Finn Balor was one of nine WWE main roster wrestlers to make appearances on Tuesday’s NXT Worlds Collide go-home show.
A former NXT Champion, Balor’s cameo was one of many interspersed throughout Tuesday’s episode as notable former NXT and NXT UK stars gave pep talks to those involved in matches on Sunday’s Worlds Collide premium live event.
In addition to Balor, former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa, former NXT UK Champions Gunther (WALTER) and Butch (Pete Dunne), former NXT and NXT UK Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, former NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler, Nikki A.S.H., Doudrop, and Ricochet were the Raw and SmackDown wrestlers who appeared on the show in some form.
Additionally, Fit Finlay appeared on the show in a similar cameo role.
Ricochet, Nikki A.S.H., and Doudrop’s appearances went beyond simple promos, as all three are set for action on Sunday’s Worlds Collide event. Ricochet will challenge for the North American title, while Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop will challenge for the Women’s Tag titles.
Here is the updated lineup for the event:
Bron Breakker vs. Tyler Bate for the NXT and NXT UK Championships
Mandy Rose vs. Meiko Satomura vs. Blair Davenport for the NXT and NXT UK Women’s Championships
Gallus vs. Diamond Mine vs. Briggs & Jensen vs. Pretty Deadly for the NXT and NXT UK Tag Team titles
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance vs. Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles
Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricochet for the NXT North American title
Nathan Frazer vs. Axiom in a best of three rounds match
A new match has been made official for Monday’s episode of Raw.
WWE has announced that Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor will take place on Raw this Monday night. It will be the latest chapter in the rivalry between The Mysterios and The Judgment Day.
At SummerSlam, Rey & Dominik Mysterio defeated The Judgment Day (Balor & Damian Priest w/ Rhea Ripley) in a no disqualification match when Edge returned and came to the aid of The Mysterios. It was Edge’s first appearance since The Judgment Day turned against him this June.
The post-SummerSlam episode of Raw saw Rey & Dominik unsuccessfully challenge The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles. When The Judgment Day attacked The Mysterios after the match, Edge made the save. But Edge accidentally speared Dominik when Ripley pushed Dominik in the way. Edge was attempting to spear Balor.
After accidentally spearing Dominik, Edge chased Balor through the crowd.
This will be the second time Rey Mysterio and Balor have ever faced off one-on-one. Balor defeated Rey in a singles match on Raw last month.
Monday’s Raw is being held at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The updated lineup for the episode is listed below:
United States Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Ciampa
Edge returned to WWE television at Saturday’s SummerSlam.
Towards the end of the Mysterios vs. Judgment Day match, Finn Balor and Damian Priest had Rey and Dominik Mysterio laid out when the lights went out. Edge then emerged on top of flaming stairs in a manner similar to the entrance of The Brood. He then came down to the ring and speared both members of the Judgement Day, allowing the Mysterios to eventually pick up the win.
Edge, who had founded the Judgment Day following WrestleMania 38, was kicked out of the group following Hell in a Cell in June when Balor, Priest, and Rhea Ripley attacked Edge, with Priest declaring that Edge was the weak link in the group.
Since Money in the Bank, vignettes have aired with a mysterious figure walking around. The vignettes featured imagery of WWE names from the past, including Eddie Guerrero, John Cena, Randy Orton, and Mick Foley. During tonight’s pre-show, another vignette aired, with the figure writing in what appeared to be blood on a mirror that he was arriving tonight.
Judgment Day escalated their feud with The Mysterios on this past Monday’s Raw, when after Rey Mysterio celebrated his 20th anniversary in the company, was confronted by Rhea Ripley in a backstage gathering. Ripley led Rey and Dominik to a trap, where the Mysterios were attacked by Balor and Priest. Rey Mysterio ended up being put through a table.
A Women’s Championship rematch is set to take place on tonight’s episode of Raw.
WWE has announced that Bianca Belair will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Carmella on Raw tonight. It’s a rematch from Money in the Bank, where Belair retained her title but was then attacked by Carmella after the match.
Belair and new SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan teamed together to defeat Carmella & Natalya on Raw last week. The match was made after Belair saved Morgan from a beatdown by Carmella and Natalya.
Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor has also been announced for tonight’s Raw. In the Mysterios’ hometown of San Diego, Rey & Dominik Mysterio defeated Balor & Damian Priest by disqualification last Monday. Rey took a page out of the late Eddie Guerrero’s playbook by faking that he had been hit with a chair by Balor.
