[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.
-[man] Let's go. -["Greatness" playing]
[singer] ♪ I got a vision I see in my head ♪
♪ A melody buried deep into my soul ♪
♪ They call us crazy, We cuttin' the edge ♪
♪ Decided our stories are gonna be told ♪
♪ Break the rules, break the laws ♪
♪ This is the moment we change it all ♪
♪ Yeah, greatness ♪
♪ Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
♪ Legendary in the makin', yeah ♪
♪ Reach out and we take it, yeah ♪
♪ 'Bout to emerge, we on the verge ♪
♪ And it feels like greatness ♪
♪ Yeah, greatness ♪
♪ Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
-[fireworks exploding] -[singer] ♪ Greatness, greatness ♪
♪ And it feels like greatness ♪
-♪ Reach out and we take it ♪ -[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ 'Bout to emerge ♪
♪ We on the verge And it feels like greatness ♪
♪ Woo, greatness ♪
♪ Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
[Kevin Patrick] From the jam-packed and rowdy
Amway Center in Orlando, Florida,
we're on the road to WrestleMania
and we welcome you to Monday Night Raw.
[singer] ♪ Deep down in my spirit ♪
♪ Revolution, it's a new day ♪
♪ Woo. Time to redefine the letters ♪
[Corey] Well, tonight in Orlando, Florida,
the mission is simple,
lower the cage,
settle the score
in the city where it all began for both women,
Becky Lynch and Bayley collide
inside of a steel cage
live tonight on Raw.
[singer] ♪ Yeah, greatness ♪
[woman] You think you know me.
-["Metalingus" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ On this day ♪
♪ I see clearly ♪
♪ Everything has come to life ♪
[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ We'll leave it all behind ♪
♪ On this day ♪
♪ It's so real to me ♪
♪ Everything has come to life ♪
♪ Another chance ♪
♪ To chase a dream ♪
♪ Another chance to feel ♪
-♪ Chance to feel alive ♪ -[fireworks exploding]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
WWE Hall of Famer's,
Beth Phoenix
and "The Rated-R Superstar"
Edge.
[Corey] An absolutely deafening response from the WWE Universe
here in Orlando for the arrival of the Grit Couple.
[Kevin Patrick] How cool is it?
We are kicking off Monday Night Raw
with a pair of Hall of Famers,
Edge and Beth Phoenix.
[Corey] Edge and Beth are all smiles at the moment,
but don't let the appearance fool you.
This is a couple of Hall of Famers with a lot on their minds.
[Kevin Patrick] Yes, they are Hall of Famers,
but they'll be the first ones to tell you,
first and foremost, they are family people.
They are parents
and they are one pissed off couple
after everything that played out at Extreme Rules.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] What is it going to take to get one of these men to utter "I Quit"?
Oh, and Rhea Ripley,
she took out Beth with brass knuckles.
Stay [speaking indistinctly] submit.
Beth.
[ominous music playing]
I quit. I quit. I quit.
I quit.
Beth. Beth.
You taught us too well.
-[Edge] No. -[thuds]
[crowd exclaims]
[crowd booing]
[tense music playing]
[dramatic music playing]
[buzzer buzzes]
[woman] You think you know me.
[Cole] Gentlemen, I believe it is Judgment Day
for the Judgment Day.
Cut him in half, Edge. Cut him in half.
Damian Priest eliminated.
Finn Bálor eliminated.
[McAfee] Edge is on fire.
[Cole] Edge trying to eliminate Dominik Mysterio.
Judgment Day now coming to his aid.
Edge is eliminated.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Oh, and look at this.
Edge now taking the fight back to the Judgment Day
in the aisle way here in Alamodome.
Meanwhile, that's Rhea Ripley.
[Corey] Mami's home.
[Cole] Uh-oh, the Glamazon is here.
Spear.
[Corey] Beth Phoenix and Edge taking the fight to the Judgment Day
tonight at the Royal Rumble.
-["Metalingus" playing] -[singer] ♪ Everything has come to life ♪
♪ Bitter place ♪
♪ And a broken dream ♪
Oh, Orlando.
[crowd cheering]
I'm going to try and bring my heart rate down
after watching that video
and just say it is so damn good to be back.
[crowd cheering]
I am the king of comebacks at this point, it's getting silly,
but there's one reason why we're here and I think you all know what it is.
It's the Judgment Day.
[crowd booing]
Yeah, my feelings exactly, but here's the thing.
The Judgment Day is my fault.
See, but the idea-- the idea was trying elevate talent
that I truly thought deserved it.
If I'm being perfectly honest with myself, it worked.
All of the Judgment Day are in a better place now
than they were a year ago.
Yes, you can clap for that.
It's true.
Finn Bálor is operating on a level
that I have never seen him operate on before
and that is saying something.
Damian Priest has proven that he's a workhorse
that can come out here week after week
and go up against the very best.
Rhea Ripley, Rhea Ripley.
[crowd cheering]
Rhea Ripley went from number one
and outlasted everyone at the Royal Rumble
and punched her ticket to a championship match at WrestleMania
and there, I pointed at the sign.
Got the mandatory sign point in against Charlotte Flair.
Oh, and Dom's there too.
[crowd booing]
For the last year, we have battled back and forth
from Cardiff to Portland to Toronto,
all leading up to Extreme Rules.
I knew that Finn Bálor didn't have what it takes
to physically hurt me enough to make me say "I Quit",
but as you saw in the video,
the minute I saw Rhea Ripley
bash Beth in the back of the head with those brass knuckles
and hold that chair in her hand,
I knew exactly what was going to happen and I was helpless to stop it.
I am the kind of man, and I know a lot of you can relate out there,
I'm the kind of man that is not used to feeling helpless.
Congratulations, Judgment Day, here's your golf clap.
[crowd chanting] You still got it.
I never lost it.
[crowd cheering]
But here's the thing, guys.
You just made a bad problem even worse
because I am a cruel, vindictive, sick bastard
who will sink to any level to get my pound of flesh.
Listen, I'm going to cut right to the chase.
If you've got the stones
Ripley,
Bálor,
-my husband and I are here to finish this… -["The Other Side" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] An interruption courtesy of the Judgment Day
and this will not sit well with Edge or the Glamazon.
Am I the only person around here that's noticing a pattern
that Edge makes his triumphant return to the ring
only for the Judgment Day
to beat him down again and again and again?
Hey. Hey, you know Edge,
it might be time for you to say
"I Quit". [laughs]
You guys must have heard because word on the street travels fast.
[crowd booing]
Since you guys have been gone, I have served hard time.
[crowd booing]
[Finn] Hey, let him talk.
Let him talk.
So you guys better run along
before I do something to you that I learned on the inside.
Just like I did to my deadbeat dad
because he didn't even make it to the Royal Rumble match.
[crowd booing]
You know what, Dom, you're right. Edge.
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck…
It makes no difference. Edge, you and Rey-- you're something else.
I mean, every time you guys come back, we beat you down,
we lay you down, and somehow you keep coming back for more.
So how about this?
How about the next time we beat you down,
we make what happened at Extreme Rules look like child's play?
Speaking of child's play,
tonight, after Dawkins gets cooked
and I enter the Money--
sorry, this guy got me so flustered right now.
[Finn] Hey, I'm mad too. Don't worry. I'm mad too.
Edge, I promise you, man, I hate you.
I hate you so much that I can't even speak right now,
but I'm going to go into the Elimination Chamber
and I am once again going to be the United States Champion.
[Dominik] You know what?
Man, I wish--I wish Mami was here
so she could--yeah,
I wish Mami was here so she could see what we're about to do to you guys,
but unfortunately, Mami's busy traveling the world
-promoting WrestleMania because… -[Edge] Dom, shut up.
[crowd cheering]
[Edge] You know, everything I said about you guys was true,
but you confuse me.
You don't know what you really want.
Priest, the night that you clotheslined my head off,
you said you didn't want a leader,
yet you're following Finn Bálor around like a giant labradoodle.
You're better than that.
And, Finn, you're running around like a dollar-store version of Jamiroquai.
It's virtual insanity.
Google it, kids.
But the biggest difference between you and us
is that we truly have each other's backs,
but you, all of you, you drop each other quicker
than ex-con Dom dropped his drawers in the clink.
[crowd cheering]
Which is fitting considering how many times you screwed your dad over.
[crowd exclaiming]
By the way, I cannot wait until he snaps
and he 619's your teeth down your stupid little throat
-because it's coming. -Not gonna do a damn thing.
[Beth] Wait, wait. So you guys said Rhea is not here
tonight because she's doing a promotional appearance.
[crowd booing]
I think all of us know that Rhea is not here tonight
because last week I speared her soul right out of her body.
[crowd cheering]
You know, it.
You know it.
But listen to me very carefully.
I didn't come here to talk.
I came here to beat Rhea Ripley's ass.
[crowd cheering]
And since she's not here tonight, how about this?
"The Rated-R Superstar" Edge,
"The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix
versus Finn Bálor and Rhea Ripley
at Elimination Chamber.
Oh, really? Oh.
Hey, Dom, do you think Rhea's in?
I think Mami's in.
That's what I thought because Finn is in.
We accept.
Of course, that is if the both of you
actually make it to Elimination Chamber.
[Corey] Edge and Beth standing their ground.
The Judgment Day slowly beginning to circle the ring.
This does not bode well for the Grit Couple.
The numbers game in the favor of the Judgment Day.
Could be like Extreme Rules all over again.
[Kevin Patrick] Edge and Beth, they're ready for a fight.
-They're ready for a scrap. -[Corey] Here we go!
[Kevin Patrick] Their heads on a swivel. And here we go. Look at Edge go!
-["Bring The Swag" playing] -[Corey] Wait a second.
The Street Profits' Angelo Dawkins
scheduled for a match with Priest coming up next.
[Kevin Patrick] He's evened the numbers. And he's here to help out.
Edge and Beth Phoenix sending Damian Priest packing.
[Corey] Spear!
[Kevin Patrick] Spear from Edge on Bálor.
[Corey] Oh, no. Oh, no, Dom, watch your back.
Montez Ford's on the scene.
[shrieking]
[Kevin Patrick] He's got him.
[Corey] Oh, no!
Mami, help!
-Oh, no! -[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Look at the strength of Beth Phoenix.
[Corey] Glam Slam.
[Kevin Patrick] Taking care of Mysterio.
[Kevin Patrick] We are live tonight from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
One-on-one action, Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
It's a massive opportunity for both Damian Priest
and Angelo Dawkins.
[Corey] Let's take you back to what transpired during our break
with WWE Official Adam Pearce joining the scene,
attempting to restore some order.
Oh.
Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, look, look, look.
As much as I like a fight, we're not doing this.
Referees, please get everybody
except for Damian Priest and Angelo Dawkins
away from the ring.
We are going to have this Chamber qualifying match,
and it's going to be one-on-one.
Get them away from ringside, please and thank you.
What a disaster.
Moments ago, Angelo Dawkins just launched Priest over our announce desk.
Just goes to show you, illustrates perfectly
what this opportunity means to Angelo Dawkins.
[Kevin Patrick] All power, all pace from Angelo Dawkins of The Street Profits.
[Corey] Dawkins looking to capitalize on this singles--
oh, my goodness.
[Kevin Patrick] Caught mid-air by Damian Priest.
[Corey] Past tense.
The winner of this matchup will join the field of Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
Johnny Gargano, Bronson Reed,
and United States Champion, Austin Theory,
inside the Elimination Chamber.
[Kevin Patrick] Another match to come, another qualifier later
between Montez Ford and Elias.
Look at Damian Priest go.
[Corey] Priest has turned the tables and showed no sides of slowing.
Broken Arrow.
