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.
Laredo Kid retains the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship against Mini Vikingo and
Octagon Jr. in a Triple Threat Match.
El Fantasma is seen in the crowd.
El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. retains the AAA Latin American Championship against Mecha Wolf. After the match, El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. calls out Santos Escobar, saying that if he wants his title, then he can come and get it.
Andrea Bazarte interviews Penta. Penta states that he is almost at 100% and that he can guarantee that The Lucha Brothers (Penta and Rey Fenix) will return to AAA. He hopes that it gives new fans a reason to stay. He admits that he never imagined being in WWE, but he is happy that he is getting better day by day and that 2026 will be his year. Penta then announces that it has been ten years since he won Rey de Reyes, and that Rey de Reyes is coming back. He announces that there will be four Fatal 4-Way qualifiers and that the winners of these qualifiers will square off in the finals in Puebla to name the new Rey de Reyes, who will not only raise the sacred sword, but earn a chance to compete for the AAA Mega Championship. He says he has seen all the talent that AAA and the world has to offer nad that this Rey de Reyes will be interesting. Jack Cartwheel, Aerostar, Apollo Crews and La Parka are named as the first four participants on the road to Rey de Reyes as Penta speaks highly of each one. Penta says that Puebla has a special place and that the fans welcome him every time he arrives, and that he will personally hand the sword to the new Rey de Reyes on March 14th.
Backstage, La Hiedra meets with Mr. Iguana regarding Chelsea Green and "All Ego" Ethan Page. Lola Vice suddenly shows up, and it becomes evident that La Hiedra and Lola Vice do not like each other and are both vying to become Mr. Iguana's tag team partner. After La Hiedra and Lola Vice leave, Pimpinella Escarlata shows up and hands Mr. Iguana a lime green-and-black referee shirt.
Psycho Clown and Pagano retain the AAA Tag Team Championships against Tokyo Bad Boys (Kento and Takuma), Nueva Generaction Dinamita (Sanson and Forastero), and The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley). During the match, it is revealed that Panic Clown has been attacked backstage, and when Pagano and Psycho Clown return backstage after the match, Panic Clown is in an ambulance en route to the hospital being administered oxygen.
Stephanie McMahon replaces Joe Tessitore on hosting duties for tonight's show due to the winter weather gripping most of North America right now.
Before the next match, Jacob Fatu says that he is going to beat "The American Nighmare" Cody Rhodes' ass as he makes his way to the ring. The match deevolves into a brawl when Jacob attacks Cody from behind in the ring, and the brawl goes to the outside, then through the crowd and into the concourse before heading into the tech area, where Drew McIntyre throws Jacob through a table, hits Cody with a low blow and powerbombs Cody through another table. Drew McIntyre makes his way into the ring and stares straight into the camera before the show fades to a commercial break.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says that if anyone wants to run their mouth and take his title, then what happened to "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu will happen to them.
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky retain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez) despite the interference by Raquel Rodriguez, who trips Rhea Ripley from the outside and causes her to fall onto the referee to stop a pinfall attempt by Iyo before brawling all the way into the crowd and to the back with Stephanie Vaquer.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats Shinsuke Nakamura.
In footage from earlier tonight, Sami Zayn is seen with the fans outside of the arena.
Sami Zayn beast Damian Priest, Randy Orton and Trick Williams in a Fatal 4-Way Match to face Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble. After the match, Drew McIntyre charges into the ring and charges at Sami Zayn, but Sami throws him right back out to end the show.
"Hangman" Adam Page beats "The Wrestler" Katsuyori Shibata.
In footage from earlier this week, Ricochet is on the golf course with Don Callis, Mark Davis, and Jake Doyle when Alex Marvez interviews Don Callis. Davis and Doyle choke a man out in the background as Ricochet brags about Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona) coming back from wrestling in Mexico and potentially getting a tag team title shot against Davis and Doyle after they beat FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler). Callis mentions that his family is facing The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, PAC, Daniel Garcia) in a street fight tonight, and that Kenny Omega will get his comeuppance at the hands of "The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander. Callis also mentions Ricochet's match with "Jungle" Jack Perry.
Kris Statlander beats Isla Dawn. After the match, "The Toxic Spider" Thekla appears on the video screen and congratulates Statlander before stating that this will be her last win as a champion, spitting into her Kris Statlander shirt and throwing it in the trash.
Backstage, we hear from "Jungle" Jack Perry, who tells Ricochet that he will take the AEW National Championship from him just like how Ricochet took Luchasaurus away from him. He says that Ricochet took away a friend that he found side-by-side with for a dream no one thought possible as well as a friend who fought injury and illness to get back into the ring, and for that, he will take his championship and he will take everything he has, and even then, it will not be enough.
Don Callis guests on commentary for the next match.
The Don Callis Family ("The Protostar" Kyle Fletcher and "The Alpha" Konosuke Takeshita) beats The Gunns (Billy and Austin Gunn). After the match, "The Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada shows up, and Takeshita gets so angry at him that Fletcher and Don Callis have to hold him back.
Backstage, we hear from The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona). Ricochet tells "Jungle" Jack Perry that he is sorry about Luchasaurus before stating that Jack Perry will need luck to beat him for the National Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. He says that Jack Perry will be another one in a sea of losers expecting to win big in Vegas only to lose it all.
We see a video package chronicling the feud between Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) and the team of Eddie Kingston and Ortiz.
Don Callis guests on commentary for the next match.
The Don Callis Family (Mark Davis and Jake Doyle) beat Alec Price and Jordan Oliver. After the match, Don Callis addresses FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler), saying he woke up and had a vision of pain, destruction and retiring FTR as well as his owning the AEW World Tag Team titles. He says his dream has come true in the form of Davis and Doyle, then FTR and Stokely Hathaway show up on the video screen. Stokely says Don Callis is world reknowned as well as a habitual liar, and that Davis and Doyle are not leaving as tag team champions. He says that FTR are truth tellers and great human beings, and when the bell rings, FTR will still be the tag team champions.
We see footage of Darby Allin in Florida heading out to meet an old friend who knows a thing or two about being reckless: Bam Margera.
Willow Nightingale retains the TBS Championship against Julia Hart. During the match, Skye Blue shows up, but Harley Cameron catches up with her and the two of them brawl their way to the back.
We hear from The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz, Dezmond Xavier, Myron Reed) at their clubhouse. They have no idea why Cru (Lio Rush and Action Andretti) want to face them and want to be hostile other than they are the new kids on the block. The three of them then try to decide who faces Cru through rock-paper-scissors, and Myron Reed keeps losing, meaning that Wentz and Xavier face Cru.
Alex Windsor meets Jamie Hayter, saying that they both have a history and asks her if she wants to make some with some more championship gold, as she is a former world champion. Jamie Hayter says they might as well get some matching outfits.
Andrade el Idolo beats Magnus.
Backstage, we hear from Andrade el Idolo, who says that Don Callis brought him back to AEW because he knows that he can win the title. He states that he has some unfinished business and that he wants the AEW World Championship and that Swerve Strickland is in his way. Andrade tells Swerve that he will see him Wednesday.
Jon Moxley guests on commentary for the next match.
Claudio Castagnoli retains the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship against Roderick Strong after nearly putting the referee in harm's away as Roddy tries to hit Claudio with a knee.
