Tag: Wwe Raw Results

Date: September 16, 2024
Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR

**********

Show Recap — 

Rhea Ripley (who was limping) and Damian Priest, Judgment Day, Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair, Braun Strowman, Bronson Reed, and CM Punk (wearing a Bret Hart sweatshirt) were shown arriving at the arena. 

The camera followed a stern Punk as he walked through the back and to the ring.

CM Punk promo 

Punk spoke slowly and deliberately throughout his promo. He said people asked him how many more matches he had left. The answer would make some very happy and others wildly disappointed. He had way more matches left than you think. (The crowd cheered.) 

When Punk returned, he said he was not there to make friends. He wasn’t there to make mortal enemies either but that’s exactly what he’s done. The only way to end things with Drew McIntyre was in Hell in a Cell. He was naive to think this was over just because he touched four turnbuckles in Berlin. McIntyre was naive to think it was over too. 

This probably should have been over when McIntyre sent him to a hospital again but Punk was too damn stubborn. People asked how many HIAC matches he had left in him. The honest answer was zero. His little sister and his wife begged him not to do this. The angel on his shoulder begged him not to do this. 

Punk wanted everyone to know exactly why he was going to do this. Punk once told McIntyre that if he’s pushed far enough he can become the devil. Well, the devil was here. The devil in his heart told him the only way this ended was in Hell in a Cell. The same heart McIntyre promised he would stop. 

Punk said, “Drew McIntyre, I can’t promise I’m gonna kill you because I won’t make promises that I cannot 100% cannot deliver on. So here is my promise: I’m gonna make you bleed. And I promise that you’re gonna have to kill me because I am prepared to die. I am prepared for my heart to stop beating. I am prepared for this to all be over with. I had a great career and if this is the end, so be it. I am prepared for this to be the end of CM Punk. And if you’re prepared for this to be the end of Drew McIntyre then I’ll see you in hell.” 

Punk dropped the mic and left. 

********

Cathy Kelley interviewed Sheamus about Pete Dunne. Sheamus said Dunne really hit him where it hurts. Not because she smashed his hand or his back but because he took his dream away from him. The one mountain Sheamus had left to climb was to become the IC champion. Now it was time to inflict pain on his protégé. Dunne hated when people called him Butch. Tonight, Dunne would become his butch. (The crowd chanted “Butch.”)

(I think Sheamus misspoke on his promo because he said winning the IC title would make him the first grand slam champion in WWE.) 

Pete Dunne defeated Sheamus (11:15) 

Dunne tried stomping Sheamus’ hand against the steel steps but Sheamus saw it coming and gave Dunne a soft-looking Alabama Slam on the announce table. After a break, Sheamus tried an avalanche White Noise but Dunne countered with a sit-out powerbomb for two. The crowd chanted “Butch” at Dunne who hammered away at Sheamus. 

Sheamus called him a bitch and came back with a powerslam and diving knee drop for two. Dunne escaped a Razor’s Edge and went to the top but Sheamus brought him down with a middle rope powerslam for a nearfall. Sheamus followed with sixteen beats of the Bodhrán. Dunne grabbed the shillelagh but Sheamus nailed a knee strike. 

Sheamus saw the shillelagh and was tempted to use it but the ref took it away. As the ref put it away, Dunne grabbed a cricket bat and hit Sheamus in the arm. The spot didn’t look good and Dunne knew it because instead of going straight for the cover, he followed with a running boot for the pinfall win. 

********

Jey Uso approached Ripley and Priest. Jey knew Priest wouldn’t want him out there for his match against Dominik Mysterio but he wanted Priest to know that he’d be keeping his eye on it. Priest appreciated it. 

Xavier Woods approached them. Woods and Jey were happy to see each other but Priest wasn’t so happy. Woods acknowledged they had their differences in the past. Woods said Priest wanted to do things on his own as champion and New Day wanted to do it on their own tonight against Judgment Day. Woods asked them to stay in the back during their title match. Priest was good with that and told Woods to beat their asses. 

Woods and Jey left. Ripley seemed smitten with Jey and did his “Yeet” hand gesture. 

********

Miz wished Braun Strowman luck against Bronson Reed. Miz also wanted to know what Strowman meant when he said he was not a match for Reed. Strowman meant no disrespect at all. Miz began running down his accomplishments. Strowman knew the career he had but said sometimes it takes a monster to beat a monster. Miz seemed fine with this and gave some words of encouragement. 

******** 

Natalya (w/Zelina Vega & Lyra Valkyria) defeated Zoey Stark (w/Sonya Deville & Shayna Baszler) (7:02) 

After a break, Natalya blocked a springboard dropkick and hit a German suplex. Stark blocked a clothesline and hit a thrust kick for two. Natalya countered Stark’s finisher and Stark countered a sharpshooter. They traded cradles until Natalya finally won with a schoolboy. 

********

Kelley tried interviewing Ripley but Finn Bálor interrupted. Bálor said Ripley was just as bad as Priest. She acted like they were a family but she only cared about herself. He blamed her and Priest as the reason he wasn’t the world champion last year. It was also their own fault that they weren’t world champions now. 

Ripley said Bálor wasn’t going to lie straight to her face and rewrite history. They were a family. All she tried to do was make opportunities for them and stop them from fighting every week. He could make her the bad guy in his story if he wanted. She and Priest would show them how bad they can be at Bad Blood. 

Bálor had one more thing to tell her. When Liv Morgan put the moves on Dom and Dom was trying to resist, Bálor was the devil on Dom’s shoulder. “I told him to go at Liv. I told him to forget about you. It was me!” 

Jey stepped in and asked if there was a problem. Bálor said no and told him to concentrate on the IC title because he was out of his league here (referring to Ripley). Bálor left. 

Ripley told Jey that Bálor had a point. Not about Jey being out of her league — that he should focus on becoming IC champion. He told her not to worry and he was on his way to the ring right now.

******** 

[SECOND HOUR] 

Jey Uso will face Bron Breakker for the IC title next week on Raw. 

Jey Uso/Bron Breakker segment 

Jey entered and cut a promo as the crowd chanted “Yeet” between sentences. He said he has wanted to become a singles champion since coming to Raw and since leaving the Bloodline. He didn’t need anyone’s help. He would finally win a singles title and become Main Event Jey Uso. 

Bron Breakker interrupted. Bron previously told Jey to stay away and yet here he was going after his title. Bron knew Jey wanted to prove to his family that he could do it on his own. Jey has been there for fourteen years and was one of the biggest stars in WWE. Bron has done more as a singles star in six months than Jey has in his entire career. 

Bron said he did it without his father or uncle. He didn’t need his family’s help or their name. The championship was his family. He fought for the title and it fought for him. “I’m a dog. That’s what I do.” Bron said he would expose Jey next week because he was nothing without his family. 

They got face-to-face and the crowd chanted “Yeet.” Jey removed his shades. Jey said, “I see it. I see it in you, Bron. You got that dog in you, Uce.” Jey wouldn’t take Bron lightly but let him know he’s been winning championships for fourteen years—since Bron was in diapers. Jey said he would dog-walk him next week and Bron’s reign would be short just like his NFL career. 

That pissed off Bron who got in his face. Bron backed off but then decked Jey with a right hand. Bron went for a spear but Jey speared him instead. 

This was good. 

********

Iyo Sky confronted Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair in the back. She was pissed at Belair for challenging Kairi Sane to a match despite her eye injury. Belair told Sky she didn’t make the challenge, she was booked, and she never backed down from a fight. Belair said if Sane was injured, maybe Sky should take her place. Sky accepted. 

********

Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh defeated Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods to retain the World Tag Team Championships (8:30) 

New Day wore mismatching gear. Kingston wore green, Woods wore black. 

