Recapping American wrestling since 2013. Not only following the current stuff in WWE, Impact and ROH but also going back in time and doing stuff from back then as well.
Nia Jax heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Nia says the WWE Women's Crown Jewel Championship is the only thing on her mind and that she wants it, as she gets everything that she wants. She says he wanted to become Queen of the Ring and she did, and she also wanted to be WWE Women's Championship and she did. She says that anything and everything that gets in her way gets annihilated, including Liv Morgan, and that she will walk out as the first Women's Crown Jewel Champion while Liv is crying on the floor. Raquel Rodriguez shows up with Liv Morgan and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio in tow, and Liv says Nia keeps bragging about her accomplishments like she is special when she is not, and brags about retiring Becky Lynch and becoming the best Women's World champ of all time. Liv says she has held her title longer than Nia has and that she knows what it takes to be Women's Crown Jewel Champion and what it takes to beat Nia, as she won in their last match. She then advises Nia to stop dreaming about being Women's Crown Jewel Champion, and that is going to be her. Suddenly, Tiffany Stratton shows up and says Nia and Liv can argue all they want as it will still be "Tiffy Time." Tiffany says that she will cash in at Crown Jewel and become Women's World Champion, and when Nia agrees with Tiffany, Tiffany warns Nia she can cash in on her. Liv says she has people she can trust, but Tiffany tells Liv not to be so sure, as she has not made her decision yet and Liv and her friends are starting to piss her off. She then asks if Dominik comes with the Women's World title, as she needs some "dirty" in her life, but Liv tells Tiffany she has enough already in Nia Jax. Tiffany hits Liv with a forearm and calls Liv pathetic, saying she is nothing without Dominik.
Liv Morgan beats Tiffany Stratton with a schoolkid pin after Nia Jax gets on the apron to allow Tiffany to attack Liv with the Money In The Bank briefcase only for Liv to duck and grab the tights on the schoolkid pin to win. After the match, Liv hits Nia with a low drop kick and hits Tiffany with the Money In The Bank briefcase only for Nia to headbutt her and take it away. After smacking Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio with it, she then hits Liv with an A-Nia-Lator.
Before the next match, Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) try to sell Lin Manuel-Miranda, the creator of "Hamilton," on "Pretty Deadly: The Musical" at the front row before attacking The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) from behind.
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) after B-Fab body slams Elton Prince on the outside as Kit Wilson distracts the referee so that Prince can put Montez in a sleeper.
Backstage, Nia Jax wants to know why Tiffany Stratton is threatening to cash in her Money In The Bank contract on her. Tiffany tells Nia she wants Liv Morgan to think she is cashing in on her, then Bayley and Naomi butt in. Naomi tells Nia to keep the WWE Women's Championship warm for her.
Bayley and Naomi beat Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell after Naomi tags in as Candice collides Bayley into her, unbeknownst to Candice and Indi. (This ends up being Indi's last match in WWE, as the show was taped the previous week and she will be released from the company the same day this show airs.)
Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso head to the ring. Jimmy asks Roman to listen to what he is about to tell him, and asks him to drop the beef that he has with "Main Event" Jey Uso, as he has made up with Jey. This leads to a "Squash the beef!" chant before Jimmy says he asks Roman to do the same. We says that if they are not strong and unified, they will fall to Solo Sikoa's Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) at Crown Jewel. Roman ask for the microphone, but before Jimmy can hand it to him, Jey shows up and heads to the ring. Jey says that their match at Crown Jewel is to get back at Solo for costing him championship gold as well as the family, and as things are not good between them, it takes a lot to be in the same ring as Roman after how Roman treated him. He then says he still showed up because that is what family does, and like the ones before them and the ones after them, they must show that family is above all. Jey then says that this time, he will be not Roman's right-hand man or lackey, but his equal. He says the three of them must be equals in order to stand side-by-side like they ran things back in the day, and if Roman even slightly disrespects him, he is gone, and if Roman does not like that, he can either walk or he can be his cousin and not his Tribal Chief. Jey then asks Roman if they are going to do this or not, Roman says "Yeet." After the crowd cheers, they chant "Hug it out!" before Jimmy raises one finger in the air. Jey joins him, then Roman does the same.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley). Sabin says they will prove to best the best team in WWE when A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory) show up. Grayson says he and Theory know what they have done for wrestling and makes them the next guests for next week's edition of The Grayson Waller Effect.
Before the next match, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill say that anybody can step up for the women's tag team titles and that they have some contenders that are willing to step up tonight.
Iyo Sky beats Bianca Belair, Piper Niven and Lash Legend in a Fatal 4-Way Match after hitting Bianca Belair with Over The Rainbow after Bianca hits Lash Legend with the K.O.D. following everyone's seconds going at it outside of the ring.
Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is met by Randy Orton. Cody asks Randy to save a piece of Kevin Owens for him, but Randy says there may not be anything left when he is done with Owens. Cody says he is not sure what to do if that happens, but Randy looks at the Undisputed WWE Championship and says "I'll sure you'll think of something."
We hear from Andrade, Carmelo Hayes and LA Knight before their match for the WWE United States Championship at Crown Jewel.
We hear from The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu). He says that Roman Reigns, "Main Event" Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso believe that he is the bad guy, then says that his family never lets him down, unlike them, who let him down even when he was there for them. Solo says that Roman, Jey and Jimmy will respect his Bloodline and acknowledge him come Crown Jewel.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton beat Imperium (Gunther Ludwig and Ludwig Kaiser). After the match, Kevin Owens shows up to blast Orton from behind with a metal folding chair, and when Cody notices what is going on, Gunther goes right for Cody and puts him in a sleeper hold. Security and officials show up to try to break the hold as the show ends.
This week on The SmackDown LowDown: A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory)! Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill! Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez!
WWE Chief Content Office Paul "Triple H" Levesque heads to the ring to start tonight's show. As the crowd chants "Thank You, Hunter!", Triple H says he is here to thank the fans for making something very special happen, and he can now really tell them that WrestleMania 40 was the greatest of all time by every single metric and standard, and according to the fans. Triple H thanks the fans, and after welcoming everyone to tonight's show, he welcomes everyone to a new time and a new era, and he introduces the man who will lead everyone into the new era: "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody and Triple H shake hands, then Triple H raises Cody's hand. The crowd chants "You deserve it!" to Cody, and Triple H congratulates Cody to ending one of the greatest reigns of all time, headlining the greatest WrestleMania, and bringing 20,000 people to last night's show. Triple H then mentions that some friends of Cody's who work in the back have prepared something special for Cody, which he will now share with everyone. We then see a video package celebrating Cody's path to the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Cody tears up during the video package, and Triple H and Cody hug. The crowd chants "You deserve it!" once again, and Cody lays the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the middle of the ring and kneels down to kiss it. Cody asks ring announcer Samantha Irvin to declare him the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, which she does, then talks about he laid his goals - which have now become reality - out two years ago. He then says that if the air feels a little thin, it is because everyone is standing on top of the mountain, and that he acknowledges Roman Reigns' accomplishments and calls him "one of the most important Superstars of our generation." The fans chant "Thank you, Roman!" before Cody states that he was destined to defeat Roman, then talks about his "why" for doing what he does, then shows video of one of his main "whys," his daughter. He wants her to know that when he goes to work, he goes to work in the main event, and when he is fighting, he is no longer fighting as challenger, but instead as champion. He admits that this has been a difficult predicament, for after standing in line, the line is now for him. Cody re-introduces himself, saying he was once undesirable, then undeniable, and now Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Suddenly, The Rock shows up and heads to the ring, and the fans call him a "mother hater." The Rock tries to speak, but he gets booed as he puts the microphone near his mouth. The fans then chant "Shut the fuck up!" and "Rocky sucks!" When The Rock says he is a lot of things and that "sucks" is not one of them, the fans chant "It don't matter" and "asshole" before trying to boo him out of the building again. The Rock says he came here to deliver flowers to Cody and announce that Philadelphia broke another record for the gathering of trailer park trash. He then dares the fans to chant "Shut the fuck up!" again. As expected, the fans chant it again, but the fans cheer again when Cody raises up his championship. The Rock then raises up his People's Championship belt only to get booed. The Rock then says he came out here to give Cody his flowers and tells Cody he did it. He says that the fans can chant what they want, then says Cody beat Roman and finished his story even after all that he did to him. He says that Cody's mother is and should be proud of him and that his father Dusty Rhodes would be too, as he cites Dusty as one of his heroes and how their fathers were good friends up and down the road before stating he does not care what his own father would think of him now.The Rock mentions how his belt means a lot of him as much as Cody's does to him, then asks if there is any way The Rock can hold on to that title, as he has grown up in show business but has never held the Undisputed title. The Rock thanks Cody before the two of them swap championship belts again, saying it means a lot, then announces that he "has to go away for a little while now." He says that as much as he does not want to and after how he and Cody made wrestilng cool again, during which the crowd sings "Na Na Hey Hey (The Goodbye Song)," but when he comes back, he will come back for Cody. Cody tells The Rock that he looks forward to it. The Rock says he also looks forward to it, then tells Cody how he won at Night One before Cody went on to Night Two, and that while Cody's story with Roman has ended, their story has just begun. Cody says he believes that, saying that The Rock is not just "The Final Boss" but his literal boss as part of the TKO board of directors, but reminds him that he is the people's champion, and that means he is The Rock's champion. The Rock agrees, then has one more thing for Cody before he rides off into the sunset. He holds Cody's hand, then tells Cody that he does not have to open his hand to see what it is, and tells him not to break his heart again. The Rock lets go of Cody's hand, and he leaves as Cody watches.
