[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
[Ric Flair] Woooo!
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman] Acknowledge me!
-[Triple H] The king of kings! -[Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[Michael Cole] We are sold out at the PPG Paints Arena
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Fourteen thousand five hundred and eighty four.
Pittsburg, welcome to Payback.
Your newest member of the Raw roster,
Jey Uso.
[Michael] Oh!
[Corey Graves] Look at the arena rock!
[upbeat music playing]
[Michael] The culmination of a rivalry inside a steel cage.
[Corey] Not from up there.
[Michael] Wait a minute, Zoey Stark!
[Corey] Manhandle Slam.
[upbeat music continues]
[Michael] Zoey Stark's had enough.
LA Knight one on one with The Miz.
John Cena, special guest referee.
LA Knight looking more legit than ever tonight.
Rey Mysterio will defend the United States Championship
against Austin Theory.
[Corey] Rolls through. Rey retains.
[Michael] Raquel Rodriguez may be the biggest threat
to Rhea Ripley's championship.
[upbeat music continues]
[Michael] Look who's here.
[Corey] And he's going to pay.
[Michael] And now Ripley off the distraction.
[Corey] Seth Rollins versus sensational Shinsuke Nakamura
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Michael] Elephant in the room, the bad back of Seth Rollins.
[Corey] And Rollins said Shinsuke
will target it in this championship match.
Nakamura is destroying the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Michael] Pedigree! Seth's got a chance.
[Corey] Rollins able to shift his weight.
[Michael] Stomp.
[Corey] Seth Rollins survives.
[music fades]
[Samantha] The following is a Pittsburgh steel city street fight.
[intense music playing]
[Corey] This is nuts.
[intense music continues]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Through Dominik, through the table with a swanton.
[Michael] To retain the championship.
[Corey] Wait a minute.
JD McDonagh!
Rhea Ripley with a spear through the barricade!
[Michael] Dominik Mysterio with the Money in the Bank briefcase.
[referee] One, two, three.
[bell rings]
[music fades]
♪ Let's go ♪
♪ I got a vision I see in my head ♪
♪ A melody buried deep into my soul ♪
♪ They call us crazy, we cuttin' the edge ♪
♪ The time I decided our stories are gonna be told ♪
♪ Break the rules, break the laws ♪
♪ This is the moment we change it all ♪
♪ Yeah, greatness ♪
♪ Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
♪ Legendary in the makin' ♪
♪ Reach out and we take it ♪
♪ 'Bout to emerge, we on the verge ♪
♪ And it feels like greatness ♪
♪ Yeah, greatness ♪
♪ Yeah, it feels like greatness ♪
[fireworks bursting]
♪ Reach out and we take it ♪
♪ 'Bout to emerge, we on the verge ♪
♪ And it feels like greatness ♪
[Michael] Happy Labor Day, everyone.
Monday Night Raw is live tonight at the Spectrum Center.
In Charlotte, North Carolina.
Forty eight hours removed from an incredible
WWE Payback.
And tonight is a can't-miss edition
of Monday Night Raw, where history could be made.
Because it Gunther wins,
he'll become the longest reigning
Intercontinental Champion of all time.
Shattering the 35-year record of The Honky Tonk Man.
However, former Olympian
Chad Gable stands in his way.
Gunther versus Gable tonight.
[Wade] And one week ago, giant fractures
were forming within The Judgment Day.
At Payback, however,
it was all sunshine and rainbows once again,
as every member of the group left carrying gold.
The most dominant force in WWE will be here on Raw tonight.
[Michael] Seth "Freakin" Rollins is still the World Heavyweight Champion.
But at what cost?
Tonight, we look back at this epic battle
versus Shinsuke Nakamura.
And show you what happened after.
Payback went off, the air still to come.
Tonight
[Samantha] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the newest member of the Monday Night Raw roster.
Main Event Jey Uso!
♪ Uso! ♪
♪ Aye, aye ♪
♪ Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city! ♪
♪ Yahoo! ♪
♪ It's just me Uce Okay ♪
♪ Day one ish ♪
♪ It's just me Uce ♪
♪ Day one ish ♪
♪ It's just me Uce Okay ♪
[Michael] And ladies and gentlemen, it was the shocker of all shockers.
This past Saturday night at Payback,
Cody Rhodes informing the world that he pulled some strings
and got Jey Uso back in the WWE.
[Wade] Well, the Bloodline family drama
made Jey Uso quit the entire industry a few weeks ago.
Thankfully, cooler heads have now prevailed
and the entire WWE Universe is thrilled
that Jey Uso is now back under the WWE umbrella.
And right here on Raw.
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Michael] Cody Rhodes used to be an EVP.
I guess he can get things done as Jey Uso makes his way
into the arena in Charlotte tonight for Monday Night Raw.
-["Main Event Ish" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] What a reaction to Jey Uso tonight.
[Wade] Jey Uso looks like a giant weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
-[exclaims] -[crowd cheering]
♪ It's just me Uce Day one ish ♪
♪ It's Jey, I line 'em all up and knock 'em down like this ♪
♪ Aye, aye Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city! ♪
♪ Yahoo! ♪
♪ It's just me Uce Okay, day one ish ♪
♪ It's just me Uce Day one ish ♪
♪ It's just me Uce Okay, day one ish ♪
♪ It's Jey, I line 'em all up and knock em down like this ♪
[crowd cheering]
-[all] Uso! Uso! Uso! -All right.
Appreciate that.
-[crowd cheering] -Yeet!
All right, real talk. Let me get it out.
Always wanted to do this part, okay?
Let me-- Let me live. Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Walk with me, though.
Welcome to Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering]
[all] Uso! Uso! Uso!
All right, real talk.
Your boy been only gone for, like two to three weeks, right? But I…
I mean, I miss y'all, too.
It felt a lot longer than that, though.
I'm…
I really hit my breaking point, Uce.
Every week, man.
Every week on national television.
Fighting my family.
Well, we family feud for real?
And then out the blue, Uce,
the unexpected called me.
Go by the name of American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
I see you, Uce.
That's why I'm on the main event Mondays by myself.
[crowd cheering]
I did some things in the past.
Might have created some enemies back there.
But you know where to find me,
because it's just me, Uce.
And Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city.
[crowd cheering]
-["Worlds Apart" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, Jey Uso owning it.
Claiming, "yes, indeed I've made some enemies."
But here is a man
that despite all the fighting that they've done over the past year or so,
has more often than not been in the corner of Jey Uso,
one Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Well, it's been a little while since he's been in the corner of Jey Uso
and Jey Uso may need to make a couple of apologies this evening.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting]
Boy, Jey, I got to be honest.
It's pretty crazy to see you standing here, man.
A lot of what you said was true, but one thing is definitely true.
There are a lot of people back there in that locker room
that are going to have a very big problem with you being here now.
That's the truth.
Hey, that's the truth, even me and even Kevin Owens
and I haven't always seen eye to eye when it comes to this whole situation.
But it's fine. Kevin Owens isn't even here tonight.
And it doesn't even matter. The boy--
Whoever in the back, in the locker room. Whatever problems they have.
That's not what this is about. Right now,
this is about you and me.
And I wanted to make sure that I was the first person
that you saw when you came to Monday Night Raw,
so that I could look you in the eyes and tell you straight to your face
that I… am happy that you're here.
[crowd cheering]
I know you, Jey.
I know you, man. I know what…
I know what's in your heart. I know the kind of guy you are.
I know that everything that…
That you did over the past couple of months.
I know how hard that had to be.
But you did it, man.
You broke free.
[crowd cheering]
And now you are standing here on your own two feet all by yourself.
You have become who you've always been.
And here you truly are Main Event Jey Uso.
[crowd cheering]
So look…
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso! Uso!
I know there's a history here.
I don't expect us to be friends overnight.
Best buddies, whatever it is.
I just wanted to tell you straight to your face, man.
I'm really proud of you.
[crowd cheering]
You know what?
It's fine… whenever you're ready to talk.
I'm here, all right?
Hey, Sami.
Now that wasn't very Uce-y of me, was it?
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Uce-y, Uce-y, Uce-y!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, that had to feel good for both Jey Uso and Sami Zayn, Wade.
Remember, Sami had been trying to convince Jey Uso
for the better part of a year to leave Roman Reigns
and the Bloodline behind.
[Wade] Sami Zayn has a heart of gold.
He's happy Jey's here, but I'll tell you this,
there's about fifty other superstars in the locker room overall
who are going to take a little more convincing.
[Michael] Well, you know, Jey Uso owned it, right?
And he said, "listen, I got to create some wrongs.
I know I made lot of enemies. You know where to find me,"
and we're going to see how Jey Uso handles the situation here,
on Monday Night.
-["Gallantry" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, to your point, Wade,
here is one of the men that has an issue with the Bloodline.
Drew McIntyre.
It was a year ago at Clash at the Castle,
McIntyre believed he had Roman Reigns defeated.
To win the Undisputed Championship.
It's his first night back. Hey Drew, it's his first night back.
[Michael] Before the Bloodline got involved.
["We Up" playing]
[Wade] Drew McIntyre has a long memory.
Maybe one day forgive, but I promise you he will never forget.
[Michael] Neither will this man.
Usually the fun loving Riddle.
The Bloodline cost Matt Riddle a number of marks of his career…
-Give him a chance. -…due to injury.
So Jey Uso is welcomed to Monday Night Raw,
but he's got scores to settle, perhaps.
Well, Jey Uso might need to go out and buy about
50-100 boxes of chocolates to make up for some of these guys.
Well, Jey Uso has got a lot to prove.
And if you ask Shinsuke Nakamura,
he proved everything he needed to this past Saturday night at Payback.
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for
the World Heavyweight Championship.
[speaking Japanese]
[Michael] Nakamura is destroying the world heavyweight champion.
[speaking Japanese]
[Corey] Seth fighting through the pain.
Seth Rollins with a stomp from Out of Nowhere.
Drapes himself a Nakamura.
[bell rings]
[speaking Japanese]
-[crowd booing] -[speaking Japanese]
Need to know what's next.
I know you saw SummerSlam.
It didn't go my way. I need that new opportunity.
I know. I'm working on it.
-Let me. -I need this for.
Hold on just a second. Seth
What are you doing here?
[crowd cheering]
Ah, it's Monday night, right?
And I'm the world heavyweight champion.
So I mean, this is where I'm not supposed to be
Look, I know you didn't like it,
but medical ordered you not to be here tonight
Right? Tensions are high Jey Uso arriving here
Jey Uso Jeyshmush.
