Monday Night Raw
Date: October 5, 2026
Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

Somehow it’s the last Raw before Money In The Bank and that means we’re finalizing plans for the show. It doesn’t feel like we should be coming up on that big of an event yet here we are, with no more qualifying matches (thank goodness) and a World Title match between LA Knight and Roman Reigns which feels pretty cold. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of 946 being all violent last week and adding a new member in Jaida Parker, who ran Jacob Fatu over.

Roman Reigns arrives and the Usos want to talk to him about 946 but LA Knight is in the arena and he has something to do.

Here is Knight in the ring to talk about how there are all kinds of things going on but the only thing that matters is his title shot against Reigns. On Saturday, Reigns is going to walk down that aisle and at his pace, he might want to start now. Sure Reigns might be worried about the 946, but Knight always lives in the chaos. It’s down with the establishment, including Reigns, who comes out to interrupt.

Reigns says he was born in the chaos and thrives in it but he sees some doubt in Knight’s eyes. Knight has been running his mouth and then he jumped Reigns after the title match against Penta. The reality is that Knight is just another egg in the omelet and he’s getting broken on Saturday. Reigns is eating at the head of the table so St. Louis can acknowledge him.

They bump shoulders on the way out and Knight says Reigns is the most manufactured industry puppet he’s ever seen. Knight mocks Reigns’ teeth and then promises to win the title. There wasn’t much here but these two needed to be face to face before the title match. It doesn’t feel overly important, which might be due to the match being set up off air.

Je’Von Evans/Penta vs. The Vision

Non-title. The brawl starts on the floor and all four of them stay outside as we’re waiting for them to get inside. Penta kicks away at Breakker’s leg but his enziguri only hits the post. Breakker gets in a clothesline so Evans makes a save, only to be sent inside by Theory for the opening bell. Evans flips away from Theory but gets powerbombed by Breakker.

Another throw sends Evans flying and Breakker stops to yell at Penta, saying he’s already beaten him. Theory breaks up a tag attempt by pulling Penta to the floor, earning Evans a belly to belly over the top. The lights seem to unintentionally flicker and we take a break. We come back with a Steiner Bulldog taking Evans down but he avoids the Super Spear. That’s enough for the tag off to Penta, who gets to come in and clean house.

A slingshot dropkick hits Theory in the corner but he escapes the Penta Driver. The running flip dive hits Breakker on the floor but Theory breaks up Evans’ springboard cutter. Maxxine Dupri’s distraction looks to let Logan Paul send in the knuckles, with the throw going too far and Evans picks them up. A right hand knocks Theory cold for the pin at 8:22.

Rating: B-. The ending was a bit of a stretch as Theory watched Evans get the knuckles and put them on and then just stayed there with him. Theory isn’t quite that dumb but at least Evans didn’t take another fall. It wouldn’t surprise me to see another match for the title next week, as they haven’t actually defended the titles on TV since winning them in July.

Post match Bronson Reed runs in to beat Penta and Evans down but here is Oba Femi to clean house. The numbers get the better of Femi for a bit but he fights back and knocks Breakker outside. Reed knocks Femi down though and goes up, with Femi uppercutting him down to the floor. Breakker holds Reed back from getting in the ring again, leaving Femi to say that Reed has to climb a mountain on Saturday instead of a ladder. Femi promises destruction and teases drowning Reed. As usual, Femi feels like a monster here and he’ll probably smash Reed on Saturday.

Liv Morgan brags about being so amazing but Becky Lynch is keeping her from getting the rematch she deserves. She’ll beat Lynch tonight and then move on to Stephanie Vaquer.

We look at El Grande Americano/CM Punk/Rey Mysterio winning the main event of Worlds Collide.

Dragon Lee praises Mysterio’s abilities but Judgment Day interrupts. Lee tells Dominik to show some respect and the tag match is set up.

Video on 946, who want to take out the Usos and then come after Roman Reigns. No one is safe.

The Usos aren’t worried about Reigns comes in to ask what’s going on with 946. Reigns asks if Jacob Fatu is ok (which he apparently hasn’t bothered to ask in the last week) and says he’ll handle this.

Sol Ruca/Lola Vice vs. Judgment Day

Perez grabs a choke to start but can’t hit her spinning Russian legsweep. Ruca ties her up instead and does the surfing on her back, followed by a basement superkick. Vice comes in for a double hip shot to the head so it’s off to Rodriguez, who is pulled into a triangle choke. Everything breaks down and the villains are sent outside, with Ruca hitting a springboard corkscrew dive to take them out.

We take a break and come back with Vice getting the tag to clean house. Stereo running hip attacks hit the Judgment Day in the corners but Perez escapes a double suplex. Ruca dropkicks Rodriguez into the ropes but gets taken down by Perez. Another distraction looks to let Rodriguez Tejana Bomb Ruca, who reverses with a hurricanrana. Vice’s spinning kick tot he head drops Perez so Rodriguez makes the save. Back up and Vice accidentally spinning backfists Ruca, allowing Perez to get a rollup for the pin on Vice at 10:23.

Rating: C+. This was a weird one as it felt like four people wrestling on their own rather than having a tag match. Granted Ruca and Vice aren’t an actual team so it’s not like they should have any chemistry. The ending gives Perez another boost as she feels like a favorite to win the briefcase, which should make for an interesting situation. Ruca losing is a bit of a surprise, but it was off a fluke in a tag match so she’ll be fine.

Roman Reigns brings Adam Pearce into the locker room and Pearce makes 946 vs. the Bloodline for next week. It won’t be Reigns though, but rather Solo Sikoa, who doesn’t look thrilled.

Ethan Page vs. Rey Fenix

Non-title. Page shoves him down and brags about his size advantage and grabs a headlock. Back up and Fenix makes him run the ropes over and over, leaving Page looking panicked and winded. The rope walk kick knocks Page out to the floor and there’s the big corkscrew dive to the floor. Another dive connects inside, only for Page to send him into the corner and we take a break.

We come back with Page getting two off a release reverse fisherman’s suplex. Fenix pops up for a handspring cutter and a spinning kick to the head knocks Page silly again. An Angel’s Wings gives Fenix two more so he Tuns Up The Band and hits a superkick for the same. Page gets back up for a powerslam and another near fall but he gets superkicked on top. With that broken up, Page tries the EgoPlex but gets reversed into a small package for the pin at 11:13.

Rating: B-. I appreciate having Page back in the ring as he’s still one of the more consistent hands around. Having him getting frustrated by losing over and over should be interesting, as he could turn it into something good. For now though, it’s another case of getting Fenix over, which is fine after not having him do much of note.

Video on Money In The Bank and an explanation of its rules, along with the concept of cashing in a briefcase.

Judgment Day is ready to win even more titles but Liv Morgan makes the mistake of mentioning JD McDonagh having a large head. McDonagh doesn’t mind but he gets a present delivered. It’s a letter from Joe Hendry and a custom McDonagh Funko Pop.

Rey Mysterio/Dragon Lee vs. Judgment Day

Fenix takes over on McDonagh to start and sends him into the corner for the running dropkick. McDonagh is already rocked and gets clotheslined out to the floor, with Rey tagging himself in as Lee loads up a flip dive to the floor. Rey adds a running seated senton off the apron to drop Dominik and we take a break.

We come back with Rey in trouble and Dominik cutting him off with an elbow drop. McDonagh sends Rey into the corner and puts him down with a clothesline. Rey is tied up in the Tree Of Woe, where he does a situp to avoid McDonagh’s charge into the post. That and a tornado DDT to Dominik should be enough for the tag to Lee, but here is Big Cass to pull him off the apron. Rey takes Cass down and loads up a 619, only to get headbutted by McDonagh for the pin at 10:36.

Rating: B-. Ok the Funko Pop stuff is one of the dumbest angles they’ve had in a long time, but McDonagh using a headbutt as a huge finisher is rather awesome. Other than that, Judgment Day needed the win after some not so successful efforts. As for Cass…yeah I’m not seeing it happening, as he looks like a monster but that’s about it.

Post match Cass beats up Rey and Fenix without much trouble.

Money In The Bank rundown.

Becky Lynch talks about how many times Liv Morgan has cheated to retain the Women’s Title and then plays the victim. Lynch is the one who has to do all of the work and she’ll do it again here.

In case you were wondering, here’ show the Japanese commentary sounded for Oba Femi’s brawl earlier tonight.

Lyra Valkyria doesn’t know what it takes to get away from Bayley. Cue Bayley, who says this isn’t over until she says it’s over.

946 makes it clear that no one is safe.

Bronson Reed comes up to tell Paul Heyman that he’s planning to smash Oba Femi. Heyman hopes so and recommends a bunch of Tsunamis to make kids beg for mercy. Make it so bad that a priest and a rabbi deliver last rites. Then do about 25 more Tsunamis. Then one more. Heyman has seen this stuff taking place in person and while he’s been ticking people off for 40 years, this is different.

Even Brock Lesnar was just another opponent for Femi and that humbled Heyman. If Reed doesn’t hit Tsunami after Tsunami after Tsunami, he’ll be humbled too. Heyman leaves and Reed sees that he was watching a loop of Femi beating Lesnar in the Cell. As usual, Heyman can tell a story like no other, as it felt like he was going through PTSD here.

Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch

For the Women’s Title match on Saturday. Morgan gets knocked outside to start but sends Lynch into the barricade to take over. Back in and some running knees have Lynch in more trouble and we’re off to the chinlock. Lynch fights up without much trouble and gets in the running forearm in the corner, setting up the Bexploder. Some kicks to the chest have Morgan in trouble but she’s back with a Codebreaker. That’s shrugged off and Lynch hits a running clothesline as we take a break.

We come back with Lynch grabbing a DDT into a cross armbreaker, with Morgan quickly reversing. That means Lynch switches to the Disarm-Her so Morgan BITES THE LEG and reverses into a half crab. That’s broken up as well so Morgan knocks her down for two more. Back up and the Manhandle Slam is loaded up so here is Raquel Rodriguez for a distraction. Roxanne Perez comes in to snap Lynch’s arm over the rope, with Morgan adding a sunset bomb for two.

Oblivion is countered into a Manhandle Slam so Rodriguez puts the foot on the rope. Tessitore: “SHAME ON YOU!” Lynch takes out Rodriguez so Perez gets up on the apron, with Rodriguez knocking Lynch off the top. Stephanie Vaquer comes in to take Perez so Rodriguez hands Morgan the title. That’s caught as well and it’s a double ejection so Morgan tries Oblivion. Vaquer gets taken out by mistake, which draws her into hit both of them for the double DQ at 16:00.

Rating: B-. Well of course they did. You know where the ending is going and it’s one of the most annoying tendencies in all of wrestling. They were building up either Lynch making some big comeback against the odds or Morgan stealing the win (either would have been fine) but HA! Never mind, triple threat! It’s been done for years and my goodness I’m sick of it.

Post match Vaquer requests and receives a triple threat title match on Saturday. A corkscrew moonsault crushes both challengers to end the show. After a month of triple threat qualifying matches, we get a triple threat title match. Oh joy.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was the last push to Money In The Bank for the Raw side and….yeah it’s not exactly feeling great. It felt like they were trying everything they could but the stuff on here was a mix of filler and Knight vs. Reigns. That’s a problem when 946 has been the main story for weeks and Reigns only showed up at the last minute. They tried here, but it was pushing a big boulder uphill.

Results
Penta/Je’Von Evans b. The Vision – Right hand with brass knuckles to Theory
Judgment Day b. Sol Ruca/Lola Vice – Rollup to Perez
Rey Fenix b. Ethan Page – Small package
Judgment Day b. Rey Mysterio/Dragon Lee – Headbutt to Rey
Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch went to a double DQ when Stephanie Vaquer interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @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: September 21, 2026
Location: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re back stateside and that means it’s time to keep getting ready for Money In The Bank. We’ll be having some qualifying matches, but we’ll also have to deal with LA Knight getting the World Title shot against Roman Reigns. You didn’t hear about that one? Well it was announced after last week’s Raw went off the air. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Penta vs. Roman Reigns in their instant classic last week. We also see LA Knight coming out to lay Reigns out after the show, with the Money In The Bank title match being announced, oddly by Reigns, who wanted revenge.

Penta and LA Knight have a quick staredown in the back but everything seems to be ok.

Here is Penta to get things going and he gets quite the pyro. Penta talks about how big last week was for everyone, including himself and his family. Roman Reigns was the better man that night and Penta respects him, but this isn’t over. He wants another shot to win the title but here is Judgment Day to interrupt.

They don’t know why Penta is talking about the title when he lost last week. Dominik Mysterio is going to win Money In The Bank and become the champion while Penta is just a luchador. Dominik says he is the King Of The Luchadors but Penta says the only king is Dominik’s father. The brawl is on and Penta fights back with a double high crossbody to send the villains bailing.

Jacob Fatu yells at the Usos about how they keep screwing up with 946 (Royce Keys and OTM). Solo Sikoa comes in with a literal white flag and says they need to work together against OTM. That’s only happening if Sikoa acknowledges the Bloodline, which Sikoa says isn’t happening and leaves. Fatu says that was a big mistake….by the Usos.

Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Iyo Sky vs. La Catalina vs. Roxanne Perez

Catalina’s AAA Reina de Reinas title isn’t on the line. Perez chases both of them outside to start before it’s Perez going back inside to get double dropkicked right back to the floor. Catalina spins Sky around for two and Perez is back in for some rollups of her own. They get up for a three way standoff and Perez knocks Sky outside again. The suicide dive is cut off by Sky’s forearm and Sky follows with an Asai moonsault. Catalina dives onto both of them and we take a break.

We come back with Perez grabbing a DDT and Russian legsweep at the same time for two each. Catalina is back up with a high crossbody for two and some running hip attacks in the corner. Sky is sent outside and a forearm to the back gives Perez two. Back up and Sky goes up top, where Catalina shoves her onto the post. Perez gets up top with them and throws Catalina down, leaving Sky to get caught with a super hurricanrana.

Catalina knees Perez down though and everyone needs a breather. They all get up and strike it out until Catalina Gory Bombs Perez for two. Sky is back in with a double missile dropkick and the running knees hit them both in the corner. Over The Moonsault only hits Catalina though, allowing Perez to Pop Rox Sky for the win at 14:02.

Rating: B. The ending was a nice sequence but it was another example of a triple threat match where one of them stayed down for awhile while the other two did their thing. It’s a problem with having this many triple threat matches because it always comes up. Perez going over is fine, even if pinning Sky is something of a surprise.