Balor and Priest attacked Rey and Dominik backstage after their match last week.
This will be the first-ever one-on-one match between Rey and Balor.
Raw is being held in San Antonio, Texas tonight and will feature an appearance by Brock Lesnar. Lesnar is challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam later this month.
A Bobby Lashley United States title open challenge and Riddle vs. Theory were previously announced for tonight’s Raw but are no longer being advertised on WWE.com.
Judgment Day ended up tonight gaining a member in Finn Balor, while getting rid of one with Edge.
Edge introduced Balor as the newest member of the stable tonight on Raw. Balor explained that after his loss to the group at Hell in a Cell, he talked to Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley, which eventually led him to joining the group. Priest then said all that was left was to get rid of their last remaining limitations, then said that was Edge. The group then turned on Edge, attacking him and eventually putting him through a table. The scene ended with Ripley preventing security from entering the ring as Priest gave Edge the conchairto.
Edge founded Judgment Day in the weeks following WrestleMania 38. After taking on Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley joined the group following WrestleMania Backlash, where she helped Edge defeat AJ Styles in a rematch. At Hell in a Cell, Edge, Priest, and Ripley defeated Styles, Balor, and Liv Morgan in a six-person tag match.
All three members of The Judgment Day are set to team up at Hell in a Cell.
WWE has announced that The Judgment Day (Edge, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley) will face AJ Styles, Finn Balor & Liv Morgan in a six-person mixed tag team match at Hell in a Cell this Sunday. The pay-per-view is being held at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
The Judgment Day formed when Priest helped Edge defeat Styles at WrestleMania 38 this April. Ripley was then added to the faction earlier this month. Edge and Styles faced off at WrestleMania Backlash in a match where Priest was barred from ringside, but interference by Ripley led to Edge again defeating Styles.
Balor and Morgan have helped Styles even the odds against The Judgment Day. Morgan and Ripley are former tag team partners.
Morgan defeated Ripley in a singles match on Raw tonight. Ripley was distracted by Styles laying out Priest at ringside after Priest interfered in the match.
Here’s the updated card for Hell in a Cell:
Hell in a Cell match: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka and Becky Lynch in a triple threat match
Handicap match: Bobby Lashley vs. Omos & MVP
Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel
United States Champion Theory defends against Mustafa Ali
Six-person mixed tag team match: The Judgment Day (Edge, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley) vs. AJ Styles, Finn Balor & Liv Morgan
Raw’s final build to WrestleMania Backlash took place on last night’s go-home show.
The episode featured a match with WrestleMania Backlash implications. AJ Styles defeated Damian Priest, meaning that Priest will now be banned from ringside for Styles vs. Edge at Sunday’s pay-per-view.
Edge attempted to distract Styles during last night’s match, but Styles was able to roll up Priest to get the win. Edge and Priest immediately attacked Styles after the match, but Finn Balor ran out to make the save and helped send Edge and Priest packing.
Ahead of their six-man tag match against Drew McIntyre & RK-Bro on Sunday, Roman Reigns & The Usos stopped by Raw last night. RK-Bro surprised The Usos with RKOs out of nowhere, leading to a brawl between the two six-man teams.
A six-woman tag match took place in last night’s main event, with Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan & Asuka defeating Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley & Sonya Deville. Morgan pinned Deville to get the win.
A new WWE United States Champion was crowned on Raw.
Theory defeated Finn Balor to win the US title, kicking off the first championship reign of Theory’s WWE tenure.
Theory worked over Balor’s neck during their match. Balor went for a Coup de Grace, but Theory rolled out of the way. Balor sold the jarring effect on his neck after missing the double stomp, then Theory hit him with the ATL and covered for the pinfall victory.
After the match, a group of heels came to the ring to celebrate with Theory. Mr. McMahon’s music then hit, and McMahon strutted out to the stage. Theory joined him on the stage to celebrate, then the two posed for Theory’s customary selfie.
Balor’s first United States title reign ends at 49 days. He originally captured the title from Damian Priest on the February 28 Raw episode.
Theory’s first name was dropped on last week’s Raw, as it was announced in storyline that McMahon decided that the Austin surname did not suit Theory after McMahon and Theory’s run-in with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 38.
WWE has announced three new additions to the lineup for tonight’s Raw.
