Three new matches have been added to Monday’s Raw.
General Manager Adam Pearce announced on Saturday that Andrade will face Ivar on this Monday’s show in Chicago. In addition, Shinsuke Nakamura will face Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn will face Bronson Reed.
It was previously announced that Andrade would be in action after he ran into The Judgment Day on Raw. Rhea Ripley said they would be observing his match. In recent weeks, Andrade has associated himself with Dominik Mysterio, with the two seemingly having a positive relationship with one another.
Sami Zayn and Jey Uso both have big matches at WrestleMania next month. Jey will face his brother Jimmy, while Zayn will challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental title. Chad Gable told Zayn on Monday that he didn’t think that Zayn had what it took to defeat Gunther.
Jey Uso has issued a WrestleMania 40 challenge to his twin brother Jimmy Uso.
In a segment on Monday’s WWE Raw, Jey laid out a challenge for a brother vs. brother match at WrestleMania 40. Jey dared Jimmy to accept the challenge, promising to knock his brother’s teeth out:
The singles match would come a year after The Usos main evented night one of WrestleMania 39 as a tag team, defending the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles against Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn at the 2023 event.
Both Usos left The Bloodline faction in the aftermath of WrestleMania 39 last year, but Jimmy ultimately turned against his brother and rejoined Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa in The Bloodline. Jimmy cost Jey the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in a match against Reigns at SummerSlam in 2023, and also cost his brother the Intercontinental Championship by interfering in a match between Jey and Gunther last month on Raw.
The WrestleMania 40 card continues to take shape following Monday’s Raw, where a six-pack ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles was added to the lineup.
The official WrestleMania 40 card to this point is below. The show streams live on Peacock/WWE Network on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. Eastern time:
WrestleMania 40 night one —
The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins
WrestleMania 40 night two —
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Cody Rhodes
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre
WrestleMania 40 night TBA —
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Becky Lynch
WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY defends against Bayley
Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends his title
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Balor & Damian Priest defend their titles in a six-pack ladder match
Jey Uso says he’s feeling as excited as “a little kid” about his upcoming program with his twin.
Last month, Jimmy Uso cost his brother the Intercontinental Championship in a match against Gunther. Jimmy also cost Jey the WWE Undisputed Championship in a match against Roman Reigns at SummerSlam. Now, the two brothers appear destined to face each other at WrestleMania.
During a recent appearance on the Battleground podcast, Jey said the storyline with his brother is going to be different from all other angles. In particular, Uso says he’s looking forward to the promos leading up to their match.
Uso said:
Hopefully, it’s me and Jimmy at WrestleMania but if it is, man, I’m a little kid, uce, and it’s going to be so easy. We’re just going to do what we do all the time but what I’m most excited about is the lead-up, the promos.
I love talking, I’m trying to talk, you know? You thought you had emotion in the Bloodline storyline, me Roman, me Sami, man, watch me and my twin go at it. You’re all going to be like, ‘they are 100 percent real’ and that’s what’s going to make it fire because it’s going to be real, uce. It’s going to be real.
I’m excited to pump that out to the fans and give ’em that because it will be different from every other angle, feel me?
On Raw last night, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso both lost matches because of The Bloodline.
Rhodes was dealt his first one-on-one loss since May 2023. He opened last night’s show by facing Drew McIntyre. Rhodes looked like he was about to get the victory, but The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa both interfered. Rhodes was initially able to overcome a distraction by Jimmy. He had McIntyre in position for Cross Rhodes, but Sikoa appeared and dropped Rhodes with a Samoan spike.
McIntyre then followed with a Claymore and pinned Rhodes for the win.
Rhodes and Seth Rollins had an interaction backstage after the match. While no words were said, it appeared that Rhodes was admitting that Rollins was right when he said Rhodes needs backup when he challenges Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Rhodes and Rollins are appearing together on a Grayson Waller Effect segment at Elimination Chamber this Saturday.
Jey Uso challenged Gunther in last night’s main event and was about to end Gunther’s historic Intercontinental title reign, but Jimmy Uso interfered to cost his twin brother the match.
Raw ended with Jimmy laying out Jey. He vowed that Jey is not going to win a singles title without him.
Date: February 12, 2024 Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
**********
Show Recap —
Cody Rhodes was shown arriving at the arena earlier today as they announced he will indeed face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.
A rare occurrence: Raw is starting with a wrestling match.
Six-man tag team match: Jey Uso, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Intercontinental Champion Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci (19:44)
Gunther avoided getting physical with Jey Uso until he was sure his team was in control — or until he could get in a cheap shot. Jey tagged out after a break and New Day ran wild on Vinci until a distraction allowed Kaiser to drive Kingston into the ring steps. Gunther put Kingston in a Boston Crab, so Jey straight-up slapped him in the face. The referee separated them ahead of another break.
Jey made a hot tag after a break and hit Vinci with strikes as the crowd chanted “Yeet.” Gunther looked on in disgust. Jey handed out running hip attacks and superkicks Kaiser and Vinci. Gunther finally did tag in and chopped Jey down but Jey came back with an enziguri and flying crossbody for two. Jey tried a spear but Gunther blocked it and chopped him before also knocking New Day off the apron. Gunther hit Jey with a Rainmaker for a nearfall.
