Tag: Madison Square Garden

WWE Raw live results: Punk, Reigns, Lesnar appear at Madison Square Garden

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: March 30, 2026
Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City 

The Big Takeaway —

If you thought WWE would put together a big Madison Square Garden show with WrestleMania around the corner, you’d be wrong. This was a weak show that concluded with a Punk-Reigns angle for the fifth straight week, and it was not worth the wait. 

**********

Show Recap — 

CM Punk, Oba Femi, Nia Jax and Lash Legend arrived at Madison Square Garden. 

Cody Rhodes kicks off Monday Night Raw in MSG

Rhodes entered and was almost universally cheered. He said MSG was the home of the WWE Championship and the WWE Champion would always be present at the world’s most famous arena. He asked what they wanted to talk about. 

Stephanie McMahon interrupted. Rhodes was surprised to see her. She wasn’t sure why, because her last name was “McMahon,” and this was the place her grandfather built. He asked her what she wanted to talk about. 

Stephanie said she wanted to talk about him, Randy Orton and WrestleMania—but Rhodes wouldn’t like what she had to say. She said the three of them were multigenerational talents and knew what it was like to be at the top. 

They all took different paths to get to where they were. Rhodes took the golden path, and that was wonderful. He was true to himself, and he believed he could bring out the best in his opponents. But he couldn’t do that this time against this version of Orton. 

This Orton was diabolical. Rhodes didn’t have to be diabolical, but he had to be able to think like Orton. Dusty Rhodes knew that. Dusty could get down and dirty, but Cody was not his father. This Cody could not beat this Orton. 

Rhodes said the last thing he wanted to do was be rude to Stephanie. He knew all about Orton. He knew Orton punted people’s heads off—his father included. Orton did stuff so vile they couldn’t show it today, including things he did to Stephanie. 

Fans wanted the student-teacher dynamic from them, but he ceased to be the student a long time ago. He wasn’t the student when he was Orton’s babysitter, making sure Orton was still breathing in the car they rode together. 

Rhodes was not the student, and he was not afraid. Rhodes said he was not his father and added, “You wanna bring up fathers? I’m not mine, you’re right. Stephanie McMahon, with all due respect, you’re not yours either.” 

The crowd popped, and Stephanie smacked him in the face. Stephanie said she was out there because she cared about him. She was there because no one else was giving him guidance. Rhodes didn’t understand what Orton was capable of. Orton wasn’t just listening to the voices in his head—he beckoned them. And it appeared he was listening to someone else as well. Unless Rhodes learned to think like Orton, he would lose the title. 

Stephanie was about to leave, but Rhodes grabbed her by the arm and turned her around. Rhodes said he had two words for her: “Thank you.” He left. 

********

IShowSpeed and Adam Pearce were interrupted by Danhausen. Speed told Danhausen he’s had a terrible week and wanted to be uncursed, but Danhausen had a list of crazy demands to make that happen. Pearce tried to cheer up Speed by telling him he had front row seats for the men’s tag team title match. LA Knight, guest announcer for the match, appeared and left with Speed. 

Street Fight for the World Tag Team Championships: Jimmy & Jey Uso (c) vs. Logan Paul & Austin Theory

They can go 17 minutes uninterrupted for a talking segment, but this supposedly important tag team title match couldn’t go 50 seconds without going to commercial break. 

The Usos hit a dive ahead of a break, but it didn’t matter because the Vision took control with weapons immediately after. The Usos came back with ugly-looking superkicks and weapon shots. They placed a trash can over Paul and obliterated it with kendo stick shots. They also gave Theory a double superplex off the middle rope through a table. 

Paul approached his mother in the front row, and she handed him brass knuckles while IShowSpeed tried reasoning with him. Knight left the announce table and went after Paul. Paul grabbed onto Speed for leverage to save himself, but he pulled Speed over the barricade in the process.

Knight chucked Paul into the ring post as Speed put the knux on. Speed felt something behind him, turned around and knocked down Knight with the knux before realizing who it was. Speed was filled with regret. 

Paul tried to use the knux on Jimmy, but he ducked, and the Usos handed out superkicks to both Vision members. Jey speared Theory and went to the top as Jimmy went for a dive, but Paul decked Jimmy with the knux. Jey went after Paul, but Theory rolled over onto the unconscious Jimmy for the pinfall win. That’s how they changed the tag titles. 

— Paul and Theory celebrated with IShowSpeed as fireworks went off, although Speed wasn’t sure how to react. 

Match result: Austin Theory & Logan Paul defeated Jimmy & Jey Uso to win the World Tag Team Championships (8:48) 

This was not a particularly entertaining street fight. The stip was an excuse to do all the outside nonsense, and the finish sucked. 

********

Jeff Ross and Lin-Manuel Miranda were in the crowd. 

Liv Morgan and Stephanie Vaquer segment 

Morgan entered. She told Stephanie Vaquer, “You’re done for, bitch.” She said it was one thing to attack her, but it was another thing to attack her family, Daddy Dom. She wasn’t surprised because Vaquer didn’t have any family there. Vaquer claimed Morgan hid behind her family, but Vaquer sneak-attacked her anytime she got. 

Morgan wondered if Vaquer was scared to confront her face-to-face. Morgan’s mother taught her not to let anyone get the better of her, but as for Vaquer’s mother: “tu madre es basure, puta.” 

Vaquer stormed out (to her music) and dropped Morgan with a thrust kick. Vaquer grabbed a steel chair, but it was a trap, because the returning Roxanne Perez decked her from behind. The two heels hammered away on Vaquer until Morgan laid her out with Oblivion. 

********

Theory and Paul celebrated with the tag titles backstage. IShowSpeed wanted to make it clear that he didn’t want to get involved earlier. Paul wasn’t hearing it. He laughed and said Speed had enemies now. Speed tried pleading with them until Paul Heyman interjected. 

Heyman said Speed was in good hands. He told the Vision to take Speed with them to dinner so they could celebrate. After they left, Heyman bluntly said, “The Usos are going to kill him.” The crowd laughed. 

Pearce approached Heyman and asked if he had checked his email. Heyman brushed this off as nonsense and left. (This was weird. Heyman was oddly dismissive of the idea that he would correspond via email. I’m also not sure why Pearce didn’t just explain it to him here.) 

********

Michael Cole said this was the first time since 1987 that women’s tag team titles were defended in MSG. That match was between The Glamour Girls and The Jumping Bomb Angels. 

Women’s Tag Team Championship match: Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

They got a full three minutes before the babyfaces wiped out the heels with dives ahead of a break. Like the previous match, it didn’t matter because the heels took control as soon as they were in commercials. 

Back from break, Valkyria planted Legend with a DDT and made the hot tag to Bayley, who landed a diving elbow drop for two. Legend cut her off with a big boot, and Jax followed with a leg drop for two. Jax set up for the Annihilator, but Bayley got underneath, walked with Jax toward the middle of the ring and hit a powerbomb. The crowd cheered the impressive spot. 

They all traded moves when Nikki and Brie Bella marched to ringside. They were quickly joined by Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Valkyria left the ring to talk to them for some reason, so Jax attacked her from behind. 

Some other stuff happened before Flair entered the ring and chop-blocked Jax for the DQ. Fans groaned. 

Jax and Legend were attacked by everyone else and knocked out of the ring as the energy evaporated from the crowd. 

