A confrontation between Edge and Finn Balor is set for next week’s Raw.
Edge called out Balor for next week’s show on Monday, saying that he cost Balor a match against Gargano because he cost him the match against Austin Theory. Edge told Balor that he would be alone in the ring next week, and he invited Balor to join him.
Earlier in the show, Edge had cost Balor a match against Johnny Gargano after he pushed Balor off the top rope. Edge took out Balor with a spear after the match, telling him it wasn’t over.
Also set for next week’s Raw is a match between Chelsea Green and Bianca Belair. Green interfered during Belair’s match against Carmella, then helped Carmella attack Belair after the match. Asuka came down to the ring for the save.
Elias and Bronson Reed will also have a match. Elias had instructed Rick Boogs backstage to challenge Reed to a match. However, Boogs ended up telling Reed that Elias had issued the challenge, with Reed coming up to Elias and accepting.
Finn Balor has thrown out the challenge to Edge ahead of WrestleMania 39.
On Monday’s Raw, Balor issued a challenge to Edge for WrestleMania in Los Angeles on April 1 and 2, telling him that he and he only will decide when it’s over between the two. Announcers wondered how Edge would respond to the challenge.
Later in the show, Balor challenged Johnny Gargano to a match for next week’s Raw. Gargano accepted.
Balor interfered in last week’s United States title match between Edge and Austin Theory on Raw. Balor got involved in the finish, costing Edge the championship. After the match, Balor gave Edge multiple coup de gras off the top rope.
Edge and Balor have been feuding for most of the last year, dating back to the group turning on Edge immediately after Balor joined the group. Edge and his wife, Beth Phoenix, met Balor and Rhea Ripley at Elimination Chamber earlier this month, with Edge and Phoenix emerging victorious.
Kenta Kobashi won his third straight Wrestler of the Year award in landslide fashion. Already a first ballot Hall of Famer with the highest induction percentage in history (98%), the 38-year-old Kobashi added to a legacy that truly has to rank him among the greatest wrestlers in history.
His four wins ranks him second to only Ric Flair on the all-time list. In a year where business was dominated by shootfighting and Lucha Libre, Kobashi was arguably the most valuable performer to his promotion, as NOAH had a banner year at a time when pro wrestling interest has greatly declined in Japan. He headlined the year’s biggest drawing show, and performed an unheard of triple of having the matches in Japan, the U.S. and Europe that got the most votes in Match of the Year balloting.
No Luchador has ever won the award, and in a year with no strong U.S. candidates, the fact neither Mistico or Perro Aguayo Jr. got second, and were actually a distant No. 3 and No. 4 may indicate it is impossible for one to do so. Ditto for a shootfighter, as Kid Yamamoto only placed 6th in a year devoid of strong U.S. candidates.
Edge will be looking to capture gold when Raw takes place in Ottawa this Monday night.
At WWE’s post-Elimination Chamber press conference, it was revealed that Edge will challenge Austin Theory for the United States Championship on Monday’s episode of Raw. Edge announced that he was accepting a US title open challenge that was issued by Theory.
Theory was the first wrestler to appear at the press conference. Theory said he doesn’t see anyone else on his level in the locker room, but he issued an open challenge to anyone who’s willing to step up.
Edge and Beth Phoenix appeared next. Edge accepted the open challenge, saying he hasn’t wrestled in Ottawa in nearly 20 years and hasn’t been a champion since he retired in 2011. Edge questioned Theory’s work ethic and threatened to kick Theory’s teeth down his throat on Monday.
Theory and Edge were both victorious at Elimination Chamber. Theory retained the US title in an Elimination Chamber match. Edge & Phoenix defeated Finn Balor & Rhea Ripley in a mixed tag team match.
Theory has held the United States title since defeating Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a triple threat match at Survivor Series last November.
The updated card for Monday’s Raw is listed below:
United States Champion Austin Theory defends against Edge
A mixed tag match has been added to Elimination Chamber.
Edge and Beth Phoenix will face Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley in Montreal on February 18. This follows an in-ring promo that took place on Monday’s Raw between Edge, Beth Phoenix, and members of the Judgement Day.
Raw opened on Monday with Edge and Beth Phoenix coming out to talk about their return at the Royal Rumble. This brought out Judgment Day, minus Rhea Ripley who was not at Monday’s show. After some back and forth, Phoenix issued the challenge for Elimination Chamber, with Judgement Day accepting. Judgement Day went for the attack on Edge and Phoenix, but were ultimately stopped by The Street Profits.