Gunther mocked Jey’s pose and tried a splash off the ropes but Jey got his knees up. Jey speared Gunther but Kaiser broke up the cover. Vinci tagged in but New Day and Jey laid him out with a 3D. New Day wiped out Kaiser with dives while Jey hit Vinci with an Uso Splash for the pinfall win.
This was what it needed to be.
********
There was a video package recapping the WrestleMania press conference.
There was an Andrade video package. He spoke about winning the NXT and United States Champions when he arrived in WWE. Titles weren’t enough and he had to leave to remember who he was. Now his direction was clear.
********
B-Fab and the Street Profits accompanied Lashley to the stage but returned to the back for the match.
Elimination Chamber qualifier: Bobby Lashley defeated Bronson Reed (8:41)
Lashley entered and waited almost ten minutes for the match to start. When it finally did start, they went to break 90 seconds later after Reed drove him over the barricade.
Lashley fought back after the break and hit an impressive vertical suplex for two. Reed hit a Death Valley Driver for two and Lashley hit a spinebuster for two. Reed blocked a spear and hit a uranage and senton. He went up for the Tsunami but Lashley brought him down with a slam and followed with a spear for the pinfall win.
This was fine. The crowd liked Lashley.
********
Sami Zayn/Shinsuke Nakamura segment
Like last week, Jackie Redmond interviewed Sami Zayn in the stands before the show. Zayn said there was a feeling of embarrassment in sports when you say you’re going to do something but fail. He’s had that feeling many times in his career but the difference now was that he had an overwhelming feeling of self-belief. His belief last year is what drove him to WrestleMania. He planned on becoming champion and that was a promise.
In the middle of this sit-down interview, Shinsuke Nakamura appeared on the screen with a (pre-taped) promo. Nakamura compared him to Cody Rhodes and said he was swindling people by trying to gain their sympathy to stay in the spotlight. Zayn’s chance was over and Nakamura would continue on his warpath.
********
[SECOND HOUR]
They aired the WrestleMania “trailer.”
Cody Rhodes/Seth Rollins segment
(This went more than 18 minutes. Long story short, Rhodes has unfinished business with The Rock and Seth Rollins offered to help.)
Rhodes entered to a big reaction. He said he was facing Roman Reigns in the main event at WrestleMania. It took him a while to be able to say that but the reason he could say it now was because of the fans. He spoke about the social media reaction last week and, right on cue, the crowd chanted, “We want Cody.”
Rhodes wasn’t sure how he could repay them, but maybe there was one way (he looked at the sign). Rhodes admitted he was getting emotional because of how much he cared. He didn’t want to get too emotional though because maybe he’d be a “crybaby.” The crowd booed and chanted “Rocky sucks.”
There was one man who did not want Cody and that man was perhaps the most famous person alive, a potential presidential candidate and the original people’s champion. Rhodes played a clip of Rock on Pat McAfee’s show cutting a promo on Rhodes and his fans. (There was a line where Rock said the fans ate chicken nuggets and shoved them up their ass while complaining online.)
Rhodes said promos were different now than when The Rock was first around and mocked Rock’s line about chicken nuggets. Rhodes said he was a fan of the Rock but one thing Rock did not do well was listen. Rhodes said nothing to defile his ancestors but Rock still took his words personally and slapped him in the face. Rhodes saw malevolence in Rock’s face. Rock put his hands on him and that meant, “I’m going to hit you back.”
Seth Rollins interrupted. Rhodes thanked him for coming to his aid at the press conference. Rollins was looking forward to defending his title against Rhodes at WrestleMania but he understood his decision. Rollins knew that Rhodes and millions of fans wanted him to finish his story.
Rollins told Rhodes that he needed to finish his story. For himself, for his dad, and the fans. If Rhodes does not beat Reigns, the landscape after WrestleMania will be very dark. Reigns would get more power and would defend his title even less. The glass ceiling would get even thicker. This was probably their last chance to get that title back and give it to the people.
Rollins wanted to know what Rhodes’ plan was. Rhodes got screwed last year thanks to the Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman. The deck was stacked again and now he had to deal with the most influential man in the industry, The Rock.
Rollins told him: “You do not have to fight this battle alone.” Rollins really felt it when Rhodes said he wanted to take everything from Reigns. Rollins was sick of people like Reigns always getting away with what they wanted.
Part of who Reigns has become was partially his fault. Rollins spoke about their debut together but said he couldn’t imagine the monster that Reigns would become. Now that monster had two heads because Reigns found the one man who was as entitled and selfish as him.
When it comes to fighting the Bloodline and Roman Reigns, there was only one man on earth who was uniquely suited to be Rhodes’ shield.
(Rollins went on for too long and his dialogue about Reigns was really over the top.)
********
Cathy Kelley informed Jey Uso and the New Day that Jey would be getting an IC title match against Gunther next week. Jey and New Day were all pumped to hear the news.
********
There were pre-taped by Liv Morgan and Zoey Stark ahead of the next match.
