The qualifying matches that have been announced for tonight’s show are all for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. The qualifiers are: Asuka vs. Ruby Riott, Kairi Sane vs. Nia Jax, and Shayna Baszler vs. Sarah Logan.
Baszler unsuccessfully challenged for Becky Lynch’s Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 36, but WWE has made it clear that their feud isn’t over.
Asuka & Sane lost the Women’s Tag Team titles to Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross at WrestleMania. Bliss & Cross also defeated Asuka & Sane in a WrestleMania rematch on SmackDown last Friday.
Asuka defeated Liv Morgan in a singles match on last Monday’s Raw.
After a year away from the ring due to undergoing surgery to repair both of her ACLs, Jax returned to action by decisively defeating Deonna Purrazzo on Raw last week.
Money in the Bank is set for Sunday, May 10. Two qualifying matches have also been announced for this Friday’s SmackDown. Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro will determine one of the participants for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, while qualifiers for the women’s ladder match will continue with Naomi vs. Dana Brooke.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre will kick off tonight’s Raw. An appearance by Becky Lynch is also advertised for the show.
After a year away from the ring, Nia Jax returned to action on the Raw after WrestleMania 36.
Jax defeating Deonna Purrazzo aired on tonight’s Raw. Jax attacked Purrazzo once the bell rang, gave her short-arm clotheslines, and hit a Samoan drop. Jax then used a new cradle DDT finisher (like Paige’s RamPaige) to get the win.
Paige tweeted about Jax using the move: “You never use another persons finishing move unless it is given to you. I gave it to @NiaJaxWWE and she just killed it. I have chills. Proud moment”
Jax had announced on April 12, 2019 that she would need to undergo surgery to repair both of her ACLs. “Some of you may or may not know, but I will be out of action for a little while,” Jax wrote at the time. “Unfortunately, I have been pushing through some pain over the last year due to injuries in my knees and I will be undergoing surgery to repair both of my ACLs. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me! Thank you!”
The last time that Jax was in action prior to tonight’s show was when she teamed with Tamina against Sasha Banks & Bayley, Peyton Royce & Billie Kay, and Natalya & Beth Phoenix in a fatal four-way Women’s Tag Team title match at WrestleMania 35 last year.
Nia Jax underwent surgery today to repair both of her ACLs.
Jax tweeted an update after undergoing surgery, noting that all went well: “At home resting! All went well. Already walking with some assistance”
Jax announced on April 12 that she would need to have her ACLs repaired. “Some of you may or may not know, but I will be out of action for a little while,” she wrote while making the announcement. “Unfortunately, I have been pushing through some pain over the last year due to injuries in my knees and I will be undergoing surgery to repair both of my ACLs. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me! Thank you!”
A timetable for Jax’s return has yet to be announced, though it appears that she’ll be out of action for a significant amount of time.
Jax teamed with Tamina against Sasha Banks & Bayley, The IIconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay), and Beth Phoenix & Natalya in a fatal four-way Women’s Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania 35, with Kay pinning Bayley to win the titles for The IIconics. Jax worked through WrestleMania before having surgery.
It appears that Nia Jax will be out of action for a significant amount of time coming out of WrestleMania.
On her social media accounts today, Jax posted a statement confirming that she’ll need to undergo surgery to repair both of her ACLs.
“Some of you may or may not know, but I will be out of action for a little while,” Jax wrote. “Unfortunately, I have been pushing through some pain over the last year due to injuries in my knees and I will be undergoing surgery to repair both of my ACLs. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me! Thank you!”
Jax took part in the fatal four-way Women’s Tag Team title match at WrestleMania 35, teaming with Tamina against Sasha Banks & Bayley, Peyton Royce & Billie Kay, and Beth Phoenix & Natalya. Royce & Kay won the titles by stealing the win from Phoenix and pinning Bayley.
Jax didn’t appear on this week’s Raw or SmackDown.
Batista will officially be appearing on Monday’s go-home episode of Raw in his hometown of Washington D.C.
WWE has announced that Batista will appear on the show for a segment where he responds to Triple H ahead of their no holds barred match at WrestleMania. Batista didn’t appear on this past Monday’s Raw, but their storyline continued with Triple H reading a letter from Batista’s attorney. It said Batista wouldn’t compete at WrestleMania unless Triple H’s career was on the line.
