[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
[Ric Flair] Woooo!
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman] Acknowledge me.
-[Triple H] The king of kings… -[Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[Cole] We are less than a month away from WrestleMania.
Twenty-six days from the two-night event,
which will be held here at Lincoln Financial Field
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
And the epic main event of WrestleMania, Saturday,
some calling it the biggest Tag Team Match in WrestleMania history,
made official Friday.
Following the slap heard around the world,
"The Brahma Bull" The Rock,
and the undisputed champion Roman Reigns
versus "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes,
the World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
Big-time stipulations.
We'll get into all of that here on Raw tonight.
["Born To Be" playing]
[Cole] And Monday Night Raw is live tonight
at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
We are jam packed and sold out
with WrestleMania implications all around,
and it is a star-studded night here tonight.
Earlier today, among those in attendance,
Houston-born rapper Travis Scott is here.
He sold 50 million records in the United States.
Greeted tonight by "Main Event" Jey Uso
for Monday Night Raw.
Also earlier, the arrival of the longest reigning
Intercontinental Champion of all time, Gunther.
Tonight, he'll find out who he defends against at WrestleMania.
Six men try to run the Gauntlet to earn the opportunity,
live tonight on Monday Night Raw.
[energetic music playing]
["Gallantry" playing]
-[explosion] -[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] The Scottish Warrior is the number one contender
for Seth Rollins' World Heavyweight Championship.
Hello again, everybody. Ringside, Michael Cole and Pat McAfee,
as we take a look at one of the co-main events
of WrestleMania, Sunday.
[McAfee] Drew McIntyre,
who's been backdooring his way into magical moments as of late
takes on Seth "Freakin" Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship
for the good of the Raw brand.
Drew McIntyre has been saying he's a hero this entire time.
Everybody else saying he's a bit of a scumbag.
Nonetheless, a man who's built to be champion around here.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre has been saying for weeks
-that Seth Rollins is preoccupied… -[explosion]
[Cole] …with everything except Drew
and the World Heavyweight Championship.
[McAfee] He seems a bit jealous of the attention
that Seth "Freakin" Rollins has been giving
to The Bloodline and Cody Rhodes…
when they are to meet.
[song ends]
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Are they saying "Drew" or "boo"?
-[McAfee] They're booing him, yeah. -Selfish.
Delusional.
Arrogant.
Hypocrite.
Junkie.
You couldn't help yourself, Seth, could you?
You had to accept the tag match,
two main events back-to-back.
-You just… -[microphone thudding]
You had to get that fix. Junkie!
[crowd] What?
You know, at least when I dropped Cody,
he saw sense, he chose to finish his story.
I dropped you last week, Seth. What do you do?
You find that energy and fire you've been missing,
you decide to channel it into your own selfish agenda,
because of course you do.
[crowd] What?
Say "what" if you're glad I took out CM Punk.
[crowd] What?
-[McAfee laughs] -[crowd booing]
[McAfee] I like that. That was a nice little play.
I always tell the truth, and I always have the answers.
Do you want to know what the bigger picture is?
[crowd] What?
Do you want to know the answer to the bigger picture?
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[laughing] No, absolutely not.
In fact, Punk, I expect a handwritten thank you card,
because I'm the only one keeping you relevant right now.
-[laughs] -[crowd booing]
No, the bigger picture is not Cody Rhodes,
it's not Roman Reigns, it's not Seth Rollins,
it's not Drew McIntyre.
The bigger picture is The Rock.
[crowd booing]
Hear me out.
Think about the history of our industry.
Actually, you don't even know the history of your own country,
so let me fill you in the history of professional wrestling.
We started in the carnivals,
then we went to the smoky armories,
then arenas sold out like this.
Sold out stadiums, billion dollar deals.
What do you think the next evolution is?
It's working together
with one of the most powerful people on planet Earth.
Obviously he's upset with Cody.
What did Cody do? Promised him a match. Took it away.
He's a liar. He insulted his family.
I get it. That's none of my business.
And, Seth, it's none of your business too.
You think everything revolves around you.
And the minute you realize that professional wrestling
is bigger than Seth Rollins,
then you might become the legend you are in your own mind.
And everyone's prayers have been answered.
From the locker room to the crowd to the top of the board,
we have a future champion in Drew McIntyre
we can actually invest in and be proud of.
-Tell me I'm-- -["The Second Coming" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Rollins] Drew.
Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew.
Would you do us all a favor
and shut your mouth, big man?
[crowd cheers]
[crowd vocalizing]
Oh, don't you worry, Houston,
we're going to get to the singing. We're going to get to the singing.
But Drew McIntyre has been begging for my attention.
So let's give him a little rub, shall we?
Drew, I got good news for you.
Now that the night one main event at WrestleMania is in the bag,
I've been thinking a lot about that Claymore you gave me last week,
and it got me thinking.
You've almost got my full attention.
Maybe we can get all the way there
with one more Claymore right here, right now.
[crowd cheers]
Come on, big man!
Come on. What's under that kilt, cowboy?
You got one more? Come on.
Come on, I'll make it easy for you. Look.
Now you ain't got to hit a man with glasses, come on.
Right here.
Oh, wait, wait, wait. You know what?
I forgot you're a coward. Let me do this for you.
[McAfee] Oh!
[crowd vocalizing]
[vocalizing continues]
Before this gets any weirder,
I just want to talk to you,
I just want you to listen for once.
Don't just listen, actually hear me.
I want to tell you that you were right.
You were right.
You're the one that told me before our last match…
You know the match where Damian Priest screwed it up for me?
You told me face-to-face,
"Drew, you got to get over The Bloodline."
[mimicking Rollins' cackle]
"They're over you." [mimics cackle]
Get over it.
And I do the laugh not to be funny, that's how you sound.
I love when you get serious. But you were right.
I had to go over The Bloodline, and it kills me.
It kills me when Solo gets in my business, when Jimmy gets in my business.
I want to drop them on site.
But I took your advice. I focused on the task at hand.
The wins, the momentum, and I do it for that title.
I do it for Monday Night Raw,
because as the champion that's all you should care about.
And I returned the favor.
I gave you the exact same advice. Your advice.
I didn't mock you. I pleaded with you to take your own advice.
And you didn't take it,
because all Seth Rollins cares about is Seth Rollins.
[sighs] Drew, you're starting to remind me of somebody.
Ah, I can't… I can't quite remember his name.
He's, uh… I know you don't like him very much.
He's, uh… He's got a lot of tattoos…
He's from Chicago.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
Yeah, that's right, Drew.
You're starting to remind me of CM Punk,
because I always thought CM Punk was the biggest hypocrite in the world,
until I met you.
For years and years,
you've gone on about, "The Bloodline screwed me.
"The Bloodline cost me this."
"They cost me the title." "They cost me the big match."
Up until a few weeks ago,
you were saying it over and over and over.
And now, all of a sudden, it seems to me
you're looking to be an honorary member of The Bloodline.
See if you can help me out with this, Houston.
A couple weeks back,
Drew McIntyre beats Cody Rhodes.
Can he do that without the help of The Bloodline?
[crowd] No!
How about last week? You beat Jey Uso.
Could you have done that without the help of The Bloodline?
[crowd] No!
And Drew, I don't buy this bull crap about you not wanting The Bloodline
to interfere in our match at WrestleMania.
I think you would like nothing more
than for The Bloodline to help you take this title off my waist.
You would love nothing more than to stand next to The Rock
and be The People's Champion's chosen one.
But I got news for you, Jack.
It ain't going to happen.
Let me lay it out for you.
Night one, WrestleMania,
myself and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes,
we take down The Bloodline!
[crowd cheering]
And then when it's night two,
and it's just you and me, one-on-one,
for the World Heavyweight Championship,
the same thing is going to happen
that always happens when it's you and me,
one-on-one, title on the line.
I'm going to Stomp your head into this mat.
I'm going to pin your shoulders to the ground.
And the last thing… The last thing you're going to hear,
the biggest moment of your career,
is going to be the people singing my song.
[crowd vocalizing]
[vocalizing continues]
I know what you're trying to do.
You want me to put-- [chuckles softly]
You want me to put you out of your misery.
You want me to swing on you. You want me to drop you.
I'm not going to do it.
I have to face you at WrestleMania.
I have to pin you at WrestleMania.
And there's nothing you can say that will provoke me.
[microphone thuds]
Hey, Drew. Drew.
One more thing.
You want to know why I haven't paid much attention to you
on the Road to WrestleMania?
Well, because of all the things, all the threats,
the list of threats that I'm worried about going into WrestleMania…
You got The Rock, you got Roman Reigns,
you got my broken back, you got my blown-out knee…
And then at the very bottom of the list,
the thing that I'm worried about the least
is Drew McIntyre.
[crowd exclaims]
[microphone thuds]
[mouthing] Come on!
Come on, cowboy, take your shot! Take your shot!
Come on, one more. You got my full attention.
Come on, Drew.
-[crowd booing] -["The Second Coming" playing]
[Cole] Well, Drew McIntyre is going to wait until WrestleMania.
Seth said about Drew what I've been saying for months,
the fact that the man is a hypocrite.
-But Seth is trying to prove a point. -[crowd vocalizing]
He said he can juggle more than one thing.
That he can take out The Bloodline
and defend the World Heavyweight Championship.
Can he, Pat McAfee?
Or is Seth Rollins just trying to convince himself?
I think Seth "Freakin" Rollins might be talking to himself
whenever he's laying out everything he has to worry about
on this glorious Road to WrestleMania.
But Seth "Freakin" Rollins has asked for this. He signed up for it.
He's our champion.
He's got a lot on his plate,
a pissed off Scottish Warrior is one of them.
It's going to be quite the night here on Raw.
There is a big fight feel here, sold out at the Toyota Center.
We have the Women's Tag Team Championship
coming up later on tonight.
The arrival earlier today of Damage CTRL,
including the tag champs Asuka and Kairi Sane.
They defend against Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark,
live, later on tonight.
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[smoke machine hissing]
[bell dinging]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Dublin, Ireland,
"The Man" Becky Lynch!
[Cole] Well, Pat, we know that in 26 nights,
Becky Lynch gets Rhea Ripley
for the Women's World Title at WrestleMania.
[McAfee] Absolutely. Winning the Elimination Chamber in Australia
earned her that spot,
but tonight, it's Liv Morgan.
[Cole] It's on. The Man and Liv, live, next.
["Celtic Invasion" continues]
[Cole] Congratulations and thank you to the WWE Universe.
The WWE YouTube channel has surpassed 100 million subscribers,
only one of ten channels worldwide to have achieved this.
It makes WWE the largest sports channel on YouTube.
The new subscriber total is more than
-the NBA, NFL, MLB… -[McAfee] What? What? What?
[Cole] …and NHL, combined.
[McAfee] Wow, that's a lot of subscribers.
That's a hell of a business too. YouTube's doing it good.
[dramatic music playing]
[Gable] I've been running the Gauntlet in my own head
since that match with Gunther last September.
Trust me, the only tears you ever want to wipe off your child's face
are tears of joy.
But if I want that chance,
a new Gauntlet stands in front of me.
I've zeroed in on six men.
My path to heaven runs straight through a Gauntlet of hell.
A Gauntlet filled with demons from my past
that I'm going to have to overcome this time…
in order to earn my date with destiny.
My date with redemption.
It's a rare chance to rewrite history.
We don't get those every day.
So I intend to claim it,
and become a beacon of perseverance
that my fans and my family can be proud of.
So I will endure.
Because for Chad Gable…
this match just means more.
[Cole] Will the emotion be enough to carry Chad Gable
to the Intercontinental Championship Match at WrestleMania?
Gunther is the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time.
All of these great champions in the past, he has surpassed.
And tonight, he will learn who he'll defend the title against
at WrestleMania.
One of these six men will run the Gauntlet live, tonight.
Meanwhile, Becky Lynch knows she has a date at WrestleMania.
Becky Lynch will take on Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship.
Pat, the first time these two women have met
one-on-one since back in NXT.
[McAfee] And they're very different now, both of them.
Becky Lynch has main evented WrestleMania.
Mami has conquered the entire globe.
We're in for a good one, but tonight…
["Liv Gone Mad" playing]
[Cole] It's the Liv Morgan revenge tour.