Elimination Chamber qualifier: Liv Morgan defeated Zoey Stark (9:12)
Morgan fought back after a break with a Codebreaker off the ropes but Stark kicked out and responded with a powerbomb for two, followed by a missile dropkick for two. Morgan went for Oblivion but Stark hit a superkick for two. Stark tried a Phoenix Splash but Morgan dodged it and hit a Codebreaker and Oblivion for the pinfall win.
********
Backstage, R-Truth tried to accompany Judgment Day to the ring (for his match against JD McDonagh) but Damian Priest made a very clear statement to him: Truth was not a member of Judgment Day and never was. Every beating he received was a beating and not an initiation. Tonight would be his execution.
After a break, Truth was in Gorilla trying to convince The Miz over the phone to get on a plane from LA to Lexington right now. Adam Pearce was there trying to get him to go to the ring.
Truth hit an Attitude Adjustment but Dom helped McDonagh out of the ring ahead of a break 90 seconds into the match. Truth did John Cena’s comeback sequence and set up for another AA but he stopped what he was doing upon seeing Priest ringside and McDonagh applied a cradle for two.
Truth set up for a Scissors Kick but McDonagh kicked his leg out of his leg and hit the Devil Inside (backdrop driver) for the pinfall win. (I’m not sure McDonagh has ever won with that move on the main roster so the crowd seemed surprised that was the finish.)
— Everyone aside from Priest tried to attack Truth after the match but Truth fought them off. Priest decked Truth and all of Judgment Day put the boots to him. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano ran out with chairs and Judgment Day bailed.
********
Rhodes approached Zayn backstage. Rhodes thanked him for coming to his aid last week. Rhodes said he believed in Zayn and the fans did too. Rhodes offered a handshake so Zayn hugged him.
[THIRD HOUR]
Becky Lynch segment
Lynch entered. She pointed out a sign from a young fan who wanted to be her prom date in 2034. Lynch said the road to WrestleMania has been confusing and unpredictable and she loved it. She has loved the business since she stepped into a wrestling ring for the first time at 15 years old.
She has been obsessed with it and that obsession has been great at times. She has traveled the world and that obsession was why a girl who once failed gym class main evented WrestleMania. The obsession is how she met her husband and why she has a daughter.
However, the obsession is also why she has missed birthdays, weddings and her own father’s funeral (she choked up there). Her daughter was only three years old but she already had to explain to her why her mother’s face was busted open, explain that she couldn’t pick her up because she had a separated shoulder, and explain why her dad wanted to fight Maui.
Lynch was going to the Elimination Chamber and her daughter would see her body bruised by steel but she would also see the brutality that her mother was capable of. Lynch was obsessed with getting her title back for the first time in two years and that started with the Chamber. That meant facing the most dominant champion we’ve seen.
Lynch knew the fans loved Mami and that they didn’t think anyone could beat her. But Lynch wasn’t just anyone and Rhea Ripley hasn’t faced anyone like her. Lynch grabbed a drink and had the fans raise their drinks in the air. She toasted to Ripley and suggested she enjoy her last few weeks as champion.
Nia Jax interrupted. The crowd told her that she sucked. Jax tried to act sincere and told Lynch that she respected her. Jax would’ve been lucky if her mom was half the mother that Lynch was. Jax “choked up” and said she wanted to be a mother like Lynch one day. The crowd booed as she spoke. Jax knew that nothing would stop Lynch from winning the Chamber.
Jax got serious and said nothing would stop her from beating Ripley to win the title and Lynch would have to face her at Mania.
Ripley stormed out and tackled Jax. With Lynch leaning against the corner, Jax squashed Ripley into Lynch. Jax dropped Ripley with a right hand before Lynch sent Jax out of the ring with a missile dropkick. Jax tried to get back in but Ripley booted her. Ripley told Jax she’d have to kill her.
Ripley and Lynch looked at each other as the segment ended.
********
Redmond interviewed Drew McIntyre. McIntyre said he has only tried to give the fans what they wanted. McIntyre pushing Rhodes in the right direction was the real reason he was going after Reigns. McIntyre called Rollins selfish, while Rhodes should be thanking him.
McIntyre called himself the underdog. He had to beat AJ Styles, one of the best in the world, just to qualify for the Chamber. Now he had to win one of the most dangerous matches in WWE but he was trying to do things the right way, the Drew way.
McIntyre implored Rhodes to get out of their match next week because Rhodes didn’t need this right now. McIntyre warned Rhodes he may not make it to WrestleMania, just like CM Punk.
********
Truth thanked DIY for saving him earlier. They mentioned that Miz called them and asked for their help. Truth never imagined being saved by “DX.” He made some DX references and thanked them.
Elimination Chamber qualifier: LA Knight defeated Ivar (w/Valhalla) (8:37)
They went to break 90 seconds into the match after Ivar squished Knight into the barricade. With Ivar on the top, Knight leaped to the top and hit an impressive superplex. Ivar responded with a powerslam for two, followed by a sit-out powerbomb for two. Knight hit a knee strike, body slam and elbow drop for two.
Knight was distracted by Valhalla which allowed Ivar to hit a spinning kick. Ivar went for the moonsault but Knight ducked and hit BFT for the pinfall win. Knight blew a kiss to Valhalla.
********
Zayn walked through the back and bumped into McIntyre. McIntyre warned Zayn to keep his name out of his mouth and his nose out of his business. Zayn responded, “You’re in my way.” (A line meant more ways than one.) McIntyre politely stepped aside.