Dustin Starr interviews "Wildfire" Tommy Rich at the announce desk after Tommy Rich greets the fans at the WrestleCenter. Tommy Rich says that the show has been great so far and that he is excited to be here. He says Memphis Wrestling has some of the best wrestling in the country as well as some of the best fans, but as he reminisces, "Thrillbilly" Silas Mason shows up. Mason takes exception to being booed by the fans, and says that Tommy Rich's time as NWA World Champion was a cup of coffee and that it burns him up. He says that Tommy Rich still has the fire in his eyes, but he will put him down like a dog in the street if he faces him. Marko Stunt shows up and tries to reason with him, mentioning their history as well as how Silas Mason changed when he took over NWA, and refuses to let Silas disrespect the legends in this building. Silas asks Marko where he gets off talking to him like that and says that he holds the only world heavyweight championship in wrestling, and that he will not respect anyone in the building until they put respect into him. Marko Stunt says he has somebody in mind who will beat some respect into him today, and Silas Mason says that he will not only defend his title, but that he will put whoever is put in front of him into the ground.
K-Toomer beats CJ Blaine by TKO. After the match, Dustin Starr interviews K-Toomer at the announce desk. K-Toomer says that he has a code of honor, then says he should have won the Grind City Rumble and should have been on track to win the Memphis Heritage Championship. Instead, he has a problem to solve in the form of Big John Dalton, and calls him out so he can knock him out like he did Big Daddy. Big John shows up with a metal folding chair and hits K-Toomer with it, but K-Toomer fights back. Referees, security and members of the locker room have to jump in when the brawl gets into the ring, especially when Big John hits K-Toomer with a Spear. DJ Klaun gets in the ring only to eat a Bam Bam Slam.
We see the janitor who was once one of Major Curtis' recruits partying outside with the WrestleCenter fans.
Dustin Starr interviews Matchmaker King Cobra at the announce desk. King Cobra brings out the Cobra Cup, then announces that there is a new tournament. This time, competitors must win a tag team match, defeat their tag team partner, then take part in a Red vs. Blue finals. King Cobra states that the winner of the Cobra Cup will get the chance at being the Memphis Wrestling Heritage Champion.
We see footage of "The Judge" RJW getting Gio Savage to consume some chewing tobacco as well as some "Mississippi fire water."
The Disorderlies (Disorderly #1 and Disorderly #2) beat The L.A. Hustlers (Notorious Bradley and Ruffshot Lamonte) with a schoolkid pin on Lamonte following the distraction by Muddy Waters ("The Judge" RJW and Gio Savage).
We see footage of The Home Town Man and The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson) with the fans at the WrestleCenter.
Jake Brewer reports that The Shocker, "Livewire" Bobby Ford, "The King of Pow" Chris Lexx, and "The Ember" Shawn Aries are in the Red Bracket of the Cobra Cup Tournament.
Dustin Starr interviews Diana Taylor at the announce desk. Diana admits she has yet to hear from Su Yung, then ups the ante and makes their Memphis Wrestling Women's Championship match at SuperBout V a Memphis Street Fight.
Main Event Bradley guests on commentary for the next match.
We see footage of "Wildfire" Tommy Rich with Matchmaker King Cobra at the WrestleCenter.
Diana Taylor beats Mama Money after CJ Money's attempt to interfere by grabbing at Diana from the outside backfires.
Jake Brewer reports that Major Curtis, Sevyn Cruz, VaShawn Harvey and CJ Blaine are in the Blue Bracket of the Cobra Cup Tournament.
"Thrillbilly" Silas Mason's opponent is revealed to be Marko "Hangtime" Harris. "Wildfire" Tommy Rich guests on commentary for the next match.
"Thrillbilly" Silas Mason retains the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Marko "Hangtime" Harris. During the match, senior referee David Knight is knocked out as Silas spins Harris around. Marko Stunt tries to revive the ref only to get grabbed by Silas. "Wildfire" Tommy Rich confronts Silas and hits him with several jabs, then Marko Harris hits Silas with a top rope cutter. Silas kicks out as referee David Knight, who has now come to, slowly makes the count. Marko Harris goes for another top rope cutter, but Silas catches him and slams him to win and retain.
Joe Tessitore interviews "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes in the ring to start tonight's show. Cody considers Shawn Michaels the perfect person to moderate the contract signing for his and Owens' Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship and says he has no problem handing his championship to him. He then says that it is important how one walks into and main events WrestleMania, and that one should have the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cody admits that Kevin Owens elicits a mixed bag of emotions and is capable of more than people think, but when given the choice between the easy way out and the hard way, Owens usually chooses the easy way. He states that with a ladder match, there is no referee who can stop them, as it is all about who can climb the ladder and take the championship first. Cody admits that he appears to be a good guy, then lists off the people he has recently beaten as champion and reminds everyone that he can be as mean as he can get before wishing Kevin Owens good luck.
Backstage, Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) meet with #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa), and Johnny Gargano mentions that he has a match with Apollo Crews tonight. Ciampa tells Pretty Deadly to handle their business, and Gargano tells them to do what it takes to get the job done against The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley). #DIY leave, then Pretty Deadly run into Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Angel, Berto) and have a brief staredown before they walk on.
The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) beat Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince).
Backstage, The Miz meets with General Manager Nick Aldis and finds out that he has been transferred to SmackDown. Miz realizes that Karrion Kross got him moved to the brand along with The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross), and Aldis advises Miz that he should make some new friends quickly.
We see a video package for Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Kevin Owens suddenly shows up wanting to know where his interview is and says that Joe Tessitore is making him miss Michael Cole, who he says is kissing Pat McAfee's ass like everyone kisses "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes' ass. He then asks why everyone wants to be Cody's friend only to be used by Cody before stating that he will be the rightful WWE Champion after Saturday Night's Main Event. He then has an argument with Matthew McConaughey before Jimmy Uso shows up. Owens wants to know why Jimmy is here, and Jimmy says it is because Owens talks too much before smacking him and nearly hitting him with the Uso Splash. When Owens retreats, Jimmy challenges him to a match.
2024 PBR World Champions the Austin Gamblers are seen in the front row. Also, it is announced that Jimmy Uso vs. Kevin Owens is official for tonight's main event.
Backstage, Carmelo Hayes meets with General Manager Nick Aldis. He finds out his match with Jimmy Uso is next week and that he will be facing a debuting SmackDown transfer tonight. Carmelo wants to know who this new transfer is, and Aldis says he will find out if he sticks around.
"Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab beat Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.
Backstage, Carmelo Hayes finds out his opponent is Damian Priest. Priest says he is ready to work and ready to punish, much to Carmelo's chagrin.
We see another vignette for Charlotte Flair. She says that confidence is knowing that one is the greatest without having to say that they are. She says that she has created a legacy nobody can touch and that she is back, and says that she will remind everyone who owns the night when she returns at the Royal Rumble.
Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring. She says that once again, she is the center of attention when thirty women face each other in the Royal Rumble for a chance to face her at WrestleMania. She says she has beaten last year's winner and that she is not worried, and that her next challenger will be running on Tiffy Time. Suddenly, Rhea Ripley heads to the ring and reminds Tiffany that she is also a champion. Rhea admits she respects what Tiffany did to Nia Jax, but says it will be nothing compared to what she does to her at Saturday Night's Main Event. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae show up, and Nia declares herself for the Royal Rumble, which she proclaims that she will win. She also says she will enter after beating Rhea for her title before taking Tiffany's title back. Bianca Belair and Naomi soon show up, and Naomi declares for the Royal Rumble and states that she will win. Bianca also proclaims for the match and states that she will be the winner. They both agree that one of them will be the winner before Liv Morgan arrives. Liv Morgan shows up with Raquel Rodriguez and makes fun of everyone in the ring before declaring herself and her victory for the Royal Rumble. She also boasts that Raquel will ensure her victory before Rhea Ripley headbutts her. This starts a brawl between everyone in the ring, and General Manager Nick Aldis heads towards the ring before the commercial break.