Dawkins is in trouble.
[Kevin Patrick] Hooks the leg, cover now.
Damian Priest for the victory and Dawkins kicks out.
Corey, this really does represent enormous opportunity,
not just for the United States Championship,
but potentially a match at WrestleMania.
[Corey] Take another look at Damian Priest delivering a Broken Arrow
to Angelo Dawkins.
I actually respect the decision of Adam Pearce coming out
and kicking everybody out at ringside,
making sure this is one-on-one.
Whoever wins this match will have deserved it.
[Kevin Patrick] Damian Priest, of course, a former United States Champion.
-One hundred ninety-one days. -[Corey] Cover here.
[Kevin Patrick] Can he do it again and get there eventually
with this victory over Angelo Dawkins
that'll take him to Montreal
and the Elimination Chamber match one week from Saturday?
[Corey] You mentioned later on tonight, Montez Ford will compete against Elias
to qualify for the final spot inside the Elimination Chamber.
We could potentially see The Street Profits
squaring off against each other
for the first time in the name of the United States Championship.
But Damian Priest is hell-bent on earning that spot for himself.
[Kevin Patrick speaks indistinctly] Angelo Dawkins delivers a vicious right.
[Corey] Dawkins, firing right after right after right.
-Sticking and moving. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man.
[Corey] Great head movement by AD.
-Boom. -[Kevin Patrick] Look at Dawkins, man.
Two fellas in phenomenal form of late.
[Corey] Priest spills to the outside.
Keep your eyes on Angelo Dawkins.
-[Kevin Patrick] Eyeing the prize. -[Corey] Oh.
[Kevin Patrick] Take down by Priest.
Quite the clothesline.
[Corey] Well, that was the understatement of the year.
I think Dawkins might be looking for his bicuspids after the impact
on the clothesline from Priest.
Let's look one more time.
Sounded like an explosion at ringside.
And now Priest continuing to dismantle
one half of The Street Profits.
[Kevin Patrick] Damian Priest, whether it's tag team turmoil
or eliminating Edge at the Royal Rumble match.
[Corey] Smart move by the veteran Priest, breaking the official's count of ten,
allowing himself more time on the outside
to inflict punishment.
[Kevin Patrick] At pace now, Damian Priest.
[Corey] Wow.
[Kevin Patrick] Who's gonna be heading to the Elimination Chamber match?
[Kevin Patrick] We're witnessing one hell of a battle
here at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
A jampacked crowd.
Angelo Dawkins and Damian Priest
hoping to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match,
it's in Montreal a week from Saturday,
ultimately, to get their hands on Austin Theory
and the United States Championship.
[Corey] The action continues.
Moments ago, both superstars with the same idea,
both delivering clothesline simultaneously,
but now Damian Priest has fought his way back into control,
but here comes Dawkins.
Boom.
[Kevin Patrick] Both over six-foot-five.
Pace and power.
What a match we are witnessing here with massive stakes.
[Corey] Been a see-saw battle since the opening bell.
Neither man able to sustain control for very long,
but Dawkins now inching closer to victory.
-[Kevin Patrick] Collected by Dawkins. -[Corey] Whoa.
Bigtime exploder. Into the cover.
[Kevin Patrick] Can he seal it? Can he qualify for the Elimination Chamber?
And a kick out by Priest.
[Corey] Dawkins can't let himself get frustrated this deep into the match.
He's gonna have to dig a little deeper into his playbook.
And again, this is an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match.
The winner will join the field of Rollins,
Gargano, Theory, and Bronson Reed thus far
where the United States Championship will be up for grabs.
[Kevin Patrick] Montez Ford and Elias to do battle
for that final place later on tonight.
Angelo Dawkins has ideas here.
[Corey] Better ask yourself, did Dawkins spend a little too much time
figuring out his next move?
I think that may be the case because Dawkins…
in all types of trouble on the top rope.
Smart move.
[Kevin Patrick] Back inside he goes at pace now.
Dawkins receives a boot to the chin.
[Corey] Elevated flatliner by Priest.
[Kevin Patrick] Hooks the leg. Now Damian Priest to qualify.
Kick out at two and a half by Dawkins.
[Corey] Just barely.
The wounds of this battle beginning to show on Angelo Dawkins,
as we look again at the face-first flatliner delivered by Priest.
And now, Damian looking to make some travel plans
on behalf of Angelo Dawkins.
[Kevin Patrick] Taking Dawkins by the throat.
-Dawkins may turn this around. -[Corey] Silencer.
[Kevin Patrick] Dawkins, can he get him?
Hooks the leg. Angelo Dawkins now, and Damian Priest kicks out.
[Corey] Gotta respect the resilience of Damian Priest,
a former United States Champion in his own right,
but now Angelo Dawkins looking to take a page
out of Montez Ford's playbook.
From the top.
[Kevin Patrick] Priest still down.
Dawkins, this is your chance.
[Corey] Swanton. He hit it.
[Kevin Patrick] He grabs the leg.
Dawkins now to qualify for the Chamber, and once more,
-once more Priest kicks out. -[Corey] My goodness.
And Angelo Dawkins understandably beside himself.
Dawkins landed the Swanton Bomb perfectly.
As we look once again,
all of his weight crashing across the core of Priest,
and at two and nine-tenths,
Damian Priest escapes and keeps this match alive.
[Kevin Patrick] You can understand the emotion, Corey.
This a path for the United States Championship,
and quite possibly a ticket to WrestleMania.
[Corey] Well, now is no time for emotion.
Now, you must soldier forward toward the prize.
[Kevin Patrick] Dawkins not giving Priest an inch.
-Oh, but Priest takes it. -[Corey] Oh, wow. Wow.
[Kevin Patrick] It connects in devastating fashion.
[Corey] Dawkins on spaghetti legs.
Answers with a thunderous right of his own.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, my God.
Priest.
[Corey] South of Heaven.
[Kevin Patrick] Damian Priest now, hooks the leg to qualify
for the Elimination Chamber.
-[bell ringing] -["The Other Side" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
Damian Priest.
[Corey] What a match.
What an effort by Angelo Dawkins,
but Damian Priest has punched his ticket into the Chamber
where the United States Championship will be defended.
Priest joining Theory, Rollins, Gargano, and Bronson Reed
one week from Saturday
streaming live, WWE on Peacock.
[singer] ♪ Well, you deserve the hell ♪
♪ You're gonna pay on the other side ♪
[Corey] It's gonna be extremely crowded
inside the sadistic structure
known as the Elimination Chamber,
but Austin Theory ain't sweating one drop.
[car engine reeving]
[Corey] The United States Champion is marked man
and Austin Theory wears it oh, so well.
I believe his Lambo blew past me coming down I-4 earlier today.
But lucky for all of us,
we are all going to experience Austin Theory live tonight.
[Kevin Patrick] We certainly are indeed.
And Corey, it's been nine days
since the most shocking betrayal in WWE history
when Sami Zayn turned on Roman Reigns.
And this past Friday night on SmackDown,
well, fuel was added to the flaming fire.
We'll take a look, next.
["I Am Greatness" playing]
[singer singing in Spanish]
[Kevin Patrick] Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
We here at WWE want a send massive shoutout
and congratulations to WrestleMania competitor, Bad Bunny,
on winning a Grammy award for best Musica Urbana album
last night at the Grammy awards.
Hats off. Congrats, Bad Bunny. Keep doing what you do.
We can't wait to see you back in the family.
[singer singing in Spanish]
There's the signature right there, will make it official.
Everybody good? Congratulations. Welcome to Monday Night Raw.
Maxxine, I'm sure you have huge plans for Mace and Mansoor.
Thank you. I have big, big plans.
I bet you do.
Hi, are you the manager?
You know who I am. We just did this last week.
Can you guys excuse me just for a second? I'm so sorry.
-You're excused. -Yes, I am.
-And what can I do-- -As we spoke about last week,
I expected a private dressing room,
the Swiss chocolate, and fresh spring water.
I took care of all of that.
Oh, no. Adam, that was Belgian chocolate.
And I've been to Belgium, so I know the difference.
But, while I have you here, I wanted to speak to you about the fact
that I'm not in the Elimination Chamber Match.
-No, you're not. -Right, but Liv is, Raquel is, Nikki is.
All of which I could beat, so.
With all due respect, Chelsea,
you didn't last five seconds in the Royal Rumble.
[laughs] I'm sorry.
Do I need to call your manager?
Look, all I'm asking for is an opportunity.
My family is in attendance tonight.
I really think that I deserve a match.
And in that match, I deserve to be presented
like the big star that I am.
I expect you're gonna make this right, or, um…
one call and I could cost you your job.
[scoffs]
Okay. Thanks. Bye.
Bye.
Who does this chick have dirt on
that she thinks she can throw her weight around?
What, does she think she runs the place?
Where's the family members? That's what I wanna know.
Speaking of running the place,
Roman Reigns has certainly done that for 890 days now.
And The Tribal Chief's control has rarely felt in question,
that is until recently.
Here's a look back at Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami…
[Reigns] Well, I was going to ask y'all
who do you want me to talk about, but I guess it's pretty obvious.
You want me to talk about Sami?
I'll talk about Sami, but remember,
there's two sides to every story,
so you're gonna hear mine.
I give him the opportunity of a lifetime and all he does is uses me,
and he uses my bloodline, and he uses my island of relevancy.
No different than each and every one of you
because all you do is you want, want, want.
-You can't ever give- -[Cole] Wait a minute.
From behind. Who the--is that--
it's Sami Zayn.
Sami Zayn is attacking Reigns!
Sami looking for payback on the champion.
And Roman fighting back.
[Wade] Just bit him on the ass, didn't he?
Get me a chair, now.
[Cole] Roman's going to teach Sami Zayn a lesson here tonight.
Hail to my tribal chief.
[Cole] Spear!
Sami with a spear to Reigns!
And Roman Reigns scoots out of harm's way.
I never wanted anything from you until now,
because I am coming after you
and the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Jimmy and Solo,
the Bloodline, at least part of it
still intact tonight.
Samoan Spike.
After this, Zayn May not be able to function,
let alone have a championship match.
[screaming]
You want something, huh?
You want something from me?
I'm going to give you what you want,
but you're going to give me what I want.
I want you in Montreal.
I want you at the Elimination Chamber.
Because you broke up my family and I'm going to break you
in front of your entire family.
I want them to see what happens when you play with the bloodline
and you mess with my family.
I'll see you soon!
[dramatic music playing]
[Kevin Patrick] The eyes of the world will be on Montreal
when Roman Reigns and Sami collide.
First, this Friday on SmackDown,
all questions surround "The Usos" Jey Uso,
Roman Reigns, he couldn't find him Friday night on SmackDown.
Their record-setting championship reign
is on the line against Braun Strowman
and Ricochet this Friday night.
How will The Usos fare?
Let's see.
["Burn The Ships" playing]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by WWE Hall of Famer
John "Bradshaw" Layfield, weighing 285 pounds,
Baron Corbin.
[Kevin Patrick] There's a Swagger about Baron Corbin here, Corey,
yet seven seconds inside the Royal Rumble Match,
a loss to Johnny Gargano last week.
Can he turn things around?
It's Baron Corbin with JBL by his side against a man
that was swinging an axe around last weekend in Dexter Lumis.
It's next on Raw.
[Kevin Patrick] What a night it was in Charlotte, North Carolina
for Vengeance day as well.
Brilliant stuff.
[Corey] No doubt about it, but we are preparing
to witness a modern-day wrestling God in action.
["Arrived" playing]
[Corey] Was Corbin prepared for this?
[Rome] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring
by Johnny Gargano, weighing 239 pounds,
Dexter Lumis.