New Day were in control when they went to break a minute into the match but Judgment Day were in control after the break. Kingston hit Bálor with an SOS and Woods made the hot tag to run wild on McDonagh. Kingston and Woods knocked Bálor out of the ring and Kingston dropped him with a flip dive. Woods gave McDonagh a sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall. 

Morgan, Dom and Carlito marched out. Woods was perplexed upon seeing LWO run out to even the odds. As the teams brawled, McDonagh used the distraction to apply a cradle but Woods kicked out and superkicked him. Kingston wiped out Judgment Day and LWO with a trust fall dive. 

Woods hit McDonagh with a springboard elbow drop and had it won but the ref was outside the ring dealing with the outside parties. Woods and the crowd counted the pin before Woods went out to grab the ref. The crowd loudly chanted “Ref you suck.” 

Woods tried to roll up McDonagh but Bálor had tagged himself in. McDonagh grabbed Woods as Bálor hit him with Coup de Grace for the pinfall win. 

(The crowd didn’t cheer that loudly for New Day during their introduction but they were super into this by the end.) 

— Kingston tried consoling Woods but Woods brushed him aside in frustration. Woods was tired and said things had to change. 

The match itself was fine but this was a strong segment. 

********

Kelley tried interviewing Kingston but he left to find Woods. Woods was down the hall screaming at LWO for getting involved. Kingston said he was the one who asked for their help. Woods argued with Kingston and wondered why they suddenly needed help when they hadn’t for all these years. 

Kingston said they never needed help before because they had Big E but now it was just them. Woods took that to mean they weren’t good enough to win without E. Kingston said that’s not what he meant. Woods wondered why LWO knew the plan but he didn’t. 

Woods said Kingston was leaving him in the dark and he didn’t know what the hell was going on anymore. Woods stormed off. 

This was great. 

******** 

Rey Mysterio and Dominik were shown at UFC 306 at the Sphere over the weekend. Rey gave Dana White his mask. Joe Tessitore noted that Rey and Dom sat separately. 

There was a Bronson Reed video promo. 

********

Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman

The match didn’t happen because they had a chaotic brawl instead. 

As soon as Strowman entered the ring, Reed tried a charge but Strowman moved and Reed crashed into the turnbuckle. That snapped the turnbuckle and the top rope came undone. (The ref checked on Reed just in case.) 

Strowman was going to run around the ring for a shoulder tackle but Reed threw a “fan” at Strowman, knocking him down. Reed celebrated his actions but Strowman got up and tackled him through the barricade. (Wade Barrett called this the greatest 60 seconds in the history of the industry.) 

The ref called for help but they weren’t done. Reed tried leaving through the crowd but Strowman went after him. Strowman chucked him into an equipment box and into a wall backstage. Strowman tossed around some security guards and tipped over a golf cart. Reed splashed him through some tables moments later. 

Reed stumbled toward an obviously fake wall and Strowman tackled him right through it. Officials checked on them as the crowd chanted “Holy sh-t.” 

After a break, a million officials and medical personnel checked on both men who were still down. 

(This was great outside the fake wall spot.) 

********

Ludwig Kaiser approached a stressed-out Adam Pearce. Pearce told him he’s been working on Gunther’s next challenger because he doesn’t want to face Sami Zayn even though he makes a great case. Kaiser was baffled at Zayn as a potential challenger. Zayn’s music hit and he was shown on the screen making his entrance. Pearce told Kaiser that Gunther should speak to him personally if he had a problem. 

[THIRD HOUR]

Sami Zayn segment 

Zayn entered to a big reaction. All week he has been locked in the memory of standing in the ring with Bret Hart in Calgary. He meant what he said last week when he called Hart his hero. Last week was very motivational because he heard what Hart said about what it meant to be a champion. 

Zayn wanted that to be him. He needed that to be him. He needed to become the World Heavyweight Champion. He needed to be the guy who defended his title week in and week out and that was the kind of champion the fans deserved. (They chanted for Zayn.) 

Unfortunately, the current champion Gunther has repeatedly declined his challenge. Gunther claimed Zayn was not on his level. Zayn didn’t believe that and didn’t think Gunther did either. Zayn thinks he’s in Gunther’s head. Gunther remembers what happened at WrestleMania. Gunther knows Zayn beat him before and can beat him again. Gunther was scared. 

Kaiser interrupted. Kaiser called it nonsense that Gunther could be scared of Zayn. Gunther was the most dominant force in WWE and, if anything, he was trying to save Zayn from the worst embarrassment of his life. 

Kaiser called WrestleMania the greatest moment of Zayn’s career. It was the first time Zayn’s family looked up to him instead of down at him. Miracles didn’t happen twice so he encouraged Zayn to enjoy his moment because it would never happen again. 

Zayn said Gunther didn’t need Kaiser to speak for him. In fact, he didn’t need Kaiser for anything. Zayn told Kaiser he didn’t need Gunther either. Zayn knew Kaiser had the same desire he did. That’s why he ditched his tag partner Giovanni Vinci. But he wouldn’t earn respect as Gunther’s mouthpiece. Zayn told him to have the balls to speak for himself. 

Gunther entered. Gunther asked Kaiser if he had anything to tell him. Kaiser had something he had wanted to get off his chest for a very long time. It seemed like he would address Gunther but he attacked Zayn instead. Kaiser held Zayn down as Gunther answered his challenge. Gunther said his answer was still no. Gunther left the ring. 

Kaiser tried attacking Zayn again but Zayn gave him a German suplex and Helluva Kick as Gunther looked on. 

******** 

Kelley tried interviewing Priest but Morgan interjected. Morgan called Priest a former champion who was already a has-been. She called them losers. Priest couldn’t believe someone in Judgment Day actually had a set. He encouraged her to hold on to them because Ripley would shove them down her throat. 

He also told her to kiss Dom goodbye because he was putting her boyfriend down. He warned her that he was just getting started with those boys. Priest said, “Bye sucia,” and left. 

********

Jade Cargill is part of the DLC for WWE 2K24. Her rating is 85. 

Iyo Sky (w/Kairi Sane) defeated Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair (w/Jade Cargill) (12:20) 

They mirrored each other early on and had a back-and-forth exchange. Sky was in control after a break but Belair powered out of her submission. Belair hit shoulder tackles, a dropkick, a corner shoulder tackle and ten punches in the corner. Sky fought back with uppercuts, a dropkick, Meteora in the corner and a missile dropkick for two. 

Belair came back with a spinebuster and moonsault for two. Belair tried a press slam but Sky slipped out and hit a German suplex into a bridge for two. The crowd chanted “This is awesome.” Sane hit a suicide dive. 

Belair grabbed Sane in a vertical suplex position and actually carried her up the steps and chucked her into the ring. That was impressive and the crowd popped for it. Belair went for a 450 but Sky got her knees up. Sky went a moonsault but Belair grabbed her in KOD position. Sky countered that into a small package for the pinfall win. 

There were some rough spots but this ended up being quite good and it felt like a big win for Sky. Tessitore really put it over big.

******** 

There was a video package for American Made. It was a montage of them training while saying they were done with those Wyatt freaks. They posed on a Jeep with an American flag. 

******** 

Kaiser told Kelley that he would expose Zayn in the ring next week. Kaiser said Zayn wanted to speak about his past and loyalty but Kaiser wanted to talk about Zayn’s. Zayn was best friends with Kevin Owens but the two of them always turned on each other the second the other found more success. That’s the kind of man Zayn was—a sad, bitter man, jealous of his best friend and jealous of what he once was. Owens was once what Zayn will never be: a world champion. 

******** 

Next week on Raw in Ontario, California: 

• Sami Zayn vs. Ludwig Kaiser 
• Drew McIntyre “returns” 
• IC title match: Bron Breakker vs. Jey Uso 

********

Ilja Dragunov congratulated Jey Uso and wished him luck against Breakker. Jey said Yeet and they bumped fists. Jey left. 