LA Knight makes sure Solo Sikoa isn’t joining the Bloodline again and they agree to both win at Money In The Bank. Sikoa just better not cash in on him.

Here is LA Knight for a chat. He gives Roman Reigns and Penta props after last week’s classic, but now he has his shot against Reigns at Money In The Bank. It’s been three years since they’ve fought one on one because Knight has been kept out of the plans. The problem is Knight is the plants.

Knight will acknowledge that Reigns won a great one last week and he did it himself. It’s easy to acknowledge Reigns’ greatness, but the people have kept staying behind Knight the whole time. The problem is the fans don’t believe it’s going to happen and Knight doesn’t blame you after losing the big one so many times.

Maybe no one believes that he can win, but what interests Knight is how many times Reigns has done things with no Bloodline. Knight: “Good for you. Yippy skippy.” The reality is Reigns has never been able to beat him one on one and Knight has done everything on his own. At Money In The Bank, he’ll acknowledge Reigns acknowledging him as the new champion. This was a fired up Knight, though I’m still not sure I can imagine him winning.

Je’Von Evans is ready to win Money In The Bank. The Vision comes in to threaten him, with Bron Breakker saying the briefcase belongs to him. Evans is ready with the challenge and slaps Breakker before running away. Breakker doesn’t follow, saying it’s time to use his head first.

Je’Von Evans vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker starts fast and hammers away in the corner, followed by some knees in the corner. Back up and Evans fights up for an uppercut in the corner and the suicide dive. They both wind up outside with Breakker being sent into the announcers’ table. Breakker’s charge misses and he crashes into the time keeper’s area. Evans follows with a big dive to take Breakker down again and we take a break.

We come back with Breakker snapping off the super Frankensteiner but the spear is blocked with a perfectly times superkick. They both get up and Evans hits a springboard crossbody but has to counter a gorilla press into a DDT. A running Sliced Bread gets two but Maxxine Dupri offers a distraction, allowing Austin Theory to get in a cheap shot. A spinning Boss Man Slam gives Breakker two but he misses a charge into the post. Evans hits a pair of big dives to the floor (one for Bronson Reed, one for Breakker). The OG Cutter is loaded up but Theory breaks it up for the DQ at 12:02.

Rating: B-. This was a case where I liked the result, as Evans was making me think he was about to win and the last thing I wanted to see was him getting speared in half for the pin. This leaves the door open for a rematch down the line and I could go for seeing them running it back, as the next generation gets another chance to show what they can do. Good match here with a better result.

Post match the beatdown is on but Oba Femi runs in for the save and wrecks the entire team, including some rather loud chair shots. That’s not enough though as Femi picks up Evans and launches him onto the team, with the Vision only kind of catching Evans.

Mark Henry is here.

946 is in a car and says no one is safe.

We look at Joe Hendry doing a live performance earlier, with some fans joining in to sing about JD McDonagh as a Funko Pop, and yes there is a life McDonagh Pop there.

Here is Judgment Day for a chat. McDonagh is sick of all the insults from Joe Hendry and they have to end because his family is being hurt. Liv Morgan brags about all of the success the team has had, including attacking El Grande Americano. Morgan wants her rematch for the Women’s Title right now because what happened to her was unfair.

Instead here is Becky Lynch to interrupt in the crowd, saying she’s disappointed of everyone there, including Jordan Devlin McDonagh. They’ve known each other for years and Lynch has CALLED HIS MOM. Mama McDonagh is sick of seeing her son like this and being around such losers. Lynch says Morgan must be disappointed as well, because she found out what happened when she actually defended her title.

They better not be disappointed in Referee Rebecca though, because she might be the greatest referee of all time. Cue Stephanie Vaquer, who says she’s the champion around here. Morgan can have her rematch to show that the win in Chile wasn’t a fluke. Lynch isn’t happy so Vaquer says she’ll talk to Adam Pearce about it. We’re getting another triple threat out of this but I’m trying to get over the idea of Lynch calling McDonagh’s mom. Lynch was acting like her old self here and that is awesome to see again.

Lyra Valkyria talks about everything she had to do to get away from Bayley and then tried to win Money In The Bank. Bayley cost her, so now it’s time to make Bayley wish that their last match was their last match. Valkyria’s transformation in recent months is remarkable.

Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria

Bayley jumps her on the floor before the bell and the beating is on, with Sky in fast trouble. They go inside for the opening bell and Sky is sent outside again. The dive is cut off so Bayley grabs a belly to back suplex. Bayley gets flipped into the corner though and comes up holding her knee. That’s enough for Valkyria to hit a top rope Fameasser for two but Bayley is able to knock her off the top. The top rope elbow gets two and Bayley drops a string of elbows as we take a break.

We come back with Valkyria planting her down for two and knocking Bayley into the corner. Back up and a quick Bayley To Belly gets two on Valkyria, who can’t hit the Last Breath. The Rose Plant is blocked as well and they fight out to the floor. Valkyria is thrown over the announcers’ table and Bayley tries a piledriver, which is broken up. Back in and Bayley is so livid that she gets sent throat first into the rope. Valkyria grabs a rollup with tights for the pin at 11:45.

Rating: B-. You know this isn’t over and that’s not a bad thing, as there seems to be a lot left in the tank here. Bayley getting cheated out of the win after beating the fire out of Valkyria for a good while is a good example of Valkyria looking crazy but still coming off as smart. I’m liking her prospects as this is already working better than what she was doing before.

Chad Gable congratulates Dragon Lee on a great match last week and is willing to run it back anytime. Lee seems to appreciate that but Ethan Page comes in to interrupt. Page says maybe Gable should get a mask of his own because he’s clearly hiding. Gable points out that Page keeps getting chances but losing, so go show him something. Until then, stay away from the title.

Here is Adam Pearce with a contract. He brings out the officially signed Lola Vice, who is happy to come out and greet the fans. She talks about her mother introducing her to dance while her father introduced her to martial arts. Now she’s ready to knock out whoever she needs to in order to win Money In The Bank. This brings out Roxanne Perez, who says no one care about the signing. The fight is nearly on, with Vice just barely missing the spinning backfist.

Paul Heyman is shown watching Vice in the back when Bron Breakker comes up. Heyman says Oba Femi is still breathing and that’s bad for the Vision. Breakker says he’s still breathing too and that’s bad for everyone. Heyman: “Everyone?” Breakker: “Everyone.” Heyman isn’t sure what to think about that one.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio

Hold on though as 946 has attacked Solo Sikoa and throw him in the back of their car and drive off with him. Jacob Fatu and the Usos show up but the car drives away. Fatu blames the Usos for this as LA Knight shows up to hear what happened. We take a break and come back with Dominik Mysterio trying to get a bye to Money In The Bank but Adam Pearce sends him to the ring. So it seems we’re having a singles match…but hang on. Here is Adam Pearce to say this is still a triple threat match.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta

Yeah this works. Mysterio gets double stomped down and Lee backdrops him out to the floor. A quick armdrag sends Penta into the corner but Mysterio pulls Lee outside. That means Penta can hit a big running flip dive and we take a break. We come back with Lee striking away at Penta out of the corner and hitting the big running flip dive to the floor.

Back in and a sitout powerbomb gives Lee two on Mysterio, who is able to catch Lee on top. Lee is right back up with the top rope double stomp but Penta takes Lee out to leave everyone down. Mysterio is back up with a trio of slingshot hilos to Penta until Lee cuts Mysterio off with a superkick (I’m guessing Lee wasn’t there in time so Mysterio had to keep doing it).

Lee gets sent to the floor but pops right back up with a slingshot hurricanrana to take Penta out on the floor. Mysterio hits a heck of a 619 to a running Lee, leaving Penta to come back in for the three way chop off. Lee is knocked down and a Penta Driver gets two on Mysterio to leave everyone down again. Lee forearms Mysterio down and hits Operation Dragon for two, with Penta diving in for the save.

Penta and Lee slug it out until Penta’s superkick only earns himself a poisonrana. Mysterio’s quick from splash hits raised knees and Lee Styles Clashes Mysterio for two with Penta making another save. Penta drops Lee on the apron and gets 619ed, setting up a frog splash for a heck of a near fall. The frustrated Mysterio pulls a turnbuckle pad off but Penta sends him into the steel instead. The springboard Mexican Destroyer gives Penta the win at 18:55.

Rating: B+. After last week, it made sense to put Penta in the match and have him win. He doesn’t have to win Money In The Bank, but what matters is he’s still in the picture here. That’s what the fans wanted to see here and it came after a heck of a match. These three know how to do the exciting style and it worked rather well.

Overall Rating: B. They weren’t going to be able to top what they did last week but we did get a very good show, with the fans still being all about Penta. The ladder matches are looking strong and I’m not sure which way they’re going. Raw is actually on something of a roll right now and I could go for seeing how they follow it up. Granted that doesn’t mean it’s going to go well, but they do at least have the momentum at the moment.

Results
Roxanne Perez b. Iyo Sky and La Catalina – Pop Rox to Sky
Je’Von Evans b. Bron Breakker via DQ when Austin Theory interfered
Lyra Valkyria b. Bayley – Rollup with tights
Penta b. Dominik Mysterio and Dragon Lee – Springboard Mexican Destroyer to Mysterio

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: September 14, 2026
Location: Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

So we’re in Mexico for the first time in fifteen years, it’s two days before Mexican independence day, and Penta is challenging Roman Reigns for the World Title. That opens up one heck of a door and I’m curious to see what happens. Other than that, of course we have Money In The Bank qualifying matches. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a video on Penta vs. Roman Reigns.

Penta arrives on a freaking horse. Dang he might actually win this thing.

Here is Rey Mysterio, with Adam Pearce, and in a neck brace after Triplemania, to talk about how proud he is to be back here in Mexico and to be a luchador. He is proud to represent Mexico and is proud of another Latina wrestler, as Stephanie Vaquer won the Raw Women’s Title over the weekend in Santiago, Chile. Mysterio brings out Vaquer, who could not be happier to have won the title in her home country.

Cue Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan to interrupt, with Morgan being lived about losing the title. Dominik is booed out of the building again, with Rey asking what happened to Dominik’s title? Dominik wants a mixed tag right now but Pearce says no as Rey (who is in street clothes) isn’t medically cleared. Instead here is El Grande Americano to a ROAR, who is in for the mixed tag. Pearce: “ES OFFICIAL!” I was waiting on Americano to show up and it didn’t disappoint.

El Grande Americano/Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan/Dominik Mysterio

We’re joined in progress with Americano kicking Mysterio in the face, so Morgan can come in. That’s fine with Vaquer, who catches her with a high crossbody and gets two off a rollup. Mysterio low bridges her to the floor and Morgan is livid enough to hammer away. Vaquer fights up and knocks her down, allowing the tag off to Americano. House is quickly cleaned, including a middle rope Blockbuster, but Mysterio gets in a shot to put Americano on the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Morgan cutting off a tag attempt but Americano is fine enough to hit an Air Raid Crash for two. Now it’s Vaquer coming back in to take over on Morgan, including a quick powerslam for two. Everything breaks down and Morgan jumps into Mysterio’s arms. That means it’s a double 619 (Rey approves) but here is Judgment Day to jump the heroes for the DQ at 12:06.

Rating: B-. This was getting rather good before the ending and it’s kind of a shame that it had to go that way. I’m not sure why you can’t have the heroes get another win here as it’s not like it would be some devastating loss for Mysterio and Morgan. At least Americano got that entrance though and it was worth the wait.

Post match Dominik goes after Rey, with Americano trying to make the save but JD McDonagh hits the big headbutt to cut him off.

Video on the Vision going after Oba Femi and taking him out last week.

Rey Fenix gives Penta a pep talk.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Austin Theory vs. Big Cass

Maxxine Dupri is here with Theory, who jumps Evans instead of going after Cass. That earns Theory a big toss from Cass, with Evans sending him outside. Evans puts Theory into the timekeeper’s area but gets chokeslammed into it as well as we take a break. We come back with Theory hitting a pretty impressive torture rack bomb to Cass but getting frog splashed by Evans. That’s enough to send Theory outside for the big no hands dive but Cass is back in with the swinging Boss Man Slam.

The OG Cutter is blocked so Evans rolls Cass up for two instead. Back up and Cass boots Evans with Theory stealing the near fall as Cass pulls him out at two. Dupri yells at Cass so Theory hits a dive, only to be thrown down as well. Back in and Evans Sliced Breads Theory onto Cass, allowing the OG Cutter to drop Cass and give Evans the pin at 9:45.

Rating: B-. That’s a surprising result, as while Evans getting the win makes sense, I wasn’t expecting Cass, the new midcard monster, to lose so soon. He hasn’t exactly been lighting the place on fire but I wasn’t expecting him to lose already. Evans going to the ladder match is great though, as he can go do some stupid dives to the big reactions, which is why he’s involved.

We look back at Royce Keys and OTM burning the Usos’ car last week.

Jacob Fatu and the Usos say the play is to stay together, even with Roman Reigns needing protection.

Intercontinental Title: Chad Gable vs. Dragon Lee

Lee is challenging and we get a show of respect to start. They go technical, with Gable flipping him into a sunset flip for two. Back up and Lee knocks him into the corner for a running dropkick to send Gable outside. Gable is fine enough to snap off an overhead belly to belly and a northern lights suplex gets two. Lee cuts off an Ultimo Dragon headstand in the corner from Gable to send him outside. That means the big running flip dive onto the announcers’ table as we take a break.

We come back with Gable getting two off a super Angle Slam to leave them both down. Gable cuts off a flip with a sitout powerbomb for two more but the moonsault hits raised boots. Lee hits a running forearm but Operation Dragon is countered into a quickly broken ankle lock. They fight on top with Gable being knocked into a Tree Of Woe over the apron, with Lee hitting the big double stomp (with the camera looking up for a great angle).

Back in and Gable suplexes him into the corner, setting up a moonsault for two more. Gable rolls some German suplexes but Lee flips out of the third and grabs Operation Dragon for a rather near fall. The Styles Clash is countered into an ankle lock but Lee rolls over into the Styles Clash for an even nearer fall. The ankle lock goes on again and Lee FINALLY taps at 15:36.

Rating: A-. The crowd carried this one even higher, as the two of them were having an awesome match that was turned into something incredible due to the reactions. Gable is just on another planet right now and it’s great to see him getting these reactions just by being himself. It’s LONG overdue and he’s making the most of it, which is great for him. Lee had the best WWE match of his career and felt like a real threat to the title, which is more than I was expecting. Outstanding.

