[intro music playing]
[Cena] Then.
[Ric Flair] Woooo!
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
-[Triple H] The king of kings… -[Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
♪ Let's go ♪
♪ I got a vision I see in my head ♪
♪ A melody buried deep into my soul ♪
♪ They call us crazy We cutting the edge ♪
♪ Decided our stories are gonna be told ♪
♪ Break the rules, break the law ♪
♪ This is the moment we change it all ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Greatness Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
-♪ Greatness ♪ -♪ Legendary in the making ♪
-♪ Yeah ♪ -♪ Reach out and we take it ♪
-♪ Yeah ♪ -♪ About to emerge ♪
♪ We on the verge And it feels like greatness ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Greatness Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Greatness Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
♪ About to emerge We on the verge ♪
♪ And it feels like greatness ♪
♪ Whoo! Greatness ♪
[Kevin] We're live tonight from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama,
and with less than three weeks to the Royal Rumble
which kickstarts the Road to WrestleMania,
there's no better time to be a fan of WWE.
Welcome, folks, to Monday Night Raw.
♪ It's a new day ♪
-["Fight" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Kevin] We're kicking things off tonight
with the problem on the Island of Relevancy,
"The Prizefighter" KO.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Kevin Owens.
[Corey] KO has maintained a singular focus
that has come at a detriment to both Raw and SmackDown's locker rooms.
KO continues to make waves on the Island of Relevancy,
and it all comes to a head in a few weeks in San Antonio.
[Kevin] KO capitalizing on a rare emotionally-charged moment
for Roman Reigns,
and now in two weeks from Saturday streaming exclusively on Peacock,
Kevin Owens will enter the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas,
for arguably the biggest match of his career.
A chance to take down Roman Reigns and, in doing so,
become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
[Corey] Owens continues to live by his ethos, just keep fighting.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants] KO! KO!
Thank you.
In just three weeks at the Royal Rumble,
I'm going to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed--
["Longhorn" playing]
[Corey] Wait just a second.
Is it him?
It is.
JBL is live in Birmingham.
[JBL] Kevin Owens.
Since you're not from the South,
let me explain to you that the people of Alabama,
most of them here are about one generation from walking on all fours.
[crowd booing]
And while they may believe in Bigfoot,
the UFO and the Chupacabra,
nobody, and I mean nobody, not even here in Redneckville, Alabama
believes that you can beat Roman Reigns,
but let me introduce you to the person
that, in the last three years, has the only pinfall victory
against The Tribal Chief, the head of the table.
So, Alabama, I want you to get on your overweight hooves,
put your little woke chubby hands together
and help me welcome the modern-day wrestling god, Baron Corbin.
-["The Good Life" playing] -[Corey] What a treat.
Thank you, JBL.
It's not every day you get to experience a wrestling god,
we have a pair of them on Monday Night Raw, KP.
[Kevin] The towering presence of Baron Corbin.
Kevin Owens,
JBL already said it.
Let's face a fact here, there is no chance you can beat Roman Reigns.
And here, look, I'll explain it in a way all of you can understand.
Roman Reigns is Georgia,
Kevin Owens is Alabama.
He's a loser.
[crowd boos]
Hey, Baron. It's true.
Bear Bryant is spinning in his grave right now.
You guys are an embarrassment.
At the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns destroys you.
Speaking of the Royal Rumble, if I am in that match,
I will go on to win
and I will go on to beat Roman Reigns again.
Only this time, it will be
in the main event of WrestleMania
and Baron Corbin walks out
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
[crowd boos]
-[Corey] KO's gone catatonic. -[JBL] Hey.
Hey, snowflake.
You in a food coma or what?
When the wrestling god is talking, you show respect, you goofy Canadian.
Kevin, if you want to take a nap,
I'm happy to come in there and put you to sleep right now.
Look, to answer your question,
I was actually in a "JBL and Corbin
have been talking for three minutes and have managed to say
nothing of interest whatsoever" coma.
-That's what happened. -[crowd cheers]
And look, I missed most of that, but judging by their faces,
it wasn't very good.
But I think have good idea.
See, I'm dressed for a fight right now because I figured The Bloodline
would probably come out and pick a fight,
but you two blowhards will do just fine.
Yeah. So, Corbin, you want to--
You just said something about putting me to sleep.
I assume that was a veiled threat that you're going to punch me in the face.
I think that's a great idea. Come on in,
and there's two ways we can do it. You come in, I hit you with a stunner,
or we ring the bell, we have a match and then I hit you with a stunner.
The choice is yours.
[crowd cheers]
You have the audacity to challenge the wrestling god?
You have the temerity to challenge Baron Corbin?
You want to fight this fighting machine?
Is that what you're saying?
Yeah. I think my way was more concise and direct,
but yeah, that's what I'm saying.
I want a match with Baron Corbin right here, right now in Birmingham.
-You got it. -[KO] Hell, yes.
Let's ring that bell.
[Kevin] Is this a match that's going to be made official?
[Corey] Corbin's ready to fight. We've got an official in the ring.
It seems as though it has been made official.
Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens to kick off Monday Night Raw.
[bell rings]
[Kevin] What a start to Monday Night Raw. This is Kevin Owens' idea,
a match with Baron Corbin.
Is it a good idea knowing what's at the Royal Rumble against Roman Reigns?
Knowing what's on Friday Night SmackDown against Sami Zayn?
[Corey] Look at what's happening before your eyes, KP.
This is a terrible idea from Kevin Owens.
Yes, I respect KO's ethos of just keep fighting.
Owens is clearly focused,
borderline obsessed with Roman Reigns,
but right now, stepping into the ring voluntarily
with the modern-day wrestling god
will not bode well for Owens in his mission.
[Kevin] Kevin Owens feeling the effects early here
as no one's home for Baron Corbin, and a big right from Owens.
Owens, now, at pace.
Back crumbling.
[Corey] Great display of power by Baron Corbin.
Much to the delight of the WWE Hall of Famer.
The original wrestling god on the outside, JBL,
as Corbin starts dropping heavy hands on Kevin Owens.
There's a lot to be said for staying fit and match-ready, Corey Graves,
but you can be sure Roman Reigns is watching on right now
with a wry smile on his face, seeing Baron Corbin pummel KO.
[Corey] Roman Reigns realizes that Kevin Owens
is Kevin Owens' greatest enemy right now.
Reigns is just waiting for KO to unravel if he's not destroyed by The Bloodline
before Royal Rumble or Baron Corbin before the end of the night,
but here comes Owens.
[Kevin] Oh! Taking down Corbin.
[Corey] Owens might have rocked Corbin.
Baron a little slow to get up after that one.
-And a second short clothesline. -[Kevin] Senton.
The man that JBL calls a modern-day wrestling god.
[Corey] A little disrespect from Owens.
Corbin getting out of harm's way
[Kevin] Face first into the announce desk.
[Corey] Oh, no.
We've seen Owens do this before. Can he get Corbin up?
-Two! -[Kevin] Oh.
-Corbin. -[Corey] Oh, my.
[Kevin] Chokeslam on the apron.
KO will always keep fighting, but will he have enough tonight?
[Corey] Cannonball.
[Kevin] Kevin Owens all over Baron Corbin
as we welcome you back to Monday Night Raw.
The Prizefighter is feeling it.
He asked for this match when Baron Corbin and JBL
interrupted the beginning of what Kevin Owens had to say.
Corbin quickly up on his feet.
[Corey] Owens apparently feeling the lingering effects of the onslaught
he endured courtesy of Corbin earlier in the match,
and now, Baron looking to hit a home run of his own.
Baron Corbin wants the superplex.
Owens with short jabs to Corbin's ribs.
[Kevin] A headbutt as well from Kevin Owens, it rocks Baron Corbin.
[crowd cheers]
X is the spot for KO. Swanton bomb.
-[Corey] That could do it. -[Kevin] Hook of the leg,
KO for the victory, kick out by Corbin.
[Corey] Great display of toughness and tenacity from Corbin
as we look once again at the picture-perfect swanton bomb
executed by Owens.
That's nearly 260 pounds crashing down across the core of Baron Corbin.
[Kevin] Just four days removed. Hang on a second,
KO looking for the stunner, pushed away by Corbin.
Superkick to the jaw.
[Corey] Owens trying to maneuver the much larger Corbin.
Thinking about a pop-up powerbomb. Corbin puts on the brakes.
[Kevin] Four days removed from a match against Sami Zayn,
as Corbin heads outside the ring.
Spectacular agility from the modern-day wrestling god.
What a DDT.
[Kevin] This could end it for Baron Corbin to get the win over KO.
Shoulders up at two-and-a-half. KO is still alive.
[yells]
[Corey] This is frustrating Baron Corbin. the longer this match progresses
the longer Owens refuses to stay down,
the more incensed Corbin becomes, but Owens connecting with several rights.
-[Kevin] Corbin. Oh. Deep six. -[Corey] Deep six.
[Kevin] That may very well end this. KO's out.
Oh, he kicks out.
He kicks out,
and not many do from deep six.
[Corey] Take a look at this, Corbin digging down deep,
powering up Owens, disorienting Kevin, and driving him down spine first,
but Owens continues to hang in there.
[Kevin] Is that any surprise?
Just keep fighting.
[Corey] Well, Birmingham right now is rumbling in support of Kevin Owens,
trying to will KO back into this fight, but Corbin having none of it.
[Kevin] Speed of the blows from Baron Corbin.
[Corey] Precision.
I don't hear you now.
-[crowd boos] -Huh?!
[Corey] JBL has proven to be invaluable in Baron Corbin's game plan.
-No. -[Kevin] Stunner.
-KO, hook of the leg. -One, two, three.
-KO with the victory. -[bell rings]
["Fight" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Kevin Owens.
[Corey] It didn't seem likely, but K-- Wait a second.
Jey Uso is at ringside, and where Jey is The Bloodline is sure to follow.
[Kevin] Jey Uso is not alone.
Jimmy Uso is there as well.
KO's dealing with both for now.
Owens fighting desperately.
Here comes Solo Sikoa "The Enforcer."
[Kevin] It's three against one.
Owens is just being mugged right now.
[Kevin] Coming through the crowd.
The Bloodline yet again doing the bidding of their Tribal Chief,
the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
Roman doesn't want to wait until Royal Rumble
-to destroy Kevin Owens once and for all. -Hey, back off, Uce!
[Kevin] A message from The Tribal Chief,
instructions to destroy KO who continues to fight.
-[Corey] The Bloodline was plotting. -[Kevin] Oh!
[Corey] Owens continued to fight,
but Solo might have just put KO to sleep.
What a dangerous position Kevin Owens is in right now.
[Kevin] Oh!
[Corey] I don't know what Owens is swinging in there.
[Kevin] Taking Mike Rome's shoe, Graves.
A chair to the midsection, and across the back of Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] Owens is like a man possessed,
with The Equalizer taking out The Bloodline.
[Kevin] A man possessed, you can say that again.
[Corey] Owens is bold enough to storm the shores of the Island of Relevancy,
and this round goes to Kevin Owens.
Oh, Solo's not finished, someone get him under control.
Enough. Again? Enough.
Enough.
Again?
Again, here we are. Stay back. Stay in front of him.
["Fight" playing]
[Corey] WWE official Adam Pearce doing his best
to restore some semblance of order after the chaos wreaked by The Bloodline
in the past several weeks.
[Kevin] It hasn't been an easy few weeks for WWE official Adam Pearce,
but Kevin Owens hopes it will be a memorable few weeks for him
with the Royal Rumble less than three weeks away.
In the midst of last Monday's Raw Women's Championship match,
a corrupted side of Alexa Bliss emerged.
What followed was frightening,
and the condition of Bianca Belair a real concern.
We're going to have an update on the champ, the EST, next on Raw.