Judgment Day approached Dragunov. Bálor advised him to choose his friends more carefully. Dragunov said he respected Ripley, Priest and Jey and that was more he could say about them. Bálor warned him that they wouldn’t deliver their message so nicely next time. 

******** 

Judgment Day wore matching “Street Trash” t-shirts. 

Damian Priest (w/Rhea Ripley) defeated Dominik Mysterio (w/Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan & Judgment Day) (12:09) 

Priest completely dominated and set up for Razor’s Edge. Bálor was about to slip into the ring so instead of just hitting the move, Priest let go and Dom escaped the ring. Priest went after Dom and chucked him back in the ring. As Dom distracted the ref, McDonagh distracted Priest and Bálor shoved him into the ring post. Dom followed with a suicide dive. 

After a break, Dom hit a tornado DDT for two. Dom chopped Priest but that just tired him up. Priest punched and kicked Dom and hit a flatliner for two. Priest hit a Broken Arrow but Morgan put Dom’s foot on the rope for a rope break. 

Ripley tackled Morgan over the announce table and they wiped out Barrett in the process. 

Dom tried a dive but Priest caught him and shoved him into Bálor before superkicking Carlito. Dom dropkicked Priest into the rope and hit a 619 but he missed a frog splash. Priest dropped him with a clothesline and hit South of Heaven for the pinfall win. 

— The male members of Judgment Day swarmed Priest as soon as the match ended. The crowd chanted “Yeet.” Ripley went after Dom but Morgan shoved her into the steel steps. 

Jey Uso entered to his music but before he hit the ring, Breakker flew in and speared him. 

Morgan gave Ripley an Oblivion while Bálor gave Priest a Coup de Grace three consecutive times. Judgment Day stood tall as the show ended. 

The crowd was hot for this.

Date: September 2, 2024
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO

**********

Show Recap — 

Wade Barrett was in the ring and welcomed the Denver crowd to Raw. Barrett introduced us to Joe Tessitore. He was thrilled to be a member of the WWE broadcast team. He put over the Denver fans by comparing them to the European crowds they had over the last week. That was a transition meant to send us to a recap of Bash in Berlin. 

Gunther, CM Punk, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were shown arriving earlier today. 

Opening segment 

Rhea Ripley entered to start the show. She welcomed us to Monday Night Mami. The crowd cheered as she spoke about her win alongside Damian Priest over Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio. They weren’t done yet and it was time for her to regain what she never lost. 

Dominik interrupted. He had a black eye. Ripley said nobody wanted to hear him speak so he should get his little girlfriend before she gives him another black eye. 

Dom said Morgan was still recovering from what she did to her in Berlin. The crowd told Dom he sucks. Dom said they were taken advantage of in Berlin. They were jetlagged and didn’t get much sleep — thanks to other reasons too. Dom said Morgan wasn’t afraid of Ripley. Morgan beat Ripley before and will beat her again. Dom would win the IC title and they would both be champions. 

Ripley, in Spanish, told Dom he was stupid. Ripley wanted Dom to tell Morgan that she would fight her any time, any place. 

Morgan tried a cheap shot but Ripley saw it coming and knocked her down. Ripley turned to Dom but the distraction allowed Morgan to attack her from behind. Ripley wound up caught upside down in between the ropes. Morgan booted her leg before kissing her on the cheek. 

Priest ran out to assist and the heels bailed. Ripley sold her leg. (I don’t know if this was meant to happen or not but they went with it.) 

********

Chad Gable hyped up American Made backstage. He was sick of the Wyatts. He told American Made they were the best athletes to show up in WWE in ten years (Gable debuted about ten years ago). He smacked Juilius Creed and they made their entrance.

After a break, trainers tried checking on Ripley but she screamed at them. Priest urged her to let the trainers assist. Priest said he would talk to Adam Pearce so they could deal with Judgment Day. Ripley agreed to let the trainers assist. 

******** 

Six-person tag team match: Ivy Nile & The Creed Brothers (w/Chad Gable) defeated Maxxine Dupri, Otis & Akira Tozawa (11:06) 

Otis used Tozawa as a weapon against the Creeds. Dupri wiped out American Made with a dive off the top and they went to break. Despite what we just saw, American Made were in control of Tozawa after the break. Tozawa hit a conveniently timed DDT and made the hot tag to Otis who hit Julius with a Caterpillar. 

Otis just sort of threw himself at Brutus but Julius broke up the cover. Tozawa gave Julius a German suplex and hit Brutus with a suicide dive. He tried a dive on Julius but Julius caught him and hit an overhead suplex. Otis knocked Julius off the apron but Brutus knocked him down with a Brutus bomb. 

Dupri and Nile tagged in and Dupri gave Nile a Northern Lights suplex. Gable tried distracting Dupri so she knocked him off the apron. The distraction allowed Nile to lock her in a dragon sleeper and Dupri tapped out. 

— Gable said he should’ve had a one-on-one classic against Uncle Howdy last week but Howdy used his freaks to get the win. Gable knew what it would take to finish them so he challenged them to an eight-person street fight next week. American Made would get rid of the Wyatts, not just for the fans and the locker room, but for America. 

Uncle Howdy entered. His sanity crumbled a year ago. The silence in his brain was deafening but he could still hear. His life was no longer his. Gable was gambling his own being, and the Wyatts would collect the debt. The Wyatt Sicks appeared around Uncle Howdy until the lights went out. (He accepted the challenge.) 

(I was about to make a note that Otis has not won a match of any kind since leaving Chad Gable. In fact, not including Main Event, Otis has not won a televised match all year. Not on Raw or NXT.) 

********

(I don’t know if it’s his mic or the way he’s annunciating, but Tessitore sounds like he’s speaking at a much lower volume or frequency than the usual commentators.) 

Shayna Baszler (w/Sonya Deville & Zoey Stark) defeated Zelina Vega (6:34) 

They went to break 90 seconds into the match. Vega hit a moonsault after the break for two. She used a low 619 to knock Stark off the apron and she used a dive to take out Deville. The referee watched this all transpire. As Vega reentered the ring, Baszler just gave her a normal-looking kick and stacked her up for the pinfall win. This was a waste of time. 

— Pure Fusion Collective beat up Vega post-match. Lyra Valkyria tried making the save but they laid her out too. Deville grabbed a mic and said there was no one in the back or in the crowd who could take them on. She dared anyone to shoot their shot. 

********

Ripley was in a knee brace and had a crutch but she told Priest it was just a precaution and she would be fine. Priest spoke to Pearce but was told Finn Bálor would only face him in a tag match. He didn’t have any other friends around here so he couldn’t have a match. The crowd chanted “Yeet.” Ripley told Priest to tell Pearce she had someone in mind. Priest smirked because it didn’t take him long to figure out who she meant. 

******** 

CM Punk walked through the back and glanced at some Colorado Avalanche championship banners. He’s up next. 

[SECOND HOUR]

Backstage, Vega and Valkyria were pissed, tired of Pure Fusion Collective. They knew they needed a partner and Valkyria noted they were in Calgary next week. She had an idea. 

CM Punk segment 

Punk was happy to be in Denver. He couldn’t wait to get home to his wife and dog in Chicago but he had to make a pit-stop in Denver to celebrate with the fans. The strap match was hell and one of the toughest matches he’s had. He meant what he said: it was good to be alive in Denver. 

It was good to be on the other side of a personal issue but now it was time to get down to business. That’s what he was, a businessman. He said it before: he wasn’t here to make friends, he was there to make money. He’d take it in cash, direct deposit, or like Patrick Roy in 1996, he’d take it in gold. 