Match result: Nia Jax & Lash Legend defeated Bayley & Lyra Valkyria via disqualification (10:44) 

Another subpar match with an even worse finish. 

********

Danhausen announced during a break that Saturday Night’s Main Event would return to MSG on July 18th. He did some goofy comedy before scampering backstage. 

Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi segment 

Brock Lesnar, wearing his gear, entered with Heyman. Heyman repeated what he said about what happened two weeks ago, that Lesnar was distracted and caught off guard by Oba Femi. Last week, Lesnar was not there for a fight—he simply wanted a conversation with Femi. This week, however, Lesnar was dressed to fight. 

Heyman has seen this before in WWE and UFC. When a man locks eyes with Lesnar, they piss themselves and leave a puddle of piss in the ring. They might as well wipe up Femi along with the puddle of piss. 

Lesnar was tired of hearing about piss (interesting) and grabbed the mic from Heyman. He angrily called out Femi. 

Pearce entered with security guards because he wanted to preserve one of his WrestleMania main events. (I don’t think this is actually the main event of either night, that’s just how big they see the match.) 

Oba Femi entered anyway. Security ran after Femi, but he easily chucked them all aside—killing one guy in particular by launching him way up in the air and dropping him on the floor. Pearce got in Femi’s face, but Femi shoved him aside into the barricade. 

The crowd chanted for Femi as he sauntered around the ring. Femi entered the ring and faced off with Lesnar as the crowd chanted, “Holy shit.” Triple H slipped in the ring to get between them, and people booed. 

The crowd chanted for a fight, but Lesnar smirked and backed out of the ring. Triple H told them it would happen at WrestleMania. Before he left, Lesnar grabbed a security guard and gave him an F5 onto the floor. 

(This was well done. They can probably hold off on any further interaction because the crowd is begging for them to go at it now.) 

********

Finn Bálor pre-taped promo 

Bálor said Judgment Day were a family, and they ran Raw for four years. Bálor did things he wasn’t proud of during that time. Perhaps the worst decision he made was thinking he could make a man out of Dominik Mysterio. 

Bálor gave credit to Dom for running his playbook against him. But Dom should remember that when he turned on his father and felt lost, it was Bálor he turned to. Bálor stepped in and stepped up for him. 

Dom didn’t lose the Intercontinental Championship because of him—he lost because he was a self-entitled jackass. Bálor was guilty of creating that jackass. He was responsible for creating Dom, so he would be responsible for destroying him at Mania. 

******** 

Cole gave Carmelo Hayes a shout-out for his United States title reign and his run of open challenges, which came to an end against Sami Zayn on Friday. 

Intercontinental Championship match: Penta vs. Kofi Kingston (w/ Grayson Waller)

Kingston took control after giving Penta a back body drop onto the apron. Waller was about to go after Penta, but Kingston stopped him because he wanted to do this on his own. Following a boring heat segment during a break, Penta mounted a brief comeback until Kingston cut him off with an SOS for two, followed by a Fameasser for two. 

With Penta outside the ring, Waller was about to chuck him over the announce table, but thought better of it and placed him on the apron. Kingston called Waller a dummy and told him to leave it alone. Kingston tried a leaping backward dive, but Penta caught him and suplexed him onto the announce table. Waller told Kingston that maybe he did need him. Penta flew in at that moment and laid out Waller with a Canadian Destroyer. 

Back in the ring, Penta came off the top, but Kingston met him mid-air with a Trouble in Paradise for a nearfall. Kingston set up for a superplex, but Penta dropped him and spiked him with a Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall win. 

— Jackie Redmond interviewed Penta and asked him about his plans for WrestleMania. Penta said he spoke to Pearce, and the IC title would be defended in a ladder match. He issued a warning to anyone in the match and warned them that it wasn’t just the title hanging about the ring, it was his kingdom. 

Match result: Penta defeated Kofi Kingston to retain the Intercontinental Championship (9:57) 

This was ok. I feel like Kingston only got this IC title match because of that one big spot he did in MSG with Randy Orton many, many years ago. 

********

Pearce approached Heyman backstage and asked where Lesnar was. Heyman assured him that Lesnar had left the arena. Pearce again asked if Heyman checked his emails. Heyman was again dismissive of this. Heyman instead wanted Pearce to hear what he had to say in the ring. 

******* 

Dom entered during a break and cut a basic promo saying he would beat Bálor at Mania.

Paul Heyman segment, WrestleMania angle 

Heyman entered. He gave Howard Finkel a mention before announcing that the Vision were the new world tag team champions. He said he tried to give the fans Lesnar vs. Femi tonight, but that wannabe mid-level suck-up middle-management pseudo-general manager Pearce got in the way. 

Pearce interrupted. He asked again if Heyman checked his emails. Heyman said there was nothing Pearce could tell him that he didn’t already know. Pearce informed him that the Boston police department dropped all charges against Seth Rollins. 

Heyman claimed he knew that already. Heyman continued by putting himself over as the last remaining manager from the 1980s and the last promoter standing from the 1990s. Some fans chanted for ECW. 

Pearce said if Heyman checked his email, he’d also know that Seth Rollins was medically cleared to compete. Heyman was shocked as Rollins’ music hit. 

The babyface Rollins attacked Heyman from behind with a steel chair. Rollins set up for a curb stomp but was suddenly yanked out of the ring by Gunther. 

Gunther put Rollins in a sleeper hold and put him to sleep. He grabbed Rollins by the head, pointed at the sign, and told him WrestleMania was in their future. 

********

IYO SKY vs. Raquel Rodriguez 

For the third time tonight, the babyface hit a dive ahead of a break, only for the heel to take control immediately during commercials. In this case, Sky hit an Asai moonsault. Penta was somehow the only babyface to not follow suit. 

Sky made her comeback when they returned, but Rodriguez got her feet up on a moonsault attempt. Sky responded with a hurricanrana and double foot stomp for two. 

Asuka and Kairi Sane ran out as Asuka urged Sane to get involved. Sane leaped on the apron, and Sky confronted her. Rodriguez tried to take advantage with a big boot, but Sky moved out of the way, and Rodriguez booted Sane off the apron. 

Sky hit Rodriguez with a running meteora before turning her attention to the outside as Asuka was yelling at Sane. 

A frustrated Sky decided to wipe out Asuka with a suicide dive, but she slipped as she went through the ropes and landed right on her head. Sky popped up, fortunately, and seemed ok. 

Sky said something to Sane before making her way back into the ring, but Rodriguez simply grabbed her and hit a Tejana Bomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Raquel Rodriguez defeated IYO SKY (10:26) 

Yet another match that felt secondary to all the other stuff happening around it. Not good. 

********

Cole spoke about Penta’s IC title ladder match at WrestleMania. He claimed Pearce already set the field because qualifying matches had been happening on WWE Main Event, which airs on YouTube. Joining Penta in the ladder match will be Dragon Lee, Je’Von Evans, Rusev, and JD McDonagh. 

(This is absurd. Rusev, for example, last wrestled on Main Event nearly two months ago, while McDonagh last wrestled on the show in January.) 

They ran down a few other matches before showing John Cena’s announcement on social media that he would be hosting WrestleMania. (I believe this was the only time this was mentioned on the show.)

