Monday Night Raw
Date: August 4, 2025
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re done with Summerslam and it was certainly not a quiet weekend. On the Raw side, Seth Rollins came back in a stunning and shocking (WWE told me so) moment to win the World Title from CM Punk. In other news, CM Punk won the World Title. We’re on the way to Clash In Paris at the end of the month so let’s get to it.

Here are is Summerslam if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of both nights of Summerslam.

Here are Seth Rollins and company, including Bron Breakker (who got hurt at Summerslam but seems ok here) to get things going. Paul Heyman declares himself not just the GOAT but also the Oracle. He talks about the people next to him and says that normally he would be here introducing the Tribal Chief, but Reigns hasn’t been champion in a year and a half.

Or maybe he could be introducing CM Punk, who won the title on Saturday and thought he would have it forever. But then Rollins took the title away from him and stole the honeymoon, which was very good to Rollins. After some loud booing, Rollins talks about how the fans all turned their backs on him. You should never bet against him because he is the World Heavyweight Champion.

Shame on everyone who turned their back on him, because he had a plan b. He only told two people about this plan: his beautiful wife and his oracle. They are the past, present and future of wrestling and they are the vision. Cue LA Knight to interrupt, who greets the champ, the oracle and the morons. Knight accuses Rollins of faking his injury to get out of their match but Knight beat him anyway. Well that makes things interesting because he’s ready to beat Rollins again, right here and right now.

Rollins sounds interested but eventually says no, which brings out Adam Pearce. It wouldn’t be normal to run a title match with no promotion, but it’s also not normal to have someone lie to his medical team like Rollins did. That’s why tonight the title is on the line, and Reed/Breakker are banned from ringside. That’s a big one and does tie up something of a loose string.

Judgment Day runs into the LWO in the back and Dominik Mysterio doesn’t think much of them. Dragon Lee requests and receives a match tonight but AJ Styles comes in to say he’s still coming for the title.

Rusev vs. Sheamus

Rusev jumps him at the bell and starts the beating in a hurry. The forearms to the back keep Sheamus in trouble but he gets his boots up in the corner. Rusev kicks him down again but gets caught on top, where Sheamus grabs a super White Noise. We take another break and come back with Sheamus hitting the Irish Curse. The ten forearms are broken up so Sheamus settles for sending him over the announcers’ table. Rusev is able to send him into the steps and they fight into the crowd, with Sheamus hitting the forearms to the chest. Those keep on going until it’s a double countout at 9:10.

Rating: B-. Hard hitting brawl here but that ending feels like the calling card of a Last Man Standing match or something similar, likely over in Paris later this month. That’s a good way to go, as there is always room for two big guys hitting each other really hard. The ending keeps both of them looking strong and gives them a reason to run it back, as they were more interested in fighting than winning, which fits for them.

Post match the beatdown stays on despite referees and agents trying to break it up.

New Day is still in mourning, including Xavier Woods with his three and a half foot wide hat, when Grayson Waller comes in to ask where they were last week. The team shrugs it off but blame Adam Pearce for the issues. Waller goes to yell at Pearce, who is talking to Penta. Pearce says New Day can have a title shot when they earn it, while Waller can face Penta tonight.

Penta vs. Grayson Waller

Waller struts away to start and grabs a headlock but Penta reverses for a strut of his own. Penta sends him outside and cue New Day, with the distraction letting Waller get in a clothesline on the floor. We take a break and come back with Penta hitting a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker into a slingshot dropkick in the corner. Waller knocks him back down but misses the middle rope elbow as New Day, now on commentary, brags about their success without Big E. The rolling Stunner is cut off with a superkick though and the rolling Canadian Destroyer out of the corner finishes for Penta at 8:20.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of win that stars like Penta need on occasion: a simple victory over someone where there isn’t much doubt about the better man, but Penta gets the win anyway. He got to do a lot of his stuff and the fans reacted without taking up a ton of time. Waller isn’t going to be hurt by the loss and Penta looks good.

Post match New Day goes after Penta, who clears the ring and steals Woods’ hat. Said hat is thrown at New Day and Penta takes them down with the big flip dive. Kingston’s look of “What was THAT” is great.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are in the back when Sheamus and Rusev run up, still in their big brawl.

We look at Brock Lesnar’s return to lay out John Cena last night.

Michael Cole says he talked to HHH and Nick Khan about Lesnar’s return. Apparently they agreed weeks ago that it was time to bring him back “home” and he was happy with that.

Here are Charlotte and Alexa Bliss for a chat. Charlotte says that might be her first YOU DESERVE IT chant, but she has to get used to the idea that THEY are champions instead of SHE. Maybe if Bliss could stop hitting her in the face, they could be….something. Bliss: “I think you were about to say the F word.” Charlotte: “You are such a pain in my A word.”

Either way, Charlotte is happy with winning another title and brags about her success but here is Judgment Day to interrupt. They get right to the point and the title match is made. Cue Adam Pearce to say not so fast because that’s not normal…but nothing tonight is so let’s do it.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Judgment Day

Charlotte and Bliss are defending and we’re joined in progress with Perez sending Bliss into the corner. Bliss reverses into a whip of her own and it’s off to Charlotte to pick up the pace. Rodriguez comes in as well to cut her off though and Perez sends Charlotte outside. Back in and Judgment Day seems to get a bit confused, allowing Charlotte to take out their knees. Bliss comes in and gets to clean some house, only to be sent outside and kicked into the timekeeper’s area.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte getting the tag to clean more house, including a (slingshotless) Buckshot Lariat to Rodriguez. The double moonsault gets two on Perez, who is back up with a failed Pop Rox attempt. Charlotte sends her into the buckle for a breather but Perez manages a hurricanrana. Bliss comes in for the save and is promptly sent outside for interfering. Charlotte kicks her way to freedom though and brings Bliss in, with the Sister Abigail DDT finishing Perez at 12:45.

Rating: C+. I’m only so interested in these titles in the first place, but Charlotte and Bliss teaming together is doing wonders for Charlotte. She’s acting like a completely different person these days and that is letting her talent shine through. Maybe it’s the personality, but getting her away from the singles title scene has helped a lot. She and Bliss work well together too and it’s a lot better than I was expecting.

The Kabuki Warriors and Iyo Sky are in the back when Rhea Ripley comes up. The Warriors leave, with Ripley saying she heard Sky got a one on one match with Naomi. Sky says she didn’t get pinned at Summerslam, with Ripley telling her to go win the title so Ripley can take it from her. Sky: “Rhea, you are never going to beat me.”

We look at Bayley costing Lyra Valkyria the Women’s Intercontinental Title match against Becky Lynch at Summerslam.

Bayley finds Valkyria, who wants nothing to do with Bayley anymore. She needs to get out of this “Bayley vortex”. They aren’t friends or enemies, but stay away.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee

Non-title and Lee starts very fast with a suicide dive to take Mysterio out on the floor. Mysterio is right back up with a slingshot hilo and some choking on the ropes. It’s way too early for the 619 so Mysterio settles for a DDT onto the apron. We take a break and come back with Lee hitting some superkicks, including the slingshot version in the corner. Mysterio tries to bounce out of the corner but gets caught in a sitout powerbomb to give Lee two.

Back up and Lee catches him in the corner, setting up the top rope double stomp. Cue El Grande Americano (facing Mysterio, Lee and El Hijo del Vikingo this weekend for the AAA World Title)….and the other Grande Americano…..and a THIRD Grande Americano as well, with the distraction allowing Mysterio to get in a boot (off foo) to the head. That and the feet on the ropes finishes Lee at 8:14.

Rating: C. Well, I’m curious about where the Americano stuff is going. If nothing else is has me wondering who is under the masks and how many we might see, so points for trying something new. At the same time, we could be looking at Mysterio becoming a double champion sooner rather than later, and that has some potential for his future.

Post match AJ Styles runs in to swing the boot at Mysterio and then throw it up the aisle as Mysterio leaves.

Sami Zayn is happy to have defeated Karrion Kross but happier to have thrown the steel pipe away instead of winning on his own. Yes he wanted to do it, but he also wants to be a World Champion on his own. Cue Sheamus and Rusev to brawl some more, with Zayn getting hit in the face by Rusev.

Here is Becky Lynch for a chat. Lynch: “Ding dong, Lyra is gone!” She’s not getting any more title shots as long as Lynch is champion, which will be for a very, very long time. It’s time to open the door to new competitors…but we won’t be doing it tonight. Cue Nikki Bella to interrupt, saying she thought she left the women’s division in great hands, but Lynch has been such a disappointment. Bella is back to prove herself but why did Lynch come back? Is it because Hollywood isn’t what she thought it would be?

Lynch brings up her role in Happy Gilmore 2, while Bella’s role was cut. Bella laughs it off and says that Lynch is like Seth Rollins, but no one believes Lynch’s BS. Lynch does not like Rollins being brought up because they are the hottest couple in WWE. That used to be Bella and….someone, but now we can’t see them. That’s a BIG gasp from the audience but Bella gets to the point with the title challenge. Lynch hits her in the face and bails instead. That John Cena reference was one heck of a burn, even if it’s the easiest line in the world to use against Bella.

Naomi says she is indeed facing Iyo Sky next week but Stephanie Vaquer interrupts. Naomi threatens to snap Vaquer’s horns off and stick them in a certain place to leave her with a limp. Then she imitates the limp to make it work.

Gunther is out of action indefinitely after being injured at Summerslam.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Natalya, with the Alpha Academy, yells at Becky Lynch for being mean to Nikki Bella. Lynch agrees to a match next week…against Maxxine Dupri.

Raw World Title: LA Knight vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins, with Paul Heyman, is defending. After the Big Match Intros, Rollins stomps away in the ropes but gets dropped with a clothesline. Knight’s suplex gets two and he knocks Rollins outside for a brisk walk chase. Heyman doesn’t work as Rollins’ shield but Rollins manages a quick stomp (not quite the Stomp) from the barricade and we take a break. We come back with Knight jumping to the top for the superplex, followed by the neckbreaker out of the corner for two more.

Knight’s powerslam connects but Rollins blocks the jumping elbow. There’s the buckle bomb but it’s too early for the stomp. Instead Knight grabs a reverse Death Valley Driver for two and they’re both down. The Pedigree is countered and Knight grabs a DDT, allowing him to pop back up. Knight’s jumping top rope elbow gets two but the BFT is countered. They go out to the floor and crash over the announcers’ table, with Rollins getting the better of things. Rollins peels back the floor mats….and CM Punk comes in for the DQ at 13:05.

Rating: B-. This was another match where there wasn’t exactly much drama about a title change but it’s a rather good sign for Knight’s future if he can be in there at this level. It wouldn’t stun me to see him getting the shot in Paris or at a Saturday Night’s Main Event, which is quite the rise for his career. The Punk interference wasn’t exactly shocking, as it was about the only way this was going to end.

Post match Punk goes after Rollins and Knight is not pleased. Cue Bron Breakker to spear Punk and Bronson Reed is in to crush Knight. The Stomp hits both of them and the villains pose….but Roman Reigns is here. House is quickly cleaned but Reigns goes after Reed, allowing Rollins to hit the Stomp. Reed hits a bunch of Tsunamis on Reigns and Adam Pearce comes out, with Rollins yelling at him. Reed steals Reigns’ shoes AGAIN (please let there be a payoff for that down the line, like Reigns putting a mousetrap in one of the shoes or something) and the villains stand tall to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was about setting up Clash In Paris and that went well enough, but I wasn’t able to get into the show. The wrestling was fine enough, but it felt like it was more about getting ready for later rather than doing a bunch of stuff that mattered here. The angle at the end was a big one, even if it was the third straight night where a villain stood tall to end the show. That being said, I’m having a great time with Reed stealing the shows so we’ll call that a silver lining. Not a bad show, but it’s a stepping stone to the stuff that matters.

Results
Rusev vs. Sheamus went to a double countout
Penta b. Grayson Waller – Spinning Canadian Destroyer
Alexa Bliss/Charlotte b. Judgment Day – Sister Abigail DDT to Perez
Dominik Mysterio b. Dragon Lee – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Seth Rollins b. LA Knight via DQ when CM Punk interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: July 28, 2025
Location: Little Caesars Center, Detroit, Michigan
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the last show before Summerslam and that means we’re likely in for a mixture of talking and tag matches. At the same time, there is always the chance that we are going to get a lot more tributes to Hulk Hogan, as there was only so much time to get things ready on such short notice last week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The roster is on the stage for the ten bell salute to Hogan.

We get another tribute, different from the one that aired on Smackdown. To be fair, you could go on for a long time with famous moments from his career.

Here is Jey Uso for a chat but Paul Heyman interrupts. Heyman doesn’t think much of Uso, but is smart enough to get out of the ring from that look in Uso’s eye. He also backs up, saying “I know that you can dive really fast.” Heyman can’t believe that Uso has accepted Roman Reigns’ offer to team with him against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. And he’s doing this in the name of family.

Where Heyman comes from, family is always going to let you down. That’s not a prediction but rather a prophecy. Heyman asks if Uso’s mother said Santa Claus left the presents under the tree. That means your mother lied to you, just like everyone’s mother here. Did Uso’s father (Rikishi) tell Uso that he wanted him to be more iconic than him? Rikishi lied! Reigns didn’t pick Uso to be next in line as Tribal Chief. How did that work out for the family? Heyman is saying this out of love for Uso, just like family. YEET!

Uso says his family is why he’s here and Heyman needs to keep them out of his mouth. The reality is the family has done things together and Heyman’s family is nowhere to be seen. Heyman and company have cost them all kinds of things and at Summerslam, Heyman is paying. This was an interesting idea, but it’s feeling like they have no idea where this is supposed to go and they’re just saying things to fill in time before the match.

AJ Styles/Kabuki Warriors vs. Judgment Day

Asuka kicks Rodriguez down to start and hands it off to Sane for some kicks of her own. A high crossbody is pulled out of the air and it’s off to Perez for a headscissors. Sane grabs….I think a running Blockbuster (didn’t quite work but it could have been far worse) but Mysterio pulls Perez out of the way of a charge in the corner.