Medical Medical
Pierce. I'm fine.
If I can walk, I can fight. Right?
So I'm fine.
Hey look sorry
Seth, Listen.
I saw what you and Shin did at Payback, man.
You guys absolutely tore the house down.
For you to be here tonight, on Monday Night Raw
after what happened to your back, man, I just wanted to say…
Respect, that's absolutely a champ I can get behind.
You see, he gets it.
My guy.
That's not what I was saying, man.
I know as much as you really want to.
Just know you don't have to carry the whole show by yourself.
Don't have to carry whole thing.
-You gotta help. -Guys,
I'm fine.
I'm totally fine.
Jeez
-You see. -I don't understand that got too look out.
[Michael] Now Seth wants to be the working man's champion.
That is right at the top.
Meanwhile, Riddle and Drew McIntyre.
The newly created tag team in action next
No disqualification, no count outs.
All four men in the ring at the same time.
It's The Viking Raiders, McIntyre and Riddle.
Tornado tag team action next.
Where are those Vikings? We're out here forever.
[Michael] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
McIntyre and Riddle set for a tornado tag match.
["Vicious" playing]
♪ Valhalla is here ♪
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following is a Tornado tag team match
making their way to the ring, accompanied by Valhalla.
Erik and Ivar.
The Viking Riders.
[Michael] You know, last week the Raiders took on New Day. The Glass Bros.
Drew and Riddle were at ringside
and Ivar would drive Kofi Kingston into them,
and that's where the problem started.
[Wade] This match went into meltdown.
McIntyre trying to get even with a Viking Raiders, completely misaimed.
Caught Xavier Woods, took him out of the matchup.
Leaving Kofi to face the wrath of Ragnarok.
[Michael] The Viking Raiders would knock off The New Day and then
Drew McIntyre had some explaining to do.
-You know, it was an accident. -Big D.
Don't even trip, man.
It's all good we know you ain't do it on purpose.
Taking cheap shots like that out there is not even in your repertoire.
We're gonna take care of this Viking Raiders problem.
I'm gonna have a word with Adam Pearce.
Make sure I don't have to tag in to get my hands on them,
because I'm gonna beat their asses.
[Michael] And this is how we ended up in a Tornado
tag team match where you don't tag in and out.
All four men will be in the ring at the same time.
Xavier Woods not here this week.
He had a cervical issue caused by the chair that was thrown by McIntyre.
And now we are underway.
[Wade] McIntyre as you said, demanded this style and match up.
He didn't want to have to tag in.
He didn't want anything getting in his way
of being able to get even with the Viking Raiders.
[Michael] And Drew McIntyre with a Spin Buster to Ivar.
McIntyre and Riddle
have been working very well together as a team as you see there,
[Wade] such a bizarre unit drew as intense as they come.
Riddle usually doesn't come close to being fans
[Michael] Oh!
[Wade] Until been punched in the mouth a couple of times.
[Michael] We've been celebrating for weeks
the life of Hall of Famer Terry Funk, very famous
because of these Texas Tornado matches,
in his Hall of Fame career and now the Viking Raiders,
with a double team on Riddle.
[Wade] Terry Funk the less rules the better
and you have to think The Viking Raiders like that style themselves.
[Michael] You know when the first tornado tag team match was?
-[Wade] Do you know? -[Michael] 1936.
[Wade] There you go, you were just about born then, right?
Milo Steinborn and Whiskers Savage versus Tiger Daula and Fazul Mohammed.
[Wade] The greats right there.
[Michael] And nonetheless, Riddle--
Right to Ivar and now McIntyre clearing Ivar over the top rope.
Do you like the Glass Bros Nickname?
[Wade] I do like the nickname, uh…
[Michael] Wow! Hug it out, and tossed Riddle into the fray.
[Wade] Riddle had no idea that was coming.
-[Michael] Worked well, though. -[Wade] Highly effective. [chuckles]
Get the table.
-[Michael laughing] -[Wade laughing]
-[Drew] You get the table. -[Riddle] All right, all right, all right.
You know…
[Michael] I guess Riddle wants the tables.
-No disqualification, no count out. -[crowd cheering]
Tornado match continues.
Here comes the tables.
[Michael] We are in the midst of a…
tornado tag team match between the Viking Raiders, McIntyre and Riddle.
Riddle's the one who called for the tables.
And he may go for one.
[Wade] Talk about falling on your own sword.
this is about… Oh! McIntyre with the save perhaps.
[Michael] Yeah, Drew McIntyre playing defense as Ivar,
the over 300 pounder heading up to the top rope.
Remember, no disqualifications or count outs,
under tornado tag team rules.
[Wade] McIntyre is on a hair trigger
temper of late probably only got worse.
With the arrival of the ghost of Christmas past Jey Uso earlier.
But things started to look bleak for the Viking Raiders.
[Michael] And look at… Superplex, but no table.
Erik pulled the table out of the way.
So his partner Ivar, wouldn't go through it.
Now the cover By Erik on McIntire. Who kicks out at two.
[Wade] The Viking Raiders pair of savages.
But they always have one another's backs.
[Michael] Riddle… driving Erik back to the corner.
Misses wildly now Ivar
sending Riddle into the middle of the ring.
Erik runs right through him,
into the cover and a kick out by Riddle.
[Wade] Really have seen a different side of the Viking Raiders.
These past few weeks, they upset the gods last month.
With a couple of losses but have got back in the good graces.
In a big way.
[Michael] And we upset the WWE Universe last week by calling
what Valhalla has on her head antlers. They're actually horns.
[Wade] I've seen one with antlers as well.
She has both. She has the full set.
[Michael] Oh! And McIntyre, what a tackle.
Knocking Ivar through the air.
Then a belly to belly throw to Erik.
[Wade] You can count on one finger.
The number of guys who can throw away,
The Viking Raiders like that.
-[Michael] Double bond. -[Wade] The Scottish Warrior, McIntyre.
[Michael] A double neckbreaker into the kip up by the former two time
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre,
And now McIntyre, with Ivar his shoulder
[Wade] Death Valley driver.
First time Ivar would have ever experienced a move like that.
But hats off to him, he's back moving again. Not for long.
[Michael] He may be going to claim our country now.
And Erik Saving his partner, Ivar
Dragging him out of the ring.
[Wade] Twice now Erik has saved Ivar.
And now McIntyre in pursuit.
running into Ivar, now a big right hand to Erik.
wondering how long this would take.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And now McIntyre from behind. It's Ivar.
And Ivar now sent over our announcer table,
to the floor, into the barricade.
[Wade] Hard hit against the barricade.
McIntyre now swarming all over Erik.
They have got one Viking Raider isolated
Yeah, but Erik turning things around, at least momentarily. McIntyre, now.
Great throw again to Erik outside the ring.
Now, from top of the announcement table.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Michael] Nice splash by Ivar,
Splat goes McIntyre.
[Wade] That is one way to crack a sternum.
They built Built drew tough, but not that tough.
[Michael] Riddle's down in the ring. McIntyre down outside the ring.
After the damage was done by the 300-plus-pound Ivar,
I don't think they're done yet.
It looks like they're about to drive McIntyre through the announce table.
Maybe Ragnarok but…
flash knee from Riddle.
And Riddle now
Running kick right in the face of Erik.
[Wade] Some of that unique, fast moving offensive here.
Power moves to everyone else.
[Michael] Now, Riddle once again.
Set up a table in the middle of the ring.
Rolling back in as Erik of the Raiders.
I'm not quite sure Erik has any idea where he's at here.
[Wade] This could be the moment.
Riddle scores victory for his team
[Michael] Riddle going top now.
Valhalla running interference.
in that distraction is going to cost Riddle
Big heel kick by Ivar,
[Wade] McIntyre has not stirred since he got that splash from Ivar.
Not surprisingly, it's two on one.
[Michael] And Riddle collapses to a knee as the Viking Raiders
were setting him up for Ragnarok.
And now, Kofi Kingston.
Kofi Kingston remember, no disqualification.
Kingston here for some payback.
[Wade] Look at his eyes, he had plenty of issues.
[Michael] Oh, no. Trouble in Paradise to Riddle.
As Ivar ducked out of harm's way.
[Wade] What a disaster from Kingston.
[Michael] It's about to get worse for Kofi.
Used as a weapon driven into mcintyre.
And now the Viking Raiders.
With Riddle up top.
and Ragnorok through the table.
The Raiders, with the win.
[bell rings]
["Vicious" playing]
[Samantha] Here are your winners.
The Viking Raiders.
[Michael] McIntyre is irate.
Kofi Kingston is shocked.
Talk about a major backfire here tonight.
[Wade] Well, you have to think Kofi was coming down
to assist McIntyre and Riddle.
After the intervention of Valhalla.
But as you said, it backfired in the worst way possible.
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, our main event later on tonight,
for the prestigious Intercontinental Championship
This title that has been held by dozens of Hall of Famers
established in 1979 by an all time great.
[emotional music playing]
[Wade] Will the Ring General Gunther
beat all of those greats and surpass the record
as the longest reigning intercontinental champion
in WWE history?
Chad Gable stands in his way.
They meet in tonight's main event.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Samantha] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the World Heavyweight Champion
Seth "Freakin" Rollins
[Michael] Well, Seth Rollins went to hell and back
this past Saturday night at Payback,
against a vicious and a remorseless Shinsuke Nakamura.
[crowd chanting]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] But it's what Nakamura did after the match
that has Seth irate.
The visionary Seth "Freakin" Rollins is here.
[crowd chanting]
Here's the world heavyweight champion, Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[crowd chanting]
Charlotte, North Carolina.
Welcome to Monday Night Rollins
Here I am, your host for this evening.
I am a visionary.
I am a revolutionary.
I am Seth…
[all] "Freakin" Rollins!
Ooh, you good tonight, Charlotte?
But I got to be honest with you, two days ago at Payback?
Shinsuke Nakamura did everything he said he was going to do.
[crowd booing]
Shinsuke put a bullet on my back.
And he dropped bombs on it all night long.
And there were points during that match when I didn't know
if I was going to be able to get up.
And there were points in that match that I didn't know
if I was going to be able to continue that fight.
[crowd cheering]
But last time I checked,
I'm still the World Heavyweight Champion!
[Seth laughing hysterically]
But there's one thing, guys.
There's one thing that hasn't been sitting right with me for the past two days.
You see, even though I was able to beat Shinsuke Nakamura.