Backstage, Redmond asked Pearce for an update on Rollins. Pearce said Rollins would be looking for a receipt at Mania and made the match official for the show: Rollins vs. Gunther. 

********

CM Punk and Roman Reigns main event segment 

Reigns entered first and asked New York to acknowledge him. After they did, Punk marched out to his music, and he immediately attacked Reigns. They brawled back and forth as officials tried breaking things up. Reigns tossed one guy aside before spearing Petey Williams. 

Reigns was about to powerbomb Punk through the announce table, but Punk slipped out and gave him a GTS. Punk acted like he was done, but he grabbed Reigns and powerbombed him through the table. Punk screamed, “Who’s f—cking old now?!”

Punk sat down next to Reigns and punched him in the head a few more times before being pulled off by Pearce. Punk posed atop the barricade as officials checked on Reigns, and the show ended.

Report: Madison Square Garden to host upcoming WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

This summer, WWE could be bringing Saturday Night’s Main Event to Madison Square Garden in New York City.

WrestleVotes reports that WWE is planning for a Saturday Night’s Main Event special to be held at the “World’s Most Famous Arena” on July 18. That date would coincide with Fanatics Fest 2026, a convention in NYC that WWE and its stars are involved with.

The SNME date has not been officially announced by WWE yet, but that could change soon. WWE will be at MSG for Raw next Monday (March 30) and at The Theater at MSG for NXT on Tuesday (March 31).

Though SNME is a classic WWE program dating back to the 1980s, it has only ever been held at MSG once before: a 2007 episode during the show’s brief revival. It returned again in December 2024 and now airs live on Peacock a few times per year.

Fort Wayne, Indiana will host the next SNME event on WWE’s calendar. That show is being held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on May 23.

During his retirement tour, John Cena spoke about how happy he is that MSG is once again becoming a significant arena for WWE. Because of the costs involved, there was a period where WWE largely avoided running televised events at the venue. Raw and SmackDown now make regular stops at MSG, and this would be WWE’s first streaming special there since 2015.

WWE selling ‘exclusive’ ring canvas opportunity

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If you have $400 to spare, your name could appear on the ring canvas for an upcoming episode of WWE Raw.

WWE is offering fans the “exclusive opportunity” to have their names “immortalized in WWE history” for the March 30 episode of Raw at Madison Square Garden. Those who pay $399.99 will have their name featured on the ring, and they’ll then receive a framed collage with that piece of match-used canvas.

“Monday Night Raw has been a wrestling institution for decades, and for the first time ever, you can own a piece of the action with this framed collage, fitted with a piece of match-used canvas featuring your name as you saw on TV,” the WWE Shop description says. “This 10″ x 20″ piece showcases iconic RAW imagery, celebrating the spectacle and excitement of WWE’s flagship show from March 30, 2026. What sets this collage apart is the inclusion of a genuine piece of match-used canvas featuring your own personal dedicated piece of history.”

It’s noted that the framed collage will be shipped no later than April 24.

The March 30 episode of Raw is happening on the road to WrestleMania 42. CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Brock Lesnar are among the wrestlers who will be appearing. It will be one of the last times Punk and Reigns interact before their World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania.



























WWE Raw sets MSG return, several more TV dates announced

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is heading back to the “World’s Most Famous Arena” for one of the last Raws before WrestleMania 42.

It was announced today that the Monday, March 30 edition of Raw will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A ticket pre-sale will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern time next Monday (January 12) using “SOCIAL” as the access code. The general public on-sale will then start on Tuesday, January 13.

CM Punk, Stephanie Vaquer, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Penta are among the wrestlers advertised for the show.

WWE was recently at Madison Square Garden for a November 2025 episode of Raw, with the show being John Cena’s last time appearing at MSG as an active wrestler. Cena spoke to the Raw Recap podcast about the historical significance of pro wrestling at MSG.

“I think the significance of this building should never be lost on sports entertainment,” Cena said. “I know that there are events that are bigger and bolder and can fit more people. But I believe we can learn a lot from history, and I think that every person in WWE should understand the history of this place.

“And that way when they’re awarded the opportunity to stand on the canvas, this building shouldn’t just mean something to me. And over the years, I’ve seen the importance kind of erode away. And I think it’s got a resurgence now. And I’m very, I’m very — that makes me feel good. Because this is a place where if you are allowed to perform here, you are a professional.”

This is one of nine new TV dates that WWE announced today:

  • Friday, March 6: SmackDown at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon
  • Monday, March 9: Raw at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington
  • Friday, March 13: SmackDown at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona
  • Monday, March 16: Raw at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas
  • Friday, March 27: SmackDown at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Monday, March 30: Raw at Madison Square Garden in New York City
  • Monday, April 6: Raw at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas
  • Friday, April 10: SmackDown at SAP Center in San Jose, California
  • Monday, April 13: Raw at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California

The April 13 event will be Raw’s go-home show for WrestleMania 42.

Tony Khan reveals scrapped plans of Madison Square Garden hosting the first episode of Dynamite

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

AEW President Tony Khan has revealed that the first episode of Dynamite was going to be at Madison Square Garden in New York.

All Elite Wrestling was recently present at the Hammerstein Ballroom, where they taped their upcoming December 24th Dynamite on 34th Street episode. Now, a video is going viral on social media from the tapings. Tony Khan could be heard revealing how the first-ever Dynamite episode was set to take place at the iconic MSG, but unfortunately, it could not.

Khan greeted the crowd and teased bringing a PPV to New York, when the crowd started chanting “MSG”, referencing the iconic New York arena, Madison Square Garden. However, Khan decided to spill the beans and reveal why they could not bring an AEW show to the Gardens.

“That’s an interesting idea. You know, for a long time, I’ll be honest. They didn’t want me there, you know that? Because the first episode of Dynamite was originally going to be there,” Khan claimed. “And they called me and offered me the date. They said, ‘Would you like to do the first episode of Dynamite here?’ The people who called me don’t work there anymore; it was over six years ago.”

“I said, ‘Yeah, I really would. It would be great.’ And they called me a couple of months later, and they said, ‘We don’t want you anymore. We don’t want you to do the first Dynamite here.’ Because it would really upset somebody.”

His statements were followed by a huge wave of boos, with them following it up with, ‘f**k the feds” referring to WWE.

Khan further claimed that he informed Madison Square Garden about his uncertainty of ever returning to the arena in the future.

AEW Dynamite eventually debuted at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

John Cena happy to see significance of WWE at MSG returning

Posted on by Joseph Currier

John Cena is happy to see Madison Square Garden once again becoming a significant venue for WWE.

On Monday night, Cena was at the “World’s Most Famous Arena” for his last-ever Raw appearance. He kicked off the show with a promo and competed in a six-man tag match, teaming with Sheamus & Rey Mysterio to defeat The Judgment Day. Before the episode, Cena recorded an interview for the Raw Recap podcast and reflected on the importance of MSG.

“I think the significance of this building should never be lost on sports entertainment,” Cena said. “I know that there are events that are bigger and bolder and can fit more people. But I believe we can learn a lot from history, and I think that every person in WWE should understand the history of this place.

“And that way when they’re awarded the opportunity to stand on the canvas, this building shouldn’t just mean something to me. And over the years, I’ve seen the importance kind of erode away. And I think it’s got a resurgence now. And I’m very, I’m very — that makes me feel good. Because this is a place where if you are allowed to perform here, you are a professional.”

