[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
[Ric Flair] Woooo!
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman] Acknowledge me…
[Triple H] The King of Kings…
[Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
["Greatness" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] For the very first time, the new World Heavyweight Championship
will be defended tonight from inside the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
We are delighted you're with us for Monday Night Raw.
["Visionary" playing]
-[explosion] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd singing Rollins's theme]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[ring announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the World Heavyweight Champion,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Corey] The rafters are rocking tonight in the XL Center
for the arrival of the new World Heavyweight Champion.
[Kevin Patrick] It does not get any bigger than this on Monday Night Raw.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins proclaimed
that the new World Heavyweight Championship
would be the title for the workhorse.
And he's backing that up with putting his new Championship on the line tonight.
It is for the World Heavyweight Championship
where Rollins will defend
against "The Punishment of The Judgment Day" Damian Priest.
[crowd singing continues]
[crowd cheering]
Hartford, Connecticut!
Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!
And I got to tell you guys,
one week as World Heavyweight Champion
has been a non-stop party!
[crowd cheering]
but in the midst of it all, I was thinking to myself,
"Self, when was the last time
we had a Heavyweight Championship Match
right here live on Raw?"
[crowd cheering]
I had to go into the way, way, way back machine
because it has been nearly two years.
And I thought to myself, "Self,
two years is too damn long."
[crowd cheering]
So what I done did was I went into the Twitterverse,
I put out an open challenge for a World Heavyweight Championship Match
right here tonight in Hartford!
[crowd cheering]
And that open challenge was answered
by The Judgment Day's Damian Priest.
[crowd booing]
I got to be honest with you guys.
I'm, kind of, psyched about it.
I'll tell you why.
Last week I came out here, I said, I wanted all the fights,
and I wanted to fight the best,
and whether you love them or you hate them,
Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley, Finn Bálor,
and Damian Priest,
they are as good as it gets,
and I am looking forward to the opportunity right here tonight
to show you all that as good as they are,
they just ain't me. [laughs]
Because I am a visionary.
I am a revolutionary--
["The Other Side" plays]
[Corey] The man who will challenge Rollins
for the World Heavyweight Championship later tonight, Damian Priest,
-has arrived with Finn Bálor. -Hey, boys, why, why, why?
I'm out here saying a bunch of nice things about you,
then you got to come out and interrupt our party,
but wait, wait a minute, wait.
There's only two of you, so where's Dom?
Where's Rhea? Are they coming from up here?
Are they coming from back here?
Are they under the ring making out? Ew… [mumbles]
Where are they at? I know how this works.
Take it easy, Seth.
Rhea and Dom, they got their own business to worry about.
-Oh, I bet they do. -And you should only worry about
one person, me.
-[crowd booing] -Wait.
Just… just you, but it's…
-It's just me. -It's not just you out here, it's…
it's you and Finn. So, like…
I know you guys are boys, and that's great and all,
but do you do everything together? Like…
Does he hold the door for you when you go to the restaurants?
What about when you're playing on the playground?
Does he hold your hand when you go down the slide?
What about when you go to the bathroom?
-Does he hold your-- -Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Mr. Funny man here with the funny clothes and the funny dance
and the funny laugh and the funny jokes,
and everybody loves Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[crowd cheering]
And everybody just loves to sing your song.
[crowd singing Rollins' theme]
But you know what you're not gonna love, what you're not gonna love?
And you know what you're not going to love?
Is when my man Damian here beats you
and takes the World Heavyweight Championship
from you tonight.
-[laughs] -[crowd booing]
Seth, I'm going to be honest with you, man.
I think you're a deserving champion.
Your résumé speaks for itself.
Your entire career, everybody you've been in the ring with,
you pretty much beat them all.
That's true. [laughs]
But so have I.
So tonight,
that World Heavyweight Championship-- Look, you making an open challenge,
as foolish as it sounds-- Look, you got a set, man,
and I appreciate it because this opportunity
I didn't think was coming anytime soon,
but I'll take it, and tonight, I will not fall.
I want to be clear, I don't need Dominik.
I don't need Rhea.
I don't need Finn to beat you for that.
-Oh, is that so, big man? -That's right.
Oh, I like that confidence, but I got to be honest with you,
I know that if it's just you and me out here tonight,
you don't stand a chance.
So what do you say…
you put your money where your mouth is?
For the World Heavyweight Championship main event tonight,
you leave your crew in the back.
And truth be told, it's probably best you leave the prince back there.
He doesn't fare too well when he gets in the fights with me.
[cackles]
No, no, no, you do not get to decide how this goes down.
-We get to decide-- -[Damian Priest] Finn, Finn, Finn,
I'm cool with it, man.
Seth, I accept.
Oh! [laughs]
At the end of the night, though,
I will be the new World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd booing]
And you,
you're just going to go down in history with one of the shortest reigns ever.
[laughs]
I love it, Priest.
You and me, one-on-one, no Judgment Day.
But hey, any way you slice it,
my title reign's already way longer than his was.
[laughs]
See you in the main event.
["Visionary" playing]
[Corey] Seth Rollins, taking a dig
at Finn Bálor's 24-hour Universal Championship reign,
which was unfortunately ended due to injury.
But let's not forget what we just learned,
one-on-one,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight Championship
against Damian Priest who has agreed there will be no Judgment Day.
One-on-one World Heavyweight Championship Match
on Raw for the first time in nearly two years.
It simply doesn't get any bigger than this.
But the question remains,
will Rollins retain or will Seth Rollins rue the day
he issued the open challenge, that Damian Priest accepted?
[Kevin Patrick] It truly is a blockbuster night throughout.
Cody Rhodes, broken arm and all,
continues to show up to Monday Night Raw.
And The Miz has banked himself quite the special guest.
It is a must-see episode of Miz TV tonight.
[Corey] And it is that time of year.
It's Money in the Bank season.
Climb the ladder, retrieve the briefcase,
and you are the proud owner of a guaranteed title opportunity
at the time and place of your choosing.
Qualifying matches continue on the women's side of things tonight
as Natalya goes one-on-one with Zoey Stark.
And you have to imagine Trish Stratus will be in the corner.
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following is a Money in the Bank qualifying match!
Introducing first, from Dublin, Ireland,
"The Man" Becky Lynch.
[Kevin Patrick] With the lore of London calling,
The Man has arrived on Monday Night Raw on a mission.
[crowd cheering]
Can you imagine what the sold-out 02 Arena in London would be like?
Thousands of Irish are already making the trip
across to London to see their favorite WWE Superstars,
and Becky Lynch is absolutely one of them.
Tough task in her way tonight.
Can Becky qualify for Money in the Bank?
In her way tonight is Sonya Deville with Chelsea Green by her side.
That match is coming your way next on Monday Night Raw.
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
We're about to witness a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
"The Man" Becky Lynch has already made her entrance.
Winning the Money in the Bank,
something that's eluded Becky Lynch throughout her career so far.
["Made Me Stronger" playing]
[ring announcer] And her opponent, accompanied to the ring by Chelsea Green,
from Shamong, New jersey,
Sonya Deville!
[Kevin Patrick] We know how powerful,
we know how manipulative Sonya Deville can be,
especially with Chelsea Green by her side.
We had a Chance to catch up with the duo earlier tonight.
Becky Lynch, you are not going to make it to the Money in the Bank Ladder Match
because I'm going to beat you tonight,
then I'm going on to win that contract and become your new champion.
Make sense?
And when that happens, I'm gonna tell all the other women
that I told you so.
They better get ready because big, big changes are happening.
[Corey] Bold declaration by both Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green.
I'll tell you what, KP,
if Becky Lynch is making the mistake of looking past Sonya Deville…
-[bell rings] -…Becky's opportunity to qualify
for the Money in the Bank could go up in smoke before our eyes.
Sonya is a very, very talented, dangerous competitor.
That's a great point. Oh!
Sonya nearly taking out her own teammate, Chelsea Green.
[Corey] Becky was looking for a Man-handle Slam early,
Sonya able to counter it, and here comes The Man.
-I told you not to interfere. -I didn't do anything.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
Sonya Deville, grabbing the hair of Becky Lynch.
Remember, this is a match to head to London, The O2 Arena
for Money in the Bank on July 1st.
You got to climb that ladder, grab the briefcase
that contains a contract for a championship match of your choosing,
any time, any place within a year.
What a career-altering opportunity that could be, Corey.
[Corey] It's friend versus friend,
foe versus foe,
every competitor for themselves in the Money in the Bank situation.
Because the opportunity at stake could literally change your career
if not your entire life.
You're mine, Becky, you understand?
[Corey] Becky Lynch knows what it means to be a champion here in WWE,
Sonya Deville would love that opportunity.
When you possess the Money in the Bank contract,
you automatically become one of the most dangerous Superstars
in the entire company.
[Kevin Patrick] For Becky Lynch, we see her already having to deal with Chelsea.
I caught up with her earlier, she's so sick and tired,
in fact, she's emotional, Corey.
She's got that pent-up anger about dealing with the numbers game,
whether it be Damage CTRL from SummerSlam.
That meant that Becky Lynch missed out at Clash at the Castle.
[Corey] Becky Lynch's focus needs to be singular right now.
It should be on Sonya Deville and the Money in the Bank contract.
100% of women who have cashed in the Money in the Bank contract
have succeeded and become champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] The numbers don't lie.
And Lynch now beginning to roll.
Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] Using the ropes to her advantage, "The Man" Becky Lynch.
[grunting]
[Corey] Bexploder suplex.
[Kevin Patrick] There's a fire raging deep inside of Becky Lynch.
Something different about her this evening.
[groans]
This is the first time in a while we've seen Sonya in one-on-one action.
Becky Lynch now, cover, to advance to London
and Money in the Bank, and a kick out by Sonya.
["Time To Rock And Roll" playing]
[Corey laughs] Are you kidding me?
It's Trish Stratus, the WWE Hall of Famer and Zoey Stark.
What was that you said about the numbers game, KP?
[Kevin Patrick] And Sonya now, looking to capitalize.
Imagine what's going on through the mind of Becky Lynch right now.
[Corey] Well, she should probably treat-- Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] Cover. Hooks the leg. To advance to Money in the Bank.
Can she do it? And a kick out!
[Corey] What's going through Becky's mind is,
"I should've treated everybody better backstage,
that way I'd have friends to watch my back."
[Kevin Patrick] Will the numbers game cost Becky Lynch
or can she advance to Money in the Bank?
Man, shut your mouth!
[crowd exclaims]
[Kevin Patrick] We're in the midst of
a pulsating Money in the Bank qualifying match.
We're in Hartford, Connecticut.
Becky Lynch one-on-one with Sonya Deville, the stakes absolutely enormous.
[Corey] Right now the ringside area seems to be filling up
with bodies by the moment,
all with their sights set on "The Man" Becky Lynch.
[Kevin Patrick] Trish Stratus beat Becky Lynch at Night of Champions.
And only last week on Monday Night Raw, the duo--
-[Corey] Oh! Superplex by Deville. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] Can Sonya punch her ticket to Money in the Bank? Cover!
