[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
[Ric Flair] Woooo!
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-[Triple H] The King of Kings! -[John Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[Michael] in 19 days, the greatest live event in entertainment
will take place here at Lincoin Financial Field
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The two night weekend event known as WrestleMania.
Tonight, the Road to WrestleMania winds through Raleigh, North Carolina.
The sold out PNC Arena at North Carolina State University.
We are sold out tonight.
Over 14,000 expected.
Also here Pharaoh!
Pharaoh's here with a message for The Rock and his owner,
the man who will main event Wrestlemania Saturday and Sunday.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is here live tonight.
And who will qualify for the Six Pack Challenge ladder match
for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania?
It's Ciampa and Gargano DIY on the left, the upstart Creed Brothers on the right.
They battle live, tonight.
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Michael] Don't fall off that chair, McAfee.
[Pat] How could you not get yeeted?
Well, ladies and gentlemen first, it was Bret and Owen.
Then Matt and Jeff.
Now for just the third time in WrestleMania history,
it is brother versus brother.
Jimmy Uso accepted the challenge this past Friday night on SmackDown.
One of the greatest tag teams of all time will now have a one on one match.
Jey Uso. Jimmy Uso. One on one at WrestleMania.
Brother versus brother.
[Pat] Yeet versus no yeet.
Oh, that's the greatest feeling of the week, every week.
[Michael] You gonna be able to get through the next three hours?
[Pat] I didn't know this was going to start tonight, yeet!
[crowd chanting] Yeet!
Welcome to Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering]
Check this out though.
I know my Brothers are in the building.
I know the…
-I know The Bloodline in the building. -[crowd] Yeet!
-I know how The Bloodline roll. -[crowd] Yeet!
Hey, big brother Jimmy. Where you at?
[crowd] Yeet!
Where you at, Uce?
-Jimmy. -[Pat] Jimmy could be anywhere.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] And there is big brother Jimmy.
[Pat] Oh, jealous Jim some people call him.
[Michael] But, Pat, he is not alone.
The enforcer of the Bloodline, the younger of the Uso Brothers,
Solo Sikoa is here as well.
[crowd chanting] Yeet!
[crowd jeering]
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso!
You know me and you will always get into it.
But we know how to shake right back.
But this right here feels a little different.
Regardless of what happened. And the bad blood between me and you.
I miss you.
I do.
Say what you want. Look, I want to talk to you no more.
I don't ride with you no more.
I don't see you no more, Uce.
just come back.
Just come back to me, man. Just come back to this.
I never left you.
I protected you, you're so dumb, you can't even see it today, Uce.
I'm protecting you. Hey, check it.
It was your idea to leave The Bloodline.
But I helped you because I am your brother.
So he leaves The Bloodline.
And what happens?
Little bro goes off to become the biggest superstar on the Raw roster.
[Pat] Yeet, yeet.
Little bro goes off and becomes the top merch seller.
Little bro also goes off and become Tag Team Champions without me.
And then he goes off and you thank, Cody Rhodes.
Yeah who left who, huh?
You forgot me.
Everything you did big is because of big bro.
Everything, brother.
So listen to me, Uce.
Listen loud and clear.
Very clear.
The biggest moment in your career…
Your biggest moment in your career
is because of me.
[crowd booing]
It's because of me.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
No.
My biggest moment in my career…
That's going to be my dream match at WrestleMania 40.
Me versus you.
When I knock the yeet out your ass.
[Michael] Oh!
And Jey Uso runs into a superkick by Jimmy,
thanks to the distraction by Solo.
[crowd booing]
[Pat] Jimmy was being wildly disrespectful in there on that microphone, I think.
Jey Uso got trapped.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody!
[crowd cheering]
Wait a minute. The American Nightmare is here.
[Michael] Cody Rhodes coming to the aid of Jey Uso.
Went after Jimmy, and now takes out Solo Sikoa!
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Perfect Cody cutter in $1,000 pair of dress shoes.
[Michael] Jimmy Uso promised his brother Jey
that The Bloodline will never, ever leave him alone.
Cody Rhodes of course, a long history with Jey Uso and The Bloodline.
Where the next chapter for Jey and Cody will be written, WrestleMania weekend.
And, Pat, Cody realizes all that is at stake!
He knows that he must thwart The Bloodline at all costs
to have any opportunity at Roman Reigns in the championship at WrestleMania.
Yeah, we talked about it before. Cody is going to be hunted
for the next how many days until WrestleMania?
-19. -He knows he's going to be hunted,
but he said he's got his eye on The Bloodline.
Comes out, beats the hell out of them, always has to watch his back.
Well, ladies and gentlemen,
it's going to be quite the Monday Night Raw here.
Live from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Later tonight, it is our main event.
It is a rivalry that culminates tonight, five years in the making.
Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Last Woman Standing.
[intense music playing]
And a determined Becky Lynch,
three weeks away from her title match at WrestleMania,
is ready for battle tonight.
You have to beat your opponent so bad
they can't make it to their feet by the count of ten.
Becky. Nia. Last Woman Standing. Tonight.
["It's Our Moment" playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following is a WrestleMania 40 Tag Team Championship
Qualifying Match.
Introducing first, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano,
DIY!
[Michael] It is about punching your ticket to WrestleMania.
Judgment Day will be defending the Tag Team Titles
in a Six Pack Challenge Ladder match.
Which one of these two teams will join them?
We'll find out. DIY versus the Creed Brothers,
live next on Monday Night Raw.
What a night.
[Pat] What a night.
[upbeat music playing]
…excuses! You're a hypocrite.
You tell me you'll keep your roster in check,
and all of a sudden you see what happens.
Hang up.
Let me call you back.
Yes.
What was that?
I owe you an apology.
I'm… I'm sorry.
That was not authorized by The Final Boss, The Rock.
That was not authorized by The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.
It certainly wasn't authorized.
Jimmy and Solo went into business for themselves.
I apologize.
But… But listen, you know, you know
that there have been flights delayed all day.
Even a private jet like mine got delayed.
I'm not even dressed for, for, be here. I don't even have my makeup on.
-They got here. -Okay.
They came on a different flight than I did.
Okay, listen.
Roman Reigns, The Tribal Chief of his word.
A man of his word.
They're already gone.
Jimmy Uso and Solo are out of your arena.
-Gone for the night. -Really?
You have Roman Reigns' word.
Call my bluff.
Put out a search party. Go to try to find them.
They're gone.
You know I'm here on official business.
Yes, I do.
I'm going to handle my official business.
And then I am going to be gone for the night.
That's it.
But when I do my official business,
everyone is going to get caught off-guard.
And Mr. Pearce, sir, that's not a prediction.
That's a spoiler
Call Roman Reigns.
[Michael] What does Mr. Hall of Famer have up his sleeve tonight?
[Pat] How he just steamrolled Pearce, though, steamrolled.
Hey, would I do this on your show Yadda, yadda, yadda.
I can't wait to hear what Paul Heyman has to say.
The Hall of Famer.
What's he going to do?
[announcer] And their opponents,
Brutus and Julius,
The Creed Brothers!
[Michael] So the winner of this Tag Team match
will qualify for the Six Pack Challenge.
The ladder match at WrestleMania for the Tag Team titles.
Spoke with Johnny Gargano a bit earlier today.
He admitted that The Creed Brothers have DIY's number.
They beat him in a tag team matchup a number of weeks ago.
Gargano and Ciampa did discuss how important this match is tonight, Pat.
They have been in WWE, NXT, and WWE for nearly a decade.
Ciampa and Gargano have never had a match at WrestleMania.
[Pat] There's been different eras of DIY's careers
where they were carrying companies on their back,
and getting an opportunity to perform at WrestleMania
would obviously be something that they have earned.
But tonight, these Creed Brothers, this is not an underdog story.
These Creed Brothers are dogs, overdogs, as some would say.
Both of them All-Americans in college.
They have an older brother who's in Special Forces.
These are Ohio guys.
[Michael] So Tomasso Ciampa, who said they've worked their whole lives
for this moment tonight, an opportunity to qualify for WrestleMania,
will start things off with Julius Creed,
6'3, 229-pounder from The Creed Brothers.
[Pat] And he can fly around too.
DIY has their hands full here.
Julius, a two time NCAA All-American,
he performed at Duke University just up the road here from Raleigh.
Single-season record-holder for most wins in Duke history.
[Pat] Stud through and through.
He and Brutus, absolute animals here.
But DIY are experienced.
Been together a long time.
[Michael] Yeah, Ciampa, a former NXT Champion,
also a Tag Team Champion with Mr. Gargano in NXT.
Nice take down by Julius Creed picking the leg of Tomasso Ciampa.
Don't think you want to get into an amateur battle with, uh, Julius Creed,
as Ciampa realizes that and makes it to the ropes to force a break.
[Pat] Yeah, he's got to watch… And we talked about this before, Cole,
but it is worth reminding the people.
The cauliflower ear on Julius Creed's left ear.
And I don't know what the right ear is,
but that left ear there gives you a heads-up
about what he's done his whole life.
He has rubbed his ear in the mats and other humans heads so much,
that it busted the cartilage in there.
[Michael] Nice fireman's carry takedown.
-[Pat] We're talking tough, tough. -[Michael] Tag made. Here comes Brutus.
Brutus goes 5'11, 282.
[Pat] Sparkplug. Also an all-American college wrestler.
[Michael] Indeed.
Two-time NCAA All-American.
He was the number-one ranked amateur wrestler in the country.
He now has controlled Tomasso Ciampa.
Brutus was unbeaten in his senior year,
as you take a look at a capacity crowd tonight,
it is our ninth straight television sellout here.
[Pat] Road to WrestleMania is certainly epic.
[Michael] 14,370 on-hand tonight in Raleigh, North Carolina.
[Pat] Tomasso Ciampa getting beat down by The Creed Brothers
a little bit here early.
Brutus misses wildly.
-Gargano makes the tag and… -[Pat] Oh! off the chop.
[Michael] Here comes the quick and agile Johnny Gargano and double team by DIY.
[Pat] Look at the chemistry of DIY, finishing each other's sentences.
[Michael] Creed, taken down
in beautiful fashion.
[Pat] Things just picked up quickly.
An opportunity to make it to WrestleMania is on the line.
[Michael] Gargano, Ciampa launch themselves into the Creed Brothers.
Down go Julius and Brutus! Who's going to WrestleMania?
Our Tag Team Qualifying Match continues live.
The winner of this match will join Judgment Day
and four other teams in the Six Pack Challenge Ladder match
to determine the Undisputed Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania.
Will it be DIY or The Creed Brothers qualifying tonight?
And this is Ciampa and Julius Creed in the ring.