The Mobley Family are the recipients of the Papa Johns Seat Upgrade.
Nia Jax, Candice LeRae and Liv Morgan beat Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair and Naomi with a crucifix pin from Liv to Bianca.
Backstage, Chelsea Green and Piper Niven are met by "Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab, who say that the numbers were evened tonight before Michin tells Chelsea that they have a Women's United States title match next week.
Apollo Crews beats Johnny Gargano with a surprise roll-up as The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) head towards the ring.
Backstage, Jacob Fatu says he is both Godzilla and King Kong regarding his match with Braun Strowman on the way to the ring for the next match.
Actor and comedian Shane Gillman, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, and comedian and WWE fan Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias are seen in the crowd.
Before the next match, LA Knight says that Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu have hell to pay and that tonight, he will give Tama Tonga a BFT and kick Jacob Fatu so hard that there will be no way to stop the shakes, even if that means there is nothing left for Braun Strowman.
LA Knight beats Tama Tonga. After the match, Jacob Fatu attacks LA Knight and throws him at the announce table, then Braun Strowman shows up. Jacob gets in the ring, and Strowman somehow avoids the distraction by Tama Tonga to fend Jacob off.
Backstage, The Miz meets with A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory) and says that the three of them will run SmackDown. General Manager Nick Aldis then shows up and tells A-Town Down Under that they are going to Raw, much to A-Town Down Under's excitement and Miz's disappointment.
We hear from Shinsuke Nakamura, who warns everyone who challenges him for the United States title that their efforts will be fruitless and that they will get nothing but a crushed, hurt and shattered body while the title still stays in his hands. He then declares himself for the Royal Rumble and that declares that he will seize victory again, as 2025 will be the year of his conquest beginning with the Royal Rumble.
Damian Priest beats Carmelo Hayes.
Backstage, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) finds out from General Manager Nick Aldis and The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) that they have a two-out-of-three falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championships against the Machine Guns at Royal Rumble. #DIY is furious.
WWE Legend Michelle McCool and WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry are seen in the crowd.
Backstage, Damian Priest meets "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and shakes hands with him. Cody welcomes him aboard, and Priest tells Cody that he will see him soon.
Backstage, The Miz tries to start a partnership with Andrade, who leaves after he tells The Miz to let him find someone. Jimmy Uso then shows up on his way to the ring and runs into Carmelo Hayes, telling him that it will take only three moves to beat him. As Jimmy heads to the ring, Carmelo attacks him from behind before officials stop him.
Kevin Owens beats Jimmy Uso. After the match, Owens is about to put Jimmy through the announce table with the package piledriver before Cody Rhodes runs in and fights Owens. Both men continue to go at it as the show ends.
Samoa Joe heads to the ring. Joe says tonight is a night of celebration due to a new championship endeavor, as opportunities must be earned, not given. He says AEW wrestlers will battle tooth and nail for a shot at his gold. He says that the opportunity at a championship will also be the opportunity for the worst night of one's night when he does to them what he did to Hook last week: beat them down unmerciful, choke them out unconscious and take everything from them. Hook shows up and tells Joe that he lost and Joe won, then both men shake hands. Hook says he does not know when or where, but he will see him again. Joe agrees, then tells him to get to the back of line and sics security on him to get him out of the ring. The three security guards who show up get laid out, and the third one gets choked out with Redrum. Two members of AEW security get in the ring to get Hook to stop. Hook stops and heads to the back.
Samoa Joe guests on commentary for the next match.
"Hangman" Adam Page beats Penta el Zero Miedo.
Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews Orange Cassidy. Orange says he will defend the International Championship against Roderick Strong at Revolution, then says he will keep doing what he does until then. He says there will be a match on Rampage where the winner will face him for the title on Collision.
Backstage, Alex Marvez interviews The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson). Matt says morale is through the roof and that theyare here to make sure the show is running smoothly. Top Flight then show up, and The Young Bucks give them a hard time for walking around not in gear and without credentials as a joke.
Wardlow beats Trent Beretta. After the match, Wardlow attacks Trent again, and Best Friends (Chuck Taylor, Orange Cassidy, Rocky "Azucar" Romero) show up just before the rest of Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett) calls Wardlow off.
We see a video package for Adam Copeland vs. Minoru Suzuki later tonight.
Renee Paquette hosts a face-to-face meeting between "The Virtuousa" Deonna Purrazzo and "Timeless" Toni Storm on the stage. Toni's half of the stage is in black-and-white and at reduced framer per second during the meeting. Toni mentions Deonna Purrazzo's recent body shaming, which she says is ridiculous as there is more to shame about her. She says they have history, but that does not mean she can use their past friendship to get a title shot. She says that she has had a lot of friends, all less talented than her, and while Deonna may be the best technical wrestling in the world today, she will twist her lips so hard she will need an epidural if she steps in the ring with her. Deonna says she is here to win gold, make friends, and that she will do it arm by arm. She says that the "delusional sham" she is looking at is not the Toni Storm she wants to face; she wants to face and beat the one who slept on dojo floors for the women's world title. She tells her to reach down and find that Toni, then tells her to look down at her ankle, as it looks a lot like hers. It is revealed that they both have identical tattooes on their ankles, then Deonna says Toni does not have her fooled. Toni tells Deonna to take her tattoo and "blow it right out of [her] bumhole." Both women throw shoes at each other, and Luther gets hit with a big boot after Deonna briefly locks in Venus de Milo on Toni. Toni and Mariah May flee.
Backstage, Jon Moxley says that The Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Jon Moxley, "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson) has won a lot of championships and have never had time for a victory party because there is always a bigger challenge ahead. He says that the party is over in AEW and that he will maim, pulverize and torture anyone who cannot get with the program and keep up with him in the ring in 2024.
Backstage, we hear from Johnny TV and Taya Valkyrie. Taya says she knows who Deonna Purrazzo is and challenges her to a match at next week's Dynamite so she can send her to the back of the line for the AEW Women's World Championship.
Swerve Strickland beats Jeff Hardy.
Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews "Hangman" Adam Page when Swerve Strickland shows up with Prince Nana and brags about what he did to Jeff Hardy tonight as well as his undefeated streak. Hangman says he is also undefeated and if he had it his way, he would keep him from having a whiff of the World title. It is then announced that Hangman and Swerve will be in Dealer's Choice matches choosing each other's matches.
Thunder Rosa beats Red Velvet.
The Savannah Bananas baseball team is seen in the front row.
Tony Schiavone interviews Darby Allin and Sting in the ring. Darby says that everyone always asks him what it is like and what impact it has had in his career. Darby talks about how Sting's career was seemingly cut short in 2015 and how he flew to his house in Texas and told Sting that he still had it. The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) are seen watching backstage as Darby talks about how he told Sting to get back in the ring, and now that they are undefeated as a tag team, it is high time they win the tag team titles. He says that Sting still has it, and that the fans agree. The fans do agree as they chant "You still got it!" Darby asks Sting if he wants to end his career as a champion, and Sting says that he is all in.
Backstage, we hear from "Absolute" Ricky Starks and Big Bill. Big Bill thanks Darby Allin and Sting for referring to them as champions and by name, and they accept Darby and Sting's challenge. Ricky Starks says that Sting will not make it to Revolution, and tells him and Darby Allin to lay down for them.
The Acclaimed ("Platinum" Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, "Daddy Ass" Billy Gunn) retain the AEW World Trios Championships against The Mogul Embassy ("The Machine" Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona) after "Switchblade" Jay White stops Kaun from using a chair Nana placed into the ring as a weapon and The Gunns (Austin and Colten Gunn) powerbomb Prince Nana into the timekeeper's table.
