Tag: wwe live results

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.

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar appear

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: March 23, 2026
Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA 

The Big Takeaway —

For the fourth straight week, Raw ended with a talking segment featuring CM Punk and some combination of the original Bloodline. This week, it was all three Bloodline members. The segment ended with Roman Reigns laying out CM Punk at the behest of Jey Uso. It was a more interesting segment than last week, fortunately. 

On the flip side, Raw featured about 33 minutes of wrestling (even fewer when counting commercials) over 2 and a half hours. I know it’s WrestleMania season, but it’s been weeks of the same pattern, with weeks to go. 

**********

Show Recap — 

Judgment Day, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, The Usos, and Je’Von Evans (greeted by IShowSpeed) were shown arriving at TD Garden in Boston. 

There was a very dramatic recap of Oba Femi laying out Brock Lesnar.

Brock Lesnar opens Monday Night Raw

Lesnar entered with Paul Heyman. (Lesnar wore a new “FAF5” shirt, a reference to Heyman’s promo last week. Heyman was well dressed and is no longer dishevelled.) 

Lesnar was greeted with chants of “Oba.” Heyman ran down his resume, which just received more chants for Oba. Heyman said the fans were pissing off Lesnar. If we were being honest about last week, Lesnar beat up 20 masked men, got distracted by Seth Rollins, and only then did the overhyped Femi take advantage.  

Heyman said we’ve heard this narrative many times. This new opponent of Lesnar would be the next big thing, the conqueror’s conqueror, etc. Lesnar conquered Undertaker’s streak, but Undertaker never got revenge. (Except that Undertaker did beat Lesnar that following SummerSlam.) 

There was a line of guys who were supposed to beat the ‘one’ in ‘21-and-one’ after that: Goldberg, Braun Strowman, Dean Ambrose (whose name got a pop), Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles, and John Cena. None of them could do it. And Oba Femi wouldn’t either. Femi already had his moment when he put his foot on Lesnar and pointed at the sign. That would be the biggest moment of Femi’s career, because he would be victimized and conquered by Lesnar at WrestleMania. 

The lights dimmed, and Femi entered. Heyman bailed before Femi faced off with Lesnar in the ring. Lesnar kicked Femi in the gut and went for an F5, but Femi slipped out and clotheslined Lesnar over the top and to the outside. Lesnar looked stunned, and the crowd chanted for Oba again. 

Lesnar backed away as Femi stared him down. Lesnar yelled, “You ain’t that lucky, boy!” and he smiled as he backed up the aisle.

(This was a perfectly good follow-up to last week.) 

******** 

Dominik Mysterio cut a pre-taped promo on his IC title match tonight. 

There were clips of Logan Paul at the recent flag football event. He “sacked” Jalen Hurts and got into it with Tom Brady.  

World Tag Team Championship match: Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul & Austin Theory

The opening match started at 8:25 pm, and they still went to a break less than 90 seconds into it. And nothing had even happened since the last break besides the Vision entering the ring. 

They returned from break, and Michael Cole gave a quick mention of the recently passed Dennis Condrey. Then Jey Uso made a hot tag. 

The top turnbuckle came off during Jey’s comeback. Theory cut him off for a moment, but Jey came right back with a spear. Jey went to the top, but Paul crotched him on the exposed buckle. Jimmy went after Paul, but Paul chucked him into the ring post. 

Paul grabbed the brass knuckles, but LA Knight’s music hit. Knight attacked Paul from behind and shoved him into the ring steps. Knight slid the knux into the ring, and Jey used them to knock out Theory. The referee saw that part, so he called for a DQ. 

— After the Vision were announced as the winners by DQ, Jey popped back into the ring and punched Paul with the knux, too. 

Match result: Logan Paul & Austin Theory defeated Jimmy & Jey Uso via disqualification — The Usos retain the tag team titles (7:26)

So, 40 minutes into the show, we’ve got one match that went 7 minutes and ended in a DQ, and half of it happened during commercials. 

******** 

El Grande Americano, Bravo and Rayo were interviewed by Byron Saxton during commercials. El Grande wants to take Original’s mask. 

Becky Lynch and AJ Lee segment

Lynch entered. She questioned the fans booing her while they cheered AJ Lee, who abandoned them for a decade. She understood taking breaks. She took 10 months off, but not 10 years. She took time off because the fans got tired of seeing her succeed. She went home to her family, to people who appreciate her. Her daughter and the love of her life. 

When she came back, she didn’t go after the world title. She instead went after the Intercontinental title and turned it into the most important and most interesting women’s title in all of wrestling. She was damn proud of that title and what it represented. (Maxxine Dupri was recently the champion.) 

Now, AJ Lee pranced around like she deserved the title. Lynch tried to go home and take a break with the people she loved, but when she went home, her daughter—her greatest accomplishment—was singing Lee’s stupid “Light It Up” song, skipping around the house and flipping her hair like that Jersey scum. It’s almost like her daughter didn’t realize her mom was the greatest women’s wrestler of all time. 

Meanwhile, Lee’s greatest claim to fame was that she mastered the Diva’s era. “Well, I murdered the Diva’s era.” She put a stake through its heart and ripped the wings off the butterfly belt. 

Lee entered to her music, but Lynch bailed into the crowd. Lee said Lynch liked to fight dirty because Lee walked her like a dog every time they entered the ring together. Lee figured Lynch wanted to get embarrassed again. She was ok with that because maybe that would finally get Lynch out of her life. Maybe she would make Lynch tap out on the biggest stage of them all. 

Lee wanted to show why she was the best wrestler of her generation, Lynch’s generation, and maybe next. She was your favourite wrestler’s favourite wrestler—and Lynch’s daughter’s favourite wrestler. Lee gave Lynch an IC title match at WrestleMania. 

Lynch said Lee fell right into her trap. WrestleMania was her domain. Lynch recalled the last time Lee competed at WrestleMania. Eleven years ago, Lee walked into the office the next day and handed in her resignation. Lynch would save her the trouble this time by ending her at WrestleMania. 

(Lynch was better than she’s been in a while here, and I liked her line about killing the Diva’s division. Lee’s delivery was fine, but her dialogue does not align with reality.) 

*******

Backstage, Jimmy thanked Knight for the help earlier. Knight told Jey he could’ve tried to hide the knux. Jey wasn’t about to hide because everyone had to get got. Knight understood how he felt, but he was starting to sound like Roman Reigns. Jey was tired of hearing this, so he left. Jimmy politely warned Knight to watch his mouth when he spoke about their family. 

(This interaction happened in front of a production truck with a big picture of The Rock on it.) 

********

Derrick White and Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics received a big ovation from the crowd. 

Je’Von Evans vs. Grayson Waller (w/ Kofi Kingston) 

This also went to break about 90 seconds in. Waller used to wrestle in boxing shorts, but he’s traded those in for long tights. Waller tried enlisting Kingston’s help early in the match, but Kingston declined. 

Evans was in complete control outside of Waller briefly taking control during a break. Waller had some offence after the break, but Evans came back with a German suplex out of the ropes and a leaping knee strike. Waller knocked him off the top and hit some sort of Unprettier variation. 

Waller went to the top, so Evans scaled the ropes, leaped up off the top rope and brought Waller down with an impressive super hurricanrana. Evans followed with an OG Cutter for the pinfall win. (Kingston seemed amused by the result.) 

— After the match, Kingston told Waller he didn’t get involved because he’d rather Waller try to win than get DQ’d. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans defeated Grayson Waller (8:56) 

This was a good showcase for Evans, and Waller provided a good base. 

********

Heyman approached Adam Pearce backstage. Heyman wanted him to schedule a match at Madison Square Garden next week for the tag titles, with the Usos defending against the Vision in a street fight. Pearce said he liked the idea and he’d think about it. Heyman was about to flip his wig because Pearce didn’t immediately agree, but he calmed down, realizing it was not a good idea to upset Pearce. 

Heyman was about to leave, but Pearce told Heyman to go to the ring. Heyman didn’t know why, so Pearce reminded him that he wanted to address Seth Rollins. Heyman didn’t want to anymore, but Pearce told him he had to do it and do it now. After Heyman left, Pearce said he won’t miss Heyman when he’s gone. 

********

Original El Grande spoke to Saxton during a break. He said there was only room for one Americano in this town. (It’s beyond time to get Chad Gable out of this gimmick.)  

They announced Dennis Rodman for the WWE Hall of Fame. 

Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins segment

Heyman entered the ring again, this time on his own. He was having a bad night. Not just because he had to appear in Boston, but because there was no one left for him to hide behind. Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker would not be back any time soon. Lesnar had already left. Paul and Theory were half-conscious. Heyman was alone. 

Heyman had a stalker. A psychopath who calls himself a visionary. Despite the character Heyman portrayed on TV, he said, “I’m a man. A man who’s been pushed too far.” 

Heyman knew Rollins felt the same way, which meant WWE wasn’t big enough for the two of them. That wasn’t a challenge for a match, because he obviously didn’t stand a chance, but he wondered what choice he had left. Heyman invited Rollins to the ring to finally put him out of his misery. 

A masked man entered through the crowd and hopped on the announce table. The masked man revealed himself to be Rollins, of course. Four police officers confronted Rollins as Heyman smiled. Rollins smiled too, realizing this was Heyman’s doing. 

Heyman announced he had a restraining order placed on Rollins, and Rollins was in violation. (If that were true, Rollins would have been made aware of the order and not been caught off guard.) 

As police escorted Rollins away through the crowd, Heyman said Rollins would be fired and go to jail. His wife would leave him and marry half of the locker room. Someone would call Child Protective Services, and Heyman would adopt his daughter. 

Rollins ran away from the police, sprinted to the ring and decked Heyman with a single punch. Police ran in and handcuffed Rollins. Pearce joined the police as they marched Rollins to the back. Heyman looked on with his evil grin. 

********

Cole announced a crowd of 13,340. 

Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria 

This also went to break just after 90 seconds had elapsed. The babyfaces (Bayley and Valkyria) made their comeback after a break. Valkyria hit Asuka with a fisherman’s suplex before Bayley hit a flying elbow drop for two. Bayley was frustrated and tagged out, but Asuka first planted Bayley with a German suplex. Asuka and Sane double-teamed Valkyria before Sane hit a double foot stomp off the top, but Bayley broke up the cover. 

Bayley suplexed Asuka onto the announce table and went for a flying elbow drop off the barricade, but Sane pulled Asuka to safety, and Bayley crashed onto the table. Valkyria dropkicked Sane, who knocked over Asuka in the process. Valkyria then hit Sane with Nightwing for the pinfall win. 

— Jackie Redmond interviewed the winners in the ring. Bayley said they were feeling pretty damn good after beating one of the best teams in the world. Valkyria said Nia Jax and Lash Legends knew that they could beat them. Bayley challenged the champions to a tag title match next week at MSG. (The fans booed when she called it the world’s most famous arena.) 

Match result: Lyra Valkyria defeated Kairi Sane & Asuka (8:58)

There were some good spots, but this match was just ok, and the crowd didn’t really care. The basic story was Valkyria pulling out the victory despite Bayley’s efforts coming up short. Bayley didn’t explicitly mess anything up, but Valkyria was the one who earned the win. 

********

IShowSpeed met with Penta and Dragon Lee. He was a fan of Penta and wanted Penta to show him how to do his little strut. After Speed left, Penta told Dragon Lee he could have a rematch whenever he was ready. They shook hands. 

Saxton interviewed Evans during a break and asked why he hadn’t accepted Kingston’s offer. Evans respected Kingston but wasn’t interested in being the next Kofi Kingston. He wanted to be the real OG and the first Je’Von Evans. He had dreams and goals of his own. He wanted to be a champion and had his eyes on tonight’s IC title match. 

IShowSpeed met with Pearce backstage. He was excited to see CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Brock Lesnar. Danhausen showed up. (He put his ear out so he could hear the crowd cheering.) Danhausen was impressed with IShowSpeed’s social media follower count. Danhausen wanted a piece, but Speed said no. Danhausen cursed him and vanished. Speed was concerned. 

Cody Rhodes’ first interview since being attacked by Randy Orton will happen… this Wednesday on Pat McAfee’s show. 

******** 

An emotional Asuka told Sane that they had lost because of her and that if she cared about their team, she would make it up to her. Asuka left, and Iyo Sky (who got a nice pop) approached Sane. Sky told Sane she deserved better. Asuka called Sane away. 

Raquel Rodriguez confronted Sky. Rodriguez wasn’t happy about Sky getting involved in her match last week. Sky said she’d do it again. Rodriguez challenged her to a match, and Sky accepted (for next week). 

******** 

Dom and Liv Morgan entered for his match, but Stephanie Vaquer attacked Morgan from behind. Officials pulled Vaquer away, so Morgan took advantage and attacked Vaquer, tossing her into the stage. The fight spilled to the back, and they brawled in Gorilla as officials tried to break it up. 

Intercontinental Championship match: Penta (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio (w/ JD McDonagh) 

They were about to do the usual title match in-ring introductions with Alicia Taylor, but Dom attacked Penta as she got started. The ref checked with Penta before starting the match. Dom’s idea didn’t work because Penta immediately cut him off and went on offence. 

Dom came back with a dropkick and hit a suicide dive into a DDT (sort of) as they went to break 75 seconds into this title match. Penta mounted his comeback after the break and hit a flip dive, and he hit a Penta Driver moments later for two. He set up for a Destroyer, but Dom hit a Michinoku Driver for two. Dom set up for a 619, but Penta hit a superkick. Penta distracted himself by going after McDonagh, so Dom dropkicked him and hit a 619. 

Dom went to the top, but Finn Bálor’s music hit. McDonagh ran after Bálor, but Bálor launched him into the stage and over some equipment. Dom took too long to go for the frog splash, so when he did, Penta countered into a small package for the pinfall win. 

— Bálor attacked Dom and hammered away at him. McDonagh pulled Dom to safety, so Bálor wiped them both out with a dive. Bálor went after Dom again, but McDonagh saved him again. 

Dom was able to escape through the crowd while Bálor laid out McDonagh with a dropkick and Coup de Grace as Dom watched from the stands. Bálor stared him down as his music played. (Bálor could’ve just gone after him again now that JD was laid out, but Dom was out of the ring, so you’re not allowed to.) 

Match result: Penta defeated Dominik Mysterio to retain the Intercontinental Championship (7:45) 

This wasn’t much of a match, and the finish wasn’t great either. I suppose I don’t blame them too much, given the lack of time and the finish. These two have also wrestled each other way too much since Penta’s debut, so hopefully, this will be it for a while. 

******** 

There was a tale of the tape for Femi and Lesnar, and Femi’s height was listed as 6’4”. (Femi is both taller and heavier than Lesnar.) 

Next week on Raw at Madison Square Garden in New York: 

  • Brock Lesnar appears 
  • Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria & Bayley for the tag titles 
  • Raquel Rodriguez vs. IYO SKY 
  • The Usos (c) vs. The Vision for the tag titles in a street fight 

******** 

Punk made his way through Gorilla, but was met first by Jimmy Uso. Jimmy warned Punk that his brother was on a warpath. 

CM Punk and Roman Reigns main event segment

Punk entered first. He mentioned Jimmy’s words of warning, but he wasn’t about to watch his words. It also showed, once again, that Roman Reigns couldn’t do anything without his cousins. 

What he didn’t know was that his cousins couldn’t do anything without Reigns. Nobody in that entire family could do anything by themselves. Nobody in that family could be the heavyweight champion. He had them all shook. Reigns gave the entire family permission to go after him, but none of them had. 

This was the shit-talk business. They said awful things to each other to sell the big fight. That was his job. But these were just words, and he was tired of talking. Reigns did say one thing last week that pissed him off. (Fans yelled, “Old.”) 

Punk said Reigns called him old. It’s not what he said, but who said it. “My young boy does not get to disrespect me and call me old.” He asked the Boston fans if he was old. They actually cheered, and some chanted, “Yes.” 

Punk said if he told them he wasn’t old, he’d be a liar. He was old. He was proud of it. If he were ashamed of it, he would be covering up his grey whiskers with Just For Men, just like Reigns did. 

He was middle-aged and crazy like Terry Funk. He’s the same age as Nolan Ryan was when he beat up Robin Ventura. Gordie Howe played pro hockey until he was 52, and they called him Mr. Hockey. Punk was Mr. Game Seven. The older he got, the more pressure he felt, and the more pressure he felt, the better he was. Age was just a number. 

He was old but not insecure. He would never ask the fans to acknowledge him. Reigns has underestimated him. He dropped Reigns with one punch last week. This old man would tie him up in knots at WrestleMania. 

Twenty minutes into their match, when Reigns was grasping for air and all the oil and “jizz” he covered himself in dried up, Punk would hit him with a GTS and put him to sleep. Reigns would wake up and realize Punk was the best in the world, and he just got beat by an old man. Gunther didn’t underestimate him and still couldn’t get the job done. The same could be said about Jey Uso. 

Jey entered. Jey told Punk he was old and had been hit in the head too many times because he was still running his mouth about their family—and about him. Jey threatened to fight him right now. Punk said Jey never did get his title rematch, so he offered a world title match right now. (The fans didn’t react because they knew that was not happening now.) 

Jimmy entered. He told Jey that he didn’t think when he got emotional. He only saw red, and that’s why they got disqualified earlier. They had to focus on their title match next week. Jey said he didn’t care about that right now. Jimmy told him to let Reigns handle it. Jey was pissed about Punk talking shit and wondered why Reigns wasn’t out there. 

Reigns entered. Reigns stared at Punk before turning his attention to the Usos. He said they already had their tag match and told them, respectfully, to get out of his ring. Punk advised them to stay because Reigns would need their help. 

Jey shoved Jimmy aside and went after Punk, but Punk dropped him with the microphone. Jimmy and Punk got tangled up before Reigns dropped Punk with a Superman punch. 

Officials ran down to settle things down, and the Usos left the ring. Reigns was about to leave, too, but Jey told “Joe” that he knew what he needed to do. Jey told Reigns to get Punk. After hearing Jey’s words, Reigns turned back toward the ring and speared Punk. 

Reigns didn’t stop there. He drove Punk twice into the ring post and powerbombed him through the announce table. Reigns grabbed Punk by the sweater and screamed in his face as Pearce yelled at him to stop. 

Reigns walked toward the back. As Punk was still down, he looked up, laughed, and told the officials, “I don’t need any help. I’m not the one that needs help.”

WWE Raw live results: Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar appear

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: March 16, 2026
Location: Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, TX 

The Big Takeaway —

For the third straight week, Raw concluded with a talking segment to build the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns match. Feuds are meant to build as they go, but this was the least interesting segment so far. 

On the positive side, Oba Femi laid out Brock Lesnar, and the two men will face off at WrestleMania. 

**********

Show Recap — 

CM Punk and AJ Lee, Maxxine Dupri (with Alpha Academy), Judgment Day, and Stephanie Vaquer were shown at the arena earlier today.

Lucky us, over a dozen masked men swarmed ringside, led by Seth Rollins, who entered the ring. (Even Michael Cole stated, “Not this again.”) Rollins initially wore a mask, but removed it once he entered. 

Rollins said he created the Vision, and he would be the one to kill it. He didn’t care if you were on the shelf like Bron Breakker, or a hanger-on like Austin Theory and Logan Paul—if you stood next to Paul Heyman, you should consider yourself marked for death. (That was a hint for what was coming.) 

Rollins mentioned that he had the satisfaction of wrapping a chair around Heyman and stomping his fat head on the mat. At that point, a very dishevelled Heyman walked on to the stage. 

The San Antonio crowd chanted, “F—k you, Heyman.” Rollins said he made a lot of mistakes in his life, but letting Heyman into his inner circle was the worst one. Rollins would make Heyman pay for his betrayal every day until he was gone from the business. Rollins would cut him out like the cancer he was. 

Heyman said Rollins F’d with him, so he would F with Rollins. He repeated, “F.A.F.O.” until he ended with “F5.” 

Brock Lesnar entered. Five masked men entered the ring to protect the babyface Rollins, while the others guarded ringside. Lesnar suplexed a bunch of them and shrieked at a handful of others who all ran to safety. Lesnar suplexed and F5’d the remaining masked men who greeted him in the ring. After Lesnar disposed of them, he faced off with Rollins. 

However, the lights went out, and Oba Femi entered. Lesnar backed into a corner with his guard up as Rollins gleefully watched on. After Femi entered the ring, Rollins slowly walked up beside Lesnar, but he bailed from the ring when Lesnar turned his attention to him. 

With Rollins out of the ring, Lesnar turned to Femi, but Femi hoisted him up and nailed him with a sit-out powerbomb. The crowd went nuts for this spot, and Cole yelled, “Holy sh-t!” (which was censored). Femi put his boot on Lesnar’s chest and pointed at the sign. 

(Femi came across great here. He was cheered in his entrance, when he laid out Lesnar, and when he pointed at the sign. Veteran viewers would know that Lesnar is more than happy to sell for people when necessary, and he sold big time here for Femi. 

However, everything else with Rollins was so stupid. I don’t know why he’s hiding in the shadows if he isn’t fired or suspended. He could just come out to his music like a normal person. He also hid behind all the masked men and bailed from the ring when confronted by Lesnar. Maybe we’ll find out Femi’s involvement here was all part of Rollins’ master plan, but he still comes across like a coward.) 

********

There was a replay of El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) winning the Rey del Reyes fatal four-way match, thanks in part to interference by Rayo and Bravo, who handcuffed Original Americano (Chad Gable) to a railing in the crowd. Kaiser was wildly cheered when he won. They would not get that kind of reaction tonight.

El Grande Americano (w/ Bravo & Rayo Americano) vs. Original El Grande Americano

Cole said this was their first singles match, which isn’t true when you consider their actual identities. 

This followed the usual pattern. After a break, Gable had the match won, but Bravo and Rayo distracted the referee. As Gable dealt with Rayo outside the ring, Bravo placed a metal plate in Kaiser’s mask while the ref was distracted. Gable hit a diving headbutt, but he hit Kaiser’s loaded mask and was knocked out, so Kaiser rolled into a cover for the win. 

They used a close-up angle when Gable executed the headbutt, and it showed that he completely missed, so the finish stunk. This whole thing stinks. 

Match result: El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) defeated Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) (9:55) 

********

Today is 3:16 Day, so Cole announced that WrestleMania tickets are 31.6% off today. 

Roman Reigns arrived, and he was approached by Jimmy and Jey Uso. Reigns was happy about how they handled Punk last week. Reigns looked into the camera and told his whole family that they all should be offended by what Punk said about his father. He invited the family and cousins to deal with Punk before and after Mania, but on that weekend, Punk belonged to him.

******** 

Danhausen handed out t-shirts during a break. Cole announced a sold-out crowd of 15,236. 

Liv Morgan promo 

There was a video package of Judgment Day turning on Finn Bálor. They censored the word “prick” again. 

Liv Morgan cut a pre-taped promo on Bálor. She said this was her plan since she joined Judgment Day. Bálor was never in charge. He was on borrowed time and just didn’t know it. Morgan knew when Bálor was lying and scheming, and it was a pleasure watching him fall from grace. 

Bálor couldn’t hang with them anymore because he got soft. He was a pathetic, washed-up loser. They took a page right out of his playbook when they laid him out. JD McDonagh was finally free from Bálor holding him back. Daddy Dom was still AAA Mega Champion and would regain his Intercontinental Championship. 

Raquel Rodriguez was a future champion, and at WrestleMania, Morgan would be the new Women’s World Champion. Morgan didn’t hide behind her family’s back like Vaquer claimed—they had her back. Without Finn, they were better than ever. 

******** 

The Usos were with Reigns in the locker room. Jey was surprised that Reigns didn’t drop Punk after he said what he said. Jimmy brought up Punk’s comment about Reigns being a part-timer. 

Reigns said that none of them saw their fathers much when they were kids. But with his kids, it would be different. The whole world could call him a part-timer if they wanted, he didn’t care. As long as his wife and kids knew he was a full-time father. That was his legacy. That was the biggest flex any superstar could ever say. 

Jimmy was happy to hear this, but Jey still wanted an apology from Punk. Reigns said he didn’t need an apology, but thought the Usos did, so he said he would go get them one. Reigns said, “I mean, what’s the worst that can happen, CM Punk beat me up?” They all laughed at this, and Reigns left. 

********

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Bayley 

After a break, Lee hit a bulldog counter and a standing sliced bread, but Bayley responded with a single leg crab and knee strike. Bayley yanked Lee off the top rope and hit a Bayley-to-belly for a nearfall. They traded strikes until Lee hit a shining wizard. Bayley countered a Black Widow with a side slam and went for a flying elbow drop, but Lee moved out of the way. Lee applied the Black Widow, and Bayley tapped out. 

— Bayley hugged Lee during commercials. 

Match result: AJ Lee defeated Bayley to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (10:40) 

This was ok. It was laid out well enough, and the crowd got into Lee prevailing in the end.

******* 

In the back, McDonagh yelled at Adam Pearce for giving away Dom’s IC title match. Pearce said he didn’t give it away—Dom wasn’t cleared. As they argued, Penta appeared, and the production team suddenly cut the background crowd noise. Penta did his pose in McDonagh’s face and thanked Pearce. Penta walked away, and they turned the crowd noise back on. That was weird. 

Becky Lynch attacks AJ Lee 

AJ Lee continued to celebrate during commercials. As they returned from break, Becky Lynch attacked her from behind. Lynch tossed her into the barricades and booted her repeatedly. The highlight of this was a young fan trying to reason with Lynch, and Lynch screaming at her in response. The little girl held her hand up as if to tell Lynch to calm down. As officials checked on Lee, Lynch decked her with the IC title belt. 

******** 

Penta entered to a good response. He wanted to be a fighting champion and told Pearce to pick anyone, because he would always be ready. Penta continued in Spanish, and fans chanted his name. He advised his opponent to be ready. 

Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. Dragon Lee

They started with a handshake. They went back-and-forth early on until Dragon Lee hit a flip dive, but Penta came right back with one of his own. After a break, they traded chops and strikes until Penta planted Dragon with a superkick. Dragon hit a superkick of his own and a Styles Clash for a two count. Penta followed with a Penta Driver for two. 

With Dragon on the apron, Penta tried a leaping spearingboard move, but Dragon caught him with a mid-air superkick. With Penta seated on the announce table, Dragon hit an awesome-looking suicide flip dive, knocking them both over the table. Dragon followed with Operation Dragon in the ring for a nearfall. 

Dragon went for a hidden blade, but Penta ducked and hit a crazy Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall win. (They went so fast on the Destroyer, Dragon popped to his feet, bounced off the ropes and collapsed.) 

Match result: Penta defeated Dragon Lee to retain the Intercontinental Championship (12:40) 

This was fun, and the last few minutes were particularly great. 

********

Theory and Paul approached Heyman backstage. Theory said Lesnar would take care of Femi, while they would take care of Rollins. Heyman said that was the worst thing they could do. Rollins’ game plan was divide and conquer. It was the art of distraction. 

Heyman said Rollins hit him with a chair and curb-stomped him, but Rollins received no punishment because the Vision had no more power. They needed titles (championships). He said they needed to win the tag titles from The Usos, and then he could position them to get singles titles. Their focus should be The Usos. 

Theory and Paul were on board with this. Paul also planned on getting LA Knight. 

******** 

Maxxine Dupri vs. Nattie

Dupri hit a fireman’s suplex and showed aggression by dropping her straps and hitting an elevated leg drop. Nattie kicked out, and Dupri acted shocked that a leg drop would only yield a two count. Nattie came back with a discus clothesline and a Sharpshooter for the submission win. 

Match result: Nattie defeated Maxxine Dupri (4:17) 

This was nothing, and the fans did not care. 

********

Randy Orton interview 

They advertised throughout the night that Cole would interview Randy Orton. They cut to the announcers, and Cole introduced Orton, who appeared on the screen via a very grainy, low-quality video. 

Orton was on the phone with someone, so Cole and the audience had to wait. Orton told this mystery person he was happy to see them a couple of weeks ago, and agreed with them that it was about time for him to do what he did (turn heel). He told the person he appreciated what they were doing, but told them he had to get to the interview. 

Orton told Cole that he had changed his mind. He wasn’t doing an interview tonight. Orton said he had a conversation with someone who had a brain. They said something profound to him. Something that made him think about his life. Something that made him think about who he was and what he was. They made him understand why he did what he did to Cody Rhodes. 

Orton told Cole, “I’m a killer,” and “wrestling has more than one royal family.” The feed cut. 

Orton will be on Friday’s SmackDown. 

******** 

Je’Von Evan approached Dragon Lee backstage. Evans was excited about Dragon’s performance earlier, but they were interrupted by Kofi Kingston. Kingston was less friendly than he was last week. He said there were people on this roster who could lift Evans up, while others were “Dragon” (dragging) him down. Evans gave Kingston an answer: “No.” Evans left. 

Grayson Waller told Kingston he didn’t know what he saw in Evans. Kingston heard people say that about Waller. 

