[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.
[Cole] The Judgment Day have become perhaps the most powerful entity
in all of WWE,
but there has been tension within this group.
At SummerSlam, Finn Balor should have walked out the World Heavyweight Champion.
[bell dings]
To be honest, he should be out here telling you that himself,
but he's not here.
Priest, this is not the time or the place to be--
I'm over it.
Clearly, there's something wrong in the Judgment Day.
We're here. Where's Finn Balor?
[Cole] Well, that's Finn's friend, JD McDonagh.
Finn told me to tell you, don't worry, you guys need to focus on--
JD. We do not take orders from anyone.
You can't be bothered to be with your family, The Judgment Day.
But if it's your boy, it's okay? Explain it to us.
-Hey, you need to relax, all right? -Hey, enough!
We're now the most dominant faction here within the WWE.
But we're starting to lose our killer instincts here.
Rhea, I agree. Let's make things right.
Tonight, we have an opportunity to show the world just how strong we are.
Yeah, I like that. All right.
[Cole] "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
is in action against Finn Balor.
And look who's here.
And Balor takes advantage.
[Wade] Danger everywhere you look for Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] Superplex to Rhodes.
-One, two… -[Cole] Cody stays in it.
And, meanwhile, Dominik sending a steel chair to the ring,
and the official caught him.
Cody using the briefcase!
Cross Rhodes!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell dinging]
[Cole] And now, The Judgment Day attacking Cody Rhodes.
And Cody's got some backup. Here comes Sami Zayn.
And now from behind, JD McDonagh.
We're The Judgment Day, you don't mess with us.
[crowd exclaims]
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Message sent from a united Judgment Day.
♪ Yeah, greatness Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
[Cole] Welcome to Quebec City in Quebec, Canada.
We are live with Monday Night Raw.
♪ About to emerge, we on the verge ♪
♪ And it feels like greatness ♪
♪ Something coming, I can feel it ♪
-["Worlds Apart" playing] -[cheering]
[crowd] ♪ Let's go! ♪
[imperceptible]
[crowd vocalizing to "Worlds Apart"]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Please welcome one half
of the undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Sami Zayn!
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd vocalizing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
[crowd vocalizing]
[crowd cheering]
Ladies and gentlemen, they are on their feet here in Quebec
for Sami Zayn tonight, because Sami has come home.
This place has come unglued for one of their favorite sons.
Man, I'm feeling the energy right here in Quebec.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
[crowd] ♪ Olé, olé, olé, olé ♪
♪ Olé, olé, olé, olé ♪
[imperceptible]
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct shouting]
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
[chuckles]
[crowd chanting "Olé, Olé, Olé"]
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
[in French] Mesdames et messieurs!
Bienvenue au Monday Night Raw!
[crowd cheering]
["The Other Side" playing]
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Well, it didn't take long for these losers to spoil
the homecoming party of Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Better watch your mouth, Michael Cole.
Remember exactly what happened to Sami Zayn
at the hands of these four last week.
Didn't end well for Sami Zayn at the end of last week's Raw,
or indeed for our announce desk
as Sami Zayn's body was slammed through it by Damian Priest.
[Cole] Well, speaking of Priest and Rhea Ripley
and Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor of the Judgment Day,
they are surrounding the ring,
and this could be a major problem for Sami Zayn.
He's about to get buried in front of people he grew up with.
All right, hey.
Before you do whatever it is you're about to do,
I just have one question for you.
[in French] You know that we're in Quebec City?
[crowd cheering]
-[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami! -One second.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
Did you really think I would come here of all places…
alone?
-[crowd cheering] -["Fight" playing]
[Cole] He's back!
Kevin Owens! Sami Zayn's tag team partner!
Fellow Quebec native!
And Owens is unloading on the team that took him out of action, the Judgment Day!
-Stunner! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The Tag Team Champions are back in force!
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting, clapping] Kevin Owens! Kevin Owens!
Kevin Owens!
It's, uh…
It's been far too long since I've had a match on Raw.
So how about this right here tonight?
[crowd cheering]
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn against any two of you.
-[indistinct shouting] -[Kevin Owens] Yeah?
Good.
Hey, and guess what?
[in French] Tonight…
we will beat you, 100 % Quebecker!
-[imperceptible] -[microphone drops]
["Fight" playing]
[Cole] Come on, Adam Pearce, make this official.
The tag champs back in action tonight against two members of the Judgment Day.
[Wade] Well, if Adam Pearce doesn't make it official,
I've got a feeling we are going to witness a riot, right here in Quebec.
Somehow, we hit a ten at the start of the night,
and the decibels just keep on rising.
What an emotional night already here on Monday Night Raw.
And still to come, remember last week, Shinsuke Nakamura talked himself
into a World Heavyweight Championship Match against Seth Rollins.
Then he whispered something in Seth's ear before attacking Seth
from behind with a Kinshasa.
What did Shinsuke Nakamura have to say to the World Heavyweight Champion?
We'll hear from Nakamura later on tonight.
[Wade] And not only that, with Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
closing in on a record championship reign,
the only obstacle left in his path
is the number one contender, the Olympian, Chad Gable.
Can Gable dethrone the unstoppable Ring General?
Those two go one-on-one later on tonight.
-[Big E] It's a new day. Yes, it is. -["New Day, New Way" playing]
[Cole] And the hits just keep on coming.
The 12-time Tag Team Champions are here.
Kofi Kingston on your right. Xavier Woods on your left.
The New Day back in action.
And coming up next, Woods and Kofi take on the unconventional team
of Drew McIntyre and Matt Riddle.
Riddle convinced McIntyre to team with him last week.
Can they continue their success?
We'll find out live, next, right here on Monday Night Raw.
♪ The time is now, the moment is here ♪
♪ Get rid of your fears No time for the tears ♪
[song continues indistinctly]
[Cole] What an incredible first day of ticket sales this past Friday
for WrestleMania, which happens next April in Philadelphia.
Congratulations to all the WWE Universe
for already setting the all-time gate record
for WrestleMania in one day,
plus the highest first day ticket sales ever.
Now let's put this in perspective.
We had a higher gate on Friday in one day than all of last year
in Los Angeles, which was the record.
Already, over 92,000 tickets have been sold for WrestleMania.
[Wade] Congratulations to all of you who already bought tickets
for the hottest WrestleMania ever.
[Cole] The New Day just chucked their jacket at you.
Do you still have issues with them from years ago?
[Wade] I've got no problem with them at all.
-[Riddle] Bro! -["Hey Bro" playing]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada,
weighing in at 216 pounds,
the original bro, Matt Riddle!
[Cole] The New Day showed a lot of respect
toward Riddle and his new teammate, Drew McIntyre, last week
after they knocked off the Viking Raiders.
Hence the reason for this match-up tonight.
["Gallantry" playing]
[announcer] And his tag team partner from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 275 pounds,
Drew McIntyre!
[Wade] Well, I go back a long way
with this man, Drew McIntyre, and I want him to do a real solid for me
and smack The New Day in the mouth right now.
[Cole] So this is how this tag team came about.
Last week, Matt Riddle said,
"I need a partner, will you join me?" Drew said, "I'll think about it."
Drew McIntyre, in the end, decided to team up with Riddle
to take on The Viking Raiders.
Highly competitive tag team match-up.
[Wade] Yeah, McIntyre, historically, not really a tag team kind of guy,
but built a little chemistry here with Riddle,
and what a way to open their account as a tag team,
with a massive victory over the Viking Raiders.
[Cole] And there is no doubt that Erik and Ivar and Valhalla of the Viking Raiders
were embarrassed after losing to what has pretty much been a makeshift tag team
of McIntyre and Riddle.
[Wade] Makeshift tag team, it may be,
but two superb individual competitors coming together
with apparently some aspirations for tag gold down the line.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston's back in action here tonight.
This is the second time since returning from ankle surgery.
I spoke to Kofi a bit earlier on today.
He said he loved being at home, spending time with his wife and kids,
but it's time to get back to work
and look for some tag team gold.
[Wade] When you were speaking to Kofi earlier,
did he tell you he was gonna throw something at me while I was quietly,
studiously sat at the desk doing my job?
No, not at all. Xavier Woods starts things off here against Riddle,
but I'm sure you said something that has ticked The New Day off in the past.
-Yes, we are! -[Wade] Absolute nonsense.
I was complimenting Xavier Woods' haircut last week.
You said something nasty about it, if I recall correctly.
Kip-up by Woods into the corner.
[Cole] Ooh, Kofi catches Riddle with a kick to the face.
Now the double team by the New Day. Kingston with the Splash.
Here's the cover. Is it enough to put Riddle away?
And a kick-out by Matt Riddle.
[Wade] Yeah, and in all seriousness,
this is a real test for Riddle and McIntyre tonight.
You're right, they're a hastily thrown together tag team,
built a little chemistry, but they are in against
one of the greatest tag teams in history.
[Cole] Many will say the greatest,
as Drew McIntyre,
the former WWE Champion comes in off the tag.
The New Day claims that the tag team division has been in shambles as of late.
They've returned to try to save it.
I think Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn,
the current Tag Champs, would beg to differ.
[Wade] The demise of the Usos
has led to almost a power vacuum of sorts in the division.
And of course, teams are now jockeying
to try and get to that number one contender spot.
[Cole] You mentioned the Usos.
It's gonna be interesting when Jimmy Uso returns to SmackDown
this coming Friday night.
And there's McIntyre now. What a throw!
And now Xavier Woods gonna suffer the same fate as Kofi Kingston
in the uber powerful Drew McIntyre.
Yeah, man!
[Cole] A premature celebration, perhaps, for Mr. Riddle.
[Wade] Drew's never been a hugger.
Uh-oh.
[Cole] And now using Riddle as a weapon! McIntyre and Riddle in control!
Yeah! Take that!
[Cole] And a kick-out by Riddle at two.
The New Day have taken control of this match over Riddle and McIntyre
during the commercial break.
And right now, reality's starting to set in for Riddle and McIntyre
as the New Day, the veteran tag team, has just taken over.
[Wade] Yeah, undoubtedly. It was a short-lived honeymoon period
for the team of McIntyre and Riddle.
And now, you're really at the coalface against two of the best of all time.
[Cole] Riddle, trying to make the tag, and McIntyre, fingertips away,
but the side russian leg sweep by Kofi Kingston
prevents Riddle from making the tag.
And McIntyre realized that that was his best chance there.
Well, as great as Riddle and McIntyre are individually,
they just don't have the same level of tag team instincts that these two do.
[Cole] Look at this. Look at this sequence
that is put together by the former 12-time tag champ's--
Cover, kick-out at two by Riddle.
[Wade] Using the referee's counter, maximum advantage.
Quick tags in and out, stay fresh, and keep your opponent grounded
for as long as you can and away from Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] One thing that New Day hasn't been able to do without Big E here is
that Unicorn Stomp as Hall of Famer, JBL, used to term it.
