[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then…
[Ric Flair] Woooo!
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-[Triple H] The king of kings… -[Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
♪ Yeah! Greatness! ♪
[Cole] Monday Night Raw is live tonight
at the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
And it is a night of massive matchups
here tonight on Monday Night Raw,
including who I like to call the Beast Slayer,
Cody Rhodes, who took out Brock Lesnar in a courageous performance at SummerSlam.
No rest for the weary, because, tonight,
Cody Rhodes goes one-on-one with the Judgment Day's Finn Bálor, live.
[Wade] Not only that, the history of Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch
goes way back to April, when Trish teamed with Becky
only to double cross The Man,
and cost her tag gold.
After months of trying to get even,
these two will clash on Raw tonight
with Zoey Stark banned from ringside.
[Cole] And, last week on Raw, Shinsuke Nakamura shocked the world
when he ambushed the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins,
after they teamed together in a tag match.
Why on earth did Shin do this? I'll try to get to the bottom of it.
A candid interview with Shinsuke Nakamura, live, tonight.
["The Other Side" playing]
[Samantha] Please welcome the NXT North American Champion,
Dominik Mysterio,
Mr. Money in the Bank, Damian Priest,
and the Women's World Champion, Rhea Ripley.
The Judgement Day!
[Cole] The Judgment Day have become perhaps
the most powerful entity in all of WWE.
However, there is one a member of this quartet missing tonight,
and his name is Finn Bálor.
Now, we know that Finn has a match later on with Cody Rhodes,
but there has been tension within this group.
It dates back all the way to SummerSlam, a couple of weeks ago.
Finn versus Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Damian Priest coming down to the ring,
giving the briefcase to Finn, but it would pay.
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[Cole] It would cost Finn Bálor.
A stomp by Rollins to retain. So why did Damian do this?
The world knows why I was out there,
to make sure you win a world title.
But, no, even with my help, you lost.
[Cole] This brings us to last week, the tag match.
[Wade] Yeah, last Monday on Raw,
Cody Rhodes et al., defeating The Judgment Day,
thanks once again to Damian Priest's briefcase,
inadvertently costing Finn Bálor.
♪ If you believe yours is the only way ♪
♪ Then you're the fool… ♪
Welcome to Monday Night Raw!
[crowd cheering]
The place that The Judgment Day runs.
[crowd booing]
I know that lately, things, they haven't been going our way.
All right, to be honest, at SummerSlam,
Finn Bálor should have walked out the World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd booing]
While we're at it, last week,
together, the Judgment Day should've won our match.
[Rhea Ripley] Agreed.
Clearly, communication has been an issue.
But as long as I am Señor Money in the Bank,
we will always dictate what goes down around here.
[crowd booing]
Tonight…
Finn Bálor is gonna handle Cody Rhodes.
As he should,
seeing as he's one of the most dominant superstars of all time.
To be honest, he should be here telling you that himself, but he's not here.
Now don't get it twisted.
The Judgment Day isn't going anywhere.
We're not breaking up. Finn Bálor and I, we're smarter than that.
-But he should be here. -Priest.
-This is not the time or place for this. -I'm over it.
We don't need to pretend like they don't know what's up.
Clearly, there's something wrong in The Judgment Day, and it's Finn Bálor.
We're supposed to be a crew, right?
Dom, back me up here, dawg.
[splutters in Spanish] Familia, no?
[in English] Right? We're here.
Where's Finn Bálor?
["Irish Ace" playing]
[Cole] Well, that's Finn's friend, JD McDonagh.
Yo, yo, JD, man.
Dude, I see you have a mic in hand, so clearly you have something to say.
But, dawg, I'd be very careful with what comes out your mouth.
Guys, I don't mean to interrupt,
and I certainly don't want to disrespect the most dominant faction,
not only on Monday Night Raw, but in the entire WWE,
The Judgment Day.
[crowd booing]
May I?
I've actually come out here tonight,
because I have a message for you guys from Finn.
Finn told me to tell you, don't worry about my friendship with Finn,
worry instead about the real targets,
Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn.
I took out Sami Zayn last week,
but through some miracle, they've medically cleared them.
-You guys need to focus on Cody-- -JD!
We do not take orders from anyone.
Especially people that aren't a part of The Judgment Day.
No disrespect.
-JD, we-- -[crowd booing loudly]
We got this locked down.
Mami, the most dominant champion,
in WWE…
Priest is a future World Champion…
[crowd booing louder]
…I am the NXT North American Champion.
[imperceptible]
And I just found out
that Canada is a part of North America.
So I guess I'm the champion of this dump.
[crowd booing]
So why don't you head to the back and let us handle business?
Okay. No problem, and no disrespect.
Like I said, I was just delivering a message.
Good. Now we have a message for you to deliver to Finn.
Tell him that we need to talk.
-But now I was saying-- Oh, my God! -["World's Apart" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] One half of the Tag Team Champions,
Sami Zayn is here.
-What do you want? -[indistinct shouting]
[Wade] The man jumped by JD MacDonagh prior to last week's main event.
[Cole] Yeah, Sami Zayn was supposed to be part of the six-man
against Judgment Day last week.
McDonagh attacked him in the backstage area,
-and Sami was not able to participate. -[crowd chanting] Sami!
Now, Sami Zayn taking out his anger on JD McDonagh.
[Wade] Zayn is a very different proposition
when you don't jump him from behind.
We have a problem here?
This ain't our fight, dawg.
Handle your business. Go ahead.
[Cole] Sami also has an issue with Judgment Day
because they took out his tag team partner, Kevin Owens.
And interesting that Judgment Day is not going to come aid of JD McDonagh.
Damian Priest said, "This is your business."
As McDonagh attacks the already injured elbow of Zayn.
[Wade] We saw the state of that elbow last week.
I can't believe he's been cleared,
but he might be back on the shelf immediately.
[Cole] McDonagh assaulting Zayn as The Judgment Day look on.
[man] The City of Brotherly Love, it's got its own beat.
The birthplace of America,
where you're always reminded
there's tough, and then there's Philly tough.
Next April, the knockout punch is coming.
[Samantha] This is the greatest live event in entertainment!
[man] And that…
that's a Philly thing.
WrestleMania, live from Philadelphia, April 2024.
Tickets available this Friday.
[Cole] That's for WrestleMania next year.
But the man who main evented WrestleMania this year, Sami Zayn,
set to go one-on-one with JD McDonagh in this matchup tonight,
made official during the break by WWE official, Adam Pearce.
[Wade] Well, Sami Zayn was advised
he should not be competing tonight for obvious reasons.
But he's got some of that Canadian air in his lungs,
and for my money, he's making a massive error of judgment.
When you start the match out and you're already one armed,
things aren't going to be looking good.
[Cole] Well, obviously, Sami Zayn, less than 100%,
suffering from traumatic olecranon bursitis
after the attack by McDonagh last week.
And McDonagh gonna take a breather.
And Sami Zayn, now in pursuit.
JD McDonagh, who has been auditioning
to be a part of the Judgment Day over the past couple of weeks…
Launched across the ring by Sami!
[Wade] That is one way to hyper extend your knees.
[Cole] This is what happened last week. Sami Zayn was supposed to be
part of our six-man tag-team main event against Judgment Day.
He was assaulted in the back by JD McDonagh.
And because of this attack,
you've got to check out what Sami Zayn's elbow looked like
at the hands of McDonagh.
This is disgusting!
That's just a huge tennis ball size bruise
on the elbow of Sami Zayn.
[Wade] It was like Hollywood effects on that elbow.
I can assure you that no effects needed whatsoever in that particular case.
Incredibly ugly.
[Cole] And let's just take a look at what happened with Sami Zayn.
This is from last week.
And that's a look at the injured elbow of Sami Zayn.
And again, JD McDonagh,
focusing on the elbow of Zayn in this matchup.
[Wade] Well, I'll tell you this. Anybody who witnessed JD McDonagh in NXT
will be fully aware he has an almost surgical understanding
of the human anatomy, all of its weaknesses,
and he's going to exploit those to maximum effect against an injured Sami Zayn.
[Cole] Yeah, he is vicious, he is sadistic.
We saw that side of him last week.
McDonagh, again, trying to rip away the protective covering
of the elbow on Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Almost Patrick Bateman-esque qualities about JD McDonagh.
[Cole] Look at McDonagh trying to force Sami Zayn to submit
or tap out in this match tonight.
-[referee] Can you continue? -Yeah, yeah.
[Wade] I mean, that would require a miracle,
when Sami Zayn is here at home in Canada.
But I'd say things aren't looking good for Zayn right now.
[Cole] McDonagh is sinister, he's methodical.
From Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland,
a longtime friend of Finn Bálor of The Judgment Day,
was once trained by Finn…
And Sami tries to fire back in this match.
[Wade] Well, now, he appears to be Finn Bálor's most trusted confidant.
And McDonagh, up over the top, to the floor.
This buys Sami Zayn some valuable time
to try to recuperate, get some feeling back in his left arm.
[Wade] He bought himself a little breathing room,
just when he most needed it, but it might not be enough.
[Cole] Sami Zayn refocused.
Oh, and a big clothesline knocks down McDonagh.
-Sami Zayn fired up. -[crowd cheering]
Again, I cannot imagine the pain that Sami Zayn is in right now.
[Wade] Well, you heard those chants of "Sami" from this audience.
Even they weren't committed, because they feel like it's a lost cause.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Wade] If it wasn't already, it is now.
[Cole] The attack onto the barricade of the injured elbow.
McDonagh is focused, in control…
-And again, across the bad arm! -[Sami Zayn yelps loudly]
[Cole] Sami Zayn in deep, deep trouble on Raw.
[groans] Oh, God!
[Cole] Sami Zayn has a lot of guts,
but I'm not sure he should have taken this matchup tonight against JD McDonagh.
He's not 100%, but Sami is trying to fight back in this match.
Zayn with a head-butt, McDonagh, now, to the mat below.
Sami trying to shake off the pain in the injured elbow
caused by the attack by McDonagh last week.
And what a dropkick!
-[Wade chuckles] -[Cole] Right on the button by McDonagh.
-Here's the cover to put Zayn away. -One, two--
[Cole] And a kick out of two.
[Wade] You don't have to like JD McDonagh,
but you do have to respect his abilities.
This is picture perfect timing.
Precision dropkick to the jaw of Sami Zayn.
You're right. Sami's fought valiantly tonight, but it's a big mistake.
You don't have to be the Canadian hero
every time we go north of the border.
Let someone else pick up the slack.
[Cole] I had the opportunity a number of years ago
to call JD McDonagh's matchup
in the United Kingdom Championship Tournament.
Oh, I was very impressed with McDonagh at the time,
and he's obviously grown into the role,
and he would have a major, major victory on his hands
if he can knock off Sami Zayn here tonight.
[Wade] Yeah, what a coming out party for the world this would be,
if JD McDonagh could knock off one of the biggest names
in WWE, Sami Zayn.
-[Cole exclaims] -[Wade] But easier said than done.
Thanks to the resiliency of Zayn.
[Cole] Uh, Wade, do you think a McDonagh win tonight, would…
maybe convince Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio to feel otherwise?
[Wade] I think three quarters of The Judgement Day--
[Cole] Oh, Michinoku Driver!
Cover by Zayn for the win with one arm, and a kick out!
[Wade] Three quarters of The Judgment Day want nothing to do with JD McDonagh.
It's that simple.
[Cole] But you take out one of their enemies,
perhaps you feel a bit differently about Mr. McDonagh.
[Wade] Well, I mean, McDonagh took out an enemy last week in Sami Zayn.
Apparently, he didn't ingratiate himself
with the three aforementioned members of The Judgment Day.