Edge and Phoenix were taken out of action back at last year’s Extreme Rules event, after members of The Judgment Day gave both conchairtos. They returned last weekend, with Edge throwing out Finn Balor and Damian Priest from the men’s Rumble match. Ripley went to attack Edge, but was met by Phoenix, who gave Ripley a spear.
Here is the updated lineup for the Elimination Chamber:
WWE Elimination Chamber, Saturday, February 18, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Sami Zayn
Edge & Beth Phoenix vs. Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley
Elimination Chamber match for the United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Damian Priest vs. TBD
Elimination Chamber match, winner challenges Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania: Asuka vs. Liv Morgan vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Nikki Cross vs. Natalya vs. TBD
WWE continues to follow up on the Royal Rumble as tonight’s SmackDown takes place at Bon Secours Wellness Arena inGreenville, South Carolina.
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is set to address the aftermath of his title match against Kevin Owens. After Reigns defeated Owens last Saturday, The Bloodline gave Owens a vicious beating. Sami Zayn refused to attack Owens and hit Reigns with the chair to a giant pop. The Bloodline then turned their attack on Zayn — except for Jey Uso, who walked off.
Reigns will defend his Undisputed title against men’s Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair puts her title on the line against Sonya Deville tonight. Flair is scheduled to defend the SmackDown Women’s Championship against women’s Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania.
The SmackDown Tag Team title contender’s tournament concludes tonight with Imperium taking on Braun Strowman & Ricochet in the finals.
In a women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Zelina Vega, and Natalya compete in a fatal four-way.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
– A video package recapped The Bloodline/Sami Zayn angle from the Royal Rumble.
– Kayla Braxton was standing in the parking lot when the Bloodline arrived without Jey Uso. She asked about Jey, but they ignored her. Paul Heyman approached and had no comment regarding Jey’s status in The Bloodline.
********
SmackDown tag team number one contender’s tournament finals: Braun Strowman & Ricochet defeated Imperium (w/Gunther) (16:24)
Ricochet & Strowman vs. Imperium was a great opener. Everyone played to their strengths and worked hard. They got a lot of time to tell a good story. It’s a bit odd that Ricochet and Strowman won the tournament, even though they weren’t in it at first.
They showed the Ricochet/Logan Paul spot from the Rumble match. Michael Cole recapped Gunther’s performance in the Royal Rumble, which he called legendary.
Strowman dominated Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci early in the match. Imperium regrouped at ringside with Gunther. After a distraction, Kaiser rocked Ricochet with an uppercut. Strowman jumped off the apron and ran over Vinci at ringside. As Gunther distracted Strowman, Kaiser went for a suicide dive, but Strowman caught him. Vinci then dove off the top rope onto both.
Back from the break, Strowman went shoulder-first into the ring post. The heels isolated Strowman on their side of the ring. Vinci slowed the pace with a front face lock. Strowman broke free, and Ricochet got the hot tag. Ricochet hit a flying crossbody, springboard clothesline, and a standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Imperium briefly regained control. Strowman helped launch Ricochet onto Imperium at ringside. Ricochet and Gunther started arguing. Ricochet pushed him, so Gunther shoved him back. The referee watched the whole thing go down, so he sent Gunther to the back as they went to a break.
Ricochet and Kaiser traded shots back and forth. Imperium worked together to take out Ricochet and knocked Strowman off the apron. They went for the Imperium bomb, but Ricochet escaped.
Vinci caught Ricochet and hit a brainbuster, but Strowman broke up the pin attempt. Strowman got the tag and hit anything that moved. Strowman destroyed Imperium with a clothesline. The finish came when Strowman hit the monster bomb on Kaiser. Ricochet then hit a Swanton bomb off Strowman’s shoulders to win the tournament.
Ricochet & Strowman take on The Usos for the tag team titles next week. Wade Barrett pushed that now is the ideal time for a title shot because there’s so much uncertainty with The Usos.
*********
– The Progressive Match Flo of the week recapped Rhea Ripley winning the women’s Royal Rumble match.
– Kayla Braxton spoke with SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. Flair’s ready to take on Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania. Tonight Flair has to focus on Sonya Deville. Deville interrupted and promised to defeat Flair for the title.
**********
Rey Mysterio/New Day and Judgement Day Nascar segment
They showed highlights of Rey Mysterio and New Day, promoting the upcoming Nascar Clash at the Coliseum last night. Judgement Day showed up and argued with Rey and New Day. It led to Rey and Dominik racing against each other with professional drivers.