[Kevin Patrick] The reason you say this, I can understand it, Corey,
you're still a little creeped out after what happened last week.
It was one-on-one action between Johnny Gargano and Baron Corbin.
Gargano rolling here, taking down Corbin on the outside.
[Corey] This would lead to some frustration on behalf of JBL,
the WWE Hall of Famer, but as JBL attempted to be
an unbiased observer, this lunatic, Lumis, would arrive
with a freaking hatchet and endanger JBL's well-being,
our well-being,
and caused such a ruckus and distraction that Johnny Gargano
was able to knock off Baron Corbin.
[Kevin Patrick] And look at what's going on here.
[Corey] Smart.
[Kevin Patrick] The bell hadn't even rung.
Baron Corbin all over Dexter Lumis.
-[bell rings] -[Corey] Listen, the motivation style
of JBL definitely coming into play.
I spoke with JBL earlier today.
He said, "Yes, he christened Baron Corbin as the modern-day wrestling God."
But even JBL has been
less than thrilled with the results.
Corbin's win-loss record has not been what JBL expected it to be.
He likened it to walking up to the plate,
calling your shot over the left field wall,
and then striking out.
[Kevin Patrick] To talk about adding pressure,
then, from the Hall of Famer JBL
to Baron Corbin, seven seconds inside
the Royal Rumble Match, a loss last week to Johnny Gargano.
Baron Corbin needs a return to winning ways and quickly.
[Corey] It could all begin tonight, the inspirational comeback tale
of Baron Corbin after getting past this raving psycho Dexter Lumis.
[Kevin Patrick] What exactly did Dexter Lumis do wrong last week for you, Corey?
[Corey] Oh, I don't know. Let's start…
let's start with the fact he swung a freaking hatchet right where I sit, KP.
[Kevin Patrick] It didn't go near you.
It went through JBL's hat.
That's not a crime.
[Corey] You've clearly never handled a hatchet.
You are unbelievable.
I have a family.
I have bills to pay.
JBL has family.
He's got an island to pay for.
He's got charity work he's got to take care of and Lumis is out here
swinging hatchets like he's some sort of freaking superhero.
[Kevin Patrick] I think most would agree you're painting an unfair picture
-of Dexter Lumis. -[Corey] What picture?
[Kevin Patrick] Here's a fellow who was handing out cash to kids not so long ago
-here on Monday Night Raw. -[Corey] I don't think Lumis is allowed
within 50 yards of most schools.
[Kevin Patrick] All he did was help out his friend Johnny Gargano,
-who by the way… -[Corey] With an axe?
[Kevin Patrick] …qualified for the Elimination Chamber Match
with the help of Dexter Lumis.
[Corey] I wonder if Johnny Gargano was okay with Lumis
brandishing a weapon near his child?
[Kevin Patrick] Hang on a second here. Baron Corbin rolls across…
-[referee] One, two. -[Kevin Patrick] …for the cover and
-the win. He's not getting it yet. -[Corey] If that's the case,
I'm calling CPS myself.
[Kevin Patrick] Baron Corbin, agitated, frustrated,
screaming at Johnny Gargano on the outside.
[Corey] And this could be what Corbin has been lacking recently.
This aggression, this nasty streak, you love to see it.
[Kevin Patrick] How desperate should Baron Corbin be
to get to the win in this match then?
[Corey] How desperate does Baron Corbin look right now, KP?
Corbin is in complete control of Dexter Lumis.
[Kevin Patrick] I'm not so sure about that anymore.
Dexter Lumis back on his feet and rallying.
Swing and a miss from Corbin. Wow.
[Corey] Big right hand from Lumis.
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man. -[Corey] Oh, my goodness.
[Kevin Patrick] Power and pace is Lumis just stalking.
Corbin takes it to the corner and out again.
[Corey] Great power again shown
by this maniac Dexter Lumis
and his unorthodox leg drop extremely effective
much to the chagrin of the WWE Hall of Famer on the outside.
[Kevin Patrick] Corbin looking to rally and to fight back.
Evaded. Lumis now hooks the leg.
-[referee] One, two, three. -[Kevin Patrick] Lumis to put away Corbin.
-Oh, man. -[Corey] No.
-No. -[bell rings]
[Kevin Patrick] Wow.
["Arrived" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
Dexter Lumis.
[Kevin Patrick] Beware the silent man.
Penny for the thoughts of JBL right now.
[Corey] This is really, really disheartening.
This is Baron Corbin who came back with a new lease on life
under the tutelage of one of the greatest minds this business has ever known in JBL.
And Corbin can't seem to get out of his own way.
Good night for Dexter Lumis, though.
Johnny Gargano heading to the Elimination Chamber Match,
a lot of people will be happy about that.
Oh, maybe he can go to the movie theater and stick an axe in somebody else's seat.
Hey, tonight, we are going to finally get it by the way,
the one-on-one inside a Steel Cage Match between Becky Lynch and Bayley.
We thought we were going to get it two weeks ago with the Raw XXX celebration.
It didn't exactly pan out that way, did it?
Bayley sending her lackeys, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky, in to hunt.
[Corey] They're not lackeys. They are three equal parts of a dominant trio.
The match never officially getting underway before Damage CTRL
would inflict their brand of punishment on The Man.
Next week in Orlando, we end this
and you give me that Steel Cage Match once and for all.
Oh, what are you stupid, Becky?
No.
What's it going to be, Bayley?
What's it going to be?
[Bayley] Wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Okay, okay, okay. I accept. I accept. I accept.
Good. Thank you.
You might want to go check on Iyo in the back right now.
Please welcome my guest, "The Man" Becky Lynch.
[crowd cheers]
Becky, tonight, you finally face Bayley
inside a steel cage.
What does tonight mean to you?
Orlando, Florida.
[crowd cheers]
Orlando, where it all began, 10 years ago,
when I got off the plane with my bags to chase this WWE journey,
where I first met you, Byron Saxton.
A lot has happened in Orlando in those 10 years, but 10 years ago,
I first met Bayley
in the weights room, in the NXT Performance Center.
She seemed sweet, and she seemed kind,
and she wanted to be great.
And way of being great was High fiving people and hugging people,
and attaching herself to wherever she thought
would be her meal ticket to the top.
But I, too, Byron, I wanted to be great.
My way of being great was smashing faces,
and kicking down doors, and changing the game
so that I can become the man of this industry.
And Bayley, Bayley didn't like that.
No, she didn't like that, so she's attacked me.
And she's hit me with chairs.
And she separated my shoulder
and she brought my family into this.
And Bayley, I'm going to learn you to not talk about my family.
All that aside, I had a plan, and tonight,
I got what I want which is a Steel Cage Match.
And so, Bayley, you can bring your little friends
and you can bring your little tricks.
Well, there is one hand that I haven't played yet and I'm thinking.
I'm thinking, Byron, tonight might be the night.
[singer] ♪ Staring into the eyes Of a warrior ♪
[Kevin Patrick] What exactly is the plan that Becky Lynch speaks of?
Because, look at this, the barbaric structure
that is the steel cage will be lowered for our main event tonight
when two of the greatest to ever do it
from the women's locker room get locked inside.
It's Becky Lynch and Bayley in our main event on Raw.
[Corey] KP, I'm not sure if you saw the news today,
but there is a storm headed our way.
After being unceremoniously eliminated
in the Royal Rumble Match by the all mighty,
"The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar is here.
He is live and he's next on Raw.
[Kevin Patrick] We are having fun tonight.
Raw in Orlando, Florida,
home of the Magic and of course,
NXT and WWE Performance Center.
Now, folks, with WWE, we're heading back for WrestleMania in Tinseltown.
Last time we were there, 19 years ago.
But I am…
[Kevin Patrick] And this, a lot of the fun we were having,
you can go and check out everything.
There's so much brilliant content across WWE social platforms.
[Corey] You don't want to miss this.
Relive some of these classic moments
as we approach Hollywood one more time.
Would I be willing to trade all the days
from this day to that for one chance,
just one chance,
to shine on the grandest stage of them all
and tell my enemies that they may try at WrestleMania,
but they'll never take my title.
Are you with me?
Woo.
You got it, champ.
That guy, Mel Gibson, he's got nothing on you.
Woo.
-Woo! Woo! Woo! -[Triple H] All right.
-Off to WrestleMania -[horse neighs]
[grunts]
["Next Big Thing" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Rome] Please welcome
Brock Lesnar.
[Corey] The Beast is in Orlando like a real-life Rip Wheeler.
Lesnar's smiling right now, but I assure you there is turmoil inside.
[Kevin Patrick] Last time we saw Brock Lesnar, the Royal Rumble match,
and Bobby Lashley had his say with The Beast,
sending him to the outside.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Lesnar rocking a Megadeth t-shirt to the ring tonight.
You know what they say, "Peace sells but who's buying?"
Certainly not Lesnar.
Peace has never really been The Beast's forte.
["Next Big Thing" continues]
[crowd cheering]
I appreciate you.
Thank you very much.
Good evening, Orlando.
[crowd cheering]
Did y'all by chance catch the Royal Rumble?
[crowd] Yes.
I did too. I thought it sucked.
[crowd laughs]
At least I had a sucky experience.
You see, at the Royal Rumble,
Brock Lesnar got his ass thrown over the top rope.
That's not the worst of it.
I got my ass thrown over the top rope
by Bobby who?
Bobby Lashley.
Now, I apologize I wasn't on Raw last week.
I had to get my head together a little bit.
You see, Bobby,
you finally struck a chord in Brock Lesnar.
You see, all last week, I couldn't get Bobby out of my head.
I tried--I tried to go hunting
and all I could think about is Bobby who?
Bobby Lashley.
The next day, I wake up.
I wanna go ice fishing. Y'all know what ice fishing is?
-[crowd] Yes. -Yeah.
I like coastal fishing too. Don't get me wrong.
I tried to go ice fishing
and all I can think about is Bobby who?
Bobby Lashley.
I sit down for a big old steak dinner
and all I can think about is Bobby Lashley.
I crawl into bed at night with my wife.
[crowd chatter]
Now, about four or five hours later,
all I can think about is Bobby Lashley.
[crowd cheering]
So all week long, I thought long and hard about
what am I gonna do with Bobby Lashley?
Now, Brock Lesnar came up with a resolution.
It's a violent resolution,
but it's a resolution.
You see,
in this $5 denim jacket
is a multimillion-dollar contract.
On this contract, it states
Bobby Lashley
versus Brock Lesnar at Elimination Chamber.
[crowd cheering]
Now, Bobby Lashley, if you got a set of balls,
you'll get your ass down here and sign this contract.
["All Mighty" playing]
[Corey] You got your wish, Mr. Lesnar.
[Kevin Patrick] The All Mighty doesn't need a second invitation.
[Corey] There aren't too many men brave enough to call down
the thunder from The All Mighty, but Bobby Lashley is here
in the Amway Center making his way toward the ring.
[Kevin Patrick] There's nothing $5 about what Bobby Lashley is wearing.
[Corey] Custom made head to toe.
Two of the most decorated combat sports athletes
in the history of combat sports.
[Kevin Patrick] He told me, Corey, his number one goal
at the Royal Rumble match was dumping Lesnar to the outside.
[Corey] Lashley achieved that goal, and as consolation prize,
another meeting with Brock Lesnar here on Monday Night Raw.
["All Mighty" continues]
[Corey] Look at these two titans.
[crowd cheering]
Well, nice of you to grace us with your presence, Brock.
I didn't even know you were gonna be here, but since you are,
let's take a little walk down memory lane.
You and I had match number one.
And what happened, Brock?
I pinned you.
