RK-Bro are Raw Tag Team Champions for a second time.
Randy Orton and Riddle regained the Raw Tag Team titles for a second time as a team tonight on Raw, defeating former champions Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) and Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins. The finish had Gable going for a moonsault, but Orton countered with an RKO. Orton was taken out of the ring as Rollins hit a curb stomp and Owens connected with a powerbomb. However, Riddle came in, threw Owens out of the ring and pinned Gable to win the titles.
After the match, the cameras focused on Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens, with announcers noting that their path to WrestleMania was now in question after failing to win the titles.
Alpha Academy won the titles back on the January 10 edition of Raw, defeating RK-Bro. Alpha Academy then started an Academic Challenge where if RK-Bro won, they would get a future title match. RK-Bro in fact won, defeating Alpha Academy in a quiz bowl and a spelling contest, while Alpha Academy won a scooter race. Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins were later added to the title match after they defeated Alpha Academy in a match on the February 28 edition of Raw.
Date: March 7, 2022 Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH
The Big Takeaway —
Kevin Owens called out Steve Austin for the “KO Show” at WrestleMania.
Randy Orton and Riddle won the tag titles in a great match. Bron Breakker made his Raw debut by teaming with Tommaso Ciampa to beat Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan were added to the WrestleMania women’s tag title match after beating Carmella and Queen Zelina.
Show Recap —
They aired clips of Roman Reigns attacking Brock Lesnar (with fake booing added) at the Madison Square Garden show.
Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins entered as the announcers ran down tonight’s show.
Owens and Rollins said they would win the tag titles tonight and pondered what WrestleMania would even look like without them. Owens insulted Dallas, Texas again. They played clips of them beating RK-Bro and Alpha Academy in recent weeks. Owens said they were “undeniable.”
Alpha Academy interrupted. Chad Gable called the match result last week erroneous. He said that they would retain tonight before going on to WrestleMania.
In the back, Kevin Patrick interviewed Riddle and Randy Orton. Orton said they would win by any means necessary because they’ve come too far and worked too hard to get here.
Triple threat tornado tag team match: Randy Orton & Riddle defeated Alpha Academy and Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins to win the Raw Tag Team Championships (27:01)
One wrestler from each team was legal at all times and you can only tag your own partner. There were no count-outs or disqualifications, which makes you wonder why anyone would stay on the apron.
Rollins wiped out Gable and Riddle with a dive before Owens gave Gable a senton for a nearfall early in the match. After a break, Otis took over and splashed Riddle but picked him up at the two count for some reason.
Orton made the (very) hot tag and he handed out powerslams to Gable and Rollins before giving them a double draping DDT. After Gable blocked an RKO, Orton hit Rollins with one instead but Owens broke up the cover. Orton backdropped Owens and Gable onto the announce table before Riddle and Orton both dropped Otis on the table.
After a second break, Riddle gave Gable a floating bro but Owens broke up the cover. Gable hit Riddle with a moonsault but Rollins broke up that cover. They did a big tower of doom spot where Otis brought down Owens and Rollins and his partner Gable with a powerbomb. (Owens and Rollins were trying to superplex Gable). This led to a brawl and a third commercial break.
Owens wiped out everyone with a dive during the break and Rollins gave Riddle a double foot stomp for two after the break. Rollins tried a rolling forearm but Riddle applied a triangle choke. Gable broke that up with a diving headbutt before handing out German suplexes to Orton, Rollins and Riddle.
Gable went for a moonsault but Orton brought him down with an RKO and the crowd popped huge for that counter.
Owens and Rollins handed out superkicks before Rollins gave Gable a buckle bomb. Owens followed with a stunner and Rollins hit a curb stomp, but Riddle chucked Rollins out of the ring and stole the pinfall for the win. RK-Bro are the tag champs again.
This was a fun match and the crowd was really into it. (Corey Graves said this might be the greatest triple threat match we’ve ever seen, which is funny.)
Owens and Riddle acted despondent after the match. (They kept showing Owens’ and Rollins’ reactions but never showed Gable and Otis.)
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Patrick interviewed Orton and Riddle in the ring. Orton said he hasn’t had this much fun in the 20-plus years that he’s been doing this. He called Riddle his friend, something he hasn’t said about anyone else in all that time. Orton was pumped that they were going to WrestleMania. (This was also very good.)
This all took up pretty much the entire first hour.
