[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
[Ric Flair] Woooo!
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-[Triple H] The king of kings… -[Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[Jimmy] It's time to shake things up.
Night One of the 2023 WWE Draft.
The first pick goes to SmackDown.
Roman Reigns.
[Jimmy] Roman stays on the blue brand.
[crowd cheering]
[Triple H] The Raw Women's Champion, Bianca Belair.
Me and my boy are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
The Rated-R Superstar!
[crowd cheering]
SmackDown, we have just started!
The NXT Women's Tag Team Champions,
Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.
Raw's first pick tonight,
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
"The Man" Becky Lynch.
[crowd cheering]
The Original Bro.
"The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre.
The NXT Women's Champion, Indi Hartwell.
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Kevin Patrick] An entire new set of Superstars
available to be drafted tonight.
[Triple H] Are you ready?
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] A landscape-shifting night is upon us
as the WWE Draft continues live
from the sold-out Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Welcome, folks, to Monday Night Raw.
["The Game" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
WWE Hall of Famer,
"The Game"
Triple H!
[Corey] Incredible reception for "The Game"
as we kick off the WWE Draft, Night Two,
here on Raw.
["The Game" fades]
[crowd cheering]
I gotta tell you…
it is sold out and it is loud in here.
[crowd cheering]
Welcome to Monday Night Raw!
[crowd cheering]
And welcome to Night Two
of the 2023 WWE Draft.
[crowd cheering]
Now this Friday night on SmackDown,
things got a little crazy.
It shook the WWE right down to its foundation.
Tonight, I'm sure, will be no different.
But before we get into the fun,
let's set some ground rules.
All remaining undrafted WWE Superstars on Raw and SmackDown
are subject to the possibility of transferring to other brands.
Half the roster was drafted on Friday.
The remaining half will be drafted here tonight.
[cheering and applause]
Now, as a result…
of the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns,
being drafted to SmackDown…
[crowd booing]
As a result of his being drafted to SmackDown,
we will be crowning a new World Heavyweight Champion…
[crowd cheering]
That title and its holder will be exclusive
to Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering]
Now, out of everybody that is draft-eligible tonight,
will we see a new champion emerge from these Superstars?
Now, before we get started, there is one Superstar
that is not eligible to be drafted tonight,
and that is "The Beast" Brock Lesnar.
[crowd booing]
Earlier today,
Brock Lesnar renegotiated his status as a free agent
and thus can appear on any brand at any time.
Now, in addition, select Superstars
from NXT are eligible to be drafted to either Raw
or SmackDown.
And these new rosters will go into effect Monday, May 8th,
right after Backlash.
But enough about the rules.
Let's get to drafting. Are you ready?
[crowd cheering]
I said, are you ready?
[crowd cheering loudly]
Then…
in the first round of Night Two
of the 2023 Draft, Monday Night Raw selects…
"The Eradicator", the SmackDown Women's Champion,
-Rhea Ripley. -[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] What a start for Monday Night Raw in the draft.
[Corey] Of the utmost importance, with SmackDown taking The EST,
the Raw Women's Champion, Bianca Belair.
Well done. Rhea stays on Raw.
SmackDown selects…
and secures the United States Championship
by selecting Austin Theory.
[Kevin Patrick] What a savvy pickup for SmackDown.
[Corey] I'm not going to lie, this one stings.
The future is bright. Friday Night SmackDown
looking towards securing their future in Austin Theory.
Monday Night Raw selects…
This is a good one.
He is a revolutionary.
[crowd cheering]
He is a visionary.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Kevin Patrick laughs]
[Corey] Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.
[Kevin Patrick] Two-time Grand Slam Champion in WWE,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins is staying on Raw.
["Visionary" playing]
[crowd singing along]
[crowd continues singing along]
SmackDown selects…
"The Queen" Charlotte Flair.
[Kevin Patrick] What a brilliant pick for SmackDown.
The 14-time World Champion, Charlotte Flair.
[Corey] Friday Night SmackDown has been
and looks to remain the Queendom for Charlotte Flair.
[Kevin Patrick] What a blockbuster way to kick off Monday Night Raw.
Corey, this is a look at the first-round picks.
[Corey] Round one is in the books. Plenty more to come.
What will Raw and SmackDown look like by the end of the night?
I can't wait to find out.
That concludes round one of Night Two.
Now, it is my pleasure to introduce to you…
the Wise Man of The Bloodline,
Paul Heyman.
[crowd booing]
[Kevin Patrick] Special counsel to Roman Reigns, "The Tribal Chief",
-Paul Heyman. -Bow down to the king.
-Ah. I wanted to show you something. -Yes, sir.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
It's beautiful.
Congratulations.
Wow. And they call me a wise man.
[Corey] What a way to start the night. It's going to keep getting bigger.
[Kevin Patrick] Certainly is. Five days away from Backlash in Puerto Rico,
where Brock Lesnar will collide with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
They're both here tonight on Raw.
[Corey] We're awaiting a Six-Man Tag Match at Backlash.
But tonight, a preview.
Matt Riddle at Monday Night Raw
versus Jimmy Uso, who's still awaiting to find out his draft pick.
[Kevin Patrick] And before we depart for Backlash,
we have got a Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match
fueled by bitterness, fueled by hatred.
It's the LWO against The Judgment Day.
Ladies…
and gentlemen.
[crowd booing]
My name…
-is Paul Heyman. -[crowd] Paul Heyman.
I serve as special counsel to your Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns.
The Tribal Chief had asked me to address a number of business items
for the entire WWE Universe.
To just revel in my wisdom,
item number one.
The draft,
Roman Reigns, Solo, and Paul Heyman
have been drafted to Friday Night SmackDown…
which leaves tonight for us to determine the fate…
of The Usos.
[crowd booing]
The Usos, who did not,
not,
not win back their tag team titles
this past Friday from Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
[crowd cheering]
I will address The Usos in private
about that tonight.
The Usos, however, will address their problems
this Saturday at Backlash in Puerto Rico,
when they team with a problem solver named Solo
against Kevin Owens,
Sami Zayn,
and of all people, Matt Riddle.
[crowd cheering]
Now, these items will not only be addressed
by your Wise Man tonight,
but one week from this Friday
on SmackDown, live,
I don't even know what city we're in,
as long as it's not in the state of Texas.
[crowd booing]
And your Tribal Chief,
I assure you,
will take care of all business items,
and one of them,
as a bit of a preview,
is that hunk of beautiful gold
up on that podium right now.
Oh, come on.
Wouldn't that title look relevant around the waist
of your Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns?
[crowd booing]
Here we are, almost a thousand days,
into a historic title reign.
Talk about undisputed.
Not one title, not two titles,
but three titles.
You create a Championship
and Roman Reigns will dominate that title
to the main event of WrestleMania.
And of course, now,
Roman Reigns can't compete for that title…
because Roman Reigns will not be here
on Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering]
You know what really is the worst about that?
It's that now all the children in the locker room,
who think that they are men,
are running around,
flapping their gums about your Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns.
People who should know better.
Men who need to start acting like men.
Men who are freakin' jokers.
Men who are freakin' jokes.
Men, who are freakin' clowns,
who are still living off--
-["Visionary" playing] -[fireworks exploding]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Mind your tongue, Wise Man,
The Visionary has arrived.
[crowd singing along]
[Kevin Patrick] Just drafted to Monday Night Raw moments ago,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins with his eyes on the prize immediately.
[Corey] Thankfully for all of us, this show remains
Monday Night Rollins.
And the linchpin has arrived.
Sounds like Fort Worth is trying to give Paris a run for their money.
[crowd continues singing along]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd singing along]
[crowd continues singing along]
[laughing]
[crowd cheering]
Paulie!
Good to see you. Why the long face?
Don't jump, come on, man.
Well, today has got to be like Christmas for you.
Roman Reigns, he is drafted away to SmackDown,
and I am still here,
on my show,
Monday Night Rollins, baby!
[crowd cheering]
Which means…
Roman doesn't have to run from me anymore.
And you,
you don't have to waste all that energy pulling strings backstage
to make sure I never get my title match again.
No, no. You can use all that extra energy
to make sure The Bloodline doesn't go poof…
right in your face.
You are a spoiler guy, though, right, Paul?
You love a good spoiler, huh?
You love a good spoiler.
Well, here's a spoiler for you.
At Night of Champions,
I am going to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Then, the entire world is finally going to see
what a real Champion looks like.
[crowd cheering]
Excuse you.
[speaking indistinctly]
[crowd booing]
Paul, it's going to be real hard to have a phone conversation
with an arena full of people singing.
[crowd singing "Visionary"]
I can't hear my Tribal Chief!
[crowd continues singing]
[clears throat]
-Seth Rollins. -Yes.
-You're pissing off your Tribal Chief. -[exclaiming sarcastically]
Oh!
Well, if he's upset with me now,
he's really not going to like this one.
Texas, I got a question for you.
About how long do you think it would take
for me to get Paul Heyman
flat on this canvas
so I can stomp his big bald head right down into it?
[crowd cheering]
What do you think, do you think it would take…
five seconds?
Do you think it would take four seconds?
Do you think it would take three seconds?
Do you think it would take two seconds?
["Taking It All" playing]
[Corey] And here comes The Enforcer of The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa.
Rollins paused dead in his tracks with good reason.
[Kevin Patrick] That is one scary sight.
Insurance policy for Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
Um…
Here's a spoiler for you.
The Tribal Chief told me
all strings are being pulled at this very moment.
By the time we get back from commercial break,
the following match will be confirmed for tonight
here in Fort Worth.
Seth Rollins, one-on-one…
-against Solo! -[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Wow.
Paul, Paul, we don't have to make these people wait to make it official.
Solo, you want to fight tonight?
You're on.
[laughing maniacally]
["Visionary" playing]
[Corey] What a massive matchup
in the process of being made official.
Rollins one-on-one with The Enforcer of The Bloodline,
Solo, tonight.
[Kevin Patrick] A blockbuster start to Monday Night Raw.
And coming up next,
Bayley has convinced management to give her and Dakota Kai an opportunity
against the Tag Team Champions.
It's next.
[Kevin Patrick] Images of "The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes arriving at the arena here in Fort Worth, Texas,
on a massive night.
Hey, listen. Brock's here, but it's a huge night
and I would love for it not to spiral into chaos.
Please.
[Corey] You heard Adam Pearce mention it, Lesnar is in the arena.