[announcer] And her opponent, from Elmwood Park, New Jersey,
Liv Morgan!
[Cole] Well, this is a big time match-up
that has been brewing over the past couple of weeks
here on Monday Night Raw.
Liv Morgan, one-on-one with "The Man" Becky Lynch.
Morgan talks about this revenge tour.
Of course, Rhea Ripley is at the top of that list,
but, for Morgan, Becky Lynch has joined the growing list as well.
Oh.
Take you back to two weeks ago.
It was Liv Morgan and Nia Jax,
when Becky Lynch, Pat, would come down
-and ruin things… -[bell dinging]
[Cole] …for not only Nia, but also Liv Morgan.
And after what happened in this match-up, Liv Morgan was extremely upset.
[Liv Morgan] I was in middle of something out there.
But you don't care, do you?
Not everything has to be about you.
[Cole] Well, last week, Becky and Nia would go one-on-one
-when Liv Morgan… -[bell dinging]
[Cole] …would have an opportunity to extend the rivalry.
[indistinct conversation]
And as Liv Morgan seek revenge last week…
What do you say? You can either cry about it or fight about it.
How about we fight about it next week? What do you say?
I'd love to.
Great. See you then.
[Cole] Becky was obviously not happy.
[McAfee] Yeah. And Liv, I don't think is happy either.
These two have got a lot of pent up emotion against each other.
Similar enemies.
Tonight, they clash, hopefully, to settle things once and for all here.
-[Cole] First time in over two years… -[bell dings]
[Cole] …Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch go one-on-one here tonight
on Monday Night Raw.
Liv Morgan, obviously, missed nearly a year of her career, Pat,
after being injured by Rhea Ripley,
hence the reason she wants revenge on the Women's World Champion.
But Becky Lynch gets the first crack at Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania.
[McAfee] Liv Morgan took that year to get better, stronger, faster.
New mindset.
Now I think she's displaying that here.
Becky Lynch, getting ready for Rhea at WrestleMania,
the biggest stage of them all.
[Cole] Liv Morgan, a former Money in the Bank Ladder Match winner,
she would go in to cash…
on Ronda Rousey
to win the SmackDown Women's Championship.
A night that you and I had the pleasure and honor of calling, Pat.
[McAfee] One of the most electrifying moments I've been a part here,
watching Liv cash in.
Now she's trying to get back to that same… place.
[Cole] Take a look at the always controversial ratings
from WWE 2K24, the video game available now.
Rave reviews for the game.
[McAfee] They're saying it's the greatest game of all time.
[Cole] Talked a lot about
Pat McAfee being a part of the game this year.
In fact, I saw a lot of them today getting set up for the game.
[McAfee] Yeah, they're getting lasered in, focused in, photoed in.
We'd like to say that we took nobody's spots on WWE 2K,
but the boys are excited to be there.
[Cole] Morgan whipping Becky into the ropes, and here comes Liv now.
Through the second ropes, lands on the apron.
Becky is going to blast her off to the floor.
[McAfee] The balance out of Liv, something she's been working on in the dungeon.
[Cole] Becky went for the baseball slide. Liv moved out of harm's way.
And here comes Morgan. Going to fly.
Suicide Dive takes out Becky. Both are down.
Match continues, live on Monday Night Raw.
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
Liv Morgan, Becky Lynch kicking us off tonight here,
in what is our seventh consecutive television sellout,
over 13,900 fans in attendance tonight,
sold out Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
[McAfee] Phenomenal city, phenomenal environment.
Phenomenal match to start this thing off here.
[Cole] Morgan, a kip-up as she takes out Becky Lynch.
And what a win this would be for Liv tonight,
to knock off the number one contender to the Women's World Championship.
[McAfee] On the Road to WrestleMania, now's a good time to be stacking dubs.
[Liv Morgan yelps]
[Cole] Becky Lynch sidesteps off the second rope.
Delivers a boot to the midsection.
And now Becky with a Bexploder, sending Liv into the center of the ring.
Becky Lynch, firing on all cylinders
as she approaches WrestleMania and Rhea Ripley.
[McAfee] This is what The Man does.
Once she finds her rhythm,
her confidence is unflappable.
[Cole] Becky, now baseball slide, knocks Liv Morgan down.
And Becky, fired up, intense look in her eyes.
Becky off the apron!
And The Man is fired up.
[McAfee] The Man is rolling through Houston.
Got a couple cowboys sitting behind me.
They said that what Becky is doing is much more impressive
than anything they could do on a horse or a bull.
[Cole] I thought you meant Dallas-- Oh, Codebreaker!
[McAfee] I'm talking actual cowboys. Codebreaker from Liv Morgan.
[Cole] Morgan hits The Codebreaker
as Becky came off the ropes, and both women down.
Incredible moment.
Turning point, perhaps, in this match-up.
[McAfee] There's humans sitting up there
because they know that tonight is about to be a huge night…
[Cole] Bang!
[McAfee] …on the Road to WrestleMania.
[Cole] Codebreaker connecting from Liv.
13,907 in attendance tonight in Houston.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Cole] Becky trying to fight to her feet.
Liv Morgan as well.
And Liv looking back at us, Pat,
with this wild look on her face.
[McAfee] She just eats a shot there from Becky.
[Becky Lynch groans]
[McAfee] Liv has hit another gear here.
[Cole] Becky and Liv now exchanging blows.
This is how much this match-up means to both these women.
[Becky Lynch grunting]
[McAfee] You get an opportunity to fight on Raw
in front of a sold out Toyota Center in Houston?
Lay it on the line.
[Cole] And Liv off the second rope.
Oh! Becky suffers another Codebreaker.
Cover now by Morgan.
Hook to the leg. Becky's got a kick-out at two!
[McAfee] Wow!
[Cole] Incredible move here by Liv.
A Springboard, turns it into a Codebreaker.
Almost had Becky there.
Morgan, impressive.
[McAfee] Yeah, she just keeps adding to her toolbox.
Liv just keeps getting better and better.
[Cole] Former Money in the Bank winner,
Women's Champ, Tag Team Champion as well.
[McAfee] Boot from Becky Lynch.
[Cole] Becky, now, drags Liv out to the apron.
[McAfee] What's The Man thinking, Cole?
[Cole] Looking for a suplex. Morgan able to block.
[McAfee] On the apron, hardest part of the ring out there.
[Becky Lynch groans]
[McAfee] Aside from the post, obviously.
[Cole] Now Becky looking for a German suplex off the apron.
Risky maneuver for Lynch here as Morgan blocks.
[McAfee] Desperation moves here from both women.
[Cole] Driving Becky into the ring post.
-Becky in a prone position. -[McAfee] Oh!
[Cole] And Morgan-- Sunset flip powerbomb!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Spine-rattling powerbomb from Morgan.
And now, Liv,
tossing Becky back into the ring.
Cover now by Morgan.
Looking to upset the number one contender for the Women's World Title.
And a kick-out at two!
Morgan can't believe it.
And there's just a look of the resilience that has made Becky Lynch "The Man."
But again, look at the impact now.
The powerbomb from Morgan to Lynch.
[McAfee] Not only that, the set up into the powerbomb.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[McAfee] You're damn right, Houston.
[chanting continues] This is awesome!
[Cole] WWE fans showing their respect in this match-up as Liv, now…
You can see the wheels turning.
[chanting continues] This is awesome!
[Cole] Big old grin on her face.
She was laughing a moment ago,
trying to figure out, "What do I need to do to put Lynch away?"
[McAfee] This is what she worked for a year for, to come back from,
for "This is awesome" chants on Monday Night Raw
against Becky Lynch, main-eventer of WrestleMania.
[Cole] Becky now, switched from behind. Liv, roll-up, shoulders down.
Morgan thinks she's got her. Becky's got a kick at two again.
Another near fall for Liv Morgan.
But Liv right back on the attack.
Becky, though…
Manhandle slam!
And Liv Morgan rolls out of the ring wisely.
May have saved her the match.
Becky and Liv continue, live.
[Cole] For the first time in over two years,
Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan are going one-on-one here tonight
live on Monday Night Raw.
Becky Lynch meets Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania…
Cover now by Morgan, and a kick-out. …for the Women's World Title.
-Liv looking to stop the momentum… -[Becky Lynch screaming]
…and she's got it locked in on Lynch.
Becky, though, able to roll through.
[McAfee] Instant classic here in Houston for these two.
[Cole] Becky, now… Armbar!
Armbar center of the ring. Liv trying to block.
Is Liv going to tap out to the armbar by Becky Lynch?
[McAfee] We've seen Becky finish plenty of matches with this.
[Cole] Liv Morgan, though, stacks up Becky.
And now Liv Morgan,
looking for a submission move of her own.
[Becky Lynch yelping]
[Cole] Becky trying to fight out.
-Shoulders down by Morgan. -[McAfee] Ooh.
[Cole] Morgan rolls Becky over. Becky able to roll out of that.
[McAfee] A lot of one upping between these two.
[Cole] And Liv-- Oh, face-first! What a DDT by Morgan.
-Liv looks for Oblivion! -[McAfee] Ooh!
[Cole] And connects!
Morgan-- And Becky now
rolls out of the ring and out of harm's way,
much like Morgan did earlier on with the manhandle slam,
Becky does it with Oblivion.
[McAfee] High ring IQ out of both of these ladies here.
[referee] Two!
[McAfee] Certainly over for Becky Lynch
if she stays in the ring here,
after the Oblivion was hit to perfection.
[Cole] Does Liv become frustrated now…
[McAfee] Yep.
[Cole] …as she pounds away on Becky outside the ring.
[McAfee] Drumming her head off the apron.
We're in the deep end now here, Cole. Who's got it?
[Cole] Liv into the corner as Becky slides out of harm's way,
at least momentarily.
Morgan… Neat move as she ends up on the apron
and catches Becky with a knee.
[McAfee] It was neat, wasn't it?
[Cole] And now Liv, second rope.
Morgan got caught.
Manhandle slam by Lynch!
-Hook to the leg… -[crowd] One, two, three!
-Becky with the win. -[bell dinging]
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
"The Man" Becky Lynch!
[McAfee] What a match.
[Cole] Becky Lynch, building much needed momentum
on the Road to WrestleMania,
as she takes out a very game Liv Morgan here tonight.
[McAfee] Five stars to start this thing.
Liv Morgan on her revenge tour.
[Cole] And Becky with a nod of respect…
after that hard fought battle.
[McAfee] Big time win. The Man's coming into form.
She's got Mami waiting for her at WrestleMania.
Every match like this is good for Becky Lynch
on this Road to WrestleMania.
[Cole] A frustrated Liv Morgan.
An elated Becky Lynch.
[man] This is my brutality!
-[crowd cheering] -["Brutality" playing]
[cheering continues]
[McAfee] Things have picked up in Houston. Mami's here!
♪ The demons in your dreams I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
[explosion]
♪ Look at my eyes, do they look alive? ♪
[Cole] The Eradicator.
♪ Look at my eyes This is do or die, die… ♪
[Cole] The Women's World Champion…
Rhea Ripley.
♪ We kill all of the devils in me ♪
♪ I still feel… ♪
You know that everything you love will be mine!
[Cole] Liv Morgan reminding Rhea Ripley,
"You took everything from me, I'm going to take everything from you
when I have my opportunity."
[McAfee] Rhea is at the top of the mountain.
Everybody feels that way about her.
All eyes now on Becky Lynch…
for our champion, Rhea Ripley.
[Cole] And I can't wait.
I cannot wait for WrestleMania and this collision.
[McAfee] Think about the card.
These two are about to battle…
for the title.
What an honor it is…
to be here.
♪ Look at my eyes Do they look alive? Alive ♪
♪ Look at my eyes This is do or die, die ♪
Congratulations.
Congratulations, Becky.
[crowd chanting] Mami! Mami! Mami! Mami!
Mami! Mami! Mami! Mami!
Congratulations.
You beat Liv Morgan.
Now, was it all worth it?
Because, every single week, you seem to be getting into these fights
and leaving everything that you have in this ring.
And every single week that goes by,
we seem to be getting closer and closer to WrestleMania.
But that's what The Man's all about, right?
You fight anyone, anywhere.
You say that you do it for these people.
You say that you do it for your family.
[chuckles, inhales deeply]
See, I know the real reason as to why you do it, Becky.