[SECOND HOUR]
They showed replays of the tag match after a break before showing a dejected Kevin Owens sitting alone in the back.
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Reggie gave Dana Brooke a good luck kiss earlier tonight. Tozawa wanted to give Tamina a good luck kiss so she grabbed him by the face and kissed him.
Dana Brooke (w/Reggie) defeated Tamina (w/Akira Tozawa) to retain the 24/7 Championship (1:43)
Brooke reversed a Boston Crab into a rollup for the pinfall win here in her hometown.
After the match, Tozawa called Tamina the love of his life. He wanted another kiss. She walked away before begrudgingly blowing him a kiss.
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Patrick tried interviewing a miserable Seth Rollins. Rollins began seething so Patrick backed away.
The Miz and Logan Paul homecoming with Jerry Lawler
The Miz was happy to be home and the crowd chanted his name. Miz was glad to finally get shown some respect. He introduced fellow hometown boy Logan Paul. Paul spoke about growing up in Cleveland and credited his city for helping him become who he is today.
Miz said Paul accomplished everything on his own and didn’t get favours from his dad like Dominik Mysterio. He called Rey Mysterio a legend but they’ve both accomplished the same things and yet Rey is cheered while Miz is booed.
Miz introduced Jerry Lawler. I believe Miz said Lawler was “born” and raised in Cleveland. Lawler wore a Browns jersey and did speak about growing up in the area in places like Lorain and Amherst, Ohio. He was also in Cleveland when the Browns won the championship in 1964. Lawler thought it would be great if Cleveland hosted a WrestleMania.
Miz didn’t like that idea and began running down the city and said he doesn’t even live there anymore. The city’s football team moved to Baltimore, LeBron James left and Odell Beckham left (and won a championship too). Miz said winners always left Cleveland and thought it was time he left right now. Miz left. Paul seemed somewhat surprised by Miz’s remarks but he left with Miz.
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Patrick interviewed Tommaso Ciampa and Bron Breakker. Bron was excited to be on Raw for the first time and was taking it all in. Bron called it a dream come true to compete on Raw and couldn’t wait to get his hands on Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. Ciampa planned on beating them again.
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The announcers congratulated Gable Steveson on his third Big Ten championship.
Sarah Schreiber interviewed the Street Profits and wondered if they had a path to WrestleMania. They reminded her that they beat the RK-Bro last week and said they should be next in line for the titles.
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They aired a video package for Bron Breakker as he entered.
NXT Champion Bron Breakker & Tommaso Ciampa defeated Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode (9:37)
Bron gave Roode a delayed vertical suplex early in the match. Roode gave Ciampa a spinebuster and the heels took over ahead of a break. Ciampa hit a knee strike before tagging in Bron who gave Ziggler a big overhead suplex and spinebuster. Bron ran into a Ziggler kick but came right back with a clothesline. Roode distracted Bron and Ziggler used a schoolboy for a nearfall.
Ziggler followed with a Zig Zag but Ciampa broke up the cover before taking out Roode. Bron finished off Ziggler with a military press powerslam for the pinfall win.
After the match, Ziggler told Bron and Ciampa he planned on winning the title tomorrow on NXT.
(Bron’s offense looked good and he received a modest pop from the crowd.)
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Omos told the disembodied voice of Sarah Schreiber that he planned on taking a spot at WrestleMania.
Omos defeated Apollo Crews (w/Commander Azeez) (2:42)
Omos won with a tree slam.
After the match, Omos and Azeez had a brief staredown before Omos left.
[THIRD HOUR]
Edge segment
There was a very dramatic video package of Edge’s turn last week. They said that AJ Styles suffered a severe neck contusion.
The lights were off and Edge’s Alter Bridge music hit but the music faded out as Edge entered. The arena was dimly lit with blue lights as Edge, wearing a suit, slowly entered the ring without music. (There was a mixture of cheers and boos and fake boos.)
Edge said he knew Styles was watching at home and suggested that he put his kids to bed for this. Edge said he did Styles a favour. Edge said he felt the freedom to fly last week. It was a side of him that he’s never seen before and a side that he’s fallen in love with.
Edge felt in full control over everything that he does, everything that happens in the ring, and everything that will happen in this industry. Edge was standing on top of a mountain of omnipotence and the view was “phenomenal.”
They cut to black and a few moments before the lights turned back on and they moved on to the next thing.