We take a break and come back with Perez hitting a moonsault for two but Sane gets in a shot in the corner. Rodriguez pulls Asuka to the floor though and the distraction means the referee doesn’t see the tag to Styles. Back up and the tag brings Styles in a few seconds later, meaning house can be cleaned. Perez gets in the way of the Phenomenal Forearm though, leaving Styles to launch Sand onto Rodriguez. The Phenomenal Forearm finished Mysterio at 11:46.

Rating: B-. Perfectly fine way to go here as Styles gets the win before he likely loses the title match at Summerslam. It’s still a good setup for the showdown though and that’s all it needed to be. At the same time, you have the Kabuki Warriors coming after the Women’s Tag Team Titles and that makes as much sense as anything else.

Sheamus is happy with his win over Rusev last week. Grayson Waller and New Day interrupt, with Waller making the mistake of challenging Sheamus, meaning the match is set for later tonight. New Day suddenly disappears.

Sheamus vs. Grayson Waller

Sheamus powers him into the corner to start and hits the big powerslam. The Dublin Smile has Waller in more trouble and the Regal Roll on the floor makes it worse. The ten forearms to the chest rock Waller but Rusev pops up on the apron for a distraction. Waller rolls him up for two, only for the Brogue Kick to finish at 4:10.

Rating: C. The only way Waller was going to win here was if Rusev cost Sheamus the match so they had a fine enough tease. At the same time, we are probably coming up on a big rubber match between Sheamus and Rusev, so there was no reason for Sheamus to lose here. Granted there is pretty much no reason for him to lose to Waller most of the time.

Post match Rusev beats Sheamus down with the shillelagh. The Accolade leaves Sheamus laying.

Naomi isn’t worried about defending the title in a triple threat match because she can fly high too.

Various wrestlers talk about Hulk Hogan’s star power.

Paul Heyman talks to Bronson Reed, saying with Seth Rollins on the shelf, they are a group without a leader. Bron Breakker comes in to say Reed is going to crush Jey Uso and the team will reestablish dominance over WWE. Reed leaves and Breakker says he has a plan. Heyman is confused.

Here is Lyra Valkyria for a chat. She has her Becky Lynch stopping shoes on (they’re rather elevated) and recaps her issues with Lynch. Cue Lynch’s music and she pops up behind Valkyria, who takes her out with a dropkick through the ropes. Valkyria beats her down with the kendo stick and Lynch runs off. Well that was quick.

Earlier today, Sami Zayn was doing a sitdown interview about Karrion Kross, when Kross and Scarlet interrupted. Kross said he could attack Zayn again, but he didn’t because he is all about making people show their true colors. Zayn won’t do it though, and it’s starting to tick Kross off. That’s why after Kross beats him at Summerslam, Zayn is going to admit that Kross told the truth and then he can go on to become World Champion. Zayn agrees, but when he beats Kross, he wants this to end. See you at Summerslam. Kross smiles as Zayn leaves.

Bayley is upset that she’s missing Summerslam, just like she missed Wrestlemania. She isn’t sure where she’s going from here.

Naomi/Chelsea Green/Secret Hervice vs. Iyo Sky/Rhea Ripley/Nikki Bella/Stephanie Vaquer

Naomi and Ripley start things off, with Naomi getting knocked out to the floor. It’s off to Bella, who clotheslines Green down to take over. They head outside before Fyre gets in a superkick to drop Bella. Niven adds a bottom rope elbow for two and we take a break. We come back with Bella getting in a kick to the face, allowing the tag to Sky. A backflip splits up a double clothesline attempt so Green kicks Sky in the face for two instead.

Naomi’s hanging Pedigree plants Sane and Fyre hits her Swanton as everything breaks down. Niven Boss Man Slams Ripley but Sane and Fyre knock each other down. Vaquer comes in to clean house and Bella adds the Bella Buster, which has Naomi walking out. Sky sends her back in for a springboard dropkick and Ripley gives Niven Riptide. The SVB finishes Green at 14:35.

Rating: B. I had a heck of a time with this one, as they were all out there going nuts for a good while. At the same time, it’s about as perfect of a use of Bella as you can have. She gets to do her big entrance, get the pop, do her stuff, and then pose at the end. That’s a fine way to go and the fans still love her, so let her do her stuff in small spurts.

Finn Balor gives Judgment Day a pep talk, telling them that they can get past the loss earlier. Perez gives Dominik a new gaming system to play WWE2K25 and Raquel Rodriguez isn’t impressed.

The winning team from the 8 woman tag celebrates but Sky stops Ripley for a chat. Sky says Ripley has never beaten her and never will. Ripley says they’ll see about that.

Tag Team Titles: LWO vs. Judgment Day

The LWO is challenging. Wilde takes Balor down to start and hands it off to del Toro for a slingshot sunset flip. That’s rolled through into a basement dropkick and McDonagh comes in to send del Toro into the corner. The champs take over, with a springboard moonsault giving McDonagh two. Del Toro gets up and brings Wilde back in for the big dive to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Wilde still in trouble but he catapults McDonagh into Balor on the apron. The tag brings del Toro in to clean house, including a triangle dropkick to knock Balor off the apron. Everything breaks down and a phoenix splash gets two on Balor. Cue El Grande Americano so here is Dragon Lee to pull him off the apron. Del Toro kicks McDonagh (with a belt) off the apron and Wilde hits a heck of a flip dive to drop him again. Cue another El Grande American to pull del Toro off the top so Balor can hit the Coup de Grace and retain at 11:16.

Rating: B. This got some time and I’m interested in where the ending goes, as having a second El Grande Americano makes for a curious twist. If nothing else, it could open a door for someone who doesn’t have anything else going on (Butch or Tyler Bate could be interesting) and there is always room for a good masked man mystery. Other than that, the action worked well with the LWO being their usual good selves, though there was no reason to believe the titles were changing hands.

Here is Gunther for a chat. He calls last week’s exchange with CM Punk a clean victory for him because he went face to face with the best talker in the business. The fans remind Gunther that he tapped out until Gunther says he left Punk speechless…and here is Punk to interrupt. Punk says he was more dumbfounded than anything else. He doesn’t want to be World Heavyweight Champion but rather he needs it like he needs air. Or like the Red Wings need a 12th Stanley Cup.

Wrestling is his addiction and he wants to hold the title above his head as a thank you to the fans. Punk is the best in the world and he’s ready to prove that at Summerslam. This isn’t apples to apples and he puts his hand over the mic when Gunther tries to cut him off. There are levels to this, and Gunther will find that out at Summerslam. I wasn’t quite feeling this one, but the match should be good.

Summerslam rundown.

Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed

Uso walks through the entrance rather than going through the crowd, which makes sense as doing two of those a night sounds exhausting. Reed is back up with a knockdown of his own and it’s time to choke on the ropes. The World’s Strongest Slam plants Uso again and we take a break. We come back with Uso slugging away to knock Reed outside. The dive drops him again but here is Bronson Reed to spear Uso for the DQ at 7:01.

Rating: C. This didn’t have time to do much, though I do always appreciate the big plan being “and then I hit the guy”. I’m also glad that we didn’t see anyone lose a fall here, as you don’t want to do that so close to a major Summerslam match. Not much of a main event, but it feels like they have something else in mind.

Post match the beatdown is on but here is Roman Reigns for the save so the good guys can clear the ring. Stereo spears are loaded up but Reed and Breakker actually knock them down (points for the surprise there). The big beatdown is on, with Uso getting Tsunamied and reigns getting clotheslined from the apron over the announcers’ table (Breakker jumps from the floor to the table to pose to show off). Back in and another Tsunami crushes Reigns as Breakker shouts that everyone here works for him. Breakker spears Reigns and Uso through the barricade and Reed STEALS REIGNS SHOES to end the show. This was better than the opening segment and got me a lot more into the match.

Overall Rating: B. Good action, a nice build towards the pay per view, and decent enough talking to get us to Summerslam. I liked the ending a good big and the eight woman tag was a lot of fun. They covered a lot of stuff here and it made me more interested in seeing Summerslam than I was coming in so I’ll call this a rather successful show.

Results
AJ Styles/Kabuki Warriors b. Judgment Day – Phenomenal Forearm to Mysterio
Sheamus b. Grayson Waller – Brogue Kick
Nikki Bella/Rhea Ripley/Stephanie Vaquer/Iyo Sky b. Secret Hervice/Chelsea Green/Naomi – SVB to Green
Judgment Day b. LWO – Coup de Grace to del Toro
Jey Uso b. Bronson Reed via DQ when Bron Breakker interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: July 14, 2025
Location: BJCC, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Corey Graves, Michael Cole

We’re finally out of Atlanta after a weekend of shows in the city. The big story is Seth Rollins, whose knee seemed to be really badly banged up during Saturday Night’s Main Event. There is a good chance we’ll find out something about his status tonight. In addition, there is a fight person gauntlet match to crown Gunther’s next challenger. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with long recaps of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution.

Here is Naomi to get things going after cashing in her briefcase to steal the Women’s Title at Evolution. She told everyone to not guess her next move because no one knew what she would do. Now she is the new champion and she has left Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill in the dust. It was a plan months in the making and look where she is now. Anyone who is wanting to come for the title can proceed with caution and here is Rhea Ripley to interrupt.

She’s not happy with what Naomi did and Ripley doesn’t proceed with caution. Naomi interfered in her match so she is now on Ripley’s list. Cue Iyo Sky to interrupt, saying Ripley can wait her turn. Naomi says shed cash in to become champion and that’s what she did. Cue Adam Pearce to say he doesn’t want any violence. He congratulates Naomi on here win and makes the triple threat for the title at Summerslam. Makes sense.

We run down the card.

Judgment Day is polishing their belts but Dominik Mysterio is worried about AJ Styles stalking him. Finn Balor isn’t worried but thinks Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez could use some help against the Kabuki Warriors. Balor thinks Mysterio should accompany them so it seems to be all ok.

Judgment Day vs. Kabuki Warriors

Non-title and Dominik Mysterio is here with Judgment Day. Asuka chokes Rodriguez to start but gets taken into the corner for the tag off to Perez. That’s fine with Asuka, who fires off some kicks to put Perez in trouble. Sane comes in to strike away as well and everything breaks down. The Warriors get stereo submissions but Rodriguez makes the save.

Asuka kicks away at Rodriguez and knocks her out to the floor. Mysterio’s distraction doesn’t do much as Asuka posts Rodriguez anyway. Back in and Perez gets German suplexed, with the Warriors hitting the assisted Insane Elbow. Mysterio offers a distraction though and Perez steals the pin on Asuka at 10:18.

Rating: C+. This was a bit of a surprise but at least the champs got a nice win to make them feel more established. They have a long way to go and it’s not going to feel right as long as Liv Morgan is out but this is as good as we have for the moment. It helps that Perez and Rodriguez work well together though and the win is a good sign.

Paul Heyman and company aren’t going to talk about Seth Rollins’ health, as he has until June to cash in Money In The Bank. As for tonight, Bron Breakker is running the gauntlet to go to Summerslam and become World Heavyweight Champion.

Miz was at a celebrity golf tournament over the weekend where his partner kicked him in the face.

Lyra Valkyria wants to beat Bayley tonight, but Bayley comes in and says she needs to win. Maybe what’s best for Valkyria is to just stay out of her way.

Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria

2/3 falls for the shot at Becky Lynch at Summerslam. Valkyria armdrags her down to start and Bayley misses a charge to the floor. Back in and Bayley grabs a quick rollup for the first fall at 1:27. Valkyria is stunned and we take an early break. We come back with Valkyria kicking her in the head and hitting a tornado DDT. A suplex puts Bayley down again and Valkyria stomps away in the corner.

Back up and Bayley whips her hard into the barricade and we slow down. Valkyria gets sent hard into the corner but comes back by sending her outside. Bayley gets in a belly to back suplex onto the apron though and the back is banged up even more. Back in and a spinning slam gives Bayley two as frustration is setting in. Bayley loads up la majistral but Valkyria stacks her up for the pin at 9:35.

A running knee drops Valkyria again though and we take another break. We come back with Bayley favoring her knee but managing a Stunner over the ropes. The Bayley To Belly is blocked and Valkyria goes up, only to dive into the Bayley To Belly for two. Valkyria catches her up top with something like a super snapmare, followed by a gutwrench powerbomb for two.

They go to the apron where Bayley hits a fisherman’s suplex. Back in and they trade cradles for two each before heading outside again. A sunset bomb sends Valkyria into the steps and the top rope elbow to the back gets two. The crossface goes on but Valkyria powers up and reverses into Nightwing for the pin at 19:58.

Rating: B. This got rolling by the end and it’s nice to see another good in-ring performance from Valkyria. She’s perfectly fine between the bells, but they might need to find a way to make her feel more serious. Maybe starting by dropping the bird stuff, as it doesn’t make her come off like a main eventer. For now though, good match and a very important win for Valkyria’s career.

Post match Becky Lynch comes out for the staredown with Valkyria.

We look at Stephanie Vaquer winning the Evolution battle royal.

Vaquer is excited about her win and ready to fight for the title at Clash In Paris, but Chelsea Green, with the Secret Hervice, comes in to say she should get the shot instead. Green mocks her nickname and says she’s off to face a Hall Of Famer.

Karrion Kross, with Scarlet, says your favorite bad guys are here to save the day. Sami Zayn isn’t here though, because Kross helped take him out. Kross thinks Zayn is hiding at home, where he needs to stay until he is ready to say Kross told the truth.

Chelsea Green vs. Nikki Bella

The Secret Hervice is here with Green. Bella strikes away to start and they go out to the floor, where Green takes over. Bella gets sent into the steps to keep her in trouble and we hit the chinlock back inside. That’s broken up and they both need a breather. Bella gets in an enziguri out of the corner for two but Green is back with a neckbreaker. The Unprettier is countered into a Bella Buster but Niven offers a distraction. They have a lot of trouble setting up the Rack Attack until Bella switches to the Rack Attack 2.0 (and that wasn’t great either) for the pin at 6:25.

Rating: C-. This was a rough one at times as Bella didn’t look like she was exactly on the same page here. The sequence at the end looked like Green had to walk her through the finishing move, which isn’t a great sign. Then again it very well may have been ring rust as Bella hasn’t had a singles match in a good while, but this wasn’t a great showing.

Post match the Hervice lays Bella out but Stephanie Vaquer runs in for the save.

