[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
[Ric Flair] Woooo!
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-[Triple H] The king of kings… -[Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[Cole] Jason Kelce made news today.
The Eagles football star
retired after playing his entire career in this stadium,
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia,
which in just 33 days will host WrestleMania 40.
But tonight, The Road to WrestleMania
winds through the Alamo City, God's country, San Antonio, Texas,
in the sold-out Frost Bank Center,
where earlier on today,
we witnessed the arrival of "Main Event" Jey Uso.
He's fired up and ready to go
for his first match with Drew McIntyre
since the backstage brawl last week on Monday Night Raw.
Also here, "The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax,
who claims she should be going to WrestleMania
and not Becky Lynch.
Nia vows to end Becky tonight.
Meanwhile, millions upon millions
have watched and watched and watched again
what went down Friday night on SmackDown
and also last weekend at Elimination Chamber.
[intense music playing]
Rock, I want to wrestle you one on one.
Any time, any place!
[crowd cheering]
[The Rock] You think you're tough?
You want to run your mouth, you want to challenge The Rock?
You want to go one on one with The Great One?
And The Rock says no!
But we have a counter offer for you.
On Night One of WrestleMania,
the biggest tag-team match in the history of professional wrestling.
You and your new best friend,
that walking clown emoji, Seth Rollins,
against a Universal Champion and The People's Champion, The Rock.
If you two jabronis beat The Rock and Roman Reigns on Night One,
then on Night Two at WrestleMania,
your championship match, Cody Rhodes,
will be free of The Bloodline.
You got a shot to finish your story
one on one with Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheering]
But when The Rock and Roman Reigns
beat your two candy-asses on Night One,
then on Night Two, for your championship match, Cody Rhodes,
it's Bloodline Rules.
Anything goes.
If you don't accept this challenge,
then The Rock and Roman Reigns
will end your story tragically.
If you smell…
i need something from you
Acknowledge me.
[intense music playing]
Roman Reigns, my family,
I acknowledge you
as my Tribal Chief.
-If you smell… -[crowd booing]
…what The Bloodline is cooking.
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Wrestling has more than one Royal family ♪
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks popping]
[Samantha] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the winner
of the 2023 and 2024
Men's Royal Rumble Match,
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
Cody Rhodes is on a path to finishing his story.
It is the co-main event of WrestleMania Sunday
when Cody Rhodes takes on Roman Reigns
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
The problem, Pat McAfee,
is The Rock could give a damn
about Cody Rhodes finishing his story.
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks popping]
[McAfee] How The Rock feels and how every arena we walk into feels
are very differently.
The Rock calls them the Cody Crybabies.
They happen to be in every single city
where the WWE Universe resides.
This man has worked his ass off,
and now, he has a chance to finish his story,
and tonight,
hopefully, we find out
if he accepts The Rock and Roman Reigns' challenge
alongside Seth "Freakin" Rollins
for Night One of WrestleMania.
What a dream.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody!
So…
San Antonio.
[crowd cheering]
What do we want to talk about?
[crowd cheering]
I'd love if we could speak about
how, at WrestleMania 40,
in the main events,
with the lights on brightest,
the biggest game of the year,
I will stand across from the greatest champion in company history,
"The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.
[crowd booing]
However, I am really unable to talk about that because of a…
distraction.
A distraction that, uh, stings quite a bit.
Of course, I'm talking about…
The Rock.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks!
Last week, The Rock took to Instagram.
He posted a 16-minute video,
deleted it, and then, five minutes later,
blessed us with the 21-minute director's cut.
He then spoke at length on SmackDown.
Let me sum it up for you.
He called all of you meth-heads.
[crowd jeering]
He talked about my dog, which, by the way, Rock,
don't ever talk about my dog.
[crowd cheering]
And then, of course, of course,
the biggest headline of all,
which he made sure wasn't the headline,
is Rock did not accept my challenge for a one-on-one match.
[crowd booing]
No, no, no.
The Rock, ever so eloquently, he spun that.
He changed the conversation.
He presented a whole new challenge, like the master politician that he is.
No wonder people want you to run for office, Rock.
Hell, maybe I'd vote for you.
I can't dismiss your words entirely because we did have a conversation.
That was true, what you said.
More or less, you pouring honey into my ear
where you told me
the people don't want
Cody Rhodes versus Roman Reigns.
[crowd booing]
"This is for the people."
"The people don't want you versus Roman. The people want Rock versus Roman."
[crowd booing]
But then, the most peculiar thing happened.
You guys started chanting something else.
[crowd chanting] We want Cody! We want Cody! We want Cody!
I know that WWE officials heard that.
I, of course, heard that and appreciated it,
and Rock heard it,
because he then took to calling all of you crybabies.
[crowd booing]
Do we have any crybabies in the ring tonight, huh?
[crowd cheering]
But now,
The Rock has presented an entirely different challenge,
one that doesn't just involve me,
one that involves my… my friend.
Yeah, I think we're friends,
and I think it's time for him to come out here.
-Ladies and gentlemen… -[crowd cheering]
The World Heavyweight Champion,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
♪ Burn it down ♪
["Visionary" playing]
[crowd vocalizing]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] He is the World Heavyweight Champion,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
and come WrestleMania Sunday,
he will be a part of the second co-main event,
where Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight Championship
against Drew McIntyre.
[McAfee] WrestleMania is about to be historic,
and the man who was called a clown show,
a clown emoji…
[Cole] By The Rock.
[McAfee] …by The Rock, is dressed like a highlighter tonight,
and I cannot wait to hear what he has to say
about everything said in Arizona
by The Most Electrifying Man in Sports and Entertainment.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd vocalizing]
San Antonio!
[crowd cheering]
Welcome to Monday Night…
-[crowd] Rollins! -Rollins!
Mr. Nightmare.
What are you thinking, my man?
Obviously, you have offered
to have my back against The Bloodline.
You stood next to me when I got slapped across the face.
Even with a bad knee, you were there then.
You keep saying you're going to be there as we move forward.
The plot has been incredibly twisted here.
I didn't even think I would be on WrestleMania.
Wasn't until I saw that stupid PowerPoint presentation
about how Rock and Roman's family was better than all of ours
that I decided I have to make a change.
I have to go back on my word.
It was my right.
I won the Royal Rumble.
I get to challenge Roman Reigns.
You… You coming off of injury…
You have to face the only other guy
who has pinned me in this ring besides Roman,
Drew McIntyre.
[crowd booing]
So…
What I am saying and what I wanted to say,
here and in person for all the world to see.
Rock and Roman Reigns together.
Two Mount Rushmore wrestlers together.
I fully understand if you want to focus on Drew
and you are not on board with having my back.
[imperceptible]
While I respect you giving me the out,
I'll take care of Drew McIntyre, all right?
[crowd cheering]
I told Drew last week,
I told you, I told the entire world,
there are some things bigger than us.
And taking down The Bloodline is the biggest thing that we can do!
[crowd cheering]
Because… Because it's not just your story
that needs to be finished at WrestleMania, Cody.
It's my story too.
Ten years ago, Roman Reigns and I, we came into here together.
We wanted to take the power from the top.
I wanted to take the power and give it back to the people!
[crowd cheering]
Roman Reigns
wants to keep all the power for himself!
[crowd booing]
And here's the problem.
Here's the problem.
We're this close, because with The Rock in The Bloodline…
we are this close
to Roman Reigns having absolute power.
And The Rock, man…
i don't know about you guys.
I think I know how you feel about The Rock,
but I'm kind of over The Rock, San Antonio.
[crowd chanting] Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks!
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Rocky does suck.
And, look, he ain't been The Rock for a long time.
He damn sure hasn't been The People's Champ for a long time.
-[crowd cheering] -Mm-mm.
So, you know what?
I think I'm not going to call him these things anymore.
I was thinking about it over the last week.
I figured I'd come up with a new name for The Rock.
Let me try this one on for size.
I think I'm going to call The Rock…
Hmm…
How about Diarrhea Dwayne?
[crowd cheering]
-That Diarrhea Dwayne… -[McAfee] Jeez.
…he's been running his mouth.
And every single thing that comes out of his mouth
has the consistency of wet baby poop.
[crowd chuckling]
[Rhodes mutters imperceptibly]
The Rock gets on Instagram now.
I don't know.
[crowd] Diarrhea!
[McAfee] Oh, no.
[crowd chanting] Diarrhea!
-[Cole] Oh, yes. -[McAfee] Guy's a member of the board!
[crowd continues chanting]
That sounds like San Antonio agrees with me, eh?
[crowd cheering]
Because The Rock's on Instagram for 21 minutes.
Are you serious?
And this guy has the gall to get on there, insult your dog,
and he says he can make the World Heavyweight Championship
go away.
He says, with a snap of his fingers,
because he's my boss,
he can make it go away.
Well, Rock, I dare you to try.
[crowd cheering]
And get this, guys.
I don't know if you heard him,
because 21 minutes is a long time to listen to that idiot,
but he said
he made professional wrestling cool again.
[crowd booing]
Oh, yeah, The Rock!
The Rock, our savior, guys! He saved us!
He made it cool.
Diarrhea Dwayne, I don't know if you know this or not,
but you ain't been cool in 20 years, pal.
[chuckles]
But I'll tell you what is cool.
This morning,
I received 100% medical clearance!
[crowd cheering]
I am back! I am ready to go!
And so, this Friday,
I will be at SmackDown to confront The Bloodline!
[crowd cheering]
What I want to know, Cody,
I've asked you.
I've asked you many times. And I've told you for weeks, man.
I've got your back in this fight.
So what I want to know from you…
do you have mine?
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
Well, to answer your question,
I guess I also have a message
for The Rock.
Rock,
it's been a long time since you haven't just been handed something.
I think it's been since you had that seven bucks in your pocket.
And I think you forgot
The People's Champion is not in perpetuity.
Rock, I am not the same man as you.
I'm not going to whine in a 21-minute promo.
I am coming to SmackDown with Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
I am going to stand
-across from you, Roman Reigns… -Yeah!
…The Wiseman, the whole Bloodline…
in the great state of Texas.
[crowd cheering]
And this Friday I will give you, face to face,
eye to eye, not whispering in your ear,
my very clear and obvious answer
for what's happening at WrestleMania.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Cole] So, for the first time since the press event
in Las Vegas, earlier this month,
-Seth, Cody, Rock, Roman. -Let's go!
-[Cole] Same place, same time. -[roars]
[Cole] Friday night on SmackDown.
[McAfee] And it feels like the answer
we're going to get, we're all going to love.
Everybody from the Cody Crybabies to the Diarrhea Dwayne lovers.
WrestleMania is shaping up
to be iconic.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, last week,
Judgment Day marched to the ring and confronted Imperium.
Dominik ran his mouth to the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
And now,
Dominik may pay for that, because coming up next,
he gets into the ring with that man,
the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in the history of WWE.
"The Ring General" Gunther,
"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio,
live next.
["It Is My Time" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by JD McDonagh,
representing The Judgment Day,
Dominik Mysterio!
[Cole] Well, Dominik running his mouth again last week
got him in some trouble.
[McAfee] Yeah, I'd say.
[Cole] He's got to get into the ring with The Ring General.
[McAfee] General!
Dirty Dom doing dumb stuff yet again.
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor" playing]
[Samantha] And his opponent,
representing Imperium,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
"The Ring General"
Gunther!
[Cole] 633 days,
the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in history.
But we still don't know who's going to face Gunther
for the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania.
A win tonight for Dominik
could put him in position for that match-up.