Julius landed hard.
[Pat] Right back up, that's that toughness we talked about.
[Michael] Yeah, quickly back to his feet. Dropped toehold by Ciampa.
And Creed, creating some space, tag made.
Here comes Brutus and also Johnny Gargano as well.
[Pat] Double chops!
-[Michael] Brutus Creed, powerhouse! -[Pat] Powerhouse!
[Michael] Just flat out brute strength.
[Pat] What's he doing? He's throwing bodies.
That's what he's doing.
Raleigh's jacked up about Brutus Creed.
[Michael] The dominating and smothering attack
of Brutus Creed.
Stacking up Ciampa.
-[Pat] What? -[Michael] Look at that superplex.
Now both men down,
and both men from DIY have to kick out.
Incredible double team by one person, that being Brutus Creed.
[Pat] Imagine if he pinned both of members of DIY on the same move.
[Michael] And now a double team by Julius, just tossing Brutus
and his 282 pound frame,
and now Julius cover on Ciampa,
and a kick out.
[Pat] I love what The Creed Brothers are doing.
Yeah, tremendous tag team wrestling by the former NXT Tag Team Champions,
once winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in NXT.
[Pat] I talked to The Creed Brothers earlier.
They've been wrestling their whole lives together.
Obviously in the living room on trampolines, in high school.
Now, in college, in the pros.
They know each other inside and out.
Wait a minute!
-[Michael] The power of Brutus! -[Pat] It's Julius.
[Michael] Julius, yeah. Julius from his--
[Pat] Are you kidding me?
Lifting Ciampa into a vertical suplex.
[Pat] What type of superhuman is this?
And now Brutus with Gargano as well.
Incredible by the Creed Brothers!
[Pat] Kip up one, kip up two.
Do what you do!
-Hoo-de-hoo! -[Michael] Instead, he moonsaults.
Cover and Ciampa has got to kick out.
Incredible performance by The Creed Brothers.
[Pat] Cole…
I lost my composure there for a little.
[Michael] Julius Creed from his knees into a standing vertical suplex.
[Pat] That's phenomenal.
Now back to the, you know, the brutal beating.
[Michael] Later on tonight, two more qualifying matches
for the Six Pack Challenge.
Awesome Truth in action against Indus Sher,
and New Day against The Alpha Academy.
[Pat] Oh, it's a bunch of knees to ribs right now.
[Michael] SmackDown determining their two tag teams
in a mini tournament that's underway.
[Pat] I appreciate them adhering to such good tag team rules,
utilizing the most of the legal double team.
The Creed Brothers seem to be students of the game.
Tag made.
Brutus now legal and double team coming by The Creed Brothers.
Perhaps time for the Brutus ball.
And if he connects here, we'll put DIY away,
and Johnny Gargano saving his partner Ciampa.
[Pat] Johnny didn't want to see Ciampa go through a Brutus bomb at all.
-Ooh! -[Michael] Back elbow.
[Pat] Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.
[Michael] Just the power of the Creeds.
[Pat] I think there was a little bit of a miscommunication between DIY.
[Michael] Running knee, Brutus planting Gargano
[Pat] Brutus just curled Gargano.
[Michael] It's… The power is incredible.
Now Ciampa just sent flying right over there.
Yeah Brutus
Yeah, Brutus! Yeah, Brutus! Yeah!
All right.
Yeah!
Okay.
Pretty jacked up right there, Cole.
[Michael] Ciampa went flying over the announce table and as you were
over there celebrating with The Creeds…
[Pat] He kind of forced me to.
I'm trying to be non-biased, but this is awesome.
I'm trying to get the hell out of the way.
[Michael] We are back on Monday Night Raw,
qualifying match for the Six Pack Challenge Ladder match at WrestleMania.
Will it be DIY or The Creed Brothers?
Both teams battling for their first appearance
at the greatest show in entertainment.
Ciampa trying to make a tag now to Johnny wrestling and again,
the power of Julius Creed.
[Pat] And has been on display Ciampa!
But it's moves like that that reverse everything for DIY.
[Michael] Yeah, the reverse DDT by Tomasso Ciampa creates an opening.
Can he make the tag to Johnny Gargano?
Tag made, here comes Gargano, up over the top, boot right to Julius.
And now down goes Brutus Creed as well.
Gargano admitted The Creed Brothers have DIY's number.
Can they reverse their fortunes here tonight?
[Pat] Creed Brothers are gonna have
a lot of people's numbers over their career.
[Michael] Flying clothesline and bulldog by Gargano.
Now Johnny turns his attention to Julius in the corner.
Creed launches him out to the apron.
Johnny Gargano, big kick,
catches Julius Creed.
One to Brutus as well.
-[Pat] Johnny wrestling. -[Michael] Slingshot spear by Gargano.
Cover to advance to WrestleMania,
and a kick out.
[Pat] Once Johnny wrestling has momentum at his back,
he's damn near unstoppable.
[Michael] Yeah, former NXT champion, North American Champion,
and NXT Tag Team Champion, tag made.
Here's Ciampa, double team coming from DIY.
Suicide dive, down goes Brutus,
and now Ciampa turns his attention to Julius Creed.
[Pat] Couple massive chops, but Julius…
Ciampa from the second rope.
Little white noise!
Cover now!
Kick out at two.
[Pat] All of us, including Ciampa thought that was it.
[Michael] Watch this impact.
DIY that close to getting to WrestleMania.
[Pat] Everybody wants to be in Philadelphia in 19 days.
These two teams laying it all on the line to get there.
[Michael] Ciampa remorseless.
[Pat] Wait a second. Did that wake up Julius Creed?
[Michael] It did. And Creed fighting back.
Exchanging big blows!
[Pat] Throwing bombs at each other in Raleigh.
Who's going to make it to WrestleMania?
[Michael] That's what this is all about.
Putting it all on the line. Opportunity of a lifetime.
[Pat] Let's go.
Oh, my goodness, you hear that?
And Ciampa with a right!
Creed just barreled through Ciampa!
Now looking for an ankle lock!
Middle of the ring, trying to get Ciampa to tap out.
Julius Creed, ankle lock in.
What's Ciampa going to do?
-Gargano now… -[Pat] What?
With one arm! Are you kidding me?
That's insanity!
Back into the ankle lock.
[Pat] These Creed Brothers are seemingly invincible.
[Michael] And now Brutus with an ankle lock as well!
Both members of DIY may tap out.
-[Pat] Ciampa though able to roll! -[Michael] Wait a minute.
Ciampa, Ciampa!
Ciampa's got it locked in! Sicilian stretch.
Gargano with the Gargano escape!
Two submission holds. Middle of the ring,
but the Creeds looking to use their power!
[Pat] Of course!
Just throwing the bodies around their body like they're sacks.
-These Creed Brothers. -[Michael] Oh!
Launching DIY into one another.
The innovative and unique offensive style of The Creeds,
-[Pat] And power! -[Michael] Moonsault by Julius!
[Pat] And grace!
[Michael] Moonsault by Brutus!
One… two…
[Michael] Kick out by Ciampa!
There's feet flying all over the place here in Raleigh.
Tag!
Creed Brothers looking to put Ciampa away!
Brutus ball time.
Ciampa, though, ducks out of harm's way, rolls up Julius shoulders down.
[Pat] Brutus breaks things up!
[Michael] Gargano now, kick to the face.
-Ciampa, rolls into the cover… -One… two… three!
-DIY's going to WrestleMania! -[bell rings]
["It's Our Moment" playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners,
DIY!
[Michael] For the first time in their ten years here in WWE,
Johnny Gargano, Tomasso Ciampa
have punched their ticket to WrestleMania!
How sweet it is for Gargano and Ciampa.
They're headed to a Six Pack ladder match
for the Undisputed Tag Titles.
[crowd cheering]
[yelling]
[crowd booing]
I've always liked your style
but things have changed since the last time you were here.
The Judgment Day runs Monday Night Raw.
Exactly.
And we don't extend invitations to just anyone.
Judgment Day is a very exclusive club.
Very exclusive.
But if you do continue to impress us,
then we'll see if we can make things happen.
Oh, and, amigo, by the way,
I just heard that you have a match next week,
so we will be watching you.
We're watching.
Sounds great.
See you next week.
[speaking Spanish]
[in English] What's up, big man? What you been up to?
Was getting a close look at this DIY Creed match, DIY won.
Whatever. We know we can handle them.
JD, though, we thought you could handle Ricochet last week
We thought you were going to run the gauntlet.
We thought you were going to WrestleMania
and bring in more gold to the Judgment Day.
All right man relax, I remember the plan, all right?
I think I showed that I belong in there last week.
And second of all, I battered Ricochet.
He just got lucky right at the very end right Finn.
Actually, Priest is right.
Ricochet made a fool out of you, dude.
-A fool? -Yes, a fool.
-A fool? -Yes
That's why tonight.
Dom
He's gonna make things right.
By beating Ricochet isn't that right Dom?
-Isn't that right? -Isn't that right, Dom?
-Sure. -You know what, Mami?
Yeah. I'm gonna make things right.
JD, let's go talk to Pierce and make this match official.
We're talking. Let's go.
-I gotch you Mami. -You got it.
All right, boys.
-They got it right. -Yeah
[Michael] As first reported by andscape.
Thunderbolt Patterson will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class 2024.
Thunderbolt's captivating abilities on the microphone inspired a generation
of that followed in his footsteps,
including the American dream Dusty Rhodes.
Thunderbolt, quick punches, speed and unique style
made him one of the great showman in pro wrestling history.
Thunderbolt joins in incredible list of inductees
into this year's Hall of Fame class.
The ceremony will be held immediately following SmackDown.
The Friday night before WrestleMania live on Peacock.
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter, former tag champs in the Ring
against Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell.
Last week Candice and Indi in a match against Ivy Nile and Maxxine.
Maxxine completely berated by Candice.
Are you serious? You don't belong here.
Aww are you going to cry?
It's a good thing.
Your dead brother isn't here too see what an embarrassment you've become.
I am not doing this.
[Michael] Candice from nice girl to mean girl.
Indi Hartwell took advantage.
Still cannot believe the way Candice treated Maxxine, but still into the cover.
To pick up the wind.
-[bell rings] -For the tag team.
[Pat] Yeah, a lot of people said what Candice said was despicable, but I mean--
[Michael] It was despicable. How can you defend what she said?
[Pat] I can't, but she's out here smiling. I don't like it.
I hate it. It was despicably rude, disgusting.
[Michael] Candice's point is she got sick of losing.
Roll-up now by Carter and a kick out.
So she said she had to change her attitude.
Had to change her demeanor, another cover by Carter,
and kick out in order to start winning some matches.
