[intro music playing]
[John 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.
[Cody Rhodes] Absolutely, the dream scenario
is to come back at the Royal Rumble,
but not just to come back, but to win it.
[commentator 1] Cody Rhodes suffered a partial pectoral tear.
[Cody] No human being could have kept me from getting in the ring.
All the sacrifices, all the doubt,
all the struggle, all the heartache,
-all that I have… -[crowd] Three, two…
-[Cody] …at the Royal Rumble… -[crowd] …one.
[buzzer sounds]
[Cody] I'm back.
[commentator 2] The American Nightmare is here!
[commentator 3] Cody Cutter!
[commentator 4] Crossroads action!
[commentator 5] It's down to two!
[commentator 6] Over an hour and five minutes for the number-one entry…
[commentator 7] Chop to With a surgically-repaired pec.
-[commentator 8 speaking indistinctly] -[bell dinging]
The American Nightmare, one step closer to the American dream!
[Cody] I'm going to do it for me,
I'm going to do it for my family,
and I am going to do it for you.
[commentator 9] This is just one more step in the journey.
Finish the story at WrestleMania!
[Kevin] Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Monday Night Raw,
where we're officially on the Road to WrestleMania.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the winner of the 2023 Men's Royal Rumble match,
the American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
["Kingdom" playing]
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
[Corey] After months away from the business that he loves
as much as life itself,
the mission last night was simple.
Outlast 29 other superstars
and earn your way to the main event of WrestleMania.
Cody Rhodes intended on finishing the story.
We're in San Antonio, Texas,
the American Nightmare wrote the next chapter.
♪ I am the king and you're the clown ♪
[Kevin] Cody Rhodes is undeniable,
and maybe soon, the undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away… ♪
-[song fades] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[chanting stops]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
Hah.
[inaudible]
So what do you guys wanna talk about?
[crowd cheering]
I think it goes without saying, but every week
there's someone new watching this show, so I'll go ahead and say it.
I am not the same person I was when I started this journey
over 15 years ago on this very show.
I thought a lot, though,
about 19-year-old me,
first day on the job,
pulling up to this metal barn, Ohio Valley Wrestling.
There's a sign on the door…
There's a sign on the door that says, "Tomorrow's Superstars Today."
And I'm sitting in my beater Volkswagen Jetta
and I'm about to go inside.
And I remember,
I vividly thought to myself,
I'm gonna be WWE Champion within sight of two years.
[crowd cheering]
Hey, I was ambitious, albeit a little bit delusional
'cause I also thought,
"I'm gonna be the next John Cena."
[crowd cheering]
All right, so if I could go back.
If I could talk to 19-year-old me, if I could write him a letter,
what would I say? What would it say?
When I tell him…
"I don't think it's gonna go down like that, chief."
Would I tell him that one night in London, you're gonna get slapped so hard
on live TV that your knees buckle?
Would I tell him that you're gonna be dashing Cody Rhodes
and you're gonna give out grooming tips?
Would I tell him that you're gonna win the Intercontinental Championship
and restore it to its former retro glory?
Would I tell him
that you're gonna paint your face and become less than?
That triumph will become tragedy, will become triumph all over again.
Would I tell him the woman on the outside of the ring
who has been saying everyone's names all night,
ends up becoming your wife?
Would I tell him that you're gonna lose a 295-pound best friend,
but you're gonna gain a six-pound one back,
who has his same eyes?
Would I tell him…
that you're gonna be on fire at one point,
that you're gonna bleed all over the world?
Would I tell him, "In 2015,"
"you do what everybody tells you not to do.
"You take an excursion,
"and part of that excursion is fully focusing on
"the industry's health, and I ended up neglecting my own.
Would I tell him that on January 28th, 2023,
at the Royal Rumble, you outlasted 29 others?
And you punched a ticket.
You punched a ticket, the very first in your family to punch this ticket
to go on last under the brightest lights
on the biggest damn stage at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
Guys… truth be told,
I wouldn't tell him a single thing.
I wouldn't tell him a single thing
because every little piece on this broken road,
every splinter on this upwards ladder
has been unequivocally 100% worth it.
[crowd cheering]
Now, I come out here tonight,
and I hear some of you singing the words to "Kingdom."
That's my song. It has gone everywhere with me.
It will continue to do so.
But the first words on that track are my own.
And that is where I say,
"Wrestling has more than one royal family."
[crowd cheering]
Actually,
WWE has more than one royal family.
But for that to be… true,
for it to be real, for it to be venerated,
validated and vindicated in my heart,
I have to stand across from another.
I have to stand across from an entire bloodline.
I have to stand across from the Tribal Chief,
the Head of the Table.
[crowd booing]
I have to stand across from essentially
the LeBron James of this generation of superstars and wrestlers.
The biggest superstar on the planet,
a man who has had the title for 800 and something days.
I have to stand across…
from Roman Reigns.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] Roman sucks! Roman sucks! Roman sucks! Roman sucks!
I'm sure you can hear it, I have a great deal of respect for Roman.
And I am talking sincerely, but what I say next,
I say with the same sincerity.
WrestleMania is in 62 days, Roman.
That might just be 62 days for you,
it is 62 days for the rest of my life.
At WrestleMania, undesirable has already become undeniable,
but undeniable remains uncrowned,
and on that night, it ends.
At WrestleMania, pull up a chair, sit wherever the hell you want.
On that night, somebody else is going to be eating,
and after WrestleMania,
you can be the tribal chief, you can be the head of the table,
you can be the biggest superstar in the world,
but the one thing that Roman Reigns will not be…
is the WWE undisputed Universal Champion.
["Kingdom" playing]
[inaudible]
[Corey] The mission statement is clear.
Cody Rhodes, highly motivated
on his road to WrestleMania.
["The End" playing]
Wait just a second.
[loud thud]
[Corey] The Judgment Day, uninvited guests here on Monday Night Raw.
The American Nightmare does not look pleased with the company.
[Kevin] Nor do the crowd here in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Cody, I'm a little confused.
Are you returning this time to do something original?
Or are you just gonna knock off all my old stuff
just like you done before?
And on top of that,
he ruined The Judgment Day's plans at the Rumble.
Mami Rhea did what she was supposed to do,
and she won the Women's Royal Rumble match.
And later tonight, all of you will have the honor
to listen, and her tell you who her opponent for WrestleMania is.
But I was supposed to win the Men's Royal Rumble match.
[crowd booing]
Hey, Damian, speaking of the Rumble,
I wonder what happened to Rey Mysterio that night
that he couldn't make it to the ring.
[Dominik] But I did.
Well, lucky you were there to find his mask.
I did.
And you know what?
You know what, Cody?
You put your hands on me.
And you ruined my moment at the Rumble.
-[inaudible] -But you know what?
You know what would have happened to you if you did that in prison?
Huh? You wouldn't be standing here right now.
You would have got got.
Dominik should be the only multi-generational superstar
to main-event WrestleMania.
Not some suck-up that gets his way whenever he wants.
[crowd booing]
No. Look at Rhea Ripley. Entered number one.
Outlasted 29 other women and won the whole thing.
She guaranteed she earned a spot at WrestleMania,
unlike you, the golden boy.
Of course, you get handed number 30.
Dominik, how the hell does that even happen?
You know what? It doesn't even matter.
Because, Cody, you owe me now.
Yeah. And you owe me an apology
for what you did last night, and for ruining my moment.
[Cody] Hold up, hold up, hold up.
Dom, I…
I don't wanna run the risk of…
pissing you guys off.
But Dom, I have to ask you,
are you trying to scare me straight?
[crowd laughing]
That what's going on?
You know, this could be very different.
I mean, I even mentioned the royal families,
the Mysterios, the Rhodes.
I have an immense amount of respect for your father.
Yeah, respect for my dad.
Yeah. You know what, that's really funny,
because I don't have any respect for my dad.
You know what, as a matter of fact,
I don't have respect for anybody's dad here,
especially your dad.
[crowd booing]
Okay, okay.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
I think I get this, right?
[crowd chanting] Kick his ass! Kick his ass! Kick his ass!
I think…
Right, I mean, it's 62 days to WrestleMania.
I could play it safe.
I could just try and stay healthy.
Or I could, uh…
[crowd cheering]
Or I could be me and…
kick your ass.
-Any of you. -[mic thuds]
That doesn't matter to me.
Any of you three, let's do it here.
Let's do it tonight.
[crowd cheering]
["Kingdom" playing]
[Corey] Cody Rhodes refusing to back down
from the threat presented by The Judgment Day.
It is going to be a wild one tonight here in Tulsa, KP.
Let's see if Cody Rhodes gets a match against a member of The Judgment Day.
Corey, we've been on one hell of a ride in WWE this past week.
From Raw 30…
The monumental scenes to the Royal Rumble, and look back.
We are going to check it all out from the main event from Saturday night.
Roman Reigns defending his undisputed title against KO.
But what happened afterwards? The chair shot that shook the universe.
And we look back at it all.
[Corey] And we'll witness three qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber.
In our first, Johnny Gargano, the perennial underdog,
goes one-on-one with the modern-day wrestling god, Baron Corbin.
[Kevin] In our second match, Dolph Ziggler,
one of the most accomplished superstars in WWE today,
he's got a tsunami coming his way in the form of Bronson Reed.
[Corey] And coming up next, the Visionary,
the revolutionary Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
looks to pave his own path to WrestleMania
by making his way into the Elimination Chamber.
Standing in his way, the Alpha Academy's Chad Gable.
[Kevin] The Judgment Day talking a big game
in front of Cody Rhodes on the American Nightmare's return.
[Corey] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Whoa, whoa, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Edge is here!
The Rated-R Superstar bringing the fight to The Judgment Day.
[Kevin] He's all over Finn Bálor.
[Corey] I saw Edge extract a measure of revenge in the Royal Rumble
against The Judgment Day,
but there is still plenty of unfinished business.
[Kevin] There is hell to pay.
And Cody Rhodes is helping out the Rated-R Superstar.
[Corey] It's been nearly four months since Edge has been on Raw.
Things are popping off here in Tulsa.
["SOLD OUT" playing]
♪ Wall to wall And I still ain't sold out ♪
♪ Yeah, middle finger to the sky Buddy, that's right ♪
♪ I don't sprinkle Dixie Crystal On my half-time ♪
♪ Keep your in-crowd I'll be the outcast ♪
[Kevin] Welcome back, folks, and look who arrived here
in Tulsa, Oklahoma earlier today,
last week retaining his United States Championship at Raw 30.
And later, he's gonna find out some of his opponents
at the Elimination Chamber,
but he'll also be on the VIP Lounge with MVP.
[Corey] And how about this breaking news, it has just been made official.
Cody Rhodes was looking for a fight,
and Finn Bálor of The Judgment Day happily accepted.