We hear from Serena Deeb. She says anticipation is a very powerful emotion before warning the women's division that she is ready to return and that the wait is over.
Adam Copeland beats Minoru Suzuki with the Killswitch. After the match, Christian Cage is seen having watched the match from backstage.Afterwards, Copeland says he has never been hit that hard in his life, then tells Suzuki that he has his respect. Suzuki growls at Copeland and leaves the ring, then Copeland says that was the kind of war Christian Cage knows nothing about. Copeland warns Christian that he is still coming for him, and the show ends.
We see an Instagram video of Grayson Waller entering the WWE Performance Center and brawling with Bron Breakker. There is also footage from other NXT Superstars, "NXT Anonymous" and a security camera.
Tiffany Stratton beats Indi Hartwell after feigning a knee injury. When the referee calls for a member of the medical team, Tiffany strikes Indi with a forearm as soon as Indi looks away.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Jacy Jayne, who says that when she attacked Gigi Dolin last week, it was not an accident, but an awakening, and that she realized that she has carried Gigi Dolin since the beginning and that she is the reason Toxic Attraction held championship gold for over a year. After stating that Gigi Dolin has weighed her down like an anchor, she says that people expect her to do something that has never been seen before.
Earlier in the week, Drew Gulak and Hank Walker bring some trainees to the Diamond Mine gym to get The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) ready. Gulak then has a shot at Julius Creed, but after Julius trips, Gulak gets upset and has to be held back.
Andre Chase, Duke Hudson and Thea Hail are in the ring for a Chase U award ceremony. Thea Hail is commended for achieving her first in-ring victory. After a verbal slip-up and a "That's Not PG!" chant, Thea Hail is awarded a plaque for her first NXT win. Andre Chase takes offense to his university being dragged into the ground and that this means everything, then questions Andre Chase not mentioning Duke Hudson before reminding Andre Chase that he is not a rookie. Duke holds Thea back as McDonagh says he is dressed to fight while Chase is dressed like a moron. Chase says that the first thing he teaches is to always be prepared, then rips off his robe and punches McDonagh out of the ring.
JD McDonagh beats Andre Chase after the inadvertent distraction from Duke Hudson, who gets so frustrated that he walks out of the match.
Backstage, Kiana James meet with Fallon Henley, Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen before their tag team match tonight.
Fallon Henley and Kiana James beat Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley after Kiana James yanks Ivy Nile away from Fallon Henley by the hair on the ring apron, then holds Tatum Paxley by the legs to keep her from making the save.
Backstage, The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) are met by Edris Enofe and Malik Blade. The New Day praise Enofe and Malik for their work in NXT, then all four men are met by The Schism (Joe Gacy, Rip Fowler, Jagger Reid, Ava Raine). Xavier Woods then proclaims "The New Day Tag Team Invitiational," and that the winners of The Schism vs. Enofe and Malik will join them in their Triple Threat Tag Team Match for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Apollo Crews is at the barber shop. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams show up and get mad. Apollo says he will always be on Carmelo's radar, but Carmelo says he is a younger, better version of him. After Carmelo says that the NXT Championship looks good on him, Apollo says he is right, but that the title would look better on him. Apollo then proposes a rubber match in the form of a two-out-of-three falls match after noting that both men have a win on each other to settle their score. Carmelo calls Apollo the past, but Apollo says the past can predict the future.
The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) beat Drew Gulak and Hank Walker after Gulak is distracted by Charlie Dempsey. After the match, Julius Creed admits to Ivy Nile that he can be stubborn at times, but he has to be to be his best version of himself. He also admits the last few months have not been great, then thanks her for setting him and Brutus Creed straight. Brutus also thanks Ivy Nile for sticking by them and inspiring them to be "the old Creed Brothers" again, then Indus Sher (Jinder Mahal, Sanga, Veer Mahaan) show up. Jinder Mahal congratulates The Creed Brothers, then says Indus Sher is tired of earning everyone's respect and that they are taking it. He then says they want to find out who The Creed Brothers are in a match next week. Ivy Nile accepts the challenge on The Creed Brothers' behalf.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Gigi Dolin. She says that she is surprised but not shocked, then says Jacy Jayne is always the first person to cast her stone and that she is a bad person. She says that a rose has thorns and that thorns can be dangerous if one is distracted by the petals. She says Jacy can say what she wants, but she is not scared of her and she is not afraid to give Jacy a piece of her mind.
Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo head to the private room of a restaurant, complete with wine racks. D'Angelo says people are talking about Stacks, and that the first step is the most important. Stacks says he has to take on the biggest man he can find, and D'Angelo agrees. Both of them then toast to Stacks becoming the new underboss.
Elektra Lopez beats Wendy Choo. During the match, Valentina Feroz shows up to watch from ringside. When Elektra pulls some brass knuckles out of her tights, Valentina tries to warn the referee, but Elektra takes advantage of the situation and gets the win.
Backstage, Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen talk with Fallon Henley about tonight's win. Jensen then says that he has went to "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels' office and that at Vengeance Day, Fallon and Kiana will tag again for the NXT Women's tag titles. Fallon is surprised, as she thought her team with Kiana would be a one-time thing.
Backstage, Valentina Feroz tells Elektra Lopez that she does know if she can play dirty as she still has friends, but Elektra says dirty gets the job done, then tells Valentina she can keep her friends while she keeps on winning.
McKenzie Mitchell interviews Stevie Turner remotely. Stevie says she is debuting next week, and that she looks forward to facing Roxanne Perez, although she will not be keeping her title past Vengeance Day.
Grayson Waller heads to the ring. He calls out Bron Breakker and says he proved he is tougher than Bron and the rest of the building, then shows his NXT Championship belt while Bron Breaker watches from backstage. Bron, obviously in the mood to deal with Grayson Waller, heads to the ring as the locker room watches and follows him to the ramp. Security tries to stop Bron, but Bron powers his way to the ramp and brawls with Grayson in the ring. Grayson Waller escapes the ring, but Bron Breakker quickly catches up to him, and both men are helped by numerous members of security and the locker room before Bron goes right through the barricade as he gets to Grayson. Grayson is shocked at first, then smiles before running away as referees and medical staff check on Bron.
We see Gallus (Mark Coffey and Wolfgang) play pool and drink beer as they talk about their match at Vengeance Day. Wolfgang says that the other teams will find out what Europe already knows: that they are on top.
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance retain the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships against Alba Fyre. Right after the bell rings, Sol Ruca shows up to team with Alba Fyre, but the women's tag team champs retain. After the match, an angry Alba Fyre walks past Sol Ruca, then walks past Isla Dawn, who then follows her. Fallon Henley and Kiana James then show up on the balcony, and Fallon tells Katana and Kayden that she and Kiana will see them at Vengeance Day.
Wes Lee meets Dijak on his own turf. Dijak is surprised Wes Lee showed up, but Wes Lee says one has to "have a set" to be champion. Dijak gives Wes Lee one last chance to give him the North American Championship, but Wes Lee says he has been stupid enough to risk everything to get where he is now, and that he will keep his title, saying Dijak does not have to like it, but he has to respect it. He says that he will see him at Vengeance Day, then leaves. Dijak then says that he deals in justice, not sob stories.
Backstage, McKenzie Mitchell interviews Cora Jade, who says that while Lyra Valkyrie will be an integral part of the women's division, she will show Lyra her place. She then finds a black feather in her locker. Suddenly, it is revealed that Nikkita Lyons has been attacked in the parking lot.
It is announced that Nikkita Lyons has been taken to a local medical facility.
Backstage, Andre Chase confronts Duke Hudson. Duke says he and Andre are in the New Day Invitational after he talked to "The Hearbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods).