Well, it's paid off so far.
I'm just not sure that you should go to the personal level that she did.
Against Maxxine last week.
[Pat] I mean, burning bridges with everyone on Earth is not necessarily
good, especially doing it in that fashion.
[Michael] Indi Hartwell with a big boot.
Former NXT women's champ.
Hookof the leg and a kick out.
[Pat] Indi was kind of torn about what Candice was saying.
[Michael] I'm putting yourself in Indi shoes I mean.
[Pat] She was forced to be with the girl who said what nobody else would.
[Michael] She's known Candice for much of her career.
And look at Candice now just very aggressive attack
on Kayden Carter.
[Pat] That's the thing if you watch them in the ring, they're incredibly…talent.
Thay are very good--
Carter And Chance said to Indi last week.
You've got to check on your girl I'm talking about Candice LeRae.
They were taken aback by her actions as well.
Tag made to Indi.
And here comes Chance.
[Pat] Former women's tag team champion flying around.
[Michael] And pace is picked up with Katana Chance in the ring.
Yeah
-[Michael] Hartwell driven into the corner -[Pat] Shot out of the cannon.
But that's an understatement here for Katana.
[Katana yelling]
[Pat] She's in seventh gear right now, Cole,
[Michael] Jockeying position for tag team title opportunity.
Perhaps down the road against The Kabuki warriors.
Indi now Chance lands on her feet may have hurt her knee.
Katana may have tweaked her knee.
[Pat] That's the thing, Indi. Perfect executed.
Katana incredibly athletic. Tried to reverse it.
[Michael] Eddie Orengo, the official a…
sending Indi back into the center of the ring as.
[Pat] Eddie Orengo is one of the greatest
officials on earth in any sport, so we appreciate the he's handled.
[Michael] Candice made the tag, and Candice is now legal.
Went right after Kayden Carter.
Showing absolutely no remorse.
For the already injured Katana Chance.
And Candice LeRae, now looking to punish and torture.
Chance taps out.
We don't know how severe the injury is.
Indi Hartwell cannot believe the actions of LeRae, who picks up the win.
[announcer] Here are your winners by submission.
The team of Indi Hartwell and
Candice LeRae.
[Michael] Candice celebrating the win.
She was also mocking the injured Chance.
["Wickeder Ways" playing]
[Pat] This is--
[Michael] Indi Hartwell does not know what to make of Candice LeRae I mean.
Listen it's one thing to keep losing right?
and try to change your fortunes around and do what you need to do to win a match but.
This is getting a bit ridiculous.
Yeah, Candice LeRae is doing nothing the right way right now.
And Indi Hartwell has to be her tag team partner.
They picked up a couple of wins but.
You know, water always finds its level, karma is real.
It'll come back to bite Candice LeRae in the ass for the despicable acts.
Wall talk about changes in demeanor.
The Rock is back and in rare form.
He was in concert this past Friday night on SmackDown in Memphis.
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Ladies and Gentlemen
Please welcome.
The Rock.
[Corey] The final boss is in the house.
[The Rock] Memphis, Tennessee. The Rock has come back home. It's been years.
This is the home of the blues.
Let's have the Rock sing a song, let's go, boys.
[dramatic music playing]
[guitar playing]
Well, here's a little story about how Cody was born.
♪ Dusty's youngest son was just what he feared ♪
♪ He tried to raise him right, but he turned out too weird ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ That's when Dusty said, with total frustration ♪
♪ That drugs and cheap condoms was a bad combination ♪
♪ I know it keeps Cody awake ♪
[guitar continues playing]
♪ To know he wasn't planned and he was a mistake ♪
[guitar continues playing]
♪ There's some lines you just don't cross ♪
♪ You all can kiss the ass of the final boss ♪
We love you, Memphis.
-[guitar continues playing] -[crowd cheering]
[The Rock laughing hysterically]
We had some fun. We're going to have another kind of fun.
The Rock wants to talk to one person.
Mama Rhodes.
Your son Cody took something from me.
And I'm gonna make him pay.
And I'm gonna make your family pay, and I'm gonna make you pay.
The Rock knows
that you just can't wait for your son to finish that story.
You want your son to finish that story so bad.
You want your son to hand you that belt so bad.
That Universal Championship.
But that ain't gonna happen.
That belt is going to stay around the waist of my cousin Roman Reigns.
And now Mama Rhodes,
you are going to get a belt.
But you're gonna get The Rock's belt.
[dramatic music playing]
Mama Rhodes, it's going to be a belt just like this.
And The Rock is gonna take this belt.
And he's gonna beat your son.
Your son's blood is gonna be on this belt.
And when the Rock is done whooping your son,
and Roman is done beating your son, one, two, three.
The Rock is gonna take this belt.
And The Rock is gonna walk right over to you, Mama Rhodes,
and he's gonna hand you this belt.
The Rock is gonna whisper in your ear, Mama Rhodes,
Michelle.
♪ What can I say except, "You're welcome"? ♪
[upbeat music playing]
[Michael] I'm sure this man will have plenty to say about The Rock concert.
The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes
is here live next Monday Night Raw.
Paul "Triple H" Levesque
made the announcement on his Instagram story earlier today.
A Peacock original documentary.
Bray Wyatt becoming immortal.
An emotional look at the life and times of Windham Rotunda,
narrated by The Undertaker.
It premieres Monday, April 1st on Peacock
[upbeat music playing]
["Kingdom" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up, I'm home ♪
[all] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks bursting]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the winner of the 2023 and 2024
men's Royal Rumble match,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Michael] Cody Rhodes is 19 nights away,
from the busiest and most important weekend of his career.
It starts in the the main event on Wrestlemania Saturday.
When Cody Rhodes teams with Seth Rollins,
the World Heavyweight Champion.
To take on Roman Reigns and The Rock.
And there are so many stipulations, in that tag team match-up.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Pat] They all make you go.
[all] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks bursting]
[Michael] If Cody and Seth win the tag team match and that means.
Cody's match with Roman Reigns on Wrestlemania Sunday will be one on one.
No Bloodline interference, however,
If The Rock and Roman Reigns win.
It means when we get to the Co-Main event,
on Wrestlemania Sunday
between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes.
It would be contested under Bloodline rules.
For the undisputed WWE Championship, which means,
If Cody and Seth don't win that tag match.
Cody may not to finish his story.
["Kingdom" playing]
[crowd chanting]
in less than three week's time.
I will stand opposed for the second year in a row.
In the main event,
with the lights on brightest, I will challenge
for the undisputed WWE Championship,
[crowd cheering]
Against the greatest champion in all of sports.
The tribal chief.
Roman Reigns.
[crowd booing]
And this Friday on SmackDown!
Rohm and I are gonna have a little conversation, if you will.
But…
there are…
complications.
Factors, elements,
combustible elements, namely
The Rock.
[crowd booing]
Rock took to Instagram last week.
He didn't follow it up with an extremely entertaining rock concert.
Too bad he didn't want to be here tonight.
[crowd booing]
Something I took from his Instagram post.
Rock referred to himself as as our favorite heel.
A little bit of an insider term.
We're not dumb. We know what that means.
That means he's the bad guy.
So I've known some heels.
Bobby Heenan was a heel.
Arn Anderson was a heel.
Michael Hayes was a heel.
Superstar Billy Graham was a heel.
The Nature Boy, Ric Flair, was a heel.
[crowd cheering]
Rock.
I don't think you're a heel.
I think you're an asshole.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Geez.
And I don't want you to get upset.
Don't get upset, Rock.
Don't get upset.
Seven bucks team.
I don't want you upset.
Don't get emotional because I know how you feel about emotions.
You poked fun at me shedding a tear,
discussing finishing the story with my friend Michael Cole.
There's no crying.
In wrestling, Jimmy Duggan I get it, but
Haven't you been crying behind the scenes this whole time?
I mean, once that hashtag came out.
Once they started chanting something else, you went and cried.
To your buddies on the TKO board.
You said, Hey, Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock.
I need to save WWE.
God knows. Look at this house.
We sure as hell needed saving, right?
[crowd cheering]
He said it's going to be this great PR for The Rock.
Until it wasn't.
Rock.
The TKO folks, they said to you, Oh My Gosh.
Yea Rock Yes.
Put on your Gucci shirt.
Your muscles look so big.
Yes, yes, yes, Yes.
The reason they said it because they are yes people.
They are enablers.
They don't tell you like it is.
So I'm going to.
[crowd cheering]
Rock.
Damn my man, you're
you're a lot of things.
You're a lot of wonderful things.
You are the Brahma Bull.
You are the great one.
Hell, I got a pair of tennis shoes with your logo on it Rock.
You're the only guy.
That I will ever stand across from in the ring.
That I can I honestly say is a Mount Rushmore wrestler.
But Rock.
You are also a terrible salesman.
A carny succubus.
And for those who don't know what that means.
You're a whiny bitch.
[crowd cheering]
I know you've been convinced otherwise,
but please don't think for two seconds Rock.
That this locker room needs you more than you need it.
That's a rule of the business.
Nobody is bigger than it.
Another one.
I brought up my mom in an interview, so it's fair game for you to do so.
Okay.
I know your mom.
[crowd cheering]
Here's what I'll tell you about
Rocks, Mom.
She is a wonderful lady.
Salt of the Earth.
One time she helped me chop Kevin Owens in a dark match.
I have nothing but respect for your mom.
or respect that you should echo back towards my own.
Here's the thing.
You were talking about whipping me.
A bloody weight belt, handing it to my mother,
and normally somebody as powerful as you.
She would tremble.
She would cower.
You don't know my mom.
I was more scared than she was.
My mom ain't scared of nothing.
This is the same lady who hopped off her chair
at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop okay?
She ain't afraid of you, Rock.
[crowd cheering]
I have been asked April 6th.
the biggest tag match of all time, myself, my partner Seth Rollins.
The World Heavyweight Champion. Somebody who you should respect very much.
Because he helps carry your company Rock.
Against you and the tribal chief, Roman Reigns.
How will I get past that?
What will April 7 look like?
Will it be a fair fight?
And I can tell you honestly.
I don't know.
If it'll be Bloodline rules or not.
Hell, I don't know if I'm going to finish the story.
[crowd murmuring]
But.
Dwayne.
What do you know?
How can you be so sure of your own self, right?
Because you keep forgetting you haven't been in the ring in years.
In real time action,
and April 6th.
The bell is gonna ring.
And what happens, Rock.
When the bell rings, right?
Are you gonna bring the great one?
Are you going to be the hero that I had growing up?
Are you gonna have all that big Dwayne Energy
or is it just going to be LDS
Little Dick Syndrome?