Meanwhile, my broadcast colleague, Pat McAfee,
is now standing on the announce desk,
looking to once again curry favor with Gunther
after he upset Gunther a couple of weeks ago
while dancing to Jey Uso's entrance theme.
So, once again, kissing some butt for The Ring General, Mr. McAfee.
[McAfee] You suck, Dom!
Don't you look at me! I'll smack you in the mouth!
-You might want to sit down. -[bell ringing]
-[McAfee] All right. -[Cole] Before lose your balance.
[McAfee] Gunther, chop the hell out of him!
[Cole] So here we go. Gunther and Dominik Mysterio,
one on one here tonight.
Gunther has been a great champion.
As we get started, I want to send our congratulations out
to another great champion.
After nearly 40 years,
the great Sting has retired from professional wrestling.
Thanks for the memories. Congratulations to Sting.
[McAfee] Absolutely epic match last night.
[Cole] And here we go now. Gunther and Dominik Mysterio!
And Gunther just whipping Mysterio in that side headlock
down to the mat now.
Pat, important match for Mysterio
as you take a look at the 2K24 ratings.
83 a bit high, I believe, for Dominik, but nonetheless.
If Dominik can somehow pull out a win tonight,
maybe he earns a WrestleMania opportunity
against the Intercontinental Champion.
[McAfee] Yeah, we're looking for an opponent for Gunther
and for the Intercontinental Title at the biggest stage
in the history of WrestleMania.
And, yeah, if Dirty Dom can somehow figure out how to get a win here
in a town that he's hated, just like every other town.
[Cole] This is San Antonio, Texas.
We are sold out tonight.
-The fifth straight night… -[crowd exclaims]
…of TV sell-outs here at WWE.
14,866 on hand here in the Alamo City.
I'm not sure I want to get into a chop-fest with a Gunther
if I'm Dominik.
[McAfee] Look at Doofus Dom doing his thing right now.
[Cole] It's Dirty Dom.
[McAfee] Okay, sorry about that. Dumb Dom!
[commentators exclaim]
[Cole] I'm telling you, this punk kid is going to get his tonight.
[McAfee] And he certainly is a talent. We can't forget about that.
[Cole] Well, he shows…
[McAfee] He has a ratty mullet and--
[Cole] He shows no one any respect.
[McAfee] Yeah, he disrespected his dad.
[Cole] And now look at Dominik hiding behind JD McDonagh.
[McAfee] Where's JD McDonagh from?
-[Gunther grunts] -[Cole] Oh, and Gunther, though.
Chopping the ring post.
And it gives Dominik an opportunity to seize control.
[McAfee] Incredibly intelligent move by The Judgment Day to attack
Gunther's biggest weapon.
[Cole] And now, Dominik goes to work on the injured right wrist of Gunther.
And turns it into a sleeper hold on Dominik,
but again, not able to use the right wrist,
and Dominik able to counter.
[McAfee] I don't think any of us expected…
any of this from Dirty Dom.
[Cole] Well, thanks to the distraction by McDonagh,
Dirty Dom attempting to take over this match.
But maybe not.
Oh, my goodness!
That was shot out of a cannon! Dominik may need CPR!
[Cole] Dominik Mysterio is ruing the day that he ran his mouth last week
and stood up to the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther, who is beating the hell out of Dirty Dom tonight,
and Dirty trying to fight back in a match--
Oh, my God! That turned Dom inside out.
If you're Dominik, Pat,
why the hell do you want to get into a chop-fest
with the Intercontinental Champion?
[McAfee] He's dumb. It's Dumb Dom!
[Cole] Oh, no, no, no! So much for the protection.
[laughing] Oh, my God! I can feel that out here.
-[McAfee] Yes! -[Cole] Human defibrillator.
[McAfee] Gunther has been smacking Dom.
[Cole] But we don't even have to call that. Just listen to it.
[crowd chanting] One more time!
[Cole] And again!
[McAfee] He's been chopping Dom
from the Alamo to the other side of San Antonio.
-[Cole] Goodness. -[McAfee] Wemby has seen this thing.
[Cole] I think Dominik is crying.
Literally. And now, into a Boston crab,
Gunther, center of the ring.
JD McDonagh up on the apron.
I'm not sure how wise that was.
He may chop JD back to Ireland.
And now from behind, Dominik tries to take advantage.
Dropkick driving Gunther right out in front of the announce table.
[McAfee] That's what The Judgment Day always tries to do.
[Cole] Dirty Dom trying to rally, down goes Gunther.
And Dom has an opportunity, if he can even breathe.
I'm not sure Dominik can even breathe.
[McAfee] One lung has certainly collapsed from these chops from Gunther.
[Cole] But a desperation fly by Dominik Mysterio.
[McAfee] Kind of took the Gunther shoulder to the midsection there as well.
I don't know if anybody wanted that particular… dive.
[Cole] And again, why is Dominik
trying to chop the Intercontinental Champion?
That is the worst strategy you can imagine!
[McAfee] I think he's just gotten into an adrenaline stupor in there
and lost all--
[Cole] Oh, nice drop toe-hold.
Dominik's got Gunther in position.
Bang!
-Cover! -[crowd] One, two…
-[McAfee] No! -[Cole] Gunther says no.
[Cole] "I'm going to teach this punk kid a lesson."
"That's what I'm going to do."
That's what The Ring General is going to do tonight.
[McAfee] Thank you, Gunther!
Thank you.
After he beats the hell out of Dom, he's going to say…
[speaks German]
…at any bar in San Antonio!
[Cole] Sounds good to me.
How about some Lone Star?
And now, Dominik, few boots to the side of the face.
Gunther again.
Hoisting Dominik up.
Dominik, sunset flip, cover, for the win and a massive upset!
And Gunther kicks out.
Dominik almost pulled off a major victory.
[McAfee] Dominik is a talent.
Dominik…
[Cole] And Gunther now stunned, into position for the 619.
Dominik's got an opportunity once again.
What a win this would be.
Dominik, 619 connects! Gunther's in trouble.
Dirty Dom gonna climb up high.
Maybe earn himself an opportunity to go to WrestleMania!
Nobody home. He's gotta roll through…
There's that massive T. rex dropkick by Gunther.
Wicked powerbomb.
Let the suffering begin.
-Boston crab, tap out! -[bell ringing]
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner by submission,
the Intercontinental Champion,
"The Ring General"
Gunther!
[Cole] You better applaud.
Gunther, unstoppable.
They may have to stretcher Dominik out of here.
Yeah! [speaking indistinctly]
-[McAfee] Good job, Gunther. -[indistinct chatter]
Friday.
-It's all good. -Yeah, that happened.
[Pearce clears throat]
-Hi. -Hi.
And just what are you doing here tonight?
Uh… Pearce. Wow.
You do realize the Women's Tag Team Champs
go to whatever brand they choose, right?
That's how they work.
That's how they've been working since day one.
Yeah, I'm aware of that. I know how they work.
Okay? But the last time you were here, you caused chaos.
So I'm just trying to get ahead of whatever you have planned for tonight
because I don't want it. So let me rephrase the question.
-All right. -Why are you here?
Well, since you asked so nicely,
Shayna and Zoey have been running their mouths
for the past few weeks, so we figure, they have a match today.
What better time, then, to scout the competition than right now, you know?
-Scout talent. -Yeah.
Nothing insidious. You can trust us.
-Oh, I can trust-- -Me.
-I can trust you to scout talent? -The girls.
We need to talk.
I assume this is about the Intercontinental Title?
Yes.
Well, I see you, uh, you're a little bit busy right now,
but don't worry. We'll take care of business.
Got nothing to worry about.
-Nothing to worry about? -Yeah.
I got my eyes on you.
Shin, look.
I'm gonna have an announcement tonight about the title.
So if you want to talk about Gunther's challenger at WrestleMania,
meet me in my office.
Thank you.
[Cole] Well, Damage CTRL is here
and they get to scout some possible opponents for down the road.
[McAfee] Adam Pearce's head is spinning.
[Cole] Coming up next, it is Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
versus the former Tag Team Champions,
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance.
It's live next on Raw.
[Cole] A third-generation lucha libre star,
former NXT Champion, former United States Champion,
Andrade is here.
He makes his Raw debut later on tonight live from San Antonio.
[McAfee] I can't wait for that.
["Party All the Time" playing]
[Cole] Meanwhile, the former Tag Team Champions,
Katana Chance, Kayden Carter,
taking on Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark in tag-team action tonight.
Earlier today,
Carter and Chance talked about what it meant
losing the Tag Titles to The Kabuki Warriors.
You look to get back into the Women's Tag Team Title picture
when you take on Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
How are you setting yourselves up to be successful this go-around?
Well, Shayna and Zoey have been pretty impressive these past few weeks,
-but we've gotten a taste of that gold. -Yeah.
And we're getting back to the top.
It's more than that, Cathy.
-It's WrestleMania season, baby! -That's right.
So you either step up or you step back,
and we're about to show out and do whatever it takes
to get another shot that could be yours on The Biggest Stage of Them All.
WrestleMania.
That's right. Gonna be our time.
[Cole] So this tag-team match-up tonight,
winner could find themselves in a position
-for a Tag Team Championship opportunity. -[bell ringing]
Uh, they've rearranged our announce table a bit.
Damage CTRL is down here at ringside, scouting this match-up.
Roll-up by Carter and a kick-out by Shayna Baszler.
-There you see-- -[McAfee] I cannot see anything.
[Cole] Dakota Kai, Tag Champs, The Kabuki Warriors,
the WWE Women's Champion, IYO SKY.
Meanwhile, uh, listen,
you know as well as I do, Pat,
I am not a Bayley fan,
but she did not deserve what Dakota Kai did to her
this past Friday night on SmackDown.
I mean, she really wanted to believe, did Bayley.
Wanted to believe that she could trust Dakota,
that she had somebody in her corner heading into WrestleMania,
and then, Dakota turning her back on Bayley,
and Bayley so disappointed in herself
as she finds her way all alone on The Road to WrestleMania.
[McAfee] Yeah, what Damage CTRL did to Bayley was out of line,
and to be honest, I'm on Bayley's side in this entire thing,
especially because I can't see anything
with the Kabuki Warriors getting a closer eye…
-[Cole] Oh! -…on their potential opponents.
[McAfee] Gotta remember, Shayna and Zoey,
what they've been doing as of late,
certainly warranting a championship opportunity.
[Cole] Well, Shayna Baszler is the legal woman in this match-up,
-as Shayna and Zoey are in control. -[indistinct shouting]
[Cole] Tag action continues live.
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
It is Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark against Katana Chance, Kayden Carter.
Damage CTRL is here at ringside.
You know, The Kabuki Warriors worried about this tag-team match-up.
They should be worried about defending the titles tomorrow night
at NXT Roadblock against Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley.
As you see Zoey deliver the big kick.
[McAfee] I was asking The Kabuki Warriors
who they're more scared of during the break.
[Cole] They didn't answer you.
[McAfee] I was just trying to do a little journalism
to find out who they didn't want to take on.
They said they're cool with anybody.
[Cole] Now, the former Tag Champs, Carter and Chance,
going to work on Zoey Stark.
Kabuki Warriors took the Tag Team Titles from Carter and Chance.
Tag made,
Kayden legal.
[McAfee] Obviously, Katana and Kayden fly around,
as Zoey and Shayna would like to keep this thing on the ground.
[Cole] Zoey up to the top rope. Chance and Carter going to meet her there.
[McAfee] Here we go.
[Cole] And-- Oh, what a superplex!