[Cole] Finn Bálor seems to be the issue,
not coming out here with the group to start Monday Night Raw off tonight.
[Wade] Finn Bálor has a massive main event matchup against Cody Rhodes.
That's why he wasn't out here.
Don't look for problems where they don't exist. That's tabloid journalism.
Once again, just like you used to say about The Bloodline on SmackDown.
[Cole] And how are things going for The Bloodline right now?
Great move by McDonagh.
Cover, shoulders down, and a kick out by Zayn at two!
-And now into a cross face. -[shouts indistinctly]
[Wade] Man, how many moves,
does JD McDonagh have in his arsenal?
From high flying,
now he's got that crossface center of the ring.
This guy has all the tools.
Right on that injured elbow, once again.
[Cole] McDonagh trying to punish Sami Zayn.
Sami, can he hang on?
Will he tap out, middle of the ring?
Look at the intensity in the eyes of JD McDonagh,
as he tries to take out Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Tearing every sinew in that neck, shoulder and arm of Sami Zayn.
If this doesn't do it, I don't know what will.
[Cole] Sami trying to somehow reverse the pressure here,
and makes it to the ropes.
Veteran move by Zayn. McDonagh frustrated, but Sami Zayn causes the break.
[Wade] Well, JD McDonagh has never gone head-to-head
with anyone quite the caliber of Sami Zayn before in his career.
The Irish Ace has blown minds around the world,
but this is the best of the best now.
[Cole] And you're seeing again that sinister style of JD McDonagh.
One of the reasons he once referred to himself as a "necessary evil."
[Wade] Believe it or not, this guy, JD McDonagh,
used to be a fan favorite--
-Whoa! Whoa! -[Cole] Exploder suplex by Sami.
Now Sami's got a chance.
[Wade] This is exactly why Sami Zayn…
-[Cole] And look who's here. -[Wade chuckles]
[Cole] McDonagh's buddy, Finn Bálor, who I thought you said was busy
getting ready for Cody Rhodes tonight, so he couldn't come out with Judgment Day.
[Wade] Or perhaps he heard you talking trash.
[Cole] And here's Bálor now, rushing toward the ring,
causing a distraction on Zayn.
-McDonagh from behind, rolling up Sami… -One, two--
[Cole] …who kicks out at two!
[Wade] Sami Zayn just refusing to be denied tonight.
-Oh! -[Cole] Head-butt.
Zayn down, McDonagh…
And out to the apron, and JD McDonagh now,
looking to go up top and put Sami Zayn away.
McDonagh-- Boots up, Zayn got the boots up.
-Finn pays for it. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Helluva Kick!
-[Cole] Cover! -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Cole] How sweet it is for Sami Zayn! -[bell dings]
["World's Apart" playing]
[Samantha] Here is--
Hey! Hey!
[Samantha] Here is your winner,
the undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion,
Sami Zayn!
[Cole] What a gutsy performance by Sami Zayn tonight.
[Wade] Just a scrappy underdog fight from Sami Zayn,
pulling out the victory at home against all the odds.
And this is where it went wrong for JD McDonagh.
Just when it looked like he was going to grab victory,
a veteran move from Sami Zayn,
clocking Finn Bálor for good measure,
and then when he connects with a Helluva Kick, there's no coming back,
-JD McDonagh or otherwise. -[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
[Cole] And Sami Zayn celebrates a victory here tonight
on Monday Night Raw.
Finn Bálor…
disgusted.
Bring it any time you want, Finn.
[Adam] If you would take a breath and let me finish this sentence--
-I've worked way too hard for these. -Chelsea, please!
-Let me just say it, okay? -[sighs]
As you are aware, your partner, Sonya Deville,
was injured a couple of weeks ago against Charlotte and Bianca.
And as you are aware, she has unfortunately torn her ACL
and is going to be out several months.
So, I apologize.
As much as it pains me, I have no choice--
Stop!
-Don't say it. -[sighs]
Do not say it.
God, you are so predictable, you know that?
I… I have worked way too hard for these titles, to just…
to just throw them away.
If I was the manager, I would do such a better job at this.
-Of course. -You know what? I'm gonna call my lawyer.
No, I'm not giving these up.
-I'm gonna… I'm gonna call your manager. -Again?
I'm gonna call Human Resources,
that's what I'm gonna do.
Because no manager should be acting the way you're right now.
Chelsea, what do you want me to do in this situation?
You're in the situation. I'm sure you think you have a ton of ideas,
so, I'm all ears, lay 'em on me.
What would you do?
[smacks lips] Actually… [exhales]
…I would hold auditions.
Chelsea's Got Talent, auditions for my next tag team partner.
-Then we'll defend the titles. That's-- -[knocking]
Please come in.
-Ladies. -We're kind of busy.
Well, we heard about Sonya's injury on TMZ
and we were coming to talk to Adam about it,
but since you're in here, with everything that's going on now,
as soon as you find a new partner, we'll be ready to--
-[Doudrop grunts] -[Kayden] What are you doing?
-[Adam] What are you doing? -[Kayden] Are you all right?
-You all right? I'll get somebody in here. -[Kayden] What did she do that for?
I'm your new partner.
Actually, I was gonna hold auditions.
So if you wanted to leave, like, your name and number, maybe your Instagram handle--
I don't think you understand me.
I'm your new partner.
-Go, move. -[Chelsea yelps]
[Cole] Piper Niven can be very persuasive.
[Wade] I wouldn't argue with her.
I guess, we've got a new Women's Tag champ.
["Symphony No. 9 In E Minor" playing]
[Samantha] Please welcome
Ludwig Kaiser,
Giovanni Vinci,
and the Intercontinental Champion,
the "Ring General" Gunther!
Imperium!
[Cole] Well, Gunther now knows the next contender
for his Intercontinental Championship
is none other than Chad Gable of the Alpha Academy.
What does Gunther have in store for Mr. Gable?
That will be coming up next.
But right now, let's take a closer look
at this group known as Imperium.
[narrator] Stronger Together
is brought to you by Progressive.
Get even more savings when you bundle your boat,
RV or motorcycle with Progressive.
[Corey] The Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
flanked by Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser,
collectively known as Imperium.
[Gunther] I am the Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] There's been no superstar in the 21st century
that has held the Intercontinental title longer than Gunther.
[Wade] Sneering disdain for anybody
who does not meet the standards of Imperium.
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw, everyone,
where, right now, I'd like to welcome my guest,
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
Cody, tonight, you're set to go one-on-one with Finn Bálor,
but a Finn Bálor that many consider these days to be a loose cannon.
You've got to be a loose cannon to do this gig, right?
To a degree, I admire Finn Bálor.
He was a leader in Ireland when he started his career, a leader in Japan,
and now a leader here with the Judgment Day,
a group that is vying for supremacy, not just of Monday Night Raw,
but WWE as whole.
But he's not only leader in that group, is he?
Damian Priest, Mr. Money in the Bank, that's an alpha dog, that's a leader.
Rhea Ripley, a bona fide star.
And then there's Dirty Dom…
[crowd booing]
…who's, uh…
submissive, right?
But, a champion nonetheless.
And they're dangerous, trying to take out Sami Zayn,
already having taken out Liv Morgan and Kevin Owens.
Tonight, I'll be ready for Finn Bálor.
I have not wrestled in Winnipeg in years.
I've got friends here, I plan to make this count.
I will be ready for Finn Bálor.
And I will be ready for The Judgment Day.
Thank you, Byron.
[Cole] Cody and Finn later on tonight on Monday Night Raw.
Meanwhile, there's the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
who is on our announce desk.
Now, Gunther is 25 days away
from being the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion ever.
He now knows his next challenger,
the man who won a Fatal 4-Way last week, Wade.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Wade] Great victory for Chad Gable,
connecting with that Chaos Theory suplex.
But later on, in the same evening, Ludwig Kaiser taking on Otis.
And during the match, Imperium stablemates getting involved,
including Gunther, softening up Otis
for Ludwig Kaiser to capitalize, get the victory…
[bell dings]
[Wade] …and a little bit of aftermath
before Maxxine Dupri.
[Cole] But make no mistake about it.
This was a message sent to that man, Chad Gable,
as Gunter prepares to defend the title against him.
[crowd booing loudly]
On the journey
of building the legacy…
as the best intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time,
The Ring General has arrived in Winnipeg.
[crowd cheering]
And as a European,
I'm always looking forward to come to Canada.
But after walking around in the streets this morning
and looking at all your faces,
I really understand why they call this place the armpit of Canada.
[crowd booing]
However, I'm here to address the next number one contender
for my Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, Chad Gable.
[crowd cheering]
And I have to be honest.
I was really impressed with his victory last week.
In general, this man has been working hard for years.
A former Olympian, maybe the best athlete this company has to offer.
But I achieved more in a year than he has in his whole career.
Come on.
I know…
all of you believe that he's a threat to me.
All of you believe that Chad Gable will be the one
that finally dethrones The Ring General.
Ridiculous!
At the end of the day--
[Gable] Shoo…
oosh!
Please!
[exhales]
Thank you!
[crowd cheering]
Gunther, two weeks ago, you put time on the clock
and said Chad Gable couldn't last five minutes with you.
But I did.
And I beat you at your own game, my friend.
But it's funny, Gunther, because now, you're the one that's on the clock.
You're just weeks away from setting the all-time record
for longest reigning Intercontinental Champion.
[man in crowd booing loudly]
There's just one thing standing in your way.
And that one thing is a guy
that's been waiting for an opportunity for ten years.
That's been working for an opportunity for ten years.
That one thing is Chad Gable nipping at your heels.
It's Chad Gable chasing you down,
coming to take that Intercontinental Championship, buddy.
[crowd cheering]
But lucky for you, you'll get to hang on to that for at least 24 hours.
Because, tonight, it's me and your boy, Giovanni.
So, uh, Gio, why don't you do Master Gable a favor,
and get that big, beautiful…
bald head of yours in this ring,
and catch a few free lessons from Master Gable?
Thank you!
[indistinct shouting]
Nah, nah, nah, nein.
So, uh, first of all, Giovanni Vinci
belongs to the crème de la crème
the WWE has to offer.
Second of all, Chad Gable,
he is going to prove exactly that tonight,
when he is going to embarrass you.
Just like, by the way,
I absolutely embarrassed
your freak friend over here, last week.
What the hell, "freak friend"?
I'm a madman.
So, eventually,
you…
Madame Maxxine,
you'll have to understand
that you should surround yourself
with some, uh, European elegance.
I mean, take a look at you, take a look at me,
take a look at us.
That is exactly what I like to call
A-plus aesthetics.
The Alpha Academy, Maxxine,
is a sinking ship.
But don't you worry, Madame Maxxine, don't you worry.
Here I am, reaching out my hand to you.
You can either take it and let me save you,
or you are going to let that 360-pound anchor
drag you all the way down,
until you become what they already are…
An absolute embarrassment.
[Cole] Whoa!
[crowd cheering]
[Gable chuckles]
-Oh, thank you! -[indistinct conversation]
[Cole] Gable and Vinci, one-on-one, live, next.
[indistinct conversation]
[Cole] We are back live on Raw.
The contender for Gunther's Intercontinental Championship,
Chad Gable of the Alpha Academy
against the enforcer of Imperium, Giovanni Vinci.
Of course, you saw Gunther and Kaiser at ringside for Imperium.
Otis and Maxxine on the other side of the ring in support of Mr. Gable.
[Wade] Now, this was, for me, a huge mistake from Gable.
Vinci is obviously going to give Gunther a full scouting report
after this matchup on Gable.
It's just even more information for Gunther to devour
on how to disassemble Chad Gable
once they have said matchup for the Intercontinental Championship.