Now, match number two, you won,
but if my memory serves me correct,
I laid your ass unconscious
as I walked out of this ring.
So the third meeting that we had that we met each other face to face
was at the Royal Rumble
and I threw your ass over the top rope without any problem, Brock.
So if my memory serves me correct and, um,
I think things are gonna be done under my terms right now, Brock.
So I'm gonna take this contract
and I'm gonna let my agent look at it.
I'm gonna let my manager look at it.
I'm gonna make my lawyer look at it.
And then I'll get back with you, Brock.
I'll take it into consideration.
What do you--are you surprised, Brock?
Are you surprised that Bobby who
has won up on you?
[crowd chatter]
[Kevin Patrick] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Look out.
He's angered The Beast.
[Corey] F5 to The All Mighty.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] One more time. One more time.
One more time.
One more time. One more time.
[Corey] Oh, no, no, no, no.
Lesnar giving the people what they want.
Another thunderous F5 to Bobby Lashley.
["Next Big Thing" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] It looks like Brock's not gonna stick around for an official acceptance.
But make no mistake, The Beast Incarnate
doing his best to force The All Mighty's hand
to sign the contract, accept the challenge.
And can you imagine--can you imagine, Kevin Patrick, for just one second,
forget the Bruins versus the Habs, this could be the single
biggest brawl in the history of the Great White North…
-Yeah. Yeah. -…if it's made official.
Hopefully Bobby Lashley's manager takes a look at that,
gets the contract signed quickly, and roll on Saturday week
at the Elimination Chamber if it is made official, like you say.
[Gargano] Hey, wife.
-Hey. -Big night, one step closer
to the Elimination Chamber.
How are you feeling?
Luck hasn't been on my side, but I feel good tonight.
-I feel good. Yeah. -Yeah?
Well, Dexter wanted to draw you a picture for good luck.
-Oh, Dexter. -I know. I know.
I--oh--you--the whole family?
Oh, even Padme and [speaks indistinctly]
Wait, Dexter, who is that?
What is? Is that Nikki?
That looks--Nikki?
-What do you… -[Nikki laughing]
[Candice] What are you doing? Nikki, hey.
-[Nikki laughing] -What? What is--
what?
-["Fabulous" playing] -[singer] ♪ F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S ♪
-[Corey] Oh, baby. -[Kevin Patrick laughing]
[Kevin Patrick] She's back.
[Corey] Oh, is she ever.
-She's back. -[Kevin Patrick] And for the first time,
Corey, in seven months,
Carmella is making her way to the ring.
[singer singing indistinctly]
[Kevin Patrick] And this is huge.
An Elimination Chamber qualifying Fatal 4-Way.
Carmella's out first.
Next, we'll see Candice LeRae, Michin, and Piper Niven.
[Corey] It's a good thing we're seeing my wife for the first time
in seven months and I haven't said a damn word, KP.
God, she's gorgeous.
[Kevin Patrick] Welcome back, folks.
All set to go and heading for a Fatal 4-Way
Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Carmella back in the ring for the first time in seven months.
Candice LeRae and Michin,
and now the fourth and final competitor.
["Taste the Jealousy" playing]
[Rome] And making her way to the ring, Piper Niven.
[Corey] We recently saw Piper Niven returned
in the Women's Royal Rumble match
and what a dominant force Niven proved to be.
[Kevin Patrick] Full of absolute sheer aggression, Piper Niven.
Well, Corey, the talent on show here in this match is phenomenal.
[Corey] I won't disagree with you in any way, shape, or form, KP.
There is an overabundance of talent in this matchup,
but in my personal opinion, only one true superstar,
that being the newly returned Carmella.
Yes, Candice LeRae wants the opportunity.
Yes, "Michin" Mia Yim has made a strong case for herself.
-The only way to enter the Elimination… -[bell ringing]
[Corey] …Chamber match to earn a WrestleMania opportunity
at the Raw Women's title is to win this match.
Kevin Patrick First woman to gain a pinfall
or submission will win and advance,
um, like we mentioned, to the Elimination Chamber.
-[yells] -[screams]
[Corey] Careful.
Not only is she beautiful, she's smart, staying out of harm's way.
Piper Niven not the woman to mess with in this environment.
But now, Candice finding out firsthand what Piper Niven is truly capable of.
[Kevin Patrick] Just pulverizing and crushing Candice LeRae and Michin.
-Watch out, Carmella from behind. -[Corey] From behind.
You think I'm scared of you, huh?
[Corey] Carmella eager to remind the entire locker room here on W--
or on Monday Night Raw.
Piper Niven just dominating.
Now, two on one, Mia and Candice working in unison.
-Kevin Patrick We've seen this before. -[Corey] Smart strategy.
You're gonna have to team up to take down Piper Niven.
She is such a powerhouse.
Very few women can match
the power possessed individually of Piper Niven.
Smart strategy by LeRae and Mia Yim,
who are now squaring off because it's-- it is every woman for herself
in this environment.
We saw Natalya punched her ticket this past Friday night on SmackDown
to join the fray inside the Elimination Chamber,
along with the last four female competitors
in the Women's Royal Rumble match,
save for the winner, Rhea Ripley.
Kevin Patrick That is Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Nikki Cross, and Liv Morgan.
Who will be the final competitor?
Such massive stakes in this match.
[Corey] And it looked as though Candice was a bit tentative up on the top rope.
You cannot afford to be--
-wow, Poison Rana. -Kevin Patrick Oh, my.
[Corey] Michin in bad shape and here comes Carmella.
Kevin Patrick Can Carmella pounce and punch her ticket?
Kick out by Candice.
Once more for Carmella.
Carmella is resilient.
Carmella is persistent.
[Corey] Brilliant is the word you're looking for.
Looking to capitalize off of the dominance.
Oh, my God.
All three women flattened by Niven.
Cover and Michin barely escapes.
-Look at this. -Kevin Patrick Piper Niven…
[Corey] Splat.
Overwhelming power, using her size to her advantage.
Piper Niven, a force to be reckoned with.
-Looking to spoil Mella's return. -[Kevin Patrick] Cover.
[Kevin Patrick] Piper Niven lasted 28 minutes, 5 seconds
in the Royal Rumble match on returning.
-[Corey] Carmela sent to the outside. -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Can anybody stop Piper Niven and advance to the chamber?
[Kevin Patrick] A jam-packed crowd here at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
What an enormous match this is,
an Elimination Chamber qualifying Fatal 4-Way.
[Corey] The winner of this match will join Asuka, Liv Morgan,
Raquel Rodriguez, Nikki Cross, and Natalya
with the winner advancing to WrestleMania
and to challenge Bianca Belair for the Raw's Women's title.
And man, has Piper Niven been a force tonight?
[Kevin Patrick] Catches Candice LeRae with ease.
[Corey] Oh, fantastic maneuver by Mia Yim.
[Kevin Patrick] Who's going to get up first?
Seize the opportunity and advance to the Elimination Chamber.
[Corey] Piper Niven has been neutralized for the moment
from this neck breaker by Michin,
not to mention the Poison Pixie crashing down on Piper.
This could go anybody's way right now.
This is my match, Mia.
Who the hell do you think you are?
This is my match.
-This is… -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
This is my match.
[Kevin Patrick] When you think of the experience, the resume of Carmella,
SmackDown Women's champion, a former Ms. Money in the Bank
back in action now.
[Corey] You can list her accolades all day,
but Michin would love to make her name
at the expense of someone as decorated as Carmella.
Eat defeat. No, no.
-[Kevin Patrick] Michin might be headed… -[Corey] Oh, no.
[Kevin Patrick] …to the Elimination Chamber match!
And Piper Niven in the way.
[Corey] Piper, make no mistake, was not looking out for Carmella.
Piper simply trying to protect her opportunity
to enter the Elimination Chamber and keep this match alive.
Michin now teeing off on Niven, and a headbutt by Piper.
They felt all the way in Glasgow.
-From the top. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man.
[Corey] Candice connects.
[Kevin Patrick] Pinfall or submission and you're in.
That's the name of the game. Candice LeRae.
[Corey] Beautiful moonsault.
[Kevin Patrick] Hooks the leg to advance, Michin in the way.
[Corey] What's Candice surprised about?
This is the name of the game.
Take a look at this.
Candice with a perfectly executed moonsault
crashing down on Niven.
Oh, wow.
Like being driven into a black hole.
[Kevin Patrick] Piper Niven now.
Is this her path through? Candice LeRae in to pounce.
This match is still alive.
Remember this a path potentially to Bianca Belair
and the Raw Women's Championship at the WrestleMania.
That's what's at stake if you can win the Elimination Chamber match.
The only way you'll get there is if you win this match here tonight.
[Corey] Candice LeRae doing her best to bring the fight to Piper Niven.
Nobody home.
[Kevin Patrick] Candice now, senton on Piper.
-[Corey] Piper wisely rolling out-- -[Kevin Patrick] Hang on a second.
-[Corey] Mella from behind. -[Kevin Patrick] Mella stacks her up.
Out at two.
[Corey] Candice beats Carmella to the punch.
The Pixie with a face full of turnbuckle.
[Kevin Patrick] Savvy experience move by Carmella.
[Corey] Look at this aggression from Carmella.
It's time to do a little moon walking after the trash talking.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Oh, nailed it.
Niven from behind.
Cannonball.
-[Kevin Patrick] Carmella. -[Corey] Super kick.
[Kevin Patrick] Carmella now dragging Candice LeRae back inside.
Stacking her up for the victory.
-[bell ringing] -[Corey] And Mella's going to the Chamber.
-["Fabulous" playing] -[Rome] Here is your winner, Carmella.
[Corey] You need to apologize to me.
-I apologize. -Apologize better.
Do better than that.
She is hotter than hell.
She is sweeter than honey.
She's going to win the Chamber
and the world's going to know, KP, that Mella is Money.
[Kevin Patrick] There you go. The princess of Staten Island
has secured her path to the Elimination Chamber match.
[Corey] I'm ordinarily not the type to say "I told you so,"
but who the hell are we kidding?
I told you so.
[laughs] Sorry, man.
That didn't go as planned, did it?
While we're downtown in Orlando, where are we going to eat?
Want to get a drink?
What do you want to do?
-We? -We.
There ain't no we.
I headlined WrestleMania.
I sold out arenas all over the world.
I was must-watch television.
You are channel-changing television.
That sound you hear when you get in the ring,
that's remote controls around the world
changing the channel to watch anything but you,
and I don't give a damn about you.
I give a damn about the fact that my Hall of Fame legacy,
my championship-laden career has lost all credibility,
because of you.
Modern day wrestling god?
I'll tell you what you need. It's not some cute little shirt,
is a red nose and floppy shoes because you are a clown.
You do not belong near me.
John, where's this coming-- look, I can change.
I can do better. I'll do better.
You can't polish a turd.
I tried.
John.
-["Shoooosh" playing] -[singer] ♪ Shoooosh ♪
[Corey] Corbin down on his luck yet again.
It's heartbreaking.
[Kevin Patrick] Hall of fame career losing all credibility, says JBL.
[Corey] If you want to restore a little credibility to the game,
how about the Academy?
[Kevin Patrick] Chad Gable and Otis set for action here on Monday Night Raw.
In fact, it's two former tag team champions in WWE.
They'll go up against Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin.
[Corey] Is it just me or did you see behind JBL and Corbin?
-[Kevin Patrick] Yeah. -Look at that face.
[crowd cheering]
Come here, you. You ruined everything.
I can't believe you've ruined this for me.
I should be going to WrestleMania.
-Not anybody-- -Back off.
You're lucky.
You're both very lucky.
If either of you get in between me and the Raw Women's Championship again,
I will not be so forgiving.