-Zoey in trouble! Cover by Carter. -One, two…
Kick out by Stark.
[McAfee] I think that was a double Spanish fly.
-[Cole] Probably was. -[McAfee] I believe.
-[Cole] Indeed it was. -[McAfee] Yes, it was!
Yes, it was!
That's what Kayden and Katana can do.
That's where they want this match to remain.
[Cole] They thought the match-up was over.
They cannot believe Zoey is still in this.
-[McAfee] Well, that's Zoey-- -[Cole] Tag.
[McAfee] Zoey's going to take a lot to keep her shoulders on the mat.
Now, more tag team.
[Cole] Up over the top. Shayna Baszler!
-[McAfee] Okay! -[Cole] What a move!
[McAfee] Little Frankensteiner.
[Cole] A big right hand and Zoey Stark's fighting out of this.
[McAfee] That's what Zoey wants this fight to become.
[Cole] Katana lands on the second rope.
Carter with a kick.
-[McAfee] Damn! -[Cole] Now setting them up.
This could be it!
[McAfee] Wow! Are you kidding me?
[Cole] Zoey Stark in trouble!
-Here's the cover! -One, two!
[Cole] And Shayna Baszler saving the match-up.
[McAfee] Wow.
[Cole] The After-Party was connected by Chance,
but Shayna Baszler saved the match-up.
Now, Zoey Stark from behind, rolling up Chance,
-stacking her up. Got it! -[bell ringing]
["Cut Above the Rest" playing]
[Samantha] Here are your winners,
the team of Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark!
[Cole] You have to wonder if The Kabuki Warriors were impressed with that victory
by Zoey and Shayna here tonight.
-[McAfee] Since Royal-- -Hey, hey, hey!
Why are you guys looking at us like that? Do you not trust us?
We're just here to congratulate you on a really good match.
Yeah. But it got me to thinking, right?
Hold on a second.
After The Kabuki Warriors
successfully defend their titles tomorrow in NXT,
we'll come back to Raw in Houston,
the far superior city than this place.
Let me tell you. Yeah, it sucks.
-[crowd booing] -[McAfee laughs]
And then you'll get your little Tag Title match.
But, uh, don't get it twisted. Don't get it twisted.
We're still going to send the both of you crying,
just like we did to Bayley.
[IYO SKY speaking indistinctly]
Well, it's about time.
We'll see you next week.
[Cole] Well, let's see how this shapes up.
Still got NXT Roadblock tomorrow night
and then possibly Raw next week in Houston.
[McAfee] This Damage CTRL group is a bunch of menaces.
[Cole] Well, there's Becky Lynch, "The Man."
She has a date in 33 days
with the Women's World Champion, Rhea Ripley.
But before she gets there,
she's on a collision course with Nia Jax.
Live next.
[upbeat music playing]
[Cole] Monday Night Raw is live tonight.
There's the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas,
and WWE 2K24, the video game, launches worldwide on Friday,
but you can get early access starting tomorrow
with the Deluxe Edition and 40 Years of WrestleMania Edition.
Reviews are rolling in,
and it's clear, WWE 2K24 is the best WWE video game of all time.
Pre-order WWE 2K24 today
and don't miss your chance to play tomorrow.
[indistinct chatter]
Leave him alone.
[indistinct chatter]
What did you think was going to happen?
[speaking Spanish]
[in English] You take it easy.
We're going to make things right with Imperium.
Like we always do, Damian.
Yeah.
And, JD, you're going to make things right with Gunther.
I'm going to make things right with Gunther?
-Hey, Andrade. -Hey, tranquilo.
See you soon.
Tranquilo.
Hey, keep an eye out on him.
He could be important for us.
[speaking Spanish]
[in English] Talking about Gunther. What were you saying?
We'll get into that a little later, man. Let's take care of the boy first.
[indistinct chatter]
I think they were speaking Spanish there for a bit,
so San Antonio understood it, but I did not.
A lot just happened right there.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,
it is the next chapter in what has been an explosive rivalry
between Becky Lynch and Nia Jax.
[Cole] Becky Lynch,
the number-one contender for the Women's World Championship,
went wire to wire inside the Elimination Chamber.
"The Man" is coming around to WrestleMania to fight you.
Behind every great man is a greater woman.
But I'm not behind you, Becky.
Mami is always on top.
[Cole] From behind, Nia Jax assaulting Becky Lynch!
[McAfee] Nia Jax has been on a tear.
[Nia] Becky won Elimination Chamber,
but there's no way she should be going to WrestleMania. It should be me!
There's no way she's gonna make it to WrestleMania.
You better believe that.
[Cole] Nia Jax is ticked off and she's all business.
[Cole] Oh, Becky Lynch!
Becky's here! The Man's here!
Payback for earlier tonight!
[McAfee] Becky said, "You're not just going to treat me like some punk."
[Cole] Nia and Becky have had Issues for years.
[Becky Lynch] I will fight anyone, anytime, anywhere.
You put anybody in this ring with me and I will squash them.
I'm not going to be able to move on to my WrestleMania match
until I end Nia Jax.
[Cole] "The Man" Becky Lynch
takes on "The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax.
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Dublin, Ireland,
"The Man" Becky Lynch!
[Cole] Well, Becky Lynch has her match set
at WrestleMania in 33 days.
By winning the Elimination Chamber,
Becky earned her opportunity
at Rhea Ripley and the Women's World Championship.
But, Pat, the problem for Becky is
she still has 33 days to get there,
and she is being hunted right now by Nia Jax.
[McAfee] Yeah, Nia Jax on your Road to WrestleMania
is more than a speed bump.
It's like a moat on your Road to WrestleMania.
And Becky Lynch is certainly up for the task.
One of the greatest that we've ever had here.
But, Nia Jax, whenever she says she wants to squash you,
she means that literally.
["Not Like Most Girls" playing]
[McAfee] In all senses of the word.
[Samantha] And her opponent,
from San Diego, California,
Nia Jax!
[Cole] The former Women's Champion,
Nia Jax has never lost in one-on-one action to Becky Lynch.
She believes she should be going to WrestleMania.
She has already knocked off Becky Lynch a number of weeks ago.
She's upset that Becky has earned that opportunity,
and she vows that Becky
will not make it to Philadelphia to take on Rhea Ripley.
[McAfee] We've seen Nia Jax on quite a tear as of late too.
New attitude, mindset.
-[bell ringing] -Seems more locked in
and focused on destruction than ever before.
[Cole] Well, Becky Lynch is focused on taking out Nia Jax as well.
Becky said she will not be able to move on
until she can dispatch, once and for all, of Nia Jax.
Match-up underway, Becky Lynch ready to go.
[McAfee] Yeah, Becky Lynch has marquee experience.
Wonder how you prepare for a Nia Jax, though.
[Cole] And Nia Jax, a career-making performance at Elimination Chamber
when she took on Rhea Ripley for the Women's Championship.
A dominant performance by Nia
in many aspects of that match-up.
[McAfee] Nice punt from Becky Lynch there to stall Nia Jax.
[Cole] Becky now into the corner
and Nia stunned early on.
Becky Lynch, a former NXT Women's Champion,
former six-time World Champion,
and Nia went for the stomp,
and luckily, Becky got out of harm's way.
[McAfee] So Becky's--
[Cole] Nia just slamming Becky to the mat.
And there's the power of The Irresistible Force.
[McAfee] I mean, she just caught her like…
Wemby getting an inbound pass.
In this particular building, the San Antonio Spurs,
which is the home of, obviously,
many a-greats, but none of them
as damaging as Nia Jax!
[Cole] And right now, Nia is just taking out Becky Lynch.
Head-butt drives The Man to the middle of the mat.
[McAfee] Look at this.
-She's looking to-- -[Cole] And a big elbow by Nia.
[McAfee] She wants to flatten Becky Lynch on the mat.
[Cole] Cover. And Becky kicks out.
[McAfee] Nia Jax is not scared to let the world know of her exact intentions.
[Cole] You know, Pat, a month away from WrestleMania,
if you're Becky Lynch and you're heading into the World Championship match,
you can ill-afford a loss.
It just… just stops the momentum in its tracks.
[McAfee] Yeah, momentum is a real thing, even though some stats nerds say it's not.
Need to have momentum going into WrestleMania.
[Cole] Becky now, looking for a sleeper hold on Nia.
[McAfee] Especially taking on Rhea Ripley.
But it's hard to get momentum going when you're taking on Nia Jax.
[Cole] Nia driving Becky into the corner.
Becky still trying to hang on with the sleeper.
Now, Nia just slings her away.
[McAfee] Makes it look easy, don't she, Nia?
Her strength is overwhelming.
[Cole] As this, uh,
comeback tour here in WWE for Nia Jax has been so successful.
[McAfee] Her power is an anomaly. It is an actual anomaly.
And then that.
[Cole] All the trash talk,
the attitude, the confidence.
Paying a little respect there to Rikishi.
[McAfee] Becky was playing a little defense there.
Kept her nose away from cheek.
Nia sensed it and dropped that thing down on her.
-[yelling] -[referee] One, two, three.
[McAfee] Number-one trend in the United States,
us, for good reason.
Nia Jax is putting on a display
that you can't find anywhere else,
-and Becky Lynch is crawling back in! -[Cole] Oh!
Here's Becky now, trying to fight back against Nia.
Nice chop block brings Nia Jax down to size.
[McAfee] Becky Lynch, scrappy.
Big European uppercut, and a big boot to Nia Jax!
[Cole] Now, Becky going to go up to the top rope.
[McAfee] The Man!
[Cole] Oh, and that missile dropkick
stuns Nia and actually drives her out of the ring.
[McAfee] She did leave her feet there for a moment
as she hit the ring to get outside.
[Cole] Now, Becky Lynch with a baseball slide,
driving Nia toward the barricade.
[McAfee] A barrage of offense from The Man!
[Cole] Becky caught, though, by Nia!
Nia Jax, Samoan drop outside the ring.
Just like that, Nia has taken control.
[Cole] Becky Lynch has fought back into this match-up
live on Monday Night Raw,
taking the fight to Nia Jax high above the ring, top rope.
We're live and sold out, San Antonio, Texas, tonight,
on The Road to WrestleMania.
Becky's not going to be able to do this, is she?
Trying to superplex Nia from the top.
[McAfee] We'd be calling Ripley's Believe It or Not if she was able to.
[Cole] Oh, and face-first goes Becky.
Oh, my God! Nia Jax.
[McAfee] What's she gonna do from up there?
[Cole] From the second rope! The Irresistible Force!
With a leg drop to Lynch!
-[McAfee] Are you kidding? -[crowd] One, two…
[Cole] Becky got the shoulder up!
[McAfee] Man!
[Cole] Watch this impact.
Nia flying off the ropes, and a leg drop right across the throat.
[McAfee] I don't know how Becky survived,
let alone kicked out at two!
Are you kidding me?
[crowd chanting] Becky! Becky! Becky!
[Cole] And that's the fight Becky's going to need
to win the Women's World Championship against Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania.
Nia Jax, though, stalking The Man.
[McAfee] Off the second rope with a leg drop.
Nia Jax as vicious as ever.
[Cole] Yeah. The right hand that took out Becky Lynch,
knocked her out five years ago.
The birth of The Man.
Nia was trying to connect again. Becky Lynch didn't let it happen.
Nia Jax, though, caught by Lynch, sends her into the corner.
[McAfee] Whoa!
[Cole] Great move by Becky.
Now, Becky with a kick to the back of the head,
and Becky now going to head up to the top rope.