You say that you have to prove to yourself that you're still the best here.
But the thing is,
you know deep down
that I am better than you.
[crowd cheering]
So that's why you keep accepting all these matches
leading up to WrestleMania,
because you want an excuse as to why you couldn't beat me.
And I promise you, Becky,
that if you do not step into WrestleMania 100%,
that you will be walking out no longer The Man.
You will be nothing but a disappointment.
[crowd chanting] Mami! Mami! Mami! Mami!
[chanting intensifies] Mami! Mami! Mami! Mami!
This is your doing.
You know, before the Royal Rumble,
I looked you in the eye and I said,
"I think you might be better than me,
and I need to prove that you're not."
And that little bit of doubt that I had,
well, I planted a seed.
I planted a seed of doubt,
and that seed grew into a tree
with branches and leaves and roots and vines
that are wrapping around the whole world.
But the thing that you need to understand about me
is that when people believe in me, I'm good.
[crowd cheering]
But when people doubt me,
I am great.
So, Rhea,
if it has to be me against the whole world,
well, the whole world doesn't stand a chance.
[microphone thudding]
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[Cole] For the first time in five years,
Becky lynch and Rhea Ripley,
Mami and The Man go one-on-one at WrestleMania
for the Women's World Championship.
She said, "Whenever the world's behind me, I'm good.
When they're against me, I'm great."
Looks like we're going to see a different level of Becky Lynch.
And Mami is already at the top.
We got some great news coming to us
from our SmackDown general manager, Nick Aldis,
and our Raw general manager, Adam Pearce.
A ground-breaking announcement for WrestleMania.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
As we work together to make WrestleMania the single biggest event in WWE history,
I'm joined tonight by my esteemed colleague,
SmackDown's general manager, Nick Aldis,
as we make a huge announcement.
Thanks, AP.
It is my distinct honor and privilege,
not only as GM, but as a fan of tag-team wrestling
and someone who admires the unbelievably deep tag-team division here at WWE
to announce that, at WrestleMania XL,
The Judgment Day will defend their undisputed Tag Team Titles
against five of the very best teams here in WWE today
in a very special match.
A match that matches the magnitude
of the biggest WrestleMania of all time,
a Six-Pack Ladder Match.
That's correct.
Over the next few weeks, on both Raw and SmackDown,
teams will compete to try and win their way into this gigantic match,
and the opportunity to walk away
with the undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships
at WrestleMania.
Gentlemen, good luck.
[McAfee] I had no idea middle management in the United States of America
was capable of making something this awesome.
[Cole] Yeah, this is historic. A Six-Pack Ladder Match
for the undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania!
[McAfee] How about middle management doing something good for the people here?
I've never had a problem with either GM up until now.
-Five teams. -That's outrageous.
Let's go to his office.
You know what? I need to talk to Pearce. I need to talk to that Nick fella.
Let's go. Let's go.
[Cole] Last night, at the Academy Awards,
sometime-superstar Bad Bunny
celebrated his 30th birthday with The Rock,
that sometime-WWE-superstar.
The dynamic duo presented the Oscar for Best International Film.
And, you know, back when I was a kid, streaking was all a fad.
In fact, someone streaked naked across the stage at the 1974 Oscars.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary,
John Cena pulled it off last night.
[McAfee] Yeah, almost saw four cheeks of John Cena last night at the Oscars.
-Now, ladies and gentlemen… -[crowd roaring]
[McAfee] …Houston legend and rapper Travis Scott is here.
Crushing some cacti,
a man who sold 50 million copies
in the United States of America.
Entrepreneur, businessman, new parent, Travis Scott.
Jordan shoes dropping in a month.
Great that he's here.
What a legend! An absolute beast.
-[Travis shouting indistinctly] -[Cole] He should develop flip-flops.
[McAfee] He doesn't dress like a bum, like you.
-[bell dinging] -He has great shoe game,
as opposed to you.
[Cole] So here we go. It's Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri
taking on Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae.
Big tag-team match tonight
as teams jockey for position for a tag-team opportunity down the road.
Later tonight, it's Shayna Baszler
and Zoey Stark with an opportunity against The Kabuki Warriors
for the Tag Team Titles.
[McAfee] Travis Scott and his brother and his boys here
hammering cacti seltzers.
Having the time of their life here in Houston.
It's an honor to be in Travis Scott's city.
[Cole] Big uppercut by "The Pitbull" Ivy Nile.
Both women down now, center of the ring.
[McAfee] Maxxine, obviously, a topic of conversation on the Internet
and around WWE Universe.
[Cole] Tag.
[McAfee] Working to get better and better.
[Cole] As part of the Alpha Academy, trained, of course, by Chad Gable…
[Maxxine] Come on!
[Cole] …who's in the Gauntlet Match later.
-Oh, Maxxine, showing off! -Show me what you got!
[Cole] Nice dropkick!
-And Maxxine Dupri showing she belongs. -Get up! Get up!
[McAfee] Who would you rather train with than Chad Gable?
He has a massive evening tonight,
but the Alpha Academy's representing here with Maxxine.
I think it's time.
[Cole] And now, Maxxine…
She learned this from Otis.
Well, not quite that, but sort of this, the reverse caterpillar.
-[Maxxine gasps] -[speaking indistinctly]
You can't even do it right.
She's not taking that.
You look stupid.
Are you serious?
Are you serious right now?
You're going to try that on us?
You know why people are booing you, right?
Because you don't belong here.
Oh, did that hurt your feelings?
If you think the Internet hates you,
you should hear what the girls in the locker room have to say about you.
Aw, are you going to cry?
It's a good thing your dead brother isn't here
to see what an embarrassment you've become.
I'm not doing this.
[LeRae] What? What's wrong?
[Cole] Oh, and Indi Hartwell with a kick. What the--
[McAfee] Is Candice LeRae the worst human in Texas right now?
-[LeRae] Pin her! -[Cole] I think she is.
Indi, cover now, pinning Maxxine, but--
[bell dings]
-[Cole] She didn't go there. -[announcer] Here are your winners,
the team of Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell.
[Cole] They picked up the win,
but I can't believe she said those things.
[McAfee] Maxxine did not deserve that.
Candice LeRae is despicable.
[Cole] There he is, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
A lot to ask this man.
I'll break things down.
An exclusive interview with Cody Rhodes, live, next on Monday Night Raw.
♪ You hear the crowd, I read the fight ♪
[Cole] This July, Money in the Bank will go to Toronto, Ontario,
as part of a jam-packed weekend of wrestling at Scotiabank Arena.
Starting with Friday Night SmackDown,
Money in the Bank,
and then NXT Heatwave on Sunday, 7th July.
You can see them all when combo tickets go on sale
this Friday via Ticketmaster.
Visit wwe.com/events
to register to be the first to receive pre-sale information.
Here tonight, Monday Night Raw has sold out
13,907 in the beautiful bayou city of Houston, Texas,
at the Toyota Center.
♪ Unstoppable Watch me do the impossible ♪
[McAfee] The new home of Tommy Thompson.
[indistinct conversation]
At WrestleMania XL,
The Judgment Day will defend their titles against
three teams from Raw, two teams from SmackDown.
-You're a tough negotiator. -Thank you.
-Gonna be a hell of a match. -It will.
Between that and tomorrow night, NXT, the tag-team eliminator,
-everything is-- -[Finn] Excuse me, muchachos.
What the hell is going on around here?
Is this some sort of a joke?
Me and Damian have to defend our two titles
against five teams at WrestleMania
in a Ladder Match.
Everyone knows I don't like ladders.
-He's afraid of heights. -Are you serious?
This is the biggest WrestleMania of all time.
If you guys win, you cement your legacy as the greatest faction--
Stop. Stop right there!
We've already proven we're the best. That's why we have these.
Whose idea was this anyway?
Was it yours? Was it you?
Hey, listen, I think that's better left unsaid.
Are you serious?
Are you kidding me? No. You tell us right now.
Calm down. We get ideas from all kinds of places.
-You should see his social media-- -Whoa, am I invisible?
What about my ideas? I have great ideas all the time.
-No one listens to my ideas. -Okay.
Since you guys are adamant about it,
we had a conversation with Miz and Truth--
Oh, my g=God! That's who you're getting advice from?
We're going to stop this right now.
We want Miz and Truth tonight.
-[crowd cheering] -They're not here tonight, okay?
They're off doing media.
[Truth] What's up? Y'all needed me?
What are you doing here? You should be doing media with Miz.
Oh, that's on Monday, bro.
It is Monday.
Oh, my bad.
-That's why Miz not here. -Yeah.
-What's up, D? -Perfect. I'm glad you're here.
-Pearce. -Yeah?
Make the match.
[crowd roaring]
What he so angry about?
Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to take this opportunity
to take you back to an historic SmackDown this past Friday night.
[lightning crackling]
[The Rock] Greatness stands before you now.
Acknowledge us.
[crowd cheering]
[Cody] Rock, I have heard your challenge.
I gotta ask, do you have the authority?
I'm only asking because I believe it was last week
you acknowledged Roman as your Tribal Chief.
[crowd cheering]
You shut your mouth right now, boy.
And before you go ahead and say something stupid,
and accept this challenge in front of the world,
let The Rock drop some gospel on your punk ass.
The Rock acknowledged him as the Tribal Chief
because it's what family does.
WrestleMania, night one.
If you and you, beat The Rock and Roman Reigns,
then on night two of WrestleMania
you will be free of The Bloodline.
Now, when The Rock and Roman Reigns
beat both your candy asses on night one,
then on night two, it's Bloodline rules.
Anything goes.
Do you accept--
Will you shut the hell up?
[crowd cheering]
We know the stakes.
The future of the industry is on the line.
We get that.
But you listen to me, and you listen to me good, Mr. Midlife Crisis.
You had your time.
You damn sure can't have ours.
So you want your answer?
We accept!
[laughs] You got--
Oh, my God.
You're just going to let him answer for you?
You must be an idiot.
This is it right here, understand? This is your future.
When I beat you at WrestleMania on Sunday, that's it.
You don't get another shot.
Your story is over.
And let The Rock tell you something.
And let The Rock tell you something, you walking clown emoji.
The Rock will do everything in his power to make sure that you don't win,
and to make sure that title goes away.
The Rock is a director of the board of TKO,
which means he's your boss and your boss.
Look in The Rock's eyes when he tells you this.
This is family.
Roman's grandfather, looking down, is proud.
The Rock's grandfather, The High Chief, is looking down.
And right now, your dad, The American Dream,
one of The Rock's heroes, is looking down.
Isn't it true that you're the youngest of three?
Yeah, and you're 20 years younger than your siblings, is that right?
-Right. -You know why?
Because you were a mistake.
[dramatic music playing]
[crowd roaring]
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes!
[crowd cheering]
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
♪ Adrenalin in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
[rapid explosions]
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away… ♪
[McAfee] That man will attempt to finish his story
at night two of WrestleMania.
But on night one, on Saturday,
he'll be a part of biggest Tag Team Match
in the history of the WWE,
as he and Seth "Freakin" Rollins
take on The Bloodline, Roman and The Rock.
And then on Sunday,
Roman Reigns takes on
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
as he tries to finish his story.
Stipulations will be dependent upon the Tag Team Match.
But nonetheless, the biggest weekend of his life
is coming up in Philly.
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
And tonight, he shares a ring with the GOAT, Michael Cole.
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men ♪
♪ You took it all away… ♪
[song fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
-What do you want to talk about? -[playfully] Ah!
-[crowd cheers] -I had to.
Cody, listen, uh, let's just cut to the chase.
Rock trumpeted the fact that he is on the board of directors.
He made it clear he's your boss.
He said if you don't get it done on Sunday,
you may never, ever wrestle for a championship again.
So, why did you slap him?
[crowd chanting] Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks!
[intensifies] Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks!
Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks!
[Cody clicks tongue]
I know… I know Rock is saying that he's my boss,
I'm not so sure that's the case,
but if he is…
Feels good to slap your boss.
[crowd cheers]
And before the red carpet premieres,
and sipping the fine tequila and promoting energy drinks,
and the mana, the mana, the mana,
Rock was a wrestler.
A dang great one at that. One of my favorites.
He knows exactly what that slap was.
It was a receipt.
Cody, I want to know…
why you agreed to a Tag Team Match on Saturday?