-["I'm In My Prime!" playing] -You okay?
[Corey] The Women's locker room better heed Piper Niven's warning.
She's a woman on a mission, and look at this trio,
Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander
joined by longtime associate MVP.
Could it be that all fences have been mended
on that side of the ring?
And if so, what does that mean for the Academy?
[Kevin Patrick] You know what, you're right. And very clearly--
[Corey] I know I'm right, Kevin. I'm usually right.
[Kevin Patrick] The relationship was improved. MVP here,
close to the announce desk.
[Corey] Well, we saw Cedric and Shelton and MVP all go their separate ways.
It certainly seemed as though that relationship was irreparably broken.
Such is not the case.
But I assure you,
the Alpha Academy are intent on spoiling this little reunion tonight.
[Kevin Patrick] Chad Gable now, so methodical,
working on Cedric Alexander with Otis and Shelton Benjamin watching on.
[Corey] Shelton, Cedric former Raw tag team champions,
would love to return to the top of the mountain,
and they did so under the tutelage
of one of the best minds in the business, MVP.
Shoosh!
[Kevin Patrick] Why do you say he's one of the best minds in the business?
[Corey] You ever had a conversation with MVP, KP?
[Kevin Patrick] He's a smart man.
[Corey] Of course he is, that's why I said it.
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh. -[Corey] Good Lord, man.
Incredible power by Chad Gable.
[Corey] I'm not just talking about business experience,
I'm talking about life experience.
MVP is a wealth of knowledge.
Even MVP couldn't answer
for the power of Chad Gable in that instance.
And now the number one guy has been unleashed.
[Kevin Patrick] Uh-oh, here comes Otis.
[crowd chatter]
Tag made.
"The Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin enters.
[Corey] Otis certainly has a bit of professional respect
for Shelton Benjamin.
Both men have amateur wrestling accolades second to none.
Shelton Benjamin was one of the coaches
of none other than "The Beast" Brock Lesnar
back in their days in Minnesota.
And Shelton eager to remind the WWE Universe
just what he's capable of.
Look at the power of Otis.
Good Lord.
[Kevin Patrick] Otis is hungry.
Otis is ready to feast, but is he delaying here, Corey?
[Corey] Otis is fascinating.
Oh, my God.
Big splash.
And that might be all she wrote for Benjamin and Alexander.
The officials getting a closer look at Shelton Benjamin
who may have suffered some semblance of an injury at the hands of Otis.
If you're talking injuries, how about the return
of "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes in the Royal Rumble Match.
Cody will be here live in Orlando later tonight.
[Kevin Patrick] Otis surveying the scene now, as Shelton Benjamin…
[Corey] Listen, let's be perfectly honest with ourselves.
Otis defies the laws of physics.
A man that big should not be able to move with the quickness that Otis does.
And the fact that Otis is still on his feet has to frustrate Shelton,
just unceremoniously dumped.
[Kevin Patrick] So powerful Otis.
Looking to collect his prey.
[Corey] Never seen someone dumped like that
since we were in high school, KP.
There we go.
[Corey] Out of the way just in time.
Shelton certainly feeling the effect of the onslaught of Otis.
[Kevin Patrick] Gable wants a tag and gets it. As does Cedric Alexander.
[Corey] Cedric looking to push the pace, able to match the speed of Chad Gable.
Epic forearm in the corner.
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man. -[Corey] Right in the base of the skull.
Cedric is fired up right now.
[Kevin Patrick] Under the guidance of Shelton, and now MVP by his side,
Cedric Alexander is rolling.
[Corey] Cedric with a Neuralyzer.
Right between the eyes of Chad Gable, and the Olympian is rocked.
I just got a glimpse of Gable's eyes, and the lights are on,
but there was nobody inside.
[Kevin Patrick] Watch out, here comes Cedric.
-Caught by Gable. -[Corey] Oh, dear.
Exploder on the outside at the feet of MVP.
And it's elementary from here on out.
[Kevin Patrick] Cedric's a long way away, but Gable takes flight.
[Corey] Diving headbutt, that's going to do it.
[Kevin Patrick] Hooks the leg now, for the victory, for the Academy.
-Shelton Benjamin. -[Corey] Benjamin keeps this one alive,
but has drawn the ire of the massive Otis.
[Kevin Patrick] Out of the way goes Shelton.
His turn now. A running knee rocks Otis.
[Corey] Oh my goodness. One for each chin.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, no. Wow.
[Corey] A Samoan drop by Shelton Benjamin.
How the hell did he get Otis up that high?
[Kevin Patrick] 330 pounds of Otis.
[Corey] Oh, wow.
Explosive impact by Gable, making the climb to the top turnbuckle.
[Kevin Patrick] Gable now.
-[Corey] Great athleticism. -[Kevin Patrick] No one home.
Alexander.
Knees were up.
[Corey] The Cedric Alexander school of chiropractic medicine
-open for business. -[bell ringing]
["Ain't No Stoppin' Me" playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners,
the team of Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander.
[Corey] Well, whatever the nature of this alliance is,
it appears to be that at least as for tonight,
MVP may have been the missing ingredient for that sauce.
[Kevin Patrick] You can say that again.
This a--look at how Cedric Alexander got it done.
Look at the athleticism.
[Corey] Both knees to the spine of Chad Gable,
-an old favorite of Cedric Alexander… -[bell ringing]
[Corey] …earns the W and the winner's purse tonight.
[Kevin Patrick] That trio, wow, laughing and joking after a victory.
Well, Shelton and Cedric have to be feeling very, very good about themselves.
And again, whatever the nature of this alliance with MVP truly is,
hopefully we'll find out in time.
But one thing's for certain, it's about time to put a little respect
back on the name of Benjamin and Alexander.
MVP can certainly make things happen.
Now, one fella who'd like for things to happen for him right now is The Miz.
He was making a lot of demands last week, but they backfired in a sensational way.
I demand to be treated with respect.
Please welcome the newest member of the Monday Night Raw roster,
Rick Boogs.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] An ill-prepared Miz would be forced to compete against the powerhouse,
unorthodox as he may be,
a returning Rick Boogs, who is bigger and badder than even before.
-[bell ringing] -[Corey] A humiliating loss
-for The A-Lister. -["Solid Ground" playing]
[singer] ♪ That's the time For all to believe ♪
I'm standing by backstage hoping to get in a word with The Miz.
Miz, I know you were caught off guard last week,
but I was hoping to get your reaction to the return of Rick Boogs.
What's my reaction?
Well, I'll be happy to give my reaction to Adam Pearce,
along with the bill for the damages of my $10,000 suit that my wife bought me.
I mean, who makes someone compete in a suit?
As far as Boogs is concerned, what, am I supposed to be impressed
that he can bench 500 pounds and play the electric--
Whoa. [chuckles]
[crowd cheering]
-Uh, pardon me. [chuckles] -Yeah.
How did you get an appointment before me with Adam Pearce?
Let me guess, you think you're special, don't you?
Special?
Thanks, man.
But you know, in all honestly, I'm really just happy to be reunited
with The Boogs Crew in the WWE Universe.
The Boogs Crew?
Oh, cut the humble crap.
I would have won easily, if I was dressed and ready to compete.
You got lucky and you know it.
You're just lucky that Adam Pearce is a lazy, incompetent official
because if it would have been differently,
and I would have been dressed and ready to compete,
it would be an entirely different story.
Tell me how you really feel.
[crowd cheering]
-Hi. -Adam.
Yeah. Look, if you wanted a rematch with Boogs,
-all you did was ask for it. -Oh.
Matter of fact, uh, how's next week?
-For you Boogs, is that good? -Boy, yes. Boy, yes.
Yes. Yes.
Thick Rick and The Miz next week.
I'm so excited.
I'm Boogs-ing out.
[crowd cheering]
Okay.
Hi. Chelsea Green, again.
Yeah.
I'm about to go to the ring, so you better find me an opponent
or I will call your manager.
Okay. Thanks. Bye.
Thank you.
[singer sings indistinctly]
[Corey] We wanna send a very special shout-out and congratulations
to WWE Hall of Famer "The Prince of Darkness" Ozzy Osbourne
for picking up not one, but two Grammys last night
for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance.
No surprise there.
The Prince of Darkness lives forever.
[singer] Shhh. It's Chelsea.
["Hot Mess" playing]
[singer] ♪ Yeah. Hey, hey. Shhh ♪
[bell ringing]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Victoria, DC, Chelsea Green.
[Corey] I wonder if Rob Halford called the manager
when Chelsea Green stole his hat.
I mean, what is going on with this woman?
I've seen Chelsea Green compete and she is talented.
She is very, very talented and always a threat
to anybody who steps in the ring with her,
but who the hell does Chelsea Green think she is?
It's like she's upset that her blooming onion came out overcooked.
[Kevin Patrick] I'm kinda surprised that she got her wish.
Demanded a match and that's exactly what Chelsea Green is getting.
I looked to get a word out of Chelsea Green earlier on today
and she said, "Excuse me."
"I want a Grande, sugar-free, vanilla latte with soy milk."
[Corey] Who is it gonna be?
["You Can't Hide" playing]
-[laughter] -[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, this is amazing.
[singer] ♪ Your destiny's written All over the sky ♪
[Rome] And her opponent, from Osaka, Japan,
Asuka.
[Corey] Kevin Patrick, have you ever seen the movie Jurassic Park?
-[Kevin Patrick] Yes, sir. -[Corey] I mean, the very first one.
Do you remember when they lowered that poor goat into the chamber
and we all knew what was about to go down?
Yeah, I'd like you to meet our resident velociraptor,
"The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka.
[Kevin Patrick] Did you see the face on Chelsea Green when Asuka's music hit?
The Grand Slam Champion in WWE.
"Okay. Thanks. Bye."
Maybe what Chelsea Green is thinking right now.
[Corey] "Okay. Thanks. Bye."
I think was a premonition, perhaps a spoiler on her own behalf.
-Asuka--oh, wait a minute. -[bell ringing]
[Corey] Oh. Wait, is that Raquel Rodriguez on the outside?
Chelsea bringing the fight.
Liv Morgan is here?
[Kevin Patrick] Both, of course, part of the Elimination Chamber match
to come a week from Saturday, that will include Asuka.
[Corey] We've got--we've got Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez,
Natalya is here right in front of our announce desk.
And Chelsea Green and…
[chuckles] Oh, wow.
Carmella is back.
What's not to be excited about?
And Chel--perhaps, most insanely,
Chelsea Green is kicking the crap out of Asuka.
[Kevin Patrick] Kinda adds a little pressure to Asuka right now, doesn't it?
Knowing that all the opponents for the Elimination Chamber match
are watching her every move.
[Corey] Unique flatliner facebuster from Chelsea Green
who needs to focus on Asuka.
I should be in the Chamber match, not this.
I don't know what this is.
[Kevin Patrick] A bit entitled.
[Corey] Entitled I don't think is the right word for it.
I believe delusional is what you're looking for, Kevin Patrick.
[Kevin Patrick] Well, hang on, hang on. Where the…
[Corey] That was--that was Nikki Cross
who just crawled out from underneath the ring.
You want crazy?
You want crazy, Nikki?
I'll give you crazy.
-[Nikki laughs] -Don't you laugh at me.
[Kevin Patrick] How long has she been under the ring?
[Corey] Listen, I got a feeling I know how this works out,
but, you know, far be it from me to spoil the entertainment of the WWE Universe
because ain't nobody more excited for the next five seconds than old CG.
Turn around, Chelsea Green.
I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about me.
[speaks Japanese]
[Corey] And Buzzsaw engage.
[Kevin Patrick] Look at the rapid offense of Asuka.