Here comes Lynch.
Bang, down goes Nia!
-Cover by Lynch for the win. -[crowd] One, two…
[Cole] And Nia kicks out with authority.
[McAfee] Imagine Becky steals the win, just like that.
Quick boot, then an attack.
[Cole] What a competitive match-up here tonight
by the number-one contender
to the Women's World Championship, Becky Lynch,
and "The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax.
14,866 jam-packed, sold-out in San Antonio, Texas.
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] All of them are behind The Man right now.
[Cole] Becky looking, perhaps, for an armbar. Maybe the Dis-arm-her.
Nia, another Samoan drop!
[McAfee] It's the little things, like Nia sent her into the ropes,
and I thought she was going to put her through the ropes.
[Cole] Well, she may put her through the ring here because
Annihilator is on the way!
Becky rolls out of harm's way.
Now, an opportunity for The Man.
Dis-arm-her. Becky with the Dis-arm-her.
Dis-arm-her locked in on Nia Jax.
Is Nia going to tap out here?
Nia, though, making it back to her feet. Becky turns it to an armbar.
Can she get it locked in?
Nia trying to fight through it.
Becky trying to cinch in the armbar.
Nia trying to make it to the bottom rope.
[McAfee] She did. I mean, yeah, clearly.
[Cole] Rolls out to the floor, dragging Becky out there with her.
-[McAfee] Oh. -[Cole] And now, just slammed…
[McAfee] Rag doll!
[Cole] …Lynch into the barricade.
Again, Pat, the power game of Nia Jax.
[McAfee] I thought she was going to break her arm.
Instead, she does a curl.
Who is she curling? Becky Lynch. Her entire body.
Wait a minute.
-[Cole] Liv Morgan, off the barricade! -[bell ringing]
Driving Nia Jax into the ring post.
Last week in the Morgan-Nia match-up,
Becky Lynch got involved,
-and now, Morgan turns the tables. -[speaking indistinctly]
[Cole] And Becky…
[both yelling indistinctly]
[Cole] And Nia Jax dragging Morgan out of the ring.
[McAfee] Both of them have a common enemy,
but it seems like they were too busy bickering.
[Cole] The match-up is over.
Oh, Becky Lynch just tossed into the ring post.
And now, the leg drop to Liv Morgan.
No, no. Come on!
[McAfee] San Antonio just registered… an earthquake.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Liv Morgan does not want to make an enemy of that woman,
Nia Jax.
[McAfee] She stole a man's hat, threw it into the crowd,
destroyed two people and called that a Monday.
That's Nia Jax.
What a beast.
I've kept my mouth shut, I've kept my head down,
and I've done everything that has been asked of me.
But no matter how much work I've done, closed mouths
-just don't get fed around here. -I need you to trust me, okay?
I've heard everything you said, and respect all of it.
As the last person to hold that title before Gunther,
your words hold weight with me, I respect you.
He wants to know who he's facing at WrestleMania.
Bottom line is, I have a plan, it's just about finalized,
and I think it'll satisfy him,
you, and anybody else that wants to talk about the Intercontinental Title.
-I hope so. -I need you to trust me.
I trust you.
-I trust you, bro. -I got you.
-All right. -Thank you.
Hey, Pearce. [clears throat]
We need to talk about JD getting a shot at Gunther and his title.
-Really? -Yeah.
That's right.
Well, if JD has a sales pitch, I suggest you make it quick,
'cause I'm about to go make my announcement.
-Pitch him. Pitch him! -The floor is yours.
Put me in the ring with him and see what happens.
I'll do my talking in there.
You mess with one of us…
[Becky Lynch clapping]
Good job, this is your revenge tour, is it?
-This is your revenge? -It is.
Well, I already apologized to you.
And two things. I understand why you did what you did.
I would have done the same damn thing.
But when I did it last week,
it was to get back at her, not to get at you.
And the other thing is, I finished the job.
She didn't come back after I hit her.
So The Man can dish it out, but you can't take it back. Typical.
Typical, Becky.
All right, well, look, what do you say?
You can either cry about it or you can fight about it.
So how about we fight about it next week? What do you say?
I'd love to.
Great. See you then.
[crowd cheering]
[laughs]
You won't be laughing.
[upbeat music playing]
A lot of drama for The Man on The Road to WrestleMania.
Mami's laughing her way to Philadelphia, it feels like.
Well, Drew McIntyre making a joke at the expense of Jey Uso last week,
leading to a match-up tonight.
You see, Jey, many people believe,
should be the Intercontinental Champion today.
His brother Jimmy got involved.
Drew McIntyre poked fun at that last week,
which led to a backstage brawl.
Which leads to tonight in the latest chapter in this rivalry.
[pensive music playing]
We did it.
[Corey] McIntyre called his shot
and delivered the goods tonight in the Chamber.
[Cole] McIntyre's going to WrestleMania!
[McIntyre] I've got to be honest, I feel like absolute hell.
I got hurt in there.
I was talking with the doctor and he looked at me and told me,
"Drew, you're hurt."
"There's a chance you might not make WrestleMania."
And I looked to him and said,
"Who do you think I am? CM Punk?"
Nothing's gonna stop me making Mania.
Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins for the World Title
at WrestleMania.
Last week,
I was this close to having my first Intercontinental Championship.
[Cole] Uso Splash!
-Jey's gonna do it! -[bell ringing]
That damn fool Jimmy Uso!
Jey Uso had the championship won!
[Jey] Feels like, when I'm trying to get close to something, I fall short.
[Cole] Oh, and got the knees up!
-Damn it, Gunther retains! -[bell ringing]
[Jey] Whether it be my past enemies from Raw
or my own family members.
Jey, I know you're going through a tough time right now,
and I'm in a good place.
I'm riding high and I felt like we needed to have this chat.
From the bottom of my heart…
you deserve this.
[both yelling and grunting]
[Cole] On Monday Night Raw, live from San Antonio, Texas.
Jey Uso versus Drew McIntyre.
[McIntyre] Jey, this is your warning.
Whenever I see you, I drop you.
[Jey] If you want Drew McIntyre to catch this Yeet-down,
let me hear you say, "Yeet!"
[crowd yells] Yeet!
[Cole] "Main Event" Jey Uso.
He is focused.
-[roars] -[Cole] He has a score to settle.
And it's Jey Uso, Drew McIntyre,
live tonight.
[McAfee] Yeet!
["Conquistar" playing]
[McAfee] Yes!
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico,
Andrade!
[Cole] This man began his career at 15 years old as Brillante Junior
in honor of his father.
He would go on to work under a mask at CMLL
as The Shadow, La Sombra,
and tonight, Andrade makes his debut on Monday Night Raw,
live, and it's next.
[Cole] Monday Night Raw is live tonight in the beautiful city of San Antonio,
but we invite you to join us in the heart of Philadelphia
for WWE World at WrestleMania,
a reimagined fan experience that goes beyond the ring.
Experience the five-day event starting Thursday, April 4th
through Monday night, the 8th, at the Philadelphia Convention Center.
Meet legendary Superstars, explore interactive exhibits,
shop exclusive merch at the Superstore,
and become a part of WWE history.
And breaking news today.
"The American Nightmare' Cody Rhodes,
will be at WWE World on Thursday, April 4th.
Tickets are on sale now at fanaticsevents.com/WWE.
And also, on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN earlier today,
Mr. McAfee had some breaking news of his own.
Absolute honor, we'll be taking our show on the road,
live from WWE World on Friday, before WrestleMania.
Dream come true that we get to do this.
Honored to be there. It should be electric!
Is that stooge, Boston Connor, going to be there?
Yeah, he's here tonight, actually.
-AJ Hawk is going to make the trip? -Oh, yeah, big face fella, yeah!
Well, speaking of breaking news, let's head back now
to our General Manager, Adam Pearce.
Thank you, gentlemen.
As we know, the Intercontinental Championship
has a rich and storied history in WWE.
If we're being honest, Gunther's record-setting title reign
has only added to that legacy.
Because of that, finding a worthy challenger
to face him at WrestleMania has proven to be just that, a challenge.
Over the last few weeks,
I've gone up and down the roster, trying to identify potential challengers,
and I finally feel like I've zeroed in on six men
that truly deserve an opportunity.
Former Intercontinental Champions Sami Zayn, Ricochet
and Shinsuke Nakamura.
A pair of up-and-coming Superstars in "Big" Bronson Reed and JD McDonagh.
And a former challenger himself,
who has a very compelling case for a rematch.
The Alpha Academy's Chad Gable.
These six men will compete next week
to find out which one can outlast the others
and punch their ticket to WrestleMania.
That's right.
Next week on Monday Night Raw, it will be a Gauntlet Match.
Six men will try to run the gauntlet but only one can win.
And that winner will go on to face "The Ring General" Gunther
for his Intercontinental Championship
at WrestleMania.
[Cole] Pat, next week, Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Massive implications for this Gauntlet Match.
[McAfee] Absolutely.
Six deserving men are going to battle it out
to see who gets a chance
to perform for the Intercontinental Title in Philadelphia.
Big pop for Chad Gable.
[Cole] Andrade, who returned to WWE back at the Royal Rumble Match,
makes his debut here tonight on Monday Night Raw
since coming back to the fold.
["The Best Is Yet to Come" playing]
[Samantha] And his opponent,
weighing in at 240 lbs,
-Apollo Crews! -[roars]
[Cole] Tough test tonight for Andrade.
This man, Apollo Crews, a former Intercontinental Champion,
a former United States Champion.
The veteran about to give Andrade a run for his money.
[McAfee] Looks like he's somehow gotten into better shape
since the last time we've seen him.
[Cole] And you see The Judgment Day looking on for the past couple of weeks.
Dominik has told the group to keep an eye on Andrade,
that perhaps he could be a very important part
of The Judgment Day.
I have to wonder what they mean about that.
[McAfee] I don't know if Dom is trying to recruit Andrade or not,
but why wouldn't you want Andrade a part of your team?
Third-generation lucha stud.
-[Cole] Andrade, a former NXT Champion. -[bell ringing]
Tomorrow night on NXT Roadblock right here on USA,
Carmelo Hayes and Tony D'Angelo battle it out
to determine the number-one contender to face the champ, Ilja Dragunov,
at Stand & Deliver, WrestleMania Weekend.
High stakes, tomorrow night on NXT.
And here we go.
Important for Andrade to pick up a win tonight in his ring debut.
[McAfee] Absolutely. Welcome back to Monday Night Raw, Andrade.
Get a win, maybe you're in that Gauntlet Match next week,
if it was to happen in a month or so.
[Cole] Andrade, mentioned before,
former United States Champion.
[McAfee] Oh!
[Cole] Apollo Crews, a powerhouse in his own right.
What do you expect out of Andrade this time around, Pat?
[McAfee] He's got power, he's got speed. He has it all.
He's been in this thing since he was 15 too.
[Cole] Oh!
[McAfee] He knows all the tricks of the trade. Bingo.
Just like he just said right there.
[Cole] Kick to the face of Apollo Crews.
And there's a nice dropkick by Apollo.
[McAfee] Just got out of the NFL Combine.
Apollo Crews appeared to do a 45-inch vertical on that dropkick.
-[crowd exclaims] -Big chop!
[Cole] Apollo ducks underneath that one
and now delivers a chop of his own to Andrade.
Apollo Crews, one of those Superstars
just on the cusp… of breaking out.
Would love to knock off Andrade,
embarrass him in his first match back tonight.
[McAfee] Andrade, obviously, looking to get a hot start.