Now, Seth Rollins is actually the one who agreed to the match.
You, obviously, did later on.
You have so much at stake on Sunday,
finishing your story against Roman Reigns.
Why would you put all that at jeopardy?
So much can go wrong in that 24-hour period,
including the fact that if you and Seth lose,
the match against Roman is going to be competed under bloodline rules
where there are no rules.
I think, more importantly,
why would Seth Rollins--
Now, hear me out.
You and Seth have a…
well, long history.
Seth Rollins has made it very clear
that he wants to be the top dog, the top champion in WWE,
and Seth Rollins is the last person
to have defeated Roman Reigns in a one-on-one match.
Now, albeit via disqualification,
but Seth did beat him and never got his rematch,
so perhaps Seth Rollins is the one
who wants to finally beat Roman Reigns
and end that streak.
With all that said,
how the hell can you trust Seth Rollins?
People change, Michael.
It wasn't that long ago that you were sitting over there
in a PLEXIGLAS enclosure, wearing a Syracuse wrestling singlet,
heckling each and every one of the boys.
Hell, I went off in the distance, I smashed the throne,
and the person who sits on that throne
has now become my closest working ally.
I even teamed with Jey Uso.
[crowd clamoring]
Seth Rollins and I have not always gotten along, that's true,
but he has always had my respect.
And I have to go to war with anybody, I am happily doing it with Seth Rollins.
Besides that, this is my one shot,
the one opportunity at getting a fair fight
on night two against Roman Reigns.
I knew I was going to be talking to you.
I was excited about it. We're old friends, but…
I want to answer a question that you asked me
the last time we were standing in this ring.
If we could, for everybody.
But I do want to get back to my question,
because all of us have been along with you for this ride
of finishing the story.
And you had an incredible year.
You won the Royal Rumble,
you made it to the main event at WrestleMania
where you came this close
to winning the WWE Championship.
Just like your dad did.
So my question to you is this…
Is that going to be your story?
It's a good question, Michael.
Even now.
Here's another one.
Do I look nervous?
Hell, even frightened?
I'll be honest.
I'm nervous.
I'm scared.
And I know all the old head podcasters who want this Jerry Springer TV.
"Can't believe it. He's out there in a suit.
He's using big words. He's telling us that he's afraid."
I have every reason to be afraid.
I can't say, "Hey, I'll get him next year,"
because I've already said that.
But the story
is no longer about Roman Reigns' championship and myself.
The story is about all of you
who have followed me to the absolute ends.
[crowd cheering]
The story is about a young girl named Hannah.
Blind.
Came to the show holding a sign, cheering for me just to feel it.
My friend, Harley, who was sitting in the front row
who just went through spinal fusion surgery,
who wanted nothing more than to get the weight belt.
Fans like that. Fans from my own family.
Fans like my sister.
The one that Rock didn't mention last week.
The original shotgun rider for my dad,
who went from watching him wrestle in front of thousands of people
to driving him to a signing where there was only 40.
Or my mother…
[voice cracking] She's the only one I got left
and I can't hand it to Dusty Rhodes,
but I certainly can hand it to Michelle Rubio.
[crowd cheering]
Or… [voice breaks]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
Cody! Cody! Cody!
-[softly] Thank you. -Cody! Cody! Cody!
Or how about my number one fan?
Someone you know really well because you hired her.
My wife, Brandi Rhodes.
The most beautiful woman on the earth.
She took a shot on me when I was wearing a goofy mask
and taking RKOs every night.
If anyone deserves it…
The story, it's beyond me.
But, Michael, it's up to me.
Roman Reigns,
last year at WrestleMania, you said we were in the third inning.
I'm letting you know here and now, and I think you already do,
we are no longer in the third inning.
We are in the last inning.
[crowd cheering]
And, Michael, I'm so glad we got this moment.
Because at WrestleMania XL, on night two,
you get to say for the first time in the history of this company,
for the first time in the history of my family,
that a Rhodes is undisputed WWE Champion.
-[crowd cheering] -Michael…
You get to say, "At WrestleMania XL,
"Cody Rhodes
finished the story."
[crowd cheering]
["Kingdom" playing]
[indistinct conversation]
[McAfee] Powerful conversation from "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
and Michael Cole.
We're in the bottom of the ninth.
How's the story going to go
for the Rhodes family,
for Cody,
and for the WWE as a whole?
That was awesome journalism, Cole.
♪ …about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd] ♪ Whoa… ♪
[Ricochet] Ladies and gentlemen, Ricochet returns tonight
for in-ring action for Monday Night Raw.
He actually returns for an opportunity
to reclaim something that was taken from him.
Now, I've said it once and I'll say it again.
From the first day that I walked into the WWE,
I have always known where I want to be
And tonight, after I run through this Gauntlet Match,
where I am going to be is at WrestleMania
to face Gunther to reclaim my Intercontinental Championship.
So, my road to WrestleMania,
that starts tonight.
[JD] I woke up this morning, I went into the bathroom.
You know what I saw looking back at me from the mirror?
I saw a guy, who after a lifetime of effort,
is now just one match, one win away from WrestleMania.
I saw a guy looking back at me that is willing to do anything
to sink to any depth, to maim to get to WrestleMania.
And most importantly,
I saw a guy looking back at me that I know can beat Gunther.
If you don't believe me, I don't give a damn. But I will tell you this.
You never bet against an ace.
[dramatic music playing]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
it is the prestigious Intercontinental Championship,
held by some of the greatest of all time.
Dozens and dozens of WWE Hall of Famers,
and now held by that man, Gunther,
the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in history.
One of these six men can make history
if they run the Gauntlet, live, tonight
on Monday Night Raw.
["Reigning Warriors" playing]
-[McAfee] That was a phenomenal interview. -[Cole] Thanks.
Cody Rhodes, very emotional tonight.
It's going to be an emotional month leading up to WrestleMania.
And here comes Damage CTRL.
You want to talk about emotions,
how about preying on the emotions of Bayley,
have these women and Damage CTRL.
Dakota Kai on the left
turning her back on Bayley a couple of weeks ago.
She'll face Bayley one-on-one this coming Friday night on SmackDown.
But, Pat, many people feel sorry for Bayley, many people don't.
Many people say Bayley deserved this. But coming up next on Raw…
[McAfee] You're the only one saying that about Bayley.
[Cole] …the Kabuki Warriors will defend the Tag Team Titles
against Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, live.
["Reigning Warriors" continues]
-["Rest In Peace" playing] -[Cole] UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW
comes to The Fillmore in Philadelphia
during WrestleMania week on Thursday, April 4th.
Tickets on sale this Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. eastern
via wwe.com/events.
["Rest In Peace" continues]
[plastic bottle crackles]
[Liv Morgan breathing heavily]
-[Nia screaming] -[Cole] Oh!
-[Liv Morgan coughing] -[Nia] Aw…
-[Liv Morgan coughs] -[Nia] Oh, how cute.
You guys kiss and make up, huh?
-Huh? Huh? -[objects clattering]
[Liv Morgan coughing]
-[McAfee] Nia Jax. -We're not done yet, baby, huh?
[yelling]
[Cole] Nia just driving Becky through a table,
-laying waste to Lynch and Morgan. -[men clamoring]
-Get out of here! Check on Becky. -Get out of here! Nia--
[Cole] Runs into Becky's own manhandle slam there.
-That's enough! Get out of here! -[man] Get her out of here!
[McAfee] Nia is a menace.
-Can we keep eyes on Nia Jax, please? -Hey, medic!
[Cole] Nia believes she should be in WrestleMania.
Well, Pat, these guys know a thing or two about defending a dynasty.
The McBees run their family-owned farm and cattle company
in Gallatin, Missouri.
They face a lot of challenges and fight 24/7 to protect their legacy.
The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys
series premiere next up on USA.
And all episodes are streaming now only on Peacock.
-It's up next on USA. -Let's go!
Whoo!
[McAfee] Those are real cowboys right there.
Those are some real cowboys.
[Cole] And there are the Tag Team Champs, the Kabuki Warriors.
[McAfee] See how handsome these cowboys are?
[Cole] Meanwhile, in their corner, IYO SKY, the WWE Women's Champion,
in 26 days at WrestleMania.
IYO SKY will defend the WWE Women's Title
against Bayley in Philadelphia.
[bell gongs]
[Cole] Incredibly handsome.
[McAfee] They are cowboys too. They'll beat your ass, Cole.
Especially some of those questions you asked Cody Rhodes.
["Cut Above the Rest" playing]
[McAfee] Saying you sound like a sawed off little…
Something.
What a massive moment for these two.
[Cole] Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
have been wiping out everybody in the tag-team division.
They earned this opportunity tonight against the Kabuki Warriors.
[McAfee] Baseball jersey on Shayna there.
The Houston Astros trying to summon some championship mana
from the city of Houston.
[Cole] Earlier today, we caught up with Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark
about this match-up tonight.
Like we said last week, it's about time.
Zoey and I have been tearing through this tag division like no other team has.
And so, tonight, along with their limbs,
we'll be tearing those tag titles off of the Kabuki Warriors.
That's right. You know what? I am so sick and tired of Damage CTRL
acting like they run both, Raw and SmackDown.
Uh-uh, you see, Shayna and I, we can handle business on our own,
which makes us the baddest team that there is here today.
Those titles are ours.
[Cole] Zoey Stark said, "One, two, we're coming for you.
-Three, four, Stark is war." -[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the WWE Women's Team Championship!
Introducing the challengers.
The team of Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
[crowd cheering]
And their opponents,
representing Damage CTRL,
they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Asuka and Kairi Sane,
The Kabuki Warriors!
[Cole] Massive match-up here tonight.
Sold out Toyota Center, Houston, Texas.
13,907 WWE fans on hand,
as the Kabuki Warriors defend the Tag Team Titles
against Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark here tonight.
So, Zoey Stark going to start things off against "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka.
-For Stark and Baszler… -[bell dings]
…what do they need to do to knock off Damage CTRL?
[McAfee] The thing is, Asuka is so experienced, so damn good,
and Kairi Sane follows suit.
This is where you're trying to end this and keep this in a power game.
Try to end it early too.
[Cole] Interesting note for Zoey.
She's a former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion,
and her partner was none other than IYO SKY.
-Oh, and Asuka… -[Asuka whooping]
Drop kick to Zoey Stark.
[McAfee] Lot of history between all of these women.
The Kabuki Warriors have been great champions.
[Cole] Zoey highly athletic and physical as well.
Nice dropkick by Stark.
Cover now for the tag-team gold,
and a kick-out at two by Asuka.
[McAfee] She's athletic, physical.
She is teamed up with Shayna, who has the same traits.
They've been a fantastic tag team as of late.
[Cole] Shayna Baszler,
former two-time NXT Women's Champion,
looking to win the WWE Tag Titles for the fourth time in her career.
[McAfee] Kicking Asuka like a soccer ball.
-[Cole] And Baszler taken out by Asuka. -[Asuka yells indistinctly]
[McAfee] See, that's the thing about Asuka. Sneaky powerful.
Able to throw Shayna down with a throw of the leg.
And Shayna returns the favor, into an ankle lock.
[Cole] Submission Magician looking to tap out Asuka here tonight
and win the Women's Tag Team Titles.
[McAfee] Black belt, I believe, in judo,
-jujitsu, maybe. -[referee] Tag.
[McAfee] Not good enough at mixed martial arts naming.
[Cole] And here's Kairi Sane who comes in with a clothesline.
Stacks up Baszler for the cover, who kicks at one.
Kairi Sane, a former NXT Women's Champion as well.
Two-time Tag Team Champion,
and won the Mae Young Classic back in 2017.
[McAfee] A lot of gold in this ring.
[smacking]
[Cole] Another tag made and here comes Zoey.
You've been really impressed with Zoey Stark
and her arrival on the scene here in WWE.
-[McAfee] Her intensity, her talent-- -Oh!
[McAfee] Her mindset is that of championship quality.
Here, her and Shayna have earned a title match quickly.
-[Cole] And Baszler now. -[McAfee] Look at this!
Sets up Zoey Stark
-to take out the Kabuki Warriors. -[Stark screaming]
[Cole] Can Stark and Baszler win tag-team gold?
[exclaims indistinctly]
[Cole] We're back live on Raw. Sold out tonight in Houston.