Kingston and Waller were accosted by Danhausen, who proposed the idea of him replacing Xavier Woods. Danhausen mentioned Booty O’s, and they reminded him that Booty O’s were from ten years ago. They declined. 

Danhausen didn’t appreciate being turned down, so he put his curse. He was about to point at Kingston, but Kingston quickly dodged behind Waller, so Waller wound up cursed. Danhausen vanished. 

(Evans, by the way, has not wrestled since Elimination Chamber last month. That’s if you exclude one Main Event match against Dragon Lee. Incidentally, they hinted at Evans and Lee becoming a team.)

********

Non-title match: Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/ Liv Morgan) 

Vaquer went on offence, but distracted herself by peering at Morgan, who was just standing there. That allowed Rodriguez to grab her and lawn-dart her into the ring post. Vaquer fought back after a break and hit Devil’s Kiss. 

Morgan leaped onto the apron, so Iyo Sky ran out to her music to chase away Morgan. Sky’s help went for naught as Rodriguez tackled her over the announce table. (That was all for Sky tonight.) Vaquer dove off the apron to wipe out Rodriguez before chucking Morgan into the timekeeper’s area. 

Back in the ring, Rodriguez went for a Tejana Bomb, but Vaquer countered into a cradle for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Raquel Rodriguez (10:10)

I would have liked to see a more decisive win from Vaquer here. Rodriguez has improved a lot, and they clearly want to protect her, but that wasn’t necessary here against the world champion. 

********

Bayley loudly complained to Lyra Valkyria backstage, so Valkyria loudly told her to stop yelling at her. Valkyria said she wanted to see Bayley get to WrestleMania more than anything, and that they would do it together. They were approached by Asuka and Kairi Sane. Asuka blamed them for costing her a shot at the IC title, and she would never forget. She left. 

(Theory checked on Dupri in the background of this segment.) 

********

Official for WrestleMania: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. 

Next week on Raw in Boston: 

  • Brock Lesnar appears 
  • The Usos vs. Austin Theory & Logan Paul 

(I don’t think they said if next week’s match would be for the tag titles or not.) 

********

LA Knight approached Jimmy and Jey backstage. Knight asked about them getting cozy with Roman Reigns again. Jimmy said it was family business. Jey told him to mind his business. 

Knight said no. He could appreciate family business, but he could not appreciate the Bloodline coming back. The three of them were on the same page regarding the Vision, but he could not be on the same page if that meant the return of the Bloodline. Knight bumped fists with Jimmy, but Jey did not return the favour. 

******** 

Roman Reigns and CM Punk main event segment

Reigns told San Antonio to acknowledge him. They did. They chanted “OTC,” and Reigns said “they” could hear that backstage. They (Punk) knew whose show this was. Reigns was in the beginning, the middle, and the end. Reigns said the fans should forgive Phil for getting confused and thinking this was his show. 

Reigns invited Phil to the ring. Punk entered. Reigns greeted him by saying, “Welcome to my ring. Welcome to my main event.” 

Punk said Reigns kept using his government name like it was meant to be an insult. His friends and family were allowed to Phil. Maybe Punk would call Reigns ‘Titty Tiaki’ or whatever his real name was, but Punk didn’t obsess over him or read his Wikipedia page. Punk certainly wouldn’t call him “Joe” because that would be insulting to a real Samoan, whom he loved very much. Reigns suggested he call Joe, who would remind him who his Tribal Chief was. 

Punk heard Reigns earlier say he was sending all the Samoans after him. Reigns said he was only telling them to do what they gotta do. Punk said the only thing they would do is high-five him. Just like everyone in San Antonio was. Punk said it felt great to be alive on a Monday Night in San Antonio, and the fans chanted his name, but they followed soon after by signing Reigns’ name. 

Punk was surprised that Reigns hadn’t taken a swing at him yet. Reigns said he wasn’t surprised to hear that, because he was on everyone’s mind all the time. They were in the main event, but the truth was, Punk on his own hasn’t main evented anything all year, not even the European tour. 

Punk said he called for Reigns last week, but he was too chickenshit to show up, so he sent his cousins instead. Punk was a habitual line stepper, which is why the fans loved him, and Reigns didn’t. Jimmy and Jey handled their business last week. Punk admitted he deserved it. It was the right message, but the wrong messenger. Punk wondered who the real Tribal Chief was. 

Reigns wasn’t impressed and asked the fans if this (Punk’s promo) was really what they cheer for. Reigns has heard these Tribal Chief accusations for five years. Reigns called Punk trite and redundant. He mentioned Punk calling him a part-timer, but Reigns advised him to talk to the real top players about that, including his wife. Reigns told him to stop wasting his time until he came up with something that actually fazed him. 

Reigns went to leave the ring, but Punk blocked him. Reigns tried to go around him, so Punk left the ring to cut him off. Punk said it was his show, and it wasn’t time to go yet. Punk said WrestleMania would be Reigns’ last main event. Punk would hoist him up over his beautiful head of hair, bring him crashing back down to earth, drop him on his knee and split his ego in two on the grandest stage of them all. 

Reigns called him delusional. Punk was great on the mic and at the mental games, but he couldn’t faze him. Reigns was the most successful superstar Punk has ever faced. When the talking was done, Punk couldn’t do the walking. Punk wasn’t stronger than him or faster than him. The title around Punk’s waist was an embarrassment. Punk was a try-hard who made the rest of them look terrible, “because at the end of the day, you’re old.” 

That was enough to set off Punk, who dropped Reigns with a right hand. Officials ran down to settle down Punk, as Reigns looked up and laughed at him. They got Punk out of the ring as the show ended. 

(As mentioned above, this wasn’t terribly interesting. Not all of these segments need to be home runs, but they kind of do when they insist on main-eventing the show with it. Reigns went on about Punk being trite and redundant, but Reigns himself repeatedly said the same stuff about being the real reason they were in the main event, and used the trite “your wife” remark.) 

********** 

[The show was dedicated to the memory of Davey Coates.] 

WWE SmackDown live results: Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton contract signing

Posted on by Marc Quill

Tonight on SmackDown, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton put pen to paper and make their title bout at WrestleMania 42 official.

Rhodes regained the Undisputed WWE Title last week after defeating Drew McIntyre in a high-stakes last chance match made following SmackDown GM Nick Aldis getting fed up with the former champ’s antics.

McIntyre will be certainly on the hunt for Jacob Fatu, who prevented him from using a chair during the title match last week as their beef is sure to intensify now that McIntyre is no longer a champion.

Grammy Award-winning musician Jelly Roll will make an appearance on tonight’s SmackDown after teasing it last week.

The show will air from the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. As of press time for today’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 9,180 tickets had been distributed for the show.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

***************

– Over flyover shots of Phoenix, the voice of Joe Tessitore welcomed us to tonight’s show before he tossed it over to a recap of last week’s Undisputed WWE Championship match that saw Cody Rhodes regain the title over Drew McIntyre. After that recap we got a shot of Rhodes chatting with Jelly Roll, as well as Randy Orton walking backstage.

Drew McIntyre calls out Nick Aldis

Meanwhile, as Nick Aldis was looking over the Rhodes/Orton contract, Drew McIntyre angrily interrupted and paced his way into the ringside area. An incensed McIntyre demanded that Aldis get out to the ring now to make it right. On cue, Aldis walked down to the ramp and said that there was nothing to “make right”. Part of being the Champion included defending the title, and Aldis stated that McIntyre should be looking at the consequences of his own actions.

McIntyre took exception and accused Aldis of being a “corporate stooge”, so Aldis went for the jugular and said maybe the reason why McIntyre kept screwing Rhodes over was because the moment Cody got a fair shot, McIntyre lost. The surly Scotsman stormed into the ring and threatened Aldis to once again make things right, as this was “bullshit” in his eyes. Just then, Jacob Fatu walked down to the ring to confront his archnemesis.

“Yaddamean?” started Fatu, who said that there was nothing to fix, because McIntyre wouldn’t even be champion if it wasn’t for him. In his eyes, Fatu stated that he fixed the situation because McIntyre was no longer champion. This wasn’t about Aldis or Cody, so McIntyre kept blaming everyone else. Fatu said to keep it one-hundred, he declared that he was the one who screwed McIntyre’s ass. “So, what are you going to to about it?”

Apparently fed up with it all, McIntyre said that he quit WWE, as he walked off.

This seems like it will lead to a McIntyre/Fatu match at WrestleMania, so it’ll be interesting to see how we get to that off of this angle of McIntyre “quitting”.

***************

– Solo Sikoa and the M.F.T.s discussed strategy as the former was set to team up with Talla Tonga against Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan. Sikoa once again asked Tama Tonga to keep watch of the Wyatt Sicks’ lantern. As everyone but Tama left, Shinsuke Nakamura once again talked to him about being his own man before Sikoa returned and warned Nakamura to stay away before he got hurt.

– Jacob Fatu was angry at Nick Aldis for Drew McIntyre quitting until Trick Williams interrupted things, and from there we got Jacob Fatu vs. Trick Williams made for tonight.

Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan (w/ The Wyatt Sicks) vs. Solo Sikoa & Talla Tonga (w/ M.F.T.s)

Talla and Rowan got things going with a big man battle as they traded shoulder blocks. Talla struck Rowan in the face, as he hit him with a headbutt and forced him into his team’s corner. Sikoa tagged in and taunted Rowan, who responded with a shoulder block to knock the M.F.T. patriarch down. Howdy tagged in but quickly found himself trapped in the enemy corner. Howdy tried to fight back, but Talla pulled him out of the ring and threw him all about at ringside as we took a break.

This match continued from the break as Talla was the legal man and maintaining control over Howdy with a running splash to the corner, followed by a Samoan Drop. Howdy, however, kicked out at two following that. Sikoa tagged in and tried to hit Sister Abigail on Howdy, but that got reversed into a back suplex. With both men, the two men tried to reach their respective big men as they got the tags in.

Rowan went on the attack against Talla with a running elbow that knocked him down. Rowan then headed from the middle turnbuckle for a diving attack for a near-fall. With Talla down and out, Rowan lifted him on his shoulders, but Sikoa blind tagged, which allowed Talla to escape and hit Rowan with a clothesline. On the top rope, Sikoa went for a splash, but Rowan got his knees up. Howdy tagged in and attempted a Sister Abigail of his own, but got countered into the Samoan Spike. Rowan broke up the count as he and Talla took each other out at ringside. Things erupted at ringside as the Wyatt Sicks and the M.F.T.s brawled all around the ring. Sikoa exited the ring and took out Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy with Samoan Spikes.

As Sikoa entered the ring, he had Howdy at his mercy for the Spike, but Nikki Cross grabbed the Wyatt Lantern, which got Sikoa’s attention. This opened him up to a Sister Abigail from Howdy and the three.

After the match, however, as Howdy held the Wyatt Lantern in his hands, he was hit from behind by a the not-so-hidden blade of the Cutthroat by Tama Tonga. This allowed the M.F.T.s to retreat with the Lantern in toe.

Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan def. Solo Sikoa & Talla Tonga via pinfall

This feud is still limping onwards even after what feels like an eternity of the Wyatts and M.F.T.s fighting over a lantern. Yes, a lantern is somehow being treated as important as, say, the literal title belts being held by the M.F.T.s at the moment as tag champs. Look, guys, I don’t have to tell you how much this feud stinks and how it’s affecting my enjoyment of anything involving these two factions, and probably the most generous thing I can say about tonight was that the actual match was not terrible. Then again, that’s essentially putting lipstick on a pig.

***************

– Kiana James & Giulia had some harsh words for Tiffany Stratton ahead of James’ battle against her later tonight.

Jade Cargill vs. Michin

Michin attacked Cargill from behind in the ring, as she struck with kicks and strikes before the match began proper. When the bell rang, Michin continued her assault on Cargill with a diving hurricanrana that sent the WWE Women’s Champion out to the ring. Michin kept the offensive going with a suicide dive to the outside. However, things changed as the two got back into to the ring as Cargill hit Michin with a pump kick. In ther corner, Cargill choked Michin by planting a boot, as she then struck her in the back with clubbing blows. Michin tried to fight from underneath, as she used a feint to send her out of the ring. Michin kicked Cargill from the apron and tried for a dive, but she was caught for the fallaway slam and we took a commercial break here.

We returned as Cargill hit Michin with a spinebuster for a near-fall. Cargill tried for a chokeslam, but Michin tried an escape. Cargill had her in position for Jaded, but again couldn’t pull the trigger after Michin countered it. A tornado DDT from Michin almost got the victory. Michin maintained her edge with a modified Sliced Bread, followed by Eat Defeat. However, Cargill rolled out of the ring to avoid eating a pin. As Michin attempted a rolling senton, Cargill dodged it and hit a powerbomb onto the timekeeper’s barricade.

In the ring, Cargill grabbed Michin and licked her face before a chokeslam and Jaded for the pin and win.

Jade Cargill def. Michin via pinfall

While I haven’t been too hot on this “feud” with Michin and Cargill, this match was actually rather decent. And while Cargill didn’t set the world on fire with her performance tonight, she did well enough here.

***************

After the match Cargill was interviewed, but the champ took the mic from Cathy Kelley to speak for herself. Cargill said that the whole world thinks she should be scared of one woman: Rhea Ripley. Cargill said that she didn’t see a challenger or a threat in Ripley, and that she wasn’t afraid of anything her whole life. Cargill promised to beat Ripley at WrestleMania and that she’d be always on top.

This brought out the aforementioned Ripley to confront Cargill. However, the WWE Women’s Champion thought better and backed off from Ripley, who took a mic of her own. Ripley said that Cargill wasn’t an icon of female empowerement, and that come WrestleMania, Cargill would be “her bitch”.

– Cody Rhodes chatted with Nick Aldis about his contract with Randy Orton and that everything was in order. After Aldis left, Sami Zayn and said that he didn’t want to make this a thing, but he just wanted to congratulate Rhodes for his win. The WWE Champion was short with Zayn asked what it is he wanted and if that thing he wanted was a shot at WWE Championship. Zayn said that he only talked with Randy Orton that way because he looked up to him, but he didn’t look up to Rhodes as he saw him as a “friend”.

Rhodes took exception and said that he spent the week tellling everyone how magical Zayn was as he again was wondering what this was all about. Rhodes said that maybe Zayn didn’t need to look up to him, when he could just look towards “this”, as he motioned at his Undisputed WWE Title.

As Rhodes left, Zayn again threw a fit as Aleister Black and Zelina laughed at his plight, perhaps carrying the cross of a familiar role left behind by others. Zayn threatened Black to stay away from him.

– Backstage, Michin was nursing her wounds with B-Fab, as Rhea Ripley tried to have a chat with her. While Michin seemed to want to talk, B-Fab apparently didn’t share that sentiment as she got Michin to leave with her.

– The Bella Twins made their way down to the ring and addressed the crowd. Nikki and Brie said that it felt good to be back on SmackDown, and that the reason they showed up here was that they were set to be next in line for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. As such, they’ll be at ringside to scout the competition for this match coming up next.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Irresistable Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss

Jax and Legend went after the challengers right away as the bell rang. Bliss and Flair regrouped and managed to send Jax and Legend out of the ring. Bliss tried to go for a diving cannonball on the apron, but Jax caught her and slammed her on the apron. Flair dropped Jax with a dive from the ring as Legend then took her out with a big boot. The Irresistable Forces stared down the Bella Twins at ringside as we took another commercial break, just a few minutes after we had one.

We returned from break as Bliss nearly got the tag to Flair, but Legend intercepted her successfully. As Bliss headed to the top rope, she was caught by Legend, but she rolled out of harm’s way to finally get Flair into the match. Flair unleashed a flurry of chops on Legend, followed by her cartwheel clothesline. As Jax tagged in, Flair tried for a move from the apron, but got caught into a Samoan Drop for the near-fall. Jax dragged Flair to the corner and looked for the Annihilator. Flair dodged at the last second and instead connected with her moonsault. Legend broke up the pin, as she fell victim to a tornado DDT from Bliss. Outside the ring, the scuffle between Jax and Flair ended with the Bella Twins caught in the crossfire.

Back in the ring, Flair connected with Natural Selection, as Bliss headed to the top rope for Twisted Bliss. Brie Bella stormed the ring and attacked the fallen Jax to cause a disqualification. After the match, the Irresistable Forces stood tall in the ensuing chaos.

Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss def. The Irresistable Forces via Disqualification

I can’t say the idea of the Bella Twins entering the WWE Women’s Tag Title scene, presumably at WrestleMania, is going to move the needle at all. Just nothing good can come from that. As far as this match was concerned, it was nothing special, and the DQ finish didn’t help matters either.

***************

– Jelly Roll had a chat with Damian Priest & R-Truth, who were getting ready for their tag match against Los Garza. Following that, Jelly met with his good pal Randy Orton, who recommended that Jelly give The Miz an ass whooping later on tonight during MizTV.

– Backstage, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss argued with The Bella Twins, who once again stated that they had next.

Damian Priest & R-Truth vs. Los Garza (Angel & Berto)

Priest dropped Angel with a standing flapjack as Truth hit a spinning kick. Truth took too long playing to the crowd, which allowed Angel to take advantage with a kick, as Berto was tagged into the match. Angel hit the running boot on a prone Truth while Berto held him in position and added a kick to the back of his own.

In the ring, Truth found his way back into the match with a hurricanrana on Berto, followed by the running splash. Los Garza took advantage again as Angel pulled down the middle rope to cause Truth to spill to the outside. Angel and Berto then hit stereo dives on their foes as we got yet another commercial break.

This match resumed as Truth and Berto fought it out in the middle of the ring, with the latter getting the best of his foe. Angel tagged in aas he and Berto maintained control of Truth at this stage of the match. Angel hit a vertical suplex on Truth as he mocked him with a “you can’t see me” taunt. That was met with with a suplex-into-stunner move by Truth, as Priest finally entered with the hot tag. Priest held his own against Angel and Berto with strikes a-plenty for both. Priest held Berto and hit the Old School crossbody from the ropes. Priest then blasted Berto with his signature lariat. Angel broke up the pin as he got dispatched in short order. Razor’s Edge attempt was interrupted by Angel who blind tagged as he and Berto shelled Priest with high-flying offense.

Priest blocked a moonsault from Berto with boots to the face, as he held Angel in South of Heaven position. Angel escaped, but he couldn’t avoid the Razor’s Edge from Priest. Truth begged to be tagged in, as he and Priest hit their finishers — Attitude Adjustment and South of Heaven, respectively — on Los Garza for the win.

Damian Priest & R-Truth def. Los Garza via pinfall

I will say this, the Truth/Priest tag team is starting to somewhat grow on me, and it highlights Priest’s strength as a tag team guy, which is probably not a bad place for him for the time being.

***************

– Alex Shelley was seen hanging out with Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae and trying to motivate Johnny to be his old self again. He was met by his Motor City Machine Gun partner, Chris Sabin, who didn’t seem too happy with Shelley hanging around with the man who cost them the WWE Tag Team Titles. Sabin told Shelley that he got them a match next week against Fraxiom as he then challenged his partner to show how committed he was to the MCMGs.

– The Miz was set to go to the ring, but he was interrupted by the incomparable Danhausen, who hawked his new t-shirt to him. Danhausen again listed off his demands to Miz just before the interview with “Jelly Jam” but got blown off. In response, Danhausen told Miz that he was now cursed.

MizTV with Jelly Roll

As The Miz began his introduction, his mic suddenly cut off as he asked for another one that worked. Following that, Miz introduced his guest, Jelly Roll.

Jelly stated that there was no way he’d miss his boys Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes signing their WrestleMania contract tonight right here in Phoenix. Miz interrupted and tried to convince Jelly to take him on as a mentor, but only got a “no” in response from Mr. Jelly.

Jelly stated that Miz had a history of stabbing his partners in the back. Miz talked about how everyone discussed Jelly Roll’s comeback story, but not the guy who was behind it. Miz seemingly took credit for Jelly losing 250 pounds two years ago. Mr. Jelly said that Miz should be disgusted for taking credit for his successes and said he’d whoop his ass, fat or skinny.

Before things could escalate, Kit Wilson interrupted things and said that Miz should stop wasting time with Mr. Jelly. Wilson said that the problem wasn’t Miz’s mentoring, but the problem was Jelly himself. Jelly talked about how everyone secretly liked Wilson as he showed off his dance moves to him. Kit was upset about being supposedly mocked by Jelly, and that losing weight doesn’t make him a hero. It makes him nothing more than “fatphobic”. He then called Jelly “toxic” afterwards. Wilson shoved Jelly as things began to escalate. Jelly struck with a punch, but Wilson dodged as Miz got hit by it instead.

Yikes. That segment was a bit rouugh, wasn’t it? That it was anchored by the “usual” WWE sense of humor didn’t help at all. That it’s leading to a Miz vs. Jelly Roll match at WrestleMania 42 should put some butts in seats.

***************

– Apollo Crews and Ilja Dragunov were reacting to the segment we just saw as Carmelo Hayes went to have a chat with the latter. Dragunov said he was stuck between two extremes: ultimate confidence and self-doubt. Hayes asked him to lock in, unless there was something more to why he couldn’t fight him. Dragunov said that he couldn’t fight Hayes right now because he was fighting himself.

– As Tiffany Stratton was addressing Giulia and Kiana James, Chelsea Green rolled up and got promptly pushed away just as Stratton was on her way to the ring for her match with James.

– Kit Wilson stood backstage with The Miz and said he’d go to Nick Aldis and possibly seek a match against Jelly Roll. Danhausen appeared again and asked if Miz got his teeth knocked out by “Jimmy Jam” and that he could’ve taken the fight to him if he was out there. Danhausen then reminded Miz that ther was only one way to reverse the curse, as he then vanished.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James (w/ Giulia)

Stratton and James started off with a bit of chain wrestling before the latter used her agility to get ahead with an early pinfall attempt. James responded by planting Stratton’s face on the turnbuckle. That momentary advantage was snuffed out as Stratton dodged a James attack. On the apron, James hit a Dealbreaker on Stratton, which allowed her to gain advantage as she then threw Stratton into the barricade. That led us to, of course, a commercial break.

As we returned from break, Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre appeared at ringside while Stratton connected with a cartwheel cutter inside the ring for a near-fall. James escaped a move from Stratton, as she countered the Alabama Slam into a driver of her own. James went for a powerbomb, but Stratton countered with the rolling senton and was going to hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Giulia pulled James out of the ring, so Stratton hit a dive on both James and Giulia at ringside. In the chaos, the wheelchair-bound Green tried to go after Stratton, but Giulia got in the way. At the end of it, Stratton avoided a big boot from James, as she hit Giulia instead, who then fell onto Green and Fyre.

Back in the ring, Stratton finished James off with the rolling senton and the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.

Tiffany Stratton def. Kiana James via pinfall

This was a fine match up until the weird shenanigans-filled ending that kinda took me out of the whole thing. It does seem like we’re potentially getting a multi-woman feud for the Women’s U.S. Championship at WrestleMania when all is said and done.

***************

Next Week on SmackDown

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Irresistable Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) vs. Nikki & Brie Bella
  • Kit Wilson calls out Jelly Roll

– As Trick Williams was getting ready to face Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn showed up to call him as someone who can’t back up his big talk. Williams didn’t take too kindly and said that if he didn’t have a match up next, he’d drop Zayn where he stood.

Jacob Fatu vs. Trick Williams

Fatu and Williams locked up before they traded strikes in the corner. Williams held momentum with chops to Fatu’s chest, as he then athletically avoided a running strike into the corner. Fatu seemed to get strength by headbutting the top turnbuckle as he then hit his spinning elbow on Williams and then struck him with repeated headbutts in the corner. Williams tried to fight back with a neckbreaker, but Fatu withstood the damage and then went after him with a clothesline and an acrobatic moonsault. Fatu then clotheslined Williams out of the ring as we took a timeout here.

This match returned from the break as Fatu dropped Williams with a jump-up Whisper in the Wind for the two-count. Williams recovered and hit the spinning pump kick on Fatu followed by the jumping neckbreaker for another two-count. Williams beckoned Fatu to get up but he missed with the axe kick. He made no mistake with the flapjack, however as Williams kipped up to his feet. Willams had command with a stytlish uranage, but that still wasn’t enough to put Fatu away.

Williams stalked Fatu for the Trickshot knee, but ended up in the throes of a pop-up Samoan Drop. Fatu then hit his running hip attack in the corner as he then headed up top for the Swanton Bomb. One, two… NO! Fatu looked to be going in for the kill, but Williams rolled out of the ring. Meanwhile, outside the ring, Drew McIntyre attacked Fatu while the referee was checking up on Trick Williams. As McIntyre threw Fatu back in the ring, Williams hit him with two Trickshot knees and that’s it, over.

After the match, McIntyre took out Fatu with a Claymore Kick.

Trick Williams def. Jacob Fatu via pinfall

I quite enjoyed this one, even if the Drew McIntyre intereference finish was something everyone could see coming. Trick getting wins over top names shows how much of a big deal he’s being seen on SmackDown and he should comfortably fit into the world title picture post-WrestleMania.

***************

Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton WrestleMania contract signing

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis was in the ring as he addressed Drew McIntyre’s actions moments ago. He made it official and booked McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu for next week’s show. With that order of business out of the way, Aldis then introduced both Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes for the contract signing for their WrestleMania 42 title match.

While Orton got a loud set of cheers from the crowd, the reaction was a bit more mixed for the Undisputed WWE Champion. Before the contract signing began, Rhodes and Orton shared a respectful hug between friends as the former took to the mic first.

“Phoenix, sounds like I know what you want to talk about,” Rhodes said as he recounted his beginnings with Orton starting in 2007. He talked about how how Orton went on to become a WrestleMania main eventer and that he left. Then once he returned, his brother didn’t come with him, there was no “Codyverse”, but Orton was there. Rhodes said that he wasn’t Orton’s brother or a son, but he was always proud to be his boy as he signed the WrestleMania match contract.

Orton took a look at the contract and didn’t seem to know how to react as he told that he didn’t think that Rhodes understood how much Orton needed the title. Drew McIntyre was supposed to be here facing him. Rhodes interrupted Orton said that knew that we’d get the best version of Randy Orton at WrestleMania when the bell rings. After the main event when the last bell rings, Rhodes said that he’d always love Orton.

As the two shared a hug, Orton bashed Rhodes’ head against the table and then kicked him in the groin, much to the protestations of the commentary team. Orton busted Rhodes open with the steel steps as he then pushed Nick Aldis down. With the announce table cleared, Orton continued his attack on the Champion as the fans cheered on this heinous attack.

Orton lined up Rhodes’ head against the bottom half of the steel steps which was set up against the commentary table as the vanguard of referees and road agents showed up. Jelly Roll tried to talk some sense into Orton, but he pushed him down. As Orton backed away, everyone checked up on the bloodied Rhodes before Orton ran down with a chair and smashed against him. Orton rolled back into the ring and sat on a chair and looked at the Undisputed WWE Title.

***************

Well, that was an effective way to intensify the feud by giving us an unhinged heel Randy Orton, but… as you probably noticed, the crowd cheering on as brave babyface Cody Rhodes is beaten down to an inch of his life is making this a bit of an uphill battle on WWE’s part. The intent was to sell this as a brutal betrayal by a friend, but it’s slightly undercut when fans, who are seemingly tired of Cody hovering around the title picture again (whether or not they’re justified is up for you to decide) are happily cheering his brains getting blasted. That said, I did like this closing segment despite the weird crowd dynamic.

As far as the rest of tonight’s SmackDown is concerned, it was mediocre, save for the main event match and contract signing. The Wyatts/M.F.T.s feud continues to be a snore that persists even against all logic, and the other feuds aren’t really inspiring anything whatsoever. With WrestleMania in 5 weeks time, and slow ticket sales amidst a middling build towards April 18 and 19th, time is quickly running out for Paul Levesque and company to convince fans, lapsed or otherwise, to tune in to Mania this year. Shows like tonight’s SmackDown doesn’t inspire much hope that they can do that.

WWE Raw live results: Intercontinental title defense, Oba Femi vs. Rusev

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: March 9, 2026
Location: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA 

The Big Takeaway —

Raw concluded with another heated exchange, this time between CM Punk and The Usos. 

Also, Judgment Day turned on Finn Bálor and laid him out. Notably, JD McDonagh aligned himself with Dom and the rest of Judgment Day.

**********

Show Recap — 

Penta (wearing no makeup under his mask), Asuka and Kairi Sane (with Iyo Sky looking on from the hallway), Oba Femi, Rusev, and CM Punk were shown arriving at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

There was a long recap video of Seth Rollins attacking Paul Heyman last week. 

Adam Pearce was in the ring to start the show. Pearce said he had some unfortunate business to attend to, and he called out Seth Rollins. He figured Rollins was in the building because he knew The Vision was. 

At least a dozen masked men appeared ringside (and the crowd chanted, “Holy shit” for some reason). They scampered around the ring to cause confusion and, as Michael Cole stated, played some sort of shell game. This was pointless. They all left the ring to leave one man standing—Seth Rollins, of course. Rollins works there, so I’m not sure why he went through all this trouble. Even Pearce questioned why he did this. 