We are introduced to the Spanish announce team of Marcelo Rodriguez and Jerry Soto.
Ilja Dragunov beats Shinsuke Nakamura.
We see a video package where Drew McIntyre is furious about losing the World Heavyweight Championship in a matter of minutes.
The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) is in the ring. Finn Balor tells all the doubters who thought that Rhea Ripley could not retain and that Damian Priest could not retain that they were all wrong. Dominik declares that Rhea is still the World Women's Champion even as he is booed out of the building, and Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring. Rhea says WrestleMania was almost perfect, and that this will be addressed, and that two things came out of this: Mami is always on top and that The Judgment Day is in a new era. Finn Balor then introduces Damian Priest, who heads to the ring. The crowd chants "You deserve it!", and Priest responds with "You're damn right, I do!" He says that "The Terror Twins" are world champions and that everyone should rise for The Judgment Day. Suddenly, R-Truth shows up to celebrate "all of us." He says he has brought the Raw Tag Team titles back to The Judgment Day, then says that while The Judgment Day is picky about who they let in the group, he is only one-half of the tag champs. The Miz then shows up and heads to the ring. The Miz has to tell R-Truth he does not want to be in The Judgment Day and that R-Truth is not in the group, but R-Truth insists that he is. Miz drags R-Truth to his side before announcing that he and R-Truth are tag champs now. Finn Balor says The Miz thinks he is funny and that it is funny that The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) will have the shortest reign in history when they put their titles on the line, right here, right now. R-Truth then says as fun as that is, they cannot, as there are only "three of us," as there will be a six-man tag match where he and The Miz tag with "the guy you can't see." JD McDonagh accepts the challenge, and The Miz says he would like to physically see his partner. R-Truth says that this person would like to celebrate but would rather tag instead, and as he introduces him, The Judgment Day (Finn, Priest, Rhea, Dominik, McDonagh) attack The Awesome Truth.
The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) beat The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) in a three-on-two handicap match after John Cena shows up to be The Awesome Truth's third man.
We hear from "Big" Bronson Reed, who says he steps into the ring not just to win, but to break his opponents, and winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal is just the beginning. He says his opponents tonight will learn a lesson in raw dominance, as he is here to conquer and prove who the real heavyweight champion should be.
The WrestleMania weekend total five-event attendance is 201,924.
Backstage, Rhea Ripley talks with Dominik Mysterio, who says that he will talk to General Manager Adam Pearce about dealing with Andrade. All of a sudden, Rhea is attacked with a metal folding chair by Liv Morgan, and officials have to break up the brawl.
Roxanne Perez beats Indi Hartwell after raking Indi's eyes as Candice LeRae - who tripped Roxanne earlier in the match - is on the apron distracting the referee. After the match, Candice gives Indi a hard time again.
Backstage, Sami Zayn meets with "Main Event" Jey Uso. Both of them are proud of each other for their WrestleMania wins.
Backstage, Roxanne Perez runs into Natalya, who says that she will see her tomorrow night at NXT. Roxanne tells Natalya she will see her tomorrow night "on [her] show."
Sami Zayn heads to the ring. Sami says he has been lucky the past few years at WrestleMania, and while he has done some historical things, he wanted to do something historical this year, and he did. He says that is not entirely true, as the one who did something historical was Gunther, and that a 666-day reign as champion cannot be taken away from him. He says that while Gunther was the best Intercontinental Champion of all time, he took it away from him. Sami says that he cannot take all the credit for this, and thanks the fans for supporting him along the way. He also says seeing his wife and son as well as Kevin Owens backstage helped him. He then says that one other guy helped him out, too, but before he can mention him, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci show up. Kaiser says that for the past two years, Gunther put everything into making the Intercontinental Championship the most prestigious championship within WWE, and that it breaks his heart to see someone like Sami holding it right now. He says that Sami looks like "all these peasants in Philadelphia tonight" and that the new champion "looks like a bum." Kaiser says that on behalf of Gunther, he and Vinci are here to make this right. Kaiser and Vinci surround the ring before Chad Gable show up to stand alongside Sami.
We see a vignette for Sheamus.
Sami Zayn and Chad Gable beat Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci).
Backstage, we hear from "Main Event" Jey Uso, who says it was personal at WrestleMania, but tonight, it is just him, and he is going to give his opponents a beatdown to become #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Backstage, Raw, SmackDown and NXT General Managers Adam Pearce, Nick Aldis and Ava congratulate Andrade, then talk about the upcoming WWE Draft. Chelsea Green suddenly shows up and complains about not being at WrestleMania, and threatens to complain to top brass. Pearce tells Chelsea that he has something for her, and Aldis says she will not be disappointed. Chelsea says that she wants her moment. Pearce tells her that if she heads to the ring right now, her moment awaits.
WWE has sold out seventeen consecutive televised events.
The WWE Draft starts on the April 26th SmackDown and concludes on the April 29th Raw.
Chelsea Green heads to the ring, where she finds out that she is in a match with Jade Cargill.
Jade Cargill quickly beats Chelsea Green with a pump kick followed by Jaded.
Before the next match, Drew McIntyre says that what happened last night was "pure and utter B.S." and that he only had his moment for 5 minutes and 46 seconds, which is "five minutes longer than [the fans] last in bed," and while he does not like Rollins, he respects Rollins for standing by his convictions, going out on his shield and sharing a moment only warriors know about. He then says "that bondage Undertaker" Damian Priest ruined the moment and that the Money In The Bank Briefcase is a joke that cost him a world title twice and cheapens everything both he and Rollins did. He says the World title will come back to him, then blames CM Punk for Priest cashing in on him and calls him a coward for attacking him when he turned his back. McIntyre then says it is "on sight" and that he will go for the rest of Punk's body when he returns. McIntyre then takes his anger out on the commentators when "Main Event" Jey Uso shows up.
"Main Event" Jey Uso beats Drew McIntyre, "Big" Bronson Reed and Ricochet in a Fatal 4-Way to become #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship after CM Punk comes out from underneath the ring to grab McIntyre by the foot to stop the Claymore Kick, allowing Jey Uso to hit McIntyre with a superkick, a Spear and an Uso Splash to win the match and the title shot.
This week on Raw Talk: Ilja Dragunov! Alpha Academy (Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri, Akira Tozawa)! Jade Cargill!