Rhodes, Bálor live tonight on Monday Night Raw.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
["Burn It Down" playing]
[Corey] Seth Rollins had high hopes of winning the Men's Royal Rumble match
Saturday night in San Antonio.
Unfortunately, the Visionary came up just short.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[bell dinging]
[announcer] The following is an Elimination Chamber
qualifying match!
Introducing first, from Davenport, Iowa,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Corey] Rollins may be all smiles on the surface,
but I caught up with him earlier today.
And what's bothering Rollins most
isn't that he didn't succeed Saturday night.
It's that Rollins is terrified of not having a path to WrestleMania,
much like last year.
Seth feels like he took his eye off the ball at the Rumble,
and he has to make things right on his own, starting tonight.
What an opportunity this will be for him this evening.
["Shoooosh" playing]
[announcer] And his opponent, accompanied by Otis,
representing Alpha Academy,
Chad Gable!
[Kevin] Chad Gable, also part of the Royal Rumble match,
eliminated by Brock Lesnar.
Now, folks, save your family or save humanity.
Make the choice.
Don't miss Knock at the Cabin, only in theaters Friday.
[Corey] If I was in any sort of danger in a cabin sort of scenario,
I would want the number-one guy, Otis, watching my back.
And this is a huge qualifying match,
the winner of which will be one of six
to enter the Elimination Chamber,
one of the most brutal, sadistic matches ever conceived.
[Kevin] It certainly is. Two weeks from Saturday,
we head to Montreal, Quebec, for the Elimination Chamber.
And a chance at the United States Champion, Austin Theory.
Massive prize here, as we go one-on-one with Seth Rollins and Chad Gable.
[Corey] The opportunity here really cannot be overstated
if you're Chad Gable or Seth "Freakin" Rollins for that matter.
Realizing that there is still a relatively clear path
to the showcase of the Immortals
that runs through the Elimination Chamber,
is as close as you can get
to actually winning the Royal Rumble match itself.
That's a guaranteed golden opportunity. This is about the next best thing.
[Kevin] And what you said, the mentality of Seth "Freakin" Rollins
after the Royal Rumble
says a lot about the winner that he is.
Focusing on his next path to WrestleMania.
[Corey] And again, Seth was mostly disappointed in himself,
telling me earlier that he feels he took his eye off the ball,
and that's why he's not headlining WrestleMania.
[Kevin] He was blindsided, ambushed, many have said, by Logan Paul.
He lasted 37 minutes, Seth, in the Royal Rumble match.
[Corey] And that's just the nature of the beast, KP.
It doesn't matter who eliminates you.
It's that you're not the last man in the ring.
[Kevin] Look at the strength on show.
Chad Gable, who could win it early. Kick out by Rollins.
[Corey] The magnitude of this opportunity is not lost on Chad Gable.
Coming out of the gate strong,
continuing to push the pressure on Rollins.
Here comes Gable.
Down goes Rollins.
[Kevin] Brave move from the apron, Chad Gable chucking Rollins back inside.
[Corey] You can sense the urgency that Gable's feeling tonight.
Non-stop motion, one attack after another.
Now from the top, nails the headbutt.
[Kevin] Connects with Rollins, hooks the leg for the victory here!
-And a kick out again by Rollins. -[Corey] Can Rollins get back in this?
[Kevin] Methodical work from Chad Gable
as he continues to work on the left knee of Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Corey] Chad Gable, from the opening bell, has been on the attack,
throwing anything and everything he can dream up at the Visionary.
But Rollins hanging tough in this one.
The winner will be added to the Elimination Chamber match,
where the United States Championship will be on the line.
The champ, Austin Theory, will be here on the VIP Lounge later tonight.
But right now Gable is in the zone and may have just destroyed Seth's knee.
Wicked dragon screw out of the corner.
Rollins is hurt.
[Kevin] Gripping the tendons and ligaments from the knee of Rollins.
[Corey] Quite simply, the human anatomy not meant to bend in that direction.
Gable from the top, moonsault, nobody home.
Rollins, [indistinct]. Rollins now.
Seth Rollins and the strength on show from the Visionary.
[Corey] Will the wheels hold up? Yes, they do.
Buckle Bomb by Rollins, but the knee comes into play.
Rollins may have overexerted himself trying to deliver the Buckle Bomb.
Gable's down.
Both men with significant time to recover to get back into this battle.
Look at the impact in the corner,
right between the shoulder blades of Gable,
and Rollins collapsing immediately in pain.
[Kevin] Rollins there, taking down Gable
who's straight back on his feet for a second time.
[Corey] No shortage of fight tonight, and Seth Rollins planting his feet,
defending the center of the ring.
Gable looking for the Chaos Theory yet again.
[Kevin] Rollins lands on his feet.
[indistinct] in the knee, but connects with the super kick.
[Corey] Falcon Arrow!
[Kevin] Is this it for Seth Rollins, hooks the leg, kick out by Gable.
[Corey] Chad Gable barely able to escape out the back door.
Rollins writhing in agony, clutching at his left knee
that Gable has focused his attacks on for most of this matchup.
There you see the massive number-one guy, Otis, on the outside
cheering on Chad Gable for the Academy.
[Kevin] Just 48 hours removed
from an epic and grueling Royal Rumble match.
Both superstars, Rollins and Gable, competing in that match.
[Corey] What an epic Royal Rumble match it was.
Rollins wants The Stomp.
[Kevin] Looking for a Pedigree, perhaps.
Gable can turn it around. John Gable, shoulders are down now.
-Rollins' turn. -One, two…
Gable wants to turn it around again.
-One, two… -[Gable grunts]
[Corey] Fantastic reversal by Gable.
[Kevin] Feet of strength from Chad Gable.
Is this the moment for Gable to seal the deal against Rollins?
The shoulder was up somehow from the visionary.
[Corey] Tremendous display of hearts…
heart and guts from Rollins.
Now you can see frustration beginning to wear on the face of Gable
after executing a spectacular cliffhanger DDT,
nearly put this one away.
But Rollins keeps his Elimination Chamber hopes alive.
Again, Rollins wants, more than anything, to avoid a repeat of last year,
where he had no clear path to WrestleMania.
[shouts indistinctly]
[Corey] This year, it could run through the Elimination Chamber,
but Gable would live to play spoiler once again.
Look at the power.
-[Kevin] Big elbow rocks Gable for now. -Come on.
[indistinct]
[Corey] Enziguri-- No, caught, picked out of midair.
Gable wants the ankle lock.
[both grunting]
What a technician Chad Gable is, a world-class submission specialist.
Seth Rollins beginning to fade.
[Kevin] Kicking out Seth Rollins, but Gable still has a hold of the ankle.
[both shouting indistinctly]
[Corey] A superhuman amount of torque on the ankle of the architect.
-Rollins in trouble here-- -[Kevin] And Seth Rollins turns it around.
Kick out once more. What a match we have here.
[Corey] And Gable yet again just snatching Rollins out of the air.
Ankle lock applied.
[Kevin] So intelligent, so tactical is Chad Gable.
[Corey] Wow. Wow!
-[Kevin] Rollins… -[Corey] Pedigree!
[Kevin] Clutches the knee. Can he finish it off?
Can he get there?
[Corey] Push through the pain.
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[Kevin] `Rollins got it.
[bell dinging]
["Visionary" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Corey] Forty-eight hours of sheer brutality for both athletes.
[inaudible]
But tonight, Rollins able to withstand the onslaught,
weather the early storm from Chad Gable,
and punch his ticket to the Elimination Chamber.
[Kevin] And you said it, Corey, can he push through the pain?
That's exactly what Seth Rollins did here.
Pedigree.
[Corey] Rollins utilizing Gable's own momentum
against the former Olympian,
-hooking both legs. -[crowd] One, two, three.
Seth Rollins squeaks by Gable,
but can now shift his focus to Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
and the Elimination Chamber.
[Kevin] Austin Theory is the current United States Champion.
He's already in that match where he will defend
against five other WWE Superstars.
Seth Rollins has just secured his path to the Elimination Chamber.
[Corey] But if you're the one who leaves Elimination Chamber
as United States Champion,
you are all but guaranteed a high-profile spot
at the showcase of the Immortals.
[Kevin] Class win for Seth Rollins to kick off Monday Night Raw,
and coming up, Candice LeRae was dumped out
of the Royal Rumble match by Iyo Sky.
The plucky Poison Pixie looks for revenge in a one-on-one match with Sky next.
["SOLD OUT" playing]
♪ Wall to wall And I still ain't sold out ♪
♪ Yeah, middle finger to the sky Buddy, that's right
♪ I don't sprinkle Dixie Crystal On my half-time ♪
♪ Keep your in-crowd I'll be the outcast ♪
I'll be country till I'm dead ♪
♪ That's on my last name ♪
♪ Is a whole lot bigger Than I thought it'd be… ♪
[Kevin] The Royal Rumble, a night we will never forget
from San Antonio, Texas.
["Tokyo Shock" playing]
[bell dinging]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Bayley and Dakota Kai.
She is one half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Damage CTRL, Iyo Sky!
[Kevin] Tell you what, Iyo Sky and Damage CTRL
are doing all they can
to grind the gears of Candice LeRae.
It was Iyo Sky who eliminated Candice LeRae in the Royal Rumble match.
The history goes all the way back to when Candice burst onto the scene
here on Monday Night Raw.
Iyo Sky, of course, one half of the Tag Team Champions.
There's her tag team partner, Dakota Kai.
[Corey] Dakota Kai suffering an injury during the Women's Royal Rumble match
this past Saturday night.
Keep you posted on how that develops.
But tonight, it is all about Iyo Sky one on one.
["Wicked Enchantment" playing]
[announcer] And her opponent, accompanied by Michin Mia Yim
from Riverside, California, Candice LeRae!
[Kevin] Notice Candice LeRae is flanked by Michin.
And a couple of weeks ago, here on Monday Night Raw,
it was Candice LeRae that jumped to the defense of Michin
when she was in one-on-one action with Iyo Sky.
Eat Defeat to Iyo. Michin would seal the deal,
get the victory, Corey.
But of course, the numbers game would go against Michin.
[Corey] Moments later, Dakota Kai would hit the ring and attack Michin.
When an unlikely ally would arrive in the form of Candice LeRae,
who would lay waste to Dakota and Iyo.
Something that certainly has not sat well
with the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions since.
[Kevin] Candice always has a positive demeanor,
but make no mistake, she is fuming.
You noticed Candice LeRae stormed into the Royal Rumble match
and went straight for Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai.
[Corey] Perhaps that's one of the reasons why Candice LeRae didn't win
the Women's Royal Rumble match, because she was blinded by emotion.
It's a relatively common occurrence here in WWE,
but it's what sometimes stops the goods from becoming greats.
You can't-- Oh!
[Kevin] Iyo Sky now looking early.
[Corey] You can't let your emotions get the best of you,
especially in an unpredictable environment like the Royal Rumble match.