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting]
You have.
you referred to yourself.
As the final boss.
Kudos to Brian Gewirtz for that nickname.
Perhaps you are the actual literal final boss.
Perhaps I'm too naive to see that.
But at Wrestlemania.
I don't think you're gonna be the final boss.
At Wrestlemania.
I think you're just Roman sidechick.
[crowd cheering]
[Paul] Ladies and Gentlemen,
[crowd booing]
Ladies and Gentlemen.
My name
is Paul Heyman.
I serve
as the wise man,
to your tribal chief,
The reigning,
defending undisputed
WWE
Universal Heavyweight Champion,
Roman Reigns,
[crowd booing]
And as special counsel to The Bloodline.
I just wanted to come out here, Cody.
And say to you.
That the ideals.
That you and my share.
Are far greater than the interests,
on which we conflict.
By example.
Don't you hate it when someone comes out?
And they demand an apolo--
[mimicking Cody] I want an apology.
I'm not leaving till I get an apology.
[in normal voice] Not that you've done that.
But I'm here to offer you an apology.
I came out here a couple of weeks ago with some.
Friends of mine from the New York Police Department.
And I apologize.
For a wise man.
That was pretty freaking stupid on my end.
One because the plan didn't work.
Two because it was just plain dumb.
And for that,
Cody Rhodes to you.
To the Raw audience.
I humbly apologize.
[Pat] We accept.
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa.
I didn't ask for an apology.
Certainly I know you're going to ask for permission to step in this ring.
You're a Hall of Famer, Mister Hayman.
You want to step in this ring with me right now?
Be my guest.
[crowd cheering]
I'm uh I thank you.
I'm…I'm fine Right here.
I…I carry with me.
A message.
From the tribal chief.
Roman Reigns.
[crowd booing]
Talk about heels.
You can think of me
anything that you want, that's negative.
And most likely it's understanding the obvious.
Me, not a trustworthy individual.
Roman Reigns is a tribal chief.
Of his word.
This Friday live on SmackDown.
Roman Raines will go face to face with you.
Cody Rhodes.
The American Nightmare.
The tribal chief, challenger and champion.
And when you go face to face with Roman Reigns.
There will not be a single
other member of The Bloodline in sight.
Except for me.
And I'm no physical threat.
I hold the title.
Hold the beads.
I whisper in my tribal chief's ear how much I love him and respect him
and acknowledge my tribal chief.
But you have Roman Reigns's
word.
They were If you show up.
This Friday on SmackDown.
Roman Reigns.
Will show up.
Alone.
[crowd booing]
Roman Reigns shows up alone.
No bloodline except for yourself.
Deal.
I have a bit of jet lag.
I've been delayed all day.
I forgot.
One little crucial point.
Aw Don't ooh me.
I'm talking to the man.
[crowd booing]
We're negotiating.
They're booing you.
And I'm about to go full Homelander, and rip your throat out.
All right, so get to the point.
[crowd cheering]
If Roman Reigns.
Shows up alone.
This Friday on SmackDown!
Cody Rhodes.
you show up to SmackDown
alone, too.
[crowd murmuring]
Deal.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him.
Nonetheless.
Cody Rhodes with some teeth tonight, spitting fire.
Can you imagine what it's gonna be like?
Friday night face to face with Roman.
[Pat] Can't wait maybe we'll answer to that whole LDS thing.
["Kingdom" playing]
You know what I've realized?
Becky Lynch has never beaten me.
And after tonight.
She never will.
Because after I break her face again,
I will be taking her spot at Wrestlemania.
I'll finish the business I started with Rhea Ripley.
And not only will I walk out the last woman standing.
But I will become
Women's world champion.
[Michael] Incapacitate your opponent until she cannot make it
to her feet by the count of ten.
Nia, Becky last Woman standing tonight.
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
And now it's time for the highlight of the night.
[boom]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first.
From Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 207 pounds.
Ricochet.
[Michael] Well, you know, Judgment Day said that Ricochet embarrassed them.
By knocking JD McDonagh out of the gauntlet match last week.
So we're sending Dirty Dom into battle.
[Pat] Aww Dummy Dom, Dirty Dom.
Despicable Dom.
Welcome back.
[Michael] Ricochet, Dirty Dominik Mysterio
Live next on Monday Night Raw
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
[narrator] This hungry for mania moment is brought to you by snickers.
Maybe you just need a Snickers.
Snickers satisfies.
[LA] My favorite Wrestlemania moment.
[Michael] The greatest night in live entertainment.
Can I name just one?
That's my favorite. No, I can't.
[Michael] Welcome to Wrestlemania.
I think back to Wrestlemania three.
[narrator] The irresistible force meeting the immovable object.
Hogan and Andre that was huge for me as a Little Hulkamania.
We need to talk about Wrestlemania four and the whole thing with the Macho Man.
Uh, when he defeated Ted DiBiase.
Coming out of the tournament as the new WWE Champion.
[narrator] This is Macho Man's finest hour.
You get to Wrestlemania 18, You've got The Rock versus Hogan,
[narrator] The greatest icon in the history of sports entertainment.
Preparing to meet the future.
On this industry.
Uh, one of the guys that I loved in high school.
One of the guys that I loved as a kid.
Coming together had this big match, and that was big time.
in the corner of Hulk Hogan on that one.
There's plenty of moments.
It goes on and on.
But I think I just gave you a nice little cornucopia.
A little handful for you.
[fireworks bursting]
[crowd cheering]
[Jey clapping] There he go.
There he go.
Hey, real quick, man.
I know you're not going to SmackDown alone.
Hey.
I…I gave him my word.
UCE.
Bloodline you know how they roll. They ain't gonna be there alone.
Tribal Chief going to be there UCE.
Whole Bloodline going to be there. But if you need me.
I got you.
I hear you.
But I know who I'm dealing with.
Love, Love
-Thank you -Yeet
[Michael] As Cody contemplates Friday
Let's go to the Pierro pat-istrator.
[Pat] Yeah and let's zoom in on a friend of me and a friend here,
Michael Cole, laughing in my face.
As I almost blow out my knee, my eye on Yeet.
The vision is great to
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no.
Knee's about to blow out.
So when you watch.
Dirty Dom and Ricochet do their thing here realize that.
[Michael] You're not the athlete they are. [Pat] Bingo.
I almost tore my ACL earlier, Yeeting all over myself.
And now we get to watch the human joystick Ricochet, do his thing in the ring.
[Michael] So Ricochet kicked off the gauntlet match last week
to determine the number one contender
for the Intercontinental Championship by knocking off.
Judgment Day's JD McDonagh, who's here at ringside.
McDonough injured, Ricochets, ribs in In that first match-up,
Bronson Reed would take advantage and eliminate Ricochet in the next match.
So Dirty Dom has been given the orders by Judgment Day tonight.
To take care of Ricochet,
Who they say embarrassed them last week.
[Pat] Yeah, Ricochet is a phenomenal talent and
the thing about this Dirty Dom character is
If he was to have a wedding, he would get booed at his own wedding.
He's that type of human hated by everybody.
[Michael] Even his own group would boo him at his wedding.
[Pat] Absolutely.
[Michael] Dominik miss the right hand.
and there's that springboard elbow from Ricochet.
Kip-up and Ricochet in control.
That's who I take advice from is JD after what happened last week.
[Pat] Yeah not never answer to that question.
[Michael] And Ricochet and JD
shoving Dirty Dom out of harm's way.
[Pat] JD McDonagh was willing to put this,
face in the way for big Dom.
[Michael] Oh! Corkscrew Plancha by Ricochet.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Absolutely Ricochet does everything with ease.
[Michael] And just say human highlight reel.
And now JD McDonagh, a goofy official in his back,
turned in a Dominik took advantage.
Dirty Dom's in control.
[crowd booing]
And we are back live on Monday Night Raw.
Dominik Mysterio has taken control of Ricochet
thanks to some shenanigans
by JD McDonagh during the commercial break.
Ricochet creating some space, lands on the apron.
And a big knee to Dominik.
Ricochet, such a tremendous balance.
And Dominik makes him pay.
[Pat] Ricochet is only human
that can do some of the things that Ricochet does.
[Michael] Oh! Face first, Dominik plants Ricochet for the win.
Hook of the leg.
Ricochet kicks out at two.
Much to the chagrin of JD McDonagh.
[Pat] Yeah, this Judgment Day is just a bunch of…
bunch of bullies.
[Michael] Bang, face first.
[Pat] Take advantage of situations.
JD McDonagh, all commercial break was tormenting Ricochet.
[Michael] Tough night you nearly tore your ACL on the chair.
You got soda poured all over you
during the course of break by these Judgment Day buffoons.
[Pat] Liked I yeeted all over myself.
[Michael] And now Dominik.
Again a…
[Pat] Don't you do this, Dirty Dom.
[Michael] Yeah, Dirty Dom.
Some would say paying homage…
Ricochet turns it around.
The power of Ricochet!
[Pat] Ricochet is the hero tonight in Raleigh.
[Michael] Oh, the boot right to the face, cover by Ricochet
for the win over Dirty Dom and a kick out at two.
Come on Dom, come on.
Ricochet so quick, quick as a puma.
He's in a control now of Dirty Dom.
[Pat] People don't talk about how quick Pumas are.
I think as a whole.
[crowd murmuring]
[Michael] And Dominic now rolling up Ricochet.
Shoulders are down.
Kick out at two.
Ricochet what a kick to the face of Dirty Dom.
And he's going up high.
[Pat] With that puma speed.
Jungle cat agility.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, the 450, has to roll through.
Big kick in the face of Dominik.
JD McDonagh causing a distraction.
And he's going to pay for it.
Dirty Dom from behind.
[crowd booing]
He went to The 619.
Ricochet ducked underneath.
Recoil.
Cover.
[all] One, two, three.
[Michael] Ricochet with the win.
-[bell rings] -Two for two against Judgment Day.
[announcer] Here is your winner Ric--
[Pat] Samantha Irvin couldn't even finish.
Ricochets name.
[Michael] JD McDonagh tried to ambush Ricochet.
And Ricochet going to make him pay.
As Ricochet gets out of harm's way,
[Pat] Just did a backflip off the guy's sternum onto his feet.
[Michael] Once again, embarrassing Judgment Day
Here tonight On Monday Night Raw.
[Pat] Ricochet's rolling.
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
[crowd cheering]
Chad.
Hey man I was actually looking for you.
I just wanted to say about last week's match, man.
It was an honor.
It was an honor, man. I haven't been pushed
like that in the ring in a really long time and
I could have gone either way.
Yeah. Yeah, it was great.
Thanks. Yeah.
You all right?
I'm fine.