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch will appear on Raw tonight and address her attack on Bianca Belair from last week. Two non-title matches involving champions have also been added to the show. Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) will take on Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis), while United States Champion Finn Balor will face Austin Theory.
Over the weekend, WWE issued a storyline injury update claiming that Belair suffered a “fractured hyoid bone” when she was attacked by Lynch last Monday. Lynch got payback on Belair by wrapping a steel chair around Belair’s head and sending her throat-first into the ring post.
Lynch is defending her Raw Women’s Championship against Belair at WrestleMania 38 night one on Saturday, April 2.
RK-Bro accepted a WrestleMania challenge from The Street Profits on Raw last week. Gable and Otis then inserted themselves into the picture by interrupting a singles match between Riddle and Montez Ford.
Due to a distraction by Theory, Balor lost a non-title match to Damian Priest last week. Theory then laid out Balor after the match.
Theory is facing Pat McAfee at WrestleMania 38 night two.
Tonight’s Raw is taking place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The updated lineup for the show is listed below:
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch will address her attack on Bianca Belair from last week
AJ Styles returns to Raw for the first time since being given two con-chair-tos by Edge three weeks ago
Non-title match: Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis)
Non-title match: United States Champion Finn Balor vs. Austin Theory
WWE U.S. Champion Finn Balor missed this year’s Royal Rumble and over a month of action after having to travel home to Ireland to renew his work visa.
The 40-year-old was gone from WWE from January 17 through February 21.
“I didn’t want to take any time off. I didn’t want to miss any shows. I didn’t need any time off. I wasn’t injured. I didn’t need a rest,” Balor told BT Sport. “Legally, my visa needed to be renewed and I needed to go home to Ireland and go to the US Embassy to get a new visa.”
“That’s why I wasn’t at the Royal Rumble and that’s why I wasn’t there for a month.”
Balor returned to WWE on the February 21st Raw, teaming with Tommaso Ciampa in a win over The Dirty Dawgs. The following week, he defeated Damian Priest to win the U.S. title.
“It was strictly a legal paperwork issue that had to be rectified,” Balor continued. “It had kind of been pushed and pushed and pushed on through COVID because we couldn’t travel. A window opened up and we said, ‘Look, we are going to have to do it eventually. Let’s just do it now.'”
“The time off was taken reluctantly in January to take care of that paperwork but thank God it’s all taken care of now for the next ten years.”
A BT Sport exclusive…
"I didn't want to take any time off. I wasn't injured…"
Finn Balor defeated Damian Priest to win the United States Championship on tonight’s WWE Raw.
Balor hit the Coup de Grace and pinned Priest cleanly to capture the title. After the match, Priest cut a promo that credited the fans for carrying Balor to the title win, then blaming the fans not giving him the same respect during his title run. Priest then attacked Balor and hit a razor’s edge onto the announcer’s table, so it looks as though a program between the two will continue.
Balor now adds his first US title reign to a WWE resume that includes a Universal Championship reign that ended after one day due to injury, two Intercontinental title reigns, plus two reigns with the NXT Championship.
Priest’s first reign with the US title ends at 191 days. He had held the Championship since defeating Sheamus at SummerSlam in Las Vegas in August 2021.
Date: February 28, 2022 Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
The Big Takeaway —
AJ Styles will be Edge’s WrestleMania opponent. Edge turned heel in the segment, giving Styles a con-chair-to.
Finn Bálor will (likely) be Damian Priest’s WrestleMania opponent. Priest turned heel in the segment, giving Bálor a Razor’s Edge onto the announce table.
Read more below.
Show Recap —
Raw kicked off with a new intro video.
Kevin Owens entered wearing a cowboy hat (sideways) and he introduced his best friend Seth Rollins.
The announcers ran down tonight’s card.
KO Show with guests Alpha Academy
Owens said he and Rollins had yet to get a spot on WrestleMania and they’d be the biggest stars in history to miss the show. Rollins said they have one more chance to get on and that was by winning the tag team titles.
Owens said people were wrong if they thought his disdain for Texas would distract him from winning the tag titles. Not even Texas legends like JBL and Shawn Michaels could distract him. He angrily stomped on his cowboy hat. Rollins reminded him that they were not in Texas tonight and he introduced their guests, Alpha Academy.
Owens said they had Otis’ chair re-enforced. Chad Gable thanked them for inviting them on the show. Owens noted how weird it sounded anytime Gable said “thank you.” Gable didn’t think so. Gable noticed he’s been hearing a lot of asses making a lot of ass-umptions about the tag titles.