Due to the cost of running TV at the venue, WWE largely stayed away from Madison Square Garden for televised events during the 2010s. From 2009 until 2019, WWE ran house shows at MSG but only had one pay-per-view there and one WWE Network special. The company has now returned to having MSG as a regular stop for Raw and SmackDown episodes.

Cena only has two WWE appearances left after last night’s Raw. He’ll compete at Survivor Series on November 29 and then have his last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13.

WWE Raw live results: John Cena’s final Raw

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: November 17, 2025
Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City 

The Big Takeaway —

John Cena was victorious in a six-man tag match in his supposed final Raw match ever. There was no post-match angle, but Cena will be defending his Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series in a rematch against Dominik Mysterio. (Read more below.) 

Gunther and Solo Sikoa advanced in the Last Time is Now tournament with wins over Je’Von Evans and Dolph Ziggler, respectively. 

AJ Lee returned and cost Becky Lynch the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to Maxxine Dupri. 

The main event angle saw Brock Lesnar return to join The Vision’s team at WarGames, while Roman Reigns returned to join the team of CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso. 

**********

Show Recap — 

Becky Lynch, The Vision (with Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre), Solo Sikoa & Talla Tonga, and Gunther arrived at Madison Square Garden. Lynch complained to a staff member that her picture wasn’t on the hallway walls alongside other wrestlers. She stuck a photo of herself over a CM Punk poster. 

It’s a packed house, so the stage just consists of a relatively small screen. 

John Cena kicks off Raw for the final time

Cena entered to a massive ovation. Chants of his name, “Thank you, Cena,” and loud applause. His gear was in the colours of the New York Yankees, and he carried his newly won Intercontinental Championship title belt. 

Alicia Taylor introduced him as “the greatest of all time” and called this his last Monday Night Raw appearance in Madison Square Garden. More chants of “Thank you, Cena.” 

Cena welcomed the enthusiasm. He said New York City makes and breaks careers. And now, at the end of his career, he looked around and saw people as far as the eye could see. He thanked them. 

Madison Square Garden allowed him to step on the stage in these hallowed halls for 23 years. There was some extra enthusiasm in the air because it was the last time they could talk together—at MSG and on Raw. It was a bittersweet moment for some, but a very important one to him. 

Dominik Mysterio interrupted (carrying the AAA Mega Championship). He was booed as he spoke. Dom said Cena was handed a title shot last week, just as he was handed everything else. Dom fought for everything he had. He wanted an IC title rematch. 

Cena was up for it and polled the crowd. They cheered, but Dom said no. Dom said they already did it Cena’s way. Cena had management and his hometown by his side, so now they would do it Dom’s way. The crowd loudly chanted, “Shut the f—k up.” 

Dom wanted the match in his hometown of San Diego at Survivor Series. Cena had no problem with that, so he accepted (and made sure to mention it was on ESPN). 

Cena did have a problem: he told the fans he would have his final Raw match tonight. Cena offered Dom a non-title match and a chance to make history. Cena asked, “Do you feel lucky, punk?” 

Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh entered. Dom said Cena wouldn’t be getting his last match, but a beating instead. 

Judgment Day attacked Cena until Sheamus ran out to make the save, but Judgment Day overwhelmed him, too. 

Dominik Mysterio ran out next and immediately attacked his son. Mysterio, Sheamus and Cena cleared the ring. Cena made a six-man match and called out a referee. 

A referee ran out and called for the bell to start the match—which led to commercial break. 

Six-man tag team match: Intercontinental Champion John Cena, Sheamus & Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio

During the break, Judgment Day tried to bail as the match began, but the babyfaces went after them. Sheamus gave Dom a Claudio big swing during the break, but Judgment Day used a double-team to get the heat as they returned from break. 

Rey got a hot tag and ran wild as Wade Barrett mentioned this was his first match in seven months. Rey went for a 619 but was tripped by Dom from outside. Rey gave Dom a dropkick, but Bálor attacked Rey from behind, allowing Judgment Day to take over ahead of another break. 

The first 10 minutes of Cena’s final Raw match included 6 minutes of commercials. 

During the break, fans chanted, “Who’s your daddy?” right on time for Dom to give Rey the three amigos (the last suplex was a brainbuster). Rey fought back and fought off a double-team by Bálor and McDonagh.

Cena made the much-anticipated hot tag and hit McDonagh with shoulder tackles, a side slam, and five knuckle shuffle. McDonagh landed on his feet off an AA attempt and followed with a headbutt. 

Everyone traded moves, which left Cena alone in the ring. McDonagh hit Cena with a moonsault, Bálor hit a Coup de Grace, and Dom hit a frog splash. The heels covered Cena, but Rey and Sheamus leaped in to break it up. 

Sheamus, Rey and Cena each grabbed members of Judgment Day and hit ten beats of the Bodhrán (Rey did it to his own son). With the heels down, Cena, Rey and Sheamus all did the five knuckle shuffle. 

Rey gave Bálor and McDonagh a double 619, Sheamus gave Bálor a Brogue Kick, and Cena hit McDonagh with an AA for the pinfall win.

The crowd went nuts as Sheamus and Rey hugged Cena. The babyfaces left together and posed on the stage. 

Cena looked into the camera and stated, “Monday Night Raw. That’s all she wrote. Love you. Thank you.” 

Match result: Intercontinental Champion John Cena, Sheamus & Rey Mysterio defeated JD McDonagh, Finn Bálor & Dominik Mysterio (14:42) 

********

Nick Aldis met with Adam Pearce. Pearce wasn’t surprised to see Drew McIntyre game the system on SmackDown. Paul Heyman sauntered in and could tell they were heated. Heyman said what he did was within the rules and regulations (Aldis and Pearce didn’t disagree). 

Heyman said if they were pissed about him picking McIntyre, they should see who he picked next. Heyman handed them a clipboard, and they were not happy to see the name. 

*******

Jackie Redmond introduced Andrew Schulz during a break. Fans weren’t thrilled to see him. Schulz introduced injured New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (who was also at UFC on Saturday). Skattebo wore a New York Rangers Matt Rempe jersey. 

Schulz referred to Dom as a bitch, but Dom and Judgment Day were still at ringside, so Dom got in his face. Skattebo stood up for Schulz and shoved Dom to the ground. Bálor, McDonagh, and Dom attacked Schulz, Skattebo, and other members of the NY Giants until it was broken up. 

After the break, Eric Andre, Ashley Cooke, and members of the Philadelphia Eagles (they were booed) were shown at ringside, as were the Giants whom we saw moments ago. 

********

Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella segment 

Redmond was in the ring to interview Stephanie Vaquer, but Nikki Bella attacked Vaquer from behind during her entrance. Bella said she didn’t come back to be Vaquer’s sidekick. She returned to take back her division. She told Vaquer she would be giving her a shot at the Women’s title, and Vaquer would bow down to the woman who changed this entire industry. Bella posed with the belt. 

(This was a fairly standard angle, but Vaquer had to stay down selling for way too long after Bella’s attack. All Bella did was shove Vaquer once into the video screen.) 

********

Asuka and Kairi Sane approached Bayley and Lyra Valkyria backstage. Asuka said she was feeling kind. They needed five people for WarGames, so she would forgive Bayley for the past if she teamed with her. Bayley laughed maniacally at the idea, considering everything they had done to her. She said no. Asuka and Sane left. 