[Kevin Patrick] In for the cover and the win perhaps, kick-out by Lynch!
[Corey] It's getting crowded around ringside
as we take another look at this perfectly executed superplex.
It's not dissimilar to a Money in the Bank Match.
You have got six Superstars all vying for the same briefcase.
They have to climb the ladder, you have to stay focused
on the task at hand amidst all the chaos.
This is a good test for both Becky Lynch and Sonya Deville.
The first woman to win the main event at WrestleMania,
such a decorated career, but never a winner of Money in the Bank.
Sonya Deville wants to get there as well.
[Corey] KP, are you the president of the Becky Lynch fan club or what?
You sound like a fanboy. It's outrageous.
[Kevin Patrick] Well, we all know how capable Sonya Deville is,
as she's showcasing right now.
[Corey] Then let's talk about how capable Sonya is
because she's standing toe to toe with The Man.
Okay, now she's getting her jaw rocked, but for a moment.
Oh!
And Lynch bringing that straight fire, and a wise decision by Deville
rolling to the outside to confer with Chelsea Green.
[Kevin Patrick] Lynch has ideas now.
Green can only watch on as Sonya Deville is dumped back inside the ring.
[Corey] What was that you said about only watching on?
-[Kevin Patrick] Wow! -[Corey] Great call, Nostradamus.
[Corey] Bang!
[Kevin Patrick] Now Sonya Deville may capitalize!
[Corey] That's gonna do it.
[Kevin Patrick] To qualify for Money in the Bank.
-[Corey] Oh! -[Kevin Patrick] Becky is still somehow
still alive in this match.
[Corey] Take another look at this.
The official distracted for just a moment.
Chelsea Green capitalizing on the opportunity,
but now Sonya shouldn't be pouting.
Sonya needs to continue to pour on the punishment.
Get over the fact that Becky kicked out and continue the onslaught.
This is a potentially life-changing opportunity at stake.
[Kevin Patrick] Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, Zoey Stark watching on.
[Corey] Zoey Stark will be competing in another qualifier later tonight.
[Kevin Patrick] Zoey Stark against Natalya to come here on Monday Night Raw.
Vicious blows being traded!
[Corey] Oh! Big enzuigiri rocks Deville for the moment.
Lynch sent over to the outside.
[Kevin Patrick] Chelsea Green wants to have her say again.
[Corey] Oh, no!
[Kevin Patrick] Becky for a second time!
[Corey] Lynch has had about enough of Miss Green.
But this is a dangerous move.
Becky's taken her eye off the ball. Chelsea is not Becky's opponent.
Lynch's emotions has got the best of her.
[Kevin Patrick] Sonya Deville from behind now,
and Becky Lynch is dealing with Sonya as well!
[Corey] And again, into the barricade.
Lynch laying waste to both Deville and Green.
[Kevin Patrick] But Becky's got to get Sonya Deville back inside the ring
to claim that victory and advance to Money in the Bank in London
three weeks from Saturday.
[Corey] The official's count is at seven.
Eight!
Inside. Get in the ring.
Enough. Come on, inside.
Both of you ladies, inside.
[Kevin Patrick] Becky Lynch looking for the Man-handle Slam.
Sonya Deville may turn it around now and advance to Money in the Bank,
and Becky kicks out at two.
-What a match! -[Corey] Becky, looking to roll through,
wants the Dis-arm-her. Sonya Deville trying to fight Lynch off.
[Kevin Patrick] Sonya using her weight to push Becky into the ropes.
[Corey] Very resourceful move by Deville.
Shoulders down!
[Kevin Patrick] Sonya now, with Chelsea Green behind her helping her out.
[Corey] The official showing a great deal of leniency.
It might cost him a few bucks.
[Kevin Patrick] Has the tide turned in favor of Sonya Deville?
Blow after blow to the midsection of Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Lefts and rights.
[Kevin Patrick] Attrition, the name of the game, and Becky Lynch looks worn down.
[Corey] Sonya Deville now, perched on the middle rope.
Wanted the jumping knee, Lynch saw it coming!
[Kevin Patrick] Becky now wants the Man-handle Slam!
Will that do it to advance to Money in the Bank
-for Becky Lynch? -[bell rings]
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[ring announcer] Here is your winner,
"The Man" Becky Lynch.
[Corey] In the face of great adversity,
Becky Lynch able to take that all-important first step
to claiming the Money in the Bank contract.
She now joins Zelina Vega
as women who have qualified
for the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
[Kevin Patrick] Four more places remain.
Natalya will take on Zoey Stark this evening on Monday Night Raw.
[crowd chanting] Becky, Becky, Becky!
Man, shut your mouth!
[Kevin Patrick] On Friday night, record numbers gravitated
to the celebration on Roman Reigns surpassing 1,000 days as champion.
What played out stunned all of us.
We'll revisit next on Monday Night Raw.
Corey, it seemed everybody and their granny was tuning in
to Friday Night SmackDown to see the celebration of Roman Reigns
surpassing 1,000 days as champion in WWE.
[Corey] We have thus far amassed over 40 million views
on social media platforms and counting.
The most-watched segment from SmackDown this year.
Incredible scenes throughout on Friday Night SmackDown
for the celebration,
and it all started with WWE Hall of Famer Triple H
congratulating Roman Reigns.
[Triple H] On behalf of the WWE, Roman,
I would like to congratulate you on surpassing 1,000 days as champion.
Something that hasn't been accomplished in almost 40 years.
To congratulate you, it is my honor to present you
with a brand-new Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
[Roman] The entire Universe
acknowledge me!
["Done With That" playing]
[Cole] Jimmy and Jey are here!
Heyman specifically said they weren't invited.
Kick him in the face.
I'm talking to you, Jey. Kick him in the face
because that's what he did to me.
Kick him in the face and fix this right now!
The only one that needs fixing is you!
I did what I did because I was being a brother,
and brothers treat brothers with love and respect, and as of late,
you ain't been a good brother.
This right here, this my brother.
Him, that's my brother.
And I'm telling you, Solo,
after he get done using you,
he's gonna abuse you, kick you to the side,
put you in the dirt and do what he always do.
[crowd chanting] Uso, Uso, Uso!
You wanna know why they're saying Uso?
Because of me, that's why.
You wanna be talking for your brother like he don't have a voice?
Why don't we just hear from Solo who he's loyal to, huh?
I acknowledge you, my Tribal Chief,
but these two right here, they're my brothers.
[Jimmy Uso] So what's it going to be, Uce?
You want to run this thing together with respect
or are you just going to end up on the Island of Relevancy
all by yourself?
Man, shut your mouth!
Not like this!
I need you! Uce, I need you!
We cannot fight like this!
We still The Ones, right?
[crowd cheering]
No.
[crowd exclaiming]
[screaming]
[crowd booing]
What about Jey?
Jey's going to do what he always does.
He'll fall in line.
Absolutely shocking events surrounding The Bloodline
this past Friday night on SmackDown.
Well, two men that know The Bloodline extremely well
are the undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
Guys, considering your history with The Bloodline,
what's your take on what we saw on Friday night?
Well, look, I'm not the type to say I told you so.
-I'm… I'm not. -[indistinct mouthing]
So I'm not going to, but I will say that it's really nice
to finally see The Usos do what they should have done months ago.
Well, actually, Jimmy Uso did.
Right? I mean, Jey Uso,
I guess, we're going to have to just wait and see what happens there,
but to be honest with you, Byron, it's not my problem anymore.
[man] Gentlemen!
You are right about one thing.
The Bloodline is not your problem anymore,
but as long as you are holding those Tag Team Championships,
we are going to be your problem.
Didn't you learn anything last week?
I said you can't just show up without people calling for you.
Did you say their name? We didn't!
Yo, they broke the rule again, the unwritten rule.
Don't you have some turtleneck sweater shopping to do, huh?
What?
Mr. Owens,
you really need to regain control of your temper.
You really lack discipline.
See, I am a disciplined man,
and it looks like
I need to teach you
discipline.
Uh… It looks like you have… You have a problem with my temper?
Guess what? I have a great way to solve problems.
There's a ring out there with thousands of people
waiting to see me kick somebody's ass, so guess what? You're it!
Let's go! Let's get to the ring! Let's go. That's it. That's it.
-That's how you do it. -No, I'm fighting. I can't take it.
Is Owens coming out here right now? We have something else scheduled.
Owens can't have a fight right now.
-Tell me it gets made official. -He tagged Gunther.
I think Kevin Owens is a hothead,
but he may have just bitten off a little more than he can chew.
-["Fight" playing] -It's The Ring General.
Owens is here! I guess we're going to see a fight!
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] KO, a man on a mission.
The undisputed Tag Team Champions are here,
and KO wants to have a match with Gunther "The Ring General,"
the Intercontinental Champion.
Will it be made official, Corey? I certainly hope so.
[Corey] I hope for KO's sake, because Owens is in quite a mood tonight.
[crowd cheering]
Will Gunther answer the challenge?
Let's go! Come on!
[electronic music playing]
There's no greater freedom than being underestimated.
When you bring the party and have so much fun…
They assume you don't have the talent to back it up.
I'm an NCAA Champion and a Collegiate Hall of Fame point guard.
[Katana] I'm a Division I gymnast with 18 years' experience
and the first woman ever to conquer the 14-foot wall
on American Ninja Warrior.
[crowd cheering]
[commentator] What a moment!
We're the longest-reigning NXT Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Katana] Doing things you've never seen before.
With an in-ring dynamic that is unmatched.
[Katana] And to the fans, no matter who you are or what you're going through,
when you're with us…
We bring the party, and everyone's included.
[Kevin Patrick] We received huge news during the commercial break.
A match between "The Prize Fighter" Kevin Owens…
[speaking indistinctly]
…and "The Ring General" Gunther has been made official.
Come on, Gunther!
[Corey] KO has never had a fight he did not like,
but I have a bad feeling that Owens may have overstepped here tonight.
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring,
accompanied by Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci,
representing Imperium,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[Kevin Patrick] Gunther is militant.
Commands authority,
is fueled by a strong ideology that Imperium are on a mission
to restore the honor of this great sport.
[Corey] Gunther has led by example
as the most dominant Intercontinental Champion
in modern history. An absolute destroyer of a human being
who competes with unrivaled brutality.
[Kevin Patrick] Exploiting weaknesses in his opponent.
[Corey] I have a lot of respect for Owens and what he's done,
what he's accomplished and the fact that KO is so incredibly passionate.
Maybe his fuse has gotten a little shorter with age,
but I have a bad feeling
that Kevin Owens' temper is going to cost him, sooner than later.
[Kevin Patrick] You look at Superstars who can take punishment,
Kevin Owens will always continue to fight, Corey.
[Corey] I completely agree with you,
which is why Gunther will have no problem
delivering as much punishment as Owens can physically handle.
That's what Gunther thrives on,
decimating opponents.
The smash-mouth in-ring style.