********
Raw next week in Anaheim, CA:
Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
Gunther vs. Jey Uso for the Intercontinental Championship
DIY, R-Truth & Miz vs. Judgment Day
Last chance battle royal to qualify for the Women’s Chamber
********
Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell met with Pearce but were interrupted by Chelsea Green who wanted in the Chamber. Hartwell wanted in so she could get a chance to compete in front of her family. Green wanted a singles match to qualify and not a “loser battle royal.” Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark appeared. Baszler looked forward to tearing Green apart next week.
********
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Sami Zayn (17:06)
They went to break 90 seconds into the match after Zayn chucked Nakamura out of the ring. Zayn was on offence after the break but Nakamura took control with strikes. Zayn countered a reverse exploder and hit a Michinoku Driver for two. Zayn hit a flip dive and they went to break again, less than nine minutes into the match.
Nakamura was in control after the break but they didn’t show us how that happened. The crowd got into it as they exchanged strikes and the match picked up from here. Nakamura blocked Zayn’s Blue Thunder Bomb for a second time and hit an enziguri. Zayn ducked a Kinshasa and hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for two.
Nakamura went outside to avoid a Helluva Kick. Zayn went for his dive-through-the-ropes tornado DDT but Nakamura saw it coming and kicked him in the face. Nakamura responded with a stomp off the ropes for two, followed by a knee off the ropes for two. Zayn fired back with a clothesline and smacked Nakamura repeatedly before hitting an exploder in the corner.
Zayn set up for Helluva Kick but decided to turn his back on his opponent upon seeing McIntyre run down to ringside. Nakamura kicked Zayn in the back of the leg and hit a Kinshasa from behind for the pinfall win.
— McIntyre and Nakamura attacked Zayn so Rhodes ran out to make the save. Rhodes gave McIntyre a Cody Cutter and laid out Nakamura with a Cross Rhodes.
(I really don’t think Zayn has to lose every match to tell a story that he needs to come from behind and he certainly didn’t need to lose to Nakamura here.)
A grudge match has been added to the lineup for Monday’s episode of WWE Raw.
WWE has announced that Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre will take place on Raw this Monday (December 11). The episode is taking place from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
Uso is out for revenge after being put through a table by McIntyre. In the main event of Raw earlier this week, Uso unsuccessfully challenged Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. McIntyre attacked Uso after the match, blindsiding him with a Claymore and then slamming him through the announce table.
Uso was one of the reasons for McIntyre’s recent heel turn. Bitter over his loss to Roman Reigns from Clash at the Castle, McIntyre has blamed Uso and the rest of The Bloodline for why he did not win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. McIntyre doesn’t trust that Uso has truly changed and left The Bloodline behind him.
Here’s the updated lineup for Monday’s Raw:
CM Punk will appear and reveal which brand he’s signing with
Drew McIntyre was on a warpath last night, leaving Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, and Sami Zayn all laid out.
The main event of last night’s Raw was Rollins vs. Jey for the World Heavyweight Championship. With the match taking place on the 14th anniversary of Umaga’s death, Jey dedicated the match to his late uncle. Jey put up a great fight and came close to winning the title but ultimately lost after Rollins was able to counter a spear attempt and hit a Pedigree. Rollins followed up with a stomp for the victory.
Rollins and Jey showed respect to each other and shook hands after the match. When Jey left the ring, he was dropped with a Claymore by McIntyre. Rollins tried to help Jey, but McIntyre caught Rollins on a dive and gave him a suplex on the floor.
McIntyre them slammed Jey through the announce table to end the show.
McIntyre’s demolition of Zayn happened near the beginning of the night. During a promo segment, Zayn mentioned McIntyre’s family by saying that, when Zayn lost in front of his family, he stayed driven and used that motivation to win in the main event of WrestleMania. Zayn got redemption and made his family proud. But Zayn questioned if McIntyre was making his own family proud with his delusions and excuse-making.
Furious at Zayn, McIntyre demanded that his match against Zayn start immediately. McIntyre got the win after taking advantage of a leg injury when Zayn tweaked his leg during the match. Getting the win wasn’t enough for McIntyre, who then attacked Zayn backstage after the match was over.
Date: December 4, 2023 Location: MVP Arena in Albany, New York
Show Recap —
Drew McIntyre entered. He welcomed everyone to Raw — the land of liars, hypocrites, cowards, and idiots. You can get fired, get released, leave, and do whatever you want just to come back and be instantly forgiven. That led to a CM Punk chant but McIntyre said he could be talking about anybody.
He spoke about Seth Rollins gifting Jey Uso a title opportunity and spoke about Jey actually apologizing to Randy Orton. McIntyre mocked Jey for tucking his tail between his legs and warned him that his time was coming.
Sami Zayn interrupted. Zayn saw that McIntyre had a lot to say and if he had something to say about him, he wanted to hear it face-to-face. McIntyre said Zayn was the one person in the world who deserved to get screwed by the Bloodline. Zayn was part of the Bloodline and joined them to get away from McIntyre himself. Zayn screwed them in the end, so what did he expect would happen?