Kevin Owens victorious over Baron Corbin here on Monday Night Raw,
but it's what followed afterward is what has everybody talking.
The Bloodline sent again by "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns
to take out the KO problem here on Raw.
[Corey] Initially, the numbers game got the upper hand on Kevin Owens.
Solo Sikoa "The Enforcer" of The Bloodline would join the chaos
and proceed to beat down Roman's Royal Rumble challenger.
[Kevin] This four days out from when KO will take on
his former best friend, "The Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn
in less than three weeks away
from the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match
with Reigns at Royal Rumble.
[Corey] Kevin Owens is lucky he was able to survive tonight,
and Solo Sikoa was not done just yet.
Solo had to be restrained by officials and The Bloodline.
I have a feeling this thing is far from over.
Get him. We're going to get him.
Another day, another time, man.
Where are we going?
We out of here, AP.
AP, that's a message sent from The Tribal Chief, Uce.
You know what? You are out of here, but before you go,
I want you to know tonight, there is a Tag Team Turmoil match
and the winners will be the first ones to get their hands on you tonight.
Maybe, just maybe take those Raw Tag Team Championships.
Yes, the Tag Division and anybody that's been victimized by The Usos.
Now, I will see you two at SmackDown.
-Cool. Let's roll, Uce. -Whatever, man.
Solo, they're leaving, you're staying.
You're not going to be in his corner tonight.
You're going one-on-one with someone that you victimized,
Dolph Ziggler.
No, no, if Solo don't go, we don't go.
Besides Kevin Owens is still walking around here.
Don't worry about Kevin Owens. I already took care of KO.
He is out of here, he understands the ramifications if he sticks his nose in it.
Thank you for visiting Monday Night Raw.
Gentlemen, please escort The Usos to the exit if you please.
You got it.
Yeet.
Thank you.
Well, if nothing else, Kevin Owens receiving a little bit of breathing room
courtesy of Adam Pearce with The Usos barred from the building.
We still have Solo Sikoa versus Dolph Ziggler tonight,
and Owens not going to have much time to recover because Kevin Owens
one-on-one with Sami Zayn this Friday night on SmackDown.
Speaking of recovering, Bianca Belair, she's been a fighting Champion
since WrestleMania of last year.
She defended her Raw Women's Championship against Alexa Bliss last Monday,
and there's no way the EST could have prepared for what played out.
[Corey] A proud fighting Champion who has shied away from no challenge,
but Belair certainly has her hands full tonight
with a motivated, wicked Miss Bliss.
There are no holes in the game in the Raw Women's Champion.
Bianca's going to come out of the gate fast, hit Bliss hard,
and try to end this thing quickly.
[Kevin] Oh, man.
[Corey] Swinging Bliss like a Louisville slugger.
EST is feeling it tonight.
Bliss has been unable to get out of the gates.
-Oh, wait. -[Kevin] Look at this, oh.
[Corey] Very clever maneuver by Bliss, and that could turn the tides in this one.
Bliss obviously distracted.
Perched up top.
Bliss could be--
Alexa Bliss needs to keep her focus on the task at hand,
not on the WWE Universe.
What the hell? Alexa Bliss is attacking the official.
Now Bliss turning her attention to Belair.
This is going to cause a disqualification to the challenger.
What the hell has gotten into Bliss?
Alexa Bliss has come unglued before our very eyes.
Alexa Bliss has just decimated the Raw Women's Champion.
Now the good news after those horrifying scenes
is our medical team tell us Bianca Belair simply has multiple stitches
and will be okay after that horrific attack by Alexa Bliss.
We also understand Alexa Bliss was fined an undisclosed amount of money
by WWE officials for putting her hand on an official.
Bianca Belair might be the Raw Women's Champion,
but I'm the only one here
because when I busted her face open a week ago,
Bianca decided to go run and hide.
Smart on her end because she knows she doesn't need to be afraid
of Bray Wyatt or Uncle Howdy.
She's afraid of me…
because I am the face of evil.
[crowd whooping]
And I don't feel bad for what I did because, honestly,
I haven't felt this good in a really,
really long time.
Because I have finally taken control and I am the one in charge.
I have the whole world in my hands and I'm not afraid to use these hands
to tear more scars into Bianca's face and take that Raw Women's Championship.
-And when I d-- -[eerie music playing]
[laughter]
[Uncle Howdy] Do you feel in charge?
Do you feel like you're in charge?
Do you feel in charge?
["Feared" playing]
["We Got the Rage" playing]
[Kevin] Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
Damage CTRL have arrived in Birmingham, Alabama.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making her way to the ring,
accompanied by the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky,
representing Damage CTRL,
Bayley.
[Corey] This trio aspires to build off of the momentum they generated in 2022,
and last week, Damage CTRL started the new year on the right foot.
[Kevin] Yes, you can understand the smiles on the faces of Damage CTRL.
Here we go. Back to last Monday, it looked like a two-on-one
with Becky Lynch against the Tag Team Champions.
Michin would then help out to even the odds.
[Corey] The momentary hesitation and distraction caused by Bayley
would cause The Man to come unglued.
As though Mia Yim had things under control,
Iyo Sky delivered the over the moonsault,
the numbers game too much for Lynch and Michin last week.
[Kevin] Becky Lynch absolutely furious as Damage CTRL walk away victorious.
["I Am" playing]
In Bayley's way tonight…
♪ I am, I am, I am the one… ♪
[announcer] And her opponent, from Fontana, California,
"Michin" Mia Yim
[Kevin] Michin really did rile up Bayley.
Bayley and Damage CTRL thought they were going have it all their own way,
until Michin decided to help out "The Man" Becky Lynch.
Tonight, Bayley will hope to get her hands one-on-one with Michin.
[Corey] Ultimately Mia Yim has no one to blame
for her current circumstance but herself.
You don't put your nose in Damage CTRL's business
and expect it not to get slapped off your face.
I understand wanting to make a mark for yourself,
carving out your own niche here in WWE.
Mia Yim's on the right path, but I think she picked the wrong target.
Wait, wait, wait. Can I get a mic, please?
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Hold on.
Uh, ding-dong. Hello, Michin, but first, before we start this match,
I just wanted to send a message to Becky Lynch
because I know you're watching.
I know you got this weird obsession with us going on right now,
so this is for you.
Uh, first of all, I don't know
if she's jealous of the bond that we have together,
because she doesn't have any friends.
Not even counting you.
I don't know what it is, but, um, Becky,
you're either here tonight because you can't stand what we have,
or you're not here tonight because you can't stand that you lost to me.
[laughs]
But, honestly, I couldn't care less what your excuse is tonight
because tonight is your guys' night. That's right.
Iyo and Dakota, you guys have worked so damn hard,
I'm giving you the night off.
So please go relax.
Head out to the back, go relax, get the best seat,
tonight is for you guys, but most importantly for Becky Lynch.
You watch what I do to your friend, Michin.
[Corey] Rather kind of Bayley
-to dedicate this match to Becky Lynch. -[bell rings]
[Kevin] As the bell rings, but is Bayley overlooking Michin,
focusing so much on Becky Lynch?
[Corey] Perhaps. This is a great opportunity
for Mia Yim to really make a great accounting for herself,
to really show that she belongs in here with the other members of Damage CTRL,
as a member of The O.C.
The onus is on Mia to prove herself tonight.
Bayley, she's just kind of in cruise control.
[Kevin] Oh, look at Michin go, as the Tag Team Champions
make their way out of the arena.
It's Michin all over Bayley right now.
You wonder, has Becky Lynch really gotten inside the mind of Bayley,
planting the seeds saying, "You can't do it without your lackeys, Iyo and Dakota"?
[Corey] Bayley's simply trying to get under the skin of Becky Lynch.
Becky has proven time and time again
she is very capable of becoming a megastar in her own way, on her own.
[Kevin] Little flaunting there, a little confidence from Michin
as Bayley goes to the outside.
Michin now at pace.
[Corey] Bayley out of the way, just in time.
[Kevin] Feeling the effects of the challenge.
Now being stalked by Michin.
[Corey] Big soccer-style kick to the shoulder.
[Kevin] What a statement victory this could be for Michin.
Welcome back. You're watching Monday Night Raw
here from Birmingham, Alabama.
Bayley using all her experience here in one-on-one action against Michin.
You guys look stupid.
Bayley tweeting this week, Corey Graves,
she's surpassed ten years here in WWE, a Grand Slam Champion.
[Corey] I remember the day Bayley walked in the doors with Pre-NXT
back in FCW.
The evolution of Bayley as a superstar, as a competitor, and a person
has truly been something special to witness.
Watching Bayley from a starry-eyed dreamer to becoming one of,
if not the most, successful women on the roster right now
is truly something to behold.
[Kevin] No doubt Bayley will be keeping her focus firmly fixed
on the Royal Rumble here in less than three weeks' time as well,
as she has Michin where she wants her.
-[Corey] This won't end well. -[Kevin] Oh, man.
[Corey] Oh, wow, vicious suplex on the outside of the floor.
[Kevin] Bayley's loving life right now.
-She's not here! -[Corey] Listen, Bayley came out,
called her shot, dedicated this matchup, this beatdown, I should say,
of Michin to "The Man" Becky Lynch who's definitely watching right now.
-Cover by Bayley. -[Kevin] Hook of the leg.
For the victory now for Bayley. Kick out by Michin.
This would be massive if Michin could pull off the upset here
and shock Bayley with a victory.
No doubt would please Becky Lynch watching on as well.
[Corey] Sure, but the Raw Women's Division
just continues to improve and get hotter and hotter week after week.
Yes, Bianca Belair sits atop the mountain,
but now she's got to worry about Alexa Bliss.
You've got "The Man" Becky Lynch always in the mix.
The same thing about Bayley.
You've got the women's Tag Team Champions who continue to dominate week after week.
That's why I said it is so important for Michin tonight
to really have a strong showing.
[Kevin] This may be her moment.
Michin taking out Bayley.
Bayley is rattled.
[Corey] Michin needs to show a sense of urgency,
realizing she's got Bayley down, at least for the moment.
[Kevin] You'd imagine winded as well
as she works on the legs of Bayley and the midsection.
[Corey] Overhead kick, à la AJ Styles.
Oh, nice German suplex, high across the top of Bayley's shoulders.
[Kevin] Can Michin use this momentum and put away The Role Model?
In the ring. Let's go.
[Corey] Michin hesitated and Bayley made her pay.
-[Kevin] Oh! -[crowd cheers]
[Kevin] Back inside Bayley comes.
Michin hook of the leg for the win.
Bayley kicks out.
[Corey] I got to say, it appeared at least that Michin probably took more of the wind
out of her own sails with that maneuver than Bayley.
But amidst the chaos, able to procure a two-count.
-[crowd cheers] -Now, Mia Yim with a chance
to make something happen.
-Bayley out of the way. -[Kevin] Scouted by The Role Model.
Well-read.
Looking for Bayley to belly. Turnaround by Michin.
[Corey] Bayley rolls through, avoids a kick.
[Kevin] Swing and a miss.
Michin lands on her feet, rocks Bayley.
This could go either way.
It's been end-to-end throughout here as Bayley hangs onto the ropes.
[Corey] Bayley with a vise-like grip on both.
Great escape by the veteran, Bayley.
[Kevin] Face first into the turnbuckle.
-[Corey] Backslide. -[Kevin] Are the shoulders down?
Yes, they are. Bayley gets the victory.
-[bell rings] -["Role Model" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Bayley.
[Kevin] Clearly feet on the ropes, Corey Graves.
Bayley will smile. Bayley will be satisfied with victory in her corner.
[Corey] Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat.
Another fantastic victory as predicted
by the face of Damage CTRL, Bayley.
Another rough night for Michin and The O.C.
Yes, rough night, but what a start to 2023 for Bayley and Damage CTRL.