[Kevin Patrick] You've referred to Gunther on your podcast
as a throwback in the past to an old-fashioned wrestler.
[Corey] It's more of the style of Gunther.
Gunther doesn't waste any motion.
Everything Gunther does has a purpose,
every chop he delivers, every boot he fires off.
Even a simple side headlock, a classic maneuver,
extremely effective in controlling the hot-headed Kevin Owens.
[Kevin Patrick] Wearing down KO now.
[Corey] Owens using a few questionable tactics out of necessity.
[Kevin Owens] Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] The brute force of "The Ring General" Gunther.
[Corey] The first meeting between these two Superstars here in WWE.
Gunther again.
Nothing flashy, nothing fancy,
but extremely effective.
Owens utilizing the ropes to force a break
and just fired off a right to The Ring General.
[Kevin Patrick] Wow!
Will that enrage Gunther?
Kevin Owens' turn now.
Two champions in WWE, Kevin Owens,
-the Undisputed Tag Team Champion. -[Corey] Uh-oh.
[grunting]
Whatever ignited inside of Kevin Owens
is burning the Intercontinental Champion right now.
But just that swiftly, Gunther can change the complexion of this match.
Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] Taste your own medicine for Gunther.
Two, three.
[Corey] Heavy right hands from The Prize Fighter.
-Oh, ho-ho, My! -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man.
-Wow! -[Corey] Look at this power by Gunther.
A German suplex on the back of Owens' neck.
[Kevin Patrick] Outrageous strength.
-Oh! -[Corey] Take a look.
First, the boot, followed immediately by a German suplex.
And Owens is hurt.
You can see him on the outside. Sami trying to offer some encouragement
to his tag team partner, his best friend.
[Kevin Patrick] Kick rocks Gunther.
The Ring General was straight across for Kevin Owens.
[Corey] Oh!
Into the barricade. Again, attacking the back of Kevin Owens' neck.
And notice, Sami Zayn is wise enough to keep a safe distance
from the Intercontinental Champion.
Come on, Kev. Come on, Kev.
[grunting]
[Kevin Patrick] KO off the apron!
Can KO get back in this match against Gunther?
[Corey] The Ring General is dominating.
[Kevin Patrick] Gunther looking for the victory, and KO kicking out!
What a battle this has been, an impromptu match-up
made official just moments before it began.
Kevin Owens already in the ring by the time it was made official.
The action continued throughout the break. Take a look at this.
Owen was looking for a Swanton,
but the Intercontinental Champion had the wherewithal
to get his knees up just in time.
This is an extremely painful encounter for "The Prize Fighter" Kevin Owens.
[Kevin Patrick] I get the sense, though, both of these Superstars
thrive in these sort of situations.
This is such a brutal affair.
[Corey] Owens now targeting the knee of Gunther.
Smart strategy by the veteran, Owens.
-[screams] -[Kevin Patrick] KO, collected by Gunther.
[screams]
A very, very unique offense,
snapping the neck of Owens.
Gunther's arsenal is just so incredibly deep, such a dangerous man.
Take a look at this.
Ugh.
Utilizing all of his body weight
to tweak the neck of Owens.
This has been a relatively one-sided affair.
Kevin Owens has shown glimpses
attempting to fight his way back into this contest,
but Gunther just continues to dominate.
[Kevin Patrick] It is Kevin Owens that wanted this match with The Ring General.
[Corey] I think you got to credit this to the temper of Kevin Owens.
It seems to be getting worse and worse week after week.
And tonight, it bit him.
What do you say, Kevin, huh?
[Kevin Patrick] Gunther able to manipulate the mind of KO,
and now going to work on The Prize Fighter.
[Corey] Manipulating his neck clean off his shoulders at this point.
[Sami] Come on, KO!
[Kevin Patrick] Sami Zayn trying to ignite the WWE Universe here behind Kevin Owens.
[Corey] Owens needs to rally badly.
Sharp rights to the bridge of the Champion's nose.
-Oh, ho-ho-ho. Goodnight. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man.
Big boot from Gunther. And The Ring General.
And an early kick out from Kevin Owens.
[Corey] And the boot just woke Owens up.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] The longer this goes, the worse it's going to get for Kevin Owens.
-Look at this boot from Gunther. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] And somehow, almost miraculously, Owens got up and continued to fight.
But I think it's just instinct.
Kevin Owens is on autopilot right now.
[Kevin Patrick] Did you see the look of resignation
on the face of Sami Zayn watching on?
-He's good, you're better. -Come on!
[Kevin Patrick] Meanwhile, Vinci and Kaiser
of Imperium watch on the far side.
You're better. You're better.
[Kevin Patrick] It's all one step in motion for Gunther, Vinci, and Kaiser.
Oh, KO!
When you think he's down and out, he responds, but Gunther.
[Corey chuckling] Here comes the chops.
Gunther swinging his hands like battle axes.
Absolutely lethal.
Listen to this.
That is through the T-shirt of Kevin Owens.
That was not even flesh on flesh
and it sounded like fireworks in the arena.
[Kevin Patrick] KO lying lifeless
as Gunther is having his way with Kevin Owens.
[Corey] The Ring General with modified Boston Crab
-standing on Kevin's head and neck. -[groaning]
Now the full Boston Crab applied.
Kevin Owens can't be long for this match.
Owens has suffered a beating.
No!
[Corey] A seamless transition by The Ring General.
Now 12-6 elbows.
[Kevin Owens groaning]
[Kevin Patrick] Just beating the life out of Kevin Owens.
[Corey] A crossface.
It's just an agonizing position for Owens to be trapped in.
[Kevin Patrick] Newly drafted to Monday Night Raw,
Gunther is making a statement.
[crowd cheering and applauding]
[Kevin Patrick] Somehow KO back up on his feet,
creating enough space to get a few blows off.
[Corey] Oh! [laughs]
Engage Gunther at your own peril.
Sami Zayn right now has got to be feeling just helpless
watching his best friend and tag team partner,
Tag Team Championship partner be dismantled.
[grunting]
[straining]
[Corey] Gunther trying to muster the power to hoist Owens up.
Kevin, able to counter.
[Kevin Patrick] Gunther now, taking down KO!
[Corey] Owens was unable to complete the Fisherman's Suplex
due to the damage done to his neck. Watch this.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] That was the lariat that followed.
But Owens is in too much pain
to inflict his own offense on Gunther.
[Kevin Patrick] The power, the brutality from the militant Gunther…
continues to amaze.
[Corey] Short-arm lariat.
[indistinct yelling]
[Corey] This almost feels like an exhibition
by The Ring General, showing the entire WWE Universe,
and most importantly the roster,
what he is physically capable of. Look at this.
[Kevin Patrick] Well, Gunther did say, "You lack discipline."
"I need to teach you discipline."
Is this what discipline looks like in the eyes of Imperium? Perhaps it is.
[Corey] Kevin Owens needs to start learning
how to keep his mouth shut at the right times.
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Is there life in Kevin Owens?
[Corey] Oh! Two Superstars just trading clotheslines,
and then another German suplex.
Owens… Owens is out on his feet.
-Oh, my God! -[crowd cheering]
-[Kevin Patrick] Kevin Owens! -[Corey] Owens with a German suplex!
Where is Owens finding this?
[Kevin Patrick] But has he enough left in him?
Can he get back on his feet?
[Corey] Look at this. First, Gunther.
Look at the angle and watch the impact.
Kevin Owens' high up on the top of his shoulders
and then somehow Owens answers with a suplex of his own.
This is madness!
[Kevin Patrick] Phenomenal fight in Kevin Owens.
Just keep fighting.
Massive crowd here tonight
in Hartford, Connecticut,
witnessing a brutal, hard-hitting, rip-roaring match
between Kevin Owens and Gunther.
[Corey] We still have a World Heavyweight Championship
main event coming our way.
What a night here in Hartford.
Oh!
[screaming]
[Corey] Just a brutal stomp to the back of Kevin's neck.
-And look at Gunther taunting Sami Zayn. -You wanna help him?
[indistinct speaking]
Don't you worry about it.
Come on, Kev.
[Corey] Just disrespecting Owens.
[Kevin Patrick] I don't know how anybody could get back up after a blow like that.
KO!
[Corey] Superkick on the mark, and again!
[Kevin Patrick] How does Kevin Owens do this?
[Corey] Owens trying to will himself on!
Clear the deck!
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Cannonball flattens Gunther.
KO! Can he get the victory?
Gunther kicking out at two!
[Corey] What a remarkable effort by "The Prize Fighter" Kevin Owens
to scratch and claw his way back into this fight.
Watch the ring move.
Unbelievable impact on the cannonball in the corner.
[Kevin Patrick] After all Kevin Owens has been through,
so close to victory
against the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion this century.
[Corey] Uh-oh, good night. Sleeper hold applied.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] That Tyrannosaurus dropkick of Gunther just flattened Owens.
[Kevin Owens grunting]
[Corey] This could be the icing on the cake.
Gunther wanted the powerbomb.
[Kevin Patrick] Trading blows now.
[Kevin Owens straining]
-[Kevin Patrick] Kevin Owens. Wow! -[Corey] With the Fisherman Buster!
Kevin's going to do it!
[Kevin Patrick] For the win for KO!
Gunther kicking out at two.
[Corey] My goodness.
These two Superstars are delivering the heavy artillery tonight.
-Case in point. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] A dropkick to the soul of Kevin Owens.
And Owens would somehow answer with a Fisherman Buster,
and Gunther kicks out.
[Kevin Patrick] Meanwhile, back inside the ring, Sami Zayn encouraging KO,
who's heading to the top rope.
Gunther rapidly meeting him there.
This a perilous position.
[Corey] Suplex from the top. Cover.
[Kevin Patrick] Gunther quickly across, hooks that leg to put away KO,
who kicks out again.
[Corey] And The Ring General making the climb.
[Kevin Patrick] Gunther.
[Corey] Oh! Owens got his knees up.
Owens avoided the big splash from the Champion.
Now, Kevin Owens from the top!
-Swanton! -[Kevin Patrick] Swanton Bomb!
[Corey] Oh, my God!
[Kevin Patrick] He's going to do it! Owens is going to do it!
Kick out by Gunther!
Man!
[Corey] Unbelievable!
What a match!
I'll say it for you, WWE Universe.
This is awesome!
[Kevin Patrick] Kevin Owens with the knees up just in time,
and the Swanton Bomb!
[Corey] 260 pounds plus of Owens crashing down across Gunther,
but The Ring Ge-- Oh, wait a minute. Keep your eye on Giovanni Vinci.
[Kevin Patrick] Sami Zayn keeping him out of there for now.
[Corey] And here comes Kaiser!
Owens looking to even the numbers, coming to his partner's aid.
[Kevin Patrick] It's all kicking off outside the ring now.
KO chasing Kaiser back inside.
KO! Stunner!
-Gunther-- -[Corey] Gunther from behind.
-Gunther now! Can he put away Kevin Owens? -[Corey] He does.
-[bell rings] -[Kevin Patrick] Gunther's won it.