Post match Gable immediately lets go and checks on Lee. As Gable leaves, Lee apologizes to the fans.

Bayley talks about the beating that Lyra Valkyria gave her and how she has realized what Valkyria did to her. Valkyria has called her the doormat of the women’s locker room, which suggests that nothing she has done in fourteen years has mattered. Bayley chose her path and she’s going to show Valkyria what she is all about. This was serious Bayley and it worked.

Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Jordan’s NXT Women’s Title and Rodriguez’s Women’s Intercontinental Title aren’t on the line. Jordan bails to the floor to start, leaving Vice to kick away at Rodriguez. Vice’s kicks are blocked and Rodriguez picks her up, with Jordan coming in for a dropkick. Vice and Jordan team up to knock Rodriguez to the floor, with Jordan hitting a moonsault. That leaves Vice to dive onto Jordan, only to get crushed by Rodriguez as we take a break.

We come back with Vice kicking Jordan into the corner, setting up the running hip attacks in the corner (you’ll notice a theme from Vice). Rodriguez knocks Vice to the floor and counters a top rope hurricanrana, with Jordan rolling her up for two instead. Back in and Vice gets caught with a fall away slam but pulls Jordan into a triangle choke. That’s broken up and Jordan is sent outside, leaving Vice to roll Rodriguez up for the pin at 12:12.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure why you would have two champions and a debuting star there with one of them having to take a loss but that’s modern wrestling for you. Anyway, Vice felt like a star and you can probably expect her to get a big push in the coming weeks. If nothing else, she gets to be the fresh blood in the division for a bit and that’s nice to see again.

OTM and Royce Keys do their best Shield impression and suggest that Jacob Fatu might be paranoid, but also reveal that they’re in Mexico.

We get a clip from Joe Hendry’s music video about how he should get every single belt (right now).

Stephanie Vaquer is going to leave but runs into Becky Lynch, who thinks she should get a title shot after helping Vaquer win the title (as guest referee). Lynch leaves before Vaquer can say anything.

Raw World Title: Penta vs. Roman Reigns

Penta, in a massive headdress (probably three and a half feet in all directions), is challenging and gets an absolute hero’s welcome. The bell rings and Reigns stalls a lot but Penta does the Cero Miedo, earning himself a running shoulder. Back up and Penta hits a headbutt, earning himself a glare from Reigns. Penta knocks him outside and there’s the big running flip dive as we take a break.

We come back with Reigns whipping him hard into the corner and mocking the crowd for trying to start the comeback. The big right hands in the corner have Penta in more trouble but Reigns takes too long and gets knocked away. A Backstabber out of the corner gives Penta two, as does a springboard tornado DDT. Penta Sacrifices Reigns’ arm but he’s fine enough to plant Penta with a release Rock Bottom for two as we take another break.

We come back with Reigns’ arm giving out so Penta sends him to the apron. The springboard Mexican Destroyer is countered with a backdrop though and Reigns hits a big toss powerbomb onto the announcers’ table. Back in and the Penta Driver gets two in a heck of a near fall, followed by the Superman Punch to give Reigns two more. The spear misses and Penta gets the Mexican Destroyer, only for Reigns to come back with the spear for two more as the fans die and come back to live in the span of five seconds.

Reigns gets up and hammers away again before grabbing the mic and promising to end Reigns. Another spear is countered with a superkick and the springboard Mexican Destroyer gets two in a finish I bought so hard that I have an extended warranty. The go to their knees and punch the tar out of each other with Reigns getting the better of things. Three straight superkicks cut Reigns off but he Superman Punches a springboard out of the air. Back up and another spear retains the title at 22:24.

Rating: A-. Oh sweet goodness this was awesome. You know you’re seeing something special when you actually feel the air go out of you when the fall goes down. What mattered here is that Penta went out on his shield and it was an outstanding performance, even in defeat. At the same time though, Reigns was in his glory heeling on this crowd and it made the match that much better. Absolutely a pay per view worthy match, made even better with the molten crowd. This was a moment, and that’s not something you see very often.

And for once nothing happens, as Reigns mocks the crowd to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. Two phenomenal matches and a white hot crowd and my goodness what else could you want? This was Raw turning it up and letting its talented people tear the roof off the place. I had a great time with this show and even the weakest stuff was rather good. The fans alone bring this one up but the wrestlers were doing their job as well. Outstanding show.

Results
El Grande Americano/Stephanie Vaquer b. Dominik Mysterio/Liv Morgan via DQ when Judgment Day interfered
Je’Von Evans b. Big Cass and Austin Theory – OG Cutter to Cass
Chad Gable b. Dragon Lee – Ankle lock
Lola Vice b. Kelani Jordan and Raquel Rodriguez – Rollup to Rodriguez
Roman Reigns b. Penta – Spear

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @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: September 7, 2026
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re past Sunday Night’s Main Event and that means we are on the way to Crown Jewel in about a month. First though, there are some big shows coming up in Mexico City, including with Roman Reigns defending the Raw World Title against Penta next week. Before we get there, the Usos are going to need to go after Royce Keys and OTM. Let’s get to it.

Here is Sunday Night’s Main Event if you need a recap.

The Usos arrive and they have some pipes.

We recap Bronson Reed returning at Sunday Night’s Main Event.

Here is the Vision, in full force once again, to get things going. Bron Breakker says they run WWE and Oba Femi isn’t medically cleared so he isn’t coming out here. Breakker thanks Bronson Reed for helping take Femi out and Reed says Femi ran into someone who didn’t recognize the crown. Yeah Femi is a force of nature but he ran into the TSUNAMI. But like four of them! Logan Paul and Austin Theory are ready to go after more gold, including the Money In The Bank briefcases (which aren’t gold). Akira Tozawa interrupts and Theory is ready to fight him but it won’t be against Tozawa. Someone is back.

Otis vs. Austin Theory

Otis throws him around to start but gets his throat snapped across the top rope. Theory hammers away but Otis sends him flying with a suplex. Back up and Theory knocks him into a front facelock so Otis powers up without much effort. They go outside where Otis runs him over and we take a break. We come back with Otis hitting some clothesline and faceplanting Theory down. That’s enough for Reed to come in for the DQ at 7:05.

Rating: C. Ok now can we move on from the Vision beating these guys up? We get the point now and there is nothing left to do with the Academy doing the same thing. At least they didn’t spend too much time on this and Otis, who does have something, can move on to anything else.

Post match the big beatdown is on, with a Super Spear hitting Otis. That leaves Akira Tozawa all alone and naturally he’s wrecked as well. Cue Oba Femi, who doesn’t want to hear from Petey Williams about not being medically cleared, to go after the Vision. Theory’s chair shots have no effect but a spear to the bad ribs cuts Femi off. Two more Tsunamis crush Femi, though he still tries to get up. Another spear drops Femi again.

Royce Keys talks about how he and his family aren’t leaving anyone safe. They’re from the streets and this is real life.

The Usos come up to Jacob Fatu and say they’re calling out Keys and company. Fatu doesn’t think it’s a good idea because this is what they want the Bloodline to do. The Usos actually listen, though Jimmy doesn’t seem sure.

Becky Lynch comes up to Stephanie Vaquer and offers help against the Judgment Day in exchange for the first title shot. Vaquer turns her down and Lynch isn’t happy.

A comedian named Matt Matthews is here but Miz and Kit Wilson interrupt. Miz isn’t happy and mocks Alabama, with Wilson labeling Matthews as TOXIC. Matthews is surprised that Miz is still employed so Miz pulls him over the barricade. The beating is on, even with Matthews getting in a headscissors. The Skull Crushing Finale leaves Matthews laying. Can we stop with the “celebrities”?

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Bron Breakker vs. Ethan Page vs. Rey Mysterio

During the break, Breakker speared Miz, Wilson and Matthews. Mysterio tries jumping on Breakker’s back while Page slugs away and it goes rather poorly, with Breakker knocking both of them down. Breakker’s superplex attempt to Mysterio is broken up but he escapes an electric chair to suplex Page.

Mysterio headscissors Breakker shoulder first into the post but he’s able to break up a 619. Page is sent outside for the diving clothesline onto the announcers’ table but Mysterio gets in the seated senton. We take a break and come back with Breakker pulling himself to the apron, so Page throws Mysterio into him.

Breakker misses a charge into the steps and Mysterio is up with a springboard headscissors into a sitout bulldog for two. Now the 619 connects but Mysterio has to cut Breakker off again. Page catches Mysterio on top with a fireman’s carry but Breakker is back up with the super Frankensteiner. The Super Spear finishes Mysterio to sent Breakker to Money In The Bank at 11:56.

Rating: B-. This was a good story with Breakker being the unstoppable monster who could only be slowed down. After everything that happened earlier, it would have been insane for Breakker to not move forward and he feels like a legitimate threat to win the ladder match. At the same time, Page is rather good at what he does and Mysterio should not be able to do that in his 50s, but he still makes it look easy.

LA Knight tells Adam Pearce he wants the winner of Penta vs. Roman Reigns. Pearce insists that his word is good, but Knight isn’t convinced. Solo Sikoa comes in to suggest he doesn’t trust Knight, who insists that his word is good.

Penta knows that it seems impossible for him to beat Roman Reigns, but they’re in front of his people in his city, with an entire country behind him.

Lola Vice is here next week. This time we even see her face and the graphic says “Everybody’s Got A Vice.”

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Sol Ruca vs. Maxxine Dupri vs. Lyra Valkyria

Ruca is knocked to the floor to start but comes back in with a double clothesline. Valkyria is sent into the buckle (with her eyes bugging out as she knows the pain is coming) and Ruca knocks Dupri down as well. Back up and Dupri takes over on Ruca for a kind of step up legdrop, which doesn’t seem to connect properly. Valkyria suplexes Dupri onto Ruca and we take a break.

We come back with Ruca cleaning house and sending both of them into the corners. A double missile dropkick connects, though her nip up lands on Dupri in a misstep you don’t often see. Valkyria is back up and sends Dupri outside for a dropkick through the ropes, only to get rolled up by Ruca.

A tornado DDT drops Ruca again but Dupri is back in to reverse DDT Valkyria, which makes her DDT Ruca. Back up and Ruca shoulderbreakers Valkyria (which doesn’t go smoothly either) but gets crotched up top. Valkyria hits Nightwing on Dupri….but Bayley is back to break up the pin. Valkyria panics and it’s a Sol Snatcher to give Ruca the pin at 11:13.

Rating: C+. There was a lot here, as the athleticism was very good, but it felt like they were on different pages at times, or at least not realizing where the other two were at any time. That’s something they all need to improve on, but the bigger story here is Bayley. She’s officially back and that should get rid of the AEW rumors. Bayley finishing things up with Valkyria is a good thing, and the return felt like a huge deal, partially due to Valkyria looking terrified.

Post match Bayley beats on Valkyria again but can’t put her through the announcers’ table as Valkyria escapes.

OTM and Royce Keys are in the parking lot and seem rather cocky.

The Usos are ready to go fight but Jacob Fatu calms them down again.

We get a Joe Hendry video on….JD McDonagh’s rather large head. We even meet McDonagh’s father: a giant Funko Pop.

JD McDonagh vs. Joe Hendry

Dominik Mysterio is here too. McDonagh kicks at the knee to start and gets in a slingshot double stomp. Hendry is stomped down in the corner and misses a discus lariat, allowing McDonagh to forearm him in the back. The fall away slam gives Hendry a breather but McDonagh headbutts him down. Cue Je’Von Evans with a Funko Pop head (he can barely stand up) to knock Mysterio and McDonagh misses the moonsault. The Sound Effect finishes for Hendry at 3:38.

Rating: D. Maybe Hendry can go be a milkman or something, as I’m not sure if this WWE thing is going to work for him. The fans still seem interested in him, but this is about all he’s got going on at the moment. Hendry definitely has talent and more charisma than he can handle, but if you’re just seen as a comedy guy, you’re only going to get so far and that is becoming more and more clear every week. Also, Mysterio is ready to headline TripleMania in six days and this is what he’s doing here?

Video on Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer.

Morgan runs into Becky Lynch and mocks her for not being popular, just like her husband. Morgan insists that she’s the best ever and Lynch…stands there. Then she gets annoyed after Morgan leaves.

The Vision comes up to see Paul Heyman and brags about their success. Heyman hugs Bronson Reed and says he’s impressed. Bron Breakker comes in to say Oba Femi is finished and the Vision is in charge. Heyman asks if Femi is still breathing, gives an exasperated sigh, and leaves.

Women’s Title: Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Vaquer is challenging and they’re quickly on the floor with Vaquer sending her into the apron. Back in and a headscissors spins into a rollup for two on Morgan, who is sent into the buckle a few times. A dive off the apron puts Morgan down again and we take a break. We come back with Vaquer fighting out of a chinlock but getting knocked down again. Vaquer fires back up and hits some forearms into a powerslam.

An Eye Of The Hurricane connects for two, with the kickout leaving her frustrated. Back up and Morgan is sent into the corner for the dragon screw legwhip, setting up the Devil’s Kiss. Morgan sends her to the apron, where Vaquer gets in a jumping knee for two. They go over to the announcers’ table, where Vaquer gets in another Devil’s Kiss.

Back in and Morgan reverses a hurricanrana out of the corner into a powerbomb for two and they’re both down again. Vaquer is able to catch her up top with a superplex and now the SVB can get two. Morgan is right back up with a middle rope Codebreaker but the Oblivion is cut off with a superkick.

The double underhook Codebreaker drops Morgan but here is Judgment Day to break up the Inferno. The referee isn’t fooled this time though and ejects Raquel Rodriguez, who is knocked down by an invading Becky Lynch. Roxanne Perez throws the title in so Lynch chases her off, leaving Morgan to get in the belt shot. Oblivion retains the title at 17:48.

Rating: B. This was a good match and the ending is intriguing as Vaquer can probably blame Lynch for the loss. It didn’t feel like the match where Morgan lost the title, but that is likely coming soon as Morgan could use something new. It did feel like a main event level match though and that’s the best thing you can have for this spot.

Big Cass is glad to be back and hurting people.