Kind of feels like you've got something on your mind here, buddy.
Sami.
I said, I'm fine.
Okay, let's leave it.
Chad huh.
How many years have we known each other?
I know you've got something to say, so say it.
Look, look Sami.
Last week.
This opportunity, Wrestlemania this whole thing to me, it just.
It meant more
You know, Chad, I've been hearing you say that for weeks and weeks,
and I got to tell you, it's really unfair, man.
You think you're the only this matters to.
You are not man, I I have a family at home too.
You know, my kid cries when Baba loses a match, too.
All right. I have people that I've let down in my life and my career.
People I'm trying to make proud, too.
After all the years I put into this game.
You don't get to tell me what matters as you don't know what this means.
Sami. Hey.
I know all that.
It's not about that.
What is this about then man?
What is all this?
What is this?
You can't beat Gunther.
[Michael] That's Carter Finley Stadium here in Raleigh,
home of the North Carolina State Wolfpack football team.
I saw The Rolling Stones and The Who in that stadium in 1989 but I digress.
Speaking of football stadiums, August 3rd, SummerSlam,
is coming to Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Logan Paul made the announcement on his impulsive podcast last week.
Visit WWE.com/events to register to be the first have receive
exclusively free sale information.
Guess who's in the ring?
-[Pat] Who's that? -[Michael] Our general manager.
Adam Pearce.
All right, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to sign the contract
to make official.
The Intercontinental Heavyweight championship match.
At Wrestlemania.
[Pat] Ah Good work, Pierce.
Allow me to introduce first the challenger.
Please welcome.
Sami Zayn.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[Michael] Last week on Monday Night Raw Sami Zayn.
Ran the gauntlet.
Final match up a classic.
With Chad Gable.
You know which Sami Zayn would win.
To punch his ticket to Wrestlemania.
But Pat, What about…
Chad Gable said moments ago to Sami Zayn.
He looked Sami Zayn in the eye and said,
you cannot beat Gunther.
[Pat] Chad Gable believes what a lot of us believe and that.
Gunther's damn near unbeatable at this point.
Sami's rolling.
[crowd cheering]
For the last month.
He's been batting a thousand.
Sami's ready to be a champion.
Tonight we make it official that he has an opportunity at Wrestlemania.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
And his opponent at Wrestlemania.
The longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time.
The Ring General
Gunther
[Pat] Pierce just spoke German.
[Michael] Attempted.
[Pat] They can help y'all.
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[Michael] Here's a number for you.
Six hundred and forty seven.
The number of days that Gunther has held
the Intercontinental Championship.
Dozens of WWE Hall of Famers.
Have held that prestigious title over the years.
But no one.
Has held the gold longer than that man.
Perhaps the most dominant.
Perhaps the most intimidating.
Perhaps the most unstoppable.
Intercontinental champion.
Of all time.
[Pat] We're so lucky. He's our champion Cole.
Look at that man.
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[Pat] Stand at attention Cole.
Show him a little bit of respect.
That's The Ring General.
All right, gentlemen. You know how this works.
-Two signatures-- -Mr…Mr. Pierce.
Before we proceed here.
Let's establish what it is.
This is the biggest and most important contract signing.
For the biggest and most important match.
In the history of the Intercontinental Championship.
And why?
Why is the contender attending this prestige event.
Dressed like any of the bums in the audience tonight?
[crowd booing]
Let me hear it.
Let's go let me here it.
[mic thuds]
You know Gunther, you keep sitting there with that smug smile on your face.
And I got to tell you, it's really starting to piss me off.
[crowd cheering]
You think this is just another day, at the office and you're just gonna
steamroll through this?
Like it's any other contender that you've had?
Hey and respect to you, man, because you have,
you've beaten everybody that's come across your way.
And you've done it on your own.
You don't believe I can do it.
A lot of people didn't believe in me.
And many many points in my career Gunther.
People didn't believe that I would even end up in WWE.
People didn't believe I would be a champion.
People didn't believe I would Main Event Wrestlemania and I bet.
If you ask The Usos.
They didn't believe that I would be the guy.
To end the longest tag team title reign of all time, but I did
[crowd cheering]
And now one year later.
I will make history again by ending the longest
Intercontinental title reign of all time.
[mic thuds]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Sami, Sami, Sami.
Looks Sami.
I think what you should do.
Is listen to your…
new friend Chad Gable because
he doesn't believe you can beat me.
All the people here in the building, they cheer for you.
I think they love you, but.
[crowd cheering]
They don't believe you can beat me.
[crowd booing]
And, you know.
When I look into your eyes
and if you would be honest to yourself.
You don't believe you can beat me.
So.
What you're doing right now.
Is standing on my doorstep
and beg me.
To receive the beating of a lifetime
at the grandest stage of them all.
So whatever you need to do, Sami.
Dreaming, believe in.
Keep on doing it.
Because at Wrestlemania.
Your dreams.
Will meet reality.
[mic thuds]
[crowd murmuring]
[crowd clapping]
Wait.
Wait, wait, wait.
Wait.
So you look in my eyes.
And you don't think I believe huh?
Look again.
[crowd cheering]
Get a good, long look because you are looking into the eyes
of the man who is going to take are you down at Wrestlemania.
[mic thuds]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The intercontinental champion, Gunther playing at the seeds.
Question is, is Sammy Zain trying to convince himself,
or does he really believe himself Pat?
[Pat] I'd say a few weeks ago, Sami had a bit.
more doubt than he has now, so maybe he can creep in.
But I believe in this, Sami Zayn.
And I think this Sami Zayn believes in this Sami Zayn, too.
[Michael] We're gonna find out in 19 nights.
[Pat] Nobody wants to be taken on Gunther.
That's as a matter of fact.
Wrestlemania season.
That's the mindset we need to be in.
Hey, hey good luck out there, guys.
-Thanks. -See you guys in Wrestlemania.
Now we just have to beat.
My God,
Let's go warm up.
Feel sorry for whom got to fight them guys.
One of them was hairy.
-Truth you know- -I…
I will tell him let's go.
Eh.
Yeah, got it.
You're ready?
[crowd cheering]
Awesome.
[Michael] Well Pat them guys.
The hairy ones that's--
No, no, no.
-Here's the remix. -No remix, no remix, no no follow my lead.
Follow my lead.
All right. I got you.
♪ People over there, what's up? ♪
♪ You feel me? Stand up and say, what's up? ♪
-♪ What's up? ♪ -♪ What's up? ♪
♪ Miz, tell em who we is ♪
♪ The Awesome Truth ♪
♪ You can get with this ♪
♪ Or are you thinking with that ♪
♪ The Awesome Truth ♪
♪ This is where, what's up? ♪
-♪ What's up? ♪ -♪ What's up? ♪
♪ What's up? ♪
♪ Miz, tell em who we is ♪
♪ The Awesome Truth ♪
♪ Skip and a jump in leaving the competition ♪
♪ Make him disappear like your favorite magician ♪
♪ It's like a matter of fact y'all could tell him ♪
♪ That the Awesome Truth is back ♪
♪ Most of the time you see us we just being simple ♪
♪ Give me the time we need ♪
♪ Bust them down like pimple ♪
♪ Staking our claim the frame ♪
♪ The two most must see superstars playing the game ♪
♪ Haven't even started yet ♪
♪ You can better believe if we take it off for show I bet ♪
-♪ What's up? ♪ -♪ What's up? ♪
♪ Miz, tell em who we is ♪
♪ The Awesome Truth ♪
[Michael] Wrestlemania qualifying match is next on Raw.
[Pat] That's what's up.
[upbeat music playing]
[Michael] So Pat, I think R-Truth just figured out that Indus Sher
is actually his opponent tonight.
Awesome Truth versus Indus Sher, winner advances
to the Six Pack Challenge ladder match for the tag titles at Wrestlemania.
[Pat] R-Truth was pretty bummed out for whoever had to wrestle against this
massive group of dudes here.
[Michael] Jinder Mahal the former WWE champion, leading them to the ring.
On the left is Sanga, on the right is Veer.
Indus Sher, meaning Indian Tigers.
They go to work against Awesome Truth tonight.
Tigers, pumas, it's been a good night tonight.
[Pat] Tiger's not talking about it enough either.
[Michael] So R-truth going to start things off for Awesome Truth.
You know been a great tag team over the years.
Never been tag team champions, however.
An opportunity to qualify for a match that could make them tag champs tonight.
R-Truth looking right into the eyes of this man. Sanga.
-[Pat] Quick tag… -[Michael] Here comes Miz.
[Pat] …stay fresh, says R-Truth.
[Michael] Gonna make the two time WWE champion.
Eight time Intercontinental Champion.
Hall of Famer resume The Miz.
Come into the ring and try to use his quickness here on Sanga
[Pat] Something about Miz that he'll step right in the line of
fire every single time.
[Michael] Sanga fearsome, tough, imposing.
[Pat] Kickboxing champion
[Michael] Yes national kickboxing gold medalist.
In his homeland of India, also an actor, stared in many Bollywood films.
And now just man handedly Miz.
[Pat] He's 6-foot-8 a kickboxing champion now.
A million dollar arm.
[Veer yells]
And a million dollar elbow.
[crowd chanting]
[Pat] R-Truth trying to bring quality behind The Miz.
[crowd clapping]
[Michael] Yeah a cheerleader.
Had no interest in being a part of this match-up.
Take a look at the
[Pat] Sky High elbow drop.
[Michael] Boom right to the heart.
Indus Sher is dangerous as they come.
[Pat] Indus Sher doesn't appear to have many
empathetic emotions inside their body.
They're destructive bunch.
They've been yelling at the crowd.
[Michael] Well, they're trying to.
They're trying to just twist the head off the shoulders of Miz.
[crowd chanting]
And let's go, Miz chants.
Here in Raleigh tonight.
Sold out 14,000 plus on hand.
[Pat] Very rarely do a group of people get together and scream let's go Miz.
At the same time, this is a big day big night. big night.
But for that to happen.
Miz got a battle against Indus Sher.
[Michael] Yeah, Miz trying to fight out of the corner.
Picked out of the air.
R-Truth, a long way away.
Oh! And now here comes R-Truth.
Now he has no choice.
But to go to work against Indus Sher.
Shoulder down.
Of course, is a…childhood…hero.
[Pat] Watched him growing up.
[Michael] John Cena,
[crowd cheering]
Truth paying homage.
[crowd cheering]
To John Cena tonight,
[crowd chanting] You can't see me.
[Pat] Stanicky in the house
[Michael] And the Five Knuckle Shuffle
Jinder Mahal does not look amused.
Truth look at this.
Didn't last long.