Riddle, now, fights back against Xavier Woods.
Oh, went for the step-up enzuigiri. Woods was able to duck underneath.
Tag made by Kingston.
Oh, there's a sliding DDT.
And now, Kingston off the second rope. Splash to the spine.
Cover on Riddle. Is it enough to put him away?
Kick-out again by Riddle at two.
[Wade] World-class reflexes from Xavier Woods
followed by this bone-crunching smash from Kofi Kingston.
And now, you just sense Matt Riddle is in severe peril in that ring.
[Cole] Yeah, McIntyre realizes it, and he's pacing on the apron,
needs to get into this match.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And a hand's length away.
-Nice takedown by Kingston. -[Woods] Let's go, Kofi!
[Wade] Says a lot about the durability
of Matt Riddle that he's somehow still ticking in this one.
[Cole] Well, it says a lot about the durability of Kofi Kingston
to be moving around the ring this way after ankle surgery a few months ago.
Oh, Riddle, though!
That Flash Knee caught Kingston.
[Wade] What an absolute bullseye
with the point of the knee to the point of the jaw.
Kingston, glassy-eyed, just about making the tag.
[Cole] Tag to Woods, who does a great job preventing Riddle from making the tag,
as we take another look at this Flash Knee from Riddle.
Bang! Right on the button!
And now, Riddle fighting back with Woods up in the corner.
Might've just been the blast of life that Matt Riddle needed,
buying himself an opportunity to dig his way back into the match-up,
but this is high risk.
Riddle up to the top rope.
Woods is fighting here.
Fisherman's Plex from the top rope!
[stomping]
[Cole] And now, McIntyre wants in.
[Wade] Well, I would have questioned the smarts of Riddle going for this move
instead of going for the tag, but it paid off.
But it's now or never, Matt Riddle,
reach for that tag with everything you've got in your soul.
That massive fisherman suplex off the top rope,
and now, Riddle with an opportunity
to make a tag to the Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre,
and perhaps turn the entire momentum of this match on its head.
[Wade] This has to be it. New Day are in complete disarray.
[Riddle grunting]
[Cole] But wait a minute!
Who the-- Was that Erik to the Viking Raiders?
[Wade] It absolutely was. Quick as a flash.
Kofi Kingston has no idea what happened, but Kofi is the legal man.
Trouble in Paradise!
-Down goes Riddle. -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Cole] The New Day with the win after-- -[bell dinging]
[Cole] I believe that was one of the Viking Raiders.
[announcer] Here are your winners, The New Day.
[Wade] And here's the other Viking Raider.
[Cole] Well, indeed it was.
Erik and Ivar now attacking the New Day from behind.
[Wade] The New Day who beat the Viking Raiders
on their return a couple of weeks ago.
It seems the Viking Raiders did not forget about it.
And I talked about the embarrassment they suffered last week
after losing to McIntyre and Riddle.
And Erik and Ivar, led by Valhalla, laying waste to the New Day.
[Wade] Cleaning the clock of Kofi Kingston.
[Cole] McIntyre with a Glasgow Kiss.
Ivar, though, caught him with a big boot.
-Spinebuster by McIntyre. -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The Viking Raiders now, will be set to retreat,
but not before some damage was done.
["Gallantry" playing]
[indistinct shouting]
[Cole] The Vikings cost McIntyre and Riddle tonight,
and then took out the New Day.
[Wade] One enraged look in the eye of McIntyre.
Take another look at this.
Drew McIntyre reaching for that tag, and you're right,
Erik of the Viking Raiders out of nowhere.
McIntyre smashing his face off the steel steps, out of commission,
leaving Matt Riddle to receive Trouble in Paradise.
-[referee] One, two, three. -[bell dinging]
[Cole] And as the New Day were celebrating,
the attack from behind, the ambush by the Viking Raiders.
Now the Viking Raiders have it coming from all fronts.
Not only the New Day, but now McIntyre and Riddle.
[Wade] McIntyre got his retort in the end, but that won't satiate him for long.
[indistinct shouting]
[speaking indistinctly]
Now, we're coming for you! Now…
Well, the Viking Raiders certainly making their presence felt
in the tag division tonight.
And speaking of superstars making their presence known,
please welcome my guest at this time, accompanied by Finn Balor, JD McDonagh.
[crowd booing]
JD, I, um… I wanted to ask you about your relationship with Finn,
and if you think it's created more tension between Finn
and other members of the Judgment Day.
Well, I hope not, Jackie.
You know, I've known Finn my whole life. This guy's like my older brother.
I only want what's best for him.
If anything, I hope that my friendship with him makes the Judgment Day stronger.
Listen, I know what you're up to, all right?
You're trying to stir the pot here, okay? But I'm not having it.
Last week, The Judgment Day laid out Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes because of JD.
-So, I think maybe, if any-- -[Rhea Ripley] Finn. Finn.
-Hi, sis. -Hey, sorry.
Not sorry.
Um, we have to talk about who's facing Kevin and Sami tonight.
-Yeah. -Yeah?
-All right. Let's go talk about that. -Okay.
Uh-uh.
Judgment Day only.
-Talk to you later. -Okay.
[Wade] Well, breaking news just made official.
As you heard, the Tag Champs KO and Zayn
will be in action tonight as a duo for the first time in over a month.
They'll take on two yet-to-be-decided members of the Judgment Day later on
in tonight's main event.
[dramatic music playing]
[speaking Latin]
[in English] You are what you do.
Not what you say you'll do.
I've watched all these frail toy soldiers parading as opposition for long enough.
You've all got me in a vendetta kind of mood.
[Corey] Kirifuda Clutch!
-Ronda Roussey's out! -[bell dinging]
[Corey] A definitive victory over the baddest woman on the planet.
[Shayna] You don't seem to understand.
I'm not here to be your hero.
I'm here to set it all on fire.
Your only hope is to survive.
Let the world burn.
You know, Shayna Baszler told me recently
that everyone has forgotten what she's all about,
and she's about to make everyone remember.
Let's not forget Baszler took out Ronda Rousey at SummerSlam.
-Baszler is a threat to anyone. -Well, speaking of threats…
How about Chad Gable, who, a couple of weeks ago won the Fatal 4-Way match
to become the number one contender for Gunther's Intercontinental Championship?
Last week, he showed why he's a threat.
He takes out Gunther's stablemate, Giovanna Vinci, with the Chaos Theory,
and the Intercontinental Champion
-was not happy. -[bell dinging]
[Gunther] Hey!
This is not how this ends tonight. I challenge you to a match right now!
[Wade] Gunther, not one to be outdone,
somehow hitting a powerbomb on Otis of all people,
scoring the victory.
However, those celebrations were short-lived
as the number one contender, Chad Gable
sent Gunther a little message to think about
ahead of that Intercontinental Championship defense.
Tonight, the world will witness the glory
of the greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time,
"The Ring General" Gunther.
Chad Gable thinks that time is my enemy.
But indeed, time is my friend, because with every day passing,
I keep building my lifelong legacy.
And Chad Gable,
I respect all your accomplishments,
but you will not make a name for yourself on my expense.
Your little fairy tale story,
will end tonight.
[Saxton] Alpha Academy, Chad Gable.
We just heard the comments from earlier on today,
from the Intercontinental Champion, "The Ring General" Gunther.
Do you have any final comments
before the biggest match of your career?
Byron, can I say something here?
Coach, I love you.
My lowest point of my career, you brought me to the Alpha Academy,
we became World Tag Team Champions together.
Oh, yeah!
But, tonight, live in Quebec City,
it's your own gold opportunity.
And I could have never imagined I'd become an in-ring competitor
until Coach Gable showed me the way.
Okay, Chad has been working for this moment for ten years,
and some of you may think that that disgusting ogre is unbeatable.
Okay, but let me remind you, Byron, if anyone can do the impossible…
it's Chad Gable.
[chuckles] You guys make me blush.
I guess, in this moment, there's only one thing left to say…
Thank you!
♪ Shoosh! ♪
[Cole] You know, Maxxine should give Byron Saxton some fashion tips
for that silly goatee.
["Shoooosh" playing]
[Cole] Nonetheless, what Byron Saxton said moments ago is true.
This is the biggest match,
in Chad Gable's decade-long career.
Chad has never held a singles championship in WWE.
That could happen tonight.
Can Chad Gable stop Gunther's march toward history?
Chad Gable, seeks his first major singles championship in WWE
when he takes on the nearly unstoppable Gunther.
Live, next, on Monday Night Raw.
Thank you!
[Cole] We've been buzzing about this.
Fox Sports broke the news earlier today.
It is the return of the 16-time
World Champion, John Cena.
[Wade] That is right, Cole. A week from Friday.
Friday Night SmackDown, the first day of September,
John Cena, comes back home to WWE.
[Cole] Not only is John gonna be a part of SmackDown,
but for the first time in his career,
he's heading to India for a huge live event there in September.
A Superstar Spectacle, Cena will be there.
Welcome back to WWE, John Cena!
-[Cole] Cena, a 16-time world champion. -Thank you!
[Cole] Mr. Gable looking to win his first singles title here tonight
in WWE.
[Wade] And that, to me, as an absolute astounding stat
for an Olympic caliber athlete like Chad Gable.
But, he's going to be up against it tonight.
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[Cole] Gunther is 18 days away
from making history.
If he can keep the title for 18 more days,
he will pass The Honky Tonk Man
as the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion
in WWE history.
And think about this prestigious title, Wade.
You've held it a number of times in your career.
Over a dozen WWE Hall of Famers
have called themselves Intercontinental Champion.
It's the Working Man's Title.
[Wade] Yeah, undoubtedly. But here's the problem.
The pressure is growing.
The closer Gunther gets to breaking that record,
you don't want to get within touching distance,
make one uncharacteristic mistake and blow it.
The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for
the Intercontinental Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger,
representing Alpha Academy,
from Minneapolis, Minnesota, weighing in at 202 pounds,
Chad Gable!
Thank you!
[announcer] And his opponent, representing Imperium,
from Vienna, Austria, weighing in at 250 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
"The Ring General"
Gunther!
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Well, we are in Quebec tonight, and I would be remiss
if I didn't mention the first ever Intercontinental Champion,
the late, great Hall of Famer, Pat Patterson.
One of the great Intercontinental Champions in WWE history.
Gunther, though, looking to make history.
Chad Gable said, "There is no clock tonight.
-"It won't be a five-minute affair." -[bell dings]
[Cole] "You're not making history at my expense, Gunther."
[crowd chanting, clapping] Let's go, Gable. Let's go, Gable.
[Cole] Gable, a 2012 US Olympian.
A four-time Tag Team Champion here in WWE.
And he has to avoid the chops of Gunther.
And I don't think he wants to get into a chop war with Gunther tonight.