Valkyria was proud of Bayley for that. She wanted a high five, but Bayley was suddenly in no mood and asked Valkyria if she was five years old (for offering a high five). Bayley walked away while saying, “Let’s go, you idiot.” 

********

The Last Time Is Now Tournament Round One: Solo Sikoa (w/ Talla Tonga) vs. Dolph Ziggler 

Dolph Ziggler was the mystery opponent, and he received a big pop and chants of “Welcome back.” Ziggler started with his usual offence: a dropkick, Stinger splash, neckbreaker, and an elbow drop. Ziggler hit a flying elbow drop moments later for just a one count. 

Sikoa took control during a break and hit a Samoan drop when they returned. Ziggler fought back with a leaping DDT and Fameasser for two. Sikoa responded with a Spinning Solo for two. 

Ziggler ducked a spike and applied a schoolboy for two. Ziggler followed with a Zig-Zag for a close nearfall. The fans went nuts for that and told the ref that he sucked. 

Ziggler tuned up the band for a superkick, but Sikoa blocked it. Ziggler managed to hit a superkick anyway, but Sikoa shoved him off and hit a Samoan spike for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Solo Sikoa defeated Dolph Ziggler to advance in The Last Time is Now Tournament (8:53) 

A returning mid-carder who was never taken seriously as a world champion wasn’t the most exciting mystery participant, but it came across well enough thanks to these fans giving him the biggest reaction he was going to get anywhere. 

********

There was a quick video package for Je’Von Evans. 

New Day did their usual commercial break promo alongside Grayson Waller, who wore a Tyrese Haliburton jersey for heat. 

Lil Yachty, Aljamain Sterling, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephanie McMahon & Elyse Dudzinski were shown in the crowd. 

Alexa Bliss promo and WarGames angle 

Alexa Bliss entered. She said she hasn’t heard back from Charlotte Flair all weekend. Since Charlotte wasn’t responding, Bliss looked into the camera to address her instead. Bliss knew Charlotte was upset they lost the tag titles, but they could get those back. It would be harder to get back trust. 

Everyone warned her not to trust Charlotte, but she ignored them because she knew who Charlotte was on the inside. But maybe now Charlotte was proving her wrong. Bliss got her ass beat simply because Charlotte didn’t like Rhea Ripley. Charlotte wasn’t there when Bliss needed her best friend. (Bliss was getting ‘What’ chants, but she did a great job dealing with it by incorporating it into her promo.) 

She was interrupted by Asuka, Sane, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend. Jax, as Bliss’ former friend, said she understood why Charlotte left her. The heels surrounded Bliss on the apron, but Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky ran out to join her. 

Ripley and Sky brawled with Asuka and Sane outside the ring, but that left Bliss alone in the ring for Jax and Legend. 

Charlotte ran out with a kendo stick and attacked Jax and Legend until they left the ring. Charlotte helped Bliss to her feet and hugged her. Ripley and Sky were in the other corner of the ring, and upon seeing them hug, Sky quickly hugged Ripley in response. The crowd laughed at the amusing visual, and Charlotte broke out laughing, too. 

********

Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri

Jessika Carr was the referee. Lynch wasn’t happy with this because she blamed Carr for her previous losses. Lynch got in Dupri’s face during her introduction, and she aggressively handed Carr the title belt. 

Lynch was still arguing with Carr as Carr called for the match to start, so Dupri booted Lynch for a quick nearfall. Lynch took over quickly by knocking Dupri off the top rope, and they went to break 90 seconds into this title match. 

Dupri fought back as soon as they returned from break with clotheslines and a roundhouse kick for two. Dupri hit a fisherman’s suplex, dropped her straps, and hit (missed) a leg drop for two. Lynch booted Dupri’s arm and tried targeting it, but Dupri fought back again. Lynch lifted her out of the corner and hit a powerbomb. 

Lynch tried applying an arm bar, but Dupri bridged out of it. She countered it a second time and applied a cradle for two. Dupri applied an ankle lock and grapevined the legs to avoid a rope break. Lynch still managed to slip out of it, and she kicked Dupri in the arm again. Lynch hit a Man-handle Slam right next to the ropes, so Dupri got a predictable rope break. 

Lynch got in Carr’s face and poked her in the chest. Carr knocked her hand down and told her to get back to the match. 

Lynch chucked Dupri out of the ring and, as Carr checked on Dupri, Lynch tried to expose the top turnbuckle. 

AJ Lee then skipped out to her music, which distracted Lynch, so Dupri caught her with a flying crossbody for the pinfall win. Dupri is the new Women’s Intercontinental Champion. 

Dupri sprinted out of the ring and embraced AJ. Fireworks went off as Dupri posed with her new title belt. Lynch was pissed. 

Match result: Maxxine Dupri defeated Becky Lynch to win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (9:50)

This match was not good. They tried to manufacture a moment while also getting heat behind a Lynch/AJ Lee singles match. But now Maxxine Dupri is the IC champion. The crowd was not really into Dupri here, and they only popped for the finish. Perhaps they will get behind her more now, but she won’t improve fast enough, and fans can see she isn’t ready. 

********

Byron Saxton interviewed Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez during a break. The most notable thing here was Perez correctly complaining that Bella was getting a title shot despite Perez beating her twice in a row. 

Brandon Marshall, Chuck Zito, and Gabriel Iglesias were in the crowd.  

The Last Time Is Now Tournament Round One: Je’Von Evans vs. Gunther

Gunther dismissively patted Evans on the head, so Evans smacked him. Evans chopped Gunther and countered a few spots until Gunther simply booted him to take over. 

Gunther maintained control through a commercial break, and there was a “Y2J” chant as he did. 

Evans countered a powerbomb into a hurricanrana. It might’ve been a nice nearfall, but the referee stopped counting because Gunther’s shoulders weren’t flush against the mat. Evans followed with a somersault kick, and the crowd started to get into him. He tried a suicide dive, but Gunther caught him and chucked him hard into the side of the ring. 

During a break, Gunther tried a German suplex, but Evans landed on his feet. Gunther cut him off again, this time with a dropkick. Evans countered him again, this time into a sunset flip cradle for two as they returned from break. 

They traded strikes until Evans tried springing off the ropes, but Gunther booted him. Evans countered Gunther once again, this time into a cutter, and he hit a dive over the top rope. Evans followed with a great-looking frog splash for two. (The crowd is fully into this now.) 

Gunther hit an uppercut to the back of Evans’ neck as he came off the top. Gunther followed with a suplex and powerbomb, but Evans kicked out. Gunther applied a sleeper, and Evans tried fighting through it, but Gunther cinched it in, and Evans tapped out. 

— Gunther left the ring, and you could hear the crowd starting to give Evans an ovation, but they cut to the back. 

Match result: Gunther defeated Je’Von Evans to advance in The Last Time is Now Tournament (15:04)

This was really good. Evans and the match would’ve benefited from an extra minute or two, but Evans still came across great. Unlike the previous match, the crowd really got into the underdog as it went along, and it seemed like the fans were ready to give him a big ovation despite the loss. 

*******

Backstage, Dupri (with AJ Lee) told Redmond that this title win meant everything because all the hard work paid off. She beat one of the best of all time, and that meant she finally belonged here. It was all thanks to AJ Lee. 