Drop toe-hold
[Pat] Jinder Mahal's been here long enough to know that when R-Truth gets rolling.
[Michael] STF!
Oh, Sanga, and here is Miz.
[The Miz] Truth!
[Cole] Miz and Truth battling it out against Indus Sher.
[Pat] This is smart.
Two on one on the 6-foot-8 Sanga.
[Michael] Double Dropkick.
[Pat] Almost loses his footing.
[Michael] Miz.
Helped by Truth with the Skull Crushing Finale.
[Pat] Awesome Truth.
[The Miz] Yeah
[Pat] Oh Woah, woah.
[Michael] Jinder Mahal ran into the boots of Miz.
[Pat] He also lost his balance little bit.
[Michael] R-Truth lost his balance.
Fell right into the cover, and the win.
[Pat] Woah, woah.
[bell rings]
[Pat laughing] I can't believe Miz--
[announcer] Here are your winners.
Awesome Truth.
[Michael] R-Truth, I think, is just realizing what happened.
Because Miz and Awesome Truth Miz and R-Truth that is Awesome Truth.
Have qualified now for the Six Pack Challenge ladder match at Wrestlemania.
Let's go to Peer-O-Patistrator to show you exactly what happened.
After the end of this match-up and how
R-Truth actually picked up the win.
[Pat] Many were distracted by what was happening.
Outside the ring between Miz.
But what was taking place inside is R-Truth catches a big time elbow.
So much so that he spits.
His gum out of his mouth.
He falls down.
Who's down there?
Oh! The million dollar arm.
One two three.
R-Truth has somehow found his way.
Alongside Awesome Truth.
To be a Wrestlemania.
For the world tag team title.
[Michael] Effective use of the Pat-istrator there.
[Pat] Not really. I mean, nothing really was.
Where'd I go with it?
[Michael] I have no idea.
You got to get better at that.
[Pat] Yeah, way better.
[Michael] Three teams.
Three more to still figure out as we head to Wrestlemania.
That man's headed to Wrestlemania.
The Scottish Warriors, Drew McIntyre,
Faces Rollins or the World Heavyweight Championship.
A confident McIntyre is here.
Live next.
Is he the savior of Wrestlemania?
[Pat] He sure believes that.
[upbeat music playing]
[Michael] And today WWE announced due to high demand, additional
meet and greets with WWE Superstars
Drew McIntyre on Saturday, April 6th.
Jey Uso on Monday, April 8th.
VIP tickets for these guaranteed meet and greets.
Go on sale tomorrow at fanatics events.com/WWE.
Also on Friday and Monday,
The Pat McAfee Show will be at WWE World.
[Pat] That's right Triple H will be joining us.
On Friday, April 5th.
I cannot wait and guess who will be co-hosting.
[Michael] Guess who who?
Michael Cole will be co-hosting the Pat McAfee Show on Friday.
[Michael] Shouldn't said that Triple H may not come.
Bingo I was a little bit worried about
that particular announcement we're lucky.
The goat Michael Cole will be joining us alongside The Cerebral Assassin.
Triple H
Hey, Hey.
Tell me why.
Why What?
Tell me why you think I can't beat Gunther?
You just saw. Why?
Okay with Gunther.
It's not just physical it's mental.
All right you made a career.
Out of being the underdog that crawls his way
out of any hole he's in.
All right like you did with me last week.
You find a window of opportunity.
And you crawl out of it anytime you can.
Gunther's on a different level.
Okay. You're gonna sit and wait.
For that window of opportunity to appear.
That doesn't happen with him.
Okay?
He's a different beast, a different animal.
Than you've ever wrestled before.
If you don't change your mentality.
You can't beat him.
[Michael] Pat, can Sami have any chance against Gunther?
Well, I mean not w here he's got people like that talking to him like that.
Confidence is everything in this business.
And Chad Gable is sawing him down a pretty good thing.
We are moments away from the appearance
of number one contender for the world title.
That would be Drew McIntyre.
The man who takes credit for injuring CM Punk
Back at the Royal Rumble match.
However, seven plus weeks later,
CM Punk is on the comeback trail.
[upbeat music playing]
Do I plan on being at Wrestlemania?
Wrestlemania is in Philadelphia.
What are the first four letters in Philadelphia?
Phil.
You can't have Wrestlemania in Philadelphia without Phil.
Whether I'm invited or uninvited, it never really matters.
With CM Punk he will be there.
["Cult Of Personality" playing]
[Michael] So, Pat, you've got a quick trip to Chicago next week.
CM punk returns in his hometown of Chicago.
Live on Monday Night Raw next week.
From the Allstate Arena.
[Pat] I can't wait to be in Chicago with CM Punk.
dream come true should be and electrified.
["Gallantry" playing]
[announcer] Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome
Drew McIntyre.
[fireworks bursting]
[Michael] The Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre is--
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Pat] Interrupted by…
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The world heavyweight champion.
The man he meets at Wrestlemania.
[crowd chanting]
["Visionary" playing]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[announcer] Please welcome the World Heavyweight Champion,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Michael] Drew McIntyre is steaming.
This is an extension of what Seth Rollins did last week,
the mind games on McIntyre.
["Visionary" playing]
[crowd chanting]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Pat] I love it.
Obviously the savior of Wrestlemania does not enjoy
Seth "Freakin" Rollins' antics.
But how could you not enjoy what our champion's doing?
[crowd chanting]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting]
Raleigh, North Carolina.
[crowd cheering]
Welcome to Monday Night Rollins.
Hey, Drew.
I'm sorry, I didn't even see you there I…
I…
I was too busy uh.
You know, soaking up the spotlight, right?
All right, here we go.
Here we go. what Drew I…I…
-I would-- -I know you got more.
-Get it all out of your system please. -No, no.
No, no, no. I'll just hang out in the background.
Enjoy the spotlight.
Because after Wrestlemania, the spotlight's all mine.
Hey, hey, hey, Look.
I came out here with an honest cause Drew.
I don't like you, I think you're stupid, I think you're a hypocrite.
I think you've said a lot of dumb things in the last few weeks.
But I came out here to admit.
One thing you said is absolutely correct,
and I wanted to admit it to your face.
I wanted to do it right here in Raleigh.
In front of all these fine folks.
[crowd cheering]
Now
They always say the first step,
on the road to recovery is the hardest.
So if you'll bear with me please,
I've been working on this.
It's going to be difficult for me, but.
My name is…
Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[crowd cheering]
And I'm a…
I'm a spotlight junkie
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Spotlight junkie
Everything's just a joke to you, isn't it, man?
Look at you.
You're becoming a parody of yourself.
At this point, but honestly,
I just don't care about the BS any more Seth.
I'm trying to reason with you, I gave the answers.
At this point,
I literally only care about our match.
And the world title.
And you want to know the punchline funny man.
Well, you guys, you know, every time
you say what it means, you're happy.
I took out CM punk.
Thanks for remembering.
The punch line funny man.
Is when I beat you for that title at Wrestlemania.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk.
Let's not be ridiculous.
Punk will be here next week.
He would never show up in somewhere like rally.
[crowd booing]
You hear that, punk?
They're booing you.
But it's true.
You're gonna leave your couch in Chicago to justify that--
Hey Drew shut your trap.
[crowd cheering]
I see I got your attention.
Yeah, you got my attention all right.
You know because this isn't a joke to me.
When I said I was an addict.
When I said I was a spotlight junkie.
It wasn't a joke to me you see.
I've been doing this for 20 years, Drew.
20 years, just like you.
And every single time I come out of that curtain,
that's my fix, man.
And it gets better, and better, and better every single time.
When I come out here,
I lay it all on the line in this ring.
It gets better and better
every single time.
When I hear these people sing my song
so loud I can barely speak…
[crowd chanting]
That's my fix, Drew.
That's the spotlight I crave. And you know what?
I want the spotlight as bright as it can possibly be.
So, look, I know you've been busy online
trying to entertain the people on Twitter, making memes.
You haven't been listening to what I've been telling you.
So let me get this through your thick skull.
Night one at WrestleMania,
I take the biggest star in Hollywood and his
side chick and I make them my bitches.
[crowd cheering]
And then night two.
The biggest spotlight possible
will be shining down on you and me
and the world heavyweight championship.
[crowd cheering]
I guess all hail our savior,
Seth Rollins, thank you very much.
You had me. That's what I want.
I want that passion. I don't want the stupid outfits.
I don't want the laugh, I don't want the dancing.
I want the passion. You had me all the way to the finish.
You've done this for 20 years. Just like I've done this for 20 years.
We've given our life to this industry.
And that's what you've made this title all about.
The wrestler's title, the real wrestler's title,
the workhorse championship.
You had me until you mentioned the big spotlight. And the reason
we're gonna get it is 'cause you're gonna pin one of the biggest stars.
Why can't it just be because of all your hard work to make that title
and all my hard work to get to this point.
Why can't that be the reason we're getting the biggest spotlight?
[crowd cheering]
Your priorities are all wrong, man. You got it backwards.
I've given you the answers, and I told you
I honestly don't care about all the BS.
Now, all I care about is you make it to the ring
a night to a WrestleMania, and if you can't walk
we'll wheel you down.
If they can't wheel you down, I will carry you down,
because at WrestleMania
I'm not gonna get the moment I deserve.
I am gonna get the moment I have bloody earned.
[crowd cheering]
Ah, Drew.
There it is.
That's right. You wanna call me a spotlight junkie?
But you want the spotlight just as bad as I do, don't you?
You're an addict, just like I am.
And you've been begging for a spotlight for the past four years
because you won the WrestleMania main event. You did, back in 2020,
in an empty warehouse,
and all we've been hearing from Drew McIntyre for the past four years
was how that wasn't good enough.
You've been whining and complaining and bitching and moaning
that you deserve better, that you deserve more.
The problem is, Drew,
when everybody came back around and the lights got bright again,
what happened? You fumbled the ball.
[crowd booing]
And that's the difference between you and me.
When the lights are the brightest, I shine, baby.
I shine bright.
And at WrestleMania XL,
the lights are gonna be as bright as they have ever been.
And you are going to find out
you're not as good as you think you are.
[intense music playing]
The games continue.
-[Michael] Nineteen… -I don't like you.
-[Michael] …nights. -You don't like me.
But you can't hang with me, son.
Listen to 'em. Listen to 'em.
I'm a wanted woman.
And I don't even have a title…
yet.
We're less than three weeks away from WrestleMania,
so why would I risk it all?
Because I don't know anything else.
All I know is taking risks.
All I know is fighting.
And all I know is, tonight,
I'm gonna be the last woman standing.
[voice on PA] It's a new day, yes it is.
[Michael] Becky's never beaten Nia Jax.