There's some unfortunate news. Johnny Gargano won't be in action tonight.
We've received news that he has a grade-two AC sprain.
We hope to see Johnny Gargano back in action very soon.
We'll head backstage now and check in
with our broadcast colleague, Cathy Kelley.
My guest at this time, "The Poison Pixie" Candice LeRae.
[crowd cheers]
Well, Candice, I was hoping that you could provide an injury update
on your husband, Johnny Gargano.
Well, Johnny's really bummed that he couldn't participate
in Tag Team turmoil, but doctors advised him get back to 100%.
That's our goal right now, get him back to 100%.
You also recently battled back from a shoulder injury yourself.
-So, what is up next for you? -Gosh.
I mean… What's next? I mean…
Royal Rumble is on the horizon.
And what superstar doesn't dream of punching their ticket to WrestleMania
and winning Royal Rumble? So--
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Candice, I'm going to go check on my Latino heat
before his exclusive Miz TV interview.
And I could hear your excitement from over there.
It's infuriating.
You're excited to go to the Royal Rumble
because you think that you've got a chance of winning and going to WrestleMania?
Mate, you're delusional.
No, Rhea, I think I have just as good a chance as you do
in winning the Royal Rumble.
Mate, the only chance that you have is having your stupid
little pixie wings plucked and absolutely ripped apart.
Why wait till Royal Rumble?
We can do this tonight.
[crowd cheers]
You know, it's going to be a great homecoming gift for Dominik,
watching Mami squash you like a bug.
I'll see you in the ring.
♪ Yeah, the greatest… ♪
[Kevin] Wow. We could see the Poison Pixie and Rhea Ripley.
Look who it is. Many folks are saying that last week's Championship defense
against Seth Rollins was the most impressive victory
of Austin Theory's young career.
The United States Champion is here, next.
[cheering]
[Kevin] You're very welcome back. We're delighted to have you with us.
We are at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, tonight.
[Corey] We got a main event on tap
that'll have the whole state screaming "Roll Tide," KP.
[Kevin laughs] Cannot wait.
The new year, Corey Graves, it comes with new opportunity.
Five Tag Teams here know that victory in the Tag Team Turmoil
will catapult them to be Number One Contender
for the Raw Tag Team Championships.
Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander, The O.C., The Street Profits,
-The Judgment Day. -[Corey] Don't forget The Alpha Academy.
WWE Universe, live it, breathe it, taste it.
You are living in the now.
["Remember the Name" playing]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please Welcome the United States Champion,
Austin Theory.
[Kevin] Corey, you are one of those people that say
that was the biggest and greatest victory of his young career
against Seth "Freakin" Rollins last week.
[Corey] For many, many moons, people have pegged Austin Theory
to be the future of WWE.
And last week, what Theory did in his Championship defense
removed all doubt.
As you can see, the initial official was incapacitated
earlier in the matchup which opened the door
for Theory to take a few shortcuts directly to the winner's circle.
A-Town Down, and Austin Theory defeats Seth "Freakin" Rollins
to kick off 2023.
[Kevin] Seth Rollins with a hurt knee, clutching the knee there later on.
But "The Now" Austin Theory starting 2023 in style.
♪ Step up before you get dropped ♪
[crowd boos]
The champ is here!
[crowd boos]
And all of you now have to accept the truth.
And the truth is that "The Now" is forever.
[crowd boos]
What?
Wait, where's your guy?
Where's The Visionary?
Where's Seth "Freakin" Rollins?
I thought he was going to outshine me.
I thought he was going to outclass me.
I thought he was going to beat me.
[crowd yells] What?
But all he-- You better shut your mouths.
[crowd yells] What?
What? You know what happened to Seth "Freakin" Rollins?
[crowd chants] We want Rollins! We want Rollins!
Is that who you want?
Well, too bad,
because Seth "Freakin" Rollins limped away from this ring
because his old knee just couldn't hold up with good old me.
[crowd boos]
So what happened?
Don't you boo me.
You know what happened last week.
[crowd boos]
Seth "Freakin" Rollins was outclassed.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins was outshined.
And Seth "Freakin" Rollins was taken to school
by the United States Champion,
Austin "Freakin" Theory.
[crowd boos]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
["Visionary" playing]
[Corey] And the WWE Universe just erupted
for the arrival of The Visionary.
And Rollins utilizing crutches.
We've been asking questions all week, speculating,
haven't been able to get a clear answer.
♪ Whoa, oh, oh! ♪
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Kevin] It's a miracle!
Seth Rollins has had enough.
Outclassed, outshined, and taken to school is what Austin Theory had to say.
♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh! ♪
♪ Whoa, oh! ♪
[Corey] It is deafening in here.
♪ Whoa, oh, oh! ♪
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[crowd singing "Visionary"]
They might be singing that stupid song and that might be real,
but you know what isn't real?
You acting like your knee hurts,
because, Seth, let's face it,
you come out here and you act like you're a hundred percent, you're not.
Because as much as they want to sing that song,
they know that I beat you last week.
[crowd booing]
You didn't like the sound of that, huh?
You were the one that said--
Seth "Freakin" Rollins was the one that said he is the mountaintop.
Well, Seth, if you're the mountaintop,
then I am the pinnacle of this entire damn industry.
[crowd booing]
But you know what?
You are one of the best.
You are.
You truly are.
But me, I've surpassed your ass.
-[crowd exclaims] -[Seth laughs]
And I'm on to bigger and better things
like when I go on and win the 2023 Royal Rumble.
[crowd boos]
But wait, there's more.
After I win the Royal Rumble,
I, me, Austin Theory
is going to go on to headline WrestleMania.
And I am not only going to walk out the United States Champion,
but I'm going to walk out the new Undisputed
WWE Universal Champion.
[crowd booing]
Are you done?
[speaks indistinctly]
Look, Theory.
[crowd singing "Visionary"]
We'll get to that part,
but I got to give you guys an update on my knee.
The truth is my knee is not 100%…
but my knee will be 100%
just in time for me
to win the Royal Rumble.
[crowd cheers]
And it will be 100% in plenty of time
for Seth "Freakin" Rollins
to main event WrestleMania.
[crowd cheers]
And truth be told,
I just came out here
so I could hear you fine folks of Birmingham…
[crowd cheers]
…sing my song.
[crowd singing "Visionary"]
I'll see you at the Rumble…
Don't say it.
…kid.
["All Mighty" playing]
[Corey] Wait a second.
[Kevin] No.
[Corey] Oh my God.
The All Mighty is back on Monday Night Raw.
[Kevin] We have not seen Bobby Lashley on Monday Night Raw in four weeks.
The last time we saw him, he attacked a WWE official.
[Corey] Look at the size of Lashley.
-The All Mighty's bigger. -[Theory] Hey, hey.
Don't you come in here.
You are the past.
Don't you come in here.
This is my ring.
This is my ring, Bobby.
[Corey] Get out of there, champ.
Spear.
Well, it's obvious The All Mighty
has some unfinished business
with the United States Champion, Austin Theory.
[crowd chanting] Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!
[Kevin] What an impact from The All Mighty.
[Corey] Theory chucked over the top rope
courtesy of Bobby Lashley.
Look, it doesn't matter who's in the Royal Rumble
because I'm back.
[crowd cheers]
My suspension's over and I can't wait to manhandle
every superstar in the Rumble.
[Corey] Precise to the point, easy to understand to everybody listening.
[Kevin] Look at the way he tossed the United States Champion out,
that would've eliminated Austin Theory in a Royal Rumble match.
Bobby Lashley is back on Raw.
[Corey] A true powerhouse ready to wreak havoc in San Antonio
at the Royal Rumble.
[Kevin] Cannot wait for it.
Well, folks, Candice LeRae has called one hell of a shot tonight
by challenging "The Eradicator" Rhea Ripley.
We're in Royal Rumble season and the bubbly Poison Pixie
feels now is the time to challenge
one of the most dominant forces in all of WWE.
It's LeRae-Ripley, and it's next on Raw.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[Kevin] An electric atmosphere inside the Legacy Arena
in Birmingham, Alabama,
where "The Eradicator" is ready to feast.
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
♪ The demons in your dreams ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing The Judgment Day,
Rhea Ripley.
[Corey] The confident smirk on the face of The Judgment Day's resident Eradicator,
Rhea Ripley.
[Kevin] There certainly is a swagger about Rhea Ripley
as she makes her way to the squared circle.
[Corey] Her man just got out,
she's about to throw down for the WWE Universe to enjoy.
What's not to be smiling about if you're Rhea Ripley?
♪ Demon in your dreams ♪
♪ You'll hear me in your screams ♪
♪ Insanity ♪
♪ I am the deadly disease… ♪
[Kevin] Well, folks, Royal Rumble is presented by Cricket,
the fast and powerful nationwide 5G coverage,
you can stress less and smile more.
And by the official WWE CreditOne Visa card.
If you want to show off your WWE pride every time you pay,
visit UltimateWWECard.com to see a if you prequalify now.
Terms apply.
♪ Look in my eyes This is do or die, die ♪
♪ Die ♪
["Wicked Ways" playing]
[Kevin] Standing in Ripley's way, the Poison Pixie.
[announcer] Her opponent, from the Riverside, California,
Candice LeRae.
[Kevin] Candice LeRae realizes it is Royal Rumble season
which kickstarts the road to WrestleMania.
It's time to shine, and what a statement victory this would be
for Candice LeRae here on Raw against Rhea Ripley.
[Corey] Well, listen, I understand Candice hasn't necessarily
tasted a great deal of success yet here in WWE.
I understand Johnny Gargano's at home treating an injured shoulder,
but that's no reason to throw your whole career away.
Why in the hell would the Poison Pixie
accept the challenge from The Eradicator?
I got a question for you, KP.
What's got purple hair and injured husband and goes splat?
Candice LeRae.
That's my bold prediction.
[Kevin] Candice LeRae will tell you the people watch Rhea Ripley.
Irresistible on your television screen,
and a statement victory over Rhea tonight would do wonders for Candice LeRae
as the bell rings, and a daunting prospect for LeRae.
Where's that excitement now?
You think you're gonna win the Rumble? You're pathetic.
[Kevin] Oh!
LeRae responds to the smack talk from Rhea Ripley.
[Corey] Could Rhea be overlooking Candice?
[Candice screaming]
[Kevin] Early energy and enthusiasm from Candice LeRae.
[Corey] Listen, maybe Rhea is just a little more concerned about…
Wait, wait, wait.
[Kevin] Candice LeRae, hang on a second, stacking up Ripley, who kicks out.
[Graves] Rhea's probably very concerned about helping Dominik readjust to society.
[Kevin] That's right. Dominik Mysterio, released convict now.
[Corey] Rhea's like a human halfway house.
[Kevin] He is on MizTV later tonight on Raw.
[Corey] Oh, look at this power.
This is what Rhea Ripley is all about.
[Kevin] Incredible strength.
[Corey] No amount of passion or experience
can put Rhea Ripley--
[Kevin] Ripley may end this already. kick out by Candice LeRae.
Referee, it's one, two, three.
[Corey] Take a look at this.
Rhea Ripley just woman handling Candice LeRae.
The Pixie driven face-first into the mat.
[Kevin] You have to wonder if Rhea Ripley is involved
in the Royal Rumble match, what kind of damage she could cause.
[Corey] What I wonder is after this match,
who's going to take care of Candice and Johnny's kid
if they're both laid up? Johnny's only got one good arm.
Who knows what condition Candice is going to be after that?
Babysitters are expensive.
[Kevin] Baby wrestling.
They need a babysitter.
Rhea Ripley now standing over Candice.
Something in the face of Rhea Ripley
takes great pleasure out of brutalizing her opponents.
[Corey] What gives you that idea, KP? Your eyes work.
