[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
[Rick 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.
[Patrick] Damian Priest and Finn Bálor
determined to reclaim the Undisputed Tag Team Championships.
[Finn] We're focused and prepared. We're gonna take care of Cody and Jey.
[Cody] Judgment Day wants to own Monday Night Raw.
They are indeed the utmost perfect challengers for tonight.
[Patrick] Cross Rhodes!
And look who it is.
Dirty Dominik Mysterio.
And here comes Sami Zayn.
From behind!
[Graves] But watch out. Here comes "The American Nightmare!"
[Wade] The referee has lost all control.
Low blow from Damian Priest,
referee completely unsighted.
[Graves] Oh my God, Rhodes! Through the announce table!
[Wade] Taking out one half of the tag team champions.
Chaos and bedlam, the gold is up for grabs.
Bálor looking for a coup de grâce.
[Patrick] Uso spear.
Jey Uso is on another level right now.
[Wade] They don't call him "Main Event" Jey Uso for nothing.
[Patrick] That's Jimmy Uso! What the hell?
[Wade] Once again blasting his own twin brother.
-[Graves] No. -[Wade] Jey Uso motionless.
[Graves] Coup de grâce!
-One… two… three! -[bell ringing]
[Patrick] The Judgement Day wearing all the gold,
as the ghosts of Jey Uso's past continue to haunt him.
["Greatness" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] With WWE Crown Jewel looming in less than two weeks,
We welcome you to a jam-packed American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
This is Monday Night Raw.
["The Other Side" playing]
[Samantha] Please welcome the new
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Finn Bálor and Señor Money in the Bank,
Damian Priest.
[Cole] Well all is right in the world of The Judgment Day.
Thanks to a low blow and Jimmy Uso,
Finn and Damian once again the Undisputed Tag Team Champions.
[Wade] Monday Night Raw is the realm of The Judgment Day,
their stranglehold on this brand grew further with their recapturing
-of WWE tag gold. -[Graves] And let's not forget,
Señor Money in the Bank, Damian Priest.
Inside the briefcase, a contract that Priest can cash in
any place, any time for a World Championship opportunity.
[Wade] Talk about a concentration of power.
[crowd boos]
[Graves] And a chorus of boos from a capacity crowd here tonight
at American Airlines Center in Dallas for Bálor and Priest
of The Judgment day.
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to Monday Night Raw.
[crowd boos]
Oh, I'm feeling good tonight.
I'm feeling so good, Damian.
I'm going to do something special.
Can I do it? Can I do it?
-Go ahead. -All right.
All rise for The Judgment Day.
And all rise for the new
and two-time Undisputed Tag Team Champions of the world.
-Not bad dog. Not bad at all. -Thanks, mate. Thank you.
Before everybody starts assuming, like, "Where's the rest of The Judgment Day?"
Well, the crew is in our clubhouse handling Judgment Day business
because we have a hell of a night planned for you guys tonight.
-[Finn] Huge night -But we still had to come out here
and celebrate because we're back to dripping gold.
We're back to being on top,
and the Judgment Day is back to running all--
["Kingdom" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] A Texas-size welcome
for "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] Cody interrupting the celebration tonight
by the new Tag Team Champions.
[Wade] I get why he's coming out,
but sometimes in life, you're best off just taking the L and moving on.
[music continues]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants]
How?
How does that feel, guys?
To get interrupted?
If I may, I do have some choice words
for the leader of The Judgment Day.
But I can see Rhea Ripley is not out here.
I know, I know, all right.
I know what you're going to say. There is no leader in The Judgment Day.
But it can't just be little Dom Dom
I would say that…
I would say that Rhea is your Mami too.
-[crowd cheers] -Hey…
Hear me out. Face it, right? She's pulling all the strings.
She's calling all the shots. She is cutting all the deals,
including one with The Bloodline.
But if I may,
I'd like to speak specifically to you, Damian Priest.
I believe last week you were the one who went ahead and gave me a low blow.
Let me make it clear.
If you thought that was the final shot in this fight,
you are wrong.
Uh, it's kind of convenient that
you forgot to mention that I put you through that table too.
Oh, yeah, and that looked like it hurt.
I'm glad you came out here and found me, though,
because honestly, at some point, I would've just came and found you.
I'm glad you mentioned The Bloodline.
There's a lot of talk about this story of yours.
Like, I don't even know what it is.
Is it…
There's people that are involved in your story
that sent Jimmy Uso here last week.
How did that work out for you?
There's people involved in your story standing in this ring right now.
At this point your story.
It's got to be that you failed.
I don't know. Why don't we, uh… Why don't we put that theory…
Why don't we put that theory to the test right now?
[laughs] Cody. Are we going to pretend like you don't know
that I have a match tonight with Jey?
But I do like this. I like this idea.
We do have a big event coming up,
so maybe…
it's Cody Rhodes versus Damian Priest at Crown Jewel.
I accept.
But…
what do we do now?
You're standing there. You're standing there. I'm right here.
Why don't we give everybody a preview of Crown Jewel right now?
[crowd cheers]
I like that idea.
[Cole] Of course Priest does, because it's Priest and Bálor in the ring.
Cody's cornered with Rhea and Dominik making their way out here as well.
[Wade] Like I said, take the L and move off.
[Cole] And wait a minute, from behind,
"Main Event" Jey Uso going after Dominik Mysterio!
Now, Priest and Rhodes going at it.
Cody had a bit of back up as well,
and now Cody Rhodes hammering away on Priest.
Sends him outside the ring right onto the table,
and Cody Rhodes banging Priest face-first off the announce table.
[Wade] A little payback for last week, perhaps, Damian Priest.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes clearing off the announce table here,
looking to set up Damian Priest,
and JD McDonagh clipping Rhodes' leg from behind,
a chop block from behind.
And now Priest driving Rhodes leg first into the steel steps.
[Wade] I don't know if JD McDonagh is still in the doghouse,
but this is one way to get yourself out of there.
[Cole] McDonagh and Priest now, a double team on Cody Rhodes
and the assault is on.
[Wade] This could get really ugly.
[Cole] And now McDonagh putting a steel chair around…
Wrapping a steel chair around the left leg of Rhodes that was attacked earlier on.
[Wade] Forget about Crown Jewel, Cody.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes, they're going to try to break his leg.
Oh, no!
Officials out here, led by General Manager Adam Pearce,
but a bit too late.
The damage has been done.
Cody Rhodes may have suffered a severe injury
at the hands of Priest, McDonagh, and a steel chair.
[Wade] We need the doctors out here.
[Cole] Get him out of here, Adam.
Cody is writhing in pain.
[Wade] Well, that's job done for The Judgment Day.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Moments ago on Monday Night Raw,
a confrontation between Cody Rhodes and The Judgment Day.
Why don't we give everybody a preview of Crown Jewel right now?
[Cole] Damian Priest and Finn Bálor did not sweat this at all…
I like that idea.
[Cole] …because they obviously had a plan
and that would be Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio,
and Dominik was attacked from behind by "Main Event" Jey Uso,
who would eventually be taken out of the equation, Wade, by Finn Bálor
as the two-on-one assault would get underway on Cody Rhodes.
[Wade] There's always a plan with The Judgment Day,
but this was simply sickening.
The left ankle of Cody Rhodes being obliterated before our eyes
by a returning JD McDonagh and Damian Priest.
[Cole] McDonagh continuing to audition for a role within The Judgment Day.
-Hey… -Let's go to the trainer.
-I'm fine. -It's my bad, come on.
-Talk to him. -Trainers?
Come on. Come on, man.
Let's go. Let's go. Come on. I got you, I got you, I got you.
-I got you -Let's go to the trainers seriously.
-We got to slide. Come on. Watch out, Uce! -Move out of the way!
Cody Rhodes, fingers crossed. Hoping for the best.
Well, Cody, now we know it's official. A week from Saturday at Crown Jewel,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Cody Rhodes will go one-on-one versus Damian Priest.
Wonder what condition Rhodes is going to be in for that match-up.
But Priest will be in action a little bit later on tonight.
[Wade] Yes indeed, Damian Priest.
Well, after losing tag gold last week thanks to Jimmy Uso
and seeing his partner attacked just now, tonight,
Jey Uso gets a chance for some payback
as he goes one-on-one with Señor Money in the Bank Damian Priest.
[Cole] Becky Lynch continues to be a fighting champion
as the NXT Women's Champion.
She puts the title on the line
against former NXT Women's Champ Indi Hartwell tonight.
[Wade] Social media megastar Logan Paul
to secure the United States Championship opportunity
against Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel.
Ahead of that, the maverick will make his return to Raw tonight,
in an appearance that's going to go viral.
[Cole] And with his buddy Kevin Owens being traded to SmackDown,
Sami Zayn says it's time to prove
he belongs in the Main Event as a single superstar.
Sami Zayn against the Number One Contender
for the world title, Drew McIntyre, live tonight.
Meanwhile, in the ring, the ever-expanding Alpha Academy set for action,
including their newest recruit and apprentice per se, Akira Tozawa.
[Wade] Junior member with some unique workout methodology
eerily similar to those of Richard Simmons.
["New Day, New Way" playing]
-[Cole] How old are you? -[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following is a Tag Team match scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring,
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods…
[Cole] Big tag team match-up, an important one here tonight
on Monday Night Raw live from Dallas.
Well, do you have what it takes to survive Five Nights at Freddy's?
Don't miss the new movie in theaters and on Peacock, Friday.
Well, we are in Dallas, Texas tonight, American Airlines Center,
a very important building in the career of my broadcast colleague, Wade Barrett.
[Wade] Oh, thank you very much. Yes, indeed.
I won NXT Season One in this building.
I also beat John Cena at Hell in a Cell, 2010, in this building.
Thank you for saying something nice about me for once.
-[Cole] And? -[Wade] What do you mean, "And"?
[Cole] And what else happened in this building?
[Wade] Nothing else happened.
[Cole] The two gentlemen in the ring, The New Day, I believe,
actually retired you in this building from in-ring action.
[Wade] All right, 2016. You're absolutely right.
I thought it was too good to be true, you saying something nice about me.
[Cole] Xavier Woods will start things off against Chad Gable
in this Tag Team match-up.
Again, The Judgment Day, the new Undisputed Tag Team Champions,
saw what they were capable of earlier tonight.
Both of these teams jockeying for position to try to gain an opportunity
at the tag titles down the road.
[Wade] Both teams former Tag Champions in WWE
looking to get to the top of the ladder.
And what a competitive individual Chad Gable has been in recent weeks.
[Cole] And Maxxine looking on, she was offering some advice
to Akira Tozawa moments ago.
Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, along with Big E,
all together in their careers, have held the Tag Titles 12 times here in WWE.
Cover now by Woods.
Kick-out by Gable.
In fact, one of their reigns lasted 483 days.
[Wade] That's second place now, though, isn't it, eh?
[Cole] It is to The Usos.
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, now with a double team on Chad Gable.
Kingston and Woods with the right hand. Kofi with a splash.
Cover now for the win.
Kick-out at two.
[Wade] What a stunning volley of offense that was.
That's what you've got to love about The New Day.
They've been doing this for years,
yet they're still pulling new stuff out of their arsenal.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston so cool under pressure,
and look at how he lands on his feet.
Tremendous balance. So grounded.
Gable, though, driving Kingston to the corner.
Kofi now off the second rope. Nice takedown and into an ankle lock.
What a move by Chad Gable. Kofi though with a counter.
[Wade] Just superb reflexes from the Olympian,
but if anyone can match him,
it's perhaps Kofi Kingston.
[Cole] It looked like Gable was going for chaos theory.
Kingston able to block, lands on his feet.
Missed with trouble in paradise
and Gable and Kingston both spill out over the top rope to the floor.
Gable, however, on his feet.
And Xavier Woods…
caught by Gable…
And Woods runs into a shoulder tackle.
The Alpha Academy's rolling.
Wow, what a back body drop.