Pearce also questioned Rollins’ recent attacks on the Vision, wondering what would happen once Rollins’ plan didn’t work. Pearce reiterated that Rollins was not cleared, and if the Vision got their hands on him, it would be the end of Seth Rollins. 

Logan Paul and Austin Theory, the remaining members of the Vision, interrupted. They wanted to be the ones responsible for Rollins’ end. They hit the apron, but the many masked men entered the ring to guard Rollins. Rollins put his mask back on as the others played their distraction game again, allowing Rollins to escape. (This looked so silly.) 

With Rollins gone, LA Knight marched out to attack Theory and Paul. He was overwhelmed, so The Usos ran out to help him out and clear the ring. The three babyfaces posed together as the heels left.

(This was a nonsense segment. I understand Rollins being elusive to escape The Vision at full strength, but they’re down to their two least intimidating members.) 

Cole announced there was no timetable for Heyman’s return. 

Jackie Redmon caught up to the Usos, who seemed like they were about to leave the arena already. They said they had receipts for the Vision. Jey was red-hot, but Jimmy was more even-keeled. Redmond asked about CM Punk’s comments to Roman Reigns. Jey didn’t want to comment, and he was ready to go, but Jimmy did have something he wanted to say. They made their way back in the direction they came from. 

********

Women’s Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match 

– Lyra Valkyria vs. IYO SKY 

Valkyria dropped Sky off the top rope to take control ahead of a break. Sky hit a flapjack as they returned and continued with strikes, a butterfly backbreaker, and a corner meteora. Valkyria came back with an enziguri, a tornado DDT, and a high-angle fisherman’s suplex for two. Sky countered a Nightwing with a double foot stomp, buzzsaw kick to the head, and a moonsault for the pinfall win. 

Match result: IYO SKY eliminated Lyra Valkyria (9:21) 

– IYO SKY vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Rodriguez had control from the onset and hit a shoulder tackle, which saw Sky take a great-looking bump. As in the previous match, Sky was worked over throughout the entirety of a commercial break. When they returned, Sky hit a hurricanrana off the top and followed with a missile dropkick. 

Sky woke up the crowd by doing her pose. She hit the meteora and went for a moonsault, but Liv Morgan appeared at ringside to distract her, and Rodriguez knocked her off the top. 

Stephanie Vaquer ran out to attack Morgan all the way to the back. Sky flew off the top and captured Rodriguez in a small package for the pinfall win. 

— Rodriguez was pissed, so she booted Sky out of the ring, lawn-darted her into the ring post, and hit a Tejana Bomb onto the edge of the ring. 

Match result: IYO SKY eliminated Raquel Rodriguez (6:18) 

– Ivy Nile vs. IYO SKY

Ivy Nile sprinted out and immediately covered Sky for the surprise elimination. 

The crowd liked Sky, so the Rodriguez post-match beat-down and this elimination got a lot of heat. 

Match result: Ivy Nile eliminated IYO SKY (0:05)

– Ivy Nile vs. Bayley

Bayley made the mistake of checking on Sky as she entered, so Nile attacked her from behind and held control throughout an early commercial break. Bayley fought back when they returned with suplexes and a diving elbow drop for two. Nile responded with a German suplex for two. With Nile seated on the middle turnbuckle, Bayley ran up from behind and hit her own German suplex for two. 

Nile followed with an impressive delayed vertical suplex (which got a round of applause) for two. Nile then hit a superplex and a spinning Uranage, but Bayley fell out of the ring. Nile went after her, so Bayley drove her into the ring steps. 

Bayley hit an elbow drop on the apron and followed with Bayley-to-belly for the pinfall elimination. 

Match result: Bayley eliminated Ivy Nile (9:10) 

– Bayley vs. Asuka (w/ Kairi Sane)

This was the final match in the gauntlet. 

As Asuka entered with Sane, Bayley immediately nailed her with a suicide dive. (There was a great slow-motion replay of this. Sane was posing for the camera as her friend got wiped out behind her.) Despite the dive, they had to follow their usual pattern. Sane distracted Bayley, and Asuka kicked her in the head to take control ahead of an early break. 

Asuka had control through the break, but when they returned, Bayley hit a sunset flip powerbomb into the bottom turnbuckle for two. Asuka applied an ankle lock, but as Bayley got close to the rope, Asuka dropped into a cradle for two. Bayley applied an ankle lock/leg lock of her own, but Asuka got a rope break. Asuka hit an elevated knee, but Bayley fought back with a running knee strike for two. Asuka hit a series of strikes, which led to a two count. They traded counters until Bayley hit a Bayley-to-belly for a nearfall. 

Asuka distracted the referee so that Sane could attack Bayley outside the ring, but Valkyria flew in and dropkicked Sane into the side of the ring. Bayley tried a diving elbow, but Asuka countered into an Asuka Lock. Bayley countered into a cover, but Asuka’s shoulders were up, so Bayley picked her up and hit Rose Plant for the pinfall win. 

Bayley is now the number one contender for AJ Lee’s IC title. Bayley posed with Valkyria in the ring, while Asuka confronted Sane outside of it. 

Match result: Bayley eliminated Asuka to win the gauntlet match (8:48)

******** 

There was a video package of Punk’s encounter with Reigns last week. 

Nattie cut a promo on the stage on Maxxine Dupri during a break until she was attacked from behind by Dupri. Officials pulled Dupri away, so Nattie popped up and decked her. 

Danhausen approached Original Grande Americano (Chad Gable) backstage. Danhausen was cheered. He tried to take Americano’s mask to try it on, but Americano told him never to touch a luchador’s mask. Americano wanted him to leave so he could focus on his upcoming IC title match. Danhausen didn’t appreciate being shooed away, so he cursed Gable (and the crowd sang along). Gable was unconcerned with being cursed. 

******** 

Penta entered with his new IC title belt, and he cut a strong promo. He thanked his family, his friends, the company, and the fans. He thanked anyone who believed in him. He also thanked himself because he believed he could achieve the IC title. The title was not just for him; it was for everyone who did not give up. He represented all of them. He was their new IC champion, ready to make history. He fired up and cut the rest of his promo in Spanish, and the fans were into him. 

El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) entered, but of course, he is not Penta’s opponent. Penta was hot over this, but he invited El Grande into the ring anyway. 

Cole wasn’t sure what was going on because Penta was supposed to face Gable Americano, but Corey Graves said this could be because of Danhausen’s curse. 

Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser)

This started during a break, and they went to another break minutes later. So the first 9 minutes or so included about 5 minutes of commercials. 

I mentioned last week that Dominik Mysterio tied Penta’s mask to the bottom rope, a spot they always seem to do exclusively during commercial breaks. Well, sure enough, Americano did the spot during a break again. 

Penta fought back after the break, hitting a flip dive and flying crossbody for two. Americano responded with a spinebuster for two. Penta hit a superkick, but Americano countered a Destroyer attempt into a Finlay roll for two. 

Americano came off the middle rope, but Penta caught him with a Codebreaker and followed with a Canadian Destroyer for the decisive pinfall win. 

Match result: Penta defeated El Grande Americano to retain the Intercontinental Championship (12:10)

******** 

Stephanie Vaquer cut a pre-taped promo on Liv Morgan (which included subtitles, as she went back and forth between English and Spanish). Vaquer said she knew how good Morgan was and how hard she had trained since being signed at 20. But she hated Morgan’s stupid laugh and that she was too ignorant to use her skills. Morgan hid behind a trashy man and sent her friends to do her dirty work. Morgan claimed Vaquer came from “mud huts,” but she was proud of where she came from. 

Vaquer was forged from her experiences. They took different roads to get there, but both had the skill to be there. The difference was that Morgan became lazy. Morgan saw herself as a cheap blonde and always took the easy way to win championships. She would need to bring every trick to WrestleMania because Vaquer would bring blood, sweat, and her experience. Vaquer would continue to make history as world champion. 

They cut to Morgan backstage, pissed at Vaquer for saying she hid behind her friends. She was with JD McDonagh and Rodriguez, and she told Rodriguez she would help her get back in the title picture. Dom stormed in and asked if they’d seen Finn Bálor. They said no, but McDonagh went to look for him. 

******** 

Danhausen entered during a break. He was universally cheered. (Doing this during a break was likely a test to see how the fans  would react.) Danhausen handed out t-shirts and did his catchphrase. (The t-shirts were probably also a backup plan in case he got booed. I think they’re in the clear now.) 

******** 

José Valenzuela was in the front row, as were Mike Morris and Ernest Jones of the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. 

Dominik Mysterio and Finn Bálor segment

Dom entered with Morgan and Rodriguez. He was upset about losing the IC title. He wanted a rematch and thought he should still be champion, but he wasn’t because of Finn Bálor. Dom didn’t want to do this in public, but Bálor was making him. 

Bálor entered with McDonagh. Dom asked where the hell he’s been. Dom hoped Bálor was there to tell him that he got him an IC title rematch. 

Bálor said Dom was right. If it weren’t for him, Dom would still be IC champion. For that, Bálor was sorry. Bálor was just trying to help and teach him a lesson. Judgment Day was a family, and they’d always have Dom’s back. 

Bálor knew Dom wanted to be the greatest Mysterio of all-time, but he had to learn to fight his own battles. Bálor has been trying to guide him for two years, but the more he did that, the more he realized Dom’s dad was right. “Maybe you are just a spoiled little prick.” (I think he said “prick” anyway. They censored it. Since when is “prick” a swear?)  

Dom shoved Bálor, so Bálor dropped him with a Pelé Kick. Bálor was about to pummel Dom, but McDonagh pulled him off to calm him down. Dom tried to sneak attack, so Bálor hit him with a slingblade. 

Bálor set up for a running dropkick, but McDonagh levelled him with a clothesline. (This was meant to be a shocking moment with JD turning on his long-time friend, and the crowd reacted as such, but Cole sure didn’t.) 

The entire Judgment Day (Dom, Morgan, Rodriguez and JD) put the boots to Bálor before Dom grabbed the bell hammer. Bálor tried to fight back, but Dom clocked him with the hammer. 

McDonagh held Bálor down against the rope allowing Dom to hit a 619, as the crowd told Dom that he sucked. Dom hit a frog splash. McDonagh placed a steel chair on Bálor, and Dom hit another frog splash.

(This was a good, simple angle. Bálor is finally a babyface and finally out of Judgment Day.) 

********

Backstage, Pearce put over Je’Von Evans’ performance in the Elimination Chamber and saw big things for him in 2026. Evans said he wouldn’t let him down. Pearce told him to enjoy the week, and Evans was pleasantly surprised to hear he had the whole week off. 

Evans was approached by Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller. Waller tried confronting him, but Kingston told Waller to leave. 

Kingston told Evans that they got off on the wrong foot. Xavier Woods got injured, and Offset was out of line. Kinston got offended and took it out on Evans. But the truth was, Evans reminded him of himself. 

Kingston became WWE Champion and thought Evans could do the same. Evans just needed the right team behind him. Evans was about to turn him down, but Kingston told him to think about it. Kingston offered a handshake. Evans didn’t shake his hand, but did say he’d think about it. 

********

Redmond interviewed Bayley about her IC title match next week. Bayley thanked Valkyria for having her back earlier. She called AJ Lee a legend, and if it wasn’t for her, a lot of them wouldn’t be there now. The IC title was one she’s wanted to win since it was created. Bayley also offered Valkyria a shot if she won. 

Oba Femi vs. Rusev 

Femi was in control until Rusev kicked him off the apron, drove him into the ring post, and hit a spinning heel kick that sent Femi into the announce table. Rusev hit a Machka kick in the ring, but Femi exploded out of the corner with an uppercut. Femi followed with a biel and Fall from Grace for the pinfall win. 

This was all this needed to be. 

Match result: Oba Femi defeated Rusev (3:07) 

******** 

Next week on Raw in San Antonio: 

  • Brock Lesnar appears (presumably without Paul Heyman) 
  • AJ Lee (c) vs. Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship 
  • Original El Grande Americano vs. El Grande Americano 
  • Roman Reigns appears 

********

Main event segment with CM Punk and The Usos  

Punk entered to a big reaction. He signed autographs and shook hands with fans during a break. He gave a shout-out to the Seahawks. 

Punk admitted he wasn’t sure how the fans would react to him. He thought some of them would be mad at him. Some people were upset about things he said last week. One thing in particular was categorized as disrespectful. 

He knew Roman Reigns never respected him. But Punk would force him to respect the position he held. Championships were made to find out who the best were. The best go on to defend their championships. This title, in particular, was created because Reigns shunned his championship responsibilities and refused to defend his title. 

Punk defended his title because he was proud of it, and the fans deserved a fighting champion. When Punk defended the title, he levelled up the competition. If you faced him, you had to level up physically and verbally. Otherwise, he would leave you dumbfounded and slack-jawed like Reigns was last week. Unfortunately, Punk lowered himself to Reigns’ level, and it’s been on his mind all week. 

The Usos entered. Jey was red hot and told Punk to apologize right now. Punk asked why Reigns was still sending his cousins to do his heavy-lifting. Jey said they came out there on their own and told him again to apologize. 

Jimmy said this had nothing to do with Reigns and everything to do with respect. Jimmy told “Phil” that he respected him because he spoke from his mind and ran right through his obstacles. Jimmy said Punk called himself the voice of the voiceless, and he could talk trash about Reigns all he wanted, but he disrespected their late uncle, who had no voice. Jimmy told Punk to apologize. 

Punk said Jimmy was right. Sika didn’t have a voice. Punk wasn’t spiritual, but he knew the Usos were. He asked if they believed Sika could hear them now. Jimmy said yes. Punk hoped he could hear this. 

Punk said he was friends with the Usos, and he went back a long way with their family. He respected Sika, but didn’t know him as well as he knew Afa. When he lived in Philadelphia, he would drive to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to wrestle. He wouldn’t say he wrestled for free. Afa was generous enough to give him gas money, food or a roof over his head if needed. But Punk was really paid in knowledge, sitting under the Wild Samoan’s learning tree. It was a thrill to sit in the back of a pick-up truck with Samu and have him drop knowledge. 

Everyone in their family showed him respect—except for that one son of a bitch. If the Usos believed that Sika could hear and see this, then Sika could also see what a lying, conniving, backstabbing, manipulative, gaslighting, egotistical, narcissistic, plastic, politician his son Roman is. 

Jey got in Punk’s face and reminded him that this wasn’t about Reigns. He told Punk to apologize. (Some fans chanted, “Say ‘you’re sorry.’”)

Punk shook each of their hands and said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry Roman Reigns treated the two of you and the rest of his family in the Bloodline like garbage for years and never once came out here publicly to apologize for the way he treated his ‘family’ that he loves.” 

Punk was sorry that Reigns disrespected one of his mentors, Dusty Rhodes, when he called him irrelevant and was somehow not on the hook for apologizing, but Punk somehow was. He was sorry that Reigns had tricked everyone into thinking that he gave a single damn about any of them or any of this. Because if Reigns did care about them or the people or him or the business, Punk would be talking to him right now instead of his young boys. 

Punk shoved the mic into Jey’s chest, so Jey shoved him back. Punk was about to return the favour, but Jimmy dropped him with a right hand. Punk sat up and watched as Jimmy and Jey left the ring.

WWE NXT live results: Vengeance Day go-home show

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Tonight’s live WWE NXT is the go-home for this weekend’s Vengeance Day premium live event.

After turning on Sol Ruca last week, Zaria will challenge NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne for the title. Zaria confronted Jayne last week after her attack on Ruca helped Jayne retain, saying that if she didn’t grant her a title match, what happened to Ruca would happen to her.

Ricky Saints will make an appearance for an Absolute Experience segment. Starks will face NXT Champion Joe Hendry this Saturday.

The women’s Speed title tournament continues with Wren Sinclair taking on Nikkita Lyons with the winner advancing to face Thea Hail.

Before their match at the PLE, NXT Women’s North American Champion Izzi Dame and challenger Tatum Paxley will have a face-to-face while Jaida Parker and Blake Monroe will have their own confrontation ahead of Saturday.

In a trios bout, Hank Walker, Tank Ledger and Shiloh Hill will take on the Vanity Project (Jackson Drake, Ricky Smokes and Brad Baylor).

**********

NXT is back in the air in front of a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando.

Opening the show is the new NXT North American Champion Myles Borne, and he enters wearing a suit and holding his recently won title belt over his shoulder. Borne gets into the ring for an opening monologue. He would eventually be confronted by former champ Ethan Page, who is looking for a rematch with Borne. But first, the studio audience chants “you deserve it” at Borne.

“Damn it feels so good to hold this title and hear my name announced as champion,” Borne begins his address.

Borne remarks how a new champ will usually will soak up the moment and tell a sob story, but not this time. Borne says instead of thanking the fans and his family for their support, he wants to thanks his biggest haters. Borne thanks Ethan Page, who remarked in their feud that Borne lacked a “killer instinct” within himself. That poured gasoline on a fire inside of Borne and unleashed a demon.

If you push him, Borne says he will push back. He is no Boy Scout, and Borne says his is no angel. If you had to show that demon side of himself to keep the title, then so be it.

Borne ended his monologue by posing with the title after ending with his new catchphrase: “Can you hear me now?”

Ethan Page then interrupts and confronts Page. The former champ says he can hear Borne, but all he heard was Borne thanking him. Page insists Borne should repay him with a rematch for the title. Page claims Borne got lucky last week in winning the title. Page brags about himself and his accolades since arriving in NXT.

“If there is anybody in this locker room that deserves a rematch, it’s the guy that carried this brand for the last two years,” Page boasts.

Borne tells Page he knew Page would come out here. If Page wants a rematch, Borne says he will go talk with NXT General Manager Robert Stone. Page wants the match tonight.

Out comes GM Stone, and he is happy to book a rematch, but they should take the time to put on wrestling gear. Page roars with a challenge to fight right now, as Borne is taking off his suit jacket and unbuttoning his sleeves. Stone agrees to book the impromptu match, and he calls for a referee as a hockey fight breaks out.

Myles Borne vs. Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship

—

They fight is on with him dressed in slacks and dress shoes. They at least both remove their jackets. The fighting soon spills outside the ring, and the roll onto the broadcast booth. Borne is fired up as he pummels Page on the desk, while the show itself cuts to its first commercial break.

The fighting continues through a split-screen break, and the show returns to the break with a production snafu that took a few seconds to swipe away from picture-in-picture. Meanwhile, Borne rips Page’s clothing trying to keep Page from fleeing the ring. Page eventually had his pants torn away, and he was wrestling in his boxer briefs.

Page with a loaded punch for a near fall. Borne kicks out and a moment later counters Page’s finisher as they go home. Borne applies an ankle lock, which is a callback to an injury angle in their feud. Page kicks free, and his shoes come off in Borne’s hands.

For the finish, Page fumbles with his ripped pants. Borne still has one shoe in his hand that he conceals from the ref, while giving Page’s pants to the referee. The ref goes to get rid of the pants by tossing what is left out of the ring with his back is turned to Borne. He smacks Page with his own shoe, and Borne executes his Borne Again finisher. Borne then hooks a leg to pin him. Great match. And still…

Match result: NXT North American Champion Myles Borne defeated Ethan Page via pinfall to retain his title.

— Sarah Schreiber is a roving reporter who tries to interview Zaria, but she does not want to talk while arriving at the building. Also outside are Darkstate, who are waiting for Tony D’Angelo. Robert Stone convinces them to go inside the building. Great timing because Tony D’Angelo arrives in a sports car, and he retrieves a crowbar from the trunk before heading inside.

Jaida Parker brawls with Blake Monroe

—

Out comes Blake Monroe to cut a promo on Jaida Parker, who then interrupts Monroe and confronts her. That leads to a brawl where Parker stands tall when the smoke clears.

Monroe claims that Parker interfering in Monroe’s speed match last week was reassurance for Monroe. She was reassured because Parker still needs her. Monroe remarks that worst thing anyone can do in NXT is interrupt her. Monroe keeps cutting a promo on Parker until Parker confront her.

Parker cuts a good promo on Monroe, and Monroe tries to retort. Parker cuts her off, and basically says without her gimmick Monroe is a “mediocre bitch.”

Jaida then slaps Blake hard across the face, and they begin to brawl. Monroe is sent packing as the studio audience chants for Miss Parker.

— The Vanity Project trio (NXT Tag Team Champions Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes along with WWE Evolve Champion Jackson Drake) approach Ricky Saints and Ethan Page in a locker room skit. The heel trios apologizes for not having Page’s back in his impromptu match. They are told that is okay, and they can leaves. Saints then leaves after saying he must get ready for his performance tonight. This was a dumb and unnecessary skit.

— Another skit sets up Jasper Troy against Eli Knight and Sean Legacy in triple threat match. The winner meets Speed Champion Elio LeFluer in a title match.

Nikita Lyons vs. Wren Sinclair in the Speed tournament match

—

Sinclair won with Cattle Mutilation with seconds remaining in the three-minute time limit. In winning, Sinclair moves on to the tournament final to face Thea Hail. Whoever wins that match challenges WWE Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley.

Match result: Wren Sinclair defeated Nikkia Lyons via submission to advance to the tournament final.

— NXT Champion Joe Hendry and North American Champion Myles Borne interact in a backstage skit. Hendry makes a joke about being deaf and immediately apologizes for it. Borne mocks Hendry with his pose and they laugh it off.

— Kelani Jordan goes to Shayna Baszler’s dojo to train for her Underground match. This was a cool cameo for Baszler, and it builds up the gimmick match between Jordan and Lola Vice at Vengeance Day.

Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame face-to-face

—

Paxley and Dame face off in a pre-taped segment where they sit across from each other in front of a dollhouse. Dame first cuts a promo on Paxley, but Paxley responds with a confident response. Paxley then walks away before Dame flips out and wrecks the dollhouse in a fit of rage.

Shiloh Hill, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Vanity Project (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & Jackson Drake) in a six-man tag team match

—

Good match that goes through two commercial breaks. Vanity Project jumps the babyface trio during their entrance. The trios match unofficially begins before the bell, and the match gets underway during a commercial break. Much of it airs in picture-in-picture, and what started as a brawl settles into a traditional six-man tag when the show returns from the break.

Heat on Walker as the heel trio works him over. Hot tag to Tank, and he cleans house on Vanity Project. At ringside, Hank is posted by Jackson Drake. Nevertheless, Tank fights off the heels. As the fighting against spills outside the ring, Tank is trapped in the ring steps by the team formerly known as Swipe Right. Drake then dropkicks Tank from behind, and Tank looks dead as the show cuts to another commercial break.

Hot tag after the show returns from the break, and Shiloh Hill runs wild. Hill is soon cut off and Vanity Project gets a near fall on him. Hank and Drake tag in and face off. Drake lifts Hank to deliver a Burning Hammer.

Parade of high spots in the closing moments. Hank with a Bossman slam on Drake to set up a tandem spot where Hank & Tank sandwich Drake with stereo splashes. Hank & Tank then sail through the ropes with a tope each. Meanwhile, Hill leaps through the ropes to spear Drake in the ring. Hill then executes his combo finisher where he does Saito suplex into a falling neckbreaker. Hill then covers Drake for the deciding pinfall. In winning the match for his team, Hill gets a pin on the Evolve champ. That should set up a title match in the near future.

Match result: Shiloh Hill, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger defeated Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes via pinfall when Hill pinned Drake.

— Before the six-man competitors can exit, Blake Monroe pounces on the announce desk for a promo. She is now dressed in all black as she broods over Jaida Parker. Monroe announces a street fight with her and Parker for Vengeance Day.

Out comes Jaida Parker to once again confront Monroe. They are pulled apart by the winners of the six-man a tag and a slew of referees.

— Darkstate is backstage and they are livid. Osiris Griffin is down selling an apparent ambush by Tony D’Angelo. Darkstate all yell at Robert Stone. Saquon Shugars and Cutler James stay with Griffin while Dion Lennox vows to call out D’Angelo. Lennox is heading to the ring as the show heads into a commercial break.

— Dr. Martin talks with Lola Vice about a fracture in her right hand. The doctor points to an x-ray as he explains the injury to Vice. Dr. Martin advises Vice to not compete, and he says there is great risk in Vice doing the Underground match. Vice shakes her head and tells the doctor she cannot be out that long. She is the most reliable wrestler on the roster, and she vows to continue. Vice promises not to hurt her hand again, and Vice says she signed away any liability to WWE. The doctor reluctantly agrees with Vice, but he insists she come see him again after her match.

— Dion Lennox is headed to call out Tony D’Angelo. Lennox does just that from the ring. Instead of being the hunter, Lennox is now the hunted, as pointed out by D’Angelo when he addresses Lennox. D’Angelo is standing in a perch overlooking the ring as he cuts a promo on Lennox and Darkstate.

D’Angelo no longer has the over-the-top Italian accent. D’Angelo proceeds to cut a good promo on him seeking vengeance against Darkstate. Fittingly enough, D’Angelo clashes with Lennox this Saturday at Vengeance Day.

Lennox threatens to meet D’Angelo in the parking lot, and D’Angelo responds by saying bring it on. D’Angelo threatens to beat him up in the parking lot before dragging his lifeless body back into the ring to beat him.

— Sarah Schreiber interviews NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, alongside her stablemates Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence. Jayne cuts a promo where she mentions the breakup between Sol Ruca and Zaria. Jayne teasing interference by Fatal Influence as she vows to retain the title. Jayne wants “smooth sailing” heading towards Stand & Deliver.

— NXT Champ Myles Borne talks with Charlie Dempsey and Tavion Heights in a backstage skit. Borne thanks them for his time as stablemates in No Quarter Catch Crew. Borne leaves and Dempsey laments how unsuccessful they are compared to Borne. In walks Lexis King and his cohorts Uriah Connors, Arianna Grace and Stacks. They are still trying to recruit Dempsey into their faction, much to the chagrin of Heights.

Jacy Jayne (with Fatal Influence) vs. Zaria for the NXT Women’s Championship

—

Despite me hating the finish, this was a great to watch before a run-in. They had a good, long match that went through a commercial break. Before the show cut to commercials, Jayne sandwiches Zaria in the ring steps with a cannonball senton on the floor. Zaria was in control beforehand, as she looked strong at the start of the match. Henley and Reid interfere, which allows Jayne to gain an underhanded advantage ahead of the commercial break.

Superplex spot soon after the show returns from the break. Jayne takes the superplex from Zaria, and a slugfest soon develops. They trade strikes and momentum rises for Zaria. They then trade near falls.

Near fall after Zaria lands a lariat. Jayne runs into a knee before taking German suplexes from Zaria, and Zaria runs into a flying knee from Jayne for another near fall. Zaria ducks Jayne’s finisher and delivers a spear. Zaria goes for her finisher, but Jayne escapes and waffles Zaria with a Rolling Encore.

Double down as Sol Ruca runs down to the entrance ramp. Ruca clotheslines Reid and superkicks Henley at ringside. Ruca then jumps into the ring and springboard into a dual Sol Snatcher that drops both Jayne and Zaria. The referee calls for the bell. No official word, but I assume a no-contest. The mach this thrown out. Really good match until the interference by Sol Ruca. The finish seems to set up a triple threat, which must be one of the most over-booked gimmick matches in modern wrestling.

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and Zaria wrestled to a no-contest after interference by Sol Ruca.

— Ricky Saints is heading to the ring for his concert performance.

— Robert Stone is interviewed in his office. Glitch in the feed on my local CW affiliate, so I missed much of this interview.

Ricky Saints’ Absolute Experience

—

Spoofing the concert segments made famous by The Rock from years past, Saints gets in the ring and sits down. He pick up a guitar and hypes up the concert to come. He proceeds to do a terrible rendition of Joe Hendry’s theme song, with new lyrics from Saints. This was deliberately terrible. It was also hard to watch. It was dying a death.

Saints orders a roadie to get him a different chair. That failed to save the segment. Saints next complains about the microphone, and he orders a roadie to fix the mic. The segment drags on with Saints complaining about his guitar. He wants another guitar as well. Saints is handed a different guitar by a roadie, but the roadie will not unhand the guitar. Surprise, it’s Joe Hendry! He saves the segment with a guitar shot on Saints. The guitar shatters on the back of Saints.

Vanity Project runs in to save Ricky Saints from Hendry’s finishing move. Myles Borne runs down to help Hendry clean house and clear the ring of heels.

The NXT Champion and the North American Champion stand tall and celebrate in the ring in the final scene on the go-home episode ahead of Vengeance Day.

WWE Raw live results: Elimination Chamber fallout

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: March 2, 2026
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

The Big Takeaway —

CM Punk and Roman Reigns had their latest war of words. Reigns got the last word in their first encounter, while Punk got it here. After Reigns threatened to retire Punk, Punk threatened to bury Reigns next to his father. 

Also, Penta won the Intercontinental Championship. 

**********

Show Recap — 

There was a full recap video of all four matches at Elimination Chamber, plus the debut of Danhausen (no crowd reaction included, of course).

CM Punk and AJ Lee, Judgment Day (minus Finn Bálor), and Gunther arrived at the arena. 