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[ring announcer] Here is your winner,
the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[Corey] My God, what a fight!
What an effort by Kevin Owens
to truly test the limits of the Intercontinental Champion.
But ultimately, Gunther was just too much.
[Kevin Patrick] This, when Kaiser and Vinci got involved inside the ring,
KO with the stunner to Kaiser,
and that's when Gunther would pounce.
[Corey] Owens made the fatal mistake of taking his eyes off of his opponent.
Gunther would capitalize.
What a win for The Ring General.
[Gunther] Respect me!
[Kevin Patrick] An absolutely incredible match.
Respect!
-[Kevin Patrick] As Gunther says, respect… -[speaking German]
[Kevin Patrick] …to Kevin Owens.
But think about what is to come, Corey.
It was only nine days ago when Seth "Freakin" Rollins became
the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Well, an open challenge answered by Damian Priest,
and tonight, we will see Seth "Freakin" Rollins
take on Damian Priest.
He's defending his World Heavyweight Championship.
[Corey] And just in case you like your Monday Night Raw must-see,
how about this?
Miz TV with very special guest,
The "American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, and guess what?
Miz has promised fireworks on this one.
[Kevin Patrick] I cannot wait for that.
It was last week on Monday Night Raw,
Ronda Rousey did something she had never done in her WWE career before.
Becoming a Tag Team Champion.
And the champs are here on Raw next.
I still can't believe what we saw moments ago on Monday Night Raw.
One of the most hellacious matches we've seen in some time here on Raw.
And this was how it finished.
Kevin Owens, Stunner to Kaiser,
but Gunther would pounce, Corey.
[Corey] Kevin Owens would make the mistake of taking his eye off
of his opponent, the Intercontinental Champion.
[bell rings]
Respect me!
Respect!
[speaking German]
[in English] Huge victory for Gunther with the help of Imperium.
Please welcome my guest at this time, Matt Riddle.
[crowd cheering]
Yeah. You know…
I'm ti-- Yeah, I'm sorry.
I'm just tired of seeing Gunther cheat week after week.
And I swear if he didn't have Ludwig and Giovanni out there,
He wouldn't even be the Intercontinental Champion.
-If I would've been-- -Hey, you absolute disgrace.
How dare you? Talking about "The Ring General" like that.
You better watch your mouth.
Watch? What are you going to do about it?
What am I going to do about it?
What are you going to do about it?
Don't touch me.
[chuckles] What are you--
[grunting]
[screaming]
Break it! Come on!
Where's Gunther now?
Let him go! Let him go! Let him go! Let him go!
Come on! Tell your boy Gunther.
Come on, bro!
Come on!
[speaking German]
[in English] He needs some help. Get some help.
Seems as though Imperium may have picked a fight with the wrong stallion.
I don't know if I've ever seen that side of Riddle.
Yeah. No, exactly. Imperium say they want respect.
That's something that Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler wanted
as they headed into a championship match last week.
It was a Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match,
and Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler were rolling here.
[Corey] The closing moments, Shotzi would deliver
a double-stack powerbomb,
but as she attempted to finish things off with a senton, Rousey had set a trap.
The armbar was applied, and Shotzi left with no choice
but to tap out.
-And new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. -[fireworks]
["Bad Reputation" playing]
Please welcome the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions
"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler
and "The Baddest Woman on the Planet" Ronda Rousey.
[crowd booing]
Ladies, considering your close personal friendship,
what does it mean to be the new Women's Tag Team Champions?
I mean, this is destiny.
We manifested this a decade ago,
even before we were done fighting in the octagon.
And last week, we tortured and maimed three other tag teams
at the same time,
and finally became the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
And it is past time we legitimize these Championships.
No longer will this tag division be an afterthought with us at the helm.
In fact, we invite any team with the figurative balls
to try and take us on.
Hey, um, if you two are looking for a challenge, look no further.
[chuckling] We're here.
Allow us to introduce ourselves.
We are the life of the party.
I'm Kayden Carter.
I'm Katana Chance.
And we came to Monday Night Raw to make a statement.
That's right, and what better way to make our Raw debut
than to step in the ring with the baddest team on the planet?
Did we land in Munchkinland?
Because I'm pretty sure we landed in Connecticut, and that's already bad.
-Uh… -That's a good point.
Ladies, I'm really impressed with your, what's the word,
stupidity.
It's impressive you could make it this far and be that dumb.
I wouldn't say stupidity.
Ignorance isn't the same as stupidity.
I mean, it's their first appearance on Monday Night Raw. They don't know.
I'd call it bravery at this point.
Generous.
But you know what takes care of bravery real quick?
The sound of your own tendons and ligaments being torn
off of your body.
Okay, okay.
Baptism by fire it is.
We'll let Pearce know your death wish, and we'll see you in the ring.
["Bad Reputation" playing]
[Corey] Baptism by fire might be right.
[Kevin Patrick] How daring from Katana Chance and Kayden Carter.
♪ You're living in the past It's a new generation ♪
♪ A girl can do what she wants to do ♪
♪ And that's what I'm gonna do ♪
♪ And I don't give a damn… ♪
[ring announcer] Please welcome
the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Shayna Baszler
and "The Baddest Woman on the Planet"
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey!
[Kevin Patrick] I'm speechless from what I've just seen
from Katana Chance and Kayden Carter stepping up
to "The Baddest Woman on the Planet" and "The Queen of Spades."
The tag team action if this is made official, next.
You're very welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
We've just received word that Ronda Rousey went and spoke
with WWE official Adam Pearce, who has made this match official.
The Tag Champions in action,
Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey,
and it's a Raw debut for their opponents.
["Party All The Time" playing]
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring,
the team of Kayden Carter and Katana Chance!
[Kevin Patrick] Corey, Carter and Chance
were the longest-reigning NXT Tag Team ever.
Their four years as a tag team, wonderful chemistry,
telepathic relationship,
but this, this seems like a step too far.
[Corey] Well, Baszler and Rousey used the phrase baptism by fire,
and that's accurate.
But just because it's a baptism by fire doesn't mean
it's gonna go the way of the champs.
This is a massive opportunity for Carter and Chance
to impress WWE officials and the entire WWE Universe
by at least holding their own against the Tag Team Champions.
And who knows, if Chance and Carter pull off an upset,
they jump to the front of the line of title contenders.
[Kevin Patrick] Absolutely spot on.
If they get the victory, Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler
would do anything for that rematch.
The bell rings. Off we go. Tag team action,
and a welcome to Monday Night Raw to Katana Chance and Kayden Carter.
It is Kayden Carter in the ring right now against Shayna Baszler.
Oh!
[Corey] Queen of Spades having a little fun
at the expense of Kayden Carter.
[Kevin Patrick] Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey
winning a Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match last week on Raw
to become Tag Team Champions,
a first in her career for Ronda Rousey.
[Corey] When you've accomplished as much as Ronda Rousey
and Shayna Baszler both have
in the worlds of Mixed Martial Arts and WWE, you always want a new challenge.
It's something that… Cover, oh.
…the duo of Baszler and Rousey have never achieved…
-[Kevin Patrick] Tag. -[Corey] …in the past,
but now it is a reality.
[Kevin Patrick] In comes Katana Chance.
[Corey] Katana Chance is not just fast, she is sudden.
[Kevin Patrick] Katana Chance now, looking for a victory over Shayna Baszler.
[Corey] What Chance lacks in physical size,
she more than compensates for in athletic ability.
-[Kevin Patrick] Tag. -[crowd booing]
Here comes "The Baddest Woman on the Planet."
Ronda Rousey.
Whether it's an Olympic medal,
UFC Hall of Fame, former Raw and SmackDown Women's Champion,
now Tag Team Champion.
-[Corey] Rousey single-handedly… -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] …handling Carter, and Chance. And a big kick from Katana rocks Rousey.
Up and over to the outside.
[groans]
[Kevin Patrick] Rousey now, using the ropes to her advantage.
-Oh! -[screaming]
[Corey] Rousey trying to hyperextend the elbow,
and a superkick by Kayden Carter from the outside.
Great situational awareness from Carter.
And look out!
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man! Taking down Shayna Baszler!
The new tag team on Monday Night Raw are rolling.
[Corey] Katana Chance just flattened Rousey.
[groaning]
[Corey] Let's take another look at this.
We mentioned the crazy athleticism possessed by Chance.
[screaming]
That was just a preview.
[Kevin Patrick] They call themselves the life of the party.
Man, they've been lively so far.
-[Carter] Watch out. -[Kevin Patrick] But look out.
Shayna Baszler.
The official was dealing with Ronda Rousey, didn't see Baszler.
[Corey] Takedown by Rousey,
looking to isolate the arm of Katana Chance, cut the ring in half.
This is where things begin to look bleak if you're Katana Chance and Kayden Carter.
-Oh! -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man.
Shayna Baszler quickly across for the victory,
and a kick out by Katana Chance.
What resilience.
[Corey] Take a look at this.
Sliding knee right on the money.
[referee] Two!
[Corey] And look at Shayna Baszler, doing what she does best,
small joint manipulation, just torturing Katana Chance in the middle of the ring.
[Kevin groans]
[Corey] And it's all perfectly legal.
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh! -[screaming]
[Corey] Baszler lives to savor the suffering of her opponents.
[Kevin Patrick] It was a brave move by Katana Chance and Kayden Carter
stepping up to the champions.
[Corey] It may seem like an unwise decision by Carter and Chance,
but you only get one chance to make a first impression.
Let's say you do show up and you manage to upset
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions your first night on Raw,
that's going to get the world buzzing.
[Kevin Patrick] Katana Chance doing all she can, but Shayna Baszler--
Look at Katana landing on her feet.
Through the legs, tag made.
Kayden Carter.
[Corey] Big right hand stops Baszler for the moment.
Get your ass up.
Come on.
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh! -[Corey] Dropkick in the corner.
Kayden Carter beginning to roll.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, hang on.
Looking for the cover, instead a boot to the cheek of Shayna Baszler.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] No doubt about it,
-Carter and Chance bring the energy. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] Say they're the life of the party wherever they are.
That seems to be the case right now,
getting the party started tonight in Hartford.
-Oh! Wow! -[Kevin Patrick] You just wonder,
did Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey take them for granted?
Cover here, and a kick out by Shayna.
[Corey] It was an extremely unique offense from Kayden Carter,
as we look yet again at this superkick right on the jaw of Shayna Baszler.
A desperate Baszler elbows her way out.
[Kevin Patrick] Here comes Rousey.
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
[straining]
-The strength on show-- -[Corey] Wait, the tag is made.
Katana Chance made the tag from the outside.
-Ronda Rousey, unaware… -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] …and shoulder-first into the ring post.
If you've watched these two in NXT, this is how they've won many matches!
Chance and Carter looking for the Afterparty!
Nailed it!
[Kevin Patrick] Oh! This could be an opportunity.
It could be the victory!
What a victory this would be, and somehow Ronda Rousey kicks out.