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody admits that The Rock's involvement in the road to WrestleMania is a stinging distraction. He tells The Rock not to talk about his dog Pharoah again, and mentions The Rock bashing his fans and dancing around his challenge by posing one of his own in a 21-minute Instagram video. Cody mentions The Rock saying that the fans want Cody to face him, not Roman Reigns, which led to the "We Want Cody" chants and the "Cody Crybabies" meme, and has posed a challenge involving his friend: Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, who shows up. Cody says that Rollins has offered to have his back against The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa) and to be there as things move forward while having to face Drew McIntyre as he himself did not know if he would even be at WrestleMania. He says that he fully understands if Rollins want to focus on Drew McIntyre and does not want to have his back against The Rock and Roman Reigns as a unified force, and Rollins says that while he appreciates the out, he will take care of McIntyre. He says that there are some things bigger than them and that taking down The Bloodline is the biggest thing they can, as not only Cody's story needs to be finished, but his story as well. He talks about how he and Roman Reigns showed up ten years ago to take the power from the top, and while he wants to give the power back to the fans, Roman wants to keep the power for himself. He says that they are close to Roman having absolute power with The Rock in The Bloodline, then states that he is over The Rock. He says that The Rock has not been "The Rock" or The People's Champion for a long time and has come up with a new nickname for him: "Diarrhea Dwayne." He says that everything that has come out of The Rock's mouth as of late has the consistency of "wet baby poop," and the crowd agrees, especially with The Rock claiming he can make the World Heavyweight Championship go away with a snap of his fingers. Rollins dares The Rock to make this happen, then addresses The Rock's claim that he made professional wrestling cool again, saying he hasn't been cool in twenty years. Rollins then mentions that he has received "100% medical clearance" and declares that he is back and ready to go, and this Friday, he will be at SmackDown to confront The Bloodline. He then says he has Cody's back in this fight, and asks Cody if he has his. Cody says he has a message for The Rock. Cody says it has been a long time since he has been handed something, then says he is not the same as The Rock and that he will be coming to SmackDown alongside Rollins and he will give him his very clear and obvious answer for what is happening at WrestleMania.
Gunther beats "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio with the powerbomb followed by the Boston Crab.
Backstage, Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky) is confronted by General Manager Adam Pearce, who does not want them to cause trouble tonight. Dakota Kai says they will be scouting the competition due to "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark running their mouths. Suddenly, Shinsuke Nakamura shows up, wanting to talk regarding the Intercontinental Championship. Gunther says he will have an announcement regarding Gunther's next challenge, and tells Nakamura to meet him in his office.
"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark beat Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky) is seen watching from ringside during the match. After the match, Dakota Kai congratulates Shayna and Zoey on their match before mentioning their tag team match against The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) next week, saying that they will leave them crying like they did Bayley. Baszler snatches the microphone and says it is about time, and says they will see them next week.
Backstage, the rest of The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, JD McDonagh) tell "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio that they will make things right with Gunther, and Damian Priest puts JD McDonagh in charge of facing him. Suddenly, Andrade shows up, and Andrade wishes Dominik Mysterio good luck before he leaves.
Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax ends in a no-contest after Liv Morgan attacks Nia on the outside. After the match, Becky and Liv argue, then Nia decimates both women.
Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce meets with Ricochet regarding the Intercontinental Championship. Pearce tells him he has a plan regarding the title, then Ricochet leaves. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, JD McDonagh) then shows up wanting a title shot against Gunther for JD McDonagh.
Backstage, Becky Lynch confronts Liv Morgan, and says they can fight about things next week. Liv accepts Becky's challenge, then leaves. Rhea Ripley then shows up and laughs at Becky before walking away.
General Manager Adam Pearce announces that six men - Sami Zayn, Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura, "Big" Bronson Reed, JD McDonagh and Chad Gable - will compete in a Gauntlet Match next week to find out who will face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.
Andrade beats Apollo Crews.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Sami Zayn. Sami says that he knew a path to WrestleMania would present himself, and that next week's gauntlet match stands between him and the most dominant champion ever. He says that this is the path and it is do or die, then Ivar and Valhalla show up. Valhalla says it is pathetic that Sami is part of the gauntlet match while Ivar is not, and Ivar says it is time to put an end to Sami's delusions, as he knows that he can beat Gunther and that the both of them know Sami can't. Sami says he knows he can beat Ivar, and Ivar can meet him in the ring tonight to prove him wrong. Ivar tells Sami he will not make it to next week.
In memory of Paul "Butcher" Vachon, 1937 - 2024.
Backstage, Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell are talking. Indi says they will get their chance, but Candice says there may not be a next time for them. Natalya agrees, and she then tells Tegan Nox that it is time for them to forget their manners and regroup. They leave, then Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri show up. Maxxine says Candice LeRae will come out on top, but Candice LeRae says she does not need a pity party from someone who has had only three matche sand cannot lace her boots. Candice storms off, and Indi apologizes and says she will talk to Candice.
The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) beat Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci).
Paul Heyman is the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says Seth "Freakin'" Rollins has not listened to anything he has had to say because Rollins is "a spotlight junkie" and has to be part of something hot instead of focusing on what is important. He says he does this tot he detriment of his body and mind, and says that he will put Rollins down at WrestleMania because the World Heavyweight Championship deserves so much better than him. He then brings up "Main Event" Jey Uso, saying he only wanted an apology from him, then decides to be the better man and says he is sorry because he knows how much Jey needs his victory when he knows Jey Uso will not be able to defeat him.
Backstage, Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky) is met by Rhea Ripley. Rhea looks at Iyo Sky and tells her to stay out of her territory, but Iyo simply scoffs at her.
Sami Zayn beats Ivar. Before the match, Valhalla puts her antlers on Michael Cole's head, causing the fans to chant for Michael. After the match, Sami is attacked from out of nowhere by "Big" Bronson Reed, who then goes up top for the Tsunami.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Gunther. Gunther says Dominik Mysterio spoke a big game and stepped up, but he did not question the outcome. As for all the potential challengers he has, he says he has elevated the Intercontinental Championship to heights it has never seen before and that while he is flattered by everyone who wants to face him, he will outclass them all. Suddenly, Chad Gable shows up and says he is sick of Gunther's condescending smile and cannot get past him making his daughter cry and insulting him as a father. He says next week's Gauntlet Match is a path to redemption, and that he will take his title while he also takes his smile and puts one on his daughter's face. He says that for him, the Gauntlet Match means more. Gunther simply laughs and walks away.
Backstage, "Main Event" Jey Uso says he has seen Drew McIntyre do nothing buy cry and complain and want an apology from him. Jey says he is sorry that McIntyre will "get this work," and that McIntyre will find out that "Jey don't play."
Backstage, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa), Xavier Woods and R-Truth play WWE 2K24 before the street date as The Miz watches. R-Truth still thinks #DIY are D-Generation X (Triple H and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels), and The Miz proposes that they need to hit The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) where it hurts and take their tag team titles.
We see a photo of Michael Cole wearing Valhalla's antlers.
Drew McIntyre beats "Main Event" Jey Uso. During the match, Solo Sikoa shows up, but "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up and brawls with Solo, taking their brawl into the crowd. Jey starts fighting back against McIntyre, but as he goes to the top rope, Jimmy Uso shows up, distracting Jey. This allows McIntyre to hit the Claymore Kick for the win. After the match, Jimmy slinks into the ring with a metal folding chair, but Seth "Freakin'" Rollins runs past Drew McIntyre to take out Jimmy. McIntyre gets back in the ring and hits Rollins with a Claymore. McIntyre warns Rollins to do the right thing and focus on him to end the show.
This week on Raw Talk: Ricochet! JD McDonagh! Nia Jax!
"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio is in the ring, where he introduces Rhea Ripley as the greatest Women's World Champion of all time in a chorus of boos. Rhea Ripley then makes her way to the ring. Rhea talks about how she walked both in and out of her home country as Women's World Champion, and says that while Nia Jax may have been the biggest threat to her reign, being from "down under" does not stop her from being on top. Suddenly, Becky Lynch heads to the ring. She declares that she has come around to fight Rhea, but not without congratulating her on retaining against Nia Jax and observing that they both had a great night on Saturday. Dominik refuses to allow Becky to show disrespect Rhea, and Becky tells him to shut up before calling him "a dirty kumquat" and threatening to put him in his place, then notes that Rhea has sat back as champion while she has been the backbone of WWE while writing a book. Rhea tells Becky not to disrespect Dominik ever again, then congratulates Becky on winning the women's Elimination Chamber match before telling her to stop disappointing her and to finally get on her level. She says that Becky thinks she is the backbone of everything, but behind every great man is a greater woman, and she is not behind her, because she is always on top. As Rhea and Dominik leave, Becky is attacked from behind by Nia Jax. Officials show up to stop Nia Jax from hitting Becky with the A-Nia-Lator.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Nia Jax, who says she should be the one who should be going to WrestleMania even after she beat Becky Lynch, and that Liv Morgan will get what Becky just got, except ten times worse.