Triple H cut a promo where he agreed to the stipulation and accused Batista of trying to quit again with the letter.
An eight-woman tag match has also been announced for Monday’s go-home show. It will feature all of the participants in WrestleMania 35’s fatal four-way Women’s Tag Team title match, with Sasha Banks, Bayley, Beth Phoenix & Natalya teaming against Nia Jax, Tamina, Peyton Royce & Billie Kay on Raw.
This will be the first time Phoenix has wrestled on Raw since 2012.
The Capital One Arena is hosting Monday’s Raw. Brock Lesnar will appear on the episode, Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair will face The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan) in a six-woman tag match, and Kurt Angle’s farewell tour will continue with a match against Rey Mysterio.
There’s a stipulation where Rousey, Lynch, or Charlotte will lose their spot in the WrestleMania main event if they betray their team against The Riott Squad.
Four teams will be in the Women’s Tag Team title match at WrestleMania 35.
WWE has announced that Sasha Banks & Bayley will defend their titles against Beth Phoenix & Natalya, Nia Jax & Tamina, and Peyton Royce & Billie Kay in a fatal four-way match at WrestleMania.
Banks faced Natalya on this week’s Raw, with Jax & Tamina causing a disqualification. Phoenix hit the Glam Slam on Tamina after the match and put her foot on Banks’ title belt when she was trying to take it out of the ring. Banks & Bayley later cut a promo where they vowed to take on all of the teams coming for them at WrestleMania.
On last week’s SmackDown, Royce & Kay defeated Banks & Bayley in a non-title match.
Banks & Bayley became WWE’s first Women’s Tag Team Champions of this era at February’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey is the host of this year’s WrestleMania. The show will take place on April 7. Here’s what’s been announced thus far:
Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a triple threat match
Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Seth Rollins
Triple H vs. Batista in a no holds barred match (Triple H’s career is on the line as a stipulation of the match)
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz
AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton
United States Champion Samoa Joe defending against Rey Mysterio
Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin (Angle’s farewell match)
Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley defending against Beth Phoenix & Natalya, Nia Jax & Tamina, and Peyton Royce & Billie Kay in a fatal four-way match
Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley defending against Finn Balor
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (Braun Strowman and Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost & Michael Che have been announced as entrants)
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defending against Tony Nese
WWE has announced Sasha Banks & Bayley’s first televised Women’s Tag Team title defense.
Banks & Bayley will defend their titles against Nia Jax & Tamina at Fastlane. That was announced during tonight’s Raw, which also featured Bayley defeating Jax in a singles match.
Jax and Tamina interrupted Banks and Bayley in an angle on last week’s Raw, but Banks and Bayley fought them off before they could get into the ring.
Banks & Bayley became WWE’s first Women’s Tag Team Champions of this era at Elimination Chamber on February 17. They made their first title defense against The Riott Squad at Raw’s house show in Jonesboro, Arkansas this past Friday night.
WWE has announced that the Women’s Tag Team titles will be defended on Raw, SmackDown, and in NXT.
Fastlane is taking place at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on March 10. Kofi Kingston challenging for Daniel Bryan’s WWE Championship is set for the pay-per-view, along with Shane McMahon & The Miz getting their rematch for The Usos’ SmackDown Tag Team titles.
The Nia Jax vs. Dean Ambrose “intergender special attraction match” that had been advertised for a WWE house show later this month won’t be happening.
Jax vs. Ambrose had been advertised via a commercial for Raw’s house show in Jonesboro, Arkansas on Friday, February 22, but WWE has confirmed to Dave Meltzer that the match isn’t happening.
Ambrose has lost to EC3 at Raw’s house shows this weekend. Jax and Tamina have taken part in angles where they’ve attacked Bayley, Natalya & Dana Brooke after six-woman tag matches where Bayley, Natalya & Brooke defeated Mickie James, Alicia Fox & Nikki Cross.
Jax was an entrant in last month’s men’s Royal Rumble match. She’s been involved in segments with Ambrose on Raw over the past two weeks. On the post-Royal Rumble episode, she struck Ambrose and sent him out of the ring when his attention was turned away from her.
WWE confirmed on January 29 that Ambrose won’t be renewing his contract when it expires in April.
The first two teams have been confirmed for next month’s Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber match.