[Kevin] Face first into the turnbuckle.
[Corey] Rhea is grinning ear to ear, like a Cheshire Cat
because this is why Rhea wakes up in the morning, to hurt people.
[Kevin] Slap to the face of Rhea Ripley has angered The Eradicator.
[Corey] I think rather than challenging Rhea to a fight,
Candice should have maybe asked for some advice
how to be a real ride or die like Rhea Ripley.
[Kevin] No doubt Rhea Ripley will be watching on
as The Judgment Day's Damian Priest and Finn Bálor
are in action later tonight in Tag Team Turmoil,
our main event here on Raw.
Come on out of the corner. One, two…
[Corey] Ripley just dominating Candice LeRae right now.
Listen to me.
[Kevin] Candice LeRae looked a little winded there
as Rhea Ripley puts her on top.
[Corey] A little winded?
I don't know if Candice realizes what planet she's on right now.
This has been one-sided decimation.
[Kevin] It was Candice LeRae who wanted this match against Ripley.
All of a sudden this has turned into a nightmare.
[Corey] Oh, my good Lord.
LeRae able to slide out of the grasp of Ripley for the moment
and Rhea connected with the turnbuckle.
[Kevin] Is this Candice LeRae's opportunity?
Can she pounce?
Can she put away Rhea Ripley?
[Corey] It's not supposed to be like this.
Rhea should be concerned about
going and celebrating Dominik's freedom after the match.
I know there's not much to do in Birmingham,
but Candice is spoiling everything.
[Kevin] Over the top rope, two feet down.
That again will be an elimination in the Royal Rumble match
to come two weeks from Saturday.
LeRae now taking flight, caught by Ripley.
[Corey] Oh, wow. Just picked out of mid-air.
[crowd exclaims]
[Kevin] Zero consideration for the body of Candice LeRae.
[Corey] Caught in that prism trap applied on the outside.
No submission's going to count out here,
but I don't think Rhea's concerned with wins and losses right now.
Rhea's making a statement.
Maybe Rhea's having a bit of a rough patch--
I can hear you, ref.
[Corey] She's maybe not in the best mood.
[Kevin] Back inside the ring they go.
[Corey] They don't do conjugal visits. That's a thing from the movies.
-[Kevin] Ripley. -[Corey] Oh, baby.
-[Kevin] Yes. -[Corey] Riptide, and scene.
[bell rings]
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Rhea Ripley.
[Kevin] Emphatic victory.
Rhea Ripley brutalizing Candice LeRae.
Riptide to end it.
[Corey] If you happen to be or know any reliable caregivers,
please send your address and résumé to the Gargano-LeRae household
because someone's got to take care of that kid.
[Kevin] Ripley just standing over her prey.
So unbelievably dominant with the big victory tonight
over Candice LeRae.
[Kevin] Oh, my.
Stick with me, guys.
I'm going to try to get a word with Lashley right now.
Bobby. Bobby, excuse me.
Earlier on tonight, you announced that your suspension has been lifted
and that you plan to enter the Royal Rumble match.
Mr. Saxton, please excuse yourself.
Me and The All Mighty have some business to discuss.
Okay. I see tensions are still a little high,
but I thought maybe you might have something to say to me like,
"Thank you, MVP, for getting me reinstated on Monday Night Raw."
All right, P, I appreciate you.
So we're good?
I haven't punched you in your face yet, have I?
Okay. That's a start.
Look, Roberto, I'm trying to mend fences here, man.
Mistakes were made.
But you know how well this thing works
when we're all on the same page and I'm trying to get us back
to doing what we do best.
And your mistake wasn't so easy to smooth over either,
but I was able to get Pearce to realize that Monday nights need Bobby Lashley.
Hell, I was even able to get Shelton and Cedric
to realize the mistakes that they made.
Tonight you'll get an opportunity to put some hurt
on The Bloodline depending on how well they do in the tag team--
P, I'm not going to forget about what went down between us.
We're good,
but not right now, man.
All right, Roberto. I respect that.
You handle your business as you see fit,
but if at some point you should decide
to expand that business,
my number's the same.
[Kevin] MVP trying to mend fences according to the great one.
[Corey] Well, last week we took a look at the journey
of Cody Rhodes' recovery and return to WWE.
We've got a further update and the next step
for the American Nightmare, next.
[Flair] Ric Flair was never a character.
It's been my life.
The good and the bad.
It's fair to say I'm a complicated man.
He was ahead of his time. He was very colorful.
Just unbelievably captivating.
The most prolific [bleep] talker.
The greatest world champion of all time.
Willing to do it his way no matter what the consequences.
People were starting to worry about him.
You're Ric Flair. Are you kidding me?
My dad has to slow down.
How in the hell is he doing this?
It was almost like he wanted to die.
I don't know how he survived.
[Flair] People keep reminding me that I should be dead.
[laughing]
[Flair] Woooo!
[Kevin] It was the big news on Thursday as first reported by the Daily Mail.
WWE is London bound.
The first WWE premium live event to be held in London in over two decades.
Money in the Bank to The O2 arena.
Corey Graves, get excited.
[Corey] One of my favorite arenas around the world
bringing the excitement of Money in the Bank
to the UK for the first time ever.
Someone will climb the ladder.
Someone will retrieve the briefcases
and someone has the potential to change their lives.
[Kevin] Yeah, your chance at premium experiences
and unrivaled access to Money in the Bank in London
is here with a WWE priority pass powered by On Location.
Go to onlocationexp.com/wwe
to see if packages and offerings interest you.
Go and secure yours today.
[Corey] Don't waste any time.
Trust me, you are not going to miss Money in the Bank in London, England.
Man, let's get there already.
-You know what else I'm excited about? -What?
The return of Cody Rhodes in 2023.
Cody Rhodes must be dreaming daily about that return
after the monumental impact that Cody had in WWE last year.
[Rhodes] Six full years.
I didn't think I was coming back.
I'm going to do it for you.
I'm going to do it for me, and I am going to do it
for "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
It is a perfect alignment of all the stars.
[Smith] Cody Rhodes suffered a partial pectoral tear,
then working out, he tore the pectoral muscle
right off the bone.
Having gone this long I almost felt bulletproof.
I had been doing this since I was 20 years old.
No major injuries.
I was adamant that I perform, that I could compete.
These people paid their money, you know.
And I get the chance to do that, so I can't complain.
No human being could've kept me from getting in the ring.
It's like oxygen.
I needed to be in the ring that night.
[Saxton] Oh, my gosh.
[Corey] I can't even fathom.
-Ring the bell. -[bell rings]
[Rhodes] My chest was heavily damaged.
I had a full tear. It wasn't a matter of sympathy.
It was more a matter of, is this safe?
Is this cool?
The only thing I really vividly remember
from the match was I hit a springboard cutter
and I thought I was about to vomit
because I had cramped up the attachment
that's on my collarbone that my pec was still attached to.
You don't want to see it, but you can't look away.
I was the car wreck.
[crowd yells] One, two, three!
-[crowd cheers] -[bell rings]
[dramatic music playing]
I have not watched that match back.
It resonates with people, and, man, I've very proud of that,
but I don't think I can ever watch it back
because it's a little scary.
I clearly am willing to sacrifice a lot.
The reception was really somber
because you knew I needed to go get surgery.
Cody sustained a complete rupture of his pectoralis major on the right side.
I think that there are some nerves on his end.
He's never had a major surgery before.
I hope that this is the worst of it.
[Dr. Dugas] Things went better than planned,
in that we thought it was a muscular injury,
not a tendon injury, and that's better.
The real meat of this is it has to heal.
[Rhodes] So I'm lying in a hospital bed,
and the questions start creeping in.
Was the surgery a success?
How long until I'm back?
Will I be as good as I was?
I'm almost ashamed to admit it,
but am I willing to go down the road that's in front of me
to get back to the level that I was at?
I know the work begins now.
I'm standing by backstage hoping to get word in
with Dolph Ziggler before his match.
Now, Dolph, it has been a chaotic couple of weeks for you,
but where is your head at heading into tonight's match against Solo Sikoa?
My head is where it always is,
focused on being the best.
Now, a few weeks ago The Bloodline kicked down that door over there,
busted through here and did what they do,
but they went too far.
So that is why I am here tonight
for revenge, for some payback--
Dolph. Hey Dolph,
I just came from Adam Pearce's office
and he said that he offered you and me an opportunity
in tonight's Tag Team Turmoil match,
but you declined it
because you want to face Solo one-on-one?
Listen, that's not personal, all right?
Dolph, are you kidding me?
Hey, you owe me.
Dolph, last month you cost me the United States Championship,
and now tonight, you're costing me an opportunity at the tag titles.
What exactly is your problem with me?
Last month I interfered in your match, and I owned up to it.
That was on me. I thought I was doing the right thing.
And yeah, the two of us could probably do pretty good as a tag team,
but tonight it's not about tag teams,
it's not about championships,
and it's not about you.
I hope you can understand that.
["Greatness" playing]
♪ Greatness… ♪
[Kevin] Can a determined Dolph Ziggler
do what nobody has managed to do on Raw or SmackDown,
and that's defeat this man,
The Enforcer of The Bloodline in one-on-one action?
It's Ziggler-Sikoa, next on Raw.
[commentator] Not many built like Bronson Reed.
[announcer] Three hundred and thirty pound monster.
[commentator] The colossal Bronson Reed.
[Corey] Like a wrecking ball, he is the real deal.
Moves like a man half his size.
[commentator] How on earth do you stop a man like Bronson Reed?
[Corey] Now with the tsunami.
I'm here with the superstar who made a big splash
in his WWE return
during the Winner Takes All ladder match,
Bronson Reed.
[crowd cheers]
Bronson, can you tell us why you decided to help The Miz?
[The Miz] Byron.
Byron. [laughs]
I'll field this one.
It's because we have each other's backs,
and he saw that I was outnumbered.
Bronson isn't just a bruiser,
he's a highly ethical man.
And I just want everyone to know
that if you mess with me, you mess with us.
And, I wanted to extend an invitation to you
from MizTV tonight,
VIP.
Anything for a friend.
Friend?
Look, there is no us.
If you want something,
pay me.
Classic Bronson.
It's part of our rapport.
It's French.
Oh, shut up, Byron.
[Corey] I echo his sentiments.
[Kevin] Starting to sound like you, Corey Graves.
Bronson Reed is all business.
[Corey] Speaking of all business.
["Taking It All" playing]
♪ We're taking it all ♪
♪ Settle the score The one who will not… ♪
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
Solo Sikoa.
[Kevin] You'll notice, Corey, that Solo Sikoa
does not have The Usos by his side.
Solo and The Usos with an attack on Kevin Owens earlier tonight,
after KO's victory over Baron Corbin Adam Pearce, WWE official,
had had enough ordering The Usos out of the building
with security escorting them.
Solo Sikoa ordered to stay and take on Dolph Ziggler.
[Corey] Let me ask you this, Kevin Patrick.
Do you see anything resembling fear, or disappointment,
or concern in the eyes of the Street Champ?
No. The heavy hitter.
The Enforcer of The Bloodline is here to do what he does best,
hurt people.
A heavily taped right thumb used to deliver the Samoan Spike.
["I Am Perfection" playing]
[Corey] Quickly becoming a trademark of Solo,
an homage to the great Umaga.
[announcer] His opponent, residing in Hollywood, Florida,
weighing 218 pounds, Dolph Ziggler.
[Kevin] He's a motivated man, Dolph Ziggler.
He certainly is attacked, he was victimized.
One of the victims of Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline
a couple of weeks ago on Monday Night Raw.
Speaking of Raw, folks.
Cincinnati, Ohio, we're coming for you next Monday night.
Make sure you're there with us in Cincinnati.