At the end of the night,
he was able to walk out of the building
and I got pushed out of there in a wheelchair by my wife.
[crowd murmuring]
That… that just doesn't sit right with me.
So here's what I'm thinking, Charlotte.
Why don't we right some wrongs right here?
Shinsuke Nakamura.
Get your ass out here!
I'm gonna make your dreams come true, baby.
[crowd cheering]
["The Rising Sun" playing]
Come on.
Come on. Come all the way down.
Come on, get in the ring.
You didn't seem to have a problem Saturday at Payback.
Come on down.
And get in the ring. I have a proposition for you.
[crowd murmuring]
All right, all right, all right…
Look, I realize
there's only one way
to get you to come in here and stand with me, and that's to give you,
what you want again.
So what are you saying?
We have ourselves a world
heavyweight championship rematch.
Right here right now.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd booing]
Ah!
[speaking Japanese]
[crowd murmuring]
[speaking Japanese]
Look, I'm not gonna pretend to understand your native tongue,
but I can only assume
that you are accepting my challenge.
So what are you waiting for?
Come on down here.
Let's ring the damn bell!
[crowd cheering]
No,
[crowd booing]
Excuse me.
No.
[crowd booing]
All right, all right, all right. Now you've got me a little confused here.
We're all a little confused Let's try to clarify this.
Are we gonna have ourselves
a world heavyweight championship rematch?
Yes or no?
No.
[crowd booing]
-[Seth] No, no, no… -[Shinsuke] No, no, no…
All right, all right, all right. Well, you know what, Shin?
That's not gonna work for me.
All right, I get it's Labor Day, but last time I checked it's Monday night.
Which means I am clocked in.
So whether you like it or not,
you're about to get that work, son.
[Michael] So, Seth Rollins is not going to waste any time,
he's going right after Shinsuke Nakamura.
And now the fights on
Nakamura and Rollins brawling in the entrance way.
[Wade] Seth Rollins surely in no condition after the last.
[Michael] You can see…
You can see the taped up back of Seth Rollins.
Adam Pearce is now leading security
out here to break up these two men.
He understands his world heavyweight champion
shouldn't be here tonight and now a kick to the back.
Nakamura targeting the back
that he focused on all Saturday night.
[Wade] That was always going to be the danger for Rollins
What the hell is Ricochet doing?
[Michael] Ricochet coming out here
to try to drive Nakamura away.
A clearly injured Seth Rollins.
-…a long time I can handle it! -[indistinct shouting]
A long time, but you're running at a pace that no one ever asked!
You're running a pace no champion has ever run at!
I'm trying to stop you from running yourself into the ground.
I'm trying literally to help you help yourself.
That's it.
Doesn't work for me, man.
[Michael] I know Seth doesn't want to hear it.
But I applaud what WWE official Adam Pearce is doing.
Keeping Seth Rollins from further getting hurt as this matchup
gets underway, Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura,
made official during the commercial break.
And Ricochet,
who said earlier tonight that he respects
Seth Rollins and everything Rollins has been through.
[Wade] I respect Seth Rollins and everything he's been through.
I'm not going to get up in Shinsuke Nakamura's business, however.
What the hell is Ricochet playing at?
[Michael] Ricochet said Seth Rollins doesn't have to carry the torch,
carry this show alone here on Monday nights.
And Ricochet looking to put Shinsuke Nakamura in his place.
The exhilarating and high flying Ricochet.
[Wade] We may live to regret that decision
because Shinsuke Nakamura has been as cutthroat
as they come over the past six weeks.
[Michael] Ricochet's also been bit more aggressive and intense
ever since he got smacked in the mouth by
brass knuckles and Logan Paul back in SummerSlam,
That might have something to do with it.
Ricochet with a chop to Shinsuke Nakamura and Shin,
stops Ricochet in his tracks.
Wade. Why would Shinsuke Nakamura
not accept an opportunity at. An injured Seth Rollins
and the world heavyweight title tonight.
[Wade] It would have been a bad idea to do that.
The art…
The art of war Cole fight on your terms.
Not the terms of your opponent.
And I'll tell you this at some point.
I think Shinsuke Nakamura
will get a rematch against Seth
for that World Heavyweight Championship.
So if it's going to happen anyway.
Why not take your time and of…
soften upsets back even further.
That spine of Rollins is hanging by a thread right now,
[Michael] Nakamura controlling Ricochet
in this one on one match here live at Monday Night Raw.
You mentioned Rollins and the bad back.
Seth with a couple of fractures in the lower lumbar.
Well documented, he's been…
Working through them for about four years now,
and Nakamura targeting them Saturday night at Payback.
And now a kick to the spine of Ricochet.
Right here, classic Sliding German.
Shinsuke looking to take out Ricochet, live on Raw.
We're back on Monday Night Raw,
live in this impromptu matchup between
Shinsuke Nakamura and Ricochet.
What's been interesting, especially at the match's start
but also during the break wait is the fact that Shinsuke Nakamura
has been targeting the back of Ricochet.
He knows Seth Rollins is still here.
He knows Rollins is watching this match up.
And Nakamura showing Seth what he can do.
[Wade] Well, the message is clear to the champ, Seth Rollins.
This is what is waiting for you down the line.
What a job Shinsuke Nakamura has done tonight.
A completely neutralizing that fast moving high,
flying style of Ricochet with moves like that.
[Michael] Ricochet.
Scrumbling right now to the unique striking ability
of Shinsuke Nakamura.
Oh and Ricochet trying to fight back
into this needs to pick up the pace.
Called the highlight of the night for a reason.
[Wade] Has not had an opportunity
to show off that highlight reel ability.
Oh Wait a second.
[Michael] And there you see Damian Priest
looking on along with Rhea Ripley.
Of course. Priest is the current
not only tag team champion, but mister money in the bank.
Inside that briefcase a contract
that he can cash in any place,
anytime for a championship opportunity.
And if Seth Rollins continues to be consumed
with his fight against Nakamura.
and keeps coming out and get beat up.
When he's less than 100%.
Damian Priest could cash in anytime.
[Wade] There's a lot of gold already in the judgment day,
But there might be an extra piece of hardware soon.
[Michael] And Ricochet, now,
starting to fly high
understands what an opportunity this is for him.
Here's the cover
of that standing shooting star and a kick out
by Nakamura.
[Wade] Ricochet, really starting to hit those highs in his career,
once again had a little low for a while,
but really hitting those high points, all over again.
hitting top form.
And Shinsuke Nakamura, perhaps ripe for the pickings now.
[Michael] And now Nakamura in trouble as Ricochet looks to position him.
To try to put him away.
Going up top and Ricochet can do so much damage from the top rope.
We're looking for a shooting star a 630.
Ricochet now top rope.
looking to put Nakamura wait nobody home.
Ricochet has to roll through.
Misses wildly Nakamura caught him on the other side.
That stuns Ricochet.
[Wade] Great reflexes from Nakamura.
The dodge, the strike,
[Michael] The recoil by Ricochet.
He's got an opportunity now.
Cover of Nakamura for the win here tonight.
and a kick out at two by Shinsuke.
[Wade] What a scalp it would be
to claim for Ricochet against one of the top names in the industry.
Beautiful connection here.
Offering softening up the Japanese superstar, but not quite enough.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] And now Ricochet's chance here in the arena.
Nobody home caught up on the top rope.
And now Nakamura.
Well placed kick to the midsection.
Driving ricochet out to the apron.
Ah!
[Michael] Oh! Nakamura with a knee.
[Wade] Reverted back to some of that pitiless style
that he's developed over the past few weeks.
[Michael] No doubt he has been crazed as of late.
Ricochet, though, able to move out of harm's way.
Now, what does Ricochet do from the apron?
He delivers a kick to Nakamura.
[Wade] The most durable superstar we've seen is Ricochet.
But needs to pull out something special here.
[Michael] Wow! That might be what you were talking about, Wade.
Nakamura knocked out outside the ring and now Ricochet.
Looking to drag Shin back in and try to pick up the victory.
[Wade] We saw Nakamura try to dive out of the way, didn't move quick enough
and Ricochet just catching Nakamura,
-[Michael] Ooh! Did you hear that? -[Wade] Felt it.
[Michael] Ricochet driven spine first into the post.
Now the barricade and now Nakamura
Starts the attack.
[Wade] Looking to punish Ricochet.
[Michael] Ricochet though launching Nakamura into the timekeepers area.
Shinsuke quickly back to his feet though.
Ricochet blocking right hand by Ricochet.
Ah!
[Michael] As he tried to climb the barricade,
Nakamura caught him with a well placed kick,
and now Shinsuke Nakamura.
[bell rings]
[Michael] That's gonna force a disqualification.
The official had no choice.
Eddie Orengo going to call for the bell.
But Nakamura, now unloading on Ricochet.
[Wade] Nakamura made it clear
he did not have any intention of competing tonight.
Ricochet forced his hand that he might live to regret that now.
[Michael] Shinsuke not interested in winning the matchup at this point.
But breaking Ricochet.
Who had the audacity of Shinsuke Nakamura's mind
to stand up to him tonight.
And now, with a steel chair wrapped around the neck of Ricochet.
Nakamura looking to do even more damage.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And here comes Seth Rollins.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Now security rushing down to the ring
as Rollins tackles Nakamura.
[Wade] Seth Rollins returning Ricochets favor there.
[Michael] And now Rollins has lost it.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Seth Rollins.
[Wade] This is not smart.
[Michael] Launching himself, bad back and all, into security and Nakamura.
And you're right, Wade.
It's not smart but it's what Rollins wants.
He wants payback on Nakamura.
[all] Ooh!
[Michael] Spine, meet steps.
This impulsive behavior by Seth Rollins.
This obsession with Shinsuke Nakamura,
could cost Rollins his career and his championship.
[Wade] Ricochet back to save the day,
but perhaps the damage is already done.
[Ricochet] Come on.
[crowd murmuring]
Not tonight.
[Michael] Damien Priest will have his moment, though,
as mister money in the bank.
To cash in the contract.
Will it be on Seth Rollins?
Will it be on Shinsuke Nakamura?
Shinsuke is consumed
with the world heavyweight champion
Well Nakamura has made it clear
his path of destruction won't end
until Seth Rollins is broken.
And he takes his world heavyweight championship.
This went to the well next level
this past Saturday at Payback, and also at Payback
we kicked off the night with the culmination of the rivalry
between Becky Lynch and the Hall of Famer Trish Stratus inside a steel cage.
And what a match this was.
It would be Becky Lynch delivering a manhandle slam to Trish Stratus.