Nia Jax & Tamina and Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan won Elimination Chamber qualifying matches on tonight’s episode of Raw. Jax & Tamina defeated Alexa Bliss & Mickie James, while Morgan & Logan defeated Natalya & Dana Brooke.
The Elimination Chamber match to crown WWE’s Women’s Tag Team Champions will include three teams from Raw and three teams from SmackDown. The final Raw team for the match will be confirmed next Monday when Sasha Banks & Bayley face Alicia Fox & Nikki Cross in a qualifier.
The SmackDown teams for the match have yet to be revealed.
WWE officially announced the Women’s Tag Team titles on last month’s Christmas Eve edition of Raw. They were then unveiled on the January 14 episode of the show.
The Toyota Center in Houston, Texas will host Elimination Chamber 2019 on February 17.
WWE has announced that Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose will defend his title against Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a triple threat match on Monday’s show, which is taking place at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey will also team with her Royal Rumble challenger, with Rousey & Sasha Banks set to face Nia Jax & Tamina on the episode.
Ambrose retained against Rollins in a falls count anywhere match in the main event of this week’s Raw. Lashley attacking Rollins led to Ambrose winning. In a post-match angle, Lashley put Rollins through a table.
Rollins and Lashley’s feud also included them brawling to start this Monday’s Raw and Rollins, John Cena & Finn Balor then defeating Lashley, Ambrose & Drew McIntyre.
Banks defeated Jax in a number one contender’s match this week and will challenge for Rousey’s Raw Women’s Championship at the Royal Rumble on January 27. Banks defeated Jax after their number one contender’s match was set up during Rousey’s appearance on Alexa Bliss’ “Moment of Bliss” talk show segment.
The final build to Ronda Rousey’s Women’s Championship defense against Nia Jax at TLC will include a “press conference” segment on Monday’s episode of Raw.
WWE has announced that, ahead of Rousey vs. Jax at TLC, Alexa Bliss will be holding a press conference on Monday’s go-home show. Bliss tweeted: “Since taking over the #Raw Women’s division, I’ve put our female Superstars at the forefront of @WWE. So before @NiaJaxWWE and @RondaRousey face off at #WWETLC, I’m holding a press conference and may actually use some of YOUR questions. Use #AskAlexa…and make them good.”
Rousey & Ember Moon defeated Jax & Tamina in this Monday’s main event. Rousey was supposed to team with Natalya in the match, but the show opened with an angle where The Riott Squad, Jax, and Tamina attacked Natalya and Rousey. The Riott Squad put Natalya through a table, and it’s been announced that Natalya will face Ruby Riott in a tables match at TLC in San Jose, California on December 16.
Monday’s Raw is taking place at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California.
McIntyre won with a Claymore Kick after an eye rake. He was very over and got a very good reaction. McIntyre cut a promo in English telling the fans they probably didn’t understand any of what he was saying. He told them they smelled and asked Dasha Fuentes to translate all of it, which made the crowd turn on him. Ziggler came out to a good reaction and got the crowd fully behind him.
There were lots of soccer chants, mostly directed at the heels, throughout the show, and lots of “ole, ole” chants for the mid-to-uppercard babyfaces.
This was a good back and forth match that went about 10 minutes and got a “This is awesome” chant.
– Natalya came out to a decent reaction. She cut a promo saying she loved the crowd and called out The Riott Squad who “disrespecto mi familia.” The Riott Squad came out to attack her and brought out a table to promote Natalya and Riott’s upcoming tables match at TLC. That got a “we want tables” chant from the crowd.
Bayley and Ember Moon ran in for the save, then Dana Brooke and Mickie James attacked them from behind — but the faces fought them off. The Riott Squad then tried to put Natalya through the table, but Bayley and Moon knocked them out of the ring and Natalya powerbombed Liv Morgan through the table.
The faces then posed with the broken table and the Argentinian flag, which the crowd liked.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defeated Gran Metalik to retain his title
Murphy retained with Murphy’s Law. Metalik came out to a next to nothing reaction, while Murphy got a decent reaction and a few chants at the start of the match. Murphy stalled for about three minutes at the beginning and told the crowd to shush multiple times to lots of heat.
Metalik was able to get over with his high flying and even got a “This is awesome/lucha” chant. This was a very good match that also went about 10 minutes.