[Cole] Again, Judgment Day looking on.
[McAfee] Andrade said he had to leave to come back even better.
Tonight's the night to prove that, as Judgment Day,
a bunch of dirtbags, look on in the back.
[crowd gasping]
[McAfee] Big chops across the chest of these dudes.
[both grunting]
[McAfee] Both men now, fighting it out.
[Cole] Top of the ring.
[McAfee] What are they thinking here, Cole, in San Antonio?
[Cole] Apollo Crews, superplex.
[McAfee] Roll through.
[Cole] Andrade with a suplex of his own!
[McAfee] Uno!
Dos!
Paying homage to the late, great Eddie Guerrero.
Of course, right here in Texas. Andrade, cover.
Apollo Crews kicks out at two.
[McAfee] Three Amigos almost ended this thing for Andrade in his debut on Raw.
Got superplexed, ate it,
reversed it into Three Amigos and almost ended.
[Cole] Capacity crowd tonight, sold out, 14,866 on hand.
We're on The Road to WrestleMania.
Apollo Crews, Andrade. A nice deep arm drag by Andrade.
[Cole] Oh, goodness!
What a collision. Cover.
Quickly into the cover goes Andrade, hook of the leg.
And Apollo Crews gets the shoulder up.
Close near fall for Andrade.
[McAfee] Andrade has been nailing that reverse elbow.
Bang! Into a keyhole for a long time.
Seen him end matches with that.
[crowd chanting]
[Cole] Andrade fired up, Apollo in trouble in the corner.
Double running knees by Andrade.
And now looking to put this one away.
Andrade, face-first goes Crews.
-La Sombra by Andrade… -[crowd] One, two, three.
-…wins it. -[bell ringing]
["Conquistar" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner,
Andrade!
[Cole] Welcome back to Andrade.
Winning his… match-up here tonight
on his return to Monday Night Raw.
Watch this explosiveness.
[McAfee] Yeah, it's an honor watching this man work.
Exploding through Apollo Crews' chest, and then--
-[Cole] The Shadow, La Sombra. -One, two, three.
[McAfee] That sounds really cool.
And it's looks very devastating.
Andrade's 1-0.
[Cole] As Andrade celebrates his victory here tonight on Monday Night Raw,
we're going to head back to the locker room area
and our broadcast colleague, Jackie Redmond.
Cole, thank you so much.
I'm here with Sami Zayn, and Sami,
we've been following your journey for weeks now.
The highs, the lows,
and talking a lot about you as a contender.
And now, you have an opportunity
to become the number-one contender
to the Intercontinental Championship
in next week's star-studded Gauntlet Match.
What is going through your mind right now?
Well, I'm just thinking about, um,
as you said, you followed the journey.
You know, you've seen the highs and lows.
Um, you've seen the confidence get shaken here and there.
But I talked about that, belief.
I talked about that belief
that a path to WrestleMania would present itself.
And it has.
[chuckles] I've talked about wanting to be a champion.
But wanting to do something historic.
And that a path to WrestleMania would reveal itself,
and now that it has, this Gauntlet Match
is the only thing that's standing in my way
to going on and doing something historic,
to getting in the ring with a man that quite possibly
might be the most dominant champion ever.
So, for me, this is it.
There's no other path. This is the path.
This is my path to WrestleMania.
So, this Gauntlet Match for me, it's do or die.
I've had a lot of matches in my career.
I've had a lot of big matches, important matches.
Right now, this match next week
-is the most important match of my-- -[Valhalla] Zayn!
I've been praying to the gods all day,
trying to understand how a pathetic man like you
is in a match like this
when a battle-tested man like Ivar is ready.
It's time to put an end to your delusions.
Let me tell you the truth.
I know that I can beat Gunther,
but I know that you know
that you can't beat Gunther.
[Valhalla chuckles smugly]
Well, I know
that I can beat you.
And if you want to try to prove me wrong,
-you can meet me in that ring tonight. -[crowd cheering]
You can forget about WrestleMania
'cause you're not gonna make it to next week.
[Cole] Sami just can't catch a break.
["The Other Side" playing]
[McAfee] Those Vikings, I'll tell ya.
They freak me out.
And these guys bum me out.
I'm bummed out right now.
[Cole] Well, pick it up!
-It's WrestleMania season! -[fireworks popping]
[McAfee] Right.
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following is a tag-team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
representing The Judgment Day,
they are the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Finn Bálor
and Señor Money in the Bank,
Damian Priest!
[Cole] Last week on Monday Night Raw,
we mentioned this earlier in the Dominik-Gunther match.
Judgment Day walked down to the ring and stepped up
and got in the face of Imperium.
Hence the reason for this match-up tonight.
The Tag Champs, Bálor and Priest,
against Vinci and Kaiser of Imperium.
This match-up is going to be as physical as they come.
Judgment Day and Imperium live next on Monday Night Raw.
We can beat Shayna and Zoey,
and then we'd face The Kabuki Warriors.
-I don't know why-- -Candice, just relax. We'll get our shot.
We'll get better, and we'll get 'em next time.
Next-- Next time?
There might not be a next time.
-We have to worry about now. -[Natalya] I-- I agree with Candice.
Our window is closing.
And Tegan, you throwing me out of the Royal Rumble?
That really didn't help our cause.
Okay? It's-- [splutters]
I'm not mad at you. I'm not mad at you.
It's just time for us to regroup. I'm the veteran around here.
You need to listen to me.
You tried to throw me out the Rumble first, Nattie, from what I remember.
Tegan, sweetie. Honey, I…
I don't think it happened like that. Okay?
It's time for us to get hungry and forget our manners.
And I think you need to listen to me, so let's run along.
Come on. Let go.
You know, Nattie might be on to something.
Maybe we need to forget our manners.
-Maybe just whatever it takes to win. -What?
What are you saying?
-Well-- -[Ivy] Are you guys okay?
I can handle this.
Look, Candice, we all go through rough patches, okay?
But I know that you're going to come out of this on top
looking fine and fierce.
Yeah. What would you know?
You've had, like, three matches?
I don't need a pity party from somebody who couldn't lace my boots.
I am so sorry about her. I don't know what's gotten into her.
I'll talk some sense into her. I'm sorry.
[indistinct chatter]
[Samantha] And their opponents,
-representing Imperium… -[indistinct conversation]
…the team of Ludwig Kaiser
and Giovanni Vinci!
[McAfee] We're all Europeans this evening.
We're all pulling for Imperium
to finish the sweep of Judgment Day.
Come on, lads with no body fat.
[Cole] Pat mentioned, in fact, that earlier tonight,
Gunther dispatched of Dominik Mysterio.
So now, the Tag Champs take on Imperium,
-and big match-up for Vinci and Kaiser. -[bell ringing]
If you knock off Bálor and Priest,
perhaps you earn a Tag Team Championship opportunity.
[McAfee] Maybe at WrestleMania. Certainly should.
[Cole] So, Bálor starts things off with Ludwig Kaiser
in this tag-team match-up.
Imperium involved in that wicked Street Fight
with The New Day… last week.
[McAfee] One week ago. How could you forget it?
And now, tonight, they got the champs.
[Cole] Look at the WWE 2K overall ratings.
Kaiser and Vinci in the low 70s.
Very, very upset.
They believe they should be ranked much higher than that.
[McAfee] Well, if you beat the champs on Monday Night Raw,
there's a chance that those ratings will go through the roof.
[crowd chanting] We want Mami!
[McAfee] San Antonio screaming for Mami.
[Cole] Kaiser now, just pounding away on Finn Bálor.
Grand Slam Champion, one half of the Tag Team Champs.
[McAfee] Ludwig Kaiser, second-generation wrestler.
[Cole] Tag Team Titles will be on the line tomorrow night.
NXT Roadblock right here on USA.
The Wolf Dogs!
Corbin, your buddy,
Bron Breakker, against Chase U tomorrow night.
[McAfee barking]
Are they going to show up on their sweet motorcycles?
[Cole] Ooh!
Big uppercut by Vinci to Bálor.
Imperium believe the mat is sacred.
Failure is not an option.
Up over the top.
Oh! Basement dropkick by Bálor.
Cover now by Finn.
Vinci kicks out at one.
[McAfee] Finn Bálor, who's been a World Champion,
showcasing that here this evening.
Roll through on the sunset flip.
[Cole] Tag made. Here comes Damian Priest.
Damian Priest has a massive chip on his shoulder.
I talked to him earlier today, and he is a very angry man.
And he's going to take out that anger tonight on Giovanni Vinci!
He's heard the chirping going on, on social media,
from the likes of people who believe that he should never be champion,
that he doesn't have the chops to be champ,
that he'll never cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase,
that he'll never, ever hold the gold here in WWE.
He's going to prove himself by beating the hell out of people.
That's what Priest told me earlier today.
He's one ticked-off individual.
[McAfee] You know, sometimes, you can be motivated by the hate.
It feels like that's certainly what The Judgment Day does.
And let's not forget, Priest still the Señor Money in the Bank,
has a contract to cash in anytime he wants on a championship opportunity.
Nobody home. Kaiser rolls out of harm's way
And back elbow by Priest.
[McAfee] Throws Vinci out of the way.
[Cole] Yeah, but the distraction allowed Kaiser to strike.
[McAfee] Massive right from Kaiser.
[Cole] Oh, and Bálor takes advantage!
The official was dealing with Vinci. Priest with a right hand!
[McAfee] That power from Priest.
You just can't calculate
with the ability to kick somebody in the mouth.
[Cole] Tag. Here comes Bálor.
[McAfee] That's why Priest is Señor Money in the Bank
and one half of the Tag Team Champions.
[Cole] Double team coming by Priest and Bálor.
And Finn-- Oh! A scissors kick, back of the neck!
Cover by Bálor.
Trying to put Kaiser away, who kicks out at two.
And just like that, little wasted motion, not allowing Kaiser to recover.
Point of the elbow right to the eyebrow of Kaiser.
Finn Bálor has won every single stop of his career.
Every championship available in WWE,
the first-ever Universal champion.
[McAfee] For good reason.
He's calculated. Powerful. Quick.
Cerebral. Handsome.
You name it, as San Antonio watches on.
[Cole] Abdominal stretch by Bálor to Kaiser.
[straining]
[Cole] Looking… for support by Damian Priest.
[McAfee] Gonna cheat. That's Judgment Day.
[Cole] Kaiser with a kick to Priest, and now, Kaiser…
has an opening as he drives Bálor shoulder-first into the ring post.
Double team by Imperium!
[McAfee] Never thought I'd see myself cheering for Imperium,
but I'm loving what I'm seeing.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
Sold out tonight, San Antonio, Texas.
Nearly 15,000 on hand as the march to WrestleMania continues.
Bálor, Priest, Judgment Day.
Tag Champs against Kaiser and Vinci of Imperium.
And Kaiser and Vinci have taken over this match.
[McAfee] Finn Bálor with a Sling Blade equalizing things for the moment.
Crowd in San Antonio doesn't know who to cheer for.
[Cole] Tag, Vinci… Back in the match-up,
trying to prevent Bálor from making a tag.
Cheap shot knocks Priest off the apron.
Now, Imperium with a high-low double team.
[crowd] One, two…
[Cole] Bálor kicks out at two.
[McAfee] This Imperium team looking to prove themselves.
No better way than beating the champs here on Monday Night Raw.
And they were close.
[Cole] Yeah, earning a Tag Team Championship opportunity
along The Road to WrestleMania.
Two of the most physical teams in WWE.