Rhodes is in the arena.
Just five days before they clash at Backlash.
The American Nightmare and The Beast are both in the building.
What could possibly happen with these combustible elements?
[Kevin Patrick] And as confirmed moments ago,
here to kick off Monday Night Raw,
we got one-on-one coming your way
between Seth "Freakin" Rollins
and The Enforcer of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] Night Two of the WWE Draft is underway.
You can take a look at the Raw and SmackDown war rooms backstage
which are the site of very important career-altering decisions being made.
Many Superstars remain undrafted.
The landscape has already begun to change.
[Kevin Patrick] It is life-changing indeed.
This a look at the NXT Performance Center.
Friday night.
A big night it was for Indi Hartwell, Alba Fyre, Isla Dawn as well.
Who's next to be selected from NXT tonight?
["Still The Baddest" playing]
Bayley, Dakota Kai, all set to go.
Tag team action.
It could be a big, big night for them
as they plan to rocket themselves into the conversation
against the Tag Champs.
["Trap Queen" playing]
["Liv Gone Mad" playing]
[announcer] And their opponents,
they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Raquel Rodriguez,
and Liv Morgan!
[Kevin Patrick] Corey, we had the Tag Champs
on the After the Bell, our WWE podcast this week.
They talked all about elevating the tag team division,
and they can't wait to see how the draft shakes out.
[Corey] Liv and Raquel are extremely excited to be in the position
in which they find themselves.
They want to be fighting champions.
They want to make the WWE women's tag team division a true focal point
of WWE.
Still remains to be seen where they end up.
[Kevin Patrick] Bayley and Dakota drafted to SmackDown.
Rosters, remember, take effect next Monday on Raw.
-[Corey] Bayley, Dakota, and IYO SKY… -[bell rings]
…as Damage CTRL all drafted
to Friday Night SmackDown.
This is going to be the last time we see Bayley and Dakota on Monday Night Raw
for the foreseeable future.
But they would love to leave a lasting impression by picking up a victory
over the reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
Nice go behind. O'Connor Roll.
[Kevin Patrick] Returns are now reversed. Now Dakota Kai.
[Corey] This is a matchup that was requested by Bayley
who personally went to Adam Pearce and requested the opportunity
because Bayley feels that last week--
Oh, shoulders down.
Bayley feels that last week when she was pinned
by The EST, the Raw Women's Champion, Bianca Belair,
Bayley let all of Damage CTRL down.
This is of the utmost importance in her mind to emerge victorious.
[Kevin Patrick] You can imagine what a victory for Bayley and Dakota Kai would do
in that tag team conversation, Corey
[Corey] You don't have to imagine. You know it's going to propel them
to the top of the list of potential challengers.
And here comes the "Powerhouse" Raquel Rodriguez.
[Kevin Patrick] The Texas native Raquel Rodriguez.
[Corey] Fearless side of Bayley being shown.
Not the wisest decision she could've made.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh! Being crushed now in the corner from the powerful Raquel.
Tag made to Liv Morgan.
[Corey] You see the quick tags early on from the champions
who worked incredibly hard to develop that team chemistry,
constantly improving.
[Kevin Patrick] Liv now using Raquel as a weapon,
unique offense from Liv and Raquel.
Step-up knee rocks Bayley, cover by Morgan.
[Kevin Patrick] Hooks the leg for the win and a kick out by Bayley.
[Corey] Bayley now reaching desperately for Dakota Kai.
I don't think a tag is going to count--
Oh, brilliant move!
Brilliant decision by the veteran Bayley.
Keeping the official's attention with Dakota Kai,
allowing Bayley to rake the eyes of Morgan.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
Liv Morgan flattened. It's Damage CTRL on top early.
[Corey] The Champions are in trouble.
[Kevin Patrick] Sold out crowd tonight.
Fort Worth, Texas, tag team action.
Damage CTRL now on top, it's Bayley and Dakota Kai
inflicting damage on Liv Morgan.
[Corey] You know what, I just watched the features of Liv's face-- Cover.
[Kevin Patrick] For the victory now, a kick out by Liv.
[Corey] For all intents and purposes,
the final appearance of Damage CTRL here on Monday Night Raw
as they were drafted Friday night to the SmackDown brand,
Bayley and Dakota would love to go out with a bang.
Speaking of big opportunities, how about IYO SKY this coming Saturday
at Backlash and the opportunity she has on her hands?
[Kevin Patrick] The Genius of the Sky set to take on "The EST"
Bianca Belair. What a match that promises to be.
[Corey] The Raw women's title on the line. Liv looking to make something happen.
Nobody home, but Liv desperately crawling towards Raquel
who needs to join the battle.
[Kevin Patrick] Can't quite get there. Dakota Kai all over Liv Morgan.
[Corey] Liv flailing wildly, stretching her hand desperately
trying to make the tag.
Dakota holding on with everything in her being.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, my! Hellacious blow.
Liv taken down.
[Corey] Dakota knows what it takes to be Women's Tag Champ here in WWE.
She held the title very proudly for a long time with IYO,
but here comes Raquel.
[Kevin Patrick] The Powerhouse that is Raquel Rodriguez
is motoring.
[Corey] If the first one doesn't get you, the second one will.
Look at the intensity etched on the face of Raquel Rodriguez.
[Kevin Patrick] Fire in the eyes of Raquel here.
[Corey] Bayley-- Oh!
Bayley just pushed Dakota out of harm's way
and took the blow for her partner.
[Kevin Patrick] Taking one for the team, for Damage CTRL.
Dakota Kai now.
Better watch out, Raquel has ideas.
[Corey] Twisting senton cover.
[Kevin Patrick] Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan. It's not to be.
[Corey] Raquel needs to keep her foot on the gas pedal very wisely.
Dragging Dakota toward the champion's corner.
Liv now making the climb.
[Kevin Patrick] There is that unique offense.
[Corey] Bayley from the outside.
Oh, and Dakota got her knees up.
Liv was sent crashing down across the knees
of Dakota Kai in the ring
as Bayley handled Raquel.
[Kevin Patrick] Derailing the Tag Champ's plans here now.
Dakota Kai, is this the opportunity? For the victory now.
Raquel Rodriguez…
helping out her tag team partner.
[Corey] This matchup was requested by Bayley in hopes of earning another
future title opportunity for Damage CTRL.
Raquel has been taken out.
Knees to the face by Morgan.
Bayley just made the tag. I'm not sure if Liv's aware.
-[Kevin Patrick] Liv looking for Oblivion. -Oblivion.
[Kevin Patrick] Bayley back inside as the legal competitor now.
Bayley stacking up Liv to get the victory. She's got it!
[bell rings]
["We Got The Rage" playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners, Damage CTRL!
[Corey] By hook or by crook.
All that matters is the W next to your name.
Big win for Bayley and Dakota Kai and Damage CTRL.
[Kevin Patrick] Over the Champions of all teams
and this is how Damage CTRL and Bayley got it done.
The tag made when Morgan wasn't looking.
[Corey] The ability to think like a team proved to be the difference here.
The inexperience of the champs may have played a factor
in a big time win for Bayley and Kai.
[Kevin Patrick] That could catapult Bayley and Dakota Kai
into that tag team conversation.
Let the whole world scream my name!
[Kevin Patrick] It is a massive night here on Monday Night Raw
with Hall of Famers galore in the house for the WWE Draft.
We got Booker T here, Corey.
[Corey] Booker T is fired up.
Something big coming our way, but Booker has brought the Queen as well.
Queen Sharmell is in the house with the SmackDown pick.
It's next.
[Corey] We are five days away from their showdown in Puerto Rico
at Backlash, but tonight, "The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar
and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
are both in the house on Raw.
[crowd cheering]
Whoa, whoa.
Uh…
Look, I know you know Cody's here, but it's a huge night,
and if it's at all possible, I would love to keep the peace.
[chuckles]
Good luck with that.
[Kevin Patrick] This is the last time
Lesnar and Rhodes were in the same building.
[shouting indistinctly]
[Corey] I got a bad feeling something's going down tonight in Texas.
["Can You Dig It?" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] The WWE Universe are on their feet right now, though,
for the Hall of Famers.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
WWE Hall of Famers,
Queen Sharmell and Booker T!
[crowd cheering]
What up, D-town?
[crowd cheering]
With the first pick of the second round,
Monday Night Raw selects the Undisputed Tag Team Champions,
-Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. -["Worlds Apart" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] A sensational pick for Monday Night Raw.
[Corey] The Undisputed Tag Team Champions winning the titles at WrestleMania.
They've been fighting champions ever since
and they'll get to do their fighting here on Monday Night Raw.
SmackDown selects "The Ones"
Jimmy and Jey, The Usos.
["Done With That" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] Massive pick.
Jimmy and Jey, The Usos joining Roman Reigns on SmackDown.
[Corey] The entire Bloodline has been drafted to Friday Night SmackDown
but it still seems to me like there's turmoil.
And Raw selects the trio of Finn Bálor, Damian Priest,
-and Dominik Mysterio, The Judgment Day. -["The Othe Side" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] The Judgment Day will continue to wreak havoc on Mondays.
[Corey] One of the most dominant factions in recent WWE history.
The Judgment Day doing what they do best on Mondays from here on out.
SmackDown selects
Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde,
Zelina Vega, and WWE Hall of Famer,
"The Master of the 619" Rey Mysterio, the LWO.
["Our World" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] Rey Mysterio goes to the opposite direction
to his son Dominik as the LWO head to SmackDown.
[Corey] SmackDown's going to get a lot of bang for their buck.
You got a Hall of Famer in Mysterio.
Several potential future megastars
and maybe the next SmackDown Women's Champion in Zelina.
[Kevin Patrick] Quite the incredible Round Two of the draft
here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
The Undisputed Tag Team Champions, KO and Sami to Raw.
Usos to SmackDown…
The Judgment Day and LWO.
What do you make of the draft so far?
So far so good.
We needed some heavy hitters for Monday Night Raw.
We got that in Rollins. We got that in Rhea Ripley.
The SmackDown Women's Champion staying right here.
The Judgment Day hanging around.
I think Rhea, somehow, is going to continue to grow even more dangerous.
All right, we've got a big, big night here on Monday Night Raw.
What a start so far and it's just getting even better now.
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
["Monster Of All Monsters" playing]
-[roars] -[fireworks exploding]
[Corey] One of the more unique tag teams in WWE
prepared for battle as Braun Strowman and Ricochet
square off against Chad Gable and Otis
or is it Otise, of the Alpha Academy in tag team action.