Sami Zayn beats Shinsuke Nakamura with a Helluva Kick to the back of the head followed by another one to the face.
We see a video package of the events leading up to The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) in a Street Fight tonight.
Before the next match, Chelsea Green declares that tonight, after filing a formal complaint with WWE management, she will be competing in protest. She says that last week, she could have won the Last Chance Battle Royal and been in the Elimination Chamber had it not been for Raquel Rodriguez, and says that she should have won the match, not Raquel. She then says Raquel won the battle royal to lose in the Elimination Chamber like the San Jose Sharks, then says she will prove Raquel is a loser by kicking her ass.
Raquel Rodriguez quickly beats Chelsea Green.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Sami Zayn. Sami says that he has been trying to keep his cool, but tonight's match was in his head all week and that a loss would have disproven everything about himself. He says that he is a contender and will become a champion, even if that opportunity has to find him. Suddenly, Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) shows up, and Ludwig Kaiser glances at Sami before he and Vinci walk past. Gunther then shows up and looks at Sami, then laughs at him.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody says The Rock slapped him in the face and he challenged him to a match, and he awaits his rebuttal at SmackDown. As for tonight, he has been watching Grayson Waller, and now Grayson will get his first Monday night main event against him.
Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci) heads to the ring. Gunther declares that after beating Jey Uso last week, he stands in the ring as the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Gunther admits that it was a close match and that Jey almost had him beat, and that he felt the Intercontinental title slip away from him for the first time in his reign. He says that he got lucky and that nobody is perfect, but he is "very, very close," and before Kaiser and Vinci outclass The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) later tonight, he must address his future. Gunther says he has put his heard and soul into making the Intercontinental title the most prestigious in WWE and has defeated countless opponents to do it, then asks who his WrestleMania opponent will be. He says that people have brought up potential opponents, including R-Truth, then The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) shows up. Damian Priest tells Gunther that The Judgment Day does not sweat him, but admits that Gunther has had a very good run. He says The Judgment Day ran the table on Saturday and plan to do the same thing at WrestleMania. He also says that they plan on adding more gold then, and that includes the Intercontinental Championship. Gunther says that Damian Priest will not be cashing in his Money In The Bank contract on him, then asks who will face him. Dominik steps up and says that when The Judgment Day says they will do something, they mean it, and that Gunther's title belongs to them. Gunther shoves Dominik, and the rest of The Judgment Day have to hold Damian Priest back.
Backstage, Rhea Ripley runs into the rest of The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) and questions Dominik Mysterio wanting to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship, and tells him that he had better take care of it. After Finn tells Dominik that he will need to smooth things over with Rhea, Dominik runs into Andrade, who says that he has a meeting with General Manager Adam Pearce tonight regarding his first opponent.
Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) beat The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) in a Street Fight.
We see a vignette for Grayson Waller.
Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce is met by Chad Gable. Pearce congratulates Gable on his victory last week, and says he is here not as a competitor, but as a father, and that he wants Gunther again after he reduced his daughter to tears and called him a terrible father. He says his reasons for wanting Gunther are honest, and while he wants to face him for a championship, for him, it means more.
The Wells Family are the recipients of tonight's Cricket Fan Seat Upgrade.
"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark beat Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell with a Kirifuda Clutch from Baszler to Hartwell.
Backstage, R-Truth is met by The Miz and #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) in The Judgment Day's (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) clubhouse. #DIY and The Miz want to get revenge on The Judgment Day, and R-Truth is interested. R-Truth also gets his CRT TV - with no cord in it - back.
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring. McIntyre thanks the fans for praying harder than they have ever prayed in their entire lives, for one does not achieve success alone, and now he faces Seth "Freakin'" Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. He admits that he feels like hell after the Elimination Chamber match, and when a backstage doctor told him he was hurt, he says he is not CM Punk and that nothing will stop him from getting to WrestleMania. Drew then sits cross-legged in the middle of the ring and says he thought of CM Punk after the match, and drank twice as much as he usually did to celebrate his victory. McIntyre then calls out Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, and Rollins shows up. Rollins says congratulations are in order for McIntyre, who now has the opportunity to win a world title at WrestleMania in front of a crowd. McIntyre asks Rollins why he is making things hard on himself and fighting other people's battles on SmackDown when he wants Rollins on Raw at 100%, and tells him to back off The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa) so they do not taint his victory. Rollins says he respect everything McIntyre has said, but some risks are worth taking. He says he has thought about everything and that McIntyre might be right when he says he may not be ready and that The Bloodline may strike again. He then considers the possibility that McIntyre might be wrong, and says that he has been selfish in his life and his career, and every time he accomplished a goal to fill a void, he felt empty inside. Rollins says it was not until he had his daughter that he realized not everything is about him, and says that taking down The Bloodline is bigger than him and McIntyre, for if they do not take them down, they will come for the World title for more power. Rollins asks what could happen if they could tear The Bloodline apart together and save the industry, and says that it could mean just the two of them for the World Heavyweight Championship. He then says "May the best man win." He then says once again that some risks are worth taking, then leaves the ring.
WrestleMania 40 is in 40 days!
Nia Jax beats Liv Morgan by disqualification after she is suddenly attacked on the outside by Becky Lynch.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. He says he is not surprised he got the biggest scoop on Saturday, but "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes still disrespected him in his home, and now he will do the same to Cody in his to make sure he never finishes his story. (During the interview, Paul Heyman can be seen walking by in the background.)
It is announced that Ole Anderson passed away earlier today at the age of 81. In memory of Ole Anderson, 1942 - 2024.
Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce meets with Becky Lynch, who says that she wants Nia Jax if she wants to move on with her WrestleMania match. Pearce gives her a match with Nia for next week, then leaves. Liv Morgan shows up and tells Becky that not everything has to be about her.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews "Main Event" Jey Uso. Jey Uso says he will keep being him and showing up on Monday. He says he came close to winning the Intercontinental Championship, but every time he tries to complete the mission, he falls short. Drew McIntyre shows up and says he can relate to what Jey is going through and that he deserves this. Jey punches McIntyre, and this starts a brawl officials have to break up.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes beats Grayson Waller. During the match, it is announced that Paul Heyman has been spotted backstage. After the match, Paul Heyman shows up with three men in suits. Cody Rhodes grabs a metal folding chair and a microphone and dares The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa) to come and get him. Heyman says this is not a set-up and that he is the only member of The Bloodline who is here, and says the three men are police officers. He says nobody is asking for an apology, then tells Cody to take The Rock's name out of his mouth. He says that he may forgive Cody, but The Rock will not, and that he has been authorized by Roman Reigns to tell Cody to withdraw his challenge towards The Rock or else. Cody tells Heyman that the only reason why he hasn't trashed The Rock in the media yet is because he and the fans were all fans of The Rock, but now he is fed up with being nice, and he dares The Bloodline to come and get him. Heyman and the three police officers get on the ring apron, but Cody tells Heyman not to get in the ring. The three officers, on the other hand, do, and Cody says if any of them take another step, he will drop them all. Heyman says that threat does not apply to him before trying to step in the ring, and Cody says it does before dropping all three officers. Heyman calls Roman Reigns and The Rock on two different phones before Cody tells him to call them, as he is now hunting them, not the other way around. The officers get in the ring again, and this time, Cody attacks them all with the metal folding chair before tossing them all out of the ring.
This week on Raw Talk: Liv Morgan! "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark! Drew McIntyre!