After the match, Andrade “Cien” Almas came out with Zelina Vega to a good reaction and attacked Metalik on his way to the ring. Almas then cut a promo in Spanish telling the crowd he wasn’t happy to be here and that he was “El Idolo” to lots of boos.
– Rey Mysterio defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/ Zelina Vega)
Mysterio won after a 619 and a frog splash. He was super over when he came out and got probably the biggest reaction of the night. He posed like Eddie Guerrero and got an “Eddie” chant. Almas also did the Three Amigos at one point, which got somewhat of a good reaction.
This was a very good match, again going about 10 minutes, and was probably the match of the night considering all the action, storytelling, and crowd heat involved.
The crowd was totally behind Mysterio. He cut a promo in Spanish saying he was very happy when he learned that he was coming to Argentina for the first time when he was announced for the tour. He thanked the crowd and dedicated the match to Eddie Guerrero. Mysterio posed with the flag. The audience loved him.
– Elias defeated Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre & Bobby Lashley in a no DQ handicap match
Elias entered and was very over as well. He played the intro of a famous song by Argentine band Soda Stereo and the crowd sang along with all of it. He did mess up on some chords, though. He cut his usual promo until Corbin interrupted to announce a singles match between them. The crowd booed him and chanted “F*** you Corbin” and “pelado,” which means baldie in Spanish.
In the middle of Elias’ comeback, Corbin called for timeout and announced the match was now a three-on-one no DQ handicap match, with his partners being McIntyre and Lashley. Lashley came out without Lio Rush and got some “Lashley” chants. They mauled Elias and took a selfie with him while he was in a chinlock.
McIntyre then accidentally Claymore Kicked Corbin, and Ziggler and Apollo Crews came out for the save. They hit their finishers on Corbin — and Elias pinned him after a diving elbow. This match was short and sweet thankfully.
– No Way Jose, Titus O’Neil, Heath Slater & Apollo Crews defeated The Revival, Rhyno & Jinder Mahal (w/ Sunil Singh)
Rhyno was on the heel side here. He got lots of “ECW” chants throughout the match and beat on Slater without acknowledging anything about Monday’s Raw. Slater wasn’t working as a referee either.
This was the comedy match. The fans liked Jose’s dancing, O’Neil’s barking, and Slater’s goofing around, and chanted “NXT” lightly at The Revival. Crews got the pin for his team after a crossbody.
– Apollo Crews defeated Curt Hawkins
Hawkins came out after the eight-man tag and issued a challenge to Crews, who then proceeded to beat him with a military press and a standing moonsault in less than a minute. The crowd liked Crews’ athleticism even though they didn’t react to him at all when he was tagged in during the tag match. The faces danced in the ring after.
– Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeated Nia Jax (w/ Tamina) by DQ
Jax got booed as much as Corbin, and the crowd chanted for Becky Lynch. Rousey got a very good reaction and was very over, although she did get some “Becky” chants as well.
Rousey retained via DQ after Tamina attacked her four minutes into the match. The match was actually entertaining until then. After fighting them off, Rousey issued the match to be restarted as a handicap match.
– Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeated Nia Jax & Tamina in a handicap match
This wasn’t very good, as Rousey sold for most of the match and looked a bit green here and there. Tamina and Jax didn’t look good either. As clunky as it was, Rousey’s comeback got a good reaction. She tapped Tamina out with the armbar. She then celebrated with the fans. This was probably the worst match of the show.
Before the main event, the crowd chanted for Finn Balor. He was heavily advertised for this show but wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Fuentes then thanked the crowd.
– Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins defeated Dean Ambrose by DQ
Both got very loud reactions and were super over like Mysterio. There was a bit of comedy during the match involving the crowd. Rollins sold his left knee even though Ambrose barely worked on it.
At one point, Ambrose wanted to do the Shield fist bump to no avail, before Rollins accidentally pushed him onto the ref. Ambrose then hit a low blow for a slow two count, which caused him to bring out a chair and hit Rollins with it, causing the disqualification.
While Ambrose was setting up two chairs for a powerbomb, the crowd chanted again for Balor. Rollins was able to fend Ambrose off and hit him with a chair. He then cut a promo saying he wasn’t done with Ambrose and wanted to finish him off on Friday’s show. Rollins then swung around the belt along with the flag, which the crowd loved. He celebrated with the fans at ringside.