[Kevin Patrick] Both teams eligible to be drafted tonight here on Raw.
[Kevin Patrick] Backlash is presented by the Xfinity 10G network.
Get a reliable connection on the fastest internet on the next generation
10G network only from Xfinity.
The future starts now and by Mike's HARDER Lemonade.
Lemonade that hits harder for Mikes that go harder.
The world needs more Mikes.
["Shoooosh" playing]
[Corey] The world needs more Alpha Academy as well.
"The Number One Guy" Otis, accompanied by Maxxine Dupri.
How is Otis not the most inspirational man in WWE?
We're talking Drew Maggi-level inspiration.
For somebody who's a little aesthetically challenged at times…
[bell rings]
…for Maxxine to draw the best out of Otis.
I mean, it's really a beautiful story if you think about it.
[Kevin Patrick] I'm not going to disagree with you there.
Maxxine Dupri, Corey, if you're watching SmackDown LowDown,
already drafted to Monday Night Raw alongside Maximum Male Models.
So, I wonder where Otis will be drafted, if he's drafted at all here tonight?
[Corey] I had it on good authority that Otis was actually invited
to the Met Gala tonight and turned it down to be here with Maxxine.
[Kevin Patrick] Big move from Otis.
Meanwhile, Ricochet… Chad Gable.
[Corey] Master technician, Chad Gable.
United States Olympian.
One of the toughest men in the game,
but then there's Ricochet who is simply hard to believe
that any human being can accomplish defeats
that Ricochet does on a regular basis.
[Kevin Patrick] The "Highlight of the Night,"
as Michael Cole says.
Corey, you have to think, this is, in many ways, an audition
for both of these tag teams as well as
Hall of Famers in the SmackDown and Raw war rooms
right now making their selections.
Both of these tag teams--
[Corey] Whoa! It's not so much an audition as it is just another opportunity
to raise your draft stock.
Alpha Academy, former Tag Team Champions.
Braun Strowman and Ricochet
have formed into a very, very effective tag team
in a short amount of time with their complementary skillsets, but look at this.
[Kevin Patrick] Wow!
[Corey] My goodness.
[Kevin Patrick] Superhuman strength and agility from Chad Gable.
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Is it your time to impress, Otis?
Tag made.
[Corey] Uh-oh, we better reinforce the ring for this collision.
[both yelling]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Everything's bigger here in Texas, including the impact,
but look at Otis throwing hands.
[Kevin Patrick] Rapid fists of Otis.
-The pace on show is-- -Wow!
[Kevin Patrick] Isn't Maxxine loving them? Oh!
[Corey] Strowman answers.
Braun turning up the speed.
Crossbody.
[commentators exclaiming]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Braun Strowman is the genuine article--
No way.
[Kevin Patrick] Stop it. Are you kidding me?
[Corey] We kid you not.
That is what The Monster of All Monsters is capable of.
Tag made.
Ricochet from unfathomable heights.
[Kevin Patrick] This is simply incredible.
Ricochet!
[Corey] Swanton off of Strowman.
[Kevin Patrick] Grabs that leg, for the victory.
-[bell rings] -[Corey] They've got it.
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners,
the team of Braun Strowman and Ricochet!
[Corey] That's why every match is an opportunity
to raise your draft stock, whether it be tonight or in the future,
big win for Strowman and Ricochet.
[Kevin Patrick] Speaking of the draft, there he is.
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Hall of Famer, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
coming from the Raw war room.
[Corey] Of course, SmackDown with decisions remaining to be revealed.
WWE official Adam Pearce, the picks are in.
Who goes next? We'll find out.
[Kevin Patrick] We're thrilled to be in Fort Worth, Texas, tonight.
Next stop, Puerto Rico for Backlash this weekend,
where global sensation Bad Bunny
heads for a San Juan Street Fight
with the punishment within The Judgment Day.
[Damian Priest] I'm not shy about it.
I'm a bad guy.
Bad Bunny here to promote Backlash
at Puerto Rico, which he's hosting, it's great.
If he's looking to get involved in our business again…
[speaking in Spanish]
[Corey] Oh, no.
[crowd exclaims]
[Corey] Bad Bunny just dropped Dom.
[Damian Priest] Then, he'll just go through a table again.
Bad Bunny can watch me take out my deadbeat dad.
[Kevin Patrick] Rey Mysterio against Damian Priest.
[Corey] Oh, my God.
Oh!
-Oh, God. -[bell rings]
Steel chair in the face. That's going to force a disqualification.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Bad Bunny is here…
with a Kendo stick in hand.
Priest has Bunny…
[commentators exclaiming]
[Corey] Good Lord!
Hey, Damian,
I'm going to Puerto Rico to kick your ass.
Backlash in mi casa, Puerto Rico,
Damian Priest, Bad Bunny in a Street Fight.
[speaking in Spanish]
[crowd cheering]
In Puerto Rico, I'm going to end your entire career.
[Corey] This Saturday streaming live on WWE on Peacock
on the island made famous
by the brutality of Carlos Colon and Abdullah the Butcher
the global megastar, Bad Bunny
will battle Damian Priest of The Judgment Day
in a San Juan Street Fight.
["Sexy Boy" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
two-time WWE Hall of Famer, "The Heartbreak Kid"
Shawn Michaels!
[Kevin Patrick] NXT's legendary leader
on a night that could be career-altering
for many of these NXT Superstars watching live
from the performance center.
[Corey] All of those NXT kids down there, trying to suck up to HBK.
[Kevin Patrick chuckles]
[crowd booing]
[announcer] Please welcome WWE official, Adam Pearce.
[Corey] Shawn was the only one to applauded Pearce's arrival.
All righty.
With the first pick of the third round--
["Next Big Thing" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Wait, wait, wait.
We're supposed to be doing a draft pick here.
[Corey laughs]
The Beast Incarnate is here on Raw.
[speaking indistinctly]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Pearce's pleas are falling on deaf ears
because, let's be honest, all Brock Lesnar does
is whatever the hell Brock Lesnar wants to do.
[Kevin Patrick] Five days out now.
Saturday is the meeting at Backlash between The Beast Incarnate,
who circles the ring now and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
who wants revenge after that heinous attack
by Lesnar on the Raw after WrestleMania.
[Corey] Compared to the last time we saw Brock, Lesnar is not smiling tonight.
Lesnar seems to be all business right now.
[crowd cheering]
The fact that Lesnar took over the show at his own will,
who's going to stop Lesnar?
[crowd booing]
Fort Worth, Texas…
[crowd cheering]
How does it feel
to be looking at the only real cowboy in the state?
[crowd booing]
[Pearce] Brock, Brock. Seriously.
Brock, we cannot do this tonight.
I've asked respectfully.
We have business to discuss tonight.
Draft business trumps everything.
I need you to leave the ring, Brock, please, and if you won't leave,
my gentlemen will help you leave.
-[indistinct shouting] -With all due respect, please.
With all due respect,
it's going to take a hell of a lot more men than that.
[crowd cheering]
[Pearce] Come on, guys.
[microphone thuds]
[Corey] Good on Adam Pearce for reinforcing our security tonight.
But Lesnar doesn't look like he has intentions of going anywhere.
[Pearce] Please, Brock.
Please.
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Oh!
Cody Rhodes from behind just dropped The Beast.
The American Nightmare just knocked down The Beast Incarnate
before being swarmed by WWE security.
[Kevin Patrick] Smothered and dragged back by security once more.
[Corey] Cody will not be denied.
Flailing wildly, trying to free himself from the grip of security.
It's not worth it. It's not worth it.
[indistinct shouting]
[Corey] Look how calm Brock Lesnar is in the heat of the moment,
the most decorated combat athlete in history.
But Cody Rhodes is irate.
Rhodes wants Lesnar.
[crowd cheering]
-Make me earn it. -[man] It's over.
Make me earn it.
[Kevin Patrick] Moments ago, here, on Monday Night Raw, Brock Lesnar…
Cody Rhodes set a trap, and it worked, Corey.
[Corey] Cody Rhodes connecting with a right hand
that took Brock Lesnar, the most decorated combat athlete
in history, clean off his feet.
Cody Rhodes was like a man possessed.
It took a small army of security
to keep Rhodes away from Brock Lesnar.
[man] No, no.
It's not worth it.
[Corey] You see the wounds of the right hand on Lesnar's face.
[Shawn] All righty.
I think we're going to try this again, shall we?
[crowd cheering]
Where was I? Oh, yes.
With the first pick of the third round, Monday Night Raw selects…
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
-[crowd cheering] -[Kevin Patrick] Chaos and power.
What a pick for Monday Night Raw.
[Corey] Women's Tag Team Champions are going to be able
to defend their titles on Monday nights.
Congratulations to Liv and Raquel.
Adam?
Nope? Okay.
Taking the place of Adam Pearce will be me, HBK.
All righty.
[crowd cheering]
SmackDown selects "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka.
[Kevin Patrick] What an incredible pick for Friday Night SmackDown,
a Grand Slam Champion, Asuka has done it all.
[Corey] Friday Night SmackDown really bolstering the women's division,
The Empress of Tomorrow will arrive on Friday nights
and change the game.
Raw selects
"The Powers of Positivity"
Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, The New Day.
[Kevin Patrick] New Day rocks, baby.
Coming to Monday Night Raw.
You love to see this.
Welcome, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.
-[Corey] Enough positivity to choke a yak. -[Kevin Patrick laughs]
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
SmackDown selects…
Ridge Holland, Butch, and Sheamus,
The Brawling Brutes.
[Kevin Patrick] A brilliant pick.
The Brutes and Sheamus will be bringing the "10 Beats Of The Bodhrán"
and they'll be staying on SmackDown.
[Corey] Looks like Friday night remains fight night.
[Kevin Patrick] A look at round three
of the draft here on Day Two on Monday Night Raw.
It's hard to call who is winning this draft.
Sensational picks all around.
[Corey] It's been a while since we've seen The New Day on Monday Night Raw,
and Asuka on Friday Night SmackDown.
Ladies, beware.
[crowd cheering]
Yes, I know it is, but it's just a bit weird--
Dude.
This has been the greatest week ever, bros.
You guys defeated The Usos and retained your Tag Team Championships,
and we all got drafted to Raw, so we can hang out together all the time, bro.