Gable put over his intelligence and insulted Ohio State University which got a ton of heat (the crowd was oddly quiet for everything right up until that). Gable said it was ridiculous that Owens and Rollins got themselves added to the title match and they were so obsessed about their WrestleMania spot that it was pathetic.
Gable said Owens and Rollins have each had their chances at Mania but it was time for himself and Otis to get their first opportunities. Gable told them to shoosh so Owens told him to shush and they yelled “shoosh” and “shush” back and forth until Owens gave Gable a stunner.
Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens defeated Raw Tag Team Champions Alpha Academy in a non-title match (approx. 12:45)
Owens made a hot tag and gave Gable a frog splash off the apron to the outside but Otis ran him over. (This started during a break and they went to another break after about four minutes of wrestling.)
Gable worked over Owens until Owens hit an enziguri. Rollins tagged in and hit a slingblade, springboard knee and falcon arrow for two. Owens tagged himself in, superkicked Gable and hit a pumphandle neckbreaker but Otis broke up the cover. Otis gave Owens a Vader Bomb and Gable followed with a moonsault but Rollins broke up the cover.
Rollins took out Otis with a dive and gave Gable a buckle bomb. Owens followed with a stunner and Rollins finished him off with a curb stomp for the pinfall win.
Fun match and the crowd was into Rollins and Owens as babyfaces.
********
There was an Omos video package followed by an interview. Omos mentioned all of the teams he has dominated over the past year as well as AJ Styles. He said T-Bar was his biggest opponent to date and he was going to dominate.
Omos defeated T-Bar (0:39)
Omos attacked T-Bar during his entrance and dragged him into the ring. The referee at least waited until T-Bar (barely) got to his feet before starting the match. Omos turned him around with a clothesline before hitting a tree slam for the pinfall win.
********
Nikki ASH and Doudrop did a promo about their upcoming six-woman tag match. Nikki called herself a hero and Doudrop said she was just fine being a villain. Becky Lynch showed up and said she was happy to team with Doudrop despite their recent issues because they were both willing to do whatever it took to win. (Nikki put her hand out for a fist bump but her partners already left.)
After a break, Liv Morgan asked Rhea Ripley what their strategy should be. Ripley responded, “brutality.” Bianca Belair entered the frame and told them to let her have Lynch when she enters the match. Belair and Morgan offered a fist bump to Ripley who reluctantly accepted.
Six-woman tag team match: Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan defeated Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Doudrop & Nikki ASH (12:18)
Lynch wanted to face Belair to start the match but, of course, she bailed when Belair entered. Belair and Ripley gave Doudrop a double vertical suplex before Morgan wiped out all three opponents with a dive.
[SECOND HOUR]
Belair and Lynch actually did have an exchange following a break. Belair went for a suplex but Lynch reversed into a cradle for two. Lynch followed with a thrust kick before yanking Belair by her braid and driving her head/shoulder into the post. Lynch followed with a diving leg drop for two.
Lynch, Doudrop and Nikki traded tags and worked over Belair. Lynch specifically used Belair’s hair to her advantage until Belair tagged in Ripley. Ripley was all over Lynch and tried a pin but Doudrop broke up the cover. Nikki tagged herself but Belair gave her a Glam Slam variation.
Belair went for a handspring move but Lynch yanked her out of the ring. Morgan hit Lynch with a suicide dive. Everyone traded moves until Belair had Nikki pinned but Lynch broke up the cover, again going for the braid.
Belair responded by whipping Lynch repeatedly with her braid until Lynch bailed. Lynch backed up the ramp really selling it hard. (I’m not sure how they did it but the first braid shot, in particular, sounded like a shot with a kendo stick.) Lynch had visible bruises on her abdomen.
Nikki tried a rollup as Belair watched Lynch but Belair kicked out and hit KOD for the pinfall win.
********
Tommaso Ciampa defeated Robert Roode (w/Dolph Ziggler) (2:42)
Ciampa kneed Ziggler off the apron before beating Roode with a schoolboy.
After the match, Roode attacked Ciampa from behind and Ziggler followed with a superkick. Ziggler grabbed a mic and issued a warning to Ciampa (and Bron Breakker) ahead of their tag match tomorrow on NXT.
Ciampa had new music.