This was a good match with a lousy finish to hype up their match for the next night. It went about 15 minutes. Overall, this was a good, fun show and many people described it as better than last year’s.
As if they would start Raw with a wrestling match. With all four wrestlers in the ring ready to go, the Riott Squad’s music hit and they marched down the ramp with a table. As they did, Jax and Tamina attacked Rousey and Natalya. Jax and Tamina took care of Rousey, while the Riott Squad took out Natalya.
Rousey tried to fight back but was taken out with a leg drop by Jax. Ruby Riott then superkicked Natalya off the apron into a double powerbomb by Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan through a table outside the ring. Rousey and officials checked on Natalya as the crowd booed and the heels backed away.
They went to commercial and this was all within the first 8 minutes into the show. In a vacuum, this was a perfectly good beat-down segment.
Backstage, Rousey helped Natalya walk through the back. All the officials just left? Rousey called for help and a couple of trainers showed up immediately to assist Natalya.
Open Forum with Sasha Banks and Bayley
Alexa Bliss came out and wanted to try to open forum again because last weeks didn’t go according to plan. She introduced Banks and Bayley as Michael Cole and Renee Young accused Bliss of setting up the attack last week.
Bayley asked Bliss how long it would take for them to get attacked again. Bliss said she had no idea that was going to happen and has already reprimanded Alicia Fox, Mickie James and Dana Brooke. A fan asked the first question, asking what they thought of rumours that Banks was just using Bayley. They brushed this off and said they’ll be partners forever.
The next fan asked who their dream opponents would be and they answered Trish and Lita (at WrestleMania) at the same time. The next fan asked what their superpower would be, and Bayley said she would make Bliss disappear.
Another fan asked what changes they would bring to the division. Bayley said they want to be the first-ever women’s tag team champions, which got a modest pop. Fox, James and Brooke ran out, presumably to attack, but Banks saw them coming and Bliss demanded they stop. Instead, Bliss put them in a tag match.
Bayley & Sasha Banks defeated Alicia Fox & Mickie James (w/Dana Brooke)
Banks gave James a backstabber and Bayley followed with Bayley-to-belly for the fairly quick win. The match was under five minutes.
Tonight is Drew McIntyre appreciation night.
Rousey confronted Bliss backstage and said the Riott Squad crossed the line. Bliss said she sent them home and would address their actions next week. Rousey wanted Jax and Tamina tonight. Bliss offered to find her a new partner, but Rousey said Bliss didn’t have a conscience and would find her own partner.
A Corbin propaganda video package aired. They cut backstage to Corbin who was approached by Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, who wanted a rematch with AOP.
Corbin said they lost, so they’re owed nothing. However, they could get that match of Roode could beat Drave Maverick tonight. Roode chuckled and wondered what the catch was. Corbin said there was no catch, but Gable and AOP were banned from ringside.
3-on-1 handicap match: Lucha House Party defeated Scott Dawson (w/Dash Wilder) (2:37)
Dawson cut a promo before the match, similar to last week, and said he would teach Lucha House Party a lesson in singles action. JoJo then announced the match would take place under Lucha House rules. Dawson and Wilder were again surprised to hear this.
Kalisto gave Dawson a Salida Del Sol and Gran Metalik won with a springboard senton. Corey Graves yelled about how ridiculous this was throughout the match as Cole tried to justify it.
Smackdown tomorrow has a Women’s title contract signing and MizTV with Daniel Bryan.
Drew McIntyre Appreciation Night
Graves plugged TLC, saying we’ll get to see Braun Strowman forfeit a match, and Cole plugged it like that’s completely normal and let us know it was in two weeks.
Corbin was in the ring and put over his journey to the top. The crowd booed and chanted “you suck.” He mentioned some bumps in the road along the way, like dealing with the Shield, Finn Balor, Kurt Angle and Braun Strowman, but things have been pain-free lately. He credited Drew McIntyre and played a video package for him.
McIntyre came out and Corbin had a gift for him. It was a gold medal. The “gold medal of excellence” to be exact. McIntyre said he did what no one else could. He wanted to eradicate complacency in the locker room. When he arrived a few months ago, guys were in the back playing video games, replying to fans on social media.
McIntyre wanted to reform Raw in his image, for those who were strong and mighty. McIntyre said Finn Balor likes to think of himself as a voice for the people, but he was a boy in a man’s world.