Can The New Day somehow get back in this?
Oh, yeah, sorry, gentlemen, but that's how you get the head going!
[Cole] Oh, my God! Otis off the second rope!
And Kofi Kingston rolled out of harm's way, averting disaster.
New Day versus Alpha Academy,
tag team action here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] Kofi Kingston almost turned into a pancake by Otis.
But right now the two freshest men in the match-up.
[Cole] Xavier Woods and Chad Gable.
Gable misses wildly.
Xavier Woods slides underneath.
[Wade] Think about the speed of Xavier Woods outfoxing the Olympian.
[Cole] Woods. Always the power of positivity.
Really a jack of all trades, Chad Gable though, the former Olympian.
Nice side Russian leg sweep. Great counter by Woods. Kip up.
Doesn't let it stop him. Senton.
[Wade] Absolutely taking it to Chad Gable,
but you simply cannot give Gable…
[Cole] Gable able to block now. Rolls him up for a count of two.
-Kick-out by Woods. -[Wade] Cannot give Gable an inch
because he's immediately back on top, but that might do it.
[Cole] Whoa. Woods, what a move. Cover. Now.
Is it enough to put Chad Gable away?
Spinning slam, and Gable able to kick.
[Wade] Xavier Woods really stepping his game up lately too.
Competition is fierce in the Tag Division.
[Cole] Gable, slow to get to his feet.
[Wade] And you blame him after that?
[Cole] Of course, the coach, the head coach of The Alpha Academy.
Went for the honor roll. Gable, able to pick Woods out of the air
and deliver a German suplex,
still hasn't released.
A second German suplex.
[Wade] The endurance and durability. That is the--
[Cole] And a third into a cover.
Shoulders down off the bridge
and a kick-out by Woods at two.
[Wade] Just incredible ability to recover faster than most.
That really sums up Chad Gable.
[Cole] And you see Maxxine
and Akira Tozawa with an interesting outfit on, Looking on.
[Wade] That's called getting dressed in the dark, not Maxxine.
To be clear, Akira.
[Cole] And now a double team by The Alpha Academy,
Otis with Woods up on his shoulders.
Chad Gable now going to the top rope.
And Gable, bulldog!
Cover by Otis, for the win,
and Kofi Kingston saves the match-up.
[Wade] A nice combination move there from The Alpha Academy,
this one breaking down though. Referee starting to lose control.
[Cole] 330-pound splash in the corner by Otis.
[Wade] Oh, no. Oh, no.
[Cole] They teach that in The Alpha Academy?
The caterpillar.
Big elbow.
Kicked by Woods.
[Wade] It's Woods, who still legal in this one.
That's the problem, Otis.
[Cole] Yeah, that kick. And there's a headbutt driving Woods into the corner.
-Shoulder first goes Otis. -[Wade] Gotta use Otis' momentum
-against him. -[Cole] Tag by Chad.
Gable is the legal man. Woods has no one to tag.
And I don't think Xavier Woods realizes that Gable made the tag, Wade.
[Wade] That is sneaky maneuvering from The Alpha Academy.
-Chicanery at its finest. -[Cole] And now a reverse caterpillar.
Gable though, the legal man, grabs the ankle lock on Woods!
[Wade] Which is exactly what a reverse caterpillar deserves.
[Cole] And now Gable now with the ankle lock,
dragging Woods back to the center of the ring.
Is Woods going to tap to the ankle lock of Chad Gable?
[Wade] Well, Kofi Kingston got completely flattened earlier.
You're on your own now Woods.
[Cole] Woods now roll-up. Shoulders down. Is it enough?
Kick at two. Tag, Otis is legal.
[Wade] Two-on-one at this point.
Make that one-on-one.
[Cole] Gable sent over the top rope. Now the 330-pound Otis scooping Woods up.
Again, Woods into the corner. Kick,
Kofi Kingston makes his way back to the steps to make a tag.
Kofi, top rope. Otis still on his feet.
[Wade] Slowly softening the big man up.
[Cole] Now down to one knee.
Tag.
Trouble in paradise.
Down goes Gable.
-Woods off the elbow. -One… two… three!
[bell ringing]
["New Day, New Way" playing]
[Samantha] Here are your winners,
The New Day!
[Cole] New Day with some daybreak picking up the victory tonight
in a big win in the Tag Team Division.
[Wade] All about climbing up those rankings
and The New Day have managed it.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the NXT Women's Champion "The Man," Becky Lynch.
Becky, I got to say, you are the definition of a fighting champion.
Not only will you defend this title tomorrow night at NXT,
but you'll also defend your championship here tonight against Indi Hartwell.
Why put yourself in the position to have
to defend your title on back-to-back nights?
Well, "The Man" has come around to Dallas,
and when I come around to Dallas, I come here looking for a fight.
And Indi never did lose her NXT Women's Championship,
but she never got a chance either. And that is what this title is about.
This is for the ones who want to show how impressive they are,
the ones who have the mettle to take on "The Man."
And if I have to defend my title every night of the week, then so be it.
Which brings me to tomorrow night. Halloween Havoc.
And I know Lyra is here tonight
trying to poke holes in my game, but I can't look past Indi.
Indi, you wanted this opportunity?
Well, welcome to the big time.
["Vicious" playing]
[woman] The gods smile upon a great warrior.
A warrior that feasts on pain.
And makes the chaos serve him.
When the warrior has proven his worth,
he becomes a god walking amongst men.
With the wisdom of Odin and the power of Thor,
now is your time to lead us into the future.
All will fear you.
All will tremble at the feet of the one true warrior.
[yelling]
Ivar.
350 pounds of bloodthirsty savagery on the warpath.
Beware, Raw locker room.
You know, Ivar showing his true colors as of late.
As is Drew McIntyre, who last week on Monday Night Raw
confronted the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins.
The question I have for you is,
are you handling your business on your own?
Roll the video footage.
If you zoom in in the background.
Oh, oh, that's the leader of The Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley.
You need to stop worrying about The Judgment Day,
worrying about anything in the world except Drew McIntyre
and me taking that damn title from you.
You need to think long and hard
how you're going to reinvent yourself for the 53rd time,
when I beat you and take that title from you at Crown Jewel.
I am going to beat you,
and I promise you it will be the best thing that ever happened to you.
You will have no one to blame but yourself.
[crowd cheers]
[laughing]
Ah!
Well, I uh…
I don't see your crew anywhere, so I know I'm not getting jumped.
But if you're looking for your boy Drew Mac, sorry to tell you,
I got style, and a title.
So you're in the wrong place.
Look, this won't take long. All right?
I know that The Judgment day and yourself,
there's been a bit of a history there.
But it was all built on respect from our end.
I mean, we did everything that we could
to take that championship off of you, and you held on to it.
But now you're dealing with Drew,
and to be quite honest,
we're a little bit concerned.
Because at the pace that you've been running at,
we think that you need a little bit of insurance.
You need The Judgment Day,
[chuckles smugly]
You lost faith in your boy, haven't you?
You don't think Damian Priest is going to be able to successfully cash this
contract in on my title, do ya?
Ah! That's why you're out there wheeling and dealing.
You're making deals with The Bloodline.
You're flirting with Drew McIntyre, and now you're coming for the world champ.
And look, I get it.
I understand what The Judgment Day
would want with the World Heavyweight Champion,
But, uh, let me ask you.
What would I want…
with you?
Yuck.
You need me
because right now,
you're just a world champion.
But you could be "The" world champion.
And I know that The Judgment Day,
we've made our deals with The Bloodline in the past,
but alliances can change.
And if you decided to join us,
Damian Priest,
he could always cash in his championship on someone else,
and then we'd all hold the gold.
But without us…
I don't really know how you're going to accomplish
having a title reign like Roman Reigns.
You know,
over a thousand days is a long time
and with the way that your back is, how it's so fragile
and working,
The Judgment Day,
we could have your back.
We could make people acknowledge you.
Let me make this clear.
If there's one thing I don't want,
it's to be anything like Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheers]
No one's gonna know.
Think about it.
-Tonight is the night. -You got this.
-I'm winning back what I never lost. -I know. It's amazing.
-What do you think my chances are? -Amazing--
Sorry to interrupt you guys.
I wanted to wish you the best.
I'm so excited for you. I want you to knock it out of the park.
-It'll be amazing. -How are you doing?
I mean, are you looking for a replacement for Tegan, still?
-How is she? -Well, Tegan got hurt at NXT.
-Yeah. -So she's fine.
-She's gonna be back soon. -Okay.
I'm still trying to weigh out some options for tonight
and see where a few things stand.
So-- But tonight isn't about me.
It's about you, Indi.
-This is-- This is about you. -[both] Aw!
This is the biggest match of your professional career.
You're gonna make history tonight when you go toe to toe with Becky Lynch.
And, honestly, take back the title that you never lost.
-The NXT women's championship. -Exactly!
So I'm excited.
Uh, remember what brought you to the dance and knock it out of the park.
-I'm here all night. -Aw.
If you need any advice, I'm here. [laughs]
-Oh, that's so sweet. -Thank you, Naty.
-Love you. -Love you.
-See? -I know, I've got it.
-Okay, you got this. -This is it. I know, I know.
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Indi Hartwell appears a bit nervous yet confident at the same time.
But, Wade, this is the woman who stands in her way.
It is Becky Lynch,
the current NXT women's champion,
and coming up next on Monday Night Raw,
she puts the title on the line against former champion Indi Hartwell.
"The Man" is here to defend her title,
live on Monday Night Raw.
-[upbeat music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Back on Monday Night Raw,
There's the NXT women's champion Becky Lynch,
set to defend her title.
Also here tonight, live, is Lyra Valkyria.
She's the number-one contender for the NXT women's championship,
Tomorrow night, Night 1,
Halloween Havoc at NXT, right here on USA.
Lyra will take on the winner of this match,
either Becky Lynch, or Indi Hartwell.
And what a competitor she is.
[Wade] That is a woman whose career is soaring in NXT,
and could go to new heights tomorrow night.
["Impressive" playing]
[Cole] And what an opportunity tonight,
Candice LeRae wishes Indi Hartwell all the best.
Indi, Wade, a former NXT women's champion.
[Wade] Yeah, I've got to make a point here.
Everyone has been looking past this match,
assuming that Becky Lynch is going to be
the one going on to NXT Halloween Havoc, and Lyra Valkyria tomorrow night.
Trust me.
Indi Hartwell has won this championship once before.
She technically never lost it.
This is a major threat.
Even the interviewer earlier seemed to think
it was a foregone conclusion that Becky Lynch was winning.
-I'm not so sure. -[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the NXT women's championship!
[crowd cheers]
Introducing the challenger.
From Melbourne, Australia,
Indi Hartwell!
And her opponent, from Dublin, Ireland,
she is the NXT women's champion,
"The Man" Becky Lynch!
[Cole] We heard from Becky earlier tonight.
She talked about the opportunity to defend this championship
against women from all over the world.
She said it's about taking chances,
showing how impressive they are.
And Indi Hartwell, from Melbourne, Australia,
has the opportunity to do just that here tonight.
on Monday Night Raw.
Witty, ambitious, impressive.
Will tonight be Indi Hartwell's night?
-[Wade] I spoke to Indi Hartwell earlier-- -[Cole] Oh! Came out of the box quickly.
[Barrett exclaims]
With that Manhandle Slam right off the bat.
[Cole] And a clothesline by Hartwell.
And Becky gonna regroup.
[Wade] I spoke to Indi Hartwell earlier today.
I asked how the hell she was going to beat somebody as good as Becky Lynch.
She said, "Listen, I've been studying Becky Lynch for the last ten years.
I've seen every single one of her matches.
I know more about Lynch than Lynch knows about me.
That's my edge.
[Cole] Kick to the back of the neck.
Becky Lynch is gonna head up top now, top rope.
Indi Hartwell in trouble.
Becky has to leap over her, roll through,
and now Hartwell and Becky
exchanging blows, center of the ring.