[Corey] Somehow? Shayna Baszler just pulled Katana Chance off of her.
Oh! Dropkick by Carter on the outside.
Shayna Baszler single-handedly kept this matchup alive.
Look at this yet again.
This was mind-blowing athleticism.
Carter and Chance had Rousey dead to rights.
One, two, and at the last second, Baszler interfered
and got a dropkick for her troubles.
[Kevin Patrick] Taking flight now, Katana Chance looking for the victory.
Can she get it? Kick out at two by Rousey.
[Corey] It's a second near fall by Katana Chance, but Rousey now,
-locking in the ankle lock. -[yelling]
[Corey] I think Ronda Rousey looks frustrated.
[screaming]
[Corey] Ronda is angry.
Chance able to escape.
[Kevin Patrick] Katana Chance!
[Corey] Double knees to the face.
Rousey's down.
[Kevin Patrick] In comes Shayna Baszler. Tag made.
Katana Chance, what a performance on a Monday Night Raw debut.
There was a tag made there. Oh!
[Corey] I'm not sure if Baszler's aware.
Kayden Carter from behind!
[Kevin Patrick] Wow! Can she put away Shayna Baszler?
Kick out at two!
So close to the upset.
[grunts]
[Kevin Patrick] Shayna Baszler will look to punish Kayden Carter.
Suplex stopped whatever momentum Carter had been building.
-And now the Kirifuda Clutch applied. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, no.
-Kirifuda Clutch is in. -[weak screaming]
[Corey] It is night-night time.
[bell rings]
["Bad Reputation" playing]
[ring announcer] Here are your winners by submission,
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler!
[Corey] Rousey and Baszler bullied their way to the Tag Team Championships
and bulldozed the competition tonight,
but hats off to Carter and Chance who put up a hell of a fight night.
[Kevin Patrick] Such bravery to step up, and such a good performance
from Chance and Carter.
Well, well, well, if it isn't little lucky Ricochet.
-[scoffs] -Help me out.
Two weeks ago, I rag-dolled you all around the ring,
I beat you, but somehow you're in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match
and not me.
Someone around here must really like you, mate.
First of all, homeboy, I don't know who you calling lucky,
because I earned my shot last week when I beat
two-time Grand Slam Champion The Miz.
Besides, didn't you--
You also had a qualifying match.
I mean, what happened in your match last week?
Oh, dang, that's right.
Shinsuke Nakamura ended your undefeated streak
when he pinned you, one, two--
Hey, hey, I dominated Shinsuke.
That was until-- We all know it. Until--
Until I beat you.
[crowd cheering]
Come on, mate.
You got me in a bad night, and you know it, and I know it.
The next time, it'll be a very different result.
Whatever, bro. Whatever.
Seriously, Shin, I got to give you your props
for handling Bronson Reed last week,
but as far as tonight, you and I,
and especially Money in the Bank,
I'm not going to give you anything but another L.
-[laughs] -Ha-ha.
The big talk, Ricochet.
Okay, let's see if you can prove it in the ring.
[speaking Japanese]
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
[Corey] This is going to be fun.
[explosion]
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 207 pounds,
Ricochet!
[Kevin Patrick] How good must Ricochet and Shinsuke Nakamura feel?
They've already booked their tickets to London and Money in the Bank,
and these two that know each other, oh, so well,
go head to head next on Monday Night Raw.
[lilting music playing]
[Johnny] At first glance, it's easy to label me as the underdog.
People have always taken one look
and thought they understood me.
But what I possess is something they can't measure.
I was a kid from Cleveland, Ohio with a dream,
and I traveled around the world for over 10 years
to live that dream.
I finally got a tryout on NXT…
Number five, John Gargano.
…and I was told there was no place for me there.
["Rebel Heart" playing]
[Johnny] Five years later, I was the face of that brand.
[crowd chanting] Johnny Wrestling!
[Johnny] Now I'm a staple of Monday Night Raw.
Go ahead, underestimate me.
That is where I thrive.
I might not be the biggest,
but I work tirelessly at my craft,
and I have fun doing it my own special way.
The Johnny Gargano story is just getting started.
[Kevin Patrick] Excited to see Johnny Gargano back in action soon.
But meanwhile, inside the ring here on Monday Night Raw,
all smiles from Ricochet,
who's headed to Money in the Bank
three weeks from Saturday at the sold-out O2 Arena in London.
How exciting is Money in the Bank coming from London?
You can see Ricochet, he's booked his ticket,
as has Shinsuke Nakamura.
That was last week on Raw.
And how about the LA Knight…
-headed that way? -[Corey] Yeah!
Why was LA Knight the last thing you mentioned, KP?
[Kevin Patrick] He was last to qualify, defeated Montez Ford
on Friday Night SmackDown.
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd vocalizing]
[ring announcer] And his opponent, from Kyoto, Japan,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Corey] What an ovation for "The King of Strong Style,"
the combat artist known as Shinsuke Nakamura.
Shinsuke also, as we mentioned moments ago, has qualified
for the men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match,
about to go one-on-one with Ricochet.
[explosion]
As we prepare for these two world-class athletes
competing one-on-one, you know full well
that LA Knight is keeping a close eye on his competition.
LA Knight's taken Friday Night SmackDown by storm.
-I see bright, big things in his future. -[bell rings]
[Kevin Patrick] Money in the Bank, three weeks from Saturday
at the unique start time of 3:00 p.m. Eastern--
[Corey] 12:00 p.m. Pacific.
-[Kevin Patrick] 12:00 p.m. Pacific. -[Corey] Got two coasts here, Irishman,
in the United States.
And here we see Shinsuke Nakamura
taking down Ricochet, and Ricochet answers with a nice, deep arm drag.
When it comes to in-ring ability,
you are looking at two of the best on the planet Earth.
Both men have spent significant time traveling the globe
honing their craft, learning the ins and outs of different styles
from the Strong Style in Japan
to Mexico to lucha libre style,
and of course, mastering their skills here in WWE.
Hard to bet against either of them in the Money in the Bank field.
[Kevin Patrick] It certainly is. You think about Ricochet
winning the SmackDown World Cup back in December,
giving him that taste of glory,
as he dropkicks Nakamura.
Shinsuke Nakamura's a Royal Rumble winner,
two-time United States Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion,
but neither have won the Money in the Bank.
[Corey] And Ricochet-- Oh! …was stopped dead in his tracks.
Ricochet looked to take to the skies as he does so well,
Nakamura one step ahead.
Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] And Shinsuke, sent all the way out to the floor.
And Ricochet is a man who's found the cheat code for gravity.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, here comes the human highlight reel.
Ricochet taking flight to devastating effect!
Can Shinsuke respond?
-It's Ricochet on top. -Let's go!
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
Two Superstars that have booked their place at Money in the Bank
doing battle here, Shinsuke Nakamura and Ricochet.
[grunting]
[Corey] Nakamura looking for the inverted exploder
but the incredibly agile Ricochet able to fend it off!
Beautiful back elbow.
[Kevin Patrick] Dropping Shinsuke Nakamura.
It is a Championship night here on Monday Night Raw,
the World Heavyweight Championship will be defended later on tonight
in our main event by Seth "Freakin" Rollins
against Damian Priest.
First time in nearly two years, a match of that magnitude
has taken place live on Monday Night Raw.
It is truly must-see.
Speaking of, Miz TV coming up shortly.
And right now, we are being treated
to two of the best in the game doing battle.
[Kevin Patrick] Ricochet now from the top rope!
Ever see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, KP?
-[Kevin Patrick] Yes. -Ricochet did too
and thought it was a documentary. He can actually do that stuff.
It's outrageous!
[Kevin Patrick] Ricochet now, into the cover. Can he put away Shinsuke
and have those bragging rights before Money in the Bank?
That life-altering, career-changing match coming up in three weeks.
[Corey] Take a look at the running Shooting Star Press from Ricochet.
This is an opportunity for these athletes to become
more familiar with one another
ahead of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
It's such a chaotic environment. You need to do as much homework beforehand
as you possibly can.
[Kevin Patrick] How do you have a strategy for a match like that?
[Corey] That's a great question.
Ricochet now.
[Corey] Nakamura and Ricochet have both competed,
this will be their third Money in the Bank Ladder Match,
so they can rely on experience, but you got to change up the game plan
-because neither man has won in the past. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh.
[Corey] Shinsuke out of the way just in time.
Big knee!
[Kevin Patrick] Shinsuke so versatile.
[screaming]
[Corey] Nakamura feeling those good vibrations.
[Kevin Patrick] Shinsuke, what have you got planned?
[yelling]
[Corey] Snap German suplex by The King of Strong Style.
-Ricochet now reeling. Whoa! -[Kevin Patrick] How?
[Corey laughs] The second kick connects.
Shinsuke lands the exploder.
That is the prelude to the end.
Shinsuke lining it up.
Here we go.
-No! -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
Ricochet wise to it.
-Can Ricochet-- -[Corey] Recoil!
[Kevin Patrick] Can Ricochet grab the victory?
[screaming]
[Corey] Ricochet connecting with Recoil.
Now, feeling the adrenaline pump through his veins.
[Kevin Patrick] Momentum will be key approaching Money in the Bank.
[Corey] Ricochet making the climb.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] Shinsuke just a step too quick.
[Kevin Patrick] Perilous situation for both Superstars now,
perched atop the top rope.
[Corey] In this particular environment, I've got to give the edge to Ricochet.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, Bronson Reed's here!
-[bell rings] -I was watching Ricochet signal--
Oh! Ricochet tried to signal Nakamura to something,
and it was the impending arrival of this behemoth.
[Kevin Patrick] He just pulverized Shinsuke Nakamura, Bronson Reed.
[Corey] It was Bronson Reed who was defeated by Nakamura in their qualifier,
and a double stack splash to Shinsuke.
-[screams] -[Corey] Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] The Aussie destroyer was fuming.
[Corey] Like a human battleship.
You know what's coming.
I sure do.
Bronson Reed from the top,
Tsunami!
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] Bronson Reed is a menace.
[Kevin Patrick] Statement made.
[crowd chanting] One more time! One more time!
[booing]
[Kevin Patrick] The ferocious Bronson Reed.
[laughing]
[Kevin Patrick] Corey, let's go back to last week.
One big happy family now, the Alpha Academy with Maxxine Dupri
onside with Chad Gable, but when Valhalla
showed up during a Tag Team Match between Imperium and Alpha Academy,
a distraction that wouldn't go in favor of Chad Gable, or Otis.
[Corey] An impressively delivered kick by Maxxine,
however, it would draw the ire
-of the bizarre Valhalla. -[screaming]
The Viking Raiders weren't even involved in this match-up.
It was the Alpha Academy and Imperium.
Unfortunately, off of that distraction…
[Kevin Patrick] Imperium Bomb!
Imperium would get the victory
-here on Monday Night Raw. -[bell rings]
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
Kicked her right in the head.
-She did do that. -Thank you, Otis, for mentioning that.
It's still Otis, remember?
Guys, guys, guys.