The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) and "Main Event" Jey Uso beat Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci) in a six-man tag match.
We hear from Andrade, who says that he loves this business and has been a champion many times, especially when he came to WWE. He says titles were not enough, and he had to leave three years ago to remember who he was. Now, he is back, and he knows his direction is clear.
Bobby Lashley beats "Big" Bronson Reed to qualify for the men's Elimination Chamber match.
We see some post-show footage from last week's show where Sami Zayn makes the save for "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
In footage from earlier today, Jackie Redmond interviews Sami Zayn. Sami Zayn says that there is a feeling of embarrassment from coming up short in one's goals, but that feeling is always overtaken by an unwavering belief in one's self. He says he has to believe in himself because nobody else will, and says that he will become a champion. Even though it is not a easy path, he will walk it. Suddenly, Shinsuke Nakamura shows up on the TitanTron and asks what is wrong with Sami, saying he has had the moments and the glory but wants people's sympathy just like "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. He says he would love to see Sami's true side in the ring to night, but tells him not to let his true emotions tonight, for he will not tolerate it as heis chance his gone. He then says he will pick up Sami's warsoul tonight and carry forward.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Cody talks about how he is now in the main event of WrestleMania 40 against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, and that he is only able to say that because of the fans. Cody says that the fans made their voices heard about it for a full week by spreading the word however they would, with the word being "We want Cody." Cody admits he does not know how to repay the fans, then looks at the WrestleMania sign and says he does not want to get emotional because he would come off as "a crybaby." This leads to "Rocky sucks" chants, and as everyone said they wanted him, the most famous human being alive did not want to hear it. We see footage of The Rock on The Pat McAfee making fun of some of Cody's fans as he tells them to shut up and enjoy the ride he will give them. After making fun of The Rock's "McNuggets" line, he says that while The Rock is good at a lot of things, one thing The Rock does not do well is listen, especially after he slapped him in the face in public. He says that The Rock's energy was not the people's energy, but of malevolence, and calls his alliance with Roman Reigns "the perfect storm." Cody says that The Rock slapped him in the face, and warns The Rock that he will hit him back. Suddenly, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins heads to the ring. Rollins says he understands Cody's decision, and says there are millions of people around the world who want Cody to finish his story. He says that since the decision is now made, Cody needs to finish his story for himself, his father, for him and for the fans. Rollins says that if Cody does not beat Roman for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, it will be very dark on the other side of WrestleMania, as Roman will get more power and leverage and shows up and defend his championship less. He says the glass ceiling will be thicker and the brass rings will be higher, and that this is the last real chance to take back the title and give the power back to the people. Rollins says that Cody was screwed out of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship last year and could not get the job done, but he fought his way back. He says the deck is stacked against him just the same, but the bar has been raised thanks to The Rock. Rollins then tells Cody that he does not have to fight this battle alone, and when Cody said he wanted to take everything away from Roman Reigns, he felt that and had to step up at the Kickoff media event. He says he is sick and tired of "entitled, selfish pricks" thinking they can do whatever they want and get away with it. He also admits that the man Roman Reigns is now is partly his fault after teaching Roman everything he knew. Rollins says he could never imagine Roman being the monster he is now, and that he now has two heads due to having someone on his side as selfish and entitled as he is, but when it comes to fighting The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso) and The Rock, there is only one man on Earth who is suited to be Cody's shield. He says that man was once an architect but is now a visionary and revolutionary, and it is him.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews "Main Event" Jey Uso and The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods). Upon finding out that Gunther has to defend the Intercontinental Championship against Jey Uso, Jey celebrates their win and predicts there will be another big win next week. The New Day also give Jey credit where credit is due for slapping Gunther in the face, then the three of them plug Jey Uso's new sunglasses on WWE Shop.
Liv Morgan beats Zoey Stark to qualify for the women's Elimination Chamber match.
Backstage, Damian Priest tells R-Truth that the joke is over and that R-Truth has never been part of The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh), with every beating being just a beating and that tonight is an execution. He tells R-Truth once and for all that he is not part of the crew.
Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce tells R-Truth that his match is right now as R-Truth tries to call The Miz for help.
JD McDonagh beats R-Truth. After the match, Finn Balor charges at R-Truth, but R-Truth avoids him and fights back. He confronts Damian Priest, but when he turns around to punch McDonagh, Priest punches R-Truth, and The Judgment Day gangs up on R-Truth until #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) run into the ring with chairs. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) retreat.
Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes thanks Sami Zayn for his help last week, then tells Sami that he believes in him and that so do the fans.
Becky Lynch heads to the ring. She says that the road to WrestleMania has been crazy and that she loves the business, and talks about how she stepped into a wrestling ring for the first time at fifteen years old and has been obsessed ever since. She says that obsession has been great most of the time and that it is the reason she is in front of the fans, and the reason why a woman who failed gym class became the first woman to ever main event WrestleMania. She says it is how she met her husband and had her daughter, then says that obsession is why she has missed birthdays, weddings, and her own father's funeral. She also says she had to explain things about her job to her three-year-old daughter. Becky says she has never been more obsessed with this and more obsessed with winning back the title she held for two years, and that she is going face-to-face with one of the most dominant champions the business has ever seen. She says she knows the fans love Rhea Ripley and that they think nobody can beat her, then says she is not just anyone and that Rhea has never faced anyone like her. Becky says that whether the fans love or hate her or Rhea, she wants to make a toast to the journey to WrestleMania. She gets a drink from the crowd and has everyone in the crowd raise theirs as well to toast Rhea's last few weeks as champion. As Becky takes a swig, Nia Jax shows up. She says she knows she and Becky have had their differences, but she has something to say to her and would like to get in the ring with her. Nia gets in the ring and says she has so much respect for her and says that if her mom was half the mother that Becky was, she would be so lucky. Nia hopes that she could use the example that Becky is and tells Becky that she will win that match at Elimination Chamber and that with that passion and drive for her daughter, there is nothing that will stop her. She then says nothing will stop her from beating Rhea Ripley and become Women's World Champion, and that at WrestleMania, it will be Becky versus her. Suddenly, Rhea Ripley shows up. Rhea Ripley gets in the ring and fights Nia. Nia nearly whips Rhea into Becky, and Becky stops Rhea only for the two of them to be pancaked by Nia. Nia punches Rhea out, then Becky knocks Nia out of the ring. As Becky and Rhea have a staredown, Rhea boots Nia off the ring apron, then tells Nia she is going to have to kill her.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says all he has done is give the fans what they want, and goes on to call Seth "Freakin'" Rollins selfish for wanting "The American Nightmae" Cody Rhodes to fight him. He says that he is the underdog and that he had to beat "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles to qualify for the Elimination Chamber and says that he is doing things the right way, then tells Cody Rhodes to get out of their match next week or else he will not see WrestleMania.
Backstage, R-Truth thanks #DIY (Johnny Gargano and for the help, but calls them "D-Generation X", Gargano "Shawn Michaels" and Ciampa "Triple H" beforehand.
LA Knight beats Ivar to qualify for the men's Elimination Chamber match after the distraction from Valhalla backfires.
Backstage, Sami Zayn sees Drew McIntyre, who tells him to keep his name out of his mouth and his nose out of his business. Sami tells McIntyre that he is in his way, and McIntyre steps aside before Sami walks by.
Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce, Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae are met by Chelsea Green regarding an upcoming battle royal, and says WrestleMania 40 cannot be the biggest WrestleMania of all time without her when Pearce says he has not made a decision yet as to who will be in the battle royal. Indi tells Chelsea that not everything is about her and that she is fighting for an opportunity to wrestle in front of her family. Chelsea says she is a champion and should not be "considered" and demands a one-on-one match with someone like "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark instead of a battle royal. Baszler and Stark shows up, and Baszler says she cannot wait to tear Chelsea apart next week. Chelsea is livid.
Shinsuke Nakamura beats Sami Zayn following the distraction by Drew McIntyre. After the match, McIntyre attacks Sami Zayn, then "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes runs in to the ring and brawls with McIntyre, hitting him with the Cody Cutter. Nakamura slides into the ring and falls victim to the Cross Rhodes.