[Wade] Yeah, undoubtedly. Listen, Chad Gable is beloved by the WWE Universe,
in part, due to his willingness to embrace the silliness,
that we sometimes have in this industry.
That is something that Gunther takes a particularly dim view of.
But it's up to Gable tonight to put the silliness to one side.
Forget the "shooshes" forget the "thank yous"
you have to be a machine in there this evening,
if you've got any chance of dethroning Gunther.
[Cole] He can do that, Wade. There's no doubt about it.
I mean, you don't become a US Olympian
without having technical expertise and the work ethic that Chad Gable has.
[Wade] You're right. But can he tap back into that machine
he used to be in the Olympics?
Because of late, there's been a lot of silliness,
in part influenced by Otis.
[Cole] I don't think there's any doubt Gable will be able to do that tonight.
But can he stop the steamroller known as Gunther, who is now in control?
So let's talk about being Intercontinental Champion.
As I mentioned, you held it I believe, five times?
-[Wade] Five times. -[Cole] In your career.
How difficult is it, though, to be on this type of run
and hold the championship for almost a year and a half like Gunther has?
[Wade] I wish I could tell you, Cole. I lasted about five months, tops.
Well, here's the problem. You have to be on form every single night.
It's very difficult, because every competitor
coming to take your title brings their A game,
which is exactly what we're getting out of Gable tonight.
[Cole] So, does this answer your question?
Gable, putting on a clinic.
[Wade] Well, here's the issue, though, you get a lot of steam against Gunther,
and in short measure, that happens.
[Cole] And again, champion's advantage tonight for Mr. Gable.
He has to pin or submit Gunther.
Disqualifications, countouts don't help his cause.
-As the official begins the count. -Three!
[Cole] Gunther has been so dominant as champion, as we talked about.
Really unstoppable, since arriving on the scene here in WWE.
Big chop, Gunther's in control.
-Can Gable somehow get back in this match? -[crowd booing]
[Cole] The officials at a count of six as Gunther comes back out of the ring
to continue the assault on Chad Gable.
This is for Gunther's Intercontinental Championship.
And the champ has been dominating,
as he drops Gable spine-first on the barricade.
[Wade] This has just been a merciless attack
from The Ring General to the challenger tonight,
and things are beginning to look really bleak for Chad Gable.
[Cole] Wade, we saw that little flurry earlier on from Gable,
but since then, he has not been able to get back into this match.
The official at seven, now at eight,
Gable trying to drag himself into the ring.
A count of nine, and barely does,
and Gunther appeared a bit frustrated that he didn't get the countout win there,
and now continues to punish Chad Gable.
[crowd exclaiming]
-[Cole] Cover by Gunther, to retain. -One, two--
[Cole] And Gable kicks.
[Wade] Almost start to feel sorry for a competitor
when they're on the receiving end of this level of abuse.
Very little coming back in the opposite direction at this point.
[Cole] Gunther has just been beating the hell out of Gable.
[Wade] I mean, Gable is just so well-conditioned from head to toe,
he can take a beating…
My ring!
[Wade] …unlike most. But this,
you can just feel the impact of that,
right on the sternum of Chad Gable.
[Cole] Gunther just has
every tool imaginable inside the ring.
Finesse, power, confidence.
-I mean, Gable can't even stand. -[Wade] Well--
[Cole] He's smiling. Gunther's smiling.
[Wade] The referee is taking a very close look at Gable,
who might not be able to continue.
Sometimes you have to save top-level competitors from themselves.
[Gunther] What's going on here? Huh?
What's going on here, huh?
Huh? what's going on here, huh?
-Huh? Huh? -[referee] Two, three!
[Wade] And how humiliating is that?
For an Olympic caliber athlete.
[Cole] Gable trying to fight back.
We know about the the guts and the resilience of Chad Gable.
Trying to fight back in this and survive, another boot to the face.
The champion,
rewarded at least momentarily and then blocked.
[Wade] Smartly getting out of the way of that chop,
and turning it into offense of his own.
[Cole] The armbar. He's got to break in five.
[Wade] This buys him a momentary respite perhaps.
-But maybe a window is open. -[Cole exclaims]
[Cole] And you were saying, that window just got busted.
-[Wade] Yeah. -[Gunther] Come on!
[Cole] Oh, and a clothesline, turning Gable inside out.
-Gunther, into the cover… -One, two--
[Cole] And Gable, still in the match.
[Wade] I got all the respect in the world for Chad Gable,
-for bouncing back from-- -[Cole] Listen.
-[loud smack] -[crowd exclaiming]
[Cole] I mean, just vicious, vicious attacks by Gunther.
-[Wade] Gunther-- -[Cole] Again, cover,
to retain his championship,
and again, Gable stays in this match.
[Wade] I have no idea how much Chad Gable actually realizes
he's even in a match at this point.
That is pure instinct kicking out. Those flurries of offense.
But all it's doing, is stunning the Austrian briefly.
[Cole] Yeah, and it's frustrating Gunther as well.
The Intercontinental Champion…
caught by Chad Gable. Nice takedown by Chad Gable.
Shoulders down to win the championship, almost had him, kick at two.
[Wade] Stole one from Gunther,
but immediately back on top, locking in that sleeper.
Center of the ring. Good night, Chad Gable.
[Cole] Yeah, but Gable blocking here. Gunther doesn't have all of it.
Come on.
[Cole] The chin lock, now he finally gets the arm on top of the head.
Sleeper now locked in. Gable center of the ring, nowhere to go.
Trying to roll himself and Gunther's body toward the rope.
But look at this, Gable powering back
to a vertical base!
You got to be kidding me!
And a blow to the back of the head.
Again, the frustration of Gunther setting in,
because Gable's still in this match, somehow.
[Gable grunts]
[Wade] Where the hell is Chad Gable pulling this from?
It's desperation stuff and it's working.
[Cole] Got to respect Gable and his performance here.
But, again, the sleeper by Gunther.
-[Gable yells] -[Cole] And a back suplex by Gable.
The champ is down.
The challenger's down. Gable may have an opening.
[Wade] I just don't know how much is left in the soul of Chad Gable after this move…
[crowd chanting] Gable!
[Wade] …perfectly executed on instinct.
But is Gable in any position to reap the benefits of this?
[crowd chanting] Gable! Gable! Gable!
[Cole] We got to see how much Gable has left.
He's probably one of the best conditioned athletes in the entire WWE.
No doubt about that.
[Gunther] We've got two cardio machines in the ring right now,
but it's Chad Gable who really
must be desperately sucking in oxygen here.
[Cole] Went for the knee, Gable caught him.
Gable, Dragon Screw.
And now, looking for an ankle lock, center of the ring,
nowhere for Gunther to go.
Do you think Gunther will tap to the ankle lock of Gable?
[Wade] The agony in the eyes of The Ring General.
He did not expect this at this point in the match. He's going to tap, Cole.
[Cole] Trying to make it to the rope, he's fingertips away,
dragged back to the center of the ring.
Chad Gable, with the ankle lock, and Gunther rolls onto his back,
trying to create separation.
-[Gable grunts] -[Cole] And he finally does.
[Wade] Pain in the eyes, but never panic.
Gunther always, always is thinking and always has a plan.
[Cole] But what a performance this has been by Gable.
Gable kicking it into another gear now!
[Wade] I don't know if Gunther has ever experienced
anything like this.
[Cole] Gable throwing blows with everything he has left.
-[Wade] Just clubbing Gunther. -[Cole] Look at the power, German suplex!
Into a bridge, Gunther at two!
[Wade] And that was a weak kick-out from Gunther.
That's not something you see often from The Ring General.
[Cole] But everything he's been through and the abuse he's taken,
how is Chad Gable still able to pull off
something like that German suplex into the bridge?
[crowd chanting, clapping] This is awesome!
[Cole] This is for the Intercontinental Championship.
Gunther's near record-setting reign is in jeopardy.
Chad Gable has taken the champion to the limit,
in front of a packed house here in Quebec City.
Oh, but off the top rope!
Gable went for his patented moonsault,
took a little too much time, and Gunther took advantage.
Two!
Three!
[Wade] It was a nice idea from Chad Gable.
But the spirit of Gunther,
that desire to break records is simply too strong.
[Cole] Gable will not stay down.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Cole] Gunther realizing that,
taking the fight to Gable outside the ring.
A punishing chop, a big boot.
Listen, Chad, this is my ring.
It's my ring.
[Cole] Oh, goodness!
[referee] Five!
Six!
[Cole] The official counting at six now.
Gunther! Into the ring post!
Gable sends Gunther into the timekeeper's area.
Nine!
[Cole] At nine, Gable beats the count!
-Gable beat Gunther! -[bell dings]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
as a result of a countout,
Chad Gable!
[Cole] Chad Gable just beat the Intercontinental Champion.
[Wade] All right, let's calm down a second, Michael Cole.
Let's be clear, it's a countout.
It is a victory,
it's a miracle for Chad Gable, but still the champion…
is Gunther.
[Cole] Gunther has lost it.
-Because with this-- -This is my ring!
[Cole] Wade, do you know what this means?
Chad Gable is the first person,
to beat Gunther in a singles match,
since Gunther arrived on the scene a year and a half ago.
-[Wade] It's a damn miracle, Cole. -[indistinct shouting]
Therefore, and still
the Intercontinental Champion,
"The Ring General" Gunther!
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Well, Gunther said the fairy tale story was ending tonight.
It didn't for Chad Gable.
Sit on that.
Because I'm coming back for more, baby.
That title's coming with me.
[crowd booing]
Guys, we've been talking about this for too long.
We need to figure out who's in this match tonight.
Look, I don't know how many times I have to say this.
I think the team should be me and Dom.
Look, to be fair, you guys would make a fantastic team.
But seeing as Dom is the NXT North American Champion
and I am Señor Money in the Bank,
this just makes more sense, and I think we would make a better team.
-What's that supposed to mean, Damian? -[scoffs]
[in Spanish] Do whatever you want.
[in English] Dom, what do you think, dude?
Uh, I think both of you guys are amazing.
Uh, Mami, are you in?
Guys, I thought that you buried this hatchet.
-We did. -We did.
We're not doing this again. I don't have time for this.
I have my own business to settle with Candice LeRae,
so it's not gonna be me in the match.
But you guys need to figure it out before Dom and I get back.
Otherwise, I'm gonna make the decision for you.
Dom, let's go.
[Cole] Those two better get on the same page.
Well, you know, last week, Shinsuke Nakamura forced Seth Rollins
into a decision to defend the World Heavyweight Championship.
Then he whispered something in Seth's ear before blindsiding Seth
with a Kinshasa.
What did Shinsuke Nakamura,
tell the World Heavyweight Champion?
Well, up next, Shin will let us know the answer.
[Wade] What a summer it's been for Cody Rhodes,
from taking down The Beast, Brock Lesnar to battling The Judgment Day.