Zayn said he thought he had a lot in common with McIntyre but he has realized they were nothing alike. McIntyre was pointing the fingers at everyone else. But when Zayn lost in front of his friends and family, he stayed hungry and that led him to victory in the main event of WrestleMania.
Zayn got redemption and got to make his family proud. Zayn asked McIntyre if he thought he was making his family proud. McIntyre didn’t like that comment and called out a referee to get their match started right now.
Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn (20:00)
The babyface hit a dive ahead of an early break, the big heel missed a charge and went into the ring post, and the smaller babyface followed with a show of strength by hitting a vertical suplex.
Zayn followed with a tilt-a-whirl DDT for two. McIntyre responded with consecutive suplexes and a neckbreaker. Zayn tried a slingshot dive but McIntyre caught him and flung him over the announce desk leading to a second break.
McIntyre hit a spinebuster for two and followed immediately with an impressive sit-out powerbomb for two. McIntyre set up for an avalanche White Noise but Zayn countered into a sit-out powerbomb for two.
McIntyre blocked a Blue Thunder Bomb and headbutted Zayn. McIntyre went for Claymore but Zayn booted him first and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. The crowd chanted “This is awesome.”
Zayn tried a leapfrog but he landed awkwardly on his leg (which he “tweaked” earlier). McIntyre noticed the injury so he chop-blocked him which Michael Cole called a compassionless move. As the referee checked on Zayn, McIntyre hit Claymore Kick for the pinfall win.
(This was a good match but the Zayn injury felt kind of weak. It did play into the story of McIntyre ditching his sympathies.)
********
Byron Saxton interviewed Shayna Baszler (who was with Zoey Stark) about facing her former partner Nia Jax. Baszler said she put Jax on the shelf two years ago by breaking her arm and she would remind her of that tonight. (Nikki Cross could be seen standing still in the background.)
********
There was a strong Jey Uso video package. He spoke about Jimmy Uso, the man he loved the most, costing him the Universal title. After that, he had to walk away from the business and he convinced himself that he was done — until he got a call from Cody Rhodes. Rhodes told him he couldn’t quit and it was time to start fresh and create his own legacy.
Jey has been fighting for others his entire life but from now on, he was fighting for his legacy. Jey knew what Seth Rollins was all about but Rollins was about to find out just how hungry he was. He would prove to the world, to his family, and to himself why they call him Main Event Jey Uso.
(The word “Yeet” was blurred from Jey’s shirt in the video.)
********
McIntyre attacked Zayn as he was being checked on by a trainer. He stomped Zayn’s injured leg before officials jumped in. (In his opening promo, McIntyre said only one of them was walking out of the arena tonight.)
Jey checked on Zayn after a break.
********
Saxton tried interviewing Becky Lynch but Jax interrupted. Jax wondered who Lynch was talking about in her promo last week. Lynch said that, in fact, she still owed Jax a receipt. Jax said she would be all hers once she was done squashing Baszler.
Nia Jax defeated Shayna Baszler (12:09)
Baszler targeted Jax’s arm but Jax tripped her on the apron and hit a leg drop. Baszler fought out of a rest hold after a break (as a very large graphic let us know Rhodes would be on later) but Jax squished her head into the ring post with a hip attack. Jax cut off Baszler’s comeback attempt and hit a Samoan Drop.
Baszler avoided a hip attack, drove Jax into the bottom turnbuckle and hit a running knee strike for two. Jax cut her off again and hit a senton for a nearfall. With Jax perched on the second rope, Baszler brought her down with a German suplex (which didn’t get the reaction you’d expect).
[SECOND HOUR]
Baszler applied the Kirifuda Clutch but Jax got to her feet and fell backwards onto Baszler. Jax dragged her to the corner and hit Annihilator for the pinfall win.
(The crowd was really quiet for this and it sounded like they added some booing after the pinfall.)
— Lynch entered post-match but Jax bailed.
********
They played clips of CM Punk’s return promo. Triumphant music played over Punk’s words about being a changed man and how much he loved the fans. (They didn’t include the last line he said off-mic as he looked into the camera.)
They said Punk was a free agent and announced that he’d be on Friday’s Smackdown (in Providence, RI).
********
Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell wished Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa luck in their match. Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser showed up and called them a lovely couple — of losers. LeRae and Hartwell mocked them and said they better impress Gunther.
After DIY left, Kaiser stressed the importance of this match to Vinci and told him to bring his best. Vinchi slapped him on the back and said he hoped Kaiser did the same.
2-out-of-3 falls match: Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci (15:17)
DIY set up Kaiser for Meet in the Middle but Vinci saved him by yanking Gargano out of the ring. Kaiser schoolboyed Ciampa while holding the tights to win the first fall (4:38 into the match).
Gargano and Ciampa wiped out Vinci and Kaiser with dives moments later. DIY did the thing where they sit on the announce table and give themselves a hand despite having just lost the first fall.
Their celebration ran short because Imperium was back in control following a break. Imperium went for a double-team move but Ciampa blocked Kaiser and the distraction allowed Gargano to roll up Vinci to win the second fall (10:12 into the match).
Kaiser hit Gargano with a Finlay roll and Vinci followed with an impressive double springboard moonsault for two. This led to everyone trading strikes until Gargano planted Vinci with a DDT. The crowd gave them a round of applause.