Booker T oversees a contract signing between Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne and Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Championship match at Vengeance Day. Gigi and Jacy are already at the table, and Roxanne is introduced into the ring. Gigi Dolin says Jacy Jayne is sitting on some witty pun she is dying to use, and Jacy says everyone has watched her carry Gigi for the last year and a half, and while the kick from last week was an accident, she wishes that it was not. She says that she dragged Gigi to success, and says that if it were not for her, she would be a one-hit wonder on the independent scene. Gigi says that Jacy is the most insecure person she has ever met, and gets so nervous she has to puke in a bucket before a match. Jacy asks Gigi if she has a funhouse mirror and says that nothing she says is true because she is a pathological liar, and Gigi asks Jacy who will hold her bucket while she holds the women's title. Booker T is loving what is going on, and Roxanne Perez wants some popcorn before mentioning that Gigi and Jacy insulted everyone in the locker room and made her life hell before saying that "karma is a toxic bitch." Roxanne says she thought her match would be a handicap match, but it looks like a real Triple Threat Match, and while the odds are still against her, she will still walk out champion. Gigi says Roxanne will be the shortest-reigning women's champion of all time, and says she does not have to pin Roxanne to do it. Jacy says she can pin Gigi, then says Gigi and Roxanne are beneath her. Gigi says Jacy was the third wheel of their group and will be the third wheel of their match, then Gigi and Jacy then verbally go at each other's throats before looking at Roxanne, grabbing her, beating her up and putting her through a table together before lifting up the NXT Women's Championship together, proving their tiff was all an act.
The Dark Order (Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, John Silver) beats Vary Morales, Baliyan Akki and Marcus Kross in a trios match.
Tony Deppen beats Serpentico with a leg capture pinfall atttempt after Serpentico ejects Luther from ringside for getting involved in the match after the referee tries to do it. After the match, Serpentico rushes at Deppen, but Deppen tosses him out of the ring.
Matt Sydal beats Cezar Bononi with a victory roll. After the match, Sydal is attacked from behind by "The Hollywood Hunk" Ryan Nemeth, and "Pretty" Peter Avalon joins in while Bononi holds Sydal down. All of a sudden, Top Flight (Darius and Dante Martin) show up and make the save for Sydal.
Corey Graves and WWE official Adam Pearce are in the ring for the weigh-in for the WWE Championship match at Royal Rumble to start tonight's show. Bobby Lashley is introduced first, followed by Brock Lesnar. When Lesnar shows up in a cowboy hat and boots, Graves says that it not appropriate clothing for a weigh-in, to which Lesnar says "Do you want me to get naked for you?" Lashley then weighs in at 273 pounds, and MVP says he will gain more weight from the WWE Championship. Lesnar then weighs in at 286 pounds, and Lashley says Lesnar is acting a fool because he knows that he will beat him for the WWE Championship and make it the shortest championship reign of his career. Lesnar asks who the comedian is and tries to get Paul Heyman to picture the headline of "Bobby Who?" beating him with the Hurt Lock.
Bianca Belair beats Queen Zelina after countering the Code Red with a K.O.D.
Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Kevin Owens, who says that Patrick's opinion about how he won last week is moot and that he just kept fighting through the pain, and that he has a United States title shot because of that and that he will keep fighting to get it.
Kevin Owens beats Damian Priest by disqualification after Priest refuses to let Owens out of the corner. Damien Priest retains the WWE United States Championship.
We hear from Rhea Ripley, Dana Brooke and Liv Morgan regarding the women's Royal Rumble match.
Backstage, WWE official Sonya Deville tells Damian Priest to start listening to the referee and get his temper under control before he is fired, suspended or worse.
We hear from Carmella, Nikki A.S.H. and Tamina Snuka regarding the women's Royal Rumble match.
Rhea Ripley, Dana Brooke and Liv Morgan beat Carmella, Nikki A.S.H. and Tamina Snuka in a six-woman tag match with a reverse cloverleaf from Rhea to Carmella. After the match, Nikki A.S.H. attacks Rhea Ripley from behind.
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) head to the ring. After the commercial break, Kevin Patrick welcomes everyone to the Alpha Academy spelling bee. Chad Gable says that the spelling bee is the first of three events in the coming weeks, and that these events will prove he is not just an athlete, but a genius with a Master's degree and a 4.0 GPA. He also says that the events will prove that Otis has not just brawn but brains the size of a tree trunk when they beat RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Matt Riddle) into mental submission before announcing that both members of Alpha Academy are in the men's Royal Rumble match. RK-Bro are then introduced to the event by Kevin Patrick, and after RK-Bro enter the ring, Kevin Patrick announces that the winning team will pick the next week's event. Chad Gable gets "disillusion" by thinking the word is "dissolution" and interrupting Kevin Patrick after asking for a definition, and when Gable protests, Orton tells him to sit down. Orton then wins the spelling bee with "Dumbbell." An angry Gable says Riddle is a dumbbell, then Orton threatens to shut Gable's mouth for him by challenging him to a match right now.
Randy Orton beats Chad Gable after Matt Riddle hits Otis with his scooter at ringside. After the match, Riddle announces that next week's academic competition is a scooter race.
Alexa Bliss meets with the therapist again. Alexa says that Lilly was around for her whole life and how she first saw Lilly after being pushed off the monkey bars before going on a spiel about what she and Lilly did when they met.
In backstage footage from earlier today, Austin Theory meets with Vince McMahon. Austin looks forward to winning the Royal Rumble, but wants a higher number. Vince says he has no influence over the match, then tells him he is facing "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles tonight. Austin Theory nearly leaves his phone in the office, but Vince reminds him of it and tells him to bring back a really good selfie.
We hear from Veer Mahaan, who says that the lion's eyes tells a story of pride, strength and brutality, and that when you lock eyes with a lion, it is already too late. Veer Mahaan is coming to Raw.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats Austin Theory.
Becky Lynch and Doudrop are interviewed in separate rooms. Becky talks about how Doudrop idolized her and had dreams of wrestling her, and how she made inroads for her. She says that she is either out of her mind, generous enough to pick her or more confident than she should be to face her. Doudrop says Becky hand-picked her because she is desperate, but Becky says she did not hear a thank you for her giving Doudrop the biggest match of her career and paving the road for women like her. Becky tells Doudrop that she will be in for a rude awakening when she beats her to retain the Raw Women's Championship, but Doudrop says she will show gratitude when Becky shows some respect, which she does not see coming. As Becky says Doudrop was a name that helped fill the roster, Doudrop takes off her microphone, then finds Becky backstage and attacks her. Referees and officials have to stop the brawl.
Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Rey and Dominik Mysterio. As Rey talks about being on the cover for WWE 2K22, Dominik says he has to create his own legacy by winning the men's Royal Rumble match.
Rey and Dominik Mysterio beat The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) after Montez catches the Tiger Feint Kick during the 619 only for Rey to roll him up. After the match, Dominik tries to toss Rey out, but Rey tosses him out instead. Montez tosses Rey out, then Dawkins tosses out Montez. Suddenly, Dawkins is tossed out by Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler, and they both get tossed out by everyone else.
Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Seth "Freakin'" Rollins. Rollins says the WWE Championship conversation has always been about him and Roman Reigns and that he likes his odds, as he has Roman's number and he is the only one who can put him in his place. He says he will be at SmackDown later this week, as he likes to send his messages in person.