[Michael] Can she do it tonight?
[Michael] Already two teams have qualified tonight
for the Six-Pack Challenge Ladder Match at WrestleMania.
One more spot from Monday Night Raw remains.
[Michael] Who's it gonna be, Pat?
The New Day or Alpha Academy?
Find out live, next.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, this isn't make believe.
The real D'Angelo family, not the crew from NXT,
the real D'Angelo family has received an unforgettable experience
thanks to Universal Orlando Resort, with a surprise upgrade to front row seats.
Universal Orlando Resort, it's more than magic.
It's real.
[Pat] After the D'Angelo family
Paisans having a blast from the front row.
[Michael] Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston trying to qualify for WrestleMania.
A Six-Pack Challenge Ladder Match.
[Pat] Front row seat to watch The New Day at work. What a night.
["Shoooosh" playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following is a WrestleMania XL
Tag Team Championship qualifying match.
Making their way to the ring,
representing Alpha Academy,
the team of Akira Tozawa
and Otis.
[Michael] One of these teams is gonna qualify for WrestleMania.
And WrestleMania XL is presented by
Snickers.
Snickers satisfies.
And by WWE 2K24,
the highest rated WWE 2K game of all time.
Relive 40 years of WrestleMania,
play on new match types and career mode experiences
with an iconic roster of over 200 superstars and legends.
Available now worldwide.
Speaking of WrestleMania,
WrestleMania Saturday, WrestleMania Sunday,
special start times, Pat.
-[Michael] 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific… -[bell rings]
-…for WrestleMania. -[Pat] I can't wait.
[Michael] On Peacock. Otis starts things off with Xavier Woods already.
The Awesome Truth, DIY Judgment Day.
Part of the Six-Pack Ladder Match to the undisputed Tag titles
at WrestleMania.
SmackDown has a mini tournament going on to determine their two teams.
One of these two teams will join that matchup.
And Otis with a big shoulder tackle.
[Pat] Xavier Woods does not want to get into a power game with Otis.
I think his center of gravity is about two feet off the sky, or off the ground.
He's not gonna be somebody you can move around easily.
He literally just stomached him to the ground.
[Michael] That's a new move. Stomached.
-[Pat] Did you see it? He stomached him. -[Michael] Gutbuster.
-[Pat] There's another one. -[Michael] Otis running.
[Pat] Oh yeah.
[Michael] Showing, "Kofi, I can have some fun as well."
[Pat] He's literally stomaching people to death right now.
Boom. With the stomach.
[Michael] That's where he could have made use of the Peer-O-Patistrator.
[Pat] Bingo. We can break down our words if we have to.
It's so damn special.
[Michael] Better than what you did earlier. But nonetheless,
Xavier Woods in control of Tozawa, who was very upset with his 2K rating.
-[Michael] 68, low for Mr. Tozawa. -[Pat] That Patistrator might be dead,
but Tozawa can certainly build his rating with every move.
[Michael] Capable -- Oh. He's a tremendous athlete is Tozawa,
loves to fly around the ring.
[Pat] Xavier Woods is in front of us here.
I would like to remind him that Otis stomached you.
[Michael] And now Tozawa sends Kofi Kingston flying.
[Otis] Attaboy, Tozawa.
[Michael] And Alpha Academy is cruising.
[Pat] Absolutely. Tozawa.
Whoa whoa whoa whoa. What are they thinking here?
[Michael] And Tozawa…
Suicide dive, Alpha Academy in control.
Could they be heading to WrestleMania?
[Pat] Possibly, Cole. Possibly.
[Michael] One of these two teams is heading to WrestleMania
in the Six-Pack Challenge Ladder Match for the undisputed Tag titles.
Will it be New Day or will it be Alpha Academy?
Tozawa and Otis have been very impressive
against one of the great tag teams of all time.
[Pat] Otis has, I'd say, about 80 percent of Raleigh behind him.
The New Day beloved as well.
[Michael] Tag. Here comes Kofi and here comes Otis.
-[Pat] Wrecking ball. -[Michael] Otis just ploughing through,
the former WWE champion.
-Otis with a back elbow. -[Pat] Oh, nice elbow.
[Michael] Now Xavier Woods for king of the ring
runs into a clothesline by Otis.
[Pat] Otis is cleaning house.
[Michael] And he just caught Kofi. Kofi came flying off the ropes.
World's strongest slam by Otis.
And it could be the beginning of the end for The New Day.
[Pat] Otis' hips are thrusting.
The crowd
is on their feet.
[Michael] Caterpillar, followed by the elbow.
Cover. To advance to WrestleMania.
And Kofi kicks out.
[Pat] How Kofi kicked out of that?
[Michael] Incredible matchup with high stakes,
a spot at WrestleMania,
-[Pat] 14,000… -[Michael] Otis, second rope.
Kofi rolled out of harm's way.
That would have been a disaster.
Kick to the face. Tozawa now crossbody.
Lateral press. Hook of the leg now on Kingston,
who's got a kick out at two.
[Pat] The Alpha Academy squad is on the same page.
Chad Gable is leading the great fit.
-[Pat] Kick to the face from Xavier Woods. -[Michael] Xavier, legal man now.
Tornado DDT.
Cover now and Tozawa. Will The New Day advance to WrestleMania?
Kick out.
Already Judgment Day.
Awesome Truth, DIY.
Part of the Six-Pack Ladder Match.
[Pat] At WrestleMania.
Xavier Woods, comfortable going to the sky.
So is Tozawa.
Number one trend in the United States, #WWERaw
[Michael] Yeah, thanks to Otis and the belly button belly buster.
[Pat] He did stomach somebody earlier right in the face.
[Michael] And now Xavier Woods has Tozawa hooked.
Tozawa now up on the second rope.
What's Tozawa going to do here?
[Pat] Wait a minute. Tozawa beating down Xavier Woods.
-[Pat] Wants little leverage. -[Michael] For a superplex.
Woods able to block.
[Pat] The foot placement of Xavier Woods has put him in a great spot here.
[Michael] Trying to fight out of this.
[Pat] Oh, he's found himself…
[Michael] Woods with Tozawa up
on his shoulders.
[Pat] What? What?
[Michael] Tozawa turns it around to a hurricanerana.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The power of Tozawa.
Connects.
Cover. To head to WrestleMania.
And Kofi Kingston saving the matchup.
-[Michael] Watch this. -[Pat] Look at the height on Tozawa.
[Michael] Incredible senton by Tozawa.
And now Otis dragging Kofi
outside the ring on the other side.
Kofi off the steps.
Tornado DDT.
Planting Otis.
Kick by Tozawa.
Caught Kingston.
Xavier Woods misses with a clothesline.
Oh, the power now of Woods.
[Pat] Wow. Xavier Woods
planted with a sit out powerbomb.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] A shot at WrestleMania is on the line. Xavier Woods…
[Pat] Tozawa's gotta be too far away here.
[Michael] Woods. Limit break time!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Elbow by Woods.
-[Michael] Cover. -One, two, three.
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Here are your winners,
The New Day.
[Michael] The New Day is going to WrestleMania
as part of the Six-Pack Ladder Match
for the undisputed tag titles.
[Pat] What a win for The New Day, and
as we break some things down this match,
we didn't think Xavier Woods would be able to do what he did there
because earlier in the match
he got stomached in the face.
[Michael] The Peer-O-Patistrator.
[Pat] You see big Otis. Obviously he's got his eyes on the prize.
What's he thinking? Maybe a big lariat with that ham hock
holding off his left shoulder.
Is that what he's thinking? Roll it.
No. He said
"Get in my belly."
He literally put Xavier Woods through his stomach,
knocking him down into the outhouse.
But Xavier Woods displays the grit and toughness
that has gotten The New Day to Hall of Fame status,
and ends this thing with an elbow drop
three quarters of the way across the ring.
The New Day rocks.
The New Day is back.
The New Day is in WrestleMania.
Am I gonna have to watch out for you as well tonight?
Well, you should always watch me. But, no.
Tonight, Nia is all yours.
Just make sure you kick her ass.
She's done.
[crowd cheering]
Friday?
One on one?
One on one.
Love the bandana, Pharaoh.
[Michael] So Friday night on SmackDown in Milwaukee,
it is Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns face to face.
-[Pat] If you can trust the bloodline. -[Michael] You can trust Paul Heyman.
He was speaking for the Tribal Chief, who is a man of his word.
And Cody Rhodes obviously is a man who has never lied.
[Pat] Can you believe we only have two more Monday Night Raws
before WrestleMania?
Two weeks from tonight, we're at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The Rock returns to Monday Night Raw.
The final Raw before WrestleMania.
But next week, we're heading to Allstate Arena in Chicago.
CM Punk, in his hometown, returns to Monday Night Raw.
It's gonna be interesting to hear what CM Punk has to say.
[Michael] How about Ricochet and JD McDonagh?
They go on one on one next week
after Ricochet beat McDonagh
at the Gauntlet Match a couple of weeks ago.
That's all next week, Monday Night Raw, live from Chicago.
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following is a Last Woman Standing match.
Introducing first, from Dublin, Ireland,
The Man, Becky Lynch.
[Michael] Big risk for Becky Lynch tonight, Pat.
She's got to take on Nia Jax, Last Woman Standing.
If she survives, in 19 nights
she gets Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania
for the Women's World Championship.
[Pat] And the road to WrestleMania for Becky Lynch certainly is not an easy one.
I wouldn't call this a pothole or a speed bump.
A Last Woman Standing match with Nia Jax.
You might as well get a draw bridge over a moat.
This is no easy road to WrestleMania.
But Becky Lynch, The Man…
[Michael] Well, it's a big time for Big-Time Becks.
Becky Lynch, The Man,
"Not Your Average Average Girl," available one week from tomorrow.
The Man's life in her words. I read some excerpts.
Really fascinating.
And it's been an eventful weekend for Becky.
She was at the White House yesterday for a Saint Patrick's Day brunch,
also passed her test to become a United States citizen.
[Pat] U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.
Welcome to the country officially as a citizen.
Big-Time Becks, certainly earned it.
She's giving back to this country in ways that many could never inspire.
[Pat] Hell yes. Now Nia Jax is ready to destroy it.
[Michael] Now, Becky's never beaten Nia Jax one on one in her career.
[Pat] Not a lot of people have beaten Nia Jax.
[announcer] And her opponent, from San Diego, California,
Nia Jax.
[Michael] And again, we have to wonder
who the last woman standing's gonna be when we get to Monday Night Raw.
The Penultimate Monday Night Raw before WrestleMania.
Allstate Arena, Chicago, next week. Limited tickets remaining for that event,
and the return of CM Punk.