Dominik was upset that Rey won and argued with him until they got pulled apart. Dominik noted he would have won if Rhea Ripley had been there.
********
SmackDown Women’s Charlotte Flair defeated Sonya Deville (10:21)
Flair and Deville didn’t have a terrible match, but it dragged at times, and they seemed on different pages.
Michael Cole mentioned the passing of Lanny Poffo during the match.
Flair was firmly in control with a shoulder tackle. She followed with a flying crossbody for a near fall. Deville grabbed Flair by the hair and slammed her down as they cut to a break.
Deville dominated during the break. Flair briefly fought back and rolled up Deville for a near fall. Flair fought back with hard chops. She avoided a right hand and hit a back suplex. Flair rocked Deville with a forearm and hit a big boot for a close two-count.
Deville took advantage, with Flair missing a boot against the ropes. Deville rocked Flair with a pump kick for a near fall. She then hit a knee off the middle rope. Deville went for the figure four leg lock, but Flair countered with a small package for a close near fall.
Flair hit a forward flip into a clothesline for a near fall. Deville tried fighting back, but Flair locked on the Figure Eight for the win.
**********
– A video package recapped Cody Rhodes winning the men’s Royal Rumble.
– In the Bloodline locker room, Roman Reigns wanted to know if Jimmy talked to Jey. Reigns pointed out that they have a title match next week. Reigns was furious that Jey wasn’t around or answering any calls. Regardless, Jimmy’s certain that Jey will show up next week. Reigns didn’t care and ordered them to find Jey.
********
– For Black History Month, they looked at the career of Kofi Kingston.
The Viking Raiders (w/Valhalla) defeated The Brawling Brutes (9:43)
The Brutes and Raiders had a short but good hard-hitting match. All four looked really good, particularly Butch. Regardless, the fans appeared dead for most of it and only reacted at certain times.
Cole noted Butch and Ridge Holland are out for revenge for the Viking Raiders attacking Drew McIntyre & Sheamus last week.
Ivar backed Butch into the corner and rocked him with body shots. Butch tried fighting back with forearms, but Ivar overpowered him. The Brawling Brutes took over and gave Erik the ten beats of Bodhran. Valhalla caused a distraction, allowing Erik to send Butch into the barricade.
Back from the break, Holland tagged in and threw Erik across the ring with a series of suplexes. Holland escaped a powerbomb and hit an Alabama Slam for near fall. Ivar went for a top rope slam, but Butch countered with a hurricanrana for a near fall.
Butch went for a moonsault, but Ivar caught him and hit a power slam. Ivar took out Holland with a spin kick. After looking down at Valhalla, the Raiders hit Ragnarok on Butch for the win.
After the match, Drew Mcintyre and Sheamus walked out and brawled with the Viking Raiders.
***********
They recapped the Pitch Black match from the Royal Rumble.
They showed Bray Wyatt sitting in a rocking chair when Uncle Howdy walked in and looked at the camera.
***********
Elimination Chamber Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match: Natalya defeated Shotzi, Shayna Baszler, and Zelina Vega (7:16)
Typical WWE four-way with two people fighting in the ring and the other two lying outside. Not a bad match, but not spectacular either. The story revolved around Natalya out for revenge for Baszler breaking her nose.
Natalya and Shotzi fought each other to get to Baszler. Vega pulled out Shotzi and sent her into the barricade. Vega and Natalya went one on one in the ring. Vega hit code red, but Baszler broke up the pin attempt. Baszler then caught Natalya with a jumping knee for a close near fall. Cole noted Baszler used the same move that broke Natalya’s nose three months ago.
Back from the break, Baszler dominated all three competitors during the break. Shotzi fought back and hit a dive to the floor. Vega then hit a moonsault off the middle turnbuckle onto Baszler and Shotzi.
In the ring, Natalya got the sharpshooter on Shotzi, but Vega made the save. Shotzi then gave Vega a back suplex with a bad landing. Baszler got the kirifuda clutch on Vega and almost had the match won. Baszler dropped the hold when Natalya went for the discus lariat. She locked the kirifuda clutch on Natalya. Natalya broke free and caught Vega in the sharpshooter for the win.
Natalya qualifies for the women’s Elimination Chamber match in Montreal.