[yells indistinctly]
[Corey] Look at the intensity of the face of the show-off Dolph Ziggler
who said earlier tonight, he is here in this match for revenge.
Ziggler still has not forgiven, nor forgotten
what The Bloodline, Solo in particular, did to him several weeks back
-as chaos reigned supreme… -[bell rings]
…on Monday Night Raw.
[Kevin] Look at the pace early on here of Dolph Ziggler.
A hot start from the veteran.
[Corey] Dolph Ziggler a world-class amateur wrestler, former world champion.
Dolph has a hall of fame résumé.
[Kevin] He's held 15 championships in WWE.
-[Corey] Oh, man. -[Kevin] Wow.
[Corey] It's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business.
And Solo Sikoa right now
looking to dominate and carve his own path
to the top of the mountain.
[Kevin] We mentioned the hot start from Dolph Ziggler,
he was flattened by Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] Ziggler going to have to rely on his experience,
his speed, his grappling ability.
But Solo the heavy-handed super athlete
moves incredibly well for a man of his size.
Hits twice as hard as most.
Solo is the genuine article, which is why he's been tasked
with doing the dirty work of much of The Bloodline.
[Kevin] Well, you've been in the ring, Corey.
How do you use your experience against someone so brutal, so volatile?
[Corey] Listen, for all Dolph Ziggler has accomplished in his career,
I don't know that he's ever competed against someone quite as dynamic
as Solo Sikoa, with the ruthlessness.
A menacing look on the face of Sikoa,
who seems merely inconvenienced
to this point by Dolph Ziggler.
[Kevin] Now going to work on Dolph Ziggler.
Solo Sikoa, we call him The Enforcer,
the insurance policy for Roman Reigns is how he sees it.
[Corey] Solo has gone by many names since we first laid eyes on him
at Clash at the Castle.
All of them ring true.
[Ziggler exclaims in pain]
[Kevin] Yet to be beaten in one-on-one competition
on Raw or SmackDown.
No doubt Roman Reigns looking on at Solo Sikoa here.
Just decimating Dolph Ziggler.
[yells]
[Kevin] Hooking the leg now to put away Ziggler early, who kicks out.
[Corey] There's just something different in the eyes of Solo.
I know Jimmy and Jey Uso extremely well,
I spent a lot of time with those guys,
but to see them, the brothers of Solo Sikoa
interact with Solo, it's as though even they're a little unsure of him.
They don't know what he's thinking at all times.
The guy's a wildcard,
and it has paid off extremely well for The Bloodline.
[Kevin] You say wildcard, can you imagine if Solo Sikoa
is part of the Royal Rumble match two weeks from Saturday?
[Corey] I think Solo would certainly fair extremely well
in an environment where it is every man for himself.
Jawbreaker by Dolph creating a little separation.
Again, you can never count the show off.
Ziggler fighting with everything he's got.
[Kevin] Ziggler looking to turn it around.
Caught by Solo Sikoa.
Oh! Big right from Ziggler, and again, and a dropkick.
I mentioned the Royal Rumble, Ziggler, 15 appearances in Royal Rumble matches.
[Corey] Oh my God.
Fifteen may be the limit.
[Kevin] Is there any way back for Ziggler here against Sikoa?
You're watching Monday Night Raw.
Solo Sikoa here eyeing the prize.
Dolph Ziggler in a perilous position as Solo gathers momentum.
Oh my word!
[Corey] Goodnight.
The look of disgust on the face of the Street Champ.
It's almost as though Solo--
[Kevin] Grabs the leg cover now for the victory, Dolph Ziggler.
[Corey] As we look once again at the old family tradition,
backing it up in painful fashion.
It's as though Solo is asking Dolph Ziggler, "Is that all you got?"
"Is that all you brought to feed me tonight?"
[Kevin] Ziggler one of the victims a couple of weeks ago
when The Bloodline were wreaking havoc,
decimating the Monday Night Raw roster.
Says he wants payback, revenge tonight.
They went too far.
Maybe regretting his decision.
[Corey] Let's be honest, this has been a completely one-sided affair.
Solo Sikoa has dominated Dolph Ziggler since the opening bell.
Obviously, Ziggler's shown glimpses of offense.
A little bit of hope, but Dolph Ziggler has been overwhelmed by Solo Sikoa.
[Kevin] It was a hot start for Dolph Ziggler, but if anything,
that seemed to anger Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] This is a former World Heavyweight Champion
in Dolph Ziggler, that Solo is dominating.
[Kevin] Oh, man.
[Corey] Destroying, decimating.
[Kevin] Lifeless body of Dolph Ziggler now,
as Solo Sikoa may be ready to feast.
[Corey] Look at the impact.
Look at the height and the distance.
Solo launching Dolph Ziggler with a Samoan drop.
Solo now looking to end this.
Ready to hop on a plane back to the Island of Relevancy.
[Kevin] Here we go again.
Ziggler up on his feet.
Rocked Solo Sikoa.
Is there an opening here for Dolph Ziggler?
[Corey] If there is, the veteran will exploit it.
A big kick to the ear of Solo.
The Enforcer seems to be taken off balance slightly.
Oh my God.
Forehead first into the ring post.
[Kevin] There's the experience of Dolph Ziggler.
[Corey] Dolph may do it.
Dolph's going to do it.
[Kevin] He may do it. His right-- Oh no.
Shoulder's up from Solo Sikoa.
Dolph Ziggler so close.
[Corey] The look of confusion in the eyes of Solo Sikoa,
who was caught off guard by the veteran Ziggler.
Delivering a beautiful DDT, spiking the Street Champ,
and now at the top of your screen, Ziggler feeling it.
[Kevin] Some may say it was the look of disbelief on the face of Solo Sikoa.
I'm not sure anyone's come that close to beating The Enforcer
in one-on-one action.
[Corey] You know when almost counts, KP.
Horseshoes and hand grenades.
Not in WWE.
-[Kevin] Ziggler wiggles free. -[Corey] He did it.
-[Kevin] He turns it around. -[Corey] Dolph's going to do it again.
[Kevin] Ziggler for the win. No. Sikoa still alive.
[Corey] Wow.
That is twice now.
Twice Dolph Ziggler has come within an eyelash
of beating The Enforcer of The Bloodline.
Zigzag connects.
Dolph unable to hook the leg, chalk it up to exhaustion.
Chalk it up to agony.
Dolph couldn't fully execute a pinfall.
And this one continues.
What an effort from both men.
[Kevin] Now Dolph's turn to express that disbelief.
Zigzag, the DDT, neither have worked so far
as he goes blows here to Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] Dolph now with a headbutt of his own.
I think that's an ill-advised strategy considering Solo's heritage.
[Kevin] Look for the super kick, caught by Solo.
[Corey] Just shrugged off.
Dolph with the kick to the knee looking for the famouser.
Solo ain't having it.
-[Kevin] Dolph an a dangerous-- Oh! -[Corey] Samoan Spike.
That is it.
You can count to 20.
[Kevin] Goodnight, Dolph Ziggler.
[bell rings]
["Taking It All" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] Solo wins.
Flawless victory.
Keep stacking the bodies
at the feet of The Enforcer.
The Street Champ reigns supreme yet again.
And look who's here to celebrate.
[Kevin] Oh, wow. They're back. Back in the building.
[yelling indistinctly]
[Corey] Thumbing their noses at Adam Pearce and all of his authority.
We thought for a moment Dolph Ziggler had solved Solo Sikoa.
The zigzag, but at two and seven-eighths
the Street Champ woke up
and changed the game.
[Kevin] Put Dolph Ziggler down
on the long list of victims of Solo Sikoa.
Samoan Spike, and a vicious one at that.
Check this out again. Man!
[Corey] Unbelievable impact.
Carrying on the tradition of brutality, of savagery.
[yelling]
What a night for The Usos and the entire Bloodline.
It's a frightening sight, it really is.
He's one mean and frightening superstar, Solo Sikoa.
And I'm sure you, Corey Graves, would say the same
about ex-convict now, Dominik Mysterio.
We go back to Christmas Eve.
I know you want to. Come on, hit me.
No.
What? What the hell?
This is abuse.
All right, I need you to turn around for me.
[Rhea] Wait, what? What?
-Relax. -[Rhea] You're kidding.
-No. -We're the ones that got abused.
-I need you to-- -Do not start this car.
Hey, I won't make it in jail. Don't let them take me.
-[Rhea] No. -Call Finn and Priest.
[officer] I need you to step away.
[Dominik] Don't let them take me. I won't make it.
I won't make it.
Prison changes a man.
And you guys might think
that it's over for me,
but no.
I'm just getting started.
And, Mami, I'll see you soon.
[speaking in Spanish]
[Corey] Rhea called Priest, Rhea called Bálor.
Hell, I think Rhea may have called Camille Vasquez,
but the most dangerous man in WWE is free.
Dominik Mysterio is here live on MizTV, next.
We want to send a special thanks to HARDY,
who may be in witness protection after angering Solo Sikoa last week
for Sold Out, an official theme song of WWE Royal Rumble
from the album the mockingbird & THE CROW,
available January 20th on Apple Music and Spotify.
And don't miss HARDY at the Royal Rumble.
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
Now I am standing by hoping to get in a word with Bayley
before she packs up and leaves the arena.
Bayley. Hi. Well, I was just wondering
if you feel like tonight's statement win over Michin sent a message to Becky Lynch?
Well, I think I sent a message to Becky Lynch when I beat her,
just like I sent a message to Michin when I beat her.
Just like we sent a message to the entire locker room
that Damage CTRL is the most dominant force
in the whole division, if you haven't told--
The only thing that you've proven
was that you're nothing but a fraud and a cheat.
[scoffs] Michin. Nobody likes a sore loser.
But as a role model, I'm all about bringing my fellow superstars up.
So look, I'm proud of you for stepping up to me tonight
in Becky's honor or something,
but you want to know the difference between me and Becky,
is that I'm not afraid to accept some help.
Just like I'm not afraid to accept some help to kick your ass right now.
[all yelling and grunting]
[Kevin] Damage CTRL here teeing off on Michin.
-Get her! -[grunting]
[Kevin] Three against one.
[grunts]
-[Bayley] Hold her. Hey! -[yelling]
-Just let me give you some advice, okay? -[groaning]
Don't step up for someone who won't be here for you, all right?
Becky Lynch is an idiot and so are you.
-Get her. -[grunting]
[Damage CTRL laughing]
[crowd boos]
[Bayley] Good job guys.
["I Came To Play" playing]
[Corey] I suggest Michin take Damage CTRL's advice.
[Kevin] I know you've been looking forward to this all day, Corey.
[Corey] No doubt about it.
You can see it plastered across your screen.
It will live up to its billing. It will be absolutely awesome.
[announcer] Please welcome the host of MizTV,
The Miz.
[Corey] Styled impeccably, we know we can count on Miz
to ask the hard-hitting questions.
This is not something you are going to want to miss.
Miz gets down to the bottom of all the issues.
[Kevin] Dominik Mysterio tweeting earlier, saying he's ready to tell his story.
Miz getting the scoop of the year.
Getting it on MizTV here tonight.
Welcome to the most must-see WWE talk show in history.
Welcome to…
[crowd] MizTV.
MizTV, and tonight I outdid myself.
Tonight, you know,
I realized that I have a lot of notable guests on MizTV.
Guests like John Cena.
[crowd cheers]
Like our "Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheers]
But tonight, on the first MizTV of 2023…
[crowd cheers]
Oh, yeah.
I am going to give an exclusive look into our justice system.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please give it up for Judgment Day's
very own bad boy,
Dominik Mysterio.
["It Is My Time" playing]
♪ Mysterio! ♪
♪ Now I'm coming for ya… ♪
[Corey] Out on bail, fresh out of jail, Alabama dreaming.