(In hindsight, I’m not sure why he thought AJ’s kids shouldn’t have watched this.)
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Patrick interviewed Owens in the back. Owens said he wasn’t as distraught as Rollins because he had an epiphany and this idea would be his ticket to WrestleMania. Patrick wanted to know what it was and Owens said he would reveal it tonight.
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They aired the Reigns/Lesnar MSG footage again. Graves said this was the most-watched video on WWE’s Instagram page.
Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan defeated Tag Team Champions Queen Zelina & Carmella in a non-title match (9:04)
Carmella kicked Ripley into the steps which allowed her team to take control through a break. Morgan eventually made a tag and hit Zelina with a missile dropkick for two. Zelina fought back but had no one to tag because Carmella was busy chatting with Graves.
Morgan gave Zelina a codebreaker and Ripley followed with Rip-tide for the pinfall win. Carmella wasn’t even paying attention when the fall happened.
With the win, Ripley and Morgan have been added to the tag title match at Mania.
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They announced Vader’s induction into the Hall of Fame.
They aired a clip of Vince McMahon offering Pat McAfee a match at WrestleMania and Austin Theory’s announcement on Smackdown.
Non-title match: United States Champion Finn Bálor defeated Austin Theory via DQ (8:40)
Bálor was in control before a break but Theory went on offense when they returned. Bálor fought back and set up for a Coup de Grace but Damian Priest showed up out of nowhere and attacked Bálor for the DQ. Priest laid out Bálor with a Razor’s Edge.
Theory gave Bálor an ATL and took a selfie.
********
Patrick asked Bianca Belair if she planned on using her hair as a weapon at WrestleMania. Belair said she and Becky Lynch were both WrestleMania main eventers and they should fight with respect, but she used her hair as a weapon last week only after Lynch tried using it against her. Belair said she would win at WrestleMania.
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Main event segment with Kevin Owens
Owens said he wanted to have the biggest, most stupendous KO Show in history at WrestleMania. Because of where it’s being held, his guest should be someone from Texas.
He could choose a blowhard like JBL but the bullhorns on his car would be more interesting. He could choose Booker T but Booker was a hypocrite — a Texan who spent most of his career in a team called Harlem Heat and who spoke with a fake British accent. He could choose Shawn Michaels but Owens was a proud Canadian and, out of respect of Bret Hart, he wasn’t going to do that.
Owens wanted a guy who we haven’t seen in a long time. A guy who has probably let himself go after years of drinking beer. A guy who probably couldn’t even walk to the ring because he spent so many years wrestling in knee braces. Owens wanted to drop this person and pour a glass of milk over his lifeless body. “The bottom line is, I’m calling you out — Stone Cold Steve Austin.”
(They played Austin’s music which surely made people think for a second that he might be coming out but it was just done to air the graphic for WrestleMania.)
A title match will be kicking off tonight’s episode of Raw.
WWE has announced that Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) vs. RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens for the Raw Tag Team titles will open tonight’s show. The episode is taking place at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
Gable & Otis won the Raw Tag Team titles from Orton & Riddle this January. To earn a rematch for the titles, Orton & Riddle defeated Gable & Otis in an Academic Challenge.
Tonight’s Tag Team title match became a triple threat when Rollins & Owens were added two weeks ago. They defeated Orton & Riddle to earn a spot in the match.
Rollins & Owens defeated Gable & Otis in a non-title match on last week’s Raw. Orton & Riddle also lost to The Street Profits on the show.
The updated lineup for tonight’s Raw is listed below:
Edge will address his attack on AJ Styles from last week
The Miz and Logan Paul will throw a homecoming celebration
Jerry Lawler will make a “special guest appearance”
Raw Tag Team Champions Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) defend against RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) and Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens in a triple threat match
A triple threat match for the Raw Tag Team titles is now set for the March 7 edition of Raw.
Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) will now defend the titles against both RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) and Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens after Rollins & Owens defeated RK-Bro in the main event of tonight’s Raw. It had been previously announced that RK-Bro would get a title match against Alpha Academy on the February 28 edition of Raw.
Earlier on tonight’s show, Rollins and Owens were interviewed. Owens, attempting to get himself on the WrestleMania card, said he petitioned to the WWE and was successful in getting a match against RK-Bro where if they won, they would be added to the match that would take place in two weeks. Rollins and Owens were successful, with Owens pinning Riddle with a stunner to win the match.