Plus, we got Backlash this weekend, and we get to beat up The Bloodline.
And tonight, I'm going to put the beats on Jimmy Uso, bros.
Yeah!
-There you go. -You know it, baby.
-["We Up" playing] -There it is. Yeah, Kev. Yeah.
Did you hear what he just said?
All the time he wants to hang out, all the time.
Don't worry about it. Come on.
You think we could get drafted to SmackDown?
[Corey] The Original Bro is best in small doses.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring
by the undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn,
"The Original Bro" Matt Riddle!
[Kevin Patrick] Corey, if Friday Night SmackDown taught us anything,
it's that Matt Riddle can be a priceless asset for Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
[Corey] Look out.
[fireworks exploding]
Kangaroos are back.
You are right about that, KP.
It was Matt Riddle coming to the aid,
sort of keeping hope alive for the Champions this past Friday.
It's all about what goes down
this coming Saturday, as we take another look at Friday.
[Kevin Patrick] This was Friday Night SmackDown and a monumental clash,
a WrestleMania main event rematch.
Look at Solo Sikoa after receiving a phone call
from The Tribal Chief, who was ready to take care of some business,
but Matt Riddle helping out KO and Sami.
This is how the Tag Team Champions would retain.
[Corey] Matt Riddle…
could've helped the Champions avoid disaster,
and certainly retain their titles.
-A Helluva Kick to Jimmy Uso. -[bell rings]
Sami and Kevin retain.
[Kevin Patrick] The Usos, devastated.
How will this play out in the eyes of Roman Reigns?
We shall see.
[Corey] I'm still a little hung up on what Solo
was actually setting out to do Friday night on SmackDown.
We know it was by order of The Tribal Chief,
and we know Matt Riddle stopped it from happening.
The question remains, what was it?
["Done With That" playing]
[announcer] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Jey Uso,
representing The Usos, Jimmy Uso!
[Kevin Patrick] The Usos dedicated that match, that title match,
on Friday Night SmackDown to Roman Reigns.
Winning was the only option, and they failed.
Paul Heyman said it himself.
It will be the Island of Relevancy or the ocean of obscurity.
[Corey] We learned earlier tonight that Jimmy and Jey were drafted
to Friday Night SmackDown.
The Bloodline will effectively remain intact.
That doesn't necessarily mean everything is peachy keen on Fridays.
[Kevin Patrick] Those cracks within The Bloodline,
let's see if they're evident this coming Saturday.
Backlash from Puerto Rico, as KO, Sami, and Riddle
take on The Usos and their brother, "The Enforcer" Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] This matchup is of the utmost importance for both Jimmy Uso
and Matt Riddle, both individuals
looking to gain some sort semblance
of an advantage for their team prior to Backlash
this coming Saturday.
-Let's be honest, a one-on-one-situation… -[bell rings]
…is likely to benefit Matt Riddle,
who does most of his competing in singles action.
Jimmy Uso is used to having his brother at his side.
It doesn't mean you can't pull out the occasional W on your own,
especially when you've got help from your brother.
[Kevin Patrick] Away from the official's line of sight.
That's right!
[Kevin Patrick] Jey Uso inflicting damage here early.
[Corey] I have to agree with him, but you've got to understand that it--
-You want to go in the square? -What you mean?
-You want to go? -What you talking about?
You want to go?
-I ain't doing nothing, Uce. -You want to go, huh?
-You wanna go? -I ain't doing nothing to you.
[chair thuds]
Ref, ref! Hey!
[Sami speaking indistinctly]
[crowd cheering]
[imperceptible]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] You've got to be kidding me.
[Kevin Patrick] Jey Uso's out of here.
[Corey] The Champions just pulled one over on The Usos.
Jimmy is all on his own.
Jimmy Uso doesn't have a friend in the world.
[Kevin Patrick] Sold out crowd tonight in Fort Worth, Texas,
enjoying this, a one-on-one match.
Matt Riddle taking on Jimmy Uso, who does not have Jey.
-[Corey] Cover. -Hang on a second.
Cover for the victory now. Riddle kicking out at two.
[Corey] Jimmy Uso all on his own after moments before the commercial break,
this transpired at ringside.
A little possum being played by Kevin Owens.
Sami Zayn with the assist.
They would essentially frame Jey Uso.
[crowd cheering]
Well, apparently, I'm spreading vile rumors.
I'm only calling what I see on my monitor.
That would force the official to eject Jey Uso from ringside.
Remember, Solo Sikoa has a big-time matchup
with Seth "Freakin" Rollins still to come tonight.
Jimmy Uso is quite literally without an ally right now.
[Kevin Patrick] Ooh.
You've got to wonder what's going on in the mind of Jimmy Uso right now
after the big loss on Friday Night SmackDown,
the title match.
Riddle now.
[Riddle grunts]
[Corey] Exploder suplex by Matt Riddle who is feeling it.
Broton, but Jimmy got his knees up.
[Kevin Patrick] Jimmy Uso, slow to get back up on his feet.
[Corey] This coming Saturday, it will be 6-Man Tag Team action,
as Riddle joins forces with Zayn and Owens,
the Tag Team Champions, to battle Jimmy and Jey Uso,
and Solo Sikoa at Backlash.
You know Jimmy would love to have momentum on his
and his family's side before a clash like that.
Chucking Riddle into the ring.
Here comes Jimmy Uso.
Ripcord.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, connecting with Riddle.
[Corey] Enzuigiri rocks The Original Bro.
Superkick.
-That might do it. -Riddle's lights could be out.
[Kevin Patrick] This could do it for Jimmy Uso, and Riddle kicking out.
[Corey] I can't tell if it's frustration, confusion, or a mixture of both
on the face of Jimmy Uso right now,
who can't rely on his brother, Jey,
who's puzzled by Riddle's ability. Cover again.
[Kevin Patrick] One more time, now, Jimmy Uso. Can he do it?
Just about again.
[Corey] I don't know where Riddle is getting this fortitude,
this ability to soldier forward.
The Original Bro, an incredibly tough human being,
a mixed martial arts background…
As tough as the day is long.
Jimmy Uso right now unable to solve Riddle.
[Kevin Patrick] What a few days for Jimmy Uso,
who's hoping to be Undisputed Tag Team Champion
here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
[Corey] Jimmy looking to get creative.
Jimmy took the pad off the top turnbuckle. And Owens.
Owens just turned Jimmy's lights out.
Pump knee. Now, from the top.
Yeah!
[Corey] Floating Bro.
[Kevin Patrick] Riddle goes in, hooks that leg for the win from Matt Riddle.
-He's got it. -[bell rings]
["We Up" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Matt Riddle!
[Corey] What a win for The Original Bro.
It's got to boost the confidence of the trio of Riddle, Zayn, and Owens,
as we barrel toward Puerto Rico for WWE Backlash this Saturday.
[Kevin Patrick] You got to think, Riddle is earning the trust
and the love of KO now at this point.
[Corey] Jimmy looking to take a shortcut.
Kevin Owens one step ahead of Uso.
Jumping Knee by Matt Riddle.
And cowabunga, soaring through the skies of Fort Worth.
The Floating Bro puts Jimmy Uso down for three.
-What a win. -[bell rings]
Remember, Zayn, Owens, and Matt Riddle
have now all officially been drafted right here to Monday Night Raw.
It's going to be a long couple of days
for Jimmy Uso and the entire Bloodline.
Things continue to unravel for The Usos within The Bloodline.
Very true, as Night Two continues here on Monday Night Raw.
The WWE Draft.
On Friday night, Damage CTRL were drafted to SmackDown.
They're feeling good about themselves
because earlier on tonight, Damage CTRL, Bayley
and Dakota Kai with a huge victory over the Tag Team Champions.
[Corey] One of the premier aerial athletes in this industry,
IYO SKY.
I bow down to no one.
[Corey] Keep your eyes on the Genius of the Sky.
Over the moonsault.
IYO is unmatched.
Her arsenal is second to none.
[Cole] Two-time Tag Team Champ.
[Wade] One of the most competent NXT Champs of all time.
[Cole] IYO continues to show NXT belongs to her.
You are cleared for takeoff.
SKY leaving it all on the line, making it look effortless.
[Wade] You just cannot keep IYO down.
IYO SKY will be new Raw Women's Champion.
[Corey] Tonight on Raw was a big night for Bayley and Dakota Kai.
This Saturday, IYO SKY has her sights set on the Raw Women's Championship
held by Friday Night SmackDown draft pick, Bianca Belair.
[Kevin Patrick] The draft continues here on Night Two from Fort Worth, Texas.
[Corey chuckles] Oh, look who it is.
[Kevin Patrick] Eric Bischoff.
[Corey] Eazy-E is in the house
walking out of the Monday Night Raw war room.
I don't know what the pick entails,
but I guarantee you, it's going to be big.
I don't know if Van Dam ever actually left Texas.
It's been quite a weekend.
[Kevin Patrick] Rob Van Dam and Eric Bischoff here in the next stage
of the WWE Draft, next.
[all] Rob Van Dam!
["Next Big Thing" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] As mentioned by Triple H earlier on tonight on Monday Night Raw,
Brock Lesnar has renegotiated his status.
Brock Lesnar is eligible on Raw or SmackDown
going forward as a free agent.
[Corey] The Beast Incarnate retaining his free agent status,
because all Brock does is what Brock wants to do.
Your Tribal Chief has so much faith in you
to take out this clown,
this bozo with a big rubber nose, and big floppy feet.
Your Tribal Chief wants you to take him out.
[speaking Samoan]
[clapping] OG, OG. OG.
-Right-hand man? -Yeah.
-Uh, one quick question for you. -Yes, sir.
Why my brother right here wasn't at ringside tonight?
Easy. Easy. Easy. Easy.
Solo's a little pent-up this evening.
He's been assigned by The Tribal Chief
the extermination of a clown in the midst here on Raw.
So, um, we're gonna keep Solo concentrated
on his assignment from The Tribal Chief.
All right.
Is there something else?
You want the room.
A little introspection.
After last Friday, I totally understand.
Solo, let's, um… Let's go over there.
And, uh, we'll leave you the room to yourself.
It's okay. Okay.
Over there. We'll go over there.
Have a beautiful evening.
[crowd booing]
The Tribal Chief loves you. He loves you.
We The Ones.