Soon as he stepped on the scene, we heard Rhea screaming.
What do you know about that life, KP?
[Kevin] I just want to know, what is Dominik Mysterio wearing?
[Corey] Dominik Mysterio has seen some things that makes it hard to smile.
He may never smile again.
[Kevin] You're making him sound like Andy Dufresne here, Graves.
That's not the case.
It's not like he spent a year in Ad Seg or at the SHU.
[Corey] Keep it up. Keep it up, KP. You wouldn't survive a day in the joint.
Dominik was forced to live off of gruel
and gruel sandwiches, and you can eat your own hair.
[Kevin] I'm not sure if Dominik was there for that long.
[Corey] I talked to Dominik earlier,
and he said he's so dangerous he's afraid of himself.
[Kevin] That is a cold blooded man, right there.
♪ Now I'm coming for ya… ♪
[Byron] We're about to hear the story of Dominik Mysterio in prison.
[Corey] Don't talk too loud. Dom was--
They even let Dom out in the yard.
He knows what kind of mood he's in. He needs some fresh air and some sunshine.
Three hots and a cot.
[Kevin] Crowd here on the edge of their seats.
Thank you for being here, Dominik.
And I see you brought your whole crew.
Sorry, there aren't more chairs.
I was expecting Dominik and his mami. But, hey, more the merrier.
The one thing I learned in prison, is you always roll with your crew.
And speaking of that, I gotta ask, what's it like?
You know, on the inside?
Snitches get stitches.
It's okay, Dom. Mami's here.
Hey, Dom, it's okay. You're safe now. You're a free man.
You can share your experience.
Dom, I think I speak for everyone in the arena
when I say we all want to know what happened, don't we?
[crowd roars]
Yeah, you want to know?
Imagine being locked up with the world's most dangerous people.
And not knowing when your next meal is going to be,
and it's either push or be pushed.
So what did you decide?
You know, I did a lot of thinking, and I thought If I am ever gonna see Mami,
on the other side again, I had to do what I had to do.
[Rhea] Yeah, he did.
And when life comes at you with crazy changes,
you just gotta grab it by the balls, you know,
kind of like what Maryse does to you.
[crowd exclaims]
Okay, okay, look, look. This is not about me.
You know what? You're right. It's not about you.
Hey, Dom. Why don't you tell him that wild story?
About how you got to scare that guy straight.
That's actually a good story.
So I was in my cell, right, with my cellmate.
Top bunk, where I was sleeping, and I overheard him saying
that he wanted to punch a hole in my face.
So what did I do?
What did you do, Dom?
I hopped down, I slapped him awake
and I asked him, "We got a problem here?"
And that was that.
That must have been a traumatic experience.
I think this entire arena needs to give you a round of applause
for sharing this perseverance of the human spirit.
[crowd booing]
And now I really truly know how Martha Stewart feels.
I'm sure you do. But, look, I have to ask.
We've been talking a lot about prison,
and my sources tell me that you were only held
in county jail for a few hours.
What did you just say?
Whoa. Look, look.
He's wearing a $500 off-white flannel.
Like, look, it's just a question. I mean, what are you gonna tell me next,
you were eating gruel omelets in the clink and getting chased by Dementors?
-[Kevin] Told ya. -Say that again.
[stammering] Well, look, look. Maybe I was misinformed.
Yeah, that's more like it.
Now, Dom, he's going to be here
to witness Finn Bálor and I win Tag Team Turmoil tonight.
And, Usos,
we're coming for the tag titles.
And as far as you go, Miz--
["Emergence" playing]
[Corey] Get out of there, Miz.
[Kevin] Impeccable journalism from The Miz.
[Corey] Told you about the gruel in there.
There's a couple of guys who spent a few nights in the tank.
[Kevin] Here we go, then, folks. Raw Tag Team Championship.
Who will be the number one contender?
We've got a Tag Team Turmoil, and Gallows and Anderson are out first.
[Corey] Well, if you're Gallows or Anderson
or The Judgment Day, this is an unenviable position,
being tasked with starting the match off,
because there is a lot of work to be done tonight.
[Kevin] It's our main event here on Monday Night Raw.
Tag Team Turmoil for the number one contender,
the Usos, the Raw Tag Team Championship, and it kicks off, next.
[Kevin] Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
Who will be the number one contender for Raw Tag Team Championship?
We're all set to go here with The O.C., Gallows and Anderson in the ring.
Against The Judgment Day's
Finn Bálor and Damian Priest, Tag Team Turmoil.
In an elimination tag team match, two teams start in our ring right now,
when one is eliminated,
via pinfall submission, disqualification or count out,
another team enters until all teams have competed.
The last team standing is deemed the winner.
And they'll have their sights firmly fixed
on the Usos and the Raw Tag Team Championship.
[Corey] Moments ago, before the break, Damian Priest called out the Usos,
making sure that Jimmy and Jey are paying attention
because The Judgment Day has designs on becoming Tag Team Champions.
But the same can be said for every duo in this match-up.
But you have to pay attention to the X-factors
that The Judgment Day have, which other teams do not.
That being Rhea Ripley, The Eradicator, that being Dominik Mysterio. Oh!
Dom's got that 1000-yard stare in his eyes.
[Kevin] Karl Anderson, now hooking the leg to put away Finn Bálor, who kicks out.
You mentioned the Dominik and Rhea factor. What about the chemistry? Tag made here.
With the Good Brothers, Gallows and Anderson.
[Corey] The Good Brothers have held tag team gold literally all over the globe.
Everywhere they competed as a tag team, they succeeded at an extremely high level.
Big LG putting in the work on The Prince.
[Kevin] Two time Raw Tag Team champions, Gallows and Anderson.
They won their first at the Royal Rumble back in 2017.
Kick to the midsection of Bálor.
Anderson and Bálor, they know each other so well.
Tag made.
[Corey] Listen, I admire and understand
the goal of this match-up for all the teams involved.
But the Usos are functioning on a level that has never been seen before
in WWE's tag team division.
How about the victory this past Friday night on SmackDown
over Drew McIntyre and the Celtic warrior, Sheamus. A banger.
But in the end, all that matters is who still holds the gold.
[Kevin] Records are there to be broken.
This represents a massive opportunity for all five tag teams.
Tag made. In comes Damian Priest.
Look at these two behemoths.
[Corey] Big boot to the gut from the well-educated feet
of this monster of a human.
Gallows squashing Priest in the corner.
-[Kevin] Oh! -[Corey] Priest uncorked a right hand.
[Kevin] Ruthless display from Priest, but he's rocked by Gallows.
Would chemistry be an issue at all here for Damian Priest and Finn Bálor?
[Corey] Absolutely not.
They may not have the same duration
as a team that Gallows and Anderson have.
But Priest and Bálor are like a well-oiled machine these days.
The Judgment Day, a legitimate force to be reckoned with.
Tag made in behind Gallows. It's Finn Bálor now working on the legs.
[Corey] It's a brilliant strategy by the veteran Finn Bálor.
And Finn knows Gallows and Anderson as well as anybody.
There's a great deal of history between the three of them
spanning all the way back to their days in Japan.
If anyone can figure out how to solve Gallows and Anderson, it's Finn Bálor.
And ordinarily if you're Gallows and Anderson,
you'd have AJ Styles watching your back.
Instead, you don't have Styles to be neutralized by Dominik Mysterio out here.
[Kevin] Ankle injury to AJ Styles. We certainly wish him the best.
Tag made here as Priest rolls into the match here.
Hammering away at Luke Gallows again, going after the legs of Gallows.
[Corey] Priest just picking up where Bálor left off.
Leading by example, knowing that Dom may not be the same competitor he was
last time we saw him in a WWE ring.
Prison changes a man. When you're an ex-con like Dominik,
there's a lot of mental work he's got to do to himself.
[Kevin] Is that a teardrop under the eye?
[Corey] Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to, KP.
[Kevin] Fair enough. Gallows down.
Going to work on Damian Priest.
Looking to make a tag here with Karl Anderson.
Here comes Karl Anderson.
[Corey] Anderson able to avoid contact from Priest
and now Anderson teeing off, flattening Bálor.
But you can't take your eyes off of one without worrying about the other.
[Kevin] Something about the uppercuts of Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
Damian Priest is feeling that one. Anderson at pace and into the corner.
Oh!
[Corey] Martial arts kick drops Priest. Bálor joined the fray and got caught.
Nice move by the veteran Anderson.
It's going to backfire, though.
[Kevin] While the referee is looking the other way,
Damian Priest hammering Anderson into the steel steps.
It's all The Judgment Day right now.
[crowd booing]
[Kevin] Cannot wait for New Year's Eve
but we're witnessing a blockbuster main event to Monday Night Raw
with enormous implications.
[Corey] These are the first two of many teams in this Tag Team Turmoil match.
Someone will advance to challenge the Usos for the Raw Tag Team titles.
It could go any which way right now. Anderson makes the move.
The Big LG.
[Kevin] LG taking down Finn Bálor. Huge upper cut to the Irishman.
[Corey] Gallow squashing the Prince in the corner.
Like a human torpedo.
But here comes Priest.
[Kevin] Luke Gallow is gaining momentum. Down goes Damian Priest.
What a victory this would be for The O.C.
Its winner stays on here in the Tag Team Turmoil match.
Hook of the leg for the victory.
And a kick out by Bálor.
[Corey] It looked like Mami was ready to aid of her stable mate, Finn Bálor.
He's in all types of jeopardy right now.
The O.C. looking good, and-- Oh no!
Dominik ever present, ever dangerous.
And Bálor from behind.
Finn Bálor now, may get the one, two, three.
-[bell rings] -He's got it.
[announcer] Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have been eliminated.
[Kevin] The O.C. are furious with the way that played out.
[Corey] The O.C. got treated like Dominik treated the COs.
[announcer] Welcome to the ring, the team of Shelton Benjamin
and Cedric Alexander!
[Kevin] This is Tag Team Turmoil.
-Here we go. Alexander! -[Corey] Oh my God!
[Kevin] With a hot start on Finn Bálor.
[Corey] No rest for the weary.
Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin, bringing the fight to The Judgment Day,
who've already competed once in a grueling matchup,
[bell ringing]
[Kevin] The bell rings, a vicious kick from Cedric Alexander on Bálor.
Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander, former Raw Tag Team Champions,
Bálor now.
-[Corey] Finn nearly stole one. -[Kevin] Kick-out by Cedric Alexander.
Look at the pace and energy that they're bringing here for the win.
Bálor kicks-out now. How difficult is this
for The Judgment Day to get to the speed of the fresh Cedric and Shelton.
[Corey] It may be an impossible feat, and hopefully, Cedric and Shelton
were backstage keeping an eye on the developments
in the last part of tag team turmoil.
And Shelton and Cedric realized they need to keep an eye out
for Rhea Ripley and Dominik.
[Kevin] Hook of the leg after a suplex by Benjamin
and a kick out by Bálor once more.
[Corey] We saw moments ago.
We speak about it every week, the X-factors that Judgment Day possess.
Tonight it's Rhea Ripley, the ride or die,
who remarkably stood by her man through the toughest of times.
Dominik Mysterio lived through absolute hell and Rhea didn't leave.
Rhea made sure her man's commissary was full.
[Kevin] County jail for a few hours.
[Corey] You know what could happen in county jail?
Dominik could have been the belle of the ball.
-You shut your mouth. -I did my time.
-Exactly. -[Corey] Tell him.
Better be careful, KP, about to get yourself shanked.
[Kevin] I'll say no more. Back to the action we go.
[Corey] You don't know about that life, KP.
-Cedric dropping Bálor. You're shook up. -[Kevin] A little.
[Corey] You need new pants? We'll get somebody to send you some.
[Kevin] You see how Rhea looked at me?
[Corey] I couldn't take my eyes off of Dominik.