As he spoke about what he would do to Balor at TLC, Dolph Ziggler interrupted. Ziggler wondered if McIntyre had a memory problem. He didn’t see himself in McIntyre’s video package. He said they dominated together and wondered if maybe his invitation was lost in the mail. McIntyre said, “the truth is, you were never invited.”
McIntyre said Ziggler didn’t meet the height requirement. McIntyre said Ziggler was never the brains. McIntyre himself was the brawn and the brains, he was the whole damn package. He said Ziggler’s only role was to get him into a prominent position, then added, “you succeeded for once in your life.”
McIntyre sarcastically thanked him and told him to leave. McIntyre said he’s the reason Ziggler was relevant for the first time in ten years. Ziggler attacked and gave him a Zig-Zag. He was about to leave, so Corbin put them in a match… up next.
Dolph Ziggler defeated Drew McIntyre
The match started during a break and McIntyre was in control when they came back. Ziggler tried a leaping DDT but McIntyre turned it into a suplex. McIntyre grabbed a mic and said that maybe he did still have a soft spot for Ziggler, so he would treat him like he was someone he didn’t like and pretend that he was Finn Balor.
McIntyre drove him into the side of the ring and barricade. Balor walked out onto the stage and they went to break. After the break, Ziggler was fighting back, but McIntyre cut him off and hit a reverse Alabama slam (which was missed by the director because the camera was on Balor).
Ziggler managed to hit a leaping DDT and then sent McIntyre to the outside. The crowd actually got behind him a bit and chanted “let’s go Ziggler.” McIntyre cut him off with a headbutt and crotched him on the barricade as the referee watched.
McIntyre slid Ziggler into the ring and Ziggler collided with the referee. With the ref temporarily distracted, Balor dropkicked McIntyre into the barricade. McIntyre just barely beat the ten count, but upon entering the ring, Ziggler caught him with a superkick for the pinfall win. McIntyre lost.
Cole said he thought that was McIntyre’s first pinfall or submission loss since returning to WWE. The crowd did cheer for Ziggler’s win, but this didn’t come across like that of a big a deal.
Backstage, Caruso asked McIntyre if it was smart to ditch his friend Ziggler when other superstars were after him. McIntyre was pissed and said Ziggler was never his friend, he was a means to an end.
McIntyre called the win tainted and said Ziggler has been living off potential for ten years. Ziggler’s been trying to reach the top of the mountain, but McIntyre was the mountain and he would come crashing down on Ziggler. He also said Balor was a marked man.
Elias was in the ring and cut his usual promo. He said he was looking for Bobby Lashley so he could wrap a guitar around his head. He was about to play a song but was interrupted by Lio Rush and Lashley on the stage. Rush directed Lashley to pose, so he did, including the one where he bends down so we can see his ass.
Elias saw enough, so he went after Lashley. Elias drove Lashley into the video board then chased Rush away. He chased after Lashley who crawled to the back and Elias had to pretend he wasn’t fast enough to catch him.
Elias came back out where he found Rush, who was pushed back onto the stage by Balor. Elias smashed the guitar over Rush’s back as Balor looked on smiling.
Backstage, Jinder Mahal told Corbin he could take out Balor for him tonight. Corbin liked the idea. After Mahal left, Corbin was then joined by Heath Slater and Rhyno. Corbin said he’s been punching the numbers and there was only enough room for one of them on Raw.
Corbin said one of them could quit and make it easy. Slater didn’t want to quit because he has kids (the crowd laughed) and Rhyno said he worked hard to get where he is. Corbin put them in a match with their jobs on the line.
3-on-2 handicap match: AOP & Drave Maverick defeated Chad Gable & Bobby Roode (3:32)
It started as Roode vs. Maverick, but quickly into the match, AOP were shown on the big screen beating up Gable backstage. Corbin showed up and announced it was actually a 3-on-2 handicap match and it was already underway. AOP left.
Roode gave Maverick a Glorious DDT and frantically went for a cover, but AOP ran in and broke it up. AOP worked him over for a bit until Gable gingerly walked to the ring. AOP cut him off and gave them a supercollider. They tagged in Maverick so he could pin Roode.
They congratulated John Cena on winning the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.