Cody's standing by to update us on what's ahead for the American Nightmare.
That is coming up next.
[speaking in German]
[in English] I'm gonna make this right.
What are you gonna do?
Right now, I'm joined by "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
Cody, congratulations on defeating Finn Bálor last week.
But, how did you feel about the way Monday Night Raw
concluded last week?
Finn Bálor sat on me like I was a piece of furniture.
And what the hell is wrong with JD McDonagh?
Head so big on that little body. He's looking like a Funko Pop.
Byron…
You know what?
Sorry. So this isn't really working.
This setting. Let's, uh… Let's take a walk.
Come on, let's take a walk.
Come, come, come.
I'm gonna introduce you to some friends, come on.
After you, Byron, Come on. Here we go.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
[crowd cheering, whistling]
[chanting continues] Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
So, Quebec…
[crowd cheering]
De quoi, voulez-vous parler?
[crowd cheering]
[in English] Well, Cody, since we are out here,
what would you like to talk about?
First order of business down the aisle from me,
I have to say hello and I have to say welcome,
to the newest commentators for Monday Night Raw.
My friend, Wade Barrett,
and the voice of WWE, Michael Cole.
-[mouthing] Thank you. -Shout out.
It's like a JBL & Cole Show reunion.
You know, shout out to the cowboy.
Everybody's seen the clip.
Las week, Judgment Day,
vying to be the biggest group in all of sports entertainment.
What do they have on their side?
The numbers game. You've got to respect it.
But if there was one place on the map
where the numbers didn't matter,
if there was one place on the map
where the odds weren't in their favor,
it would be down the road,
from where Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn grew up.
[crowd cheering]
I need to hear y'all!
[crowd cheering loudly]
Because I want The Judgment Day to hear all of you.
Will you be in the corner of Kevin and Sami tonight?
[crowd roars]
You won't be alone.
There is no love lost between The Judgment Day and I.
I will be watching very closely.
But tonight is about Kevin.
Tonight is about Sami.
We are all going to watch The Judgment Day rise…
and fall.
[crowd cheers]
["Kingdom" playing]
[Wade] Cody Rhodes is pumped up for tonight's main event.
The people of Quebec are pumped up for tonight's main event.
Can the Quebec boys, KO and Sami Zayn, send the people home happy?
You'll find out, later on tonight.
Quebec City gets what it wants tonight,
just like Shinsuke Nakamura got what he wanted last week,
and that's a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity
against Seth Rollins.
Now, he would then ambush Seth,
kicking him in the head with a Kinshasa.
But before that happened, Shinsuke Nakamura
whispered something in Seth Rollins' ear.
What did he say?
Here's Shinsuke Nakamura.
[in Japanese]
[in English]
[continues in Japanese]
[in English]
[continues in Japanese]
[in English] Watch your back.
[Cole] Will Seth Rollins' body finally crumble
under pressure from Shinsuke Nakamura?
We will find out a week from Saturday,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, WWE Payback.
Rollins defends the World Heavyweight Championship
against Shinsuke Nakamura.
♪ This is my brutality ♪
[Cole] From the World Heavyweight champion,
to the Women's World Champion.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
♪ The demons in your dreams ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
[explosion]
♪ Look at my eyes, do they look alive? ♪
[bell dings]
[announcer] 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] The Eradicator.
And Candice LeRae may rue the day,
she stuck her nose in Rhea Ripley's business.
Rhea Ripley versus Candice LeRae.
It's live, next, on Monday Night Raw.
♪ You'll hear me in your screams ♪
♪ Insanity ♪
♪ I am the deadly disease… ♪
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
[Cole] John will also be visiting India for the first time
in his career next month, part of the Superstar Spectacle,
a live event in India.
Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley, the Women's Champion set for action tonight.
She will actually the team tomorrow night,
on NXT Heatwave right here on USA
with Dirty Dom, in a mixed tag match.
[Wade] That's right there, they're taking on the team
of Dragon Lee and Lyra Valkyria. What a match-up that's gonna be.
[Cole] Also, Wes Lee will take on Carmelo Hayes
for the NXT Championship,
among many other stellar match-ups.
["Wickeder Ways" playing]
[announcer] And her opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Indi Hartwell,
from Riverside, California,
Candice LeRae!
[Cole] Well, last week, it was Rhea Ripley versus Indi Hartwell.
Candice LeRae was out here supporting her friend
when, during the match-up, Rhea Ripley would take
a cheap shot at Candice LeRae.
Then she would turn her attention back to the ring.
Indi Hartwell almost stealing one here,
and then the Eradicator
would finally put Hartwell away with a Riptide.
But Hartwell and Candice were not done.
[Wade] It was a gutsy effort
from Indi Hartwell, up against all odds.
But you cause that level of destruction
against competitors such as Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae,
they aren't going to take it lying down,
battling back against the Women's Champion.
Kind of a tag team duo back in their NXT days,
and saw that offense come to the fore,
leaving Rhea Ripley rather upset.
[Cole] So, Wade, if you're Candice LeRae,
what do you need to do to try to somehow
upset Rhea Ripley here tonight?
[Wade] I mean, you need a miracle, in all honesty.
Because Rhea Ripley has been so dominant against all comers.
It's a massive physical mismatch here.
Plus, add to the fact that Candice LeRae
really hasn't been in top level competition lately.
So, thing is, just how rusty she may be.
[Cole] But, again, Candice LeRae is a veteran.
[Wade] No doubt about it. Twenty year veteran of the industry.
[Cole] And now, Dominik,
ripped off the apron by Indi Hartwell.
[Cole] And Candice LeRae caught
and she comes off the top rope off the distraction.
And knee right to the spine by Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] Oh, this is going to be short, Cole.
[Cole] No, no, Candice LeRae turns it around into a DDT,
countering Riptide.
[Dominik] Come on, Rhea.
[Cole] And LeRae, now, off the second rope.
Moonsault, cover.
-One, two-- -[Cole] Can she pin the champion?
And a kick-out by Ripley at two.
[Wade] What a shocker that would have been coming out of the blocks hot,
as Candice LeRae calls herself a pint-sized powerhouse,
fiercely protecting those she loves.
Will that be enough against somebody like Rhea Ripley however?
[Cole] She better worry about protecting herself in this match-up tonight.
[Cole] And look at Ripley,
[Wade] Attempt at a counter there from Candice, but--
[Cole] Look at the power.
and look at Rhea Ripley
-with this submission locked in. -[bell dinging]
-A new wrinkle in Ripley's playbook. -[speaking indistinctly]
[announcer] Here is your winner by submission,
the Women's World Champion,
Rhea Ripley!
[Cole] It's been a long time since we've seen Rhea Ripley used that way,
but she puts Candice LeRae away here tonight.
[Wade] Candice LeRae was cooking on all cylinders
early on in the match-up, nearly pulling off a complete shocker
against The Eradicator,
but it's only a matter of time before Rhea Ripley,
turned the tables against all comers.
-Absolutely agonizing, torturous hold… -[bell dinging]
…got the victory for the Champ.
[Cole] Rhea Ripley, again, victorious here tonight.
Good luck--
-Losers-- -["Trap Queen" playing]
[Cole] Now, Raquel Rodriguez, who, of course, suffered
a serious knee injury at the hands of Rhea Ripley,
has been trying to get cleared here for weeks.
[Wade] Dicing with death,
approaching Rhea Ripley at the best of times.
[Cole] And Rhea, now, mocking Raquel Rodriguez…
who obviously doesn't need the crutch!
Raquel Rodriguez going right after Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] Whoa!
Raquel Rodriguez is Texas tough.
[Cole] Raquel has been begging to get her hands on Ripley
for weeks and weeks now.
[Cole] And Ripley, once again, gaining the upper hand,
but Rodriguez battling back.
[Wade] Raquel might be the only physical match
for Rhea Ripley in the entire industry.
And doesn't Rhea Ripley know about it?
[Cole] Raquel has been begging to get her hands on Rhea.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And there's the power you were talking about, Wade.
That Fallaway Slam, and Ripley will retreat.
[Wade] Has Rhea Ripley met her match?
[crowd cheering]
You okay?
[Rhea Ripley] No.
Ow!
[in Spanish] Rhea, you are not leaving.
[in English] Don't go nowhere.
If it's not obvious,
as of today, I have been medically cleared for action.
[crowd cheering]
And don't worry, I already spoke to Adam Pearce.
It's gonna be Rhea Ripley,
versus Raquel Rodriguez
at Payback.
[crowd cheering]
[in Spanish] And not only I'm going to beat you.
[in English] But I am going to take
that WWE Women's World Championship.
You can try!
[Cole] For the appropriately named premium live event, Payback,
a week from Saturday in Pittsburgh,
Raquel Rodriguez gets her opportunity.
She is now hunting the Women's World Champion, Rhea Ripley.
Powerhouse versus Powerhouse
with gold on the line,
signed me up.
That becoming quite the rivalry,
as is the situation between Raw Superstar, The Miz,
and SmackDown superstar, LA Knight.
This past Friday night on SmackDown,
LA Knight was in a match-up with The Miz,
decided to pay LA Knight a visit at his workplace on Fox.
[Wade] Causing distractions all the way through the match-up for The Megastar,
even getting in the ring at one point, but it backfired
as the Megastar was firing on all cylinders, until, of course,
Austin Theory saw his opportunity and pounced.
[Cole] Well, many people believe the Miz is jealous…
-of the popularity of LA Knight. -[Miz] Awesome.
♪ I came to play ♪
♪ I came to play, there's a price to pay ♪
♪ Time for you to get down On your knees and pray ♪
♪ Say goodbye to the good old days… ♪
[Cole] So, The Miz says he promises to take on an opponent
he's spent all week hyping.
Now, we've been promised a demonstration of The Miz's in-ring prowess.
Who is The Miz gonna face?
We're going to find out live, next, on Monday Night Raw.
♪ I came to play… ♪
[Cole] It is the show that has been garnering headlines around the world.
The 1 deadMAN SHOW starring the Undertaker heads to the Midwest.
This weekend in Louisville, Saint Louis, and Kansas City.
An opportunity to see the Undertaker in an intimate setting.
Some great stories, great fun.
The Undertaker: 1 deadMAN SHOW.
It has been nine weeks
since I've returned to Monday Night Raw.
A long 63 days to reflect on the man I've been since returning.
I'm the man who lied in that ring two weeks ago,
as Chad Gable celebrated with his son.
And then this is nothing against Chad Gable. He is a workhorse.
But I would be lying to you if I said
I didn't want that Intercontinental title opportunity versus Gunther.
This close.
And heck, even before Chad Gable,
I'm the man who Shinsuke Nakamura defeated, and now look at him,
challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship.
This close.
But I didn't come back to be this close.
I didn't come back to be that guy. I came back to be the guy.