The Miz heads to the ring. Miz introduces Maryse for her in-ring birthday celebration, then the first gift is opened. It is a painting of Miz and Maryse dressed as a prince and princess. Miz mentions that security is here so no intruders show up. Maryse then opens another gift, which contains a jewelery box that looks like a credit card with the words "NO LIMIT" on that. Maryse then notices the big box in gold wrapping paper, but Miz notices it and realizes that the box is out of place. Miz has a member of security open the box, which contains a table. On top of it is the brick that Maryse hit Beth Phoenix, which Miz calls proof that he and Maryse will be one step ahead of Edge and Beth. Miz then has everyone stand up to sing "Happy Birthday" to Maryse, then Edge and Beth Phoenix show up. Edge tells Miz that being clever will not help him, then he and Beth level the security guards. Edge and Beth then get in the ring and lay out security further, with one of them going through a big gift box to end the show.
This week on Raw Talk: Bianca Belair! Kevin Owens! Rey and Dominik Mysterio!
Priavte Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy) beat Action Andretti and Myles Hawkins.
Brandi Rhodes beats Willow Nightingale by submission.
The Men of the Year (Scorpio Sky and "All Ego" Ethan Page) beat Mike Fowler and Logan Laroux.
Red Velvet beats Janai Kai.
Proud 'n Powerful (Santana and Ortiz) beat Goldy and Breaux Keller.
Thunder Rosa and Ruby Soho beat Jordan Blade and Leva Bates with the Peruvian Necktie from Thunder Rosa to Jordan Blade.
Team Taz (Powerhouse Hobbs and "Absolute" Ricky Starks) beats Matt Sydal and Lee Moriarty. After the match, Starks says Dante Martin has a baby brother complex that he does not like and that Dante does not have as many friends as he thinks he does, then dares Dante to come to the ring to say he made a mistake turning on Team Taz. Dante Martin shows up and kicks Hobbs before beating up Starks. Hobbs pulls Dante off Starks before he and Starks gang up on him, then Moriarty and Sydal make the save.
Tyler Breeze beats Ariya Daivari after sitting down on a Sunset Flip attempt.
Backstage, The Brian Kendrick meets with Ariya Daivari, saying the both of them could use a friend and that he has already scratched his back before heading to the ring.
The Brian Kendrick beats Danny Burch following the assist from Ariya Daivari, who distracts Burch before Kendrick grabs his hand after sitting down on a Sunset Flip attempt by Burch.
"The Premier Athlete" Tony Nese beats Lio Rush by count-out after tossing him over the announce table.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and Roman Reigns beat King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. At the beginning of the match, Jimmy Uso's knee is injured, and he has to be helped to the back; he returns near the end of the match to help secure the win as Roman and Corbin brawl in the crowd.
Michael Cole interviews Lacey Evans on the stage. Lacey says that Sasha Banks and Bayley are bullies, and proved that she is not intimidated by them. She admits she did not have the easiest upbringing in the world, as her father lost his battle with addiction and depression. Nevertheless, she has played with the hand that she has been dealt, and she knows she has the chance to set a proper example and make it. After mentioning joining the Marines to get a better life and somehow making it to WWE afterwards, she says that she wants to set a proper example and become a champion that everyone can look up to. She is proud that her daughter stood up to Sasha, and as she says that she will put Bayley on the shelf, she is blindsided by Bayley. Referees have to hold Bayley back.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Carmella and Dana Brooke. Carmella says she is ready for the women's Royal Rumble and is the odds-on favorite to win, then Dana says that anyone has a chance to take a shot at anyone before saying she has to win. Suddenly, Lacey Evans and Bayley are seen brawling. Carmella and Dana have to hold Lacey back, but that does not stop Lacey from hitting Bayley with one of her shoes.
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross vs. Fire and Desire (Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville) ends as soon as it begins after Lacey Evans and Bayley bring their brawl into the ring.
Braun Strowman meets with Elias backstage and simply says "Let's go to work."
Elias is in the ring. He states that the Royal Rumble is upon us, then plays guitar and sing about the men's Royal Rumble match before introducing Braun Strowman. Strowman shows up and Elias says that it is every man for themselves, then states that for one night only, they can perform a duet. Strowman is game for some singing, but before he can even get started, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn interrupt him.
Elias and Braun Strowman beat Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura after Elias stops Cesaro from using a steel chair.
Backstage, a greased-up Big E talks with Kofi Kingston about his match with John Morrison before focusing on the men's Royal Rumble match.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews King Corbin, who says that he will hand Roman Reigns the beating of a lifetime all over the arena to the point that dog food and handcuffs will be child's play before winning the men's Royal Rumble match and becoming Universal Champion.
We see Royal Rumble by the numbers.
We hear from Sheamus, who says that disease-ridden vermin have invaded his home, and that Shorty G was the loudest one he could find. He tells Shorty G to "enjoy that stinkin' cheese" while he can, because he will finish what he started at Royal Rumble.
Before the next match, The Miz chastises the crowd for booing John Morrison during his return last week, then says he himself is still the same guy and has not changed before plugging Miz and Mrs. and stating that he and Morrison are entering the men's Royal Rumble match.
John Morrison beats Kofi Kingston despite Big E laying out The Miz at ringside.
Michael Cole moderates a contract signing between Daniel Bryan and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt for their Strap Match for the WWE Universal Championship at Royal Rumble. Daniel Bryan shows up first. Bray Wyatt shows up, but on the TitanTron where he is seen trying to fax a signed contract only to fail. He then says it would be madness for Daniel to tie himself to The Fiend, then Daniel tells Bray to show up and sign the contract. After Bray says his lawyer has told him to stay in the Firefly Fun House, Daniel tells Bray that all he does is run from his past and his mistake, and on Sunday, he will be tied to The Fiend, who won't be able to run. Bray says that this is about Daniel's big mistake of betraying him and lying to him, and that it is time to play. He then says it is only fitting that The Fiend signs the contract. The lights then go out and Michael Cole leaves the ring. When they come back on, all the lights are red and The Fiend is in the ring. Daniel Bryan fights The Fiend, who immediately applies the Mandible Claw to Daniel before hitting Sister Abigail. The Fiend then strikes Daniel in the back with a leather strap before signing the contract, not with a pen, but with his own blood after shoving the pen into his hand. The crowd chants "You've got issues" before the lights go back out. When they come back on, The Fiend is gone, and Daniel Bryan sees The Fiend's blood on the contract.
Mike, Alexa Bliss, Maryse and Nia Jax play some basketball at Mike and Maryse's house.
Nattie meets Brie and Nikki backstage at SmackDown Live. Brie talks about how Bryan has been diagnosed with vertigo before they could move to their new home in Port Townsend, Washington for the summer. Nattie refers them to Annie, who helped Nattie's parents move house. Brie cannot drive due to breastfeeding while Bryan cannot drive due to the vertigo, and Brie considers this option.
At Lana and Rusev's house, Rusev has an issue with the way Lana dresses and has been ever since they were house-hunting in Bulgaria, and asks her to change her shirt.
In Pensacola, Florida, Trinity and Jon Uso take a staycation at a local spa and resort, but Trinity's stomach is not in the best of shape. Trinity wants to nap on the bed, but Jon wants to do something nice for her.
Mike and Maryse head to the A Christmas Story house in Cleveland, Ohio to cut some promos that re-enact the movie of the same name. Mike's parents are also part of the fun. Mike mentions having to do filming for MTV before coming to Raw. Maryse feels she and Mike need to take a step back and take care of priorities.
In San Diego, California, Brie and Bryan are preparing for the big move to Port Townsend, Washington. Donna and Annie, two of Nattie's family friends, show up in an recreational vehicle. Brie feels unsure about the trip, but Bryan is willing to make the most of it.
In Pensacola, Florida, massage therapists come to Trinity and Jon Uso's room. Trinity is tense from trying to hold everything in due to her stomach issues, and as Jon and Trinity get massaged, Trinity accidentally lets a little gas loose. Jon hears it.