The Usos go to the ring without Jacob Fatu as they’re tired of waiting. And then Fatu joins them anyway. Post break, the Usos and Fatu call out OTM and Royce Keys, but they’re still in the parking lot, having beaten up security. Then they use various crowbars to break the windows of the SUV. Gasoline is poured inside and Keys lights it on fire, saying no one is safe. The fans chant for the OTC as the car blows up a bit to end the show. That’s certainly a thing that happened, as Keys and OTM successfully destroyed something that didn’t belong to the Bloodline. I’m not sure why that makes me dislike them, but it did in fact happen.

Overall Rating: C. This wasn’t their best show and you could very much tell it was a holiday edition. The Vision stuff was good, but some of the stuff like the Funko head and the kind of nothing ending segment felt like the old Vince McMahon days. There were good parts here, but you could absolutely tell they were taking the week off here for the most part. I had also forgotten how dull I find Money In The Bank qualifying season, as the constant triple threats to get people into a big ladder match for a title win that might not come until next year makes for a long month. Not a good show, but it had some good parts.

Results
Otis b. Austin Theory via DQ when Bronson Reed interfered
Bron Breakker b. Rey Mysterio and Ethan Page – Super Spear to Mysterio
Sol Ruca b. Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri – Sol Snatcher to Valkyria
Joe Hendry b. JD McDonagh – Sound Effect
Liv Morgan b. Stephanie Vaquer – Oblivion

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @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: August 31, 2026
Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re taped this week and in this case we have a heck of a main event. The tournament to crown a new #1 contender to Roman Reigns wraps up this week with a battle between brothers Rey Fenix and Penta. Other than that, Royce Keys and OTM are officially a thing and that isn’t going to go well around here. Let’s get to it.

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

OTM and Royce Keys pull up in the back and wreck the Usos with pipes and smash them onto their car. The Usos are busted open (I’m assuming that’s what the censoring is for) but Jacob Fatu runs up to chase the other three off.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Sol Ruca vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Rodriguez, with Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, is defending as we keep going to a split screen to look at the bleeding Usos being tended to (the shattered window of their car is ignored). Wait hang on as we have the Big Match Intros but here is Jacob Fatu to call out Royce Keys and OTM. Fatu threatens violence but his mic is cut and Adam Pearce and the agents come in to get rid of Fatu.

With Fatu leaving through the crowd, we’re officially ready to go with Rodriguez going after the arm. Ruca flips away from a spin of the arm and clotheslines Rodriguez to the floor. The running flip dive takes Rodriguez down again but she runs Ruca over back inside. Ruca’s springboard spinning crossbody gets two but she misses the middle rope crossbody to the floor. Rodriguez runs her over again and we take a break.

We come back with Ruca hitting a running forearm against the ropes, followed by a Backstabber with her feet. They go to the apron with Rodriguez grabbing her by the head, only to get caught with a sunset bomb. The rest of Judgment Day try to get involved so Ruca hits a springboard corkscrew dive. Back in and Ruca loads up the Sol Snatcher but Lyra Valkyria runs in to break it up, allowing Rodriguez to hit the Tejana Bomb to retain at 9:13.

Rating: C+. Ruca trying to overcome the odds and getting caught in the end was a good way to go as Ruca can go after Valkyria while Rodriguez gets another opponent. The best thing about Ruca is that she is starting to feel like she belongs around here and is over her early yips. That should help carry her a long way and her star power and athleticism can get her the rest of the way.

Valkyria’s “who me?” look is rather amusing.

Video on Rey Fenix and Penta, who dominated AAA together and are now getting the biggest chance of their career.

We look back at the opening attack on the Usos.

Here is Chad Gable for a chat. Gable says he loves the energy around here and he thought that winning the Intercontinental Title was the big goal. Now though, he realizes that the real work begins and he would not be here without the Mexican people. He wants to thank them and that’s why when Raw returns to Mexico in two weeks, he’ll be defending the title.

Last week someone had a career making performance in the #1 contenders tournament and it has earned, which brings out Dragon Lee. Gable seems ready to make the announcement but Ethan Page interrupts, saying he gets what is going on around here. Page says he should get a title shot, with Gable saying that Page is on the list of challengers. Right under Honky Tonk Man.

Page tells him to stop being a charity case or he’ll become a paper champion. Lee cuts him off and Page says the adults are talking. That gets Page some yelling from Lee, who tells Page to prove that he’s the better man. Gable likes that idea and says let’s make this for the title shot in Mexico City (Page: “I’m in.”).

Ethan Page vs. Dragon Lee

For the Intercontinental Title shot in Mexico City. Lee kicks away to start fast but Page is back up with a powerslam. A heck of a big boot drops Lee again but he’s able to knock Page into the corner for the running dropkick. The big running flip dive connects for Lee and we take a break.

We come back with Page being thrown over the top and out to the floor. That’s fine with Page, who grabs a double underhook swinging backbreaker for two back inside. Lee’s tornado DDT gets the same and he knees Page to the floor for a running hurricanrana. The big running flip dive is cut off with a shot from Page though and he throws Lee into Gable. That’s enough for Page to take a turnbuckle pad off and avoid a charge to send Lee into the steel. The referee sees it though and won’t count the pin, meaning Operation Dragon can finish Page at 11:45.

Rating: B-. Page is a good choice for someone to put Lee over and set up the title match. It’s nice to have Lee win a match rather than getting the title shot coming off of a loss. Lee continues to look awesome and seeing him bust out that flip dive in Mexico is going to be great. Page needs something to do and hopefully that happens soon, as he’s a good hand as a heel.

We look back at Solo Sikoa turning on the Bloodline two weeks ago.

Roman Reigns arrives and finds Jacob Fatu, asking him about the twins. Fatu fills him in about the attack and is assigned to take out Royce Keys. Reigns will handle the rest, which includes going to the arena. In the ring, Reigns says everyone wants what he has and he should be dealing with Penta or Rey Fenix. Instead, everyone has complaints to make and that brings him to Solo Sikoa. Reigns gave him the chance to give Reigns what he earned but Sikoa picked LA Knight. He gets it: Knight reminds Sikoa of the Rock but HE’S NOT IN THE FAMILY.

Let’s talk about Knight, who is right here in person. Knight says Reigns is just reusing material from three years ago and putting things in Knight’s way. He didn’t realize that OTC stood for One Tremendous Coward and it’s time to do this one on one. Knight gets in the ring but we see Sikoa down in the back, and Fatu standing near him. Adam Pearce and company check on Sikoa (and someone else who is down that we can’t see) as Knight comes in to yell at Fatu. They’re held apart and Reigns Superman Punches Knight before telling Fatu that Fatu can handle Royce Keys while Reigns will handle Knight.

Video on Lola Vice (again unnamed but obvious) on the beach and in the gym. She’s here September 14.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Je’Von Evans

Mysterio’s AAA Mega Title isn’t on the line and JD McDonagh is here with him. This is fallout from Judgment Day jumping Evans after his loss to Big Cass last week. Mysterio jumps him before the bell but gets caught in a springboard hurricanrana. McDonagh offers a distraction though and Mysterio gets in an elbow to the face to take over. Evans isn’t having that and sends him outside for a big dive as we take a break.

We come back with Mysterio choking on the ropes, with McDonagh getting in a shot to the face. Back up and Evans kicks him into the corner and a heck of a springboard high crossbody sends Mysterio outside. Evans starts running around the ring but gets cut off by McDonagh for the DQ at 7:25.

Rating: C+. Evans is such an athletic marvel and it’s great to see him getting a chance to show that off. He can fly like few others these days and has some size to make it feel even more unique. The ending was a bit annoying but Mysterio has lost enough lately and you want him strong going into TripleMania.

Post match the beatdown is on but Joe Hendry runs in for the save. A livid Adam Pearce comes out to restart this as a tag match because he’s sick of Judgment Day.

Joe Hendry/Je’Von Evans vs. Judgment Day

The bell rings and Evans gets a running start to dive over the barricade and take the villains out. We take a break and come back with Hendry giving McDonagh a rather delayed vertical suplex for two. Mysterio gets in a cheap shot on Evans and McDonagh rakes the face in the corner.

Evans is fine enough to go up top for a spinning moonsault, because of course that’s something you can do. Hendry comes in to clean house, including a double fall away slam. McDonagh cuts him off with the big headbutt though and the frog splash gives Mysterio the pin at 9:11.

Rating: C. This was only so interesting but dang it’s hard to see what is happening to Hendry. He just feels like he has nothing to do and is only there for the sake of losing matches like this one. I get that he might not be the biggest star in the world but he was popular and should be able to do something more than this. Mysterio and McDonagh work well enough together but they’re not really the story here, as Hendry looks like nothing and Evans was getting beaten up for a lot of the match.

We look at Stephanie Vaquer teaming up with Becky Lynch to go after the Judgment Day.

Vaquer interrupts Lynch and they seem to respect each other, though Vaquer says she doesn’t owe Lynch anything. Lynch says if Vaquer wins the title from Liv Morgan, she’s first in line. Vaquer says that Lynch doesn’t deserve the title but it deserves her. This was rather tense.

Video on Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker.

Paul Heyman is asked about the match and says that it’s a match both men have to win and neither can afford to lose (the exact words he used to hype up Austin vs. Rock at Wrestlemania XVII). He knows what Femi did to Brock Lesnar but he knows what Breakker does in the gym and the work he puts in. No predictions or spoilers, because we’ll find out this Sunday.

Sunday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Judgment Day celebrates their good night and Roxanne Perez says she has Liv Morgan’s back against Becky Lynch.

We recap the Usos and Solo Sikoa being attacked.

#1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Penta vs. Rey Fenix

For a shot at Roman Reigns in Mexico City in two weeks and Fenix’s AAA Cruiserweight Title isn’t on the line. They shake hands to start and Penta kicks away but gets rolled up for a fast two. Fenix snaps off a hurricanrana but Penta sends him to the floor for the big running flip dive. We take a break and come back with Fenix sending him into the corner for some kicks to the head. A corkscrew dive to the floor takes Penta down again and a handspring cutter does it again back inside. Penta kicks him in the face to cut things off and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets two.

We take another break and come back again with Penta knocking him down for two more. The Mexican Destroyer on the apron is blocked though and Fenix hits a moonsault press for two. Penta flips him into the air for a heck of a powerbomb and another near fall. Fenix cuts Penta off on top so Penta tries a super sunset bomb, with Fenix landing on his feet. The Mexican MuscleBuster is countered into a Penta Driver for two and they’re both down again.

With nothing in the ring working, it’s time to head to the announcers’ table, with Penta grabbing another Penta Driver for the big crash. Somehow that’s only good for two so Penta Sacrifices Fenix’s arm (Wade Barrett cringes) but Fenix snaps off a running hurricanrana for two. That leaves Penta to pop back up though and the Mexican Destroyer gives Penta the pin at 19:11.

Rating: A-. Yeah this was great, with the two of them beating the fire out of each other for a big prize. There is something about watching Fenix in the ring where you get the feeling that he is just leaving everything he has in the ring and it was on full display here. Penta winning was pretty much the only realistic result here, but they put in a heck of a match on the way there. Outstanding main event.

Respect is shown post match. Roman Reigns comes out for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event was more than great but the rest of the show was more about setting things up for the future. That included a lot of focus on the Mexico City show, which makes sense as next week is going to be taking place on Labor Day and might not be the biggest draw. Not a must see show, but the main event is definitely worth a look.

Results
Raquel Rodriguez b. Sol Ruca – Tejana Bomb
Dragon Lee b. Ethan Page – Operation Dragon
Je’Von Evans b. Dominik Mysterio via DQ when JD McDonagh interfered
Judgment Day b. Je’Von Evans/Joe Hendry – Frog splash to Hendry
Penta b. Rey Fenix – Mexican Destroyer

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @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: August 24, 2026
Location: Canadian Tire Center, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re in Canada for an earlier than usual show, which is going to have a lot of fallout. The big story coming out of last week’s show was Solo Sikoa rejecting the order to rejoin the Bloodline and instead siding with LA Knight. That isn’t going to go well for either of them and the Bloodline is going to have a response. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s Sikoa/Knight/Bloodline issues.

Here is Knight for a chat. He’s in the capital of Canada so he wants to talk about a coward with a capital C. It’s no secret that he wants the World Title and Roman Reigns told Knight to win a tournament that he can’t even enter. Knight knows that he’s going to have to deal with a lot of the family and there is already one man with him. That would be Solo Sikoa, who pops up in the crowd. Sikoa thanks Knight for having his back last week and who could have seen this coming just a year ago?

Knight says Sikoa has gotten a warning shot but here are the Usos to interrupt. They don’t like what Sikoa did and issue him another warning shot, with Sikoa doing the Matrix bullet time. The Usos don’t care for that either and the challenge for the tag match is issued for tonight. Sikoa: “You got my back?” Knight: “YEAH! You got my back?” Sikoa: “PEW!” Not exactly shocking stuff here but Sikoa is incredibly entertaining at the moment.

We recap the #1 contenders tournament.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez

The other women of the Judgment Day are here with Perez. Vaquer knocks her away to start and works on the arm. Back up and they trade rollups for two each until Vaquer ties her up again. A Judgment Day distraction lets Perez knock her outside though and it’s a whip into the barricade as we take a break. We come back with Vaquer in trouble and Liv Morgan yelling from ringside (Morgan: “I’m better than you! And I’m prettier than you!”) until Vaquer makes the comeback.

Some clotheslines set up the Devil’s Kiss (it’s still over) and Perez tries to go to the floor. That earns her a pull back inside but the referee has to fix the ring skirt, allowing Perez to go to the eyes. A Shining Wizard gives Perez two so it’s off to the crossface but Vaquer is up with the SVB. Morgan cuts her off on top though and that’s enough to bring out Becky Lynch. Vaquer cuts Rodriguez off and seems to thank Lynch before going back inside. Perez misses a moonsault and it’s a double underhook facebuster to give Vaquer the pin at 13:14.

Rating: B-. There was a lot going on here but Lynch and Vaquer as the female version of Sikoa and Knight going after the big stable with the title as the ultimate goal is working. Vaquer feels like she belongs at this level and if that can continue, they should be in for something good in the upcoming weeks.

Post match Vaquer thanks Lynch, who seems to say that Vaquer owes her two.

We look at Big Cass beating up Je’Von Evans.

The Judgment Day seems to threaten Rey Mysterio, with Evans running in for the save. Rey is rather appreciative.