Backslide by the champion.
-Shoulders down, kick-out at two. -[Wade] A slightly nervy start there
from Indi Hartwell, sometimes takes a couple of minutes
to get going in a match, which can be a massive danger
against someone as good as Becky Lynch.
[Cole] Candice LeRae, the longtime friend of Indi Hartwell, looking on.
And now Becky Lynch dropped to the mat
and Hartwell looking to out-power Becky here in this match tonight,
dropping Becky on the top rope.
-[Wade] Fireman's snake eyes. -[Cole] Oh!
-This is much better. -[Cole] Side slam.
For the championship, hooking the leg!
And a kick-out!
[Wade] Yeah, Indi is something of a powerhouse at times.
Needs to use that power to her advantage against "The Man" Becky Lynch,
[Cole] Indi has a chip on her shoulder as well.
You mentioned before, she never lost the NXT women's championship.
Becky knocks Indi down.
Hartwell willing to take risks.
She has that 'No BS' attitude.
Now looking to regroup as Becky Lynch,
the champion with the baseball slide.
Indi rolling out of harm's way momentarily,
and now,
whipping Lynch into the barricade!
Can Hartwell win the championship, or can Becky hang on?
[referee] One!
[Cole] We're back live on Raw.
Becky Lynch trying to again regain control of this match-up.
Indi Hartwell has been giving the NXT women's champion all she can handle.
[Wade] Yeah, undoubtedly. It's been real back and forth.
And once again, Indi Hartwell growing into this match-up,
hitting a rhythm,
looking to recapture the gold she never lost.
[Cole] Hartwell going to the top rope. An opportunity here to take out Lynch.
There's the elbow right to the spine. Cover by Hartwell!
To win the championship! And a kick-out.
And looking on, that is Lyra Valkyria from NXT.
She will face the winner of this match up tomorrow night,
right here on USA, part of NXT Halloween Havoc,
Night Number 1.
[Wade] Valkyria has gotta be loving these two ladies
tearing strips off one another, making her job easier tomorrow!
[Cole] Roll-up here and a kick-out.
And now Becky trying to wrestle Hartwell down to the mat
to try to perhaps set up the Disarm-Her.
[Wade] Easier said than done
against a bigger, stronger superstar like Hartwell.
But that was nice!
-[Cole] Cover, to retain! -One! Two!
[Cole] Hartwell kicks at two.
And Candice LeRae again, longtime friend of Indi Hartwell,
looking on.
long relationship with these two back at NXT.
[Wade] Candice LeRae is the most nervous person
in the building right now,
watching her mentee Indi Hartwell.
-Biggest opportunity of Indy's career. -[crowd cheering]
But it's going south in a hurry, thanks to "The Man."
[Cole] Becky Lynch looking to rally, looking for the Manhandle Slam.
Hartwell, full nelson, reverse into a waist lock.
Hartwell with a boot!
Down goes Becky! Collapses into the cover
to win the NXT women's title, and a kick-out by Becky at two!
[Wade] And that is the kind of kick-out that will knock the confidence
of Indi Hartwell! Right to the kisser.
-Thought she had the gold won. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Wade] And so heartbreaking
when your opponent kicks out.
But you've got to bet when you're in there with someone as good as Becky Lynch,
you need something very special to put her away.
And this could be it. No!
[Cole] Took a little bit too much time getting up to the second rope,
and the veteran Becky Lynch capitalized.
[Wade] Indi Hartwell has been beaten from pillar to post by the champ so far,
Who can blame her for running out of gas at this point?
[Cole] Becky looking Indy Hartwell here.
What does Becky have in mind?
Indy is up to the top rope. Superplex!
Cover! I thought Becky went for the cover, no!
For the Disarm-her!
And now Indi trying to block.
[Wade] Indi's got that one well-scouted.
Watched every match of Becky's career, knew it was coming.
Just a matter of when.
[Cole] And again, Hartwell can keep her hands together.
And now, Becky trying to turn this into a triangle.
And Indi Hartwell now with the champ's shoulders.
Now down on the mat, there's a two count!
Becky gets her shoulder up at the last minute.
And now Hartwell powering out of this!
-Look at the power of Indi Hartwell! -[crowd gasping]
Cover! Stacks up the champion!
-For the win! And a kick-out by Becky. -[roars]
[Wade] Indi Hartwell digging deeper than she's ever dug before.
So resourceful, so close to capturing the gold.
[Cole] Yeah, but Indi Hartwell has got to get back on the attack here.
[Wade] No point in feeling sorry for yourself.
Everything is hurting in the body of Hartwell right now,
and it just got worse.
[Cole] Yeah, Becky Lynch took advantage of that momentary lapse.
No! Spinebuster by Hartwell!
-Stacks up the champ again for the win. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Becky kicks at two!
[Wade] When you are continually catching The Man Becky Lynch by surprise
this deep in a match-up, you've got something very special, Indi Hartwell.
[Cole] But again, Indi has to get back on the attack, Wade.
Cannot waste any motion.
Has to go right back at the champion.
Becky is on the ropes here.
[Wade] Becky Lynch completely rock body, but no!
[Cole] And Becky, roll through now. Shoulders down.
-Indi able to reverse. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] And Becky just kicks.
[Wade] Count out Becky Lynch at your peril.
[Cole] Went for the boot again.
Becky Lynch trying to wrestle Hartwell down,
and now Disarm-her locked in!
Disarm-her locked in on Hartwell!
[Wade] Impossible to block from that angle.
Indi Hartwell nowhere near the ropes! This is it.
-[Cole] Hartwell taps, Becky retains. -[bell rings]
[Samantha] Here is your winner by submission,
and still the NXT women's champion,
"The Man" Becky Lynch!
[Cole] Wade, earlier on in the match,
Becky went for the Disarm-her.
Then went for the armbar, trying to weaken Indi Hartwell, who blocked.
But in the end, it was the Disarm-her for Becky
that helped her retain the championship.
[Wade] That is a championship-level mentality,
a championship-level strategy.
What an effort from Indi Hartwell.
But the champ, "The Man" Becky Lynch, retains.
[Cole] Yeah, but no rest for the weary, because in 24 hours,
Becky Lynch will put the championship on the line yet again.
But tonight, Indi Hartwell very game in this championship match
and really impressed "The Man" Becky Lynch.
But again now, Becky Lynch will turn her attention to tomorrow night.
Night Number 1, Halloween Havoc,
on NXT right here on USA.
Becky Lynch will take on that woman, Lyra Valkyria.
[indistinct conversation]
And if you have not seen Lyra in action, you are in for a treat.
And it could be the toughest test of Becky Lynch's
NXT women's title reign, to date.
[Wade] Get the ice packs ready.
Get a good night's sleep, Lynch.
You're in for a war tomorrow night.
-[crowd cheering] -[Becky speaking inaudibly]
[Cole] Candice LeRae, obviously disappointed over the--
-[shrieking] -Oh, wait a minute!
[coughing]
That was a message for Indi too.
[Cole] Xia Li!
Yeah, this looks good.
Do me a favor. Be on your toes, though, right?
These contract sightings will get crazy, as you're aware.
And with the women lately, it's been chaotic.
[man clears throat]
Mind if we have a word?
Give me a minute.
Make it quick.
That's fair.
Listen, we got off on the wrong foot on Friday night.
-Mm-hmm. -And that was totally on me.
I take full responsibility for that.
There was no need to have you escorted out of the building
on SmackDown on Friday night.
I just want you to know that I take full responsibility.
Let's put it up to…
rookie errors.
All right? I'm just trying
to establish my authority as the general manager of SmackDown.
And look, like I said on my first night here,
I just want to have
healthy competition between our two brands.
And do everything I can to prove that SmackDown
is the number-one show in all of sports entertainment.
But I don't want it to tarnish our professional relationship.
So, I'm here, hat in hand,
and, uh, hopefully you'll accept my sincere apologies.
-Apologies? -Yes, sir.
Hm.
Look, I know what it's like to be the new guy, okay?
And I understand having to set your agenda,
and you want to put your stamp on things right away.
Did I think it was out of line? Absolutely.
Be that as it may, water under the bridge.
-Okay. -Matter of fact, gesture of goodwill.
You had me thrown out.
Why don't you stay and see how the flagship operates on Mondays.
Sounds good to me. I appreciate that.
Thank you, sir.
-Thank you. -Have a great show. Knock them down.
How many security guards do we have tonight?
You know what? No matter the number. Double it.
-Yes, sir. -Thank you.
[Cole] Well, general manager Adam Pearce is going to need
all the security he can muster because coming up next,
five of the world's best will sign the contract
to meet in a Fatal 5-Way at Crown Jewel for the Women's World Championship.
The contract signing live, and it's next.
-[crowd] Three! Two! One! -[buzzer sounds]
[Cole] The Road to WrestleMania begins the final Saturday of January
at Tropicana Field in Tampa, St. Pete, Florida,
with the 37th Royal Rumble.
Tickets are now on sale.
The Royal Rumble's become the fastest-selling in history.
And the fastest selling special event in the history of Tropicana Field.
Be a part of one of the most exciting
and important events of the year,
the 2024 Royal Rumble.
But before we get there, a week from Saturday,
we're in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for WWE Crown Jewel.
And it is going to be nearly impossible
for the world champion Rhea Ripley to keep her title.
She only has a 20% chance in this Fatal 5-Way match
to retain her championship.
Because the first woman to gain pinfall or submission will be the world champion.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the contract signing
in order to make official our Fatal 5-Way match
for the Women's World Championship
at Crown Jewel.
Now, as you've all noticed, the women's division,
as of late, has been filled with chaos.
And ordinarily, I would not reward that behavior with a championship match.
But as you're all aware, the only place we settle things in WWE
is right here in the ring.
So I'm gonna get these signatures on the contract
as fast as I can before it all goes to hell.
But in order to do that, I need my challengers.
["Trap Queen" playing]
Introducing first,
Raquel Rodriguez!
[Cole] In an interview with The Dallas Morning News over the weekend,
Raquel Rodriguez talked about
the importance of being in this match in Riyadh
and about the powerhouses who have now taken over the women's division.
["Limb by Limb" playing]
[Pearce] Shayna Baszler!
[Cole] Perhaps the baddest woman in all of WWE.
[Wade] Yeah, no doubt about it. As mean as they come.
A terrifying human being
who knows how to tear opponents limb from limb.
[Cole] You saw Raquel signing the contract already.
-[Pearce] Introducing next Zoey Stark! -["Cut Above the Rest" playing]
[Cole] Listen, Zoey could be the dark horse.
She said she's been dreaming about this for a long time,
and finally that dream's come true.
Shayna now inking her name
to the Fatal 5-Way contract.
[Wade] This is smart of Pearce. We're doing a quick-fire signing.
Get them inked, get them out.
Let's keep it clean.
["Not Like Most Girls" playing]
-[Pearce] And finally, Nia Jax! -[crowd boos]
[Cole] A former women's champion.
The irresistible force.
As Zoey Stark now signs the contract.
Nia Jax has turned
the entire women's division upside down
here in WWE.
[Wade] Undoubtedly. She's put a bull's eye on every woman in the division,
and she's hit that bull's eye every time she's aimed.
[Cole] And every one of the women in the ring right now
have suffered the wrath of Nia Jax
since she reappeared here in WWE.
[Wade] Pearce didn't even bother getting a table for this contract signing.
And that's how efficient we're being.
[crowd boos]
-Nia. -Where's… Where's Rhea?
So you might have noticed that Rhea has kind of been the cause of all the chaos.
So I'm gonna get Rhea's signature later.
I'm trying to get everybody in here to sign it now,
[crowd booing]
If you want Rhea, all you gotta do is sign the contract.
You'll have her at Crown Jewel.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] And Nia makes it official as well.
With that, I have the signatures of our challengers--
["Demon in Your Dreams" playing]
[Cole] The world champion Rhea Ripley,
who has been wheeling and dealing as of late.