Now the door of the cage was open because Trish tried to escape,
and then Trish protege Zoey Stark would get involved.
[Wade] But it back fired on Stark. And that left the man, Becky Lynch,
with free reign to do whatever she wanted to Trish Stratus.
And this move right here.
And it the whole thing. The man Becky Lynch victorious
[Michael] With the manhandle slam.
And then, after the match up,
Trish Stratus frustrated, obviously a sore loser.
took it out on her protege Zoey Stark.
And Zoe would not take that.
And a Z-360
Would knock out the Hall of Famer.
[Wade] Zoey stark walking away from this relationship, perhaps for good.
And joining me now backstage is Zoey Stark.
Zoey, after what went down between you and Trish.
At Payback, is it safe to say that partnership is is officially over?
Look, I have a lot of respect for Trish Stratus,
and she's taught me a lot and after Saturday she proved
that she's one of the greatest of all time.
But there's one thing you never do.
I don't care if you're Hall of Famer or not.
Nobody pushes Zoey Stark, point blank.
[Shayna] Zoey Stark
Sam.
I was wondering when you were
gonna get rid of that dead weight, right?
I mean, I'd get rid of Rhonda.
Turn everything around.
I just really wish you'd done that before.
We had our match, and I could have seen this.
I see where things are going right now, Shayna.
So I think you and I, we have some
unfinished business.
So how about you and I go one on one tonight?
And we'll see who the baddest woman is of WWE.
You think you got more to show me?
Oh I sure do.
Then why don't you meet me out there and show me
Huh I'll see you out there.
[Michael] Wait I love the idea of that match.
[Wade] Oh yeah count me in.
["The Other Side" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[fireworks bursting]
[Samantha] Please welcome the undisputed WWE Tag team champions,
Finn Bálor and Señor Money in the Bank, Damian Priest.
The women's world champion, Rhea Ripley,
and the NXT, North American champion, Dominik Mysterio.
The Judgment Day.
[Michael] Who now dominate Monday Night Raw.
Dripping in gold.
The Judgment Day is here live, next.
WWE Fast Lane is presented by Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty.
The new expansion will be available September 26
on Xbox series X and S, PlayStaion 5 and PC.
Buy the bundle and you can play Cyberpunk 2077 today.
Rated M for mature.
All rise for the crew. That's dripping gold.
All rise for The Judgment Day.
[crowd cheering]
At Payback,
-we did… -[crowd booing]
-…exactly what you told us to do -[crowd booing]
and bring home all the gold to The Judgment Day
[crowd booing]
[Michael] They like him.
And mami, you took care…
[crowd booing]
…of defending successfully your world championship.
[crowd booing]
And Finn Bálor and Damian Priest
handled Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens,
becoming the new undisputed
WWE tag team champions.
[crowd booing]
Hey, Dom, Thank you so much.
And I'd like to take this moment
to congratulate you on your one year anniversary
since joining the Judgment Day.
[crowd booing]
And Rhea, Rhea, sis,
I'd like to thank you for always being
such a great voice of reason in the group. Thank you so much.
Hey, Damian.
I know we've had our ups and downs over the last couple of months.
But for now…
Look at us now.
Undisputed tag team champions of the world.
I'd also like to give a special shout out to JD McDonagh.
For always having my back for the last 20 years.
And finally
I'd like to thank… me.
On reaching
my most recent career milestone.
In becoming a Grand Slam Finn
[crowd chanting]
We all know that he deserves it.
But, you know, last week
I gave you boys an ultimatum and the pressure was on.
But Finn, Damian,
you boys really rose to the occasion and showed everyone
that you guys are truly brothers.
And that we truly are a family.
I love you boys.
But…
there is one thing that is really aggravating me actually
What's that, sis?
It's the fact that the focus isn't on
the Judgment Day and our accomplishments.
But people were talking about Jey Uso
coming to Monday Night Raw
and what that means for the Bloodline.
[crowd cheering]
As far as I am concerned,
the Bloodline has fallen
and The Judgment Day has risen as the most
dominant faction here within the WWE.
[crowd booing]
Now, with all this gold…
["Irish Ace" playing]
-[JD] Guys-- -[Damian] JD, JD, JD!
Wait, wait, wait.
Man… like this small part of me was actually starting to like you.
So whatever your reason is for coming out here,
make it good.
It is good. It will be good.
Listen. The way I see it guys.
I took a bullet for you on Saturday.
The least you can do is let me into the ring right now
and explain why I'm out here.
Is that cool?
I'm actually out here.
Because of something that you said Rhea
you said last week.
Big changes are needed in The Judgment Day.
And they've been needed for a while.
Priest.
That briefcase has to go, bro.
Look, you don't need it. Look at you guys.
You've got all the gold.
You don't need that briefcase.
You need this one.
[crowd cheering]
[Finn] That's nice.
[Rhea] That's really nice.
[crowd cheering]
Man with this briefcase and all this gold.
I'm just saying the Judgment Day.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[Michael] Sammy's got impeccable timing.
[Wade] Sammy might have a death wish.
[Sami] Hold up there, fellas.
Gentlemen, and Dom.
Don't listen to him.
No, no, it's good. You're all feeling pretty good about yourselves.
Hey, I know Kevin Owens isn't here tonight, but did you really think that
That after it took five of you.
It took all five of you to rob us,
of our undisputed tag team championships.
Did you really think we were just gonna let that slide?
Here's the thing. You guys are bragging about
holding all the championships and you're bragging about
Just all of you are champions, but when I look in that ring.
I don't see five champions.
I see five giant championship stealing turds.
[crowd cheering]
And if I'm being honest
a very special beating
is owed to the one that cost us our championship.
The biggest turd of them all, Dominik Mysterio
[crowd cheering]
[Dominik] I am a champ. Where's your title?
Where is your title?
What do you say, Dom?
You got the cojones, amigo.
You want to do this?
Dominik Mysterio isn't fighting anyone tonight, all right?
And if I recall correctly, he's not the only one that screwed you.
So if you want to fight someone, Sami Zayn, why don't you fight me?
You know I am I am so glad you opened your house.
Because, to be honest, nobody deserves
a bigger ass-kicking than you.
And that is what you are going to get tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] JD McDonagh stepping up once again for The Judgment Day,
Well, we'll see if we're going to get Sami and JD later on tonight.
Our main event is for the Intercontinental Championship
as we continue to celebrate
the all time greats who have held this prestigious title.
[emotional music playing]
[speaking German]
Chad Gable thinks he can stand in the way
of me and my legacy.
Who do you think you are tonight?
History will be made.
but somebody like you does not belong in the history books.
I do.
Your little fairy tale story.
is temporary.
My legacy
will be forever.
And tonight.
after the final bell rings,
I will go down in history.
As the greatest and longest reigning
intercontinental heavyweight champion in history.
[Michael] High stakes tonight in our main event.
Can Chad Gable, the ultimate underdog,
do the unthinkable and stop Gunther's march to history?
Gunther, Gable, for the Intercontinental title,
in our main event live on Monday Night Raw.
["Loyalty Is Everything" playing]
[Michael] Oh Wait. This match was made official moments ago.
[Wade] Yeah, and you know what I'm all for?
And let's find out who really is the baddest woman in WWE.
[Michael] Shayna Baszler sent Ronda Rousey packing.
Zoey Stark did the same to the Hall of Famer Trish Stratus.
Up next. As Wade said, who's the baddest woman in WWE?
Shayna Zoey one-on-one live next.
[crowd cheering]
[Bianca] For nearly 10 years, we have asked the WWE Universe.
To join us in fighting pediatric cancer
and support the superstars of tomorrow.
And you didn't disappoint if you found creative ways
to raise money to fund research.
Running, baking,
tailgating, making art, playing video games.
And this year we are spotlighting the top fundraisers with a chance to meet me.
Or me as a thank you for raising funds for critical research.
[Cody] Go to V.org/ConnorsCureUniverse.
To find out more to gets started today.
[Michael] Well, September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month,
and we are proud to support Connor's cure. The V Foundation.
Raising money for critical research.
Tag in to take action and visit
Conorthecrusher.org today.
So much going on, but I just wanted to come in here.
and make sure that, you know, we agree,
and maybe we can get on the same page.
-About -We are on the same page.
I agree with everything you said. If fact
I'm glad you came in because I wanted to let you know
I'm going to go ahead and make that official. Does that work?
-Thank you. -You got it
Oh! Some people are so rude.
Don't I know it.
Um… I think you forgot to read your texts.
I needed a word with you.
I am a future Hall of Famer
And a two time women team champion.
So I do not wait in line.
behind sasquatches like that.
To your point about the tag team championships.
You are aware that Piper Niven is not medically cleared,
which actually raises an issue.
So I'm actually glad you came in.
I'm sorry. I'm sure you're not talking about the
Issue of how everyone's talking about how the WWE women's
Tag team championships are cursed.
Come on, Adam.
Be original.
Did it ever occur to you that perhaps the
championships are not what is cursed?
Oh!
What are you implying?
No, What were you two talking about back there?
None of your concern.
I'm sure that you were talking about
How she failed miserably
to win the championship at Payback, right?
Or how she got absolutely dominated.
Or you were talking about
how she's a big old loser ha.
Raquel
-How long have you been standing there? -Um Long enough.
Adam, would you mind?
Oh, I would love to see you two tonight.
It is official
I guess I'll see you in the ring, Chiquita
[Michael] Chelsea can't get out of her own way.
Meanwhile Shayna Baszler set for action here tonight on Raw.
["Cut Above The Rest" playing]
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
making her way to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada
Zoey Stark.
[Michael] Wade Are you surprised with what Zoey Stark did to.
Did to Her former mentor Trish Stratus.
At the end of cage match this past Saturday night?
[Wade] I love it. Look, Zoey and Trish.
Was just perfect symbiosis.
I'll watch your back.
You take me under your wing.
But slap me! Berate me!
The deal is off.
Stark is subservient to no one.
He's just too ambitious to play the backing down.
So this is Stark's time. It begins now,
Zoey admitted tonight that she had all the respect in the world.
for Trish Stratus, but nobody pushes me.
And here we go.
Ronda Rousey, the woman who sent Ronda Rousey
out of WWE Shayna Baseler
In action against Zoey Stark,
Shayna, taking out back at Ronda back at SummerSlam.
[Wade] Yeah, that's how you become the baddest woman in WWE.
If Zoey Stark thinks she's earning that tonight,
Shayna Baszler has other ideas.