[Kevin Patrick] "Exterminate the clown," the words of Paul Heyman,
Instructions for The Enforcer of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa,
when later tonight on Monday Night Raw
he goes one-on-one with Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Corey] What about the turmoil in The Bloodline?
["I'm Back" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Please welcome WWE Hall of Famer, Eric Bischoff!
[Corey] The man who ran WCW head-to-head
against WWE for many years,
and eventually became a general manager of this very show,
Monday Night Raw,
a WWE Hall of Famer, and deservedly so.
-["One Of A Kind" playing] -As is this man.
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And WWE Hall of Famer,
Rob Van Dam!
[crowd chants] Rob Van Dam!
All right, are you ready?
Because I'm ready.
I've been waiting for this for quite a while.
[crowd chanting] RVD! RVD! RVD!
I love you too.
[crowd cheering]
Let's get down to business with the very first pick of the fourth round.
WWE Raw…
draws WWE Hall of Famer, Trish Stratus.
[Kevin Patrick] Wow! Raw has been Stratus-fied.
The Hall of Famer Trish Stratus on the red ground.
[Corey] I think what you meant to say, Kevin, was, "Thank you, Trish."
"Thank you for bolstering Monday Night Raw."
SmackDown selects…
doomsday himself, Karrion Kross.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, this is frightening news
for the Superstars of SmackDown, Karrion Kross and Scarlett.
[Corey] The harbinger of sorrow on Friday nights,
Kross will continue to wreak havoc.
And Raw selects…
"Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler,
and "The Baddest Woman on the Planet" Ronda Rousey!
-[Kevin Patrick] This is enormous. -[Corey] Oh, boy!
[Corey] Two heavy hitters,
"The Baddest Woman on the Planet" Ronda Rousey
and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler.
What are the odds someone gets their arm broken in record time?
[Kevin Patrick] Yeah, very high.
SmackDown's next pick…
the self-proclaimed megastar, LA Knight.
[Kevin Patrick] Yeah!
Let me talk to you, that is one top-class pick from SmackDown.
[Corey] Growing in popularity each and every week,
LA Knight looks to be a force on Friday nights
for weeks and months to come.
[Kevin Patrick] The draft is absolutely stacked.
This the fourth round full of top-class WWE Superstars.
[Corey] Rousey and Baszler,
my goodness, if that didn't put the entire tag division on notice,
I don't know what will.
And Trish Stratus, let me say it again.
Thank you, Trish.
["I Came To Play" playing]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the host of Miz TV,
The Miz!
Welcome to the most must-see WWE talk show in history.
Welcome to…
[crowd yells] Miz TV!
…Miz TV.
What a draft it has been.
And Raw is stacked.
We got Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
The title I made prestigious is back on Raw
with the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther…
Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley…
and someone who I can't stand that you all seem to love,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[crowd cheering]
The biggest draft pick, the biggest acquisition
was none other than yours truly, The Miz.
[crowd booing]
But tonight, my guest is someone that will be on Raw,
was drafted to Raw for the very first time
in his historic career.
Ladies and gentlemen, please get up out of your seats
for "The King of Strong Style"
Shinsuke Nakamura!
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[Corey] Oh, how I have missed this.
[Kevin Patrick] I cannot wait.
[Corey] A true artist inside of the ring,
one of the most lethal strikers ever in WWE.
Look, if McAfee doesn't do Fridays anymore,
is The Miz is going to steal his schtick?
I love Miz, but this ain't it, man.
How about we just celebrate Nakamura for what he is?
One of the baddest dudes walking God's green Earth.
[Kevin Patrick] That is so true,
but I've been waiting so long to sit ringside
for the entrance of this legend, Shinsuke Nakamura,
now on Monday Night Raw.
[Corey] Nakamura is back refreshed, rejuvenated,
-and more dangerous than ever before. -[fireworks exploding]
[crowd singing along]
Could you imagine how much we could appreciate Nakamura's art
without some derelict dancing beside and playing an air instrument?
God, Miz, I thought you were better than this.
[crowd cheering]
Shinsuke Nakamura,
I will be the first to say,
welcome to Monday Night Raw!
[crowd cheering]
Shinsuke, please have a seat.
You've done a lot in WWE,
NXT Champion, United States Champion,
Intercontinental Champion, Royal Rumble winner,
and now that you're on Raw,
you have an opportunity to become the first-ever World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd cheering]
So my question is, do you think you have a chance at winning that championship?
[crowd chanting] Yes!
Hai.
-Hi? -Hai.
Hi. Hello. We've done introductions already.
Obviously, you don't want to answer that question,
but that's okay 'cause you and I know
when Triple H said he's looking for a workhorse champion,
he was talking about me.
[crowd booing]
Two-time Grand Slam Champion,
main evented WrestleMania,
always up for whatever whenever.
Press conferences, media junkets, biggest star in WWE.
I am the epitome of a workhorse.
But, Shinsuke, you would be a great Number Two.
See, we can help each other out.
Think about it. We could form a partnership,
combined our brands, a merger,
it would be "Mizsuke Nakamura!"
[imperceptible]
Look, things are different here on Raw than they are on SmackDown.
You need someone to watch your back,
and who better than the face of Monday Night Raw, The Miz?
Look, I help you, you help me.
What do you say?
[chuckles] Thank you.
Thank you, Miz.
Yeah. You have more experience than me,
but I know here on Monday Night Raw,
you are the guy of…
[speaking Japanese]
[both speaking Japanese]
[Nakamura in English] Yes.
-[speaking Japanese] -[in English] Yeah.
[both speaking Japanese]
[in English] That sounds very positive. What's that like? Awesome?
Uh, kind of.
[speaking Japanese]
[in English] Yeah.
[both speaking Japanese]
[in English] Say it with us.
[all speaking Japanese]
[in English] I love it. It sounds amazing.
What's it translate to?
[in English] Uh, it means…
It means…
[crowd cheering]
It means…
"The guy with… tiny balls."
[crowd cheers, laughs]
[speaking Japanese]
[crowd repeating]
[in English] Give me more.
[crowd chanting] Tiny balls! Tiny balls! Tiny balls!
[Corey] Look out.
[grunts]
Oh, here we go.
[Nakamura grunting]
[Corey] Kinshasa!
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] Welcome to Monday Night Raw,
Shinsuke Nakamura.
[speaks Japanese]
[in English] Am I saying it right?
[Corey] You have to ask Shinsuke.
The King of Strong Style has returned to Monday Night Raw.
Be ready.
[Kevin Patrick] So much friction already tonight within The Bloodline.
Can Solo Sikoa deliver for The Bloodline tonight,
for Paul Heyman, for Roman Reigns,
when he goes one-on-one with Seth "Freakin" Rollins
later on this evening?
[Corey] Look at the size of this man.
"The Nigerian Giant" Omos,
the free agent is in action next.
[Kevin Patrick] Can't wait for NXT tomorrow night.
Two huge championship matches as we welcome you back.
We're in Fort Worth, Texas, tonight.
A sold out crowd set to witness The Nigerian Giant.
["The Giant" playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by MVP,
standing in at 7'3",
"The Nigerian Giant" Omos!
[Corey] Yet again MVP proving to be invaluable
to the career of The Nigerian Giant.
Omos has negotiated a free agent deal
much like Brock Lesnar,
but MVP's goal is to maximize Omos' visibility
and showcase his value,
because Omos is quite simply too big for just one brand.
[Kevin Patrick] Standing 7'3", 410 pounds.
What exactly does Seth "Freakin" Rollins
have coming his way Saturday at WWE Backlash?
[Corey] Rollins is a veteran of this game.
Seth has seen and done just about everything there is to accomplish,
but Rollins has never had to deal with this version of Omos.
A confident, angry, malicious, Nigerian Giant.
This gentleman, Anthony Alanis, is going to try his best.
I think this is what Alanis or Seth would consider ironic.
It's getting the match of your dreams on Monday Night Raw
and realizing it's against The Nigerian Giant.
[roars]
[Kevin Patrick] Alanis is a big man standing at about 6'4",
just dwarfed by The Nigerian Giant.
-Ring the bell. -[bell rings]
[Kevin Patrick] Hot start here.
Well, not quite from Anthony Alanis.
Yeah. How's that taste?
How's that taste? Huh?
[Corey] Oh, Mr. Alanis,
you got a lucky shot off on The Nigerian Giant.
You probably shouldn't gloat.
[Omos grunts]
[Kevin Patrick] Omos showcasing his strength, his power.
[Corey exclaims, laughs]
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh, wow. -[Omos shouting indistinctly]
[Corey] That was like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife, KP.
-[Kevin Patrick] You a fan? -[Corey] Absolutely not. I only know--
[Kevin Patrick] Something WWE Universe didn't know about Corey Graves.
[Corey] MVP shouting instructions to Omos.
[Kevin Patrick exclaims]
[Corey] You can count to 40.
[Kevin Patrick] Just squashing Alanis,
-and is that a sight… -[bell rings]
…that we will see at Backlash come Saturday evening?
[announcer] Here is your winner,
"The Nigerian Giant" Omos.
[Corey] Oh, my God.
Omos he is looking to leave a footprint on Mr. Alanis's heart.
That's the type of destruction and devastation
that Seth Rollins had better be prepared for
as we look again at the massive boot of Omos
hoisting the competition up, nearly put Alanis clean through the ring.
[referee] One, two, three.
[bell rings]
[Corey] Rollins, I hope you're ready.
[growls]
[Kevin Patrick] The frightening sight of The Nigerian Giant.
[speaking indistinctly]
We know that Omos has negotiated free agent status,
but you have to imagine Omos, like every other Superstar,
has his eyes set on the newest prize on the Monday Night Raw.
Yeah, it was groundbreaking news last week
from WWE Hall of Famer, Triple H.
Game-changing news, in fact.
Weeks ago when I talked about the WWE Draft,
I said the draft would change WWE at its very core,
because when Roman Reigns
gets drafted to whatever brand he gets drafted to,
he will take the WWE
Undisputed Universal Championship with him
and he will stay.
The other brand will determine a new champion.
[crowd cheering]
At Night of Champions,
we will crown a new World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd cheering]
Beautiful World Heavyweight Championship,
a highly coveted prize now exclusive to Monday Night Raw.
Yeah, as Triple H alluded to again earlier today,
meaning Roman Reigns and the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
stays on SmackDown.
As for the Raw Superstars and Superstars throughout,
they will battle it out in a tournament,
the final of which will be played out
at WWE Night of Champions on the last Saturday of this month.