RK-Bro earned a title match after defeating Alpha Academy in an Academic Challenge. While Gable defeated Riddle in a scooter race, RK-Bro won a spelling contest and a quiz competition, earning themselves a rematch after losing the titles on the January 10 edition of Raw.
WWE has made three announcements for tonight’s Elimination Chamber fallout edition of Raw.
– After winning the WWE Championship at Saturday’s pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia, Brock Lesnar will make an appearance on Raw tonight. Lesnar eliminated Austin Theory, AJ Styles, Seth Rollins, and Riddle during the Chamber match.
Bobby Lashley was WWE Champion going into Elimination Chamber but was taken out of the match before he even entered. After Rollins powerbombed Theory into his pod, it was said that Lashley had been injured and had entered concussion protocols. Lashley is dealing with a legitimate shoulder injury and may require surgery.
WWE has confirmed that Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38 this April will be a winner-take-all match with both the WWE Championship and Universal Championship on the line.
– The Miz will host a Miz TV segment on tonight’s episode of Raw. After losing to Rey Mysterio on the Elimination Chamber pre-show, Miz teased that he was going to find a tag team partner to face Rey & Dominik Mysterio. That partner is expected to be YouTube and celebrity boxing star Logan Paul.
On Twitter, Miz indicated that he’ll be bringing his tag team partner to Raw tonight:
– WWE has also announced that RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) will face Rollins & Kevin Owens on Raw tonight. If Rollins & Owens win, the Raw Tag Team title match between Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) and RK-Bro that’s taking place in two weeks will become a triple threat with Rollins & Owens added.
Rollins & Owens defeated Orton & Riddle in the main event of Raw last week.
Tonight’s Raw is being held at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
Alpha Academy and RK-Bro’s Academic Challenge came to an end with its third event taking place on Raw last night.
After RK-Bro won the spelling bee and Alpha Academy won the scooter race, the Academic Challenge came down to who would be victorious in the Quiz Bowl. RK-Bro got the win by five questions to four, clinching the Quiz Bowl when Randy Orton was able to correctly answer how many grams are in an ounce.
RK-Bro will get a Raw Tag Team title rematch against Chad Gable & Otis for winning the Academic Challenge. WWE hasn’t announced when that match will be taking place.
On Raw next week, Orton & Riddle will celebrate their Academic Challenge win with an “RK-Broga Party.”
RK-Bro were also in action in last night’s main event. A singles match between Riddle and Seth Rollins turned into a tag team match after Kevin Owens attacked Riddle and caused a disqualification. Orton made the save and dropped Owens with an RKO.
But Rollins & Owens defeated RK-Bro in their tag team match after Rollins hit Riddle with a stomp. After the match, Orton gave Owens another RKO. Rollins cackled at RK-Bro and headed to the back.
Riddle and Rollins will be two of the participants in the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19. Owens wanted to take Austin Theory’s spot in the match after defeating him last night, but Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville told Owens that the results of the previous week’s qualifying matches were final. Pearce and Deville told Owens that he might not even be on WrestleMania this year.
A Quiz Bowl acedemic challenge between RK-Bro and Alpha Academy has been announced for next week’s Raw.
Chad Gable named the stipulation on tonight’s Raw after he defeated Riddle in a scooter race. Gable told Riddle after the announcement that he would lose, and RK-Bro wouldn’t get a rematch for the Raw Tag Team titles.
The scooter race had both Riddle and Gable use scooters to circle around the backstage area in a 50-lap race. As they started to reach the finish line, Gable tripped, seemingly giving Riddle the win. However, as Riddle was about to cross the finish line, Otis emerged and attacked Riddle, allowing Gable time to recover and eventually cross the finish line for the win.
After the contest, Gable was mad that Riddle had “run into” Otis and gave Riddle a match against his pupil. Before the match started, Adam Pearce announced that the winner of the match would qualify for the Elimination Chamber match next month. Riddle ended up pinning Otis to qualify.
Raw next week will air on the SyFy channel due to Winter Olympic Games coverage on USA.
The Raw Tag Team titles will be on the line on Monday night.
WWE has announced that Monday’s Raw will feature a Raw Tag Team title match with RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) defending against Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis).
The match comes after Alpha Academy defeated RK-Bro in a non-title bout on Raw earlier this week. Gable & Otis attacked Riddle & Orton before the match started.