In San Diego, California, Brie and Nikki are at Birdiebee headquarters to do an interview for Forbes Magazine. Brie is excited for the move. Nikki is then at Brie and Bryan's place, where she meets Annie and Donna. Brie and Bryan head into the recreational vehicle as Nikki leaves to get ready for Dancing With The Stars. During the ride, Birdie throws up, and Brie and Bryan have to clean her up. During the road trip, Brie and Bryan realize that Donna and Annie are indeed friends of Nattie after a few minutes of getting to know them.
Brie and Bryan In Pensacola, Florida, Trinity tries not to tell Jon Uso that she is having stomach issues as she feels Jon will tease her and she will not hear the end of it, but now the vacation is taking a turn for the worse because of them.
On Brie and Bryan's RV trip, Donna has to lay down on the floor due to her fear of mountains. Brie and Bryan realize that this RV trip will not be easy, especially since Birdie has not been able to sleep. Brie wants to a plane to Washington. When Brie and Bryan have a conversation about their love life, Annie gets involved, much to the chagrin of Brie.
Lana sees Rusev mowing their lawn in his underwear, and Lana thinks Rusev is doing this to get back at her for her choice of clothing. Lana thinks this is hilarious and tries to get a picture of Rusev.
At Mike and Maryse's house, Mike returns home. Maryse tells Mike that she is pregnant. Mike is elated about the news.
On the RV trip, Brie feels that the road trip is a mistake, especially since Birdie has not been able to nap since the start of the trip. She asks Annie if she and Donna would be offended if she and Bryan took a flight to Washington. Annie tells her to do what she has to do. She and Brie leave the RV to take a flight to Washington.
In Pensacola, Florida, Trinity tries to salvage her staycation with Jon Uso with some romantic roleplay. Jon Uso dresses as a football player while Trinity dresses as a cheerleader.
Brie and Bryan make it to Port Townsend, Washington. Brie admits the RV trip was not the road trip she and Bryan hoped for, but she is glad to be in Washington right now.
At SmackDown Live in Richmond, Virginia, Lana sees Rusev in his underwear again while Carmella tells Nattie some dirty jokes.
At Rusev and Lana's house, Rusev's best friend Diego shows up. Rusev is barbecuing steak naked, and he tries to push Lana's buttons by telling her to wear something more decent even though he is nude. Lana is not having it.
Mike and Maryse are in Los Angeles, California to see the doctor to get an ultrasound of the baby. The due date for the baby is April 6th, which is two days before WrestleMania. Maryse wonders if Mike will be there when the baby is born, as is Mike himself. For now, they concentrate on the excitement of the news.
The show starts with the Velveteen Dream experience. Velveteen Dream says everyone dreams of being NXT Champion one day, and that everyone experiences different paths. He says that Johnny Gargano dreams one day of becoming NXT Champion. He does not doubt that he is the Superstar to do it, but with a choice between him and Gargano, that will not happen yet. While Gargano's experience has been full of doubt, his has been pure, and Gargano's experience will one day soon be over.
No Way Jose - in his first match in months - beats Cezar Bononi.
We see a video package documenting what has led to Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole in an Extreme Rules Match at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
Bianca Belair beats LaToya Allsop.
We see Percy Watson's sit-down interview with Ember Moon and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler. When asked why she called Baszler out, Ember Moon says Baszler is nothing more than a bully who has no scruples and will hurt anybody to get to the top. Baszler says it has never been about hurting any one woman, and says you have to stir up water to catch fish. Baszler says Ember Moon is the big fish in the little pond, and Ember Moon says she is that because she has never taken shortcuts and has responsibilities towards the Women's Division. She says if Baszler ever becomes champ, she will get a taste of that, but it won't happen. Baszler congratulates Ember Moon on becoming champion, but says nobody cares about the path she herself has taken, as she has worked as hard as Ember Moon. After NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, Ember Moon will know she is walking away with her dreams. Baszler doesn't care about what the fans think of who she is or how she got here, and that they will just have to get used to it.
We see part two of "Who Is TM61?" This part mentions TM61's (Nick Miller and Shane Thorne) arrival in NXT. Thorne talks about his injury in his solo match against Roderick Strong, as well as TM61's match against The Authors of Pain in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and Shane Thorne's recovery from injury. TM61 will return to in-ring action next week.
The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) destroy Chase Brown and Damian Smith before their match can even begin. Rezar then gets on the microphone and tells The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly) that what happened to Brown and Smith will happen to them. Akam says at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, it will be The Undisputed Era's turn. After this, Brown and Smith fall victim to the Super Collider.
Next week: Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans!
Johnny Gargano beats Velveteen Dream to become #1 contender for the NXT Championship and face Andrade "Cien" Almas for the title at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. After the match, Zelina Vega and Andrade "Cien" Almas show up. Almas lifts the title up in front of Gargano, then hands it to Zelina Vega before trying to get a cheap shot on Gargano. They both brawl, but Almas gets the upper hand. Gargano gets back up after being sent out of the ring, and hits an enziguri and a slingshot DDT before Almas can hit him with the NXT Championship. Gargano then picks the NXT Championship up off the mat and looks at it, then lifts it up above a downed Almas to end the show.
Tom Phillips interviews Neville. He says Rich Swann is resilient, but lacks common sense. He will not show him mercy Sunday. As for Cedric Alexander, he doesn't want any doubt in anyone's mind that 205 Live belongs to him, and that Cedric will learn that first-hand.
TJ Perkins beats Tony Nese with a La Magistral Cradle after both of them have a nasty collision. After the match, Tony Nese hits Perkins with a suplex to the corner followed by a knee to the head, before insisting to the commentators that he is the winner. Referees tend to Perkins.
Akira Tozawa comes to 205 Live next week!
TJ Perkins is helped to the back.
We look baack at Sheamus' win in the 2012 Royal Rumble match.
Before the next match, Brian Kendrick tells Tripp Bradshaw that he's not taking his place in 205 Live, that the world is cold and harsh and that his dreams will be snuffed out for he is not cold or harsh enough.
Brain Kendrick beats Tripp Bradshaw with the Captain's Hook. (Tripp Bradshaw is, in reality, relative newcomer Palmer Cruise from Pure Pro Wrestling in Hadley, Michigan. The name is a rib on JBL's accidental trip from the commentary table from last week's SmackDown Live.)
Rich Swann wishes Cedric Alexander in his match against Neville, and tells him to believe in himself as Neville will try to get in his head and intimidate him, but he is not unbeatable. He tells Cedric to wait for Neville to make a mistake, and then makes his move. He then tells Cedric to save him some, as he has unfinished business at Royal Rumble.
Neville beats Cedric Alexander with the scissored arm bar after Cedric is distracted by Noam Dar and takes him out only to slip off the top rope. After the match, Naom Dar taunts Cedric only to get tossed out of the ring by Neville. Neville attacks Cedric again, then Rich Swann makes the save. Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander take their fight to the back while Swann and Neville continue in the ring, and officials and security have to restore order.
General Manager Daniel Bryan is about to eat an apple when The Miz shows up with Maryse and starts calling Toledo, Ohio a dump, all while demanding he have his own dressing room. After joking that he will block off a stall in the men's bathroom, D-Bry gives Miz his rematch against Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Championship. After Miz demands that the match be no-disqualification, Daniel Bryan says that he will not let Maryse win on his behalf, and since Miz supposedly pays the SmackDown Superstars' salaries, he makes the match a lumberjack match instead. Miz and Maryse storm off.
Randy Orton beats Luke Harper after countering the discus punch with an RKO. After the match, Bray Wyatt helps Luke Harper up only to hit him with Sister Abigail.