I cannot wait to see how this plays out and make history.
Speaking of history makers,
there's a WWE Hall of Famer herself, Molly Holly,
ready to deliver another draft pick on behalf of Monday Night Raw.
[Kevin Patrick chuckles] Oh, yes.
Road Dogg is in the house.
The Hall of Famer's getting set to continue the WWE Draft next.
[Corey] Attention, WWE Universe.
The reviews are in and WWE 2K23
is officially the highest rated game in WWE 2K franchise history.
And for a limited time,
the Standard and Icon Edition are 25% off
on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
So get your copy today.
[Kevin Patrick] In the buildup to Backlash why not play as Bad Bunny as well, Corey?
["Oh You Didn't Know" playing]
[man] You better call somebody!
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
WWE Hall of Famer,
"The Road Dogg" Jesse James!
[Corey] Fun fact, I did know and I still called somebody,
because it just felt right.
["Molly Holly Theme" playing]
[announcer] And WWE Hall of Famer, Molly Holly!
[Corey] Molly Holly, a fantastic, deserving addition
to the WWE Hall of Fame, a true trailblazer.
In the fifth round of the WWE Draft,
Raw selects the tag team of
"The Monster of All Monsters" Braun Strowman
and "The One and Only" Ricochet.
[Corey] Wow.
Their performance tonight must have turned a few heads.
Strowman and Ricochet coming to Monday Night Raw.
That's gonna turn the tag division on its head.
[Kevin Patrick] Raw off to a hot start here in round five.
And SmackDown selects the chaos-thriving,
tank-driving Shotzi.
[Kevin Patrick] Big pick for SmackDown.
The ballsy badass with a fire and flair.
Shotzi's headed to the blue brand.
[Corey] A risk-taker in every sense of the word,
gets to call SmackDown home.
Raw selects "The Colossal" Bronson Reed.
[Kevin Patrick] Wow! The walking natural disaster.
[Corey] This man may show up on Monday Night Raw next week
as United States Champion after Backlash
in his Triple Threat title opportunity.
I feel like we're kicking Shawn when he is down,
but SmackDown selects from NXT,
Elton Prince and Kit Wilson, Pretty Deadly.
[Corey] Yes, boy!
I'm jealous of Cole and Wade for this one.
My favorite tag team in NXT.
Pretty Deadly will no doubt make an impact on Friday nights.
[Kevin Patrick] I knew you'd lose your mind over this one.
Congratulations to Pretty Deadly.
Well deserved.
[cheering and applause]
[Corey] That's the scene at the NXT Performance Center.
Celebrating several of their own joining the big time.
Pretty Deadly on Friday Night SmackDown,
but we got Braun Strowman and Ricochet.
[Kevin Patrick] How about Bronson Reed?
We've seen the impact,
the tidal impact that Bronson Reed has had here on Monday Night Raw of late.
And Pretty Deadly, congratulations.
A life-changing night.
["The Other Side" playing]
Now the mood has changed here in Fort Worth, Texas.
[fireworks exploding]
The Judgment Day arrive on the scene
five days out from a couple of enormous matches.
Rhea Ripley will defend the SmackDown Women's Championship
and Damian Priest one-on-one with "Global Megastar" Bad Bunny.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Finn Bálor, Dominik Mysterio,
the SmackDown Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley,
and Damian Priest, The Judgment Day!
[Corey] The Judgment Day in its entirety,
contractually obligated to Monday Night Raw.
Yes, even Rhea Ripley
who is the reigning SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Kevin Patrick] It's great news for Raw.
It's bad news for many Superstars.
Will it be bad news for Zelina Vega who returns to her home
where her family were all raised in Puerto Rico
and tries to take out the SmackDown Women's Champion on Saturday?
[Corey] Streaming live WWE on Peacock.
You don't want to miss Backlash,
but you can get used to this sight,
because I have a feeling that The Judgment Day
are going to be running things
here on Mondays for a long time to come.
[Kevin Patrick] The fire in the eyes of the punishment
within The Judgment Day, Damian Priest.
[Corey] Do you realize the toll
that Saturday could have on the entire music industry?
Bad Bunny is the hottest recording artist on the Planet Earth right now,
and Damian Priest is going to fight him in a San Juan Street Fight.
I say fight because it's going to be ugly.
It is not gonna be pretty.
It is not gonna be for the faint of heart
and it may be the last time we see Bad Bunny.
All rise to The Judgment Day,
staying united right here on Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering and booing]
And all rise for tonight's first draft pick.
Your Champion, our Champion…
Rhea Ripley!
[crowd cheering]
[chuckles] Uh, I mean…
was there really any doubt who the first draft pick would be, huh?
-That's fair. -Mami's always on top.
And you guys thought that you could get rid of us that easily.
Nuh-uh.
I've said it before and I'll say it again.
The Judgment Day, we run Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering and booing]
And this Saturday at Backlash,
Zelina Vega is going to regret
everything she's done to me on SmackDown
when I pretzel her
and remind everyone exactly why
I am the most dominant Champion here in the WWE.
[crowd cheering]
That's right. Rhea is gonna roll Zelina up
like a hot snot and flick her,
and I got some bad news for Bad Bunny.
Because, my man, Damian…
is going to tear Bad Bunny apart
and leave little fluffy pieces of him all over Puerto Rico.
Tell 'em, Damian.
Bad Bunny…
I want you to listen to my words very carefully,
because I choose them very, very carefully.
[speaking Spanish]
[crowd cheers]
[in English] Sorry.
-It's okay. It's okay. -[exhales]
[speaking Spanish]
[continues speaking Spanish]
[in English] Bad Bunny, benito, at Backlash…
you receive your punishment.
[crowd cheering]
I can't--
[crowd booing]
Hey, let him speak.
[crowd booing loudly]
Dom. Dom, pay them no mind.
[Corey] They are rude here in Texas.
I can't…
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
I can't--
[crowd booing]
I can't wait until Mami…
Until Mami and Pri--
[crowd booing]
[crowd whistling]
Until Mami and Priest dominate at Backlash.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
[imperceptible]
Until Mami…
[crowd booing]
…and Priest dominate at Backlash!
And until The Judgment Day,
is gonna dominate Santos, Zelina, and my deadbeat dad.
[crowd booing]
In this six… Mixed match, tag match…
And since the LWO got drafted to SmackDown…
looks like this is the last night I'll get to embarrass my dad.
Along with his loser friends in the LWO,
so they can run away and hide on Friday nights.
-[crowd continues booing] -[Rhea Ripley] Okay, bye.
[Corey] I'll tell you what, these people in Fort Worth are lucky.
There's a barricade around the ring protecting them from Dominik.
[Kevin Patrick] LWO aren't running away right now.
["Booyaka 619" playing]
Dom.
Dom, Dom.
No one's running or hiding anywhere.
We were selected by SmackDown to compete Friday nights.
That's how the draft works.
[speaks Spanish]
[crowd cheering]
[in English] But I'm glad.
I'm glad we're not gonna be on the same brand.
Because if you thought getting whooped at WrestleMania with the belt was bad,
next time I would have busted out la chancla.
[crowd cheering]
And I can't wait to see Zelina leave Puerto Rico
with Rhea's Championship around her waist.
No chance.
And I am looking so forward…
to watch Bad Bunny…
[speaks Spanish] …Priest…
and anybody else from The Judgment Day
who's stupid enough to get in Bunny's way at Backlash.
But before all of that,
The Judgment Day is going to get smacked
right now by the LWO.
[Kevin Patrick] Let's go.
Mixed tag coming your way.
The LWO and over 11,000 fans set to take on The Judgment Day.
[Corey] One last family throwdown on Draft Night.
I demand all your gratitude
for the leader of Imperium
and "Ring General"
Gunther!
The mat is sacred.
[Corey] Buckle up and grit your teeth.
[Gunther] There is no room for failure.
I am dominating.
[Corey] There has been no Superstar in the 21st century
that has held the Intercontinental Title longer than Gunther.
Everybody else who challenges me on that sacred mat out there will fall.
Our crusades, to restore the order
has just started.
[Kevin Patrick] When this draft pick was made on Friday Night SmackDown,
it sent shockwaves around WWE.
The Ring General is now marching toward Monday.
[Corey] Gunther isn't coming alone, he's bringing Vinci and Kaiser with him.
All of Imperium, eager to show Monday Night Raw
why the mat is sacred.
[Kevin Patrick] A sold out crowd tonight. Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
And, man, this crowd have been loud.
[bell rings]
The Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio and look at this, his son… no.
Tag made.
[Corey] He does what Mami wants.
[imperceptible]
[Corey] The reigning SmackDown Women's Champion…
Championship she won at WrestleMania.
She's got taken down by Zelina Vega,
who will challenge Rhea this Saturday at Backlash.
[Kevin Patrick] A big boot from Rhea.
We saw something similar on Friday night.
-Zelina Vega turning a Riptide… -[Corey] Oh, we saw this.
We saw… Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] Riptide again! Can Zelina…
[Corey] Now Rhea was ready for this one.
Rhea just woman-handling Zelina Vega, imposing her will.
[Kevin Patrick] The strength of Mami. But Zelina Vega is quick.
[Corey] Zelina is quick. She's feisty. She's experienced.
Here comes Santos Escobar.
A painful meeting with Damian Priest,
who is laser focused on Bad Bunny this Saturday.
Bunny, who will also host the Backlash event,
will battle Priest in a San Juan Street Fight.
[Kevin Patrick] Damian Priest, who was raised in the same small town Vega Baja
as Bad Bunny.
Bad Bunny knows Damian Priest's family,
Priest's aunt taught Bad Bunny's brother in school.
That's the connection here. They were old friends.
They were WrestleMania teammates and now bitter enemies.
[Corey] Let's talk about Santos Escobar for a moment
as the LWO is drafted to Friday Night SmackDown
-many-- Here we go. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] WWE have Escobar pegged for superstardom.
Many accept Damian Priest, obviously.
[Kevin Patrick] Did you hear that?
As Priest takes out Rey Mysterio as well.
[Corey] As for Escobar, you can pick up your incisors in Section 105.
Just be careful, Zelina.
Let's take a look at this and listen.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] He hit Escobar, KP.
You're screaming like you got punched in the mouth.
Calm down.
Priest now, just looking to dominate…
but Escobar's a step ahead.