#1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: Dragon Lee vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix’s AAA Cruiserweight Title isn’t on the line. They trade flips to start until Lee sends him into the corner for the running dropkick. Fenix is right back with a kick to the head into a high crossbody for two as Lee bails out to the floor. A big moonsaults takes Lee down again but he snaps off a German suplex back inside. That means the big running flip dive can take Fenix out on the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Lee fighting out of trouble and loading Fenix into the Tree Of Woe for the big double stomp. Fenix is sent outside for a crazy running flip dive onto the announcers’ table (that looked great). Back in and a tornado DDT drops Fenix for two but he’s back up with a brainbuster (with commentary calling it together for extra emphasis). The Mexican MuscleBuster is reversed into a Styles Clash to give Lee two more but Fenix is right back with a rolling cutter. Now the Mexican MuscleBuster can give Fenix the pin at 13:31.

Rating: B+. Take two young, talented high fliers and let them go nuts for awhile. It’s worked before and it worked again here, which is great to see. Fenix going forward against Penta (because it’s going to be Penta) is the right call as it adds a personal touch to the finals. Lee held up his end here though as that flip dive was awesome. Outstandingly entertaining match here and I had a great time with it.

Lola Vice (not named but pretty clear) is coming on September 14.

Here are Paul Heyman and Adam Pearce for the Oba Femi/Bron Breakker contract signing. Breakker sits down and pauses before signing. He asks what Femi has done to be seen as the future around here. Yeah he squashed a bunch of people and beat Brock Lesnar. That doesn’t sound like a championship.

Eight months ago, Breakker had this place in the palm of his hand, but then he got hurt. He took himself out, because no one around here could take him out, including Femi. Then Femi took Breakker’s spot and is doing everything he was doing. Femi: “Bron, you are an angry orange man.” Breakker underestimates him, but if Breakker had debuted in 2002 or 2015, he would have been the big dog against John Cena. But it’s 2026 and Breakker has to run against Oba Femi. Now Femi is going to show Breakker what is coming for him, which seems to have Breakker thinking twice.

Breakker says he’s going to make Femi fight in the deep waters and it’s going to leave Femi as a sorry wrestler in the middle of the ring who can’t compete. Breakker signs and asks if Femi wants to do the same. He asks if Femi’s daddy should do it for him. Breakker: “Yeah sign it Paul.” Heyman: “Don’t do this.”

Heyman isn’t happy and Breakker grabs him by the jacket, which is enough for a cheap shot on Femi. That’s enough for Heyman to vamoose as Femi is back up. Cue Austin Theory from behind and Breakker….can’t hit the Super Spear. Instead Breakker gets clotheslined to the floor and Theory is put through the table. With Breakker on the floor, Femi signs as well to make the match official. Femi sounded so natural on the mic while Breakker sounded shaky.

The Usos, with their black necklaces, are ready to run the play but mock Jacob Fatu for not being on their level.

Big Cass vs. Je’Von Evans

Evans pounds away to start but gets cut off without much trouble. He’s back up to knock Cass outside and tries a dive, which Cass pulls out of the air. Cass beats on him on the floor and grabs a spinning Boss Man Slam back inside as we take a break. We come back with Evans hammering away and hitting a big dive over the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area. Evans: “I’m about to whip your a**!” More right hands have Cass in trouble and the spinning kick connects inside. The OG Cutter is loaded up but Cass cuts him off, with a big boot finishing Evans at 8:48.

Rating: B-. They kept this simple, with Evans wanting revenge and firing off everything he could until he caught with too much power. That’s an idea that has worked forever in wrestling and it worked again here too. I’m not sure what the endgame is with Cass at the moment, but every week that he’s here on his own is one week without Enzo and that means it’s a good week.

Post match Judgment Day jumps Evans, with Dominik Mysterio hitting a frog splash.

Sol Ruca is ready for the Judgment Day when Iyo Sky comes in for some giggling hugs. Lyra Valkyria comes in and says she’s their friend too. She wants Ruca’s match against Raquel Rodriguez but Ruca turns her down. Valkyria is not happy and this probably won’t end well.

#1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: Penta vs. La Parka

Penta starts fast and sends him to the floor for the big dive. Parka fights right back and hits a moonsault but dives into a superkick back inside. The backstabber has Parka in more trouble and we take a break. We come back with Penta fighting back and cutting Parka off again. The super Spanish Fly cuts Parka off again but walking into a powerslam. Penta is right back to knock him into the corner for a handstand dropkick. Parka is right back with a tornado DDT and they go to the top, with Parka grabbing a super Spanish Fly. Penta shrugs that off and the springboard Mexican Destroyer connects to give Penta the pin at 9:54.

Rating: B. Yeah it was fun and the high spots worked, but this whole tournament has been little more than a countdown to Penta winning (they’ve all but announced him as winning in AAA). Parka is someone who can get some attention and the fans know who he is so putting him out there was fine. This was all about Penta though and that’s all it should have been.

Post match Penta and Rey Fenix have a staredown.

LA Knight and Solo Sikoa affirm their friendship before the main event.

Ethan Page interrupts Chad Gable and suggests he should be Intercontinental Champion. Gable points out that Page cost himself the title shot in the gauntlet match.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

We recap Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez.

Vaquer is told that she gets a title shot in two weeks and even though she didn’t need it, she thanks Becky Lynch for her help. She’s coming for the title in two weeks and is ready to destroy Judgment Day.

Usos vs. LA Knight/Solo Sikoa

Jimmy gets sent into the corner to start and Sikoa is right there with a running Umaga Attack and the early near fall. The Usos are back up to knock Sikoa outside for the double superkick though and we take a break. We come back with Sikoa fighting his way out of trouble but getting caught by Jey’s jumping enziguri. Jey cuts off another comeback attempt but the running Umaga Attack takes too long, allowing Sikoa to get in a clothesline.

Knight and Jimmy both come in, with the former firing off the left hands. Everything breaks down and Jey’s suicide dive is cut off. A superkick isn’t cut off though and Jey talks about Roman Reigns, only for Royce Keys to tackle Jey and Sikoa through the barricade. Cue NXT’s OTM (Bronco Nima/Lucien Price, a powerhouse team) to jump the Usos, as well as Knight. We’ll say the match is thrown out at about 9:30.

Rating: C+. Uh, yeah I’m not sure on this one, as OTM was hardly a big time team in NXT and then here they are. I can go with Keys getting some help and that’s a good thing, but dang this feels out of nowhere. Hopefully it winds up working as I like OTM, but this whole story just took a rather weird step.

Post match the beating continues, with Keys using the steps to beat on a bunch of people, including Sikoa and Knight. Jimmy is put through the announcers’ table and the new team poses to end the show. The fans weren’t exactly thrilled here and I get it, as OTM is just such a random pick for this spot.

Overall Rating: B. The tournament itself isn’t interesting as it feels like a long path to an obvious result, but dang the action worked rather well this week. It’s been good enough to make up for the lack of drama, with Fenix vs. Lee being a show stealer. I’m really not sure where the big main event angle is going, but the bigger issue is that I’m not sure I care. Other than the women’s stuff, there wasn’t much story development here that got my interest, but the wrestling more than pushed this one higher.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b. Roxanne Perez – Double underhook facebuster
Rey Fenix b. Dragon Lee – Mexican MuscleBuster
Big Cass b. Je’Von Evans – Big boot
Penta b. La Parka – Springboard Mexican Destroyer
Usos vs. LA Knight/Solo Sikoa went to a no contest when OTM and Royce Keys interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @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: August 17, 2026
Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re on the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event and the big story here is Solo Sikoa being forced to come back to the Bloodline after losing to Jey Uso last week. Other than that, we have a tournament going on to determine who challenges Roman Reigns on Raw in Mexico City in a few weeks. Reigns is at least here tonight so let’s get to it.

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

Here is Stephanie Vaquer to get things going. She gets right to the point of calling out Liv Morgan for a fight so here are all three women of the Judgment Day. Morgan mocks Becky Lynch being worried about Morgan mocking the women who came before her. Why should Morgan care about any of them?

Morgan brings up the beatings she has given to Vaquer, who wants to fight anyway. Judgment Day gets in the ring and lays her out but Vaquer sends Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez to the floor. A superkick hits Morgan but the other two are back in to jump Vaquer again. Cue Becky Lynch for the save until she gets in a shoving match with Vaquer. That lets Morgan post Lynch and Vaquer is laid out again. They’ll need a third but a six woman tag could go well for Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The Bloodline arrives, including a rather reluctant Solo Sikoa. They run into LA Knight, who isn’t happy but they keep walking anyway because Roman Reigns is waiting.

Je’Von Evans vs. JD McDonagh

This is an impromptu match that was set up during the break. Evans knocks him outside to start but Dominik Mysterio trips Evans so McDonagh can stomp away. That earns McDonagh another trip to the floor, with Evans clotheslining him into the timekeeper’s area. The big running dive sends McDonagh into a wheeled chair for a huge crash. Mysterio offers another distraction though and McDonagh wraps the knee around the post as we take a break.

We come back with Evans fighting up again and hitting a spinning kick to the back. McDonagh gets in a headbutt into the brainbuster for two and can’t believe the kickout. Evans loads up….something from the inside to the announcers’ table but settles for avoiding a moonsault instead. The OG Cutter gives Evans the pin at 9:17.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure what Evans was teasing to the table near the end but thankfully he went with something that worked a lot better instead. Evans continues to be one of the easiest people in the world to get behind and it worked again here. Nice job here, though it feels like a countdown to the next Big Cass beating.

Post match indeed here is Big Cass to lay Evans out again. Cass goes to leave but Evans says no no no. He asks if that’s all Cass has so Cass lumbers back to the ring, where Evans gets in a dive. Evans hammers away until Mysterio posts him,

We recap the lucha tournament, with Rey Fenix and El Fiscal (the Prosecutor) ready for their first round match.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Rey Fenix vs. El Fiscal

Fenix’s AAA Cruiserweight Title isn’t on the line. They run the ropes to start with Fenix getting the better of things off a dropkick. Fiscal is right back with a spinning rather high crossbody and they both go up top. That means some headbutts can knock Fiscal down for a really big springboard dive as we take a break. We come back with Fiscal hitting a discus lariat but not being able to get in his spinning Tombstone. Fenix sends him into the corner though and comes out with the Mexican MuscleBuster for the pin at 9:03.

Rating: C+. This was completely fine with both guys getting to do their high flying. Fenix is a rather talented started who can make almost anything work, including the flying around like this. Fenix winning makes sense, as it wouldn’t stun me to see him vs. Penta in the finals. Fiscal is a good star in his own right, but he’s not on the same star power level as Fenix.

Roxanne Perez still wants the Women’s Title when Becky Lynch comes in. Perez tells her to stay away, but Lynch says she’s always here when Perez is going for the title, which she seems to be doing next week.

Lyra Valkyria can’t believe she’s not getting anything after taking Bayley out. It’s all about Sol Ruca, who can’t do anything impressive because Valkyria could do all of them. Ruca isn’t just surfing part her, and then she’s getting her title back.

Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria grabs a headlock and headscissors on the mat to start, with Ruca headstanding her way out. Some cranks on the arm have Ruca down but she’s able to knock Valkyria outside. The moonsault connects but Valkyria knocks her back down again. A springboard is broken up back inside and we take a break.

We come back with Ruca fighting out of trouble again and hitting a knee out of the corner. The middle rope dropkick connects with Valkyria for two and they’re both down again. Back up and Valkyria cuts her off with a nasty neckbreaker across the rope, setting up the top rope ax kick for two. Ruca gets backbreakered out of the corner but manages to escape Nightwing. A tornado DDT sets up the Sol Snatcher for the pin on Valkyria at 10:48.

Rating: B-. I’m more than a bit surprised that Valkyria lost here, as she seemed to be being built up for something bigger down the line. At the same time, Ruca getting a win is a good thing as she could easily be rebuilt back into title contention. If nothing else, it feels like a matter of time before she’s in the main title picture and a clean win, with the Sol Snatcher looking smoother and smoother, is a good start.

The Usos come up to Jacob Fatu, with Jey bragging about beating Solo Sikoa when Fatu couldn’t.

Austin Theory and Maxxine Dupri are rather happy with how badly the Alpha Academy has been destroyed. Bron Breakker is asked about Oba Femi and says anything he has to say to Femi, he’ll say to his face.

And with that, Breakker comes to the ring and immediately calls Femi out. Instead he gets Bron Breakker, who says he knows what is wise and unwise. One thing that is wise is to find out who is the future of WWE. Breakker: “How about you tell me Paul?” This brings out Femi, who says that Brock Lesnar was the future, but even he knew who the future is now. That would be Femi himself, and if Breakker has a problem with that, do something about it.

Breakker is ready to go but Heyman says if Breakker takes a step towards Femi, he takes a permanent step away from Heyman. This is a publicly traded company and you don’t just have this kind of a fight for free. We promote this match to be the biggest it can possibly be, which is why Heyman has already gotten it signed for Sunday Night’s Main Event. Breakker goes to leave and Heyman gives Femi a friendly handshake (which Femi accepts), leaving Breakker not sure what’s going on. Heyman: “That’s good business!” That handshake is interesting as you never know what Heyman has going on.

Dragon Lee is ready for El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. is ready to win to honor his family.

#1 Contenders Tournament: Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

Lee grabs a headlock to start and grinds away until Wagner sends him into the corner. That earns Lee a hard chop into a running forearm and the Death Valley Driver. Some tilt-a-whirl backbreakers have Lee in trouble and the big flip dive off the apron takes him out again. Back in and Lee charges into a superkick for two and we take a break.

We come back with Lee hitting his own superkick and a tornado DDT to send Wagner outside. The big running flip dive connects for Lee and they trade some rather loud chops back inside. Lee sends him into the corner for the Tree Of Woe double stomp so Wagner plants him back down. A frog splash gives Wagner two more but the Wagner Driver is broken up. Operation Dragon gives Lee the pin at 11:05.

Rating: B-. This got better as it went, though I still don’t quite get the appeal of Wagner. He’s a bigger guy than a lot of the people in AAA but he’s just kind of there for the most part. Lee isn’t exactly a top star, but he is someone who has been presented as a much bigger deal. His match with Fenix next week should go rather well too.

Intercontinental Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Chad Gable

Gable is defending and Mysterio takes him down to start fast and Gable seems to think twice about things. Mysterio sends him into the corner for the right hands and manages to launch him into the post. The running hurricanrana off the apron drops Gable again and we…don’t take a break, but we do get a big DiGiorno ad on the screen for a bit. Mysterio goes back in but gets suplexed out of the air, allowing Mysterio to go after the leg.