Renee Young interviews Mickie James in the ring. When asked why she showed up out of the blue last week and did what she did, Mickie mentions she took her first Women's title from Trish Stratus at WrestleMania. She says she's kept an eye on WWE, and feels what she has done has been swept under the rug by the company. If it weren't for Alexa Bliss, they would have gotten away with this, as she knows everything about her. She says that thanks to Alexa Bliss, she's here right now. She then talks about how Becky Lynch because the #1 women's pick for SmackDown Live, and says that this is now about the reinvention of Mickie James. Becky Lynch shows up, and Mickie dares her to get in the ring so she can give her something to cry about. She does, and Mickie runs into the crowd as a set-up for Alexa Bliss to attack Becky. After Becky hits Twisted Bliss, Mickie tells Becky that she's learned from Alexa to always be one step ahead.
We see footage from last week where Carmella and James Ellsworth went on a shopping trip. After some strange wardrobe choices, Carmella ends up choosing Ellsworth's wardrobe for him.
Baron Corbin guests on commentary for the next match.
Mojo Rawley wins a 10-man over the top rope challenge to earn a spot in the Royal Rumble match, last eliminating Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango).
We see footage from earlier today where Natalya attacks Nikki Bella during an interview outside of the arena.
AJ Styles shows up. Styles is cross about his placement in the official poster for Royal Rumble, because he is in the back and John Cena is in the front. He then calls Cena out, Styles stops Cena before he can even speak, and takes offense to the fact that Styles was mocked and not even mentioned by name on Today, simply being called "Guy from Atlanta." He reminds Cena who he is, and says nobody missed him, as he has replaced him. He says Cena knows that he's the better man in the ring, and that Cena keeps making excuses before saying that Cena himself is the only excuse left as he is a sorry excuse for a wrestler as he is not built for the indies. He then makes fun of Cena's new shirt, and asks what he has to do to earn some respect, then threatens to plant his foot in his ass at Royal Rumble. Cena says Styles is only complaining because he blames everyone else but himself for his problems, and says he was built for WWE. He tells Styles he's not even close to being at his level, and that he gets more done in a day than Styles does in a career and does it without complaining. He takes Styles' complaints about him burying him because he's built for the indies by saying he's built for WWE, right here, right now. He then says that Styles isn't a guy from Atlanta and that he's just a guy, and that he only holds the WWE Championship because he lets him, and on Sunday, he is taking back the WWE Championship.
Dolph Ziggler quickly beats Kalisto with a stuperkick. After the match, Ziggler grabs a steel chair. JBL gets up from his seat at the announce table and shows disappointment with Ziggler, who is attacked from behind and almost hit with a chair shot by Apollo Crews.
The Collins Family is the recipient of the Little Caesars Seat Upgrade.
Before the next match, Nikki Bella and Natalya brawl at catering. Naomi grabs the microphone and demands anyone face her and feel the glow, as she's been gone for months and wants a match. Alexa Bliss shows up, but she's not here to answer her challenge and treats her like a nobody. Naomi dares her to get in the ring so she can snatch her bald. Alexa teases getting in the ring, but then gets out, telling Naomi that she's not worth her time and to "say hello to obscurity for me."
Backstage, Dasha Fuentes interviews Dean Ambrose. He plans on smashing The Miz's nose before smashing him through the canvas to retain the Intercontinental title.
Dean Ambrose retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship against The Miz in a Lumberjack Match after all the lumberjacks brawl in the ring.
On Talking Smack, AJ Styles insists that John Cena could never cut it in the indies.
The League of Nations (Sheamus, Rusev, King Barrett, Alberto Del Rio) plan on making history tonight by taking the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Roman Reigns...and Sheamus wants the title back most of all.
Jojo interviews Kevin Owens. He says he will find a way to take the Intercontinental title back and get in the Royal Rumble, because he's Kevin Owens. Owens plans to break Dean Ambrose in every way possible to take the Intercontinental Championship back from him.
Mark Henry and Jack Swagger beat The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley), The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) and the team of Damien Sandow and Darren Young to earn slots in the Royal Rumble match.
The Social Outcasts (Heath Slater, Adam Rose, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel) take over the Social Media Lounge and answer some Twitter questions.
Vince McMahon is here, and so is Stephanie McMahon. Jojo interviews Vince, who makes it known that he can't wait to see what happens in the Royal Rumble match tonight.
Dean Ambrose retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing match after pushing Owens through two tables.
Kofi Kingston and Big E show up with Xavier Woods, and ask for a moment of silence for Francesca the Trombone. All of a sudden, we hear a trombone. Xavier Woods shows up playing a new trombone christened Francesca II. Kofi, Big E and Xavier promise to make 2016 "all gold everything" as they retain the WWE Tag Team Championships.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) retain the WWE Tag Team Championships against The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso).
The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman) declare themselves the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse before declaring that they will win the Royal Rumble match.
Kalisto beats Alberto Del Rio to win the WWE United States Championship!
Stephanie McMahon meets Paul Heyman backstage, who claims Brock Lesnar will win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tonight. He wants to re-negotiate Brock Lesnar's contract after Lesnar dominates tonight. Stephanie says that as long as Brock Lesnar takes his aggression out on Roman Reigns, she'll be more than happy to do so. Heyman says Roman will be taken to Suplex City.
Fastlane is happening February 21st!
Charlotte retains the WWE Divas Championship against Becky Lynch after Ric Flair tosses his jacket onto Becky during the Disarmher. Charlotte then attacks Becky after the match, then Sasha Banks shows up. She attacks Becky Lynch, then extends her hand to Charlotte. They do a handshake, then Charlotte and Ric Flair leave. Sasha then attacks Charlotte from behind as she gets out of the ring and puts her in the Banks Statement, then lifts the Divas title into the air.
Some fans come to the WWE Performance Center for a Chex Mix focus group...and instead get the WWE experience of a lifetime!
In the biggest WWE surprise so far this year, Triple H wins the Royal Rumble, eliminating Roman Reigns from the final three before last eliminating Dean Ambrose to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion for the 14th time.
AJ Styles makes his WWE debut by entering the Royal Rumble at #3.
R-Truth reaches under the ring and grabs a ladder when he enters at #12, then climbs the ladder thinking it's Money in the Bank. He's out of the Rumble soon after.
Kofi Kingston rides on Big E's shoulders to save himself from elimination.
Midway through the Rumble, Vince McMahon shows up with Sheamus, King Barrett, Rusev and Alberto Del Rio, who pull Roman Reigns out of the ring and viciously attack him. Roman is not officially eliminated, but is seriously hurt and is helped to the back. Roman eventually returns near the end as Sheamus makes his appearance,
NXT alumni debuted four times in this Rumble: Neville enters his first Royal Rumble at #16. Braun Strowman does the same at #17, then proceeds to eliminate Kane, then Big Show, with the greatest of ease. (He is eliminated by Brock Lesnar, along with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, but the three of them return to help Bray Wyatt eliminate Brock Lesnar.) Kevin Owens hobbles into his first Rumble at #18, his body still feeling the effects of the Last Man Standing match, and proceeds to eliminate AJ Styles, who lasted 28 minutes. Sami Zayn returns to the main roster in the #20 spot for his first Rumble, and immediately goes for (and eliminates) Kevin Owens.
The Miz enters at #25, then joins on commentary. He eventually jumps in near the end, but eventually gets eliminated.
Triple H makes a surprise appearance at #30, and stares down Roman Reings before he gets in the ring. He eliminates Roman Reigns, leaving him and Dean Ambrose as the final two. Triple H then tosses Ambrose over his back and over the top rope while still on the apron to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, making him a 14-time World Champion in WWE.