Punk spoke about Gunther who put Randy Orton, one of the best to ever do it, through hell. Nothing could replace the chip on Punk’s shoulder other than the world title. It was time for Punk to wake up as champion. The crowd chanted for Punk. 

Punk congratulated Gunther and told him to enjoy it. “We’re gonna enjoy taking it off of you.” Punk added, “The goal is gold, the target is Gunther.” Punk told Gunther to get used to hearing Cult of Personality. 

As Punk posed on the announce desk, he was tripped by Drew McIntyre (in a hood). McIntyre slammed Punk’s head against the table as Barrett got between them. Barrett tried reasoning with him but McIntyre blew by him and hit Punk with a Claymore Kick — knocking one of his Nike shoes off in the process. McIntyre hit another Claymore in the ring. 

McIntyre grabbed Punk by the arm and booted him in the head as officials tried to stop him. McIntyre warned them to stay away as he removed the bracelet from Punk’s wrist. McIntyre ripped the bracelet apart and Tessitore said he crossed a line we have yet to see. McIntyre shoved the beads from the bracelet down Punk’s throat and hit another Claymore. 

Officials finally removed McIntyre from the ring. Pearce frantically called for medics and they brought a damn stretcher to the ring. 

— After a break, they carted Punk—now in a neck brace and bleeding from the mouth—through the back on the stretcher toward an ambulance. McIntyre appeared and hammered away at Punk again until he was carried away by officials. Pearce dramatically said to Punk, “Talk to me!” but he didn’t respond. 

********

IC title tournament triple threat match: Ilja Dragunov defeated Dragon Lee and Dominik Mysterio (10:34) 

After an early break, Carlito ran out to attack Dragon Lee. Priest entered to his music and went after Carlito. Dom tried to attack Priest but quickly regretted his decision and bailed through the crowd as Priest chased him. So Dom willingly gave up on a potential IC title shot. 

That left Dragon Lee and Dragunov who had a good back-and-forth exchange for a couple of minutes until Dragunov hit Torpedo Moscow for the pinfall win. 

Draugnov joins Jey Uso and Pete Dunne in the fatal four-way number one contender’s match. 

********

There was a video package of Bronson Reed (out tonight due to Covid) giving Braun Strowman a Tsunami onto a car last week. 

Cathy Kelley asked Pearce about Bronson Reed’s replacement in the IC title tournament. Strowman entered and said he wanted in the match. Pearce said he shouldn’t even be here after what Reed did to him. 

Strowman admitted he was banged up (he dramatically raised his shirt to show the ‘damage’ done by Reed but was only partially covered in athletic tape and had no bruising) but medical told him he could go if he wanted to. Pearce was fine with that if Strowman thought he was good to go. Strowman thanked him. 

(This was silly. Strowman should have been ruled out, and Pearce even told Kelley there was a locker room full of people who wanted in the match.)  

********

Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill entered to watch the upcoming match. They went to break, the teams entered for the match, and they went to break again 70 seconds after it started. 

Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre defeated Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane to become number one contenders for the Women’s Tag Team Championships (8:07) 

Like the opening match, the babyfaces were in control before the break but the heels were in control with no explanation after the break. 

Sane tried to hit Dawn with a diving elbow outside the ring but Dawn pulled Belair in front of her. Sane practically flew past her and crashed into the announce table. Cargill gave Sane a forearm anyway moments later (because that was the planned spot). 

Sky fought on her own in the ring but Dawn gave her a cheap shot when the ref wasn’t looking. Dawn and Fyre gave Sky a double-team Gory bomb/flatliner for the pinfall win. This was another nothing match. 

— Sane and Sky had a confrontation with the champs post-match. 

Sane’s eye was completely red and she was busted open pretty bad. She brushed it off and rubbed the blood around like it was nothing while facing off with Belair and Cargill. 

(They advertised a title celebration for Belair and Cargill but that never happened.)

********

Kofi Kingston met with Pearce backstage. He noted that Judgment Day haven’t defended the tag titles in two months and he had a proposition involving him and Xavier Woods. Gunther appeared. He and Kingston gave each other a look before Gunther walked off. 

[THIRD HOUR]

Priest asked Ripley for an update on his potential partner for tonight. Priest asked if he said yes. She said no — he said, “Yeet.” Priest was pleased but still wanted to talk to him first. 

Gunther and Sami Zayn segment 

Gunther entered. He took credit for Bash in Berlin setting an arena gate record. He beat the greatest version of Randy Orton and the great weekend was just another chapter in his legacy. 

Sami Zayn interrupted and he entered to a big reaction. (I haven’t mentioned the crowd much tonight because it feels like the audio has been off but Zayn entered to an unquestionably strong reaction.) 

Zayn said people talk about the IC title as the great workhorse title. What people often don’t talk about is that the true greats—Randy Savage, Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and his hero Bret Hart—all won the IC title before winning the world title. That’s exactly what Gunther did, “And now, that’s exactly what I am going to do.” Gunther smiled. 

Zayn wanted the one title that had eluded him his entire career. He wanted the World Heavyweight title. 

Gunther said Zayn was right. Gunther and all of those men stepped up and won the world title. But Zayn stepped down. Zayn was not on that list of great men. That’s why the people liked him. When Zayn was knocked down, he picked himself up and returned to the ring. Gunther was impressed that Zayn was challenging him. He saw the fire in his eyes. He told Zayn that if he really wanted this more than anything else: his answer was no. 

Gunther left as his music played but Zayn cut it off. Zayn wondered why Gunther was finally backing down from a fight. Zayn said Gunther knew full well that Zayn was the only person who had beaten him in WWE. “I am coming for you and I will be a World Heavyweight Champion.” Gunther left. 

(This was a good and logical first step to set up a world title match between these two.) 

********

(Damian Priest and Jey Uso against Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh was made official for tonight.) 

Jackie Redmond interviewed Jey Uso. Jey was in the midst of cutting his usual promo when Bron Breakker interrupted. Bron reiterated that a member of Jey’s family would never beat a member of his. Bron was giving him one opportunity to walk away and go after Dom’s sloppy seconds instead. If Jey went after his title, he would lose. 

Jey responded, “Thanks for the advice, rookie.” Jey said Bron had his attention now. Jey would win the tournament, win the title, and beat Bron’s ass. 

********

IC title tournament triple threat match: Braun Strowman defeated Ludwig Kaiser and Sheamus (7:32) 

Sheamus and Kaiser went at it outside the ring so Strowman ran them over. He ran after Kaiser but he moved and Strowman crashed through the barricade which led to a break 60 seconds in the match. 

Kaiser ran around the ring but Strowman chucked a heavy leather chair at his face. Strowman hit Sheamus with a chokeslam for two. Sheamus fought back by targeting Strowman’s injured midsection. Sheamus hit ten beats but Kaiser hit him with a Finlay roll for two. Kaiser hit an enziguri but Sheamus came right back with a Brogue Kick. 

Pete Dunne (who is on Raw, NXT and Speed) attacked Sheamus again with a shillelagh. Strowman gave Kaiser a powerslam for the pinfall win. 

The IC title number one contender’s fatal four-way match will be Strowman vs. Jey vs. Dunne vs. Dragunov. 

********

Priest met with Jey backstage. Jey knew what it was like to be Priest. No friends, lost family. But Jey still respected him. Plus, he couldn’t say ‘no’ to Ripley. Priest laughed. Priest and Jey agreed to give Judgment Day a beating for Rhea. 

******** 

Redmond approached Dunne who was very proud of himself. Redmond asked about what he did to Sheamus. Dunne said she could tell him it was just a message from an old friend. Now he was off to NXT to smash Trick Williams. Redmond asked, “Wait, so I’ll tell him it’s from ‘Butch’?” Dunne told her not to call him that. (Either Redmond was playing dumb or just very dumb.)