New Day, with Grayson Waller, is in the third stage of grieving for the death of their title loss: barbecue. They offer Adam Pearce a pair of well done….toupees. Pearce says they’ll find the new #1 contenders next week so don’t flip your wigs (which Pearce does). Pearce goes over to the Judgment Day and says Dominik Mysterio is going to be reevaluated next week. If he’s cleared, he’ll be defending against AJ Styles at Summerslam. The team leaves and Styles is praying that Mysterio is cleared. Mysterio: “God please don’t let me be cleared.” Styles: “Don’t listen to him God!” This was hilarious.

Rusev says he’s better than Sheamus, who comes up from behind. Sheamus says he isn’t going to jump Rusev, but they’re going to have a rematch because Rusev cheated the first time.

Summerslam rundown.

We look at the setup of Randy Orton/Jelly Roll vs. Logan Paul/Drew McIntyre from Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Here is Gunther to brag about retiring Goldberg. He beat Goldberg up, blew him up and finished him off. Now Gunther wants to know who is next and promises an answer soon. We’ll find that out next in a gauntlet match, which Gunther will be watching from his suite…and here is Bron Breakker to interrupt.

Paul Heyman shakes Gunther’s hand and loads up the catchphrase but Gunther says he knows Heyman’s name and doesn’t want to hear it. Gunther and Breakker have a staredown and Heyman explains the gauntlet match, saying that Breakker isn’t someone as easy as Goldberg. You aren’t looking at just another contender, because he’s a STEINER. Breakker is going to win the title, with Gunther eventually walking away. This isn’t giving me confidence in Seth Rollins’ future.

Gauntlet Match

Five entrants for the title shot against Gunther at Summerslam with Bron Breakker in at #1 and Penta in at #2. They run the ropes to start and Breakker hits him with the hard clothesline, allowing Breakker to glare a bit. Back up and Penta sends him to the floor for the big running flip dive and we take a break.

We come back with Breakker having sent him into the steps and then dropping Penta onto the steps for the big crash. Back in and Breakker sends him flying off a suplex, with the kickout leaving Breakker a bit surprised. Penta fights back with a sling blade into the slingshot dropkick in the corner. The Backstabber out of the corner gets two and Penta tries a springboard, only to get speared out of the air for the fall at 9:47.

LA Knight is in at #3 (Gunther seems interested in his suite) and hammers away, followed by a neckbreaker. Knight starts in on the arm and the gorilla press doesn’t work as a result. A running clothesline sends Breakker to the floor and a dropkick through the ropes drops him again. They take turns sending each other into the announcers’ table before Breakker drops him back first onto the turnbuckle back inside.

We take another break and come back with Knight still in trouble with a waistlock keeping him down. Knight elbows his way to freedom and a double clothesline leaves both of them down again. The jumping top rope elbow connects for Knight and he strikes away, only to have the BFT broken up. A gutbuster sets up the Super Spear to give Breakker the pin at 19:58.

Jey Uso is in at #4 and knocks Knight out to the floor for a suicide dive and then does his entrance again as we take a break. We come back again with Breakker catching him on top but getting knocked down. Uso’s high crossbody connects and the running Umaga Attack gets two. Breakker is back up with the running super Frankensteiner for two and Breakker can’t believe the kickout. Uso fires off some superkicks and hits his own spear for two more. The Superfly Splash is loaded up but Bronson Reed breaks it up (Cole: “There are no disqualifications!” Since when?), meaning another Super Spear can finish Uso at 28:56.

CM Punk is in at #5 to complete the field and strikes away to start fast. We take another break and come back with Punk working on the arm and getting two off a Russian legsweep. Punk’s armbar is broken up though and Breakker knocks him into the corner, where he can ask Punk if it’s clobberin time. A catapult sends Punk throat first into the rope and the chinlock goes on. Punk fights up and Breakker cuts it off in a hurry, meaning it’s time to talk more trash.

Another super Frankensteiner connects but Punk rolls through into a sunset flip for two. They knock each other down for a double breather, with Punk fighting up to make the comeback. Punk goes up top but has to kick Reed away before dropping the top rope elbow for two. The Anaconda Vice goes on but Reed comes in for the save. Cue Jey Uso to cut Reed off and the Super Spear is countered into the GTS to give Punk the pin and the title at 41:20.

Rating: B. This was a heck of a showing from Breakker, who went 40+ minutes and looked like he had another half hour in him. That’s not something you see very often and it worked well here. Other than that, this felt like a near guaranteed win for Punk, who very well may be getting the title at Summerslam. Either way, it was a good match with some solid action, most of which is attributable to Breakker. They seem to know what they have with him and if he is brought along properly, the sky is the limit.

Post match Reed jumps Punk again so Uso comes in for the save. Breakker hits a spear to Uso and another one to Punk and the double Tsunami is loaded up. And then none of that matters because Roman Reigns is back. The Superman Punch drops Reed and Reigns beats up Breakker. Another Superman Punch hits Breakker and the spear drops Reed. Reigns and Punk stand tall to end the show. I’m guessing Reigns/Uso vs. Breakker/Reed for Summerslam?

Overall Rating: B. Now this is more like it from Raw, with two and a half hours of mostly good to better than good wrestling. More importantly though, this show went a long way towards setting up Summerslam, as the card is mostly together. I like this a good bit and the Bella/Green match was the only weak spot. This show did a great job of making Summerslam feel like a big deal, which is more than could be said for the build towards Evolution. Strong show this week, and hopefully they can keep it up for the next few weeks.

Results
Judgment Day b. Kabuki Warriors – Rollup to Asuka
Lyra Valkyria b. Bayley 2-1
Nikki Bella b. Chelsea Green – Rack Attack 2.0
CM Punk won a gauntlet match last eliminating Bron Breakker

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: June 23, 2025
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the last Raw before Night Of Champions on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. That means it’s time to start getting the card finalized, including the King and Queen Of The Ring finals. On top of that, Bayley is challenging Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Title, which should be quite good. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We get the drone shot flying into the arena and dang that is so cool.

Here are Seth Rollins and company to get things going. We see a clip of LA Knight being attacked by the team on Smackdown, putting him out of action indefinitely. After hitting the catchphrases, Rollins says the people here are giving him mixed signals. Rollins asks the people here what they want, which earns him a CM PUNK chant. The fans keep chanting and singing for different people and Rollins isn’t sure what’s going on.

Rollins says the fans are confused and they want the things that they’re asking for because of him. He created Roman Reigns, Punk is back because WWE wanted to capitalize on how much Rollins hated him, Cody Rhodes needed Rollins to put him on the map. On top of that, Rollins was the first NXT and World Heavyweight Champion. He is the creator and the prime mover and this is the future of this company. Rollins and Paul Heyman know a thing or two about revolutions and sometimes you have to stop someone from messing with you.

That’s what happened to LA Knight (pause for the YEAH), who got Tsunami after Tsunami. In a few minutes, Penta is going to be taken out as well. There are a lot of people who think they can exist at the very top. Those are people like John Cena and Gunther, plus others like the ones in the King Of The ring or CM Punk and Goldberg. What those people don’t understand is they are all running a race for second place. The briefcase is the finish line and the end game and it has always been Seth Rollins. This was the “we’re dangerous” promo and didn’t really change much else, but you have to get these guys on the show.

Penta vs. Bron Breakker

We’re joined in progress with Penta in trouble in the corner but coming out with a running kick to the head. A springboard spinning crossbody drops Breakker and Penta hits the handstand slingshot dropkick in the corner. Back up and Breakker runs him over, setting up a quick suplex to send Penta flying. Breakker’s backbreaker gets two and one heck of a clothesline drops Penta again.

Breakker talks some trash before putting Penta on top for a hard shot out to the apron. Penta manages to knock him out to the floor for a breather but Breakker pulls the dive out of the air. That’s broken up as well and Penta sends him into the post, setting up a big running flip dive.

We take a break and come back with both of them having crashed over the announcers’ table thanks to Breakker’s apron clothesline. Back in and Penta seems to be favoring his knee but it’s fine enough for the gorilla press gutbuster for two. Breakker grinds away on a headlock of all things, which is reversed into a Sling Blade. Penta comes up favoring his own leg but manages a suplex into a bridge (as in he hooked the leg after they landed) for two.

The Destroyer is blocked so Penta goes up, only for Breakker to roll through into a jumping knee (that was sweet). The super Frankensteiner gets two on Penta and it’s time for the straps to come down. Penta cuts off the Super Spear with a superkick and grabs a spinning DDT. Now the Destroyer can connect for two as the fans are WAY into this. Back up and Penta tries a springboard but dives into the Super Spear for the pin at 14:09.

Rating: B. These two had chemistry together and it’s another solid win for Breakker, who can hit that next level like few others. Penta was doing everything he could but there is no way around that kind of power and explosion. That was a heck of a match and I had a much better time with it than I thought I would.

Post match here are Seth Rollins and Bronson Reed, with Rollins telling Penta to stay out of his way.

Liv Morgan is confirmed to be out of action for several months.

Adam Pearce (hey he’s back) meets AJ Styles, who is told Dominik Mysterio is apparently being out with an injury. Styles: “What did he do? Strain his mustache?” Therefore, the title match at Night Of Champions is off, but Styles will get his shot at the first chance. Styles isn’t happy but understands and leaves. New Day and Grayson Waller (no Austin Theory) come in and are told that next week, Judgment Day gets a title shot. Xavier Woods is NOT happy and Waller hits the catchphrase, leaving Pearce confused.

Earlier today, Goldberg sat down with Michael Cole to talk about why he wants to face Gunther. Last year at Bad Blood, Goldberg took his family to a show for fun and got verbally assaulted by Gunther. That was so disrespectful and that is never going to happen. Gunther isn’t getting away with that and as long as Goldberg can get in that ring, he’s making Gunther pay.

He going to beat the **** out of Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event. After the interview was over, Goldberg apparently said it was his last match, but it’s an interesting dilemma if he wins the title. Goldberg was bringing the intensity here and the story makes perfect sense, but it’s still Goldberg in 2025. After all of his previous comebacks, it’s pretty hard to get up for another one.

Judgment Day is upset about what happened with Liv Morgan but Finn Balor gives them a big pep talk. Balor says something that upsets Raquel Rodriguez and that’s the fire that Balor has been wanting. Go take it out on Rhea Ripley.

Bayley is warming up when Lyra Valkyria comes up, wondering why Bayley has ignored her. Bayley apologizes and says she’s been focused on the title match. When Bayley wins, Valkyria gets the first title shot, which seems to smooth things over.

Queen Of The Ring Semifinals: Jade Cargill vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez gets smart by bailing from Cargill to start but does get in a quick slap. The chase lets Perez get in a few shots of her own on the way back in but a sunset flip attempt is blocked. Cargill starts in with the muscle but gets caught with the throat snap over the top. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets Perez out of trouble and they go to the floor, where Perez dropkicks the knee out.

We take a break and come back with Perez staying on the leg, followed by a running uppercut to the back. A springboard moonsault gives Perez two and she grabs a sleeper, which is muscled up into a fall away slam for the big crash. Cargill’s knee is banged up but she boots Perez into the ropes for the spinebuster. A chokeslam gives Cargill two but Jaded is countered into a bridging rollup for two. Something like La Mistica sets up cartwheel knees to the head to give Perez two of her own. Pop Rox is blocked though and Cargill hits a powerslam, setting up Jaded for the pin at 11:50.

Rating: B-. They were trying here but Cargill doesn’t have the skill to hang in a match like this just yet. Cargill’s big appeals are her incredible power and athleticism and she got to show those off, but Perez was there to do a lot of the more complicated work. It’s a good enough match, though Cargill is still rather green.

Post match Asuka comes out for the staredown.

Video on Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso.

Sheamus and the Alpha Academy console each other but Rusev interrupts. Rusev asks if Sheamus is still pretending to be everyone’s friend and Sheamus is ready to fight anytime. We even get a League Of Nations reference and Sheamus says it’s time to put up or shut up. Rusev slaps him on the chest and walks away.

Here is Gunther for a chat. Last week was supposed to be his big celebration but Goldberg had to interrupt him. It’s true that Goldberg was the man in 1999 but it’s 2025 and now Gunther is the man. Gunther sees a 58 year old man who can’t lace his boots, so now he’s apologizing for everything that he’ll do to the man who used to be Goldberg. At Saturday Night’s Main Event, it is his responsibility to destroy the myth of Goldberg once and for all. Same as before: good intensity, but the idea of the match itself only does so much for me.

Becky Lynch thinks Lyra Valkyria and Bayley are working together (uhhh….) and storms off but we go over to Sami Zayn. He is about to say how he’s processing his loss on Smackdown when Karrion Kross and Scarlet interrupt. Kross was almost believing him last week but then Randy Orton took Zayn out. The reality is Zayn will never be World Champion. Zayn: “Ok.” Then he hits Kross in the face. He’s done talking to Kross and their match is official.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Bayley vs. Becky Lynch

Lynch is defending and in a nice touch, Bayley is wearing the gear she had planned for Wrestlemania before Lynch took her out. Bayley takes her into the corner and hammers away to start before doing it again in another corner. Lynch can’t get a Disarm-Her but the Rose Plant is blocked as well. They fight to the floor for a bit with Bayley getting the better of things and knocking Lynch out of the air back inside. Back up and Lynch snaps the arm over the top rope to take over as we go to a break.

We come back with Bayley hitting some clotheslines but the Bayley To Belly is blocked. The Rose Plant is blocked again and Lynch suplexes her down. The Manhandle Slam is blocked as well and now the Bayley To Belly connects for two. Lynch’s springboard kick to the face is blocked though and Bayley hits a sunset bomb into the corner for another near fall.

Lynch is right back up with a superplex into the cross armbreaker but Bayley slips out again. A half crab works on Lynch’s leg (as Bayley’s arm is too banged up for a full version) but she’s over to the ropes in a hurry. Back up and Bayley hits her own Manhandle Slam, with Lynch bailing out to the floor.

Bayley goes after her and gets knocked over the announcers’ table, where Lynch buries her with a bunch of stuff. Cue Lyra Valkyria to save Bayley with Lynch decking Valkyria, who won’t go after Lynch. Bayley pulls Valkyria off the apron, allowing Lynch to baseball slide Valkyria down. Bayley fights back and loads up the top rope elbow but Valkyria comes in to jump Lynch for the DQ at 13:36.