Now coming into the arena.
Adam!
I'm not sorry that I came out here prematurely…
-[inaudible] -[crowd chanting]
…because I got a little bit impatient.
I got something that I need to get off of my chest.
Yeah. You can chant my name.
I got something. I need to get off my chest.
Starting with you, Adam.
I could beat every single one of these women
in this ring individually.
But this? This is a conspiracy.
You did this to set me up.
And look, the more that you try and control me,
the more I'm gonna make your life a living hell.
[crowd cheers]
You're smart, though. You're smart.
Making this a Fatal 5-Way match at Crown Jewel.
And I see what you're doing.
But the only thing that's gonna actually happen
is you're going to have four less women in my division by the end of it.
[crowd cheers]
Because none of these women are gonna take this championship from me,
whether you like it or not.
Because at the end of the day, I will prove that
I am the most dominant woman here in the WWE.
You know why, Adam?
Because Mommy is always on top!
[crowd cheering]
Oh, you're good.
You are good.
[crowd booing]
Do you see what she's doing here?
You're not going to step in the ring.
You're smart.
I see what you're doing.
You want me to squash all of them for you?
Which still leaves you with me.
But this… this is smart.
I love the way you're using your head.
Shayna, you're smart. You get it.
She wants me to squash you for her, right?
Zoey, you're a smart cookie.
-She wants me to squash you for her. -[crowd chanting] Nia sucks!
I love this.
Raquel, you're…
I mean, you're from Texas, so…
-Yeah, I am! Yeah, I am! -[crowd cheering]
[inaudible]
Let me break it down for you.
[crowd booing]
She wants me to s--
[Cole] Oh, Raquel with the right hand, has had enough!
And things have broken down.
And things not going the way the general manager, Adam Pearce, wanted.
[Wade] Well, it was a nice try from Pearce,
but that was inevitable.
[Cole] And the security now in the ring trying to separate these women.
Good luck with that.
But just like Adam Pearce predicted,
Rhea Ripley walked out here, Wade, and all hell broke loose.
[Wade] Yeah, the second Ripley walked out, the fuse was lit.
And now things are about ready to explode
[Cole] I dunno where they got these security guys.
But Raquel just tossed two of them outta the ring.
-[Wade] With ease. -[Cole] Now Nia Jax does the, the same.
-[Wade] So Pearce doubled security. -[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Shayna, with a knee!
And now Zoey and Nia!
And the brawl is under way,
and this is what the chaos is going to look like a week from Saturday,
in the Fatal 5-Way for the women's championship!
[Wade] Four of the most dominant women in WWE
duking it out with the champ,
keeping her hands clean for now.
[Cole] And enjoying the chaos.
[Rhea chanting] Fight! Fight! Fight!
[Cole] And two of the most powerful women in WWE squaring off,
and here we go! Jax and Rodriguez!
[Wade] Everything's bigger in Texas,
including the punches.
[Cole] And finally, security in to separate.
-[crowd booing] -But Rhea Ripley,
she gets to laugh tonight.
But a week from Saturday, there will be no laughing for the champion
because no disqualifications, no count-outs.
The champ doesn't even have to be involved…
-[crowd] Let them fight! -[Cole] …in the decision.
Nia and Raquel wiping out security guards,
and they're going at it again!
[Wade] Security needs to give up.
You've got no chance with these women.
[Cole] Samoan drop by Nia Jax!
[crowd booing]
And like Nia predicted,
"I will squash everyone until it comes down
to me and you, Rhea Ripley."
Fatal 5-Way
for the women's world championship a week from Saturday.
Now, remember, a special start time
of one o'clock in the afternoon, Eastern.
Ten o'clock in the morning on the West Coast.
A week from Saturday at Crown Jewel.
[speaking indistinctly]
I need you to deliver tonight.
You want to listen to me?
I need you to get the job done.
And I need you to take Johnny Gargano out tonight. You hear me?
Yeah. I remember. Take out Gargano.
-Well-- -I got it.
You better, because your performance reflects on me now.
You are my responsibility, so you better--
Hey! Mate!
You know, your boss gave me a hell of a fight last week.
And let him know, if he wants round two,
whenever he's ready, I'm ready.
My boss.
-Yeah. -Hmm.
How about you go and tell him yourself?
Huh? Gio.
-Hey. -What do you want?
I want a match tonight.
Look, I'm feeling merciful, Tozawa, so the answer is no.
[roars]
I said, I want a match tonight!
You want a match?
It's your funeral.
What? What is going on here?
Not him. What are you thinking?
Put that thing away before you hurt yourself.
Coach Cable is not gonna be happy about this.
I'm supposed to be watching you.
[Cole] Well, Wade, earlier tonight on social media…
["Rebel Heart" playing]
…Tozawa said that he was ready to try out the [stutters] curri--
-I'll say it right. -[Wade] I beg your pardon?
[Cole laughs] He's ready to try out the lessons
that he's learned within the Alpha Academy.
So he picked Bronson Reed.
[Wade] Yeah, I mean, you're supposed to aim a little lower on day one,
but, uh, yeah, good luck with that, Tozawa.
It's your funeral.
[Cole] Meanwhile, Johnny Gargano may need some luck as well,
because he's heading into this match-up
with Giovanni Vinci, and Ludwig Kaiser will be along… along as well.
It's Gargano taking on Vinci, live next on Monday Night Raw.
Curriculum! I said it! See?
[Cole] Well, WWE Crown Jewel takes place a week from Saturday
at Mohammed Abdu Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tickets went on sale and sold out
in an incredible two hours.
However, great news.
Our production team is working feverishly
to open even more seats throughout the stadium.
Keep checking in at webook.com
to see when more seats will become available.
Johnny Gargano set for action here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] Nice to see you put your dentures back in and can speak properly again,
-Michael Cole. -[Cole] Nice.
Age joke.
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor" playing]
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, accompanied by Ludwig Kaiser,
representing Imperium,
Giovanni Vinci!
[Cole] Vinci versus Gargano here tonight
on Monday Night Raw.
Do you have what it takes to survive Five Nights at Freddy's?
Don't miss the new movie.
and on Peacock, Friday.
You heard Kaiser tell Vinci,
"You need to deliver tonight."
"Your performance reflects on me in the eyes of Imperium Leader, Gunther."
And remember what Gunther told Vinci about Gargano…
-[bell dings] -[Cole] in this match last week.
[Wade] The orders from Gunther were clear last week.
This isn't just about victory.
I demand victory.
But I want Johnny Gargano put on the shelf just like Tommaso Ciampa.
-[Cole] That's… -[Wade] Stretch it or bust tonight.
[Cole] And Vinci a couple of uppercuts and Gargano fighting back as well.
The heart and soul of WWE in many ways, Johnny Gargano.
And look at Vinci. Oh!
Knee to the spine. As Kaiser likes what he sees.
Well, WWE Universe, do you have what it takes
to survive Five Nights at Freddy's?
Here's a quick look at the new movie in theaters and on Peacock, Friday.
[girl in movie] I just want to play.
[knives sharpening]
[girl laughing eerily]
I want you to meet the others.
-[monstrously eerie laughter] -[man screams]
[narrator] Rated PG-13.
-[Vinci grunts] -[Gargano grunting] Oh!
[Cole] Johnny Gargano may…
may not survive one night with Giovanni Vinci here tonight,
but he's getting manhandled by the Imperium member.
[Wade] Vinci has hit an 11 right off the bat tonight,
clearly making a beeline
for that spine of Johnny Gargano trying to put him on the shelf,
just as the Ring General demanded.
[Cole] Last week, Kaiser knocked off Gargano, thanks to Vinci.
Oh! What a kick right to the face of Gargano!
That is stunned so-called Johnny Wrestling.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Cole] My goodness!
And Gargano launching himself into Vinci.
And what a collision.
This is a hard-hitting affair here tonight.
[Wade] That slingshot spear of Gargano
is about the only offense he got from the word go.
But immediately swinging back is Vinci.
[Cole] And Gargano now taking the fight.
Giovanni Vinci, Gargano and Kaiser. Oh!
[Wade] Oh!
No distraction there from Kaiser, perhaps repaying Vinci from last week.
[Cole] Stop Gargano in his tracks.
And Vinci took advantage from behind.
And now Giovanni Vinci a powerhouse.
Gargano, though, lands on his feet.
And Johnny Gargano with a super kick to the face.
And now both men are down.
[Wade] Your breaking kick
to the point of the chin of Vinci's belly
but wait a second.
[Cole] Tomasso Ciampa.
Ciampa is back, driving Kaiser into the ring post
and now sending Kaiser into the timekeepers area.
Ciampa, returning from injury,
sending Kaiser out of the arena,
[Wade] Out of commission last week,
after being flattened in that sit down interview two weeks ago
by Imperial… wait a second!
[Cole] Gargano!
[Wade] One final beat.
[Cole] The one final beat,
DDT puts Vinci away.
["Rebel Heart" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner.
Johnny Gargano.
[Cole] DIY in full force, Ciampa is back.
Gargano with the win over Vinci tonight.
[Wade] Well, Imperium tried their best to utilize the numbers game.
They'd taken out Ciampa a couple of weeks ago.
They didn't finish the job, however.
All is even and the Gunther
will be far from impressed with the performance of Vinci tonight.
[in Japanese]
["Take Flight" playing]
[Samantha in English] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Logan Paul!
[Cole] Social media megastar,
free agent, WWE superstar,
Logan Paul was on SmackDown Friday night, where he found out
he's got a United States Championship match
with Rey Mysterio a week from Saturday
at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
But what brings Logan Paul to Monday Night Raw tonight?
We find out live next from Dallas.
Back live on Monday Night Raw.
There is Logan Paul, who is here on Raw tonight.
But a week from Saturday, he'll be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
an opportunity to win the United States Championship
from the legendary Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio.
Remember the special start time a week from Saturday.
For Crown Jewel, it's 1:00 in the afternoon Eastern,
10 a.m. in the morning on the West Coast on Peacock.
Dallas, Texas, wow.
[crowd cheering]
So much love.
Listen, y'all. You know what I just found out?
That fool that I beat in my boxing fight last weekend,
embarrassed himself so badly
that he got dropped by his fight league.
Dropped.
So, that means not only did I make him lose the fight,
-I made him lose his job. -[crowd gasps]
-[gasping] Unemployed. -[crowd gasps]
-Unhappy. -[crowd gasps]
-Unfulfilled. -[crowd gasps]
-It sucks to be that guy. -[crowd gasps]
But, Dallas, I guess because he's a free agent now,
I might be being a little harsh on him because, technically,
technically, I'm a free agent now too.
So all of you little Logan Paul haters,
back at home watching this,
quickly go! Run to your keyboards.
Because when I defeat Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel,
and become the United States champion,
I'm gonna give y'all something to talk about.
[crowd boos]
And once I am champion,
I might even have to come back to Raw and defend my title.
And then…
["Booyaka 619" playing]
Logan.
[crowd boos]
Logan.
[crowd boos ecstatically]
[Logan] Hey!
Hey, y'all shut your mouth.
And you show Dirty Dom some respect.
[crowd boos]
Logan.
This is so good.
The Champion to future Champion
I can't wait for you to be there and I can't beat that.
I appreciate that, Dom.
Well, you know, your dad was right about us.
You and I, amazing natural ability.
Dripping with passion.
But Rey left out one thing.
Rey left out what we've had to overcome.
Dominik, this man right here, grew up with a deadbeat dad.
And still somehow managed to become the Champion of an entire continent.
[crowd boos]
Wow!
Me, a kid from Ohio,
overcame the odds,
followed his passions, blazed his own trail,
changed the landscape of sports and entertainment.
So truthfully, the only person around here
who needs a humbling is Dominik's father, Rey.
I…
[crowd boos very loudly]
After Crown Jewel
[Logan] Dominik…
-[Dominik] Second from last! -…every single one of them.