A little uncertainty there by LeRae. Jack knife cover.
[Kevin] Kick out early from Iyo Sky.
-[yells] -[Kevin] Senton by Candice.
Looks to hook the leg one more time here. Can Candice LeRae get a win early?
The answer is no.
[Corey] Could be a big night in the Gargano household
if Candice is able to pick up a victory.
Johnny Gargano gonna have his lights turned out by the modern-day wrestling god
in an Elimination Chamber qualifier still to come tonight.
[Kevin] Johnny Gargano lasted half an hour at the Royal Rumble matches.
…mention how Iyo eliminated Candice on Saturday. [laughs]
[Kevin] As this match rolls on here between Candice LeRae and Iyo Sky.
[yelling]
Yeah!
Come on, Iyo.
[Asuka thumping ring]
[Corey] Candice wisely backing Iyo into the corner,
attempting to break Iyo's grip.
Very painful submission hold.
Candice able to create a little separation.
And again… Oh! Credit to Iyo Sky
for constantly soldiering forward toward her opponent.
Now Iyo wisely rolling to the outside.
Keep your eyes on Michin Mia Yim.
You can't trust her.
On a dropkick.
[Kevin] Iyo Sky flattened by Candice LeRae.
[Corey] I'm glad you agreed with me that you can't trust Mia Yim.
[Kevin] Not at all.
-[Corey] Iyo picking up speed. -[Kevin] Disagree, that is.
[Corey] Oh, my God!
-It almost went awry, but what impact! -[yelling]
The genius of the Sky.
[Kevin] Iyo Sky making it look easy, as Michin can only watch on.
[Corey] Crossbody through the rope to the floor.
Candice LeRae had better figure out something quick
because she is in all types of trouble.
Candice preventing Iyo from executing whatever she was looking for.
Now Candice looking to take it high risk.
[Kevin] From the apron, Candice taking down Iyo Sky.
Who's gonna get the upper hand here? Both superstars on the deck.
[Corey] I don't think it counted out. Get back in the ring, quick.
[Corey] Candice LeRae making her way to the top rope.
Iyo Sky in danger.
[Kevin] Candice Le--
[Corey] The Poison Pixie with a dropkick cover.
[Kevin] Stacks her up for the win here. Candice LeRae and a kick out by Iyo Sky.
What a match we're witnessing here between Candice LeRae and Iyo Sky.
One-on-one action, as Bayley, the Role Model, and Dakota Kai watch on.
You can understand, Corey, the swagger on Bayley today
after she eliminated Becky Lynch in the Royal Rumble match on Saturday.
[Corey] Those were the bragging rights Bayley was looking for,
but no doubt, Bayley would have been a lot happier tonight
had she won the Women's Royal Rumble match.
Credit to Iyo and Candice both for competing.
Neither can be in 100% physical shape
after Saturday night in a grueling matchup.
-Fantastic backbreaker. -Yes! Yes! Yes!
[Corey] Iyo might have had an opening to secure a victory there,
maybe got a little arrogant.
[Kevin] Iyo trying to ignite the crowd here in Tulsa, not exactly going her way,
but vicious assault there, double knees to the jaw of Candice LeRae.
[Corey] Well, this will do it.
Iyo, all the--
Thinking about the over the moonsault,
you'd have to imagine Candice thwarts the plan for the moment.
Now LeRae… Good Lord!
[Kevin] Is this the moment for Candice LeRae to pick up the win?
-One, two… -Kicked out by Iyo Sky.
[Corey] That was close.
We may need to get an alternate angle on that.
My goodness.
If the referee had called for the bell,
I don't know that I would have questioned it.
Look at this, German suplex.
Candice was based on the bottom rope.
Little extra height, extra impact and a high-angle landing
across the top of her shoulders for Iyo Sky.
[Kevin] Candice looking for revenge, eliminated from the Royal Rumble match
by Iyo Sky.
It was Iyo Sky and Damage CTRL that put Candice out for five weeks.
And Candice forced onto the scene on Raw last year.
Now look at the anger she's taking out on Iyo Sky.
Nobody home.
[Corey] Elbow-stops Iyo.
[Kevin] Uh-oh.
[Corey] Electric chair position.
LeRae trying to fight her.
Oh, my goodness! Poison Rana, that's gotta do it.
[Kevin] How did she turn that around?
Candice, and she can't get the win yet.
[Corey] I gotta say, the blame for that falls on the shoulders of Iyo Sky.
Iyo got a little too comfortable realizing she had a dominant position
while Candice was on her shoulders.
But Candice is a veteran, a world-traveled competitor.
You're not gonna get many opportunities to catch LeRae.
And now Candice joining Iyo on the top rope.
Dangerous position for both women.
-Yes! Yes! Yes! -[Kevin] Thrown away by Iyo.
Iyo now looking to adjust.
Top turnbuckle.
Genius of the Sky.
Moonsault, but Candice got her knees up.
-Who can capitalize? -Inside cradle.
It looks like it's gonna be Candice LeRae. Dakota's got the official's attention.
And Michin late to the party. Referee gets there.
-One, two… -But the kick out occurs.
Back the hell up.
[Corey] Double knees to the face, Iyo's down.
Candice… interrupted by Bayley.
The Role Model having her say, now Iyo reverses things.
-One, two, three! -Iyo Sky now gets it.
[bell dinging]
[announcer] Here's your winner, Iyo Sky!
[Corey] You can blame it on the numbers game if you want.
That certainly had a little to do
with Iyo being able to pull off the victory.
But how about Michin?
I thought she was out here to watch Candice's back.
Not half-heartedly run into general direction of danger.
We need a hero, not a bystander.
Take a look at the action that… Iyo wanted to end it there.
Candice able to turn the tide. Deep inside cradle. Look.
You could have counted to about 10, but the official is tied up with Dakota.
Bayley gets socked in the mouth.
Iyo from behind.
-Sunset flip position. -[bell dinging]
-And Michin… -Right here.
-Winner! -[Corey] …shows up to enjoy the aftermath.
[Kevin] It was Candice LeRae that wanted this match.
-It's Iyo Sky that takes the victory. -…the winner of this match if yours truly!
Well, folks, Rhea Ripley.
What can we say about…
Rhea bloody Ripley is what she called herself.
…setting records over the weekend in the Royal Rumble match,
over an hour inside, eliminating seven superstars.
Starting at number one, literally outlasting 29 other women
to punch her ticket to WrestleMania.
[Kevin] And tonight, folks, the decision will come.
Rhea Ripley can select a champion of her choosing
to face in a main-event match at WrestleMania.
That decision is coming up next.
♪ There's a psycho in my head ♪
[Corey] We send a special thank you to Skillet for "Psycho In My Head,"
an official theme song of WWE Elimination Chamber.
It's from the album Dominion, Day of the Destiny,
available right now on Apple Music and Spotify.
[Kevin] What an atmosphere tonight in Tulsa.
Folks, a couple of days ago at the Royal Rumble,
Rhea Ripley did what no woman had ever done before
in Royal Rumble history,
lasting over one hour and reigning supreme,
winning the Royal Rumble match.
[announcer] The following is the 30-woman
Royal Rumble match!
[Corey] Rhea Ripley entering at number one.
[commentator 1] Looks like mommy's in for a long night.
[commentator 2] Liv Morgan entering number two.
[commentator 3] Liv loves this type of moment.
[commentator 4] This is becoming a slugfest.
[commentator 5] Damage CTRL has been dominating this Royal Rumble match.
[commentator 6] The Man is here, and there's gonna be hell to pay.
[commentator 7] Dakota Kai, and now Iyo Sky,
both eliminated, and barely eliminated Becky.
[crowd booing]
And now Liv Morgan from behind, trying to eliminate [indistinct]!
[commentator 8] And all hell's breaking loose
with Damage CTRL and Becky Lynch.
[commentator 9] The most-feared woman in the business.
The Empress is back.
[commentator 10] Are you kidding me?
Number 30, the irresistible force,
Nia Jax!
[commentator 11] The field's starting to thin out here.
A lot of eliminations quickly!
We're down to Liv, Rhea, Asuka.
Liv and Rhea have been in this matchup over 59 minutes.
Lasting longer than anybody in history in the Women's Rumble match.
[commentator 12] Everyone is on the apron now.
Oh, The Miz. The Miz to Morgan.
Morgan's blinded by The Miz.
Rhea eliminates Asuka!
Rhea slipped off the apron. Hanging on!
Liv has no idea where she even is.
Liv finds her way.
On instinct alone. Morgan.
-Eliminated by Rhea Ripley! -[bell dinging]
Rhea's going to WrestleMania.
One hour, one minute, eight seconds.
Rhea Ripley sets the record.
Just the fourth person
to go from number one to winning the event.
And now gets her pick of what champion she wants to face
in the main event at WrestleMania.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the winner of the 2023 Women's Royal Rumble match,
Rhea Ripley!
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
♪ This is my brutality! ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed The demons in your dreams ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
[loud thud]
[Corey] This past Saturday night, in the Alamodome,
Rhea Ripley went from Eradicator to History Maker,
entering number one, outlasting the entire field
and earning a championship opportunity at WrestleMania.
Think of the growth we as the WWE Universe have witnessed regarding Ripley.
Back to her days in NXT as one of the most dominant superstars there.
To being a runner up in a Royal Rumble match in recent memory.
To rewriting history in her own image,
with a chance to make even more at the showcase of the Immortals
at SoFi Stadium in Hollywood.
[Kevin] The question is, who will Rhea Ripley be facing at WrestleMania?
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
You know, it's been a while since I've been out here without my Latino Heat,
my Dom Dom and The Judgment Day crew.
But I really just wanted all the attention on me.
[crowd cheering]
Two nights ago, I disrupted the status quo.
I did the unthinkable. I went the distance.
I came in here at number one
and overcame and outlasted 29 other women
to win the Royal Rumble match.
[crowd cheering]
And now I get to choose
whichever champion I want to face at WrestleMania.
Three years ago, I had just turned 24,
my career was just getting started,
and I was the NXT Women's Champion.
And I came here to Monday Night Raw, I stood in this ring,
and I challenged the winner of the Royal Rumble match, Charlotte Flair.
I challenged her to a match at WrestleMania.
And she… she put me in my place.
You know, the funny thing about Charlotte
is that she's always somehow in the title picture.
She's always at the top of her game.
And I hate… I hate to give her the credit,
but she seems to get better each and every year.
The normal flow here in the WWE
is that Charlotte Flair is at the top.
But I'm the disruptor. I don't like the natural flow.
I don't like the normal formula.
And I don't like things being overplayed.
[scattered cheering]
So, Charlotte…
I advise you to enjoy
everyone rising and bowing down to the queen.
Because they're about to rise to Rhea Ripley.
[crowd cheering]
At WrestleMania, I put you in your place.
Charlotte Flair…
I choose you.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Wow!