Ciampa hit Kaiser with an air raid crash and DIY set up for Meet in the Middle again but again Vinci saved Kaiser. Kaiser tried rolling up Gargano while holding the tights again but Gargano kicked out. DIY took turns kicking Kaiser before hitting Meet in the Middle for the pinfall win.
(The crowd got into this towards the end and they were a bit more into DIY this week.)
********
Julius and Brutus Creed warmed up by doing squats with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods on their shoulders. The Creed Brothers told New Day they were feeling good about their coming match against Judgment Day.
Alpha Academy showed up and Chad Gable offered to show them some tips. The Creeds politely declined and said they’d stick to their methods. Akira Tozawa was about to do his dance but Maxxine Dupri placed him on her shoulders and she did squats (like Kris Statlander).
********
R-Truth was once again in Judgment Day’s locker room. Damian Priest was annoyed and wanted him to leave. Truth thought he was talking to JD McDonagh so he told McDonagh to leave. McDonagh was pissed and demanded Truth leave. (McDonagh was slightly insecure and double-checked with Priest first.) Truth said they should tighten up security and he left.
Priest was sick of McIntyre but Dominik reminded him that Rhea Ripley told them not to touch Drew. Priest didn’t care and noted that Ripley and Finn Bálor weren’t even there tonight. (The crowd loudly groaned when he said Ripley wasn’t there.) Priest said he was in charge tonight and told them to handle the Creed Brothers tonight.
Natalya tagged and tried a discus clothesline but Chance ducked and hit a Codebreaker. Chance and Carter tried a double-team move but Natalya powerbombed them both off the ropes. Carter blocked a suplex and hit a superkick. Carter and Chance hit their double team “Keg Stand” move for the pinfall win. (Carter cut off Nox before she could break up the cover.)
— Green was irate when Carter and Chance won. Cole was understandably confused and noted that somebody had to win the match. Carter and Chance knocked Green off the apron.
********
[THIRD HOUR]
Cody Rhodes/Shinsuke Nakamura segment
A very focused Cody Rhodes entered (in his gear). He didn’t start with his usual line.
Rhodes said the first time he encountered poison mist was as a child and he was terrified of the man who did it — The Great Muta. After having seen it up close last week, he realized his fears as a child were justified.
However, it was his own fault for not paying attention to the clues being dropped by Shinsuke Nakamura. He was focused on his greater aspirations including the Royal Rumble. Nakamura had his attention and he was ready. Rhodes invited Nakamura to emerge from the shadows and explain himself — or he could march to the ring and they could fight right now.
Nakamura appeared on the screen. Nakamura said he made Rhodes’ eyes burn last week but tonight he would open them. He would show Rhodes what he wasn’t seeing: the path they’ve taken is the same story. Clips aired of both men winning the Rumble match only to fall short at WrestleMania. (Nakamura against AJ Styles, Rhodes against Roman Reigns.)
Nakamura said they suffered the same humiliation and were left with pages unwritten. The devil in Rhodes’ mind was that he would never make it back. Rhodes has awoken Nakamura who would unburden him and take the story off his hands. Nakamura never got to finish his story, so now he would finish Cody’s.
They cut back to Rhodes who said their stories were not the same even if they shared a similar path. Rhodes wouldn’t respect Nakamura unless he faced him in the ring. If Nakamura thought they were the same — he should prove it.
********
Jey Uso asked Adam Pearce for an update on Zayn. Pearce said he was still being evaluated. Jey threatened to go after McIntyre but Pearce reminded him that he had bigger things to focus on tonight. Jey was well aware and was pumped up for his match. Jey left.
Gunther approached Pearce and they agreed to talk over some ideas.
********
The Creed Brothers (w/Ivy Nile) defeated JD McDonagh & NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio (10:48)
Brutus did squats with Dom up in a delayed vertical suplex and the crowd began cheering but the cheers were for Truth who made his way down to join Judgment Day at ringside (while holding a Buffalo Bills WWE title belt). Dom shoved Julius off the apron and McDonagh wiped out both Creeds with a dive ahead of a break. (Dom and JD posed while sitting on the apron, not unlike DIY.)
Dom tried three amigos but Brutus countered and hit a suplex of his own. Julius tagged in and handed out several overhead suplexes to both men, kipping up after each one. The crowd got into that. Dom yanked Brutus off the apron as McDonagh dropped Julius on his head with a poisonrana. Dom hit Julius with a 619 for two.
Brutus pounced Dom over the announce table moments before the Creeds hit the combo Brutus Ball on McDonagh for the pinfall win.
(This was pretty good and they brought more life out of the crowd than some third-hour matches we’ve seen lately.)
********
Adam Pearce informed Seth Rollins that he has invited CM Punk to Raw next week and planned on signing him to an exclusive Raw contract. Rollins laughed and said he didn’t care. Rollins said Pearce had to do his own business but when this blew up in his face, to stay out of his (Rollins’) business.
Jey approached Rollins. Jey said he’s been waiting 15 years for this and he was looking at the next world champion. Rollins said he would stomp Jey’s head in the first chance he got. Jey said he’d kick his face off the first chance he got. They bumped fists.