I've been him before.
I know that feeling. I know that pressure.
It's like oxygen, and I am dying to take a breath!
So, I'm going to be the change that I want to see.
Do it yourself.
Because I ain't here to play no more games.
I am here to take over the game.
[chair clatters]
♪ I came to play ♪
♪ To play, there's a price to pay ♪
♪ Time for you to get down on your knees ♪
♪ I came to pay ♪
[song ends]
[crowd chanting in French] On veut Maryse!
On veut Maryse!
[in English] Maryse is from Montreal.
She would never come to Quebec City.
[crowd booing]
Listen-moi vous parler.
Oui.
[in English] Last Friday night on SmackDown
LA Knight lost an opportunity,
he lost a match,
to earn a United States Championship opportunity.
And everybody is blaming me.
What LA Knight fails to realize
is that on the big show, there are no room for excuses.
-[crowd] What? -Things happen.
[crowd] What?
Champions know that.
Roman knows that. Gunther knows that.
In the main event of Wrestlemania,
The Rock messed with my match,
my match against John Cena,
and I was still able to retain the WWE Championship,
because that is what champions do.
-[crowd] What? -I am not a trend.
Trends come and go. I evolve.
Twenty years from now,
you will remember me as a game changer.
A trendsetter.
A two-time Grand Slam Champion.
-A Wrestlemania main-eventer. -[crowd] What?
Twenty years from now, you remember LA Knight,
as a blip on the radar, a human fidget spinner,
the Hoobastank of WWE.
[crowd] What?
LA Knight is not on my level.
And to prove it, I talked to Adam Pearce, and he said
that he would allow me to handpick my opponent tonight.
So I picked someone faster, stronger, bigger,
more dominant than any opponent LA Knight has ever faced in his entire career.
So, ladies and gentlemen, my opponent tonight…
["To The Death" playing]
[Wade] Hold on.
[Cole] So, uh, Akira Tozawa,
a former Cruiserweight Champion.
Indeed, one of the most exciting in-ring performers in WWE.
But let's be honest, Wade, with his recent win-loss record,
doesn't really back up the hype that The Miz is putting around Tozawa tonight.
[Wade] I've got plenty of respect for any competitor who steps in the ring.
This man, Akira Tozawa, is incredibly talented.
[Miz] Tozawa!
[crowd cheering]
You're a former 24/7 Champion,
and it's sad that that title doesn't exist anymore,
because it's the perfect title for LA Knight.
A watered down throwback of the Attitude Era just like him.
But this is not about him.
This is about you and your success.
Is this the biggest match of your career?
Yeah.
I thought you would actually have more to say.
-Is this everything you've-- -Yeah.
[crowd] Yeah.
You didn't even let me finish, and I would appreciate it if you didn't say that.
I don't like it when you say it.
[crowd] Yeah!
-Say what? -Yeah--
[Tozawa] Yeah!
-Really? -Yeah.
-Really? Really? Really? -Yeah, yeah, yeah.
This is stupid.
I am giving you an opportunity of a lifetime.
Do you think this is funny?
[crowd] Yeah!
[Tozawa] Yeah--
[Cole] Oh, well, even LA Knight catchphrase
has ticked Miz off and got under his skin.
[Wade] Well, I think the whole of Planet Earth wants to witness Tozawa
knock Miz's teeth down his throat.
-[referee] Hey, back it up. Come on. -[Cole] Well, Akira…
looking to harken the "Power of Tozawa,"
in this match-up against Miz tonight.
Miz with a cheap shot,
-and now the match-up is under way. -[bell dinging]
Miz, looking to--
-Ooh. -["Welcome To LA" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, Miz visited LA Knight's work on Friday--
And from behind, Tozawa drop-kicking Miz out of the ring.
[Wade] What's the Megastar up to?
Here, cry about that.
[Cole laughs]
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
[Cole] Where's LA Knight going?
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight!
[Wade] The Megastar is coming to talk to us, Cole.
[Cole] Well, Miz up over the top rope.
[indistinct conversation]
[Cole] And Tozawa, sending Miz right into the announce table!
LA Knight has thrown Miz off his game.
[crowd cheering]
-[LA Knight] Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
-[man in crowd] Yeah! -[LA Knight] Yeah!
[man in crowd] Yeah.
[Cole] Back live on Monday Night Raw. Miz versus Akira Tozawa.
Miz's rival, LA Knight, is joining us on commentary,
-here at ringside. -[LA Knight] Yeah.
[Cole] Welcome, LA, and as Miz goes up to the top rope
and takes out Tozawa…
Well, let me talk to you.
Miz was out here talking about something he did, what 12 years ago,
when he was a background figure for John Cena and The Rock?
Good on him. Good for you, buddy.
He's talking about me being a flash in the pan, a trend, whatever.
-He hasn't been a trend in ten damn years. -You! My space!
-[Cole] You know you mentioned John Cena… -You're Beanie Babies!
[Cole] …will returns to the WWE and SmackDown, a week from Friday.
Miz has compared you to Cena, calls you a rip off of The Rock
-and John Cena of the Attitude Era. -[LA Knight] Of course he does.
-All he does is whine and complain. -[Cole] Cover.
[LA Knight] That's why I brought him tissues, so he can cry a little bit more.
It's like he has a… a notification on his calendar that…
"It's been a little bit too long. Maybe I need to cry about how
I was treated when I first came in, it was so bad."
[Wade] I mean, it has to be said, though.
I hate to be the one to defend Miz of all people,
but there are truth to the shots he's taken at you.
Fans, audiences can be fickle.
You can go out of fashion just like Beanie Babies.
Not that I think it would ever happen to "The Megastar" LA Knight.
[LA Knight] I was looking at a sign here, said they drove hours to see me.
I think a bunch of people drove four hours just not to see The Miz.
And Tozawa now.
[Cole] There goes Miz…
[LA Knight] Wade, the problem is…
Cole, you hit the nail right on the head on SmackDown.
-You said the Miz is jealous. -[Cole] Oh.
You know what that is? It's because when he had dreams to come in here,
he wanted to be me, he wanted to be what I've become.
He wanted to be quoted, he wanted people to chant his name,
and instead, the only thing anybody could quote,
is, "I'm The Miz, and I'm always making people vomit."
[Cole] Well, you know, one thing that people don't know about you is,
is how hard you've worked to earn this opportunity,
and how many years it took for you to get here.
Better pay attention to him, he's giving you a--
-Pay attention to him? -He's giving you a handful.
-I've no problem. -Oh, yeah?
-No problem! -Okay.
-And you're no problem. What? -Good for you.
You know, this guy, he talks about… If you took away the suits,
the money, the hot wife--
[Cole] Oh, trying to send Tozawa,
and Tozawa now turns it around, sending Miz into the steps.
[LA Knight] How'd that taste for you?
[Wade] Tozawa almost a human missile heading directly for LA Knight,
but he reversed his course.
[Cole] Miz was trying to do what LA Knight did to him on Friday, on SmackDown.
-[LA Knight] And, nah. -[Cole] Didn't work out.
But he talks about the hot wife, all this stuff.
Take that away, you've got LA Knight, and you're right.
Because if there's one guy who's going to take all that away, it is me.
[Wade] Hold on a second. We might get a real shock on our hands here.
[Cole] Tozawa! Oh, and Miz got the knees up!
[LA Knight] Good for him.
Miz is what you get if Biff Tannen banged a frog and pushed him down the stairs.
[Cole chuckles]
[Tozawa groans]
-[Cole] Oh, my goodness. -[LA Knight] Oh, good for you, buddy.
Good for you. You know what?
He is an inspiration, though, let's be honest.
He's proven that even though he's awful and boring,
having no talent, you can still make a great bit of coin in this business.
You are nothing!
[Cole] Oh, Miz, obviously obsessed with you.
Tozawa turns it around…
-And he got the win. -[bell dinging]
-Oh, my goodness! -Oh, he did it.
-[announcer] Here is your winner… -Look at him being a game changer.
[announcer] … Akira Tozawa!
[Cole] Tozawa just knocked off the Miz.
You did it, man. That's all you.
Yeah!
[Wade] Quebec City is the happiest place on Earth right now,
finally shutting up the Miz.
[Cole] Miz is gonna throw a gasket.
He's arguing with Eddie Munster in there, and…
I can't believe the fact that Miz just got beat by--
Oh, and LA ran in with a Blunt Force Trauma.
[Wade] This might be the worst night of the Miz's life.
[Cole] BFT from LA Knight to the Miz after The Miz got knocked off by Tozawa.
["Welcome To LA" playing]
-[Cole] Oh, my goodness. -Yeah.
[Cole] How embarrassed is Miz gonna be?
[Wade] But Miz just beat himself.
LA Knight did very little to him in that match.
[Cole] At least he's got a tissue to cry in.
Yeah.
It's still not bad, we're two in one. Don't give up on us yet, Drew.
-Come on, you've still got a future-- -Mate, I'm gonna talk.
You're gonna listen for a second.
I appreciate your enthusiasm. I really do.
You've seen what's happened with me.
I've got enough drama, as the saying goes, even more drama with The Viking Raiders.
Now this thing, it just ain't gonna work out.
-I don't think. -Oh, come o--
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Guys, come on.
Did y'all not hear the people out there?
Don't go so fast.
-You got a good thing going here. -Yeah, man.
Hey, you guys really showed us something out there tonight, man.
You guys, you got a good thing going and you got some potential.
-[Woods] Mm-hmm. -Yeah.
As a matter of fact, we got a name for you.
-Yeah. -We've been working on it.
McRiddle.
-See? McIntyre, Riddle? I'm loving it. -You get it?
-Right? -I'm loving it. Drew, are you loving it?
Oh, yeah. I can't get enough.
And we know y'all got an issue with the Vikings now as well, but,
we're already set up with them for next week.
But after we get done whipping them,
if y'all want this rematch, we'd love to do it again.
Yeah, you got it. Hey…
Thanks for having our back out there tonight, huh?
Pound it, bro.
Yeah. [laughs]
Paper covers rock!
That was a nice moment we had going there.
Yeah, all right.
-What's he doing, man? -Okay.
-Well… -Come on, don't be like that.
-Yeah. -All right. Get home safe.
-Sorry. -[Kofi] See you next week, man.
But, Drew, did you hear that, dude?
We got some potential.
New Day said they've won the titles plenty of times.
Dude, don't give up on us.
Let's tag one more time, bro.
That wasn't a no.
[claps]
[Cole] McRiddle's got a ring to it.
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[Wade] I preferred Edin-Bros, but whatever.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
"The Man" Becky Lynch.
[Cole] Becky Lynch was double crossed
months ago by the Hall of Famer Trish Stratus,
and now, she finally gets to end things
inside a steel cage,
a week from Saturday at Payback.
Becky versus Trish Stratus.