Rhea Ripley certainly didn't waste any time making her decision.
But Rhea looks to rewrite history
when WrestleMania goes Hollywood.
[Kevin] "Charlotte put me in my place at WrestleMania."
The words of Rhea Ripley.
She wants revenge on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania.
♪ …lives in me give you chills ♪
♪ I'll take your soul in your sleep ♪
"Wow" is right.
Rhea Ripley challenging Charlotte Flair
for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania.
But before we get to WrestleMania, we have to talk about Elimination Chamber.
We can't talk about Elimination Chamber without bringing in my guest at this time,
-Seth "Freakin" Rollins. -[laughs]
[crowd cheering]
Cathy, before we talk about Elimination Chamber,
let's talk about tonight.
Let's talk about Tulsa, Oklahoma!
What a crowd, what a fight against Chad Gable, and what a win.
And now, I'm going on to Elimination Chamber.
I'm gonna beat five other dudes inside that chamber.
I'm gonna take the United States title back from Austin Theory,
and then it's time…
[vocalizing]
WrestleMania, Los Angeles.
Let's go! [laughs]
Well, Seth, I have to ask…
At Royal Rumble, there's been a lot of chatter
ever since surprise entrant, Logan Paul, eliminating you.
Can I get a comment?
[chuckles]
Mmm. [chuckles]
[Corey] No comment from Rollins, but Seth already earned the right
to enter the Elimination Chamber where he will join Austin Theory.
Who will be the next superstar
to gain his entry into the sadistic structure
in a United States title opportunity?
Gargano, Corbin, next.
["SOLD OUT" playing]
♪ Wall to wall And I still ain't sold out ♪
♪ Yeah, middle finger to the sky Buddy, that's right ♪
♪ I don't sprinkle Dixie Crystal On my half-time ♪
♪ Keep your in-crowd I'll be the outcast ♪
[Kevin] Oh, what an epic night it was at the Royal Rumble and Monday Night Raw,
we're so happy to be in [indistinct],
a brilliant city of Tulsa, Oklahoma tonight
and yes, we are still basking in the afterglow
of that stunning and unforgettable night
at the most-viewed Royal Rumble of all time.
A Royal Rumble that will be remembered for this moment.
Can you imagine what was going through the mind of Sami Zayn
as he clasped the chair across the back of the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.
[Corey] More on that later tonight on Monday Night Raw.
But it's time to qualify for The Chamber.
["Burn The Ships" playing]
KP, you mentioned that we, as a company,
are happy to be here in Tulsa.
I assure you, if there's one individual
who would rather be anywhere else on earth,
it's JBL.
[bell dinging]
[announcer] The following is an Elimination Chamber qualifying match!
Introducing first, upcoming to the ring, by WWE Hall of Famer,
John Bradshaw Layfield, weighing 285 pounds, Baron Corbin.
[Kevin] Alongside JBL, Baron Corbin looking to get back to winning ways.
He certainly thought at the poker table, amongst legends,
that he got back to winning ways last week.
What I got is four aces. [laughs]
Don't forget to pay your taxes.
Whoa!
Load them up.
All of it?
No, you can keep that. You earned it.
[laughing maniacally]
-Damn! -[all cheering]
[Corey] Well, it seems as though perhaps
the modern-day wrestling god, Baron Corbin,
has fallen upon a little bit of bad luck,
but that can all turn around tonight.
[Kevin] What a night it was at Raw 30.
IRS collective alongside Ted DiBiase and Ron Simmons.
[announcer] And his opponent from Cleveland, Ohio,
weighing in at 199 pounds,
Johnny Gargano!
[Corey] Wait just a second.
What is that maniac Dexter Lumis doing out here?
[Kevin] Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis, Corey,
they go way back to the NXT days.
And with JBL flanked and alongside Baron Corbin,
it's no surprise to me that Johnny Gargano's
brought along a friend for the ride.
[Corey] I guarantee you, Gargano's got some sort of
incriminating dirt on this weirdo Lumis,
and that's why Lumis is out here at Johnny's beck and call.
[Kevin] The stake's enormous in this match
between Johnny Gargano and Baron Corbin.
It's an Elimination Chamber qualifying match
for a chance to win the United States Championship.
Johnny Wrestling against the modern-day wrestling god.
[Corey] I spoke to Baron Corbin earlier today,
who is licking his chops at the opportunity
to put Johnny down once and for all.
-In Corbin's mind, in JBL's mind… -[bell dinging]
as they discussed on our podcast, After the Bell.
Superstars such as Johnny Gargano are what is wrong with the game today.
Corbin doesn't believe that Gargano has the chops,
the size, the aggression to be a mainstream WWE superstar.
[Kevin] Corey, Johnny Gargano was in the Royal Rumble match at a crucial time
alongside guys like Lesnar, McIntyre, Sheamus, Gunther, and Lashley.
He lasted 30 minutes in the Royal Rumble.
[Corey] Oh! When you can hide underneath a turnbuckle,
that's gonna happen from time to time.
[Kevin] How long did Baron Corbin last in the Royal Rumble?
[Corey] Did you just insult Baron Corbin, the modern day wrestling god?
KP, you're getting a little big for your britches, aren't you?
Let's take a look at this thunderous boot, size 14,
that Corbin just tattooed on the side of Johnny wrestling's face.
Corbin can't stand Gargano almost as bad as he can't stand
these mouth-breathing goofballs around the world
who jump on the Internet and like to say,
"Johnny's gonna save wrestling from people like Baron."
[Kevin] Backbreaker and a cover.
Corbin now to put away Gargano, who kicks out.
[Corey] Corbin has been chomping at the bit
for a chance to put Johnny down, and it makes it even sweeter.
Why are we looking at this Lumis guy? Let's not draw any more attention to him.
He creeps me out.
How sweet is this victory gonna be for Baron Corbin after he drops Gargano
and gains entry to the Elimination Chamber match,
where Corbin could very well once again
-become United States Champion. -[Kevin] Oh, man!
United States Champion is something Gargano mentioned
when he retired from Raw.
Look at that from Johnny Gargano.
[Corey] Gargano's resilient, we gotta give him credit.
Johnny is a tough individual,
but people like Corbin don't take Johnny seriously.
[Kevin] Gargano connecting with Corbin once more.
[Corey] That dropkick caught Baron right between the eyes,
here comes Johnny.
No!
[Corey] Gargano certainly with the speed.
-[Kevin] It worked! -[Corey] Wow!
[Kevin] Are you kidding me?
Caught midair.
[Corey] I think that right hand would have made Tyson Fury blush.
My goodness!
[Kevin] Six-foot-eight Byron Corbin. Powering over Gargano.
-[Corey] Golden Glove boxing champion. -[Kevin] Come on!
How can Gargano get back in this now?
[Corey] I don't think he can.
[Kevin] Baron Corbin has been completely dominant
during the commercial break here against Johnny Gargano.
It's an Elimination Chamber qualifying match
for a chance at Austin Theory
in the United States Championship two weeks from Saturday
at Elimination Chamber in Montreal.
[Corey] It's more than just the United States Champion Austin Theory.
There will be six competitors in total inside the chamber.
The winner of this match will advance to join Theory and Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Kevin] Hang on, this could be it here. Cover. Corbin now. Kick out by Gargano.
[Corey] Gargano has just been overwhelmed from the start.
Corbin obviously has a very, very sharp, strong game plan tonight.
As I said, he's been looking forward to the day
that he got to put hands on Johnny Wrestling.
[Kevin] Well, some would say that Corbin is well-rested
in comparison to Gargano after the--
-[Corey] Oh, no! -[Kevin] Slingshot spear.
Gargano hooks the leg. Oh, and Corbin kicks out.
[Corey] That would have been one of the biggest upsets in recent history.
Take another look at this, Corbin with a full head of steam,
and Gargano propelling himself through the ropes into a spear
that took the modern-day wrestling god down.
Corbin not yet out,
but Johnny starting to make a comeback here.
[Kevin] With Dexter Lumis by his side, watching on.
Corbin now grabs him by the throat.
[Corey] I didn't know Lumis was allowed in public anymore.
That guy just creeps me out.
[Kevin] Corbin at pace.
Evaded by Gargano.
[Corey] His athleticism!
Superkick right between the eyes.
[Kevin] And again for good measure.
Corbin, this could be done for him.
If Gargano gets-- Oh, no!
Corbin kicks out.
[Corey] A little too close to comfort there for Corbin.
JBL pacing nervously on the outside.
The first superkick right under the chin of Baron Corbin.
If Johnny were able to stack Corbin's weight a little higher
on his shoulders, it might have resulted in an upset.
[Kevin] Gargano telling me earlier the Rumble match
a turning point for him.
Back from his shoulder injury. Had time to think about the future.
It's WrestleMania season now.
We are on the road to Hollywood and WrestleMania.
Gargano wants this more than anything.
[Corey] Gargano with a redirection, middle of the ring.
[Kevin] Body of Corbin.
Oh!
[Corey] A left from Gargano.
And a step up into-- Gary Corbin's down.
[Kevin] Is this the opportunity for Johnny Gargano?
-[yelling] -[Kevin] Oh!
[Corey] Oh-ho! Yes, it is.
To say, "I lost to Baron Corbin."
-One, two… -[Kevin] Kick out by Gargano!
He's still alive!
-No! -[Kevin] Oh, no.
[Corey] Even JBL starting to feel the heat as we look once again
at the multiple rotations before the sudden stop at the end.
Deep six from Corbin, and things are getting even worse for Gargano.
Johnny Wrestling just being pummeled.
[Kevin] He's angry behind Corbin.
[crowd cheering]
Oh! Gargano rocks Corbin.
[Corey] Here comes Baron into the corner!
Wow! I think the ring shifted upon impact.
My God! That was unbelievable.
JBL taking off his hat in frustration.
-Here comes Johnny. -[Kevin] Johnny Gargano!
[Corey] Corbin being bounced off the announce table yet again.
I don't know where Johnny's getting this.
JBL has seen about enough.
-[Kevin] Oh, my God. -[Corey] What the hell?
-Oh, my God. -[Corey] Call the cops!
-What the hell? -[Kevin] Oh, my God!
[Corey] Whoa!
[Kevin] Corey, be careful.
-[Corey] Dexter Lumis-- -[Kevin] It's an axe.
[Corey] Put a damn axe through JBL's cowboy hat.
[Kevin] Back inside the ring we go.
Baron Corbin-- Look, the end.
Johnny Gargano.
Gargano may turn it around. Gargano for the win.
[bell dinging]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Johnny Gargano!
Why is he out here? Why does he have an axe?
Why is this legal?
[Kevin] Johnny Gargano, with the help of Dexter Lumis,
has qualified for the Elimination Chamber match
and a chance for the United States Championship.
-[Corey] The man has an axe in his hand! -[Kevin] I know.