[Michael] The Queen of spades, two time NXT Champion,
Oh! a former three time tag champ
and there's the highly athletic Zoey Stark
with a nice headlock takedown off the drop kick of Shayna Baszler.
[Wade] Yeah and I've been really, really impressed with Zoey Stark's growth
since moving over here from NXT.
Take another look at this drop.
-[Michael] Bang -[Wade] Just a game changer.
As Baszler was in mid flow.
[Zoey] argh!
[Michael] Who loves to pick a body part and then pick it apart.
She's a third degree black belt.
There's a reason she's called the submission magician
[Wade] But that's only half the story Shayna Baszler wants.
That bell rings just has a complete disregard for human suffering.
And it serves her so well.
[Michael] You know, Shayna once told me that she has dreams
of pulling people's limbs off their bodies.
And looking for the Kirifuda Clutch, the submission move.
[Wade] Could be over soon here.
[Michael] Zoey Stark, somehow trying to fight out of this and does.
And then Shayna are gonna stack her up and Zoey forcing Zoey to kick out.
[Wade] Shayna just has an answer for every…
[Michael] Cover now, Baszler and a kick out.
Zoey Stark caught her with a kick drove her right out the ring.
[Wade] Well, You've got to hope you can soften Baszler up
Baszler with all the wits about her.
Is a handful for anyone.
[Michael] Baseball slide again. Kirifuda clutch by Shayna Baszler.
And Zoey's got a driver spine first to the apron.
Baseler, still hanging on.
Now Zoey gonna force Baszler into the announce table.
and that will force a break of the hold.
Zoey the no nonsense powerhouse.
shows her athleticism launching herself over the top rope.
Not you.
[Michael] Zoey Stark has been putting on a clinic right now against Shayna Baszler.
[Wade] She's fighting one handed however
after the beating that Baszler has put on that left arm.
Nice Suplex by Zoey into a kip up in.
Zoey Stark, who says she's not here to mess around or wait around.
Looking to seize her opportunity here tonight against Baszler.
Kick right into the face of Shayna.
Zoey.
Springboard off the top rope into a missile dropkick.
Cover by Stark for the win.
Hook of the leg and a kick out by Baszler.
[Wade] Zoey Stark has proved time and again.
She is one of the top athletes in the women's locker room.
Such a great mover.
Such great body control.
Take another look at this.
Just picture perfect springboard dropkick
Not quite enough to put away someone
as tough as Shayna Baszler however.
[Michael] Baszler sliding out of harm's way.
And that right there may put Zoey Stark away
has to kick out at two a near fall for Baseler,
[Wade] So we started to prove her mettle last week.
Main event overall against the man Becky Lynch
and the falls count anywhere match up.
He may have lost last week,
but the world sat up and took notice.
And they're taking notice right now
because Baszler is running out of options
[Michael] That left wrist of Stark really bothering her.
So she's now turned her offense to her feet.
And Baszler into the block.
Zoey with a well priced elbow,
and now into a kirifuda again,
or at least attempting to,
is Shayna Baszler,
dragging Zoey back to the middle of the ring and--
Zoey Stark, though,
went for the Z-360 didn't quite get it,
but so had to deliver a right hand
to drive Baszler out of the ring.
That's Zoey's finishing move the Z-360.
She didn't quite hit it, but she followed it up with her right hand.
And now this splashed off the apron to Baszler.
[Wade] I'll tell you what that busted left hand of Zoey's.
cost her when she was about to hit, that particular maneuver
couldn't get enough power behind it.
Couldn't lift Baszler
and Baszler manages to live on in this matchup.
[Michael] Have to give Zoey Stark credit she turned
How she turned it around after she
couldn't hit her finishing move and now off the second row,
Baszler able to move out of harm's way
and catch Stark in the Kirifuda.
And Shayna Baszler the wherewithal.
Great ring presence has Stark caught.
[Wade] Well, Stark is scrambling all over the place
but she might be going out.
[Michael] and she's going to go out fast.
Nowhere to go for Zoey Stark.
Zoey Stark trying to fight it, trying to hang in there.
Shayna Baszler, though riding Stark.
[Wade] Those eyes were going dark I cannot believe.
Zoey Stark is back up on her feet.
[Michael] Yeah but back in the kirifuda.
Baszler able to wrestler her back down to the mat.
Stark, I don't believe has anything left.
[Wade] Oh glassy eyed.
The referee taking a very close look.
[Michael] Zoey still fighting however.
Somehow Stark is still in this
[Wade] unless a woman would've given up a long time ago
and tapped out but that is locked in tight now.
[Michael] And Zoey back to her feet momentarily.
Now back down to her knees I believe Starks out.
Baszler with the win.
["Loyalty Is Everything" playing]
[Samantha] Here is yours winner
Shayna Baszler
[Michael] Hell of a fight put up by Zoey Stark.
But Baszler passes her out.
[Wade] Well, that is a technical knockout
only because Stark was simply too tough.
To tap out on that occasion.
But hats off once again, Shayna Baseler.
Looking as dangerous as ever.
[Michael] As a physical matchup between Baseler and Stark
here on Monday Night Raw.
["Loyalty Is Everything" playing]
You give better fight than Ronda ever did.
Better fight than Trish.
You ask me JD relly
relly been stepping up Lately.
So I don't know maybe
maybe it's time
that we brought him into the group officially?
Finn man wait, I know that's your boy.
[speaking Spanish]
I still think he needs to prove himself man.
I agree, Damien, but
We might not be tag team champions.
If it wasn't for JD…
Dom, what do you think?
[scoffs] I'm cool with whatever you guys decide.
Mami?
Let's see how he goes against Finn tonight.
Against Sami tonight. Sorry, Finn.
Make sure JD wins.
Hey, cool consider it done.
Damian want to help?
Actually. Yeah. Let's do this.
Dom.
I need you to make sure that everything
with JD that occurs goes to plan okay?
We'll talk about the other things later.
Okay I got you.
[Michael] Dom, he's a real decision maker, that dude.
[Wade] Mami has got a lot on her mind.
["Trap Queen" playing]
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, she came this close
to winning the women's championship this past Saturday at Payback.
But Raquel Rodriguez is still ready for a fight.
Coming up next on Monday Night Raw.
She takes on one half of the women's tag team champions
Chelsea Green, Raquel Rodriguez live next.
["Trap Queen" playing]
Football is back.
Watch NFL kickoff as the Detroit Lions
take on the Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs
Live this Thursday at 7:00 pm eastern
On NBC, and Peacock.
Speaking of champions, Raquel Rodriguez, perhaps a
future champion here in WWE
could happened this past Saturday at Payback.
But some shenanigans were underway.
It was Rhea versus Raquel Rodriguez.
Raquel had a power display.
[Wade] Yeah absolutely unbelievable performance.
Things were so close to victory for Raquel
until the time leap intervention,
of Loverboy. Dirty Dom
[Michael] He suffered a running power slam at the hands of Raquel.
But Rhea would go back to the already injured knee
and then deliver riptide to retain.
the women's world championship.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
Not quite the night
Raquel was expecting to have
in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
♪ Shhhh ♪
♪ It's Chelsea ♪
[Michael] and she may take it out on this woman.
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
Making her way to the ring from Victoria BC.
She is one half of the WWE
Women's Tag Team Champions.
Chelsea Green
[Michael] Chelsea could not help but putting her foot in her mouth.
[Wade] Absolutely this is the last woman
anyone in the female locker room
wants to be facing right now.
After the bitter disappointment of Payback.
Just to add to think Raquel lost her women's.
Tag Championship to Chelsea and Sonya Deville
A couple of months ago. Although the team has been reconfigured
since Deville's injury. So plenty of reasons
for Raquel to want to get even now
[Michael] Sonya Deville out with an injury. Piper Niven now
is Chelsea Green's tag team partner out with an injury as well.
Raquel Rodriguez, with a waist lock and just man
women handling Chelsea Green.
[Wade] Getting rag dolled in that ring.
Look, Chelsea's a great athlete.
but an enraged Raquel.
[Michael] Chelsea gonna get no timeouts in the WWE.
Ah…
-[Wade] Pleading for mercy. -[Michael] Again smart by Chelsea.
Go back to the injured knee of Raquel Rodriguez.
Rhea Ripley put him on a self for a month.
[Wade] Nothing smart about that Michael Cole.
[Michael] No boot right to the face of Chelsea Green.
[Wade] Oh dear me.
Raquel is just formidable in that ring.
I don't know if any woman in the locker room
can come close to matching this
sort of offense and this power.
[Michael] Yeah, Raquel matched at Rhea Ripley.
power this past Saturday night.
[Wade] Not just match it she overmatched Rhea Ripley's power.
That's something else entirely.
[Michael] If not for Dominik, who knows what would've happened?
Oh Look at Raquel Rodriguez.
catching Chelsea Green as she went for a cross body.
[Wade] How daunting is the prospect of…
[crowd] Aw…
[Wade chuckling] Didn't even phase Raquel.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Michael] Oh, my goodness.
[Wade] It's over.
[Michael] That clothesline may have knocked Chelsea Green out.
[Wade] It's already over.
[Michael] And El Raquel
with a tejana bomb.
Thanks for coming, Chelsea.
[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell rings]
["Trap Queen" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner
Raquel Rodriguez
[Michael] You said it, Wade. Tonight was not the night
to be messing around with Raquel Rodriguez.
[Wade] Well, Chelsea gave it a real good college try,
but it simply wasn't going to that happen tonight
against a commanding Raquel Rodriguez.
and you hit this tejana bomb on anyone it is a good night,
as it was tonight for Chelsea Green.
That is a bounce back moment for Raquel Rodriguez.
You know, earlier tonight, I spoke with Adam Pierce
about the actions of Rhea Ripley
and Dirty Dominik Mysterio at Payback.
Hence, Yeah.
and not only am I getting my rematch. But Dirty Dom
[speaking Spanish]
You are no longer a factor
because you will be barred from ringside.
Oh! Rhea Mamacita.
I'll see you next week for that women's world championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] So an even playing field for Raquel Rodriguez,
next week, right here on Monday Night Raw.
Raquel, one-on-one with Rhea Ripley for the world title.
["Trap Queen" playing]
[emotional music playing]
-Oh, yeah. -All right, coach.
Ready for tonight?
A lot of time to think about all the accomplishments
that led up to this moment, and Gunther.
You say a guy like me doesn't deserve
to be in the history books?
Well, I got news for you, brother.