RK-Bro have held the Raw Tag Team titles since winning them from AJ Styles & Omos at SummerSlam 2021. At Day 1 last Saturday, Orton & Riddle retained against The Street Profits .
Monday’s Raw is being held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
Liv Morgan vs. Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop (winner challenges for Becky Lynch’s Raw Women’s Championship at the Royal Rumble)
Alexa Bliss’ “journey back to Raw”
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro defend against Alpha Academy
The Wells Fargo Center is also advertising that WWE Champion Brock Lesnar will be appearing at Monday’s show.
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro have their next challengers.
The Street Profits will challenge for Randy Orton & Riddle’s Raw Tag Team titles at WWE Day 1 this Saturday. The Street Profits got the title shot by defeating Rey & Dominik Mysterio in the finals of the RK-Bro-nament on Raw tonight.
Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford defeated The Mysterios after Rey & Dominik weren’t on the same page leading into the finish.
The RK-Bro-nament finals were originally supposed to take place on Raw two weeks ago, but the match was postponed to tonight. WWE claimed that both teams had suffered injuries. Ford was unavailable until making his return at WWE’s house show at Madison Square Garden last night.
The Street Profits defeated AJ Styles & Omos by countout in the first round of the RK-Bro-nament, while The Mysterios defeated Chad Gable & Otis.
Orton and Riddle defeated Otis and Gable in singles matches on Raw tonight. Riddle said he would have a gift for Orton after their matches. Riddle revealed that the gift was a hug — and Orton hugged Riddle after initially hesitating. Orton jokingly went to give Riddle an RKO, and then they laughed and hugged again.
Riddle & Orton have been Raw Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from Styles & Omos at SummerSlam this August.
Day 1 is taking place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Brock Lesnar
WWE Champion Big E defends against Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Bobby Lashley in a fatal four-way match
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) defend against The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston)
Edge vs. The Miz
Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) defend against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Hip-hop group Migos will make a special appearance
Raw’s RK-Bro came to last night’s SmackDown in Los Angeles for a match to determine the best tag team in WWE.
A non-title triple threat match between SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos, The New Day’s Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston, and Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro headlined last night’s show. It was New Day who got the win, with Kingston pinning Jey Uso after he and Woods hit their backbreaker/double stomp combo.
New Day will challenge for The Usos’ SmackDown Tag Team titles at WWE’s Day 1 pay-per-view on New Year’s Day.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns didn’t appear at SmackDown last night, but Brock Lesnar was on the show to continue the build to their Day 1 title match. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair also faced off with Toni Storm in a non-title match last night.
The build to WWE Day 1 continues on tonight’s SmackDown from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
In last week’s main event, Universal Champion Roman Reigns defeated Sami Zayn in 16 seconds. Before the match, Brock Lesnar gave Zayn a vicious beatdown to ensure that Reigns would retain the title.
Lesnar challenges Reigns for the Universal title at Day 1.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair takes on Toni Storm in a non-title match tonight. Storm challenged Flair to a match two weeks ago, but Flair hit her in the face with two pies instead. Flair agreed to a non-title match after Storm hit her in the face with a pie last week.
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro will make an appearance on SmackDown tonight as they face SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos and New Day’s Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston in a non-title triple threat match. Plus, Naomi takes on Sonya Deville, and Xia Li makes her SmackDown debut.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Tonight’s show is in memory of Jack Lanza. They showed a graphic at the start of the show.
Sami Zayn and Brock Lesnar Segment
This was a fun opening segment. Zayn and Lesnar have a unique chemistry. Heyman was great in his role as well.
Sami Zayn came to the ring in a wheelchair with a neck brace and two male nurses. They recapped Brock Lesnar beating up Zayn and Roman Reigns defeating him last week.
Zayn claimed to be one of the toughest guys in the company. He pointed out that it took both Lesnar and Reigns to beat him. He claimed that it was another conspiracy. Zayn admitted he’s not upset about the German suplexes or beat down. He felt that Lesnar betrayed him and that hurts more than anything.
Zayn is furious and promises to sue Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville, the timekeeper, Lesnar, Reigns, and Paul Heyman.
Heyman interrupted and made his way to the ring. He mocked Zayn and started to introduce himself. Zayn noted he wasn’t done talking and complained that Heyman blocked the shot.
Heyman ignored Zayn and started talking again. Zayn heard enough and finally stood up. He got in Heyman’s face and noted Reigns isn’t at the show tonight. The fans booed Reigns not being at SmackDown.