[Cole] Well, Vinci with an incredible in-ring acumen,
who's been referred to as a sophisticated bulldog
by Mr. Gunther.
[Wade] Well, I'll tell you this, Vinci has been in the shadow
of Gunther, and even Kaiser of late,
but make no mistake,
this guy is the Ferrari of the group.
He's essentially a decathlon man.
He can really do it all in that way.
[Cole] But what an incredible opportunity for Gable to perhaps knock off Gunther,
who's on a near record-setting reign right now as Intercontinental Champion.
Thank you!
[Wade] I'll tell you this. When you're that close to breaking a record,
like the Intercontinental Championship record,
it starts to get very nervy, especially when you've got a former Olympian,
who's the man who could potentially stop you achieving it.
[Cole] Look at the strength of Vinci catching Gable
and slamming him down to the mat.
[Wade] Strength, timing, technique.
Veni, vidi, Vinci.
"I came, I saw, and I shortly will conquer."
[Cole] Both of these men are former multi-time tag team champions.
-A big chop by Vinci. -[groans]
[Wade] Giovanni Vinci calls himself the leone,
that is Italian for "lion."
That's how aggressive he is in that ring.
[Cole] Back suplex by Vinci.
Here's the cover, forearm right in the face of Gable, who kicks out.
Take another look at the back suplex by Giovanni Vinci.
[Wade] Giovanni Vinci, just a man who is pound-for-pound,
for my money, the strongest man in WWE.
[Cole] Gable, now, fighting back on a Fatal 4-Way last week
to earn the opportunity to be the number one contender.
[Gable groans]
[Cole] Whipped into the corner, and a clubbing blow to the back of the neck.
-Here's the cover by Vinci for the win. -One, two--
Hooks the leg, and a kick out by Gable at two.
[Wade] Vinci's got his marching orders today,
"Do as much physical damage as you can
"to Chad Gable, as possible.
Attack that spine if you need to, the neck, the lower back."
[Cole] Neckbreaker, again, cover by Vinci. Forearm right in the face.
Now the shoulders are down, and a kick out at one by Gable.
The thing about Gable though, Wade, and Gunther will understand this,
because he lasted… Gable lasted five minutes
in that challenge a couple of weeks ago,
is the tremendous strength and conditioning
and the unrivaled competitive spirit
of the former Olympian, Chad Gable.
[Wade] Yeah, undoubtedly. You don't get as far in the Olympian world as he did…
-[loud smack] -[Cole] Oh, wow, did you hear that?
[Wade] …without being a supreme competitor.
But I'll tell you this point-blank.
Chad Gable never met anything like that chop in the Olympics.
Vinci has been learning from Gunther.
[Cole] That chop dropped Gable to the floor,
and now he has Vinci locked in an armbar.
But it's in the ropes, so he only has a five count before he can break.
But the damage may have been done to Giovanni Vinci.
Now Vinci with Gable up on his shoulders.
Chad, though, able to slip behind.
Looking for a German suplex, but Vinci with a smart elbow.
[Wade] Two fellow bred athletes in the ring right now, duking it out.
[Cole] Gable… Vinci face-first.
Both men are down, critical point of this matchup.
-[Maxxine banging ring canvas] -[crowd cheering, clapping]
[Cole] Maxxine trying to will Gable on.
Body shots by Gable.
Oh, and another wicked chop by Vinci.
Just driving the breath out of the lungs of Chad Gable.
[Wade] Go back to whatever's working.
[Cole] I think he just ticked Gable off.
Now Chad Gable fighting back.
[Wade] Tapping into that competitive spirit
that you talked about earlier, Cole.
-[Cole] Fiery attitude of Chad Gable. -Shoosh!
Oh, now rolling neckbreaker by Gable.
And now, Chad heading up to the top rope.
Gable, moonsault, nobody home lands on his feet, however.
Vinci lifting Gable up, now a rolling by…
Giovanni Vinci's second rundown moonsault.
The cover for the win, is it enough to put him away? And a kick-out.
[Wade] Man, these two just so well-matched,
and the frustration is starting to build
in the eyes of "The Ring General" Gunther, at ringside.
[Cole] The type of athletic matchup you expected out of these two.
Gable on his feet.
Vinci misses wildly.
Gable rolls through, there's the power of Chad Gable.
-Shoulders down, and off Chaos Theory… -[bell dings]
-…Gable with the win. -["Shoooosh" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner,
Chad Gable!
[Cole] And Otis mocking Gunther.
Chad Gable, impressive yet again.
[Wade] Well, a message of sorts being sent to Gunther here,
"Hey, I can do this to your running buddy, Vinci.
Imagine what I'm going to do to you."
Just textbook execution of a German suplex.
High angle landing.
-Perfection there from Gable. -Thank you!
[Gunther] Hey!
This is not how this ends tonight.
[crowd booing]
If this is the armpit of Canada,
then you, freak, are the armpit of humanity.
So you want to have fun tonight?
Fun to me, is dragging your ugly mug
all over that mat!
I challenge you to a match right now!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Hopefully, we'll have Gunther and Otis.
Hey, can you tell him this isn't his personal stage? Our desk.
-Look at this face! -Come on!
[Cole] This match was made official during the commercial break.
It is Gunther, the Intercontinental Champion on your left hand side,
against the 330-pound Otis of Alpha Academy.
[Wade] "330-pound armpit of humanity," according to Gunther.
[Cole] If Gunther can keep the Intercontinental Championship
for another 25 days,
he will pass Honky Tonk Man
as the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in history.
What an accomplishment that would be
for the man who has held the title since June of last year.
Feared but respected, the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
But I'm not sure you want him to get into a test of strength with Otis.
A walking "Tree Trunk" of a man.
One, two…
[Wade] This is Otis potentially looking for a little payback
after that post match beatdown from Imperium last week.
[Cole] The fact that Kaiser called Alpha Academy a sinking ship.
[Wade] He's turned into a bit of a Romeo, hasn't he?
[Cole] He said that Maxxine should join Imperium,
and be a part of European elegance.
As Otis looks to rally.
[Wade] Well, they would make beautiful babies, that's for sure.
Too much information, as Gunther now with a big shoulder tackle.
Otis able to roll through it, runs into a boot.
[Wade] Yeah, don't get too cute, when The Ring General is around.
[Cole] Because Gunther in the ring, Wade, has this chilling level of calmness.
[Wade] You don't have to like the guy at all.
I get it, the vast majority of the WWE Universe do not like the guy,
but his work ethic is unsurpassed.
He simply does not waste a day where he has an opportunity
to improve himself and his arsenal.
[Cole] Otis, with a couple of chops now, driving Gunther back.
And Gunther with a chop of his own, drops Otis to his knees.
[Wade] Here's the thing about Otis. He comes here for a good time,
for a bit of fun, for a party and to win matches,
but there is no fun to be had
when you're in the ring with The Ring General.
[Cole] And the thing about Gunther, too, is it's so hard
to break this man's composure.
Think about the physical battles he's been in
over the last year as champion.
[crowd clapping]
[Wade] It's a who's-who in WWE.
The thing with Gunther is, he has legitimately five or six different ways
he can beat opponents
in WWE 2K23, 23 even.
They call them finishers.
Well, Gunther has more of those finishers than anyone in history.
But talking about finishers, that might do it for Otis.
[Cole] Otis still trying to rally and trying to fight back into this.
[Wade] Gunther's rocked it.
[Cole] And now Otis, and Gunther… able to dip underneath.
[indistinct shouting]
[Cole] And now, point of his elbow right on the bridge of the nose.
[Wade] And how frustrating must that be for opponents?
Just when you start to believe you've got an opportunity against Gunther…
[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] …he instantly turns it around and gets back on whatever your weakness is,
such as the bridge of that nose.
[Cole] And what's interesting about this, is that he's punishing Otis
just a few feet away from Chad Gable, sending Gable a message,
"This is your fate, young man,
when you face me for the Intercontinental Title."
[indistinct shouting]
[Wade] Chad Gable can yell and scream all he wants.
It's going to take a lot more than five minutes, and a lot more than yelling
if he's going to take that Intercontinental Championship
away from Gunther.
[Cole] One of the proudest Intercontinental Champions of all time,
Gunther, restoring the prestige
to what has been called the "Workman's Title" over the years.
[Wade] Has a tremendous disdain
for anyone who doesn't meet his high standards.
[Cole] Otis trying to fight back, however.
And Otis is the type of guy that Imperium cannot stand.
[Wade] What an embarrassment it would be for Gunther to lose to somebody like Otis.
Somebody he will term a clown--
-[Cole] Oh! -[Wade] But he's highly dangerous with it.
[Cole] Yeah, Doink was a clown too, and he was dangerous.
And Otis now has taken down Gunther.
[Maxxine] Yes, Otis!
[Cole] The Intercontinental Champion slowly back to his feet.
[grunts]
-[Gable] Heads up, baby. -[grunts]
[Cole] Ooh, what a blow by Otis.
[Wade] Clothesline and a punch in one I think.
[Gable] Come on, Otis!
[Cole] Otis using the bounce off the ropes for momentum.
[Cole] Both men collide center of the ring. Both men on their feet.
Gunther, now, lifted off his feet by Otis
in a Fallaway Slam by the big man.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Oh, no.
[Cole] And here comes the caterpillar!
And the caterpillar just got splatted.
[Wade] The mat is sacred.
[Cole] And Gunther with another boot to Otis.
[Kaiser speaking German]
[Wade] Oh, no, he can't, surely?
[Cole] The powerbomb!
-The caterpillar has become roadkill. -One, two, three!
[Cole] Gunther with the win here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
And Chad Gable, though, quickly into the ring
with a German suplex of his own!
[indistinct shouting]
["Shoooosh" playing]
-[Cole] He's next in line… -Shoosh!
[Cole] …for an opportunity at Gunther's Intercontinental Championship.
Thank you!
[indistinct shouting]
[Cole] Gunther picked up the victory here tonight over Otis,
but things did not go the way that he planned at the end,
and he's frustrated and disgusted here tonight.
[Wade] Just when we saw the caterpillar
at the best possible moment stopped in his tracks,
and then, mind blowing, a powerbomb on Otis,
something that may never be seen ever again.
-And a huge victory for Gunther. -[bell dings]
[Cole] Yeah, but Gable quickly there to make a statement
and tell Gunther, "I can knock you off.
"I can take that Intercontinental Championship from you
when I get my opportunity."
I'm gonna take that title from you! That's my Intercontinental Championship!
…down for us, man. You can't be bothered to be with your family, The Judgment Day,
but if it's your boy, it's okay? For what?
To get popped in the eye? Explain it to us, man.
Hey, you need to relax, all right?
-You need to relax. Just-- -Hey! Enough. Enough!
This is what everyone wants.
They want to see us crumble.
We're now the most dominant faction here within the WWE.
But nobody's scared of us. Why?
Because look at us right now. Look at us.
We've accomplished so much.
Women's World Champion,
Señor Money in the Bank, NXT North American Champion.
But we're starting to lose our killer instincts here.
Finn, oi, I'm so sorry for what happened out there, man.
[sighs, mutters] JD, man.
This is Judgment Day business. You really need to step away.
-I'm talking about Judgement Day business. -Hey, relax.
-I'll talk to you later, all right? -Okay.
Listen, this isn't about me and JD.
This isn't about me and you.
This is about all of The Judgment Day.
Tonight, we have an opportunity to show the world just how strong we are.
-Rhea, I agree. Let's make things right. -Good.
Tonight, Cody Rhodes, he's not gonna know what's hit him.
Oh, he will.
-The Judgement Day. -Yeah, I like that.
-I like it too. -All right, let's do this, guys.
Judgment Day business. Let's handle business! All right!
[Wade] The Judgment Day may well have put their inner strife to rest.