However, here, tonight, live on Monday Night Raw,
what is the fiery Irish Lass have in store for us tonight?
We'll find out.
The Man is here, live, next.
[Cole] On X, earlier today, John Cena,
reacting to the news first broken by Fox Sports
that he is returning to WWE.
[Wade] A week from Friday, Cole.
Friday Night SmackDown, September 1st,
gets fired up, because John Cena comes home to WWE.
[Cole] And the news taking the world by storm, headlines around the globe today.
John Cena not only returning to SmackDown,
but also he'll be making his first trip of his entire career to India,
as part of the Superstar Spectacle in the month of September.
John Cena will be a part of that live event.
Again the return of the 16-time World Champion, John Cena,
a week from Friday on SmackDown.
♪ In any weather, I'm never better Your boy is so hot ♪
♪ You'll never catch me… ♪
[in Spanish] Is he going to be on time?
[in English] So, did you guys work it out?
No.
I tried. I spoke to him.
He didn't want to hear it. He says he doesn't trust me.
I needed to go talk to his boy, JD.
To be honest, I don't really feel like you trust him either.
[scoffs] Do you blame me?
[in Spanish] He's here, he's there, do you want to talk?
-[in English] What else can I do? -Fine.
So that's how it's gonna be?
I gave you guys a chance to work it out.
So now we're gonna do it my way.
What?
[speaking Spanish]
[Cole] Rhea taking charge now, and the question is,
who will be the two members of Judgment Day
who will team up to take on the Tag Team Champions
of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens,
that Tag Team Match, our main event, still to come tonight.
Meanwhile, Becky Lynch is in the ring,
and we want to take this opportunity to tell you that The Man,
and the EST of WWE
are here to throw down in Fortnite.
Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair outfits are now available
in the Fortnite Item Shop.
Get yours today.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, last week, Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch on- on-one.
Trish's protege, Zoey Stark, was banned from ringside.
[bell dinging]
[Cole] And this match-up would spill out into the WWE Universe, a double countout,
But the fight was not over there.
[Wade] A lot more to these two than simply winning a match.
But as the brawl went down out of nowhere,
Zoey Stark appeared, acting as an equalizer.
Allowing Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark to leave The Man laying
at the end of the night.
We're gonna do it again, and this time, there's not gonna be any running,
not gonna be 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?
[Cole] And the steel cage will surround the ring,
a week from Saturday,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at WWE Payback.
Becky Lynch, Trish Stratus, it will finally end here.
You win via pin fall, submission or escape from the cage.
Becky, Trish at Payback.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky!
The Man has come around to Quebec City!
[crowd cheering]
And The Man
has Trish Stratus in a steel cage at Payback.
[crowd cheers]
Now, over the last few brutal months of this rivalry,
there's been a lot of talk about who's the best,
who is the greatest.
And really, ultimately it comes down to legacy.
What do you want your legacy to be?
What are you in control of?
What are you not in control of?
How can you take those so called lemons
and turn them into lemonade?
And I've come to realize that my legacy,
it will not be defined by wins or losses.
It will not be defined by championships.
It will be defined by survival!
[crowd cheers]
Because you can beat me,
you can put me on the shelf for months on end,
you can break my bones, you can tear my ligaments,
but I will always come back.
And not, not,
not because I am unbeatable,
but because I am unstoppable.
And I am unstoppable,
not because I always win,
but because I always, always, always fight!
[crowd cheering]
Which brings me back to Trish Stratus.
-[scattering booing] -[scattered chanting] Becky! Becky!
Now, Trish Stratus and I, we will go into a steel cage match.
But there is still some business with Zoey Stark.
And so, I talked to Adam Pearce and--
[woman chuckles]
♪ I don't care what y'all say ♪
♪ Oh, it's time to rock and roll… ♪
[Cole] I guess Trish didn't want to hear it.
The Hall of Famer, Trish Stratus, is here,
with her protege, Zoey Stark.
Comment ça va, Quebec?
[crowd cheering]
It is so nice to hear you guys.
We've been having to be south of our beautiful country,
having to deal with those USA holes.
So to be here, in my home, in my country, Canada…
[crowd cheering]
I…
[crowd chanting] Merci, Trish! Merci, Trish! Merci, Trish!
No, no, no.
I should be saying…
Merci beaucoup, Quebec.
[crowd cheering]
I can't tell you what it means to me to be here in my home country, Canada,
to be here in Quebec City,
because it means absolutely nothing.
-[crowd booing] -[chuckles]
I mean, it's not like this is Montreal.
-[crowd booing] -You're not even Toronto.
Oh, come on. Oh, you didn't like that one.
I mean, at least the Leafs made the playoffs. Huh?
[man in crowd shouting indistinctly]
[sarcastically] Okay. [chuckles]
Honestly, I wouldn't even be here if this…
-[crowd booing] -Oh, really? [laughs] Oh, really?
Oh, how fickle we are.
I wouldn't even be here if this sourpuss wasn't running her mouth.
I would have made like Trudeau and split.
[chuckles]
[scattered booing]
[crowd chanting in French] On s'en calisse.
-Pardonnez moi? -On s'en calisse.
On s'en calisse.
-On s'en calisse. On s'en calisse. -[imperceptible]
On s'en calisse.
[in English] I don't even I understand what you're saying so, this is…
This French you do, I don't understand. [chuckles]
[crowd chanting] On s'en calisse.
[in English] Lynch,
I got some good new and some bad news.
The good news is,
when I beat you one-on-one, I will finally prove
that I am the greatest of all time.
Right. Yes.
Not only of my generation, but of this generation.
[crowd booing]
The bad news is,
well, you've managed to trap me in a steel cage.
-[imperceptible] -[Trish] Yeah.
I've never fought in a steel cage before.
[Becky Lynch] Are you scared?
Am I scared?
You look scared. Are you scared?
-You look scared. -You know what? Yeah, I am. I am scared.
You should be.
But was I scared when I was 24 years old
and I was thrown into the WWE ring for the first time with zero experience?
Yeah, I was, but I killed it.
Was I scared when I was the first female ever to main event Raw?
Yeah, I was, but I killed it.
My entire career,
I have been thrown into the fire and I shined.
I have proven myself.
So you want to shove me into a steel cage?
Guess what, I will stand tall.
[crowd chanting in French] On s'en calisse.
[in English] What are all these frogs doing?
-[crowd in French] On s'en calisse. -[in English] I don't understand.
-I don't understand. -[in French] On s'en calisse.
On s'en calisse.
[in English] Lynch, you want to talk about…
survival and legacy?
Here I am,
23 years after standing face-to-face
with one of the best in the business.
-That's true. -That's right.
And you know what?
I find myself once again
having to prove myself to you
and to all of you.
I'm sick and tired of proving myself to everyone!
And you know what? When you step into the ring,
when you step into the cage with me,
you're going to see a side of me that you've never seen before,
and if I were you, Lynch, I would be scared.
I would be very scared, because, you know what?
You're not gonna survive this one, bitch.
[crowd exclaiming, booing]
[sarcastically] Oh, I'm so scared.
Were you saying something about Zoey earlier?
Oh, I was. I was saying something about Zoey
before you so rudely interrupted because,
Trish, in two weeks, it's gonna be you and me locked in a steel cage.
But, next week, Zoey, it's gonna be just the opposite.
Because it's gonna be you and me in a Falls Count Anywhere Match.
Welcome to the big time!
-[crowd cheering] -["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[Cole] Well, next week on Monday Night Raw,
Memphis, Tennessee,
Falls Count Anywhere.
I mean, you can beat your opponent out on Beale Street next week,
Becky and Zoey.
Well, what a horrific way to treat a Superstar like Trish Stratus.
Let me say what the heathens of this place couldn't.
Merci beaucoup, Trish Stratus.
Meanwhile, WWE official, Adam Pearce, who's been busy as of late,
including trying to figure out who the Tag Team Champions are,
he confronted Chelsea Green last week.
As you are aware, your partner, Sonya Deville, was injured weeks ago
against Charlotte and Bianca.
And as you are aware, she is 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.
As soon as you find a new partner, we'll be ready to--
-[Niven grunts] -[Pearce] Whoa! Piper. What are you doing?
I'm your new partner.
Actually, I was going to hold auditions,
so If you wanted to leave, like, your name and number,
maybe your Instagram handle--
I don't think you understand me.
[Chelsea yelps]
I'm your new partner.
Go. Move.
[crowd boos]
[Saxton] Uh, Piper Niven, Chelsea Green,
you both are now the new Women's Tag Team Champions.
So, where are your heads at?
Uh, I'm sorry. Before we talk about
whatever you were going to talk about, Brian,
let's talk about how I had to authorize WWE management
to make us Tag Team Champions after Sonya's Injury. Hmm?
Ah.
Regardless, I handled it as I always do.
And now, we are going to do what champions do.
Because, look at us.
This chemistry is off the charts.
-Okay, this interview's over. -Isn't it? We're like-- Wait.
Hey, hey.
Did I stutter?
Move.
["Hot Mess" playing]
[over song] It's Chelsea.
[Cole] I think Piper's audition went pretty well.
[Wade] Well, she's essentially installed herself
as the de facto leader of this team now.
What a rise to prominence for Piper Niven.
-[Cole] You going to argue with her? -[Wade] I don't think anyone will.
[Cole] Let's see how well this new team functions,
because coming up next,
they take on the team that Piper Niven attacked last week…
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter.
Tag-team action coming up next, live, on Monday Night Raw.
[Chelsea] It's so easy.
[Kevin Patrick] The powerhouse from Scotland,
full of absolute sheer aggression.
[Corey] Pure, unadulterated dominance.
Piper Niven, not the woman to mess with.
You want to talk about impact?
Piper, utilizing her own body as a weapon.
[Kevin Patrick] The joy and satisfaction that Piper takes out of hurting people.
[Corey] She's an incredibly talented athlete.
She's dangerous as the day is long.
[Kevin Patrick] What has gotten into Piper Niven?
[Corey] Goodness gracious, that is freaky power!
[Cole] And now, Piper Niven is one half of the Tag Team Champions
with Chelsea Green?
Chelsea's partner, Sonya Deville, recovering from an ACL injury.
So Piper Niven said, "Guess what? I'm your partner."
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring,
the team of Kayden Carter and Katana Chance!
["Party All The Time" playing]
[Cole] Well, we've been talking about the record-setting day this past Friday
for ticket sales for WrestleMania.
Over 92,000 tickets have already been sold for WrestleMania
as it comes to Philadelphia, for the first time in 25 years.
There are still some tickets remaining, however.
If you haven't got the opportunity to get yours,
I invite you to get them now
to be a part of the first weekend of April and WrestleMania next year.
So this is an exciting team.
Former NXT Tag Team Champions,
they had the longest reign in NXT Women's Tag Team Championship history,
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter.
[Wade] Yeah, and I think one word that sums these two up
is the word "perseverance."