With that broken up, Gable goes with an upside down Gory Stretch until Mysterio powers out. Gable’s charge hits the post but he’s fine enough to hit a cliffhanger DDT. The Swan Dive (Cole: “For the retention!”) gets two so Mysterio is right back with a diving DDT for the same. They go up top again with Mysterio trying a super hurricanrana but getting reversed into a super spinning Angle Slam for two in a heck of a false finish.

Mysterio tries a 619, which is reversed into an ankle lock, which is countered with a roll into the corner. The 619 hits in the corner and a regular version connects, with the fans going absolutely nuts. The top rope splash hits knees though and the ankle lock is on again. That’s reversed into a cradle but Gable reverses into one of his own to retain at 13:19.

Rating: B+. This started off slowly but they were absolutely rocking by the end. They had me actually wondering if the title change was happening but it was a huge win for Gable, who won clean. Awesome match here and one of the best back and forth showcases I’ve seen on Raw in a good while.

Here are Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu for the Solo Sikoa presentation. Cue the rather enthusiastic Usos and Sikoa looking like he’s ready to walk to the gallows. Reigns says it was about three years ago when Reigns beat him on the premiere on Netflix and we go into a package of Sikoa mocking Reigns and the Bloodline for years.

Back in the arena, Reigns takes off Sikoa’s sunglasses and stomps on them, before asking why Sikoa isn’t begging Reigns for forgiveness. Fatu then superkicks and Tongan Death Grips Sikoa, with Reigns shouting ENOUGH to break it up. Reigns says Sikoa needs to lay there for a bit because he has something else to do. He praises the Usos for their success and calls them made men, and if you disrespect them, you disrespect him. The Usos get some special black flower necklaces before Reigns goes back to Sikoa.

Cue LA Knight to clear the Usos but but Reigns and Fatu take him down. Reigns tells Sikoa to finish him but Sikoa Samoan Spikes Reigns instead to blow the roof off the place. Knight and Sikoa clear out the Usos (again) as Fatu just stands back and watches. Reigns is back up and tries a Superman Punch but gets caught in a BFT.

Sikoa and Knight fist bump as Fatu again just stands there (remember Reigns told him to leave Knight alone) to wrap everything up. While I’m not wild on the stipulation from last week just being ignored, it’s the kind of thing that has to happen as Knight is basically the top opponent to the Bloodline. He needs some help, and Sikoa fits that rather well.

Overall Rating: B+. The main event angle and match both worked very well and you had more than enough good going on in the midcard to keep up the pace. We’re pretty clearly moving towards Penta getting the title shot against Reigns in Mexico City, followed by the big showdown with Knight in…sometime after that. This did a rather nice job of getting us closer to those shows though, along with the Women’s Title picture getting that much better. Strong show here, with Sunday Night coming up soon.

Results
Je’Von Evans b. JD McDonagh – OG Cutter
Rey Fenix b. El Fiscal – Mexican MuscleBuster
Sol Ruca b. Lyra Valkyria – Sol Snatcher
Dragon Lee b. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. – Operation Dragon
Chad Gable b. Rey Mysterio – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @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: August 10, 2026
Location: Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re starting something new here and this time it’s taking the form of a #1 contenders tournament for a shot at Roman Reigns. The catch though is there are a lot of luchadors in the field, with the title match taking place in about a month in Mexico City. LA Knight wants the title shot too though so let’s get to it.

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

We recap LA Knight confronting Roman Reigns last week and calling Reigns a fraud. Rather than Reigns sending the Bloodline after Knight, instead he gave the Bloodline another target. This resulted in Jacob Fatu going after Royce Keys and taking him out in a rather violent street fight. Keys is out indefinitely.

Here is Solo Sikoa, coming through the crowd, and kind of singing the Usos’ theme. He’s here to deal with the Bloodline so here is Jey Uso, through the entrance, to interrupt. Uso asks if Sikoa is sure he wants to do this and then tells him to fall in line. Sikoa finds that funny and asks if Uso fell in line. Sikoa: “Cause it looks like you fell off.”

The reality is that Uso was a World Champion who won the Royal Rumble and beat Gunther at Wrestlemania (and yes, Sikoa does do his own yeeting along the way). But now all of that is gone and Uso has nothing. Sikoa isn’t coming back to the family because he loves where he’s at right now.

Uso says he raised Sikoa, who has his big house because of the rest of the family. Uso wants to face Sikoa tonight and if Sikoa loses, he’s back in the Bloodline. He calls that a warning shot so Sikoa turns around and asks if everyone behind him is ok. Sikoa is in for tonight, but when he wins, the family is done with him. That’s Uso’s warning shot, and yes he makes a finger gun sound. When did Sikoa grow a personality? It’s working for me.

Penta is ready to win the tournament but he can’t look past Laredo Kid.

Laredo Kid is ready to show what he can do in the spotlight.

Jey Uso runs into Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu, the latter of whom isn’t sure what Jey is thinking. Jey says it’s just him running a play but Fatu accuses him of ignoring the rest of the team. That’s not cool with Jey, who says he’s getting Solo Sikoa back, so what has Fatu done lately? Fatu brings up taking out Royce Keys last week and says Jey better win, with Jimmy agreeing.

#1 Contender Tournament First Round: Penta vs. Laredo Kid

Kid isn’t shaking hands to start so Penta grabs a headlock instead. What looks to be a monkey flip attempt from Kid is countered with a kick to the ribs but he knocks Penta outside. That just earns Kid a kick to the head and Penta snaps off a running headscissors to the floor. Kid is right back up with a shot of his own, followed by a moonsault to drop Penta again. A moonsault Swanton hits Penta as well and we take a break.

We come back with Penta kicking him in the knee and grabbing a reverse Sling Blade. A slingshot dropkick in the corner hits Kid for two more but he hurricanranas Penta down. The 450 gives Kid two so Penta Backstabbers him out of the corner for two more. They strike it out for a bit until Penta sends him outside for the big running flip dive. The Penta Driver gets two back inside but Kid drivers him right back. Kid can’t hit a corkscrew moonsault so Penta is right back with a Mexican Destroyer for the pin at 10:45.

Rating: B+. It shouldn’t be a surprise that these two had a good match together as they have the talent and experience to make it work well. Penta getting the title shot is absolutely not out of the question and he very well could be the favorite for the whole thing. Beating Kid is a nice start and we got to see some of the stuff that makes both of them feel like major stars.

Logan Paul (with the Vision but without the arm brace) calls the Alpha Academy a bunch of jokes. Maxxine Dupri agrees, because Akira Tozawa has no chance against Austin Theory, who is apparently rather attractive. Bron Breakker does not seem to approve of any of this, but it turns out that he’s focused on Oba Femi. Yeah that works.

Akira Tozawa vs. Austin Theory

Theory charges into a boot in the corner to start and a hurricanrana takes him back down. That’s fine with Theory, who pops back up with a clothesline to put Tozawa in early trouble. The chinlock keeps Tozawa down as Bron Breakker is in another world at ringside. A full nelson backbreaker lets Theory go outside to pose with his teammates, leaving Breakker at least somewhat interested as we take a break.

We come back with Theory getting a kiss on the floor but Tozawa gets in a Shining Wizard. The backsplash gives Tozawa two and he fires off a bunch of kicks. Back up and Theory just blasts him with a spinning forearm (which is apparently called the Off Switch) for the pin at 8:28.

Rating: C+. I’m still trying to care about the Alpha Academy in this spot and it’s still not working. Otis is a lot more interesting than Tozawa, but Tozawa has been treated as a joke for years now. That makes it kind of hard to just flip a switch and make it work here. He’s good in the ring when he gets the chance, but it’s hard to care about him all of a sudden.

Post match Theory teases doing more but Adam Pearce comes out to cut him off. Bron Breakker gets inside and that’s enough to summon Oba Femi, which is just what Breakker wanted. Theory is quickly dispatched and a bunch of people have to hold Femi and Breakker apart. The fans seem WAY into this one

AAA GM Rey Mysterio is excited about the tournament and Dragon Lee comes up to thank him for the spot. Dominik Mysterio pops in to ask why he’s not in the tournament when he is the king of the luchadors. Rey: “I didn’t think you wanted another handout because that’s how you became a jackass in the first place.” With that great line out of the way, Lee tells Dominik to show his father some respect and he’s ready for a match later tonight.

We look back at Stephanie Vaquer being injured back in the spring at the hands of the Judgment Day, setting up returns from both Vaquer and Becky Lynch last week.

Here is Vaquer for a chat. She’s glad to be back and has missed everything about being around here, including the fans. Above all else though she has missed seeing Judgment Day getting scared every time she shows up. That’s why she’s ready to take them out one by one and she knows Liv Morgan isn’t ready for her.

Cue Lynch to interrupt, with Vaquer asking what she wants. It’s probably the same thing Vaquer wants, including giving Morgan one heck of a beating. Lynch has worked too long to see the title go back to the mid-2000s and that isn’t going to happen. As for Vaquer, she’s a bit more of an enigma, but she seems to be gone more often than she’s here.

So is Vaquer this bada** or does her body give up so her mind doesn’t have to. Lynch is fine with Vaquer giving Morgan a beating but Lynch is getting the title. Vaquer isn’t impressed and leaves so here is Morgan, who is quickly dispatched by Lynch. Vaquer comes back in and almost (but doesn’t) hit Lynch by mistake. They go nose to nose and talk a lot of trash until Lynch storms off. Nice segment here and Vaquer getting involved with Lynch is absolutely a big deal.

LA Knight is ready for Roman Reigns and he’s fine with winning the tournament to get the World Title shot. He’s told that it’s a luchador tournament so he can’t enter, which Knight finds very convenient. Solo Sikoa comes in to say that if he loses tonight, Knight is all alone. Knight doesn’t seem overly interested.

Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio

Mysterio’s AAA Mega Title isn’t on the line. Mysterio chops away in the corner to start but gets taken down with a headscissors. A double stomp gives Lee two but Mysterio is right back up with a running clothesline. Mysterio backdrops him to the floor, with Lee’s leg landing in the ropes, allowing Mysterio to hit a big dive.

We take a break and come back with Lee superkicking him into a tornado DDT, setting up the big flip dive to the floor (that looked great). Back in and Lee hits another superkick but charges into a Michinoku Driver. Lee is fine enough to tie him in the Tree Of Woe for the double stomp but Mysterio is back with a 619. The frog splash hits knees though and Operation Dragon gives Lee the clean pin at 10:23.

Rating: B-. Well that was surprising. I wasn’t expecting the AAA World Champion to lose a thrown together match, but hopefully this isn’t due to reports of Mysterio being unhappy with his booking on Raw. It’s hard to believe that Lee is in line for a big push, but Mysterio losing isn’t something that should be happening in a spot like this.

Post match Big Cass comes in to lay Lee out. Je’Von Evans runs in and gets a few shots on Cass, who knocks him out of the air. The big boot (that looked great) leaves Evans laying. That doesn’t make beating Mysterio look much better.

Sol Ruca is ready for revenge on Judgment Day and has a partner. Danhausen comes in to offer to do it for a…..well a little discount. Ruca says she has this covered and leaves, with Danhausen asking Byron Saxton for money. That’s a no as well so Danhausen leaves too. Wacky as usual.

LA Knight says he can get a lucha mask to enter the tournament but Adam Pearce turns him down. Once the tournament is over though, they’ll find a way for Knight to earn a title shot. With Pearce gone, Jacob Fatu pops up to threaten Knight, who tells Fatu to go get a permission slip to fight from Roman Reigns. Fatu hits his catchphrase and leaves.

Judgment Day vs. Sol Ruca/???

The mystery partner is…Iyo Sky, which is probably better than a random NXT debut. Ruca ducks Rodriguez out of the corner to start but a headlock is easily shoved off. Rodriguez sends her into the corner for the elbows to the face so Perez comes in to hit Ruca in the face. It’s off to Sky for a basement dropkick into an elbow as everything breaks down. Rodriguez catches Sky’s dive so Ruca dives onto them, with Perez adding one of her own.

We take a break and come back with Ruca still in trouble but she reverses a suplex into an X Factor (well close enough). Sky gets to take over on Perez, with a shotei knocking Perez silly. The Bullet Train to Perez sets up a great looking missile dropkick as everything breaks down. Rodriguez has to save Perez before being knocked outside, leaving Perez to kick Ruca down. Sky reverses Perez’s Shining Wizard and hits the Bullet Train in the corner but Rodriguez is back to break up Over The Moonsault. That earns Rodriguez an Asai moonsault so Ruca flips out of Pop Rox, setting up the Sol Snatcher for the pin on Perez at 11:51.

Rating: B-. This got rolling near the end as it was a bunch of flying around and saves until Perez got caught with the Sol Snatcher. The ending felt like it was a question of when the Sol Snatcher would connect rather than when, which is ok. Hopefully Ruca gets to move on from now, though I’m not sure what is next for Sky.

Bron Breakker comes up to Paul Heyman (Why is he here?) and talks about the showdown with Oba Femi. Breakker asks Heyman who he thinks the future of WWE is, with Heyman saying he respects both of them. That’s not what Breakker asked and he gets a bit more serious before asking it again.

Heyman says he’s starting to think Breakker is starting to think Femi is the future, which is the problem. Heyman is going to keep respecting Femi until Breakker says Heyman that Femi isn’t worthy of that respect. That has Breakker thinking and he walks away, with Heyman realizing he dodged a bullet.

Rey Mysterio praises Penta for his match earlier and Chad Gable comes in to do the same. Penta leaves and Gable says he wants to defend the Intercontinental Title against Mysterio. Works for Mysterio and Gable will talk to Adam Pearce.

Sol Ruca and Iyo Sky are happy with their win but run into Lyra Valkyria (who is looking more and more like a….whatever she is right now). She thinks Ruca is getting close to the Women’s Intercontinental Title, with Valkyria bringing up Bayley. Valkyria tells her to stay out of the way of her title. Sky isn’t sure what Valkyria is at this point and I can’t help but agree.

Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa

If Uso wins, Sikoa is back in the Bloodline. After a rather lengthy Uso entrance, they shove each other around a few times until Sikoa clotheslines him out of the corner. A running headbutt gives Sikoa two and he elbows Uso down to cut him off. Sikoa sends him crashing out to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Uso sending him outside for the suicide dive and Sikoa is in trouble for a change. That’s cut off with a clothesline out of the corner and they’re both down.