*******
– In the Bloodline locker room, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa couldn’t get ahold of Jey or find him. Reigns was annoyed. He noted he’s under a lot of stress and pressure because of his position and WrestleMania season. He apologized for the way he talked to them earlier. Reigns wants them to go to the bus and enjoy the catering. He’s going to the ring to handle some business.
Roman Reigns Segment
Another hot angle in the Bloodline-Sami Zayn storyline. Reigns challenged Zayn to a title match in Montreal so that he could beat him in front of his family. The fans went crazy for Zayn, who was the most over with the crowd. The segment and Zayn’s beatdown got a ton of heat.
WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman entered the ring. Reigns took the mic, and the fans broke into a “Sami” chant. Reigns demanded the fans acknowledge him. The fans broke into a loud “Sami” chant.
Reigns knows the fans want him to talk about Sami Zayn. He’d rather talk about Cody Rhodes, who deserves his attention. The fans broke into another loud “Sami” chant. The fans didn’t boo Cody’s name but just wanted Sami Zayn.
Reigns looked into Zayn’s eyes at the Survivor Series and saw greed. Reigns said Zayn was just like everyone else and just wanted something from him.
Suddenly, Sami Zayn attacked Reigns to a massive pop. Reigns fought back and grabbed a chair. But Zayn recovered and hit a spear on Reigns to another huge pop. Reigns avoided a chair shot and rolled out of the ring.
Zayn took the mic and said he never wanted anything from Reigns until now. Zayn demanded a title shot at the Universal title. Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa ran out and beat down Zayn. Reigns backed Zayn into the corner and yelled at him. He blamed Zayn for Jey Uso leaving and breaking up his family. Reigns wants to beat Zayn in Montreal at Elimination Chamber in front of his family. The fans broke into loud “We want Jey” and “Sami” chants.
Reigns posed with The Bloodline over a fallen Zayn to end SmackDown.
********
Next Week: SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend their titles against Braun Strowman & Ricochet. Plus, Rey Mysterio, Karrion Kross, Madcap Moss, and Santos Escobar compete in a fatal four-way number-one contender match for a shot at the Intercontinental title.
Current WWE NXT roster member Apollo Crews revealed during an interview that Edge would give him and others weekly help with promos via FaceTime conversations.
Talking on the Out of Character podcast, Crews said it began during the pandemic when Edge contacted several talents and direct messaged Crews.
“…While he was injured with his triceps injury, he was talking about helping some of the younger guys with promos. So I was like, man, here’s an opportunity. Extremely uncomfortable. He’s talking about FaceTiming him once a week. I’m like, Man, I hate FaceTime. I hate even talking on the phone, right? But I was like, here’s a man who’s taking his time to help me get better and advance in my career. So I have to do this, right? I have to do it,” he said.
He said they talked weekly with Edge giving him advice on how to improve, sending him up to eight to ten promos a day which Edge watched and then commented on.
“He was literally breaking and watching each one and breaking them down and breaking them down,” he explained.
Crews also said after he debuted his Nigerian character on the main roster, Edge embraced him after he came to the back and was “genuinely happy that I went out there and just did that.”
“I have nothing but great things to say about him and I’m very grateful that he reached out and wanted to help not just me, but some of the other guys advance and just be better. You have someone like that who’s done everything here and here he is reaching out to us to kind of pass some of the game along. How do you pass up on that opportunity?,” he said.
Edge has been cast in the upcoming Disney+ series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.”
The show is based on a series of fantasy novels written by Rick Riordan. Its eight-episode first season is expected to debut in 2024.
As first reported by Variety, Adam “Edge” Copeland, Suzanne Cryer, and Jessica Parker Kennedy have been added to the cast.
Edge will play Ares, the god of War in a reoccurring guest role. His character is described as “handsome in a wicked way and arrogant, despite not always being the sharpest tool in the shed. He loves conflict and acts as an agent of chaos wherever he goes.”
The series will feature Walker Scobell, Aryan Simhadri, and Leah Sava Jeffries in starring roles.
“‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ tells the fantastical story of a 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson (Scobell), who’s just coming to terms with his newfound divine powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. With help from his friends Grover (Simhadri) and Annabeth (Jeffries), Percy must embark on an adventure of a lifetime to find it and restore order to Olympus,” reads the show’s official logline.
Edge returned to WWE TV on Raw, attacking The Judgment Day and issuing a challenge to Finn Balor for Extreme Rules.