******** 

Damian Priest & Jey Uso defeated World Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh in a non-title match (14:24) 

Believe it or not, Jey hit a dive but was getting beat up anyway after a break. Jey fought back to the sound of “Yeet” and made the hot tag to Priest who went to town on McDonagh and Bálor. Priest knocked McDonagh out of the ring so Bálor hit a slingblade but Priest came back with a thrust kick and clothesline. Bálor countered a chokeslam into a cradle for two. 

A cheap shot by McDonagh allowed Judgment Day to take over but Jey made a blind tag. Priest hit a double clothesline and Jey hit a double flying crossbody. Jey superkicked both men and speared McDonagh. 

Jey went up for an Uso Splash but Morgan suddenly appeared and crotched Jey on the ropes. Bálor tagged in and hit Jey with a slingblade, dropkick and Coup de Grace. McDonagh tagged in and hit a moonsault but Priest broke up the cover. 

Morgan got on the apron to complain and Ripley chose this moment to enter (to her music). Ripley entered with her crutch. Ripley smirked and used the crutch as a weapon. Morgan escaped through the crowd as Ripley chased her away (still limping). 

Jey speared Bálor and Priest gave McDonagh a Razor’s Edge. Jey hit McDonagh with an Uso Splash for the pinfall win. Jey posed with Priest and Ripley as the show ended.

Date: August 26, 2024
Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI

**********

Show Recap — 

There was a memorial graphic for “Sycho Sid” Sid Eudy. RIP. 

***********

Bron Breakker (and a dog), American Made, Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed were shown arriving at the arena. 

Corey Graves and Michael Cole are on commentary. 

******** 

Judgment Day entered to start the show. Liv Morgan welcomed us to Raw and told us to rise for Judgment Day. They aired a replay of their attack on Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley. Carlito called it cool and JD McDonagh said it was a long time coming. Finn Bálor said Judgment Day weren’t the bad guys — Priest and Ripley were, and they got what they deserved. 

Morgan said she and Daddy Dom would beat them in Berlin and prove they were always on top. The crowd loudly booed as Dom tried to speak. Dom announced he was entering the Intercontinental title tournament with Morgan’s support. 

Rey Mysterio and LWO (Dragon Lee, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro) interrupted. Rey called his son a lost soul. At least when he was with Ripley, one of them had a set. Someone had to put Dom in his place. Dom said he already beat Rey and he disappeared for weeks. Rey called his son a jackass and was even more of a jackass now that he was with Morgan. 

Morgan tried to stick up for Dom so Rey invited Dom to take a swing at him. Rey wanted to knock the mustache off Dom’s face. McDonagh took a swing at Rey but Rey blocked it and LWO cleared the ring. Dragon Lee wiped out Judgment Day with a dive. 

******** 

Eight-man tag team match: Dominik Mysterio, Carlito & Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh (w/Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan) defeated Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro (13:26+) 

The match was made official and started during a break. 

Dragon Lee, Wilde and Del Toro went for dives but Judgment Day escaped up the aisle. They didn’t retreat far enough and Wilde nailed them with his launching springboard dive. Judgment Day were in control anyway after a break. 

Rey made the hot tag and ran wild on Dom. Rey hit a sunset flip powerbomb but Judgment Day broke up the cover. Wilde and Del Toro tried simultaneous springboard dropkicks but Wilde slipped and fell. LWO all hit suicide dives moments later which really got the crowd going. 

Rey hit his son with a 619 but Bálor distracted the referee as Morgan pulled Dom to safety. Rey missed a frog splash as a result and Dom used la magistral cradle for the pinfall win. So Dom pinned Rey again thanks to Morgan. 

— Judgment Day placed Rey on the announce table as Dom set up for a dive but Ripley and Priest ran out (to Ripley’s music) to make the save. Dom was cornered but Morgan saved him. The rest of Judgment Day jumped in which allowed Dom and Liv and Bálor to escape. Ripley gave McDonagh a Rip-tide and Priest gave Carlito a chokeslam. 

********

Jackie Redmond interviewed The Miz who is in the IC title tournament. Redmond noted he was in a rough stretch lately. Miz wanted to right those wrongs. He could win the tournament and tie the record for most IC title reigns. 

Bronson Reed interrupted. Reed said he already took out R-Truth and Seth Rollins and now Miz got Braun Strowman involved. He was losing track of everyone he needed to maim. He would maim Strowman tonight and was coming back for Miz. 

******** 

Kofi Kingston met with Xavier Woods backstage. They had a few slight disagreements (Woods changed his gear from green to black) but agreed they’d been together as long as they had because they were emotionally secure grown men who could talk things out. Now they each had a chance to bring the IC title to the New Day. 

******** 

Cathy Kelley interviewed Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. They bragged about the damage they did to Zelina Vega, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. They were all sitting at home thanks to them. Baszler said Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane would join them after tonight. 

IYO SKY & Kairi Sane defeated Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark (w/Sonya Deville) (7:32) 

They went to break 45 seconds into the match after Deville took a cheap shot at Sane (which the director missed). Sane made a comeback after the break but Baszler caught her with a knee strike. Stark followed with a missile dropkick but Sky broke up the cover. 

Zelina Vega ran in from the crowd and knocked down Deville. Sky took out Baszler with a moonsault outside the ring while Sane hit Stark with an Insane Elbow for the pinfall win. They popped for the win but the crowd was real quiet for this. 

********

Uncle Howdy promo

“I stopped to marvel at all our accomplishments. Nearly stepped on a serpent. We won’t make that mistake again. The false prophet continues to reveal himself to the world, masquerading as a loving shepherd while marching his lambs into the mouth of wolves. A bond forged in the tears of the innocent is not a family. It’s blasphemy. 

Chad — we have given you chance after chance. Inflicting fear and suffering. And yet you refused to remove the scales from your eyes. Your arrogance is like a beast risen from the sea. We must cut off the head so the blood of the damned rains down, washing away the sins of the wicked. 

I accept your challenge. Your… invitation. This is more than a reckoning. This is a purge.” 

******** 

[SECOND HOUR] 

Drew McIntyre and CM Punk segment 

McIntyre entered. He used a Punk line to start his promo: “Boy is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Providence, Rhode Island.” 

McIntyre said he could keep going because he knew Punk’s whole predictable routine. Punk would go on to talk about his favourite subject: himself. Punk would talk about how hot the company was despite being gone for eight years and having nothing to do with it while the rest of them did the hard work. Punk would then talk about meeting little Timmy who flew 239,000 miles from the moon to meet his lord and saviour CM Punk. 

McIntyre sat cross-legged and asked, “Do I have your attention now?” McIntyre said he wasn’t doing a bit, he was telling the truth. Punk was afraid of him. Punk kept attacking him from behind. The only reason he kept doing it was because the fans kept chanting his name. The fans were enablers. Chanting his name was like handing a drink to an alcoholic. Punk would sober up and realize that McIntyre was going to kill him in the strap match. 

Every time he whipped Punk it would be on the fans and they would have to live with it. The fans have chosen nostalgia over the warrior who was there for them during the darkest times. The 50-cent piece of trash on his wrist caused Punk so much emotional hurt. It’s ironic that the weapon he chose would cause him so much physical hurt. 

Punk’s music hit and he attacked McIntyre with the strap — from behind. McIntyre headbutted Punk and clobbered him. Punk planted McIntyre on the announce table with a back body drop and hammered away at him with the strap around his fist. 

Security ran out to separate them and McIntyre bailed through the crowd. Punk attacked three guards with the strap and posed on the ropes as he stared at McIntyre. 

(McIntyre’s promo was very good.) 

********

There was a Braun Strowman video promo. 

IC title tournament triple threat match: Jey Uso defeated Karrion Kross (w/Scarlett) and Kofi Kingston (8:41) 

Kingston probably took most of the match but Jey picked up what felt like an inevitable win. 