Rating: B-. This was hurt by the Lyra Valkyria factor, as it wasn’t a question of whether she would get involved but when she would get involved. As a result, it was hard to get invested in the majority of the match as Valkyria wasn’t there yet. Things picked up once she got there and it was far from bad, but this was running with an anchor.

Post match Bayley yells at Valkyria as Lynch kisses the title.

Chad Gable explains some things to Ivy Nile but goes over to mock Penta. This earns Gable an arm snap.

Here is Raquel Rodriguez to call out Rhea Ripley for a fight. Cue Ripley and the fight is quickly on, with Ripley getting the better of things. Rodriguez fights back on the floor and loads up a table but Ripley is on the announcers’ table for a jumping forearm. Cue Roxanne Perez go break up the Riptide though and the numbers game results in Ripley going through the table.

Post break Ripley demands and receives a street fight with Rodriguez. Sounds like a Night Of Champions replacement match and that’s perfectly fine.

Video on CM Punk vs. John Cena, looking at how they’re in different places than during their famous matches.

Night Of Champions rundown.

King Of The Ring Semifinals: Jey Uso vs. Cody Rhodes

They stare at each other to start and we do get a handshake. Uso’s headlock doesn’t get him anywhere so Rhodes shoulders him down for a staredown. Rhodes works on the arm for a bit before they trade armdrags, with Rhodes having the smallest of advantages. Back up and Uso takes him down for a change and a YEET takes us to a break.

We come back with Uso making the ropes to escape a Figure Four. An exchange of strikes sets up a Samoan drop to give Uso two and the running Umaga Attack connects in the corner. The Superfly Splash hits raised knees though and Rhodes goes way different with a kimura. That’s broken up and Uso gets the sleeper but Rhodes powers up and dumps him over the top. A suicide dive is cut off though and they fight up to the top. Rhodes runs the corner for a top rope superplex and they’re both down off the crash.

We take another break and come back again with another slugout until Rhodes hits a running forearm. Uso snaps off a powerslam but his Cross Rhodes is countered into a Cody Cutter to give Rhodes two. The Disaster Kick misses as well though and Uso’s spear gets another near fall. Another spear is cut off though and a top rope Cody Cutter gets a rather near fall. Uso counters Cross Rhodes into one of his own for two more and another spear drops Rhodes again. The Superfly Splash is cut off though and a super Cody Cutter plants Uso hard. Cross Rhodes finishes Uso at 20:06.

Rating: B+. The rise of Uso turned this into a match where the ending wasn’t obvious and that’s great. Uso isn’t on Rhodes’ level but he’s a genuine main eventer and that made him a threat to pull off the upset. It helped that they beat the heck out of each other until one of them was left standing and it felt like an awesome main event style match. Rhodes winning makes more sense, but he wasn’t a lock and that’s a great feeling.

Post match respect is shown and they’re all cool to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a pretty great show with four good matches, but they had to scramble to change some of the Night Of Champions undercard. Thankfully what we are going to get is good enough and I’m fairly interested in the show so what we got here worked well. This one was built around the in-ring side of things and that worked rather well, with that opener in particular being rather entertaining.

Results
Bron Breakker b. Penta – Super Spear
Jade Cargill b. Roxanne Perez – Jaded
Becky Lynch b. Bayley via DQ when Lyra Valkyria interfered
Cody Rhodes b. Jey Uso – Cross Rhodes

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: May 19, 2025
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, South Carolina
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

We’re officially in Money In The Bank season, but before we get to that show, we have this weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. That show alone should be quite the presentation, with a fairly stacked card already coming together. Other than that though, we need to get ready for the Money In The Bank ladder matches with some qualifying matches taking place this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We look at the actions of Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker/Paul Heyman from last week.

Here is Logan Paul to get things going. He gets right to the point by saying he’ll be the next World Heavyweight Champion by beating Jey Uso at Saturday Night’s Main Event. After the YEET chants get on Paul’s nerves, Paul goes on about how he has knocked Uso out a few times and is ready to do it again. Cue Gunther to interrupt and Paul knows this isn’t good. Gunther thinks that Paul’s statements make him sound confident and that is what drives them in life.

The people here should show Paul (who looks very nervous) more respect. Gunther talks about all of Paul’s successes and says he could learn from Paul. That works for Paul, who is willing to talk to Gunther anytime. Gunther can imagine the headlines if Paul becomes the World Heavyweight Champion and Paul says Gunther knows business. Gunther says this may be business to Paul, but to Gunther, this is personal.

Taking the title from Uso is personal for Gunther and just ask Pat McAfee what he does to non-wrestlers. At least McAfee showed some heart, but if Paul wins the title, Gunther will eat him alive. Gunther goes to leave but Paul talks trash about him, only to get superkicked by an invading Jey Uso. This was a promo about making Paul feel like a bigger threat to win the title, which was needed after the Gunther title shot was announced.

We look at Giulia and Roxanne Perez splitting up after last week’s loss.

Perez is officially signed to Raw (as Giulia is officially signed to Smackdown).

We look back at NBA stars Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson getting into it last June on Smackdown before they play in the NBA Playoffs this week.

Jey Uso runs into Paul Heyman, who wants to give Uso some facts. Everyone says that Heyman betrayed CM Punk and Roman Reigns, which means stabbing them in the back. The fact is that Bron Breakker is facing Uso in a non-title match tonight because it isn’t about the title. Instead, Breakker is out to slow Uso down so Seth Rollins can win the title soon.

Penta/AJ Styles vs. Judgment Day

Styles sends McDonagh into the corner to start but misses the drop down dropkick. Not that it matters as Styles knocks him into the corner for some chops from Penta. Cue Balor, who is taken down as well with the villains being sent outside. Penta and Styles hit stereo dives and we take a break (with a great slow motion replay of the dives).

Back with Penta in trouble and being sent up top. McDonagh gets knocked down but Balor is right there to cut off the tag attempt. Penta fights out of trouble and hits the reverse Sling Blade on Balor, allowing the tag back to Styles. The Calf Crusher goes on so McDonagh tries to make the save, only to frog splash Balor by mistake. The belly to back faceplant gives Styles two and he hits the moonsault DDT on the floor. Carlito gets in a posting to cut Styles off though and we take a break.

Back again with Styles fighting out of trouble and handing it off to Penta, with McDonagh coming in as well but stumbling on the ropes. Penta superkicks an upside down McDonagh in the corner but charges into a Spanish Fly. Balor Sling Blades Penta, who is back up with another superkick. Carlito’s distraction earns him a shot from Styles and a Canadian Destroyer off the steps plants McDonagh on the floor. Cue El Grande Americano though with a headbutt to the back of Penta’s head and the Coup de Grace finishes him off at 17:08.

Rating: B. This was a match that I wouldn’t have expected much from and it wound up being a heck of a showdown. That’s quite the success for a match that shouldn’t have been much on paper and it even keeps El Grande Americano vs. Penta going. Good stuff here and a very nice surprise.

Iyo Sky is ready for anyone to win Money In The Bank so here is Becky Lynch to remind Sky that Sky has never beaten her. Sky is ready anyway.

Seth Rollins interrupts Logan Paul, who is trying to get out of this place. Rollins says Jey Uso is going to get hurt tonight and that means Paul has a real chance on Saturday. If Paul gets past Uso and Gunther, Rollins will be waiting for him. Maybe they run it back from Wrestlemania two years ago with the title on the line. Think about it.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Becky Lynch vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Natalya

Lynch tries to get the alliance going with Perez to start and then tries to throw her outside. It’s Lynch outside instead, leaving the other two inside. This time Lynch pulls Natalya outside for a ram into the barricade before coming back inside where Perez can get two off a rollup. Natalya suplexes Lynch for two but the Sharpshooter is countered into a Disarm-Her. Perez breaks that up but Natalya blocks the Manhandle Slam attempt. A basement superkick sends Perez outside, only for her to come back with a dive onto both of them.

We take a break and come back with Natalya discus lariating both of them but the double Sharpshooter doesn’t work. Everyone gets knocked down until Natalya and Lynch are back up to slug it out. Perez sunset flips Natalya to suplex Lynch at the same time, with Lynch having to jump back up for the save. Perez goes up but Natalya grabs a slingshot powerbomb to plant Lynch for two.

The Sharpshooter has Perez in trouble until Lynch makes the save. That earns Lynch a discus lariat and the double Sharpshooter sends Lynch and Perez to the ropes. The Manhandle Slam drops Perez but here is Lyra Valkyria to brawl with Lynch. A quick Pop Rox gives Perez the pin on Natalya at 14:35.

Rating: B. They got rolling here, even if Natalya was pretty clearly there to take the fall. The good thing is that while Natalya might be little more than a jobber to the stars, she can still do rather well in the ring. Putting her out there while Valkyria intercepted Lynch was a good way to go and I had fun with the match, despite Natalya’s obsession with the Sharpshooter.

Sami Zayn comes in to see Jey Uso, telling him to worry about Logan Paul. Zayn will deal with Seth Rollins and company and he has Uso’s back tonight if the numbers game comes up.

We look at John Cena beating Michael Cole on Raw in 2012. Cole: “Not quite as embarrassing as Heidenreich.”

Akira Tozawa gets to face Rusev next week. Chad Gable comes in to promise destruction and Tozawa (and Maxxine Dupri) leave. With them gone, Gable wants a Money In The Bank qualifying match for himself and Ivy Nile. New Day comes in (Pearce: “DOES ANYBODY KNOCK AROUND HERE???”) and isn’t thrilled with the Creed Brothers getting a title shot in a triple threat next week, also involving the War Raiders. Pearce throws them all out, with Xavier Woods saying it smells like a midlife crisis in here.

Sheamus vs. Grayson Waller

Austin Theory is here with Waller, who slaps Sheamus in the face to start. Sheamus works on the arm and it actually turns into a technical off on the mat. Back up and Sheamus goes with the power to send Waller flying a few times. Waller is sent outside but slides back in, where he hits a quick clothesline as we take a break. We come back with one heck of an AUSTIN THEORY chant going and Sheamus getting annoyed at Waller for hitting him in the chest. Sheamus pounds away (Theory winces) but gets caught in the rolling Downward Spiral for two.

Theory accidentally distracts Waller though and Sheamus hits a knee to the face. Sheamus grabs the Dublin Smile but a discus forearm puts him on the apron. For some reason Waller decides to try the ten forearms to the chest, which Sheamus reverses into…something that looked like White Noise onto the apron but was more Waller being dropped onto the rope. Waller tries to leave but Theory won’t let him, allowing Sheamus to hit the ten forearms. The Brogue Kick puts Waller away at 10:53.

Rating: C+. I wasn’t quite feeling this one, as the idea was that Waller didn’t want to do this but he wound up having a pretty competitive match against a monster like Sheamus. The good thing is that Theory seems to be taking a step towards having more of a personality, which could be interesting if he is given the chance. Theory has long since shown the talent to do something but it isn’t going to happen as he’s stuck with Waller.

Michael Cole and Pat McAfee make a bet on the NBA Eastern Conference Finals (if the Pacers win, Cole will call Raw in a tank top but if the Knicks win, McAfee will call Raw in a suit). They talk to Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who will be a playable character in WWE2K25. It’s a big rivalry with the Knicks and Haliburton is ready to go. Cole hypes up the Knicks (McAfee: “YOU BIASED PIECE OF TRASH!”) before Haliburton picks Jey Uso to beat Logan Paul. You can tell Haliburton is a big fan and the commentators being fans of the teams was a nice way to tie it together.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Gunther is interrupted by Seth Rollins, who says it’s been awhile. Rollins thanks Gunther for doing things with his title, but Gunther says the reality is Rollins is not the long term game around here. Rollins says that if Gunther gets in the way, he’ll make himself a target. Gunther says he is eagerly awaiting it.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Zoey Stark vs. Kairi Sane

This is Sane’s first match in several months after a hand injury. Sane goes after Stark to start but gets caught with a nasty German suplex. Ripley gets sent into the ropes and Sane takes her down with a hurricanrana but Stark tries a missile dropkick…and may have blown her knee out. We pause for the doctor to check on Stark and the camera goes to the briefcases as we take a break.

Back with Stark gone and Ripley hitting a fall away slam on Sane. Ripley sends her flying again so the referee can talk to her a bit, likely as this is being called on the fly. Sane is back up to knock her into the corner for the running forearm and they slug it out from their knees. Ripley ducks a shot to the face and hits the headbutt, setting up Riptide for the pin at 9:25.

Rating: C+. There is a HUGE asterisk next to this one as it is pretty clear that Stark was there to take the fall but then got hurt. Ripley moving on is fine and it’s a shame to see Sane have to lose on her first night back, but the bigger story here is Stark. That looked absolutely terrible and hopefully Stark is able to come back WAY down the line.

Rusev is ready to destroy Akira Tozawa. Next week he will forgive Tozawa’s stupidity and forget his existence.

Finn Balor introduces Roxanne Perez as a potential member of the Judgment Day. She’s even got presents: chicken tenders for Dominik Mysterio and apples for Carlito! Raquel Rodriguez throws her out, saying Liv Morgan will not like this. Balor trying to appeal to Dominik’s sleaziest tendencies to get revenge on him is some brilliant stuff.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker

Non-title and Paul Heyman is here with Breakker. Some shoulders in the corner have Uso in early trouble but he’s right back to knock Breakker outside. The suicide dive connects and we take an early break. Back with Breakker running multiple ropes to hit a hard clothesline. Breakker powers him around and hits an overhead belly to belly, which doesn’t get all of the rotation. Uso fights up and knocks him into the corner for the running Umaga Attack and a near fall.

They fight out to the floor and Breakker hits the bulldog off the apron onto the announcers’ table. We take another break and come back with Uso fighting back, including a jumping enziguri. The pop up Samoan drop gets two but Uso gets caught on top, meaning it’s the super Frankensteiner for another near fall. A quick superkick gives Uso two so Breakker grabs a chair. Uso superkicks him down again but Heyman grabs Uso’s leg, allowing Seth Rollins to jump him from behind for the DQ at 14:58.

Rating: B-. As annoying as a DQ ending can be, they didn’t have a better option here with Breakker being an up and coming monster and Uso being the champion. Rollins has made it clear that this match is just about slowing Uso down anyway so it makes perfect sense for Rollins to jump him. These two have some chemistry together too so this worked well.