********
Priest asked McDonagh and Dom what happened in their match. McDonagh blamed it on Truth being out there in a Ripley shirt. Dom warned Priest that the Creeds were legit. McDonagh was confident in Priest and Bálor but agreed with Dom’s sentiment. Priest understood.
(Gunther could be seen admonishing Kaiser in the background.)
********
Raw next week in Cleveland:
Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
CM Punk appears
********
Cole said tonight was an emotional one for Jey because it was 14 years ago today since the passing of Umaga and Jey has dedicated the match to him.
Seth Rollins defeated Jey Uso to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (22:55)
This was an excellent WWE-style main event.
After a break, Rollins hit a running knee strike, springboard senton and lionsault for two. Jey came back with a pop-up neckbreaker for two and a backbreaker for two. Rollins set up for a powerbomb into the barricade but Jey blocked it and hit a DDT on the outside.
They exchanged strikes after a break. Rollins hit a suicide dive but Jey fought back and hit one of his own. They both went down after colliding with crossbody attempts. Jey hammered away at Rollins (as the crowd yelled “Yeet”) but Rollins dropped him with a clothesline. There was a modest “CM Punk” chant directed at Rollins.
Jey followed with an enziguri and a running hip attack but Rollins followed with a slingblade and frog splash for two. Rollins hit a superkick but Jey hit two superkicks and hit an Uso splash for a nearfall. Rollins followed with a superplex into a falcon arrow for two. Rollins followed immediately with a Pedigree for a nearfall. Jey followed with a spear for a nearfall.
Jey went for another spear but Rollins kicked him and hit a buckle bomb. Rollins seemed to be going for the stomp but Jey speared him and hit another Uso splash for a very close nearfall. The crowd chanted “Holy shit.”
Jey hit a superkick and tried another spear but Rollins countered that into a Pedigree. Rollins followed with a curb stomp for the pinfall win.
— Jey shook hands with Rollins after the match.
As Jey was hunched over outside the ring, McIntyre (wearing a hood) flew in and dropped him with a Claymore Kick. Rollins tried a dive but McIntyre caught him and suplexed him. McIntyre slammed Jey through the table as the crowd booed. McIntyre grabbed Jey by the head and told him that the truth would set him free.
(This was a good closing angle that Cole tried to ruin by stating, “Drew McIntyre is a bad dude with issues.”)
Seth Rollins will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on next week’s Raw.
It was revealed during this week’s show that Rollins vs. Jey Uso for the WWE World Heavyweight title is set for the Monday, December 4 edition of Raw. Rollins announced the title match during an in-ring promo segment with Drew McIntyre on this week’s show.
McIntyre asked Rollins for a World Heavyweight title rematch on Raw, noting that he had fallen short against Rollins at Crown Jewel in his title challenge earlier this month in part thanks to Uso. Rollins stated that he thought that McIntyre did deserve a rematch, but that there were other stars who deserved a title shot more, including Uso.
McIntyre then attacked Rollins with a headbutt, and a cut opened up on McIntyre’s forehead.
Later in a backstage segment, Sami Zayn confronted McIntyre and said that he was better than he was acting, which McIntyre responded to by saying he was going to ask Adam Pearce for a match against Zayn next week. That match was officially announced later in the program.
The announced lineup for the Monday, December 4 WWE Raw:
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Jey Uso
This past Thursday at Wrestling Revolver, former MLW Champion Jacob Fatu wrestled his first ever intergender match against former GCW World Champion and Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion Masha Slamovich.
I talked to him after the match about intergender wrestling, the WWE Bloodline story, and more.
WWE Bloodline
Fatu is part of the Samoan wrestling dynasty as he is part of the Anoa’i family. He is the son of Samual Fatu (Tonga Kid) which makes him a cousin of the cousins of Jimmy & Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns.
Given how intricate and long the Bloodline story has gone on in WWE, I asked Fatu his opinions on the popular storyline.
“They’ve been in there, putting in the work. I mean, we’re talking about three years straight with the storyline, but I’m a fan overall. And the crazy thing is just because I’m related to them when I watch, I think I know what’s going on. Then, they always hit us with that twist. So overall, they’re doing good. Shoutout to the Bloodline, shoutout to the Usos, Fatus, Anoa’is. We’re really all one family.”
I asked Fatu if we perhaps might ever see him get involved in the story.
“In due time, it could be there, it could be anywhere. Like I said, leave it in God’s hands. If it happens, it happens.”
He went on to say that he’s very proud of his family and recalled Wrestlemania 39 being one of the exciting moments seeing the Usos, Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns all part of the night.
Intergender Wrestling
At Wrestling Revolver on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California, Fatu wrestled his first ever intergender match against Masha Slamovich.
When I asked Fatu his thoughts on intergender wrestling being a controversial topic, Fatu said that “first and foremost, women make the world go round.”
“I got seven kids. I got girls. And my girls are the toughest right. And not only that, but for real when it comes to matches like that, it’s like, the girls are on the road just as much as I am. You know, we’re all in the same boat so it ain’t nothing but respect.
They feeding their family, taking care of {things} like they know the ins and outs. So but not only that, like, it’s not just a random person. We talk about my son, you know, so absolutely it felt good. It was good opportunity. But to be in there, I was very, very excited today for my first inter-gender match. And it was good.”