This is for the Women's Tag Team Titles.
Kabuki Warriors against Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
Asuka and Baszler in the ring.
Asuka trying to make a tag to Kairi Sane.
Tag made now.
Sane and Stark, both legal.
I mentioned before, Kairi Sane, a former NXT Women's Champion.
Interesting to note that Shayna Baszler
actually took the title away
-from Kairi Sane back in the day. -Come on!
[McAfee] Zoey is a wrecking ball.
Flying around.
[Cole] Kairi whipped into the corner with authority by Stark.
-And Zoey! -[loud smack]
-[McAfee] Zoey's so impressive. -[Cole] Indeed. Physical.
Very quick as well, agile.
Just a tremendous athlete.
[McAfee] Going to the break there…
The springboard crossbody onto both of the Kabuki Warriors,
like, with ease.
Everything Zoey does looks easy.
[Cole] Could this be Stark and Baszler's night?
Shayna looking to win the tag titles for a fourth time in her career.
Zoey Stark now, top rope.
Kairi Sane in trouble.
What is Stark planning to do here?
Kairi trying to fight out of it.
Block, and does successfully.
[McAfee] Attack that knee with the brace on it. Kairi Sane, clever.
[Cole] As Zoey, who missed many months of her career
due to a knee injury a number of years ago.
Kairi, top rope.
[McAfee] Oh, my goodness! Right across the mush!
[Cole] Is that enough? Sane!
-[referee] One, two-- -[Cole] For the win to retain it--
-Zoey able to kick-out. -[Kairi yells]
Three!
[McAfee] Kairi thought that was a three. Maybe a slow count by stripes.
-And how could you blame her? -[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
[McAfee] Hitting the double Stomp as clean as "Suga" Sean O'Malley
hit that knee on… Chito.
[Cole] Oh!
Kairi Sane ran right into a right by Zoey Stark.
Great counter by Zoey.
Now drags her up to the corner. Tag made. Here's Baszler.
Asuka legal as well.
And The Empress of Tomorrow, longest reigning NXT Champion of all time.
Asuka taken down by a well-placed kick by Baszler.
Asuka with a backhand, and then a kick.
And Asuka is rolling now.
[McAfee] Went for another backhand. Shayna timed it up.
-[Asuka screams] -[Shayna groans]
[McAfee] Asuka's going to win four Hall of Fames when she's done.
[Cole] Asuka-- Baszler stacking her up.
But Kairi Sane is legal.
Up over the top with a Blockbuster.
Tag.
[McAfee] Great tag-team wrestling from our champions.
[Cole] That's why they're the champs.
-[Asuka yells] -[Cole] Asuka measuring Baszler.
Sane from behind. Great double team.
Cover off the sliding knee and clothesline.
And Stark just breaks things up.
[McAfee] Kairi Sane tried to stop her, but Zoey is inevitable.
She tosses Kairi out of the ring under the bottom rope.
[Cole] Oh, what a kick!
[McAfee] Shayna with a clean…
[Cole] Now with Asuka down and out, Baszler gonna make a tag.
This could be their moment.
[McAfee] Do we have new Tag Team Champions?
[Cole] Zoey setting Asuka up for a Z360.
Asuka able to land on her feet
and turned it around into a Release German.
[McAfee] What a counter from Asuka.
-[Cole] Tag. -[referee] Tag. Kairi.
[Cole] Sane is legal.
[McAfee] Kairi, one last "How do you do?" to the Houston crowd.
[Cole] Zoey Stark!
Though Kairi Sane was going for the insane elbow,
Stark able to avoid.
Kick by Zoey.
Tag to Baszler.
Now the double team by the challenger.
Z360!
[Shayna screaming]
[Cole] Baszler with a knee.
-Cover to win the Tag Team Titles. -[referee] One, two--
Asuka saving the match-up!
That may have been Baszler and Stark's
best opportunity.
And a kick by Stark to Asuka.
[McAfee] Watch Zoey fly easily.
[Cole] Nobody home, as Asuka steps out of harm's way.
Now we turn our attention to Kairi Sane.
Shayna Baszler in the ring.
Backhand by Kairi. Kirifuda Clutch!
If Kairi taps, we've got new Tag Team Champions.
[McAfee] It's in the middle of the ring, Cole!
[Cole] And Kairi able to turn it around into a Jackknife Cover.
Baszler, though, tries to keep it locked in.
Once again, center of the ring.
Sane trying to desperately hold on,
but she could be fading.
[referee yells indistinctly]
[Cole] And Dakota Kai grabbing Baszler's leg.
Haven't you ruined enough?
[Cole] The official, Shawn Bennett, didn't see it.
-[McAfee] Come on! -[Cole] Kairi Sane connects.
Dakota Kai paid dividends.
[Asuka yelling]
[McAfee] It's Damage CTRL.
[Cole] And a kick to the face.
Tag made to Kairi Sane.
And the Kabuki Warriors, if they win this match,
can give the assist to Dakota Kai.
-Insane elbow! -[crowd roars]
-Here's the cover. Is it enough? -[crowd] One, two, three!
-The Kabuki Warriors retain. -[bell dings]
["Reigning Warriors" playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners,
and still the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
The Kabuki Warriors!
[Cole] Well, Pat, Dakota Kai has said all along
that she was the real brains of Damage CTRL, not Bayley.
And this coming Friday night on SmackDown, Bayley looks for revenge.
Dakota looks to put Bayley out of her misery once and for all,
live, Friday night.
[indistinct shouting]
[McAfee] Damage CTRL is going to be tough to stop.
[indistinct conversations]
[conversation stops abruptly]
Can we help you?
Take it easy. Tranquilo.
It's okay. I told him to stop by.
-Okay. -Andrade.
[softly] Hi.
Look, unfortunately, Dom isn't here tonight,
but he speaks extremely highly of you.
So maybe when he's back, we can all get together
and speak about some business.
Is that something that interests you?
Of course.
I am all about business.
Just let me know.
Good. We'll speak soon.
Okay. See you guys.
Hasta luego.
Hey, uh, not for nothing,
but I know that lad a long time.
-I agree with Dom. -Yeah.
He brings a lot to the table.
He's intriguing. He is.
Great.
Can we go back to focusing on the five teams
that we have to face at Mania and handling that?
It starts tonight. I'm gonna handle Truth.
-Okay. -You got him.
-Good? -Good.
-All right. -Yep, you got it.
All right. [clicks tongue]
-Hey, smash him for me, all right? -Get it.
-Got you, guys. -Get it.
I hate that Truth…
["What's Up?" playing]
[R-Truth rapping] ♪ Y'all know what time it is ♪
♪ It's the part we crank it up ♪
♪ Y'all ready? ♪
♪ Here we go ♪
♪ People over there what's up? ♪
♪ You feel me? Let me see you say, "What's up?" ♪
-♪ What's up? ♪ -[crowd] ♪ What's up? ♪
-♪ What's up? ♪ -♪ What's up? ♪
♪ Now you can get with this Or you can get with that ♪
♪ Houston, Texas, this is where it's at ♪
-♪ What's up? ♪ -♪ What's up? ♪
♪ I was given the jump in ♪
♪ Leaving the competition ♪
♪ Make them disappear Like your favorite magician ♪
♪ I ride until the wheel fall off ♪
♪ I bounce back to back Till the legs get soft ♪
♪ Most of the time you see me I'm being simple ♪
♪ Get with the times I be busting them up like a pimple… ♪
[in Japanese]
[dramatic music playing]
All these losers are crying about how hard they have worked,
and how they deserve their moment.
You don't know what real hard work is.
You're entitled and embarrassing.
You deserve what you can take,
and I'm taking it all.
Tonight, "Big" Bronson Reed
punches his ticket to WrestleMania.
[distorted roaring]
[Cole] The Intercontinental Championship.
Held by some of the greatest of all time in WWE.
But no one has held the title longer than the current champion.
640 days and counting for Gunther.
Who gets an opportunity at the championship at WrestleMania?
One of these six men with a golden opportunity
to run the Gauntlet tonight.
["The Other Side" playing]
[McAfee] Ah, here we go.
[explosion]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring,
representing The Judgment Day,
he is one half of the undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Señor Money in the Bank,
Damian Priest!
[Cole] Damian Priest made it clear.
Judgment Day is sick and tired of R-Truth.
[McAfee] Why would you ever want R-truth not to be around?
I get it makes sense for this sleazy crew, The Judgment Day.
They don't deserve R-Truth.
-What the hell? -[Cole] Oh, my goodness.
[song fades]
[Cole] R-Truth
-just completely knocked out… -[bell dings]
…by Damian Priest,
who's now hammering away on R-Truth.
Now Priest is in a ticked off mood,
and one of the biggest reasons is he learned earlier tonight
that him and Finn Bálor are gonna have to defend the tag titles at WrestleMania
in a Six-Pack Challenge.
[McAfee] Aldis and Pearce are cooking to make something great,
and now, Priest is all…
All zeke'd up about it.
[Cole] And not only a Six-Pack Challenge,
but a Six-Pack Challenge Ladder Match.
Priest has gotten so serious as of late.
[yelling] What are your suggestions now, huh?
-[Cole] oh! -[McAfee] You recall Pearce told Aldis…
[yelling] Tell me another suggestion. Make another idea.
[McAfee] …R-Truth and Miz were the ones that came up with the idea
of the Six-Pack Challenge.
[Cole] R-Truth, a low rating of 67
in the WWE 2K24 game.
Priest comes in at 86.
Nice number for Señor Money in the Bank
who continues to manhandle R-truth tonight.
Listen, Truth thought for a number of months
he was part of The Judgment Day.
Priest played along with the game for a while,
but the fun and games are over for Priest.
[McAfee] R-Truth…
The Ageless Wonder.
[Cole] Well, here's DIY.
Ciampa and Gargano,
who've aligned with Truth in recent weeks.
We learned that Truth's buddy, Miz, is not here tonight.
[McAfee] This is Re-generation X.
[Cole] Damian Priest now
looking to put R-Truth through our announce table.
-[McAfee] Don't you-- -[Cole] Looking for the Razor's Edge.
-[McAfee laughs] -Priest lands on his feet.
-Now Truth drives Priest… -[smacks]
…face-first into the ring post.
[McAfee] Good gamesmanship from Re-generation X's R-Truth.
[Cole] It's actually DIY.
Truth thinks that they're Shawn and Hunter,
but that's another story.
Now R-Truth, off the apron. Down goes Priest!
You mentioned Miz isn't here tonight.
Remember, Pat, Truth isn't supposed to be here as well.
He missed his media day.
-Truth, Priest continues, live. -[Tommaso] Come on!
[clapping, shouting indistinctly]
[Cole] R-truth fighting back in this match-up with Damian Priest.
DIY out here in support also.
Nearly 14,000--
Forget about it. Flatliner by Priest.
Cover now on Truth.
Hook to the leg.
And a kick-out by Truth at two.
[McAfee] Damian Priest, who delivered a picture perfect flatliner to R-Truth there
would love nothing more than pinning Truth in front of his little DIY buddies.
[Cole] And, again, Gargano and Ciampa…
out here in support of Truth. No Miz.
Truth not supposed to be here tonight either.
Supposed to be on media appearances,
but he forgot it was Monday, although Raw's on Monday.
I don't get it, but nonetheless.
Priest knocking--
Excuse me, Truth knocking Priest to the top rope,
and now back down to the mat.
[McAfee] Truth doesn't know what day it is, what country he's in.
He doesn't know what city he's in, what he's doing.
Who cares? He flies around.
[Cole] Uh-oh, shoulder tackle.
R-Truth paying homage to his
-childhood hero. -[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] The naked one on the Oscars.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd yells] You can't see me!
-[Cole] Five Knuckle Shuffle… -[crowd roars]
…for R-Truth.
And truth looking for The Attitude Adjustment,
Cena's trademark finishing move,
-and he hits it! -[crowd cheers]
Truth for the win.
Truth's gonna knock off Mr. Money in the Bank.
Priest kicks out!
What a massive upset that would have been.
And now look at the STF.
-[crowd roaring] -[DIY shouting indistinctly]
[Cole] The STF, locked in, center of the ring.
Priest going to tap. Is Priest going to tap?