[Kevin Patrick] Well scouted by Escobar,
it's Dominik Mysterio's turn now.
[Corey] A real backbreaker. Takes down Dom.
[Kevin Patrick] Tag made.
Rey Mysterio, the Hall of Famer.
[Corey] Down goes Priest.
Rey is rolling.
[indistinct shouting]
[yelling]
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Pulsating mixed tag action here on Monday Night Raw.
The LWO taking on The Judgment Day,
as Damian Priest punishing Santos Escobar.
Come on.
[Corey] Priest is in a foul mood
and laser focused on his San Juan Street Fight this Saturday with Bad Bunny.
But Escobar's not going to go down without a fight.
[Kevin Patrick] The spirit, the heart of Santos Escobar in full display.
[Corey] Santos desperately needs to make a tag to a fresher partner
as we look again at this picture-perfect dropkick that takes down Priest.
And here comes the Hall of Famer.
[Kevin Patrick] Father and son.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] This may be the final meeting between Rey and Dominik Mysterio
as Rey and the LWO are handed to SmackDown.
The chance to teach Dom one last lesson.
-[Kevin Patrick] The Hall of Famer now… -[crowd] One, two, three…
Raining down blows on Dominik.
[Corey] Dom able to escape and turn the tables momentarily
on his legendary father.
[Kevin Patrick exclaims]
[Kevin Patrick] Emotion has been removed
from this scenario-- Rey hooks the leg for the victory now.
Rhea Ripley, The Eradicator in the way.
[Corey] You're a fool if you think that the case,
but Rhea Ripley just dropped Zelina Vega
with a single right hand.
Zelina has the biggest opportunity of her career this Saturday,
but also the biggest challenge.
And look at the power of Rhea Ripley,
the SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Kevin Patrick] And Zelina Vega there to thwart her efforts.
[Corey] Zelina just delivered a 619 to Rhea's midsection,
Ripley over the top to the floor.
[Kevin Patrick] Rey Mysterio, now dropped by Dominik.
Tag made.
Rey could be in trouble here.
[Corey] There's no "could be" about it. Rey is in-- Oh, no.
[Kevin Patrick] Well-read from Rey Mysterio.
Watch out, Damian Priest!
And dial it up, Rey.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] And Bálor… Bálor distracted the official
which allowed Dominik to trip Rey.
Santos just flattened Dom on the outside.
My God, what an impact!
Escobar coming to the aid of his hero.
Oh, my!
Mami just dropkicked the soul out of Santos.
Meteor from Zelina!
The turnaround, Rey.
[Kevin Patrick] Priest with the Hall of Famer.
In precarious position now is Rey.
[Corey] Rey escapes the Razor's Edge.
Bálor took the shot for The Judgment Day.
Priest.
South of Heaven!
[Kevin Patrick] The chokeslam South of Heaven.
-That could end Rey Mysterio and the LWO. -[bell rings]
[announcer] Here your winners,
The Judgment Day!
[Corey] This has got to feel good
for The Judgment Day as we barrel toward Backlash.
And Finn Bálor is the MVP.
Taking the effect of the 619.
Allowing Priest to slam the door shut.
South of Heaven to the Hall of Famer,
and momentum is on the side of The Judgment Day.
[Kevin Patrick] Finn Bálor wasn't involved.
Wasn't competing in this match.
Bad Bunny, that was for you.
[Corey] Priest is laser focused.
You're next.
[Corey] Saying "Bad Bunny, this Saturday in San Juan, you're next."
Judgment Day have claimed to run Monday Night Raw
and after this Saturday,
they very well may do just that.
You know who else was laser focused?
Cody Rhodes earlier tonight,
after Brock Lesnar stormed into Monday Night Raw.
Taking it into his own hands,
it was Cody Rhodes that had a plan for The Beast Incarnate.
[Corey] The American Nightmare would deliver a right hand to the face
of the most decorated combat athlete in history.
Taking Brock Lesnar down with a right hand.
The American Nightmare was unhinged.
[Kevin Patrick] Cody saying, "Make me earn it," toward the end.
[Corey] Rhodes looked to be undeniable until he was literally swarmed
by too many security guards to count.
Much to the delight of The Beast Incarnate.
But make no mistake about it.
Security will not play a factor this Saturday.
It will be one-on-one as "The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar
heads to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
I'm standing by hoping to get in a word with Cody Rhodes and…
Cody, do you have a minute?
Now is Brock Lesnar in your head
after everything that we just witnessed out there?
Brock Lesnar is indeed in my head, and Brock Lesnar has been in my head
ever since the night after WrestleMania.
And now Brock has negotiated this free agent status
where he can come and go as he chooses,
from Raw or SmackDown wherever he wants to go.
Brock Lesnar gets what Brock Lesnar wants.
Just not on Saturday, not at Backlash.
Here he is the most decorated combat sports athlete of all time.
I made a point to say it twice last week, and here I am saying it again.
But here's what we found out tonight.
Doomsday bleeds.
Brock Lesnar is human.
And you know what? Brock Lesnar doesn't even need to win this match with me.
It's me.
I'm the one that has to win at Backlash,
because if I don't…
If I don't, the whole idea
of finishing the story
ceases to exist.
And then I move to the back of the line.
And I refuse to go to the back of the line.
I won't be in the back of the line, not now.
Not ever.
Thank you.
[Kevin Patrick] That passion, that fire burning deep within Cody Rhodes.
The lawless nature of Brock Lesnar.
That won't count on Saturday
as The American Nightmare hopes to take down and slay
"The Beast" Brock Lesnar at Backlash.
[Kevin Patrick] Night Two of the WWE Draft continues.
Oh, yes.
[Corey] Everything is bigger in Texas, including the draft picks.
The Hall of Famer himself, the wrestling god.
And a former SmackDown general manager, Teddy Long.
He likes to bring the mojo to things. I don't mean the hype guy.
[Kevin Patrick] Let's be having you, playa.
And still to come tonight.
Here on Monday Night Raw, you do not want to miss this,
Solo Sikoa sent out with strict instructions.
He's taking on Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Kevin Patrick] Friday at high noon,
outside the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan,
it's the WWE Backlash press conference
hosted by the global megastar Bad Bunny.
He'll have a San Juan Street Fight on his mind against Damian Priest.
We're gonna hear from many top Superstars alongside Bad Bunny.
You cannot miss the Backlash press conference.
It's live on Peacock, at noon this Friday.
Right now, I am joined by the Raw Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair.
[crowd cheering]
Bianca, what was your initial reaction to finding out that you were drafted
to Friday Night SmackDown?
Byron, my first thought was that it doesn't matter what brand I'm on,
you know, as long as I'm able to represent
the WWE Universe to the best of my ability,
and that means
retaining the Raw Women's Championship this Saturday at Backlash.
Because even though I rep blue now,
I have nothing but love for Monday Night Raw.
So you best believe I'm gonna send IYO SKY to SmackDown…
-empty-handed. -[Bayley laughing]
Uh, good one. Byron, I have a question for you now.
Uh, why are you here interviewing Bianca when you should be interviewing
the top three draft picks in the WWE.
I mean, Dakota and I don't know if you saw that earlier tonight.
We are the future women's Tag Team Champions and IYO SKY right here
is going to give you a real reason to be blue
when she beats you, for that Raw Women's Championship.
You get it. Be blue like sad. [laughs]
You know what actually makes me sad, Bayley?
Is that I've always been extremely impressed with IYO SKY.
Matter of fact, when she showed up to SummerSlam last year, I just knew
that she was gonna be the unique, talented a competitive athlete
that this women's division needed.
I mean, I was excited to see what she was going to do next.
But what is she going to do?
She went and got herself influenced by two females that have done nothing
but hold her back.
[Belair chuckles]
Yeah, I said what I said.
So I hope this Saturday it gives IYO,
you know, a little taste of what it feels like
to finally step out on her own and finally shine.
You know, after I beat her at Backlash.
[speaking Japanese]
-[chuckles] So what IYO-- -Girl, uh-uh.
You don't need to translate.
Cause IYO and I, we understand each other.
Huh.
-Are you sure about that? -[Dakota] Bye.
[upbeat music playing]
[Corey] We understand that this one may tear the house down.
Though, both competitors are now members of the Friday Night SmackDown roster.
The Raw Women's Championship is on the line
as "The EST" Bianca Belair defends against IYO SKY of Damage CTRL.
["MacMillitant" playing]
You gotta make sure you turn into,
tune into the press conference on all your social platforms
because it may be the last time you see Bianca as Raw Women's Champion.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
WWE Hall of Famer, Teddy Long!
[Corey] KP, I forbid you from saying the word "playa" in any capacity.
-It just sounds cheap when you do it. -[Kevin Patrick] Fair point.
[Corey] And there ain't nothing cheap about a wrestling god.
["Longhorn" playing]
[announcer] And WWE Hall of Famer,
John "Bradshaw" Layfield!
-Where's my money? -Where's my money?
[chuckling]
With the first pick of the final round
of the WWE Draft, Raw selects…
Shoooosh!
Otis and Chad Gable, the Alpha Academy.
[Kevin Patrick] Otis will be delighted.
Maxxine was drafted to Raw as well.
Now the Alpha Academy is sticking with the red brand.
[Corey] Big things to come in the future for Gable
and his "Number One Guy." Alpha Academy, holding it down on Raw.
And now, SmackDown selects,
"The Meat Mountain" Rick Boogs!
[Kevin Patrick] The Meat Mountain.
Friday nights are set to be Boog-ing out.
Thick Rick headed to SmackDown.
[Corey] This guy's about as sharp as a marble, but he's strong as an ox.
Big opportunity for Boogs on Friday nights.
And Raw selects…
from NXT…
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter.
-[Corey] Love this. -[Kevin Patrick] Wow.
Big moves 24 hours away now from an NXT women's title match.
[Corey] Well, they've been the NXT Women's Tag Champions in the past,
and these two bring the party wherever they go.
Now they're bringing the party to Monday Night Raw.
What a massive opportunity for these two deserving women.
[Kevin Patrick] Congrats, Katana and Kayden.
[Corey] There, you see, Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre.
The current NXT Women's Tag Champ
who will be competing tomorrow night on NXT.
They have been drafted to Friday Night SmackDown!
And with the final pick,
SmackDown goes to the moon as they select…
Cameron Grimes.
[Kevin Patrick] Cameron Grimes!
Corey, I know you're a big fan of Cameron Grimes.