[Corey] A striking machine, The Empress of Tomorrow absolutely lethal.
[Kevin Patrick] Welcome to Monday Night Raw, Chelsea Green.
[Corey chuckles]
I think right now the best Chelsea can hope for
are a couple of coupons for her next visit.
[Kevin Patrick] It's not over yet. Chelsea Green back up on her feet.
A big kick to Asuka.
[Corey] I'm gonna eat my words here.
And an armbar. Oh, my God.
Oh, the body is not supposed to bend this way.
No. I give up.
-[Darryl] Bell, bell, bell. -[bell ringing]
[Kevin Patrick] Chelsea may tap. It's over.
-It's over. -["You Can't Hide" playing]
[Corey] How's she gonna dial the manager without using her arms?
[Rome] Here is your winner by submission, Asuka.
["You Can't Hide" playing]
[singer singing indistinctly]
[Corey] Asuka realizing that she
is also the center of attention
from all of these women, all who will join The Empress
in the Elimination Chamber for a goal at this woman.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[singer] ♪ They hear me roar ♪
♪ And now I see That I'm way better than before ♪
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
[Corey] The EST on the scene.
[singer] ♪ I'm living large now ♪
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
Now, I want all of y'all to take a good look at each other
and tell me what you see?
Because I'll tell you what I see.
What I see is six top-tier women in WWE.
[crowd cheering]
But who has what it takes to win the Elimination Chamber Match?
Who has what it takes to go one-on-one with The EST of WWE?
[crowd cheering]
Because last year, I was in your position.
I know what it's like to be in an Elimination Chamber Match
and I know what it takes to win.
That's how I got this.
[crowd cheering]
So I want to wish each and every one of you good luck
because, whoever makes it out,
I'll be ready to see you at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
♪ I'm on my own ♪
♪ Against the wall ♪
[Kevin Patrick] The statement from The EST.
[Corey] I can't remember the last time I knew a superstar
who wore a target as well as Bianca Belair.
[Kevin Patrick] Here we go, then a week from Saturday
at The Elimination Chamber, who is going to win that ticket
to WrestleMania to take on the Raw Women's Champion, Bianca Belair?
We do know, though, Corey, who is headed to WrestleMania
and it is "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
And he is counting down the days to the biggest WrestleMania of all time.
He'll be main eventing against Roman Reigns.
Cody Rhodes is here on Raw next.
[singer] ♪ Reach out, let me take it ♪
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one Royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
[crowd cheering]
-[explosion] -[singer] ♪ 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 ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men, Better men ♪
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes.
[Kevin Patrick] Cody Rhodes was a guest on our After The Bell podcast this week
with WWE.
And he spoke, Corey, of the overwhelming emotional magnitude
of what this WrestleMania opportunity represents for him.
[Corey] Cody spoke to the journey to this point and what lies ahead,
most notably the fact that Cody will be the first in his family,
including his legendary father…
"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, in that Cody will be the first of his name
to main event the showcase of immortals at WrestleMania.
All that so much more.
Cody got emotional at some points.
Make sure you check it out wherever you get your podcasts
because Cody has a lot to say about the road that lies ahead
and the story yet to be written.
[Kevin Patrick] Can you believe we are less than eight weeks away
from WrestleMania in Hollywood?
54 days and Cody Rhodes is counting each and every one of them.
[singer] ♪ You took my dreams But not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me into the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody,
Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody.
So what do you guys wanna talk about?
[crowd cheering]
Hmm.
Last week, I used my interview time
to come out here and talk to you with respect
about my current WrestleMania opponent, The Tribal Chief, The Head of the Table,
The Biggest Superstar in the World, The Best in the World, Roman Reigns.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] Sami, Sami, Sami, Sami, Sami, Sami, Sami…
So y'all read my mind.
See, I said current opponent.
My path to WrestleMania is straight, but the destination a wee bit foggy,
and the reason being our champion is putting the titles on the line
at the Elimination Chamber
against a guy who has kicked up all the dust,
a guy who has all the momentum,
a guy that's walking into his home town, and that is Sami Zayn.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Sami, Sami, Sami, Sami,
Sami, Sami, Sami, Sami, Sami, Sami…
You guys seem like a perfect judge for my next question.
It looks more and more like at WrestleMania
It's going to be me standing there
challenging for The Championship against Sami Zayn.
[crowd cheering]
I say this with the utmost respect.
I have respect for anyone avenging an injustice done to them.
I have respect for my friend, Sami Zayn.
I wish you the best of luck.
May the best man win.
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen.
Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Paul Heyman.
And I serve as special counsel
and The Wiseman
to your Tribal Chief,
the reigning, defending undisputed
WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion,
Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] ECW, ECW, ECW, ECW.
May I?
[crowd chatter]
Cody, what you may one day find out
in your life,
hopefully not at my expense,
but one day…
is that life at the very top in this industry
requires an understanding
that the only week busier than the week leading into a major event
like the Royal Rumble or, watch the point,
WrestleMania
is the week coming out of a major event
like the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania.
I'm sure you know The Tribal Chief and I
have had a lot on our plates in the past week.
A few things fell through the cracks admittedly on the island of relevancy,
one of which is The Tribal Chief and I,
in front of the entire world,
want to congratulate you
on winning the 2023 WWE Men's Royal Rumble match.
Congratulations.
You earned it.
I'm very proud of you.
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody, Cody,
So…
I know that my father had a nickname for you,
my brother had a nickname for you,
but if you'll indulge me, I'm going to call you Mr. Heyman.
Well, it's because I have an unparalleled respect for you
and I think you know why.
But if we're going to pull back the curtain here,
might as well pull it back for everyone here in attendance tonight,
might as well pull it back for everybody watching at home.
I want to tell a story that should be told
that should have been told a long time ago.
The year was 2000.
The tale in my family had dried up a bit.
Hard times became more than just the promos.
Simply put, my family went broke.
$100 in a Wachovia checking account for all of us.
If you need a visual aid for it, my dad doing local car commercials
and not for the money, just so he could keep the car.
[crowd chanting] Dusty, Dusty, Dusty, Dusty, Dusty, Dusty,
Dusty, Dusty, Dusty, Dusty…
But then he got a phone call,
you called him,
you told him ECW was in town,
you told him that Steve Corino was going to talk a little smack about him
and that if he would just agree to appear on camera.
If Dusty Rhodes would be on ECW,
you would pay him and you would pay him well.
[crowd chanting] ECW, ECW, ECW, ECW, ECW, ECW, ECW…
You kept your word, in addition, to the money
that we sorely needed,
ECW gave my father his confidence back
and I can never, ever repay you for that.
Thank you very much.
[crowd cheering]
And we turn the clocks a bit forward here, I know we don't talk about it,
but before I was here,
I was somewhere else causing a little bit of trouble.
And from one disruptor in this sport, from one disruptor in sports entertainment
in this whole world to another, you showed a--you showed me the way.
Thank you again.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Thank you, Paul. Thank you, Paul. Thank you, Paul.
Thank you, Paul. Thank you, Paul.
Okay, you're good.
You really caught me off guard on this one.
I came out here to schmooze a little business with you,
and you, uh, you got me personally.
[crowd cheering]
Well, I--if we're going to peel it back, if we're gonna shoot from the hip,
let's go all the way.
This isn't about me,
and will all due respect and love and admiration and adulation
and I'll even dare say the word acknowledgment,
this isn't about your dad, this is about you.
This is about everything that you have fought for
from the bottom all the way up, out the door, back in the door
to winning the Men's Royal Rumble
to main eventing WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
[Heyman] And winning WrestleMania is a whole different story.
Just getting there is a long, long road, and that's your story,
that's the story that you need to finish to find out if it is a dream come true
or you have to suffer the nightmare of coming just this close
because you're not just main eventing WrestleMania,
you're trying to take away from the greatest Box-Office attraction,
the greatest champion of all time,
Roman Reigns.
[crowd chatter]
[Heyman] And that's no easy task for any mere mortal,
but let alone someone who has no idea what it's like under that spotlight.
Will you crumble under that spotlight?
Will you wither under the stress?
Will you self-destruct under the pressure because no one ever prepped you for that.
You know, right down the road
is the WWE Performance Center,
and at that very performance center,
your father,
"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
trained and prepped
the biggest stars of this generation.
Your father, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
trained and prepped Seth Rollins.
Your father, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
trained and prepped Becky Lynch.
Your father, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes trained and prepped Bayley.
Your father, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
trained and prepped Kevin Owens.
Your father, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes
trained and prepped for the highest level of success,
"The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.
[crowd chatter]
You know who your father didn't train and prep,
your father did not train
nor prep you.
Now, the father myself, I could counsel you that maybe,
just maybe your father wanted you to make it on your own,
that's how much love he had for you.
Maybe just maybe your father wanted you to step out
from a shadow of a national monument like "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes,
that he didn't want you to go through life as Dusty's son,
but he wanted you to go through life as Cody, "WrestleMania Main Event,"
the man that stopped "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.
[crowd chatter]
[Heyman] Maybe.
God, Cody, I can't convey in words
how much I loved your father,
and I can tell you straight to your face
man, did your father love you.
And, uh, I'll tell you this one personally,
in my last conversation with your dad,
he told me…
you, Cody, were his favorite son,
but Roman Reigns was the son he always wanted.
[crowd chatter]
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[crowd chatter]
I'm just carrying a message.
[crowd chatter]
Ow.
You're hurting me.
You know, I'm just trying to win a wrestling championship
and everybody, everybody wants to make it personal,
and that's just what you just did,
and you're not going to pay for it, Mr. Heyman.
Your boy, Roman Reigns,
is going to pay for it at WrestleMania
when I take those titles, personally.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Tessitore] A dagger delivered to "The American Nightmare"
by The Wiseman and the markings on the handle match
that of The Tribal Chief, but Cody will not relent.
Cody will not be deterred on the Road to WrestleMania.
-["Kingdom" playing] -[singer] ♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
["Bring the Swag" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] I can't wait to see how this one unfolds.
We're about to find out who earns the last spot in the Elimination Chamber.
[bell ringing]
[Rome] The following contest is an Elimination Chamber
Qualifying match.
Introducing first, representing The Street Profits,
Montez Ford.
[Corey] We'll find out if Montez Ford can succeed where Angelo Dawkins
came up just short earlier tonight.
[Kevin Patrick] Already after securing their place, Seth Rollins,
Bronson Reed, Johnny Gargano, and earlier tonight, Damian Priest.
Austin Theory, the United States Champion, will also be there defending
his United States Championship inside the Elimination Chamber.
Who is going to take it?
The stake's enormous.
It's Montez Ford, Elias, next.
[singer] ♪ 'Bout to be up in your face ♪
♪ Puddin' proof is in the chase Put in work, the paper pays ♪
♪ On the up and I'm on a roll ♪
♪ You beneath and you cut and cold Hyper drive and no cruise control ♪
[upbeat music playing]
[Kofi] I always wanted to be a WWE Superstar.
In my heart, this was where I wanted to be
and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
I was legitimately on the verge of getting a shot at the WWE Championship
for the first time in 11 years.
[Tom] Kofimania is running wild.
[Byron] I'm down with Kofimania.
Let's feel this.
[Big E] His struggle was being passed over.
That's a very real thing.
[Kofi] Everything that I did has led up to this point.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] Kofi did it. Kofi is champion.
[Big E] This meant a lot to be able to represent Black kids,
let them know that it's not impossible to breakthrough.
[Kofi] The impossible is possible.
[crowd chanting] Kofi, Kofi, Kofi, Kofi, Kofi,
[Kevin Patrick] Who's gonna take the final spot in the Elimination Chamber
Qualifying match for Austin Theory and his United States Championship?