-It does not make me feel comfortable. -[Corey] Why is this not--
[Kevin] So Gargano is headed to Montreal in the Elimination Chamber
for a crack at this man, the United States Champion, Austin Theory,
who will be joining MVP in the VIP Lounge.
And that's next on Raw.
[Corey] I need better security out here.
["SOLD OUT" playing]
♪ Wall to wall And I still ain't sold out ♪
[Kevin] Save your family or save humanity.
Make the choice.
Don't miss Knock at the Cabin, only in theaters Friday.
[announcer] Please welcome the host of the VIP Lounge,
Montel Vontavious Porter, MVP!
Once again, MVP is in the ring and that can only mean one thing.
Big things are still popping,
little things are still stopping.
So sit back, relax and enjoy the view because the VIP Lounge
is still for people better than all of you.
All right, all right, don't be like that. Don't be like that.
Let's just get right down to it, shall we?
My guest tonight is a man courageous enough
to defend the United States Championship
inside the Elimination Chamber.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you Atlanta's own,
Austin Theory!
[crowd booing]
[woman] A-Town.
["A-Town Down" playing]
♪ Let's go! A-Town down ♪
♪ Scream it out loud, A-town down ♪
[Corey] Austin Theory will have this swagger.
He is United States Champion, but Corey Graves,
he can consider himself very lucky after what laid out his title match
last week against Bobby Lashley.
[Corey] Absolutely right. It was Raw 30 for Austin Theory's
forever reign as United States Champion was under fire.
And just when it seemed as though The All Mighty Bobby Lashley
was about to reclaim the United States title,
all hell broke loose.
The Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar, stormed the ring,
delivering an F5 to both Lashley and then Austin Theory,
which would land Theory in a pinning position to topple
The All Mighty with the assist
-from Lesnar. -[bell dinging]
Still lots of unfinished business between the Beast and The All Mighty,
but one thing remains exactly the same.
We are living in the now.
♪ A-Town down future's right here ♪
[Corey] Austin Theory is still United States Champion.
♪ A-town down like my next sound ♪
Well, make yourself comfortable, young man.
I gotta say, just…
Just wow!
I mean…
[crowd booing]
Hear the man out, please.
He's my guest. Hear him out.
First of all, beyond all this disrespect,
thank you for inviting me to the VIP Lounge.
You're very welcome. I'm happy to have you.
You know, when I was just a little kid,
I used to watch the VIP Lounge.
Yeah, in fact, that was a long time ago.
But that's why I'm here.
I'm here to help you reinvent it
and actually make the VIP Lounge relevant,
just like you.
You're gonna make me relevant again. Thank you, that's very considerate of you.
Think about this, "The VIP Lounge presents"
ATL, Austin Theory Live."
You know what, even better… Shut up.
[crowd booing]
No, I want to hear this out. Go ahead, go ahead.
Even better, get rid of the VIP Lounge,
and just call it Austin Theory Live.
You know, there's a ring to that.
But let me remind you,
hot trends come and go, but classics never go out of style.
I mean, I am a classic.
No, you're not old enough to be a classic yet,
but let's go ahead and figure this out. Let's give it a try.
"The VIP Lounge presents"
Austin Theory Live!"
-[crowd booing] -[Corey] Sounds like money to me.
-You know-- -Hey, shut up!
You know, that does have an interesting ring to it.
However, after the Elimination Chamber,
you may not be.
So… [chuckles]
…maybe we should talk about that.
I mean, going into the Elimination Chamber,
where's your head at, champ?
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
Oh, I suck.
You shut up, because I am the champ!
[crowd booing]
And speaking of champ, did MVP just call me champ?
I did call you champ.
You called me champ, the same man.
-The same man-- -You got it there on your shoulder.
You're the same man that calls Bobby Lashley the champ.
I am.
And last week, you said that Bobby Lashley,
"your champ," was gonna beat me.
I did.
Yeah, that's what you think, huh?
You think Bobby Lashley can beat me?
-I know he can. -Oh, you know.
You know Bobby La-- You know what?
I'm just messing with you, P.
Let's talk about the Elimination Chamber.
-Let's talk about it. -Okay, let's talk about it.
It's grueling.
-It's hard to survive. -That's true.
But me, I survived the Elimination Chamber.
I was in the most grueling spot.
Brock Lesnar F5'd me off the top of the Elimination Chamber.
But here I am, still standing.
And you want to know why?
Because I am.
I am the ruthlessness that the new generation needs.
And no… no amount of aggression can stop me.
No, I like this. I like this.
I like that confidence, man. I get it.
And I understand where you're at right now psychologically
because I was once a young, brash United States champion.
And I too was in the Elimination Chamber.
And The Undertaker threw me off the top of the pod.
So I understand that right now you are terrified.
You are scared out of your wits.
But you're doing a good job, just like I did,
not letting anyone know it.
But…
you never know who's gonna be in that chamber.
Is that… Is that you threatening me?
No, no, Austin Theory, that's a warning.
-A warning. -I'm putting you up on game, kid.
Putting me up on game?
You're putting me up on game, trying to compare
Bobby Lashley to The Undertaker?
Bobby Lashley is more dangerous than The Undertaker to you.
More dangerous to me. Well, that's great.
I'm glad Bobby Lashley is more dangerous,
because I've already beaten him twice.
And you want to know something else?
This United States Championship will be defended
in the Elimination Chamber,
and Bobby Lashley is not gonna be in it.
So let's talk about something that's not the past.
Okay, no problem.
I'm good with that.
Bobby Lashley and I are no longer business partners,
so I'm not at liberty to speak on his behalf.
However, I know him well.
And I think that, for your health,
if you should survive
-the Elimination Chamber still champion. -My health?
-Yes, your health.
MVP cares about my health.
-Just a little bit. -You do?
Well, you should be worried about your health.
More importantly, you should be worried about Bobby Lashley's health.
Because everybody in this arena knows
that Bobby Lashley is your meal ticket.
And your meal ticket is about to get chewed up by Brock Lesnar.
["The All Mighty" playing]
[Corey laughs]
[Corey] Believe The All Mighty may have an objection to that statement.
[Kevin] Theory speaking The All Mighty into existence.
I didn't know he was gonna be here.
[Corey] It looks like Lashley's about three times as big as he was
this past Saturday night in the Alamodome.
The All Mighty is superhuman.
You're not even supposed to be here.
What are you doing?
[inaudible]
Yeah, that's right, Bobby. Listen to your daddy.
[Kevin] Oh, wow.
[Corey] MVP not about to get in the way of this chaos.
[Kevin] Lashley's heard enough.
And this could get ugly.
[Corey] Oh, no. It seems like the…
Chance Mouth might have gotten him in trouble yet again.
[Kevin] Bobby Lashley's ready for a fight.
[Corey] I was looking forward to Austin Theory live.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Corey] Ashley riding high after eliminating
Lesnar in the Royal Rumble match,
but The All Mighty, laser focus on the champ.
[Kevin] Oh, no! He's taking out MVP!
[Corey] Unintentionally, Theory pulling MVP into harm's way.
You ain't touching me. You ain't touching me. You're the past.
I'm done with you!
Trying to ruin my night.
I'm still the champ! You're jealous of me!
You're jealous!
You'll never compare to me!
Never!
[Kevin] What is this gonna do
for the relationship of MVP and Bobby Lashley?
Me.
Right now, I'm hoping to get a word with The Judgment Day, specifically Finn Bálor.
Excuse me, Finn, we know that you're facing Cody Rhodes tonight
for the first time ever.
But before we get to that, earlier on tonight,
The Judgment Day had another altercation with Edge.
You know what?
I thought he would have had enough by now, but clearly not.
Byron, you know I'm not hard to find, so you tell Edge this.
I work Mondays.
Now, as for Cody…
This stuff, mine.
The number-30 spot in the rumble, that should have been mine!
Cody Rhodes has been stealing from me for years.
So tonight, he's getting taxed
because Finn Bálor is coming to collect.
Get out of here.
[Corey] Well, Finn Bálor certainly hopes that Edge is in his rear-view mirror,
and Bálor better be focused on the task at hand
as he goes one on one for the first time ever
with the Men's Royal Rumble match winner,
the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
[announcer] Please welcome The Miz!
I got something on my shoulder that sure as hell isn't a chip.
First, I wasn't given the proper spotlight worthy of my stature at Raw 30.
And then I was assaulted by Kevin Owens,
who, as far as I'm concerned,
got exactly what he deserved at Royal Rumble.
And speaking of Royal Rumble, I got a terrible number.
And then when I got into that match, everybody teamed up on me
because they knew what a threat I was.
And then I was eliminated first.
[crowd cheering]
And then I went to the airport and people started chanting,
"First man out! First man out! First man out!"
[crowd chanting] First man out! First man out!
Oh, stop it. You want to act like children?
I'll treat you like children.
Do you know what this means?
When my hand goes up, your mouth goes shut.
[crowd exclaiming]
And then tonight, instead of giving me, the first-ever Grand Slam Champion
in the history of this company,
an opportunity to qualify for the Elimination Chamber,
I have been giving nothing.
Not a zero-zip zilch.
I demand to be treated with respect.
And until I am… until I am giving matches
that deserve my star power…
[Adam] Miz, Miz, Miz, Miz, Miz, Miz, Miz.
We get it. You're upset. You're always upset.
You want an opportunity.
You always want an opportunity.
But lucky for you, tonight,
there's been a guy beating down my door all night long
looking for that same opportunity.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the newest member of the Monday Night Raw roster,
his name is Rick Boogs!
-[Corey] Oh, no. -[Kevin] Incredible.
[Corey] You gotta be kidding me.
["Solid Ground" playing]
[Kevin] Boogs is back.
We haven't seen Boogs since WrestleMania of last year.
[Corey] I thought we'd never see him again.
To be honest, it made my heart kind of warm.
[Kevin] Rick Boogs is electrical.
[Corey] This guy is an absolute derelict.
[Kevin] He is a joy to the world.
[Corey] The guy's got rocks in his head.
He's strong as an ox, and he's about as bright as the color black.
[Kevin] Miz looks pretty worried, as he should be,
as Rick Boogs rocking back into the arena here in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Welcome back, Boogs.
[Corey] Miz has never encountered something like this.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Boogs?
You want me to have a match with Boogs?
Why not? Why not?
I'm in a $10,000 double-breasted suit that my wife bought me.
Okay, yeah, you're in a suit. That's great.
But you're always telling everybody how awesome you are,
and I can't think of a better way to prove it.
As a matter of fact, referee, if you would join me,
you can prove it right now because this match is official.
[Corey] Now listen to this bureaucrat try to get himself a T-shirt.
No one likes you, Adam Pearce.
-This is egregious. -[bell dinging]
[Kevin] Miz in his $10,000 double-breasted suit.
[Corey] And Louboutin shoes.
You know, in this part of the country, you could trade Miz's shoes for a house.
