gable gets the mic, and he nods. Gable says, “Des Moines, oh baby, I love that energy! Now last night was the single greatest moment of my career. And since then, everyone I’ve talked to is saying what you guys are saying right now, that I deserve it. Now, I’m not a guy that’s every said I deserve anything. I try to earn everything I get, but I made sure to thank every one of those people. I’ve got a couple more people to thank tonight. And the first person I wanna thank is Penta.” The fans cheer that!

Gable thanks Penta for being the epitome of a fighting champion and continuing to cement his own legacy as perhaps the greatest luchador in the history of this business. But most importantly, Gable is here tonight to thank all you fans. He wants to thank the fans for sticking with him for ten YEARS, and yes, it’s been that long. He thanks them for sticking with him every time he came this close, but it didn’t happen. For sticking with him when he was “Shorty G.” And for believing in him when he made a promise that he was gonna overcome every bit of it to become a singles champion in this company! The fans cheer that, too.

Gable says he tells his kids and he tells us now, that when you make a promise to yourself, you bust your ass until you deliver on the promise! And Gable is standing here to say he crawled through a river of crap, came out clean on the other side, and delivered on the other side! He is proud to be YOUR Intercontinental Champion! The fans cheer again, but then Penta makes his entrance! The fans cheer for #CeroMiedo and the Penta strut, and he goes to the ring. Penta gets himself a mic, and he tells Gable, “First of all, you deserve this beautiful title, man. Chad, last night, we stole the show. And tonight, I give you your flowers.”

The fans applaud, Gable thanks Penta, and Penta says he knows Gable made mistakes, but no matter what, he changed. Penta thanks Gable for that. And now, Gable has the fans’ respect, and now he has Penta’s respect. The fans cheer again, and Penta says this is very simple: Gable is a true luchador! They fist bump, and Penta says Gable is one of the best wrestlers in the world. Penta raises Gable’s hand, the fans cheer, but then Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh show up! The fans boo, but The Irish Ace says no more of this sappy crap! The fans boo as Dirty Dom asks, “What is this garbage I’m hearing about Chad being a real luchador?”

Dom says he is the KING OF THE LUCHADORES! The AAA Mega Campeon! And the greatest Mysterio of all time! The fans boo but JD asks a question. Why would any single one of these Des Moines “ditch pigs” cheer for these guys? Gable’s best match has come and gone, and it wasn’t even last night. It was when a better wrestler whipped his ass, took the mask, and Gable lost the right to call himself a luchador. As for Penta, he just lost to Gable, so what does that make Penta? The fans boo but Dom says eschucha me, perros, but Gable is just keeping Dom’s title warm. Judgment Day is collecting all the gold, and they can end this little journey at any time, because they’re done playing around!

Gable says, “Any time?” The fans like where this is going! Gable says here and now in Des Moines sounds great! How about that? Dom says El Rey ACCEPTS! Penta says okay then, let’s get a ref here and now! Because he is Penta, and he has CERO MIEDO! Gable & Penta VS The Judgment Day is happening, holla holla! But who will prove they’re the better luchadores in Des Moines?

Chad Gable & PENTA VS Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh!

Raw returns as Gable waistlocks Dom, SLAMS him down, then drags him up to SLAM him down again. Gable floats to facelock, gator rolls with him, and rolls again. Gable hauls Dom up to BUTTERFLY PLEX, with a bridge! TWO, and the fans rally up. JD distracts Gable, Dom kicks low! Dom ROCKS Gable, whips him to a corner, but Gable reverses. Dom goes up, over, and runs, but into a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Dom flounders to a corner, but Gable blocks a boot to put that leg in the ropes. Then Gable grabs the other leg, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tag to Penta, and Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI Dom down!

Penta runs up, headstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! Then Penta sends Dom to Gable, CORNER BELLY2BELLY! Dom flounders, the fans fire up, and Penta covers, TWO! Dom survives but Penta drags him up. Penta puts Dom on the ropes, winds up, and KICKS the legs out! The fans cheer as Penta then whips Dom, but Dom reverses. JD KICKS Penta, Penta chases him off, but Dom CLOBBERS Penta! Dom stomps Penta, tags JD, and JD bumps Penta off buckles. JD fires off fast hands but the ref counts. JD backs off, the fans boo, but Dom soaks up the heat. JD digs his boots in, but stops at 4 to then short arm LARIAT!