Austin Theory joining us here on the commentary desk.
-Welcome. -Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Please, Austin, forgive him for his uselessness.
[bell ringing]
[Corey] Welcome, WWE Universe.
We are all invited to experience Austin Theory live.
-How'd that do? -[Theory] So good.
-[Corey] My God. -[Theory] Especially when you say it.
But that guy, nasty.
[Corey] Thanks for joining us ringside here, champ.
[Theory] Of course.
[Corey] You'll get a close look at the next superstar
to earn entry into the Elimination Chamber match
where you will bravely defend this coveted United States title
against five other top-tier superstars.
How are you feeling? We know you look great.
How do you feel, champ?
[Theory] How do I feel?
The Elimination Chamber is where I'm gonna showcase my immortality.
That's what's gonna happen.
[Corey] You hear that, KP? Immortality.
It's not a Pearl Jam song. It's reality.
[Kevin Patrick] So the champ, you're watching on here Elias.
Look at the strength on show…
-[Theory] He's strong, but… -[Kevin Patrick] …against Montez Ford.
Look at that aggression from Elias.
You concerned in any way?
[Theory] Aggression?
You know who has the aggression around here?
KP, have you not been paying attention?
I am the greatest United States Champion, and my aggression has gotten me to…
-[Corey] Cover. -[Theory] …where I am today.
[Kevin Patrick] Hang on a second. Elias looking to advance here early.
[Theory] Don't tell me to hang on a second, you loser.
-[Corey] Cover again. -[Kevin Patrick] Kicking out again, Elias.
[Corey] Montez Ford, inside cradle.
[Corey] Tez now with an opportunity.
Let me ask you this, champ.
Do you have a preference of these two superstars?
You mixed it up in the past with Montez Ford in various circumstances.
Elias is a guy who's constantly just a step away
from reaching the top tier.
-Do you have a preference? -You know, this is a tough one.
I will say Montez Ford, he's very athletic.
He's, uh, he's got a lot of great moves under his--you know, under his regimen.
But Elias, I mean, I've never been in the ring with Elias.
-[Corey] There's a little curiosity? -[Theory] Yeah.
You know, I'm--maybe I'm pulling more for Elias in this one.
[Corey] We found out earlier tonight,
Damian Priest earned his way into the Elimination Chamber match,
a former United States Champion in his own right.
[Theory] Yeah, but I made everybody forget about him
when I became the United States Champion.
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man. -[Corey] Real talk. Real talk.
[Kevin Patrick] Montez Ford flattening Elias twice.
-All right. That'll wake you up. -[Kevin Patrick] Hey, Theory,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins also part of that Elimination Chamber.
[Theory] Of course, you're gonna bring up Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Why are you always talking about the past?
[Corey] He never learns. Never ever.
-[Theory] I don't wanna hear that name. -[Corey] Montez Ford, great athleticism,
but Elias just cut Ford's momentum straight off.
[Kevin Patrick] A reminder, the main event tonight,
a Steel Cage match, Becky Lynch and Bayley.
[Corey] Wait, what? What? Kevin, have you learned nothing?
Why are you talking about that match?
We've got the United States Champion right here live and in living color.
Experience it. Live in it.
Kevin, I am the main event anytime I'm out here, okay? Okay?
-Do you understand me? -[Kevin speaks indistinctly] of all time
on the show here later tonight.
We are obviously delighted you're in our presence right now
-here in the [speaks indistinctly] -[Theory] Delighted. Delighted.
-[speaks indistinctly] -[Corey] If I didn't want you to risk…
-[Kevin Patrick] Elated. Clearly elated. -[Corey] …breaking your own fist,
I would get out of the way here.
But, uh, know…
[Theory] What's going on here?
[Corey] Montez Ford in all types of trouble.
Elias giving chase and there goes Ford into the barricade.
[Kevin Patrick] Elias is haunting.
[Corey] Oh.
[Kevin Patrick] Back all over the steel steps.
Can Elias qualify for the Elimination Chamber?
[Kevin Patrick] The stake's enormous here in Orlando, Florida.
It's an Elimination Chamber qualifying match
for the United States Championship.
That's the prize.
Austin Theory, the champ joining us here at ringside.
I am the champ.
The champ, the forever champ.
[Corey] Right now, Elias trying to gain control of this matchup.
Either Elias or Montez Ford will fill the final pod
inside the Elimination Chamber where Austin Theory will bravely
defend his United States Championship.
-Is this-- -[Kevin Patrick] Already there,
Seth Rollins, Bronson Reed, Johnny Gargano, and Damian Priest.
[Theory] You know, a lot of those guys that you're namin',
you know, they're probably all confident,
but have they even been in an Elimination Chamber match?
-[Corey] You have. -[Theory] I have, and I survived.
[Corey] You sure did. You thrived, you survived,
you turned it all around and you are now a two-time United States Champion.
[Theory] That's right.
[Corey] I mean, Rollins has been in the Elimination Chamber,
-but let's not worry about semantics. -[Theory] Yeah.
[Corey] Montez Ford in all types of trouble right now,
high in the electric chair position.
-Oh. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man.
-[Corey] Yikes. -[Kevin Patrick] Elias to secure his spot,
and a kickout by Montez.
[Theory] You know what? I won't lie to you.
I thought that was it. I did.
[Corey] Let's take another look at this so we can relive the impact.
Montez Ford being spiked in the center of the ring,
and Elias nearly earning his chance to head to Montreal.
As this match continues to take shape, champ,
is there anyone in particular you're looking forward
to making experience Austin Theory live
to really savor the suffering in the ring?
You know, I gotta say, you know, Johnny Gargano.
After the chamber, he's just gonna be a stay-at-home dad.
-[Corey] Look at this, Montez Ford! -[Kevin Patrick] Oh.
[Kevin Patrick] Frog splashing over Elias, taking him down now.
[Theory] He's on a-- he's on a roll right now.
[Corey] This isn't freaking you out, is it, champ?
-[Theory] Uh-- -[Corey] Montez is looking
pretty good right now.
[Theory] Um, he's not gonna make it. He's not gonna make it.
[Corey] Uh, Montez Ford in control.
Elias in trouble and…
-[Theory] And then we got-- -[Corey] Just relax, champ.
-It's all right. No. It's-- -[screams]
[Theory] What is that?
-[Corey] Oh. -[Kevin Patrick] That is a cover.
-[Theory] Come on. Come on. -[Kevin Patrick] Montez Ford.
A kickout by Elias who's still alive.
[Corey] Take another look at the heights achieved by Montez Ford.
Beautiful horizontal crossbody, taking down the troubador,
but not enough to put Elias away for three.
Austin, you know what I think you need? Elias has an album.
-Why don't you have an album? -[Theory] That's a really good idea.
[Corey] It's the only kind I have.
[Theory] That's something that KP could never come up with.
-[Kevin Patrick] Can you--can you sing? -Can you--
-can you just shut up, huh? -[Kevin Patrick] Can you sing?
[Theory] Can you just shut up?
[Corey] Can you imagine when you roll up to--
oh, an arena like you did today in that Lambo,
blaring your own tracks? I mean--
[Theory] My own voice just blaring to the world?
[Kevin Patrick] Elias now, guys, hooks the leg for the win.
Now, can he get it?
No, Montez Ford kickin' out.
And yeah, I'm thinking about everybody that's in the chamber.
You know, Johnny Gargano, after the chamber,
like I said, he'll be a stay-at-home dad.
Bronson, I mean, can he even fit in a pod?
[Corey] That's a valid question.
[Kevin Patrick] Bronson did defeat you while in NXT.
-[Theory] What's that? What's that? -[Kevin Patrick] Bronson Reed.
-[Theory] Say it one more time. -[Kevin Patrick] I'm stating the facts.
[Theory] Say it one more time.
If you wanna state facts, the United States Championship
is right here on the table.
You need to respect me.
You need to show me respect every day of your life.
I don't ever wanna hear that again.
[Corey] I'll take it from here.
Big right hand by Montez Ford.
KP, if you value that expensive dental work you got…
-[Kevin Patrick] Yeah. -[Corey] …I wouldn't say anymore.
[Kevin Patrick] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Oh, look out.
-[Theory] Oh. -[Corey] Wow.
Montez Ford is not bound by the laws of gravity,
and we are about to double down on…
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh, my God. -[Corey] …that statement from the heavens.
[Kevin Patrick] Cracked open the roof.
Frog splash. Ford…
[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Kevin Patrick] He's got it. -[bell rings]
[Kevin Patrick] He's headed to the Chamber.
["Bring the Swag" playing]
[Mike] Here is your winner, Montez Ford.
[Corey] Montez Ford with an outstanding individual effort,
earning the biggest singles opportunity of his career.
Ford will join the fray in the Elimination Chamber
where Austin Theory will defend his United States Championship.
[Kevin Patrick] An imposing presence.
Such an impressive victory from Montez Ford.
-[Corey speaks indistinctly] -[Kevin Patrick] What?
[Corey] Rollins, where the hell did Rollins come from?
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Seth "Freakin" Rollins has burst on the scene
and is humiliating the United States Champion.
[Kevin Patrick] Rollins with the Stomp.
Is this a sign of what's to come one week from Saturday
at the Elimination Chamber,
a match for the United States Championship?
[Corey] Well, Rollins won't have surprise on his side inside the chamber.
And from the looks in the eyes of Montez Ford,
Tez is gonna capitalize and make the most.
I'm gonna go check on the champ. You do your business.
["Visionary" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] A look at "The Role Model" Bayley,
set for the main event here on Monday Night Raw
inside a steel cage against "The Man" Becky Lynch.
[singer] ♪ Yeah, it's greatness ♪
[Corey] And it is coming up next, the aforementioned steel cage
to keep two competitors inside, prevent any interference from the outside.
One-on-one, The Man, The Role Model, next.
[singer singing indistinctly]
[tense music playing]
[Kevin Patrick] We are set for an epic main event here on Monday Night Raw.
[Corey] Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
A steel structure to keep the action inside
and any interference on the outside.
[Kevin Patrick] And, Corey, we are rolling toward the Barclays Center
next week in Brooklyn with some massive matches as well.
[Corey] Well, there's the understatement of the week.
Earlier tonight, we witnessed two behemoths come face-to-face.
Lesnar issued the challenge.
Will Lashley make it official?
The contract signing for Elimination Chamber,
The All Mighty, The Beast next week in Brooklyn.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man, bring it on.
Also, folks, coming up next week from Brooklyn,
six superstars headed to the Elimination Chamber,
Raw versus SmackDown.
Let's be having you.
[Corey] What did you just say? Never mind.
We know we are going to be graced with a very special episode of Miz TV.
Not only will Miz compete against Rick Boogs next week,
Miz will have a very special guest in "The Visionary" Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[singer] ♪ Greatness. Yeah ♪
[Kevin Patrick] Let's go.
Time for our main event with two of the very best to ever do it.
["Role Model" playing]
[bell rings]
[Mike] The following contest
is a Steel Cage match.
In this match, the only way to win is by pinfall, submission,
or escaping the cage with both feet hitting the floor.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring
by the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky,
representing Damage CTRL,
Bayley.
[Corey] As we await and expect unabashed savagery inside of the cage,
we must recognize how poetic this moment is
for both women in Orlando, Florida.
We've heard it tonight mentioned multiple times,
home of the WWE Performance Center, home of NXT,
where both Bayley and Becky Lynch cut their teeth to superstardom.
It all comes to a head tonight.
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[Rome] And her opponent, from Dublin, Ireland,
"The Man"
Becky Lynch.