Oh, McDonagh and Bálor…
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] …attacking DIY.
[McAfee] The Judgment Day goons are out here.
They're on our table.
[Cole] Truth off the top rope, taking out about everybody.
Truth looking to kill himself on the announce table.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
They're talking to you, Truth.
[Cole] Indeed they are. R-Truth back into the ring now.
Oh! And a clothesline stops him in his tracks.
-And Priest is ticked off. -[crowd booing]
[McAfee] These two Irish gremlins show up,
distract Truth.
[Cole] South of Heaven.
-[referee] One, two, three! Ring the bell! -[bell dings]
[McAfee] Well, sláinte, I guess.
[announcer] Here is your winner,
undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion,
Señor Money in the Bank,
Damian Priest.
[Cole] R-Truth gave Priest a run for his money,
but in the end, Damian Priest picks up the win
as Priest and Bálor prepare
for the Six-Pack Ladder Match Challenge at WrestleMania.
And now, JD McDonagh went after Ciampa.
Bálor back into the fray on Gargano.
Now stomping the way through Johnny Gargano.
[McAfee] Oh, look, Damian Priest.
[Cole] Outside the ring.
Chokeslam on the apron.
[R-Truth groans]
[Cole] And Bálor with a Coup de Grace.
[McAfee] These Judgment Day goons.
Get out of the ring, lads.
[Cole] Judgement Day creating chaos wherever they go.
Well, Pat, you're ready to do some dancing?
[McAfee] Yeet!
[Cole] Because coming up next
on Monday Night Raw
"Main Event" Jey Uso is in the house.
-Live from Houston. -[Jey whooping]
Let's go.
Let's go. Yeet.
[Cole] The stars were out at UFC 299 in Miami this past weekend.
WWE Women's World Champion, Rhea Ripley.
[McAfee] With who?
[Cole] A month away from her battle with Becky at WrestleMania.
Also check out WWE US Champion, Logan Paul, with Mr. Beast,
and Paul's business partner and social star, KSI,
who apparently recovered from the Randy Orton RKO on SmackDown.
And speaking of Logan, quite the week.
His Prime Hydration reached a massive ring branding partnership with WWE,
and tomorrow, on his Impaulsive podcast,
Logan has a major announcement
at 11:00 a.m. eastern, tomorrow.
[McAfee] I can't wait, Cole.
I know I shouldn't be doing this this close to WrestleMania,
but me against the world.
So, next week, Nia Jax,
you, me,
Last Woman Standing.
♪ Uso! ♪
-[McAfee] Let's go! -[crowd cheering]
♪ Aye, aye ♪
♪ Main event Jey Uso is now in your city ♪
♪ Yah-hoo! ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ish ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ish… ♪
[announcer] Please welcome
"Main Event" Jey Uso!
[McAfee laughs] Look at Houston!
The McBee Cowboys said
it feels like they're bucking on a bull right now.
[Cole] You look like you're bucking on a bull on the table now.
[McAfee laughs]
[Cole] I hope they reinforced this thing.
[McAfee] I am pretty heated up right now.
♪ Aye, let's get it, Uce ♪
♪ I'm 'bout to get 'em, Uce ♪
♪ I'm 'bout to get 'em all ♪
♪ Let's go, USO! ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ish ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce… ♪
[McAfee hoots]
[McAfee] I'm yeeting all over myself, like you last week, Cole.
You know what I'm talking about, those antlers.
♪ It's just me, Uce… ♪
[Cole] What a legend.
-You and him. -[Cole chuckles] My Goodness.
♪ It's just me, Uce, day one ish ♪
♪ It's Jey, I line 'em all up And knock 'em down like this ♪
[song ends]
[McAfee exhales] It's hard not to yeet all over yourself.
-[crowd cheering] -[McAfee] Yeet!
[crowd chanting] Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
[microphone thuds]
I said "Main Event" Jey Uso
is now in your city!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
Jimmy Uso.
-[crowd booing] -[McAfee groans]
[McAfee] No yeet.
Big Jim.
Big brother Jim, let me holler at you for a minute.
Talk to him.
I said I came to Monday Night Raw for a fresh start.
[crowd yells] Yeet!
But The Bloodline won't let me go.
[crowd yells] Yeet!
Jimmy won't let me go.
[crowd yells] Yeet!
So how about this?
[crowd yells] Yeet!
Brother versus brother.
[crowd yells] Yeet!
Twin versus twin.
[crowd yells] Yeet!
Blood versus blood.
[crowd yells] Yeet!
Uso versus Uso.
[crowd yells] Yeet!
Me versus me.
Jimmy versus Jey at WrestleMania!
[crowd roaring]
Yeet!
[crowd chanting] Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
Hey, Jimmy,
accept my challenge,
because I'm going to knock the yeet out your ass.
-[microphone thuds] -[crowd cheering]
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Cole] Last year, they main evented WrestleMania as a tag team.
This year, they may be going one-on-one,
as long as big brother Jimmy accepts the challenge.
Yeet or no yeet for Jimmy, Pat.
[McAfee] Jey's planning on knocking the yeet out of Jealous Jim.
Could be historic.
[Cole] And speaking of WrestleMania,
Wrestlemania XL is sponsored by Snickers.
"Snickers satisfies."
And by WWE 2K24,
the highest rated WWE 2K game of all time.
Relive 40 years of WrestleMania,
play all new match types and career mode experiences
with an iconic roster of over 200 superstars and legends.
Available now worldwide.
It is an electric atmosphere
sold out here tonight in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center.
A lot of announcements about WrestleMania, but coming up next,
we're going to figure out who faces Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.
Let's take a look at 640 days
of domination by Gunther.
[somber piano music playing]
[music stops]
[Gunther] And now…
The leader of Imperium!
[Cole] Gunther continues his dominant march
into the history books.
[McAfee] Offense upon offense upon offense.
[Cole] Over the years, dozens of WWE Hall of Famers
have held that prestigious championship.
But no one has ever held the title longer than this man.
[Gunther] The Ring General has rewritten history.
The longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion.
One thing will never change,
and that is The Ring General being the greatest
Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time!
600 days of
The Ring General…
Gunther!
[crowd clapping]
640 days as champion.
No doubt, it has been a run of epic proportions.
I'm joined now by the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
And, Gunther, you know, there are some who believe
maybe you've become a little bit overconfident
during this reign,
and are potentially underestimating
the six superstars competing in tonight's Gauntlet Match.
What do you have to say to that?
Who believes that?
Well, there's just been speculation in the WWE Universe.
Whoever might believe that,
it's none of my concern.
I focus on my legacy and on the facts.
Six hundred and forty days ago, I beat Ricochet
to become the Intercontinental Champion,
and I took over the responsibility
for myself and for the legacy of this great prize.
And since then, I elevated this title to heights never seen before.
So, tonight, the crème de la crème
of Monday Night Raw will step into that ring
and leave it all out there to compete against me
for this great prize
at the greatest stage of them all, WrestleMania.
And…
I'm kind of flattered by it.
It's such an affirmation of the work that I've put in.
But…
it takes a lot.
It takes a lot to be in my position.
So, to whoever will win this Gauntlet Match tonight…
[chuckles softly]
…good luck. [chuckles]
[energetic music playing]
[Cole] That is the man you get as your prize.
If you can run the Gauntlet,
one of these six men
will face Gunther at WrestleMania.
The Gauntlet Match starts now.
♪ Big smile for the haters ♪
♪ Whole world know that I made it Call me the greatest! ♪
["One And Only" playing]
♪ One and only ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey ♪
♪ It's about to go down ♪
[explosion]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following is a Gauntlet Match
where the winner faces "The Ring General" Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship
at WrestleMania!
Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada,
weighing in at 207 pounds,
Ricochet!
[Cole] Pat, there's a reason Ricochet called this his championship earlier.
He was the man Gunther defeated to start this record-setting reign.
Can Ricochet run the Gauntlet?
We'll find out live, next.
[Cole] Finally, The Greatest gets his rightful place
in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Earlier today, Variety announced the late, great Muhammad Ali
will be a part of the Class of 2024.
Remember when Ali wrestled WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki
back in the '70s?
He was the referee for the first main event
of WrestleMania I,
and he joins this illustrious class
to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
immediately following SmackDown,
Friday night before WrestleMania, live on Peacock.
You know, next Monday night, we're in Raleigh, North Carolina.
North Carolina State University.
And we have qualifying matches to see who will be a part
of the Six-Pack Challenge Ladder Match
for the Tag Team Titles in WrestleMania.
[McAfee] Huge spots on the line,
a spot at WrestleMania on the line.
[Cole] Also next week, Becky Lynch, Nia Jax,
Last Woman Standing.
[McAfee] Somebody's going to have to be able
to put the other lady down for at least a ten count.
It's going to get ugly.
[Cole] And in two weeks, we're in Chicago
at the Allstate Arena.
CM Punk returns live to Monday Night Raw.
And we've got a very special guest here
with us at ringside tonight.
Outlaw Country has come to Monday Night Raw,
red-hot Cody Jinks.
Multi-platinum songwriter from just up the road in Fort Worth.
Singer as well. His latest album Change the Game
releases late next week, March 22nd.
It features his single Outlaws and Mustangs.
Welcome, Cody Jinks.
[McAfee] Cody Jinks and his son Larson.
They're big time members of the WWE Universe.
Obviously, Loud and Heavy from Cody Jinks, and Hippies and Cowboys.
-["Irish Ace" playing] -[Cole] Ricochet or this man
will have to go wire-to-wire
to win the Gauntlet.
[announcer] And his opponent,
representing The Judgment Day,
from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland,
JD McDonagh!
[Cole] JD McDonagh versus Ricochet to start off the Gauntlet Match.
Will one of these men be the number one contender
for the Intercontinental Championship
by the time we get to Raleigh, North Carolina,
North Carolina State University,
live, next Monday night.
So this is how the Gauntlet Match works.
Ricochet will take on JD McDonagh.
The winner of this match-up will advance, the other goes back to the locker room.
All six men will compete.
The one to run the Gauntlet…
-[bell dings] -…will face Gunther at WrestleMania.
And here we go. Ricochet, JD McDonagh kicking us off here tonight.
[McAfee] If either of these two men had to run the Gauntlet for its entirety,
you would think that would be exhausting.
But the Intercontinental Championship is the Working Man's championship.
You got to earn it.
[Cole] JD McDonagh was very vocal
about his 71 as his rating in the WWE 2K24 video game,
which is available now.
[McAfee] I heard people say it should have been lower.
[Cole] JD McDonagh-- Who said that, you?
[McAfee] A couple boys on the show.
[Cole] The highlight of the night, Ricochet,
going to work on JD McDonagh,
and a nice elbow by JD.
Which one, that stooge Boston Connor?
[Cole] Oh!
[McAfee] It actually was he and Ty Schmit…
-[Cole] Bang! -[McAfee] …blamed it on JD.
But the thing that is undeniable is that Ricochet
is must watch.
[Cole] JD McDonagh realizes the stakes here.
Judgment Day wants…
-[McAfee] Ooh! -…Gunther's Intercontinental Championship.
Said he will do anything, will sink to any depth
to win this Gauntlet Match tonight.
[McAfee] Ricochet will fly to any height
or slide to any…
-[JD yelps] -[McAfee] …ground.
-[Ricochet] Woooo! -Yeah, I like that, Ric.
[Cole] And Ricochet, top rope, crossbody.
Oh, my goodness.
McDonagh able to counter.
Great counter by JD McDonagh.
[McAfee] What a reversal. The timing, the thought.
I did not know JD McDonagh had that in his bag.
[Cole] Well, JD McDonagh,
one of the most vicious and physical men that you'll ever see.
The knees to the midsection of Ricochet.
And now, JD McDonagh is on the hunt.
[McAfee] The thing about Ricochet, he can fly around,
but it can certainly get used against him as well.
[Cole] McDonagh loves the ground-based attack.
Very confident and cocky young man.
Has become even more cocky since joining The Judgment Day.
[Ricochet grunts]
[McAfee] Judgment Day are willing to do whatever for each other,
which I guess, is good to be on the team--
[Cole] Oh, nice tilt-a-whirl backbreaker!
Buckling Ricochet, cover by McDonagh.
Two advance and a kick-out…
-[Ricochet moaning] -[Cole] …by Ricochet.