********
Mixed tag team match: 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke & Reggie defeated Tamina & Akira Tozawa (1:42)
Reggie pinned Tozawa with a flipping senton.
Brooke gave Reggie a big kiss after the match. Byron Saxton was very excited.
Tozawa wanted a kiss from Tamina again and this time she gave it to him. Tozawa acted love-struck.
********
Kevin Patrick interviewed the Street Profits. Montez Ford said if they beat RK-Bro tonight, they’d find themselves next in line for the titles. Angelo Dawkins referred to Seth Rollins as Doctor Eggman.
The announcers gave us a non-update regarding the Madison Square Garden show. They said Bobby Lashley was still in concussion protocol and if he’s unable to compete on Saturday, Brock Lesnar will still defend the WWE title.
********
Rey and Dominik entered and issued a warning to Miz and Logan Paul. Miz entered to recap his entire career before boasting about joining forces with Paul last week. He called that a career highlight. Miz noticed a few cheers last week and wondered if he was finally getting the respect he deserved. The crowd chanted “you suck.” Miz talked forever before calling himself awesome.
Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander defeated Rey & Dominik Mysterio (4:27)
Dominik posted Benjamin but Miz grabbed him by the foot as he tried entering the ring. Rey chased Miz off but the distraction allowed Benjamin to roll-up Dominik for the pinfall win.
Shelton Benjamin and Rey Mysterio first wrestled each other on TV 19 years ago in 2003 when Team Angle (Benjamin and Charlie Haas) beat Rey and Billy Kidman on Smackdown.
********
Riddle told Randy Orton he was colouring in his colouring book and trying to stay within the lines to stay focused. He hasn’t been able to focus since last week and wasn’t sure if it was because he got stomped or because he put the high in Ohio. Orton thought he seemed just fine and even referred to Riddle as his friend. Orton was ready to kick ass. Riddle was happy and they were on the same page.
[THIRD HOUR]
They aired a clip from Smackdown of Naomi and Sasha Banks saying they would win the tag titles.
Queen Zelina told Carmella that she watched her reality show and said all they talk about was sex. Carmella said if Zelina thought that was something, just wait to see what happens when they retain their titles at WrestleMania. She planned “celebrating” with her fiancé in the ring.
(I don’t think they ever actually referred to Corey Graves by his name.)
********
The Street Profits defeated Randy Orton & Riddle (8:36)
Something went wrong here.
After a break, Riddle wiped out Dawkins before Ford hit Orton with a frog splash. Ford took his time to make a cover as Orton slowly rolled toward the rope. Orton tried to get his foot on the rope as Ford made the cover but he couldn’t reach and the referee counted three.
(Dawkins tried “preventing” Orton from getting his foot on the rope but he didn’t really need to because of what happened.)
You see the referee and wrestlers checking on Orton while going along with the result. Orton was grabbing his shoulder after the splash so maybe he got hurt.
********
Owens and Rollins did a quick interview where Owens insulted Dallas again.
Veer is coming.
********
Austin Theory was with Vince McMahon in his office and he spoke about McMahon going on Pat McAfee’s show. Theory said it would be McMahon’s first sit-down interview in 20 years and the last time he did one, he slapped the papers out of the interviewer’s hands. Theory wondered what if something like that happened here and offered to be there with McMahon (as protection). McMahon said it wasn’t that kind of interview.
********
I wish I timed it but Finn Bálor was in the ring forever before his match started. Bálor entered, they went to break, aired the Veer video, aired a Smackdown recap, Damian Priest entered, went to break again, and aired the McMahon/Theory segment.
Finn Bálor defeated Damian Priest to win the United States Championship (11:01)
Bálor hit a flip dive and they went to break (they did the same thing earlier when Ford gave Riddle a flip dive).
They had a pretty good strike exchange but Bálor missed a Coup de Grace and Priest followed with a clothesline. Bálor followed with a rollup for two and Priest came back with a sit-out chokeslam for a nearfall.
Bálor reversed a Reckoning into a headlock elbow drop, hit a shotgun dropkick and Coup de Grace for the pinfall win. Bálor is the new champ. Crowd got into it and they popped for the win.
After the match, Priest grabbed a mic and said the fans carried Bálor to a win. Priest said the fans never gave him that respect despite all of his success. Priest told Bálor he planned on winning the title back and the crowd’s motivation wouldn’t be enough. Bálor got in Priest’s face and Priest decked him.