At the Crown Jewel, you'll be the Champion,
and I'll be the only Mysterio with a title.
That's absolutely right, Dom. I can see it so vividly.
Logan Paul, WWE's United States Champion.
Oh, my gosh.
Oh, my gosh, I cannot wait for that ring announcement.
Which reminds me, actually, since I'm back on Monday Night Raw,
that means my favorite ring announcer is here.
Samantha Irvin.
Sammy, Samantha, how are you doing?
Listen, Sam, would you do me the honor
of joining me in this here ring?
[Dominik] Come on.
-Come on. -Come on, Sam.
I'm being, I'm being serious right now.
It's been a while since I've seen you.
Samantha, I owe you a genuine, heartfelt thank you.
I'm serious. Thank you, Samantha.
You deserve to be given your flowers, right here in this ring,
and to be recognized for everything that you do for this organization.
We all agree, guys, come on.
Give it up for Samantha.
[crowd clapping]
Samantha Irvin, ladies and gentlemen.
Come on.
Superstar.
Voice of the WWE. No one's doing it like her.
[Logan] Hi, Samantha.
Thank you.
Listen, I just wanted to say
I know it was hard for you
and I made it hard for you when you had to announce me
as the winner at Summer Slam
when I beat your fiancé, Ricochet,
which I did.
I did that.
But, Samantha, you kept it professional
and you did such an incredible job.
And I guess since we're all here,
would you do these people of Dallas a favor?
Give them a little preview of Crown Jewel
and announce me
as the new United States Champion right now.
[Dominik] Come on. You got it.
Right now, Samantha.
-[Dominik] And new… -And new…
And…
[Cole] Ricochet.
Ricochet taking out Logan Paul.
They have unfinished business from back at Summer Slam
which Logan Paul would cheat his way to a victory
over Ricochet.
Ricochet hasn't forgotten.
[Wade] You can't stand in a WWE ring and insult a guy's fiancée,
not expect a little payback.
[Cole] And Ricochet with a running knee to Dominik
and Dominik now in the drop zone.
And Ricochet is gonna make that punk Dominik pay.
[crowd cheering]
Logan Paul pulling Dominik out of harm's way.
Talk about two peas in a pod.
Maybe next time.
[Logan] I'll beat you.
[Cole] Look at those two.
[Wade] Logan Paul can't risk an injury.
And a Crown Jewel, Cole. I got to understand.
[Cole] They may be the most despised duo
on the entire planet.
[Logan] I'll beat you again, bro.
[Cole] And Ricochet, check in on his fiancée,
our ring announcer Samantha Irvin,
as Logan Paul was taken down by Ricochet and then got out of harm's way.
And the question is.
Will the ring announcement at Crown Jewel actually be
your new United States Champion, Logan Paul?
Because Logan Paul with an opportunity to knock off Rey Mysterio
a week from Saturday.
Dominik and Logan Paul may be the most despised duo in Texas right now.
They will be despised even more,
if Logan Paul is also holding Championship Gold
back to Crown Jewel.
[Cole] And speaking of champions.
["Hot Mess" playing]
Chelsea Green, Piper Niven
the women's tag-team champions, here in WWE.
Now, they have a match-up coming up against Natalya.
And someone, Natalya's partner, Tegan Nox
out with an injury she suffered in NXT last week.
Who has Natalya picked to team with her tonight
against the tag-team champs?
We're going to find out live next, right here on Monday Night Raw.
♪ I'm sweet and I'm savage ♪
Hi, Dallas!
[Cole] There's Natalya set to take on the women's tag champs
Piper Niven and Chelsea Green.
But who is Natalya's partner going to be for this match-up tonight?
Tegan Nox, out of action, injured in NXT last week.
♪ Pay attention, pay attention ♪
["The Strangeling" playing]
[Cole] Well, a former women's champion in her own right, Nikki Cross.
Normally, screwbally and flaky.
Obviously, uh, very intense
as she heads into this match-up against the tag champs tonight.
[Wade] Wow, it's rare to see Nikki Cross as focused as this, you're right.
She's normally oscillating wildly around the ringside area,
about 100 miles an hour.
But, perhaps, focused on defeating the tag champions tonight
has put her into this zone?
[Cole] Zone describes it.
Normally, she's barney or out to lunch, some would say, and…
tonight she is just slowly making her way to the ring.
Natalya is already in the ring. The match is underway.
Starting things off with Chelsea Green.
[Wade] You question the kind of chemistry that Cross and Natalya are gonna have
having never really tagged together before.
I don't know what kind of strategy they would have come up with.
[Cole] Both veterans, both former women's champions.
-[Chelsea] Oh, my God! -[Cole] Natalya rolling up Green.
Win here tonight would gain Natalya and Nikki
perhaps a future tag-team championship opportunity.
Dragging Chelsea, nice jack-knife cover by Natalya.
Chelsea turns it into a cover and a kick-out.
[Wade] I'm getting freaked out by Nikki Cross on the edge.
What the hell she doing?
[Cole] She hasn't blinked since she walked out here. I can tell you that.
[Wade] Trance or something?
[Cole] A roll-up by Natalya looking for the victory and a kick-out.
[Wade] I'm trying my best to watch.
How can you take your eyes off Cross?
[Cole] Well, maybe she's focused, Wade.
-Ah! -[Wade] She's not watching the match.
I'll tell you that for free.
[Cole] Now, Piper Niven causing a distraction.
Chelsea Green from behind, a blow to the back of Natalya
and a big kick and down goes Natalya.
And again,
in this weird state, Nikki Cross is staring straight ahead,
standing on the apron,
has not moved.
[Wade] No words of encouragement, no reaching for a tag.
[Cole] And Piper Niven, now, splashing Natalya in the corner.
At this point, Natalya should've just gotten…
[Wade] Give her the benefit of the doubt.
Perhaps Nikki Cross is just waiting for Natalya
to crawl over and reach…
[Cole] Like playing possum or something like that?
[Wade] I mean, she looks disinterested?
-Catatonic? -Knock it off!
[Cole] Maybe she's playing possum, like I said.
[Wade] It's not been a particularly effective strategy so far
because Natalya is getting battered.
[Cole] Green blow to the back of the neck,
Piper Niven with a clothesline
cover, now, by Chelsea.
Hook of the leg. Natalya kicks out at two.
Come on!
[Cole] And reaching back for a tag. And Nikki Cross yet to make a move.
-[Wade] Did someone get Nikki Cross… -[Cole] She did move.
Nikki just fell off the apron
and now is wandering aimlessly at ringside.
Captain Lou Albano once did this in Raw back in '98 at the garden.
But it's different when Cross wanders back now
towards the locker room.
-[Wade] The undertaker following… -[Cole] Oh!
Natalya with a released German suplex to Chelsea Green.
Nikki Cross continues to just wander away from ringside.
So, Natalya, really in a two-on-one situation here.
But can you imagine if Natalya could pick up the win
by herself
against the tag-team champions?
[Wade] She's going to have to,
because that was the worst tag partner in history.
[Cole] And a big clothesline
by Natalya.
She may pin the tag champs.
Almost had her kick-out by Chelsea at two.
[Wade] Split second away from victory in an almost impossible effort here
from Natalya.
[Cole] Outstanding switch for Green.
-Ping! -[Cole] Natalya.
Tag made by Piper Niven.
Not sure Natalya realizes the tag was made.
She's about to.
Because Piper Niven…
[Cole] Oh, Natalya. And now Chelsea Green.
[Wade] Well, it's two on one. What chance have you got?
Unpretty her.
[Cole] And Piper Niven.
Nothing pretty about that.
Just flat-out power on the big Cross body.
Niven and Chelsea win.
[Samantha] Here are your winners.
The WWE women's tag-team champion,
Chelsea Green
and Piper Niven.
[Cole] I've got a great idea. You should take leave right now
and go to the back and do an exclusive interview with Nikki Cross
and find out.
Wait a second, Michael Cole. You're the journalist, not me.
Nonetheless, we kicked off Raw tonight
with a confrontation between Cody Rhodes and the Judgment Day.
Why don't we give everybody a preview of Crown Jewel right now?
[Cole] Priest and Finn didn't look concerned.
I like that idea.
[Cole] It seemed like they almost had their own plan in mind.
Because Rhea Ripley and Dominik would come down to the ring.
Now, Uso would attack Dominik from behind,
helping out Cody Rhodes.
Finn Bálor would battle Jey Uso,
which left Priest and Bálor against Cody Rhodes
in a two-on-one situation.
Yeah, Bálor now fighting Uso
as Priest was dumped out of the ring.
Rhodes,
would be attacked
from behind.
Watch the bottom of your screen
as Cody Rhodes clears out the announce table here.
[Wade] Yeah, well, the plan is always the numbers game for Judgment Day.
Jey Uso can…
[Cole] JD McDonagh!
[Wade] I'll tell the return of JD McDonagh
who's been at odds with Priest of late
but back out of the doghouse, after this,
flattening Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] And again, the focus of the attack
the left leg of Cody Rhodes and officials not quite making it in time.
Damian Priest crushing the ankle of Cody Rhodes.
[Wade] Absolutely sickening moment.
Steel on bone.
There's only ever going to be one winner.
[Cole] And the only medical update we have on Cody Rhodes right now
is that Cody has suffered an ankle injury.
[crowd cheering]
What do you want, Drew?
Man, I just want to say,
I'm sorry what happened last week.
I can't possibly imagine how it feels
to have the bloodline cost you a championship.
On the plus side, I gained some great advice.
It's really been helping me out.
It's real simple.
Just get over it.
Oh, Jey,
you in on Raw?
This match with Sami doesn't happen.
Because whatever happens,
is on you.
[crowd cheering]
["World's Apart" playing]
[Cole] Drew does have a point.
[crowd chanting] Let's go!
[Cole] For Sami Zayn, this is a big opportunity tonight
here on Monday Night Raw
to establish himself as a player in the Main Event scene.
We'll talk all about that when we return
because coming up next,
Sami Zayn goes one-on-one
with the number one contender
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
It's Zayn and McIntyre, live next.
[Miz] Adam Pearce.
Yeah.
-Hi. -Hi.
I'm the most must-see WWE superstar of all time, The Miz.
Yeah, I know that.
-Do you? -I think so, yeah.
Wow, because it's been weeks since I've had something worthy,
something worthy of my stature on this show.
I find it amazing that I need to remind you
that I am the first-ever, two-time Grand Slam champion in history.
I beat John Cena in the Main Event of WrestleMania.
I made the Intercontinental Championship
the most prestigious and relevant title in all of WWE,
making me the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time.
You know who knows that?
Nick Aldis knows that.
He understands the talents that I possess.
And what are you doing?
-Signed it. -Thank you.
I'm keeping the pen.
-What… did… -Enough.
Where's the camera going?
[Miz] What?
See what happened out there?
Yeah, I did.
You deal with Ricochet next week.
Let's get some ice on your chin.
Gorgeous face.
I know.
You okay?
-Yeah. You good? -Yeah.
Let's get some ice.
[Cole] So strange.
Nonetheless, Sami Zayn set for one-on-one action tonight.
Big match against Τhe Scottish Warrior
here on Raw.
[crowd chanting] Let's go!
[knives sharpening]
["Gallantry" playing]
[crowd cheering ecstatically]
[bell dinging]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring,
from Ayr, Scotland, weighing in at 275 pounds,
Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre said,
"The only way I get over this bloodline thing
is by beating Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship."
And he has the opportunity
a week from Saturday on Peacock
at WWE Crown Jewel.
Massive night.
Massive amount of pressure on Mr. McIntyre, Wade, at Crown Jewel.
[Wade] Yeah, you know what?
A lot of people have been upset with McIntyre's attitude of late.
Yes,
he's been blunt at times.
He's been a bit aggressive.
He's been a bit off with people, but there has been an element of truth
with every single one of his grievances.
And right now he's staring across for the ring
at a guy
regardless of what's happened over the past six months.