So here are the rules for a Last Woman Standing match.
You bet your opponent so bad
that they cannot make it to their feet by the count of ten.
No pinfall, no submission, no count outs. No disqualification.
You beat the hell out of your opponent in this match.
[Pat] Yeah, it feels like this is gonna be one that's going to go the distance.
Taking on Nia Jax in a Last Woman Standing match.
[Michael] Becky going right after Nia.
Nia apparently earlier tonight said she was gonna destroy Becky
and make sure she takes Becky's spot against Rhea Ripley
at WrestleMania.
[Pat] And Nia Jax isn't scared to try to get everything that she wants.
[Michael] And again, Becky driving Nia Jax outside the ring.
If you're Becky Lynch,
what type of strategy, Pat, do you use against The Irresistible Force?
[Pat] This is the opposite of what I thought.
I would've thought Nia Jax would want to end this thing quickly.
Becky is gonna want this to go into the deep waters, you'd think,
with somebody like Nia Jax.
[Michael] Who may not last long.
Nia lifting Becky on her shoulders into the ring post,
and now a Samoan drop into the barricade.
[Pat] Big Hirsch there, in front of The Man.
-Two… -[Michael] Now the official, Shawn Bennet,
whose only job in this match is to count to ten.
Becky made it to her feet,
and now driven back to the ground again.
Nia Jax dominating.
[referee] Two.
Three.
-Four. -Stay down.
[Michael] And Nia Jax heading over to the announce table now.
A count of five by the official. Becky. Becky back to her feet.
Nia Jax dominating, but Becky trying to fight back.
Last Woman Standing.
[Michael] Debris flying everywhere here at ringside.
Pat just got nailed by Nia Jax moments ago.
This is a Last Woman Standing Match.
Becky and Nia.
[Pat] There's been a kendo stick, a chair, a book, and now a table.
Getting set up by Big-Time Becks.
[Michael] Becky's new book was used during the break, and now, again,
you win the match up when you incapacitate your opponent
to the point where they can't make it to their feet by a count of ten.
[Pat] Easy for you to say.
-[Michael] It's been a long night. -[Pat] I'd say.
[Michael] And Nia now setting up the table.
[Pat] Oh, no. Here's the table.
-[Michael] Go help her, Pat. -[Pat] No, no.
-[Michael] You busted tables in your day. -[Pat] Absolutely.
I'm not scared. A kendo stick has been thrown around already this evening.
[Michael] Couple steel chairs now in the ring.
[Pat] Nia Jax, like she's getting ready for a banquet,
throwing every steel chair she has in there.
[Michael] We're gonna pay attention to the tables.
Becky Lynch decides what to do. Looking to recover now in the ring.
-[Pat] Oh, no. -[Michael] No pinfall or submission.
No count outs, no disqualifications.
Look at her walking in on the left side.
-[Pat] Anything… -[Michael] Becky.
[Pat] Anything goes here.
[Michael] Chair to the spine of Nia.
-[Pat] No way. -[Michael] Looking for the manhandle slam.
Oh no no no no no.
Samoan drop onto the chair, trying to break Becky in half.
That's gotta be it, Cole.
Two.
[Michael] The official Shawn Bennet now begins the count. Count of three.
Becky's gotta get to her feet before ten.
Nia Jax celebrating halfway there.
Count of six. Becky
crawling to the ropes to try to drag herself up.
Nia.
[crowd chanting] We want tables!
[Michael] And now Nia with Becky up again.
Becky now sleeper hold locked in.
This is one way to incapacitate your opponent.
-[Michael] Get 'em to pass out. -[Pat] Yeah, choke 'em out.
Maybe they can't answer the bell.
Nia Jax fends off Becky Lynch.
[Michael] Becky running, bulldog.
Off the chair goes Nia.
-Two. -[Michael] Now it's the official's turn
to count Nia down.
Four.
[Michael] Count of four. Last Woman Standing.
Our main event on Monday Night Raw sold out tonight.
North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Eight.
[Pat] 14,370 people.
[Michael] Oh no.
Becky came off the top rope and Nia swung a chair into her
and now continuing the assault.
[Pat] You'd think the longer this goes, the better it'd be for Becky,
but that is not the case.
Nia is only growing stronger.
[Michael] She's been on an incredible roll
as of late here in WWE.
Took Rhea Ripley to the limit back at elimination chamber.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] Nearly unstoppable since returning to WWE.
And now using a kendo stick to her advantage.
[Pat] Bending a kendo stick around Becky Lynch's back.
Nia Jax, the destroyer of bodies.
-[Pat] Oh no. -[Michael] She promised
to break Becky in half,
to make sure Becky didn't make WrestleMania
and her match with Rhea Ripley. Leg drop by Nia.
[Pat] She's on a steel chair, Cole.
Two.
[Michael] Becky, maimed and mangled.
Four.
[Michael] By the dominating Nia Jax.
[Pat] Nia rubbing it in the face of all Raleigh's…
Another chair shot.
And another. How much can Becky Lynch take?
[Michael] It's been a great strategy.
As soon as Becky starts to get back to her feet, Nia's back on the…
-[Pat] What's she doing? -[Michael] Making sure Becky can't get up.
Two.
[Michael] Becky with a kendo stick.
-[Pat] Desperation move here by Becky. -[Michael] And it worked.
Nia trying to cover up, that one caught her in the face.
[crowd cheering]
And now Becky's sending Nia scurrying away.
The Irish-American.
[Pat] Oh, big right from Nia Jax.
[Michael] Yeah, but every time she starts to build momentum,
Nia Jax just stops Becky in her tracks.
Now lifting up the steel steps
and using them as a weapon.
Smashing it off the face of Becky.
[Pat] Nia Jax in her comfort zone here.
[Michael] A lot of people questioning why Becky Lynch would take a match like this.
Couple of weeks from Mania. Nobody home.
Nia Jax, leg drop on the apron.
And now an opportunity for Becky to fight back.
[Pat] A whole lot of pain there for Nia it appears.
Oh, off the steps.
And now Nia's down.
Two.
Three.
-Four. -[Michael] Count of four.
-Five. -[Michael] Halfway there, Nia Jax
trying to make it back to her feet.
Becky realizes Nia would do that
and Becky smashes her face first into the steps again.
-[Pat] Restarts the count. -Two.
Three.
Four.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Nia Jax.
Trying to make it to her feet.
And she does. And Becky's got a table.
[Michael] Last Woman Standing. Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, and this has been a war.
-[Pat] Oh, no. -[Michael] You can't make it to ten,
you lose the match. Simple.
Becky Lynch set up this ladder during the commercial break.
Nia Jax screaming at you, Pat, to hold the damned ladder,
as you take a look at what happened during the break.
Nia slinging Becky into the barricade.
-[Michael] Uh, Pat-- -[Pat] Yep, yep. I'm so sorry.
-[Michael] Sit down. -[Pat] I shouldn't have gone.
-[Michael] You shouldn't. -[Pat] Thanks.
-[Michael] Nia Jax off the ladder. -[Pat] Oh.
[Michael] Becky with a fire extinguisher blinding Nia Jax.
[Pat] I believe the D'Angelo family,
who got their seats upgraded by Universal Orlando,
caught a little bit of the fire extinguisher as well.
[Michael] And that may turn this matchup around for Becky Lynch.
[Pat] It certainly will.
[Michael] Becky back to her feet.
[Michael] And…
Oh no no no no. Samoan drop through the table.
That may be it for Becky.
One.
Two.
-[Michael] Both women down. -Three.
Four.
[Michael] A count of four. Becky has yet to move.
[Pat] She was in the middle of a table taco as well,
as it was folding on top of her.
Nia says not enough.
[Michael] She wants to punish Becky some more. Nia, second rope.
There it is, the annihilator.
[Pat] I swear I saw her sternum touch her spine.
Four.
-Five. -[Michael] A count of five.
Nia Jax closing in
on a victory over Becky Lynch.
Last Woman Standing.
Count of eight now. Becky wisely rolls out of the ring,
lands on her feet and beats the count.
[Pat] What a veteran move by Becky Lynch.
Nia Jax offended
that Becky survived that, outsmarted her almost.
[Michael] And now, Nia…
Huh? Getting a little blurry?
Huh?
[Pat] Nia telling her she's gonna be the one at WrestleMania.
[Michael] Trash talking, looking to put more damage to The Man, Becky Lynch.
[Pat] You're just walking up the stairs with Becky on her shoulders.
Just waltzing around to the apron.
[Michael] And now Nia Jax…
[Pat] What the hell is Nia Jax thinking?
[Michael] She wanted to Samoan Becky through the table, but Becky fought back.
Becky still going. Here comes The Man.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Manhandle slam through the table.
That's gotta be it.
-Two. -[Pat] That's gotta be it.
[Michael] Becky Lynch, with a massive manhandle slam
through the table, here at ringside.
-Six. -[Michael] The official at six.
Becky closing in on a victory.
Eight.
[Michael] Nia made it to her feet.
Nia beat the count.
Somehow Nia beat the count after that.
A manhandle slam through the table by Becky Lynch.
[Pat] The ground shook in Raleigh, North Carolina.
[Michael] And in the background, Becky Lynch.
Becky is scaling the ladder.
Becky Lynch is scaling the ladder.
Nia Jax with no idea where she is.
Nia back to her feet.
[Pat] Stumbling, fumbling.
Nia Jax.
[Michael] On the announce-- Oh! Becky Lynch.
Leg drop through the announce table.
Becky Lynch.
From the top of the ladder,
through Nia, through the table.
-Five. -[Michael] The official at five.
-Six. -[Michael] Now at six.
-Seven. -[Michael] Nia hasn't moved.
Becky trying to make it to her feet.
-[Michael] A count of eight. -Nine.
[Michael] The ever-resilient Becky Lynch
is the Last Woman Standing!
[announcer] Here is your winner,
The Man,
Becky Lynch.
[Michael] Wow.
-[Pat] Wow is right, Cole. -[Michael] Just wow.
[Pat] Holy hell.
Becky Lynch off the top of the ladder.
Leg drop through the table.
[Michael] Becky Lynch, indeed
not your average average girl.
[Pat] Becky Lynch is special.
Becky Lynch is once in a lifetime.
And Becky Lynch is 19 days away from Mami
and a chance at the title.
-[Pat] Wow. -[Michael] This match here tonight,
Last Woman Standing
encapsulates what Becky Lynch is all about.
About the heart,
about the guts,
about the resilience,
about the soul.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] She's gonna need all of it.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[Pat] What a presence.
[Michael] The Women's World Champion.
Marching to the ring.
[Michael] Rhea got a little look tonight
at what Becky Lynch is all about.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] ch is all about.