[Corey] A thousand-yard stare in the eyes of The Man.
Becky Lynch knows the mission, destroy The Role Model.
Two longtime friends turned bitter rivals about to collide
with very, very high stakes in this last showdown.
[Kevin Patrick] Bitter? Well, there's the understatement of the century
because Bayley went to drag Becky Lynch's husband
into the affair last week,
dragging Seth "Freakin" Rollins into the equation.
-Can you imagine how Lynch… -[Corey] I don't know why you insist…
-[Kevin Patrick] …is feeling right now? -[Corey] …on bringing that up, Kevin Pat.
[Kevin Patrick] Because it's you. Becky Lynch told me as much.
-[Corey] It's irrelevant. -[Kevin Patrick] She's furious!
[Corey] It's mind games.
It's "The Role Model" Bayley
trying to gain a psychological advantage before she collides
with one of the biggest superstars of the modern era.
Lynch, Bayley in a cage, live next on Raw.
[singer] ♪ Whoa-oa-oa-oa-oa-oa-oa ♪
[Kevin Patrick] Welcome, folks.
We're all set for our main event on Monday Night Raw.
And it's inside a steel cage.
Bayley, Becky Lynch, here we go.
[crowd cheering]
-[bell rings] -[Corey] And unlike the last time
we attempted this, the cage door has been locked.
Damage CTRL on the outside.
One-on-one, Lynch, Bayley, let's do it.
[Kevin Patrick] Victory by pinfall or submission
or escape from the steel cage and get both feet to touch the ground.
[Corey] Somehow I doubt either one of these women is looking to escape.
Oh, Bayley making me look like a fool right out of the gate.
-[Kevin Patrick] No chance. -You're facing me right now.
Facing you? I'm tired of listening to what you have to say.
You don't tell me what to do or when to do it.
All right?
[Kevin Patrick] Oh.
Second vicious right from Becky Lynch and they're teeing off now.
[Corey] The Man firing right after right
and Bayley wisely attacking the knee of Lynch,
making her way toward the cage door, and Becky having none of it.
[Kevin Patrick] How important is it…
[speaks indistinctly] is gonna happen.
[Kevin Patrick] …for Becky Lynch now that the tag team champions,
or as she says the goons, that are-- Iyo and Dakota are outside, Corey?
[Corey] Well, it's of the utmost importance
because Becky Lynch only needs to focus
on one opponent tonight, as you generally do in WWE.
Lynch has had to worry about Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky at all times,
but not tonight.
This is Becky's opportunity to settle a score with The Role Model.
It's also an opportunity for The Role Model to prove herself right
about everything she said regarding The Man.
And look at Bayley just trying to force Becky Lynch's flesh
through the steel cage,
almost looked like a Play-Doh set there for a second.
-The spaghetti-- -[Kevin Patrick] Cover, hook of the leg,
and a kickout early by Becky.
[Corey] The deliberate pace here from Bayley in the opening moments,
taking her time.
Maybe not the wisest decision to make the long climb
with Becky Lynch who's still relatively fresh.
And Lynch dropkicked the cage, forced Bayley to lose her grip.
Brilliant maneuver by The Man.
[Kevin Patrick] Just hammering Bayley now into the steel cage.
Look at this from Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Just a great veteran wherewithal,
Lynch dropkicking the cage as--
oh, my God, as Bayley was teetering,
and that dropkick forced Bayley into the base of the cage yet again.
[Kevin Patrick] Becky means business.
The bitterness has overloaded.
And here we go now as Becky Lynch looks to punish Bayley.
[Becky] You wanna talk about my husband?
Talk about my husband now, Bayley.
[Corey] This feud was deeply personal weeks ago
as we look again at the offense from The Man,
as you could hear Lynch reminding Bayley
that maybe The Man didn't need any extra fuel
for this matchup, for this showdown.
[Kevin Patrick] Grand slam champion Bayley just being hammered
into the cage once more.
Not to mention two of the very best to ever do it
in the women's locker room, two trailblazers and pioneers,
as Becky Lynch now climbs the cage, looking to escape.
Bayley quickly across.
[Corey] Bayley trying to attack the lower body of The Man,
but Lynch has a solid grip on the top crossbeam.
Becky Lynch making her way further up the cage.
And now, The Role Model looking to join The Man on the top rope.
Not a wise decision.
Bayley's skull being dribbled like a basketball off the steel cage.
[crowd chatter]
[Kevin Patrick] Uh-oh.
Such a ruthless approach here as Bayley turns the tide.
Oh.
[Corey] Lynch is down.
Bayley perched advantageously on the top rope.
Flying elbow.
-That could do it. -[Kevin Patrick] Bayley hooks the leg,
Bayley now to win, and a kickout by Becky.
[Corey] Can The Man fight back into this?
Come on. Come on. You got this, you got this.
[Iyo] Bayley.
[Kevin Patrick] Becky Lynch just about kicking out there.
[Corey] Lynch looking for the Disarm-Her, Bayley in all types of trouble
as this Steel Cage match continues.
Back and forth, neither woman able to sustain much of an advantage.
But the battle continued throughout the break.
A precarious position for The Role Model, but check out this counter from Bayley.
Oh, whiplash into the bottom turnbuckle,
but not enough to keep Lynch down.
[Kevin Patrick] Man, this has been one hellacious,
grueling, and unforgiving battle between Bayley and Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Both of these women firing off everything they have.
And Lynch now with the upper hand trying to ruin Bayley's night,
and make sure that Bayley shows up to NXT to do Ding Dong! Hello
without a few less teeth next week.
Tomorrow. I'm sorry.
[Kevin Patrick] Tomorrow night with Toxic Attraction.
If she makes it that far is right.
Victor by pinfall or submission, or if you can climb out,
as Bayley is trying to do, with both feet on the ground
on the outside of the steel cage.
[Corey] Look at this.
Lynch just bouncing Bayley body first off the cage,
and now The Man has joined The Role Model on the top rope.
[Kevin Patrick] This bitterness going all the way back past ten years
to their NXT days right here in Orlando, Florida.
Look what Becky Lynch is about to do.
Oh, my God.
[Corey] Cover here by Lynch.
[Kevin Patrick] Lynch to win it, hooks the leg,
kick out by Bayley.
[Corey] You can see the rollercoaster of emotions being experienced
on the outside of the cage by Dakota and Iyo,
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions
as they attempt to lend some form of moral support to Bayley
who could desperately use it right now.
[Kevin Patrick] Becky Lynch is feeling it.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Becky was thinking about the Manhandle Slam,
but a belly-to-back by Bayley. Cover.
[Kevin Patrick] Hook of the leg, now Bayley, it's her turn.
Can she get it? No. Becky Lynch kicking out.
What a battle.
[Corey] Did you expect anything less?
We thought we were gonna be treated to this battle two weeks ago.
Damage CTRL had other plans,
but here we are, Orlando, Florida, jam-packed Amway Arena
witnessing this Steel Cage match unfold.
[Kevin Patrick] Becky now grabbing a hold of Bayley's feet.
Bayley in a perilous position now.
Oh.
Dumped over the ropes to devastating effect.
[Corey] Leg drop by Lynch and I think Bayley looking for some form of a kneebar.
She doesn't have the heel hooked properly.
[Kevin Patrick] Becky's in agony.
Lynch, come on. What do you say?
[Corey] Bayley's heart is in the right place,
but submissions not necessarily The Role Model's specialty.
Lynch is still making her way toward the cage door
even while Bayley attempts to finish the submission hold.
[Kevin Patrick] The door wide open.
[Corey] You gotta stick with what you know.
This could prove to be a very damaging flaw
to Bayley's game plan.
-Shoulders down. -[Kevin Patrick] Lynch now.
Kickout by Bayley.
What do you say, Lynch, about it?
Come on [speaks indistinctly]
[Corey] Face first, Bayley driven into the turnbuckle,
Lynch stacked up The Role Model, but couldn't quite finish the job.
[Kevin Patrick] Man, this is vicious.
[Corey] We knew it was gonna be ugly, we knew it was gonna be vicious,
we knew it would be brutal.
We are getting everything we expected and then some.
[Kevin Patrick] It is WrestleMania season here in WWE.
Becky Lynch back on her feet.
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Taking a climb is Becky Lynch.
What has The Man got in store?
Bayley wants to join her.
[Corey] Both women battling in a precarious position on the middle rope.
The Role Model shoved off.
Becky Lynch has a clear path to the top of the cage.
I don't know if that's where she wants to go, though.
[Kevin Patrick] Big right from Becky, returned by Bayley.
[Corey] The Amway Center looking on with nervous anticipation.
Bayley from the ropes.
Bayley to Belly. That's gotta do it.
[Kevin Patrick] Bayley now grabs the leg, hooks it up,
cover for the win, Becky Lynch out at a two and a half.
Bayley.
[Corey] It is a long way down, but it's not the fall that hurts,
it's the sudden stop at the end.
Lynch Bayley to Bellied off the ropes,
but The Man somehow survives.
[Kevin Patrick] Bayley looking to get back on her feet.
Wants to climb.
Is this her opportunity?
Becky Lynch is nowhere to be seen.
-[Corey] Bayley has daylight. -[Kevin Patrick] This has gotta be it.
[Corey] The Role Model gonna accomplish her goal.
But The Man closing in.
Lynch picking up speed, making her way to the top of the cage.
Oh, my God.
I don't like the looks of this.
Both of these women throwing caution to the wind.
This rivalry so personal.
[Kevin Patrick] Face first.
Becky's been rocked.
[Corey] But Lynch not relenting.
Again, resuming her position on top of the cage.
Torturing Bayley.
I think Lynch is looking for a Disarm-Her with the cage involved.
Oh, no. Oh, no.
[Kevin Patrick] Down goes Bayley.
[Corey] That does not look good for The Role Model.
Becky Lynch with a clear path.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, look at who it is.
[Corey] Here comes Iyo.
[Kevin Patrick] We thought they'd be out of the equation tonight on the outside.
Not the case at all.
[Corey] When you think you've got the answers,
Damage CTRL changes the questions,
just like the Hot Rod use to do,
and Lynch now kicked off of a position of advantage.
-Dakota. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, this is ridiculous.
[Corey] The crutch.
Dakota Kai's crutch has been given to Bayley
and buried into Lynch's midsection.
["LoveFuryPassionEnergy" playing]
[Corey] Wait a--no.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] No.
[singer] ♪ So **** your rules man ♪
[Corey] Lita, the WWE Hall of Famer is here.
[singer] ♪ So **** your rules man ♪
[Corey] The numbers game fading before our very eyes.
Lita just pulled Iyo off the cage.
[Kevin Patrick] This is unbelievable.
[Corey] This is shocking.
Of anyone who could come to the aid of Lynch,
no one expected this.
Twist of Fate.
[Kevin Patrick] What an--what an impact.
-Lita. -[Corey] Bayley is in disbelief.
Understandably so.
I don't know if Becky realizes what happened.
And the door slammed on The Role Model.
-[Kevin Patrick] Meanwhile back inside. -[Corey] Manhandle Slam.
[Kevin Patrick] Hook of the leg, Becky Lynch, she's won it.
-[bell rings] -["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[singer] ♪ Whoa-oa-oa-oa-oa-oa-oa… ♪
[Rome] Here is your winner, "The Man" Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Just when it seemed as though
The Man had not a friend in the world,
a shocking appearance by Lita,
the WWE Hall of Famer
with an extreme assist.
[Kevin Patrick] An embrace for the ages.
[Corey] And tonight with an assist from Lita,
Becky Lynch is the last man standing.
You know I got you.
[speaks indistinctly]
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
Yeah.
It means a lot to me. ying]