Dean Ambrose promo
Sirens went off and red and blue lights flashed. Six guys wearing tactical vests and gas masks marched out. Dean Ambrose’s music hit and he came out, also wearing a gas mask. (The sirens kept going off alongside Ambrose’s music.)
Ambrose spoke with the gas mask on. He also wore a brown leather jacket, not unlike the jacket Bane wore in Dark Knight Rises. Ambrose made a crack about Houston, then took off the mask. Ambrose said it was easy to get Seth Rollins riled up. He called Rollins needy and emotional, just like the fans.
Ambrose said he used to be proud of the Shield, but after a while, all Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns cared about was being a role model for the fans. The crowd chanted for Rollins. Ambrose said he’s the only one who hasn’t changed, he has remained constant.
Ambrose called himself the moral compass of WWE. Ambrose said the fans probably didn’t know what that meant because the schools in Houston aren’t too good. He said that Rollins would lose control at TLC, but not to worry, because the IC title would fall into his hands.
Rollins’ music hit and some of the fake swat guys matched up the ramp. Rollins appeared from behind and took out a few of the swat guys. He then powerbombed one guy out of the ring onto four other guys. Rollins then went after Ambrose in the crowd.
Rollins was all over him until Ambrose clocked him with the (plastic) gas mask. Ambrose hammered away at him then gave him on a Dirty Deeds on the black mats. Renee Young said, “we’ve seen Dean Ambrose come unhinged before, but what we’re getting from him now is next level.”
The swat guys shoved Rollins back in the ring so Ambrose could give him another Dirty Deeds. A child wanted a high five from Ambrose. He didn’t get it.
After a break, Graves pestered Young to tell us more about Ambrose and stopped short of telling her to “do your job.” It ended with Young telling him, “Listen, no one is entitled to know what goes on behind closed doors between husband and wife. How dare you.”
After taking a powerbomb through a table onto the floor, they announced Natalya had an injured… arm. Backstage, Caruso informed Jax and Tamina that Rousey’s partner tonight would be Ember Moon. Jax and Tamina tried to intimidate Caruso and said Caruso being Rousey’s partner would be just as ridiculous as Moon.
Jax said the only reason they attacked Rousey from behind was so they didn’t have to see her face. Jax said they would have to see her face tonight, so they would rearrange it, just like she did to Becky Lynch. Jax then screamed into the mic, which surely blew out a few speakers. Jax said she would regain her title at TLC.
Heath Slater defeated Rhyno (1:06)
Cole thought it was ridiculous that Graves was crunching numbers during the show. I guess Cole has never had a real job. Slater and Rhyno came out together and argued on their way down.
As soon as the match started, Rhyno clocked Slater as the crowd chanted “he’s got kids.” As Rhyno worked him over, Slater suddenly hit a neckbreaker for the pinfall win. Rhyno was stunned. Slater looked on in concern for his friend.
Backstage, Corbin congratulated Slater on the win and said he was glad to have him on Raw. Slater was grateful, but wanted to know what he could do for Rhyno. Corbin didn’t care about Rhyno and told Slater to get into uniform. Slater didn’t know what he was talking about, then Corbin presented him with a referee shirt. Corbin said he could have a long career as a referee. The crowd gasped when they saw the shirt.
Finn Balor defeated Jinder Mahal (w/Singh Brothers) (7:26)
After a few chin locks and a commercial break, Balor came back with a double foot stomp, enziguri, slingblade and running dropkick. Sunil distracted the referee, so Samir pushed Balor off the top. Apollo Crews ran out to take out the Singhs. Cole said, “look who’s here, Apollo Crews!” and Graves responded, “why!?”
Mahal kicked Crews to save his friends, then Balor wiped him out with a flip dive. Balor followed with a dropkick and Coup de Grace for the win.
Caruso was about to interview Balor backstage, but McIntyre attacked him from behind. He beat the hell out of Balor until referees stepped in. McIntyre backed off, then continued the beating until more officials jumped in.
Rousey marched out with a stern demeanor. Jax and Tamina attacked Rousey before Moon’s entrance, then Moon sprinted out to make the save. Moon hit Tamina with a crossbody, then gave Jax a Codebreaker and Rousey knocked Jax out of the ring. Moon gave Tamina sliding kick and Rousey knocked down Jax with a forearm strike off the apron.