The fans rally up for Penta but JD mocks the clapping. JD drags Penta up, snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! Penta is tougher than that but JD argues the count. JD stomps Penta, taunts the fans, then goes back to Penta. JD wrenches an arm, whips, but Penta KICKS back! Then he dodges to mule kick a leg! Penta runs to SLING-DOG! The fans fire up while both men are down. JD gets up to RAM Penta into the ring, tag to Dom! Judgment Day mugs Penta but the ref counts. The fans boo but Dom stops at 4. Tag to JD and they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, but Penta lands out! Penta dodges, hot tag to Gable! Gable goes up to DOUBLE FLYING LARIAT!

The fans fire up as Penta and Gable DOUBLE SUPERKICK JD & Dom! Penta then builds speed to FLY! Down go JD & Dom! The fans fire up for that, and Penta feeds Dom back to Gable! Gable has Dom for the ANGLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Dom survives, bails out, but Gable gives chase. Dom slides in, sneaks a tag to JD, but Gable drags Dom out. Only for JD to HEADBUTT, then SAIDO on the floor! The fans boo Judgment Day as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns as Gable fights out of a headlock, only for JD to UREANGE, then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gable survives, the fans rally up, but JD stalks Gable to the corner. JD KICKS Gable to the corner, then puts him up top. Gable fires back, he and JD brawl, but JD ROCKS Gable. Gable still hits back, but JD climbs up, the hands still fly, and Gable HEADBUTTS JD down! Gable rises up to DIVING HEADBUTT! Both men are down but the fans still rally up. Gable and JD crawl, and they hot tag to Dom and Penta! The fans fire up as Penta dodges Dom to RANA! Dom tumbles, Penta scoops, BACKBREAKER!

Dom swings into a PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, but JD breaks it! The fans boo but JD tumbles right out of the ring. Penta is frustrated, but he goes up. Dom CHOPS first! Dom goes up, but Penta slips under! Penta tucks Dom in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Tag to Gable, he goes up! MOONSAULT, but he blocks a boot! ANKLE LOCK! Dom turns over, kicks and kicks and kicks, but Gable just powers him back into the ANKLE LOCK! Dom rolls, Gable rolls! The fans fire upas Gable keeps Dom down, but JD HEADBUTTS Gable down! But Penta DROPKICKS JD out, then slides! JD avoids the dropkick, but not the SUPERKICK!

Penta runs, DESTROYER on the floor! The fans go nuts, but Dom is sneaking the bell hammer! Dom sneaks that into his boot! The fans boo as Dom dials it up on Gable, BUT GABLE BLOCKS! Gable sees the hammer, and he takes it from the boot! The ref reprimands Dom, takes the hammer back, but Dom HOTSHOTS Gable! But Penta BELT SHOTS Dom! Gable gets Dom for a CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, Gable & Penta win!

Winners: Chad Gable & Penta, by pinfall

Turnabout is fair play, Dom just tasted some of his own bad medicine! The fans clap along with Penta and Gable, and Penta helps put the belt on Gable again. The fans cheer as these two hug it out, will Gable keep on runnin’ now that he’s a singles champion?

Bron Breakker finds Paul Heyman backstage.

And Heyman smiles as Bron walks up and says hey. Bron isn’t sure if Heyman saw, and Heyman says he did. Bron says Oba Femi tried to get in his way, and Bron’s gonna do something about it. Heyman says Bron should. Then Bron is asking Heyman, where is Oba? Heyman asks why he would know that. Bron chuckles and says yeah, that’s true. Sorry, Bron thought Oba was his new best friend. Heyman laughs that off, then sighs. But is The Advocate going to find a way to profit from Bron and Oba clashing down the road?

Meanwhile, Adam Pearce is talking with Lyra Valkyria in the background. It’s hard to know what they’re arguing about, but could The Morrigan be casting her name into the title conversation once more?

Street Fight: Jacob Fatu VS Royce Keys!

As close as brothers, but torn apart by blood, there might be blood shed between them tonight! Will the Samoan Werewolf prove his loyalty to The Bloodline by tearing down the Powerhouse? Or will Royce prove he’s the one true Monstar on Monday Night Raw?