After Matt Riddle scored a win over Damian Priest on Monday, the rest of Judgment Day joined in with Priest and attacked Riddle after the bell rang. That brought out Edge, who speared Priest and Balor. He said that even if it took nine years, he never quit and always came back. He then challenged Balor to an I Quit match for Extreme Rules on October 8.
On the September 12 edition of Raw, a match between Edge and Dominik Mysterio ended after members of the Judgment Day interfered. The show ended with Finn Balor giving Edge’s knee the coup de grace on a sitting chair.
Here’s the lineup for Extreme Rules, which will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in a ladder match
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey in an Extreme Rules match
WWE has announced a storyline injury update on Edge after the attack he suffered on this week’s episode of Raw.
Monday’s Raw ended with Edge having his leg destroyed by The Judgment Day. Dominik Mysterio repeatedly hit Edge’s leg with a steel chair, then Damian Priest held Edge’s leg inside of a chair so Finn Balor could hit it with a Coup de Grace.
WWE addressed the attack on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon. The storyline update claimed that Edge had an MRI done today and was diagnosed with a grade two MCL sprain.
If the knee injury were legitimate, it would be expected to keep someone out of action for several weeks.
Following Dominik Mysterio’s heel turn, Edge faced Dominik in the main event of Raw this Monday. Edge had Dominik wrapped in the ropes and was going for a spear when Rey Mysterio ran into the ring and pleaded with him to stop. Dominik’s Judgment Day stablemates then attacked Edge and Rey and caused the match to end in a disqualification.
Last night’s Raw ended with Edge having his leg destroyed by The Judgment Day.
A match between Edge vs. Dominik Mysterio headlined last night’s show. As Edge had Dominik trapped in the ropes and was going for a spear, Rey Mysterio ran into the ring and pleaded with Edge to stop. That led to The Judgment Day attacking both Edge and Rey and causing the match to end in a disqualification.
The Judgment Day continued to attack Edge after the match and focused on taking out his leg. Dominik repeatedly hit the leg with a steel chair. Damian Priest then held Edge’s leg inside of a chair so that Balor could come off the top rope and hit it with a Coup de Grace.
The episode ended with The Judgment Day standing over a fallen Edge.
A title change also took place on last night’s show, with Dakota Kai & IYO SKY defeating Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah to become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Plus, Johnny Gargano returned to the ring, Kevin Owens cut a fiery promo on Austin Theory, and Bianca Belair issued an open challenge.
Date: September 12, 2022 Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR
Show Recap —
The Raw intro and fireworks kicked things off. (Brock Lesnar, Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton are among those featured in the opening.)
Seth Rollins entered. The crowd chanted his song. Rollins bragged about beating Matt Riddle and about the Cardiff crowd singing his song. Despite Riddle’s request, Rollins was not interested in a rematch. As Rollins pondered what was next, the crowd chanted “rematch.” Rollins said it has been far too long since he held championship gold.
Riddle interrupted. He charged into the ring and attacked Rollins, dumping him over the top rope. They briefly brawled in the crowd until Rollins managed to escape to the back.
Before Riddle could go after him, Finn Bálor and Damian Priest entered to their music. Riddle was ready for a fight but they told him to relax.
Priest offered Riddle a spot in Judgment Day. Priest said it wasn’t long ago that they were all in the same situation, superstars on the rise with something, or someone, holding them back. Priest said there was no holding them back now and Bálor mentioned how much Dominik has grown already.
Riddle acknowledged that he and Priest went back a long time but he was focused on Rollins right now. He turned them down. Bálor said laws were a little relaxed in Portland so Riddle’s head must be cloudy. The crowd cheered. Bálor said Riddle better join or else.
Riddle attacked Bálor and knocked Priest over the top rope. Commercial break.
********
Finn Bálor (w/Damian Priest) defeated Matt Riddle (approx. 13:32)
The match was underway after the break. This was only the second-ever match between these two.
Bálor was in control and remained in control thanks to a distraction by Priest. Bálor hit a headlock elbow drop onto the ring apron which led to break. Riddle came back with a fisherman’s suplex, Pelé kick, forearm strikes, exploder suplex, PK and a springboard dive (which also took out Priest). Riddle went to the top but Priest distracted him again which allowed Bálor to hit another headlock elbow drop.
Rey Mysterio flew in from out of nowhere and attacked Priest through the crowd. Riddle followed with a Bro-to-sleep and German suplex for a nearfall. Riddle tried a floating bro but Bálor got his knees up and followed with a shotgun dropkick. Riddle avoided a Coup de Grâce and hit a draping DDT.