It was like you were living an episode of Scared Straight.
You won't make that mistake again?
-[Kevin] Focus on the action-- -[Corey] You got a good life, KP.
You've got to feel bad for Rhea.
Tonight has got to feel like such catharsis for both Rhea and Dom,
watching the first step in this Tag Team Turmoil match.
Seeing Finn Bálor and Damian Priest working together extremely well.
[Cedric] Come on, big boy.
[Kevin] "Come on, big boy," words of Alexander.
[Corey] But how about the fire shone from Cedric and Shelton
in the opening moments of this contest.
We heard MVP, and what he aspires to do,
getting everybody back on the same page.
And Shelton and Cedric, who've been Raw Tag Team Champions before,
eager to prove MVP right.
[Kevin] Bálor gets out. Finn tags in Damian Priest.
There's a powerful suplex from Shelton, and again on Bálor.
[Corey] Shelton just dominating right now.
Twenty years into his WWE tenure,
and it's like, boom! Shelton ages backwards.
[Kevin] He was celebrating last week. He's reeling in the years here.
Some of the greatest hits as he tags in Cedric Alexander.
[Corey] Oh! Fantastic double team.
[Kevin] Hook of the leg again. Shelton and Cedric to advance.
Just in time, Finn Bálor intervenes.
[Corey] Bálor sent to the outside,
Alexander and Benjamin now with an opportunity to capitalize.
[Kevin] The prize is enormous. Who's going to be the number one contender
for the Raw Tag Team Championship?
The Usos so involved in Monday Night Raw, here tonight,
but no doubt keeping a close eye on proceedings.
[Cedric] Help your boy!
[Rhea] You don't want me to. So help me, you're going to pay for it.
[Corey] I don't know if you can hear Rhea Ripley clearly enough,
Cedric Alexander said, "Come help your boy."
Rhea said, you don't want me to come help my boy.
Rhea has absolutely no fear,
especially when she's got a hardened ex-con standing by her side.
Dominik has seen and done some stuff. Boom. It's prime time.
[Corey] Neuralyzer by Alexander.
[Kevin] Alexander now, to put away Damian Priest, who kicks out.
We're seeing some serious resiliency
from both Damian Priest and Finn Bálor here in this match.
[Corey] A resilient Priest unleashes another right
and Cedric answers with a dropkick.
There's no Finn Bálor for Damian Priest to tag.
Bálor's been a nonfactor for the last several minutes.
-[Kevin] Tag made. -[Corey] Bálor tagging himself in.
But Cedric about to take a trip south of heaven.
[Kevin] Finn Bálor now to feast.
Coup de grâce!
Bálor now, his opportunity for victory.
-Got it. -[bell rings]
[announcer] Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander have been eliminated.
[Corey] The Judgment Day continues
in this Tag Team Turmoil, but it won't get any easier.
["For The Academy" playing]
The Judgment Day have already been competing for over 15 minutes.
And here comes The Academy.
[announcer] Making their way to the ring, Otis and Chad Gable, Alpha Academy!
[Kevin] So victories for The Judgment Day over The O.C.,
and Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander.
But the Alpha Academy awaits as the Tag Team Turmoil rolls on next!
[Kevin] Welcome back. Tonight's Tag Team Turmoil will--
-[Corey] Sling Blade. -[Kevin] Sling blade from Bálor.
Will determine the number one contender for the Raw Tag Team Championship.
Currently held by the Usos.
[Corey] Judgment Day, one of the first two to begin this match-up, are still in it.
Approaching the 20-minute mark now. Broken arrow by Priest.
[Kevin] That may do it. Damian Priest hooks the leg of Gable, who kicks out.
Judgment Day already disposed of The O.C. and Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander.
[Corey] Smart strategy by Priest slowing down the pace.
This allows Damian to maintain his composure,
allows Finn Bálor a few moments to recover on the outside,
and allows Dominik to use that devious brain of his
to figure out what may happen next, where his services are best rendered.
[Kevin] It's winner stays on, victory by pinfall,
submission, disqualification or count out.
[Corey] The Olympian Chad Gable, looking to make a tag to the tree trunk.
The number one guy, Otis.
-[Kevin] Priest now, at pace. Tag made. -[Corey] Stage dive by Priest.
[Kevin] Finn Bálor will come in.
[Corey] The dagger of The Judgement Day
stomping a hole in the heart of Chad Gable.
[Kevin] Priest in once more.
But to think that we questioned the chemistry of Damian Priest--
[Corey] Who questioned it? You asked me and I said, no.
[Kevin] Competing against--
And Damian Priest to put Gable away, who kicks out again.
[Corey] Almost time to celebrate. Take a look at this.
Priest, full extension on the leg drop,
his heel coming right across the trachea of Chad Gable,
and The Judgment Day have yet again cut the ring in half.
[Kevin] The Judgment Day, the only team competing
yet to call themselves a Tag Team Champion in WWE.
[Corey] Gable in extremely dangerous territory out here.
If he's not careful, he may end up holding Dominik's pocket.
[Kevin] The referee, Chad Patton, having a word with Otis,
not looking at what's going on here.
[Corey] I'm looking at Dominik and Rhea. That's all I can look at.
-[man] The Academy! -That was fantastic, wasn't it?
[Kevin] Rhea Ripley, all smiles now alongside Dominik Mysterio.
-Yeah, Finn. -Attaboy, Finn.
[Corey] Something about those ex-cons. They get all the chicks.
That bad boy persona.
Act like a bloody pit bull!
Attaboy, Finn.
[Kevin] It's approaching 22 minutes now.
[Corey] Dominik is like James Dean with street cred tonight.
If you think about it.
Look at the menacing glare.
Imagine seeing that on the yard, KP. What would you do? Run to the other side.
-[Kevin] You know it. -[Corey] You'd run to the shower.
[Kevin] Prison changes a man as Dominik has told us. Oh!
Chad Gable has his opportunity.
[Corey] And the number one guy, Otis, wants to be unleashed into this matchup.
[Kevin] And the WWE Universe in Birmingham, Alabama, just love Otis.
And here he comes.
[Corey] Oh my lord!
Like a force of nature, Otis just wrecking shop.
[Kevin] But can he put away Priest and Bálor?
He's motoring here, Otis.
It was this week last year,
when the Alpha Academy became Raw Tag Team Champions.
[Corey] Otis and Gable would love to challenge the Usos once again.
Oh, no. Priest, this does not bode well.
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin] Is this your moment, Otis?
Is it time to feast?
[Corey] No, no! No! No! No! No!
[Kevin] He's done it!
[Corey] The caterpillar. I thought we were done with that.
[Kevin] Never done with the caterpillar. Oh!
[Corey] Thunderous Powerslam by Otis.
-Bálor has Gable trapped. -[Kevin] Oh!
-[Corey] Oh my God! -[Kevin] My word!
What have we just seen?
[Corey] Otis didn't realize Finn Bálor had trapped Chad Gable on top of himself,
[Kevin and Corey] Priest!
[Kevin] Taking down Otis.
-One, two, three! -[Kevin] Bagging the victory.
[bell rings]
[announcer] Alpha Academy has been eliminated.
[Kevin] But at what cost?
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Bálor, understandably feeling the pain
of having not only Otis but also Gable on top.
-[Bálor] My ribs. -What are you squeezing him for?
Stop squeezing. Are you a doctor?
-[Priest] What's wrong? -I'm fine.
Withdraw him.
-Are you telling me-- -[Bálor] I'm not done.
[Corey] Take another look at what went down.
Otis delivering the mastodon-like bomb.
-Who is that? Don't listen to them. -[all yelling]
Listen, she's saying he cannot compete.
[Corey] Again, this is a lot of humanity crashing down on Finn Bálor.
All of Otis, from the second rope, on top of Gable.
I mean, that's damn near 500 pounds.
-Talk to me. It's his ribs? -He can't go.
[man] It's his ribs.
You're telling me he cannot go.
We get bruised all the time.
This is not a thing. Look.
-[Bálor screams] -Get up, Finn!
Look at me. They're saying he cannot compete.
If he's medically disqualified, we have to forfeit--
-We're not forfeiting anything, man! -Yeah, Finn.
-You sure he can't? -Different solution.
-[man] Positive. -I'll do it by myself.
-Look at me. -Finn, get up.
If you can't, you're not medically good, we need to forfeit--
[Priest] No shot!
You need to either forfeit or…
-Get up, Finn, you're good. Come on. -I can get up.
-You either forfeit or Dom's in the match. -Yeah?
Dominik can take Finn's place.
-Forfeit or Dominik replaces Finn. -I not ready.
Well, you want to forfeit?
[Priest] No, he's a good. He's okay.
They are saying he is medically disqualified.
Either forfeit this match or I will allow Dominik to take Finn's place.
That's the choice. It's forfeit or it's Dom.
[crowd yelling]
-Yeah, that'll work. It's good. -You'll be okay.
-Yeah, that'll work. -I know.
-Fine. -[Bálor] Don't forfeit.
Dominik, you replace Finn. It's official.
-Thank you. -Just don't be soft.
The match continues.
["Bring the Swag" playing]
-[Corey] I think I heard correctly. -[crowd cheering]
Per WWE official Adam Pearce,
Bálor is not allowed to compete in this match-up,
so it'll be Damian Priest and Dominik.
[announcer] And their opponents, at a combined weight of 492 pounds,
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, the Street Profits!
[Kevin] And here comes the Street Profits. Tag Team Triple Crown Champions.
At a time when Finn Bálor cannot continue.
Judgment Day had been in the ring for 27 minutes,
and it's Dominik's time to step in for the team.
[Corey] Are Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins mentally prepared
for the havoc they are about to deal with in the form of Dominik Mysterio?
Dominik's barely been able to breathe fresh air for the last few weeks.
You think Dom's not ready to take out some aggression?
-Dominik wasn't allowed to see his mami. -[Kevin] He was screaming, "Get up, Finn."
Dominik didn't seem to want to play a role here tonight.
[Corey] I heard from one of my sources on the inside,
Dominik's got a back like you've never seen.
It's like an upside down Christmas tree,
the musculature that Dominik developed doing thousands of pull ups every day.
[Kevin] Fresh out of prison,
Dominik Mysterio must now step up for his team.
[Corey] Buckle up.
Contenders for the Raw Tag Team Championship is on the line.
[Corey] You've gone and done it now.
[crowd cheering]
Don't hurt him, Dom.
[Kevin] A hot start here from the Street Profits.
Dominik Mysterio getting pummeled here in the corner.
[Corey] A hot start? Angelo Dawkins jumped Dominik.
Dominik couldn't even get his flannel off.
[Kevin] Finn Bálor medically disqualified, his ribs crushed by the impact of Otis.
Yes, The Judgment Day get the victory. But it may have come at a cost here.
Dominik Mysterio flattened by a dropkick.
[Corey] Well, Dominik didn't have-- Dominik wasn't ready to compete tonight.
Dominik thought he'd celebrate with The Judgment Day,
maybe take Mami out for a nice night on the town here in Birmingham.
Not compete.
[Kevin] It seemed that Damian Priest wasn't exactly too keen to team with Dom.
[Corey] Damian doesn't want to be an accessory to a crime.
Who knows what Dominik's capable of once he gets to his feet and throws hands.
Priest knows what a badass Dominik is.
[Kevin] It's Tag Team Turmoil.
Last team standing will be the number one contender
for the Raw Tag Team Championship.
[Corey] Damian Priest, now over 30 minutes in this match-up.
The Judgment Day continue to roll and may be even more dangerous than before
because we've got a fresh, angry, frustrated, mad dog in Dominik.
Well, maybe.
[Kevin] The Street Profits know exactly what's at stake here.
[Rhea shouting] Come on!
[Kevin] Taking out that energy that they have on Dominik Mysterio.