Drew sees bloodline
in Sami Zayn.
Of course, go back 2022 survival series war games.
they fought each other,
Sami Zayn was on the side of the bloodline.
[Cole] Yeah, Sami was once a part of the bloodline.
Obviously, he realized the error of his ways and moved on.
Now this is a big match for Sami Zayn as well.
Remember, Zayn's best friend is tag team partner Kevin Owens,
was traded over to Friday Night's SmackDown
a couple of weeks ago.
The compensation for the trade that brought Jey Uso to Monday Night Raw.
Sami said he's trying to take a positive out of this.
He said that, "The dismantling of our team
is going to give me the opportunity
to prove that I am a Main Event-level superstar
to the powers that be here in WWE."
[Wade] Wanna prove you're a Main Event-level superstar,
beat a former World Champion in the former Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] McIntyre with a smile on his face
as he shoves Sami Zayn away.
McIntyre, of course, a former two-time WWE Champion,
would love to win the World Heavyweight gold.
Seth Rollins came out here last week.
The current world champion.
He told Drew McIntyre he needs to stop blaming everybody but himself.
[Wade] Things were really cordial
a couple of weeks ago between McIntyre and Seth Rollins
when they agreed to the match up at Crown Jewel.
But they were trading barbs last week.
Gloves came off in a hurry.
[Cole] Sami Zayn, you're not gonna win a power game with McIntyre.
He's going to have to try to outwit The Scottish Warrior.
[Wade] Sometimes, Sami Zayn doesn't listen to logic.
KO will tell you all about that.
[Cole] Sami Zayn never listen.
Third time, a charm, perhaps?
And Zayn, yes, is going to try this again and…
thought twice about it.
Delivered a chop to McIntyre.
And Drew made him pay with a shoulder tackle of his own.
[Wade] Well, now all you've done is wake up McIntyre
and fire up whatever rage he has inside of him.
[Cole] And McIntyre, with that,
just powerful methodical approach
of punishing his opponent, Terminator-like, in the ring.
[Wade] I mean, Drew is like a tightly coiled spring currently.
The last couple of months, he's not been his normal, jovial self.
Oh!
[Wade] And I don't know if Sami Zayn really thought that through.
[Cole] That chop buckles Zayn.
Wade, it was interesting
the comment you made a couple of weeks ago to me
when you said that you and Drew really don't talk that much anymore
over the past couple of months.
-Oh! -[Cole] You guys've been close
through much of your career.
[Wade] Yeah, I talk, he doesn't reply. That's the problem.
I'd love to get some answers from him,
but he is very much not trusting anybody at the moment
that includes people like myself.
[Cole] And Sami Zayn now trying to drag McIntyre out of the ring
and Sami Zayn now taking the fight to Drew.
Sami can be aggressive.
We all know his track record reversal.
Zayn now up off the barricade, turns it into a moonsault.
And down goes McIntyre and Zayn now fired up.
[Wade] That was ridiculous from Zayn.
Incredible athleticism, and that's the only way
you're going to outmaneuver someone as big and powerful as McIntyre.
[Cole] We mentioned earlier Sami wanted to be in the Main Event scene.
He proved to the world that he can go toe-to-toe
with the world champ, remember,
back at elimination chamber in February, the match with Roman Reigns
where he almost shocked the world and knocked off the undisputed champ.
[Wade] The Cauldron of Montreal. How could you ever forget?
[Cole] And McIntyre now.
The power into a vertical suplex on Zayn.
And look at the scowl from McIntyre, just looking back at his victim.
[Wade] Methodically pacing
Oh!
Ridiculous power body control.
And with a bad attitude. Like McIntyre has right now.
He may be unstoppable.
[Cole] So, heading into Crown Jewel. Seth Rollins could be in trouble.
[Wade] Of course!
This is Drew McIntyre, the guy who slayed the beast Brock Lesnar
for the World Championship.
[Cole] Massive chip on his shoulder,
carried WWE through the pandemic era, one of the darkest times and…
Really felt like he was never appreciated for that.
[Wade] Of course, you get to the very top in this industry.
You achieve the childhood dream.
You expect a packed-out WrestleMania
100,000 fans chanting your name, the Pyro crew didn't get any of that.
[Cole] Sami Zayn, with a clothesline who had his WrestleMania moment
earlier this year in the Main Event, winning the undisputed tag titles
with his friend Kevin Owens.
Now Zayn, bringing the fight to McIntyre.
Sami Zayn will not back down.
He's not afraid to get in your face.
As tough as they come,
[Cole] And McIntyre now, sent over the top rope.
Zayn has got Drew a bit out of whack here.
[Wade] Yeah, no doubt about it. I don't think Drew has got out
of third gear so far in this match-up,
and that's thanks to Sami Zayn's abilities.
[Cole] And Zayn, now measuring his man, gonna launch himself over the top rope.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Cole] McIntyre, catching Sami Zayn!
And look out.
-[crowd shouting indistinctly] -[Drew grunts in effort]
Zayn, just flung over the announce table!
McIntyre has turned this into a dominant performance!
It has been a trick or treat for Drew McIntyre
against Sami Zayn in this match-up here tonight,
live from Dallas, capacity crowd at the American Airlines Center.
McIntyre, right now, dominating Sami Zayn, but it hasn't been easy, Wade.
-[Wade] No, he's had to earn every ounce-- -[Drew grunts]
…of this lead that he's got over Zayn.
And once again, Zayn, the scrappy underdog,
refusing to go down without a fight.
[Cole] And Zayn, now, able to block the suplex,
not be able to block that chop, however.
And now McIntyre, looking to hoist Sami Zayn up again,
lands on his feet.
Zayn, giving McIntyre--Oh!-- all he can handle!
Shoulder first to the post!
[Wade] Well, that was a game-changing moment for Zayn.
[Cole] And now Sami Zayn--
-[Wade] Whoa! -[Cole] …hoisting up McIntyre!
[crowd cheering]
[section of crowd chanting] Sami! Sami!
[Wade] Really nice from Zayn.
Two hundred and eighty pounds of Scottish beef,
-launched by the Montreal native. -[crowd chanting] Sami!
-Sami! -[Cole] "Sami" chants here in Dallas.
McIntyre, dropped over the top rope yet again.
Sami Zayn now realizes Drew's at the drop zone.
Here comes Sami! Launching himself over the top rope! Down goes McIntyre!
-And Zayn, with an opportunity! -[crowd cheering]
A loss tonight does not bode well for McIntyre's momentum,
heading to the Crown Jewel.
[Wade] Zayn, doing exactly what he said he would do,
trying to put away a former world champion,
proving he can get it done against the the very best,
putting his own body on the line.
[Cole] And again, Zayn, just a tremendous, uh, resilient athlete.
-[crowd booing] -Still in this fight after being abused
by McIntyre at times throughout.
[Wade] He's got that infectious zest for life, has Zayn.
And this is where he really comes into his own.
If he gets that momentum, he's very difficult to derail.
But McIntyre, doing his best to do exactly that.
[Cole] Well, McIntyre is such a big man, 6'5", 275 pounds.
So hard to keep him down.
And now McIntyre, bringing the fight.
[crowd murmuring]
Zayn, on McIntyre's shoulders.
-Dangerous situation here. -[crowd noise intensifies]
Sami Zayn, trying to fight out and block, able to swift-- Out!
-[crowd cheering] -Sunset Flip Powerbomb! Cover!
-For the win! McIntyre, at two! -[crowd exclaims]
[Wade] McIntyre, trying to steal a page
out of Sheamus's book with a White Noise.
Zayn, though, just too quick reflexively,
turning that into a powerbomb, almost scoring the win.
[Cole] And both men are down.
Sami Zayn stirring.
Can't believe it was just a two-count.
And now, Zayn has to dig down deep again.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! [clapping rhythmically]
This is awesome! [rhythmic hand claps]
-[Cole] Indeed it is. -[crowd] This is awesome!
[rhythmic hand claps]
This is awesome!
[rhythmic hand claps]
-This is awesome! -[Cole] Sami…
trying to hoist McIntyre up. It looked like he was going
for the Blue Thunder Bomb.
[Wade] And Drew, just too big and heavy for that.
Soften him up a little more, you might get it done.
[Cole] Zayn almost had him up yet again. McIntyre, with a Glasgow Kiss.
[Wade] Zayn might be out cold there.
[Cole] And now, McIntyre has Zayn.
-And again, just doubling over. -[crowd] Three! Two! One!
[Cole] Calling for the Claymore. Zayn met him with a boot
of his own to the face. And now, Sami Zayn,
Blue Thunder Bomb!
-Zayn, for the win! -[crowd] One! Two!
-[Cole] Kick-out by McIntyre! -[crowd exclaiming]
[Wade] Wow! The vast majority of opponents are done there.
You want to get to the very, very top level,
McIntyre will test you.
[referee speaking indistinctly]
[Cole] Zayn hit McIntyre with a Sunset Flip Powerbomb,
and the Blue Thunder Bomb.
[crowd] This is awesome! [clapping rhythmically]
[Cole] But the match continues, much to the delight
of this capacity crowd in Dallas.
[Wade] Just when Drew had victory in sight with the Claymore,
Zayn, with the instincts to slap on that Blue Thunder Bomb,
-almost scoring the win. -[crowd] This is awesome!
[Cole] The World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins is here tonight,
guarantee you he is looking on at this match,
because he faces McIntyre a week from Saturday.
-[McIntyre grunts] -[Wade] McIntyre is getting beat up here,
but that back of Seth Rollins is much worse, believe me.
[Cole] Zayn looking for the exploder suplex. Not able
to lift McIntyre up! And a belly-to-belly throw
by The Scottish Warrior.
[Wade] McIntyre recovering in a… in a hurry--
-[Cole] And another one! -[Wade] …after that flurry of abuse.
[Cole] Sending Zayn across the ring.
-And there's the neckbreaker by McIntyre. -[crowd exclaims]
[faint applause and cheers from crowd]
[referee speaks indistinctly]
[Cole] Both men down, and after a bit of a respite,
-a kip-up by Drew. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] What a daunting sight
that must be if you are Sami Zayn.
-[crowd continues cheering] -"Everything I've thrown at this guy,
he can still kip-up at this point in the match-up."
[Cole] Again, we said it earlier, McIntyre is a machine.
["Demon in Your Dreams" playing]
♪ Look at my eyes Do they look alive? Alive… ♪
[Cole] Wait a minute, the Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley.
We talked about this earlier.
She's been trying to recruit everybody under the sun.
We saw her talking to McIntyre last week,
Seth Rollins earlier tonight, Jey Uso a couple of weeks ago.
Sami Zayn, looking to take advantage! And get a kick-out by McIntyre at two.
[Wade] Well, there's strength in numbers in this game…
-[Cole] Exploder! -[crowd cheers]
[crowd cheering louder]
[Cole] And now, Zayn…
-And Rhea, up on the apron. -[Rhea talking indistinctly]
[Cole] Zayn was going for the Helluva Kick.
[Wade] Is she trying to recruit Zayn now?
-[Cole] McIntyre, with a Claymore! -[crowd exclaims]
-One! Two! Three! -[Cole] And now, McIntyre, into the cover.
-And picks up the win! -[bell dings]
-["Gallantry" playing] -[crowd booing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner!
[boisterously] Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] So, Rhea Ripley, I guess, Wade…
["Gallantry" continues]
…showing Drew McIntyre what she would bring to the table?
[Wade] She sold herself to Seth Rollins pretty well earlier.
It got turned down, on the face of it.
-McIntyre, apparently not so interested. -[crowd cheers]
But that is what Judgment Day and Rhea Ripley can do for you.
Make things just a little easier.
[Cole] Rhea Ripley has a… knack… at persuasion.
["Gallantry" continues playing]
-From the cannons, everything. -…Keep it up.
Your whole energy, it's just fantastic. And listen,
-the blue is really working on you two-- -[Pearce] Ahem.