Kingston went right after Kross and Jey joined in. Kingston got the better of an exchange with Jey and wiped out both men with a trust dive ahead of a break. Jey was in control after the break but Kross cut him off with a thrust kick. Kingston hit Kross with a flying crossbody for two. Kingston hit Jey with a Trouble in Paradise after Kross ducked. Kross powerbombed Kingston for two. Kross applied a cloverleaf but Kingston reversed into a rollup for two. 

Kross knocked Kingston out of the ring with a right hand. Jey followed by spearing Kross and hitting an Uso Splash for the pinfall win. 

********

They aired a quick Gunther promo he cut while overseas (in Belgium). He said Randy Orton will finally meet his match in Berlin. 

They plugged Smackdown moving to USA Network on September 13th. 

Bianca Belair will be on the upcoming season of “Bel-Air.” They aired a clip and it looks awful. All of her lines were in WWE speak which sounds even dumber on a drama series. 

******** 

Randy Orton promo

Orton said he listened to voices in his head for most of his career but lately, the voices he hears are the fans. It meant the world to him that they sang his song — even if it took them 15 years. He thanked them. 

Orton has won a lot of titles in his career. The World Heavyweight Championship meant the most to him because it was the first world title he won and he was the youngest to win it. He unified the two titles they had at the time (years later) and was honoured to do so. 

The old world title was retired but it was reborn last year while he was at home on his couch recovering from spinal fusion surgery. He didn’t know if he would be able to perform again but knew if he did, he would do everything in his power to make sure his name was engraved in the world title once again. He wanted to create a new legacy. The crowd chanted “You deserve it.” 

He knew he would be stepping into enemy territory in Berlin against a living legend (to people in Europe). But Gunther’s head was also shoved so far up his own ass he didn’t realize he was facing the most dangerous wrestler this company has seen in almost 20 years. 

Orton signed his first WWE contract at 19 years old and he grew up in front of the fans. He learned from his mistakes and had to earn every ounce of respect that comes with his name. Gunther came into the company as a 30-something-year-old egotistical prick. They might have that last part in common. 

The difference between them was that Orton was humbled earlier in his career but Gunther has never been put in his place. Orton planned on doing that in Berlin. This match could’ve just been about the title but Gunther had to make it personal. Gunther was right that Orton had demons but those demons were tougher than Gunther. Orton beat them all just like he would beat Gunther and he would do it with an RKO. 

********

There was a pre-taped promo by Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre. They said Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair got all the attention but that did them no good when the bell rang (at Clash at the Castle). Dawn and Fyre would prove the doubters wrong in Berlin and retain the tag titles. 

******** 

Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman ended in a no-contest or double count-out 

This led to an insane conclusion and a spot that will be replayed for years. 

Strowman immediately hit a dropkick but Reed knocked him down moments later with a shoulder tackle. Strowman no-sold a chop and hit one of his own. Strowman hit a running crossbody but Reed followed with a flying crossbody. Reed hit a suicide dive which led to a break. 

[THIRD HOUR] 

Reed went up for a Tsunami but Strowman slammed him and hit a boot. Reed went to the apron and thumbed Strowman in the eye. Reed started walking to the back but Strowman ran after him and clotheslined him. Reed drove Strowman into the video board and walked through Gorilla into the back. 

Reed knew Strowman would come after him so he grabbed a trash can and waited. Sure enough, Strowman walked through the curtain and Reed hit him with the can. Two security guards tried to step between them but Strowman tossed one into an equipment box and chokeslammed the other through a table. 

They brawled to the parking lot and Strowman chokeslammed Reed onto the hood of a car. Strowman tackled Reed onto the hood of another car and Reed slid off and landed on the ground. Reed fought off Strowman by hitting him with a pipe. 

With Strowman lying on top of the car’s roof, Reed climbed atop a wall that was about 9 feet high. Reed crushed Strowman with a Tsunami on the car and the side windows exploded. The crowd went nuts. 

Adam Pearce frantically called for medics as officials checked on the two men. 

Medics checked on Strowman after a break. Cole said Reed walked off on his own, refusing medical attention. 

(The bell never rang when they left the ring so they didn’t announce an official result.) 

******** 

IC title tournament triple threat match: Pete Dunne defeated Xavier Woods and The Miz (11:03)  

Woods wore a “SID” armband. He ran wild on Dunne following a break and Graves let us know Miz has been a non-factor through the break. Woods did a few Claudio Castagnoli spots including running corner uppercuts and a big swing (which didn’t look nearly as good as Claudio’s). Woods was dizzy so Miz hit him with a DDT. 

Miz hit Dunne with a Codebreaker, DDT’d both men and hit It Kicks. Miz tried a flying crossbody but Woods caught him and rolled through. Woods hit some sort of gutbuster and powerbombed Dunne onto Miz. Miz hit Woods with a Skull Crushing Finale and Dunne tried to steal the pin but Miz broke it up. Dunne put Miz in a crossface but Woods superkicked both men. 

Woods hit a flying elbow drop and had it won but Dunne yanked the referee out of the ring. Dunne booted Woods from the ring and hit Miz with Bitter End for the pinfall win. (The ref was annoyed but couldn’t do anything about it because there were no disqualifications.) 

— The winner of this tournament will be determined in a fatal four-way. Uso and Dunne have now qualified. 

********

Redmond interviewed Bron Breakker. Bron warned Jey to keep his name out of his mouth. He said a member of Jey’s family has never beaten a member of his family and Jey wasn’t going to be the one to do it. Bron dismissed the idea of Dunne beating him too. He warned the eventual tournament winner that he was the IC champion and the worst was yet to come. 

********

Chad Gable cut a pre-taped promo alongside American Made. Gable said he wasn’t a false prophet. He wasn’t the one hiding behind a mask asking his family members to do the dirty work while he sat back and watched. Gable would show the world Uncle Howdy was just an ordinary guy and he would tap just like an ordinary guy. 

******** 

There was a pre-taped promo by Priest and Ripley. Priest said Judgment Day called them the bad guys — and they were right. Ripley said it felt good being bad and the Terror Twins would show no mercy in Berlin. Priest said, “We’re your devils and we’re coming for you.” 

********

Cole spoke about Sycho Sid. He said Sid was one of the first people to greet him when he started in WWE in 1997. Sid was one of the nicest men he ever met and was one of the best big men in sports entertainment. 

They aired a very nice tribute video to Sid Eudy. 

********

Next week on Raw in Denver, CO: 

• IC title tournament triple threat: Sheamus vs. Bronson Reed vs. Ludwig Kaiser 
• IC title tournament triple threat: Ilja Dragunov vs. Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio 
• Zelina Vega vs. Shayna Baszler 

********

Uncle Howdy defeated Chad Gable (13:56) 

Bo Dallas’ last official match was in November 2019 in a six-man match and one of his opponents was “Shorty G” Chad Gable. 

Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy wrestled in a mask and a long grey wig. Howdy “danced” with Gable before knocking him down with a clothesline. Howdy hit a powerslam and chased a frightened Gable from the ring. They went to break one minute into the match as Howdy taunted Gable like Luke Harper. 

Gable suplexed Howdy out of the ring and hit a dive off the top. The crowd chanted “You suck” at Gable who ran into a back body drop. Howdy used a running hip attack into the barricade. Uncle Howdy, respecting the rules, slid into the ring to break up the referee’s count. 

Howdy chucked Gable over the announce table onto a leather chair. Howdy cleared the announce table but Gable hit him with an Angle Slam onto the table (which didn’t break).  Howdy got back in the ring at a nine count. 

They went to the top and Gable hit an avalanche t-bone suplex for two. Gable followed with three German suplexes. Gable tried Chaos Theory but Howdy blocked it and hit a uranage for two. 