This week on Raw Talk: LA Knight! Bobby Lashley, B-Fab and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)! Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae!
Seth "Freakin'" Rollins heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Rollins is seen clearly wearing a knee brace over his pants as he welcomes everyone to the show. He says it has been a long week and appreciates the support, then mentions how he injured his left knee during a moonsault as he defended the World title against Jinder Mahal. After the match, when he went to the back, it set in that he would be gone for a long time, and he felt like a bit of a liar saying that all his successful title defenses only made him stronger. Rollins states that he was afraid that he would miss WrestleMania, causing a "No!" chant in the crowd, and that he has had his knee looked at and that he has a tear in his MCL and a partially torn meniscus, which means he may be gone for three to four months. He says that if it were up to him, he would be stomping people's heads next week, but he does not know what the future holds and he is taking this day by day and week by week. Suddenly, Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci) shows up. Rollins tells Gunther to get things over with when Gunther gets in the ring, but Gunther says Vinci and Kaiser have The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) later and that Rollins should concentrate on him. He says they have avoided each other for some time, then says that Rollins has been in a tough spot and a workhorse champion from the beginning who has fought honestly and has brought respect and honor to a championship. He says that Rollins has become a champion everyone can be proud of just like him, and that it pulls on his heartstrings to see Rollins like this saying he may not be at WrestleMania. Rollins says Imperium should have let him finish, as he says he does not give a damn what the doctors tell him or how hard he has to rehab and push his knee, for he will keep his promise and take the title into WrestleMania. He also says he will do everything in his power to walk out of WrestleMania as World Heavyweight Champion. Gunther says this is great, as he thought everyone would see Rollins fall, but now, he admires and respects him as he would do the same thing in his position. Gunther also says that Rollins reminds him of himself, and says from one great champion to another that he will win the men's Royal Rumble on Sunday and choose Rollins as his opponent for WrestleMania. He also says that he will target his knee, back and everything that is not 100% and become World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins appreciates Gunther's honesty, but tells him to remember who he is coming after. Gunther tells Rollins to remember who is coming after him, then both men shake hands. As Gunther leaves the ring, The New Day jump over the barricade and attack Vinci and Kaiser at ringside.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) ends in a double count-out as both teams brawl on the outside. At one point in the brawl, Woods has to stop Kaiser from hitting Kofi with a metal folding chair. The brawl ends with The New Day shoving Imperium off the top of a set of large equipment crates down through a nearby wooden table.
WWE 2K24 is officially announced on-air, complete with all three covers and the game's first trailer.
We see a video package for Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest later tonight.
Backstage, The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) meet. Rhea Ripley hopes that Drew McIntyre is the least of their worries, but Damian Priest takes offense to Rhea making matches for The Judgment Day and accuses her of having a big head after becoming a cover athlete for WWE 2K24, especially after Rhea tells him that he and Finn Balor will defending the undisputed tag titles against #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) next week. Priest leaves to clear his head, and Rhea tells Finn Balor to accompany Dominik and McDonagh for their match.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri. Maxxine says Valhalla is not ready for Ivy Nile as The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) show up, and Ivy Nile is ready to get in the ring.
Ivy Nile beats Valhalla with a top rope bulldog known as "The Pitbull."
Backstage, The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) are met by "Main Event" Jey Uso, then Jackie Redmond interviews The New Day. Woods say they are tired of people walking into WWE and not taking them seriously, and Kofi says that they can get down when the time is right despite their image. Kofi says that they took out the henchmen and want the big boss, and he wants Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship next week. Meanwhile, Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane) are seen in the background.
Nia Jax heads to the ring. Nia talks about how she squashed Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch for the first time and squashed them, then says that Rhea and Becky do not want to face her. She says that she will kill both of their WrestleMania dreams when Becky shows up. Becky tells Nia to shut up, then says she knows that she has a big target on her chest and that Nia has an even bigger one because the whole locker room does not like her. She says that she does know what she will enjoy more: winning the Royal Rumble for a second time, or watching Nia lose. Suddenly, Bayley shows up. Bayley says Becky and Nia are going to lose, then says she was looking for Rhea Ripley but could not help herself and make it clear that she will win the Royal Rumble before shoving Becky into Nia only for Nia to beat her up. This starts a three-way brawl where Becky hits Bayley with the Manhandle Slam only for Nia to toss Becky out of the ring and hit Bayley with a big leg drop.
We see a video package of Royal Rumble stats, by the numbers.
Backstage, Becky Lynch meets Rhea Ripley, who tells Becky that she should have other plans for WrestleMania.
"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio beats The Miz following JD McDonagh distracting the ref so that Finn Balor can hit Miz with a cheap shot. After the match, Finn Balor attacks The Miz, then #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) show up and clean house so that Miz can hit McDonagh with a Skull Crushing Finale. #DIY go for Meet In The Middle on McDonagh, but Finn Balor makes the save.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Damian Priest, who congratulates Dominik Mysterio for handling business before R-Truth shows up and hands Priest some money. Priest reminds R-Truth that this is not the right time, and R-Truth leaves before Drew McIntyre, who was one "the man" but cannot beat anyone anymore and wants to make sure he does not become champion. Priest says that he will become champion, and as far as McIntyre goes, he will receive his punishment tonight.
We hear from "Big" Bronson Reed, who says that he is fully aware of "Main Event" Jey Uso wanting to be a singles champion, and that he intends to do so, too. He says their paths will cross, and the sooner, the better, for nothing will stand in his way. He challenges Jey to a match next week so he can make an example out of him.
Ivar beats Chad Gable following the distraction by Valhalla.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Soon after this, CM Punk heads to the ring. CM Punk admits that he and Cody have taken different paths to get here. He says things will change on Saturday and that he hopes they are still friends on Sunday, and tells Cody that they should enjoy this moment. When Cody asks Punk what he wants to talk about, Punk wants to talk about Dusty Rhodes, and mentions how Dusty called him to tell him Cody was heading to Ohio Valley Wrestling to start becoming a wrestler and asked him to keep an eye on Cody. He says that when Dusty asks you for a favor, you say yes, and he stayed out of Cody's way and Cody never got into any trouble their contemporaries did, and Cody grew from a perennial competitor into a main event championship caliber Superstar. Punk says he is proud of Cody, and says he brings this up because on Sunday, he will feel like he is breaking a promise. He says that he will be looking out for him and will throw him over the top rope on Saturday, for he will win the Royal Rumble and go to WrestleMania. Cody tells Punk that he is not alone in that feeling, as he has worked with countless legends, luminaries and dignitaries in the business who cannot help but see his father in him, and that he has done all in his power to be the light in his father's shadow and be his own man. Cody says that he was at Ohio Valley Wrestler as "a nepotism hire," and while Punk could have treated him poorly, they became the best of friends. He then says that there are no friends in the Royal Rumble. Punk then asks about Sunday morning, as he can separate business from personal, and asks if Cody can do the same, as Cody grew up in the business as the son of one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He also admits that he did not have a famous father in wrestling and say Cody as Cody and knew he had a burden in his last name, and that Cody has gotten to where he is now with flying colors. Punk says that despite their different paths, he and Cody have the same goal. He then says it is ironic that he is more of the American Dream than Cody is due to his own father being a blue-collar electrician. Cody then talks about "The Pipe Bomb," and Punk tosses the microphone cube off his microphone before Cody talks about how he sat on the stage and cut that promo, and says he was inspired by The Pipe Bomb only for Punk to "really leave" WWE. He says that Punk dropped the torch on the way out and that he picked it up and did everything that Punk talked about, which makes him "more CM Punk than [CM Punk]." Punk takes off his jacket and tells Cody that he has carried WWE on his back for two years and has become the WWE 2K24 cover star, and just when he is about to reach the top, he is here to take it away from him. Cody says Punk is looking out for him again, and while Punk talked about The American Dream, he was his best friend and said that "Courage is about being scared to death but saddling up anyway." He says he must go forward - and through Punk - and win the Royal Rumble. As Cody leaves, Punk grabs Cody and pulls him towards himself, leading to an intense staredown between the two men in the middle of the ring. Both men eventually back off and leave the ring from opposite ends before Cody heads to the back.