[in American accent] Tomato.
[in British accent] Tomato. Okay?
Look, Maxxine, he's right.
All right? Otis is the reason that we came together.
The brain, the brawn, the beauty, and the brand management skills. Okay?
But look, if you're going to be an alpha, you got to remember one thing.
An alpha doesn't run from a fight.
Listen, Otis has opened my eyes to our potential.
I thought I could take on that little witch
until she came at me like a wild animal.
And did you not see her outfit? Ugh.
-Yes. -And the horns.
And why are these little Viking creeps targeting us anyways?
Uh-uh, fear not.
I've already addressed this.
I provided my number-one guy with the latest in Viking literature.
Okay? I instructed him to study up,
learn what makes them tick, and learn how to take them down.
And I know that the answer's in that big, beautiful, golden brain of his.
-Mwah! -Otis, what did you learn?
We're going to take them…
out with some deodorant.
Okay. What else? I know you have more.
But… but… but we're going to have the master, Chad Gable
teach the pretty lady how to take on the Viking lady.
-[chuckles] -Oh, yeah.
-And that's why you're my number-one guy. -Oh, yes.
Maxxine, he's right.
I think you might be ready.
But look,
we can't start training with you dressed like that.
Really?
I have the perfect outfit in my locker.
[Corey] From the Alpha Academy to "The American Nightmare."
Broken arm and all, Cody Rhodes is in the house
for a very special episode of Miz TV, next.
["Graveyard Symphony" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] Hear untold stories from "The Phenom"
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker in an intimate setting.
The UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW returns to the UK,
debuting in London, then onto Wolverhampton,
Manchester, and Glasgow.
Get your tickets, aegpresents.co.uk.
["I Came To Play" playing]
[ring announcer] 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.
When I heard about tonight's World Heavyweight Championship Match,
I knew it would be a very special night,
so I had to secure a very special guest,
a guest worthy of a night like tonight.
And boy, did I succeed.
Ladies and gentlemen, please get up out of your seats
for my guest tonight,
-The "American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes! -[crowd cheering]
["Kingdom" playing]
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
[explosion]
♪ 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 ♪
[crowd singing] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks]
♪ And my father said When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men… ♪
[Kevin Patrick] Last week, Cody Rhodes issued an open challenge to Brock Lesnar.
Corey, what does it say about the man that is here tonight,
no sling, mind you, with a cast very much on that broken arm?
[Corey] I don't know if there's another Superstar on the roster
who feels an obligation and a connection with the WWE Universe
quite like Cody Rhodes does.
Cody promised to make a name for himself here in WWE,
to rewrite his legacy, and he will stop at nothing.
He will be in every city.
He will fight every night the ring is set up if they'll let him.
But the shadow of "The Beast" Brock Lesnar still looms over the "American Nightmare".
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain Lights go up, I'm home ♪
[crowd singing] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks]
[Corey] Hartford came to party tonight.
It is loud in here.
♪ Better men! ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me into the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ You tried to tell me what to do ♪
♪ I saw the door and kicked it down ♪
♪ I stepped right over… ♪
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody, Cody!
Shall we start?
[crowd cheering]
You look dashing tonight.
Let me ask you about what you said last week.
You listed a bunch of cities that you were in
and you challenged Brock Lesnar,
who beat you at Night of Champions,
who broke your arm,
and you want him to show up in any city that you're in and fight.
Don't you think that's, kinda, stupid?
Wow, right out of the gate, first question, huh, Mike?
Uh, in this ring, I am The Miz.
First name, The, last name, Miz,
The Miz.
Okay.
Well, The Miz…
[crowd chanting] Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike!
[Cody] It's a good name. Well…
The Miz, I, uh, I hadn't heard it called stupid until just now.
I had heard some people say that it was crazy,
I heard someone say that it took… balls.
You know a tiny little bit about that, right?
[crowd chanting] Tiny balls, tiny balls, tiny balls!
Hey, hey, hey.
But "The Beast" is apparently on his annual hibernation,
so I guess we won't be seeing him for a while.
[crowd booing]
Now that's too bad.
But you know, here on Miz TV, we love a little drama,
we love a little controversy, but most of all, we love surprises.
And boy, do I have a surprise for you,
and it's better than Brock Lesnar being here.
Since you have a storied family tradition,
I thought I'd invite another man who shares the same pressures
as you as a multi-generational talent.
So, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my surprise guest.
He's arguably the hottest Superstar in all of WWE.
Give it up for Dominik Mysterio!
[Corey] What a get!
How did Miz pull this off?
["It Is My Time" playing]
[Corey] It's okay, KP. You look nervous. I… I…
You tend to get that way when Dominik comes to town.
[Kevin Patrick] I'm with Cody on this one.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Dom Dom and Mami have arrived on Miz TV.
[Kevin Patrick] Hartford, Connecticut not shy about their feelings
toward Dominik and Rhea.
[Corey] We see Rhea wearing her Damian Priest shirt in solidarity
with Priest for his big opportunity later.
And this edition of Miz TV is sponsored by Chico's Bail Bonds.
[Kevin Patrick] This edition just went off the rails, Gravy.
Miz out here looking like he's still dancing to nu-metal like it's 2002.
[Kevin laughs]
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck! You suck!
Dom, let me, uh, ask--
Quiet, Miz.
Yes, ma'am.
[crowd cheering]
Dom Dom has something he would like to say.
[crowd booing]
I…
[booing continues]
Let him talk!
[intense booing]
Yeah, guys. Yeah.
Don't… don't boo Dom.
[crowd booing]
Sit down and shut up,
and show some respect to my Latino Heat.
[crowd booing]
You know, Cody,
I was happy when The Miz invited me out here.
I listened to you last week,
talking like you were the big dog on the yard…
but to someone like me who's done hard time,
[booing continues]
You're just a little birdie with a broken wing.
And I watched you rattle on this long list of crappy towns
that Brock can go find you in,
and then it hit me,
I realized that you're a bad father.
[booing continues]
You have a baby girl, right?
You should be at home taking care of her,
but instead, you're here.
And you're just like Rey,
a deadbeat dad.
[crowd booing intensifies]
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody!
I… I have a ton of empathy for you, Dom.
I know that the 15 minutes you spent in prison was really rough on you.
Hard times indeed.
I mean, look, you even have a worse prison tattoo than mine.
And then after prison, you went on to WrestleMania to have a match
with your father, but I don't know if I could call it a match
because it was more like a public spanking.
[crowd cheering]
And hey, hey, hey, whoa, whoa. You're right. You're right, right?
Nobody's perfect.
I'm not perfect.
Rey Mysterio, who I admire and respect,
I'm sure he's not the perfect father.
Matter of fact, I know he's made some terrible mistakes,
and I know that…
because I'm looking at one.
[crowd exclaiming and cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody, Cody!
[Corey] Oh, my God!
-Come on! -[indistinct yelling]
Come on, you deadbeat! Come on!
[indistinct speaking]
[Corey] Take a look at this disrespect from Dominik,
slapping the taste, boom, out off Cody's mouth.
[Kevin Patrick] And then hiding behind Rhea Ripley.
[Rhea Ripley] You're just a deadbeat dad just like Rey, Cody.
You're nothing.
Nothing.
I hope that one hurt, Cody.
[Cory] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Cody just knocked out Miz with a cast.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] That titanium cast flattening The Miz.
It was The Miz who orchestrated the Dominik Mysterio appearance,
and make no mistake, Cody Rhodes isn't going to forget
what Dominik Mysterio just did.
[Corey] Here we see the closing moments of Miz TV.
This is an episode that would've made the great Jerry Springer proud.
R.I.P. Jerry.
Long live Miz TV.
That disrespect will not sit well with the American Nightmare,
I promise you that much.
But once again, The Judgment Day with the last laugh.
[Kevin Patrick] Yeah.
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we are gearing up
for one hell of a main event where Seth "Freakin" Rollins
will defend his World Heavyweight Championship.
And Seth met his opponent, Damian Priest, in the ring earlier tonight,
and Rollins had a stipulation.
For the World Heavyweight Championship main event tonight,
you leave your crew in the back,
and truth be told, it's probably best you leave the prince back there,
he doesn't fare too well when he gets into fights with me.
[laughs]
No, no, no. You do not get to decide how this goes down.
-We get to decide-- -Finn, Finn, Finn, I'm cool with it, man.
Seth, I accept.
Oh. [laughs]
At the end of the night, though,
I will be the new World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd booing]
And you,
you're just going to go down in history with one of the shortest reigns ever.
[laughs]
I love it, Priest, you and me,
one-on-one, no Judgment Day.
But, hey, anyway you slice it,
my title reign's already way longer than his was.
[laughs]
See you in the main event.
["Visionary" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] Will this be a colossal mistake from Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
defending his new World Heavyweight Championship tonight
against The Punishment of the Judgment Day, Damian Priest?
[Corey] Rollins right now feels like his hands are off the wheel,
but the challenger is highly motivated, extremely dangerous,
and Damian Priest realizes the opportunity at hand.
[Kevin Patrick] For the first time since November of 2021,
a World Championship will be defended.
Meanwhile, the Hall of Famer's here on Monday Night Raw.
["Time To Rock And Roll" playing]
["Cut Above The Rest" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] And she's not alone.
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following is a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by WWE Hall of Famer,
Trish Stratus,
Zoey Stark!
[Kevin Patrick] Earlier on tonight, Becky Lynch booked her place
at Money in the Bank joining Zelina Vega.
Who will be next?
Natalya to take on Zoey Stark.
The stakes enormous, and that match is next.
You're watching Monday Night Raw and a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Money in the Bank, three weeks from Saturday.
Saturday afternoon here in the US, 3:00 p.m. Eastern, noon Pacific.
Natalya making her way to the ring,
the self-proclaimed BOAT, best of all time, to take on Zoey Stark.
[Corey] One of these two women will join the growing field
currently consisting of Zelina Vega from Friday Night's SmackDown,
and of course, "The Man" Becky Lynch who qualified earlier tonight.
[Kevin Patrick] Climb the ladder, grab the briefcase at Money in the Bank.
It contains a contract for a championship match of your choosing
any time anywhere within a year.
[Corey] It's essentially a golden ticket.
Natalya knows full well what the Money in the Bank contract represents,
and realizes that at this point in her career,
she may not get a lot more opportunities.
So it's of the utmost importance to succeed in this fashion.
If you're Zoey Stark, the upward trajectory
just seems unstoppable at this point.
Since aligning with Trish Stratus,
you take somebody who's got all the skills in the ring,
you let her sit under the learning tree of a WWE Hall of Famer, a pioneer-- Cover.
[Kevin Patrick] Natalya now, may sneak one for earlier on in this match.
[Corey] Zoey Stark is going to surprise a lot of people.
I will tell you that right now.
[Kevin Patrick] The draft was not that long ago.
It's amazing the impact that Zoey Stark has had here on Monday Night Raw.
What makes Zoey so powerful and special here?