If so, that is bad news for "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes,
who faces the devious Finn Bálor
in a one-on-one showdown in tonight's main event.
[Cole] You know, after defeating his cousin,
-Jey Uso, in Tribal Combat… -Acknowledge me!
[Cole] …the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns,
addressed the future of The Bloodline last Friday on SmackDown.
What happened sent shockwaves through the entire WWE.
We take a look back, next on Raw.
No matter what the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther, says, Wade,
this place isn't the armpit of Canada.
Winnipeg is beautiful.
It is the home tonight of Monday Night Raw.
And ladies and gentlemen, last week, on Friday night SmackDown,
it was all about "Hail to the Chief," Roman Reigns.
[Cole] At Tribal Combat,
between Roman Reigns and his cousin, Jey Uso,
one of the most unthinkable things happened.
[Corey] What the hell?
[crowd gasps]
[crowd exclaims]
[Corey] The ultimate betrayal.
[referee] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
[Corey] After everything these twins have been though,
Roman Reigns is still in charge.
What is the future of The Bloodline?
[crowd chanting] You sold out! You sold out! You sold out!
Jim, let's be real about it.
I owe you one.
What I did at SummerSlam, uce, got nothing to do with you.
[chuckles]
You must be confused or something.
I can make anything happen.
You want power? The new right hand man?
Main event, Jimmy Uso, we can make it ha--
♪ Uso ♪
[crowd cheering]
[imperceptible]
I'm about to throw 37 years down the drain right now
if you don't tell me why you did it.
You really want to know?
Man, I was afraid, all right?
I was afraid to lose you!
I would never be able to live, uce,
if I let you and watch you become an egotistical, lying… [bleep]
…like Roman Reigns!
So if you want to kick my face off, brother, give it to me.
[dramatic music playing]
[imperceptible]
[laughing]
Tonight, it ain't about you and your brother.
Nobody cares anymore, all right?
This night is only about one thing. You understand me?
One thing.
It's been like this for three years now.
I can't believe you don't understand it.
Acknowledge me!
[crowd exclaims]
[Cole] Solo, from behind, as things have once again exploded.
Superman Punch!
[Corey] Jey Uso's night just went from bad to worse.
-[Cole] Spear! -[crowd roars]
Jimmy, hold up!
Come on!
[crowd exclaims]
I'm out! I'm out The Bloodline!
I'm out of SmackDown!
I'm out of WWE!
Deuces, uces!
[dramatic music playing]
[crowd chanting] Jey! Jey! Jey! Jey! Jey! Jey!
And the image of Jey Uso leaving the arena, shocking.
Is Jey gone from WWE?
Well, Jey Uso has already been moved
to the alumni section of wwe.com.
I guess every man has his breaking point.
Well, Roman Reigns has sent many a man to his breaking point
over the past three years as Champion,
including the man Jackie Redmond caught up to earlier today.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest,
"The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre.
Drew, first off, it is so great to have you back on Monday Night Raw.
But on behalf of the WWE Universe,
I just have to ask the question that's on everybody's minds.
What's next for Drew McIntyre?
Drew, it is so good to see you, and sorry to interrupt,
but I've been feeling a certain kind of way, and I'm trying to fix it.
And then I remembered, when you're down,
it's always good to have a solid bro to pick you up.
And poof, I had this idea.
I'm gonna start a new tag team.
And tonight, the Viking Raiders are on the raid and they have an open challenge.
And I accepted their challenge to a match.
Hey, and, bro, but I was gonna say… Hear me out.
Would you be willing, me and you, to be my tag team partner, bro?
And think about it, bro.
We could call ourselves "Edin-bro" or "Glas-bro,"
We could go out to the ring, wearing a giant kilt, be stallions.
Heck, dude, what do you think?
And plus, that's just the tip of the iceberg. I got so many--
If you can't find a tag partner tonight,
I'll consider it.
[crowd cheering]
So you're telling me there's a chance.
Yeah!
Bro!
[Cole] That was earlier today,
and Matt Riddle is now apparently heading out to the arena.
So, did he get Drew to join him?
[Wade] Well, it would appear Drew seemed slightly reluctant,
but I guess it's going ahead.
["We Up" playing]
[bell dings]
[Samantha] The following is a tag-team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 216 pounds,
"The Original Bro"
Matt Riddle!
[Cole] Well, Riddle does appear fired up tonight.
Will Drew McIntyre join him?
As they take on the Viking Raiders. It's tag-team action.
[fireworks explode]
[Cole] Live, next, on Monday Night Raw.
They were raccoons.
Most of my life, if you asked me, "Who is Indi Hartwell?"
I struggled to find the answer.
But I've learned that it's not the mountain we conquer.
It's ourselves.
Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will,
and I am done with doubt.
I was put on this Earth to achieve greatness, to live my purpose,
and to do it courageously.
[commentator] This is Indi Hartwell's moment! Yes!
[Indi] I came from Melbourne, Australia,
for this moment, right here,
right now.
I am Indi Hartwell.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Now, last week, Indi Hartwell ended up as collateral damage
in the fight between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez.
Now the former NXT Women's Champion
takes on the toughest fight of her young career
when she takes on Rhea Ripley later on tonight.
You know, speaking of Rhea, she arrived at WrestleMania this year.
And speaking of WrestleMania next year, for the first time in 25 years,
WrestleMania comes to Philadelphia, the first Saturday and Sunday of April.
Tickets are available this coming Friday
for WrestleMania in Philadelphia.
And there's Matt Riddle, set for tag team action.
But who's his partner?
We know his opponents.
["Vicious" playing]
[Valhalla] Valhalla is here.
[Samantha] And his opponents, accompanied to the ring by Valhalla,
at a combined weight of 590 pounds,
Erik and Ivar,
The Viking Raiders!
[Cole] So the Viking Raiders, well, they had an open challenge here tonight,
which was accepted by Matt Riddle.
But Riddle doesn't have a partner.
[Wade] Well, he better hope he's got a partner.
Otherwise, this is going to be a handicap match,
and it's going to last about, mm, five seconds.
[Cole] Riddle solicited a Scottish warrior earlier today.
Erik, Ivar, Valhalla, they're very dangerous.
Viking Raiders, former Tag Team Champions
set for action here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] Couple of Norse savages looking to please the gods.
[Cole] I mean, to your point, though, Matt Riddle…
Come on, he can't go into this tag-team match two-on-one.
[Wade laughs] I mean, if that's going to be how this plays out,
Matt Riddle needs to start running right now, and not stop running…
until about three hours' time.
[Cole] Matt Riddle, of course, will never back down from a fight.
-No doubt about that. -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And I think that Riddle gets his wish.
[Wade] Well, maybe he's happy for more reasons than one.
["Gallantry" playing]
[Samantha] And making his way to the ring,
from Ayr, Scotland, weighing in at 275 pounds,
Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] The Scottish Warrior is here.
Matt Riddle asked McIntyre to join his team earlier today,
and I guess McIntyre's gonna oblige.
[Wade] One of very few people able to get a positive reaction
out of Drew at the minute.
I haven't heard from Drew since SummerSlam.
I've known Drew for about 20 years,
hasn't been answering my texts or calls.
Took that loss very badly, indeed.
[Cole] Not many people answer your texts or phone calls.
[Wade] Oh, I've changed my number. I don't get your texts anymore, Cole.
[Cole] So that's why you're not prepared for Raw every week.
[Wade laughs] Boom.
[Cole] McIntyre and Riddle set for tag-team action
against the Viking Raiders here tonight.
Gonna be interesting to see how Riddle and McIntyre get along
against a very established team like the Viking Raiders.
Riddle is trying to figure out names for this tag team.
How about The Scottish High-landers?
[Wade groans]
-Cole's got jokes tonight, huh? -[bell dings]
[Wade] I kind of like "Edin-bro."
It didn't quite work. Drew's not from Edinburgh, he's from Ayr.
But aside from that…
[Cole] And here now is Riddle with a--
Went for the shoulder tackle, and Ivar knocking him down.
[Wade] Just some unmatched level of barbarity coming your way now.
Accepting any form of matchup against the Viking Raiders
is foolhardy in my opinion.
[Cole] The double team by the Viking Raiders,
and Erik now goes on the attack of Riddle.
[Wade] McIntyre might not end up getting involved in the matchup,
the way this is looking.
[Riddle grunts]
[Cole] And now Erik, as he sends Riddle into the corner.
Riddle trying to fight out of this mess.
[Wade] The first minute of the match, and Riddle is already fighting for his life.
[Valhalla] Get him!
-[Riddle] Yeah! -[Cole] And now Riddle back to his feet.
Big thumbs up from Mr. McIntyre in the corner.
And Matt Riddle with a running forearm.
Oh, what a throw!
Matt Riddle fired up tonight.
[grunts]
[Cole] And now Riddle out to the apron.
Went for the kick, intercepted by Erik.
And shoulder-first onto the apron.
[Erik grunts]
[Cole] Now, Riddle sent into Ivar.
Sit-down Slam by Ivar.
The Raiders are rolling.
-[Valhalla roars] -[Riddle panting]
[Cole] Matt Riddle got his wish.
Drew McIntyre decided to team up with Riddle tonight
against the Viking Raiders.
The problem is, McIntyre is yet to get into this matchup.
Fingertips away now for Riddle.
Erik, though, slams him to the mat.
-Cover now, hook to the leg… -[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Kick out at two.
[Wade] Well, Riddle had a brief window to tag Drew early in the matchup,
decided not to take it,
and he's regretted that ever since.
[Cole] The Viking Raiders, doing what they do best.
Dominating their opponent, isolating him from the corner.
Look at the rapid elbows from Ivar to the side of the face of Riddle.
[Wade] Look at this, just inches away from that tag.
That really could have saved the day for Riddle,
got McIntyre in the matchup.
But you don't get a second chance
against these bloodthirsty, savage Viking Raiders.
[Cole] Yeah, prehistoric-like,
dragging Riddle across the ring by his hair.
And now, the double team by the Viking Raiders.
[Wade] Under the watchful eye of Valhalla.
The gods must be happy right now.
[Cole] McIntyre isn't, he's pacing on the apron,
wanting to tag into this matchup.
[Wade] McIntyre looking like a caged tiger over there,
nothing he can do to get involved.
[Cole] McIntyre told Riddle earlier tonight,
"If you can't find a partner, I'll help you out."
Here's the cover by Erik, hook to the leg, and a kick out.
[Wade] McIntyre and Riddle did briefly tag a few weeks ago against Imperium,
showed some chemistry back then.
But, right now, it's just one-way traffic.
And the Edin-bros,
might be one and done tonight.
[Riddle grunts]
[Cole] Riddle, though, oh, dropping Erik on the back of his neck.
Creates some space, perhaps an opportunity
to make a tag to Drew McIntyre.
[crowd cheering]
Erik makes the tag to Ivar,
Riddle gets to Drew, and here comes The Scottish Warrior.
-[crowd cheering] -[Wade] Roof just lifted off this place.
[Cole] Big shoulder tackle, followed by a clothesline
from the former WWE Champion.
And now a belly-to-belly throw by McIntyre.
[Wade] Who the hell throws Erik around like that?
Neckbreaker by McIntyre, and one to Erik as well.
-Flip up by Drew. -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Drew fired up!
-[Wade] Looking for the… -[Cole] Future Shock.
[groans]
[Cole] And backed into the corner now by Ivar.
[Wade] You look at the size of McIntyre.
They just don't make Scotsmen that big.
Must have some genetics going back to…
[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] …the Viking invasion of Scotland.
-[Cole] Michinoku Driver. -[crowd] One, two…
[Cole] And a kick out at two.
McIntyre trying to put him away.