[McAfee] The Judgment Day has certainly ran this show for a while.
Having the Intercontinental Title would certainly boost them even more.
But what about Ricochet? Ricochet is looking for a reason
to be on the marquee.
Has all the ability. Looking for an opportunity, here it is.
[Cole] He's been very outspoken as of late
that he's not sure how he feels.
-Been thinking a lot about his career. -[Ricochet groaning]
[Cole] Been trying to do things the right way.
[McAfee] Oh, JD McDonagh and stripes getting into it. You can't do that.
[Cole] Ricochet telling Gunther,
"You better pray that I don't win this Gauntlet Match."
He wants the title back that Gunther took from him
-640 days ago. -[crowd clapping]
-[referee] One, two… -[McAfee] Feels like forever ago.
The two men have gone in completely different directions…
-[referee] Get off! -[McAfee] …Gunther and Ricochet.
But one Gauntlet win for Ricochet and he's all the way back.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] JD McDonagh, a former NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
Ricochet has won an Intercontinental Title,
a United States Title.
He was a North American Champion in NXT.
[McAfee] He also is--
[Cole] Oh, McDonagh just flattens Ricochet!
Cover now, off the standing moonsault, and a kick-out at two.
McDonagh very impressive here in this first match-up of the Gauntlet.
The problem is, Pat, the longer this match goes…
the tougher it is to run the Gauntlet.
[referee] One, two…
[McAfee] They're both trying to end this first match as quick as possible,
but I hate to break it to the both of them…
[Cole] Snap suplex. A running leg drop by McDonagh,
who has successfully grounded Ricochet.
-Great strategy by McDonagh. -[crowd booing]
[McAfee] McDonagh got an interesting look,
and I can't trust him just by looking at him.
[Cole] You can't trust him by virtue of the fact he's in Judgment Day either.
And he was trained by Finn Bálor.
[McAfee sneers] Finn Bálor. We saw what he's willing to do.
[Cole] The most dominant Irish champion when he was coming up through the ranks.
[Cole] Ricochet.
Oh, there's that springboard elbow by Ricochet.
Catches McDonagh right in the nose.
[McAfee] Those are things Ricochet could do
that nobody else on earth could do as well as he.
He needs to keep doing that.
[Cole] Highlight of the night. Looking to turn things around.
[McAfee] Human joystick to the top.
[Cole] Launches him top rope. Crossbody. Ricochet connected that time,
but still, you see him favoring his ribs ever since the knees to the ribs.
Moonsault off the ropes,
and again, McDonagh got the knees up for the ribs.
And JD McDonagh looking to put Ricochet away.
-Brainbuster. Cover for the win here. -One, two--
[Cole] Ricochet kicks out.
[McAfee] Ricochet saw his opportunity flash before his eyes.
Moonsault from the middle rope.
JD McDonagh reverses yet again.
[crowd cheering, clapping]
[Cole] JD McDonagh looking to connect with what he calls "The Devil Inside"
to put Ricochet away and advance into the next match in the Gauntlet.
Ricochet won't be disrespected, though,
and I'm not sure McDonagh wanted to do that, because it--
-[McAfee] It woke up Ricochet. -[Cole] Exactly.
[McAfee] Smacked some life back into Ricochet.
-Trading blows. -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well placed kick by Ricochet. Oh, my goodness!
[Ricochet yells]
[crowd roars]
Ricochet in trouble.
Got a kick-out.
And what a match.
McDonagh and Ricochet bringing it all here in the Gauntlet Match.
Who has the possibility to go to WrestleMania?
[Cole] The first match in our Gauntlet Match continues.
It's JD McDonagh and Ricochet, the first two men out of the box.
You run the Gauntlet, you face Gunther, you try to end
the longest reigning Intercontinental Championship reign in history
at WrestleMania.
JD McDonagh and Ricochet been involved in a very physical match so far.
And the thing about McDonagh
as he plants a kick to the back of Ricochet's head--
Ricochet really hasn't been able to fly yet,
but maybe this is the opening.
Ricochet drops McDonagh on the back of his head on the apron.
[McAfee] What a reversal from Ricochet.
During the break, he was told by the crowd
to remember who he is.
Ricochet is a champion.
And it's things like that…
kind of the reason why.
-[Cole] Driving McDonagh… -[referee] Two!
[Cole] …neck-first into the apron.
This could be the turning point of this match for Ricochet.
[McAfee] Can win by countout.
-Four more competitors wait on deck. -Five!
Six!
[McAfee] JD McDonagh after landing on his stupid head…
-[man in crowd] You going of the top? -[crowd] Eight!
[McAfee] Count of eight now.
[Cole] Ricochet will take the countout win.
JD pulls himself up and just makes it back.
And, oh!
Ricochet connecting to McDonagh.
Looking to put JD away!
Look at Ricochet go.
The power!
-Cover for the win, to advance. -[crowd] One, two--
[Cole] Kick-out by McDonagh.
What a sequence by Ricochet.
He can't believe he didn't put JD away.
[McAfee] As this match goes longer and longer,
both of these men have to question
whether or not this is how you want to start a Gauntlet Match.
[Cole] You gotta give it all, win one to get to the next.
[McAfee] These two are beating the hell each other here in Houston.
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] This is win… or go home.
This is do or die. This is sudden death.
[McAfee] Isn't it great to see Ricochet back in the ring?
[Cole] Rake of the eyes by McDonagh.
Official, Rod Zapata, did not see it
as McDonagh drives Ricochet rib-first into the ring post.
And again, the ribs, McDonagh focusing on them for the entire match.
Cover. Hook to the leg. Kick-out by Ricochet.
[McAfee] JD McDonagh certainly has
some Judgment Day in him with the rake of the eyes,
but he's been very cerebral,
attacking the midsection and the ribs of Ricochet.
[Cole] Early on in this match-up, Ricochet with a crossbody,
McDonagh met him with knees,
and since then, Ricochet's midsection has been torn apart,
punished and tortured by McDonagh.
[McAfee] He might have some broken ribs.
[Cole] Indeed, at least bruised.
Oh, and a wicked chop!
[McAfee] Ricochet got the spit knocked out of his mouth.
[Ricochet groans]
[Cole] And now, McDonagh…
climbs up to the top rope.
What's he going to do to Ricochet here?
Ricochet trying to fight back, though, from high above the ring.
Ricochet creates space.
McDonagh, face-first off the top rope.
-[McAfee] Showtime! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Highlight of the night.
[crowd whooping]
[Cole] Shooting Star Press by Ricochet.
-Cover. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-Ricochet advances! -[crowd cheering]
[announcer] JD McDonagh has been eliminated.
[Cole] But, again, how much damage to the ribs…
-["Battle Tested" playing] -…by Ricochet off that shooting star.
And here comes 330 pounds of beef.
"Big" Bronson Reed.
[McAfee] Man's a round ball of muscle.
The last thing I would want
coming to the ring in a Gauntlet Match if I was Ricochet,
as he takes the fight to him outside the ring.
[Cole] Yeah, smart move. Ricochet realizing what was at stake.
Looking to put away Bronson Reed early.
Ricochet going to launch himself off the top rope.
Dropkick. Bronson Reed is down.
This is great strategy by Ricochet.
Don't let Bronson Reed get set.
Don't let him get out of the blocks.
Ricochet now, over the top rope, down goes Reed.
Ricochet is rolling.
[McAfee] This man is must-watch television!
Welcome to the Gauntlet Match, "Big" Bronson Reed.
[Cole] Again, only Ricochet…
can pull that off.
But again, you see him favoring the ribs.
The midsection, assaulted by McDonagh.
Ricochet now, kick to the face.
Bronson Reed has not been able to get going in this match.
Ricochet launches himself.
-Top rope. Caught! -[McAfee] Oh, no.
[Cole] Oh! Driving Ricochet to the top turnbuckle,
and then a running powerslam.
-One, two-- -[Cole] Cover on Ricochet.
Kick-out at two.
[McAfee] That's all "Big" Bronson Reed needs.
Just one little slip, and he'll catch you and throw you around.
Rated an 84,
but his size and explosivity has got to be near 100.
[Cole] Powering Ricochet up, who lands on his feet.
[McAfee laughs] Does a backflip off your chest.
[Cole] Then a step up enzuigiri.
Reed still on his feet, however.
[McAfee] Ricochet just did a backflip off this guy's sternum.
-[Cole] Not sure he wanna be up there. -[McAfee] That's not where you want to be.
-[Cole] Trying to be creative however. -[McAfee] Well…
[Cole] Maybe not. Bronson Reed with a senton.
Oh, this is not going to be good.
This is a 330-pound man
going up to the top rope… Tsunami!
-Splat! -One, two, three!
[Cole] Reed advances in the Gauntlet.
[announcer] Ricochet has been eliminated.
-["Worlds Apart" playing] -[McAfee] Well…
[Cole] Up next, Sami Zayn
with an opportunity against "Big" Bronson Reed.
[McAfee] Sami Zayn has been rolling as of late.
Needs to ride that momentum into a spot at WrestleMania
[Cole] Sent Bronson Reed out in front of us. Chop now by Sami Zayn.
Interesting story about Sami coming into this Gauntlet,
which I'll get to in just a moment,
but Bronson Reed with a slap, and then a big head-butt.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami!
[McAfee] Everybody wants to see Sami Zayn beating "Big" Bronson Reed here.
[Cole] Barricade. Moonsault.
-[crowd cheering] -Zayn takes Reed down.
Sami Zayn's fired up.
[cheering continues]
[Cole] Who will advance in the Gauntlet?
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
Sold out tonight, 13,907.
We're in the middle of the Gauntlet Match. This is Sami Zayn versus Bronson Reed.
Interesting note about Sami. I spoke to him earlier today.
Today is the first day of Ramadan. Sami Zayn is Muslim.
He said he has not been able to eat or drink throughout the day today.
You have to wonder if that will affect him in this match
and if he advances in the Gauntlet.
[McAfee] When the sun went down, he was able to have water and such,
but you would think that a Gauntlet Match could be affected by it.
Especially when you got to see "Big" Bronson Reed.
[Cole] Bronson Reed, the 330 pound, already eliminated Ricochet,
and looks to do the same to Sami Zayn.
Great move by Reed.
-Cover now on Sami… -One, two--
And a kick-out by Zayn at two.
[McAfee] Remember, "Big" Bronson Reed wants to be on the big show.
A couple weeks ago, he said he embarrassed himself and his entire country
when he didn't make it to the Elimination Chamber in Australia.
[Cole] The running senton,
and Zayn moved out of harm's way this time.
And Sami with a chance.
Sami's been talking a lot about his path to WrestleMania.
Time's running out, clock's a-ticking.
Sami's got an opportunity tonight to punch his ticket.
-Reed caught him. -[Bronson grunts]
[Cole] Oh! Just slams Zayn to the mat.
And a big elbow to the chest.
-Cover by Reed for the win. -One, two--
Zayn at two.
[McAfee] So big, this Bronson Reed.
Dropping his entire bodyweight on Sami,
and Sami, somehow…
Look at this.
[Cole] Before that, with one arm,
just slamming Zayn to the mat.
[McAfee] Full windmill elbow drop from a 300 and…
-[Cole] 330-pound man. -Geez!
[Cole] Reed, a former NXT North American Champion.
Zayn looking to qualify for the WrestleMania match,
and perhaps win his fourth Intercontinental Title.
Bronson Reed with Sami Zayn on his shoulders.
Sami trying to fight out, and he does.
-Sunset flip powerbomb for the win. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-Got him! -[crowd roaring]
[announcer] "Big" Bronson Reed has been eliminated.
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[Cole] Next up for Sami, a longtime rival.
Shinsuke Nakamura.
[McAfee] Oh, "Big" Bronson Reed takes a cheap shot after the bell.
You've been eliminated!
[Cole] Look at Nakamura just taking his time
coming to the ring,
letting Reed do a Tsunami!
[crowd booing]
[McAfee] Ref…
[Cole] Thanks for coming. Sami…
[McAfee] Ref…
[Cole] …easy pickings now for Nakamura.
[indistinct conversation]
[McAfee] What type of refs we got running this joint?
How is that allowed? How do they let that happen?
[Cole] Oh, Shinsuke Nakamura loves it.
[McAfee] Of course Shinsuke does.