I'm already in the history books.
All right, an Olympian with a master's degree, valedictorian.
Brings everyone else around him up to the highest level,
and I've won every tag team championship in this company.
But tonight I get to add to my legacy.
I'm gonna prove to you,
to my crew, to the world and to my family
sitting in the front row, that I'm more than just a tag team specialist.
Tonight,
the world's gonna see.
Your desire to hang on to that championship
doesn't even compare
to my desire to take it from you.
[upbeat music playing]
[Michael] Will tonight be Chad Gable's night?
Will he win his first ever singles championship in WWE?
Or will that man Gunther, make history
as the longest reigning champion ever?
It's our main event, live tonight
on Monday Night Raw.
♪ 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 ♪
♪ I came to play, say goodbye to the good old days ♪
[Michael] Miz had a rough night at Payback.
LA Knight, John Cena, the special guest referee.
So Miz has requested to address the WWE Universe.
It happens live, next.
Monday Night Raw is in Charlotte, North Carolina tonight.
Just down the street
where the Carolina Panthers of the NFL play right here in this building.
Home of the Charlotte Hornets.
And tonight, the Spectrum Center the home of Monday Night Raw.
Where we kick off the night tonight with a tornado tag team match.
The Viking Raiders against Riddle and McIntyre.
Kofi Kingston will come down.
Now, remember, no disqualification.
He has a bone to pick with the Viking Raiders.
But things would backfire for Kofi Kingston.
[Wade] Absolutely, taking out the Viking Raiders is one thing.
But a Trouble in Paradise inadvertently connecting
with Matt Riddle.
[Michael] The Viking Raiders would use Kofi Kingston as a whip
to take out Drew McIntyre.
And then Wade look what they would do to Matt Riddle.
A bit of Ragnarok through the table.
[crowd] one, two, three.
[bell rings]
[Michael] And McIntyre was irate.
[Wade] Absolute despair written on the face.
of Kofi and the Scottish warrior.
Kofi.
Guys seen Kofi anywhere now?
He's nowhere to be seen, that's cool.
Kofi!
Drew, Drew.
-Calm down. Just just relax. -Calm down.
I think I'm very calm, considering the situation here.
Jey Uso on Raw now.
The same guy with his family that caused problems
for so many people on this roster, myself included.
Yourself included.
You know what?
I give him a pass, a huge pass.
and I'm gonna watch every single move he makes.
And if he messes up, which I think he will,
I'm gonna be dealing with the person who brought him here.
Cody Rhodes.
Guys. Guys. Hey,
I am so sorry for what happened out there.
I feel terrible. It was a total accident.
I feel like it's my fault just want to apologize, man.
It's cool.
-I understand. -Is it cool though?
Like, Kofi, man,
let's just look at what happened last week. I accidently
caught Woods with a chair last week and one week later.
You take out Riddle with a kick.
Oh, you mean the accident where you launched
the chair full force in the middle of a match and hit Xavier Woods?
Exactly what odds would Vegas give
that would happen exactly one week later. What are the chances, man?
You're the only one who can make mistakes around here, right?
Okay, Drew, if you have something to say, just say it, man.
What are you trying to say?
All I'm saying is,
I'm gonna be keeping my eyes open in case any more,
you know, accidents happen around here.
Hey, man, talk to your boy, bro.
I'll talk to my bro.
Drew.
[Wade] Kofi cheats of fantasy football. I don't trust him either.
[Michael] And there's Miz TV sent from his TV, not in a great mood
after what happened at Payback this past Saturday night.
it was Miz versus LA Knight.
A special guest referee, none other than John Cena.
and John Cena would establish early on who is boss,
catching the Miz using the rope.
But not allowing that pinfall to happen.
[Wade] That enraged Miz, being called out on his dirty tricks.
Miz taking his eye off the ball completely.
Which opened a window for LA Knight.
[Michael] Yeah, LA Knight would put Miz away with the BFT.
The blunt force trauma.
And LA Knight with the biggest win of his career so far here in WWE.
And then a show of respect from the greatest of all time,
John Cena.
[Samantha] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the host of Miz TV.
The Miz!
["I Came To Play" playing]
One of the most must seen WWE talk show in history, welcome to…
-[crowd] Miz TV. -Miz TV.
Tonight, my guest will shine a light
on the travesty that happened at Payback.
Because at Payback
I did not lose.
I was robbed, blindsided,
victimized because I exposed LA Knight for exactly who he is.
But we will get to that later because I want to bring out the man
that will right this wrong.
A man that promised me that he will be completely transparent.
So, ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, please welcome my guest.
They call him…
The greatest of all time.
John Cena.
[crowd cheering]
["The Time Is Now" playing]
♪ Krrr, Amadou! ♪
♪ Your time is up, my time is now, now, now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now, now, now ♪
♪ It's the franchise, boy I'm shinin' ♪
[Michael] So…
♪ You can't see me, my time is now, now, now ♪
♪ In case you forgot or fell off ♪
[Michael] What's going on?
[Wade] I think the cameraman thinks he can see him. That's Stu.
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[Michael] I can't see him.
[Wade] Yeah, I think that's the point Cole.
[Michael] I'm just saying I can't see him.
Have a seat.
Ladies and gentlemen, John Cena.
[crowd booing]
You hear that?
The adults don't just like you anymore.
The kids are booing you now.
You really messed up at Payback.
And I think I speak for everyone here
when I say, "You screwed me over."
[crowd booing]
Wait. This-- This feels weird.
Can you see him?
[crowd booing]
You can't see him.
You can't see John Cena.
He's sitting right here.
You know what?
I think I understand what is going on.
For the past 18 years
I've not only been able to see John Cena,
I've been able to see right through John Cena.
So allow me to do all of you a favor
and translate for John Cena,
who is sitting right here in this chair.
All right, John. The jig is up.
First question.
Did LA Knight pay you?
Did he offer you a job during these hard times?
[crowd] Yeah!
Did you purposely screw me over?
[crowd] Yeah!
Answer me!
Did you conspire with LA Knight?
[crowd] Yeah!
I did not ask you to say, "Yeah!"
If you are going to say anything affirmative,
you say, "Yes."
[crowd] Yes!
Actually, you know what? Don't even say yes.
I don't even like that.
If you are going to say something affirmative,
you nod your head.
[crowd] Yeah!
I said nod your head.
[crowd] Yeah!
[crowd cheering]
Answer me, John.
Did you conspire with LA Knight?
[crowd] Yeah.
There you have it.
LA Knight's victory should be thrown out.
I am done with you.
You now need to get out of my ring.
I said leave!
[crowd chanting]
Let me explain something to you very carefully.
When I ask you to get out of my ring,
you get out of my ring.
[crowd murmuring]
[Michael] And Miz has completely lost his mind.
I mean, this is ridiculous.
-[Michael laughs] -[crowd murmuring]
[Wade] A bad day in acting class.
[Michael] He hit his skull crushing finale on the air.
[crowd booing]
Let me be perfectly clear.
There is nothing invisible or imaginary
about what happened to me at Payback.
LA Knight had his back up against the wall, and he took the easy way out.
But this is not over, not by a long shot.
I challenge LA Knight
to a one-on-one match.
No special guest referee, no surprises.
No helping hands.
And if he accepts,
he will find out just like John Cena did at WrestleMania
whose game it really is.
Because the chants are going to end.
And LA Knight will fade away.
Because his future success
is about as realistic
as an invisible John Cena in this ring.
This isn't make believe.
This LA Knight fairy tale
that you all are manifesting
is gonna come crashing and burning down by me.
Because…
I'm The Miz!
And I'm…
Awesome!
[Wade] We got to get some medical attention down here, Cole.
Cena hasn't moved.
[Michael] Miz has, Miz has completely lost it.
Miss is lunging at an invisible man in the ring.
That is what he's doing. He's completely lost it.
Get over it, Miz.
You lost the LA Knight. Yeah.
And now you're getting all upset about this?
Well, as bad as that performance was,
I enjoyed it more than any of Miz matches ever.
I'll tell you what I'll enjoy later tonight.
It is our the main event
for the Intercontinental Championship.
Can Chad Gable win his first ever singles title
as he takes on a man hoping to become the longest reigning
the Intercontinental Champion of all time, Gunther?
[Michael] The Ring General Gunther is closing in on the longest
Intercontinental Championship reign of all time.
But I can guarantee you that tonight
the Ring General is not in a good mood.
Last week, Chad Gable made history
[Michael] Oh, Gunther into the post.
Gable sends Gunther into the timekeepr's area.
And nine.
Gable beats the count. Gable beat Gunther.
The first man on the main roster to beat Gunther
[Wade] Let's be clear, its a count out.
Still, the champion is Gunther.
Technically, Chad Gable gained the victory,
but in reality, he has won nothing.
Uh, shush!
You've been on the main roster
for almost two years,
and nobody has managed to defeat you
until Chaz Gable headed you your first loss.
And I found a way to do it in only ten seconds baby.
But next week, Gunther, title's on the line
and it ain't gonna take me ten seconds
to take your Intercontinental title.
I'm gonna take it away in one, two, three, baby
Thank you.
Chad Gable has achieved one thing.
Pissing me off.
[Michael] And Gunther going to send a simple message.
I thought he was, but Gable turns it around.
Gunther, I know you got records to break,
but you ain't making history
at the expense of my opportunity.
[Michael] Ankle lock on the champion before Imperium
able to beat Gable down.
Now Chad Gable has my focus.
And if Chad Gable is the last thing between me
and my rightful legacy, so be it.
Your little fairy tale story
will end tonight.
[Michael] It is our main event tonight.
Chad Gable, the number one contender looking to win
his first singles championship in WWE.
And that man Gunther, looking to become the longest reigning
Intercontinental Champion of all time.
Gunther, Gable, for the Intercontinental Title, live tonight.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[all] Lets go.
You know, Sami Zayn is not wearing tag team gold.
That has become the Judgment Days
Defeated Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
for the titles at Payback this past Saturday night.
Thanks in part to JD McDonagh.
who helped out the Judgment Day. Sami Zayn wants payback.
Live, next on Monday Night Raw.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[crowd cheering]
What up, AP? Just the man I wanted to see.
I'm sure you've noticed some of the locker room.
Not exactly happy that you're here.
Yeah, yeah I noticed.
I'm afraid it's gonna get worse before it gets better and here's why.
Upper management just let me know that SmackDown
is getting trade compensation for you being here.
Okay. Somebody from Raw will be
traded to SmackDown at some point soon.