Post match the beatdown is on until Sami Zayn and CM Punk come in for the save. After the fans get done singing Cult Of Personality, the brawl is on. The fight heads into the crowd with Punk diving in with a double ax handle. The four of them go into the back…and Logan Paul knocks Uso out again to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show was all about setting up Saturday Night’s Main Event and that was pretty well done. Paul vs. Uso got a nice boost, but there was also quite a bit of looking forward to other stuff. Not only did they set up some Money In The Bank participants, but you can see some title matches either already being announced or teased for down the line. This was the big preview night and that worked very well. The action was good too, but this was all about setting things up for later and that has me intrigued.

Results
Judgment Day b. Penta/AJ Styles – Coup de Grace to Penta
Roxanne Perez b. Natalya and Becky Lynch – Pop Rox to Natalya
Sheamus b. Grayson Waller – Brogue Kick
Rhea Ripley b. Zoey Stark and Kairi Sane – Riptide to Sane
Jey Uso b. Bron Breakker when Seth Rollins interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: May 5, 2025
Location: CHI Health Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

It’s the last Raw before Backlash and that is quite the speedy turnaround from Wrestlemania. There are only a few matches set for the pay per view so there is a good chance to see something else added here. If nothing else, we’ll get to see what Seth Rollins and company have going on so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of last week, with Bron Breakker wrecking Sami Zayn on Seth Rollins’ orders.

Here is Jey Uso, who comes through the crowd with some kids, which will always work. He gets right to the point by calling out Logan Paul but gets Paul Heyman instead. Heyman says he isn’t here to disrespect Uso but Uso talks about how Heyman has a lot of nerves to come out here after what Heyman did to his family. Heyman finds it interesting to hear that coming from Uso after what he did to Roman Reigns. Where was everyone to warn Heyman about what was going to happen to him?

Heyman blames CM Punk for the betrayal at Wrestlemania and, after complaining about the CM PUNK chants, talks about Punk putting him in a no win situation. That brings him to Reigns, who was still playing high school football when Heyman and Punk got together. What did Reigns think he was going to do? Sell his secrets to Punk? Heyman turned Reigns into the Tribal Chief and the two of them were the Undisputed WWE Champion for over 1000 days, but it was Reigns who lost the title.

Then Reigns left him with Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and those Tongans! Reigns finally came back, but it wasn’t to avenge Heyman, but rather to get his ula fala back. Everyone wants to blame Heyman (who is SCREAMING this stuff) but this time, he is in the right and SCREW EVERYONE ELSE. Uso: “Are you ok?” He wants to know what this has to do with him, which sends Heyman into a speech about how Uso doesn’t understand what it means to be champion.

Uso does not know what power that title brings and Seth Rollins needs it. Stage one is what has happened so far, but stage two is taking that title (Uso looks…sad?). Uso gets to pick the date he loses the title, because Rollins is officially challenging him for the title. Heyman goes to leave but Uso calls him back. If it’s anyplace, anytime, we’ll do it tonight (Heyman’s eyes bug out at this). Good stuff here, with Heyman bringing the emotion and setting up the title shot while also making Uso feel like a big time fighting champion.

We look back at JD McDonagh’s return last week (with Michael Cole making a mistake and saying the War Raiders retained the Tag Team Titles).

Paul Heyman goes to see Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker, and says he can’t believe Jey Uso fell for it. Rollins says he told Heyman it would happen before leaving. Heyman explains Rollins’ recent efforts and how Uso isn’t ready for him tonight. When Rollins wins tonight, they get the keys to the kingdom.

Penta vs. JD McDonagh

Judgment Day is here too as McDonagh grabs an armdrag to start. Back up and Penta strikes away in the corner, including a kick to the leg. McDonagh chops his way out of trouble and they go to the apron, where Penta scores with a jumping enziguri. A Balor distraction lets McDonagh come back with a Death Valley Driver though and we take a break.

Back with McDonagh getting crotched against the post, setting up a dropkick to the head. Penta chops away and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two before diving onto an interfering Carlito. Finn Balor gets in a shot but gets caught, meaning it’s a double ejection. Cue Chad Gable to crotch Penta on top, earning himself a big flip dive. McDonagh hits a jawbreaker but misses the moonsault, allowing Penta to grab the Canadian Destroyer for the pin at 10:54.

Rating: C+. They did a nice job here with making Penta look like a star. He got a win here and survived a few bits of interference to make it happen. That’s a fine way to go and hopefully they keep it going for the next few weeks, as Penta can become a bigger deal in a hurry. If nothing else, there is a good chance he’ll be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title sooner rather than later and that’s a good way for him to go.

Grayson Waller is pleading his case to Adam Pearce and offers the match to Austin Theory instead. Theory agrees and gets the match, but Waller won’t say who isn’t against.

Austin Theory vs. Sheamus

I had been wondering what happened to Sheamus. Theory, who does not seem happy with Grayson Waller, gets shoved into the corner to start, allowing Sheamus to fire off some uppercuts. A nice dropkick gives Theory a breather but Sheamus hits him in the face. Sheamus grabs a pair of Irish Curses and puts on the Cloverleaf, with Theory making the rope, right in front of a less than interested Waller.

Sheamus comes off the top with a shot to the head and we take a break. Back with Sheamus missing a charge into the post and getting caught with a Blockbuster for two. They go up top where Sheamus hits a super White Noise, followed by the ten forearms to the chest. The Brogue Kick finishes for Sheamus at 9:39.

Rating: C+. This was Sheamus doing what he does best, as he was out there beating Theory up until he finished him off. That’s something that has worked for him for a long time now and it’s nice to have him back. If nothing else, there is something fun about seeing Waller and Theory have issues but winding up staying together because they’re they only people who would have the other.

Penta is getting an Intercontinental Title shot at Backlash.

JD McDonagh isn’t happy with his loss but Dominik Mysterio isn’t interested. Cue AJ Styles to say this place isn’t hard to find, but he’s coming for the winner of the title match at Backlash. Styles leaves and Mysterio talks about everyone coming for the title. He suggests Finn Balor deal with Styles, but Balor isn’t pleased with the idea. Or he’s just kidding so it’s fine.

New Day comes up to Chad Gable and suggests a mutually beneficial agreement about dealing with the War Raiders. Becky Lynch comes up and New Day doesn’t like what happened to her last week.

Here is Lynch for a chat. She doesn’t like being told she sucks because she should be thanked for taking out the garbage. Then she took out the recycling, which is what Lyra Valkyria is. Valkyria is slightly better than garbage but still worthless. The reality is that Valkyria owes everything to her, so here is Valkyria to interrupt. Valkyria says Lynch is the queen of recycling as she has done the same things over and over. The reality is that Lynch went on holidays and everyone else got better, including Valkyria, who is now a champion.

Valkyria has had more title defenses than says Lynch has shown up to work this year. Lynch goes into a rant about being the best ever, even citing Sports Illustrated. Valkyria lists off Lynch’s accomplishments, but it doesn’t include being the first Women’s Intercontinental Champion. As long as Valkyria is here, Lynch better like second place. The brawl is on and security can’t break it up. Lynch gets away and rants about disrespect, only to get caught in Nightwing to leave her laying. Valkyria is trying here but it’s hard to imagine that she retains the title over a star like Lynch.

Roxanne Perez vs. Iyo Sky

Non-title. Sky flips away a few times to start and Perez doesn’t seem to know what to do. A dropkick sends Perez outside but she comes back in with a nice dropkick to the leg. Perez works on the leg but Sky is back up with a heck of a suicide dive and we take a break. Back with Sky winning an exchange of forearms and hitting a flapjack.

A kick to the head gives Sky two but the leg starts giving out. Sky is fine enough to hit a quick double stomp for two but Over The Moonsault misses. The leg is hurt again and a faceplant into a cartwheel knee to the neck gives Perez two. They go into a rather fast pinfall reversal sequence until Sky gets a rollup for the pin at 10:11.

Rating: B. The women’s division continues to feel stacked with talent and that was on display again here. Perez is starting to fit in around here and I could go for seeing what is next for her. At the same time, Sky is rapidly reaching the top level of the division (if she isn’t already there). Good match here, with that ending sequence being quite the back and forth.

We actually get a show of respect after the match but Giulia runs in to jump Sky. That has Perez beating Sky down as well, with commentary pointing out that Rhea Ripley is in Australia so there is no one to make a save.

Otis vs. Rusev

They collide to start and no one goes anywhere, but some running shots stagger Rusev. A jumping spinwheel kick drops Otis though and we take a break. Back with Otis dropping Rusev over the announcers’ table but Rusev is back up. A big kick hits the post though and Rusev is in more trouble. They get back in, where Rusev drops him again with a superkick, setting up the Accolade for the win at 6:27.

Rating: C+. Remember Rusev? Well he’s back, once again as a monster heel. That is something that could go somewhere but WWE is going to need to come up for something for him. Facing the Alpha Academy needs to be something short term, though I’m not sure who is next for him after that. For now though, nice return, with Rusev looking like a killer.

Post match Akira Tozawa comes after Rusev, earning both Tozawa and Otis another beating. Tozawa gets powerbombed onto Otis and another Accolade ensues.

Adam Pearce brings Pat McAfee into the ring to address the Gunther situation. Gunther comes out as well, wearing street clothes because McAfee isn’t that important to him. Gunther promises to keep this professional, unlike Michael Cole, but he does not appreciate the YOU TAPPED OUT chants. McAfee puts over Cole as a legend and since Gunther had to attack a 60 year old man, so he’ll give Gunther his opinion about him.

Hold on though as McAfee has to put over the city of Omaha for a good while before talking about how the two of them grew up watching all the wrestling they could. McAfee grew up as a huge wrestling fan, dreaming that he could one day get in the ring. For Gunther, it’s become a job after twenty years but for McAfee, it’s still the biggest thrill. On Saturday, McAfee is going to prove that this version of Gunther is soft.

After some staring, Gunther asks if McAfee enjoyed his daughter’s birthday last week. That must have been a special day, and now Backlash is going to be a special day for Gunther. It’s his first match since Wrestlemania and he is going to be more focused than ever before. Gunther promises to destroy him once and for all, but for tonight, he’s safe.

If they do this the right way, everything should be fine on Saturday, as McAfee can get in some shots, preferably with the big kick, before Gunther gets to crush him for good. McAfee is fired up about this, but his promos are going on rather long each time and that’s not helping as much as it could.

We look back at John Cena vs. Randy Orton in their I Quit match at Breaking Point.

Raw World Title: Seth Rollins vs. Jey Uso

Rollins, with Bron Breakker and Paul Heyman, is challenging. We get the Big Match Intros before Rollins takes him down with a crucifix for two. Rollins knocks him down again and it’s time to shove each other around a bit. Uso knocks him to the floor and Rollins needs a bit of a breather. Back in and Rollins gets in another knockdown, only to be sent outside as well. The big suicide dive connects for Uso and we take a break.

Back with Uso knocking him off the top but they both hit crossbodies. Uso wins a slugout and hits a Samoan drop, followed by a running Umaga Attack in the corner. Back up and Rollins knocks him to the floor for a dive, only to get superkicked out of the air for two back inside. They’re both down for the THIS IS AWESOME chants but Rollins is back up with the buckle bomb. The frog splash misses though and Rollins counters the spear into a Pedigree for two.

The Stomp misses and Uso gets a sleeper (how he won the title), which is broken rather quickly. Uso is back up with the spear for two so he goes up, only for a distraction to let Breakker get in a crotching. The superplex into the Falcon Arrow drops Uso and the Stomp (or most of one) gets two.

Cue Sami Zayn to go after Breakker, allowing Uso to hit a spear into the Superfly Splash for….two. Breakker spears Zayn down and Uso goes to check on him, allowing Breakker to hit a spear on Uso as well. Back in and a Stomp connects….but CM Punk is back. After taking Breakker out with a chair, Punk chairs Rollins down for the DQ at 19:30.

Rating: B. I wasn’t sure where this was going but they had a good match before they went to the right ending with Punk returning. I was worried they would have one of them take a fall here and that was a terrible idea. They did a nice job here, though I’m not sure how the numbers game is going to workout. Right now it’s Punk/Zayn/Uso vs. Rollins and Breakker, with Roman Reigns still to come back to uneven things even more. That opens up some interesting options and with Heyman talking, everything should go well.

Post match the beating stays on until the villains run to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show did a good job of making me want to see where things are going. You had a nice return with Sheamus, some solid action, and a big moment in the end with Punk coming back to get revenge. There are good things taking place on this show week to week, even if it feels far too early for another pay per view with Backlash. For now though, another strong show here, with pieces that make me want to come back next week, which is incredibly important.

Results
Penta b. JD McDonagh – Canadian Destroyer
Sheamus b. Austin Theory – Brogue Kick
Iyo Sky b. Roxanne Perez – Rollup
Rusev b. Otis – Accolade
Seth Rollins b. Jey Uso via DQ when CM Punk interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 17, 2025
Location: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re still in Europe and that means the show is airing live around the world on Netflix. That makes for an interesting setup but there is something a bit more interesting than that on top. The big story this week is John Cena returning and hopefully explaining his attack on Cody Rhodes. The fact that Rhodes is here too should help so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Commentary hypes up the card and says we should give John Cena the chance to explain himself.

We look back at Cena’s heel turn with Cody Rhodes’ promo from last week narrating.

Here is Cena to get things going and the fans are not pleased with him. Cena has the regular gear on and holds up the Last Time Is Now towel but is much more stoic than usual with far less energy. The dueling chants begin and Cena takes the microphone, which he drops and teases leaving but stops. Cena finally gives a quote about how you shouldn’t have to look outside yourself for approval.

The fans keep booing and Cena says this is making it so easy for him. Cena says that for twenty five years, he has been in an abusive relationship. The people have spent all these years bullying him into being his puppet and expecting him to do it with a smile on his face. The fans are not pleased with this and let him know (the censoring takes a second to catch up), which Cena calls “so very classy”. Cena: “I am not a babyface. I am not a heel. I’m a human being.”

Everyone has been awful to him and it has been the same noise for twenty five years (eh more like twenty but close enough). The fans have let him know that he wasn’t worthy of his attention so he changed himself, but it wasn’t enough. Then he worked hard like he always did and he did nothing but win and they still didn’t like him. Cena says the only thing he can do is leave, which is something that has never been done before, which gets some cheers.