They abruptly cut to Paul Heyman as he led Logan Paul and Austin Theory to the ring. Heyman wasn’t interested in starting the show the same way as always. So he gave us a talking segment. Heyman said, “I hate to piss on everyone’s parade, but excuse me while I whip this out. We are here to talk about Seth freakin’ Rollins.” 

Heyman hated Rollins and his song. He said Rollins stole the credit for co-founding the Vision. He stole the credit for co-founding the Shield. He didn’t deserve credit for the Shield, but that wasn’t Heyman’s problem. Rollins stole the Elimination Chamber and the WrestleMania main event from Logan Paul. 

Heyman said Rollins thieved oxygen from every human being on the planet that was worthy of living, and Mr. Lynch (Rollins) was not one of them. They planned on stomping Rollins’ ass the next time he stepped into a ring. That wasn’t a spoiler—that was a personal guarantee from the Vision. 

Theory grabbed the mic to cut a useless promo. Fans drowned him out with “You suck” chants, and he responded, “Rollins ain’t in the ring right now, so you can’t chant that,” which is not a good comeback. Paul was pissed because he had eliminated three people in the Chamber, and the last person to do that was Brock Lesnar. 

Paul called out Rollins, but he got Adam Pearce, who was not interested in hearing them complain. Pearce also accused them of taking out Jey Uso last week. Heyman didn’t appreciate that. Heyman remarked about Rollins, but Pearce said he would deal with Rollins personally because he wasn’t cleared to compete. 

If you thought they were done with the masked men, you were wrong. Three different masked men appeared in the crowd, and they were chased away by the two idiots, Theory and Paul, as well as Pearce’s security. 

That left Heyman alone in the ring. A fourth masked man appeared in the aisle, now abandoned by Pearce, who also fell for Rollins’ trick. Heyman pleaded with him as a fifth masked man appeared behind Heyman. 

Rollins unmasked and hit Heyman in the back with a steel chair (like he did to Roman Reigns). Rollins curb stomped Heyman as the crowd went wild. Rollins left through the crowd as medical staff checked on Heyman. 

Heyman was dragged away during a break, and his face was covered in fake blood. After the break, Theory and Paul ran to check on Heyman as he was being loaded into an ambulance. Paul left to get their car while Theory remained. 

Theory wanted the ambulance to leave, but it didn’t. Theory checked on an SUV that pulled up, thinking it was Paul, but it was actually Jimmy Uso. Jimmy punched Theory and tossed him into some equipment boxes. Jimmy checked on the ambulance driver, who was LA Knight. Knight said he’d take great care of Heyman, and he drove off. 

********

Gunther vs. Dragon Lee

Dragon Lee attacked Gunther from behind during his entrance. He blindsided Gunther a few weeks ago, got beaten up, and it happened again here. Gunther fought him off and gave him a back body drop into the timekeeper’s area. 

The match started during a break, and Gunther dominated throughout the break, when they came back from break, and through a second break. (Dragon got a brief flash of offence, but Gunther blocked his dive attempt and cut him down with a chop.) 

Dragon fired back in time from them to return from break. He hit an enziguri and a low dropkick, but Gunther cut him off with a powerslam and hit two consecutive powerbombs. Gunther covered Lee and had it won, but lifted him up at the two count. 

Gunther rolled Lee outside the ring before powerbombing him into the edge of the ring and onto the announce table. Gunther could have taken a count-out win, but he left the ring to try another powerbomb, but Lee countered into a sunset flip. Lee followed with a suicide dive and Operation Dragon. 

Lee almost won by count-out, but Gunther slipped back in at nine. Lee managed to drop Gunther with a clothesline (after trying unsuccessfully a few times earlier). 

Lee fired up and went for Operation Dragon again, but Gunther caught him in a sleeper. As they started going down to the mat, Gunther ripped Lee’s mask off (and you could see his face for a split second). Lee immediately tapped out as a result. 

Match result: Gunther defeated Dragon Lee (14:19)

This was pretty fun by the end. Dragon Lee firing back after getting powerbombed on the apron and the table was a bit much, though. The crowd was into this, and it already seems like a much better crowd than they’ve had the past few weeks. 

********

Asuka admonished Kairi Sane backstage until Sane was stunned into silence. AJ Lee walked by and checked on Sane, who was frozen and staring out into space until Asuka called her away. AJ made her way to the ring. 

AJ Lee segment 

Lee said she wasn’t sure how they got here. She returned to snatch the pretty hair off Becky Lynch’s big-ass head, but she wound up snatching her title. There was a modest, “You deserve it” chant. 

She said the fans thought she could still go. They believed in her and had her back for a decade. They remembered her when some people wished that they would forget. They made her believe that she could still fight the very best. 

That’s exactly what Lynch was. She was the best of the best, but Lee beat her. Lynch gave her the fight of her life—and she had the scars to prove it—but she proved to herself she could still be championship material. She was still who she thought she was. But now that “Becky boo-boo” was behind her, WrestleMania was ahead of her. 

She wanted to be a fighting champion. It’s been 12 years since she won a title, and she wouldn’t waste any time. She called on anyone who wanted a shot because she planned on defending the Intercontinental Championship the next time she stepped into the ring. 

********

The Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) wished Penta luck on his IC title match, but said he’d be first in line for a title match if he won. Penta was cool with this. 

El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) and the other two confronted the Original after Penta left. Kaiser referenced their upcoming match on the next AAA show on March 14th. Gable wanted to fight tonight, but would gladly face Bravo or Rayo instead. 

Liv Morgan promo 

Liv Morgan cut a pre-taped promo on Stephanie Vaquer. She said Vaquer didn’t know anything about her or her struggles. But Vaquer was right about her being privileged. She got signed to WWE when she was 20 years old, while Vaquer was rejected in her first tryout. She had the best of the best, while Vaquer grew up with mud hut wrestling in flea-infested rings. That all happened because Morgan was a star. 

Morgan didn’t dwell on her past as Vaquer did. Despite everything that’s happened, she sees some of herself in Vaquer. She was hard-working, talented, and a great champion. So Morgan would give her something at WrestleMania—the privilege of facing the Liv Morgan. 

********

Original El Grande Americano vs. Rayo Americano (w/ El Grande Americano & Bravo Americano) 

Gable Americano had control until a Kaiser Americano distraction allowed Rayo to hit a dive and take control through a break. Gable fought back in time for them to return from break. Gable tried ripping off the masks of Bravo and Rayo, but the distractions allowed Kaiser to hit a headbutt. Rayo followed with a running headbutt and a diving headbutt for a nearfall. 

More distractions and more interference led to a schoolboy and nearfall for Bravo. Gable came back with a Chaos Theory suplex for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Original El Grande Americano defeated Rayo Americano (10:10) 

It’s about time they move on from this gimmick for Gable. I know Kaiser has a good thing going in AAA, but the American crowds aren’t into this anymore, and Gable in particular feels miscast. Not to mention the other two guys. 

********

Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez played darts backstage. Morgan suggested that Rodriguez challenge AJ Lee for the IC title, win the belt, and go into Mania as champion. Rodriguez liked that idea (and acted like she never thought of this). 

Dominik Mysterio was stressed out about his title defence. JD McDonagh said they had his back. Finn Bálor entered the room. He wasn’t happy about the result on Saturday, but he was at peace with it. 

Dom said they could now focus on his title match. Bálor said this was something he had to do on his own, like he said last week. Dom simply meant that he wanted to celebrate with them post-match. Bálor said they could count on him to celebrate together.

******* 

Rusev and Oba Femi segment 

After a clip of Oba Femi beating The Miz on SmackDown, Rusev marched out through the crowd and stood on the announce desk. Rusev was tired of hearing about Femi and called him out for a fight right now. 

Femi entered the ring and told Rusev to join him. They traded right hands, and Femi got the better of it, but Rusev avoided a chokeslam and hit consecutive kicks. Femi dropped him with a chokeslam anyway and clotheslined him out of the ring. 

********

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria spoke backstage. They had one of those conversations that makes you wonder if they ever talk outside of the show. Bayley was frustrated that they both missed out on the Chamber, and she felt stuck. 

Valkyria didn’t want to see Bayley miss Mania again. She suggested that Bayley go after AJ Lee and her title. Like Rodriguez earlier, Bayley somehow never thought of this idea. Valkyria told Bayley to go talk to Pearce and get a title match. Bayley was about to leave, but she recalled costing Valkyria her IC shot with Lynch, so she invited Valkyria to join her. 

Bayley and Valkyria walked to Pearce’s office, which happened to be around the corner. Iyo Sky left his office the moment they arrived, and she was not in a good mood. 

******** 

Jimmy Uso vs. Austin Theory

This ended quickly by DQ. Jimmy set up Theory for a splash through the table, but turned his attention to Paul, who slipped into the ring. Jimmy attacked Paul as the referee watched. Theory tried to save Paul but was tackled by Jimmy, and the referee finally called for a DQ when Paul attacked Jimmy from behind. 

— The Vision hammered away on Jimmy until Jey Uso’s music hit. Jey appeared from behind (like Rollins earlier) and slid a crutch to Jimmy. They attacked Paul and Theory with crutches and laid out Theory with a 1D. 

Match result: Jimmy Uso defeated Austin Theory via disqualification (2:41)

They don’t want Theory to lose, but they’re afraid to have him beat anybody. 

********

Danhausen approached Pearce backstage. (He only received a modest pop, but at least he wasn’t booed.) Danhausen said he debuted to thunderous applause, so he had a list of demands written on a napkin. He wanted a blimp, his face on all the trucks, a Hall of Fame induction this year, a personal assistant, and a Triple H pointing photo. Pearce asked why the napkin was soggy. Danhausen said it fell in the toilet. 

Judgment Day walked by, and Pearce took the opportunity to bail so they could deal with Danhausen instead. Danhausan was happy to see them, but didn’t know McDonagh’s name. Danhausen also liked the look of Dom’s IC title belt. 

Danhausen cursed Dom, and they laughed him off. But when they turned their attention back to Danhausen, he was gone. 

********

Rhea Ripley interview 

Jackie Redmond interviewed Rhea Ripley, accompanied by Iyo Sky, on the stage. Ripley said it’s been a whirlwind couple of days. Losing the tag titles on SmackDown sucked. It especially sucked because Sky meant a lot to her, including being her best friend. Ripley thanked her for always being there for her and pulling her out of a dark situation. 

Sky said Ripley did the same for her. Sky said Ripley won the Chamber and showed everyone why Mami was always on top. Sky told Ripley she would be fine on Raw and told Ripley to go handle her business and win the title at WrestleMania. They hugged. (In fact, they held each other the entire segment until the end.) Ripley said she would win the title for Sky. 

Ripley told Sky to hold down Raw because she was headed to SmackDown on Friday to see Jade Cargill face-to-face, and at WrestleMania, she would leave as champion. Sky leaped into Ripley’s arms. 

********

Next week on Raw in Seattle: 

  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match: IYO SKY, Lyra Valkyria, Bayley, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka and Ivy Nile 
  • Oba Femi vs. Rusev 

******** 

Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) (w/ Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh) vs. Penta

Penta hit a flip dive, and they went to break one minute into the match. (I wish I kept track of how many times that’s happened in a Penta match.) Bálor and McDonagh watched peacefully while seated at ringside. Penta took too much time staring them down, which allowed Dom to take over. Even Michael Cole noted this was Penta’s own fault. 

Dom cut off Penta’s comeback attempt after a break and hit an Edge-o-matic. (Cole had a new name for it, but I’m not sure what he said.) Dom went for three amigos, but Penta countered the last suplex into one of his own. Dom cut him off again, this time with a DDT onto the apron. After Dom used a dive to take out Penta outside the ring, Dom also hit a running crossbody, sending them both over the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area. (Cole said Penta was once again staring over at Bálor and JD as this happened.) 

During a break, Dom tied Penta’s mask to the bottom rope and stomped away at him. (For whatever reason, they always seem to do this spot to Penta, and sometimes Dargon Lee, only during commercial breaks. It’s happened multiple times.) 

Penta fought back in time for them to return from break (again). Penta hit a superkick with Dom trapped upside down in the corner, followed by a backstabber for two. Penta went for a Destroyer, but Dom countered into a Michinoku Driver for two. 

Dom went for a frog splash, but Penta blocked it and snapped his arm, followed by a Penta Driver for a close nearfall. A frustrated Penta repeatedly booted Dom in the corner until the referee made him stop. Penta tried driving Dom into the corner, but Dom ducked, and Penta went shoulder-first into the post. 

Penta sold like he was hurt, so the ref checked on him as Dom told McDonagh to grab the ring bell hammer. McDonagh grabbed it, but Bálor stopped him, and the fans cheered. As McDonagh and Bálor argued, Penta wiped them out with a dive. 

Back in the ring, Penta set up a Destroyer, but Dom tripped him onto the middle rope. However, Penta ducked a 619 and hit a Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall win. Penta is the new champion. The crowd was happy. 

— Penta posed with his new belt as fireworks went off. 

Match result: Penta defeated Dominik Mysterio (16:24)

This was the right call here. Penta was long overdue for a win like this, and frankly, Dom isn’t much of a champion. 

******** 

Roman Reigns and CM Punk main event segment 

Roman Reigns entered. He told Indianapolis to acknowledge him. They did. Before he could say anything else, CM Punk entered. They both got big reactions. 

Punk asked why Reigns why he was mean-mugging him. Punk was just feeding his ego and acknowledging him. Punk hoped Reigns would say more than “acknowledge me” because they pay a lot of money for one of Reigns’ dates, and that could’ve been a tweet. 

Reigns asked “Phil” if his tweet (following Elimination Chamber) hurt his feelings because, for a champion, Punk had thin skin. 

Punk said the tweet didn’t hurt his feelings. He didn’t care what people tweeted. He didn’t hold grudges about what people said about him on podcasts (like Reigns did). Reigns’ tweet was accurate, though, because Punk was tired. It was a good thing Punk had bags under his eyes because he had to carry Reigns’ bullshit all the way to WrestleMania. 

Punk said they had history here in Indianapolis. This was where the Shield debuted and where Punk brought him to the dance. Reigns corrected him because Punk only brought in the other two, not him. 

Punk said they remembered things differently. But if Punk didn’t pick him, Reigns certainly picked Punk for the main event of WrestleMania. If you ask the fans, they’d tell you he (Punk) already won. The last time they were face-to-face, Reigns told him that he hated him. Now, Punk said, “I got you right where I want you. I made you this emotional lady.” (An odd thing to say, but not the first time Punk’s had a line like that.) Punk said he was in Reigns’ head—as empty as it was. 

Reigns reiterated that he hated Phil. But if he didn’t have the title, Phil wouldn’t even be on his radar. Reigns said we brought Phil back to entertain the 30- to 40-year-old virgins who lived with their parents. To sell a few t-shirts and maybe draw a house in Chicago. But not to be the champion. That was too much responsibility and power for Punk. It was above his paygrade. 

Reigns said we can’t trust Phil because he is a liar. He lied to the people. He has them thinking that he was having a good time, that he was a leader, that he was smiling as he made every town, hanging out with his cousins (the Usos). But we knew the truth. His cousins told him all about Phil’s bitching and moaning. He wasn’t CM Punk—he was just a punk-ass bitch. 

Reigns would end Punk’s backup plan (his WWE return) at WrestleMania. After taking his title, Reigns would put him on a John Cena retirement tour. They would make as much money off Punk as they could until they sent him to NXT, where Punk would teach the next generation until they sent them to the main roster so the Tribal Chief could snatch everyone of them. 

Reigns was about to leave, but Punk pulled him back. Punk said they weren’t done. Punk wondered who Reigns meant when he kept saying “we” because he was all alone. Alone on his bus, alone in his room. His cousins weren’t with him. The Shield couldn’t help him. The wiseman was gone because Punk took him away. This all illustrated Reigns’ entire career: “You chasing me.” 

Punk was the champion, and Reigns was in the main event because Punk was in the main event. This was Punk’s show. He was in the locker room and hanging out with the Usos while Reigns was alone. Reigns could hate him all he wanted, but Reigns would not disrespect him. 

Punk took particular offence to Reigns saying he would retire him. Because now, Punk said, he wouldn’t just beat Reigns at Mania, he’d bury him. “And then you won’t be all alone anymore because I’m going to bury you next to your father.” 

Punk slammed the mic down and left as Reigns was left speechless.

WWE Raw live results: AJ Styles tribute, Elimination Chamber go-home show

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: February 23, 2026
Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA 

The Big Takeaway —

The highlight of Raw, by far, was the tribute to AJ Styles. He will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026. 

See more below. 

**********

Show Recap — 

Instead of the usual start to Raw with everyone arriving at the arena, Michael Cole and Corey Graves stood in the ring to welcome us to the show in Atlanta (as everyone sat calmly in their seats). 

They were about to speak about AJ Styles, but they were interrupted by Gunther, who entered through the crowd. He sent Cole and Graves back to the announce desk as he entered the ring. 

Gunther called it disgraceful that they were honouring a loser. The fans liked the losers. Losers like Bill Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles. Gunther ended their careers, so tonight should be a celebration of him. (It really sounded like they were piping in fake booing.) 

Adam Pearce interrupted. Pearce claimed he knew Gunther would pull this, so he brought out security to escort him out of the building. (If he knew this would happen, perhaps he should have addressed it earlier.) 

Gunther said he would leave under his own accord because what was happening tonight was disgraceful. As Gunther was escorted up the ramp by security, he turned around to boast to the crowd when he was suddenly attacked from behind by Dragon Lee. They were quickly separated, but Dragon attacked him again backstage. 

After Dragon Lee was taken away by security, Cody Rhodes appeared and gave Gunther a look before making his way to the ring. 

Rhodes entered to a big reaction and his hometown fans sang his name. He was about to talk about Styles, but like the announcers earlier, was interrupted, this time by The Vision. 

Austin Theory said he was ashamed to be from Atlanta. Logan Paul knew Rhodes wasn’t ashamed to be from Atlanta because he lacked common sense, and he was insane for showing up to Raw. Paul said Bronson Reed would win the Elimination Chamber and win the title at WrestleMania, meaning The Vision would take over SmackDown, too, and Rhodes would be the first one out the door. 

Rhodes wasn’t sure about that and knew someone here who would disagree with them. That brought out Jey Uso (and Jimmy Uso) for their Chamber qualifying match. 

They went to break after The Usos entered, and the entire break was Jey doing his entrance and Yeeting with the crowd. 

(This was a typical opening segment. Except it was actually two opening segments in one. They cleared the ring after the first one and did another.) 

********

Cole called tonight a sell-out with over 12,000 fans. 

Triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Bronson Reed vs. Jey Uso vs. The Original El Grande Americano 

The opening match began at 8:20 pm, and they went to commercial two minutes later.

Gable (El Grande) wiped out both guys with an Orihara moonsault ahead of the break. Jey and Gable did their best to keep Reed out of the ring through the break, but Reed re-entered, stacked up both guys on his shoulders and hit an impressive double Samoan drop. 

After Reed gave Jey a World’s Strongest slam, he tried dumping Gable onto Jey, but Gable countered by giving Reed a bulldog while simultaneously leg-dropping Jey. Gable gave Jey a Chaos Theory and went to the top. 

Gable went for a flying headbutt, but Jey was all the way on the other side of the ring, so he missed and landed face-first on the mat. Gable sold it like he hit the move because he made a cover, but Reed broke it up. (I’m guessing this will end up on Jey’s lowlight reel for being out of position. But he was lying stationary when Gable took off, so I don’t know how this got messed up. Graves tried to cover for it on commentary.) 

Gable gave Reed a great-looking German suplex ahead of another break. After a break, Jey and Gable continued wrestling while medical staff checked on Reed outside the ring. (Reed never got back in, so he may have been hurt.) 

During the break, Graves acknowledged that Original El Grande was detested in AAA, while El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) was a hero.

Jey went for an Uso splash, but Gable got his knees up and applied an ankle lock. Jey fought out of it, and they traded kicks until Jey hit a spear and an Uso splash for the pinfall win. 

(They likely had to adjust the finishing sequence with Reed injured. During the next break, Cole said he hoped to get an update on Reed.) 

Match result: Jey Uso defeated The Original El Grande Americano and Bronson Reed to qualify for the Men’s Elimination Chamber (15:32)

******** 

They showed AJ Styles’ debut at Royal Rumble 2016. Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura were shown talking backstage. 

CM Punk entered the arena in the passenger seat of a Toyota Camry NASCAR driven by Tyler Reddick (owned by Michael Jordan’s team). Reddick sped in and did donuts around the lot. When Punk exited the car, he looked like he just got off a roller coaster. 

******** 

Liv Morgan’s WrestleMania decision 

Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio entered. There was a replay of Stephanie Vaquer accosting Morgan during her interview last week. Morgan looked distressed in the ring upon seeing the replay, but she cheered up when Dominik Mysterio introduced her as the greatest Rumble winner ever. 

Dom said Morgan was ready to make her decision, so he called out Vaquer and Jade Cargill (whose name he mispronounced), and they each entered. 

Morgan wanted to get something off her chest before announcing her decision. She told Vaquer that her words caught her by surprise last week. She wasn’t used to being so vulnerable, and she thought about what Vaquer said all week.

Morgan said Vaquer was right. She didn’t realize how selfish she’d been or how privileged she really was. She had ten years of the best coaches and facilities, and still thought that she was struggling. She didn’t know much about Vaquer’s story, that she had to scratch and claw for ten years just to get to WWE. 

Morgan apologized for judging her and knew Vaquer was the champion that she was because of what she had to go through. But now it was time to focus on her own story. 

Morgan turned her attention to Cargill, but it was a swerve. She turned around and smoked Vaquer on the head with the microphone. Cargill smiled and left the ring. Morgan hammered away at Vaquer, hit a Codebreaker, and an Oblivion. Morgan dumped the world title belt onto Vaquer before leaving with Dom. 

********

Byron Saxton was about to interview Je’Von Evans backstage, but he was quickly greeted by rapper Offset. New Day and Grayson Waller interrupted. Xavier Woods was offended that they weren’t honouring him tonight in his town. New Day also wondered why Offset showed up tonight, given that they had repeatedly invited him in the past. Offset said because New Day sucks. Evans challenged them to a fight. Woods (arm in a sling) reminded him that he was injured, and Kofi Kingston accepted the match instead. 

During a break, they showed quick clips of wrestlers talking about how much Styles meant to them (Rhodes, Charlotte Flair, Sami Zayn, Kurt Angle, Finn Bálor, R-Truth, Tyson Kidd, Xavier Woods, and Roman Reigns). 

Michin, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa greeted Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows backstage. 

********

Nattie vs. Maxxine Dupri 

They fought outside the ring until Nattie booted Dupri into the post. It was the same post spot you see in every match, but Dupri sold it like she was dead. Nattie attacked her wildly as the ref tried checking on her. The ref eventually got Nattie to stop and called off the match. Nattie was announced the winner. 

Match result: Nattie defeated Maxxine Dupri via referee stoppage (1:38)

I guess this was meant to show how dangerous Nattie is, but the damage was done by a simple post spot, not because of anything she did in the ring. 

********

Backstage, JD McDonagh apologized to Finn Bálor (wearing a suit) for being a hot head last week. All he wanted was to see Bálor become champion. Bálor accepted his apology. He said brothers fought, but they always made up. He planned on becoming champion, but he had to do it alone. 

Dom was upset that they left him on his own last week. He knew Bálor wanted to do things on his own, but he didn’t. He wanted their help when he defended the IC title against Penta next week. 

McDonagh had his back, but Bálor quickly cut in. He said nobody had his back when they (Dom and JD) were hurt. He didn’t blame them, and he held his own while they were gone. It was time for Dom to do the same. Take some responsibility and grow up. 

********

Cathy Kelley interviewed Trick Williams on the stage during a break. He planned on winning the Chamber on Saturday. (The crowd seemed into him, but this crowd isn’t that hot for anything so far tonight except for Rhodes’ entrance.) 

Tyler Reddick, 2 Chainz, and Lil Yachty were in the crowd. 

******** 

Adam Pearce told an unfortunate delivery person to load up the wooden crate and ship it to Chicago so he and Nick Aldis could open it together on Saturday. 

Rusev approached Pearce before Rusev was confronted by Oba Femi. Pearce told them to save it for another day because tonight was about Styles. 

******** 

Brock Lesnar segment 

Brock Lesnar entered with Paul Heyman. Heyman said, traditionally, there were always two main events at WrestleMania. The world title match and the Undertaker’s streak. That was until Lesnar ended his streak. Now, the only dead man walking in WWE was the one who would walk down the aisle to face Lesnar. 

Heyman rambled on and on, but long story short, the question was now who would face Lesnar at WrestleMania. Heyman pointed at the screen and showed a list of dates (five dates after tonight) of Lesnar’s upcoming appearances “on the road to WrestleMania” and invited somebody to make the challenge so they could get their ass kicked. 

This felt like a pretty lazy setup for a Lesnar Mania match. But they got the dates out there so people could buy tickets. 

******** 

There was a pre-taped Becky Lynch promo. She reminded AJ Lee how much she’s accomplished and wondered what Lee ever did besides hold a butterfly belt. 

There was a clip of Royce Keys (Powerhouse Hobbs) on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast. He spoke about his brother, who sacrificed his life for him. 

******** 

Je’Von Evans (w/ Offset) vs. Kofi Kinston (w/ Xavier Woods & Grayson Waller)

Kingston tried using a distraction to catch Evans off guard, but Evans didn’t fall for it and clocked him with a running knee strike for a nearfall early in the match. Kingston used a separate distraction moments later to hit a PK and take control. Offset checked on Evans as they went to break. 

Kingston held control through a break until Evans made a comeback and attempted a moonsault. Kingston dodged the moonsault, and Evans landed on his feet, but sold it like he hurt his leg on the landing. Kingston followed with an SOS for two. 

Evans sent Kingston out of the ring and hit a leaping dive while selling the leg. Waller punched Evans with the ref distracted, and Kingston hit a Fameasser for two. Offset chucked Waller over the announce table and backed off Woods. 

Kingston yelled at Offset for getting involved, so Evans flew in with an OG Cutter for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans defeated Kofi Kingston (10:14) 

This match was ok. They played it up as a big win coming against an all-time great, and a big win headed into the Chamber. 

*******

They aired more messages for AJ Styles from different wrestlers, this time from Bayley, Rey Mysterio, Nattie, The Miz, Robert Roode, Abyss, Booker T, Randy Orton, CM Punk, and Shinsuke Nakamura (who said, “I miss him already.”) 

Frankie Kazarian walked backstage and stopped upon seeing the boiler room. He opened the door to find Abyss (who doesn’t look quite so imposing anymore). They walked off together. 

There was a highlight video of AJ Styles beating John Cena at SummerSlam 2016. Earlier, they showed Styles beating Jinder Mahal for the WWE title on SmackDown. 

******* 

Finn Bálor pre-taped promo 

Bálor said CM Punk wasn’t the only one with people mad at him. He had people mad at him, too. But they needed to understand why he needed to do this. He needed to prove to the doubters, the critics, and Judgment Day that he can be the champion. It’s been ten years of “What ifs.” 

You can learn a lot from a win, but you can learn a lot more from a defeat. When he lost to Punk, he learned to stop asking “What if?” He learned to tell himself “When.” When you beat Punk, when you become World Champion, and when you go on to main event WrestleMania, there would be no more “What ifs,” because everyone would know there was a new best in the world.  

******** 

Dwight Howard, Jermaine Dupri, Funny Marco, and Bow Wow were in the crowd. 

CM Punk promo

Punk entered to a big reaction. The fans chanted his name, but he wanted the fans to chant for Styles instead. 

There were a few things he wanted to address before they head to Chicago. Punk had his own “What ifs” for Bálor. What if Bálor didn’t jump him in Toronto? What if Bálor didn’t interrupt his last match against Styles? Well, Bálor wouldn’t be getting a title match. 

People wondered what Punk was doing, but he was doing the best he could. He was giving the fans the fighting champion they deserved, following in the footsteps of Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Triple H, and the list went on. Punk didn’t like dealing in What ifs. 

Punk asked, “What if Roman Reigns was here tonight?” The fans chanted for Reigns, but Punk said this was why he didn’t like dealing in What ifs because they weren’t rooted in reality, and Reigns wasn’t there. The fans booed, but Punk said they couldn’t be booing him because he was there. Boots on the ground every Monday night, making every town on every tour. 

Punk asked, What if Bálor beat him? Well, no risk and no reward. Reigns would be on Raw next week. What if Punk didn’t wait until Mania and punched Reigns in the face next Monday? 

He didn’t deal in What ifs—he dealt in facts. He didn’t have to ask “What if he was the champion” like Bálor did, because he was the champion. He was the best in the world. He was the main event of WrestleMania. He was CM Punk. 

*******

Omos greeted Petey Williams and Jeremy Borash backstage. 

Triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Tag Team Champion IYO SKY vs. Kairi Sane vs. Raquel Rodriguez

As in the earlier triple threat match, the two smaller wrestlers tried working together against the bigger wrestler, but that only lasted so long. Rodriguez caught both women and nailed a double fallaway slam. Also, like in the earlier match, one wrestler wiped out the others with a moonsault ahead of a break (this time an Asai moonsault by Sky). 

Sky hit Sane with a missile dropkick, and the crowd got behind her until she was levelled by Rodriguez. Sky saved Sane from a Tejana Bomb moments later, and they drove her into the ring post. Sky hit Rodriguez with a suicide dive, and Sane followed with an Insane elbow on Rodriguez to the outside. Sky dropkicked Rodriguez into the timekeeper’s area before Sane hit Sky with a spinning backfist. 

Sky avoided an Insane elbow in the ring and hit a moonsault. She had it won, but Rodriguez broke up the cover by yanking Sane out of the ring. Sky hit Rodriguez with a missile dropkick and meteora. Rodriguez tried fighting her off, but Sky nailed a tornado DDT. She set up for a moonsault, but Sane shoved her out of the ring. 

Sane went for an Insane elbow, but she missed. Cole said Rodriguez got her knees up, but that’s not what happened. Rodriguez was already rolling out of the way as Sane was coming down. Anyway, Rodriguez followed with a Tejana Bomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Raquel Rodriguez defeated Kairi Sane and IYO SKY to qualify for the Women’s Elimination Chamber (10:53)

********

Next week on Raw in Indianapolis: 

  • Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta for the Intercontinental Championship 
  • Gunther vs. Dragon Lee 
  • Roman Reigns “returns” 

Kelley interviewed Jade Cargill during a break, but she was cut off mid-sentence as they returned from break. 

********

AJ Styles tribute 

They started with a terrific AJ Styles video package set to “Higher” by Creed (quite the throwback). Steve Austin called him the best wrestler on two feet, Kurt Angle called him the most talented wrestler been in the ring with, and Undertaker said he couldn’t think of a better person to have his last match with. There were also kind words from Bayley, Miz, Orton, and his wife, Wendy. This was all set to footage of Styles wrestling in TNA and WWE. 

AJ Styles entered. (I guess he’s a little rusty, because he actually bumped into some staging equipment on the way out.) Styles took a deep breath in the ring as the fans and announcers gave him a standing ovation. Fans chanted, “Thank you, AJ.” 

Styles joked that he thought about wearing a suit tonight, but the last time he did, he beat the piss out of Cody Rhodes, so he thought the better of it. Styles thought this would be easier, but if he got choked up, he wanted the fans to know it wasn’t because he was sad. 

Styles was so grateful to be in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up 45 minutes down the road in Gainesville. People usually didn’t get to have a moment like this when they retired, so he was grateful. But at his core, he was still that kid from Gainesville who fell in love with professional wrestling. 

He wrestled in Gainesville, in the TNA Asylum in Nashville, in the Tokyo Dome in Japan, and under the bright lights at WrestleMania. He wrestled some OGs in TNA — (Christopher) Daniel, (Samoa) Joe, and Frankie Kazarian. They made a mark on pro wrestling. 

He went to Japan and met some good brothers. Gallows and Anderson showed him how to have fun in pro wrestling. It didn’t have to be serious all the time. If he was having fun, so were the fans. 

He’s done almost everything. Almost. The one thing he hadn’t done was be a full-time father. (He pointed at his family in the front row.) He missed birthdays, anniversaries, and games. He missed it all, and that was tough. 

His flex should be that he won all those world championships. But his biggest flex was having the best wife in the world. She never slowed him down or told him to stop. She kept pushing him forward. She held the family together even though he had to watch them grow on FaceTime. She was the one. He told her, “I love you,” and he thanked his kids for being there tonight. 

He said things didn’t go the way the fans wanted to against Gunther at Royal Rumble. It wasn’t the way he thought it should go either. But it was poetic. Not many people got to go out where they started. He debuted in WWE at the Rumble in 2016, and his last match was the Rumble in 2026. 

He didn’t leave his gloves in the ring that night, but he was a man of his word. He removed his leather vest and placed it on the ring. He said he didn’t remove his gloves because he wanted to take them with him, bring them to Atlanta, and leave them here at home. 

He removed his gloves and placed them down on his vest in the ring. 

He told the fans, “From the bottom of my heart, I would have been nothing without you. Thank you for your love, and I love you right back. Thank you.” 

(The closing trademark graphic aired at this point, but the segment continued.) 

Wrestlers and personnel filled the stage, and they all gave Styles a standing ovation as the fans chanted, “Thank you, AJ.” 

The lights went out, and Undertaker’s music hit. Taker entered on his motorcycle (and to his Kid Rock theme song). Taker entered the ring with a microphone and looked down at Styles’ gloves. Taker remarked, “You’re just gonna leave your stuff here and leave?” 

Taker said they had unfinished business. Styles looked surprised. Taker told him there was a saying, “If you see me coming, you’re already gone.” Well, Taker wanted to change it. Taker stated,  “If you see me coming, that means you’re going.” The fans figured out what was coming, and so did Styles. 

Taker announced that AJ Styles was the newest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. (This actually got the biggest pop of the night.) 

Styles had a huge smile on his face as he appeared to be learning this for the first time. Styles’ family, now at ringside, all hugged as the fans chanted, “You deserve it.” Styles hugged Taker. 

Styles’ family entered the ring, and they all embraced. Styles was pumped up as his music played and the show ended.

[The show was dedicated to the memory of Kerwin Silfies.] 

**********

(As mentioned above, the Styles tribute was the highlight of the show. This was another dull show outside of that, but that won’t matter much this week. It is notable that this was another big city crowd that was quiet all night, as Toronto and Philadelphia were too.)

WWE NXT live results: North American title on the line

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Ethan Page will look to make history as he defends his NXT North American Championship tonight.

A title match between Page and Shiloh Hill is scheduled to take place on tonight’s WWE NXT episode. Page has now been champion for 266 days — and a victory tonight would ensure that he becomes the longest-reigning North American Champion in history. Oba Femi currently holds the record at 272 days.

There will be a fatal four-way match tonight with Hank & Tank vs. The Culling vs. OTM vs. The Vanity Project determining which duo gets the next shot at NXT Tag Team Champions DarkState.

In another match with title implications, Eli Knight and Elio LeFleur meet in the men’s WWE Speed tournament finals. The winner earns a title shot against champion Jasper Troy.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Cutler James and Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice have also been announced, with the latter bout kicking off tonight’s show. Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

NXT is back on the air in front of a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando.

Opening the show is a grudge match set up a few weeks ago after an injury angle. Kelani Jordan attacked Lola Vice in a bout on a previous episode, and Jordan ran in to smash Vice’s right hand with a ladder. That would cost Vice a chance to become the number one contender for a championship. Vice is seemingly out for retribution.

Vice enters the sound stage on this episode for her match against Jordan, and Vice is wearing a brace on her right hand. The hand injury would be a story in the opener on tonight’s card. Vice also enters with her AAA Mixed Tag Team title belt, which she holds alongside Mr. Iguana.

Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan

—

Their fight begins immediately, with Vice meeting Jordan on the floor to brawl. The hand injury played into the match from the start, with Vice mostly using kicks as strikes. Vice tries to strike with her left hand, but Jordan blocks it. Jordan then targets the injured hand. Vice fights back with kicks, but Jordan keeps targeting the hand.

The fighting spilled outside again, where Jordan takes off the brace on Vice’s injured hand. The show cuts to a commercial break with Vice in peril. Back from the break with Jordan still working the hand. Vice fires up with a comeback throwing left hands and kicks. Vice on a roll with an Umaga splash and her take on the Rikishi stink face. V

ice eventually gets near falls on Jordan, before Jordan powders. Vice follows her and leaps off the apron with a seated senton. That got them on the floor for a stunt where Vice crashes through a section of the set on a missed spinning back fist with her injured hand.

Trying to capitalize on the stunt, Jordan goes for a 450 splash in the ring. Vice counters and traps Jordan in a triangle. Jordan escapes and applies an arm bar, and Jordan cranks on the injured hand. Vice taps out and Jordan wins via submission.

Match result: Kelani Jordan defeated Lola Vice via submission.

— Tony D’Angelo cuts a promo on Darkstate. D’Angelo signals out Cutler James, and he wants to make sure the leader (Dion Lennox) is watching tonight. D’Angelo says they took everything from him, and he starts taking back tonight against Cutler James.

— NXT Champion Joe Hendry attacks Ricky Saints as Saints is arriving at the building. Security pours out to separate them.

— Sarah Schreiber interviews Shiloh Hill about his match tonight with Ethan Page. They are interrupted by Hank & Tank, who hype up Hill as he cuts a promo. As Hill leaves, Tank remarks to Hank that Hill is “weird”, but “good weird.”

Joe Hendry and Ricky Saints set up NXT title match

“Stone Cold” Joe Hendry storms to the ring with his NXT title belt. Hendry gets the house microphone and calls out Ricky Saints for jumping him last week. Hendry is not in the mood for singing and dancing. He is in “kicking Ricky Saints’ ass all around the arena type of mood!”

Hendry wants to settle this right here and now. Saints appears on a perch overlooking the ring, and Saints cuts a promo on Hendry. Saints rants about Hendry not being good enough. Saints basically says Hendry’s reign brings down the prestige of the NXT title.

“This place creates and builds stars, yet we have a meme as champion,” Saints says.

Saints then heels on the studio audience by saying they can relate to Hendry because he is a loser. Being an “ever-man” does not make Hendry worthy of being champion. Saints rants that having talent and being attractive makes you a champion.

Hendry tries to salvage the segment by saying he deals in facts. Hendry is the NXT champ, and that makes him the best. Saints retorts that Hendry is best at marketing, and Saints claims Hendry parlayed that into success. Saints mocks Hendry as this segment is getting long in the tooth. Saints eventually challenges Hendry to a NXT title match at NXT Vengeance Day on March 7. Hendry of course accepts the challenges.

Hendry concludes the segment with a final promo threatening to kick Saints’ ass at Vengeance Day.

— NXT Women’s North American Champion Izzi Dame talks strategy with The Culling on Dame keeping the title for a long time. Shawn Spears and Niko Vance also talk about their goal of becoming number one contenders for the tag team titles.

Cuter James vs. Tony D’Angelo

—

James put up a fight, but not much of one. This was a glorified squash, with James getting some brief offense before D’Angelo pummels him. D’Angelo with a series of German suplexes, followed by cutting off James with a spear. D’Angelo then delivers a spinebuster, and he covers James for a three count. Short match, but good for getting D’Angelo over as a killer.

Match result: Tony D’Angelo defeated Cutler James via pinfall.

Dion Lennox ambushes D’Angelo after the match, but D’Angelo fights off both Lennox and James. D’Angelo smashes Lennox on the barricade. D’Angelo then sends Lennox crashing into the ring steps. The steps are separated as D’Angelo looks to smash Lennox’s leg with the metal step. James pulls Lennox to safety as D’Angelo comes crashing down with the step. Referees pour out to restore order in a pull-apart brawl.

— NXT North American Champion Ethan Page cuts a promo on Myles Borne in a locker room confrontation. Page says Borne had enough chances at taking Page’s title. Page insists there is nothing that would convince him of that, and Borne says “we’ll see about that” before he leaves.

The skit continues with Ricky Saints entering the locker room to chat with Page and The Vanity Project.

— Up next is a four-way tag match to determine the number one contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championship. OTM and Swipe Right (who were only billed as “The Vanity Project”) enter before a commercial break. The Culling are in the ring after the break. Hank & Tank then get a full entrance.

OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) vs. Vanity Project (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes with Jackson Drake) vs. The Culling (Niko Vance & Shawn Spears) vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger in a fatal four way number one contender’s match

—

Lots of action in the four-way bout. The match goes through a commercial break. OTM with stereos chokeslams send Swipe Right to the outside as the show cuts to commercials. Back from the break, and bedlam ensues.

They build to a spot with four superplexes simultaneously, or nearly simultaneous. High spots galore at times in the match with so many wrestlers in there.

Spears with a C4 (DVD) finisher and a pining attempt, but Jackson Drakes interferes at ringside to break the count. Spears grabs Drake, only for OTM save Drake by stomping Spears. Hank & Tank then do a stunt with OTM where they crash through the announce desk. Vance speared Drake on the floor. Meanwhile, Smokes shoves Baylor, who is on rubber legs. Baylor collapses on top of Spears, and Baylor pins him to win the match.

Match result: Ricky Smokes & Brad Baylor won a fatal four way tag team match to become the number one contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championship.

Baylor & Smokes get their title shot next Tuesday on NXT.

— Keanu Carver is the focus of personality profile. Carver meets Sean Legacy in a singles match next week on NXT.

— NXT Champion Joe Hendry is talking with General Manager Robert Stone, and Hendry wants to know the whereabouts of Ricky Saints. Stone says he had Saints kicked out of the building for the rest of the night, and Stone asks Hendry to also leave.

— Zaria cuts a fiery promo in Sol Ruca’s face before saying Ruca can “go to hell!” Their split is complete I guess, or is it? After all that, they definitive split comes in a backstage skit before a commercial break. Sure. Whatever. Stay tuned.

— The Fatal Influence trio enters the sound stage for an in-ring promo with NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne. She rambles and rants about Sol Ruca. Just what this show needs is another talking segment after that confrontation with Hendry and Saints that seems to last hours.

Jayne brags about herself as the champ, as does Fallon Henley. Lainey Reid looks on in approval. They roast Sol Ruca, who the comes out to confront them. Ruca is set to challenge Jayne for the women’s title in an upcoming bout next week on NXT.

Ruca remarks that deep down in her heart, Jayne knows that Ruca is better than her. With that, Jayne slaps Ruca across the face. The heel trio then beat down Ruca. Zaria runs down to seemingly make a save, but Zaria pauses. Fatal Influence think that Zaria wants to attack Ruca. They hold Ruca for Zaria, but it was a swerve. Zaria attacks the heel trio instead, and Zaria cleans house.

After Zaria press slams Jayne out of the ring, Jayne is caught by Reid and Henley. The heels are down selling on the floor. Zaria and Ruca then hug in the ring. What?! They broke up, did they not? Now they are back together as a team? Make it make sense.

Eli Knight vs. Elio Lefleur in the finals of the Speed tournament

—

They go Broadway, albeit shorter than a typical Broadway in pro wrestling. The wrestled to a time-limit draw in an exciting three minutes. NXT GM Robert Stone comes out to rule they both are getting a title shot because they had such a great match. I cannot argue with that.

Stone announces a triple threat match for the WWE Speed Championship with Jasper Troy defending against both Knight and Lefleur. For the special gimmick match, the time limit is extended to seven minutes. The triple threat title match is set for next week.

Match result: Eli Knight and Elio Lefleur wrestled to a time limit draw in the tournament final.

— Myles Borne and Shiloh Hill have words in a backstage skit.

— Uriah Connors and Charlie Dempsey talk about the offer from Lexis King. Connors tries to convince Dempsey to join the faction. After Dempsey leaves, in walks King and company. The main point of the skit was announcing Connors has a singles match against his former stablemate, Kale Dixon, next week on NXT.

— In another skit, Robert Stone is with WWE Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley and potential challenger Blake Monroe. Stone announces a speed tournament starts next week to determine the next challenger, and the tournament opens with Monroe against Thea Haul. That plays on past history between Hail and Monroe (which involved an unexpected title change).

— Darkstate cut a promos on their enemies.

— Sol Ruca and Zaria are talking backstage in skit where they make up as a team. Ruca asks Zaria what changed her mind from earlier, and Zaria says she realizes they make a great team. They would not be where they are without each other. Zaria thinks that things have not been the same since Ruca’s knee injury cost her a double championship. If they want to get back to how things were between them, Zaria insists that Ruca must win the women’s title.

— Myles Borne storms past Ruca and Zaria. They ask if he is okay, and Borne remarks he knows what he is going to do now. With that comes the entrance of Shiloh Hill into the sound stage, and the main event is next.

Ethan Page vs. Shiloh Hill for the NXT North American Championship

—

Vanity Project enters the scene at ringside as the show cuts to a commercial break. Page is in control as the show returns from the break. The heel faction at ringside pulls back the floor mats to expose concrete. Page attempts a Razor’s Edge on the floor, but Hill escapes.

Late in the match, Hill pulls out his false teeth. That is like Jerry Lawler pulling down the strap on his singlet. Business is about to pick up, as Jim Ross might say. Page poses as Hill pops up to pose behind him. This is such riveting television.

Comeback by Hill as he hulks up on Page. Jackson Drake jumps on the apron , only to get knocked out. Ricky Smokes is sent barreling into the ring, and Hull sends him packing. Brad Baylor then takes a back drop on the floor. Drake is also side-slammed by Hill on the broadcast booth. Page then rushes in to cut off Hill by giving him Twisted Grin (Twist of Fate) on the exposed concrete floor. Hill takes another Twisted Grin in the ring, and Page covers him for the deciding pinfall. And still…

Match result: NXT North American Champion Ethan Page defeated Shiloh Hill via pinfall to retain his title.

In a post-match angle, Page and Vanity Project attack Hill. The heel faction is stomping on Hill when Myles Borne runs in for a save. Borne cleans house on the heels. Hill does a flip dive to the outside despite having been knocked unconscious on the floor and attacked by a gang. He was a house of fire again.

In the ring, Borne is pounding on Page. In between punching Page, Borne yells at him that Borne wants a title shot. Hill slid a metal folding chair into the ring, and Borne looks to Pillmanize the ankle of Page. Borne threatens to stomp on Page’s foot with it sandwiched in the chair. In fear, Page agrees to defend the title against Borne next week.

Borne turns away and Page smirks. Page yells he knew Borne would not do it. That prompts Borne to slowly turn around before jumping into the air and coming down with a stomp. Pillmanized in the chair, Page screams in agony after Borne stomps on the chair. The show ends with Borne holding the title belt while standing over Page, who writhing in agony.

WWE Raw live results: Elimination Chamber qualifiers continue

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: February 16, 2026
Location: FedExForum in Memphis, TN 

The Big Takeaway —

A dull Raw show saw Asuka and Je’Von Evans win qualifying matches as they tread water towards Elimination Chamber. 

Next week’s show in Atlanta will feature a tribute to AJ Styles. 

**********

Show Recap — 

An establishing shot of Beale Street in Memphis was followed by shots of Gunther, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, Liv Morgan (greeting Michael Cole for a scheduled interview), CM Punk (wearing a Cubs hat) and AJ Lee hanging around the arena in Memphis earlier today. 

Jey and Jimmy Uso entered the crowd, but their energetic entrance was cut off by the voice of Paul Heyman, who entered with The Vision. (The Usos remained in the crowd.) Logan Paul wanted the fans to listen to Heyman, because his words of wisdom were as valuable as the most valuable trading card in the world—which Logan just sold for $16-million. 

They showed a replay of a masked man costing Austin Theory his qualifying match last week. Theory complained about it until Adam Pearce interrupted. Pearce wanted them to go to his office to talk like adults. Theory wanted justice right now. 

Pearce said Theory screwed himself. If it weren’t for Theory’s stablemates tying up his security, they would have handled the masked man before he could get involved. 

Heyman wanted Pearce to put Bronson Reed in the Elimination Chamber match. Pearce said he knew about the phone calls Heyman was making to go over his head. Pearce had no problem with Reed in the Chamber—so long as he wins his qualifier next week. 

Pearce urged them to leave the ring so they could continue with the show, but LA Knight interrupted next. Knight said the Vision screwed themselves. Theory wasn’t going to WrestleMania, and Reed was next on his list. Knight wanted Reed to qualify for the Chamber so Knight could kick his ass. 

Logan mocked Knight for getting put through a car by Reed, so Knight mocked Logan’s voice and called him a broccoli-haired bitch. Knight suggested to Pearce that he make a six-man match right now, and he would gladly team with The Usos, even though he doesn’t particularly like them either. Pearce made it official. 

The Usos (who waited patiently in the crowd this entire time) had their music played again, and they entered. A brawl broke out during a break, and the match commenced once things settled down. (I’m curious why the Usos were coming out to begin with.) 

It appears Logan Paul is the de facto leader of The Vision with Bron Breakker out. 

Six-man tag team match: LA Knight, Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso vs. Logan Paul, Bronson Reed & Austin Theory (w/ Paul Heyman) 

Reed and Theory used a double-team to take control over Knight, and they had the heat on him for a good 6-7 minutes, including the full duration of a commercial break. Knight fought to make a tag, but Reed cut him off and hit a senton for two after Jimmy broke up the cover. 

Knight dodged another senton and made the hot tag to Jey Uso. Jey hit Paul with clotheslines, right hands and a running hip attack for two as the fans Yeeted along. Jey speared Paul, but Theory broke up the cover. Knight posted Theory and gave him a BFT outside the ring before Reed tackled Knight through the timekeeper’s barricade. 

Paul blocked a Jey superkick and hit a Zig Zag for two. Jey superkicked Paul as Jimmy tagged himself in. They hit superkicks and a 1D, but Reed broke up the cover. Reed headbutted Jey out of the ring and wiped out both Usos with a great-looking suicide dive. 

Paul punched Jimmy with his loaded right hand, and Reed followed with a Tsunami for the pinfall win. 

(So Knight challenged them to a fight, got beaten up for most of it, and his team lost.) 

— Paul grabbed Cole’s headset to brag about the win when the masked man suddenly appeared and gave him a curb stomp onto the announce table. Reed and Theory chased the masked man away through the crowd. 

Match result: Bronson Reed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory defeated Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso & LA Knight (12:53)

********

Next week, there will be two more Chamber triple threat qualifying matches. Iyo Sky, Raquel Rodriguez, and Kairi Sane on the women’s side. Reed, Jey Uso, and The Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) on the men’s side. 

A delivery guy named Eli alerted Pearce to a large wooden crate with “Deliver to WWE” and “Do not open until 02/28/26” (the date of the Chamber) written on it. Pearce was annoyed that Eli seemed to know nothing about its contents and told him to send it to SmackDown so Nick Aldis could deal with it. (Eli had a clipboard with nothing but a blank piece of paper on it.) 

El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) and his buddies confronted Pearce about giving the other Americano a Chamber qualifier. El Grande wanted something else if he couldn’t be in the Chamber and suggested an IC title shot. Pearce offered him a chance to earn a shot tonight. (So, a second impromptu match tonight.) 

******** 

Triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Asuka vs. Nattie vs. Bayley 

Nattie was introduced as being from “Calgary… Alberta, Canada” and representing the Hart Family dungeon. To show off her aggressive side, she got right in Asuka’s face upon entering, but they were separated by referee Jessika Carr. The announcers talked about Nattie’s lineage and called her the only woman to survive the dungeon. 

Nattie was allowed to shine early, and she had control going into a break. Bayley fought back after the break and hit a diving elbow drop to Nattie’s back for two. Nattie was trapped in the tree of woe, but instead of a convoluted three-way spot, Bayley elbow-dropped Nattie and gave Asuka a superplex. Nattie broke up the cover. 

Nattie gave Asuka a discus clothesline before Bayley gave Nattie a back suplex. Bayley gave Asuka a diving elbow drop, but Nattie broke up the cover again. Nattie gave Bayley a German suplex on the apron but spent too much time admiring her work, so Asuka caught her in the Asuka Lock. Nattie broke free and hit a sit-out powerbomb. (An announcer said Nattie was adding moves to her arsenal, but she’s done that many times before.) 

Nattie applied a Sharpshooter but Bayley broke it up with a running knee. Asuka knocked Nattie out of the ring with a running hip attack before Bayley hit Asuka with Bayley-to-belly for a close nearfall. Bayley and Asuka traded counters until Asuka shoved Bayley into the ropes, and she knocked Nattie off the apron in the process. 

Asuka caught Bayley in the Asuka Lock, and Bayley quickly tapped out. Asuka advances to Elimination Chamber. 

— Maxxine Dupri attacked Nattie from behind on the stage as the fans began chanting “Whoop that Trick.” They were pulled apart by officials. 

Match result: Asuka defeated Bayley and Nattie to qualify for the Women’s Elimination Chamber (10:28) 

A pretty good match that the fans did not care about at all. They got into the Bayley-to-belly nearfall, but that was about it. Nattie’s character obviously hasn’t connected on any level yet and probably won’t. She’s winless since introducing this side of her. 

********

Backstage, Pearce handed Oba Femi a contract and told him that SmackDown won’t be able to beat it. Femi said he’d need time to decide. Femi was confronted by Rusev (who barely got a reaction). Rusev wore his old “Happy Rusev Day” shirt under his jacket. They stared at each other for a while until Femi left.

Liv Morgan sit-down interview 

Morgan sat down with Cole for a sit-down interview earlier today, but they were immediately joined by Dominik Mysterio, who pulled up a chair next to Morgan. 

She said she would not rush her WrestleMania decision. She did not grind for ten years to let this moment pass her by. Stephanie Vaquer joined next and pulled up a chair next to Cole. Vaquer cut a very long promo in Spanish, and Dom was aghast at what she was saying. He quietly translated into Morgan’s ear, and she broke out into tears after Vaquer left. Cole was perplexed. This was… something. 

******** 

CM Punk and Finn Bálor segment 

Punk entered to a big reaction. He said the fans seemed happy to see him, but the office wasn’t. Pearce claimed he was jeopardizing the WrestleMania main event. (Fans booed, so Punk responded, “Yeah! Boo Adam Pearce!”) Punk said he was doing what he always did, and that was make everything better. Sports teams qualify for the playoffs, but they still show up to play their regular season games. 

The fans deserved a fighting champion, just like Finn Bálor deserved a title shot in Belfast for everything he’s done in his career. Now, Bálor was getting a title shot because he earned it—earned to get an ass-beating. Bálor jumped him in Toronto a few weeks ago and ruined the last time he’d get to share the ring with AJ Styles. 

Punk often said things that pissed people off. He wouldn’t be who he was if he didn’t often say things that pissed people off. The fans wouldn’t love him, either. Punk was a fighting champion and the best in the world. That wasn’t Roman Reigns or Finn Bálor. 

Bálor interrupted, flanked by Dominik and the returning JD McDonagh. They surrounded the ring like The Shield, but Bálor said they weren’t out there to fight. Bálor wanted to make something clear. To be the best in the world, you had to train with the best catch wrestlers in Europe, learn with the best luchadors in Mexico, survive the toughest dojos in Japan, and show up to Raw and beat Roman Reigns on your first night. So as far as Bálor was concerned, he was the best in the world. Bálor wouldn’t be jeopardizing the WrestleMania main event. He would beat Punk and make it better. 

Punk asked him what the two idiots were doing with him. Punk said, “I know who you are. I’m sorry, I misspoke. I know who you were.” All those great things that Bálor did, he did it by himself. He didn’t see Judgment Day by his side when he had all his past success. Bálor used to mean something. Judgment Day has been an anchor around his neck. Normally, someone like Bálor could elevate guys like them, but they were just dragging him down. Dom had two belts and never defended them. McDonagh’s head was so big that it made it hard for him to get into the ring. (Fans chanted, “Bobblehead.”) 

Punk called himself a smart guy who sometimes did dumb things. He turned his back and gave them a free shot. Punk knew he was the best in the world, but didn’t need help to prove it. But maybe Bálor did. (There were more random chants of “Whoop that Trick” in here.) 

Punk’s words got to Bálor. McDonagh was about to jump Punk, but Bálor stopped him. Punk tossed the mic at them and left the ring. 

********

Byron Saxton interviewed Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. He asked how they were holding things together after everything they’ve had to go through (tag title defences and Chamber qualifiers). Ripley admitted that SmackDown was a battle. Nia Jax and Lash Legend thought they could take the tag titles, but they failed. They turned up the heat, so it was time for Rhiyo to put them out. 

Sky was about to talk about her qualifier, but they were interrupted by Kairi Sane and Asuka. Sane said Asuka was in the Chamber and they would make sure that Ripley and Sky would never win it. Asuka wanted Sane to make it clear that their goal was to make her (Asuka) the champion. Asuka told Rhiyo they were not ready for the Chamber. 

******** 

El Grande Americano (w/ Bravo & Rayo Americano) vs. Penta

They went to break one minute into the match. El Grande tried going for Penta’s mask, so Penta tried the same. El Grande used a distraction to take control, but Penta yanked him off the top rope and hit a Penta Driver for a nearfall. Penta knocked Rayo off the apron before El Grande hit a running headbutt for two. 

Rayo distracted the referee while Bravo attempted to give El Grande the metal plate. However, the Original El Grande Americano yanked him under the ring. 

The Original El Grande gave Bravo a Chaos Theory and dumped Rayo over the announce table. Penta flew in and gave El Grande (Kaiser) a Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall win. 

— After the match, Gable gave Kaiser a Chaos Theory. Gable tried taking off Kaiser’s mask, but he was pulled to safety by the other two. 

Match result: Penta defeated El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) (7:56) 

You don’t need to watch this. 