We see a video package of WWE and Hulk Hogan acknowledging the birth of Hulkamania 40 years ago, with Hulk Hogan saying he may have one more match left in him.
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter watch the next match from ringside.
"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark beat Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae. After the match, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter have a staredown with Baszler and Zoey in the middle of the ring, but they are attacked from behind by The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane).
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says he had everything he had to say to CM Punk and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, but he has heard what Damian Priest has had to say. He says that things were not all right in the world when he was champion, but he stepped up and brightened everyone's lives up. He says that Damian Priest is not ready to become a world champion, and that he is the only "Chosen One."
Backstage, Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane) is confronted by Natalya and Tegan Nox for their actions. General Manager Adam Pearce shows up and tells them to save it for the Royal Rumble, then tells Bayley he did not invite her here to go into business for herself. Bayley tells Pearce to get used to seeing them when Asuka and Kairi win the tag team titles. Damage CTRL leave, then Pearce runs into Jinder Mahal and Indus Sher (Veer and Sanga), who want to talk business. After this, Pearce says he needs a drink.
We see more Royal Rumble statistics.
Drew McIntyre beats Damian Priest after R-Truth shows up to hand Priest the stack of money from earlier. Priest finally gets fed up with R-Truth and beats him up, and that allows McIntyre to hit the Claymore Kick for the win.
This week on Raw Talk: Gunther! "Main Event" Jey Uso! "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark!
Nia Jax beats Becky Lynch after countering a leg drop with a right hand to the jaw prior to hitting the A-Nia-Lator. Becky Lynch is noticeably busted open after the match.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Cody admits that he "a little stuck" on Shinsuke Nakamura and that Nakamura is a force to be reckoned with in the ring, yet he expected something more sophisticated. He says he is stuck on Nakamura over not what he said about his family or spitting mist into his eyes, but because it should be over between them already. He says it will be over and that he will give Nakamura the opportunity to make it over tonight, because this ends right here, right now. Nakamura appears on the TitanTron. He says he never thought it would be so easy to get into Cody's head and become the author of his final chapter. He says he has whispered the plot in his ear, pushed his character to the brink and blinded him so he could not see the ending. He says the story does not end tonight, as he wants to give Cody one more week to dream. Nakamura says he will become what Cody will never be and that he will finish his story before closing his book, then spits red mist into the camera.
Kofi Kingston and "Main Event" Jey Uso beat Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) by referee stoppage after the doctor has to check on Giovanni Vinci. The match is stopped after Kofi drop kicks Vinci and Vinci hits his head hard on the mat.
We see footage from the past week's live holiday tour.
We see a video package for Ivy Nile vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship later tonight.
It's time for Miz TV. Tonight's guest is The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh). The Judgment Day's theme plays at first, but then R-Truth's theme plays and R-Truth heads to the ring instead. Miz wants to know where the rest of The Judgment Day is, and R-Truth swears that they were just behind him. When asked what his role in The Judgment Day is, R-Truth says he is doing a lot and that he has been doing administrative and PR work to make The Judgment Day likeable. McDonagh and Dominik show up, and McDonagh says that this ends tonight and that R-Truth is not part of The Judgment Day before stating that The Judgment Day would never be caught dead on Miz TV. Dominik gets booed in his own hometown as he says that The Judgment Day is the most dominant faction in WWE, and R-Truth notes this before stating that McDonagh is not in the faction after losing the Miracle on 34th Street Fight, which Miz agrees with. After noting that Dominik cannot be heard at all, Miz admits that while 2023 was not great for him, yet he is still making great moments while mentioning that all he remembers of Dominik is Rey Mysterio spanking him, being dragged around by Rhea and losing to CM Punk on the holiday tour. Dominik yells that he will continue Miz's losing streak right here, right now, and Miz takes this as a challenge to a tag team match between The Judgment Day and a re-united Awesome Truth (Miz and R-Truth), with R-Truth taking it a "tag team test" while accepting on The Judgment Day's behalf.
Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) beat The Judgment Day (JD McDonagh and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio) despite R-Truth still thinking he is part of The Judgment Day throughout the match, from standing in a neutral corner and tagging out JD McDonagh.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven cut their way into the club and confront Kayden Carter and Katana Chance wanting the women's tag titles back. Kayden and Katana say they will be fighting champions, but tonight, it is about them, and they throw drinks in their faces.
Rhea Ripley retains the World Women's Championship against Ivy Nile after headbutting Ivy Nile as Nile goes for a top rope cross body.
Jinder Mahal returns, advertised as a returning former WWE Champion, and heads to the ring. Jinder says that he is a past and future WWE Champion, and while thousands have competed in a WWE, only fifty have become WWE Champion and he is one of them. He then asks what has become of the United States of America. He asks the people if they feel united before stating that they have never been so divided by their politics, news and social media along with ignorance and misinformation. He says the United States was once a superpower but is now a joke, and that he will be its unifier. He then recites the United States' national anthem in Punjabi, then mocks them for being united in booing it. He then says people hate him for being different much like others who have exposed America for what it is like The Iron Shiek. Jinder then speaks Punjabi again to say what the rest of the world thinks of the United States before The Rock suddenly shows up to a thunderous ovation. The Rock heads to the ring and tells Jinder he is in trouble tonight, then tells him he is not The Iron Shiek, as people liked him and he would hate Jinder right now. Jinder says that The Rock only shows up whenever the fans are being insulted and calls him a champion to "a jingoistic people," then says if he were him, he would be ashamed of himself. The Rock says he is not ashamed and is in fact "damn proud" to be the people's champion and an American, then says Jinder runs his mouth about the truth and why he is booed, telling him he is booed because he is "the biggest asshole walking God's green earth" after looking up to talk to The Iron Shiek. Jinder gets irritated, and The Rock says everyone is familiar with the "resting bitch face" before calling it the "raging asshole face," then says Jinder is not funny and that if he was one of his movies, he would be Baywatch. Jinder says he never saw Baywatch, and The Rock says it does not matter if he saw Baywatch. The Rock then says Jinder's words of the United States being a joke are not a joke to him or the fans. This leads to the fans chanting "USA!" before The Rock tells him that freedom of speech does not mean freedom of consequences from him, and that "The Modern Day Maharaja" is "The Day 1 Douchebag." This leads to a "Day 1 Douchebag" chant, and The Rock says he will show real unification with half the arena chanting "Day 1" and the other half chanting "Douchebag." This goes on for well over a minute before The Rock sings a parody of the national anthem where he says Jinder is jacked but still has no balls, calls him an angry, toxic douchebag with no class and says he has no choice to whup his candy ass. Jinder goes after The Rock and attacks him before The Rock can do it to him, but The Rock starts fighting back out of the corner, hitting the spinebuster followed by The People's Elbow before hitting him with a leather belt on the way out. The Rock then thanks the San Diego, California crowd, then says he will go out and get something to eat before asking if he should sit in a booth, at the bar or at the head of the table. He then tells the crowd that he loves them after the thunderous response to the last choice, then heads to the back.
"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark beat Natalya and Tegan Nox.
Seth "Freakin'" Rollins retains the World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre. During the match, Damian Priest shows up with "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio and a referee. Dominik leads the referee to the other side of the ring so that Priest can smack Rollins in the head with the Money In The Bank briefcase, but when Priest tries to cash in the contract, McIntyre hits him with a Claymore Kick before laying out Dominik. McIntyre is able to hit the Claymore Kick on Rollins, but Rollins is somehow able to get his toe on the bottom rope during the pinfall attempt. Rollins wins the match with a Pedigree on the announce table before hitting The tomp in the middle of the ring to retain.
This week on Raw Talk: Nia Jax! #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa)! Zoey Stark and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler!
Before the next match, "Main Event" Jey Uso proclaims that he is excited about CM Punk being here wishes Sami Zayn a speedy recovery, then says Drew McIntyre's actions from last week show something other than honesty and that McIntyre is about to get got. McIntyre shows up and tells Jey Uso to stop with the ass-kissing before stating that CM Punk will destroy Raw from the inside out. He says Sami Zayn deserves where he got, yet apologizes to Sami despite Sami mentioning his family. He asks the fans if they would take revenge if one of their family members were hurt, then calls Jey Uso's apologizes fake. This leads into Jey and McIntyre's match.