One last time, Cena tries to do something nice for them and YOU RUIN IT JUST LIKE YOU RUIN EVERYTHING. Just like tonight, it’s two seconds of being great but that’s never enough! The fans sing the Goodbye Song and Cena goes into a rant about how everything has always been about what the fans get. No one ever asked how he was feeling so they get what they deserve, which is NOTHING. The fans don’t get a new look or new music because the look is his, just like the voice on his theme song.

The only thing you get is a long look in the mirror to see how bad people have been to him for twenty five years. Cena mocks the WE WANT CODY chant before pointing out some LET’S GO CENA chanters. Those people are the worst of them all because they have done nothing but steal from him. You steal his moments and times and made him the punchline of a stupid invisible joke for FIFTEEN YEARS AND IT IS NOT FUNNY!

These people wear words like hustle, loyalty and respect but he lives them every day. You think you can buy the idea of “never give up”? He is the embodiment of the idea and these people use him as an excuse for their pathetic failures of a life. Each of them, including the kid in Cena gear in the front row, is part of a TOXIC RELATIONSHIP. Cena: “I’m breaking up with you. I’m done. I’m breaking up with every single person. You’re dumped. I don’t care about you and you don’t matter to me.”

Cue Cody Rhodes to an absolute roar, leaving Cena just shaking his head. Rhodes says everyone, including himself, was willing to hear Cena out. Cena said everyone gave him their worst but they have also given him their best for twenty five years. They did that because Cena could do that and carry it. Cena: “Listen kid…” Rhodes: “ENOUGH! It certainly isn’t kid. It’s WWE Champion.”

Rhodes was looking forward to going toe to toe to Cena week to week but this version better not show up at Wrestlemania. He already took Cena’s best shot so he’ll send Cena to retirement early. At Wrestlemania, he wants the real Cena, not this whiny b****. Rhodes leaves (no music) and poses on the stage with the title before leaving. Cena drops the mic and goes to leave, earning a reprise of the Goodbye Song. He goes up the aisle, teases a pose, and then walks away.

This went on for the better part of half an hour and it didn’t feel real. After so many years of the same kind of stuff from Cena, it was so strange to see him just unleashing all of this venom. It worked very well and told Cena’s story, with Cena intentionally talking down to everyone watching. That’s what it should have been and while it’s going to take some time to process, my goodness did it work well, with the fans being furious with him the whole time. Rhodes’ stuff was fine, but this was ALL about Cena, as fans have been waiting a very long time for this.

Michael Cole goes on a rant about what Cena just said and credits the fans for everything that Cena has. Cole: “Cena is an irrational p***k.” Corey Graves says we don’t have to like it but there’s going to be a fight at Wrestlemania.

The main event is for the Intercontinental Title so we look at some classic Wrestlemania matches, including Savage vs. Steamboat. Yeah that still holds up.

Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser

No DQ and they slug it out to start until Penta knocks him to the floor. A missed charge sends Penta into the timekeeper’s area but Penta walks the barricade for a hurricanrana into the apron (thankfully Kaiser stood there while Penta was coming at him). Penta hits a big running flip dive over the top and they strike it out on the announcers’ table. Kaiser goes to the eyes and hits a Death Valley Driver onto the table as we take a break.

Back with Penta hitting a high crossbody and a Backstabber to put Kaiser down. Kaiser gets in another Death Valley Driver and they go outside, where Penta backdrops him onto the announcers’ table. Back in and they strike it out until Kaiser gets two off a neckbreaker. Kaiser demands that Penta fear him and hits a loud chair shot to the back. He demands that Penta say he’s scared but Penta reverses into the Sacrifice.

Penta grabs a chair so Kaiser backs off and says Penta wins. Then Kaiser rakes the eyes and takes the chair, only to get it superkicked into his face. Penta does it again and hits a middle rope Canadian Destroyer onto the chair (ignore that Penta landed on it instead of him), setting up the Penta Driver for the pin at 13:53.

Rating: B. The thing that catches my attention here is how few weapons they used here. Other than the announcers’ table, the chair was the only thing involved. Rather than using a bunch of weapons, they told a story with Kaiser becoming obsessed with breaking Penta but not being able to do it. Penta gets a big win and can move on, possibly into a title feud.

Post match Penta thanks the fans and says he’s coming for the Intercontinental Title. There you go.

Dakota Kai comes to the ring. Of note: Karrion Kross could be seen talking to Dominik Mysterio.

We go to the Judgment Day clubhouse where the team wishes each other luck when Dominik comes in. Balor thanks him for getting an Intercontinental Title shot tonight. Dominik has an idea of adding someone new to the team (Liv Morgan doesn’t think this is the right time) like say, Penta. Balor is NOT pleased and calls Dominik a snake. With Balor gone, Dominik says he didn’t know Penta wanted the Intercontinental Title. Carlito: “You don’t watch the show do you?” Points for a funny line.

Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile

Chad Gable and the rest of American Made are here too. Kai knocks her into the corner to start but what looks like an RKO is shoved away. Nile hammers away but charges into some shots to the face. Kai fights back with a boot in the corner and another out to the floor, only for Gable to offer a distraction. Back up and Nile hits something like a swinging Rock Bottom for two but here is the LWO to go after the Creeds. Gable is chased out of the arena and the running boot in the corner into the GTK finishes for Kai at 2:49.

Adam Pearce is here to emcee the contract signing between Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair. Sky says she won’t be disrespected again because she is the Women’s World Champion. She signs to get us halfway done. Belair says if Sky thought that was disrespectful, Sky doesn’t know her at all. Belair signs as well…and here is Rhea Ripley to interrupt.

Ripley gets in Belair’s face but says she’s just here to watch. Ripley isn’t pleased and gets shoved by Bianca, only for Ripley to put Belair on the table. A powerbomb sends Sky onto Belair….and Ripley signs the contract as well before taking it with her. This continues the wrestling tradition of THIS ISN’T HOW CONTRACTS WORK.

Jey Uso is ready to face Gunther….and then he runs into Gunther. Arguing and shoving ensues but security breaks it up.

Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory

Grayson Waller is here with Theory, who gets speared for the pin at 30 seconds.

Post match Uso tries a dive onto the villains but doesn’t quite clear the rope, thankfully being ok as he lands on the apron. Gunther comes in for the sleeper but Uso fights out and the brawl is on. Uso takes the title off of Gunther, who gets it back and bails. Yeeting ensues. Gunther continues to feel secondary to a lot of things around here and that’s not a great sign.

Video on Bron Breakker vs. Finn Balor.

Adam Pearce yells at Rhea Ripley about the contract, saying it’s like talking to a child. Ripley gives the contract back and wants in the match but here is Bianca Belair to jump her. Iyo Sky joins in and all three of them fight each other. Pearce and a single referee come in to break it up, which seems inefficient.

Creed Brothers vs. LWO

Brutus is knocked to the floor to start as Graves suggests that last week’s masked luchador could have been Del Wilkes or Tom Brandi. Julius comes in with a hard clothesline and we take a break. Back with Mysterio coming in to clean house but Julius gets in a backbreaker. Mysterio hits a DDT and Lee takes out Brutus, leaving Mysterio to hit a 619 into the springboard splash for the pin at 5:47. Not enough shown to rate but it was about getting Mysterio in the ring, which is fine.

Post match the masked luchador comes in to jump the LWO, including some German suplexes. Security chases him off.

We look back at last week’s main event with Roman Reigns attacking Seth Rollins, costing CM Punk a match. Reigns then took Punk out as well, mainly due to Paul Heyman checking on Punk.

Here is Rollins (in far more normal attire) for a chat. We get a VERY extended WHOA period from the crowd, Rollins hits his catchphrase and praises the people. The fans chant for CM Punk and then Roman Reigns but Rollins finds it impressive that Reigns still can’t come up with a plan without his Wise Man. Reigns had everything figured out but he forgot one more detail, with the fans against chanting for Punk.

Rollins says this is like the good old days, as he has to clean up Reigns’ mess. This Friday, they’ll be in the same place on Smackdown and he’ll get in between the two of them. That’s for a few days from now though, so how about the fans sing his song one more time before the main event? And they do. Rollins didn’t say much here but it was mainly about saying “we’ll do something that actually matters on Friday”.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

AJ Styles doesn’t think Logan Paul belongs around here but here are Karrion Kross and Scarlett to interrupt. Kross thinks Styles might be mad at himself so Styles goes to leave. Kross gets him to stay and asks how long Styles took to get to WWE. It didn’t take Paul 17 years to get to WWE, but Styles says this isn’t working. Kross, after Styles leaves: “I think it’s working.”

Bron Breakker stares down Penta in the back but nothing is said/done.

HHH Hall Of Fame video.

Intercontinental Title: Finn Balor vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker is defending. Balor’s headlock doesn’t get him very far to start as Breakker powers things into the corner without much trouble. They go to the floor with Breakker doing his big run around the ropes, only to get caught with the Sling Blade. We take a break and come back with Balor spinning into a Russian legsweep for two. Some trash talk gets Breakker mad and he snaps off a suplex. The suplex powerslam connects but here is the Judgment Day for a distraction.

Balor plants him for two but Breakker is right back up to knock him outside. The clothesline from the apron onto the announcers’ table crushes Balor, with Breakker staying down too. Back in and a Sling Blade drops Breakker again, with a dropkick into the corner, only to miss the Coup de Grace. The Super Spear hits the buckle but Breakker hits the gorilla press powerslam for two. Balor goes up top but gets crotched, only for the Judgment Day to offer a distraction. That’s broken up and it’s the super Frankensteiner into the Super Spear to retain the title at 12:32.

Rating: B. Balor not winning isn’t the biggest surprise as he just doesn’t do that in big matches. What matters the most here is that Breakker gets a nice win on his way to a potential Wrestlemania showdown with Penta. The Judgment Day’s woes continue and now we get to see where this goes as things keep falling apart. For now though, we have a Breakker vs. Penta match coming and that has me interested.

Post match Judgment Day goes after Breakker but Penta runs in for the save. Penta holds up the title but hands it to Breakker for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a rather unique show, with the one big thing dominating the rest, though most of the rest was good enough. That being said, this was ALL about the Cena segment, which fans have been waiting on and it certainly delivered (albeit going a bit long). The fans were invested though and that should make for a great Road To Wrestlemania on the way to the huge showdown. Cena sounded like a star and I want to see where it goes, which suggests that they’re doing something right.

Other than that, you have the rest of the show, with Penta of all people feeling like the biggest story. That’s a good sign, as Penta has not even been around for three months and is already in a prominent role. There is a good chance that he’ll get a title match either at or just before Wrestlemania, which opens up some interesting possibilities. The Women’s Title match is likely all but set as well, along with Jey Uso doing his thing. Naturally Cena was the big story here, but the rest held up well enough. Couple that with another red hot crowd and this was a rather nice show.

Results
Penta b. Ludwig Kaiser – Penta Driver
Dakota Kai b. Ivy Nile – GTK
Jey Uso b. Austin Theory – Spear
LWO b. Creed Brothers – Springboard splash to Julius
Bron Breakker b. Finn Balor – Super Spear

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 10, 2025
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

They’re back home this week as the show is in the Garden with a couple of major matches. First up, and likely in the main event, it’s Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk inside a steel cage. Other than that, it’s time to get even more ready for Wrestlemania and that should make for some interesting situations. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Jey Uso vs. Grayson Waller

Austin Theory is in Waller’s corner. Waller kicks the leg out to start and sends Uso into the post, only to get kicked in the head for his efforts. A clothesline puts Waller on the floor but Theory gets in a cheap shot, allowing Waller to drop Uso for a change. We take a break and come back with Waller’s middle rope elbow connecting for two. Uso fights up and hits the superkick (which might not have connected), only for the dive to be cut off by a Stunner over the ropes. The rolling Downward Spiral gives Waller two but Uso hits him in the face. The spear gives Uso the pin at 9:10.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t about Uso being in danger of losing but rather him having to overcome some odds before getting a win. Uso is being built up as a singles star and while Waller is beneath him, it’s a nice way to boost him on the way to the biggest match of his career at Wrestlemania. It’s nothing great, but it did what it needed to, albeit without being the most thrilling match.

Post match Theory comes in for the beatdown but gets dropped for a Superfly Splash. Cue Gunther to choke Uso out. Gunther feels like an afterthought on this show and while annoying, it’s not surprising given how many other stars there are around here.

Long video on CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, focusing on the hatred that has built up for over a year.

The Alpha Academy checks on Seth Rollins in the trainer’s room.

Here is Logan Paul, who rips off a fan’s shirt on the way to the ring. The fans are NOT happy to see Paul, who tries to talk about AJ Styles but eggs on the booing as he tends to do. Paul talks about how there are some names which transcend wrestling, which is why it surprised him that Cody Rhodes turned down the Rock. It took John Cena twenty years to realize that nice guys finish last.

Paul has known that for twenty years so consider his soul for sale. He’s the one in the ring while the regular people are watching from the crowd. Paul talks to comedian Andrew Schultz in the crowd who must be here to see him, but Schultz says he’s here for the cage match. No one is here for Paul but Schultz wants to see AJ Styles. Paul pulls him over the barricade and loads up a suplex but Styles makes the save. The Phenomenal Forearm lays Paul out and Styles calls Paul out, only for Paul to leave instead. This likely sets up a Wrestlemania match but it felt like it was more to promote Schultz.

We look back at Iyo Sky beating Rhea Ripley for the Women’s Title last week.

TKO is launching a boxing promotion.

We look at a cage match from the 70s with Bruno Sammartino defeating Ivan Koloff in the first televised cage match from the Garden.

New Day vs. LWO

Tornado tag match. The LWO wastes no time in cleaning house and knock New Day to the floor. Woods fights back on Mysterio and teases loading up a table, only to shove it back underneath the ring. An assisted seated senton takes Kofi Kingston down as Woods is whipped into the barricade (right in front of NXT Champion Oba Femi). New Day fights up and plants Lee on the floor as we take a break.

Back with Lee hitting a top rope double stomp to Kofi, setting up a hurricanrana to send Woods onto the table (which only kind of breaks, leaving Woods to have to hit it for the break). Back in and Mysterio’s springboard spinning crossbody gets two on Kingston and the 619 connects. The frog splash hits knees though and Kingston rolls him up for two of his own with Lee making the save.

