[intro music playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Joe Tessitore] We are thrilled to be coming to you from Grand Rapids, Michigan,
for a power-packed edition of Monday Night Raw.
This city, which has hosted so many memorable moments in WWE history,
now set for more here at the Van Handel Arena.
A championship match
among world-class competitors is set to take the spotlight.
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, mighty bold with the gold, and with good reason.
The Women's Tag Team Champions have arrived.
Bianca and Jade went to Saudi, made it through a Fatal 4-Way.
Since then, they've invited a challenge.
It's Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez in Judgment Day.
A week ago, they were face-to-face with the champs.
It got heated.
Now, Liv tries to gain yet another crown
and regain tag-team glory with Raquel.
["Symphony No. 9 In E Minor" playing]
♪ Gunther ♪
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Lilian Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome,
the World Heavyweight Champion,
The Ring General,
Gunther!
[Joe] The World Heavyweight Champion Gunther took Cody Rhodes
to the absolute limited in Riyadh.
It was his first loss after a 210-day undefeated stretch.
But, of course, that was for the one-off, the Crown Jewel Championship,
now the focus, his title.
He's been reigning supreme since dethroning Damian Priest
at SummerSlam, Wade.
[Wade Barrett] Yes, he has. Last week on Raw, we had a Fatal 4-Way match-up
to decide the next challenger for that World Heavyweight Championship.
Got completely derailed by one Bronson Reed,
devastating the field with multiple Tsunamis.
The best was saved for last, however.
Seth Rollins, his opponent at Crown Jewel, got one through our announce table.
From there, Dirty Dom closed in on victory.
But somehow, back from the dead, Damian Priest,
catching Dom with a South of Heaven
to put himself back in pole position to regain the championship
he lost to Gunther back at SummerSlam. Wow.
[Joe] And, Wade, now we can announce
when the rematch of the epic SummerSlam championship-changing match will be.
Survivor Series.
Damian Priest, out to get the title back.
Of course, Finn Bálor's betrayal of Priest cost him in Cleveland,
now Damian's chance to be back on top.
Gunther and Priest for the World Heavyweight Championship
will be coming your way.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd booing]
[booing continues]
All that matters is, is that I'm still the World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd cheering]
And I do not live in the past.
I look and see what's in front of me,
and what's in front of me
is the next challenger for my World Heavyweight Championship,
Damian Priest.
[crowd cheering]
There's a lot of things I have to say about Damian…
["Rise For The Night" playing]
♪ All rise for the Rockstar ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] He can say it right to his face, apparently.
[cheering continues]
[Wade] Say his name, call the man. Damian Priest.
Someone who takes a backwards step from nobody.
"Say it to my face, tough guy."
[cheering intensifies]
[music fades]
No, no, no, no, no. Don't look surprised.
The entire world saw that it was advertised
that you were going to talk about me, so I want to see if you'll do it to my face.
[crowd cheers]
Honestly, look at you.
That attitude.
You are, and you will…
[Damian Priest] Wait, wait.
Let me guess as to what you're about to say about me.
I'm street trash.
I'm a Latino thug.
I… I'm a bum.
My parents didn't care about me enough to raise me right.
I had to scratch and crawl and fight just to get an opportunity here,
while you just sat at home and waited for a phone call. Is that right?
Did I cover basically all your stupid insults?
Because I'm gonna explain to you what I see.
I see the first time you and I stepped in this ring,
and looked at each other like this.
I understood the vibe.
I got why people feared this unbeatable killer.
And for the first time in my career, I actually felt doubt.
I didn't actually think I could beat you,
and that sucks to admit, but it's the truth.
And if it wasn't for my so-called brother betraying me,
that title wouldn't be around your waist right now.
[crowd exclaiming]
No, no, no, no.
In fact, you know what's the wildest thing about SummerSlam?
Is that when it was over, you became champ, this vibe of yours?
It started to fade.
-[inaudible] -Yeah, I see it right now. It faded
because you started doubting yourself.
No? That's not what it is?
You were just in Saudi, and I saw that vibe fade even more
because you got pinned by Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
You! [inhales sharply]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
See, that's exactly what I'm talking about.