Drew McIntyre beats "Main Event" Jey Uso. During the match, McIntyre removes a turnbuckle cover, and as the referee replaces it, McIntyre thumbs Jey in the eye to hit the Claymore Kick for the win.
We hear from Shinsuke Nakamura, who says he has watched "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes week after week, time after time, talk about finishing his story but get no closer. He calls him "a dog chasing a car," for as great as he is, he is not enough and never will be. He says Cody says he does not respect him, and notes that Cody strives for the admiration of others, which is his weakness. Nakamura says he freed himself from that habit long ago and draws his own destiny, and he is now reborn and he must end Cody's story. Nakamura calls himself "the real nightmare," and tells Cody that he asked for this.
Backstage, The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) are irritated with R-Truth breaking into the clubhouse, and Damian Priest says that while things are not going their way, they will not take The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) lightly. Rhea Ripley says The Judgment Day must step up, and that she will start by beating Maxxine Dupri.
Backstage, Alpha Academy and Diamond Mine (Julius Creed, Brutus Creed, Ivy Nile) wish Maxxine Dupri luck, and Ivy Nile says she will be at ringside just in case. R-Truth shows up with Christmas lights to decorate The Judgment Day's (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) clubhouse with. R-Truth insists he is part of The Judgment Day and that they just misunderstood.
Rhea Ripley beats Maxxine Dupri with the Prism Trap. After the match, Ivy Nile has a staredown with Rhea Ripley, much to Rhea's delight.
We see a video package for Katana Chance and Kayden Carter.
Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce approaches CM Punk with a Raw contract.
General Manager Adam Pearce introduces CM Punk to the ring. Punk shows up, then says that he has a huge decision to make. He says he has been so consumed about which brand to pick because he loves the fans, and admits that tonight's venue has not always been kind to him. He says that he is seeing a lot of ghosts and that he is trying to fight them head-on, and even mentions how he debuted in WWE, ended up going to Ohio Valley Wrestling and embraced being uncomfortable and learned to love it. He talks about how Randy Orton kicked him in the head and caused WWE to strip him of the World Heavyweight Championship when he came back, and how he also walked out in the same city ten years ago. He says that if he disappointed anyone by walking out, he understands and he apologizes. Punk then talks about the three deals for Raw, SmackDown and NXT that have been placed in front of him and admits that Raw's is head and shoulders above the other, then says that he is to bury ghosts and right wrongs, and that his future is now. He says he is back ten years to the day that he walked about, and regardless of how the fans feel, the fans have to learn to love it. He then announces that he is joining Raw and that he is home before shaking Adam Pearce's home and signing the contract. Suddenly, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins shows up and has a staredown with Punk in the middle of the ring. Rollins welcomes Punk to "Monday Night Rollins" and tells Punk not to call Raw home, for he abandoned WWE ten years ago and actively tried to tear it down and slandering him and the locker room before waltzing back in. Rollins says this is his home, that the locker room are his brothers and sisters and that the fans are his family. He says this is "our home" and that he will protect it from people like Punk. He then plainly tells Punk that he hates him, but if Punk wants to be part of WWE again, he has to have him on Raw, for this is his last chance and that Punk will either expose himself and self-destruct or prove that he has changed. He also says that if Punk is lucky to have gas left, he will be lucky enough to face him for the World Heavyweight Championship so he can expose him for the fraud that he is and prove what it really means to be the best in the world. Punk asks Rollins if he is done, then tells him that is his one pass to speak to him disrespectfully without him coming at him. Punk says he has asked for nothing and has always done things the hard way, then tells Pearce to put him in the Royal Rumble. He then says that when he wins, it will be The Best In The World that he is coming after.
We see a video package for "Big" Bronson Reed vs. Ivar.
"Big" Bronson Reed beats Ivar with a Superplex.
Backstage, CM Punk runs into The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) wanting to know where Rhea Ripley is. Damian Priest welcomes him to "[The Judgment Day's] show", then says he will be waiting with the Money In The Bank Briefcase if he finishes his story.
The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) heads to the ring. Priest says he cannot help but remind everyone of who The Judgment Day are, and warns the locker room that everyone is on notice. Before Dominik Mysterio can say much, R-Truth shows up and mentions that the clubhouse is locked up before wanting to know where his invitation to the holiday party went. Priest has to stop an angry McDonagh to allow R-Truth in the ring. R-Truth says he has a ton of ideas for The Judgment Day, such as kicking McDonagh out because nobody likes him and that Priest should stop calling himself the boss because it makes Rhea Ripley mad. Priest says he gets why everyone likes R-Truth, then says he does not like him and hits him with a clothesline before everyone else gangs up on R-Truth. The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) run into the ring, and despite being attacked at first, they soon overpower The Judgment Day.
Backstage, CM Punk meets with Drew McIntyre as General Manager Adam Pearce watches. McIntyre says he does not care about any story but his own, then leaves. After Pearce says McIntyre should be happy after getting a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship on the January 1st Raw, Punk then meets with Kofi Kingston, Ricochet and Chad Gable, then leave. Pearce then says he has an idea regarding the Intercontinental Championship that he wants to run by Kofi, Ricochet and Gable.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven guest on commentary for the next match.
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter beat Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell.
Backstage, Johnny Gargano is ready to wrestle tonight, but Tommaso Ciampa wants to know if they can trust who Gargano has in mind. Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci shows up wanting to know who would team up with DIY (Gargano and Ciampa), but Ciampa tells Kaiser to focus more on trying not to disappoint Gunther again. Gunther shows up and admits Ciampa and Gargano are confident but doubts that they will find someone who will want to team with them.
Becky Lynch heads to the ring. Becky says that she and Nia Jax have never been in the ring one-on-one, and that they have been intertwined ever since Nia broke her nose five years ago. She says that everyone has tried to use that against her for the last five years and that it is time to get to the root of the problem, and says Nia Jax is so unlikeable that even her own knees could not stand up for her. Nia Jax shows up and says she is back and better than ever, and calls her punching Becky in the nose "a lucky swing" that should have ended her career because she never got all of it. When Nia Jax asks Becky what she expected, Becky says she expected nothing less and calls Nia the most dangerous woman in the ring. Nia says that people has not stopped talking about her and that Becky has her to thank for her career. Becky says it is not about her face, but what the night that the punch happened represents, which is about getting knocked down and getting back up. She says that she is not a main eventer just because of Nia and that she has to end the lie and end her. Nia takes this as Becky needing her and proving that she is more than just one moment and that her career was not an accident, or else she will be known as "the woman who made The Man." Becky tells Nia to shut up, as she came to fight, not to talk. She gives Nia a free shot, but Nia tells Becky she needs this a lot more than she herself does and leaves.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody says he is happy that CM Punk is on Raw, but says that only one story can be finished in the Royal Rumble. As for Shinsuke Nakamura, he would be more excited about talking about facing him if he did not spit mist in his face. He says Nakamura is vicious and that this is okay with him, then says that Nakamura was right when he said he asked for this.
#DIY's (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) mystery partner is revealed to be The Miz.
#DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and The Miz beat Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci).
Backstage, Gunther chews out Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci when The Miz shows up wanting an Intercontinental Championship rematch. Gunther says he will give him the title rematch under the condition that if Miz loses, he cannot challenge for the title again as long as he is champion. Miz accepts.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes beats Shinsuke Nakamura by disqualification after Nakamura spits red mist into Cody's face. After the match, Nakamura continues to attack a blinded Cody. Cody fights back despite being unable to see, and Nakamura hits Cody with the Kinshasa. Nakamura gets a chair as referees try to stop things, and The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) rush into the ring. Nakamura walks out of the ring and heads to the back as Cody is tended to. As Cody is helped to the back, Nakamura rushes back in and hits Cody with a running knee.
This week on Raw Talk: The Miz! Katana Chance and Kayden Carter! Drew McIntyre!