Heyman admitted that Reigns is on a sabbatical and is training for his match at Day 1. Zayn yelled at Heyman and noted there was nobody to save him.
Suddenly, Brock Lesnar’s music hit to a big pop. Zayn sat back down in the wheelchair. Lesnar took the mic from Heyman and sat down in the middle of the ring on a chair. The fans broke into a “Suplex City” chant.
Lesnar apologized for beating Zayn up last week. Lesnar did Zayn a favor so he wouldn’t have to take on Reigns. Lesnar noted Zayn said they’re friends. Zayn admitted he thought they were friends. Zayn said they’re both Canadian Alphas.
Lesnar wants to be friends with Zayn and invited him to hunt and fish in Saskatchwan. Zayn was hesitant but eventually agreed. Lesnar and Zayn started to leave, but Heyman grabbed the mic. Heyman said he spent too much time at the dispensary, and the edibles must be kicking in. The fans erupted in cheers.
Heyman couldn’t believe what he was watching. He said a few years ago, Lesnar would take Zayn to suplex city and not Saskatchawn to go moose hunting. Heyman inadvertently pumped up Lesnar.
Lesnar snapped and attacked the male nurses. He then turned his attention to Zayn and kicked him out of the wheelchair. Lesnar then gave Zayn the F-5 to end the segment.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee discussed tonight’s main event between The Usos, New Day and RK-Bro. They pushed that it’s to determine the best tag team in the WWE.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Lesnar in the back after the break. She asked him why he went to the ring. He told her to ask his advocate, Paul Heyman.
Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs defeated Los Lotharios (1:22)
They didn’t have a good match. They got no time and the finish came out of nowhere.
Boogs had the early advantage and ran wild Humberto and Angel. He gave Angel a press slam to the floor but struggled to get him up.
Boogs then spun around Humberto and slammed him down. Nakamura tagged in and hit the Kinshasa on Humberto for the win out of nowhere.
King Xavier Woods Crowning Moment
Kofi Kingston and King Xavier Woods revealed Woods’ new crown backstage. Drew Gulak, Ricochet, and The Viking Raiders joined New Day for their big moment.
Woods discussed taking on The Usos and RK-Bro in the main event. Woods promised to win and prove they’re the best tag team. The Viking Raiders seemed not to like that comment.
They recapped Drew McIntrye not participating in the Black Friday Battle Royal.
In the back, McIntrye approached Adam Pearce with his sword, Angela. Pearce noted a higher authority decided McIntyre couldn’t be in the battle royal. The higher authority also decided McIntrye couldn’t take Angela to the ring. McIntyre then put the sword through Pearce’s desk.
Sasha Banks approached Toni Storm backstage. Banks praised Storm for her accomplishments and talent. She believes Storm can beat Charlotte Flair if she keeps her cool and lets Flair snap first.
Drew McIntrye defeated Sheamus (7:21)
McIntrye and Sheamus had a good short hard-hitting match.
They showed Cesaro watching the match backstage and the commentators mentioned Ridge Holland.
Sheamus and McIntyre traded forearm shots at the start of the match. Sheamus briefly took over. He beat McIntrye on his chest, but McIntyre countered.
Sheamus recovered, rocked McIntrye with forearm shots, and tossed him to the floor. Sheamus missed a dive off the apron but rolled through. McIntrye then caught Sheamus with a belly-to-belly suplex.
Back from the break, Sheamus caught McIntyre with the Irish Curse backbreaker for a close near fall. Sheamus went for White Noise, but McIntrye slipped out and rocked Sheamus with a chop. He followed up with the future shock DDT and went for the Claymore. Sheamus countered the Claymore with a knee for a two count.
Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick, but McIntyre rolled him up for a near fall. Sheamus regained control and threw McIntrye into the corner. McIntrye bounced out of the corner and hit the Claymore on Sheamus to win.
In the back, Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss stole Pearce’s desk with McIntyre’s sword. Corbin and Moss didn’t appear again and there was no mention of Pearce’s missing desk and McIntyre’s sword.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee discussed Jack Lanza’s passing. They aired a touching tribute video looking at Lanza’s career.
Paul Heyman was walking out of the arena when Kayla Braxton approached. Braxton noted Lesnar implied that Heyman’s his advocate. Heyman didn’t like that question and tried to leave. Braxton wondered what Roman Reigns is going to think. Heyman was furious and told her to stop.