Priest chucked Bálor out of the ring and gave him a Razor’s Edge onto the announce table (which didn’t break). The crowd booed and Priest said, “Yeah, I am the bad guy, that’s right.”
I liked this.
********
Edge segment
Edge said it was time to see who it was going to be. He begged someone to step up. Nobody came out and Edge wondered, “what’s happened to this place?”
AJ Styles entered. Edge smiled.
Styles told Edge, “I accept.” Edge was thrilled. He noted that he’s wanted this match for a long time and so has Styles. Edge wanted the bulldog Styles, not the guy playing Omos’ bitch. Styles was caught off guard by that remark.
Edge offered a handshake and decked Styles before he could accept. Edge hammered away but Styles fought back. Edge avoided a Phenomenal forearm and kicked Styles in the nuts.
Edge mounted Styles and hammered away as the crowd booed.
Edge grabbed two chairs and set up for a con-chair-to. Edge put the second chair down and reconsidered before grabbing it and smashing Styles’ head.
(When this started, I thought maybe Edge was just being a dick to fire up Styles, but this was almost certainly a heel turn — meaning they did two big heel turns in back-to-back segments.)
A WWE United States Championship match between Damian Priest and Finn Balor is set for next week’s Raw.
The match was made after champion Damian Priest issued a challenge following a victory over Shelton Benjamin. He told the crowd that it was WrestleMania season, and while he had faced many people of Benjamin’s caliber, he now wanted to face someone that was a world title level competitor. That was when Balor arrived and accepted the challenge for next week.
Balor had resurfaced earlier that night on Raw, teaming with Tommaso Ciampa to take on the team of Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. The team was successful, giving Ciampa momentum ahead of NXT on Tuesday where he will face Ziggler for the number one contendership for the NXT title.
Priest successfully retained the United States Championship on the February 14 edition of Raw, where he defeated AJ Styles. Priest had lost to Styles in a contender’s match the previous week.
Raw next week will be held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Finn Balor vs. Austin Theory, as well as other matches and segments, have been announced for this Monday’s Raw.
Theory, inspired by Vince McMahon’s order to do something unexpected, has attacked Balor for the last few weeks unprovoked. After last Monday’s attack, Theory took selfies of himself attacking Balor.
The Miz is also set to hold Miz TV, with guests AJ Styles and Omos. The duo will also be in action, as they will face Rey and Dominik Mysterio. Maryse will be the guest on this week’s Cutting Edge following the events of last week, where Maryse walked out on Miz after he used her as a shield during a confrontation between himself and Edge.
Other matches set for Raw include Doudrop facing Bianca Belair. The two have faced off twice, the first time with Doudrop walking away for a count out loss, then last week where Belair pinned Doudrop. Rhea Ripley will face Queen Zelina in another rematch from last week’s Raw. Zelina pinned Ripley in under a minute last week due to distractions from Nikki A.S.H. and Carmella. Damian Priest is also set to face Dolph Ziggler.
Also announced for Raw is Bobby Lashley and MVP. Lashley won a gauntlet match on last week’s show and as a result, has been added to what is now a fatal four-way match for the WWE Championship at Day 1.
Two main event-level matches and a return have been announced for Monday’s episode of Raw.
During a commercial that aired on SmackDown tonight, it was announced that WWE Champion Big E will face Kevin Owens in a non-title match on Monday’s Raw. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor is also set for the show, along with the return of Edge.
Big E and Owens have been feuding since Big E defeated Owens on Raw three weeks ago. Rollins, who is the number one contender to Big E’s WWE Championship, wanted Owens to take out Big E in that match. Big E didn’t believe Owens when he said that he didn’t know Rollins interfered.
On Raw earlier this week, Big E retained his WWE Championship against Austin Theory after Theory was distracted by Owens and Rollins arguing on the outside. Big E threw Rollins over the announce table after the match and then went after Owens, but Owens got away. Rollins attempted to attack Big E, but Big E gave him the Big Ending.
Rollins laid out Balor in an angle on Raw earlier this week. There was then an incident where Rollins was attacked by a fan as he was heading up the ramp.
Edge’s appearance on Monday’s Raw will be the first time he’s been on WWE programming since defeating Rollins in their Hell in a Cell match at Crown Jewel. It will also be the first time Edge has been on Raw since being drafted to the brand last month.
The UBS Arena in Long Island, New York is hosting Monday’s Raw. It will be WWE’s debut at the venue, which just opened this month.