[McAfee] Vinci, that bald-headed man
that was just stepping on the back of the neck of Finn Bálor,
from Italy, Northern Italy.
[Cole] He's a powerhouse.
Incredible stamina in the ring as well.
Cover off the elbow. Bálor kicks out at two.
[McAfee] European elegance and excellence is what they believe in,
and in the ring, they hold it sacred.
[Cole] Kaiser's the agitator, Vinci, the equalizer.
Of course, Gunther, "The Ring General." They make up Imperium,
The Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
victorious earlier tonight over Judgment Day member Dominik Mysterio.
[McAfee] Dirty Dom went down to a bunch of chops and a Boston crab,
and Imperium is looking to make it a clean sweep here tonight in Antonio!
[Cole] Bálor went for the boot and Vinci just floored him
with a clothesline.
Tag. Here comes Kaiser.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Bálor!
[McAfee] Oh! San Antonio coming to Finn Bálor's--
[Cole] And Imperium taken aback by those chants
from the crowd here in San Antonio.
[McAfee] Finn Bálor has been a champion. Been great for a long time.
One, two…
[McAfee] Kaiser covered him with a shin.
I'm gonna hit you in your mouth!
[Kaiser] Come on, then!
-I'm really gonna punch you in the mouth! -Come on, then!
[McAfee] Damian Priest said he's going to punch Ludwig Kaiser in the mouth.
Love that from The Judgment Day's Señor Money in the Bank.
[Cole] Now, Bálor with a kick.
Big right hand to Vinci.
Uppercut by Kaiser. Oh! Bálor caught him!
[McAfee] Pelé Kick from Finn Bálor!
[Cole] And now, Finn with an opportunity to make a tag to Priest.
Big bad Damian Priest looking to get into this match-up.
[McAfee] Big babyface Bálor in San Antonio!
[Cole] Nobody for Kaiser to tag.
Priest is legal.
And here comes Damian Priest.
Priest, who remind me earlier tonight,
he went almost a year undefeated in one-on-one action.
Flatliner!
[McAfee] He stomped Kaiser on his head.
[Cole] Vinci planted as well.
-[roars] -[Cole] Priest fired up!
[crowd cheering]
-[grunts] -[Cole] Into the corner.
To Kaiser, and then to Vinci.
[McAfee] Priest flying in San Antonio.
[Cole] Moves well for a big man.
[McAfee] Huge… gentleman.
When you see him in person and his powers on display.
[Cole] Kaiser, though, looking to put Priest away.
Kaiser powerful in his own right, but Priest turns it around.
Broken Arrow. Cover by Priest!
[crowd] One, two…
[Cole] Kick-out by Kaiser at two.
[McAfee] Damn near threw him across the ring.
[Cole] Again, watch the power of the Broken Arrow by Damian Priest.
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] San Antonio loves it.
[Cole] And now, lifting Kaiser up.
Razor's Edge time, perhaps.
Kaiser, though, able to slip behind.
[McAfee] Hey, yo!
[Cole] Tag. Bálor makes the tag. He's legal.
[McAfee] Kaiser has no clue.
[Cole] No, as he rolls up Priest, Bálor from behind.
Going to roll-up Kaiser.
Shoulders down. Kaiser's got a kick-out at two.
Bálor now, Sling Blade.
[roaring]
[McAfee] Bálor's feeling it.
[yelling indistinctly]
[Cole] And now, Vinci grabbing the ankle of Bálor,
and that allows Kaiser to take advantage.
And a Death Valley driver by Kaiser,
-and now… -[McAfee] Much needed tag.
[Cole] Double team coming for Imperium.
[McAfee] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[Cole] That could have been a disaster. But Vinci, though, lifting Bálor up.
Bálor turns it in. Small package.
Roll up here.
Kick-out. Reversal, kick-out again.
-[grunts] -[Cole] Oh, and Bálor…
Sling Blade.
[McAfee] Such a veteran in the ring, Bálor.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Planting Vinci into the corner.
[McAfee] Look where Vinci is sitting, Cole.
[Cole] He's in the drop zone.
[commentators] Coup de Grace!
[crowd] One, two…
[Cole] Kaiser breaking things up.
[McAfee] Kaiser comes in and says,
"Nein, nein, nein."
"I don't think so."
[Cole] Priest back up on the apron.
Staring a hole through Kaiser.
Kaiser sent over the top rope.
[McAfee] Just chucked over the top rope.
[Cole] Tag.
Priest is legal.
You got to fly, Prince.
[Cole] Bálor flies!
Vinci from behind!
-[crowd] One, two… -[Cole] Kick-out by Priest.
Oh, clothesline! What a collision!
[crowd cheering]
Priest fired up!
South of Heaven!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell ringing]
[McAfee] Wow!
["The Other Side" playing]
[Samantha] Here are your winners,
the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
The Judgment Day!
[Cole] So let's go to our Pierrot Patastrator
for our replays here tonight.
[McAfee] Yeah, Finn Bálor went up to the sky, and this is a place
we've seen this man before.
Very comfortable.
And as he's leaping,
he's trying to get as high as humanly possible,
with eyes on the prize!
That drop zone is real!
Roll it, pause it,
trying to take his sternum through the mat!
And he was able to do as such!
Now, Ludwig Kaiser obviously able to stop it.
Then, Vinci thought he was going to have his opportunity,
but Damian Priest said, "Uh-uh,"
and took that son of a bitch's head!
One, two, three, four, five six, seven eight, nine, ten,
eleven, 12, 13 feet into the sky!
And brought his ass right back down to earth,
letting him know, and San Antonio know,
that when Señor Money in the Bank comes to town,
it's a long way
from the top…
to the bottom.
[Cole] Judgment Day victorious here tonight.
[McAfee] That telestrator's awesome.
Well, Pat, switching gears now, I can honestly say
that I would not be here tonight, for 27 years,
if it wasn't for the man who was the first inductee
into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Countless Wednesday nights.
I would go back to Stamford, Connecticut.
I would sit in the edit booth with my partner Tazz for SmackDown,
and this man would drill us for hours upon hours
into the wee hours of the morning,
teaching us how to do commentary, recalling lines,
teaching us passion and emotion about this business.
But that was just minuscule to what this man has contributed
to this industry over the years.
Ladies and gentlemen,
first broken earlier today by the Associated Press,
here is the first inductee
into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Paul Heyman!
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen,
as Triple H said earlier today,
he's an advocate, a Wiseman,
a special counsel, a manager,
an executive,
the founder of ECW, a genius,
Paul, a madman, Paul Heyman.
[McAfee] A trailblazer, an innovator,
a one-of-one talent,
a microphone maestro that has trailblazed his way
into making this business better since he was a teenager.
[Cole] Paul Heyman will be inducted
into the Hall of Fame Class of 2024
immediately following SmackDown
the night before WrestleMania,
live on Peacock
in the birthplace of ECW,
Philadelphia!
Congratulations to Paul Heyman. Paul deserves it.
Massive congratulations to Paul Heyman on being inducted
into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
I cannot wait to hear what The Wiseman has to say
on Hall of Fame Night.
And speaking of words of wisdom,
Drew, last week you warned Seth "Freakin" Rollins
about The Bloodline.
Do you think he listened to anything that you had to say?
No. Not in the slightest.
Not for one second.
You want to know why?
Because Seth Rollins
is a junkie.
A spotlight junkie.
He literally can't help himself
when his responsibility is supposed to be right here on Raw.
He sees something over here that's hot and goes,
"Oh, I have to latch my claws into that. I have to be part of that."
Instead of focus on what's important over here.
Let's think about some of the big comebacks over the past few years.
CM Punk, there's Seth Rollins.
Cody Rhodes, oh, it's Seth Rollins.
Is that The Rock. Why's Seth Rollins there?
I don't know, maybe he should be on Raw focusing on the World Title, but he's not.
He does it to the detriment of his body and his mind.
And at this point, I don't care. Seth, you're a full-grown man.
As long as you show up to WrestleMania,
I'm going to put you down
because that title deserves so much better than you.
Also deserves better than Jey Uso.
And Jey, all I wanted,
all of this time, was an apology.
Even someone as dimwitted as you could have figured that out.
But I'll be the bigger man.
I'm sorry.
I know how much you need this victory.
How much you really need this victory.
But there is not a chance in hell
you're going to defeat Drew McIntyre tonight.
Thanks for this, Drew. I appreciate the time.
You're welcome.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[Cole] Drew McIntyre, Jey Uso, later on tonight.
But here's a man trying to continue a winning streak.
It's all about belief when it comes to Sami Zayn.
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 212 lbs,
Sami Zayn!
[Cole] So Sami with the win last week, got off the schneid.
But he's got a problem tonight.
He's running into a very angry Viking who's upset.
But Sami's in the Gauntlet next week and not Ivar.
[McAfee] Yeah, Sami's got his mojo back.
He found it again, but in doing so, he pissed off a Viking.
[Cole] Sami Zayn trying to find a WrestleMania moment.
He may have an opportunity next week if he runs the gauntlet.
But Ivar stands in his way.
Sami Zayn, Ivar,
live next, one on one
on Monday Night Raw.
[Cole] Tonight, it's about Monday Night Raw.
We're live in San Antonio at the Frost Bank Center, sold out,
where WWE is proud to support the AD Council
in their "Love Has No Labels" campaign.
Celebrate this Women's History Month
and visit WWE.me/shopwhm
or scan the QR code on the screen
to purchase your own WWE Heritage Month merchandise.
$7.50 will be donated from each sale to support AD Council.
[indistinct conversations]
[crowd cheering]
Stay out of my territory.
[scoffs]
[Cole] Rhea's not messing around.
[McAfee] That Damage CTRL is a bunch of menaces.
[Cole] Well, WrestleMania 40 is presented by Snickers.
Snickers satisfies.
And by 2K24.
Relive 40 years of WrestleMania,
and experience new match types, new career stories,
and an iconic roster of WWE Superstars and Legends.
Finish your story on Friday or with the early access tomorrow.
Preorder today.
Sami Zayn trying to, uh, get to WrestleMania.
Got a Gauntlet Match next week. He's got Ivar right now.
["Vicious" playing]
[woman] Valhalla is here.
[Cole] Yes!
Valhalla's got the antlers.
Ivar may destroy Sami Zayn tonight.
I mean, demolish him.
[McAfee] You've been begging.
I mean, like, begging for these antlers.
[Cole] She's finally wearing the damn antlers!
Finally, after weeks upon weeks upon weeks!
And if you're Sami Zayn, you got to be upset about this.
[McAfee] Sami Zayn is probably sane-minded,
like most of us, who aren't really worried about what's on the head.
[Cole] Well, what Sami Zayn is worried about is a Gauntlet Match next week
with Chad Gable and Ricochet and Shinsuke Nakamura
and "Big" Bronson Reed and JD McDonagh.
Whoever runs the gauntlet is going to get Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.
If Sami survives tonight against an angry Viking!
[McAfee] What's your deal with these antlers?
[Samantha] And his opponent, accompanied by Valhalla,
-Viking Raider… -[Cole] Yes!
-Ivar! -Finally!
The antlers! Or the antlers. Or the…
[McAfee] Yeah.
Michael's about to volcanic erupt!
[crowd cheering]
Yes! Finally!
[McAfee] Thank you for that! Thank you for that!
-You just made his life come… -[bell ringing]
Come to real fulfillment.
[Cole] I can actually call the match holding my microphone with the antlers on.
Well, the match-up is underway. Sami and Ivar.
-[crowd chanting] Michael! -[Cole] Thank you. Thank you.