[Wade] Ridiculous levels of explosive power from McIntyre.
Not many people will ever treat Ivar like that.
Hats off to Ivar kicking out.
-[Cole] Now, Erik… -[thuds]
[Cole] Brought into the ring by McIntyre, and Drew…
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Three, two, one!
He was looking for the Claymore,
and Ivar offered some interference, and Erik took advantage.
-[Wade] Beautiful strike to the jaw there. -[Cole] Tag.
[Wade] Nice landing from McIntyre,
getting that recently freshened-up bro back in there.
[Cole] Riddle, double-teamed by the Viking Raiders.
[Riddle] Whoa!
[Cole] Ivar launching himself off the second rope.
[Wade] Slip in the process, but the damage was done.
-One, two… -[Cole] Stacking up Riddle…
Kick out at two.
[Wade] You think if they nailed that as they had planned,
this one would have been over,
but Riddle lives to fight another day, but for how much longer?
[Cole] It's still impressive to see a man the size of Ivar, move the way he does.
Tag made to Erik, and now the Viking Raiders
looking to put Riddle away once and for all.
-[Erik grunts] -[Cole] Oh, Riddle with that flash knee.
Lands on his feet, McIntyre makes the tag.
Drew McIntyre's legal, Glasgow Kiss.
-[Erik grunts] -[Cole] A great throw by Erik.
And Riddle sends Erik outside the ring.
[grunts]
[Cole] Riddle now off the second rope!
[Wade] Enough of Ivar to put him down, maybe for good.
Don't celebrate too soon, bro.
[Cole] And McIntyre with a Claymore!
First it was the Floating Bro and then the Claymore by McIntyre.
-[bell dings] -[Cole] McIntyre and Riddle with the win.
[Samantha] Here are your winners,
the team of Matt Riddle and Drew McIntyre!
-[Cole] Impressive. -[Wade] Explosive ending to the matchup.
This one going all over the ring and outside,
but ultimately, it was the Claymore connecting
that got the job done.
[Cole] Riddle asked McIntyre to join his team tonight,
McIntyre obliged,
and Riddle and McIntyre have a victory over the Viking Raiders
here on Monday Night Raw.
Very impressive performance by Riddle and McIntyre.
[Wade] It's a bizarro type of chemistry.
But for Riddle and McIntyre, a big victory tonight,
and that could be a sign of things to come for the tag division.
Ladies and gentlemen, switching gears, want to talk about Raquel Rodriguez,
who cannot wait to get her hands on the Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley.
Rhea took out Raquel's friend and tag team partner, Liv Morgan,
before injuring Raquel Rodriguez's knee,
which led us to last week here on Raw.
Raquel, I appreciate what you're going through, but you heard him. You're close.
You're just not ready. Okay?
Hang in there.
[Cole] Raquel Rodriguez was not cleared to compete, but that didn't stop her.
She went after the Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley,
and the brawl, Wade, was underway.
[Wade] Anyone knows, Raquel Rodriguez knows,
it's going to take a lot more than a doctor's note to hold her back,
especially with the rage she's feeling with former friend, Rhea Ripley.
[Cole] And then, as Rhea and Raquel continue to brawl,
Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, Raquel Rodriguez's friends
would become collateral damage as the fight continued.
[all clamoring]
[man] Hey, hey, come on, hey!
-So good. -Yeah, you got this.
-What's up, guys? -Hey.
-Indi, big night? -Yeah.
Look, I tried my hardest to get clear today,
but they still will not to clear me.
Especially after last week,
I just, I am ready to just rip Rhea apart, and, you know, it's just something…
No, it's okay. You're gonna get your chance.
You'll get your chance. Just be patient.
-Yeah. -Okay? You got this.
Indi, tonight's your night.
Go out and show the WWE Universe who you are.
-Buena suerte, chiquita. -[in English] Thanks.
-You got it. -[exhales]
♪ This is my brutality ♪
[Cole] Good luck, Indi Hartwell, because this is what stands in your way.
She's The Eradicator.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
♪ The demons in your dreams ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
[bell dings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
accompanied by the NXT North American Champion, Dominik Mysterio,
representing The Judgment Day,
she is the Women's World Champion,
Rhea Ripley!
[Cole] You know, it's not often, Wade,
that you get an opportunity against the champion.
Indi Hartwell's got to seize the moment.
[Wade] Well, in my book,
you have to be absolutely insane to want to take on Rhea Ripley.
Is Indi Hartwell ready for this step-up in competition?
Is any woman prepared to take on Rhea Ripley?
We'll find out what the Women's World Champion has in store
for her opponent, because it's coming up next,
right here on Raw.
[Cole] Can anybody stop Rhea Ripley?
♪ Six feet deep, brutality ♪
Yo, man, we were unstoppable out there.
You were hitting Claymores, I was doing my thing, dude--
We're very good, the Viking Raiders are no joke.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's pump the brakes.
I feel ya, I feel ya.
But at the end of the day, my beak has got a hunch,
and I think we're gonna win those WWE Tag Team Championships.
-Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa! -[exclaiming]
Didn't we hear you say you're gonna become Tag Team Champions?
And you say this on Kofi Kingston's boating birthday?
Wow! First, you take my ankle, and now this?
How dare you?
Well, happy birthday, Kofi. But what's this all about?
You guys are back. This is awesome. What do you guys want?
Look, man, you were talking about the Glas-bros.
The Glas-bros aren't a thing. You are not a team. You guys aren't even friends.
You think that just because you win one match together
that you guys are eligible for the Tag Team Championship?
That's not how… the way it works. I mean, what--
Has the whole tag team division gone crazy, or is it me?
We leave for a few short months and everybody starts losing their minds.
Shinsuke is kicking Seth. Jimmy is kicking Jey.
The Street Profits think they're Cedric and Shelton.
-What the hell is going on here? -I know exactly how we fix this problem.
How about Matt Riddle and Big D Drew McIntyre
take on your boys, the New Day, next week on Raw,
and we find out exactly who is going to make a run
at those…
[both] W-W-E
World Tag Team Championships!
What do you say?
-Drew, I got this one. -[chuckles]
The Glas-bros, gladly accept, bro, and it's on.
[laughs]
-You know where it goes, right? -Y'all done messed up now, bro.
-[Kofi continues indistinctly] -Dude, we got this.
We got this.
-[Kofi] Next time, move your boat. -[Xavier] Move your boat.
I don't even have a boat.
[Kofi] Next time! That's gonna be awesome.
[Cole] Sign me up for that tag-team match next week.
[Wade] I like Xavier Woods' new haircut. Let's talk about that.
[Cole] And there is the Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley,
and her Dom Dom, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio.
Rhea's set for action here on Monday Night Raw.
["Impressive" playing]
[Wade] You didn't like Xavier Woods' new haircut then?
[Cole] I loved it. I saw it earlier.
I was just moving on. That's called a segue, Wade.
[Wade] All right. No, you ignored me. That's what that's called.
[Samantha] And her opponent, accompanied to the ring by Candice LeRae,
from Melbourne, Australia,
Indi Hartwell!
[Cole] Big opportunity for Indi Hartwell tonight.
Earlier today, Wade and I had the opportunity to talk to Indi,
and she talked about the fact that
she first met Rhea Ripley in Australia, 11 years ago.
She's sort of been one step behind Rhea
throughout her entire career,
and she said, "I'm going to catch up.
I'm going to win that championship."
[Wade] I like the fact that Indi has that attitude.
She wants to prove she belongs at the same level as Rhea,
who's really kind of shared a pathway throughout her career as you mentioned.
However, if you compare yourself to Rhea Ripley,
999 times out of 1,000,
it's not going to look good,
because Rhea is a once-in-a-generation star.
[Cole] No doubt about that, as she's tossing Indi around the ring.
Candice LeRae… There's Dominik.
Candice LeRae, out in support of Indi Hartwell.
They've known each other for a long time.
As Rhea Ripley just punishes Indi Hartwell.
[Wade] Rhea Ripley has left a trail of bodies in her wake,
and there might be one more added here.
[Indi grunts]
[Cole] And Rhea, dominating the former NXT Women's Champion.
Merely going into this matchup…
Indi whipped across the ring with authority by Ripley,
who drives a shoulder into her stomach.
-[groans] -[Cole] Big chop.
[Wade] Indi just unable to get out of the blocks this evening,
against a laser-focused Rhea Ripley.
[Cole] She's just been so dominant, has Rhea, Wade.
[Wade] I mean, the problem is Indi Hartwell
has essentially stuck her nose in the business of The Judgment Day,
specifically Rhea Ripley, by coming out to defend her friend.
[Cole] And, oh! And Rhea now goes shoulder-first into the post,
and Dominik's expression says it all.
Indi Hartwell with an opportunity here.
Resilient, perseverant throughout her career.
Not afraid to try to make a name for herself, like tonight.
Can you imagine if she can knock off the Women's Champion?
Oh, spinbuster! Down goes Rhea, gonna stack her up,
is Indi-- And a kick out by Ripley.
[Wade] Indi Hartwell has proven in her past
she's capable of doing it in the big moment.
She's won gold in NXT on more than one on occasion,
something that Rhea Ripley knows all too well about.
And if she pulls off the shocker of all shockers tonight,
it will really put her name on the map.
-[referee] Bring it into the ring! -[Cole] Outside the ring.
-[thuds] -[Cole] Driven into the post.
You want to hit me, Indi, huh?
-[man in crowd] There you go. -[Rhea Ripley grunts]
[Cole] Now a refocused Ripley,
as she mocks Candice LeRae,
and drives Indi spine-first into the ring post.
[Wade] Candice LeRae, something of a mentor to Indi Hartwell.
Very little she can do at this point to help Indi's predicament.
[Cole] Rhea just taking her time, as she continues dismantling Hartwell.
And now blasting Candice LeRae!
[Wade] Just as Candice was yelling
some motivational instruction over to Indi Hartwell.
Of course, The Eradicator is going to capitalize.
A momentary distraction is all it takes, oh--
[Cole] A roll-up now by Hartwell, almost stole one there.
And Rhea made her pay.
[Wade] Simply annoyed Rhea Ripley,
-and this… is goodnight. -[Cole] Riptide.
[referee] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner, the Women's World Champion,
Rhea Ripley!
[Cole] As dominant as they come,
Rhea Ripley on a major roll here in WWE.
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Candice LeRae attacking Rhea Ripley.
And Candice may rue the day she did that.
[Wade] She did it last week.
Fortunately, for her, this week, it was Indi who was the victim.
-But no, turning it around. -[Cole] Face-first goes Ripley.
And now a double team by LeRae and Hartwell.
And as Dominik comes to Rhea's aid,
Hartwell and Candice LeRae
move out of harm's way.
[Wade] Hartwell and Candice LeRae are very wise to get out of Dodge
while the going is still good, because we all know Rhea Ripley,
-and we know there may be some payback… -You hit me!
…heading in the direction of those two ladies in the not too distant future.
Indeed, a very dominant Rhea Ripley, who's not making many friends here in WWE.
Neither is Shinsuke Nakamura.
Just ask Seth Rollins.
Let's take you back to last week, Monday Night Raw.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Cole] Standing tall here tonight,
the World Champion, Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes,
Shinsuke Nakamura, and Sami Zayn as well.
-Wait a minute! -[Wade] Oh!
[Cole] A Kinshasa from Nakamura to Rollins.
[dramatic music playing]
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[Samantha] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Cole] For the past week, the world has been asking the question,
"Why? Why did Shinsuke Nakamura do what he did to a man
"that he's respected his entire career,
one Seth "Freakin" Rollins?"
Well, coming up next on Monday Night Raw,
I will go face-to-face with Shinsuke Nakamura and ask him
why did he attack Seth Rollins?