A kick to the face just annoys Sikoa, who grabs a Samoan drop. The running Umaga Attack in the corner gets two but another Samoan drop is countered into the sleeper. That’s broken up and a spinwheel kick breaks up Uso’s spear attempt. Cue Jimmy Uso for a distraction though and the spear gives Jey two. Sikoa fights back but goes after Jimmy, allowing Jey to hit another spear. The Superfly Splash sends Sikoa back to the Bloodline at 12:06.

Rating: B-. This was a match that felt like it should have been a bit deal but instead it just came off like a thing that happened. At the same time, having Sikoa be in the Bloodline against his will could be interesting if they go that way, but odds are it’s just business as usual again. That’s not a great thing, and the result here was kind of disappointing.

The Usos celebrate to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show was a good use of a bunch of stuff that didn’t feel the most important. You had one tournament match and a bunch of people talking about what they’re going to do later. Next week feels like the show where some more top level stuff happens, but I’ll take a show that does a lot with only so much.

Results
Penta b. Laredo Kid – Mexican Destroyer
Austin Theory b. Akira Tozawa – Off Switch
Dragon Lee b. Dominik Mysterio – Operation Dragon
Sol Ruca/Iyo Sky b. Judgment Day – Sol Snatcher to Perez
Jey Uso b. Solo Sikoa – Superfly Splash

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @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: April 27, 2026
Location: Sames Auto Arena, Laredo, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re rapidly approaching Backlash and that means it is time to start building up the show. That is likely going to be taking place this week, including Roman Reigns giving Jacob Fatu an answer after last week’s challenge for a title shot. A lot of things could come together for Backlash so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Jacob Fatu challenging Roman Reigns last week.

Reigns and the Usos sit down in a dark room, with Reigns not being sure what to do about Fatu. Jimmy thinks it’s better to avoid Fatu while Jey wants to teach Fatu a lesson in respect for the family. Reigns says he’ll handle this tonight and they put their hands together, with Reigns suggesting that the team is called the First Family. It’s been used before in wrestling but it fits here.

Here is Seth Rollins to get things going. Rollins has a lot to get to tonight, starting with Roman Reigns holding his World Title because of Bron Breakker. That’s why he wants Breakker out here right now, which is what he gets, plus a side of Paul Heyman. Rollins says Breakker took everything away from him this year and Rollins wants to know why. Breakker wants to know what Rollins ever gave him.

For months, Breakker and Bronson Reed had to stand there while Rollins said his same thing and then they had to fight his battles. Rollins talks about going down to NXT and wanting to face Shawn Michaels’ best, which is why he fought Breakker in the first place. Then he agreed to take Breakker under his win because he knew the potential. Rollins knows what it means to be a 28 year old star with all over the potential in the world.

The difference is that Breakker is trying to take over but Rollins already did it. The reality is that Breakker isn’t ready, but Breakker says he lost to the best in the world, which is better than someone who just says it. Rollins: “That was pretty good Baby Steiner.” Rollins issues the challenge for Backlash but “Steiner” needs to understand he isn’t even the second best in his own family.

Judgment Day jumps Stephanie Vaquer in the back and crush her with an anvil case.

Penta vs. Rusev

Non-title and Ethan Page is here too. Rusev sends him flying with a fall away slam to start but Penta hits a dropkick to the floor, setting up the running flip dive. Page mocks Penta, who has to cut Rusev off with a superkick. Back in and Rusev superkicks him out of the air as we take a break. We come back with Penta kicking away and hitting the reverse Sling Blade. The running slingshot dropkick in the corner gets one but Rusev kicks him down. A release Rock Bottom sets up the Machka Kick but the Accolade is escaped. Penta teases a springboard but hangs on to headfake Rusev, setting up a rollup for the pin at 7:28.

Rating: C+. This was a quick match with Penta getting a win, with Ethan Page continuing to feel like the next challenger in line. That should be enough to carry the title picture going forward as Penta is doing well in his role as the fighting champion. It wasn’t a match that had a chance to go very far but they got the details right.

Post match Page runs in to help beat on Penta, with Rusev and Page stomping away. Je’Von Evans runs in for the save, including the OG Cutter to Rusev, and has a nice moment with Penta.

El Grande Americano, with Los Americanos, is ready to face the Original El Grande Americano in a mask vs. mask match. That’s as big as it gets for him and he needs to be ready, which is why he wants to face Rey Mysterio tonight.

Here is Becky Lynch for a chat. She’s very pleased to have gotten the Women’s Intercontinental Title back because it means she has won four different women’s titles at Wrestlemania and have more wins there than any other woman in history. The best thing thing was looking out and seeing her daughter, who needs to learn that there is more to being a champion than just the money and five star hotels. It’s also about facing the best, which is why it’s open challenge time.

Cue Iyo Sky to interrupt and Lynch isn’t sure about this one. Sky issues the challenge but Lynch says she wanted someone challenging and exciting, but Sky is neither challenging nor exciting. Lynch thinks this must be Sky accepting on behalf of Rhea Ripley because she wanted to face Shawn Michaels, not Marty Jannetty. Sky knocks her down and here is Adam Pearce to say let’s do the match right now. Lynch jumps her from behind as the referee comes in.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs. Iyo Sky

Sky is challenging and we’re joined in progress with Lynch knocking her down. The middle rope legdrop connects for two but Sky is back up for the exchange of forearms. Sky German suplexes her for two and hits the missile dropkick. Back up and Lynch gets in a shot of her own before having to block a suicide dive.

Instead Sky hits a sunset bomb out to the floor and we take a break. We come back with the two of them knocking each other down again. Sky is up with a superkick and tornado DDT but Lynch is back with a Manhandle Slam for two. Back up and Sky knocks her outside for an Asai moonsault, only to lose a shoe. Sky loads up a dive but cue Asuka to cut off a springboard, allowing Lynch to hit the Manhandle Slam and retain at 13:12.

Rating: B-. Of course these two were capable of having a solid match and they did so here, with the focus being on Asuka’s interference. That’s perfectly fine, as it was more about setting up Sky vs. Asuka than anything else. Lynch is getting ready for her next challenger and that could be more than a few people, which is nice to see from the women’s division.

Post match Asuka lays Sky out with the Asuka Lock.

El Grande Americano asks Rey Mysterio if he has to worry about Mysterio in the mask vs. mask match on May 30. Mysterio says no and speaks Spanish, which the Original doesn’t understand. The other El Grande Americano and Los Americanos come in and aren’t happy with Mysterio, who says he’s not on anyone’s side. That isn’t good enough and the three of them leave.

LA Knight interrupts the Usos and tries to talk them out of this reunion with Roman Reigns. Jimmy says it isn’t Knight’s business but Knight says the power will eventually corrupt things and that makes it Knight’s business.

Here is the debuting Joe Hendry for a concert. He sings about officially signing with Raw and he’s fine with Oba Femi and acknowledges the OTC, but can we fire Logan Paul? Cue a ticked off Paul and Austin Theory to say he cannot be fired and declares everyone fired. Hendry laughs off the idea of the Vision being winners because all he saw on ESPN was a couple of prime time losers. They clear Hendry’s concert equipment out of the ring and the fight is on, with the Street Profits running in for the save. Hendry hits a running dive over the top onto the Vision and poses with the Profits. That’s pretty standard Hendry.

Grayson Waller is annoyed at not getting an opportunity of his own and insults Oba Femi, who pops up behind him. Femi says if Waller wants an opportunity, he can have one tonight. Adam Pearce is in.

Joe Hendry thanks the Street Profits again, with the Profits suggesting he gets a new shirt to replace the blue one since he’s a Raw star now. Hendry seems to agree and leaves, with the Profits running into Seth Rollins. They aren’t impressed because Rollins isn’t special and last week was about the Vision, not him.

El Grande Americano vs. Rey Mysterio

Los Americanos are here with Americano, who takes Mysterio down off a test of strength to start. Mysterio gets his shoulders up at two and sends him into the ropes but the 619 attempt is cut off with a clothesline. We take a break and come back with Americano knocking him into the corner. Mysterio jumps up for a moonsault into a tornado DDT though and Americano is rocked again. Rayo tries to load up the mas but gets taken down with a 619. Americano picks up the plate but here is the Original El Grande Americano to cut it off. Mysterio hits the 619 into the slingshot splash for the pin at 9:15.

Rating: B-. I was a bit surprised to see Americano lose here though the ending feels like it could be a step towards him dropping the loaded up headbutt. That is all but guaranteed to play into the mask vs. mask match, as will Americano being unhappy with Original interfering here. This feud continues to be a lot bigger in Mexico and that’s fine, as it’s better than not getting any heat for it whatsoever.

Post match Mysterio takes the foreign object and puts it in his tights, because Americano isn’t using it anymore. Since it’s impossible to find another metal plate? Anyway Mysterio leaves and the two Grande Americanos brawl.

We look at Jacob Fatu wrecking Solo Sikoa and the MFTs on Smackdown.

Backlash rundown, with Rollins vs. Breakker and Sky vs. Asuka officially set.

Asuka says she has blamed herself for Iyo Sky’s mistakes for so long but now she realizes that Sky is the real problem. Sky is her biggest failure because Sky failed her family. Now they’re both alone because Asuka thought they could be a family again. Nothing will stop her from destroying Sky at Backlash.

Oba Femi vs. Grayson Waller

Femi runs him over to start and sends him into the corner for a running uppercut. Waller gets in a neck snap across the top but the rolling Stunner is tossed away. The Fall From Grace finishes Waller at 1:06. That’s our Femi.

Post match Femi says he and the people are feeling good around here. Waller isn’t, but Femi did hear Waller say something that got his attention. He wanted a chance, so Femi will take it on himself with an open challenge to anyone who wants to try and climb the mountain. Just be ready.

Liv Morgan talks to Roxanne Perez and apologizes for what she thought of Perez while she was gone. She was watching Raw and Finn Balor put himself before the family. Morgan wants to support Perez in what she’s doing so she’ll be in the corner tonight. Perez trusts her….but needs one second backstage, where she doesn’t look happy. Balor pops up and tells Perez to be quiet, but she can’t trust Judgment Day. Perez asks if she can’t trust them or him. Perez throws him out, with Balor saying he hopes she knows what she’s doing.

Bayley/Lyra Valkyria vs. Judgment Day

It’s Raquel Rodriguez/Roxanne Perez with Liv Morgan for the team here. Rodriguez powers Bayley into the corner to start and it’s off to Perez, who gets quite the hometown reaction. Perez smiles her head off as she stomps Bayley down but gets powered over for the tag off to Valkyria.

Perez fights out of trouble but gets backbreakered down, only for Perez to kick away before Bayley can drop an elbow. That’s fine with Valkyria, who kicks Perez down again so the elbow can connect. Everything breaks down and Rodriguez posts Bayley as we take a break.

We come back with Valkyria firing off the clotheslines and rolling some suplexes on Perez. A fireman’s carry is loaded up but Perez escapes and rams Valkyria into Bayley to crotch her on top. Rodriguez comes back in for a big boot into Perez’s Russian legsweep for two but Bayley counters Pop Rox. The Bayley To Belly gets two on Perez and the other two fall out to the floor. Morgan offers a distraction and Bayley gets her throat snapped across the top. A Shining Wizard and Pop Rox finish for Perez at 9:21.

Rating: B. They had a lot going on in this match but Perez’s reception and reaction to that reception push it to a higher level. She was clearly so happy out there and it was a special moment to see. Other than that, you had Bayley and Valkyria having some miscommunication issues before their loss. That’s on top of Judgment Day having issues of their own, which is quite a bit to have in one single match.

Video on Sol Ruca, who has signed with Raw and will be here next week.

Here is Roman Reigns and the fans seem rather pleased to see him. Reigns even makes mention of the reaction before saying this title was made in spite of him. The reality is that the man makes the title, which is what he has done again. He has made this title relevant and now you can respect this title, or even ACKNOWLEDGE it. Let’s demonstrate, and he hits the catchphrase.

This brings out Jacob Fatu to interrupt, with Reigns saying Fatu is right on cue because Reigns was “just getting to you”. Reigns hopes Fatu has made the right decision but Fatu says he didn’t need a week, or even an hour to know what to do. Fatu still needs the title because Reigns still doesn’t know what it means to be like him. While the Bloodline was running things, Fatu was foaming at the mouth and he didn’t get a phone call from his family. You know who did call him? Solo Sikoa.

That doesn’t sit well with Reigns, who says Fatu is either completely confused or dumber than he thought. Sikoa couldn’t even get a cup of coffee delivered to the building. Who does Fatu think runs this place? The fans chant for Reigns and he says the fans aren’t lying. Reigns never forgot about him and he’s the one who signed off on Fatu.

The reality is Fatu has never earned it and he isn’t going to just give Reigns a shot because that’s nepotism, which Reigns isn’t allowing. Fatu grabs a TONGAN DEATH GRIP and Reigns goes down, with Fatu promising to take everything from him. That leaves Reigns laying so Fatu leaves, with Reigns accepting the challenge for Backlash. Fatu isn’t waiting for Backlash and he’ll see Reigns next week. The Death Grip was a surprise and makes Fatu feel that much more dangerous, which is great to see going into the title match.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling wasn’t the best here but this show was more about setting up Backlash. It wasn’t exactly a hard card to set up as you could guess a lot of the matches from at least a week ago, but you still have to get the work done. That’s what they covered this week, which makes sense as the pay per view is somehow a week from Saturday. Either way, not a must see show here, but it did what was necessary.

Results
Penta b. Rusev – Rollup
Becky Lynch b. Iyo Sky – Manhandle Slam
Rey Mysterio b. El Grande Americano – Slingshot splash
Oba Femi b. Grayson Waller – Fall From Grace
Judgment Day b. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria – Pop Rox to Bayley

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

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

Wrestlemania XLII Night One
Date: April 18, 2026
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Michael Cole

We have arrived. After a less than great build and some questionable choices, it’s time for the biggest weekend of the wrestling year. No matter what happens here, this is a special event and we have Cody Rhodes defending the Smackdown World Title against Randy Orton in the main event. Let’s get to it.

The opening video, as narrated by Lin-Manuel-Miranda, talks about the memories and moments that are made at Wrestlemania. Years from now, our children will ask us where we were when things happened at this show. Heck of an opener here and it still worked even though it aired on Smackdown last night.