Raw returns, Royce is in the ring, and the bell rings. The two stare down, Royce says they didn’t need to do this, but Fatu chose it. The forearms start flying, then haymakers! Royce RAMS Fatu into a corner, RAMS him again and again, then runs up, but Fatu ELBOWS him away! Fatu kicks low, bumps Royce off buckles, then UPPERCUTS! Royce goes to another corner, Fatu brings him around to bump off buckles, then ROCKS him. Fatu whips, runs corner to corner, but Royce dodge! Fatu hits buckles and Royce CLOBBERS him! Royce fires hands, ROCKS him, then runs, but Fatu ELBOWS him down!

Royce staggers to the ropes, Fatu LARIATS him up and out! The fans rally as Fatu then builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Royce is sent into the desk! The fans fire up as Fatu then brings Royce up for a HEADBUTT! Fatu SMACKS Royce off the apron, Royce hits back, but Fatu UPPERCUTS! Fans chant for tables but Fatu whips Royce, only for Royce to reverse! Fatu hits the steel steps then falls to the floor! Fatu clutches a knee, but Royce goes looking under the ring. Royce brings out a table, but Fatu CLOBBERS him! The fans boo as Fatu puts the table back under! Fatu then SMACKS Royce off the desk again and again!

Fatu POSTS Royce, Royce falls, and Fatu says he had no choice! He gotta do this! He ain’t got no choice! Fatu HEADBUTTS Royce, then gets space. Fatu runs back in, but Royce CLOBBERS him first! The fans fire up with Royce, and Royce says they were supposed to be brothers! Royce hauls Fatu up, scoops him, and runs to CRASH through the barriers! The fans are going nuts, and we get a DiGiorno picture in picture. The ref checks Fatu, so Royce goes back to bring out the table! The fans cheer as Royce gets the table up and into the ring. Royce goes back to Fatu, drags him up from the wreckage, but Fatu RAMS him into the POST!

Fatu grimaces, but he THROWS Royce over the desk! Royce tumbles hard into armchairs then onto the floor, but Fatu goes looking under the ring. Fatu doesn’t find what he wants so he goes to another side. Fatu brings out chair after chair and puts those in the ring! The fans like that, too, and Fatu goes back to Royce. Royce is on the desk as Fatu HEADBUTTS again and again, then UPPERCUTS! Fatu CLAWS Royce’s eyes! Royce sputters while Fatu goes back to add more chairs to the mix. The fans fire up with Fatu as he goes back to Royce, but Royce FLIES off the table to CLOBBER Fatu! Royce gets up, brings Fatu around, and sends him into the other steel steps!

The fans fire up while Royce snarls. Royce says Fatu is making him do this, and Royce goes looking for something. Royce adds chairs, too! Hard to say but it seems like all the chairs under the ring are in the ring. The fans chant, “One More Chair! One More Chair!” Royce puts Fatu in the ring, climbs up, but Fatu UPPERCUTS him down! Fatu arranges the chairs, then picks one up. The fans cheer, and Fatu grabs at Royce. Royce SMACKS Fatu with a kendo stick! And SMACKS him again! The fans cheer as Royce SMACKS Fatu down, then just SMACKS away! Royce then finally brings the table over, which the fans rally like!

Royce props the table up in a corner, goes back to his kendo stick, but Fatu UPPERCUTS! Fatu takes the stick, and he SMACKS Royce again and again! And again, and again! Fatu eggs Royce on, then drags him up. Fatu GAGS Royce with the kendo stick! Royce reaches up but Fatu shoves him down. The fans are torn but Fatu soaks up the cheers and jeers. Fatu then sets up the chairs, two of them facing each other. Fatu says it is Bloodline, Royce should’ve stayed out of it. Fatu reels Royce in, but Royce fights the suplex! Royce fires body shots, turns things around, and he suplexes Fatu onto the chairs! Cover, TWO! Fatu survives and Royce is a bit surprised.

Royce drags Fatu up, “This is Awesome!” as he scoops. But Fatu fights free, KNEES low, and IMPALER DDT on chairs! Cover, TWO! Royce survives and Fatu is frustrated. Fatu grabs a chair, SLAMS it down onto Royce, then does another. Fatu DIGS a chair into Royce’s ribs, then goes to the corner. Fatu climbs, the fans fire up, but Royce is up to CHUCK a chair at him! Fatu sits back on the corner but Royce climbs up! Royce then brings Fatu up, up, and TOP CHOICE SLAM on the chairs!! Cover, TWO!! Fatu survives again and Royce is furious! The fans rally up as Royce clears out space. Royce goes back to Fatu, drags him up, then scoops.