Lee flip dives onto Kingston….and here’s a guy in a mask to take Lee out with a hurricanrana. Mysterio gets caught with a delayed German suplex by the masked man, who is in no way Chad Gable (ignore the AMERICAN MADE on his mask and him doing Gable’s pose). Security goes after the masked man, who sprints through the crowd. The top rope double stomp/backbreaker combination finishes Mysterio at 11:16.

Rating: C+. I’m liking the Lucha Gable stuff and I can absolutely see him making it (whatever it is going to be) work, but I’m not so sure on the New Day. They’re still hated by the crowd and the heel turn has made them more interesting than they have been in years, but who are they supposed to face? Other than getting the Tag Team Titles from the War Raiders or Big E. bringing in someone to fight them, they feel like they’re just kind of there, which is a weird way to go for someone who had so much heat.

We look at Bron Breakker going after Judgment Day last week.

Finn Balor is annoyed at Bron Breakker but Carlito doesn’t seem to listen because he’s staring at the apple. The rest of the team comes in and Dominik Mysterio has gotten Balor an Intercontinental Title shot next week. Balor gives him quite the hug and is proud of Mysterio for making this happen. Liv Morgan isn’t convinced but Mysterio thinks Balor has this.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat after a break. Rhodes is here because this is the cathedral of entertainment but John Cena isn’t here tonight. Cena and his inner circle aren’t here but they’ll be in Brussels, Belgium next week. That doesn’t work for Rhodes as Cena has quite the history in MSG. It was an easy decision, just like swinging someone after you have kicked them low and have backup.

Rhodes doesn’t begrudge Cena for calling his shot or having a part time schedule because part time Cena is better than most people full time. We get the dueling Cena chants and Rhodes says let’s let Cena hear it. Rhodes didn’t like Cena saying he had the discipline to do what needed to be done even if no one wanted it.

Rhodes talks about that mentor that you want to yell at and at this point he wants to tell Cena to shut up you “moron” (you could hear the audio cut out for a second as it seems they thought he was going to say something else that started with “mo”). Rhodes is looking forward to beating his mentor one more time because he is the captain now. He thanks the fans and that’s it. This was setting things up as a passing of the torch, which is an interesting way to go. Rhodes has been carrying this since the turn, but things could get cranked way up again next week when Cena is back.

We look at Jimmy Snuka’s cage dive on Don Muraco, with approximately 384 wrestlers in the crowd.

Various celebrities are here.

Bayley vs. Raquel Rodriguez

For a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Title and Dominik Mysterio/Liv Morgan are here with Rodriguez. Bayley gets sent to the apron to start and her Stunner over the ropes is broken up. Back in and Rodriguez misses a charge into the corner, allowing Bayley to grab a middle rope armdrag. Rodriguez gives her a swinging front facelock but gets sent into the corner for a quick Bronco Buster.

Bayley knocks her down again and we take a break. Back with Rodriguez missing a legdrop on the apron and getting caught with a middle rope Stunner. A knee to the head rocks Rodriguez again and the top rope elbow gives Bayley two. Rodriguez is sent outside and gets posted so Morgan and Mysterio offer distractions. That’s enough for Rodriguez to plant Bayley on the announcers’ table and Bayley has to beat the count. The Tejana Bomb gives Rodriguez the pin at 10:05.

Rating: B-. What matters here is that we’re getting someone else involved in the title picture. Lyra Valkyria is in a weird place as she’s the new champion and doesn’t have anything to do other than have one off title matches. Rodriguez can be the next challenger, though you would think that Bayley beating Valkyria in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match a few weeks ago would be enough to get her a title shot.

Chad Gable denies being the masked man earlier. Gable doesn’t know who that fan was, but he should have been dragged out a lot earlier. We see the masked man being taken away by security and Gable gives Cathy Kelly an “I told you so” look. I’m intrigued.

We look at Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase in a cage in 1988.

More celebrities are here.

Michael Cole is in the ring to talk to Iyo Sky. The fans tell Sky that she deserves it and she says it is a dream to be here as champion. She is over the moon to be going to Wrestlemania as champion but here is Bianca Belair for the big staredown. Cole asks her about the Rhea Ripley situation from last week but Belair wasn’t out there to cost Ripley. Cue Ripley to interrupt, wanting to know why Belair was out here last week. Belair said she explained it already but Ripley doesn’t buy it.

Maybe Belair should have handled her business with Naomi and Jade Cargill. Belair says Ripley is made because Belair clapped for both of them last week. The reality is Ripley can’t beat Sky and she’s blaming Belair. They go face to face and shove Sky away for trying to break it up. Sky slaps Ripley and Belair and points at the sign, suggesting a triple threat at Wrestlemania. That’s an upgrade over Sky vs. Belair, as Ripley is a bigger star than both of them and needs something to do.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk

In a cage with pinfall, submission or escape to win. Rollins jumps him fast to start but Punk slugs away in the corner. They trade shots in the middle with Punk getting the better of things but Rollins is back with a powerbomb against the cage as we take a break. Back with Punk still in trouble and Rollins opening the door, seemingly offering to let Punk leave. Punk flips him off (and the camera cuts out) before countering another buckle bomb with a hurricanrana into the cage.

The GTS connects with Rollins but Punk sits and stares at him instead of trying to leave. Rollins flips him off as well to bring Punk back to the middle, where a neckbreaker puts Rollins down again. Punk hits the top rope elbow and then does it two more times for a near fall. With nothing else working, Punk goes to the top of the cage but Rollins rolls to the corner before Punk can dive.

They fight on top of the cage (with a drone camera shot for a really unique visual) until Rollins superplexes him down for two. Punk is back with a GTS for two of his own but Rollins pulls him into an STF. That’s reversed into the Anaconda Vice, which is escaped so Rollins can hit a Stomp for two. A third GTS gives Punk two so he hits his own Stomp for two. Rollins shouts that Punk wants his house and then grabs his own GTS into another Stomp for another near fall. A super Stomp knocks Punk cold (Rollins: “Come on motherf*****”)…..but here is Roman Reigns to pull Rollins through the door for the win at 19:29.

Rating: B. This was about telling an interesting story, as neither tried to escape for the most part. That makes sense as it wasn’t about winning as much as it was about beating the other person. Hence all of the covers and kickouts, which granted did get to be a bit much at times. Reigns interfering is going to set up something at Wrestlemania and helps protect Punk in defeat, as Rollins didn’t pin him and interference cost Punk the match (which he won’t like either).

Post match Reigns wrecks Rollins and gives him a spear into a Stomp on the floor. Reigns isn’t done and loads up a Stomp on the steps but Adam Pearce and company break it up. We look tin the ring….where Paul Heyman is helping Punk up. That is NOT cool with Reigns, who wrecks Punk as Heyman looks on to end the show.

WWE has built up these three people (plus Heyman) to the point where ANYTHING they do is interesting because it makes you wonder where they’re going next. Heyman helped out an old friend (who had done nothing to Reigns) and the place went coconuts. It sets up a Wrestlemania triple threat and was done by the simple act of Heyman kneeling next to Punk.

This is how wrestling is supposed to work and it still does if it’s done properly.

Overall Rating: B-. The show started off a bit weak but then it got a lot better in the last hour or so. The important part of the show was setting up a bunch of Wrestlemania matches, which needs to be done as we are just over a month away from the big weekend. They did a good job of bringing that show together, though there is still a lot more to do. The first hour and a half or so was a bit weak without much of note, but the Sky/Ripley/Belair segment and main event stuff picked it up a lot. This show was an important step towards Wrestlemania and that’s what it needed to be.

Results
Jey Uso b. Grayson Waller – Spear
New Day b. LWO – Top rope double stomp/backbreaker combination to Mysterio
Raquel Rodriguez b. Bayley – Tejana Bomb
Seth Rollins b. CM Punk – Rollins escaped the cage

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Vengeance Day 2025
Date: February 15, 2025
Location: CareFirst Arena, Washington DC
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We’re back at the big show and that means it is time for a slightly different card. The NXT Title is on the line in a three way while the Women’s Title is a four way match. The Tag Team Titles are on the line as well, but we also have a mystery faction who seems ready to debut. Let’s get to it.

We look at various moments throughout Vengeance Day history, because Vengeance Day is old enough to have a history. The show’s big matches get a look as well.

Women’s North American Title: Fallon Henley vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Henley, with the rest of Fatal Influence, is defending. Vaquer takes her down to the mat to start and they fight over arm control early on. Henley pulls her into a rollup for two, only to get caught in an STF. With that broken up, Vaquer bends Henley’s back over her knees and then switches to a rollup for two instead. A cross armbreaker has Vaquer down for a bit, until she reverses into one of her own over the ropes.

Henley knocks her outside so Jazmyn Nyx can offer a distraction, meaning Jacy Jayne can get in a pump kick so Henley can really take over. Back in and things slow down, with the running crotch attack to the back having Vaquer in more trouble. A springboard Blockbuster gives Vaquer two and the frustration is setting in. Vaquer fights out of a chinlock and hits a springboard high crossbody, only to get caught with a sling blade.

A dragon screw legwhip into a Meteora gives Vaquer two but Henley is back with a backbreaker. Back up an Vaquer sends her to the apron for a double underhook facebuster. One heck of a springboard dive takes the villains own and the STB sets up a corkscrew moonsault for the pin and the title at 15:02.

Rating: C+. This was a situation where there was little drama, and it wasn’t exactly a situation where I was ever thinking Vaquer was in danger. That was kind of the point of the whole thing, but it made for a long match as we were just waiting for Vaquer to take the title. That’s how it should have gone as Henley wasn’t going to be a long term champion, but cut a few minutes off of this.

We recap the Tag Team Title match. Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura are friends from their time in Japan and won one match so it’s time for a title match.

Sol Ruca takes Zaria skateboarding and it doesn’t go well.

Tag Team Titles: Yoshiki Inamura/Josh Briggs vs. Fraxiom

Fraxiom is defending. Inamura and Axiom lock up to start but Frazer comes in off a blind tag. The champs take over with some rapid fire kicks, including Frazer hitting an enziguri. Inamura chops his way out of trouble and it’s Briggs coming in with a big boot to Axiom to take over. Frazer gets clotheslined out to the floor and a chokeslam onto Inamura’s knee gets two on Axiom.

Inamura strikes away in the corner and we pause to look at the crowd for some reason. With Inamura sticking his chest out so Axiom can hit a chop, Axiom hits the Golden Ratio for the big knockdown instead. It’s back to Frazer to pick up the pace, with a running shooting star press getting two on Briggs. Frazer’s dive off the top lands on Briggs’ face for two but he’s right back up with a powerbomb to put Frazer down. A sitout powerbomb gives Inamura two on Axiom and everyone is down.

Axiom hits the super Spanish Fly on Inamura, only for Briggs to super chokeslam Frazer onto Axiom for a creative looking crash. Briggs blasts Axiom with a clothesline but Axiom is back up with a poisonrana. Inamura picks up Axiom for a slam so Frazer jumps onto Inamura’s back for a sleeper. That just has Inamura spinning around and puts them both down. A very bouncy top rope splash misses for Inamura and Axiom moonsaults onto Briggs n the floor. Back in and a missile dropkick/legsweep combination pins Inamura at 10:24.

Rating: B-. This was a match that got better as it was going, but it was fighting a major problem throughout: I had no reason to be interested in Briggs and Inamura. They’re a good enough team and looked solid here, but they’ve only had a handful of televised matches. Other than that, it’s been a bunch of Briggs talking about how good they are and that’s about it. That’s a hard stop to come back from at the start but they were certainly trying here. I’m not sure who is next for Fraxiom, but they’re having quite the run as champions.

Post match respect is shown….and the four people we have seen in vignettes pop in to beat all of them down. None of them look familiar.

The D’Angelo Family is not happy with Izzi Dame turning on them so Shawn Spears and company could beat Tony D’Angelo down. Stacks is going to take care of this on his own. And he’s on his own as he talks, because the D’Angelo Family is the only family in NXT.

We recap Eddy Thorpe vs. Trick Williams in a strap match. Thorpe has cost Williams the NXT Title and now Williams wants revenge, with the strap being Thorpe’s idea.

Eddy Thorpe vs. Trick Williams

Strap match but with pinfall or submission. The fight is on before the strap is attached and Williams clotheslines him out to the floor. Back in and Williams hits a backdrop and puts the strap around his own wrist. Williams ties it to Thorpe’s wrist as well and now we get the bell. Thorpe gets sent into the corner and a pop up right hand puts him down again, only for Williams to get tossed over the top.

Back in and Thorpe uses the strap to pull him off the top, only to pose on the ropes so Williams can get in a pull of his own. Thorpe gets violent with the first hard whip to the back, followed by another on the floor. Williams gets tied up to the post and whipped in the chest, followed by some strap punches to the head.

A Randy Orton backbreaker gets two and a jumping elbow connects for the same. Something like a spinebuster gets Williams out of trouble and he goes simple by choking with the strap. That’s broken up with a rope grab so Williams just unloads with strap shots to the back. A low blow with the strap cuts Williams down though and a running knee finishes for Thorpe at 10:59.

Rating: C. NXT has decided that Thorpe is going to be a thing and they are going to try to make that happen no matter what. Thorpe has done almost nothing that is overly impressive but here he is anyway. Williams seemed like he was gearing up for a big showdown with Oba Femi at Stand & Deliver. Maybe that is what happens, but for now, Williams has a lot of work to do after this kind of a loss, as surprising as it was.

We look at Ricky Starks debuting earlier this week. He’ll sign his NXT deal on Tuesday.

We recap Ethan Page attacking Je’Von Evans and breaking his jaw. Evans is back for revenge and Page is all violent.

Je’Von Evans vs. Ethan Page

Evans has a mouthpiece in because his jaw is still a bit banged up. The fight is on fast and Page bails to the floor to avoid a big shot to the jaw. Instead Evans dives onto Page (and nearly misses) before unloading on Page on the announcers’ table (while showing some great fire).

Back in and a suplex into a Blue Thunder Bomb gives Evans one, followed by a springboard clothesline for two. Evans’ springboard cutter is blocked so he sends Page to the apron, where the springboard cutter can drop Page in a heap. A big stomp onto the steps misses though and Page takes him down by the leg to take over. Page DDTs the leg and grabs a half crab to keep up the cranking.

