A ten-bell salute is sounded in honor of the life and career of Bruno Sammartino as the WWE locker room stands at the stage. A video package of Bruno's life and career is then displayed.
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman show up to start tonight's show. As Heyman introduces himself, he announces that Brock Lesnar will still be WWE Universal Champion after Greatest Royal Rumble. He says that the fans are angry because they think he is going to gloat and say "We told you so" after what happened at WrestleMania, then says they do not have to worry about any gloating as Lesnar does not gloat; instead, he conquers. Heyman says he is the one who gloats, and gloats about how Lesnar busted Roman Reigns open, sent him to Suplex City and hit multiple F5's as if Roman was tomorrow's trash. He then says none of this means anything to Lesnar, as Lesnar does not dwell in the past, even when it was only two weeks ago at WrestleMania. Heyman says Lesnar looks to the future, especially when it is this Friday in Saudi Arabia at Greatest Royal Rumble. As Heyman hypes up Lesnar's steel cage match with Roman for the Universal title, he says that the steel cage match was not Roman's idea and that Lesnar earned the match by beating Roman at WrestleMania. Heyman goes on to say that the deck is stacked against Roman more than ever with this steel cage match, and that when Lesnar gets done with Roman, Lesnar will shred Roman piece by piece so Lesnar comes back to America as Universal Champion while Roman comes back to America in multiple boxes. Before Heyman can finish his sentence, however, Roman shows up. Roman says Lesnar is right, as he does not know how he is going to get back to America, but he is coming home with the WWE Universal Championship, and Lesnar can believe that.
We see social media posts from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Booker T, Dan Marino, Jerry "The King" Lawler and Shane McMahon paying tribute to Bruno Sammartino.
Bobby Roode interrupts Elias' pre-match concert before it can begin.
Elias beats Bobby Roode after pulling Roode forward so the side of his face hits the top rope in order to win with a schoolboy pin.
We hear from Matt Hardy, who says he has spoken to the Oracle and the Delphi and that the future is clear. He announces that he and Bray Wyatt will take the Raw tag team titles at Greatest Royal Rumble, but first, they must face The Ascension. When he asks Bray Wyatt if he is ready, the room gets darker, and Bray Wyatt says they must cast a shadow upon all living things.
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt beat The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor).
We see social media posts from Triple H, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, and Bruno Mars honoring Bruno Sammartino.
It's time for The Sami and Kevin Show, a new segment starring Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Kevin Owens mourns the void of The Miz leaving Raw, and asks who better to fill the void than he and Sami. Kevin and Sami then say that "Greatest Royal Rumble" is called what it is because they will prove they are the greatest and why they were hand-picked as the crown jewel of the red brand by Commissioner Stephanie McMahon. Kevin says tonight is about new beginnings and new starts, and he and Sami welcome General Manager Kurt Angle to the show. Kevin and Sami provide a lawn chair for Angle to sit in, then talk about how they were part of a toxic work environment and a vendetta against them from SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon. Sami then says that either Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon either really like them and their talents or really hates Kurt Angle. Angle says if it wasn't for him, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey would be under Stephanie's thumb and that Stephanie would not have a broken arm. After arguing over how many kids Angle has (and a Jason Jordan joke), Kevin demands that Angle give him and Sami an opportunity on Raw. Angle says he enjoys how Kevin and Sami have treated him and that he finds them endearing. He then announces that he, Daniel Bryan, Chris Jericho and every other Superstar they have endeared will be in the 50-man Royal Rumble match at Greatest Royal Rumble. As for tonight, Kevin and Sami will have a tag team match with Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman.
Seth Rollins is met by Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel, who want to be part of "a new Shield," saying that with their DNA, they and Rollins can take over Raw. Rollins says their hearts are in the right place, but he gives them a "hard" no.
John Cena vs. Triple H is announced for Greatest Royal Rumble.