Finally, the gift that keeps on giving.
But let's get back to the match, because there's a lot at stake here.
[McAfee] "Let's get back to the match"?
Do you see how big of an asshole you look like right now?
[Ivar roars]
[Cole] By the way, yesterday was Ivar's birthday.
[McAfee] Happy birthday, Ivar.
Valhalla just brought something out here
that made Michael Cole explode
just all over himself out here.
This is…
[Cole] Don't think you can talk about that on TV.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I'm talking about excitement levels that you had radiating through!
[Cole] Oh, goodness! Sami Zayn driven through the mat.
And a kick-out.
This is incredible.
I've done a lot in 27 years, but I've never, ever worn
antlers during a match.
[McAfee] You called this upon yourself.
[Cole] I know what JR felt like with that silly cowboy hat on so long.
Look at-- I'm wearing antlers.
-[McAfee] Cowboy hats are cool. -[Cole] And you're jealous.
[McAfee] I am not. I am not. I just know that
these antlers have really been a topic of discussion in your mind.
[Cole] Anyway, let's get back to Sami Zayn.
-[McAfee] Please. -[Cole] don't look at me.
Then maybe you can concentrate on what's going on.
Sami needs another win tonight.
He's got to continue to build momentum to get to WrestleMania
and try to win that Gauntlet Match next week.
[McAfee] He does Cole, doesn't he?
How the hell is he going to beat a Viking?
[Cole] Sami Zayn fighting back.
Talked to Sami earlier today.
He said it's all about belief,
believing in oneself, having confidence.
Leapfrog up over the top!
Sami Zayn sends Ivar over the top rope!
[McAfee] I know you have a lot of confidence,
Michael Cole, it's evident by how you look right now on TV.
[Cole] And Sami is going to fly!
-[McAfee] Sami has-- -[Cole] Over the top! Down goes Ivar!
[Cole] Sami's got a chance!
[McAfee] Sami's got his confidence back too.
One big win, the champion reminded himself of who he is.
[Cole] Sending Ivar back into the ring.
[McAfee] He said next week's Gauntlet Match is do or die.
-Super Bowl, March Madness! -[Cole] It is.
And positioning in that Gauntlet Match means so much.
Can Sami Zayn delivered the exploder? Elbow by Ivar.
[McAfee] I'm surprised you've been able to contain yourself
with all that deer antler all over your hand.
[Cole] I'm a professional. Oh! Went for the tornado DDT.
Ivar able to block.
Sami sent outside the ring.
And now, Ivar going on the attack.
[referee speaking indistinctly]
[Cole] And now, Valhalla saying, "Ivar, take him out!"
[yelling]
[Cole] What a weirdo.
[McAfee] You?
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
Sami Zayn and Ivar.
important match-up for Sami Zayn
as he prepares for a Gauntlet Match next week
to determine who faces Gunther for the Intercontinental Title
at WrestleMania.
Ivar's ticked off he's not involved in that Gauntlet Match.
[McAfee] Because he knows that he could beat Gunther if he had the opportunity.
He also said that Michael Cole looks ridiculous
with antlers on his head here in San Antonio.
[Cole] Well, that was a gift from Valhalla,
so just pay homage to the gods.
And now-- Oh, no!
Sami Zayn turned it around into a crossbody, cover!
-One, two… -Great move by Zayn. Kick-out.
[McAfee] Phenomenal reversal in the sky by Sami Zayn.
[Cole] Look at Sami Zayn. Tremendous move.
Again, the Gauntlet Match. Two men start next week.
If you win, you move on.
You lose, you head back to the locker room.
Last man standing gets a date with Gunther
for the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania.
[McAfee] Congratulations. You have to take on The Ring General.
[Cole] Sami Zayn blocking now.
Sami going to work on Ivar. Tornado DDT connects.
Sami Zayn building confidence and opportunity here.
Going for the Helluva Kick!
Oh, and a spin kick by Ivar just about decapitated Sami.
And Ivar…
Oh, down goes Zayn.
Cover, for the win.
Sami somehow survives, and Ivar can't believe it.
[McAfee] Ivar was close to being able to say, "I told you so."
And Sami Zayn was potentially close to losing his confidence
yet again here.
[Cole] Watch the impact.
Back of Sami Zayn's head into the mat.
Somehow, Sami with the wherewithal to kick out.
[McAfee] Picture perfect from Ivar,
even able to get the deep cover with both legs covering his arms
and Sami was still able to kick out.
[Cole] Sami perched up on the top rope
and Ivar looking to do even more damage.
[McAfee] Big chop to Sami's chest.
[Cole] 330-lb angry Viking.
[McAfee] I saw 330-pounders at the Combine run fast.
I don't know if any of them can do what Ivar can do from a top rope.
[Cole] Sami, what's he thinking about here?
Capacity crowd looks on in San Antonio.
Sunset flip powerbomb! Cover, for the win!
Ivar got the shoulder up!
Man, Sami pulling everything out tonight and not able to put Ivar away.
One, two…
[crowd chants] Sami! Sami! Sami!
[Cole] Crowd trying to rally Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] Feels like we're in Sami Antonio.
[Cole] That was nice.
[McAfee] Something a journalism school person would say.
[Cole] Uh-oh.
Sami, looking for the exploder suplex, blocked by Ivar.
[McAfee] He tried this earlier in the match, didn't work.
Doesn't work again.
[Cole] Now he's just gonna flail away with the rights and lefts.
[McAfee] Beat down Ivar a little bit and try again.
-[Cole] Now, the exploder! -[crowd gasping]
[McAfee] So smart of Sami.
Had to take a little bit more energy from Ivar
so he could get him with the exploder.
[Cole] And Sami's got him in position!
Sami looking for the Helluva kick!
Sit-down, splat!
[McAfee] Viking's hamstrings on your chest.
Holy hell!
[Cole] And now, with Sami Zayn in trouble,
Valhalla urges Ivar to go to the top rope.
And it could be Doomsault time for Ivar.
Sami rolls out of harm's way!
[McAfee] 330 lbs!
-Missing on a moonsault! -[Cole] Helluva Kick!
[Cole] Cover by Sami.
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Cole] Sami does it! -[bell ringing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner, Sami Zayn!
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[Cole] Sami Zayn building much-needed momentum
toward the Gauntlet Match next week.
[McAfee] And look what you did, you little weirdo.
You made the Vikings lose on Monday Night Raw
-because you-- -[Cole] Sami, turn around!
[Cole] "Big" Bronson Reed!
[crowd booing]
[McAfee] One of the competitors in the Gauntlet Match next week.
[yelling indistinctly]
[McAfee] He'd love an opportunity at the Intercontinental Title.
And Bronson Reed about to crush Sami Zayn!
Tsunami!
[yelling]
[speaking indistinctly]
[Cole] Good luck, Sami. Good luck, Chad.
Good luck, Ricochet. Good luck, Shinsuke.
Good luck, JD.
Bronson Reed stands in your way in the Gauntlet Match
for an opportunity to head to WrestleMania,
live next week on Raw.
[McAfee] Look at "Big" Bronson Reed
fly into a…
Tsunami!
[Cole] Good luck stopping that massive man.
Bronson Reed says he's going to WrestleMania.
Let's head backstage to our broadcast colleague,
Cathy Kelley.
Thanks, Cole.
I'm standing by with Intercontinental Champion,
"The Ring General" Gunther.
Congratulations on your victory earlier over "Dirty" Dominik.
Uh, thank you very much.
Um, Dom spoke a big game last week, and he stepped up to it today.
I got to give him that, but obviously, I didn't question that outcome.
Well, I do want to address Adam Pearce's massive announcement earlier.
How are you feeling about the stacked field of competitors
vying to face you at WrestleMania?
Stacked? It should be stacked.
Because I elevated this great prize to heights never seen before.
And to be fully honest, I'm kind of flattered by it.
To see the crème de la crème
of Monday Night Raw competing
to challenge The Ring General at WrestleMania?
But what they're really going to earn at the end
is a spot to be humiliated and outclassed by The Ring General.
I am so sick
of that condescending smile on your face.
But I can look past the smile.
What I can't get past
is what you did to me after that last match.
The tears in my daughter's eyes,
insulting me as a man, as a father.
And anyone else,
this Gauntlet Match is just their path to WrestleMania.
To me, it's my path to redemption.
And that means delivering on what I swore I would do
back in September.
That means taking that championship from you
and putting it on my waist,
and that means taking that smile from you
and putting one on my daughter's face.
Mr. Chad Gable, this year's WrestleMania,
this match,
it just… means… more.
[laughing]
Yep, yep, yep!
Hey, Drew Mac!
For weeks, all I hear you do is cry and complain.
Talking about you want an apology from me.
Hey, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for what I'm about to do to you tonight, Drew.
[crowd] Yeet!
I'm sorry you about to get this work tonight, Drew.
[crowd] Yeet!
And if there's anything you're gonna find out about me…
Jey…
don't play.
[crowd] Yeet!
-[crowd cheering] -Yeet.
[Cole] McIntyre, Uso, live next.
[Tommaso] I got him.
-[Woods] Come on, man. -[R-Truth] You can't see me!
[overlapping chatter]
[R-Truth] What's up, guy?
How are you guys playing WWE 2K24 already?
You know, we got the hookup at 2K,
so we got it a few days early before it comes out on Friday.
I wanted to come around and share with the boys.
Hey, I'm playing as my childhood hero, John Cena.
And San Antonio, Texas' own,
-"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. -Yeah! Here I am.
"Cerebral Assassin" Triple H.
They're playing as DX.
Guys, I got your--
They love playing with themselves.
I got your ideas
about how we can get payback on The Judgment Day.
-Dropping slime on them? -That's a good one.
Feeding them bread?
In case one of them have a gluten-- You know what I'm saying?
The problem with that gluten?
-Makes sense. -Yeah.
They're allergic to it.
-It hurts. It hurts! -Look, look, look!
We need to hit 'em where it hurts.
Okay? We need to take their Tag Titles.
-[Johnny] Okay. -Okay? Sound good?
-[Johnny] Yeah. -Yeah.
-[Johnny] Let's do it. -[R-Truth] Let's do it.
Re-Generation X!
-Re-Generation X! -Re-Generation X!
-Okay. -I… want to hate this.
But I love it!
[Johnny laughs]
That's good!
-That's good, I like that! -[Johnny] Yeah!
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] While they're playing,
the WWE 2K24 video game launches worldwide on Friday,
but you can get early access starting tomorrow
with the Deluxe Edition and 40 Years of WrestleMania Editions.
Reviews are rolling in, and it's clear,
WWE 2K24 is the best WWE video game of all time.
Preorder WWE 2K24 today
and don't miss your chance to play tomorrow.
[McAfee] I can't wait to play.
Can I get antler juice all over my face like you have, Michael Cole?
That's what these lines are.
Yep, I wore the antlers.
-Yeah-- -Boyhood dream came true.
[McAfee] Yeah, I certainly do. Let's take a look at this, shall we?
I mean, you got a couple feathers up here, all right?
Obviously, that's something. That's great. A couple feathers down here as well.
A raccoon skin cap tail hanging off the side.
But my issue is you've been fantasizing about these damn antlers.
This thing is only, if you count the tine,
a seven rack out here. Not that big.
You know what I mean?
-[Cole] That's big for a Texas deer. -[McAfee] No, it's not.
I mean, you should at least have an eight-piece up there
if you're going to have the fantasies that you had.
You got antler juice all over you. The Vikings lost.
And now you're trending as a guy that maybe is into some weird stuff.