Fatu then gave credit to Slamovich for being able to build a platform for herself and said he had “goosebumps” following the match and that the match felt good.
Drew McIntyre ended Raw by attacking Jey Uso, costing him and Cody Rhodes the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles.
Uso and Rhodes were in control of their title match against champions Finn Balor & Damian Priest when McIntyre suddenly appeared at ringside. He gave Uso the claymore and rolled him into the ring, allowing Balor to cover him for the win. After the match, he walked over to the entrance. Rhea Ripley emerged from the entrance and the two shook hands to end the show.
Earlier in the show, McIntyre met with Seth Rollins backstage, who was leaving the arena. McIntyre told Rollins that he was right, he had no one to blame but himself for losing at Crown Jewel and maybe it would end up being the best thing that’s ever happened to him. The two shook hands as Rollins walked away.
After the show, McIntyre wrote on X “Daddy’s home.”
McIntyre has been teasing a turn in recent months, unhappy with the idea of forgiving Jey Uso given their history with The Bloodline. Prior to Crown Jewel, Ripley had attempted to court both McIntyre and Rollins with the idea that the Judgment Day would have their backs ahead of the World Championship match at Crown Jewel.
An Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship rematch is one of four bouts set for the Monday, November 13 Raw.
The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor & Damian Priest will defend their Tag Team titles against former champions Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso on next week’s episode. The bout is a rematch from the October 16 Raw where Balor & Priest defeated Rhodes & Uso for the titles.
Balor & Priest defeated The New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods in a non-title match on this week’s show, then were involved with the rest of Judgment Day in a show-closing brawl with Rhodes, Uso, Seth Rollins, and Sami Zayn setting up a WarGames match at Survivor Series.
Intercontinental Championship number one contender The Miz will be in action next week against Ivar in a bout stemming from a four-way on this week’s show. The Miz won a four-way to determine Gunther’s IC title challenger at Survivor Series in a match that also involved Ivar, and Ivar laid Miz out following the bout.
Women’s Tag Team Champion Piper Niven will take on Tegan Nox next week. Nox eliminated Niven in a battle royal this week to set up the match. Natalya will corner Nox, while Niven’s fellow Tag champ Chelsea Green will be in her corner.
After Shinsuke Nakamura defeated the Alpha Academy-adjacent Akira Tozawa on this week’s show, Otis stepped up to Nakamura after the contest. Nakamura vs. Otis is now set for next week.
The announced card for the Monday, November 13 Raw in Washington DC:
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Balor & Damian Priest defend against Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
The Judgment Day will kick off the Monday, October 23 WWE Raw with a celebration.
WWE.com has announced that after reclaiming the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship on the October 16 Raw, The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Dominik Mysterio will begin the following episode celebrating. Ripley holds the Women’s World Championship, plus Mysterio is the NXT North American Champion as all four Judgment Day members once again hold titles.
Also newly announced for Raw, Jey Uso will face The Judgment Day’s Priest in singles action on Monday’s show. Priest & Finn Balor defeated Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso to regain the Tag titles after interference from Jimmy Uso on the October 16 Raw.
Four additional matches are already set for Monday’s Raw, including Becky Lynch defending her NXT Women’s Championship against Indi Hartwell. An appearance by Logan Paul has also been announced for the show.
The updated Raw lineup for Monday, October 23:
NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Indi Hartwell
Logan Paul appears
Jey Uso vs. Damian Priest
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis)
Giovanni Vinci vs. Johnny Gargano
The Judgment Day celebration will kick off the show
Thanks to Jimmy Uso, the Judgment Day are once again Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions.
Finn Balor & Damian Priest regained the titles by defeating Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso in the main event of Raw’s season premiere. Jimmy interfered to cost his twin brother the match, ending Cody & Jey’s title reign at just nine days. They had won the titles from Balor & Priest at Fastlane.
Rhodes got taken out near the end of last night’s match when Priest gave him a Razor’s Edge through the announce table. Jey fought the remainder of the match on his own and was trying to get the win with a splash on Balor, but Jimmy dropped Jey with a superkick while the referee was distracted. Balor then hit a Coup de Grace to win the titles.
With every member of Judgment Day again holding gold, they celebrated with their title belts to close last night’s show.
This is the second time that Jimmy has cost Jey a title match in recent months. He stopped Jey from being able to defeat Roman Reigns at SummerSlam this August.
Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso now know who their challengers for tonight’s episode of SmackDown will be.
Rhodes & Uso will defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles against Austin Theory & Grayson Waller on SmackDown tonight. This afternoon, WWE posted a video with Theory & Waller accepting the open challenge that Rhodes & Uso had issued.
At Fastlane last Saturday, Rhodes & Uso defeated Finn Balor & Damian Priest to win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles. The new champions then made their first title defense on Raw this Monday, defeating Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.
The team that wins tonight’s title match will defend against Balor & Priest on Raw this coming Monday.
Tonight’s SmackDown is the show’s season premiere episode. It’s taking place from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The updated lineup for the show is listed below:
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns returns
John Cena appears
Paul “Triple H” Levesque appears
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso defend against Austin Theory & Grayson Waller