Live, next.
[Wade] Welcome back to Raw.
Judgment Day, they seem to be back on track.
Finn Bálor warming up,
given some final words of encouragement from Damian Priest.
Rhea and Dom not back yet
after her exploits in the ring a few moments ago.
Bálor, Rhodes still to come tonight,
but now, over to my broadcast colleague, Michael Cole,
in ring with Shinsuke Nakamura.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the "King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura.
[crowd cheering]
Shin, you've known Seth Rollins your entire career.
You guys have had a tremendous respect for each other.
So, why on earth
did you attack Seth Rollins last week?
[man in crowd] 'Cause he's strong style!
I…
I, uh…
[speaking Japanese]
[crowd in English] What?
I want…
the World Title.
[crowd] What?
Okay, Shin, with that said,
did you need to kick him in the head?
Why?
[speaking Japanese]
[crowd in English] What?
[continues in Japanese]
[crowd in English] What?
[continues in Japanese]
[crowd in English] What?
I win…
the World Title--
♪ Burn it down! ♪
-[crowd cheering] -["Visionary" playing]
[crowd vocalizing]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheers wildly]
[laughing]
[Cole] Well, the one thing we learned is it's…
about the World Heavyweight Championship,
at least to Shinsuke Nakamura.
[crowd vocalizing]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheering]
Michael, you did a great job. I think I will take it from here.
Winnipeg!
[crowd cheering]
Welcome to Monday Night…
[all] Rollins!
[crowd vocalizing]
You know, Shinsuke,
I got to hand it to you, man.
Last week, you played it to perfection.
You set me up,
and you knocked me out.
[crowd booing]
And all in the name of the World Heavyweight Championship.
Argh! That seems too obvious.
It sounds to me, like you're not telling us the entire truth,
because, Shinsuke, in case you couldn't tell,
I'm not hard to find.
[crowd cheering]
[Seth] As a matter of fact, every single week,
I stand right here in the center of this ring,
dressed to the nines, World Title around my waist,
with the entire world singing my song.
[crowd vocalizing]
[man 1 in crowd] Burn it down!
[vocalizing stops]
And in case you weren't aware,
I'm a fighting champion.
And as a fighting champion
that up until last week had the utmost respect for you.
If you wanted a crack at my title,
all you had to do it…
was ask.
But you didn't ask. You didn't ask.
You kicked me right in the face.
And now, for a week, everybody's been asking why.
"Why, Shinsuke?
"Why, Shinsuke? Why, Shinsuke?
Why, Shinsuke? Why?"
But I am less concerned with why
you kicked me in the face,
and more concerned
with how I can get even.
[man 2 in crowd] Fight!
[Seth] Mm.
But I got a surprise for you, Shin.
I got a surprise for you, Shinsuke.
You win.
You win, because it occurred to me
that the best way for me to get what I want,
is to give you what you want.
And, so, if your ambush last week was a challenge,
well, challenge accepted. [cackles]
[Seth] And so it will be,
the "King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura
against "The Visionary" Seth "Freakin" Rollins
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[crowd cheering]
You name the time, Shin, you name the place, Shin,
and I will be there to kick your ass.
[crowd cheering]
And now that we both have what we want,
why don't we give the people what they want?
How about you grow a set,
you shake my hand like a man,
you get the hell out of my ring,
and you let Winnipeg sing my song?
[crowd vocalizing]
[imperceptible conversation]
["Visionary" playing]
[Cole] Well, Shinsuke Nakamura gets what he wants,
but the question is, Wade, whatever he just whispered to Seth Rollins…
-[Wade] Whatever it was… -[Cole] …seems concerning to the champion.
And another Kinshasa!
Nakamura from behind!
Whatever he said to Rollins,
allowed Rollins to take his eye off the ball,
and Nakamura once again struck with a Kinshasa
to the World Heavyweight Champion.
-["The Rising Sun" playing] -Perhaps Nakamura has Rollins' number.
That's it. The enigmatic Japanese superstar
once again is just one step ahead
of the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins.
Seth Rollins said it will happen,
the World Heavyweight Championship match against Shinsuke Nakamura.
Also here on Monday Night Raw, quite the rivalry developing
between SmackDown superstar LA Knight and the Miz from here on Raw.
I am the main event, and you are not on my level!
So if you think I'm not on your level,
why don't you prove me wrong? I ain't going anywhere.
-[crowd cheering] -[mic thuds]
[Cole] Remember, Miz was ticked off, because LA Knight
had eliminated him from the SummerSlam Battle Royal.
[Wade] Well, when a megastar and an A-Lister collide,
those two giant egos are never going to mesh well.
Miz thought he had the best of the megastar,
but a BFT changed that attitude real quick.
Right now, I'd like to welcome the Miz.
[crowd booing]
Miz, I appreciate you joining me.
I wanted to ask you about the altercation you had last week--
What do you mean?
Oh, you mean how I verbally tore down LA Knight,
showcasing that I'm not only better than him on the mic,
but also in the ring?
Well, actually, LA Knight shook your hand--
I did not… shake his hand.
He does not deserve to shake my hand.
What, Byron, are you a… are you an LA Knight guy now?
Are you buying his merchandise?
You're on the bandwagon?
You think because he beat Top Dolla on SmackDown,
that he's actually somebody?
-Yeah. -Don't say, "Yeah!"
Let me explain something to you and everybody else.
Next week, on Monday Night Raw, I'm going to beat somebody.
Somebody who is bigger, faster, stronger, more dominant
than any opponent that LA Knight has ever faced in his entire career.
And who knows?
I might even show up on SmackDown.
Or I might not.
Either way, you know what it's gonna be?
Yeah.
I mean… awesome?
Yeah.
[Trish giggles] I don't care what y'all say.
["Time To Rock & Roll" playing]
[Cole] If Miz does come to SmackDown, Friday night,
it's in Toronto, the hometown of this woman, the Hall of Famer.
[bell dings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
WWE Hall of Famer,
Trish Stratus!
[Cole] Make no mistake about it.
This all started when Trish Stratus double crossed Becky Lynch
a number of months ago in a Tag Team Championship match.
It'll finally happen.
Becky gets her hands on Trish Stratus
with Trish's protégé, Zoey Stark, banned from ringside.
It's live and it's next, on Monday Night Raw.
Monday Night Raw is in the Great White North tonight,
the home of the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL.
This is Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada,
as we get set for the matchup that we've been waiting weeks
to finally happen on an even playing field,
Hall of Famer Trish Stratus versus Becky Lynch
coming up in a matter of moments.
We'll celebrate groundbreaking WWE superstars
with this commemorative Elite Collection box set from Mattel.
Recreate iconic WWE moments with Hulk Hogan, Rocky Maivia,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Becky Lynch deluxe action figures.
Pre-order the WWE Then, Now, Forever Together 4-pack at target.com,
and make your collection elite.
I wonder what Trish Stratus thinks about the fact
that Becky has a deluxe action figure.
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[Samantha] And her opponent from Dublin, Ireland,
"The Man" Becky Lynch!
[Cole] You know, Wade, you are looking really at two trailblazers,
two icons for their generations.
Trish Stratus, of course, put women's wrestling on the map here at WWE,
a seven-time World Champion, a Hall of Famer.
And of course, Becky Lynch, a six-time Women's Champion,
who really was the main part of the women's evolution here in WWE.
[Wade] You ain't lying.
"Two generational trailblazing icons" sum it up.
The issue being, only one of them,
and that's the Irish lady you're looking at right there,
seems to get any respect around here.
And I'll tell you this, a personal story.
Once upon a time, a very young Wade Barrett bought a ticket
for a WWE show in the UK,
exclusively because he wanted a close up view of Trish Stratus.
So let me say it. Thank you, Trish.
[Cole] Yeah, no doubt about it, Trish Stratus, one of the all-time greats.
But some jealousy has seemed to have set in as of late,
doesn't want to share the spotlight
with some of the up-and-coming superstars of the new generation.
-Like one Becky Lynch. -[bell dings]
[Wade] Nonsense.
Trish just wants the new generation
to do what I just did, and say thank you occasionally.
Would it really hurt Becky Lynch to do that?
[Cole] It seems the Canadians here in Winnipeg
really seemed like the Irish in this matchup.
Of course, remember, Zoey Stark, the protégé of Trish Stratus
banned from ringside in this match. And we're underway.
Lynch driving the Hall of Famer into the corner, shoulders to the midsection.
[Wade] Well, this is exactly what Becky Lynch
has waited months and months for clearly.
Trish Stratus in no particular state to compete right now,
but gutting it out despite requiring that face mask.
[Cole] A lot of speculation of whether or not
Trish still needs to wear that protective face covering,
as she's driven into the turnbuckle by Becky Lynch.
[Wade] Speculation from the haters, the naysayers,
and the guttersnipe like Michael Cole.
[Cole] Remember, Becky and Lita were once the Tag Team Champions.
Lita was taken out, Trish stepped in.
Oh, now using the mask as a weapon,
driving Becky Lynch back toward the corner.
As Trish Stratus would step into a match with Becky, they would lose,
and then Trish would do the unthinkable.
Lower the boom and attack Becky Lynch.
[Wade] You mentioned the early days of Trish Stratus' career, 20, 25 years ago.
A long time ago now, she made very many mistakes back then.
She was too nice, took people at face value.
This is an industry full of snakes and rats.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Wade] Backstabbers.
Once Trish figured that out, she's better than ever.
[Cole] Becky able to block, and now Becky Lynch…
And Trish Stratus with some elbows well placed to the jaw.
Missed with the big kick.
Locked by Becky, Becky turns it into a Bexploder Suplex.
[Wade] Just as quick reactions as there are in this game
from Becky Lynch-- Oh!
[Cole] And now, Becky with a baseball slide to Stratus, and--
-Get up! Get up! -[Cole] The Lass Kicker has taken over.
[Wade] Becky's got that look of intensity in her eyes.
[Cole] Oh, and down goes Trish Stratus.
Well, Becky as well tired of being disrespected.
[Wade] Well, it was fun and games with lemonade at ringside last week,
but this is the other side of Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus,
wisely putting as much distance as she can
between her and The Man.
[Cole] Oh, now in retreat before she stops Becky dead in her tracks.
Trish Stratus knows every single trick in the book.
[Wade] Trish is looking a little disheveled, but not broken.
[Cole] Really, the first main event in a women's division,
here on Monday Night Raw many years ago.
Ooh, and now, bounced face-first off the apron.
And Trish trying to somehow retreat from Becky.
And Becky is just bringing the fight tonight, Wade.
[Wade] Well, Trish Stratus is currently getting the beating
of her long and storied career
at the hands of the Lass Kicker.
[Cole] This should've happened weeks ago
before Zoey Stark got involved in the match.
Uh-oh! Look out, Trish!
Trish has lost her protective face covering.
[Wade] Stop the match, ref.
Nice job. Really nice job.
[Cole] And Trish Stratus taking advantage.
[Wade] That one little beat was all Trish Stratus needed.
[Cole] Cover by Trish. Hook to the leg for the win,
and Becky able to kick out.
[Wade] Make no mistake, Becky Lynch is hurting now, though.
[Cole] Make no mistake as well, Wade,
this is a very important matchup for Becky.
She's wanted it for weeks and weeks now,
wanting to finally take out the Hall of Famer Trish Stratus.
She really needs to get the job done as she's driven hip-first into the steps.
[Wade] Becky Lynch got exactly what she wanted.
There's no Zoey Stark at ringside.
And even so, Trish Stratus now has the upper hand.
[Cole] And a frantic pace in the early going.
Oh! Perfect!
-[Cole] Oh, it's a miracle. -[Wade] It's brilliant. It's all a ruse.