[Corey] Zoey Stark, from bell to bell,
is one of the most complete Superstars on the roster.
She's powerful. She's explosive. She's mean,
not afraid to get things ugly inside the ring.
Great reversal by Natalya.
Cover.
Natalya utilizing her training in the infamous Hart Dungeon.
[Kevin Patrick] Natalya, a Triple-Crown Champion in WWE,
former SmackDown Women's Champion, Tag Team Champion as well.
Natalya feeling the knee.
[Corey] Yeah, favoring her knee.
Potentially lingering effects from the attack at Night of Champions
at the hands of Rhea Ripley.
And notice, Trish just pointed to Zoey saying,
"You found the weakness, now exploit it."
Look again. Just a minor tweak and then a superkick on the jaw.
Zoey Stark looking to dismantle Natalya's knee.
Look how delighted Trish is. By the way, thank you, Trish.
I don't know if she's close enough to actually hear me, but…
[Kevin Patrick] For her sheer existence or what are you thanking her for?
It's a cumulative thank you, KP.
She's a pioneer. She's a trailblazer. She's a Hall of Famer.
And she's clearly looking out for the next generation of WWE Superstars.
What a magnanimous decision it was by Trish Stratus
to align herself with Zoey Stark, because Trish sees the potential in Zoey.
And why wait for Zoey to realize her potential?
Why not put herself on the fast track?
Zoey's aligned herself with Trish.
In a matter of weeks, she could be Miss Money in the Bank
and have a guaranteed title opportunity.
That's how you jumpstart your career in WWE.
[Kevin Patrick] No question the confidence is growing,
but Natalya will fight back here.
Again, clutching that knee.
[Trish] Come on, get back into it.
[yells]
Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] Zoey Stark quickly across.
There's no quit in Natalya.
[Stark groaning]
[Corey] Nattie's as tough as the day is long.
Never take your eyes off of a veteran.
Fantastic German suplex flattens Stark.
[Kevin Patrick] Natalya now looking to qualify for Money in the Bank.
Zoey Stark turning it around.
Oh, Natalya.
[Corey] Looking for the Sharpshooter. It's locked in!
[Kevin Patrick] This spells trouble for Zoey Stark.
[Corey] Zoey's Money in the Bank hopes might be up in smoke.
[both screaming]
What do you say, Zoey?
[Corey] Zoey's screaming in agony.
Trying to utilize her powerful legs to mitigate the pressure
being applied by Natalya.
[Kevin Patrick] Zoey gets to the ropes.
Natalya, so close to victory.
Qualifying for Money in the Bank. Natalya now.
[Corey] Dropkick right in the grill of Zoey Stark.
Stay out of it.
[Corey] Eyes on Trish, who just kicked the knee out
from behind Natalya.
[Kevin Patrick] The referee was having a word with Zoey Stark.
-Oh! -[Corey] Z-360!
[Kevin Patrick] Zoey Stark hooks the leg to qualify for Money in the Bank!
-[bell rings] -["Cut Above The Rest" playing]
[ring announcer] Here is your winner, Zoey Stark.
[Kevin Patrick] What a threat Zoey Stark will be--
[Corey] I'm going to call it right now. I'm calling my shot.
Zoey Stark is going to win Money in the Bank.
[Kevin Patrick] Alongside Becky Lynch and Zelina Vega.
Star studded.
[Corey] You forgot to say, "You're right."
"I believe Zoey Stark will win Money in the Bank,
because, Graves, you're the smartest guy here."
[Kevin Patrick] Thank you, Graves.
Ladies and gentlemen…
Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Paul Heyman.
And I want to cordially invite you to join me this Friday night
when a family drama plays out in front of your very eyes
when Jey Uso makes his historic choice.
You know…
as the Wiseman,
I'm tasked, at times, to deliver unpleasant news.
No matter how bad that news is,
I have to deliver it even if I have to deliver it
to your "Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.
This is one of those times.
The news is not pleasant.
The news will rip apart the entire Anoa'i-Fatu Dynasty
because this Friday, Jey Uso will make his choice…
[sighs]
…and Jey Uso will choose
and stand by…
…his brother,
Solo.
You can share a womb with your twin Jimmy,
but you'll never be closer in life to him
than you are to your "Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.
And this Friday live on SmackDown,
Jey Uso will…
Jey Uso will acknowledge that fact.
Or else…
[Corey] Turbulence continues within The Bloodline.
[Kevin Patrick] It's been turbulent every single time
we've seen Indus Sher in the ring.
Up against the former Tag Team Champions, Cedric and Shelton, next.
Tonight and every night following Monday Night Raw,
head over to Peacock for Raw Talk.
Look at the guests lined up this evening.
Bronson Reed, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance after their Raw debut,
and "The Ring General" Gunther.
["Tiranga" playing]
[Corey] More tag team action on tap.
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring, accompanied by Jinder Mahal,
Veer, and Sanga,
Indus Sher!
"The Maharaja" Jinder Mahal
said to me, "There's 1.5 billion people in India,
and I've hand-selected Veer and Sanga for the attributes that they have."
"They're massive, they're explosive, and they're temperamental."
[Corey] No lies detected.
You combine the mind of Jinder Mahal,
a former World Champion in his own right,
it is a recipe for disaster for the tag team division,
including Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin,
who themselves are former Tag Team Champions here in WWE.
Sanga, on your left, a four-time national kickboxing champion in India.
Veer, on your right--
-[Corey] Uh-oh. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, man.
Right out of the gates, the opening bell hasn't even sounded,
-and the carnage begins. -[roaring]
[Corey] That million-dollar arm clothesline of Veer.
[Kevin Patrick] Veer and Sanga do what they want.
[Corey] Cedric and Shelton didn't even have a chance to…
-[yelling] -[Corey] …to get out of the gates!
Unbelievable dominance
by Veer and Sanga.
[Cedric coughing]
Shut up!
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Cold stare from The Modern Day Maharaja.
[Kevin Patrick] Cedric Alexander is in a bad way.
[Corey] I'm pretty sure the official, Rod Zapata, just called the match off.
Cedric Alexander in no condition to compete
after the vicious attack by Indus Sher.
-And Sanga is not finished yet. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh, no.
-No. -[Corey] Oh, my God! Again.
[both bellowing]
[crowd boos]
[Corey] Cedric Alexander being slaughtered by Indus Sher.
Absolutely terrifying.
[Kevin Patrick] Well, folks, we are moments away
from one of the biggest main events
in the history of Monday Night Raw.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins is your new World Heavyweight Champion,
but will he be the title holder when it's all said and done tonight?
[Corey] Seth's nine-day brand-new title reign is under fire.
And Rollins finds himself in the crosshairs of Damian Priest
of The Judgment Day.
Seth's Judgment Day tonight,
one-on-one, World Heavyweight Title, next.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[Kevin Patrick] We all know Rhea Ripley is popular,
but, Corey Graves, look at this.
Two million followers on TikTok.
TikTok is where it's at. Rhea Ripley,
one of the most popular figures you will find on the platform.
[Corey] More followers than Serena Williams, Tom Hanks,
the entire New York Yankees organization.
That is truly massive.
I got an idea. What if Mami ate Tim Tams on TikTok?
-[Kevin laughing] -[Corey] Huge. Book it.
["Punishment" playing]
[explosion]
[Corey] Unfortunately, for all the Rhea Ripley fans,
that's the last we will see of her this evening as Damian Priest agreed
to Seth "Freakin" Rollins' terms.
"Leave The Judgment Day behind."
"Fight me one-on-one like a true champion."
Damian Priest looks ready for battle.
[Kevin Patrick] Seth "Freakin" Rollins issued an open challenge
for his new World Heavyweight Championship on Friday.
It was immediately answered by The Punishment within The Judgment Day.
So powerful, so devious.
And he brings the punishment to those that don't comply.
[Corey] This is a massive main event on Monday Night Raw.
There's a look at what it's all about,
the newly minted World Heavyweight Championship
at the same site that hosted WrestleMania XI.
In this very building tonight, we make a little more history
on Monday Night Raw.
[Kevin Patrick] That was back in 1995,
and here we are, 2023, and an opportunity for Damian Priest
to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
["Visionary" playing]
[explosion]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd vocalizing]
♪ Burn it Down! ♪
[Corey] Seth "Freakin" Rollins vowed to be a fighting champion,
a workhorse for Monday Night Raw.
And tonight, Seth is certainly holding up his end of the bargain.
[Kevin Patrick] "This isn't a Championship for politics and part-timers."
The words of Seth "Freakin" Rollins. But I'll tell you, Corey,
there were many backstage earlier that were saying that this is a naive move
from Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Only nine days in to being World Heavyweight Champion.
[Corey] I can't necessarily say I disagree with those assessments.
If I were Seth "Freakin" Rollins, I might think twice
about issuing an open challenge
because Rollins can't predict the future,
especially with someone as dangerous and experienced as Damian Priest.
Seth Rollins may have just set himself up for an epically short title reign.
[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the World Heavyweight Championship!
Introducing the challenger,
representing The Judgment Day,
from New York City, weighing in at 249 pounds,
Damian Priest!
[crowd booing]
And his opponent, from Davenport, Iowa,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Seth "Freakin" Rollins said that he wanted this championship
to be an opportunity for everyone.
He's backed up that talk tonight,
putting his title on the line just nine days
after winning it at Night of Champions.
[crowd singing Rollins' theme]
[Corey] Could you imagine how embarrassing,
how humiliating this would be for Seth Rollins
to lose his new World Heavyweight Championship
in his first defense, via an open challenge that was his idea?
This could backfire in a spectacular way.
[Kevin Patrick] No one would disagree
when you said that Damian Priest
is one of the threats on Monday Night Raw,
The Punishment within The Judgment Day.
[Corey] If you look at The Judgment Day as a whole,
if you obtain the Crown Jewel of Monday Night Raw,
the World Heavyweight Championship, The Judgment Day truly will--
This is why I don't need nobody.
-Nobody! -[speaking indistinctly]
[man] Do something!
[Kevin Patrick] The Judgment Day truly will run Monday Night Raw.
[Corey] Rollins' not about to put up with the lip from the challenger.
[Kevin Patrick] We saw sportsmanship earlier tonight.
Priest telling Rollins, "You're a deserving champion."
No more nice guy talking, it's a Championship Match
in the main event on Monday Night Raw.
[grunting]
[Corey] Rollins able to put on the brakes, baseball slide,
-and evades Priest. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
Priest a world-class striker--
Oh, fantastic maneuver by Rollins sending the challenger to the outside.
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Rollins has ideas.
From the apron, taking down Damian Priest!
Will Seth 'freakin" Rollins manage to defend his title tonight?
Let's go!
[Kevin Patrick] You're watching one of the biggest main events
of Monday Night Raw.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins defends his World Heavyweight Championship
against Damian Priest of The Judgment Day.
It's the first time since November of 2021
that a World Championship is being defended on Monday Night Raw.
[Corey] Rollins now trying to call the bluff of Priest,
luring Damian into making a mistake.