********

Backstage, McDonagh tried to talk sense into Bálor. He was embarrassed watching what happened to Bálor in Belfast, and thought they should injure Punk ahead of their match. Bálor wanted to do this on his own. Bálor stormed off, and McDonagh was not happy. Dom was concerned that they left because he still had his own match tonight. 

Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller cut a promo during a break. Kingston announced that Xavier Woods injured his shoulder, and has been wrestling injured for months, but was no longer cleared by medical. (The way he announced this was meant to get a pop from the crowd, but they didn’t care.) Waller read a prepared statement from Woods where he buried Memphis. 

********

AJ Lee and Becky Lynch segment 

Lee entered. She said she had fun getting under Becky Lynch’s skin, and it was so easy. But Lynch reminded her that this was serious business after ramming her into the ring post. Lee hasn’t had a singles match in over a decade, let alone a title shot. 

The last time she had a title around her waist, the division looked a little different. All they had to fight for was a sparkly, pink butterfly, but she loved that title. She wore that title proudly because she made that title. She wasn’t modest—she knew exactly who the hell she was. There was a Women’s division before her, and a Women’s division after. That was her gift to all of them. (Meaning, there was no longer a Diva’s division.) 

Lee still wanted to get her hands on everyone back there. She wanted to fight Bayley, Valkyria, Ripley, Sky, Asuka, Sane, Judgment Day, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, but for now, all roads led back to Lynch. Lee wasn’t sure why Lynch was so bad. Maybe because she came back, or that her merch does better, or that the fans like her more. But she gave Lynch a ten year headstart, and she still hasn’t caught up. (It’s good to show confidence, but that’s a lie.)

Lynch gave Lee a gift. Without her, maybe Lee would not have come back. But she had a chance to show she can still be a champion. If she walked out of Chicago victorious, she’d get to walk into Mania as IC champion. Lee called out Lynch. 

Lynch entered. She was amused that Lee thought this was her chance to get a title run. This was an opportunity to gather all of her friends and family and give her a send-off. The retirement match she never got or even deserved. They could all cry while Lynch shoves away Lee’s hearse. Lee’s gift to them was when she left. Lynch has been making history for ten years, while Lee made comic books. 

Lee invited her into the ring to fight right now. Lynch wasn’t biting, so Lee took a page from Punk’s book and offered her the first shot. Lee put her hands behind her back, but Lynch still wouldn’t hit her. Lynch acted frustrated (another less-than-stellar acting performance) and said she knew Lee was just trying to have an excuse ready for when she lost. Lynch declined and left the ring.

(There was another “Whoop that Trick” chant when Lee challenged Lynch for a fight, so the crowd was chanting anytime there was a chance at a brawl.)

******** 

The Vision confronted Pearce backstage. Theory was pissed that Pearce let his brother Logan be attacked by the masked man. Theory was getting in Pearce’s face, so Heyman urged Theory and Paul to head to the jet. Pearce said the masked man was a problem for him, too. Reed said he would solve the masked man problem when he got his hands on him. Pearce thanked him for this. 

******** 

Cole said the segment with Morgan and Vaquer would be uploaded online with English translations. 

They announced a tribute to AJ Styles next week on Raw in Atlanta. 

Raw next week: 

  • AJ Styles tribute 
  • Elimination Chamber triple threat qualifier: Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Kairi Sane 
  • Elimination Chamber triple threat qualifier: Bronson Reed vs. Jey Uso vs. The Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) 

******** 

Triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Gunther vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio 

Dom repeatedly bailed to avoid Gunther as the match got started. Evans went right after Gunther and was taken down a few times until he managed to come back with a dropkick. Gunther dropped him moments later before chopping down Dom. Gunther chopped Evans out of mid-air and drove Dom repeatedly into the barricade. 

Gunther was about to powerbomb Dom outside the ring, but Evans ran across the ring and flew right over the top rope with an impressive dive to wipe out Gunther. (Dom grabbed the ring bell hammer and left it on the steel steps.) 

Evans shined over Dom as they returned from break, but Gunther powerbombed him on top of Dom. Evans caught Gunther in a cover after a hurricanrana, but Gunther kicked out and hit a powerbomb for two. Gunther chopped Evans in the back, but Evans avoided a powerbomb and hit a running knee strike, and Dom broke up the cover. 

Gunther got his knees up on a Dom frog splash before Evans hit Gunther with a springboard clothesline. Gunther caught Evans in a sleeper, but Evans quickly used a jawbreaker to break out of it. Evans went for an OG Cutter, but Gunther caught him in a sleeper. Dom broke that up with a frog splash on Gunther’s back. Dom went for a 619, but Gunther planted him with a clothesline. 

Dom grabbed the ring bell hammer as Evans put Gunther in a sleeper. Gunther hit a back suplex and booted Dom out of the ring. Gunther grabbed the hammer away from Dom, but Dragon Lee suddenly appeared and hit Gunther with the ring bell (as revenge for getting beaten up two weeks ago). 

With Gunther out, Dom hit Evans with a 619, but Evans avoided a frog splash and hit an OG Cutter for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans defeated Dominik Mysterio and Gunther to qualify for the Men’s Elimination Chamber (14:40)  

This match was ok. The crowd was quiet for most of it, but they really got into the OG Cutter (and his earlier attempts at it) and popped huge for Evans’ win. It ultimately came across like a big win for Evans in the end.

WWE Raw live results: Elimination Chamber qualifiers continue

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: February 9, 2026
Location: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH 

The Big Takeaway —

AJ Lee is back and will face Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber in her new hometown of Chicago. In his hometown as well, CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor. 

Rhea Ripley qualified for the Women’s Elimination Chamber, while LA Knight qualified for the Men’s Chamber. 

**********

Show Recap — 

Michael Cole kicked off by saying Cleveland was known, among other things, as the city where the Monday Night Wars came to an end. He announced there would be over 10,000 in attendance tonight.

CM Punk arrived and, surprise surprise, was joined by AJ Lee.

Becky Lynch arrived moments later just behind them (they didn’t notice). She freaked out and ran off the other way. 

Cole announced that Bron Breakker was injured while training. He had surgery and would be out indefinitely.

Becky Lynch and AJ Lee kick off Raw 

A frantic Becky Lynch marched to the ring. She wondered when the disrespect would end. She planned to talk about the injustice at the Royal Rumble, but instead saw who decided to return to her show. 

The crowd chanted for AJ Lee, and she entered. Lee said she was there to support her girl, Maxxine Dupri, who had a match tonight. Maybe she would hang out in catering when it was over. 

Lynch cut her off. Lynch said Lee tried to act all cute, but she saw through it. Lynch didn’t like her eyebrows and compared her to a chihuahua that kept barking at her, keeping her up at night and ruining her life. 

Lee called that a tad dramatic because she hadn’t done anything to her—besides beating her at Wrestlepalooza and WarGames. She also cost her the IC title against Dupri at Madison Square Garden. But it was water under the bridge now that Lynch was champion again. 

Lynch acted maniacally (or tried to) and asked what it would take to get rid of her. Lynch noted that Elimination Chamber would be in Lee’s hometown of Chicago. Lynch asked if Lee wanted her to ruin Lee’s life the way Lee ruined hers. 

Lee acted like she wasn’t sure because she hadn’t had a singles match in over a decade. It had to be special. Lee said she beat Lynch already, which should really make her the number one contender. Lynch repeatedly said no while the crowd chanted, “Yes.” 

Lee said, “No title, no match,” so Lynch begrudgingly agreed. Lynch said if Lee felt like she had been held down by “the man” before, she had no idea what she was in for now. Lynch welcomed her to the big time before storming out of the ring. Lee was happy.

(Can’t say I was a big fan of the acting in this segment. To the point where it was almost hard to watch. The match makes sense, and they were obviously headed here eventually. It’s fair to wonder why Lee waited this long. Maybe she wanted to wait until Lynch was champion again, but she’s the one who cost her the belt in the first place.) 

******** 

World Tag Team Championship match: The Usos (c) vs. Otis & Akira Tozawa

Otis and Tozawa were all over Jimmy and Jey early on, and Otis press-slammed Tozawa over the top and onto both Usos ahead of a break. The Usos took control during a break, almost in a heelish manner. Tozawa knocked Jey off the apron before getting hit with a Samoan drop by Jimmy. Moments later, Jey punched Tozawa behind the referee’s back. 

Tozawa absolutely planted Jey with a DDT before making the hot tag to Otis, who ran wild on both guys before hitting Jimmy with a World’s Strongest Slam for two. Jey made a blind tag and cut off a Caterpillar attempt with a superkick (which missed completely). The Usos superkicked Otis, but Tozawa made a tag and delivered multiple suicide dives. He even mocked Jey’s “run it back” gesture while doing so, which was great.  

Tozawa hit Jimmy with a diving senton for a close nearfall. Otis tagged in, but Jimmy superkicked both Tozawa and Otis. The Usos gave Otis a double spear, and they followed with a 1D for the pinfall win (Jey pinned Otis). 

— Byron Saxton interviewed The Usos post-match and asked what was next as we headed to WrestleMania. Jey gave Alpha Academy a shout-out first. Jimmy said they would continue to be the best tag team in the game, but what he wanted next was to see Jey qualify for the Chamber, win the match, and go on to being Main Event Jey Uso. Everyone said “Yeet,” and they hugged. 

Match result: The Usos defeated Otis & Akira Tozawa to retain the World Tag Team Championships (10:01) 

(I suppose the last few moments were exciting—once Tozawa got in—but the Usos looked really off.) 

*******

There was a recap of the CM Punk-Roman Reigns promo segment. 

They aired a clip of AJ Styles on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast. It included backstage footage from after his loss to Gunther, getting hugs from Shane Helms and Xavier Woods. 

Liv Morgan and Stephanie Vaquer segment 

Liv Morgan entered with Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio. Morgan was about to speak, but Dom cut her off. He presented her with flowers and chocolates to congratulate her on winning the Rumble. Morgan was thrilled. She thanked him and said his gift would come later. 

Morgan announced we were in the presence of the greatest IC champion and Rumble winner of all time. She said she put Stephanie Vaquer and Jade Cargill on notice. They were afraid of her because they knew they would lose at Mania if she chose to face them. 

They stalled for a moment until Dom was about to speak, but he jumped when pyro suddenly went off (like Kane’s fireworks) for Stephanie Vaquer’s entrance. (A week later, her new music still sounds awful.) 

Vaquer told Morgan she talked too much. She said something in Spanish, and Morgan wanted Dom to translate. Dom didn’t want to repeat what she said, so he responded to Vaquer in Spanish instead. Morgan wanted to know what he said. Stephanie responded, “He said, He’s a little bitch.” 

Morgan called her a liar. She accused Vaquer of wanting Dom and offered her a “Hot Girls Love Dominik” shirt, but didn’t think she was qualified to wear it. Vaquer told Morgan to pick her so she could kick her ass at WrestleMania. 

Morgan said she didn’t plan to rush into making a decision. Morgan stated, “If you don’t like it, you can cry about it, puta.” Vaquer was pissed at this line and slapped Dom for getting between them. Vaquer stormed off instead of just going after Morgan right now. 

******** 

Rhea Ripley, Ivy Nile, and Lyra Valkyria cut pre-taped promos ahead of their qualifying match. 

Triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Tag Team Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Ivy Nile vs. Lyra Valkyria 

After a break, Nile was upside down in the corner while Valkyria climbed over to set up Ripley for a superplex. However, Nile managed to bring them both down with a double suplex. Ripley cut off Nile’s offence moments later and hit a low dropkick. 

Ripley and Valkyria traded counters until Ripley got her in the electric chair drop position. It seemed like they were setting up for Nile to hit a flying crossbody to knock down Valkyria, but Ripley dropped Valkyria before she could. Nile went for the move anyway and missed as a result, but she was smart enough to go for a cover on the prone Valkyria for two. 

Nile gave Ripley a snap German suplex, and Ripley almost landed badly on Valkyria. Nile gave Valkyria a spinning Uranage for two before applying a dragon sleeper, but Ripley broke that up with a headbutt. Ripley went for Rip-tide, but Nile countered with a backstabber. 

Valkyria hit Nile with a Nightwing, but Ripley flew in and clonked her with a running knee strike. Ripley followed with a Rip-tide on Valkyria for the pinfall win. 

Ripley joins Tiffany Stratton in the Chamber. 

Match result: Rhea Ripley defeated Lyra Valkyria and Ivy Nile to qualify for the Women’s Elimination Chamber (9:29)

This match had pretty good action, but the crowd was dead and seemed less interested as it went on. I think they were just waiting for Ripley to win, but Nile was the one who got the most offence in before Ripley ultimately won. (Nile was also protected over Valkyria in the finish.) 

******* 

Morgan checked on Dom backstage. He was still selling getting slapped. Morgan tried to console him by saying he had a Chamber qualifying match next week. Dom wasn’t happy because he still had to defend the IC title. 

They saw a dejected Finn Bálor nearby, and Dom tried to console him, saying JD McDonagh would be back soon and that they could go after the tag titles. Bálor said he wasn’t done with Punk or the world title. Dom said his window might be closed with Punk facing Roman Reigns at Mania. 

Bálor told him, “You know what, Dom? I’m tired of being an afterthought. I thought we were supposed to be a family.” Bálor left. 

******** 

Finn Bálor and CM Punk segment 

Cole was in the ring, ready to interview Punk, but Finn Bálor slid into the ring and grabbed the mic. He reminded us that he left Punk lying in the middle of the ring like a wounded dog two weeks ago. Punk was hurt, and Bálor knew it because he was the one who hurt him. 

Bálor wouldn’t let Reigns take advantage of his kill. It wouldn’t be the first time Reigns did. Reigns took advantage when the top rope snapped on Bálor, while he had Reigns beat in the middle of the ring for the title. Bálor was tired of being an afterthought and tired of being pushed around. He wanted Punk and the World Heavyweight title at Elimination Chamber. Punk beat him on his home turf, so Bálor would beat Punk on his. 

Adam Pearce walked out with security. Pearce said they had already had this conversation. Bálor had his shot, and it was too late to get another. The world title was spoken for. Pearce said he’s known Bálor a long time and didn’t want this to get ugly. He asked Bálor to leave the ring or else security would get involved. 

Punk entered and chased Bálor out of the ring. Security got between them as Bálor stood on the announce table. Punk said Bálor wasn’t an afterthought. He was his first thought, and he deserved an ass-beating. Punk invited him into the ring for a fight. 

Bálor said he wasn’t fighting for nothing. He wanted Punk to put the title on the line. Punk accepted and wanted the match right now. 

Pearce declined the match because he didn’t want to risk the WrestleMania main event. Punk demanded he make the match because, as the champion, he deserved to have a say. If not, he would chase Bálor around the arena all night. Pearce reluctantly made the match official for the Chamber show. (The crowd cheered the match but booed the location.) The crowd chanted for Punk as security followed Bálor to the back. 

Punk invited Cole to go on with his interview. Cole asked why he would jeopardize one of the greatest main events in history for this match (against Bálor). Punk said he wasn’t jeopardizing anything. He was building something. He was chasing greatness. He was being the fighting champion the people deserved to see every Monday night. 

The greatness he was chasing was a story that he told ten years ago, when he was champion for over 400 days. He tried to be just 1% better every day. He would fight anybody, anywhere, to prove that he was what he said he was—the best in the world. 

He wasn’t jeopardizing anything. He was brave enough to know there was no reward without risk. He was humble enough to know it could end at any time. But he was also confident enough to know, “That shit ain’t gonna happen.” 

Punk didn’t believe Reigns when he said he hated him. Punk was building something, and Reigns hated that he couldn’t stop it. WrestleMania would only end one way—with his hand getting raised.

(It really feels like they’re killing time with this Bálor feud, but Punk was great again here. He comes across like a rightful world champion, and certainly isn’t shy about telling us about it.) 

******** 

Pearce thanked security for escorting Bálor out of the building. He was confronted by Paul Heyman and The Vision (no Bron Breakker). Heyman said Pearce pushed Breakker to the point that he went home and deadlifted weights until 5:00 AM when he popped a hernia. It was a career-ending injury for anyone but Breakker. Heyman put the blame squarely on Pearce. 

Pearce got in Heyman’s face. He knew Breakker was the future, and nobody besides the Vision wanted Breakker back faster than him. He warned the Vision not to get involved in Austin Theory’s qualifying match tonight—and that was a threat. 

Logan Paul wondered what Pearce would do about it if they didn’t get involved. Logan said he was the biggest star to come out of Cleveland, and Pearce would do nothing. Bronson Reed backed off Logan and told him that Pearce was his problem now. 

********

Nattie vs. Maxxine Dupri 

Dupri caught Nattie in an ankle lock immediately. Nattie escaped, and Dupri applied the move again outside the ring. However, Nattie booted her into the ring steps and shoved her into the ring post. Nattie dropped Dupri onto the announce table, mounted her and pounded away with right hands until the referee called for a double count-out. 

Nattie applied a sharpshooter while on the announce table as officials tried to stop her. Nattie only let go when AJ Lee ran out (to her music). 

Lee checked on Dupri and started helping her to the back when Lynch suddenly decked Lee from behind. Lynch was proud of herself. 

Match result: Nattie vs. Maxxine Dupri ended in a double count-out (1:36)

******** 

LA Knight cut a pre-promo. His focus was on taking out the Vision, and it started tonight with Theory (in their qualifying match). 

Bravo & Rayo Americano (w/ El Grande Americano) vs. Je’Von Evans & “The Original” El Grande Americano 

Je’Von Evans had a mystery partner, and the crowd popped when it was “The Original” El Grande Americano (Chad Gable). 

Evans and Gable had control but lost it during an early break. Gable made a hot tag after the break and gave the Americanos a double German suplex. However, El Grande (Ludwig Kaiser) tripped Gable off the top. 

With Gable down, Rayo came flying off the top rope, but Evans met him mid-air with an OG Cutter, which looked awesome. (I guess the director knew this was coming because they cut to a special camera angle in the middle of this live wrestling match.) 

Evans wiped out Rayo with a dive before Gable hit Bravo with a diving headbutt for the pinfall win. 

— El Grande attacked the babyfaces post-match and tried to unmask Gable, but Gable turned it around and almost unmasked Kaiser until his buddies helped him out of the ring. 

Match result: The Original El Grande Americano & Je’Von Evans defeated Bravo & Rayo Americano (7:42) 

The finishing sequence was cool, and Gable and Evans could certainly make for a great team if they wanted to go in that direction. 

******** 

Penta, Theory, and Knight cut pre-taped promos ahead of their qualifier. 

During a break, Bayley said she would beat Nattie and Asuka in a qualifier next week. She had a chance to redeem herself after what happened at WrestleMania last year. 

******** 

Saxton interviewed Gunther backstage after they showed a replay of him choking out Dragon Lee last week. Gunther knew Saxton was going to ask about Dragon, but he couldn’t care less because his focus was solely on WrestleMania. 

Saxton mentioned his qualifying match next week. Gunther was well aware. His road to WrestleMania should have been cemented when he retired Goldberg, John Cena and AJ Styles. Instead, his road to Mania starts next week. But no worry, the result would be the same, and he would walk out of Mania the new WWE Champion. 

******** 

Next week on Raw in Memphis: 

  • Elimination Chamber triple threat qualifying match: Gunther vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Dominik Mysterio 
  • Elimination Chamber triple threat qualifying match: Asuka vs. Bayley vs. Nattie 
  • AJ Lee appears 

******** 

Triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match: LA Knight vs. Austin Theory (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. Penta 

Even though it was a triple threat match, the lone heel Theory took control through a break, which meant the match slowed to a crawl. Knight fought back after the break and hit a neckbreaker, but Penta broke up the cover. Penta knocked Knight out of the ring before Theory gave Penta a brainbuster. 

Knight hit Theory with a slingshot shoulder tackle, clotheslined him out of the ring, and bounced his head repeatedly off the announce desk. Knight cut off a Penta dive attempt and bounced him off the table, too. 

Theory dropped Knight into the middle turnbuckle, but Knight countered a rolling dropkick into a belly-to-back suplex. Penta nailed both guys with a flying crossbody before superkicking Theory and giving Knight a slingblade. Penta gave Theory a backstabber, but Knight broke up the cover. 

Knight set up Penta for a superplex, but Theory got underneath them and brought down both men with a double powerbomb (yes, we saw essentially the same spot in the women’s triple threat earlier). Knight responded with a reverse DDT and diving elbow drop on Theory. 

Logan and Reed ran out, so Knight knocked them both off the apron. Knight went after Logan, but Reed ran over Knight and gave him an elbow drop. Logan distracted the referee (there are no DQs in this match) as Reed gave Knight a Tsunami. Pearce ran out to confront the Vision, and they were escorted up the aisle by security. 

Theory curb-stomped Knight and was about to win, but Penta broke up the cover by yanking Theory out of the ring. I thought this might be setting up a Penta win (after Knight took both a Tsunami and a curb stomp), but Theory dumped Penta over the announce desk, and that was the end of him. 

The masked man suddenly appeared, superkicked Theory and hit a curb stomp. The masked man chucked Theory back in the ring before he was chased away through the crowd by the Vision. Knight gave Theory a BFT for the pinfall win. 

Knight joins Randy Orton in the Men’s Chamber. 

Match result: LA Knight defeated Austin Theory and Penta to qualify for the Men’s Elimination Chamber (9:29) 

The show was dedicated to the memory of Jim Shank, a long-time company employee.

WWE Raw live results: Royal Rumble fallout

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: February 2, 2026
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA 

The Big Takeaway —

Roman Reigns will face CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42.

**********

Show Recap — 

Instead of the usual start, Raw kicked off immediately with a shot of Bron Breakker marching around ringside. He tore up the announce table and confronted the announcers, who begged off. Breakker tossed the announce table over and demanded a mic. 

Breakker entered the ring as his Vision teammates frantically made their way down. Breakker called out Adam Pearce as the Vision and Paul Heyman urged him to calm down. Breakker accused Pearce of ruining his Rumble appearance, and he threatened to ruin Raw. 

Heyman took the mic as the Vision continued to talk down Breakker. Heyman said this was all Pearce’s fault. Pearce has to approve every Visa for the trip, so he had to know who the masked man was. He also accused Pearce again of making Bron the number two entrant. 

Breakker grabbed the mic and demanded that Pearce come out. Pearce entered and was guarded by security. Pearce was in no mood for this. Pearce reminded them that the Rumble drawing was random. He said he would give Breakker a gift and let him keep his job after that piss-poor performance on Saturday. 

Breakker snapped and scrambled out of the ring (tripping over in the process because he was so upset), but he was stopped by Bronson Reed before he could try to get through security. Pearce bailed. 

LA Knight’s music hit. He appeared from the crowd and blindsided Austin Theory and Logan Paul with a steel chair. Reed chased him off. An upset Breakker went to the back.

(This was a good start to the show. The only negative was Theory and Paul got up almost right away and weren’t selling the Knight chair shots.) 

******** 

There was a Royal Rumble recap video. Liv Morgan, Stephanie Vaquer, and Gunther were shown at the arena earlier today. 

They let us know Je’Von Evans lasted the longest in the men’s Rumble match with a time of 40:58.  

Je’Von Evans vs. El Grande Americano (w/ Bravo & Rayo Americano) 

Evans’ shoulder and ribs were taped up. He was off to a good start until he missed a Stinger splash. El Grande took over, and there was a modest, “We want Gable” chant. Evans came right back and hit a crazy leaping dive to the outside, almost flying right over El Grande. 

Evans was distracted by Rayo, so El Grande nailed a dropkick on the apron and lawn-darted him into the ring post. El Grande had control through a break, and it was really dull. (Perhaps they need to be reminded that much of the world can see what they’re doing, or not doing, during commercials.) 

Evans fought back with chops, forearms, kicks, and a satellite DDT. Evans fought out of a submission hold, and with El Grande lying on the other side of the ring, Evans went to the top and hit a senton leg drop all the way to the other side. It was a long way to go, so he didn’t quite nail it. 

Rayo distracted the referee, allowing Bravo to trip Evans off the top rope. Rayo handed El Grande the metal plate while the ref dealt with Bravo. The original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) entered to his music and posed in the aisle. 

The distraction allowed Evans to hit a running knee strike and OG Cutter for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans defeated El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) (12:30)

This match was ok. It was a bit more deliberately paced than I expected, with a lot of striking. The crowd liked Evans, but they were pretty quiet during the bulk of the match.  

********

Michael Cole announced an attendance of 13,746. 

There was a Rumble video package, this time highlighting some of the newer faces from NXT, recent callups, and Royce Keys (Powerhouse Hobbs). 

Jimmy and Jey entered during a break. Jimmy’s back after being gone for a few weeks as the company was out of the country. They issued a warning shot to Alpha Academy, who they would be defending their tag titles against next week. They shouted out Roman Reigns for winning the Royal Rumble, and that was that. 

Cole congratulated Bad Bunny and Jelly Roll on their success at the Grammy Awards. 

******** 

Gunther segment

AJ Styles’ music hit, and the crowd cheered, but Gunther excitedly walked out instead and did Styles’ pose. The crowd booed as Gunther tried to speak. Eventually, he said Styles found out what Goldberg and John Cena did. When you step in the ring with the career killer, your career and legacy die. 

Dragon Lee ran out as Gunther spoke. He attacked Gunther, nailed a great-looking suicide dive, and sent him into the ring post using a hurricanrana. 

Dragon Lee charged at Gunther while he was in the timekeeper’s area, but Gunther popped up and nailed him with the ring bell. Gunther put him in the dreaded sleeper hold until officials quickly broke it up. 

Gunther went into the ring and picked Dragon Lee up by his mask (while Lee was ringside). Gunther put him in the sleeper again, this time with Dragon dangling over the side of the ring. Officials desperately tried to pull Gunther away (including Shawn Daivari, who grabbed Gunther by the hair), but he only let go after Lee passed out. Gunther put his coat on and left. 

********

There was a replay of Reed and Logan trying to kill Knight weeks back when Reed gave him a Tsunami on top of a car. 

Heyman approached Pearce and asked him to make a match between Breakker and Knight. Pearce said no. Pearce didn’t appreciate Breakker interrupting his show. He told Heyman to escort Breakker out of the building and tell Reed he has a match against Penta. 

Heyman asked Pearce if he knew who he was talking to and in which city. (Fans chanted “ECW.”) Pearce told Heyman, “F.A.F.O” (a line Heyman used on Pearce on Saturday). Heyman chuckled, and he left. 

*******

During a break, Maxxine Dupri told Byron Saxton she was still shocked over what Nattie did. But just like there was a new Nattie, there was a new Maxxine. She beat the greatest women’s wrestler of all time to become the IC champion. This Maxxine was breaking ankles and taking names. 

She was sick and tired of being walked over. Nattie didn’t elevate her, she elevated herself. Nattie taught her how to train, but Dupri taught herself how to survive. Dupri would give Nattie a lesson next week: that no one can decimate this Maxxine. 

********

Breakker was still pissed and tossing stuff around backstage. Heyman tried to calm him down by telling him that Pearce had plenty of ammunition against him already. Breakker screamed at Heyman that he didn’t care. Breakker barged through a door and left.

Oba Femi destroys The War Raiders 

Erik and Ivar entered, presumably for a match. They were surprised upon hearing the music of Oba Femi. The announcers were surprised too, as they were expecting a tag match. 

Femi entered the ring and destroyed both guys. He gave Ivar a chokeslam and gave Erik a powerbomb. Femi posed as fans chanted his name. 

(This was a cool segment for Femi. Not so much for the other guys.) 

********

Finn Bálor video promo 

Finn Bálor said this was a business based on respect. He always gave respect in the indies and on the main roster. But he was realizing that the respect was not returned to him. He was taken for granted over and over. What happened in Belfast was not a one-off. 

He’s been showing up and showing off his entire career, but Pearce still tried to tell him the Rumble was full. It turns out, respect only gets you so far. He wanted the world title. He didn’t think of himself as a bad guy, but warned CM Punk he was willing to do bad things. 

******** 

Nikki & Brie Bella segment 

The Bellas entered. The crowd was chanting something that sounded like booing, and Nikki asked if that was for the Eagles not making it to the Super Bowl. Brie said they were probably saying “Coop,” and Nikki bragged that she had good taste. He was a pro bowler, after all. (I guess she’s dating Eagles player Cooper DeJean.) 

Nikki said the Bella twins haven’t appeared on Raw together in over seven years. Nikki shared everyone’s excitement that Brie was back. There were light “Yes” chants. 

Brie was happy to be back home. She joked that she didn’t return because Nikki was getting her butt kicked every week. She returned because they were the “original tag team.” The division was better than ever, and they wanted in. It was time for the Bella twins to go for the tag titles. 

(This was not a good promo, and this segment was a reminder as to why people don’t like the Bellas.) 

********

Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Dupri had a backstage segment with Bret Kreischer. Otis was in a good mood seeing Kreischer, but Dupri was all business. She planned on breaking Nattie’s ankle next week. Dupri left. Otis and Kreischer were excited, and Kreischer took his shirt off. 