A slam sends the leg into the ropes and we hit the ankle lock. The rope is grabbed for a break and Evans is back with a Superman Punch. Another springboard is broken up and the Ego’s Edge sends Evans flying for two. Back up and Evans strikes away, setting up a spinning kick to the head (What leg injury?). Evans stomps on the jaw to send Page outside for a big dive. Page knocks a springboard out of the air (and Evans loses his mouth piece) and the Twist Of Fate finishes Evans at 11:59.

Rating: B-. This was a match that was going in a few different ways, as the opening portion with Evans going after Page was some of the best stuff I’ve seen from Evans so far. It was fired up and felt like someone wanting to get revenge, including by hitting Page in the face as often as he could. That stuff was very good and Page going after the leg made sense, but egads I was rolling my eyes hard when Evans was flipping and jumping on the bad leg at the end. If Evans can show fire like that when he needs to and learn to sell a leg injury, he could get a lot better.

Evans is bleeding from the mouth.

Stephanie Vaquer is happy with her win but her night isn’t over because she’ll be watching the Women’s Title match.

NXT Title: Oba Femi vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller

Femi is defending and even he knows this is a glorified handicap match. Some early double teaming has Femi in trouble to start and stereo forearms put him down to one knee. Back up and Femi chokeslams both of them but Waller gets in a kick to Femi’s ribs. A suplex sends both challengers flying and Theory charges into a boot in the corner. Femi gets clotheslined to the floor so Waller tells Theory to lay down.

That doesn’t work for Theory as he shoves Waller away, where Femi can pull him to the apron. Some chops rock Waller and Theory but Waller saves Femi from a powerbomb. Femi misses a shot with the steps though and Waller DDTs him onto those steps to actually slow Femi down. A chair is brought in and Femi hammers away with elbows, followed by some chair shots to really take over.

Back up and Femi side slams Waller through an open chair, with Theory having to make the save. The rolling dropkick takes Femi down again and the evil alliance is on again. Theory puts Femi in an electric chair but Femi grabs Waller with a superplex to put both of them down. Femi sets up a table (this match did not need a table) but the villains put him on the table, setting up Waller’s middle rope elbow through it for two.

Back in and Femi knocks Waller off the apron before hitting a spinebuster on Theory. Femi tosses Waller through the announcers’ table but Theory hits Femi in the back with a chair. A jumping DDT sets up A Town Down for two but Waller pulls the referee (with the camera telegraphing the save). Theory yells at Waller, who accidentally gives Theory the rolling Stunner. The Fall From Grace retains the title at 13:13.

Rating: C. Well, that was exactly what I was expecting when the match was announced and they didn’t change a bit. Femi was a dominant monster and the other two were too proud and/or stupid to take advantage of their advantage. I’m not sure why this was the NXT Title match on a show this big, as it was never in doubt and felt like something that should have been an impromptu match around 9pm on a random episode of NXT. Femi breaking things is good, but dang this wasn’t interesting coming in and they never did anything to make it better.

Post match the lights go out and the four people we’ve seen teased are in the crowd. They storm the ring to beat Femi down and a quadruple toss powerbomb leaves Femi laying. Two of them appeared to be Cutler James and Dion Lennox.

Ava says she’ll deal with the four of them later but now she has to worry about the show in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lexis King has texted her 22 times but then she moves on to the show in New York City two weeks later. Arianna Grace pops in ad thanks Ava for making her the liaison to TNA. She introduces Santino Marella, who has met Ava before. Ava teases mentioning something about Santino and Grace (his daughter) but leaves to talk to Santino instead.

Here’s what’s coming on Tuesday.

We recap the NXT Women’s Title match. Giulia is defending and represents the future, Bayley is representing the past, Roxanne Perez is representing the present and Cora Jade is here too. It’s being billed as a battle of the generations, which is quite the idea.

NXT Women’s Title: Giulia vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade

Giulia is defending. Perez yells a lot to start so Bayley goes after her, leaving Giulia to go up for a double dropkick. They start trading rollups for two each before Bayley and Perez hit stereo dives to the floor. Back in and Perez slaps Bayley, who takes her down for an elbow to the back. Jade pulls Bayley to the floor but has to avoid Pop Rox. It’s back to Giulia to clean house before we get the big showdown with Bayley.

That doesn’t last long as they opt to suplex Jade, who saves Jade from the same. Jade and Perez avoid fighting but Jade’s running knee in the corner accidentally hits Perez. A big flip dive takes out Giulia and Bayley on the floor but an angry Perez slams Jade off the top. Perez hammers away on Jade but Bayley breaks it up and hits some knees in the corner to rock Jade. Giulia grabs something like an Octopus on Bayley but Perez is back in with a crossface.

Giulia slips out and hits the Northern Lights Bomb for two, followed by Bayley hitting Jade with a swinging side slam for the same. Bayley’s sunset bomb sends Giulia into the corner but Jade breaks up Pop Rox. Jaded gets two on Bayley and everyone is down. Giulia starts snapping off suplexes and takes Perez up top, only for the Tower Of Doom to bring everyone down, with Jade at the bottom. Everyone brawls to the floor before Perez is back in with Pop Rox to Bayley. Jade hits Perez with Jaded but Giulia is back in with the knee to the head. The Northern Lights Bomb to Perez retains the title 18:31.

Rating: B. Thank goodness this was the main event as it was the match with the biggest build and it wound up being the best thing on the show. Giulia can more than hold her own with anyone, Perez is a natural and Bayley added the star power. I’m not sure why Jade needed to be here if she wasn’t taking the fall, but she certainly didn’t hurt things. Solid main event here as Giulia gets to further establish herself as the top of the best women’s division going today.

Post match Stephanie Vaquer comes out to pose with Giulia but Jordynne Grace returns fr the big staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. It wasn’t a bad show, but it also wasn’t an interesting one. The problem here is most of the matches didn’t have the best build and that hurt the show a lot. You had Vaquer winning the title, a Tag Team Title match added four days ago, Femi defending in a match that was never in doubt, and a big time main event, plus a pair of grudge matches. That’s not exactly a must see card and it went about that way in reality. Stand & Deliver is coming up and I would hope that it feels a lot bigger than this.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b. Fallon Henley – Corkscrew moonsault
Fraxiom b. Yoshiki Inamura/Josh Briggs – Missile dropkick/legsweep combination to Inamura
Eddy Thorpe b. Trick Williams – Running knee
Ethan Page b. Je’Von Evans – Twist Of Fate
Oba Femi b. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller – Fall From Grace to Waller
Giulia b. Bayley, Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez – Northern Lights Bomb to Perez

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

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Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

NXT
Date: January 28, 2025
Location: Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

We are closing in on Vengeance Day and that means it is time to start putting the card together. For some reason the big draw this week is NXT Champion Oba Femi appearing on the Grayson Waller Effect, which was presented as a bigger deal than the NXT Title match last week. Hopefully they have something good planned so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Giulia/Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez/Cora Jade

The villains try to jump them to start but are quickly knocked to the floor. We settle down to Giulia and Perez trading rollups for two each until Perez is dragged over to the corner. Jade comes in to yell at Bayley, who drops her with a clothesline for two. Perez sends Bayley and Giulia to the floor for some dives and we take an early break.

Back with everyone down before Bayley Stuns Jade over the middle rope. A cheap shot cuts Bayley off the top though and double teaming ensues as the referee holds Giulia back. Perez mocks Bayley’s old wave before charging into a belly to back suplex to give Bayley a breather. The Bayley To Belly allows the tag off to Giulia, who sends Perez flying with a suplex. Jade accidentally runs Perez over with a forearm for two as everything breaks down again. Giulia drops Jade and Bayley hits the top rope elbow for the pin at 12:59.

Rating: B-. Nice opener here as Bayley feels like the biggest star around here, just due to her legendary status. It helps that NXT can get bigger names from the main roster here and if Bayley can do something for NXT, it’s all the better. The match itself was good action, though Jade taking the fall felt like a matter of time more than anything else.

Eddy Thorpe insists he isn’t done and will make his mark in NXT.

It’s time for the Grayson Waller Effect and hometown boy Austin Theory is rather popular until Grayson Waller cuts them off. Waller brings out Oba Femi as the guest and praises him, only for Theory to say he doesn’t see their potential. Femi brings up that he is the only one of them to be NXT Champion but Theory talks about how Femi is going to get to the main roster and then wind up on the indies selling t-shirts. Femi asks where their titles are and offers them a title shot at Vengeance Day. Waller tries to accept but here is Ava to say she makes the matches. Cue Trick Williams, who is planted with the Fall From Grace.

Izzi Dame says there is nothing going on with her and the D’Angelo Family. She helped D’Angelo keep the NXT Title because neither of them like Shawn Spears. Cue Ridge Holland to yell at her but Stacks cuts that off.

Trick Williams vs. Wes Lee

Williams is still banged up and Lee has Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont with him. Lee wastes no time in knocking Williams, with his bad ribs, into the corner. More shots to the back keep Williams in trouble but he pulls Lee’s high crossbody out of the air. The back gives out but Williams knocks him hard to the floor. A Meteora from the apron sends Williams into the announcers’ table though and we take a break.

Back with Williams kicking his way out of a half crab and dropping Lee with a shot to the face. The Trick Shot is loaded up but Igwe pulls Lee to the floor in time. Back in and Lee is launched over the top onto the other two and Williams unloads in the corner. The referee is finally thrown down and Williams is DQ’ed at 10:10.

Rating: C+. This was more about making Williams look intense and that worked out well. There is a very, very good chance that we are coming up on Williams vs. Oba Femi at Stand & Deliver and Williams is going to have to get warmed up on his way there. Beating up Lee is a good way to get started there and this was a nice way to make Williams feel serious.

Post match Williams grabs a chair and the ring is cleared out in a hurry.

Ava yells at Oba Femi for overstepping his bounds before making Femi vs. Austin Theory vs. Grayson Waller in a triple threat at Vengeance Day.

Post break Ava yells at Trick Williams and makes him/Femi vs. A-Town Down Under next week.

Women’s North American Title: Shotzi vs. Fallon Henley

Henley, with Fatal Influence, is defending so Shotzi has Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley to even things out. Shotzi grabs a hurricanrana to start and a wheelbarrow faceplant gets an early two. Henley bails to the floor so Shotzi hits a big dive and the other four brawl to the back. Shotzi’s kick only hits the post though and Henley takes the leg out as we take a break.

Back with Shotzi hitting an inverted cannonball but Henley grabs a hair faceplant. A stretch muffler is broken up and Shotzi’s Sliced Bread gets two. Shotzi crushes her with a top rope backsplash for two but another Sliced Bread is broken up. Something like a reverse explodes drops Shotzi and the Hoedown (Fameasser) retains the title at 10:15.

Rating: C. Not much to this one, other than Henley’s finisher is called the Hoedown, just in case you wanted her to be treated as a serious star. I have no idea how that was the best name they had, but for now Henley gets to hang onto the title. That being said, I can’t imagine Henley holding the title past Vengeance Day when Stephanie Vaquer likely gets a title shot.

Post match Stephanie Vaquer comes out for the staredown and the title match is official for Vengeance Day.

Kelani Jordan and Karmen Petrovic argue over Ashante Thee Adonis.

Ava makes Giulia vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez for the Women’s Title at Vengeance Day. Perez approves, Cora Jade doesn’t.

Ethan Page vs. Cedric Alexander

Alexander starts fast and hammers away to choke Page in the corner. A dropkick puts Page down again but he goes after the bad fingers for a needed breather. The covering is taken off of the bad hand and Page sends it into the post as we take a break. Back with Alexander fighting back and grabbing a modified Koji Clutch. That’s broken up with a grab of the bad hand and Page breaks up a handspring. The Twist Of Fate finishes Alexander at 11:12.

Rating: C. I’m starting to get into this more angry and aggressive Page as it is starting to make him stand out a bit more. What matters the most here is that Page continues to look like a monster and that is likely going to lead to a showdown with Je’Von Evans at Vengeance Day. Page has gone from little more than a generic villain to something more interesting and that is nice to see.

Post match the beatdown stays on but Je’Von Evans runs in for the save.

Fatal Influence is ready for Stephanie Vaquer.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Josh Briggs gives Yoshiki Inamura his own vest so they can match.

Vengeance Day rundown.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Meta Four vs. Naomi/Bianca Belair

Naomi and Belair are defending. Jackson takes Naomi down to start but gets caught in a wristlock to slow things down. An exchange of rollups gets two each and it’s off to Belair for a Paisan Elbow. Legend comes in to face Belair and the fans definitely approve. A headscissors is countered into a swinging backbreaker to drop Belair and Legend’s running moonsault gets two as we take a break.

Back with Naomi being sent into the corner but we cut to Cora Jade yelling at Ava backstage. Naomi gets over to Belair for a needed tag and house is quickly cleaned. The handspring moonsault gives Belair two but everything breaks down. Belair is sent outside for a dive from Jackson and the wheelbarrow faceplant/cutter gets two on Naomi. Legend’s powerbomb is countered into an X Factor for a needed breather but Jackson gets a VERY near fall (with the fans booing it being called two and commentary calling it out). A quick KOD retains the titles at 12:58.

Rating: B. I’ve been rather critical of Legend but sweet goodness has she come a LONG way in the last year or so. She has gone from horrible to a heck of a powerhouse and she feels like a star. The ending felt like it could be moving somewhere later on, but for now, Belair and Naomi getting a hard fought win is nice to see.

We get a test pattern saying WWE TRANSMISSION but those words are deleted and VENGEANCE DAY comes up instead.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a weird show, as they set up a bunch of stuff for Vengeance Day but I can’t quite get behind a lot of what we are going to be seeing. There are multiple triple threats and those matches are only so interesting. The show itself was decent and some people were showing good fire, though I’m less interested in Vengeance Day than I was coming into this week. That’s not a good sign, but there is still time to make it better.

Results
Giulia/Bayley b. Roxanne Perez/Cora Jade – Top rope elbow to Jade
Wes Lee b. Trick Williams via DQ when Williams shoved the referee
Fallon Henley b. Shotzi – Hoedown
Ethan Page b. Cedric Alexander – Twist Of Fate
Bianca Belair/Naomi b. Meta Four – KOD to Jackson

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