Riddle set up for an RKO but there was another distraction, this time by Rollins. Riddle tried going after him but Bálor caught Riddle with an inverted DDT and finished him off with Coup de Grâce for the pinfall win.
— Rollins stomped Riddle after the match.
The announcers tried to get over the fact that Rollins was done with Riddle. The angle felt a bit redundant.
********
Bayley told Sarah Schreiber that Dakota Kai and IYO SKY should have been tag champions in the first place and the replay of that match made it clear. Kai told her not to worry about the past and SKY said they would win tonight. Schreiber asked Bayley about being the first person to pin Bianca Belair in over a year. Bayley blew her off and they left.
********
Dominik Mysterio promo
There was a Dominik Mysterio video set to some ominous music. He said he’s always been known as a Mysterio but at Clash of the Castle, he felt alive for the first time in his life. Edge got what he deserved and he would finish the job tonight.
Dom wanted his father to know that this was his life. Rey should look at himself in the mirror and wonder why he didn’t get to know him. Rey should have asked him what he wanted for his career. Dominik said Rey cast a large shadow for such a tiny man and he was done living under it.
Rhea Ripley whispered something in Dom’s ear and he finished by saying, “I’m not your baby boy anymore — I’m a man.”
********
There was a quick Johnny Gargano video package.
Austin Theory did an interview where he introduced Gargano’s opponent for tonight, Chad Gable. Gable laughed at the name, “Johnny Wrestling” and said that after tonight, he would only be known as “Johnny Shoosh.”
********
Dakota Kai & IYO SKY (w/Bayley) defeated Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez to win the Women’s Tag Team Championships (12:29)
They went to break two minutes into the match after Rodriguez chucked Aliyah onto Kai and SKY.
[SECOND HOUR]
Aliyah tagged in after the break and did a couple of flashy spots before Kai and SKY took over when Kai tripped her behind the referee’s back. They worked over Aliyah until she hit them both with a double neckbreaker. She tagged in Rodriguez who simply launched Kai into SKY.
Rodriguez hit Kai with a splash and boot but SKY broke up Aliyah’s cover. SKY tried a hurricanrana but Rodriguez blocked and sent them both over the top. Aliyah put Kai in a schoolboy for a nearfall. Aliyah followed with a facebuster but Bayley put Kai’s leg on the bottom rope to break up the fall.
Rodriguez chased Bayley away but SKY wiped her out with a moonsault to the outside (which didn’t look fun for Rodriguez).
Kai gave Aliyah a Kai-ropractor (flipping codebreaker) for the pinfall win.
Damage CTRL posed on the stage with their new title belts as fireworks went off.
********
Rey approached Dominik as he warmed up for his match. Rey saw what Dom said earlier and admitted he didn’t know that Dom felt that way.
Rey pleaded with him to do the right thing and not go through with the match. Edge was like a brother to him and an uncle to Dom. He also warned Dom how dangerous Edge could be. Dom didn’t look at him once. Rey said if Dom went through with this, things would never be the same. Ripley showed up and pulled Dom away.
********
Johnny Gargano defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (13:52)
This was really good. The crowd liked Gargano and got into the match more as it went.
(Google says otherwise but Gable appeared to be a bit taller than Gargano.)
They did some quick chain wrestling early on until Gable dropped Gargano with a right hand. Gargano came back with a dive off the apron which led to a break. Gable was in control after a break but Gargano made a comeback and hit a great-looking slingshot spear for two. Gable followed with a Cliffhanger DDT for two and a beautiful bridging German suplex for two.
Gargano applied the Gargano Escape but Gable countered into an ankle lock. Gable fought out of that and they exchanged strikes until Gargano dropped Gable with a clothesline.
Gable was sent to the outside and he fell into the arms of Otis. Gargano hit them with a dive which sent Otis into the announce table. Gargano hit Gable with One Final beat for the pinfall win.
— Otis tried to attack after the match but Gargano hit him with two superkicks. Otis was still on his feet so Gargano did a crotch-chop before rolling out of the ring.
As Gargano backed up the ramp, Theory attacked him from behind with the briefcase.
********
Austin Theory/Kevin Owens segment
After a break, Theory bragged about what he did to “overrated” Johnny Gargano but his promo was drowned out by “what” chants.
He was also interrupted by Kevin Owens who got a big reaction. Theory wanted him to shut up. Owens reminded Theory that he was no longer the hand-picked guy. Theory let him know that he has accomplished more in a few months than Owens and Gargano had in years.