Howdy set up for Sister Abigail but Ivy Nile distracted the ref and that allowed Gable to counter and apply an ankle lock. Howdy countered the ankle lock but Gable fell into the referee as a result. Howdy put Gable in the mandible claw but the Creed Brothers pulled Howdy out of the ring and tossed him into the barricade. 

The lights went out momentarily and the Wyatt Sicks entered to take out the Creeds. Howdy avoided a Gable moonsault and hit Sister Abigail for the pinfall win. 

“And here is your winner, Uncle Howdy.” 

The show ended with Uncle Howdy doing Bray Wyatt’s pose.

(This was probably as good a match as you’ll get out of Uncle Howdy but he won’t be able to wrestle Chad Gable every week.)

Date: August 19, 2024
Location: FLA Live Arena in Fort Lauderdale, FL

**********

Show Recap — 

CM Punk, Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre, Pure Fusion Collective, Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane, and Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley were shown arriving. Michael Cole referred to Priest and Ripley as the Terror Twins. 

Randy Orton and Gunther segment 

Orton entered to a big reaction and the crowd sang his song. Cole spoke about how close he was to a historic 15th world title reign. Orton welcomed us to Raw and said he would be a 15-time champion the next time he does that. 

Orton said Gunther made things personal which just gave him more of a reason to beat him up in Berlin. Gunther spoke about his father and grandfather before turning his back so, of course, Orton had to drop him with an RKO. 

Gunther interrupted and received a lot of heat. Gunther said Orton could go ahead and celebrate hitting an RKO last week because that was the only celebrating he would do. The crowd chanted “USA” so Gunther mocked them for only having three brain cells. Gunther told Orton he would never hit him with an RKO again. Gunther would leave him a bloody mess in Berlin and expose him as a very successful, yet very underachieving one-trick pony. 

Orton warned Gunther he’d be on an eight-hour flight to Berlin with a boot up his ass — a size 15, double extra wide boot. 

Gunther invited Orton to fight but it was a trap. Ludwig Kaiser tried to attack Orton from behind but Orton fought him off. Orton also fought off Gunther momentarily but Kaiser chop-blocked him and Gunther dropped him with a clothesline. Imperium stood tall. 

********

Jackie Redmond interviewed Sheamus whose left hand was taped up thanks to Pete Dunne. Sheamus said he would get retribution over sneaky Pete. He was pumped up and asked Fort Lauderdale if they were ready for a banger. 

******** 

Orton will face Kaiser in tonight’s main event. 

The announcers plugged NXT a bunch during this segment. Cole also mentioned when Sheamus beat Daniel Bryan in 18 seconds at WrestleMania 28 at the nearby Sun Life Stadium. 

Sheamus defeated Pete Dunne (11:24) 

I believe this was a first-time-ever match. 

Dunne stomped Sheamus’ injured hand against the steel steps ahead of a break. Dunne repeatedly smacked Sheaums who no-sold it and asked for more. Sheamus fought back but Dunne smacked him harder. Sheamus asked if he was butch or a bitch so Dunne dropped him with forearm strikes.  

Sheamus tried fighting back but Dunne targeted his hand and hit ten beats of the Bodhrán. Dunne didn’t follow up so Sheamus hit twenty beats of the Bodhrán. Dunne avoided a Brogue Kick and tried a moonsault but Sheamus caught him mid-air with a lifting knee for a nearfall. The crowd popped for that. Dunne came back with a sit-out powerbomb for two. 

Dunne trapped Sheamus’ hand inside the turnbuckle pad and hammered away because Sheamus couldn’t protect himself. 

Sheamus instead just ripped the turnbuckle pad off and nailed a Brogue Kick for the pinfall win. This was a typically good Sheamus match and the finish was awesome. 

Despite the loss, Dunne looked pleased with the damage he did to Sheamus’ hand. 

********

New Day segment 

Odyssey Jones warmed up with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Jones left and Kingston spoke with Woods. Kingston noticed Woods’ energy was off lately and wondered if it was because of Karrion Kross. Woods said Kross wasn’t the issue. 

Woods wished Kingston spoke to him about Jones because he felt like Kingston was trying to replace Big E and he didn’t like that. Kingston apologized (for not talking to him first) and said they would never replace Big E. 

Kingston recalled what it was like when they first started New Day and how everyone made fun of them. It was hard but they got through because they had each other and became one of the greatest teams ever. They were family and that would never change. Jones was in the same boat as they were back then. 

Kingston wanted to help Jones the same way he wished people had helped them. Woods was agreeable. He smiled and said, “You’re right. I’m the problem. I’ll fix it.” Jones re-entered the locker room and gave Woods a big bear hug. Woods faked a smile. 

This was good. 

*******

They aired clips from Fanatics Fest and all the celebrities who received versions of WWE title belts. 

There was a Bron Breakker video package. 

********

Chad Gable and American Made officially welcomed Ivy Nile to the team. He said he would change her life. Nile said she tried to warn Maxxine Dupri and she was done letting Dupri hold her back. Gable said they could focus on the Wyatt Sicks and send them back to whatever swap they crawled out of. 

********

Maxxine Dupri vs. Ivy Nile 

I don’t think this match ever officially started. 

Dupri dropkicked Nile from behind and chucked her around ringside. Nile fought her off and took her down when the lights went off and the Wyatt music started. 

American Made entered the ring to protect Nile. Nikki Cross wildly attacked Nile while the male Wyatt members attacked American Made. The Wyatts surrounded Gable who ate a Sister Abigail by Uncle Howdy. 

******** 

The spookiness ended and CM Punk was shown walking through the back. He’s up next. 

[SECOND HOUR]

There was a taped promo by the “Terror Twins,” Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest. Priest said Liv Morgan and Dominik would receive their punishment at Bash in Berlin. Ripley accused Morgan of becoming a discount Rhea Ripley. The Terror Twins would put them through the mat in Berlin. 

CM Punk segment

Punk entered with a leather strap around his shoulders. He started his promo the way I knew he would and congratulated the Florida Panthers on winning the Stanley Cup. He mentioned seeing Roberto Luongo earlier tonight. The crowd chanted for the Panthers. 

Punk mentioned Fanatics Fest. Someone there asked him about the hot streak that he and the company were on. He said it was all thanks to the fans. A fan in a wheelchair told him, with tears in her eyes, that she just defeated cancer and Punk was a source of strength for her. Punk thought about his own friends battling cancer. A fan from Taiwan flew 15 hours just to take a picture with him. Another fan from Jordan flew all the way there to meet him too. 

It meant something to Punk because he missed them for ten years. (The crowd chanted for Punk.) He pulled out a handful of bracelets that fans gave him. He figured the bracelets were a Taylor Swift thing but joked, “I’m Taylor Swift for men.” The fans’ bracelets looked just like the bracelet Drew McIntyre took off of his lifeless body in Chicago. 

Punk said McIntyre thought he could wash his hands of him after winning at SummerSlam but McIntyre made it personal. McIntyre was obsessed with him. He wore the bracelet with his beautiful wife’s name on it. 

Punk had a gift for McIntyre: a big leather bracelet (the strap). At Bash in Berlin, there would be a strap match as long as McIntyre wasn’t too scared. They would be tethered together and would have to touch each turnbuckle to win. That’s not why Punk wanted a strap match, he wanted it to whip that bitch. He wanted to leave lasting scars so McIntyre would never forget his name. 

McIntyre interrupted. McIntyre thought all week about the violence he wanted to bring Punk and now Punk was challenging him to a strap match. McIntyre wondered if Punk started drinking. McIntyre added, “Have you seen me? A strap match? I accept.” 

McIntyre told him to drop the strap and they could give the fans a teaser right now. Punk offered to give him the strap but McIntyre just needed to give him the bracelet. 