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre beat Titus Worldwide (Titus O'Neil and Apollo, now known as Apollo Crews again). After the match, Charly Caruso interviews Ziggler, who says that he has never had anyone watch his back, and that he now has it in the very dangerous Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says he is dangerous to a locker room that has no fire and is only here for a paycheck. He says he is what a Superstar should be like, and he has the credentials to back it up. He says times are changing, and he is the wake-up and reality check WWE needs. Ziggler then says they don't give a damn about stealing the show, as they are the show.
Backstage, General Manager Kurt Angle is met by Chad Gable, who thanks Angle for bringing him to Raw. Angle tells Gable he brought him here as a singles competitor when Gable asks him about Jason Jordan. Suddenly, Jinder Mahal shows his irritation with being put on Raw and losing the United States title to Jeff Hardy, who is now on SmackDown Live, and demands he be put back on SmackDown Live. Gable tells Jinder to show him some respect, and when Jinder mocks him, Gable shoves Jinder. Angle tells them to settle things in the ring right now.
Sunil Singh attacks Chad Gable by knocking him off the apron before the match begins. Despite being in pain, Chad Gable goes ahead with the match.
Chad Gable gets an upset win on Jinder Mahal after blocking the Khalass and pinning Jinder Mahal's shoulders to the mat after flipping off the corner.
Backstage, Renee Young interviews The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan). Ruby Riott says their actions last week was a message to Raw's women's division. Liv Morgan says The Riott Squad is here to disrupt, and Sarah Logan says every woman in the locker room is jumping at shadows thanks to them. Ruby says The Riott Squad are like a can of tear gas. They are equal opportunity agitators, and everyone will be on their knees begging for help.
We see social media posts from Vince McMahon, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, Josh Reddick, Madison Square Garden and Kurt Angle honoring Bruno Sammartino.
We hear from Samoa Joe, who is worried that he may not have an opponent for Backlash after Brock Lesnar leaves Roman Reigns buried in the sands of the Arabian desert.
It is announced that Seth Rollins will be defending the WWE Intercontinental Championship against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe in a Ladder Match at Greatest Royal Rumble.
In the locker room, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel try to sell Finn Balor on becoming his "Baxel Club." Finn Balor declines, and turns down the "Too Sweet." Bo Dallas then comes up with another idea.
Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Before the next match, Baron Corbin says he has seen through No Way Jose's plan and knows somebody will jump him from behind. As for himself, he is here to ruin other people's fun and become champion again, but as long as he has his conga line, he refuses to face him. Jose then says that just because Baron Corbin doesn't want him and his conga line to have fun, that does not mean they have to have fun. Jose then gets the party started again. After the rest of the conga line leaves, Baron Corbin rushes back out and attacks No Way Jose from behind.
We see an anti-bullying advertisement from Alexa Bliss, which turns into a smear campaign against Nia Jax. Alexa tells the rest of Nia Jax's tag team partners for tonight, Natalya, Ember Moon, Sasha Banks and Bayley, that it is not too late for them, and that together, they can make the world a better place and she can go on to take back the Raw Women's Championship at Backlash.
Finn Balor and Seth Rollins beat Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel.
Natalya, Nia Jax, Ember Moon, Sasha Banks and Bayley are all ready to take on the opposition in their match tonight. Meanwhile, Bayley and Sasha Banks are not the best of friends.
We see social media posts from Edge, the Pittsburgh Penguins, JBL, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart honoring Bruno Sammartino.
Alexa Bliss, Mickie James and The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan) beat Natalya, Nia Jax, Ember Moon, Sasha Banks and Bayley by disqualification. During the match, Natalya is hit with a chop block, and the resulting leg injury is aggravated when Mickie James keeps hitting Natalya in the leg with baseball slides. This leads to "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey coming into the ring and making Mickie James tap out, even though Ronda Rousey is not even part of the match. After the match, Ronda helps Natalya to the back along with referees.
Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!
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