Owens said Theory had everything handed to him. Owens admitted that when he won the Universal title, it was handed to him on a silver platter. But that’s where their similarities ended.
Owens noted how many guys have showed up in WWE looking just like Theory but they didn’t last because they were a dime a dozen. However, only a handful of guys like Owens and Gargano could make it and this business needed people like them. The crowd cheered. Owens called Theory the appendix of this business — completely expendable.
Owens hopes Theory does reach the top but Owens has been watching him and just doesn’t see it in him. He wanted Theory to prove him wrong. Owens fired up and encouraged Theory to leave everything he had in this ring and that’s how he would become the future of WWE. (Owens was so good here psyching up Theory that the crowd chanted for him.)
Theory flexed and told Owens that he would never be like him. Owens said talking sense into Theory didn’t work so he slapped him instead. They brawled and Owens was getting the better of it until referees tried breaking it up.
Theory tried to attack with his briefcase but after Owens ducked and went for a stunner, Theory bailed.
Theory had a bloody nose and Owens mocked him, saying he broke his nose and that was just the beginning.
********
Bianca Belair came out for an open challenge.
Sonya Deville entered. Deville said hasn’t forgotten what Belair did to her and blamed Belair for costing her the authority position. Belair told her to shut up and get in the ring.
Bianca Belair defeated Sonya Deville to retain the Raw Women’s Championship (12:03)
(Corey Graves said that Deville is “a badass, legitimately speaking,” which is an odd thing to say.)
Deville had control through a commercial. She dodged a moonsault and hit a running knee for two. Belair came back with a spinebuster for two. Deville hit some sort of knee strike or dropkick off the middle rope for two. Belair hit the KOD moments later for the pinfall win.
— Bayley entered after the match. She said Damage CTRL was here to take over the division and bragged about being the first to defeat Belair in over 300 days despite not even having a match herself in over a year (aside from the one Aliyah match in Toronto).
Damage CTRL surrounded the ring like the Shield and they jumped Belair. They attacked until Asuka and Alexa Bliss made the save. Bayley was left alone in the ring so Belair gave her a spinebuster.
********
1-on-2 handicap match: Omos (w/MVP) defeated two guys (1:39)
Omos won.
Sportsnet in Canada was having technical difficulties so I could only hear what was happening. I understand USA Network was having trouble too. The video feed returned as soon as the match was over.
********
Rey tried pleading with Edge but Edge said if anyone should deal with Dominik it should be him.
********
Kevin Patrick approached Rollins who was annoyed that he still had to deal with Riddle. He wondered how many times he’d have to stomp Riddle’s head into the ground.
Bobby Lashley approached Rollins. He questioned Rollins calling himself the face of Raw because he wasn’t the one with the gold. Rollins said the US title wasn’t the one he referenced earlier when he said he wanted gold but challenged him to a title match next week. Lashley gladly accepted.
********
There was a taped segment with The Miz at his house. He said this was the only way you’d get to see him on Raw considering what’s been happening the past few weeks. His daughters approached him before he got them to go to bed.
Maryse approached and told him to wrap it up soon because they had a premiere to go to. Miz was wary about leaving the house but she tried reassuring him before going to the car.
Miz sat down to conduct the interview but the interviewer kept asking about Dexter Lumis so Miz cut it short. Miz and Maryse left in their SUV.
The camera panned back inside the house and Lumis was there. He had a drawing of Miz and Maryse with their daughters and he held it up for the camera.
(So Lumis is in the house with Miz’s daughters and presumably their babysitter.)
********
Next week on Raw:
Lashley vs. Rollins for the US title
Owens vs. Theory
(They aired a long replay of the earlier Owens/Theory segment.)
********
Dominik has his own entrance music (different than the Judgment Day theme).
Edge defeated Dominik Mysterio (w/Rhea Ripley) via disqualification (15:08)
Edge was all over Dominik early on. Dom tried a flashy counter so Edge just booted him. Dom did a fancy kip-up so Edge dropped him with a clothesline. Ripley tried giving Dom a pep talk but it didn’t work because Edge started tossing him around ringside. Dom tried pleading with uncle Edge so Edge kicked him in the face. The crowd chanted for Edge.
As the ref checked on Dominik, Ripley tripped Edge off the apron. Dom attacked his leg as well and they went to break. Dom worked over Edge’s leg and did the three amigos suplexes. He went up for a frog splash but Edge knocked him off the top.