[Cole] Oh, trying to use the mask as a weapon,
and Becky Lynch able to interfere.
[Wade] We'd seen that trick many years ago against Lita
in a famous main event on Raw.
[Cole] Didn't work tonight, though, did it?
[Wade] Speak so soon, Michael Cole.
[scattered chanting] Becky! Becky!
[Cole] And Trish now, with Becky Lynch thrown to the corner.
Trish Stratus is dominating. Can Becky get back in this?
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
Trish Stratus, the Hall of Famer, versus Becky Lynch,
as Becky looks to rally in this one-on-one matchup here tonight.
Here comes Becky.
[Wade] We have been getting a war in that ring
between these two.
Becky, now with the upper hand,
but both women dropping heavy bombs on one another.
[Cole] Yeah, no love lost between these two.
Becky Lynch is going to finally put Trish Stratus away.
[Wade] Getting to that point in a matchup, it really becomes a cardio event.
Who can dig the deepest?
And right now, you have to say that looks like Becky Lynch.
[Cole] You may have noticed
no more protective face covering for Trish Stratus.
It was all a ruse, as we found out earlier on.
Becky now… Is it enough to put Trish away?
Drags her away from the ropes, and a kick out at two by Stratus.
[Wade] That's a weak kick out from Trish Stratus there, though.
There is not much left in the tank.
Becky Lynch completely dominant at this point.
[Cole] Wicked leg drop by Becky from the top rope,
and now she's in control.
Becky Lynch, the six-time Women's Champion,
former Tag Team Champion,
former Royal Rumble winner.
And Trish Stratus, though, rolls through, shoulders down, looking for the win here…
Becky's got a kick at two.
Sent across the ring, oh, and Trish Stratus with a spear,
-takes Becky out for the victory-- -One, two--
[Cole] Becky's got a kick at two-and-a-half.
[Wade] Spear from Trish, shades of the fellow Canadian Rated-R Superstar,
who we're going to see on SmackDown this week against Sheamus.
[Cole] Yeah, Edge celebrating his 25th anniversary.
And a big right hand by Trish Stratus.
[Wade] Right now, Becky Lynch on jelly legs.
[Cole] Matchup as even as they come.
Trish, now off the second rope.
Can she put Becky away?
Becky able to counter.
[Wade] Becky, just enough in the tank to able to block that.
[both grunting]
[Cole] Becky planning here, as Trish is perched up on the top rope.
[Wade] Match is just turning into such a scramble,
both women giving it everything.
[Cole] We knew it was going to be.
So much trash talk over the past number of weeks…
[Wade] One Hall of Famer, one future Hall of Famer,
something has to give.
[Cole] Trish from the top rope.
Becky Lynch looking to put her away, superplex!
-Cover by Becky for the win. -[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Trish at two!
[Wade] And hats off to Trish Stratus.
Twenty to 25 years, she's been doing this at the very top level.
Moves like this, this deep in a matchup from Becky Lynch,
still, somehow, with the wherewithal to kick out.
[Cole] Those doubts start to creep in now if you're Becky.
[Wade] It has to!
Against most opponents at this point, Becky would be home and dry.
Especially against someone who, theoretically, has been running away.
-And just as I say that… -[Cole] Speak of running…
Trish Stratus looking to retreat, Becky Lynch won't let it happen.
And Becky now, driven over the barricade into the WWE Universe.
[Wade] There's a plot. Suckered Becky in,
and then sprung the trap.
[Cole] And now, Trish out into the audience as well.
And Becky and Trish fighting in front of the WWE fans
-here in Winnipeg tonight. -[bell dinging]
[Cole] They both, I believe, have been counted out.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] The official reaching a count of ten.
I think we've got a double count out of the matchup, but it doesn't matter.
Both these women continue to brawl throughout the arena.
[Wade] Well, the venom and bile that exists between these two superstars
just goes to show it's more than just winning a match.
It is about maiming your opponent tonight for these two women.
[Cole] Now Trish and Becky climbing up the stairs, continuing to throw blows.
[crowd clamoring]
[Wade] Elbows and fists flying everywhere. If I was this fan base, I'd move back.
[Cole] But, Wade, this is what this rivalry has come to.
Trish and Becky, they've lost complete respect for each other.
They're now fighting out in the WWE Universe,
way up the stairs.
[Wade] Starting to get a little gruesome out there now.
The entire arena being used
to aid and abet the attacks on both women.
[Cole] And now, I believe they've…
They've made their way out to the concourse area.
[Wade] Hurry up, cameraman.
[Cole] Out near the food stands. Trish driven into the wall!
And the officials there, trying to explain to Becky it's over.
Becky doesn't give a damn.
Becky continuing to bring the fight to Trish.
[Wade] Becky Lynch has been in this game long enough
to know full well the match is over.
We might need some security guards to tear these two apart.
[Cole] Well, this is about beating some respect into each other.
[indistinct shouting]
[Wade] No quarter asked, no quarter given by either woman.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Cole] I don't believe I've ever seen merchandise used in quite this manner.
[Wade] I want that T-shirt.
[crowd chanting] Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky!
[Cole] Wait a minute! From behind…
That's Zoey Stark.
[Wade] Zoey Stark was banned from ringside.
Guess what? We're nowhere near the ringside anymore.
[Cole] And the match is over, so it doesn't matter.
Zoey Stark, the protégé of Trish Stratus.
-[Wade] How is Becky Lynch still fighting? -[Cole] Chick Kick.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And this two-on-one assault has finally taken out Becky Lynch.
Trish and Zoey are celebrating.
[crowd chanting] Trish! Trish! Trish!
Thank you! You're welcome!
[Cole] And will this man be celebrating later tonight?
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
is in action against Finn Bálor of Judgment Day.
Will Cody get the job done or will Finn stand tall?
We find out live, next.
Earlier tonight on Raw,
the number one contender for Gunther's Intercontinental Championship, Chad Gable
against Imperium stablemate of Gunther, of Giovanni Vinci,
Chaos Theory would give Mr. Gable the victory.
[Wade] A superb victory from Gable,
sending a message to his future opponent,
the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther, who was stood at ringside.
Gunther, far from impressed.
[Cole] Yeah. And then he would challenge Gable's partner, Otis, to a matchup.
And just check out the power of Gunther.
[Wade] This is simply ludicrous.
Who the hell can powerbomb someone the size of Otis?
There's your answer. "The Ring General" Gunther.
[Cole] But you've got to give Gable credit.
Showing Gunther, "Hey, I'm ready to take on you
for the Intercontinental Championship."
Shoosh!
[speaking German]
[crowd booing]
[in English] I have heard enough.
Tonight was an absolute embarrassment.
Gio, tell me, what should I do with you? Huh?
Ever since we came to Raw, you have been disappointing me.
And you…
You neglected all your responsibilities out there,
because you were focused on that girl.
What's the matter with that? What's more important, huh?
You tell me.
I understand. I apologize.
It should have… [sighs] It should've never happened in the first place.
But I guarantee you, it will never, ever happen again.
And you know what? Let me make this right.
Let me fix this. I will go up to Adam Pearce right now,
-set it up, and I'm gonna destroy-- -You will not!
You will not go to Adam Pearce, because I will.
Because like I always do, I will sort this out by myself.
If Chad Gable wants my title,
he'll have to take it off me next week.
Ooh! Chad Gable versus Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship next week on Raw?
Do not screw this up, Adam Pearce!
We're in Quebec City next week for Monday Night Raw.
Well, earlier tonight, just a few moments ago,
was Becky Lynch, Trish Stratus one-on-one.
Now, remember, Zoey Stark, Trish Stratus' protégé,
was banned from ringside during the match, but it was a double count out.
Trish and Becky would fight up into the concession stand area,
where Zoey Stark would attack again.
[Wade] And I think we both know "The Man" Becky Lynch,
you're not gonna leave it at this, are you?
I don't think Becky Lynch takes a beating lying down.
There will be hell to pay for Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark.
-Now we're finished. Bye-bye, Becky Lynch. -Boom.
-Excuse me, Trish, Zoey, could I get a-- -[Adam] Trish!
Excuse me, Jackie, I apologize. What the hell was that?
-The match, the re-match. -You know what? Save it.
You're gonna tell me she wasn't at ringside?
-She wasn't at ringside. -I get it.
You know, we have promised Stratus and Lynch a couple of times,
and you wiggle out of it every time.
So I guess-- Shut it for a minute.
I guess we're gonna do it again.
This time, there's not gonna be any running
and any outside interference,
because the next time we do this match, we're doing it in a steel cage.
Oh, no, we're not. What are you talking about?
-We need to talk about this. -I did not sign up for this.
[indistinct conversation]
[Wade] That is absolutely outrageous and unfair to Trish Stratus.
[Cole] Great call by Adam Pearce. Let's do this in a steel cage!
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
[rapid explosions]
♪ And my father said when I was younger… ♪
[bell dings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] Cody Rhodes took care of the Brock Lesnar problem at SummerSlam.
He now seems to have himself
an issue with Judgement Day.
[Wade] When you're the name the size of Cody Rhodes,
the star that he is,
there's constantly problems lurking around every corner.
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[Cole] Finn Bálor said earlier tonight that it's time to make things right.
It is time to get Judgment Day back on the same page
and on top at WWE.
Coming up next, Bálor, Rhodes,
live on Monday Night Raw.
♪ A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
[Wade] "The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre
and "The Original Bro" Matt Riddle's foray into the tag division
was a rousing success earlier tonight.
Could a run at the tag team titles be in their sights?
If so, they're going to face stiff competition
as they take on one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history,
New Day, next week on Raw.
[Cole] Also next week on Monday Night Raw, it is official,
Gunther's near record-setting championship reign will be up for grabs,
as he takes on Chad Gable with the Intercontinental Title on the line.
Meanwhile, our main event here tonight, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
set for one-on-one action.
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
["I Am Danger" playing]
[Samantha] And his opponent, representing The Judgment Day,
from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland,
Finn Bálor!
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, as Bálor gets set to take on Cody Rhodes,
we want to point you to this coming Friday.
Tickets available for WrestleMania next April in Philadelphia.
For the first time in a quarter of a century,
WrestleMania comes to the City of Brotherly Love.
Tickets available this coming Friday.
You know, Wade, earlier tonight, Rhea Ripley said that Judgment Day
seemed to be losing its killer instinct.
Finn Bálor said, "It is time to make things right.
I start tonight against Cody Rhodes."
[Wade] Well, if you start talking about this industry,
over the years, we've seen various groups and dissension in the ranks.
Nothing pulls the units back together again like success,
and if Finn Bálor can score a huge W
against the man who conquered The Beast at SummerSlam, Cody Rhodes,
The Judgment Day will be back,
firing on all cylinders by the end of tonight.
[Cole] It was interesting earlier tonight that Cody Rhodes
was trying to drive even more of a division
between the members of Judgment Day,
putting over their own personal accolades.
The fact that Rhea's the Women's Champion,
Dominik's the North American Champion, Priest, Mr. Money in the Bank.
Finn, well, a great leader, according to Cody Rhodes.
-And, of course, don't-- -[Wade laughs] How dismiss--
What, a great leader? The guy who has led
the three aforementioned superstars in The Judgment Day
to massive success? Yeah.
I'd say that's pretty damn impressive and selfless from Finn Bálor.
[Cole] But Bálor doesn't have any gold, and that is the point Cody was getting at,
and it still still sticks to Finn Bálor
that he hasn't been able to get the job done
and win the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Wade laughs] That says more about Cody Rhodes than it does Finn Bálor.
Number one, Cody feels like he has to
get in the head of Finn Bálor by using tactics like that.
Number two, I don't see a championship belt
on the waist of Cody Rhodes either.