AJ said the credit belonged to Dupri. AJ hated a bully and just wanted to put Lynch in her place. Otis and Akira Tozawa showed up to celebrate with Dupri, and they left together. 

Redmond asked AJ if she was sticking around. AJ said she initially came back to help her husband, but Lynch lit a fire under her, so we’ll see. Ripley approached AJ and asked if they could chat. AJ left with Ripley. The fans cheered. 

*******

Somebody named Gangster Granny was shown ringside during a break.

Main event WarGames angle 

Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Logan Paul entered together. Drew McIntyre entered separately to join them. Heyman said he walked with the Samoan Swat Team & The Freebirds, with the Dangerous Alliance, and with The Bloodline to the ring for WarGames, but this was the greatest assembly of talent for WarGames ever. 

CM Punk interrupted to his music. He waited ringside as Jey and Jimmy Uso entered to Jey’s music through the crowd. They all waited for Cody Rhodes to come out next to his music. (Rhodes stood side-by-side with Punk and went for a fist bump, but Punk legitimately didn’t see it, so Rhodes forcibly bumped his fist so it didn’t look like he got left hanging.) The babyfaces cleared the ring, and Punk dropped Paul with a bulldog. 

Brock Lesnar entered. Punk went after him, but Lesnar laid him out with a couple of suplexes. Rhodes went after Lesnar, but Lesnar laid him out with suplexes, too. Lesnar stood tall, and they displayed the trademark graphic to fake that the show was over, but it wasn’t. 

Roman Reigns entered and faced off with Lesnar. Lesnar tried to attack, but Reigns ducked a clothesline and knocked Lesnar out of the ring with a Superman punch. 

Security stepped in front of Reigns, so Reed attacked Reigns from behind. Reed went for a Tsunami, but Reigns popped up and gave Reed a Superman punch. 

“NYPD” appeared at ringside as Punk choked out Paul with a kendo stick. NYPD and security tried settling things down, but Reigns speared Reed through the barricade as the show abruptly ended at 10:25 pm ET.

Netflix hypes John Cena’s final WWE Raw appearance

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Netflix has released a new trailer hyping John Cena’s last-ever appearance on WWE Raw.

At Madison Square Garden next Monday, Cena will appear on Raw for the final time. It’s one of only three WWE shows he has left before retirement. He’ll be on Raw next Monday, Survivor Series: WarGames on November 29, and then have his last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13.

Netflix’s description for the trailer appears to confirm that Cena will be wrestling on the Raw episode. He became the new Intercontinental Champion last night, defeating Dominik Mysterio in Boston.

“This Monday night, witness the end of an era. John Cena takes center stage for his FINAL appearance ever on Monday Night RAW,” Netflix wrote. “One last match. One unforgettable farewell. Celebrate the legacy of a true WWE legend!”

We know that Madison Square Garden will host two first-round matches in WWE’s ongoing tournament to decide Cena’s final opponent for SNME. Gunther vs. Je’Von Evans and Solo Sikoa vs. a mystery opponent have been announced for the Raw episode.

Rusev and Sheamus are the first two competitors to have advanced to the next round of the tournament.

WWE Raw (Monday, November 17) —

  • Intercontinental Champion John Cena makes his final Raw appearance
  • Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defends against Maxxine Dupri
  • The Last Time is Now tournament first round: Gunther vs. Je’Von Evans
  • The Last Time is Now tournament first round: Solo Sikoa vs. mystery opponent

Hulk Hogan-themed bar to open across from Madison Square Garden

Posted on by Ian Carey

Hulk Hogan is set to have a major presence just outside the arena where he had many of his biggest matches.

According to a report from Page Six, a 9,000 square foot Hogan-themed sports bar called Slam will open across the street from Madison Square Garden. The bar’s interior will be styled to resemble the inside of the Garden, complete with a replica jumbotron. It will also feature Hogan memorabilia and screens playing highlights from his career.

Although Hogan is expected to be a regular fixture at Slam, he will not have an ownership stake. Instead, the venue is using his name through a licensing agreement.

The bar is owned by Rich Rosen of American Sports Bar Entertainment and will be located at 461 8th Avenue on the corner of 31st Street. Rosen told Page Six he pitched the idea to Hogan during an autograph signing.

“I basically waited 5 hours in line to get two seconds with Hulk Hogan,” Rosen said. “I came with an 8-by-11 glossy picture of Madison Square Garden, and in the picture is our venue… I walked up to Hulk, I dropped the picture in front of him.”

“That’s my venue, that’s the Garden, and you’re my new partner,” Rosen says he told Hogan.

No opening date has been announced.

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins cage match at MSG

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: March 10, 2025
Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City 

The Big Takeaway —

Roman Reigns returned to attack Seth Rollins in the main event. Reigns also laid out CM Punk after seeing him being consoled by Paul Heyman. 

Cody Rhodes and John Cena will both be on Raw in Brussels, Belgium, next week. 

**********

Show Recap — 

Michael Cole announced a sell-out crowd of over 19,000 at Madison Square Garden, which is hosting Raw for a 15th time. There’s a small video screen in lieu of a stage. 

Cody Rhodes, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai, Bianca Belair, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk were shown arriving. 

Jey Uso entered to kick off Raw. As he did, Cole let us know that “many, many celebrities” were here and they showed someone named Andrew Schulz in the crowd. 

Grayson Waller ripped up a kid’s “Yeet” sign on the way down. 

Jey Uso defeated Grayson Waller (w/Austin Theory) (9:10) 

This was a rare instance of a match kicking off Raw, but they still went to break just three minutes into it. 

This was not a squash match for Jey Uso, which you could argue it should have been. Instead, it was your usual patterned WWE TV match. 

Waller used a Theory distraction to take advantage ahead of the break and held control until Jey fought back with strikes and a Samoan drop. Jey fended off another distraction and hit a superkick but Waller blocked his dive attempt and hit a rolling flatliner for two. 

Jey fought back with another superkick before superkicking Theory off the apron. Jey speared Waller for the pinfall win. 

— Theory and Waller attacked Jey after the match, but he dumped Waller from the ring and speared Theory. Jey splashed Theory but Gunther grabbed Jey in a sleeper and put him down.

(This was an ordinary match to say the least. I have no issue with Jey Uso’s position on the card, but this match didn’t help his case with anyone who has doubts. The crowd was into him, though, and the Gunther attack got a decent amount of heat.) 

********

There was a video package for CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins. 

During a break, there was a video package for Penta/Ludwig Kaiser. 

After the break, Alpha Academy approached Jey in the trainer’s room. Otis said they’d have his back, and he said he’d be alright. (It’s a little weird they’re associating some of the biggest losers on the show with Main Event Jey Uso.) 

********

Logan Paul and AJ Styles segment 

Logan Paul entered. He ripped off the t-shirt of some fan plant which read “I hate Logan Paul.” 

Paul got an absolute ton of heat. He said his name was associated with people like The Rock and John Cena, who transcended the business and would do anything to reach the top. That’s why he was shocked when Cody Rhodes turned down The Rock. It took Cena 20 years to realize that nice guys finish last. Paul wanted Rock to know that his soul was for sale. 