And depending on who that ends up being.
It might piss some people off.
and I wanted you to have heads up.
-Yeah -Yes, sir.
[Tommaso] Pierce
-Oh! Hey, Tommaso, -Is now a good time to talk?
Good a time as any.
-Let's go finish that conversation. -Let's
Busy night for Adam Pearce.
Meanwhile, the one man who actually defended Jey Uso here tonight.
Sami Zayn
is in the ring set for one-on-one action and revenge on his mind.
["Irish Ace" playing]
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring,
from Bray County Wicklow, Ireland,
weighing in at 190 pounds,
JD McDonagh.
[Michael] JD McDonagh continues to try to prove himself to The Judgment Day.
He offered a new Señor Money in the Bank briefcase
to Damian Priest earlier tonight.
He stepped in front of Dominik Mysterio
to accept this challenge from Sami Zayn.
And he aided the Judgment Day
in taking the tag team gold from Zayn and KO
this past Saturday at Payback.
[bell rings]
[Wade] JD McDonagh was invaluable once again.
Let's be clear that Judgment Day would not hold Tag Gold right now
if it wasn't for JD McDonagh antics at Payback.
For me he should already be in the group.
He's got nothing left to prove.
[Michael] Sami Zayn,
not one to waste any time going after JD McDonagh.
-[Wade] Well, not surprisingly KO… -[Michael] Oh!
[Wade] …is not medically cleared to be out here tonight.
And I was just going to say I'm actually surprised.
JD McDonagh is after he was slammed into the
announce table by Kevin Owens.
I thought he'd broken his back, but clearly…
[Michael] Oh! Goodness
[Wade] some after effects on that spine.
[Michael] It was a pop up powerbomb by Kevin Owens.
Saturday to McDonagh and now Sami Zayn.
targeting the back of JD McDonagh
[Wade] And that's even more impressive that JD McDonagh.
Accepted this matchup ahead of the entire Judgment Day,
when he's nowhere near 100% how much more
has this kid got to do to impress people like Damian Priest?
-[Michael] He wants in Judgment Day. -[Wade] What do you want--
They've all got gold, there's a reason why.
[Michael] McDonagh, a 20-year friend of Finn Bálor.
Bálor trained McDonagh.
As JD McDonagh shows his vicious side attacking Sami Zayn.
Trying to manipulate his way, perhaps into Judgment day.
As Wade said, they…
…all have gold now.
Oh! a chop by McDonagh.
a man who says I turned doubters into believers.
And extremely confident young man.
Sinister at times.
And Sami Zayn can be vicious as well.
[Wade] That several weeks ago JD McDonagh
smashed up that left elbow.
Of Sami Zayn perhaps still some after effects.
That might be irrelevant after that.
What a horrible landing for JD McDonagh.
[Michael] Sami upset.
Why shouldn't he be.
not a tag champ today because of McDonagh.
One
[crowd murmuring]
McDonagh just rolling out of harm's way
to try to catch a breather.
Now, looking to drag Sami out of the ring,
Driving Sami now spine first into the apron.
[referee] Two.
Now JD McDonagh,
bouncing Sami Zayn off our announce desk.
[referee] Four.
[Michael] Oh goodness into the post.
McDonagh, in control live on Raw.
Sami Zayn trying to fight back into this matchup against
JD McDonagh, here on Monday Night Raw.
Huge score to settle, Wade, for Sami tonight.
[Wade] Absolutely, but JD McDonagh showing all of his skills.
-[Wade] Showing how gutsy. -[Michael] Oh!
What a clothesline by Sami.
[Wade] Guess what total a game changer,
from one of the top names in the industry.
[Michael] This is a.
Just moments ago Oh! And that
Dropkick by McDonagh right on the button.
JD McDonagh.
Oh! Welts, starting to grow on his chest after the
chops by Sami Zayn
[Wade] McDonald has proved to be a guy over the years
who can take beating and still get up for more.
But that's starting to look less likely.
[Michael] Yeah JD McDonagh Wade mentioned it at just 48 hrs. ago
Pop up powerbomb on to the announce table by Kevin Owens.
Surprises he's even walking tonight,
let alone taking this match against Zayn.
[Wade] Most superstars take that level of abuse.
[Michael] Michinoku Driver by Zayn.
For the win and a kick out at two by McDonagh.
[Wade] That was a super high landing on the
back of the neck of JD McDonagh.
Watch this you want to land this as flat as you possibly can.
JD McDonagh didn't manage to do that.
Landed high on the neck.
And how he managed to kick out is beyond me.
[Michael] And McDonagh, out here trying to prove his way into The Judgment Day.
[Wade] McDonough can't even sit up straight now.
[Michael] Sami Zayn,
knocked off the ropes, McDonagh with an opportunity.
How much does JD McDonagh have left?
Sami Zayn would love to put him away
as he moves out of harm's way.
And Sami with an exploded into the corner.
[Wade] Well, for all the great moments
in JD McDonagh's career so far,
he has never come across someone at the level of Sami Zayn.
[Michael] And Jane, looking to put McDonagh away
went for the Helluva kick. Meanwhile, Dominik Mysterio.
Pulling McDonagh out of harm's way.
[Wade] Where the hell did he come from?
[Michael] Sami Zayn originally challenged Dom to this match tonight.
McDonagh stood in his place.
And now Sami Zayn
beating the hell out of Dirty Dom.
Dirty Dom get beat up by Zayn.
and now McDonagh.
[referee] Two
Sami
[Michael] Mysterio takes the right hand.
McDonagh rolls up Sami Zayn
He's got the tights.
McDonagh with the win.
["Irish Ace" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner.
JD McDonagh.
[Michael] Well, Dominik didn't have the guts to take this match on his own.
But he came out here anyhow.
And helped McDonagh pick up the win over Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Ah! teamwork, eh Cole. It's a beautiful thing.
[Michael] Things not going quite the way Sami Zayn pictured them tonight.
And Sami Zayn not done yet.
Sami Zayn beating the hell out of Dominik.
And Dirty Dom begging for some help from McDonagh
Trying to retreat from Zayn.
Exploder into the corner.
[Wade] Zayn is making an example out of Dirty Dom.
[Michael] And Sami now
looking for a little bit of a kick at JD McDonagh.
Looking to pay back Dom for what he did for him,
comes to Dominik's aid.
[Wade] One good turn deserves another, Michael Cole.
Go, go, go, get out. Out of here.
[Michael] Now JD telling Dominik to get out of harm's way.
Go.
[Michael] And Dominik running away.
And now Sami Zayn drives McDonagh into the corner.
[Wade] He got in on a helluva kick one way or another tonight.
[Michael] And of course… where's Dominik going?
He didn't come back. To help McDonagh
after what JD did for him
and his dominant retreats
Zayn hits a helluva kick.
[Wade] Dominik has important business with the judgment Day.
He didn't even get to look back Cole.
[Michael] Well speaking of The Judgment Day.
After what JD McDonagh put himself through tonight.
Do you believe he belongs in the Judgment Day?
[Wade] Hell yeah, and JD McDonagh
has put his body on the line time and again.
He gets results, he is an asset.
To anybody, including The Judgment Day.
We talked earlier about Payback and everything that happened,
including the steel cage match between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus.
Becky picking up the win.
After Payback, she was interviewed about that victory.
What is next for the man?
-Well… there's one. -Becky, Becky, Becky.
Congratulations.
You know, I just wanted to clear the air between us two.
I feel we got off on the wrong foot.
I just wanted to come here and formally apologize to you woman to woman,
for unfairly calling you a former NXT women's champion.
Well, I appreciate you
crawling out of your Mattel box and coming here to Payback.
Shouldn't you be focusing on your title defense on Tuesday?
Maybe I'll see you soon.
Okay. Toodles.
[Michael] And it takes place tomorrow night on NXT.
Right here on the USA Network,
where Tiffany Stratton will defend her NXT Women's Championship
against Kiana James tomorrow night on NXT.
Meanwhile, coming up next,
it is our Intercontinental Championship match
as we continue to celebrate past intercontinental champions.
[emotional music playing]
[Michael] Will Chad Gable
join the ranks of the all time greats
to hold the Intercontinental Championship?
Or will Gunther make his mark in history?
It's coming up next.
Gable Gunther.
For the Intercontinental Championship live on Raw.
Well. September is Pediatric Cancer awareness month,
and we are proud to support Connor's cure
and the V foundation raising money.
For critical research.
Well, ladies and gentlemen,
this year we asked the WWE Universe
to join us all in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Tag in and take action.
In order to get involved visit Connorthecrusher.org today.
Whoa! Impressive win, JD.
Impressive. What do you think, Damien?
-You did all right. -[laughs]
All right, happy days. Let's get out of here guys.
Guys, give me a second. I'm gonna handle some business real quick.
-All right. -Okay.
Hey, Jey.
-[crowd cheering] -Can I talk to you real quick?
Well, if it ain't the little homie.
-Wassup? -You know,
I just… I wanted to say, man, I know that…
We both come from messed up families.
And, you know,
Hall of Fame fathers,
and I… I know what you're going through, man.
I feel it.
You know, everyone thinks because
everyone respects my dad and who he is that,
you know,
life at home is all good, but I know how it really is, man.
And I feel you, you know, from a man that didn't have a family
to a man now has the tightest family.
I know what you're going through.
-You do? -For real.
I'm being serious.
If you think about it,
you come from a broken family.
You have no family.
Jey, no one, no one likes you.
Just like no one liked me.
But ever since mami came into my life,
and Judgment Day…
There is no leaders.
We're all equals, man.
And if you want,
I'll go, I'll go talk to the family. I'll go talk to Judgment Day.
Just so you know, that there's, there's always open arms for you there.
Because I know.
We know what it's like.
But just think on it.
Like I said, Judgment Day is here with open arms.
I just, I want to thank you for your time.
Think about it.
Judgment Day.
["Born To Be" playing]
[Michael] Dominik trying to keep himself busy because
next week he will not be allowed
to be involved in this match
on Monday Night Raw, live from Norfolk.
It is Rhea Ripley.
Defending the WWE World heavyweight championship
for the women against Raquel Rodriguez.
Dominik has been barred from ringside,
[Wade] And get this the last time we saw Cody Rhodes
was a Payback when he broke a blockbuster deal
to bring Main Event Jey Uso to Raw.
What will the American Nightmare have in store?
When he returns to Monday Night Raw next week.
[Michael] Sorry, I'm just excited about what's coming up next.
Our main event.