[bell dings]
[Wade] They took several years, really, to click as a team together in NXT.
Most tag teams split up pretty rapidly if they don't get instant results.
Carter and Chance refused to give up on their goals,
persevered and have become quite the formidable unit.
[Cole] And this is Chance with a dropkick to Chelsea Green.
Kayden Carter…
Now quickly back Into the ring.
-Big opportunity here tonight. -[Wade] Yeah, undoubtedly.
Two of the most diminutive superstars on the roster.
They love people dismissing them,
overlooking them, due to their lack of size.
Thinks it makes them more elusive in the ring.
But elusive isn't helping them right now against Chelsea.
[Cole] Yeah, Chelsea Green, who many have called the annoying,
overbearing, a complainer,
will now come out of the ring because Piper has tagged herself in.
And here comes the powerhouse.
Kayden Carter, however, meets her with a kick.
[Wade] Some of that movement we talked about earlier
used to call herself "The Spitfire,"
moves rapidly and has got one hell of a sting.
[Cole] Niven did make the tag, right?
[Wade] I did see the tag happen, but Piper did not make it into the ring.
[Cole] Guess the official did not see it, because here's the double team now.
Whoa! Chance and Carter. Great move here!
And while the referee did see it, because she's waving off the…
Oh, my goodness, Kayden Carter…
whipped into our announce table.
So Niven is legal. The official did see it.
She waved off the cover inside the ring moments ago.
And here comes the powerhouse, the bulldozer!
-Piper Niven with the crossbody. -[Wade] Good night.
And just like that, the Tag Champs with the win.
["Taste The Jealousy" playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners,
the WWE Women's Team Champions,
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven!
[Cole] Wade, that devastating diving crossbody by Piper Niven,
and Niven makes short work of Chance and Carter here tonight.
[Wade] Well, the bark of Chelsea Green has found herself some bite
in the form of "The Scottish Powerhouse" Piper Niven.
This is just bone-crushing offense. It's highly effective.
And what a tag partner Chelsea Green has found for herself.
[Cole] Yeah. Good luck to the rest of the women's division here in WWE.
Piper Niven going to help her tag team partner
out of the arena here tonight.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we are in Quebec City,
that is the… this is also Quebec,
the home province of the Tag Team Champions,
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn,
who, tonight, will team together for the first time in over a month
when Kevin Owens was taken out with injury by The Judgment Day.
[Wade] KO and Sami are fired up,
the population of Quebec expects them to deliver.
Which two members of the Judgment Day will they face?
We'll find out soon because it's tonight's main event.
♪ Something coming, I can feel it… ♪
[rap music playing]
[Cole] Now, the wonderful city of Quebec City,
the capital of the province of Quebec
that sits on the Saint Lawrence River,
the host tonight of Monday Night Raw.
♪ Married the fight, read it my vows There ain't no losing… ♪
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
Without further ado, please welcome my guest at this time,
the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[crowd cheering]
Seth, we all heard--
Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie.
Just, they've been waiting all night long out there.
Before we get into it, can we just give 'em a second
and let them sing?
[crowd vocalizing to "Visionary"]
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
[Rollins cackling]
All right.
Now, I presume
you are going to ask me about my back.
Yes. Actually, I was going to ask you for an Injury update,
and If there's any truth whatsoever
to what Shinsuke Nakamura had to say about you earlier tonight.
You know, Shinsuke, um…
He caught me off guard last week
when he brought up my back injury, because…
Well, the truth is,
it's not something I really like to talk about publicly.
Um…
But if we're being completely open here,
I do have two fractures in my lumbar spine.
I have been living with that injury
for over four years,
and it doesn't get better by itself.
As a matter of fact, it gets worse.
And the truth is, I don't really know, um…
I don't know what the end game is.
I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to do this
at the level…
I'm currently running at.
And, um…
And you know what?
That's part of the gig.
And it's part of the gig
if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to bring up and target my injuries,
and it's part of the gig if Shinsuke Nakamura
wants to take cheap shots.
Uh, if he wants to play mind games.
Hell, it's even part of the gig
if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to question my character, many have.
He's not the first, he won't be the last.
But if Shinsuke Nakamura
wants to bring my family into it,
my wife and my daughter
and my livelihood into this,
then he better be prepared
to face me, man to man.
But you're not, are you, Shin?
You're not even here tonight, are you, Shin?
You're in a TV studio a thousand miles away,
too afraid to face me.
Here's what I'm going to do for you.
Next week,
I'm going to give you one more chance to play your little mind games,
prove to the world
that you are an honorable warrior.
And I'll repeat to you what I told you last week.
I'm not a hard guy to find.
I'll be in the center of that ring
dressed to the nines,
world title wrapped around my waist
with the whole world
singing my song.
[crowd vocalizing] ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
[Cole] Did Shinsuke Nakamura shake Seth Rollins?
Or did he wake up a visionary?
We're going to find out a week from Saturday.
It's WWE Payback in Pittsburgh.
Rollins, Nakamura for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Now, speaking of championships,
earlier tonight, one of the most physical match-ups in recent memory,
Gunther defending the Intercontinental Championship
against Chad Gable in this match, was incredible.
[Wade] What a hard-hitting affair this was,
bouncing all the ringside area.
This is my ring!
It's my ring!
[Cole] But it was tremendous resilience by Chad Gable
that frustrated the champion.
And Gable off this suplex
would beat the count back into the ring.
Now, Gable wouldn't win the Intercontinental Championship,
but he would become the first man…
-[bell dings] -[Cole] …to beat Gunther
in a singles match since Gunther arrived
on the main roster of WWE a year-and-a-half ago.
[announcer] …Chad Gable!
-["Fight" playing] -[crowd cheering]
-["Worlds Apart" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd] ♪ Let's go! ♪
[Cole] It's been a while since the Tag Team Champions
have actually teamed together.
Kevin Owens out of action with an Injury caused by Judgment Day.
Sami Zayn banged up by Judgment Day as well.
But, tonight, in our main event,
Owens and Zayn back together again to take on Judgment Day.
The question, though, Wade, is which two members of Judgment Day?
[Wade] Well, we're going to find out very soon.
It's tonight's main event.
Quebec is fired up.
These people expect the goods.
It's coming up next in our main event.
[Cole] Every week, Raw Talk follows Monday Night Raw over on Peacock.
Tonight, The Viking Raiders will be there along with the Women's Tag Team Champions
and Akira Tozawa who upset The Miz earlier on tonight.
Next week, Monday Night Raw
comes to Memphis, Tennessee, on Beale Street,
and Becky Lynch, just a few days away from her steel cage match with Trish Status,
will take on Trish's protege, Zoey Stark, in a Falls Count Anywhere Match.
[Wade] And not only that, Chad Gable put a blemish
on the once-perfect record of Gunther earlier tonight.
Can the smug Ludwig Kaiser get some payback for The Ring General?
Kaiser and Gable go one-on-one next week, live, on Raw.
[Cole] Tag Team Champs, ready for action.
[crowd vocalizing to "Worlds Apart"]
["The Other Side" playing]
[Cole] But who will they face?
[Ripley] Come here! Come here!
You're going to tag. You guys, you guys!
You guys, you're tagging, okay? Get it done, get it done!
-Get along. I'm sick of it. -Let's do this.
-Do it! -Let's do this.
[Cole] Rhea Ripley said that, "We are going to do things my way."
She put her foot down, and forcing Damian Priest
and Finn Bálor to tag together tonight.
[Wade] Rhea Ripley read you the Riot Act, you pay attention.
[Cole] And here we go.
Priest and Bálor going right after Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
in our Tag Team main event.
[Wade] Hockey fights in the home of hockey here in Canada.
[Cole] They don't have a team anymore in Quebec City. Nonetheless…
Oh, big chop by Kevin Owens!
And Kevin Owens who was taken out of action by The Judgment Day,
looking for a little bit of payback tonight.
[Wade] Referee having no control whatsoever.
These guys intent on tearing each other apart
before the match even starts.
[Cole] Sami Zayn coming to the aid of his buddy, Kevin Owens.
[crowd] ♪ Olé, olé, olé, olé ♪
Referee, Chad Patton, finally gets this match-up started.
Mr. Money in the Bank, Damian Priest teaming with Finn Bálor tonight.
Of course, so many of their issues based on the contract
that Damian Priest carries,
which he can cash in for a championship opportunity at any point.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami!
[Cole] Sami Zayn sending Priest up over the top rope
and out here to the announce desk.
And now, Sami Zayn taking the fight to Priest.
Finn Bálor trying to get involved.
Bálor, now, bounced off the announce table.
Sami Zayn unloading on Bálor.
-[Wade] Weeks of pent up aggression. -[Cole] Oh!
[Dominik] Let's go, boys.
[Cole] And just like that, Priest takes control--
[Wade] Just like that, it's punishment time.
Such is the power in the fists of Damian Priest.
[Cole] And Goofy-- I mean, Dirty Dom out here at ringside with Mami,
the World Champion, Rhea Ripley.
Dominik, of course, the North American Champion from NXT,
he and Rhea Ripley team together tomorrow night
on the mixed tag at NXT Heatwave right here on the USA Network.
Tag to Kevin Owens.
-And here comes KO. -[crowd cheers]
And Kevin Owens, pounding away on Finn Bálor.
Owens and Bálor with a long history.
[Wade] Weeks and weeks.
Kevin Owens was waiting for this moment.
-[Cole] How fired up is KO? -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And now, Kevin Owens takes out Bálor.
Takes out Priest.
[crowd continues cheering]
[Cole] And there's that cannonball off the apron.
Non-stop action.
[Wade] This might be ending real quick, Michael.
[Cole] KO, top rope. Swanton.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Went for the Stunner. Bálor, able to counter with Sling Blade.
[Wade] Bálor as resilient as they come.
Managed to weather that early storm.
[Cole] Yeah, Judgment Day looking to settle things down now.
[Wade] There's the infamous Money in the Bank briefcase,
but, no, denied.
[Cole] Yeah, that briefcase has caused so many problems.
Now look who's here.
JD McDonagh.
Finn Bálor's buddy.
Trying to toss the briefcase to Bálor…
-Kevin Owens uses it. -[bell dings]
[Cole] That's going to cause a disqualification.
Referee caught KO red-handed.
[crowd booing]
[announcer] Here are your winners, as a result of a disqualification--
[Cole] And now from behind, Damian Priest.
[crowd booing]
And Priest and Bálor continue now…
Why are you touching my stuff? What is wrong with you?
Stay out of my business. I'm going to tear your head off.
[Cole] Now Sami Zayn takes out McDonagh.
Priest has been telling McDonagh to stay out of Judgment Day business
for the longest time.
Now, Dominik attacking Sami Zayn from behind
and the mugging is on by Judgment Day.
[Wade] There is venom on every strike so far.