Paul called out Andrew Schulz (the comedian shown earlier). Paul wanted to know who he was there to see. Schulz was there to see the cage match between Punk and Rollins. He said no one in New York was there to see Paul. They were a real city, unlike Cleveland, who wanted to see real wrestlers. Schulz also wanted to see AJ Styles. 

Paul didn’t like that, so he yanked Schulz over the barricade. Paul was about to suplex Schulz, but Styles ran out. 

The crowd was pumped for Styles who laid out Paul with a Phenomenal forearm. (Styles, off mic, yelled, “F*ck yeah!” and he slapped hands with Schulz.) 

Paul walked toward the stage as Styles told him to get back in the ring. Styles kept telling him this was New York City, but Paul kept walking to the back. Styles held up Schulz’ hand and repeated that this was New York City and they played Styles’ music to conclude the segment. 

The crowd was super into this, but the segment just petered out at the end. This was one of those segments that was probably better for the live crowd.

******** 

There was a video recap of Iyo Sky beating Rhea Ripley for the world title last week. 

New Day cut a promo during a break. Kofi Kingston buried the Jets and Giants, and Xavier Woods buried the Knicks. (They were going for cheap heat but the crowd didn’t bite.) New Day’s new thing lately is to tell the audience to thank God for them. Although, I think their promos only happen during commercials, so the audience may not be aware of that. 

They showed Dana White’s TKO Boxing announcement. Boxer Callum Walsh and trainer Freddie Roach were shown in the crowd. 

Oba Femi was also shown in the crowd. 

******** 

Tornado Tag Team Match: Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee (11:08) 

The crowd chanted for tables, so LWO gave them what they wanted. However, New Day attacked them and put the table away. LWO got the advantage again, so the crowd chanted for tables again. LWO pulled out a table again, but New Day attacked them before they could use it, again. 

New Day had control through a break. Rey brought Woods off the top rope with a springboard hurricanrana, and Dragon Lee hit a double foot stomp off the top. Dragon Lee hit a running hurricanrana off the apron to put Woods through the table. It didn’t land perfectly but the crowd popped because the table technically broke. 

Rey ran wild on Kingston and hit a 619. Kingston got his knees up on a frog splash and applied a cradle but Dragon Lee broke up the cover. Dragon Lee wiped out Kingston with a dive. 

An unidentified masked man in a black hoodie suddenly appeared and wiped out Dragon Lee with a hurricanrana attempt. It was Chad Gable in a USA-themed mask. Gable also laid out Rey with a German suplex. He yelled, “Gracias!” before being grabbed by security. Gable escaped security and ran away through the crowd. 

Thanks to the interference, New Day hit Rey with UpUpDownDown for the pinfall win. 

*******

Judgment Day segment 

Finn Bálor told Carlito that he was sick of Bron Breakker. Carlito wasn’t listening. He was thinking about John Cena being a bad guy. He thought Cena would be a good guy forever, like him. 

Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Dominik Mysterio joined them. Morgan said they were off getting Rodriguez a match against Bayley, with the winner getting a shot at the Women’s IC title. Dom also got Bálor an Men’s IC title match against Breakker next week. Bálor hugged Dom and thanked him sincerely. Bálor left to make it official with Adam Pearce. 

After Bálor left, Morgan asked Dom why he didn’t get himself a title match. Dom believed in Bálor. 

********

Peter Rosenberg, Fabolous, and Macaulay Culkin were shown in the crowd. 

******** 

Cody Rhodes promo 

Rhodes entered, still sporting a black eye, and cut a passionate promo on John Cena. 

Rhodes said he was there because the Garden was the cathedral and WWE’s home base. His WrestleMania opponent John Cena was not there tonight. The mere mention of Cena’s name was booed, as well as mentions of Travis Scott and The Rock. 

Rhodes noted that Cena would be in Brussels, Belgium, next week instead. This was the same Cena who first won the US title in MSG and returned to the Royal Rumble from injury in MSG. It was apparently an easy decision for Cena not to appear in MSG. However, Rhodes did not begrudge Cena for having a part-time schedule. 

(Dueling, “Let’s go, Cena” and “Cena sucks” chants broke out. Rhodes paused his promo and told the crowd to let Cena hear it.) 

Rhodes did begrudge Cena for something. He mentioned Cena’s social media post stating that you must have the discipline to do what needs to be done even if you don’t feel like it. Rhodes compared Cena to the overzealous teacher or coach who kept giving advice but it was time for Cena to sit down, “you Goddamn moron.” 

Nobody defined best for business quite like Cena. But there were 17,000 in attendance who knew what was best. (The announcers frantically made sure to mention it was closer to 20,000.) 

The key number to remember was 17 (the record Cena was chasing). It would be Rhodes’ heart-breaking privilege to beat his hero in his last chance, while Cena found out what the fans already knew: “I’m the captain now.” 

(They announced that Cena and Rhoeds will both be on Raw next week.) 

********

Jackie Redmond had a quick interview with Lyra Valkyria during a break. 

Ali Ahn, Rich the Kid, Amanda Serrano, and cast members from ‘Selling The City’, were shown in the crowd. 

They showed a clip of Jimmy Snuka hitting Don Muraco with a splash off the cage at MSG in 1983. 

******* 

Tag Team Champion Raquel Rodriguez (w/Dominik Mysterio & Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan) defeated Bayley (11:06) 

Bayley fought back after a break and hit a flying elbow drop for two. She missed a baseball slide by a mile but managed to shove Rodriguez into the post before Rodriguez could do it to her. 

Dom distracted the referee while Morgan tried to interfere, but Bayley knocked her off the apron. She also knocked Dom off the apron and went for a dive, but Rodriguez caught her and slammed her onto the announce table. 

Bayley barely avoided a count-out but Rodriguez booted her as she entered the ring. Rodriguez followed with the Tejana Bomb for the pinfall win. Rodriguez is next in line for Valkyria’s title with this win. 

The crowd has been hot so far, but they were mostly pretty quiet for this. 

********

Cathy Kelley interviewed Chad Gable. He played dumb and said it wasn’t him who attacked LWO. He called security pathetic for not getting to that fan before he could get involved. As Kelley argued with Gable, a man in a black hoodie and USA-themed mask could be seen being taken out by security. Kelley was confused. 

During a break, there was a Bron Breakker video promo on Bálor. 

There was a clip of Randy Savage defending the WWF Championship in a cage match against Ted DiBiase at MSG in 1988. 

Celebrities William Jackson Harper, Kris Diaz, Josh Segarra, and Nardo Wick were shown in the crowd. 

******** 

IYO SKY, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley segment 

Michael Cole interviewed Iyo Sky in the ring. He congratulated her on heading to WrestleMania and the crowd cheered. She called it a dream to be standing in MSG as the champion and she was over the moon knowing she was headed to WrestleMania. 

Belair entered. She congratulated Sky and said she was excited for them to be headed to Mania. Cole asked Belair if Rhea Ripley would still be champion of Belair was not sitting at ringside last week. Belair said she has had enough drama lately and was only out there to watch the match. If Ripley thought she would put her hands on her and get away with it, she didn’t know her at all. 

Ripley interrupted to a big reaction. She was skeptical of Belair’s explanation. She said Belair should have left her to handle her business with Sky while Belair handled her business with Naomi and Jade Cargill. Belair said Ripley was mad because she knew she couldn’t beat Sky. 