But Fatu slips free! SUPERKICK! Royce staggers, Fatu runs up, but into the ULTIMATE SPINEBUSTER! The fans are fired up again as the straps come down! The fans fire up as Royce runs up, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP through the table!! Fatu then puts Royce in the drop zone, MIGHTY MOONSAULT!! But Fatu’s still not done with Royce! He jumps on for the TONGAN DEATH GRIP!! Royce coughs and flails but Fatu THRASHES him around! Royce is fading, he is OUT! FATU WINS!

Winner: Jacob Fatu, by submission

The ref can’t get Fatu to let go! Fatu’s a dog with a bone as he grinds Royce down to nothing! More refs rush out here, Fatu finally lets go, but there’s still rage burning inside! And then he jumps back on Royce! TONGAN DEATH GRIP!! The fans boo, Royce is COUGHING UP BLOOD!! Fatu says he told Royce, it is FAMILY BUSINESS! Fatu lets Royce go, he scares the refs away, and Royce sputters in the corner. Fatu runs up, HIP ATTACK!! HIP ATTACK!! Fatu then grabs a chair, and he wraps it around Royce’s head! Producers and Adam Pearce rush out here! They want Fatu to stop, to calm down, and to leave it at this.

Fatu says sure thing. Then NOT! Fatu runs in and HIP ATTACK on Royce! Royce is down, Fatu geeks out, and the producers are freaking out! But then Roman Reigns heads out here! The Tribal Chief looks at what his Samoan Werewolf has done to a former friend, and nods in approval. The Bloodline raises their ones to the sky, is this going to be the darkest, most violent chapter in their story? Roman then returns backstage and sees Rey Mysterio. They shake hands, and Rey reminds Roman that he’s the GM of AAA. So let him run something by Roman. Tribal Chief follows King of Lucha out, what business moves could we see being made here?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw to follow SummerSlam, though they didn’t advertise much of it. Great match from Je’Von VS Ethan, great win for Je’Von, and Big Cass making his return during that moment was a little surprising. I suppose it is the best spot for him, as jumping into a title scene would be copy-paste of Corbin’s return. Je’Von will also get good stuff out of this, and nevermore has he been an underdog than this. Though speaking of a title, great promo from Gable and from Penta, and then a great tag match from them with JD & Dom to move us into the next phase. They teased Gable VS Dom on the side of the Danhausen VS Dom build, so it’d make sense if Dom wants his title shot at either “Sunday Night’s Main Event” or as part of the coming TripleMania weekend, all of which is in September.

Great promo from Liv Morgan to put Judgment Day over, and I do appreciate the passive aggressiveness of calling Raquel her “sister” but acting like Roxie is “her prodigy,” as if Liv had anything to do with Roxie making it to main roster. Very good match from Sol VS Roxie but of course Judgment Day got involved. Great return for both Becky and Vaquer, and great promo from Becky in that. Becky VS Vaquer would be great, but I wonder if there’s a Triple Threat in the works to keep everyone protected no matter the outcome. I also wonder if there will be a “Can they coexist?” tag as part of the build.

Great video for Lesnar, and I liked the interaction of Oba with Heyman before Oba’s promo. Great promo from Oba, and then great interaction with Bron Breakker. I feel like Bron is going to break away from The Vision because it is no longer what it was supposed to be, and he might ironically go back to being “the next Paul Heyman Guy.” Bron ditching Theory and letting The Vision lose the tag titles would be wild business, but it should happen for the sake of salvaging Bron here. Plus, once Logan’s arm is better, he and Theory can handle the story with Otis & Tozawa. And they’re being very coy about Oba still calling his title shot, but I guess that’s because there’s more going on right now.

That is to say, great stuff with The Bloodline and all the different pieces. LA Knight confronting Roman Reigns was great, and Roman’s promo after with Fatu & The Usos was a nice little moment with how he started to sound like the tyrannical Tribal Chief he doesn’t want to be. Roman VS Knight is going to be really fun in build and match, just not sure if that’s SNME level or can be pushed to Money in the Bank. Fatu and Royce had a good promo and a great Street Fight, or certainly a great WWE style Street Fight. Fatu winning, going wild, and doing all that damage to Royce was strong stuff, and they did a good job with Royce coughing up fake blood. I would think Royce comes back for revenge, though maybe not immediately, and I think Royce and Fatu both need to factor into Roman VS Knight.

My Score: 8.8/10