Naomi vs. Sonya Deville
They didn’t end up having the match again. It turned into an angle to set up Xia Li making her SmackDown debut.
They recapped the Sonya Deville and Naomi feud.
Naomi grabbed the mic and told Deville to take the suit off and come to the ring. Deville entered the ring but demanded a mic. She noted she had some surprises and introduced special guest timekeeper Shayna Baszler and ring announcer, Natalya.
Before Baszler could ring the bell, Naomi attacked Baszler and Natalya. Deville and the heels regrouped and surrounded the ring.
Suddenly, Xia Li’s music hit, and she made her way to the ring. She had a grand entrance that included a special effect to make it seem like lightening was shooting out of her. Li and Naomi worked together to beat down the heels. Li rocked Deville with a kick to the head, but Baszler and Natalya dragged her out of the ring.
In the back, Riddle and Randy Orton were discussing their upcoming match. Johnny Knoxville and the cast of Jackass Forever approached. Orton wasn’t impressed and walked off.
They announced Migos make a special appearance at Day 1.
Championship Contenders Match: Toni Storm defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair via DQ (3:18)
Flair and Storm had a fine match with some rough spots and a weak finish.
Flair had the early advantage, but Storm quickly took over. She caught Flair with a cross body for a two-count. The fans broke into a brief “Let’s go Toni” chant.
Flair fought back and went for the moonsault off the top rope, but Storm moved. Flair landed on her feet and hit a standing moonsault. In a funny moment, Storm rolled onto her stomach to avoid the moonsault, but Flair instinctively went for the pin with Storm still on her stomach.
Storm fired up and rolled up Flair for a near fall. She then used a small package for another near fall. Flair snapped and began to beat down Storm in the corner. Flair wouldn’t stop, so the referee called for the disqualification. After the match, Flair continued to attack Storm.
They showed Reggie Bush, Maria Menounos, X-Pac, and the cast of Jackass Forever at ringside.
The Usos walked to the ring for the main event.
In the back, Brock Lesnar approached Adam Pearce in his office. Lesnar thanked Pearce for the fine and suspension. He noted the money went to charity. Lesnar said the suspension gave him time to go hunting.
Lesnar tried to show Pearce a picture of a moose he hunted. He couldn’t find the picture, so he snapped his phone in half. Lesnar described hunting the moose and hanging it on his wall. Lesnar added that he named the moose Pearce.
The Usos noted they’re not worried about RK-Bro and New Day. They promised to win tonight and retain the titles at Day 1.
The New Day made their way to the ring for the main event. Cole revealed that fans voted RK-Bro the best tag team in the WWE in a Twitter poll.
Triple Threat Non-title match: New Day defeated SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos and Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (18:55)
They had a good, fun match that the fans were into. They told a good story and built to Orton tagging in the match.
Michael Cole noted Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce invited RK-Bro to SmackDown tonight to determine the best tag team in the WWE.
New Day had the early advantage as they isolated Riddle on their side of the ring. Riddle and Woods traded stiff forearm shots until Jey Uso made a blind tag. The Usos jumped in the ring and beat down the four faces. They sent New Day and RK-Bro to the floor and hit a double suicide dive.
Back from the break, Kingston hit a crossbody on Jey for a near fall. Riddle made a blind tag and scored a near fall on Jey. The fans broke into a brief “We want Randy” chant.
The Usos dragged Riddle to their corner. Orton jumped in the ring, but the referee pushed him out. Jimmy took advantage and slammed Riddle into the ring post. The fans broke into a “Bro” and “Randy” chant. Jey slowed the pace down with a chin lock on Riddle. Riddle tried to tag Randy, but Jey pulled him back to his corner.
Jey missed a splash in the corner. Riddle went to make a tag, but Jey cut him off. Riddle fought back and went for the tag again, but Jimmy pulled Orton off the apron. The fans erupted in boos. They’re dying for Orton to get in the match. Jey went for a pin, but New Day made the save.
Back from the break, Riddle fought back against the Usos and went for the tag again. Kingston tagged in, jumped off Riddle’s back, and knocked Orton off the apron.
New Day isolated Riddle again. The fans broke into a loud “We want Randy” chant. Riddle and Woods traded chops in the middle of the ring. Riddle fought back and rocked Woods with a knee. He followed up with a Pele kick on Kingston.