[Cole] Three-on-one attack. Kevin Owens trying to get into the mix.
He's taken out as well.
Remember, Owens, just returning from Injury.
-Sami Zayn's been banged up. -["Kingdom" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Rhodes warned the Judgment Day earlier tonight.
And the American Nightmare is here with the equalizer.
Cleared the ring of Judgment Day.
[Wade] Rhodes got laid out last Monday night by the Judgment Day.
-Now's time for a little payback. -[Rhea Ripley] What the hell!
No, no, no.
We're not ending Monday Night Raw like that.
There are three of us. There's three of you.
Let's go. Now!
-Now! -[crowd cheering]
You want a fight?
[Cole] What do you say, Judgment Day?
Cody Rhodes has made the challenge.
Here's Adam Pearce.
-Is he going to make it official? -There are three of you!
[Cole] I think he is.
Come back! Let's roll!
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
The Six-Man Tag Team Match-up made official
right before we went to commercial break.
Cody Rhodes teaming up with the Tag Team Champions,
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn,
against Mysterio, Bálor and Priest of Judgment Day.
[Wade] What a cauldron this arena has turned into. This place coming alive.
[Cole] And now Sami Zayn in the ring against Dominik Mysterio,
the current North American Champion.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami!
[Cole] We were talking to Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
They were talking about what Quebec and Quebec City has meant to them.
Twenty some-odd years ago when they started wrestling together,
became the best of friends, traveling in the car three hours
between Montreal and Quebec City each and every weekend
to participate in… Oh! …starting of their career,
and it has turned into a lifelong friendship for these two.
[Wade] Both men really seem to raise their game in Quebec in particular.
Can they get it done tonight, though?
[Cole] And now, Finn Bálor into the ring.
Judgment Day has been so dominant as of late.
[Wade] Well, here's the thing. We saw Raw last week,
how dominant Judgment Day looked at the end of the show,
yet, only for the problems to resurface earlier tonight.
Have they been put to bed after being read the Riot Act by Rhea Ripley.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Tag made, and now Kevin Owens.
KO.
Shot right to the midsection of Finn Bálor.
[crowd cheering]
And Owens… There's the senton.
-[crowd cheers] -You suck!
[crowd exclaims]
[Cole] Owens has so much fun in the ring.
Current Tag Team Champion,
but the distraction there momentarily cost him.
And now Judgment Day takes over. Tag made. Here comes Dominik Mysterio.
-[crowd booing] -[Wade] It's that numbers game.
Once again, the modus operandum of the Judgment Day,
and the one reason, above anything else,
that they are the most dangerous unit in WWE today.
[Cole] Yeah. Now, Kevin Owens.
-Dominik. -[crowd chanting indistinctly]
I run this, bitch!
-[Cole] WWE fans all over… -Yeah, you do.
[Cole] …Dominik Mysterio.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Finn] That's it. Squeeze it.
Squeeze, Dom, squeeze.
Shut up, Sami.
[Wade] What a victory it would be for the NXT North American Champion,
Dominik Mysterio, to put away one of Quebec's favorite sons tonight.
[Cole] And Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, looking to rally Kevin Owens
in this Six-Man Tag Team Match-up.
Owens and company trying to quell the momentum of the Judgment Day.
[Wade] Right now, the Judgment Day are just smothering Kevin Owens.
[Cole] Well, this is their MO.
Work together as a team.
And now, Mysterio, off the apron.
Runs into the right hand by Owens
[Wade] Just cannot give Kevin Owens any breathing room whatsoever.
[Cole] Señor Money in the Bank runs into a back elbow by Kevin Owens.
Owens, trying to fight everyone off. They're coming from everywhere.
And finally, the numbers catch up to Owens. Tag made.
Bálor, the legal man.
[Wade] Talk about those previously
-damaged ribs of KO. -[Cole] Oh, and look at Priest…
Driving Owens into the barricade.
-[Wade] If they weren't 100%… -[Cole] And look at Ripley.
[Wade] …certainly not now.
[Cole] The powerhouse, "The Eradicator" gets involved.
[Rhea Ripley laughing] Suck it, suck it, suck it!
[Cole] Like I said before, The Judgment Day
just comes at you, Wade, from every direction.
[crowd boos]
[Wade] What we've learned over the past couple of years,
these four will not be held back,
will not be held down, and perhaps cannot be beaten.
[woman in crowd] We love you, Rhea!
[Cole] Rhea Ripley, so impressive.
The current Women's World Champion.
[Wade] It's about time you said something nice about her.
-Thank you, Michael Cole. -[Cole] Bálor.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] And now, The Judgment Day
has gained complete control of this match.
They've slowed the pace.
They've taken the WWE Universe out of the match-up,
keeping Kevin Owens away from his partners.
Everything they're doing right now, textbook
when it comes to tag-team wrestling.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] KO, though, got the guts and the heart
as he tries to fight back, and he runs into a clothesline.
Cover by Priest, hook to the leg…
Our Six-Man Tag Team Match continues, live.
[Rhea Ripley] Referee! That was a three!
[Cole] That's tomorrow night, but, here, tonight on USA Monday Night Raw,
our main event Six-Man Tag Team Match
Judgment Day against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes.
Now, throughout the entirety of this match-up,
Rhea Ripley has been preaching to Judgment Day,
screaming out, simply saying,
as Kevin Owens tries to turn things around now…
Rhea Ripley has been saying to Judgment Day, "Same page, same page.
You have to be on the same page."
And they have been for the majority of this match.
[Wade] For the past six or seven minutes
The Judgment Day have been doing an absolute number
on that previously-injured rib cage of KO.
KO was sinking, but he's got himself a chance.
[Cole] And now, Kevin Owens
trying to make a tag.
Can he make it to Sami and Cody Rhodes?
And Damian Priest not allowing KO to get to the corner.
[Wade] Speed, limb length,
bad intentions,
the rock star of The Judgment Day, Damian Priest.
All things are clicking once again.
[Cole] Yeah, the rock star, Mr. Money in the Bank,
Damian Priest.
The Judgment Day, again, have done such a great job
of isolating Owens from his corner,
taking the fans out of this match-up.
-[Wade] It's absolute textbook. -[crowd chanting] Let's go, KO!
Let's go, KO!
[Cole] WWE Universe trying to rally Kevin Owens,
who needs to somehow get to Cody or Sami.
Bálor, that front facelock, doing a nice job keeping Owens away.
Owens trying to make it back to the corner again.
[Wade] What a battle of power.
You would back KO almost every time,
but he is so beat up, so worn out.
[Cole] Maybe not, created a little bit of space.
Superkick now to the face of Bálor,
but Bálor was driven into Cody Rhodes who was knocked off the apron.
And now, both men down, center of the ring.
Critical moment In this match for Kevin Owens.
We're In Quebec City tonight.
Quebec, the home province of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens,
the Tag Team Champions.
Crowd has been raucous all night long.
This is our Six-Man Tag Team main event.
Tag made to Damian Priest, tag made to Sami Zayn, and here we go.
Zayn now the legal man.
Zayn, springboard leapfrog. Into a clothesline.
Now, Sami blasting both, Dominik and Bálor off the apron.
[Wade] Sami looking as fresh as a daisy.
That's exactly what this team needs right now.
[Cole] Off the second rope, big elbow to the face of Priest.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Sami Zayn able to duck underneath.
And this right here is classic Zayn.
-DDT! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Shoots the half, the cover now on Priest, and a kick-out of two.
Rhea Ripley thought the match was over.
[Wade] Zayn, completely shifting the momentum in this one
thanks to moves like this.
Criminally underrated as a high-flyer.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami!
Sami! Sami! Sami!
-Sami! Sami! Sami! Sami! -[Rhea Ripley] Dom! Dom!
[Cole] Zayn looking to climb to the top rope.
Dominik running some interference.
[Wade] Danger at every angle.
[Cole] And Rhea Ripley gets involved.
-You see how Finn Bálor… -[crowd booing]
He drew the referee and allowed Rhea Ripley
to get involved, cause a distraction,
and South of Heaven chokeslam for the win for Judgment Day.
Kevin Owens breaks things up.
[Wade] Kevin Owens back from the dead.
Thankfully for his team, because that was over right there.
[Cole] Now Priest, though, turning Owens inside out.
It's just so hard to get the upper hand on Judgment Day, Wade.
[Wade] They always have an answer. They thought everything through.
And right now, the leader seems to be Rhea Ripley
calling the shots, calling the plays and everything is just working.
[Cole] It's such an important part of this match-up as Ripley--
Went for the frog splash, Dominik, Sami Zayn able to get the knees up.
Cody Rhodes back up on the apron. Zayn needs to make a tag.
[crowd clapping]
It was Cody's idea for the Six-Man Tag Match.
-Tag. -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Cody, who's got quite the history with Dominik Mysterio.
Remember London?
-Whoa! -[Wade] Whoa! Double Cody Cutter!
-[Cole] Cover by Cody. -[crowd] One, two--
[Cole] The Cody Cutter in stereo almost put Dominik away.
[Wade] Just enough left in the tank of Dominik Mysterio.
That would have put away many competitors.
[Cole] And now looking for Cross Rhodes
Finn Bálor into the ring.
Cody Rhodes…
Cross Rhodes to Bálor!
Dominik from behind.
Scoops up Cody, trying to win one, kick-out of two.
And Dominik, Cross Rhodes!
[crowd cheering]
Tag to Sami.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] This can only mean one thing.
[Cole] Tag to Kevin.
Helluva Kick!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Stunner!
[crowd] One, two, three.
-[bell dings] -[Cole] Judgment Day loses this match-up.
["Fight" playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners,
the team of "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes,
and The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Cody Rhodes turned out to be a prophet tonight,
because earlier on, he said
you were going to see the rise and then the fall of Judgment Day.
Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
pick up the win in our Six-Man Tag Team main event.
[Wade] Tag Team Champions stayed alive long enough
in this match-up for Cody to play a decisive role.
But the glory went to the Quebec boys.
[Cole] First, the Cross Rhodes…
And Cody Rhodes realized that tonight was the night,
the homecoming for the Tag Team Champions.
He tagged in Sami Zayn who would tag in Kevin Owens.
After the Helluva Kick, the Stunner.
Owens, Zayn and Rhodes with the win.
[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell dings]
[Cole] And Judgment Day was not happy.
[announcer] Here are your winners, the team of the American Nightmare…
["Fight" playing]
[crowd cheering]
Hey, Judgment Day.
[panting] Better luck next time, hey, bud?
[crowd cheers]
[in French] This is a little message for everyone here.
Sorry for all those who do not understand French.
But this here, the red is for Canada, and the blue is for Quebec.
[crowd cheering]
Merci beaucoup.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[Cole] Thank you for joining us in what has been an electric night
here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
Good night, everybody, from Quebec City. as been an electric night