[Cole] Cover by Bálor, and a kick out.
Now, Finn Bálor goes to work,
working the left arm of "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
[Wade] Well, I like Cody a lot, but I've got to defend Finn on that one.
That's an egregiously incorrect statement for Cody to come out with.
Even I'm angry on that one.
[Cole] What incorrect statement? Finn Bálor is not a champion, Wade.
And that's been the biggest issue,
and perhaps people will say
the biggest issue within the the problems with Judgment Day.
The fact that Bálor has not been able to win the gold
that everybody else pretty much has on the other side of the coin.
[Wade] Well, put it this way. You knock off Cody Rhodes tonight,
for my money, you're due another championship opportunity of some form.
Part of the problem is, there's so much gold in The Judgment Day,
it means there's less for Finn to go out and win on behalf of them.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes now, vertical suplex applied to Finn Bálor.
Look at this, blood rushing to the skull of Bálor, face-first.
[Wade] It just goes to show Cody Rhodes has got himself in supreme physical shape,
the shape of his career, the kind of shape that allows you to do the impossible
and defeat someone like Brock Lesnar.
[Cole] Finn went for a leap frog, Cody caught him, and he raked the eyes.
The official, Rod Zapata, did not see it.
Bálor using his body to block,
and now, Cody Rhodes hauling himself back into the ring.
And a side russian leg sweep to Finn.
Into the cover, forearm to the face, and a kick out by Bálor.
[Wade] Finn Bálor is better than that.
Do not turn your back on Cody Rhodes for a second.
Make sure the job is done.
[Cole] I also want to see where JD McDonagh
fits into all this with The Judgment Day.
He seems to be trying to cause friction within the group,
playing on his longtime friendship with Finn Bálor.
[Wade] Nonsense. Looking how things have played out of the course this evening,
I would say JD McDonagh has helped bring the group closer together.
[Cole] Ah, classic Cody Rhodes there.
Bálor rolls through, though, with a basement dropkick.
Bálor buys himself a little bit of time.
So, you don't think there's any--
Damian Priest came out here tonight, started Monday Night Raw off,
and admitted, Wade, that there has been a communication issue
within The Judgment Day.
[Wade] Yeah, and now,
three hours later on, two-and-a-half hours later on, whatever it is,
the team seem closer than they were at the start of the night,
and I would put some thanks on the name of JD McDonagh for that.
He's been playing the message boy.
He's done a great job, I'm sure Finn Bálor appreciates it.
And they might not yet, but the rest of Judgment Day eventually will.
[Cole] Rhea Ripley has also been directing traffic as well in that group.
As Bálor, now, has taken control of this match over Cody Rhodes.
[Wade] Well, the truth is, there's been a slow,
drawn out implosion of The Bloodline over on SmackDown,
and what that leads to, is potentially a power vacuum opening up,
and The Judgment Day, should they be able to get back on track,
could be the ones to exploit that power vacuum.
[Cole] Cover by Bálor, and a kick out.
However, like we've seen within The Bloodline,
ego is a powerful thing,
and can split friendships and even family.
Perhaps that is what could be occurring within Judgment Day.
-[crowd] Let's go, Cody! -Bálor continues to pressure on Rhodes,
as the "Let's go, Cody" chants
ring through the arena here tonight in Winnipeg,
as Bálor continues to ground Rhodes.
[Wade] Finn Bálor doesn't care about chants.
He cares about getting the job done in the ring,
the nuts and bolts of this industry.
And right now, he's outthinking,
and outmaneuvering "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] And Cody Rhodes came off an absolutely historic,
an absolutely courageous effort at SummerSlam
against "The Beast" Brock Lesnar,
to the point where Lesnar actually shook Cody's hand.
[Wade] I've watched that back 20 times, and I still keep expecting an F5,
and it never comes.
[Cole] It shows the respect that Lesnar has for the performance from Cody.
Bálor, now across the ring. Rhodes catches him with a knee to the midsection.
[Wade] When I think of the kind of two weeks
these two superstars in particular have had,
they must have injuries, pains all over their body.
But they're battling through in tonight's main event.
[Cole] You know better than anyone, Wade, it's part of the job here in WWE.
You look to climb the ladder, position yourself for a championship.
And look who's here.
Dirty Dom of The Judgment Day.
Wondered how long it was going to take to get them involved.
And Bálor takes advantage.
Finn Bálor has taken control, thanks to Dominik and Rhea.
[referee shouting indistinctly]
[Cole] We're back live on Monday Night Raw.
Finn Bálor is picking apart Cody Rhodes,
thanks in part to the fact that Dominik and Rhea Ripley
decided to make their way down to ringside,
and cause a distraction for Cody Rhodes.
Um, where is Mr. Money in the Bank, or Señor Money in the Bank, Damian Priest?
[Wade] He's enjoying the magic that The Judgment Day
are gifting to the world right now.
They're all back on track.
They're looking good. Finn Bálor's in control.
You've got the WWE power couple at ringside.
[Cole] Wasn't Damian the one out here earlier tonight complaining over the fact
that The Judgment Day wasn't being seen as this solid, cohesive unit?
[Wade] He was, and then he helped Finn Bálor later in the night
warm up and prep for this matchup,
which Finn Bálor is doing an incredible job of.
So, yeah, I'd say, things are feeling pretty good in The Judgment Day, Cole.
-Despite your attempts to drag them down. -[Cole] You'd be a great PR man.
[Wade] Thank you very much.
Cody blocks the right, and now Cody Rhodes fighting back against Finn Bálor.
Left hands by Cody.
And homage-- Oh, and Finn Bálor, though, with a kick to the midsection.
[Wade] Finn Bálor don't care about your homage.
[Cole] And Cody-- Down goes Bálor.
Cody Rhodes lands on his feet. Powerslam.
Oh, and Cody caught him with a Disaster Kick!
Here's the cover on Bálor for the win, and a kick out at two.
[Wade] Cody Rhodes has been under the cosh in this one,
but it looks like he's found some of the indefatigable spirit
that he's made his own in the past few years.
Oh! And you called for him, Cole.
I guess he heard you.
[Cole] Look who's here.
[Wade] Just in the nick of time,
as Cody started to get the upper hand.
[Cole] Well, Cody finds himself really in a four-on-one situation now.
The match is with Bálor, but he's got the rest of Judgment Day outside the ring,
and now Finn turns things around.
Cody, though, with a kick to the face.
Slingblade by Bálor.
[Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley shouting indistinctly]
Cody caught him with a kick to the face.
Finn caught Cody.
Cover now for the win. Cody went for the Disaster Kick
-and Bálor was able to intercept. -God damn it! What the hell!
[Wade] Ready to go for that flying cutter off the ropes,
did not connect either way.
But now, right in the crosshairs of Finn Bálor…
[crowd booing]
[Wade] …is a prone Cody Rhodes.
And Bálor has Rhodes right where he wants him,
drives Rhodes into the corner, Rhodes is in the drop zone,
as Finn Bálor, smile on his face, looks to put Cody Rhodes away.
[Wade] While The Judgment Day have sprung the trap to perfection.
[Cole] Went for the Coup de Grâce,
and Cody Rhodes, rolling out of harm's way, back to his feet,
has Finn where he wants him.
Finn, though, scoops him up, rolls him up…
Kick out at two.
[Wade] Cody Rhodes needs to get this finished as quickly as he can.
[Cole] He got the Cody Cutter!
[Wade] What veteran instinct from Finn Bálor.
Was perhaps down and out from the Cody Cutter, denied.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And now, Bálor…
staggering… And Damian Priest, grabbing Rhodes from behind.
[Wade] Just when Bálor was in the drop zone.
[Cole] Cody's suicide dive takes out Priest and Bálor.
[roars]
[Cole] And now Cody's fired up.
Well, it behooves Cody to strike
while Señor Money in the Bank is down and perhaps out.
[Rhea Ripley] Hey!
[Cole] And now it's Rhea up on the apron.
[Wade] Danger everywhere you look for Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] While she causes distraction,
Dirty Dom makes Cody pay.
[Wade] We've only got two eyes. It just is not enough
when you're in there with The Judgment Day.
[Cole] And now, Finn is gonna meet Cody up top.
Bálor, superplex to Rhodes.
-Cover… -[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Cody stays in it.
[Wade] Cody had a horrible landing off that superplex.
It was almost a double landing,
the way his body ricocheted back off the mat.
[Cole] And you see the official, Rod Zapata, checking on Cody Rhodes.
[Wade] I'm not surprised. You want to land that as flat as you possibly can.
Cody was just unable to--
[Cole] And meanwhile, Dominik sending a steel chair to the ring,
and the official caught it.
-You're not gonna use the chair! -It wasn't me, it was him.
It wasn't me, it was him.
-I'm sorry, I'm sorry. -Yeah, you're sorry.
It was him.
[arguing indistinctly]
[Cole] And now… Uh-oh!
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] It backfired again! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Cody uses the briefcase!
Cross Rhodes!
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Cole] Little déjà vu? -[bell dings]
["Kingdom" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner--
[Cole] And now Dominik Mysterio attacking Cody Rhodes after the bell.
Rhodes picked up the win,
using the briefcase that Damian Priest had sent in for Bálor to use.
[Wade] I think this is what you call a Pyrrhic victory, Michael Cole.
In the grand scheme of things, you've won, but you're getting--
["World's Apart" playing]
[Cole] And Cody's got some backup. Here comes Sami Zayn.
With a steel chair in hand, an equalizer from Sami.
Sami going after Dominik and Bálor.
[Wade] Just when The Judgment Day start cooking, it backfires.
[Cole] Damian missed wildly.
Chair to the midsection.
-And now, from behind… -[Wade chuckling]
[Cole] …JD McDonagh.
[Wade] The Irish Ace is the savior for The Judgment Day.
[Cole] Damian Priest has questioned Finn's relationship with McDonagh
for a couple of weeks now.
But, perhaps, tonight, MacDonagh proved his worth,
as Bálor and Priest are beating the hell out of Sami.
Cody trying to get back into the fight.
South of Heaven!
[Wade] This night would have ended very differently
if it wasn't for JD McDonagh.
[Cole] Yeah, but the problem is,
Judgement Day has a massive numbers advantage.
Bálor with the Coup de Grâce.
Damian Priest in the ring, Dominik Mysterio,
JD McDonagh, Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] And total destruction everywhere you look.
[Cole] Now Sami Zayn sent outside the ring,
right into the arms of Dominik and Rhea.
And like a pack of wolves,
The Judgment Day showing solidarity tonight.
[Wade] Tearing, ripping, destroying, breaking everything in sight.
[Cole] Finn Bálor said, "It's time to make things right."
You know who we are? We're The Judgement Day.
You don't mess with us. You don't mess with us.
[Cole] Rhea Ripley claimed The Judgment Day
was losing its killer instinct.
It doesn't look that way now.
[Wade] Make things right.
I'd say things are looking pretty damn right
for The Judgment Day right now.
[Cole] Sami Zayn, up high.
Damian Priest throws Zayn on our table!
A vicious, brutal assault
by The Judgment Day.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Spurred on by desire,
distaste,
hunger for power.
[Wade] They're not finished yet, Cole.
[Cole] Bálor with another Coup de Grâce.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] A new attitude tonight.
["The Other Side" playing]
[Wade] Cody won the match,
but The Judgment Day have the real victory here.
[Cole] A new terror from Judgment Day.
Who said Judgement Day was losing their killer instinct?
♪ If you believe yours is the only way ♪
♪ Then you're the fool who lives to die ♪
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Message sent.
"We are the new epitome of dominance."
♪ Once you reach the other side ♪
[Cole] "We are…
a United Judgment Day."
♪ The trigger warm, anticipating ♪