-Ahem. -…okay? I mean, I think you guys
-will be big box office-- -Hi.
Sorry. Would you excuse us?
Thank you. Appreciate that.
You know, Nick, I appreciate you coming on Raw
and smoothing things over. I really do.
But when I asked you to stay and watch,
it was so you maybe learn something,
not so you could go around chatting with all my Superstars.
Your Superstars?
-Uh-huh. -Okay.
Listen, Adam, that was just a friendly conversation.
-Nothing sinister. -Hmm…
And… And… You know what?
-It seems like you've had a tough night. -Oh, just a little.
I can see where this is going, so I'll make it easy for you.
I'm gonna take off.
Oh? Sounds like a great idea.
-Thanks for coming. -My pleasure.
I need a drink.
[Cole] So do I.
["Battle Tested" playing]
[Cole] "Big" Bronson Reed!
He gave Akira Tozawa an out.
[theme song continues]
Tozawa didn't take it.
♪ …be left broken and bruised Just me and my crew… ♪
[Cole] Coming up next,
What does Tozawa learn from the Alpha Academy?
He puts it to the test against "Big" Bronson Reed live, next.
[theme song continues]
[inaudible]
-["Eyes of a Warrior" playing] -♪ Stare into the eyes of a warrior ♪
♪ Has the blood rushed through my veins ♪
♪ This is a call to the warriors They will remember your name ♪
♪ This is the time and the moment is now You see the light, you hear the crowd… ♪
[Cole, menacingly] "Big" Bronson Reed. What a match last week
with the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
-…Let's do it. -[Wade] Grueling…
-["To the Death" playing] -…And Bronson Reed reached new levels,
but how good is Gunther? For he's still
-the Intercontinental Champion. -[bell dings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Making his way
to the ring, accompanied by Maxxine Dupri,
Akira Tozawa!
-[Cole] All I can say is… -[faint cheers from crowd]
…good luck.
Do you have what it takes to survive Five Nights at Freddy's?
Don't miss the new movie in theaters, and on Peacock, Friday.
["To the Death" continues]
So, Akira Tozawa wants to find out
if what he's been learning in the Alpha Academy
is, uh, well, going to make him championship-material.
His first test, Bronson Reed.
[Wade] Do me a favor, say "Alpha Academy curriculum" again.
-You did it so well earlier. -[Cole] Alpha Academy curriculum.
-[Wade] Practicing in the break? -[Cole] Every break.
[Wade] Nice.
[Cole] So, what is Tozawa trying to prove here
by picking a fight with "Big" Bronson Reed?
[Wade] Well, I'll be honest with you. Chad Gable tried to dissuade him--
-[bell dings] -…from this. Tozawa is like those guys
in college who take module one of something,
and then act like they're experts.
-[Cole laughs] -[Tozawa yells]
[Cole] The big point is, Tozawa delivers a chop to "Big" Bronson Reed,
now looking to out-quick Reed.
Now remember, Tozawa, an accomplished competitor.
He knocked off The Miz a few weeks back.
[Wade] Yes, he did.
-[Tozawa yelling] -[Cole] Miz can't seem to catch a break.
[Wade] There's a big difference between those--
-[Cole] Oh! Goodness! -[Wade] …Tozawa chops we just saw,
and the chops we saw from Gunther last week.
-[crowd exclaims] -[Cole] Ooh! And that elbow.
[chuckling] Tozawa… Well, that expression says it all, folks.
[Maxxine] Stay focused.
[Tozawa whimpering]
[Wade] I mean, he scratched the surface of the syllabus in the Alpha Academy.
You cannot expect to defeat someone as big and as mean,
and as fast-moving as Bronson Reed.
-[Tozawa yelps] -[Cole] Tozawa, whipped across the ring.
The power of Bronson Reed, 300-plus-pound man.
There's no way a man this size should be able to move how Reed does.
[Wade] No, it's ridiculous.
The body control, his ability to climb up the top ropes…
-[Cole] Oh! -[Wade] …Avalanche of humanity,
-just crushing… Akira Tozawa. -[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[chanting continues]
[Cole] Well, Bronson Reed,
called Imperium earlier tonight,
"Tell your boss, the Intercontinental Champion Gunther,
I'm ready for another match."
Oh, and a military press slam to Tozawa. And then the running senton,
but Tozawa rolled out of harm's way.
Maxxine, now offering some advice to Tozawa.
[Wade] He's got that determined look in his eye, if that counts for anything.
[Cole] Oh, here comes the power of Tozawa.
Maybe not.
Maybe the quickness of Tozawa, though. Caught Reed with a kick.
And Bronson Reed now, I'm not quite sure what Tozawa's trying to do here.
[Wade] Barely get his arms around the girth of Bronson Reed.
[Cole] Tozawa, off the ropes, and…
[crowd exclaims]
…sending Reed into the ropes.
A bit awkward, but effective.
[Wade] Tozawa's getting some momentum here.
Scrappy, high-flying daredevil. What a shock this would be.
[Cole] Tozawa, top rope. Bronson Reed caught him.
[Wade] No chance. Was never gonna work.
-[Bronson grunts] -[Cole] And now,
the… Oh! Just driving Tozawa into the mat.
[Wade] Tozawa's spine might not work after that.
-[Cole] Running senton. -[Wade] Here we go.
Everyone in the arena is about to get soaked!
-[boisterously] Tsunami! -[crowd exclaiming]
-[Maxxine] Kick-out! -[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
-["Battle Tested" playing] -♪ I'm war-ready… ♪
[Samantha] Here is your winner,
"Big" Bronson Reed!
[Cole] Well, the Alpha Academy preaches confidence,
but this is just ridiculous to challenge this man.
[Wade] Just complete destruction from Bronson Reed,
a man best avoided.
[crowd exclaiming]
The carcass of Tozawa being scraped off the mat
-after, once again, another epic Tsunami. -[crowd exclaiming loudly]
-[Maxxine] Kick-out! -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[referee] Ring the bell! -[bell dings]
-[Cole] Bronson Reed victorious tonight. -[mouthing indistinctly]
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next.
We saw the damage Damian Priest and JD McDonagh did
to Cody Rhodes earlier tonight.
Priest is in our Main Event against "Main Event" Jey Uso.
It's live, and it's next.
["Battle Tested" playing]
♪ I'm ready for war… ♪
-[Otis] Fine. -[Kofi] It looks kind of nice.
-[Otis] Yeah. -[Kofi] It is pretty nice.
[Woods] You're bonding over this, even though with that match… It's…
[Tozawa crying in pain]
-[Gable] Oh, look who it is. -Oh, for goodness sake.
Are you happy, buddy? You should have listened to coach.
But don't worry, I got confidence in you. You've got potential.
I'll turn you into a great tag team wrestler.
-Okay? -[Johnny] Speaking of tag team wrestlers,
look at this tag team division.
-[Woods] Hey. -[Tommaso] Last week,
-we tagged versus Imperium… -Wow.
For the first time in over three years. We're back.
-[high-pitched] Oh, my! -We're back, baby!
-DIY! -[Otis yelling] DIY!
[Kofi] Thanks for letting us know!
-[Tommaso] Yes! -Wow!
Well, tag team locker room, we all talk like this.
-Yeah, yeah, yeah. Cool. -[Tommaso] That's what we do.
-[Woods laughing] -[Kofi] Wow…
Hey, you know what? Even though you lost, you're still a champion to us.
-[Kofi] Yeah. -[Johnny] Hmm.
-[indistinct talking] -[Woods] So, you know what? Yeah.
-[Kofi] Upside down! -[Woods] There.
Do your training, though. Don't… Don't neglect your training.
-[other exclaiming] -[Kofi] Oh, yeah!
-[Woods] Ooh! -[other exclaiming]
-Tozawa, that's nasty! -[others exclaiming in disgust]
[exhales]
[Rollins clapping, cackling exultantly]
Yeah!
Yeah! Congratulations, Drew!
-Thank you. -Your first win
as the newest member of The Judgment Day.
Oh, here we go again, mate. You're so paranoid.
You see when Rhea came out there, almost cost me the match.
Maybe Sami got himself into this mess.
Doesn't have KO to back him up anymore.
Besides that, "Mr. Paranoid pot calling the kettle black,"
I saw you talking to Rhea earlier tonight,
and I didn't hear you say "no"
-to her little offer. -[sighs softly]
-[sunglasses clatter] -Drew…
You know how I feel about The Judgment Day.
I don't need them.
Not now.
Not ever.
And I especially don't need them to beat you at Crown Jewel.
I don't need them either.
No Judgment Day?
No Judgment Day.
May the best man win.
He will.
Rollins, McIntyre, for the World Heavyweight Championship
a week from Saturday at Crown Jewel. But before we get there,
the final Raw before Crown Jewel, Greenville, South Carolina, next week,
Seth Rollins is in action.
[Wade] Yes, indeed. JD McDonagh is trying to earn his way
into The Judgment Day by turning up the heat
on World Heavyweight Champ, Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
These two go one-on-one next week on Raw.
[Cole] Xia Li wants to make her own opportunity.
She jumped Candice LeRae earlier tonight.
Next week, they have a match. Xia Li, Candice LeRae, on Raw.
[Wade] DIY is back,
when Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa team up
for the first time in more than three years,
to take on Imperium next week, right here on Raw.
[Cole] "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio was in the thick of it
with Logan Paul and Ricochet earlier tonight.
Next week on Monday Night Raw,
Ricochet, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, one-on-one.
-["Day One Ish" playing] -♪ Uso! ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Aye, aye Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city! ♪
♪ Yah hoo! It's just me, Uce, okay ♪
♪ Day one ish It's just… ♪
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from San Francisco, California,
weighing in at 242 pounds! [boisterously] "Main Event"
Jey Uso!
[Cole] And on cue, Jey Uso in our Main Event tonight,
on Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering]
[Jey] Yeet!
-Yeah! -[cheering continues]
-Let's go! -[Cole] And a score for Jey Uso to settle.
It was one week ago that The Judgment Day,
thanks to a low blow from Damian Priest to Cody Rhodes,
and the appearance of Jey Uso's brother, Jimmy,
The Judgment Day knocked off Jey and Cody for the tag team titles.
♪ …Day one ish ♪
♪ It's Jey, I line 'em all up and knock 'em down like this, I did ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey ♪
[Cole] They're pumping here in Dallas.
[crowd singing along to song] ♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey ♪
-["Day One Ish" continues playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] It is our Main Event coming up next.
Jey Uso against "Señor Money in the Bank,"
from The Judgment Day, Damian Priest, live,
one-on-one, here on Monday Night Raw.
-["Day One Ish" playing] -♪ Let's go ♪
♪ Uso! It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ish It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ish It's just me… ♪
They're still celebrating in Dallas here tonight.
"Main Event" Jey Uso set…
for our Main Event on Monday Night Raw.
-[crowd cheering continuously] -[theme song fades]
["Punishment" playing]
[crowd booing continuously]
[pyro bursts]
[Samantha] And his opponent, representing The Judgment Day.
He is one half of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions!
"Señor Money in the Bank" Damian Priest!
[Cole] Well, earlier tonight, we found out that Damian Priest would go one-on-one
with the "American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes,
a week from Saturday at WWE Crown Jewel,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. on the West Coast.
A special start time on Peacock.
And it didn't take Priest long, Wade,
to make sure that Cody Rhodes doesn't go into that match at 100%.
[Wade] Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a superstar ooze confidence
-quite as much as Damian Priest. -[faint cheers from crowd]
But after that attack on Cody Rhodes, earlier tonight,
he must feel like he's already got his match-up at Crown Jewel won.
[Cole] Hey, do you think Priest is warming up a little bit to JD McDonagh,
who continues to audition his, uh, way into The Judgment Day?
[Wade] Well, I mean, two weeks ago,
Damian Priest was blowing up at JD McDonagh,
"You will never be a part of The Judgment Day."