Orton got the hot tag and ran wild on The Usos. He avoided a dropkick from Woods and gave him a back suplex on the announce table. Orton then gave Kingston a back suplex on the announce table too.
Orton gave Jey the draping DDT. Jey recovered and went for the splash but Orton avoided and Jey rolled through. Woods made a blind tag, but Orton hit the RKO on Jimmy. Jey then rocked Orton with a superkick. New Day took over and hit a backbreaker/foot stomp combo on Jey for the win.
Next week: SmackDown takes place from the All-State Arena in Chicago and features Roman Reigns return.
WWE has added a couple of matches to this Friday’s SmackDown in Los Angeles.
A non-title match between SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and Toni Storm will take place on Friday’s episode. In recent weeks, Charlotte has declined Storm’s challenges for a title match. Charlotte threw two pies into Storm’s face on SmackDown two weeks ago, but Storm got some revenge last week by hitting Charlotte with a pie to the face.
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro will come to SmackDown for a non-title triple threat match against SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos and The New Day’s Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston on Friday’s show.
Woods & Kingston are set to challenge for The Usos’ SmackDown Tag Team titles at WWE’s Day 1 pay-per-view on Saturday, January 1.
Randy Orton & Riddle defeated The Usos when the two teams faced off at Survivor Series last month.
Jeff Hardy vs. Baron Corbin had originally been scheduled for Friday’s SmackDown, but that will no longer be happening following Hardy’s release. The updated lineup for the episode is listed below:
Non-title match: SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Toni Storm
Non-title match: SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) vs. Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle)
Naomi vs. Sonya Deville
Xia Li debuts
Los Angeles’ Staples Center is hosting Friday’s SmackDown. It will be the last WWE show at the venue before it officially changes its name to Crypto.com Arena.
The finals of the RK-Bro-Nament will take place on next week’s Raw.
Rey & Dominik Mysterio will take on The Street Profits in the finals of a tournament that started tonight on Raw. The Mysterios defeated Alpha Academy to advance, while The Street Profits defeated AJ Styles and Omos by countout when Omos did not enter the ring by the count of ten.
Riddle established the tournament tonight as a way to determine the next challengers for the WWE Raw Tag Team titles. Riddle, wearing a sport coat, did commentary for both matches. He first interviewed Styles, who was surprised by Omos walking out on him after Styles told Omos to listen to him. Later in the show, Riddle tried to interview Alpha Academy after their loss, but Otis ended up laying Riddle out with a slam.
Although Orton initally joined Riddle on commentary for the first match, he left Riddle prior to the second match, saying his broadcasting career was over, at least for now.
Raw will take place next week at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
A pair of title matches are set for tonight’s episode of Raw.
WWE has announced that the United States Championship and Raw Tag Team titles will both be on the line on Raw tonight. Damian Priest will defend his United States title against Apollo Crews, while Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode will challenge RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) for the Raw Tag Team titles.
Priest and RK-Bro have both held their respective titles since SummerSlam. Priest won the United States Championship from Sheamus at that pay-per-view. RK-Bro won the Raw Tag Team titles from AJ Styles & Omos.
It appeared that Crews was going to answer Priest’s United States title open challenge last week. Crews interrupted Priest on the show but then declined to face him. Crews said he would decimate Priest when they do face off. Crews said he’ll show the entire world that Priest isn’t fit to be United States Champion.
Priest instead retained the United States title against Sami Zayn last Monday.
While dressed up like Orton, Riddle defeated Ziggler in a singles match last week.
Tonight’s Raw is taking place at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Non-title match: WWE Champion Big E vs. Kevin Owens
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
Edge returns
United States Champion Damian Priest defends against Apollo Crews
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro defend against Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
WWE has confirmed that Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) will face off with SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) in a non-title match at Survivor Series this Sunday. The pay-per-view is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
WWE Champion Big E vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair have also been announced for Survivor Series.
Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
Non-title match: WWE Champion Big E vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Non-title match: Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
Non-title match: Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)
Non-title match: United States Champion Damian Priest vs. Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
Women’s five-on-five elimination match: Team Raw (Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella & Zelina Vega) vs. Team SmackDown (Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Natalya, and a partner)
Men’s five-on-five elimination match: Team Raw (Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley & Austin Theory) vs. Team SmackDown (Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, Xavier Woods, Baron Corbin, and a partner)