McIntyre laughed and said, “No.” McIntyre called Punk a liar. McIntyre knew if he gave Punk the bracelet, Punk would still whip him with the strap. (Punk didn’t deny it.) McIntyre said April and Larry were safer at home with him. Punk warned him that he would not be safe in Berlin because “It’s not me who’s attached to you, it’s you that’s attached to me.” 

(This was fine but it petered out toward the end and it didn’t help that Punk flubbed his final line. He didn’t exactly have a lot of conviction when he warned McIntyre they’d be tethered together.) 

********

Morgan and Dom did a taped promo. Dom challenged Priest to a match with no one at ringside. (The announcers figured Morgan manipulated Dom into this.) 

******** 

Roberto Luongo was shown in the crowd. 

Six-man tag team match: Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods & Odyssey Jones defeated Karrion Kross & AOP (w/Scarlett & Paul Ellering) (7:59) 

Excluding the Dupri/Nile match that never officially started, about 45 minutes have elapsed since the end of the Sheamus/Dunne segment and this match. 

Woods was a bit perplexed when Kingston made a hot tag to Jones instead of him, though Jones was closer. Everyone traded moves and Woods did get involved by hitting a diving elbow drop on Rezar. Jones hit Akam with a spinning side slam for the pinfall win. Woods seemed in a better mood after the win. 

********

Ripley warned Priest that Dom’s challenge was probably a trap. Priest figured it was but said it would be worth it to get his hands on Dom. He said they shouldn’t stop until they pass judgment on Judgment Day. Ripley liked the sound of that. 

******** 

They paid tribute to Afa Anoaʻi. 

******** 

Cole announced a sold-out crowd of 13,718. 

Robbie Lawler was shown in the front row. 

******** 

Adam Pearce tried to talk Miz out of facing Bronson Reed. Pearce was on the verge of suspending Reed but the only thing stopping him was the fact that Miz asked for it. 

Miz admitted he wasn’t sure he wanted this match but he wanted payback for what Reed did to Truth. Miz didn’t have a lot of friends in this industry but would fight for the ones he did. Miz didn’t want to do this, he had to do this. 

No disqualification match: Bronson Reed defeated The Miz (8:16) 

After a break, Miz hit Reed with a tornado DDT onto a steel chair but he kicked out at one. Miz tried hitting his finisher into a corner table but Reed blocked it and put Miz through the table with a DVD. Reed followed with a Tsunami for the pinfall win. 

—  Reed was about to hit another Tsunami but Braun Strowman marched out to his music. They faced off but never touched. Reed seemed excited. 

********

Sheamus admitted to Redmond that his hand was hurting but it was nothing a pint of Guinness couldn’t fix. Kaiser interrupted and said Redmond should be interviewing him instead. After all, he was in the main event, unlike Sheamus who was in the opener. Kaiser threatened to go after Sheamus once he was done with Orton. Sheamus knew they were 1-1 and was happy to finish their trilogy. In the meantime, he’d be at the bar watching Kaiser get an RKO. 

******** 

[THIRD HOUR]

Bron Breakker interview 

Cathy Kelley asked Bron Breakker what was next after beating Sami Zayn. Bron was happy he went to a highly educated university because he heard there would be a tournament starting next week to determine his next challenger and that was funny to him. He knew Pearce wanted to slow him down because he was progressing too quickly. 

Bron said it wasn’t his fault that he was a badass, it wasn’t his fault he was a genetic freak more talented than anyone in the locker room, and it wasn’t his fault that the dogs were barking in every city that went to. 

Bron earned the Intercontinental title and warned the eventual tournament winner: “I’m going to spear you through the floor and give you the beating of a lifetime — and that will be my fault.” 

********

Damian Priest vs. Dominik Mysterio 

This was another scheduled match that didn’t happen but this at least led to a hot angle. 

As Priest entered, he turned around and decked Carlito who tried to attack from behind. He also knocked down JD McDonagh and Finn Bálor. He was about to chokeslam Bálor but Carlito saved him. Priest took out Carltio and McDonagh with superkicks as Bálor bailed. 

Ripley appeared behind Dom. Ripley headbutted him and Priest dropped him with a right hand. Ripley cleared the announce desk and set up Dom for Rip-tide but Morgan attacked her from behind with a chair. Bálor and the rest of Judgment Day swarmed Priest. Morgan taunted Priest as Judgment Day held him down. 

The crowd chanted “Yeet” and “We want Jey” as Morgan tossed Ripley around ringside. Bálor hit Priest with Coup de Grace and Morgan hit Ripley with Oblivion. Dom hit Priest with a frog splash and the new Judgment Day stood tall. 

This had lots of heat again. 

After a break, Bálor said that was just a taste of what would happen to Priest and Ripley in Berlin. Morgan said Dom was all man and she would make Ripley her bitch in Berlin. (The third time someone has been called a bitch tonight.) 

********

Triple threat tag team match: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn defeated IYO SKY & Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark (w/Sonya Deville) to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships (9:24) 

This match was designed to make Sky and Sane look like the best team by a lot. In fact, the finishing sequence may have been the only offence the champs got in. 

Each team got full entrances so they went to break 45 seconds into this title match. Sky made a hot tag and the crowd got into her as she ran wild on everyone. Sane and Sky hit Fyre with a superplex off the middle rope but Dawn broke up the cover. They traded moves until Sane speared Fyre. 

Deville kept getting involved so Sane knocked her off the apron for a second time. The distraction allowed Baszler and Stark to take over but Sane dropped them both with a flying crossbody. Sane and Baszler exchanged strikes until Baszler tried Kirifuda Clutch. Sane escaped and hit a back fist. 

Sane went up for the Insane Elbow as Dawn tagged herself in (which Sane didn’t notice). Baszler caught Sane in a Kirifuda Clutch but Dawn hit her from behind with a backstabber. Dawn held them in place as Fyre hit a senton bomb. Fyre covered Baszler for the pinfall win. 

********

Redmond interviewed Jey Uso about potentially reuniting with Zayn as a team. Jey said Zayn was taking some time off to clear his head. Zayn has been putting work in week after week and he would be back with a vengeance. Before he left, Zayn encouraged Jey to go for gold without him. Jey was entering the IC title tournament and would have the title on his shoulder the next time he was in your city. Yeet. 

********

Cole announced that Pat McAfee would be gone for a few months doing College GameDay. They aired a video package for McAfee which made it seem like he was leaving forever. McAfee sincerely thanked them for the video and spoke about how much this job meant to him. 

******** 

Next week on Raw in Providence, RI: 

• IC title tournament begins 
• Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman 
• Uncle Howdy vs. Chad Gable 

******** 

Randy Orton defeated Ludwig Kaiser (14:25)  

Kaiser chopped Orton so Orton launched him across the ring with a big fallaway slam. Kaiser chopped him again outside the ring so Orton dropped him with a chop of his own. 

Orton was about to do a back suplex onto the announce table but let go of Kaiser upon seeing Gunther in the timekeeper’s area. Kaiser kicked Orton’s leg out of his leg and hit a back suplex onto the table. As Orton leaned against the steel steps, Kaiser ran around the ring and dropkicked his knee into the steps. 

Kaiser worked over Orton’s leg after a break. Kaiser tried running around the ring again but Orton dropped him with a clothesline and hit a back suplex on the table. Orton did it three more times as he looked over at Gunther. Orton followed with a powerslam but Kaiser blocked a draping DDT and hit a leaping kick for two. 

Orton responded with a superplex and a draping DDT. Kaiser countered an RKO into a schoolboy for a nearfall. Orton followed immediately with an RKO for the pinfall win. 

— Orton invited Gunther into the ring which led to an odd brawl. Gunther seemed out of place at times and the show suddenly ended after Orton poked him in the eye. Either Orton hit an RKO or he tried it and Gunther bailed.