[Cole] And now, Nakamura lining up Sami Zayn.
Has him in place. Looking for a Kinshasa--
Sami rolls up Nakamura.
Nakamura kicks out at two.
Kick right to the back of the head.
Nakamura and Sami Zayn had one of the--
People call one of the great matches in the history of NXT.
NXT TakeOver, Dallas.
Sami and Shinsuke…
a number of years ago.
These two battled a couple of weeks ago as well.
Shin looking to end Sami Zayn's dream of making it to WrestleMania.
Sami Zayn on our announce table and in trouble.
Nakamura dominating.
Who's going to advance in the Gauntlet?
Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn in the Gauntlet Match.
Winner of the Gauntlet will advance to face Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.
We're going to go to the Pierro Pat-O-Strator now
and show you what happened when Bronson Reed took out Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] Let's take a closer look at this guy right here, 330 pounds.
He had just lost. He can't realize with himself
that he is not going to accomplish anything. Run it a little bit.
Now, this big-- Stop.
This big piece of meat is flying through the sky.
You got this Houstonian looking up here saying, "Wait a minute.
"The Houston Astros might not have cheated,
"but this big piece of meat
"is about to screw over a Canadian who's practicing Ramadan.
This big body is trying to flatten this man's sternum to the mat."
Tsunami!
[Cole] That was after the match was over,
and Shinsuke Nakamura took his time walking down to the ring,
and then he took advantage of all the damage
Bronson Reed did to Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] And that stupid ref just watched it happen.
I don't know how he's still in there. There needs to be accountability.
[Cole] The match was over. What'd you want him to do?
Nonetheless, that was the Pierro Pat-O-Strator.
Shinsuke Nakamura is caught now by Sami Zayn.
Step up enzuigiri knocks Sami Zayn into the ropes.
[McAfee] These two would be fantastic
representing the WWE as Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] Blue Thunder Bomb.
-Cover by Zayn to advance in the Gauntlet. -One, two--
[Cole] Oh, and a kick-out by Nakamura.
[McAfee] I don't mean that as a shot at Gunther, obviously.
[Cole] Sami Zayn looked back at the official and said,
"I couldn't believe it
that Shinsuke Nakamura was able to kick-out."
[McAfee] If I was Sami, I'd be wondering if this stripes was against him as well.
[Cole] The winner of this match will face Chad Gable.
That'll be the final match in the Gauntlet.
Sami Zayn has been wanting to punch his ticket to WrestleMania.
Nakamura wants to make it to WrestleMania as well.
And now with Sami Zayn down,
Shinsuke Nakamura setting Sami Zayn up
for a Kinshasa.
Sami Zayn looking for the Exploder suplex.
Nakamura able to counter.
Scissor kick right to the back of the head.
[McAfee] Shinsuke Nakamura is dangerous.
Shinsuke Nakamura has been a champion.
[Cole] Up over the top.
Helluva Kick by Zayn
from out of nowhere.
[McAfee] Perfectly timed.
-[Cole] Falls into the cover. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Cole] Zayn with another win. -[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Shinsuke Nakamura has been eliminated.
[Cole] We are down to two.
["Shoooosh" playing]
Either Sami Zayn
or this man, Chad Gable,
is going to WrestleMania.
[McAfee] Just means more for Chad Gable.
[Cole] Yeah, that has been the mantra that Gabel has lived by.
He talked earlier tonight. Chad Gable…
of course, the 2012 US Olympian…
Get up!
-[Cole] Former three time Tag Champ. -Get up!
This is my WrestleMania moment. I'm not taking it like this.
I want you to get up. Come on!
[Cole] Being a great sport about this. Saying he wants Sami Zayn on his feet.
He does not want to win the match with Sami Zayn down and out.
[McAfee] Very honorable of Chad Gable.
That's why he represented the United States in the Olympics.
Right here! Face to face!
Let's do this!
[Cole] Gable allowing Zayn to recuperate.
-Here we go. Match-up underway. -Come on!
[Cole] Winner of this match goes to WrestleMania
to face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
German suplex by Gable.
And Chad Gable powering into another German suplex.
Looking for a third, Sami Zayn trying to block.
[McAfee] Sami Zayn already been through hell tonight.
[Cole] The ankle lock, trying to pick the ankle.
Sami trying to make it to the ropes and force a break, and he does.
Interesting note about Gable.
He's the only man in this Gauntlet Match, Pat,
that has never won a singles championship in his WWE career,
or NXT for that matter.
[McAfee] That's why the urgency on Chad Gable is so high.
[Cole] Ankle lock outside, but it doesn't matter.
You gotta get him to tap inside the ring.
Zayn!
Driving Gable back-first into the steel steps.
Who's going to WrestleMania?
Will it be Zayn? Will it be Gable? On Raw.
[panting]
One of these two men are going to WrestleMania
to face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
Will it be Sami Zayn? Will it be Chad Gable?
They are battling it out here tonight live in Houston.
The last time we were in Houston, Texas,
Gunther failed to beat Chad Gable in five minutes.
If you remember that challenge, that happened in this building.
Earned Gable an opportunity.
And Gable now, from the top rope!
Here's a chance, cover on Zayn.
Hook to the leg. Is it enough?
Sami at two and a half.
[McAfee sighs in relief]
[McAfee] Chad Gable almost earned himself a spot in WrestleMania
to fight for his first ever title.
[Cole] Here's the problem.
Chad Gable has put so much pressure on himself
to win this match tonight.
[McAfee] He's at a point where he's ready for it.
You got to start talking a big game before you are the big game.
Chad Gable has earned it. He deserves it.
He's talented enough. I'm happy he's starting to believe that.
[Cole] He's going to the top for the moonsault.
Sami Zayn able to meet him there.
Gable calls this an opportunity to have a date with redemption.
Gunther beat Gable in a classic.
Made gable's daughter cry at ringside after the loss by Chad.
It's stuck with Chad for months and months now.
-[McAfee] And now… -There's the moonsault.
Sami got his knees up.
Rolls him up. Is it enough to put Gable away?
And a kick-out at two. So close!
[McAfee] Sami almost punched his ticket to WrestleMania,
and Chad Gable almost saw his dreams evaporate
in midair during the Moonsault.
[Cole] Gable called this a path to heaven.
You have to go through the Gauntlet to hell
as you take another look at Sami Zayn almost winning this match.
[McAfee] Chad Gable almost overshot that,
so the knees hit Gable in his face instead of his chest.
Had to be rung a little bit.
[Cole] Again, one of these men will punch their ticket to Philadelphia
at WrestleMania in 26 nights.
[McAfee] Huge bombs being thrown by Gable here.
[Cole] Gable taking out months and months of frustration on Sami Zayn.
Zayn fighting back as well.
Never thought he'd get an opportunity at WrestleMania.
Never thought he'd be that close this year after main-eventing last year.
And now, these men exchanging blows center of the ring.
[McAfee] These men are throwing down in Houston.
[Cole] Zayn has got to be at the point of exhaustion.
This his third match.
Not to mention the Tsunami suffered at the hands of Bronson Reed.
[McAfee] After the match, might I add.
[Cole] Kick by Zayn.
Sami Zayn looking for the Blue Thunder Bomb.
Gable lands on his feet, picks the leg of Sami Zayn.
Looking for the ankle lock again.
Ankle lock now on Sami Zayn.
Zayn taps out here, Gable is going to WrestleMania.
Critical moment of this match. Sami Zayn going to try to hang on,
try to drive himself to the bottom rope somehow,
but he's an arm's length away.
-[Sami yelping] -Tap out! Tap out!
[McAfee] Can Sami get to the rope
-or is this Gable's chance… -I need this more than you!
[McAfee] …at immortality?
[Sami yelps]
[Cole] Gable screaming at Zayn.
Zayn writhing in pain.
-Fingertips away. -Come on, Zayn!
[Cole] Can Sami Zayn get there?
[McAfee] Is Sami gonna tap?
[Cole] Just makes it to the rope to force the break.
But has the damage been done?
And again, frustration being shown by Gable.
So close yet again to putting Zayn away,
but not able to do it.
[McAfee] And Alpha academy 101. You got to keep your composure.
[McAfee] Houston starting to rally around Gable.
[Cole] Chad. Waistlock.
Looked like he was looking for the German suplex.
Sami Zayn bounced into the corner.
Separation.
Sami, Exploder suplex to Gable.
And now Sami's got an opportunity.
[McAfee] Ankle a little bit weak.
Coming up a little bit lame because of the ankle lock.
Can Sami still finish it?
[Cole] Went for the Helluva Kick,
didn't have enough to make it across the ring, bum ankle.
Back again to the ankle lock is Gable.
-[McAfee] That hand is so smooth. -[Cole] Bringing Sami back to the middle.
The damage has already been done to the ankle.
You saw how gingerly Sami Zayn went across the ring
to deliver the Helluva Kick.
[McAfee] Look how deep that's in.
[Cole] Maybe the beginning of the end for Sami Zayn.
Zayn a long way away from the bottom rope.
Sami trying somehow to hang on.
Gable trying to snap the ankle of Zayn,
and he may just do it
as he drags Zayn back to the middle of the ring.
Can Sami hang on?
Sami, though, able to roll on his back, trying to create separation,
couldn't do it, Gable holds on.
Again, will Sami tap out?
How much does Sami have left?
[McAfee] It means more, says Gable.
-This opportunity is his entire life. -[Cole] Zayn is close to tapping.
Gable's got it locked in.
Sami Zayn.
Gable into a German suplex.
And now Chad Gable…
Zayn exhausted.
Chad, top rope moonsault, nobody home.
[McAfee] Sami Zayn, somehow still has the wherewithal to get out of the way.
-Ankle weak. -[Cole] Sami with a Helluva Kick!
-Right on the button! -[crowd cheering]
Can Sami capitalize?
[McAfee] Is Sami Zayn going to WrestleMania?
[Cole] Drags himself toward the cover, bad ankle and all.
Collapses into the cover, hooks the leg on Gable.
-Gable reverses, shoulders down! -One, two--
-[Cole] Zayn kicks out! -[crowd roaring]
Incredible high drama
in our main event on Monday Night Raw
in front of 13,907 sold out at Houston.
Someone's going to WrestleMania!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] What an incredible match!
[McAfee] Both these men have laid it all out there.
[Cole] Sami can barely walk.
He literally limped across the ring on a bad ankle,
but he delivered a perfect Helluva Kick to Gable.
Gable was able to reverse,
Sami was able to kick-out.
And now we're back.
Gable looking for Chaos Theory, perhaps.
-Waist lock applied. -[Gable grunting]
[Cole] Clubbing crossfaces by Gable.
This one done with malice.
-[yelling] -[crowd cheering]
[shouting indistinctly]
[Cole] Gable beaten, bruised, bloody, but still in the match-up.
Running with it… Chaos Theory!
-Cover. Shoulders down. -One, two--
[Cole] Sami kicked out!
Ankle lock again.
[McAfee] Chad Gable's throwing everything he has at Sami Zayn.
[Cole] How much does Sami have left?
How much does Sami have left? Can he hang on?
His ankle has got to be shredded.
-Cover, reversal. Shoulders down. -One, two, three!
-[Cole] Sami's done it! -[bell dings]
-[crowd cheering] -Sami's going to WrestleMania.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Sami Zayn!
[Cole] The agony of defeat on the face of Chad Gable.
He was so close again.
But the resilience, the guts,
the heart of Sami Zayn.
-[McAfee] I thought this was it. -[crowd] One, two--
[Cole] Again, another ankle lock.
Sami Zayn's ankle is shredded,
but somehow he dug down deep,
he countered, he rolled up Gable,
and he put Chad Gable away.
Sami Zayn's dream of going to WrestleMania has happened.
What a match!
And again, disappointment for Chad Gable,
who once again put on a clinic, Pat.
[McAfee] Yeah, Chad Gable made everybody proud tonight with his performance,
but it feels like the wrestling gods
had Sami Zayn in the stars tonight.
[Cole] And this you love to see.
Tremendous sportsmanship by Sami Zayn,
comforting a very disappointed Chad Gable.
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
But you cannot… celebrate too long,
because in WrestleMania, Sami Zayn
meets the 640-day-and-counting
Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
in Philadelphia.
["Prepare To Fight" continues] her,