******** 

The first hour of the show included just the one 12-minute match. The second match of the evening started a full 40 minutes later… 

Penta vs. Bronson Reed (w/ Paul Heyman, Logan Paul & Austin Theory) 

…and this match went to commercials after 2 minutes. 

Penta hit a dive ahead of the break, but it didn’t matter because Reed got the heat moments later. Like the opening match, not much happened during the break. (I guess all these guys did just fly halfway across the world.) 

Penta came back and hit a springboard tornado DDT for two. Reed hit a powerslam for two, and Penta came back with a backstabber for two. 

Theory jumped on the apron, so Penta kicked him off. Penta also knocked Logan off the apron and wiped out both guys with a dive. Penta accidentally knocked the referee out of the ring when he attacked Logan. 

Penta took too much time dealing with the Vision, so Reed hit him with a Jagged Edge (DVD) and Tsunami, but the referee was still out. 

Reed went outside and grabbed a chair, but was attacked by LA Knight, who gave him a BFT onto the chair. Knight was chased away by Logan and Theory (who quickly recovered again, as they did in the opening segment). 

Reed couldn’t get back in the ring by ten, so Penta won by count-out. 

Match result: Penta defeated Bronson Reed via count-out (12:55)

******** 

The Americanos were interviewed by Saxton during the break. This included Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate doing bad accents. 

********

Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, and Raquel Rodriguez segment 

Dominik Mysterio entered. He’s back after being gone for a few weeks with an injury. His mustache is even thicker than before. The crowd chanted “Dirty Dom.” Dom said the only reason he would come back to a place like Philly was to celebrate the winner of the women’s Rumble. He introduced Liv Morgan. 

Morgan entered and jumped into Dom’s arms. The crowd chanted, “You deserve it,” (not that loud), and she responded, “I know!” Morgan said they were all in the presence of the greatest Royal Rumble winner of all time. 

Morgan wasn’t sure who she wanted to face at WrestleMania yet. She planned to attend SmackDown on Friday to assess her options. What she did know was that we were going to crown a new Women’s World Champion tonight. Morgan introduced her best friend and sister, Big Sexy Raquel Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez entered. She said Judgment Day celebrated Morgan’s big win all weekend, but they never addressed something else that happened during the Rumble. Rodriguez asked Morgan why she eliminated her from the match. 

Morgan said she knew Rodriguez wasn’t a selfish person. Rodriguez had a title opportunity, and now she did too. A win for one Judgment Day member was a win for them all. 

Rodriguez agreed with that sentiment, but told Morgan to stay in the back for her match. Beating Vaquer on her own would make winning the world title that much sweeter. Morgan was on board with this (and relieved Rodriguez didn’t seem upset with her anymore).

Philly Street Fight for the Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez 

Vaquer has new generic-sounding music, and it seems like an immediate downgrade. She also wore new gear, which included long pants. It is a street fight, after all. (Rodriguez wrestled in ripped jeans.) 

Vaquer grabbed a table early on to the crowd’s delight, but was unable to use it. Rodriguez powerbombed her through the table moments later. During a break, Rodriguez wrapped a chain around Vaquer’s previously injured ankle, dragged her around ringside and slammed her leg into the barricade and into the side of the ring. 

After the break, Rodriguez booted the steel steps into Vaquer’s ankle. Vaquer avoided a steel chair shot and attacked Rodriguez with a kendo stick. Rodriguez attacked Vaquer with the cardboard cover from the announce table, before lawn-darting her into the ring post (second time we’ve seen that spot tonight). 

Vaquer came back with a kendo stick shot and a back suplex. She set up for Devil’s Kiss, but Rodriguez powered up to her feet with Vaquer still on her shoulders and dropped her onto the top rope. Vaquer managed to respond with a thrust kick for two. Rodriguez hit Vaquer on the head with a trash can for a two count. Fans chanted for the Eagles. 

Rodriguez tossed a bunch of chairs into the ring, and Corey Graves gave Terry Funk a shout-out. Rodriguez caught Vaquer’s crossbody attempt and hit a fallaway slam onto the chairs. Vaquer avoided a corkscrew elbow drop and hit Rodriguez with Devil’s Kiss onto a steel chair. Vaquer wasn’t done there. She rolled to the outside and hit Devil’s Kiss on top of the steel steps. The previous quiet crowd chanted, “One more time.” She didn’t do it. 

During a break, Vaquer attacked with the kendo stick and chucked the trash can in Rodriguez’s face. Rodriguez fought back and wedged a chair between the turnbuckles. She also set up a table outside the ring. 

After the break, Rodriguez tried to use the steel steps as a weapon, but Vaquer ducked it and dropped her onto the steps instead. Vaquer placed the trash can over Rodriguez and hit a running meteora in the corner for two. Rodriguez booted the can into Vaquer’s face moments later for two. 

Rodriguez took her time setting up a table while the ref checked on Vaquer, who was favouring her ankle. Rodriguez tried a Tejana Bomb through the table, but Vaquer slipped out. Rodriguez hit a clothesline instead. 

19 minutes into the match, Morgan entered through the crowd and handed Rodriguez the title belt, urging her to use it as a weapon. Vaquer used the distraction to chuck Rodriguez into the wedged chair, and knocked Morgan off the apron. Roxanne Perez tried to interfere too, but Vaquer knocked her off the ropes, through the outside table. 

Vaquer set up Rodriguez for a hurricanrana off the top and through the table, but Rodriguez blocked it and set up for a powerbomb. Vaquer blocked that and hit the hurricanrana anyway. The move sent Rodriguez through the table, but it didn’t look good. 

Vaquer followed with a Spiral Tap (corkscrew splash) for the pinfall win. 

— After some replays, Morgan laid out Vaquer with an Oblivion. She posed with the title belt before dropping it onto Vaquer. 

Match result: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Raquel Rodriguez in a Philly Street Fight to retain the Women’s World Championship (21:55) 

This was mostly a good match, but it dragged at times and felt really long, and the lack of crowd reaction really brought it down. 

******** 

Next week on Raw: 

  • Maxxine Dupri vs. Nattie 
  • The Usos vs. Alpha Academy for the tag team titles 
  • Elimination Chamber qualifying matches begin 

********

Roman Reigns and CM Punk main event segment 

Roman Reigns arrived in a Range Rover (he had a driver), and he immediately made his way to the ring. Reigns said he’s had highs and lows in Philly. He won his first championship here on his daughter’s birthday, but he also lost his last championship here. He won his first Rumble here, too. (He acknowledged the fans booed him at the time.) 

He won his second Rumble on Saturday, and the next city on the schedule was Philly. This was the perfect city to be in, because he had a decision to make. He was about to pose the question of which title he should go after, but stopped as the crowd chanted for CM Punk. Reigns said, “So you don’t want me to go after Drew McIntyre?” Reigns asked if they preferred Punk, and they cheered. 

Punk entered. The crowd chanted for Punk as the two men stared each other down. Punk looked into the camera to address Finn Bálor. Punk said Bálor wasn’t sure if he was a bad guy, but Punk warned him that when he was pushed, he was the baddest guy, and he would get his hands on Bálor soon. 

Reigns was perplexed at Punk interrupting his segment to talk about Bálor. Punk said he wasn’t interrupting anything. Reigns was a visitor on his show. “I’m the champ, CM Punk, and I call the shots.” 

Punk said Reigns had a big decision to make. Punk saw that Reigns was asking for the fans’ help. He mentioned McIntyre, and the fans booed. Punk proposed Reigns vs. McIntyre at WrestleMania, and they booed again. Punk proposed Reigns vs. the best in the world, CM Punk, and they cheered. 

Punk told Reigns to take the easy way out and pick McIntyre. Reigns scoffed at the idea that McIntyre was the easy way out. McIntyre was four times Punk’s size, and the last time they fought, he had Punk crying over a little plastic bracelet. 

Punk told Reigns to be careful. The last time he wrestled McIntyre, they ran out of staples putting his dumb ass back together. Punk knew that Reigns had beaten McIntyre in the past, but Punk beat him in the most dangerous match this company had to offer, Hell in a Cell. 

Reigns said he beat McIntyre for three years straight. Punk said he did, along with all of his cousins. Reigns warned him against talking about his family. They were the only reason this company was where it was today. And the only reason Punk had a company to come back to. 

Punk said Reigns manipulated his family and a great number of people into thinking he was this great messiah who put the company on his shoulders and held it high, but all he really did was hold it hostage. Punk heard what Reigns said on Pat McAfee’s show. He laughed at the idea that Reigns took mini-vacations to give others an opportunity, and he had the audacity to say nobody stepped up during that time. 

Punk reminded Reigns that he was once champion for 434 days with Paul Heyman by his side. That must sound familiar, because Reigns followed in his footsteps and was champion with Heyman for 1300 days. Punk said he may have done it longer, but that doesn’t mean he did it better. 

Punk said Reigns earned the right to call his shot and show up when he wanted. Punk wasn’t mad about it. Reigns chose to be a part-timer. Punk chose to go to ten countries in three weeks. He chose to see the fans worldwide. He chose to go to Poland, Scotland, Denmark, Belgium, London, Toronto, and Philly. 

Punk chose to be a fighting champion, just like he chose to bring Reigns into the company along with the rest of The Shield. Reigns followed in his footsteps, and he learned from the best. 

Punk said Reigns had a decision to make. Reigns could face the guy he thinks he can beat (McIntyre), or the guy who, on Reigns’ best day, he couldn’t touch. He could face McIntyre or climb Mount Everest with no Sherpa and face the best in the world. 

Reigns said Punk made all these towns because he took a ten-year vacation and wanted to get in as much as possible. Reigns laughed at the idea that he learned from Punk. The only thing he learned from Punk was what not to do. Punk wouldn’t be here without him. 

When they re-signed Punk, they asked Reigns first. He made a promise to Paul, and he did the best he could. But he would never forget ten years ago when Punk went on his friend’s podcast and made Reigns’ life way harder than it should’ve been. Punk came back, took his wiseman, and brainwashed his cousins. Punk almost brainwashed him, too. Reigns shook his hand like a man (at Survivor Series), but Punk mocked him behind his back. 

Reigns made his choice. He could pick Punk because he was the biggest star available. He could pick Punk because he was on the “best show.” But no. 

Reigns said, “I’m picking you because I hate you. I’ve always hated you. And WrestleMania is going to be the best day of my life, because in the main event, you will acknowledge me.” 

Reigns dropped the mic and left. Punk smirked as Reigns walked away.

(This was a very good setup for WrestleMania, and they gave us plenty to chew on with the show still more than two months away. The rest of the show mostly felt like filler in front of another quiet, big city crowd.) 

WWE Raw live results: Royal Rumble go-home show in Toronto

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: January 26, 2026
Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON 

The Big Takeaway —

CM Punk and AJ Styles had their first WWE singles match, and it was for the World Heavyweight Championship. It ended in a DQ. Finn Bálor attacked Punk and laid him out, solidifying him as a heel again. 

Bron Breakker’s suspension has been lifted, and he will enter the Men’s Royal Rumble. The entire Vision will join him, and they’ve made it clear their goal is for Breakker to win. Adam Pearce granted them all a spot in the match, which seemed to surprise Paul Heyman. So there’s more to come there. 

This has not been a particularly strong build to the Royal Rumble, particularly the Rumble matches themselves. Nobody came off like a strong contender except Bron Breakker and maybe Rhea Ripley.

**********

Show Recap — 

There were shots of the stadium being built in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of Saturday’s Royal Rumble, followed by a shot of fans lined up outside Scotiabank Arena in my hometown of snowy Toronto for Raw. 

Stephanie Vaquer, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (getting their hair done), The Vision (including Bron Breakker) were shown at the arena earlier today. 

Michael Cole claimed Scotiabank Arena was sold out with an attendance of 17,853. 

AJ Styles kicks off Raw in Toronto

Styles entered to a big ovation. He said Gunther claimed he would end his career at the Rumble. That was Gunther’s plan, but Styles didn’t plan on going anywhere. (There was a light, “F—k you, Gunther,” chant.)  

Styles acknowledged that 2026 would be the year that he retired. He wasn’t saying that to upset anyone—he was saying it so they could enjoy it together. John Cena showed him how he could say goodbye. 2025 was Cena’s year, and there was no reason 2026 couldn’t be his. 

There were men in locker rooms all over the world that he would love to wrestle one more time. (Interesting phrasing.) He also wanted to be world champion one more time. 

CM Punk entered to a big reaction. Punk said he’s known Styles for more than 20 years. They’ve been friends and enemies, but there was nothing but respect between them now. (Styles agreed.) 

Punk didn’t understand what he was doing by putting his career on the line against Gunther. Guys like them still had a lot left in the tank, and the stakes on Saturday were too high. Styles accused Punk of thinking that he couldn’t beat Gunther. 

Punk wasn’t saying that. He knew Styles could beat Gunther, but the last time they wrestled, Styles did not get his hand raised. And if Styles did retire, that meant the two of them never got to wrestle one-on-one in WWE. (They wrestled in a three-way with Chad Gable last year.)

Styles knew what Punk meant (about facing Gunther), but thought he was being disrespectful. Styles had an idea, and the crowd chanted, “Fight tonight.” Styles told Punk, “I know I can beat Gunther, and I know I can beat you.” Punk said Styles can’t prove that if he loses on Saturday. They both looked around at the crowd. 

Styles said if they did fight tonight, and he won, he should be number one contender for the title after he beats Gunther. Punk said if they were going to wrestle tonight in Toronto, it would be for the belt. Everyone cheered. Punk made the match, and they shook hands.

(Punk vs. Styles for the title was made official during the next match.)

******** 

There was a video package recapping Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Six-woman tag team match: Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer & Women’s Tag Team Champions Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

The Judgment Day women all wore matching black-and-red gear. Ripley came out to a huge pop, and the crowd sang Iyo Sky’s name as the match began. 

Vaquer entered to a modest applause and went to work on Morgan, but her Devil’s Kiss attempt was broken up by Rodriguez, which upset the fans. Morgan had actually tagged out to Rodriguez moments earlier, but Vaquer didn’t see it because she was distracted by Perez. The referee did see it, but made no attempt to get Morgan out of the ring besides yelling vaguely at her. She remained in the ring for well over 10 seconds before Rodriguez got in. 

Judgment Day maintained control over Vaquer throughout a break. Morgan yanked Sky off the apron, while Rodriguez attacked Ripley from behind. The referee was ok with all of this. 

Vaquer finally did make a hot tag to Sky, who hit Perez with uppercuts, a flying dropkick, and a corner meteora. Morgan saved Perez from a moonsault, but Sky followed with a butterfly backbreaker. Morgan distracted the ref by messing up the ring skirt while Perez raked Sky’s eyes. Perez and Morgan hit a combo Russian leg sweep/Codebreaker for two. 

Sky made the next hot tag to Ripley, who gave Morgan a Razor’s Edge into Rodriguez. Ripley blocked a Pop Rox and clobbered Perez with a clothesline. Ripley followed with a missile dropkick to Rodriguez (who was in the ring a long time despite not being legal, but this referee obviously does not care). 

Morgan fought back with a tornado DDT on Ripley, but Sky broke up the cover. Everyone traded moves until Vaquel wiped out Rodriguez with a diving splash to the outside. 

Morgan went for Oblivion, but Ripley blocked it. Perez had made a blind tag, and they tried their combo move again, but Sky wiped out Morgan with a flying dropkick. Ripley finished off Perez with a Rip-tide for the pinfall win. 

The three winners celebrated. (Corey Graves noted that Vaquer was limping by the end of the match, which was the same injury she’s been selling the past several weeks.) 

Match result: Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY & Stephanie Vaquer defeated Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (12:54)

A fun TV match despite the dumb referee. Ripley was the most over person in the match, and she got another win ahead of the Rumble, where she’ll be one of the favourites. 

********

There was a dramatic recap of Punk successfully defending his title over Finn Bálor last week in Belfast. 

Bálor approached Punk backstage. Bálor initially seemed in a bad mood after coming up short last week, but said Punk was part of the most memorable night of his career. Punk picked him up after the match and gave him his flowers, but Bálor didn’t return the favour, so he will now. Bálor thanked him. 

Punk thanked him, too. Punk said he couldn’t be the best in the world unless he beat the best. Punk considered Bálor one of the greats, and he earned the shot. Cena was gone, and there weren’t a lot of guys like them left. Punk advised him that he might want to ditch Judgment Day if he really wanted to be champion. Punk told him to win the Rumble, and maybe he’d see him again. Punk left, and Bálor nodded. 

********

There’s a commercial specifically for the special Triple H edition of WWE 2K26. I’m not even sure they’ve advertised the actual game yet. 

Bron Breakker and Adam Pearce face-to-face 

The Vision entered. Paul Heyman did his usual bit, called Toronto a second-rate city, and introduced each member of The Vision. Logan Paul got a lot of heat, of course. Heyman gave special attention to Bron Breakker. 

Heyman noted that Breakker was there because Adam Pearce wanted a face-to-face, but Heyman wanted to examine why this was happening first. Heyman showed a replay of Pearce putting his hands on Breakker first (before Breakker tried to kill him). Heyman said that was not appropriate behaviour for the Raw general manager. Heyman also showed a replay of Rey Mysterio pinning Austin Theory last week, thanks to Pearce planting the brass knuckles on the apron. 

Pearce entered. He admitted that things got out of hand, and he put his hands on Breakker first. He apologized. Breakker laughed. Pearce pledged to them all that it would not happen again. Pearce knew what Heyman was going to say next, and he already made it official: Breakker’s suspension was over, and he was in the Royal Rumble match. 

Heyman was happy and asked for a handshake. Pearce called Heyman a master negotiator, so he willingly entered Logan Paul, Bronson Reed and Austin Theory into the Rumble. Heyman was caught off guard by this. Pearce also knew that Theory felt cheated after last week, so he put him in a match against Rey Mysterio—tonight. 

When the segment was over, all members of The Vision were happy, while Heyman was confused. Cole did not know what to make of Pearce’s decision. 

Austin Theory (w/ The Vision) vs. Rey Mysterio (w/ Penta & Dragon Lee)

Theory held control with a chin lock and tried to get some heat by going for Rey’s mask, but the crowd didn’t bite. The fight spilled to the outside, and Rey sent Theory flying into the ring post. As the outside parties argued, Rey hit Theory with a seated senton off the barricade. Rey smacked Reed’s head before heading back into the ring. 

This led to a second commercial break (the match started during a break), so about 5 of the first 8 and a half minutes of the match happened during commercials. 

Rey went after Theory outside the ring, but Theory dumped him onto the ring steps and placed him in another rest hold in the ring, just long enough to bring us back from break. Rey tried a springboard crossbody, but Theory nailed him with a mid-air forearm and an Ataxia (flatliner variation) for two. 

Dragon Lee checked on Rey outside the ring, so Logan shoved him. Penta superkicked Logan. Dragon Lee tried to take out Reed, but Reed caught him and drove him into the barricade before Logan yanked Penta off the apron. 

Rey kicked Logan, but the distraction allowed Theory to hit the ring with a curb stomp for the pinfall win. 

— Breakker attacked Penta and Dragon Lee after the match, and The Vision laid out the two men. Paul gave Dragon Lee a frog splash, while Breakker speared Penta, and Reed finished off Penta with a Tsunami. 

(Notably, it seemed like they were trying to set up Rey for a spear, but the referee frantically got between them and got Rey out of the ring. So perhaps after taking the curb stomp, they wanted to be safe with Rey.) 

Match result: Logan Paul defeated Rey Mysterio (11:23) 

This was a nothing match just to get Theory a win, finally. 

It turns out Rey may have gotten injured, so hopefully it isn’t serious. He seemed fine all match until they got him out of the ring for the post-match angle. 

*******

There was a Natalya video promo. She said she made Maxxine Dupri, but Dupri failed. Dupri didn’t fail herself, she failed Natalya. Rolling with a legend didn’t mean she could roll like a legend. There was a whole new Natalya, and when she was done with Dupri, was coming for it all (the IC title). “Because Natalya elevates, but Nattie decimates.”

Rodriguez marched around backstage, loudly screaming for Vaquer. Bayley was nearby and called her an idiot because she (Bayley) was on the phone. Lyra Valkyria got between them, so Rodriguez continued on her way until she was attacked by Vaquer. Officials quickly separated them. 

Byron Saxton interviewed Je’Von Evans during a break. Evans made the mistake of wearing a Boston Red Sox toque, so he was greeted with a “Let’s go Blue Jays” chant. Evans’ goal was to main event WrestleMania, which first meant winning the Rumble. He declared himself for the match. 

********

Gunther sit-down interview 

Cole interviewed Gunther in the Toronto Raptors locker room. Gunther said he agreed to Saturday’s match because he had something to gain by ending Styles’ career. He was sick of the old-timers overstaying their welcome, chasing one moment after another. Those moments belonged to him. 

Goldberg chased after a moment, but Gunther took it away. Cena chased moments for a full year, but all anyone would talk about now was that he gave up to him in his last match. Now, Styles had this idea of a long, emotional farewell tour, but Gunther wasn’t interested. 

Gunther noted that Cole was an old-timer, too. He asked Cole how long he planned on sticking around chasing a moment. He could kick the chair out and end Cole’s career right now, but he told Cole not to worry. Gunther wanted Cole at ringside on Saturday so he could say the career of the Phenomenal AJ Styles was over. 

This was really good. 

********

Bálor approached Pearce to declare himself for the Rumble. Pearce said Bálor already had his shot at the title last week, so he filled Bálor’s Rumble spot with someone else. He said the Rumble was full. Bálor said the Rumble couldn’t be full without him. Pearce reiterated that the match was full. Bálor left while contemplating what to do next. 

Morgan confronted Bálor. She accused Punk of giving him a participation trophy, and Bálor thanked him for it. She heard Punk say he should leave Judgment Day, but Punk didn’t really want him to be champion, while his family in Judgment Day did. Bálor said this wasn’t as straightforward as she thought. He said he would take care of it. 

********

Jey Uso entered ahead of a break to watch the next match. (No Jimmy again. They are in Canada, after all. Cole said he was dealing with personal issues.) Jey tried to run back his entrance music, but was cut off by American Made. 

Scottie Barnes was shown in the crowd, and he got a nice ovation.

Fatal four-way to determine tag team title number one contenders: The New Day (w/ Grayson Waller) vs. Alpha Academy vs. American Made (w/ Ivy Nile) vs. Los Americanos 

It doesn’t say much about the tag division (or more specifically, having two sets of tag titles) that this was the field to determine number one contenders. 

During a break, Xavier Woods confronted Cole at the desk and loudly told him, “I am Xavier, and that’s Kofi. Get it right from here on out!” Cole responded, “What was that all about?”  

The crowd didn’t react to anything until Otis got in, and then they were into it. (Amazing Otis can have this effect after all this time of being a background character.) Otis hit a Caterpillar elbow, but the cover was broken up. Everyone attacked Otis, so Akira Tozawa made the stave and hit Bravo Americano with a German suplex. Tozawa then wiped out all three teams with suicide dives. 

Tozawa set up Kingston for a diving senton, but Woods distracted the referee, so Waller tripped Tozawa. The referee admonished Waller until Jey superkicked Waller over the barricade. 

Otis beat up the other teams single-handedly and slammed Julius onto Brutus. Tozawa followed with a diving senton on Julius for the pinfall win. 

Alpha Academy will face The Usos for the tag titles. Jey bumped fists with Otis and Tozawa post-match. 

Match result: Akira Tozawa & Otis defeated American Made, Los Americanos & The New Day (10:53)

******** 

Jackie Redmond, wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jacket, interviewed Becky Lynch. Lynch called her win last week monumental, but Redmond wouldn’t know anything about monumental wins wearing a jacket like that. 

Lynch noted Natalya went after the match. Lynch understood, because Natalya trained Dupri from nothing, and she remained nothing. She compared it to training loser Lyra. Now Natalya was coming after her title, but Natalya would have to win the Rumble first, and that was laughable. 

Lynch said she was entering the Rumble match. Kairi Sane and Asuka interrupted. Sane said Lynch would not win the Rumble because Asuka would, and Lynch was not ready. Lynch said she was ready because she’s already beaten Asuka. Sane tried to explain this to Asuka, who was standing right there. Asuka cut her off and told Lynch she would see her in the Rumble. 

******* 

Je’Von Evans approached Styles as he warmed up. Evans hoped to see him after Saturday. Styles shook his hand. (Evans turned his hat around to hide the Red Sox logo.) 

Elsewhere, Vaquer told Pearce she didn’t want a match against Rodriguez—she wanted a fight. Pearce made a street fight for the title next week in Philadelphia. 

******** 

Royal Rumble card (start time 2 pm ET/11 am PT): 

  • AJ Styles vs. Gunther with Styles’ career on the line 
  • Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship 
  • 30 Woman Royal Rumble match 
  • 30 Man Royal Rumble match 

********

The Vision met backstage to discuss what their plan was now that they were all in the Rumble. Logan got up and said they should go into the match with one goal and one vision. He said they should ensure a victory for one man: Bron Breakker. Reed and Theory were both in full agreement. (Breakker had no discernible reaction to this.) 

******** 

There was an Oba Femi video package. He will be in the Rumble. 

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. AJ Styles

There were modest duelling chants as they got started, and each man went for their finishers early on, but a series of counters led to Styles applying a cradle for two. Punk got the better of their next exchange and hit Styles with an elbow and chop to the upper back. Styles came back with a dropkick. Punk fell outside, and Styles nailed a sliding knee. 

Styles was in control through a break until Punk whipped him hard into the corner after the break. The crowd chanted for tables. Punk followed with a neckbreaker, a lifting knee strike, a bulldog, and a shining wizard for two. Styles came back with a series of strikes, a running forearm, and a corner splash, but Punk fired right back with a clothesline for two. 

Styles blocked a GTS and followed with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker for two. Punk knocked Styles off the middle turnbuckle and hit a flying elbow drop for two. Punk immediately applied an Anaconda Vice until Styles countered out of it. Styles tried setting up for a Styles Clash, but Punk drove him into the turnbuckles. 

Punk tried a shining wizard again, but Styles caught him and set up a Styles Clash. Punk avoided it again, so Styles dumped him from the ring. Punk blocked a sliding knee and hit a GTS (outside the ring). Punk initially tried getting Styles into the ring, but it was taking too long, so Punk slipped back into the ring at an eight count, while Styles got in at nine. 

Styles was down selling, and Punk wasn’t sure what to do next, so Styles suddenly caught him in a Styles Clash for a nearfall. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Punk knocked him off the top rope. They exchanged strikes until Styles hit a Pelé Kick. 

Styles tried setting up the Clash again before Punk got him on his shoulders to try a GTS. Styles held the top rope, and as the two men struggled for position, Finn Bálor suddenly popped in the ring and dropkicked Punk into the corner (knocking Styles out of the ring) for the DQ. 

Bálor dropkicked Punk into the barricade and gave him a Coup de Grace in the ring. Punk rolled to his side, so Bálor hit the Coup de Grace again, this time on his ribs. Bálor hit the move one more time and stood tall as the show ended. 

Match result: CM Punk vs. AJ Styles ended in a disqualification — Punk retains the World Heavyweight Championship (18:11)

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor World Heavyweight title match

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: January 19, 2026
Location: SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland 

The Big Takeaway —

AJ Styles will put his career on the line at the Royal Rumble in a singles match against Gunther. Gunther will be pulling double duty as he declared for the Rumble match. Several other women and men also declared for their respective Rumble matches. 

CM Punk retained the World Championship against Finn Bálor, while Becky Lynch retained the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over Maxxine Dupri after Natalya turned on Dupri. 

Je’Von suffered an injury, and his match with El Grande Americano was cut short due to a medical stoppage. 

Plus, Adam Pearce invited the suspended Bron Breakker to Raw next week to talk things out.

**********

Show Recap — 

Michael Cole announced a sold-out crowd in Belfast, which hosts its first-ever WWE live broadcast. 

CM Punk, Finn Bálor, Maxxine Dupri and Alpha Academy, El Grande Americano and friends, and Penta, Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio were shown arriving at the arena. Bálor got a big pop. 

The show kicked off with a big fireworks display, which doesn’t often happen. 

Gunther opens Monday Night Raw in Belfast

They showed a replay of Gunther tapping on purpose last week to escape AJ Styles’ submission and ultimately win the match. Cole admitted it was a brilliant move. 

Gunther entered and was booed and greeted with chants of, “You tapped out.” He was in a good mood as usual lately, and he told the fans to calm down. 

Gunther said Styles made a mistake last week by being singularly focused on trying to make him tap out, because he was in the ring with the greatest wrestler in the company, the greatest Intercontinental Champion ever, a two-time World champion, the man who retired Goldberg, and the man who made John Cena tap out. 

His success would lead him straight back to the World title, and he declared himself for the Royal Rumble. 

AJ Styles entered to a huge reaction. Styles knew Gunther wanted to move on, but Styles didn’t. Styles challenged him to a rematch at the Royal Rumble. (The fans actually cheered even though he didn’t make the challenge for tonight.) 