Edge wanted to try a superplex but Ripley held Dom’s leg to help block it (which the ref didn’t notice). Dom shoved Edge off the ropes and hit a frog splash for two. Dom seemed to be going for a figure four but Edge kicked him into the ring post.
Edge hit a flapjack, clothesline and Edge-o-matic for two. Edge hit an impaler DDT before going for a spear but Dom rolled through into a single-leg Boston crab. Edge countered that into a rollup for two.
Edge trapped Dom’s arms in the ropes and hammered away at him as the crowd counted along until the ref shoved him off. (Graves said Dom was being taught a lesson by uncle Adam.)
Edge was about to go for a spear with Dom still trapped but Rey jumped in to stop him. Edge and Rey argued and Edge brushed him aside.
Priest yanked Rey out of the ring as Bálor attacked Edge for the DQ. (I think Priest did something to Rey outside the ring but the camera didn’t catch it.)
Ripley hit Edge’s leg from behind with a chair before Dom repeatedly hit his leg with the chair. They elevated Edge’s leg on the steel chair so that Bálor could hit the leg with Coup de Grâce.
Bálor let Edge know that Judgment Day was in charge as the crowd chanted “you suck.” Judgment Day posed as the show ended.
Edge will face the newest member of The Judgment Day on the Monday, September 12 WWE Raw episode.
In a match announced on this week’s Raw, Edge will take on Dominik Mysterio on next week’s episode. Dominik turned on his father Rey, and Edge at Clash at the Castle, then joined The Judgment Day on Monday’s Raw. The Judgment Day attacked Edge and Pillman-ized his knee on Raw in an angle to set up the match. Rhea Ripley officially issued the challenge to Edge on Dominik’s behalf.
Also set for next week, Johnny Gargano will make his WWE in-ring return. No opponent was announced for Gargano.
Additionally, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships will be on the line, as Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah defend the titles against Dakota Kai and IYO SKY of Damage CTRL.
Here is the announced lineup for next week’s episode:
Edge vs. Dominik Mysterio
Johnny Gargano’s in-ring return
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah (c) vs. Dakota Kai & IYO Sky
Two days after turning on Edge and his father Rey Mysterio at WWE Clash at the Castle, Dominik officially joined The Judgment Day on Monday’s Raw, aiding the group as they attacked Edge.
Edge opened Raw by calling Dominik out. Rey answered the callout instead, and asked Edge not to hurt his son. Edge said that Dominik is old enough to answer for his own actions, and proceeded to call Dominik out again.
Rhea Ripley answered Edge, and said that she had made Dominik a man. Dominik then entered and stood with Ripley. Rey exited, saying he could not be a part of what was about to happen. He asked Dominik to look at him and to apologize to Edge, but Dominik refused.
While Dominik and Ripley walked towards the ring, Finn Balor and Damian Priest of Judgment Day attacked Edge. Dominik handed Balor a chair, and Balor hit a Coup de Grace, Pillman-izing Edge’s leg. Dominik then posed with The Judgment Day as Rey returned to check on Edge.
It was announced on commentary that Edge had been taken to a medical facility following the attack.
Dominik debuted as an in-ring competitor in WWE at SummerSlam in 2020, facing Seth Rollins in a singles match. He went on to tag with Rey for much of the last two years, and the two captured the SmackDown Tag Team titles in May 2021, holding those belts for two months.
A noteworthy heel turn took place at Saturday’s Clash at the Castle pay-per-view in Cardiff.
Dominik Mysterio turned heel at the PPV, betraying his father Rey Mysterio and attacking Edge. The heel turn happened after Rey & Edge defeated The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) at Clash at the Castle.
Dominik entered the ring following Rey & Edge’s win. Instead of celebrating with them, Dominik gave Edge a low blow. Rey then argued with Dominik and pleaded with him to stop the attack. But Dominik responded by laying out Edge with a lariat.
The Judgment Day reacted by laughing at Rey and Edge. It wasn’t confirmed if Dominik will be joining Judgment Day.
As Dominik headed to the back alone, he ripped off his “Mysterios” T-shirt and threw it to the ground.
Leading into Clash at the Castle, The Judgment Day had attempted to recruit Dominik into their ranks. There was a moment on Raw this past Monday where Dominik refused to hit Rhea Ripley with a kendo stick.
Dissension between Dominik and Edge was established last month when Edge accidentally gave Dominik a spear when Ripley pushed Dominik in the way.