That's how much they cost.
[Kevin] Look at the footwear the Boogs has.
-And look at Boogs go. -[Miz groans]
[Kevin] Injured at WrestleMania last year.
This is a welcome back to Rick Boogs.
[Corey] In a double-breasted suit, KP. Have you ever worn a double-breasted suit?
Better yet, have you ever tried to get in a fight in one?
It's like wearing a straitjacket.
Which is exactly what Rick Boogs should be placed in permanently.
[Kevin] Oh! Big left from The Miz.
[Corey] The guy's sharp as a marble.
I'm in a suit, I'm in a suit,
-I'm in a suit. I'm in a suit. -[Corey] Yeah, run, Miz.
I'm in a suit, I'm in a suit.
[Kevin] This suit could be done for.
[yells]
-[Corey] This is humiliating. -[yells]
Somebody's gonna steal the shoes, the tie.
-Keep an eye out for that tie on eBay. -[yelling]
One of these lowlifes is gonna snake it and try to make a buck.
-[Kevin] The power of Rick Boogs. -[Corey] Probably the referee.
-[Corey] Probably that lowlife-- -[Kevin] Look at this guy!
-[Corey] Ah! -[Kevin] Are you kidding me?
-[Corey] Oh, my God! -[Kevin] Good night, Miz.
-[Corey] That was not awesome. -[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell dinging]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Rick Boogs!
[Corey] Rick Boogs' brain goes to 11, but that's on a scale of 100.
[Kevin] Come on, Corey, admit it.
It is brilliant to see Rick Boogs back on WWE,
and welcome to Monday Night Raw, Boogs.
[Corey] "Brilliant" and this guy should never be mentioned in the same sentence.
You know what they say.
When the going gets tough, the tough get rough.
-Did they say that? -Absolutely, they do.
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah!
Come on…
Oh, my goodness.
-What is that? -It's disgusting.
It's grotesque.
It's perfect.
[Corey] Interesting.
[Kevin] Everybody in the entire world is talking about this.
The finale at the main event of the Royal Rumble.
We're going to look back at what went down with Sami Zayn and The Bloodline
next on Monday Night Raw.
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw, folks.
Two nights ago, at the Royal Rumble, Corey,
Roman Reigns defended his title against Kevin Owens
in one hellacious battle.
But it's what played out afterwards that set the world ablaze.
Everybody talking about that one final test
for the Honorary Uce, Sami Zayn.
-[bell dinging] -[commentator 1] Kevin Owens gave it
everything he had.
[commentator 2] Unrivaled brutality from the Head of the Table.
[inaudible conversation]
[commentator 3] It is not over yet.
[commentator 4] This is tough to watch.
[commentator 5] Oh!
[commentator 6] Somebody do something about this.
Zayn is my family now.
Wait, wait. Stop, stop, stop.
[crowd cheering]
It's done. This is beneath you.
You don't need to do this.
You're better than that. You are.
[tense music plays]
-I shouldn't do it. -I don't want it.
You should do it.
He don't care about you.
I care about you. I love you.
What's wrong with you? What's wrong with you?
Pull the trigger!
[inaudible]
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct conversation]
[grunting]
[yelling]
Go on!
This ain't your brother. We are!
You took my family.
You understand me?
[crowd booing]
It was the ultimate betrayal.
There appear to be cracks beginning to form in The Bloodline,
yet we're left with more questions than answers
after what transpired at the Royal Rumble.
This Friday night on SmackDown, we get some light shed on the subject.
I certainly wouldn't miss Friday night SmackDown
and find out what the latest is with Sami Zayn and the Bloodline.
["Deliverance" playing]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Bayley!
[Corey] Two times in one night. What is this, Christmas?
[Kevin] And you can understand the smile on the face of the Role Model, Bayley,
eliminating Becky Lynch in the Royal Rumble match.
But all we have to do is go back to Raw 30.
A week ago, we thought we were set to see a steel cage match
with Bayley and Becky Lynch.
But before it even started, this happened with Damage CTRL.
[Corey] The ball on the line from the hot rod,
just when you think you have the answers, Damage CTRL changes the questions.
A sneak attack on The Man before the opening bell,
and the trio would lock themselves inside of the steel cage with Becky Lynch
and quite simply, dismantle The Man.
[Kevin] Becky Lynch left lifeless,
as Damage CTRL celebrate and flaunt their power.
[laughs]
[crowd booing]
Come on, did you guys really think I was going to leave the building
without talking about that?
[laughs]
What's that?
What's that? Pipsqueak said what? [laughs]
I don't suck, because I know you saw on the Tron,
and I know you saw what happened last week at Raw 30.
I mean, everybody's talking about it.
Everybody is talking about how Damage CTRL took out Becky Lynch
and made history. [laughs]
It felt so good.
We had so much confidence going into the Royal Rumble.
If you couldn't tell.
I mean, we were dominant.
Elimination after elimination after elimination after elimination
after elimination.
But I gotta say, my personal favorite
was when I single-handedly eliminated
your Man, Becky Lynch! [laughs]
[crowd booing]
Now, finally, thank goodness, I'm done with Becky.
The story is done. We've ended things.
This obsession that she has with Damage CTRL
is finally done because I beat her.
We beat her up. We elim--
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[Corey] Hold on just a second there, ultra star.
[Kevin] On her birthday, Becky Lynch is in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
[Corey speaks other language]
-Did I say that right, KP? -[Kevin] I didn't know you speak Irish.
[Corey] I don't, I just like their whiskey.
Shut up, Bayley, you stupid fool.
[crowd cheering]
No, no, no, we're not done.
We're not done until The Man says we're done.
See, what you're forgetting, Bayley, is I already won the Royal Rumble.
I didn't need to win it this year.
I just needed to make sure you and your girls didn't.
Uh, yeah, yeah, sure.
That sounds like another excuse to me, Becky.
[Becky Lynch] Oh, excuses.
Excuses is robbing these people of a steel cage match.
[crowd cheering]
Excuses is attacking me for the bell because you were too scared.
Excuses is doing whatever you can to avoid going one on one
because you don't want to have to admit that I'm better than you.
[Bayley laughs]
Shut… pipe down, pipe down, you idiots.
Excuses?
You think I'm making excuses?
No, no, no, no, Becky, I'm smart, okay?
Read a book or something.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
Tulsa knows.
You see, you see, I came out here to celebrate,
but then you come out here on your high horse
and have to make everything about you, huh?
It is my birthday.
[crowd chanting] Becky! Becky! Becky!
I don't give a damn that it's your birthday, Becky.
You don't tell me where to be,
when to be there, or what to do, okay?
I'm not these idiots. I don't suck up to you.
[crowd booing]
Because I know you.
And I don't like you, Rebecca.
I think you're overrated.
You're not good enough for all of this.
You're not good enough to be champion again.
You're not good enough to be in the ring with me one on one.
[Becky scoffs]
You're not even good enough for your husband,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins. [laughs]
Come on, don't act like you don't know.
I mean, the only reason he married you
is because he knocked you up. [laughs]
[crowd] Oh!
And after all this time, Bayley,
I thought we were only fighting over wrestling.
But whatever this is, whatever this is,
this… this once friendship, this animosity,
this bitterness you have towards me,
it all started ten years ago in NXT in Orlando.
So what do you say, next week in Orlando,
we end this where it began.
And you give me that steel cage match once and for all.
[laughs] Oh, what are you, stupid, Becky? No.
Can't. No, I can't.
I, um…
I thought you would say that.
Hang on. I'll be right back.
[Bayley] She's gonna go find some more excuses.
[laughs] Another excuse.
She's going to find another reason why she "thinks she's better than me."
Come on, Becks. I don't have time for this.
I need to leave this crappy city.
It's--
[Corey] Is that Dakota Kai?
[Kevin] It is. It is.
Dakota-- Dakota was already injured. Now her--
Look at her ankle.
It's in a steel chair.
[Becky] So what's it gonna be, Bayley?
What's it gonna be? Hey, shush, shush, shush.
The Man is talking. Be quiet.
What's it gonna be, Bayley?
What's it gonna be?
[Bayley] Wait, wait.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
Okay, okay, okay! I accept! I accept! I accept!
You can have your match!
-Oh, good. Good, thank you. -Put down the chair.
And now, next week, you can bring your friends along with you,
but you might want to go check on Iyo in the back right now.
-[Corey chuckles] -["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[Corey] Becky gets her birthday wish next week in Orlando, Florida,
inside a steel cage.
Becky Lynch, Bayley.
[Kevin] Let's see if it's made official.
There's still a few loopholes that could be exploited.
This has got to be a fair scenario.
Wow. Incredible developing story there.
And still to come tonight, in our main event,
Cody Rhodes has returned to Monday Night Raw
for the first time in eight months.
And he is set to go one on one
for the very first time ever with Finn Bálor.
[Corey] And the Elimination Chamber Match continues to take shape.
The United States title will be on the line.
Who will be the next to join the field?
Dolph Ziggler or the colossal Bronson Reed?
We find out live next.
["SOLD OUT" playing]
♪ Wall to wall And I still ain't sold out ♪
♪ Yeah, middle finger to the sky Buddy, that's right ♪
♪ I don't sprinkle Dixie Crystal on my half-time ♪
♪ Keep your in-crowd, I'll be the outcast I'll be country till I'm dead ♪
I'm standing by with WWE official, Adam Pearce,
who, I'm told, has a very big announcement for us.
Thank you very much, Cathy. Actually, two huge announcements.
First and foremost, I am ecstatic to announce that
it is official for next week.
Bayley, Becky Lynch, one on one inside a steel cage.
That will happen next week here on Raw.
And as if that's not big enough,
Rhea Ripley's decided to face the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair, at WrestleMania.
So who faces Bianca Belair for the Raw Women's Championship?
That decision is left to me, and I am proud to announce that
we will figure that out at Elimination Chamber.
Six women will enter that chamber, and the winner faces Bianca
for the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania.
Now, the first four of those competitors have already qualified.
They will be the final four that were in the Royal Rumble.
So we're talking about Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross
and Asuka have already qualified.
But wait, there's more.
Also next week on Raw, we will qualify the first of the two last competitors
to enter that chamber by a fatal four-way match.
Michin, Candice LeRae, Piper Niven
and the returning Carmella
will all square off in a fatal four-way match.
Again, all of this next week live on Monday Night Raw from Orlando.
It is huge.
Excuse me.
Hi.
Are you the manager?
[chuckles] Yeah, Adam Pearce.
Yeah, I know your name.
I'm just wondering if you're the person I speak to about the unacceptable
accommodations that you have given me.
-Okay, um… -I'm sorry.
Gosh, I think nobody told you.
I'm not just any returning superstar.
I am Chelsea Green.
-Yeah. -Where's the private dressing room?
Where is the fresh spring water? Where's the Swiss chocolate?
I expect this to be resolved immediately.