Gunther said he would win the Rumble and didn’t plan on pulling double duty. He said no. 

Styles accused him of being scared. Styles said Gunter didn’t beat him—he beat himself. Styles showed him mercy when he should have ripped his leg off, but remember—Gunther tapped out like a little bitch. Styles accused him of being scared, and the crowd chanted, “Little bitch.” 

Gunther said he proved he was the better and smarter wrestler. There was no incentive to do it again, so his answer was still no. The crowd kept chanting, so Gunther returned to the ring. The fans called him a wanker. 

Gunther had an idea. He would agree to a rematch only if Styles put his career on the line. Gunther told him to think if that was a hill he was willing to die on, but he wanted an answer by the end of tonight. 

********

Natalya approached Maxxine Durpi as she was warming up backstage. Dupri was thrilled to see her. Natalya wanted to be in Dupri’s corner against Becky Lynch, so we didn’t get a replay of what happened last time. Dupri was happy to hear it. 

Becky Lynch entered. She cut a promo during a commercial break. She was happy to be back and be reminded of why she left. The weather and the food were awful. It was fine for the locals, but she was rich and famous. Her stepfather was actually from there, but he was smart enough to move to Dublin. 

She knew they were going through hard times, so she offered to be their hero. Unlike Rory McIlroy, she wouldn’t lose on the final hole. She was the greatest of all time, and everyone was saying it, including America. 

Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri (w/ Natalya)

This was their fifth singles match against one another since October. In fact, Lynch has not wrestled anyone else in a singles match since August. 

All three women (Natalya included) wore predominantly red gear. 

Dupri had the edge early on, but Lynch quickly took control as they went to an early break. Dupri fired back after the break with a clothesline, a boot, a corner splash, boots in the corner, and a fisherman’s suplex. Dupri dropped her straps and hit a big leg drop on Lynch’s back for a two count. 

They traded cradles after Dupri blocked a Man-handle Slam before Lynch applied a Disarmer, but Dupri countered out of it and applied an ankle lock. Lynch countered that into a rollup for two. They battled on the ropes until Lynch hit a superplex, followed by a DDT for two. 

Lynch removed the top turnbuckle cover, but Dupri caught her in a schoolboy for two. Dupri followed with a German suplex and a flying crossbody, but Lynch countered her cover into a cover of her own for two. 

Dupri countered the Man-handle slam and (slowly) countered into an ankle lock. Lynch kicked Dupri toward the corner, but Dupri managed to avoid hitting the exposed buckle. Lynch charged at Dupri, but Dupri moved, and Lynch bounced off the exposed buckle. 

Dupri hit a spinning heel kick (she missed completely, actually) and made the cover, but Natalya placed Lynch’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the cover. Dupri was stunned. 

Dupri went after Lynch, but Lynch caught her with the Man-Handle Slam for the pinfall win. 

— Natalya attacked and attacked and attacked Dupri after the match, and placed her in a Sharpshooter. Dupri tapped before a referee broke it up. They cut back to Cole for a moment before cutting back to the ring because Natalya attacked Dupri again. 

Match result: Becky Lynch defeated Maxxine Dupri to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (11:34)

This match was ok. Dupri looked better than usual, at least until the end. It helps that she’s been wrestling the same person over and over again, but this was presumably the last time, and she’ll have to wrestle someone else eventually. 

The post-match didn’t get a ton of heat. The fans only care somewhat about Dupri, and they cared even less about Natalya. 

********

Backstage, Adam Pearce told Styles to think strongly about Gunther’s challenge. Styles said he would go speak to his wife. 

Paul Heyman approached Pearce, and Pearce reminded him that Bron Breakker was suspended. Pearce told Heyman that The Vision better be on their best behaviour tonight. Pearce also told Heyman he would be out there for their six-man match tonight, and Heyman wasn’t thrilled to hear it. 

********

Cathy Kelley interviewed the Americanos during a break. El Grande said Je’Von Evans’ luck would run out tonight against the greatest luchador of all time. After the interview, Kelley told the audience it was time for more action. She was wrong. 

There was a video package for the Punk vs. Bálor world title match. 

Judgment Day (minus Dominik and JD McDonagh) met backstage, and they were excited about the possibility of them all becoming champions. Liv Morgan admitted to Roxanne Perez that she didn’t like her at first, but now they were friends, and they would become tag team champions. Bálor said they were on his island tonight, and he was not leaving her without the title belt. 

********

Jey Uso entered the crowd (no Jimmy Uso again). He and Jimmy were still focused on the tag titles, but he excitedly declared himself for the Royal Rumble. He planned on becoming a back-to-back Rumble winner. He told Jimmy and Trinity (Naomi) he loved them and issued a warning to the locker room. 

It was time for more talking. New Day and Grayson Waller accosted Pearce backstage. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods said they flew all the way over on MLK Day, their favourite holiday, to challenge The Usos for the tag titles, but instead, Jey was out there declaring himself for the Rumble. 

Pearce told them they would be in a four-way next week to determine the next challengers for the tag titles. Kingston and Woods were pissed. 

*******

The show’s second match started 55 minutes in, and about 20 minutes after the last match ended. 

Six-man tag team match: Rey Mysterio, Penta & Dragon Lee vs. Logan Paul, Bronson Reed & Austin Theory (w/ Paul Heyman) 

Pearce sat ringside to watch the match. 

Logan received a lot of heat. Mysterio got a big reaction when he tagged in (Penta got a nice reaction too). There was a cool dive spot to send us to break. Mysterio hit Paul with an Asai moonsault while Penta and Dragon Lee simultaneously wiped out Reed and Theory with flip dives. However, the Vision took control during the break when Reed clotheslined Dragon from the apron as Theory distracted the referee. 

After a break, Dragon avoided a Reed leg drop, but Reed knocked Mysterio and Penta off the apron before he could even attempt a tag. Reed hit a powerslam, but Mysterio and Penta broke up the cover. Dragon avoided a senton and Theory tagged in, so Dragon gave him a hurricanrana and made a hot tag to Mysterio. 

Mysterio kicked Theory’s leg out of his leg before hitting a hurricanrana and ten punches in the corner, but Theory blocked a 619. Penta made a blind tag and hit a Penta Driver, but Reed broke up the cover. Everyone traded moves, and Mysterio tried a sliding dive to the outside, but Logan caught him and bounced him off the barricade. Dragon and Penta took out Logan with a double baseball slide. 

Penta and Dragon knocked Reed out of the ring with superkicks, and Dragon wiped out Reed with a dive. Theory gave Penta a package neckbreaker for two. 

Heyman went on the apron to distract the referee, so Pearce yelled at him (which also distracted the referee). Pearce showed the ref that Logan handed Theory brass knuckles, and Pearce took them away. Heyman got too close to Pearce, so Pearce backed him up the ramp. 

After all the commotion, the brass knux were left on the apron, so Mysterio grabbed them. Logan tried to warn the ref, but that distraction allowed Mysterio to punch Theory. 

Penta superkicked Logan and gave Theory a Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall win. (So after all those angles, Theory took the loss here.) 

Match result: Penta, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee defeated Austin Theory, Bronson Reed & Logan Paul (15:02) 

********

CM Punk interview

Jackie Redmond interviewed CM Punk backstage. Punk got a big reaction, even if it may have been a little mixed. Redmond asked how Punk would deal with facing Bálor in Ireland. Punk said he would deal with it by being the best in the world. He was playing an away game, but he wanted the game on his stick in overtime. This pressure is what he wanted to prove he was the best in the world, and not just in the United States. The same pressure that made him the best in the world would break Bálor. 

********

There was a Martin Luther King Jr. Day video set to ‘Ain’t No Better Time’ by Chris Pierce. 

********

Kingston and Woods were interviewed in the crowd during a break. Woods noted that Styles was the former tag champion and wasn’t even trying to win the title back, while Jimmy Uso, the current champion, wasn’t even there. 

Heyman approached Pearce backstage. He said Pearce was the best GM in Raw history, but we’ll miss him when he’s gone. Pearce asked if that was a threat. Heyman said no, and he left as Pearce took a phone call. (Heyman advised him to take the call when he saw the phone.)

******** 

Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY / Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez segment

Ripley and Sky entered, and Ripley welcomed us to Monday Night Rhiyo. Sky said they would show Morgan and Perez that Rhiyo was always on top. Ripley announced that, after retaining their titles, they would both enter the Royal Rumble. 

Morgan and Perez interrupted. Morgan warned Sky that Ripley would turn on her. Morgan knew this because it happened to her. Ripley would let her selfishness take over. Morgan laughed because that wasn’t really her problem. 

Perez announced that all three Judgment Day women would also enter the Rumble, which meant one of them was headlining WrestleMania. 

Ripley laughed. She wondered how that would work (since they can’t all win it — even though the same could be said about her and Sky). Before she could elaborate, she was blindsided by Raquel Rodriguez. The three Judgment Day women laid out Ripley and Sky. Ripley tried fighting back, but Morgan laid her out with Oblivion. 

********

Bayley was talking to herself backstage when she was approached by Lyra Valkyria. Valkyria said she was having a hard time staying positive lately. She hated losing and felt like she was letting her friend down. (It seemed like Valkyria was being a downer on purpose to get Bayley to fire up. It worked.) 

Bayley got excited and psyched up Valkyria. She said the Rumble was up next, which meant one of them could headline WrestleMania. They were both excited about the possibility of winning the Rumble, and Bayley gave Valkyria a big hug. 

******* 

Je’Von Evans vs. El Grande Americano (w/ Bravo & Rayo Americano)

Je’Von Evans may have gotten injured. 

Evans hit a springboard clothesline ahead of a break. El Grande stalled by posing around ringside. He finally got back in the ring, but referee Jessika Carr held him off. 

Evans wound up outside the ring after the break. He seemed to favour his arm or shoulder, and he was checked by the doctor. They called the match off and declared El Grande the winner because Evans couldn’t continue. The doctor and Carr walked with Evans to the back. 

I went back and re-watched the match. There was a miscommunication where El Grande headbutted Evans by accident up high, seemingly on the shoulder, so that may have been it. Evans continued briefly before the springboard clothesline, which was the last physical spot. 

Match result: El Grande Americano defeated Je’Von Evans via medical stoppage (6:22) 

********

Finn Bálor interview 

Redmond interviewed Bálor backstage. Bálor said the magnitude of tonight was not lost on him, but perhaps it was lost on Punk. He respected that Punk was a fighting champion, but he questioned Punk’s judgment. They were on Bálor’s turf, on his island, in front of his people, and tonight in Belfast, there would be a new Irish World Heavyweight Champion. The crowd popped big for this. 

********

There was a video package for Oba Femi. 

Pearce approached The Vision backstage. Pearce told Heyman he wanted Breakker on Raw next week. Heyman figured he was lifting the suspension. Pearce said he wanted to speak to Breakker face-to-face. Heyman said he would be doing the same thing if he got the same phone call Pearce got earlier. Pearce said it had nothing to do with the call—he just wanted to talk to Breakker man-to-man. Heyman was dismissive and told Pearce to be on his best behaviour. The Vision left. 

Styles approached Pearce next. Styles said his wife told him exactly what he was thinking: kick Gunther’s ass. He accepted Gunther’s challenge. Pearce made it official: Styles vs. Gunther at the Rumble with Styles’ career on the line. 

********

An angry Asuka confronted Kairi Sane in the locker room. Asuka said Sane embarrassed her last week. Sane lost their titles, and she lost last week. This hurt almost as much as Sky turning on her. Sane apologized and promised to ensure Asuka would win the Rumble. Sane would do anything. Asuka called her a good girl and said, “Don’t make me yell at you again.” 

******** 

World Heavyweight Championship match: CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor

Punk entered to a big reaction, and the fans sang his song. They cut to break as he made his full entrance. Once he was in the ring, he smiled while telling a fan to get in the ring after he puts Bálor to sleep. He told the fan he would kick him in the teeth and put him to sleep, too. 

Bálor entered last and entered to his original theme song. He got a huge reaction during the in-ring introductions. Punk was cheered during his entrance but was booed during intros. 

This had a big-match feel to it, despite Bálor not having a televised win since September. 

They wrestled back-and-forth, and there were duelling chants (louder for Bálor) until Punk nailed a suicide dive, sending Bálor over the announce table. Punk posed on the announce table to a chorus of boos as they went to break. Bálor avoided a count-out, but Punk took control. 

Punk hit a lifting knee strike and a bulldog after the break for two. Bálor fought back, and they traded strikes until Bálor hit a Pelé Kick. Bálor continued with chops, shots to the midsection, and a headlock elbow drop for two. 

Bálor set up for Coup de Grace, but Punk met him on the top rope and hit a superplex. Before Punk could make a cover, Bálor caught him in a small package for two. Punk fired right back with a clothesline. 

Bálor dumped Punk from the ring and hit a flip dive. Back in the ring, Bálor hit a shotgun dropkick, but Punk dodged the Coup de Grace. The crowd booed as Punk hit a GTS, but Bálor kicked out, and the fans popped. Punk hit a few elbow drops before applying the Anaconda Vice, but Bálor got a rope break. 

Bálor fought out of a GTS and followed with a slingblade, two shotgun dropkicks, and a Coup de Grace for a nearfall. Punk went for a GTS again, but Bálor countered into a rollup for two. 

Bálor went after Punk, but Punk used a single leg takedown, rolled over to his feet and hit a GTS for the pinfall win. Punk retains. 

— Punk helped Bálor to his feet after the match. He had a few words for Bálor before raising his hand. The fans applauded. Punk hugged Bálor, who nodded at Punk before leaving the ring. 

Punk posed for the cheering fans as Bálor watched from ringside. 

Match result: CM Punk defeated Finn Bálor to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (16:14) 

This was a pretty good TV title match, though nothing you need to go out of your way to see. It was laid out exactly as you’d expect, and it never, ever, felt like Bálor would win despite the crowd’s enthusiasm. It’s fine doing matches like this on TV, but it would’ve been nice if they gave Bálor more steam going into it. It’s not like they didn’t know Belfast was on the calendar. 

WWE Raw live results: Gunther vs. AJ Styles in Germany

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: January 12, 2026
Location: PSD Bank Dome Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf, Germany

The Big Takeaway —

AJ Styles made Gunther “tap out” in the main event, but the referee didn’t see it, so Gunther won after a low blow and powerbomb. 

Adam Pearce suspended Bron Breakker indefinitely after Bron put his hands on him. However, the suspension may not last long because, as Paul Heyman noted, Pearce put his hands on Bron first. 

Next week in Belfast, CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor. Also, Becky Lynch and Maxxine Dupri will wrestle for the Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Yes, again.

**********

Show Recap — 

Michael Cole said there would be over 11,000 in attendance today in Düsseldorf, Germany. The country is hosting Raw for the first time in almost 29 years. 

CM Punk, The Vision (minus Bron Breakker), Je’Von Evans, El Grande Americano and friends, AJ Styles, and Gunther arrived at the arena. 

IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley kick off Raw in Germany

Rhea Ripley welcomed Düsseldorf to Monday Night Riyho. She talked about their win over Asuka and Kairi Sane for the tag titles, and the crowd chanted, “You deserve it.” Iyo Sky stole a line from Asuka and stated, “No one is ready for Rhiyo.” 

Ripley was about to issue a challenge to the locker room when they were interrupted by Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez. Morgan sarcastically congratulated them before noting she was a former tag champion who never lost her title. 

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria interrupted next. Bayley paused her promo so the fans could sing for her. Bayley said Morgan may not have lost her title, but Perez did lose them. Plus, Bayley beat Perez a few weeks ago, so if anyone deserved a shot, it was her and Valkyria. 

Sky yelled at everyone in Japanese until Asuka and Sane appeared out of nowhere to attack Sky and Ripley from behind and yank them from the ring. The remaining teams brawled until Ripley and Sky re-entered to clear the ring. 

As standard an opening segment as there ever was. 

********

Jackie Redmond interviewed AJ Styles about Gunther. Styles learned early in his career that this business was about respect. Respect for the ring, your fellow wrestlers, and those who came before. 

He and John Cena weren’t always on the same page, but they bonded over respect. Gunther disrespected Cena week after week, so Styles smacked him because Cena couldn’t. Styles would teach Gunther about respect tonight. Styles ended with: “In fact, I’m going to make you tap out like a little bitch.”

******** 

There will be a number one contender’s triple threat tag match tonight: Morgan & Perez vs. Asuka & Sane vs. Bayley & Valkyria. 

Morgan and Perez approached Finn Bálor backstage. Bálor was playing the WWE video game. Morgan wondered what he was doing, and she didn’t mean the game. She said he claimed he wanted gold but wondered if that was all talk. Judgment Day didn’t wait around for things to happen. Raquel Rodriguez didn’t wait for her title shot, and neither did they. It was time to stop playing games. Perez agreed with Morgan. After they left, Bálor responded, “Just you wait.” 

Je’Von Evans vs. Bravo Americano (w/ El Grande Americano & Rayo Americano) 

El Grande attacked Evans after Rayo distracted him. Evans fought back anyway and hit Bravo with a leaping dive and a nice running knee strike for two. Bravo responded with an airplane spin, which Cole noted looked familiar. 

Bravo went to the top, but Evans brought him down with an avalanche Spanish Fly, followed by an OG Cutter for the pinfall win. 

— El Grande attacked Evans after the match and chucked him over the announce desk. Evans re-emerged atop the barricade. They tried to swarm him, but he leaped right over the desk and escaped through the ring and up the aisle. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans vs. Bravo Americano (6:20)

This was a good little showcase for Evans, and they didn’t overthink it. I could have done without him running away post-match, but I’m sure he’ll be making his way through all three guys in the coming weeks. 

********

Paul Heyman approached Adam Pearce backstage. Pearce told Heyman that if Bron Breakker plans to arrive with bad intentions, he should turn around and go home. Pearce wasn’t in the mood and would not tolerate it. Heyman said he would relay the message (with exactly as much sincerity as you’d expect). 

During a break, Jey Uso entered the crowd to his music to cut pretty much the same promo he and Jimmy cut last week. This was just a bit for the live crowd, really. 

******** 

CM Punk and Finn Bálor segment 

Punk entered. He said he would never grow tired of being their world champion. He planned on being champion forever, but he knew they were on the road to WrestleMania and anything can happen—just ask Cody Rhodes. But with the fans behind him, Punk felt like he could do the impossible. 

Before WrestleMania, there was the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber. Two opportunities for guys to call their shot, and the road to WrestleMania went through him. He survived a battle with Bron Breakker last week, so he and The Vision were behind him. 

With the fans’ support, he looked forward to finding out who his next challenger would be. Punk thanked the fans and was about to leave, but was interrupted by Finn Bálor. 

Bálor said he wasn’t waiting for the Rumble or Chamber. Bálor didn’t want any hand-outs, but did recall Punk mentioning his name as a potential challenger after he won the title. 

Punk said he did mention Bálor’s name among a long list of talented wrestlers, but he wondered where Bálor’s ambition was because that was months ago. Punk saw Bálor playing video games and was preoccupied with helping Dominik and JD McDonagh. Punk wondered if Bálor was too busy shining Liv Morgan’s shoes. 

Punk asked if he would be facing Bálor or Bálor and the Judgment Day. Punk already dealt with the numbers game successfully over Breakker and the Vision. 

Punk acknowledged that he was a fan of Bálor. He also wanted to be a fighting champion, so he would go to the back and put his boots on so they could do this tonight. The crowd cheered and chanted for Punk. 

Bálor smiled when Punk accepted, but he said timing was everything. Bálor wasn’t just jumping into anything with Punk. Anyone who watched Bálor’s career knew that the line started with him. Punk didn’t have to worry about Dom or JD, but he wouldn’t be alone. 

Bálor previously watched as Punk repeatedly utilized home-field advantage in Chicago. But next week, they were in Belfast, Ireland. They would wrestle for the title next week, and there would be a new Irish World Champion. 

Punk accepted. He apologized to the fans in Düsseldorf because they wouldn’t get to see him work. He also apologized to the fans in Belfast because they’d have to watch their countryman go to sleep after a GTS. 

********

There was a video package for Gunther vs. AJ Styles. 

Number one contender’s triple threat tag team match: Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

The teams brawled outside until Sane wiped out everyone with an Insane Elbow off the top. The two heel teams took turns on offence during a break until Valkyria made a hot tag following the break. 

Valkyria gave Perez an enziguri for two. Bayley hit Asuka with a back suplex, preventing Asuka from going after Valkyria from behind. Everyone (minus Asuka) then did a big stacked up powerbomb out of the corner, with Sane getting the worst of it. 

Asuka wasn’t pleased, so she hit Perez with a German suplex before hitting Bayley and Valkyria simultaneously with a double German suplex. Asuka held down Valkyria so Sane could hit an Insane Elbow, but the referee did not count the fall because Sane was not legal. 

(This wasn’t the plan because everything stopped for a moment, and Morgan still flew in to break up the cover that wasn’t being counted. Bayley could clearly be seen talking to Asuka and the referee as they reset.) 

Everyone traded moves until Valkyria caught Sane as she attempted a flying crossbody. Valkyria hit a backbreaker, and Bayley followed with a flying elbow drop, but Asuka broke up the cover. Perez hit Bayley with Pop Rox, but Sane broke up that cover. 

Sane chucked Perez from the ring, but Morgan flew in and hit Sane with Oblivion for the pinfall win. 

Morgan and Perez will challenge Ripley and Sky for the tag titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal on January 24th. 

Match result: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez defeated Kairi Sane & Sane and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria (13:02)

******** 

Becky Lynch cut a pre-taped promo. She wasn’t happy that mediocre Maxxine Durpri was already getting a rematch, while it took her almost two months to get hers. She claimed corruption from power-mad Pearce, but was confident she would retain the title next week in Belfast. Dupri would have to say goodbye to the big time. 

Byron Saxton interviewed Je’Von Evans during a commercial break. He was happy to pick up his first win as an official member of Raw, and was excited to be in Europe for the first time. He came across as being genuinely excited and let everyone know he would not let them down. 

Redmond interviewed Maxxine Durpi (with Alpha Academy). Dupri was disappointed he lost the title, but she proved to everyone that she belonged. She turned to Otis and Akira Tozawa and said she became champion because she believed in herself and wanted to see the same from them, because they were capable of great things. Dupri turned her attention to Lynch, who had to cheat to beat her. Dupri fired up and said she would break Lynch’s ankle. 

******** 

Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer segment 

Cole interviewed Raquel Rodriguez by the stage and asked her why she laid out Stephanie Vaquer last week. Rodriguez remembered when she was the girl who waited politely and patiently for her turn at the title. 

But things change, and people change. She was cheated out of the world title week after week. She would not stop until she had Vaquer in the ring one-on-one. When Big Sexy Raquel Rodriguez stood tall as the new champion, then everyone could go ahead and feel sorry for Vaquer. 

Vaquer entered, wearing a walking boot, as officials surrounded her. Rodriguez mockingly limped to the back as Vaquer stared her down. Vaquer looked at the camera and said this injury would not stop her. She held up the title belt and said, “Come get it.” 

Of course, Rodriguez ran in and attacked Vaquer again. Rodriguez slammed the title belt over Vaquer’s walking boot as the crowd chanted, “You suck.” Officials checked on Vaquer as Rodriguez left. 

(This segment was fine, and Rodriguez did well, but these officials looked so incompetent, being the only ones in the world who did not see this coming again.) 

********

They showed clips of Drew McIntyre’s appearance as the WWE Champion in Glasgow, Scotland, and plugged his upcoming appearance on SmackDown. 

Otis and Tozawa approached Jey Uso backstage. Otis asked Jey for a tag title shot. Jey didn’t seem to be taking it seriously until Otis got in his face. Jey realized he was serious, so he said he would talk to Jimmy. However, he warned them they would be standing in the ring with the best tag team in the game. Tozawa said Yeet. 

Bronson Reed & Austin Theory (w/ Paul Heyman & Logan Paul) vs. Penta & Dragon Lee

Penta was all over Theory, but took too much time posing, so Theory just dropped him with a boot. Reed tagged in, but Penta and Dragon Lee worked together to take him down. Dragon hit a dropkick in the corner, but Reed emphatically kicked out at one. 

Reed caught Dragon’s flying crossbody attempt and slammed him. After Dragon spilled out of the ring, Theory (not the legal man) decked him right in front of the referee. (The babyfaces are always stopped from getting involved when they aren’t legal, but the heels get away with it.) 

Dragon Lee hit Reed with a DDT after a break, and Penta made the hot tag, hitting Theory with a backstabber for two. Dragon and Penta handed out superkicks to everyone, including Logan Paul. Dragon then wiped out Logan and Theory with a flip dive. 

As Dragon Lee posed outside the ring, Bron Breakker ran down and speared him for the DQ. Penta invited Bron into the ring, so Bron jumped in and speared him, too. 

Bron was about to kill Dragon Lee with a running spear outside the ring, but Pearce suddenly got in his face. As Pearce admonished Bron, Reed laid out Penta with a Tsunami in the background (this was shot well by the cameraperson). 

Pearce popped into the ring to get in Reed’s face, but that allowed Bron to spear Dragon Lee. 

Pearce flung Bron around by his shoulder and told him he was sick of this shit. Bron aggressively grabbed Pearce and shoved him into the corner. Bron screamed at Pearce as the rest of the Vision held him back. Pearce yelled at Heyman and Vision to get Bron out of here. 

Match result: Dragon Lee & Penta defeated Bronson Reed & Austin Theory via disqualification (9:27) 

(This match was a waste of time, but Bron came across well in the post-match.) 

Medical staff checked on Penta and Dragon Lee backstage. Je’Von Evans approached and told them to let him know if they needed anything. 

Pearce found Bron backstage and kept screaming at him. Pearce suspended him indefinitely. Bron got in Pearce’s face, but Reed pulled him away. Heyman told Pearce just made a big mistake. Heyman reminded Pearce that he was the one who put his hands on Bron first. 

********

There was a WrestleMania commercial with Triple H. He received video calls from Peyton Manning, Jon Bernthal, Pete Davidson, Eric André, IShowSpeed, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lil Yachty, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Tony Hinchcliffe, Cam Skattebo, and Travis Barker. They all tried pitching WrestleMania ideas involving themselves, which stressed out Triple H. 

Among the comedy here was Hinchcliffe suggesting he win the Women’s title, and André calling Triple H a sissy. 

********

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

  • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri for the Women’s Intercontinental title 
  • CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor for the World Heavyweight title 

There was an Oba Femi video package and a plug for NXT. 

******** 

Redmond interviewed Gunther. He called Styles disrespectful for smacking him in the face over something he had no involvement in. It was disrespectful to do that to the best wrestler in this company, and disrespectful to do that to the man who made Cena tap out like a little bitch. If Gunther could do that to the so-called greatest of all time, Styles should be worried about what happens to him after the bell rings. (If you don’t watch regularly, Gunther gets a lot of heat the second he mentions tapping out Cena.)

Gunther vs. AJ Styles 

Styles was all over Gunther early on, and he targeted Gunther’s leg with a series of kicks. Gunther slammed Styles on the apron, but Styles fought back with a sliding knee strike. Gunther cut off Styles again with a clothesline in the ring, but Styles kept fighting back until Gunther chopped him off the top rope. 

Gunther held control through a break and continued with chops following the break. Styles tried firing back with strikes, but Gunther decked him with a clothesline. There were dueling chants until Gunther did the ‘you can’t see me’ gesture. The hesitation allowed Styles to mount a comeback, and he hit three consecutive dragon screws (again targeting the leg). 

Styles avoided a clothesline and hit a Pelé kick. Styles applied the Calf Crusher, but Gunther got a rope break. Styles went to the apron and hit a forearm, but he ‘slipped’ on whatever he tried next, so Gunther chopped him. Gunther tried applying a sleeper, but Styles wrenched his leg in the ropes. 

Styles hit a springboard somersault leg drop to the leg of Gunther for two. (That was cool, and came completely out of nowhere.) Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Gunther dodged it, and they traded counters until Gunther hit a clothesline and powerbomb for two. 

They traded strikes and chops until Styles applied the Calf Crusher again, but Gunther escaped by smashing Styles’ head against the mat. Gunther popped up and hit a shotgun dropkick, but Styles again managed to apply the Calf Crusher. 

Styles suddenly let go and told the referee to raise his hand, claiming that Gunther tapped out. Styles motioned as though Gunther submitted by tapping his (Styles’) leg, but the referee had no idea what he was talking about, and he told the ring announcer, Alicia Taylor, that the match would continue. 

Styles was pissed, but went after Gunther. The ref was in the middle of talking to Taylor, so Gunther gave Styles a low blow. Gunther followed with a powerbomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Gunther defeated AJ Styles (17:53)

This was an excellent match until the finish. They showed a replay to explain what happened, and Wade Barrett suggested that Gunther tapped on purpose, knowing that the referee wouldn’t see it, and that Styles would let go. Styles looked like a goof for letting go despite a call not being made, so the follow-up will be important. I’m sure the fans will be into the Calf Crusher when they do the inevitable rematch, which was ultimately the point.