With ten minutes left in the show, they went to commercial. After the break, the heels were in control but Moon fought back on Tamina. Jax distracted the referee allowing Tamina to hit a superkick. Moon went for a tag but Jax knocked Rousey off the apron.
Moon dodged a charge and Tamina knocked Jax off the apron. Rousey made the hot tag and hit three consecutive clotheslines. Rousey kicked Tamina into the corner and told Jax to tag in. Tamina tagged out, but Jax tagged her right back in, which brought some booing.
Rousey used strikes on Tamina. She went for a step up enziguri (I think) but completely missed and Tamina sold it anyway. Rousey kicked Jax out of the ring, Moon gave Tamina an Eclipse and Rousey applied the armbar for the submission win. This wasn’t good. Moon stuck out as being the best of the bunch.
– Rey Mysterio & The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) defeated United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura & The Colons
This was originally advertised as a one-on-one match. The Colons came out and cut a promo on Mysterio — and in typical house show fashion, The New Day came out to make it a three-on-three match.
There was lots of comedy. Mysterio went for the pin after the West Coast Pop and the referee counted to three when Nakamura clearly kicked out. There was confusion among the crowd about this, but the referee called it like a shoot and ended the match.
– Drew McIntyre defeated Finn Balor
Both got good reactions. Balor came out with Mexican flag colors on his trunks and boots. The match was okay, but the ending (McIntyre winning with the Claymore Kick) seemed to come out of nowhere and people were bummed Balor lost.
– Charlotte Flair defeated Mandy Rose
Charlotte felt like one of the bigger stars on the tour. Rose came out cutting a promo on the TLC match that felt a little out of place to a largely Spanish-only speaking audience. The match wasn’t much. Charlotte won with the Figure Eight.
– Elias defeated Baron Corbin & Bobby Lashley in a handicap match
Elias played a famous song by the Mexican band El Tri, which got a good pop. Corbin made the bout a handicap match while it was going on. Balor caused a distraction and Elias got the win on Corbin. A totally nothing match.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defeated Kalisto to retain his title
This match had the best wrestling of the night. Kalisto was very over and Murphy did the best heel work of the show. Probably had something to do with Kalisto coming out with the Mexican flag and the visual of making it a countryman vs. foreigner championship match.
The finish took the crowd down, but Kalisto seems to be moving up when it comes to public recognition here in Mexico.
– Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins defeated Dean Ambrose to retain his title
I was expecting more of a brawl or violent match, but they took it lightly. It lasted for what seemed like 15 minutes — probably the longest match of the show. Both wrestlers were very over to this crowd. They did a chair spot after the match that wasn’t too impactful.
Lana pinned Vega in what seemed to be more of a Lana spotlight match. Rusev came out wearing Blue Demon’s mask and Almas cut a promo mid-match turning against the city.
– Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeated Nia Jax (w/ Tamina) by DQ to retain her title
This was mostly Rousey selling. The match lasted about seven minutes and felt too long. The finishing spot was Jax going for the facebreaker punch on Rousey and Rousey ducking and putting on an armbar. Tamina caused the DQ with a kick to Rousey.
Rousey gave Tamina the armbar after the match. Rousey got a great reaction and some chants, but this match wasn’t much and neither Jax nor Tamina had a lot of heat. There were some Becky Lynch chants.
– AJ Styles defeated Samoa Joe in a no DQ match
Along with Rousey, Styles was the most over wrestler on the show. There were “We want tables” chants and they did a generic no DQ match. There was also a light “TNA” chant. Styles won with the Phenomenal Forearm.
Ronda Rousey is set to wrestle on Raw for the sixth time in her career.
WWE has announced Rousey & Natalya vs. Nia Jax & Tamina for this coming Monday’s Raw. The match comes in advance of Rousey defending her Raw Women’s Championship against Jax at TLC on December 16.
On this week’s episode, Jax cut a promo before Rousey interrupted her. Jax and Tamina were about to attack Rousey, Natalya came out to make the save, and The Riott Squad ambushed Natalya. Rousey fought The Riott Squad off and chased them away.
Rousey has wrestled in three singles matches and two tag matches on Raw. She retained her title against Mickie James on the post-Survivor Series edition of Raw, which was set up in storyline after Rousey issued a challenge for anyone to come out and face her.
Monday’s Raw is taking place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