Okay. Uh, let's go get you some Swiss chocolate.
Mmm-hmm. Yep.
♪ Psycho in my head ♪
[Kevin] Incredible updates there from WWE official, Adam Pearce,
including this, two weeks from Saturday
in Montreal, Quebec, at Elimination Chamber.
We know four of the WWE Superstars in the Elimination Chamber Match,
and the winner faces Bianca Belair
for the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania.
[Corey] We will also find out one of the next entrants
in the Elimination Chamber Match,
as Candice LeRae, Michin, Piper Niven
and the returning Carmella battle in a fatal four-way
with the winner entering The Chamber.
You got any picks for that one, KP?
[Kevin] I'm just so excited.
Carmella, back on Monday Night Raw.
["Here to Show the World" playing]
[bell dinging]
[announcer] The following is an Elimination Chamber qualifying match!
Introducing first, residing in Hollywood, Florida,
weighing 218 pounds,
Dolph Ziggler!
[Kevin] Dolph Ziggler on entry.
Earlier on today, caught up with our broadcast colleague, Byron Saxton.
Got eyes on Dolph Ziggler,
who has an Elimination Chamber qualifying match with Bronson Reed.
Dolph, where's your head at here tonight?
Oh, Byron, Byron, Byron, come on, you can do better than that.
Allow me.
Breaking news, everybody.
Dolph Ziggler gets yet another opportunity literally handed to him.
Dolph, buddy, tell us, how do you keep doing it?
I don't book the show, kid. You know that.
But since I'm on, I'm gonna steal it.
Byron, did you hear that? He said he's gonna steal the show.
Dolph, I can't wait.
[Corey] Is it just me or has Mustafa Ali become the single most annoying
human being on the planet?
[Kevin] He has something on for tall figures.
[Corey] I used to have time for that guy, but all he does is whine and moan.
["Battle Tested" playing]
[announcer] And his opponent from Black Forest, South Australia,
weighing in at 330 pounds,
Bronson Reed!
[Kevin] What an impact Bronson Reed has had on Monday Night Raw.
Who can forget the scenes taking out Akira Tozawa.
Decapitating Tozawa.
330 pounds of pure power coming Dolph Ziggler's way.
[Corey] Got a face not even his mother loves.
But Bronson Reed likes to hurt people.
Lucky for him, that's what he gets paid to do.
Unfortunately, for Bronson Reed, Dolph Ziggler is his opponent tonight.
And Ziggler knows what's at stake inside the Elimination Chamber.
[Kevin] This is an enormous match.
A qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber.
And an opportunity to join superstars in taking on Austin Theory.
[bell dinging]
Six superstars, including Theory, who's gonna book their ticket.
Bronson Reed or Dolph Ziggler.
[Corey] Already seen Johnny Gargano and Seth "Freakin" Rollins qualify
to enter the field alongside the United States Champion.
Which of these two men will be the next to join the madness?
Dolph Ziggler out of the gate incredibly fast,
utilizing his experience and speed advantage.
[Kevin] Dolph Ziggler, 15 championships in WWE!
But this man is a different threat altogether.
[Corey] But for all Dolph Ziggler has accomplished
and experienced in this business,
I don't know that he's ever competed with somebody like Bronson Reed.
This terrifying blend of speed, size and power,
not to mention the malicious disposition of Mr. Reed.
[Kevin] Makes it look so easy.
He told me earlier, "When I get to the Elimination Chamber,"
I won't be there with five superstars. They'll be there with me."
Confident as he hooks the leg of Dolph Ziggler.
Kick out by Ziggler.
[Corey] You're not gonna find any quit inside Dolph Ziggler,
but Bronson Reed's gonna do his best to extract some.
Massive arm wrapped under the chin of Ziggler,
just wearing the show-off down.
And Dolph knows full well,
despite his decorated amateur wrestling background,
when it comes to grappling with
someone as strong as Bronson Reed, who was a former power lifter,
your skill sets aren't gonna take you so far.
[Kevin] If you're Dolph Ziggler, what are you thinking right now
against this new threat?
[Corey] Dolph is a veteran.
Dolph has seen and done it all.
So right now, Ziggler's got to be just looking for an opening,
no matter how slight to exploit.
[Kevin] Gets that separation now. Ziggler back up on his feet.
Oh!
[Corey] Maybe Dolph's waiting for Bronson to make a mistake.
Bronson is relatively new here on the scene at Monday Night Raw.
[Kevin] Dolph's first into the turnbuckle.
-Caught now by Bronson Reed. -[Corey] That might do it!
-[Kevin] Ziggler now. Hook of the leg. -One, two…
[Kevin] Kick out by Reed.
[Corey] Take another look at this.
Ziggler spiking the colossal Bronson Reed on top of his dome.
And Reed is back up and knocking teeth from Dolph's head.
[Kevin] The big Aussie, the powerhouse. Ziggler looking to turn it around.
Ziggler! This is his opportunity. Ziggler now with the cover.
Dolph Ziggler! Oh, kicked out by Bronson Reed.
He's still alive.
What a statement it would be if Bronson Reed could qualify
for the Elimination Chamber Match two weeks from Saturday.
Streaming on Peacock.
We're coming to you from Montreal, Quebec, north of the border.
The final stop before the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania.
[Corey] Final premium live event stop. The tour continues on.
Both of these men would love to enter WrestleMania as United States Champion.
And look at the strength of Bronson Reed again!
Nearly put Ziggler through the ring.
And whatever is left of Dolph Ziggler's soul is in extreme danger.
[Kevin] Corey, this won't be a regular splash.
[Corey] That's a damn tsunami.
One, two, three.
[bell dinging]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Bronson Reed!
[Corey] Bronson Reed advancing to the Elimination Chamber
for an opportunity to compete for the United States title.
Look at the size, most importantly the impact
of the massive tsunami from the top.
[bell dinging]
And the question has to be asked,
is even the Elimination Chamber big enough
to contain Bronson Reed?
[Kevin] There you have it. Austin Theory, the champ, is already there.
And tonight, Seth Rollins, Johnny Gargano,
and now Bronson Reed have qualified.
Two more spots remain.
Two nights ago, folks, at the Royal Rumble,
we saw Bianca Belair retain her Raw Women's Championship,
putting away the sadistic Alexa Bliss.
Well, Bianca Belair, the EST, is here tonight, and she's up next on Raw.
[Kevin] Save your family or save humanity.
Make the choice.
Don't miss Knock at the Cabin, only in theaters Friday.
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw, and please welcome my guest at this time,
returning from a seven-month absence to Raw, Carmella.
[crowd cheering]
-Well, Carmella, I was gonna-- -Listen, I'm gonna need a little more
excitement from you, a little more enthusiasm.
I'm Carmella.
I am the moonwalking, trash-talking Princess of Staten Island.
And I am back, baby. I'm back.
And I'm about to be back on top where I belong, because next week,
I'm gonna win that fatal four-way match
and earn my spot in the Elimination Chamber.
Because…
Mella is money.
And there is not a single woman in that locker--
Oh, are you here to welcome me back?
Okay, wait, let me guess, let me guess.
You're here to tell me I'm not ready for Asuka. [laughs]
No, Asuka, you're not ready for me.
Because you can paint your face up however you want,
but it still doesn't change the fact that I'm not scared of you.
I am the trend set--
[laughs]
Ew. Gross.
Creepy, but, Corey, Carmella's back.
Yeah, I'm excited about that part,
but the other part, not quite so much.
We're buzzing. Carmella's back, and I, for one, I'm delighted because--
-Let's talk about something else, Kevin. -Rick Boogs is back.
-Great. That's even better. -Rick Boogs is back on Monday Night Raw.
Let's go back to WrestleMania.
Boogs in action here against The Usos alongside Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Corey] This was a heartbreaking moment for Boogs
on the showcase of the Immortals, the biggest stage of them all.
Boogs would tear his quadricep and just returned earlier tonight,
arguably bigger and badder than even before,
making short work
-of the A-list of the Miz. -[bell dinging]
[announcer] Your winner…
Yes! Yes!
[laughing]
Boogs. Boogs, man, how does it feel to get a victory on your first night back
since getting injured last year at WrestleMania?
It feels like I'm climbing a mountain in a loin cloth.
And I just want to scream at the top of my lungs!
[screams]
For real, you know, being back in front of the WWE Universe, it's electric.
It feels like I'm riding the lightning.
You know, it's been a long road to recovery,
but it's official.
Rick Boogs is back!
-[screams] He's back guys. -[laughing]
He's a maniac, but I love-- Did you'll miss him, man.
He's the one you got to keep your eyes on.
Yeah, homie a beast. And he's shredded.
And, yo, he know how to shred on the guitar too.
[screams]
[both scream]
Everybody can shred, okay?
But it takes true skill to be an artist,
and, Boogs, I think you've got all the potential to be a great artist.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, player. Ain't no time to be no hater.
-Come on, man. -Hey, man, you got the dub.
Go put some clothes on, 'cause we hitting the town
-and we about to bring it down. -You already know.
-Yeah, yeah. -Let's go.
I'm Booging out.
Oh, he's booging out, he's booging out.
-[indistinct] booging out. -Booging out.
Uh, since all you guys are here, we know that next week,
all three of you will have a chance to earn a spot
in the Elimination Chamber Match because you, Dawkins,
will take on Damian Priest in a qualifying match
while, Montez Ford,
your qualifying match will be against…
Elias.
Whoa, Byron sure do know how to spurt a pipe, man.
But you know what?
Me and Elias go back like four flats on a Cadillac.
Next week, I'm going to be the one advancing
for the United States Championship.
-Ooh. -Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Listen, just like Elvis and Johnny Cash, Elias is an American icon.
So next week, things turn around for me at the expense of you, my friend,
because I've got to be the next US Champ.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't sleep on your boy,
'cause next week when I beat Priest, I'm going to be walking into SoFi Stadium
as the US Champion.
SoFi?
-Yeah, yeah, dog. -I'm the new US Champion.
I'm going to be the new US Champion.
[continues indistinctly]
[Corey] Well, we are counting down the moments for the first time ever.
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes,
one on one with Finn Bálor, The Judgment Day.
["SOLD OUT" playing]
♪ Wall to wall And I still ain't sold out ♪
[Kevin] I can't get enough of that image of Logan Paul and Ricochet.
Well, folks, next week here on Monday Night Raw,
an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. It's a fatal four-way.
It's a welcome back to Carmella.
In-ring action that also includes Candice LeRae, Michin, and Piper Niven.
[Corey] And we are bringing the magic to Orlando.
Another Elimination Chamber qualifier, as one half of the Street Profits,
Montez Ford, takes on Elias.
[Kevin] Will it be a double for the Street Profits
if Montez can get it done
and Angelo Dawkins can somehow get past Damian Priest
and join Theory, Gargano, Rollins and Bronson Reed?