They got in each other’s faces as Sky tried to interject. Ripley and Belair each shoved her aside, so Sky smacked them both in the face (Ripley stumbled back, while Belair fell to the mat). The crowd chanted for Sky. She was livid and left the ring. 

********

Next week on Raw in Brussels, Belgium (start time 3 pm ET/12 pm PT): 

  • Cody Rhodes and John Cena in the same building 
  • Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser 
  • Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory 
  • Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile 
  • Bron Breakker vs. Finn Bálor for the Intercontinental Championship 

******** 

Steel Cage Match: Seth Rollins defeated CM Punk (22:26) 

Rollins chucked his jacket Punk as he entered the ring and attacked him in the ropes as the bell rang to start the match. The crowd booed him for that. Punk fought back before they wildly slapped and punched each other (and missed each other a bunch). 

Rollins powerbombed Punk into the side of the cage, leading to a break three minutes in, and hit another one during the break. Rollins repeatedly drove Punk into the cage during the break. 

After the break, Rollins opened the door and invited Punk to leave. Punk flipped off Rollins (and the screen went black to censor it). Punk used a hurricanrana to drive Rollins into the cage and he followed with a GTS. Punk did not go for a cover. 

Punk drove Rollins’ face into the cage and hit a running knee to the back of his head, causing Rollins’ face to bounce off the cage. Punk invited Rollins to leave, so Rollins flipped him off, too (this was also blacked out). 

Punk hit repeated elbow drops and consecutive flying elbow drops. As Cole noted, neither man had gone for a cover yet. Punk hit a third flying elbow drop and finally did go for a cover for a two count. 

Punk climbed to the top of the cage, so Rollins met him up there. (They used a drone shot to circle them as they exchanged strikes.) Rollins yanked Punk down from the top of the cage and hit a superplex (off the top rope) for two. The crowd reacted like this was a superplex off the cage, but it was basically a normal superplex. 

Rollins went for a Pedigree, but Punk countered into a GTS for a nearfall. Punk went for another GTS, but Rollins countered into an STF (Cena’s move). Punk reversed that into an Anaconda Vice, but Rollins raked his eyes to get out of it. Rollins followed with a curb stomp for a nearfall. 

Rollins set up for a super stomp, but Punk yanked him off the ropes and hit a third GTS for a nearfall. A frustrated Punk hit a curb stomp for another nearfall. 

Punk saw the open door but turned around to see Rollins screaming at him, “If you want my house, take it from me, you asshole. You want this from me? Take it from me. Earn it, you asshole!” 

Punk hit him with a running knee and set up for another GTS, but Rollins popped out and hit a GTS of his own. Rollins followed with a curb stomp for a close nearfall. The crowd went nuts for that. 

Rollins hit a super stomp off the middle rope. Rollins seemingly had it won, finally, but didn’t make a cover or go for the door just yet. 

The door was open and the crowd began screaming. Roman Reigns suddenly grabbed Rollins and yanked him out of the ring. Rollins was announced the winner because he technically escaped the cage. Rollins was shocked to see Reigns. 

— Reigns hit Rollins with a Superman punch, spear and a curb stomp. 

Reigns placed Rollins over the steel steps and set up for another stomp, but officials ran down to stop him. 

Reigns’ attention suddenly turned to the ring upon seeing Paul Heyman comforting Punk. 

Reigns laughed and entered the ring. He drove Punk into the cage and speared him. Heyman backed into the corner as Reigns stood tall. The crowd chanted “OTC,” and he posed as the show ended.

(This was a hot conclusion to a pretty good main event. The rest of the show felt like an average Raw, but all anyone will remember is this finish. Hopefully Punk does not complain about Reigns getting involved, because Rollins had it won regardless. He just hit a super stomp and was sitting right by the open door. ) 

WWE Raw returning to Madison Square Garden in March 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On the road to WrestleMania 41, WWE will be holding an episode of Raw at Madison Square Garden.

It was announced last night that the Monday, March 10 episode of WWE Raw will take place live from Madison Square Garden in New York City. It’s the first time Madison Square Garden has hosted Raw since 2022, and it will be the first time Raw has taken place from MSG during the Netflix era.

Tickets are going on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Friday, January 10.

WWE was at MSG on Thursday night for its annual post-Christmas house show, headlined by World Heavyweight Champion Gunther defeating Damian Priest in a steel cage match. The show ended with CM Punk — wearing a towel and shower cap — saving Priest from an attack.

Raw moves to Netflix starting with its January 6 episode from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The MSG Raw episode is happening just under six weeks before WrestleMania 41, which is being held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20.

WWE returning to Madison Square Garden in December

Posted on by Josh Nason

After some questions regarding the lack of a holiday tradition when their December schedule was announced in late-September, WWE will indeed be returning to Madison Square Garden during the holidays after all.

In a video played during Monday’s New York Knicks game at MSG, Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson made the announcement that WWE will run the famed arena on Thursday, December 26th. Tickets will go on sale this Friday.

WWE routinely runs MSG during the holidays, traditionally within a few days after Christmas. It will be one of two shows WWE is running that night as they will also be at Jacksonville, Florida’s Vystar Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Brunson was part of a televised angle with Indiana Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton as part of a June SmackDown held at MSG. Several days ago, Brunson was asked about the angle and joked he should have hit Haliburton with a chair. The Knicks do not have a game scheduled that night, meaning the possibility of Brunson making an appearance is a definite possibility.

DragonKingKarl: How I became a court certified expert on wrestling

Posted on by Karl Stern

On this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show, I answer the question of whether I really am a court certified expert on pro wrestling.

Yes, I am! I tell you how it came about, who was involved, and more.

On this week’s show, there is more 1933 Madison Square Garden history and I begin a look at the history of pro wrestling at the Tokyo Dome in Japan which starts in 1989. Enjoy my love for Big Van Vader, Masahiro Chono, Buzz Sawyer, and the Russian wrestler invasion!

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast: MSG history, Barry Windham

Posted on by Karl Stern

I am back with a new DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling podcast today and I talk about the upcoming finals to the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament, including why it is so Japanese heavy and the quality difference between Japanese and US wrestling. Is there really a coverage bias in the newsletters historically, or is Japan just that good?

Plus, more history from Madison Square Garden including a possible shooting match. Finally, I look at an off-brand pro wrestling magazine from 1987 and more!

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Damian Priest misses WWE SmackDown MSG dark match due to travel issues

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Travel issues prevented World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest from making his scheduled appearance at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

Priest was supposed to defend his title against Jey Uso in a dark match after WWE SmackDown went off the air. But, despite trying his best to be there, Priest was unable to get to New York City for the show. His flight was delayed due to plane issues. Just before 7 p.m. Eastern time, Priest sent out a tweet apologizing to fans and informing them that his plane had still not taken off.

“Unfortunately the honor of main eventing The Garden is not possible tonight,” Priest wrote. “Still haven’t taken off. Stuck on a plane in a runway. Very disappointed and apologies to my people. This one hurts. Enjoy the show! #SmackDown I’m sure will be awesome.”

The dark match main event was instead a street fight where Uso defeated Finn Balor. There was also a dark match where The Miz & R-Truth defeated Pretty Deadly.

As World Heavyweight Champion, Priest is one of the top stars on the Raw roster. He’s putting the title on the line against Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank on July 6. The winner will then defend against Gunther at SummerSlam.