Learned all about him on After the Bell podcast.
[Corey] Cameron Grimes, an incredibly talented young man
who's got a great business sense.
Perhaps he and JBL should link up.
JBL teaches people how to make more money with their money.
The sixth round is in the books.
Congrats to Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
heading to Monday Night Raw.
Things are looking good for the tag team division on Mondays and Fridays.
Trying to figure out who I'm most excited about, The New Day.
Coming across--
I think you should go to SmackDown and hang out with Boogs.
You'd do us both a big, big favor.
I don't know if I could… Bayley is headed to SmackDown.
Xavier Woods and The New Day, buzzing there, coming to Raw.
Ooh!
Xavier Woods here, and it looks like your boys, The New Day,
just got drafted to the red brand.
Listen, we need you to come back
and inject a little bit of life back into Monday nights.
So, USA Network, get ready, because…
New Day rocks.
["Taking It All" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] Who's ready for the main event of Monday Night Raw?
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
accompanied to the ring by special counsel,
the Wise Man, Paul Heyman,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
Solo Sikoa!
[Corey] The Street Champ, The Enforcer of The Bloodline,
a man on a mission tonight.
Solo has been tasked by The Tribal Chief himself,
with eliminating the Seth Rollins problem
here on Monday Night Raw.
[Kevin Patrick] "Exterminate the clown."
The words of Paul Heyman.
Can Solo Sikoa deliver
when he goes up against the two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion.
What a match we've coming up here on Raw.
Rollins, Sikoa, is next.
[yelling loudly]
[Kevin Patrick] When Monday Night Raw comes to a close, the draft will continue
over on RawTALK.
Head straight to Peacock, Jackie Redmond and Matt Camp
will take you through the remainder of the WWE Draft.
[Corey] Still some heavy hitters left on the board.
Valuable additions to Raw and SmackDown.
[Kevin Patrick] What a night we've got coming up from San Juan, Puerto Rico,
this Saturday, WWE Backlash.
You can watch on Peacock,
and here's a look, Corey, at some of the big, big matches coming your way.
[Corey] It's "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
One-on-one with the most decorated combat athlete in history,
Brock Lesnar.
[Kevin Patrick] The global sensation, Bad Bunny from San Juan, Puerto Rico,
set to take on Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight.
[Corey] And a colossal 6-Man Tag Team Match.
We'll see the Undisputed Tag Team Champions,
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens join forces
with "The Original Bro" Matt Riddle against The Usos and Solo, The Bloodline.
[Kevin Patrick] Backlash is the final night before the draft goes into effect.
Next Monday, Corey.
A look at the Raw roster.
[Corey] I don't know about you but I'm extremely excited
and happy with how things played out.
It's gonna be a fun time to be a member of the Monday Night Raw roster.
Unfortunately, it may not be a fun night to be Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
The intensity in the eyes of Solo.
["Visionary" playing]
[fireworks exploding]
[announcer] And he's opponent,
from Davenport, Iowa, weighing in at 225 pounds,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Kevin Patrick] All right, Texas. Let's hear ya.
[crowd singing along]
[Corey] Now, WWE Superstars
had a very successful tour of Europe over the last week,
and there's been videos circulating all over social media,
of the crowd in Paris singing Seth "Freakin" Rollins'
battle hymn for nearly ten straight minutes.
Truly an unbelievable sight.
Rollins hopes he has that sort of support tonight in Fort Worth
as he goes one-on-one with The Street Champ.
[crowd singing along]
When you're a Superstar as experienced as Rollins is,
it's very difficult to find yourself in an unfamiliar situation.
Rollins grinning with confidence.
But Seth knows full well
what he's dealing with in The Street Champ.
That high impact explosive style of Solo
has turned the lights out on many an opponent.
And Seth could be next.
[Kevin Patrick] And Seth "Freakin" Rollins knew exactly what he was doing
last week when speaking about the World Heavyweight Championship.
[bell rings]
He says it's more than politics and part-timers.
The reference targeting Roman Reigns.
[Corey] And that's how Seth found himself in this situation,
in this circumstance. It eats at Roman Reigns
that Roman does not own a clean, decisive victory
over Seth Rollins during this Championship round.
Rollins is exploiting that at every turn,
trying to get under the skin of The Tribal Chief.
[Kevin Patrick] You're right. Their last meeting at the Royal Rumble last year,
ending in a DQ.
Roman incredibly frustrated by this master manipulator.
"The Visionary" Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Corey] Rollins continues to chirp about.
Continues to gain The Tribal Chief's attention,
which is why Solo has been sent tonight to snuff out the chatter from Rollins.
[crowd continues singing]
And Rollins would love to be the new World Heavyweight Champion.
As you can see the crowd really playing a factor here,
getting in the head of Solo, who's in hostile territory right now.
[Kevin Patrick] And that's a rarity.
We never see Solo Sikoa react too much
unless he's punishing someone.
The Enforcer now.
At pace, Rollins skipping over Solo.
[Corey] Rollins going a little crisscross route trying to make Solo uncomfortable.
Keep Solo guessing.
This is a brilliant strategy.
[crowd continues singing]
A little cat and mouse by the veteran Rollins.
-[Kevin Patrick] Conducting his own-- -Oh, ho-ho.
[Corey] Seth tried to lure Solo in.
Solo nearly had his skull stomped.
[Kevin Patrick] Is there anybody in WWE quite like Rollins
when it comes to eating out inside of someone's mind?
[Corey] It's a family show, KP.
Rollins is incredibly skilled inside the ring
and knows the value of the mental game.
Rollins is playing, plays generally all of his opponents
like a fiddle.
But right now, Solo looking to just turn out Seth's lights
with his savage-like aggression.
[Kevin Patrick] The Street Champ gaining a little momentum here.
But Rollins fighting back.
[Corey] No shortage of heart in Seth Rollins.
The same has got to be said for Solo. But again, Solo is on a mission.
Solo is sent here specifically by The Tribal Chief.
Rollins looking to turn up the heat on The Street Champ.
[crowd clapping]
Here comes Seth-- Oh!
Spinning heel kick.
Flattens Rollins.
Solo in control.
[crowd booing]
[Kevin Patrick] A sold out crowd tonight in Fort Worth, Texas,
witnessing the main event of Monday Night Raw.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins and Solo Sikoa.
The Street Champ there with Rollins on top.
[Corey] Solo was tasked with eliminating
the Rollins problem tonight on behalf of The Tribal Chief.
The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.
Again, the first overall draft pick Friday night on SmackDown
for the blue brand.
Solo connects with the ring post.
Rollins drafted tonight here to remain on Monday Night Raw.
His sights set on becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion in the future.
[Kevin Patrick] Solo was drafted to Friday Night SmackDown
on Friday alongside the special counsel, Paul Heyman,
to Roman Reigns.
The Head of the Table, staying on SmackDown.
[Corey] Rollins now teeing off on The Street Champ.
Been a very effective strategy by Rollins thus far.
Seth knows the power possessed by Solo.
Seth knows that Solo can turn your lights out with one clean shot.
Seth has done his best to stick and move.
Avoid the wheelhouse of The Street Champ.
Seth now trying to fight his way out of the grasp of Solo,
who's thinking about Spinning Solo.
[Kevin Patrick] Seth is flying here tonight.
[Corey] Big clothesline. Takes down Sikoa.
[Kevin Patrick] We've already seen him.
-Manipulating the mind of Solo Sikoa. -[crowd continues singing]
Has The Street Champ been rocked in any way?
[Corey] Solo out here in front of us.
Rollins has acquired the target.
Here comes The Visionary.
[Kevin Patrick] Seth taking flight, Solo across the announce desk.
[Corey] But Solo still back on his feet.
Here comes Seth again.
[Kevin Patrick] Rollins--
[Corey] The second time, driving Solo onto the desk.
But Solo like Jason Voorhees,
just soldiering forward, moving up.
Rollins coming for a third time.
[Kevin Patrick] Solo.
[Corey] That one does the trick.
[Kevin Patrick] Couldn't even catch his breath.
Rollins, coast to coast across the ring in emphatic fashion.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Rollins sending Solo back inside.
The Visionary now with room to operate.
Springboard, looking for the knee.
Oh, dear.
Samoan Drop.
[Kevin Patrick] Sikoa in for the cover.
And the win for The Bloodline--
Rollins now, still alive.
A reminder, Backlash this Saturday.
Streaming on Peacock.
[Corey] Paul Heyman is making a phone call at ringside.
You have to imagine,
I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that
Heyman is speaking to The Tribal Chief.
Solo now.
[Kevin Patrick] Rollins turns it around.
Seth there, stacks up Solo Sikoa.
Couldn't quite get the win.
[Corey] Superkick on the money.
Rolling Elbow. Nobody home.
Spinning Solo!
[Kevin Patrick] That's going to do it for Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline.
Oh! Rollins kicking out.
[Corey] I think Solo got a bit too overzealous on the cover.
Watch this impact.
Solo planted Rollins in the center of the ring,
but in hooking the leg,
Solo shifted his own weight off of Seth's shoulders.
That may be the only reason
Solo did not win this match right there.
[Kevin Patrick] Milliseconds away then, Solo Sikoa… Wow.
[Corey] A defiant Rollins,
just smacked the taste out of Solo's mouth.
Come on, big boy.
Is that all you got?
Are you just Roman's little bitch?
[Corey] Oh, no.
Rollins again.
He's not getting up after that.
[Kevin Patrick] That is one pissed off "Street Champ" Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] Big, heavy right hands.
Forearms raining down on Rollins.
Solo risking disqualification if he doesn't heed the official's warning.
And now Rollins on the retreat.
Now look out.
[Rollins groans]
Solo returning the favor.
Dribbling Rollins' skull off of our announce desk.
-And now… -Seth Rollins turns it around.
[Corey] Sends out the backdoor.
Solo with a face-first impact into the ring post.
Superkick again on the temple.
[Kevin Patrick] Rollins now has all the momentum.
Clobbering Solo.
Oh, no!
[Corey] Jimmy and Jey. The Usos have hit the ring.
[bell ringing]
Jimmy and Jey Uso.
Wait a second.
-It's the Tag Champs and Riddle! -[crowd cheering]
It is going down. It's breaking down!
Can you imagine what it's gonna look like?
We're bringing chaos to Puerto Rico at Backlash.
[indistinct shouting] o Puerto Rico at Backlash.