[Cole] That's the Patastrator, thanks to Pierrot.
Let's talk about Raw next week.
[McAfee] Look at this man! He needs a smoke 'cause of these antlers.
[Cole] At the Toyota Center next week, live on Monday Night Raw,
Becky Lynch, Liv Morgan get to settle their differences.
This is going to be a battle next week.
[McAfee] Absolutely.
And next week, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
have proven to be a team that warrants
a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match
against The Kabuki Warriors of Damage CTRL.
[Cole] And a Gauntlet Match.
One of these six men is going to WrestleMania
to meet Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
Who will run the gauntlet?
Find out live next week on Monday Night Raw.
["Main Even Ish" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] What?! What?! Look at this place!
14,866. Yeet!
-[Cole] You're gonna break the table. -[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first…
[Cole] You're gonna break the table.
[Samantha] From San Francisco, California, weighing in at 242 lbs,
"Main Event" Jey Uso!
[Cole] "Main Event" Jey Uso has got 'em
rocking tonight in San Antonio.
[McAfee] Ah, ah, ah!
Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
[Cole] Hey, next week, Monday Night Raw.
[McAfee] Let's go, Cole, with your antler juice!
[Cole] We head east on I-10 to the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas!
What an atmosphere that's going to be!
Just like tonight, sold out in San Antonio.
[McAfee] Oh, that's electric.
Hell yeah, Cole!
[Cole] Are you okay?
[McAfee] I'm a little winded, but I'm… yeeting!
[Cole] Here we go.
["Gallantry" playing]
[crowd booing]
[Samantha] And his opponent,
from Ayr, Scotland, weighing in at 275 lbs,
Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] He's the number-one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.
Drew McIntyre will be part
of one of the co-main events of WrestleMania Sunday,
when McIntyre takes on Seth "Freakin" Rollins
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
McIntyre, Pat, said Rollins is focused on, well,
stealing the spotlight.
Going off in all kinds of different directions,
not focusing on the task at hand.
And that's the World Title.
[McAfee] Drew McIntyre has been telling himself
a lot of things as of late.
And he's been stacking.
As Jey Uso almost gets burnt on the other side of the ring.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre was the first man
to pin Cody Rhodes in a match-up
since Roman Reigns did it back at WrestleMania last year.
[imperceptible]
[Cole] Jey Uso part of Monday Night Raw, thanks in part to…
[bell ringing]
…Cody Rhodes.
[crowd chanting] Yeet!
One of the problems McIntyre has.
[imperceptible]
[Cole] This dates all the way back to McIntyre losing an opportunity
at the Undisputed Championship in…
Wales and Cardiff, thanks to The Bloodline.
He blames Jey Uso
for being a part of that faction at the time.
Jey caught McIntyre.
[McAfee] Very big dudes!
[Cole] And now, Drew bouncing Jey Uso off the announce table.
Reversal now. McIntyre with Uso.
No!
[Cole] And Drew powering Uso
and slinging him over the announce table!
Yeet!
[Cole] No yeet.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre continuing to dominate Jey Uso.
Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
It has been quite the night. Sold-out San Antonio, Texas.
14,866 WWE fans on hand.
-Is that all you got for me, Jey? -[Jey grunts]
[Cole] Uso trying to fight back.
[McAfee] Two WWE Superstars beating the hell out of each other in the ring.
[Cole] Uso going up now.
Top rope, crossbody.
Cover, now!
Lateral press on McIntyre, who kicks out at two.
[McAfee] "Main Event" Jey Uso.
[Cole] Highly anticipated match-up tonight.
Jey Uso sent into the corner.
Oh, my goodness!
What a kick by McIntyre.
[McAfee] Drew has it all in the ring.
-[Cole] Cover on Jey Uso. -One, two…
[Cole] And a kick-out.
McIntyre, who faces Rollins for the World Heavyweight Title,
one of the co-main events WrestleMania Sunday,
said that he will be a champion
that cares about Raw, that cares about the championship.
"Unlike Seth Rollins,"
these are McIntyre's words,
"who tries to attach himself to the hot things going on at the time."
Clear and simple.
"I won't care about that stuff. I'll care about me."
"I'll care about the championship. I'll care about Monday Night Raw."
[McAfee] Yeah, Drew McIntyre has done a lot of grandstanding and high-horsing
about Seth "Freakin" Rollins
and how he is as our champion here on Raw.
[Cole] You know, it's interesting.
Jey Uso, a guest on Jackie Redmond's YouTube show
on the NHL YouTube channel this past week,
talked a lot about the feeling
that he doesn't believe he'll accomplish much
because of The Bloodline.
He says they don't want to see him achieve individual success.
He's always looking over his shoulder,
and he also said he'd love the family to come back in the fold,
to leave Roman Reigns,
to leave The Rock,
to leave The Bloodline high and dry.
[McAfee] Him and Jimmy, obviously,
one of the greatest tag teams in the history of this business.
And just a few weeks back,
his own brother screwed him on his first-ever title.
[Cole] Ooh!
[McAfee] Now he's getting chopped by Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] And in relation to that, McIntyre told Jey Uso,
"You deserved to have your own brother stab you in the back."
And that caused the brawl last week that led to this match-up tonight.
[McAfee] Yeah, Drew McIntyre has just been
benefiting from a lot of other people's work as of late,
but he's earned himself into the co-main event of WrestleMania.
[Cole] And now, McIntyre lifting Jey Uso up on his shoulders.
McIntyre now, from the second rope.
Uso high above the ring.
Looking for White Noise.
Jey Uso able to fight out of it.
[McAfee] Quickly, set up Drew McIntyre.
For a… powerbomb!
[Cole] Cover! Kick-out by McIntyre!
[McAfee] Jey Uso powerbombing Drew McIntyre
here in San Antonio.
Jey Uso in the sky!
[Cole] McIntyre got his knees up. Uso in trouble.
[McAfee] Drew McIntyre has it all.
[Cole] Spinebuster.
Jackknife cover on Uso.
Jey kicks out!
[grunts]
What a battle between McIntyre and Uso.
A long, rich rivalry between these two.
[McAfee] In a packed San Antonio house
that'll be remembered…
forever!
[Cole] Sold out, nearly 15,000 here tonight
on The Road to WrestleMania.
McIntyre and Rollins face off
at that event for the World Heavyweight Title.
[McIntyre grunts]
Uso-- Oh, he was clubbed.
He was just clubbed by Drew McIntyre!
[McAfee] That's what Drew McIntyre has the ability to do.
I don't know what he's looking at our table for.
What's this guy's issue?
-[Cole] McIntyre, suplex! -[both groaning]
[Cole] Right here, in front of the announce table.
Both men are hurting.
Our main event continues live on Monday Night Raw.
[Cole] We are back with our main event on Monday Night Raw.
Drew McIntyre, Jey Uso involved in a war
as McIntyre gets ready for his World Championship Match
at WrestleMania with Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
And McIntyre drives Uso into the barricade
and then the apron spine-first
and McIntyre…
[McAfee] The absurd strength of Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Plans to do that to Rollins at WrestleMania.
He says Rollins is a spotlight hog,
and he's involved now in this whole
Rock and Roman Reigns situation with Cody Rhodes.
[McAfee] Seth "Freakin" Rollins says some things are bigger.
[Cole] That's destroying The Bloodline Friday night on SmackDown.
Cody. Seth. Rock. Roman.
Same ring, same place, same time.
For the first time since the press event in Las Vegas
earlier this month.
[McAfee] I think Drew McIntyre is right, though.
Look at Drew McIntyre and everything he's able to do.
I'd want to be fully focused on him.
[Cole] Oh!
[McAfee] Seth "Freakin" Rollins has a company to save
as Jey Uso puts his feet to Drew's face.
[Cole] Jey, looking to rally now,
buys himself some time.
[crowd chanting] Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
[Cole] San Antonio faithful trying to rally Jey Uso.
[crowd chanting] Yeet!
Jey fighting back.
McIntyre stunned.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Yeet!
[McAfee] Okay!
Jey Uso!
[Cole] McIntyre. Reversal now.
Uso…
lands on his feet. Big kick in the midsection.
McIntyre misses wildly. Uso ducks underneath.
Samoan drop to McIntyre!
-[McAfee] This is what Jey Uso is. -[Cole] Cover.
-Drew kicks out at two. -[McAfee] A machine.
[McAfee] A man who's able to fly at the top of the marquee
if he was ever given the opportunity.
"Main Event" Jey Uso taking Drew McIntyre to the limit here.
Now, Uso…
Steps back, regroups, tries to figure out what he's going to do.
McIntyre prone in the corner.
Jey Uso's got him where he wants him.
[McAfee] Eyes locked.
Yeet.
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso! Uso!
[Cole] And Jey paying homage to the late, great Umaga!
McIntyre…
could be ripe for the picking here.
And McIntyre wisely rolls out of the ring.
[crowd booing]
[McAfee] Jey Uso was--
[Cole] And he flies, and down goes McIntyre!
[Cole] McIntyre and Uso putting it all out there tonight
in our main event on Monday Night Raw.
Oh, my goodness.
-[McAfee] That's-- Oh! -[Cole] Solo Sikoa!
The Enforcer of The Bloodline.
What the hell's he doing here?
[McAfee] Jey's own blood is here.
[Cole] McIntyre going for the Future Shock DDT.
That's how he beat Jey Uso the last time around.
Cover, off the distraction by Solo.
And Jey kicked out this time.
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Jey Uso's got some backup!
His buddy, Cody Rhodes, going right after Solo Sikoa.
Going to take out The Bloodline,
and Rhodes and Solo now going to brawl on Monday Night Raw.
[McAfee] Cody Rhodes said he's the one hunting The Bloodline.
[Cole] Meanwhile, McIntyre setting up.
Got Jey Uso right where he wants him.
Went for a Claymore, Uso caught him with a kick.
And another one.
And a third, McIntyre!
[McAfee] Spear!
It's amazing what Jey Uso can do when there's a level playing field!
[Cole] And now Jey Uso…
Oh, my-- What the hell is he doing here now?
[McAfee] This son of a bitch is back!
Jey's brother, damn, Jimmy Uso!
Out here in ringside!
-Claymore by McIntyre! -[crowd exclaims]
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Cole] Damn it, Jimmy cost Jey again! -[bell ringing]
["Gallantry" playing]
[Cole] What is wrong with you?
[Samantha] Here is your winner…
[Cole] What is wrong with you?
[Samantha] …Drew McIntyre!
[McAfee] What's your deal, dude?
Hey, Uce!
[Cole] Well, I don't believe he's done yet
because Jimmy Uso has got a steel chair in hand.
These wounds have been festering for months upon months
-between these two. -[crowd booing]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And here comes Seth Rollins!
[McAfee] A medically cleared Seth Rollins!
[Cole] Blows right past McIntyre.
Blew right past Drew McIntyre, his opponent at WrestleMania,
to take out Jimmy Uso, part of The Bloodline.
Seth said earlier tonight,
"We've got to take out The Bloodline. Some things are more important."
Oh, no!
Claymore by McIntyre!
[crowd booing]
Look at me! Look what just happened, Seth!
If you keep on this path…
-[continues indistinctly] -[booing intensifies]
Do not be selfish!
Do not taint this title!
Don't do it!
Do the right thing!
Do the right thing.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre warned Seth Rollins,
"Keep your eyes focused on me."
"Stop worrying about everything else or I am going to take your title…"
[crowd chanting] CM Punk!
[Cole] "…at WrestleMania."
This is bigger than CM Punk! This is about the World Title! our title…"