[Corey] Orlando is the home of NXT
where it all began for these two women.
Finally, inside of a steel cage,
one on one, no distractions,
The Man Becky Lynch, The Role Model, Bayley,
in a cage on Raw.
["Kingdom" playing]
[man] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every thought out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
[Corey] Cody Rhodes absolutely on top of the world
after his victory Saturday night in the Men's Royal Rumble match.
But Cody's night not going to get any easier from here on out.
♪ Whoa ♪
[bell dinging]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
the American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Kevin] What a main event we have on Monday Night Raw.
A welcome back to Raw for the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
And to think, we're headed to Orlando, Florida.
We are on the road to WrestleMania every single week.
Make sure you're tuned in to Monday Night Raw.
I love it.
[Corey] I wonder what sort of condition the American Nightmare will be in
after this battle that he's about to endure.
["I Am Danger" playing]
[announcer] And his opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Dominik Mysterio, Damian Priest,
and the winner of the 2023 Women's Royal Rumble match,
Rhea Ripley, representing The Judgment Day,
Finn Bálor!
[Corey] Finn Bálor eager to remind Cody tonight
that many of the things Cody has accomplished in his career,
Bálor simply did first.
[Kevin] Finn Bálor also saying to me earlier on,
"Where was my party?"
Where was my celebration when I returned from a gruesome injury?"
Remember, Finn Bálor at the inaugural Universal Champion,
a day later, ruled out for a long time.
He feels a sense of bitterness towards what we're experiencing
with Cody Rhodes right now.
[Corey] Well, this is Bálor's opportunity
to take all of that bitterness out on Cody Rhodes,
who, let's be perfectly honest,
even by his own admittance, is probably not 100%.
Cody was able to be medically cleared
to compete in the Men's Royal Rumble match,
which he obviously won,
but that does not mean Cody is at 100%.
Imagine the pain Cody's likely feeling
after the seemingly dozens of brutal chops
delivered by Gunther, the Intercontinental Champion,
while he was busy
-making history of his own. -[bell dinging]
Lasting over an hour in the Men's Royal Rumble match
and nearly winning the thing.
[Kevin] An incredible showing from Gunther and an incredible match we have
in store here in our main event.
For the first time ever, Cody Rhodes and Finn Bálor.
Like ships passing through the night throughout their entire career.
[Corey] And Finn Bálor believes in his heart of hearts
that many of the things that Cody accomplished
were built off of the shoulders of Finn.
Whether that be success in Japan. Ooh!
Really striking out on his own to change the game as a whole.
A lot of mutual respect, as competitors, for one another,
but these two certainly won't be sharing drinks together after the show.
[Kevin] The strength on show, the balance from Cody Rhodes.
[Corey] Yeah, pec's holding up pretty well right now.
[Kevin] Say that again.
[Corey] All the blood rushing to Finn's head.
Driven face first.
[Kevin] Cody Rhodes is looking good on his return to Raw.
[indistinct conversation]
[Kevin] We're witnessing it first time ever here, Bálor and Cody Rhodes
in one-on-one action, our main event on Raw.
[Corey] Cody thinking about an Alabama Slam.
Looks like he could be struggling to deliver with the--
Feeling a bit of pain in that right pectoral muscle and shoulder area.
And Bálor trying to target Cody's injury.
The Nightmare starting to roll.
Went to the well one time too many, and now Cody is gonna pay.
[Kevin] Working on the pec of Cody Rhodes has been Bálor.
[Corey] Scalpel-like precision from Finn Bálor,
focusing on the injury of Cody,
who's now being berated verbally by Rhea Ripley,
the winner of the Women's Royal Rumble match.
[Kevin] Corey, is Cody Rhodes doing too much too soon here?
[Corey] Listen, Cody Rhodes has taught me over the years,
you can't bet against him.
You can question Cody's motives, you can question Cody's decisions,
but nobody has a steadfast belief in themself
quite like the American Nightmare.
But trust me, Finn Bálor trying to make Cody question this decision right now.
[Kevin] If there's anyone that's sinister enough
to really put this to the test with Cody Rhodes,
it is Finn Bálor.
[Corey] Well beyond sinister, skilled--
-[Kevin] Oh, man!! -[Corey] One of the best on the planet.
[Kevin] Hooks the leg now, Bálor. Rhodes kicks out early.
Three!
Come on, Finn.
[Corey] Three other members of The Judgment Day
looking on in support of Bálor, as we look again at a running kick.
Nothing fancy, extremely effective.
[Kevin] I'm here to collect the words of Finn Bálor.
He took what was mine.
I'm speaking about when Cody Rhodes went across to Japan.
The Bullet Club, Finn Bálor stomping all over Cody Rhodes.
[Corey] Bálor right now is just viciously attacking the injured pec of Cody Rhodes.
[crowd clamoring]
He's spending a lot of time talking about Finn's motivation,
which I completely understand.
But let's talk about the execution.
Because Bálor has been downright flawless for the past several minutes.
Just isolating Cody's injury and picking Cody apart.
[Kevin] Here goes Cody!
[Corey] A dragon screw by Rhodes
puts the brakes on Finn's offense.
[Kevin] Cody now. Oh! He connects brilliantly.
The disaster kick to Bálor.
[Corey] Cody, he's [indistinct] and he's gonna--
Look out. Bálor into our announce desk.
Look at the intensity in the eyes of Cody Rhodes.
[Kevin] The American Nightmare is-- But he's got company!
[Corey] Damian Priest just crashed and burned.
Uh-oh. Look out.
Everybody in the cell blocks weeping after that one.
Cody back in the ring.
[Kevin] It's after wiping out two of The Judgment Day.
Cody Rhodes now. Look at the [indistinct] Bálor
Cover. Bálor kicks out.
[Corey] Ripley over here, trying to check on her man.
I hope Dom doesn't choose right now to get his revenge on Cody,
'cause stuff like that don't fly in the yard.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Kevin] Cody hammering away at the back of Bálor.
[Corey] Cody's thinking about the Cody Cutter, Bálor saw it coming.
[Kevin] Oh, man! Again, cover.
Hooks the leg.
Cody kicking out.
What a hellacious battle we're witnessing here in our main event.
[Corey] Bálor and Rhodes battling it out on the top rope.
This could not end well for Bálor.
[Kevin] Cody Rhodes, my God, look at the strength.
[Corey] Cody fighting through the pain, through the damaged pec.
[Kevin] Oh, my God, superplex.
Bálor in agony, Rhodes in agony.
[Corey] The true testament to the heart, the passion,
and the toughness of the American Nightmare
to endure the beating that Bálor has placed upon him
to deliver a thunderous superplex.
And now Cody with a valuable few moments
to try to compose himself to get back into this fight.
[Kevin] Just eight months ago, Cody Rhodes ripped the pectoral muscle off the bone.
Here he is, back earlier than expected, battling with Finn Bálor.
[Corey] Since the opening bell, Bálor has targeted Cody's injury
with incredible precision.
But Cody, continuing to soldier on,
back and forth, these two warriors throwing down.
[Kevin] The first meeting ever between the two.
[Corey] An uber-confident Bálor.
-[Kevin] Cody wants-- the Cody Cutter. -[Corey] Nailed it.
[Kevin] Cody Rhodes now.
-Is this his time? -One, two…
Kick out by Finn Bálor.
Watching on. Look at Rhea Ripley and The Judgment Day.
Rhea Ripley earlier making her choice. She wants Charlotte Flair.
If Charlotte is still SmackDown Women's Champion at WrestleMania.
[Corey] Cody wants to end it.
We're gonna take a trip to the crossroads. Bálor reverses.
Cody with a counter.
[Kevin] Bálor rocks, Sling Blade!
Cody straight back up on his feet.
[Corey] Target acquired.
[Kevin] Superkick by Rhodes!
Cody, cover…
Kick out by Finn Bálor.
[Corey] Certainly not comforting for Rhea Ripley
or the rest of The Judgment Day.
Bálor looking for a running dropkick.
Cody saw it coming.
[Kevin] What a warrior this man is.
The American Nightmare.
And his return to Monday Night Raw here in the main event.
[Corey] Time to go to school.
-Wait a minute. -[Kevin] What's it turning around?
[Corey] Double leg by Cody, looking for the figure four,
yet again, kick to the outside.
Be careful, Cody.
The Judgment Day, like a pack of hyenas…
circling a wounded American Nightmare.
Where the hell's Priest going?
[Kevin] Is that… It's Edge!
-[Corey] It is Edge! -[Kevin] Edge is back!
The Rated-R Superstar.
Through the crowd.
Edge taking out Dominik Mysterio.
[Kevin] Edge looking to make Dominik answer for all of his past sins.
[Kevin] The WWE Hall of Famer teaching Dom a lesson or two.
[Corey] Look out. Bam!
And Rhea… What the hell?
Rhea Ripley is attacking Edge.
[Kevin] Oh, here comes Beth Phoenix.
Spear on Ripley.
[Corey] That's Glamazon with another emphatic spear.
Coming to the defense of her husband.
[Kevin] Like she did two days ago at the Royal Rumble.
[Corey] Keep your eyes in the ring. Cody stalking Bálor.
Double stomp.
[Kevin] All over the pec of Cody Rhodes.
[Corey] And Finn looking to seal the deal.
[Kevin] Dropkicks Cody into the corner.
[Corey] And the Space Age heartthrob
making the climb to the high-rent district.
[Kevin] Oh, hang on.
[Corey] Uh-oh.
[Kevin] Bálor.
[Corey] Edge hasn't forgotten the betrayal of Bálor.
[Kevin] Finn.
Crossroads!
[Corey] And another.
Will the third time be the charm?
[Kevin] Cody Rhodes is feeling it! He's back to a roll!
-And he's back to winning ways! -[bell dinging]
[announcer] Here's your winner,
the American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Corey] There may be more than one royal family in this business,
but tonight, I don't know that Cody would get by
if it weren't for a little help from his friends.
[Kevin] Edge showing up on the scene.
A spear to Dominik Mysterio,
but Rhea Ripley will then jump on the Rated-R Superstar.
[Corey] Ripley would soon be neutralized yet again by a glamazon
by the name of Beth Phoenix.
[Kevin] The distraction from Edge.
Finn Bálor with a miss out on the Coup de Grace.
And Cody Rhodes will take it home.
[Corey] Not one, not two,
but three trips to the crossroads.
[bell dinging]
[Kevin] What a return for Cody Rhodes. Royal Rumble match winner.
And now tonight, a return to Monday Night Raw
in an emphatic way for the American Nightmare.
[Corey] Well, the road to Los Angeles, to SoFi Stadium,
will surely be tumultuous.
And it all begins next week in Orlando.
Deep inside a steel cage,
we get the match we were robbed of before.
The Man, the Role Model, Lynch, Bayley, one on one.
But tonight belongs to the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
[inaudible] belongs to the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.