Get him into the corner.
[Corey] Bálor is doing his best to shout some instructions
and encouragement to Dominik
as he's being mugged by the Street Profits in the opposite corner.
Bálor is the ultimate team player, let's be honest,
and Finn realizes those are the Street Profits
on the other side of the ring, Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford,
one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE today, two freakish athletes,
who want nothing more than another crack at the Usos tag team goal.
[Kevin] So with that said, what's the strategy for Dominik Mysterio
as he starts to fight back?
[Corey] Survival. That's what it's all about.
This is how Dominik woke up every morning, in an 8 by 8 cell,
and realized, "This place won't break me. I'll show the world what I'm made of."
[Kevin] A few hours, Graves, in county jail.
[Corey] You're arguing minutia here, okay? Dominik's been through it.
-It changes a man. -[Kevin] Tag. Here comes Montez Ford.
[Corey] Well, you got a parking ticket and cried for three days, Patrick.
[Kevin] You talk chemistry, you cannot look beyond the Street Profits. Oh!
Rhea Ripley now starting to look nervous on the outside.
[Corey] Imagine the roller coaster of emotions Rhea Ripley's experienced.
[Kevin] Hooking the leg now, Montez Ford, kick out.
[Corey] A short period of time ago, Rhea thought her beloved was gone forever.
Locked down? It could've been the end of them.
But true love prevails, Kevin Patrick. That's what this is about.
[Kevin] Instagram stories have lasted longer
than Dominik Mysterio in county jail.
-[Corey] Wow! -[Kevin] Tag made.
-You better not let Rhea hear you. -[Rhea] What'd you say?
[Corey] It's tough to do commentary with no teeth, Kevin.
Are you talking more crap, Kevin?
[Corey] He was saying bad stuff, Rhea. I need him, though. Kind of.
Here comes Priest back into the fray.
You better mind your Ps and Qs, good sir.
And Rhea out here, the ultimate teammate, bringing ice to a fallen Bálor.
-And here we go. -[Kevin laughs]
[Corey] Two genuine badasses about to throw down.
Montez Ford staying loose. Oh. Priest cuts him off at the pass.
[Kevin] The resiliency, the energy from Damian Priest.
Almost 40 minutes now, inside the squared circle.
[Corey] Heavy body shots from Priest.
-Okay, no more. Get back. -[Priest] Let's go!
Let's go, bro. What you gonna do?
[Corey] Priest doing his best to incite Dawkins. Brilliant.
Damian Priest is using Angelo Dawkins' own frustration against him.
-Using AD's temper. -[Rhea] You okay?
-[Kevin] Rhea Ripley taunting Montez Ford. -Not so funny now, huh?
[Kevin] In a perilous position now in the corner.
-[Priest yells] -[Ford grunts]
-[Kevin] The stakes here absolutely huge. -Funny guy.
[Kevin] The number one contender for the Raw Tag Team Championship.
[Corey] Oh. Strong kick by Priest right to the chest of Ford.
Take a look at this tremendous impact. Spine first into the turnbuckle.
And Priest is stalking a fallen Montez Ford.
[Kevin] Can you imagine The Judgment Day and The Bloodline going head-to-head?
[Corey laughs]
[Kevin] Two dominant forces in WWE.
But the Street Profits may have their say here.
[Corey] The Street Profits are fresher.
They know what they're dealing with when it comes to the Usos.
Ford and Dawkins deserve this opportunity as much as anybody.
But it comes down to who has the most endurance.
Right now, Priest has been extremely impressive.
[Kevin] Montez off the ropes. Look at the athleticism on show.
[Corey] The quickness of Tez.
[Kevin] Nice combinations there. Oh!
[Corey] A little rope a dope from Montez
managed to avoid just about everything Priest threw, but…
[Kevin] For many the matches of the year last year against the Usos.
[Corey] What does that have to do with anything, KP? Yeah, last year.
-Damian Priest wants that chance too. -[Kevin scoffs]
[Kevin] Dominik Mysterio just scrambling.
[Corey] Dom, stand your ground, Dom. Stand your ground, Dom. You got this.
You got this!
[Kevin and Corey yell] Whoa!
[Kevin] Tez all over the announce desk.
-[crowd yelling] -[Corey] Here comes Dawkins!
-Whoa! -[Kevin] What the hell was that?
What was that?
What y'all think this is?
[Corey] That was ridiculous.
[Kevin] Endurance, the name of the game here.
Number one contender for the Raw Tag Team Championship is the prize.
The Street Profits-- And Damian Priest of The Judgment Day…
-[Corey] Covered by Priest. -[Kevin] Priest for the victory.
Priest has been in the ring for over 40 minutes.
[Corey] With two different partners.
But how about Dominik,
who stepped up bravely to fill the void left by Finn Bálor.
-Dominik is excelling. -That's it, Dominik.
[Corey] He weathered the early storm, and we see who Dominik Mysterio truly is.
He reminds me of, kind of like a young Adebisi.
[Kevin] The man you called Caliente, a dominant position here.
-One the face of Dawkins. -[Corey] He's been in over ten minutes.
[Kevin] That's about as long as he was in county jail.
[Corey] You watch your mouth, KP.
[referee] Come on, guys.
[Corey] You better not let Mami hear that. You're gonna be limping back to the hotel.
[Kevin] Who is going to take it?
Who is gonna be the number one contender? With the Usos watching on.
[Corey] Judgment Day certainly put in a great deal of work,
but the Street Profits know what it means to be the Tag Team Champions.
Ford and Dawkins would love another chance to challenge the Usos,
but right now, the most dangerous man in the state of Alabama
is putting it on Angelo Dawkins.
-[Kevin] Delight on the face of Rhea. -Yeah, Dom!
[Corey] Dom's rap sheet looks like my kid's Christmas list.
He's a dangerous human being.
[Kevin] Dawkins wants to make a tag. Montez Ford desperately wants it.
This is what happened before the commercial break.
[Corey] We talk a lot about the athleticism of Angelo Dawkins.
First Damian Priest would launch Montez, but watch Dawkins.
Takes out two superstars and landed on his feet.
I was almost speechless.
[Kevin] Back on their feet now. Angelo Dawkins.
Blow after blow to Dominik Mysterio.
The athleticism on show from Dawkins, who could end it here!
Dominik Mysterio at it too.
[crowd booing]
[laughs] Yes, Dom Dom. Show him that prison aggression.
[Corey] I hear Rhea, Mami, saying,
"Yes, Dom Dom. Show him that prison aggression."
Rhea is into that. Different-- Never mind.
Big slam, boom!
-Damian Priest, he's been so powerful. -Fabulous! [laughs]
[Corey] Look how happy Rhea is.
Priest is just a machine tonight. Cover here.
[Kevin] With the leg. Damian Priest to end it in a kickout!
[Rhea yelling]
[Kevin] Angelo Dawkins and the Street Profits still alive.
[Corey] You've still got Finn Bálor out here nursing his wounds,
able to shout strategies and advice to the other members of Judgment Day.
Damian, do it for Judgment Day. Come on, Dominik.
[groans] Come on, Dominik.
For The Judgement Day.
[Corey] Angelo Dawkins doing his best to create some separation.
Dawkins hung across the middle rope.
-[Kevin] Oh, wow. Wow. -[Corey] And we're gonna dial it up.
It's going to be a collect call. Do you accept the charges?
Dang it!
[Kevin] Angelo Dawkins! What an answer to Dominik Mysterio.
[crowd cheering]
And the crowd are on their feet in Birmingham, Alabama.
[Corey] Take a look at this. Dominik was looking to dial it up,
but Dawkins dug down deep, delivered a back elbow.
-And and the playing field is even. -[crowd chanting] We want smoke!
[Corey] Sounds like the WWE Universe in Birmingham wants the smoke.
[Kevin] They may get it. Tag made.
Montez Ford. He'll have to deal with Damian Priest as well.
Ford can climb.
Montez Ford!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Tez is on a roll.
Priest sent to the outside. One for Dominik in the corner.
[Kevin] Dominik lining it up. Misses. The side kick to the midsection.
Ford, now.
[Corey] God gifted ability on display.
Look at this athleticism.
[crowd cheering]
[yells]
[Kevin] A sight to behold.
Hooks the leg for the victory for the Street Profits.
Dominik kicks out.
[Corey] Look at this yet again.
Look at the height.
Most importantly, the impact on the landing.
Both Dom and Priest, taken out by Tez.
And a look of concern on Mami's face on the outside.
It's not fair! Priest, you need to help him.
[Kevin] What a night here on Monday Night Raw.
-[Corey] Yikes! Cover! -[Kevin] The Street Profits to end this.
And a kick out by Dominik again.
[Corey] And that prison grit on full display.
-Dominik survives. -[Rhea] You need to help him.
[Corey] Look at this fantastic double team from Ford and Dawkins.
That would have taken out lesser men, but not Dominic.
[Rhea] Get up!
[Kevin] Three tag teams have been eliminated.
It's the Street Profits and Judgment Day who were in it from the very beginning.
Looking to be the number one contender for the Raw Tag Team Championship.
[Corey] Dawkins hoisting up Dominik, tag is made.
-Priest is here. Priest is legal. -[Kevin] Oh!
[Corey] And Dawkins might be out.
[Kevin] Damian Priest now. Incredible.
Damian Priest is a one-man wrecking machine.
-[Corey] Just tattooed Dawkins. Cover. -[Kevin] Hooks the leg.
For The Judgment Day, the win-- And a kick out.
-A kick out. Priest can't believe it. -That was it! What are you doing?
[Corey] Damian Priest unleashing a thunderous clothesline
that nearly ended it.
But the Profits hang in.
[crowd chanting] We want smoke!
We're just getting word Damian Priest has been competing
in this matchup for over 50 minutes at this point. Oh!
[Kevin] Oh! Caught in mid-air! He's been caught in mid-air!
Tag made. Here comes Montez Ford.
-[Corey] But Priest caught Ford. -[Kevin] Wow.
[Kevin] Dawkins connects!
[Corey] Dominik is the legal competitor for the Judgment Day, however.
[Rhea] Priest!
[Kevin] Dawkins now, has Priest.
Priest turns it around.
[Corey] Hawkins sent over the barricade into the WWE Universe.
Keep your eyes on Ford.
-God almighty! -[Kevin] Oh!
Wow. What are we witnessing?
[Corey] We are witnessing a bad, bad man
who has made the climb to the top, from the heavens.
-450! Count it! -[Kevin] That's gotta to be it.
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[Kevin] What?
[Corey] And Priest keeps this alive.
-Wow. Oh! -[Kevin] Face first into the steps.
Dominik Mysterio now, sets him up. Mysterio's got it.
-[bell rings] -Judgement Day got it.
[Corey] Dom did it!
[announcer] Here are your winners, The Judgment Day.
[Corey] This is what redemption is all about.
Do it for your freedom.
Do it for your friends.
Do it for Mami.
The Judgment Day have earned the right to challenge The Bloodline.
[Kevin] Almost an hour in the ring.
It's The Judgment Day that reigned supreme
to become the number one contenders for the Raw Tag Team Championship.
[Corey] Montez Ford was a man on a mission,
sacrificing himself while Dawkins was taken out of the game.
A beautiful 450 splash connects.
Those Street Profits were a fraction of a second away from victory.
But Mami pays off yet again.
[Kevin] Damian Priest. What a battle from Priest tonight.
[Corey] Damian Priest certainly proved tonight
he is Royal Rumble Match ready should the urge arise.
A disappointing night for---
-["Done With That" playing] -[Corey laughs]
[Kevin] No doubt the Usos were watching, keeping their eye on The Judgment Day.-
Let's go!
[Corey] Cometh the kings,
-You best not miss -Huh?! What you all want?!
-What you all want? -[roars]