But you know what? Earlier tonight,
JD McDonagh got himself perhaps one foot out of the doghouse
with that attack on Cody Rhodes,
proving how vital he could be to The Judgment Day.
[Cole] And we also know now that Damian Priest, of course, will be
in Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel,
as he takes on Cody Rhodes. That means
that the Money in the Bank contract will be carried there by Priest--
-[bell dings] -…who with McIntyre and Rollins,
expecting a war for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Who knows what happens?
[Wade] The most dangerous person
on the roster is the person who holds the briefcase.
[Cole] And let's not forget Roman Reigns,
also defends the Undisputed Championship at Crown Jewel against LA Knight.
So perhaps, some opportunity for Mr. Money in the Bank.
Here we go, Main Event tonight. McIntyre…
Earlier tonight,
knocked off Sami Zayn, as he prepared for Seth Rollins.
And now, in this match-up, Damian Priest prepares for Cody Rhodes
with a match against Jey Uso.
[Wade] Jey Uso is starting to regret not joining The Judgment Day,
realizing how difficult life can be without a unit like The Bloodline,
or The Judgment Day backing you up.
[Cole] Well, I don't think so. And let's…
make… make no mistake--
[Wade] Let… Let me explain. With the Bloodline behind him,
record-breaking tag championship reign.
-With nobody helping him out… -[crowd booing]
…lost the tag championship in about a week.
-The difference backup makes-- -[Cole] But again,
you have to blame Jey's brother, Jimmy Uso, who came from out of nowhere
to cost Jey and Cody the championship last week.
And what a right hand by Damian Priest. Again, oozing confidence.
Priest, of course, the Money in the Bank contract holder.
whips Jey across the ring with authority. What do you think Priest's thinking about
what Rhea Ripley's been doing, trying to recruit a number of Superstars…
-[Wade] Uh… -[Cole] …to Judgment Day? Dropkick by Jey!
[Wade] I know a lot of people have been throwing out the word "leader"
when it comes to Rhea Ripley. I don't think anyone in Judgment Day
would quite go there, but certainly… Ooh!
[Cole] Jey Uso, leading tonight! Taking out Priest! Uso, on fire on Raw.
-[crowd yelling] -Where you at? Where you at?
-[man] Let's go! -Where you at?
[crowd cheering]
[Jey struggling]
[Cole] Capacity crowd, American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
This is our Main Event.
Jey Uso against "Mr. Money in the Bank" Damian Priest,
of The Judgment Day,
[Wade] Priest has just been brutalizing "Main Event" Jey Uso
for the past five minutes or so,
really taking its toll
-on the former tag champ. -[Cole] You mentioned something earlier,
Wade, and I want to go back to it. Just the confidence
that seems to ooze out of Damian Priest lately.
[Wade] You know what? When you've got gold around your waist,
-when you've got Judgment Day-- Ooh. -[Cole] Oh!
-[Wade] Judgment Day backing you up-- -[Cole] That Broken Arrow from Priest.
-Cover! And a kick-out by Uso. -[referee] Two.
[Wade] And not only that, you're "Señor Money in the Bank,"
you've got a lot of things to be confident about.
And when you can pull out moves like this…
[Cole] Watch the Broken Arrow by Damian Priest,
almost putting Uso away.
[Priest] You feel me? [continues indistinctly]
[Cole] And now the trash-talking by Damian Priest.
[Priest] Come on.
[Cole] And Judgment Day, with all the gold, the tag champs,
the North American Champ, the Women's World Champ,
-"Señor Money in the Bank…" -[Jey grunts]
-[Cole] Jey Uso trying to fire back. -[Jey groans]
[Wade] Trash talk might be a little too much
against someone the caliber of a Jey Uso.
-[Jey groans] -[Cole] And Jey, who's,
again, still trying to establish himself, Wade as a singles competitor,
who spent so many years, of course, as one of the greatest tag teams
of all time with his brother, Jimmy.
[crowd chanting] Ooh! Yeah!
Yeah! Yeah!
[Cole] And holding his own here against Damian Priest.
[Wade] Now, I don't know if I'd want to get in a slugfest
-with Jey Uso at any point. -[Cole] Yeah. Uso,
right hands, now driving Priest back to the corner.
Priest trying to keep his hands up, can't do it.
-And Jey Uso's feeling it. -[crowd exclaiming]
[Wade] Yeah, this is what has made Jey Uso so good
over the years, this second wind he's able to get.
[Cole] Yeah, one of the most well-conditioned athletes in all of WWE.
Priest got hung up on the top rope. He's caught.
-Uso makes him pay. -[crowd exclaims]
[Wade] The problem with those long limbs, get caught in the ropes very easy.
[Cole] Jey, now, launching himself.
Top rope, crossbody. Lateral press,
hooks the leg. Is it enough? Kick-out by Priest.
[Wade] And how quickly did the momentum in this match do a complete 180?
Just when you start to write off Jey Uso,
-back on top in a big way. -[Cole] And that's the problem.
As you mentioned before, you can't write off Jey Uso.
So many opponents believe they're in control, they relax a little bit.
It allows Jey back into the match.
[Wade] I mean, the guy just doesn't have an off day.
[crowd chants faintly] Uso!
[Cole] And Jey, measuring his man.
-[Jey yells] -And Priest, trying to put him in position
for the Samoan Drop. Priest, able to shift his weight.
-Oh! And a big right hand! -[crowd exclaims]
[Wade] Clean in the clock, and Jey--
[Cole] Oh, and it turns Jey inside out. Cover now by Priest.
Hook of the leg, for the win! And a kick-out now by Jey.
[Wade] Yeah, Jey Uso completely rocked, with that combo.
Perhaps starting to get a little frustrated.
-[exclaims] -[crowd exclaims]
-[Jey groans in pain] -[Wade] Sound of those shots.
-[referee] One, two… -[Cole] You can just listen to the impact
by Priest.
[Wade] It's that limb length, gets such a swing on all of his shots,
using his physique.
[Cole] And Priest, setting up Jey Uso.
Perhaps with the South of Heaven chokeslam to put Jey away.
He's got where he wants him,
gonna hoist him up in the air. But Uso, though,
with a couple of well-placed elbows to the side of the head.
-Kick to the midsection. -[crowd exclaims]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Jey Uso, feeling it!
[Wade] Jey Uso gasping for air a little here.
-[Cole] Samoan Drop! Cover! -[Wade] He can…
-[crowd and referee] One! Two! -[Cole] Near fall by Jey!
[Wade] Both men giving it all they've got, barely able to stand.
And this is Jey Uso at his best,
almost putting away Priest with the Samoan Drop.
[Cole] Priest, exhausted.
Jey Uso as well.
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
-[crowd chanting] We want tables! -[Cole] A battle of attrition here.
[crowd chants] We want tables!
[Wade] Two men with such deep arsenals.
You can never guess what's coming next.
[Cole] And Jey Uso, now gonna fly.
Suicide dive. Oh, Priest, though.
-Oh! Face first! -[crowd exclaims]
[Wade] The power of Damian Priest, catching Jey Uso.
[Cole] A flatliner right on the announce table.
And just like that, Priest has turned things around.
[men yelling indistinctly]
-[scattered yelling] -[faint boos from crowd]
[Cole] Well, boxing the ears of Jey, and a step up enzuigiri by the big man.
And Uso, with one of his own.
[Jey yelling] Guess what?
[Cole] Ah, face-first again.
-Cover by Priest, for the win, Kick-out! -[referee] One, two. Two!
[Wade] Two heavy-weight boxers slinging all they've got in the 12th round,
[Cole] Again, Priest looking to build some momentum
towards Crown Jewel in the battle with Cody,
a week from Saturday.
[Wade] That confidence is starting to slip on the face of Damian Priest.
"What have I got to do to put this guy away?"
[Cole] He's just such a physical,
-bruising competitor. -[crowd boos]
[Wade] This might work. This is what put Cody out last week.
[Cole] Yeah, through the announce table, a Razor's Edge.
And Priest has got Jey Uso in position.
Jey, though. able to slip out of it.
-And Jey, Spear! -[crowd cheering]
And Jey Uso, now going to go up top!
Priest had the wind knocked out of him.
-Uso Splash! -[crowd cheers loudly]
Jey!
-Hooks the leg! Meanwhile… Finn Bálor! -[crowd booing]
[Cole] The official never went down for the three-count
because Bálor came out and distracted him!
[Wade] Well, it's lucky for Damian Priest because this match was over right there.
[Cole] And now, Uso,
attacking Bálor with the dive.
[scattered applause and cheering in crowd]
[Wade] Jey had this match won.
Of course, Priest, just enough time to recover.
[referee] Hey, hey, hey, hey!
[Cole] And now Priest and Uso slugging it out.
The official, trying to separate the two.
And that allows Finn Bálor to grab the leg of Uso.
Priest!
South of Heaven!
[crowd and referee] One, two, three!
-[Cole] And Priest steals one. -[bell dings]
-["Punishment" playing] -[crowd booing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner!
"Señor Money in the Bank" Damian--
-[Cole] Bálor's not done yet. -[crowd booing]
Finn Bálor, with his just intense, personal hatred
of Jey Uso.
[Wade] The strength in numbers in this game,
doesn't Jey Uso know that now?
[Cole] And now, off the South of Heaven chokeslam,
into a Coup de Grace!
You should've never left The Bloodline.
-[crowd booing] -[Cole] Judgment Day,
-laying waste… -[crowd booing continuously]
-…to Jey Uso. -[speaking indistinctly]
-The dominance continues… -Go get us some chairs.
[Cole] …here on Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] Judgment Day run WWE Raw.
[Cole] And I do not believe Judgment Day is done yet.
[Finn] …another chair.
-[Cole] Bálor, with a steel chair in hand. -[crowd jeering]
[crowd jeering continuously]
[Wade] What on earth are they cooking up here?
[Cole] Well, they're going to make sure Jey Uso never competes again.
-["Kingdom" playing] -Just like what they did
-to Rhodes earlier tonight. -[crowd cheering]
But speak of the devil.
Cody Rhodes is hobbling on his way out to the ring,
after the assault by Damian Priest earlier tonight!
And how wise is this from Cody Rhodes?
[Wade] He's fighting on one leg right now.
What are you thinking, Cody?
[Cole] Cody, dragging himself to the ring,
wants to get himself some of Damian Priest.
Payback for earlier tonight! Just like that!
The chop block, suffered at the hands of Cody by McDonagh earlier on!
And now, the chair to the midsection!
-Into the spine of Priest! -[crowd exclaims]
[Wade] An eye for an eye, Priest.
[Cole] And now, it's Cody Rhodes, hammering away on Damian Priest!
[Wade] A little equalizer ahead of their match-up at Crown Jewel.
[Cole] Eye for an eye!
[crowd cheering loudly]
[Cole] Priest is helpless,
-and now dragged out of the ring by Bálor. -[crowd booing]
[crowd continues booing]
[Cole] But Cody Rhodes came out here with vengeance on his mind.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Wade] Cody Rhodes is nowhere near 100%, though.
-[referees talking indistinctly] -[Finn] Come on!
[Cole] But a valiant effort by Cody Rhodes,
who, a week from Saturday, will get his hands on Damian Priest
at WWE Crown Jewel.
And for Priest, there may be hell to pay,
after the assault on Cody Rhodes earlier tonight.
[referee] You got to go. Let's go!
[Cole] We want to remind everybody that this coming Friday night,
SmackDown will be on FS1.
Roman Reigns, the Undisputed Champion, will be there live to sign the contract
for his match with LA Knight.
And also next week, right here on Monday Night Raw,
the final Raw before Crown Jewel,
the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth "Freakin" Rollins, in action
against JD McDonagh, who's trying to earn an opportunity
to join Judgment Day.
["Kingdom" continues playing]
-[crowd cheering] -Rhodes turns his attention
to Damian Priest at Crown Jewel.
Thanks for joining us, everybody.
Good night from Dallas and Monday Night Raw.
-["Kingdom" playing] -♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