Where history could be made.
[Wade] I thought you were just upset about seeing Dominik Mysterio again.
[Michael] Well, that too.
["Shoooosh" playing]
[Michael] Accompanied by the Alpha Academy.
Their leader, Chad Gable,
looks to win his first ever singles championship here.
in WWE.
But in order to do that,
he has to knock off the dominating Gunther.
Can Chad Gable will do it?
[Wade] Can Chad Gable do it?
He needs a miracle to do it.
But the problem is he may we'll have used up his miracle.
Two weeks ago.
[Michael] Chad's family here in the front row tonight to watch this matchup.
Gunther last…
Gable lasted five minutes with Gunther a few weeks ago.
He picked up a count out victory over the Intercontinental Champion
A couple of weeks ago, the first man to beat Gunther.
In a year and a half since arriving on the main roster.
But can he win the title tonight?
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[Michael] On June 10, Gunther 2022,
Gunther won the Intercontinental Championship.
For 451 days, he has ruled as the champion.
If he wins tonight.
He is guaranteed to pass The Honky Tonk Man.
As the longest reigning Intercontinental champion in history.
Shattering that 35-year-old record.
[Wade] Stiffen your spine, straighten your lapels.
When you are in the presence of greatness.
When you are in the presence of the Ring General.
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for
The Intercontinental Championship,
[crowd cheering]
[Samantha] Introducing the challenger,
representing The Alpha Academy,
from Minneapolis, Minnesota, weighing in at 202 pounds.
Chad Gable!
[crowd cheering]
And his opponent.
Representing Imperium.
From Vienna, Austria,
weighing in at 250 pounds.
He is the Intercontinental champion.
The Ring General.
Gunther.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Champion's advantage tonight for Gunther.
Chad Gable must pin or submit the champion.
Count out disqualifications do not help his cause.
What does Chad Gable have to do, Wade,
to stop this historic run of Gunther?
[Wade] Well, Gable has proven two weeks ago,
Gunther can be out-thought.
-Gunther can be outmaneuvered. -[bell rings]
Maneuvered. Excuse me.
Gunther can be hurt when at times he's looked invincible.
Now, the only question I have,
is the once-granite mindset of Gunther
slightly damaged by the fact that he was defeated
by a count out by Chad Gable?
[Michael] Gunther wants to be feared.
He wants to be respected.
He's going to instill that fear in Gable early on,
show Gable he is the more powerful man in this matchup.
[Wade] Well, Gunther wants to be perfect.
He wants no blemishes or stains on his record.
And Chad Gable is that stain right now.
[Michael] And Wade, talking about that,
Gunther has made a career of being unbreakable,
having unbreakable composure.
Tenacity both mentally and physically.
But we saw Chad Gable
take Gunther out of that mindset a couple of weeks ago.
Can he do it tonight?
[Wade] Well, the hope for Gable has to be that there are now,
for once, doubts bouncing around the mind of Gunther.
[Michael] Gable grabs Gunther's ankle, and Gunther reaches ropes to force a break.
Gable, a wrestling technician.
In 2012 he was part of the Olympics in London.
Representing the United States team.
He won a gold medal in the Pan American Championships.
He was a high school state champion,
and here tonight hopes to win the Intercontinental title.
Oh, and the dropkick and Gunther knocked off the apron.
And Gable taking the fight to the Intercontinental champion
here tonight on Raw.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And we are back, live on Monday Night Raw.
Gunther defending the Intercontinental Championship against Chad Gable,
and he has been dominating, has the champion, Gunther.
[Wade] Gunther standing on the verge of history.
[Michael] That may turn things around.
[Wade] Absolute game changer, shredding the left knee of the champ.
[Michael] And great strategy by Gable. He's got to break by five.
But you take out the leg. You take out the power.
You take the big man off his feet
and you change the complexion of this match.
[Wade] The past five minutes were one way traffic.
In the direction of Chad Gable.
[Michael] Oh! What a kick to the face.
Cover by Gunther looking to retain
and make history and a kick out by Gable.
Watch this.
Boom, just collapsing the face of Gable.
[Wade] Rearranging those facial features.
You really want the gold that badly, Chad Gable?
[Michael] And again, Gunther was injured.
Gable was building momentum.
And Gunther just shot Gable right down again.
[Wade] But Gunther has notch taken out of that knee.
It will be interesting to see if that plays a part.
Going forward.
[referee] Hey, hey, hey.
[Michael] Now Gunther punishing Gable.
[Wade] But look, this is once again a dominant performance.
From Gunther like we saw two weeks ago.
But the durability that the hard wearing nature of Gable
is what frustrated Gunther last time.
And caused the big Austrian to make a mistake.
[Michael] Okay, Just listen to this.
[all] Oh!
[Wade] The shredded diaphragm.
[Michael] Chad Gable, who prides himself
on his strength, and his conditioning.
His unrivaled competitive spirit.
But Gunther is just picking all of that apart tonight.
[Wade] I'll tell you this it's rare you see Gunther sweating.
It's rare you see Gunther, breathe.
[speaking German]
[Wade] Breathing heavily.
[crowd murmuring]
[Michael] Gable, though scraps come down
and Chad Gable is still in the fight.
And now he's fired up and he's going right after the Intercontinental Champion.
Look at Gable go.
[Wade] That was the last thing that Gunther expected.
After the abuse thrown at Chad Gable.
[Michael] Gunther didn't get affect him. What he's doing now.
He's just going to punish Gable even more.
[referee] One, two, three, four.
[Michael] Torturing Gable.
Gunther in control. Can Gable somehow
climb back into this championship match?
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, it was 44 years ago
the Intercontinental Championship was established.
Pat Patterson, the first champion.
Gunther looking to become the most dominant of all time.
Chad Gable looking to stop a near historic reign.
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw ladies and gentlemen.
Gunther looking to put Gable away.
Gable trying to stay in this fight.
[Wade] Everything Chad Gable throws at
Gunther has an immediate answer for.
But this might be the moment.
[Michael] This could be turning point now for Chad Gable.
Gunther over the top rope hit the floor hard
Gable has stayed in this match up.
He's been able to survive an early flurry of Gunther.
And now somehow trying to pull off a miracle
here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
And Gable with a German suplex outside the ring!
[Wade] Landing hard on the floor.
[Michael] Now the officials, at a count of six here,
Gable does not want to count out victory.
He needs to get the champion in the ring.
In order to win the title.
Not like he did a couple of weeks ago.
A count of nine.
Gable beats the count back in the ring.
Gunther though meets him there and down goes Gable.
Stacks him up as Gunther to retain.
And a kick out.
[Wade] The powers of recovery for Gunther,
when he is on the ropes, when he is hurt,
are immense.
Watch the head of Chad Gable bounce off the mat here.
[referee] One, two.
[Michael] But somehow Gable is able to kick out.
Ladies and gentlemen.
This is for the Intercontinental Championship.
We are happy you spent your Labor Day weekend with us here tonight.
Live on Monday Night Raw from Charlotte, North Carolina.
The champion. Gunther Looking to make history tonight
as the longest reigning champion ever.
Climbing to the top rope.
Chad Gable, hoping to win his first singles championship in his career.
Meets Gunther there.
Critical moment in this match. And what a chop by Gunther
And now Gable up to the top rope!
Superplex.
Gable's got a chance.
His family in the front row.
Headbutt splash.
Cover by Gable for the win.
And a kick out by Gunther at two.
[Wade] Straight into the ankle lock Cole.
[Michael] And now the champion, center of the ring.
Submission move by Gable. Gunther nowhere to go.
[Wade] Champion in compete agony now panic starting to register.
But no denied again.
[Michael] But again Gunther has been favoring that leg all matchup.
Gable trying to roll through into the chaos theory.
Blocked by Gunther and Gunther now.
Gable lands on his feet.
And Gunther, looking for…
Oh! Nice back suplex by Gable.
And Gunther is in trouble.
[Wade] Chad Gable in Ring Machine.
[Michael] Did you see the look of the champion's face moments ago?
Almost a panic in the eyes of Gunther.
And Gable ripping the straps down.
Sends Gunther into the corner.
Rolls through into the chaos theory.
Bridge cover win.
No, two and a half.
[Wade] Wow, that was Chad Gable's best chance
of winning this matchup,
And the Ring General says, no, not tonight.
[Michael] Let's watch this cover here, Wade.
The Bridge cover, there's one. There's two.
Just before three.
So close for Gable.
[Wade] History beckons for Gunther.
Opportunity is here for Chad Gable.
[Michael] Gable, moonsault.
Caught the ankle Gunther tried to block didn't help.
Gable now, ankle lock.
Rolled through by Gunther.
Gable, still got it locked in.
Gunther with nowhere to go.
He's got a tap.
Gunther's going to tap.
[Wade] Nowhere near the ropes.
[Michael] Trying to drag himself to the bottom rope
to force a break, fingertips away.
Gable drags it back.
Gunther creates some separation.
And now into the sleeper.
And now the sleeper hold applied by the champion.
[Wade] How quickly the tables just turned,
Such is the brilliance
of the Ring General Gunther.
[crowd chanting] Gable, Gable, Gable.
[Michael] Gable chants thunderous here
in Charlotte tonight.
[crowd continues chanting]
[Michael] Gable trying to make it back to a vertical base.
Gunther on his back,
trying to break this sleeper.
But again, Gable got the shoulders down.
And Gunther's got to release the sleeper.
[Wade] What a reversal from Gable, but straight back.
-[Michael] Oh, my goodness. -[Wade] Oh, no…
[Michael] Gable dropped right on the top of his head.
And just like that, powerbomb.
Yeah, lariat clothesline.
-[all] One, two, three. -[Michael] Gunther makes history.
[bell rings]
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner.
And still
the Intercontinental Champion.
The Ring General.
Gunther.
[Michael] Chad Gable's family in tears
after a game performance by Chad Gable.
But in the end Gunther would drop Gable on his head,
would deliver a powerbomb
and then a wicked lariat clothesline.
[Wade] It's what Gunther does better than anyone, stacks offense
upon offense upon offense to get the job done.
After industrial levels of resilience from Chad Gable,
it needed everything from the Ring General tonight.
[Michael] Gunther now becomes
the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history.
The Honky Tonk Man moves to second place after 35 years.
What a performance by Chad Gable,
who will have to wait another day
to win his first singles championship.
But Gunther continues his dominant march
into the history books.
Congratulations to the Ring General.
Gunther.
["Prepare To Fight" playing] eneral.