Now, The Visionary
looking to continue his assault, but got caught with a knee.
[Kevin Patrick] To the gut of Rollins. And Priest has Rollins where he wants him.
[Corey] Oh!
[Kevin Patrick] Seth turns it around.
[Corey] Priest is rocked and in a bad, bad way.
And here comes The Visionary.
Oh!
Cat-like agility from Rollins.
-Oh, ho-ho! -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] My goodness!
Priest just uncorked the right hand.
That might have cost Rollins a few incisors.
[Kevin Patrick] The precision of Damian Priest
to be able to catch Rollins mid-air like that.
[Corey] Take a look at this.
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh! -[Corey] Vicious uppercut caught Rollins
right in the kisser.
And now, Priest teeing off on The Visionary.
[Kevin Patrick] Damian Priest, a man that's beaten former World Champions
on Monday Night Raw, whether it's The Miz, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre,
Styles, Bálor, Rey Mysterio.
-He's been there, he's done that. -[Damian Priest grunting]
[Corey] Priest is focused on the task at hand,
unleashing his ruthless streak on the Champion, Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Kevin Patrick] You just wonder at what point does Seth "Freakin" Rollins question
this decision to throw out the open challenge.
[Corey] I don't know that Rollins will question it.
Rollins has been very open about how he claims
his hands are off the wheel,
that he's really forged a symbiotic relationship
with the WWE Universe.
[Kevin Patrick] For the Championship for Damian Priest,
and Rollins kicks out.
[Corey] The WWE Universe drives Rollins forward,
and Rollins feeds off of them.
Go to sleep!
[Corey] But right now, even the WWE Universe
here in Hartford, who have been alive and well all night,
cannot save The Visionary.
[Kevin Patrick] An electric crowd here at Hartford, Connecticut,
witnessing something special.
Rollins defending his World Heavyweight Championship
against Priest of The Judgment Day.
-[Corey] Cover here. -[Kevin Patrick] Priest hooks the leg,
and a rapid kick out from Rollins.
[Rollins groaning]
You've got to be impressed thus far with the challenger, Damian Priest,
who accepted Rollins' open challenge and clearly came here
with the intentions of dethroning Seth…
in Rollins' very first title defense.
Talk about bragging rights for Priest.
[Kevin Patrick] Priest, a former United States Champion.
[Corey] And Priest, notice, is moving extremely deliberately
thus far in this match-up.
Priest not leaving any room for error,
calculating every strike before throwing it.
And now, very wisely, just trying to wear the Champion down.
[Kevin Patrick] Rollins is champion for a reason.
Blow to the back of The Visionary.
[Corey] Of course, Rollins is a champion for a reason.
Rollins won the tournament. He's a top-tier WWE Superstar,
one of the best to ever do it.
And Damian Priest would love to carve his legacy
at the expense of someone of the caliber of Rollins.
Oh, beautiful enzuigiri. The challenger is down.
[Kevin Patrick] It rocks Priest.
Can Seth "Freakin" Rollins capitalize?
[Corey] This is where Rollins needs the WWE Universe.
To feed off of the energy,
as we look at the shot to the kidneys by Priest,
and Rollins answering with an enzuigiri
to even the playing field for the moment.
[Kevin Patrick] The workhorse title.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins now, starting to gain momentum.
[grunting]
[Corey] Seth firing chops and punches.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] Clothesline, but not enough to take Priest down just yet.
[Damian Priest groans]
[Corey] Damian beginning to stagger.
[Kevin Patrick] Wobbly legs, but he's still standing, Damian Priest.
[Corey] Rollins avoided the kick and delivered one of his own.
[Rollins grunts]
[Corey] Down goes Priest!
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Incredible attacking arsenal from Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Corey] Priest looks all out of sorts in the corner.
Priest better figure something out quickly.
[Rollins grunting]
-[Kevin Patrick] Oh! -[Corey] Backbreaker from the champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Rollins is going to take a climb.
[Corey] Seth surveying the scene,
looking around the XL Center.
The target is acquired.
-Priest out of the way. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] And kick of his own stops the Champion.
[Kevin Patrick] Priest now looking for a bit of pace, some momentum.
[grunting]
[Kevin Patrick] Elbow connects.
[Corey] The stage dive to the corner.
Rollins halts the momentum. Seth Rollins wants the Pedigree.
[Kevin Patrick] Can he get it? Turn around by Priest.
Seth Rollins now. Shoulders are down!
Priest out in time.
Sling blade by Rollins.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Rollins feeling it now.
[Kevin Patrick] Feeding off the energy of the WWE Universe.
Rollins has ideas! Taking flight!
[Corey] Just caught!
Oh, my God!
Face-first into our announce table!
The Champion is down!
Can Rollins recover?
[Kevin Patrick] Priest and Rollins on the top rope!
[Corey] Priest able to put on the brakes to prevent whatever Rollins was planning,
and a right-hand drops the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Kevin Patrick] This a first title defense
for Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
It's for the World Heavyweight Championship.
What a battle we are witnessing
between "The Punishment of The Judgment Day" Damian Priest
and the Champ, Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Corey] As promised, it has been strictly one-on-one.
No Judgment Day involvement, mano a mano.
[crowd singing Rollins' theme]
[Corey] I'll tell you this much, Damian Priest brought his A-game tonight.
At many points throughout this match thus far,
Damian Priest has actually been a step ahead
of the World Heavyweight Champion.
But Rollins!
[crowd cheering]
[Kevin Patrick] Here we go. Suplex!
Superplex from Rollins!
[Corey] But Priest looked to change the momentum!
Look at the power!
Falcon arrow!
[Kevin Patrick] To retain the Championship!
Damian Priest out in time.
[Corey] A true see-saw moment in this bout,
as we look first at the superplex.
Rollins looked to roll through, but Priest actually switched momentum
had it not been for the knee of Rollins to swing the pendulum back in his favor,
and nearly knock off the challenger.
[Kevin Patrick] At two and a half, Damian Priest
still alive in this Championship Match.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Corey] A wild-eyed World Heavyweight Champion
picking up speed!
[Kevin Patrick] Rollins with the suicide dive!
Priest colliding with the announce desk.
[Corey] Priest still on his feet. Here comes Rollins again!
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] Priest still won't go down!
Will the third time be the charm?
[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] Priest spills over the announce desk!
[crowd cheering]
Look how quickly, almost instinctively, Damian Priest is pulling himself up.
Rollins realizing there is more work to do
if he wants to leave Hartford as World Heavyweight Champion.
[Kevin Patrick] Priest now back up on his feet.
Seth Rollins, superkick, rocking Damian Priest!
[Corey] Rollins now looking to make the climb to the top turnbuckle.
[Kevin Patrick] Is this the moment for Seth Rollins?
Frog splash on Priest!
Can he get the cover? Yes, he can, to retain the Championship,
and Damian Priest kicking out again.
[Corey] What a display of fortitude from the challenger, Damian Priest,
as we look again at the incredible height and extension
from Rollins, but of course, most importantly,
the impact driving all of the wind out of the challenger, Damian Priest.
But Priest would not quit.
[Kevin Patrick] The open challenge issued on Friday, accepted by Damian Priest.
"This the workhorse title," says Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
"It's an opportunity for everybody."
[Corey] Rollins loading up the elbow,
and Priest beat him to the punch, literally.
[Kevin Patrick] A kick to the gut.
[Corey] Priest relying on his martial arts background.
Rolling elbow.
Priest countered! That might do it!
New champion!
[Kevin Patrick] Kick out by Seth Rollins!
Man, was that close for Damian Priest!
[Corey] And I think Damian Priest realized that was his best shot.
A headlock driver, Priest reaching deep into the arsenal,
spiking the champion.
And, oh, so close to becoming the guy.
[Kevin Patrick] What a devastating blow it would be for Seth
only nine days into his reign.
[Corey] Uh-oh.
Will take a trip South of Heaven. No.
[Kevin Patrick] There's those cat-like reflexes from Rollins!
Rocked by Priest now.
[Damian Priest groaning]
[Corey] Seth gets the boot up just in time.
Wow!
What a kick by Priest!
[Kevin Patrick] Incredible agility.
The height on the kick.
Oh, my God!
[Corey] Hurricanrana from the top!
[Kevin Patrick] Priest across quickly to win the championship,
and Rollins is still alive.
[Corey] And a look of disbelief washing over the face of the challenger,
Damian Priest, with good reason.
[Kevin Patrick] Saying, "What more do I have to do to put away Seth Rollins?"
You want some more pain?
I can do that.
[Corey] Damian Priest asking Rollins if he wants some more pain.
Proudly declaring he can do that.
You don't want to give up, huh?
I'll give you the more pain.
[groaning]
[Corey] Priest just battering the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Damian Priest] I got something for you.
[Kevin Patrick] Oh, Seth Rollins.
[Corey] Great counter.
[Kevin Patrick] Looking for the Pedigree. Rollins!
[Corey] Got it!
[Kevin Patrick] Can he finish him? Can he get up,
get across for the cover, and retain the World Heavyweight Championship?
-Cover, to retain for Seth Rollins! -[crowd counting]
Shoulders up for Priest.
[Corey] This deep into a match-up after the beating Rollins has endured.
It's extremely impressive that he was able to will himself into the cover.
But Seth, unable to get enough of his body weight
across Priest's shoulders to pin the challenger down.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Kevin Patrick] Perilous position for both Superstars.
[Corey] Bell-ringer by Priest.
[Kevin Patrick] Duck from Rollins.
Now taking out the knee!
[Corey] Uh-oh.
Oh, no.
Oh, my God, no!
-Oh, barricade bomb by Rollins! -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] That's the same move that ended
Finn Bálor's Universal Championship dreams.
-And Priest clutching at his shoulder! -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] Speak of the devil,
Bálor's here.
[Kevin Patrick] The superkick flattens Bálor,
but this might be Damian Priest's moment!
[Corey] It just turned Rollins inside-out.
South of Heaven!
He's going to do it!
[Kevin Patrick] He's clutching his shoulder.
Can Damian Priest get across for the cover,
for the World Heavyweight Championship?
Rollins gets the shoulder up.
[Corey] Priest is hurt badly.
Why are you here? What do you…
[Corey] Priest took a moment to ask Finn Bálor why are you here?
It looked like Damian was legitimately disappointed.
Powering up the Champion.
[Kevin Patrick] Priest looking for Razor's Edge.
-[Corey] But the shoulder gave out. -[Kevin Patrick] Oh!
[Corey] Priest's shoulder could not hold the weight of the Champion.
[groaning]
[Corey] Elbow to the back of the neck.
Rollins, Stomp!
Stomp by Rollins to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
-[bell rings] -["Visionary" playing]
[ring announcer] Here is your winner and still
the World Heavyweight Champion,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Corey] Well, Seth said he would be a fighting champion
and he got what he was looking for.
But ultimately, the Stomp retains the title for Rollins.
Seth, turn around!
The work has just begun.
[crowd singing Rollins' theme] ns the title for Rollins.