Here is John Cena as the host. He seems actually taken aback by the reception and then talks about how the Road To Wrestlemania has been rough this year. As Michael Cole has said, it’s been polarizing, but the important thing is that we’re here now. Cena getting emotional was a great thing to see as you can tell this means a lot to him.

Usos/LA Knight vs. Vision/IShowSpeed

The Usos come through the crowd and Knight comes to the stage in a customized truck. The Vision and Speed have a unique entrance of their own, as they have nine different camera angles shown at once to cover everything. We officially start and the Vision is knocked to the floor, leaving Speed alone with Knight. Speed’s headlock doesn’t work as Knight just stands up and walks around with him, sending Speed running off.

Knight stomps on Paul in the corner and it’s back to the Usos for a double elbow. Theory comes in off a blind tag though and jumps Jimmy so the villains can take over. The stomping has Jimmy in trouble but he fights back on Paul and gets over to Jey. Theory comes in as well and gets punched in the face, followed by the spear. Paul dives in for the save and everything breaks down, with Speed snapping off a headscissors. Speed accidentally knocks Paul down so Theory tells at him, only for Knight to send them into each other. The BFT finishes Theory at 7:07.

Rating: C+. It’s no classic, but it did exactly what it needed to do. They go the celebrity in there and he didn’t embarrass himself, with Knight getting the pin in the end. It’s just a basic match, but I do like the idea of taking something simple and doing it well. Nice enough here and that’s a good way to start the show.

Post match Paul yells at Speed and drops him with the metal fist. Paul loads up the announcers’ table but Jimmy and Knight make the save. Knight helps him up and Speed goes up top for the huge splash through the announcers’ table.

Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu

Unsanctioned. Fatu comes out with fire dancers while McIntyre knocks down a stone wall and walks through the hole. The entrances take a long time so Fatu dives onto McIntyre to start fast. The weapons are thrown in early on but Fatu is smart enough to knock McIntyre down again. It takes too long to get a toolbox though and McIntyre decks him from behind. A catapult sends Fatu face first into the bottom of the ring and it’s time for a table.

Actually it’s time for McIntyre to continue his tradition of tweeting during a match, which allows Fatu to fight back. A pop up Samoan drop gives Fatu two but McIntyre knocks him down again. The chair is loaded up in the corner but they both avoid going into it. Instead Fatu misses a charge and goes face first into the post, allowing McIntyre to suplex him down. McIntyre gets knocked back down though and Fatu’s triple jump moonsault connects….for two.

McIntyre finds a piece of metal to jab into Fatu’s head and then sends him onto some open chairs for two more. That’s not ok with McIntyre, who grabs the referee’s belt, only to walk into a superkick. Fatu chairs him in the back a few times and now it’s his turn with the belt. The whipping ensues so Fatu goes to grab the toolbox, allowing McIntyre to hit a Claymore for two.

McIntyre screams at the referee some more but loses a slugout with Fatu, who fires off some headbutts. Fatu puts him on a table and hits him with a chair to keep him down. That doesn’t really work either as McIntyre is right back up to hit him with a chair as well. Fatu is shoved off the top and through a table at ringside, which somehow doesn’t do much to slow him down. Back in and Fatu hits him in the head with the toolbox, setting up the triple jump moonsault through the table to finish McIntyre at 14:17.

Rating: B. That’s what this should have been, as Fatu survived everything a former multiple time World Champion threw at him and then finished him off. Some of the no selling and things that were shrugged off were a bit much, but that was how the match needed to go. Fatu gets probably the biggest win of his career and can move on to…whatever is next, just like McIntyre. Good brawl.

We run down the remaining card.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bella Twins vs. Irresistible Forces vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

The Forces are defending, there is one from each team in at all times and it’s one fall to a finish. Actually hang on as Nikki Bella says she can’t get medically cleared so she’s called in an old friend. And PAIGE is back, which is great to see after how bad her neck has been over the years. It’s a brawl to start with Jax taking over, only to get knocked outside by Charlotte.

Brie’s chops don’t get her very far as Valkyria hits a dropkick. Back up and Brie kicks away at Valkyria and Charlotte but the tag to Paige is cut off. Legend takes Brie outside for a drop onto the apron, leaving Bayley to middle rope elbow Bliss. Legend is back in to start taking over but she gets pulled out of the corner, allowing Brie to hit a middle rope dropkick. The tag brings in Paige, who strikes away at Jax and cleans house as everything breaks down.

The Paige Turner connects with Bayley making the save. A Lash Extension hits Valkyria so another save is made. Legend is knocked outside so it’s off to Paige vs. Charlotte for a big showdown. Paige wins the slugout and gets two off a small package. Charlotte is sent outside where Nikki beats on her with the crutch. Bliss tries Twisted Bliss but hits raised knees. The Rampaige gives Paige the pin and the titles at 8:29.

Rating: C-. Well that happened. As usual, these matches are kind of all over the place and it’s just a collection of spots that only kind of tie together. The ending was all about the big moment of the Bellas and Paige getting a special win. I’m not big on the Bellas, but it is good to have Paige back. Other than that, this was just kind of a mess with way too much going on to have a coherent match.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee

Lee is defending and comes out with an army of school girls dressed like her and carrying replica belts. On the other hand, Lynch is played to the ring live for a pair of cool entrances. Lynch is ticked off to start and gets sent outside, with Lee’s dive being powerslammed into the barricade. Back in and Lynch puts her down again and goes to take the turnbuckle pad off. The referee (Jessika Carr, who has had issues with Lynch) calls her insane and ties it back up.

Lee uses the delay to fight back for two but the Black Widow is countered. Lee’s standing Sliced bread connects but the Shining Wizard is countered into a powerbomb for two. A quick Black Widow attempt is swung into the corner and the Manhandle Slam gives Lynch two. Lynch gets into it with the referee again and they shove each other, allowing Lee to grab a Manhandle Slam for two of her own.

Lee grabs the Black Widow so Lynch pulls the hair to escape. The referee checks on Lee so Lynch gets the buckle off and pulls the referee over. That’s enough of a distraction for Lee to be sent into the buckle, setting up the Manhandle Slam to give Lynch the title back at 8:18.

Rating: C+. This felt like it should have been a Raw main event more than big time Wrestlemania title match. The stuff with the referee did fit well with the story, but these two just don’t have the best chemistry. Lee can go away for a bit again and come back to do something fresh, as anything she does now is pretty much bonus money. Lynch has a bunch of people who can come after the title, so this is the right result after an ok match.

Gunther vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins’ eyes are blacked out for a cool look. Gunther jumps him from behind before the bell though and hits the dropkick into the powerbomb to send him outside. Rollins goes to the eyes when they get outside and throws some chairs at Gunther as the bell hasn’t rung yet. Rollins flips him off and they get inside, with the bell ringing and Rollins taking over. Gunther gets knocked down again and stomped in the head but knocks Rollins down for a breather.

The pace slows way down and Gunther stands on Rollins’ head before trying a delayed vertical superplex. That’s broken up though and Rollins somehow gets him up for the Buckle Bomb. It’s too early for the Stomp so Rollins hits a clothesline and they’re both down. They kick away at each other until Rollins wins a chop off, only to get powerbombed for two more.

Gunther slowly hammers away but the clothesline is countered into a failed Pedigree attempt. Rollins hits a knee but the Pedigree is blocked again, only for tries it again and connects (though it didn’t look great). A Stomp gives Rollins two but Gunther pulls him into the sleeper. Rollins manages to get out and they trade big shots, with Gunther’s clothesline putting Rollins down.

Gunther takes too long going up though and gets superplexed into a Falcon Arrow for two. Rollins gets his own sleeper to send Gunther to the ropes and then out to the floor. The suicide dive is blocked and Gunther powerbombs him onto the apron and announcers’ table. Rollins shakes that off and counters the powerbomb into a Pedigree on the table. The Stomp drives Gunther into the table…and Bron Breakker is back with a Super Spear to Rollins. Back in and the sleeper finishes Rollins at 15:53.

Rating: B+. This took time to get going but they wound up having a heck of a fight. Gunther winning is fine as Rollins can get back to Breakker, where he belongs. Gunther is probably getting ready to retire Brock Lesnar at Summerslam so he needs all the build he can get. Good match here, despite a slow start.

Post match Breakker glares at Rollins…and runs all the way down the ramp to spear him again. Breakker hugs Paul Heyman as he leaves.

We meet the Hall Of Fame class:

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant (biggest match ever so that fits)
AJ Styles (yep)
Demolition (as overdue as it gets)
Dennis Rodman (someone had to get the celebrity spot)
Sycho Sid (how was he not in already)
Bad News Brown (put him in or he might hurt you)
Stephanie McMahon (yeah she’s probably still talking too)

Raw Women’s Title: Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Morgan is challenging and basically does the music video to Trouble down the ramp. Vaquer goes after after her to start and Morgan is in early trouble. The Devil’s Kiss is blocked though and Morgan is right back up with a Backstabber. Morgan loads up her own Devil’s Kiss but Vaquer is grabs an SVB for two.

Vaquer hits her own Oblivion for two but here is Roxanne Perez for the distraction, allowing Raquel Rodriguez to knock Vaquer off the top. Oblivion gives Morgan two but Vaquer is back to dive onto Rodriguez and Perez. Morgan is up to send her into the steps though and a middle rope Codebreaker knocks Vaquer silly. Another Oblivion gives Morgan the title back at 6:52.

Rating: C+. Well that was quick. I’m not sure why they were flying through this match so fast but it didn’t feel like they had time to really do anything. At the same time, Vaquer only had so much of a chance in this one as Morgan has been on fire as of late. You could only stretch that out so far, as this was pretty much all about Morgan getting her coronation and it wasn’t a secret.

Here is John Cena for the attendance announcement: 50,816. Last year both nights had over 60,000.

Hold on though as here is Bianca Belair for a surprise. Belair says they need to add one more to that list and opens her rather feathery blue attire to reveal that she’s pregnant. Yeah ok that’s awesome.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton. They were close back in the day and Rhodes considers him his mentor. Then Orton won the Elimination Chamber to get the title shot and Rhodes wants the old Orton, who listens to those voices. Orton turned evil thanks to someone calling him, who was revealed to be Pat McAfee of all people. This resulted in Orton attacking Rhodes to quite the positive reaction and beating up Jelly Roll. Yeah see why this has been kind of a mess?

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

Rhodes is defending and his entrance is…a lot. He has basically a museum of his previous ring gear and clips of him in it before rising up through the stage as he does for big matches. Pat McAfee is here with Orton and handles Orton’s entrance. Also of note, not counting the Big Match Intros or the pre-match video, from the time McAfee’s name appeared on the Titantron to the end of Rhodes’ music: 15:18, or 35 seconds shorter than the longest match of the show.

McAfee jumps Rhodes before the bell but Rhodes fights back and sends Orton outside. Cross Rhodes takes McAfee out and here is Jelly Roll to put him through the announcers’ table. McAfee is taken out on a stretcher as Cole talks about Orton possibly having a back injury. As McAfee is wheeled out, he gives a thumbs up in a great moment. The bell actually rings and they fight over a top wristlock, which is quite the way to go for this kind of a feud.

Back up and Orton tries the over the back backbreaker…but he’s hurt. A poke to the eye lets Orton grab a chinlock but Rhodes fights up and puts him down again. That sends Orton out to the floor for a breather so Rhodes sends him back inside for a half crab. With that broken up, Rhodes switches to a waistlock but Orton fights out and…needs some time. Orton takes him up top for a superplex and then hits the powerslam, allowing him to shake his back a bit.

The hanging DDT slows Orton down again but the RKO is blocked. Rhodes sends him outside, where Orton cuts off a suicide dive. Orton drops him onto the announcers’ table for another breather but Rhodes stops him with a posting. Back in and Rhodes starts in with a few stomps (it looks like he’s trying a Garvin Stomp but doesn’t quite know how to do it). The Disaster Kick gets two so Rhodes rubs the blood on his own chest. A hanging DDT gives Rhodes two but Orton is back with a Cross Rhodes for two of his own.

The RKO is countered into a backslide to give Rhodes two, followed by an RKO to Orton for two more. They head outside again with a ticked off Rhodes being dropped onto the announcers’ table. Back in and a quick RKO gives Orton two and they slowly slug it out. Rhodes goes to the eye so Orton RKO’s the referee but the low blow is blocked. Rhodes kicks Orton low but the Cody Cutter is countered into an RKO. Cue Pat McAfee with a referee shirt (and a neck brace) to count two. That means an RKO to McAfee, allowing Rhodes to hit Cross Rhodes to retain at 23:40.

Rating: C. Well, it got better near the end (it couldn’t have gotten much worse) and Rhodes seemingly got rid of McAfee for good so we’ll call that a win. I still have no idea what is going on or how this is supposed to make sense, but I don’t think WWE is quite sure either. This felt like “throw a bunch of stuff out there and hope they’re confused enough by the time we’re done”, which is quite the way to go for the main event. It turned into a better match near the end and that was enough to save it (kind of) but wow this was a mess.

The problem is that’s just the insanity that went with it, as you also have the majority of the match being Rhodes working on the back in slow motion. I’d assume there’s a bit of truth to Orton being hurt but nothing terrible, which just leaves me wondering why they went in this direction. It’s not some terrible match overall, but sweet goodness it’s an amazing spectacle of nuttiness.

Post match Rhodes celebrates but Orton takes the title from him. A belt shot drops Rhodes and Orton Punts him before holding the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was ok enough for the most part, but as usual these two night Wrestlemanias just feel incomplete when you watch them this way. It’s a mixture of there being too much for one night but not enough for two and that leaves you with stuff like this, with short matches and some very questionable nuttiness.

Rollins vs. Gunther and Fatu vs. McIntyre were both good, but wow those things were few and far between. It’s not awful, but as usual it leaves you with a “that’s it?” feeling as there is so much left tomorrow. Overall, the good outweighs the bad and….whatever that main event was supposed to be, but just barely.

Results
LA Knight/Usos b. IShowSpeed/Vision – BFT to Theory
Jacob Fatu b. Drew McIntyre – Triple jump moonsault through a table
Brie Bella/Paige b. Irresistible Forces, Bayley/Lyra Valkyria and Charlotte/Alexa Bliss – Rampaige to Bliss
Becky Lynch b. AJ Lee – Manhandle Slam
Gunther b. Seth Rollins – Sleeper
Liv Morgan b. Stephanie Vaquer – Manhandle Slam
Cody Rhodes b. Randy Orton – Cross Rhodes

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