You can't even talk right now because you're full of doubt.
No, no, no. Let's be real.
The way you feel right now, that doubt,
let's be real as to why, it's because you know you can't beat me.
[crowd cheering]
You want to know how I know this killer…
this unbeatable killer is dead?
Because by now, had I been anybody else,
you would have taken a swing at me by now.
You want to take a swing at me, Gunther?
[crowd cheering]
I don't think the people here want us to wait 'til Survivor Series.
[crowd cheering]
Take your shot!
[inaudible]
You won't take your shot. I know you won't.
Because if you did, I'd drop your ass right there.
[crowd cheering]
[inaudible]
[Ludwig Kaiser] All right, all right. What are we doing here? Hold on.
[crowd booing]
Hold on a second.
What are we doing here?
Priest, what are you doing here?
Out of everyone in this building, it is you doubting The Ring General?
Do I have to remind you that this man right there
has beaten you once already?
[inaudible]
Listen, let me give you some advice.
Get out of this ring right now and save yourself.
Because I can guarantee you,
the second time you're gonna stand in that ring with this man,
the result will be the same.
He will beat you once again,
because you are not even worthy…
[crowd] Oh!
[inaudible]
No!
I am not going to let that street trash
talk to you about that, because he doesn't…
[Joe] Oh! A big right hand from Priest on Ludwig Kaiser!
Sends him over the top rope.
This is very unlike Gunther.
[Wade] For the first time in history, there is panic
and doubt written all over the face of The Ring General.
-[crowd booing] -[Joe] Ludwig Kaiser
who came to confront Damian Priest
as Gunther was mostly nonplussed.
Speechless after Priest said, "Your vibe is starting to fade. I can see doubt."
[Wade] The words of Damian Priest
cut right through to the soul of Gunther.
Gunther is simply not going to have it his own way.
This is a different Damian Priest.
Street-wise, and a step ahead of the version
that Gunther defeated at SummerSlam,
and Gunther knows it.
[Joe] There will be some who say, perhaps, Gunther
is feeling some of the truth stewing inside of him
that Damian Priest spoke of.
Cathy Kelley is backstage. Cathy.
[crowd cheering]
Thanks, Joe. I am here with Damage CTRL
and, IYO SKY, I know I told you last week, but congratulations again
on becoming the number-one contender to Liv Morgan's
Women's World Championship.
How do you plan on taking down and defeating the self-proclaimed
greatest Women's Champion of all time?
I am ready for Liv.
I just hope Bianca and Jade leave a piece for me.
But first, we have other business tonight.
I understand that you have
a Six-Woman Tag Team Match tonight against P.F.C.
-and… -[Dakota] And me too!
[all exclaiming]
-I've missed you guys. -[crowd cheering]
I've missed you guys so much.
But as happy as I am, I'm beyond pissed at P.F.C.
They took three months off my career,
But as long as I have Damage CTRL to pick me up,
nothing and no one is going to get us down.
Not Shayna, not Zoey, and not Sonya.
So we're here to remind everyone what Damage CTRL is truly capable of.
["Still The Baddest" playing]
♪ Damage CTRL ♪
[Joe] Dakota Kai, back in form with Damage CTRL.
[bell dings]
[Lilian] The following is a six-woman tag-team contest scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, the team of IYO SKY,
Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai,
Damage CTRL!
[Wade] Well, as dangerous as P.F.C. are, their number-one advantage
has always been the numbers game.
Again, completely negated by the return of Dakota Kai.
Six-woman tag match.
Damage CTRL, Pure Fusion Collective, right here on Raw.
[crowd cheering]
-Hey. -[R-Truth] Hi, dog!
Truth, what's up, bro?
-What's up, dog? -How are you, man?
-How you doing? -I realized I never got a chance
to say thank you for helping us after our match
with Final Testament a few weeks ago.
I also wanted to apologize for not having your back in the aftermath.
For some strange reason, Woods didn't want us to get involved,
and I just don't I understand why.
Especially since you're the one--
Hey, what are we talking about, guys?
What's up, Woods? I was just talking to Truth about what happened.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
We need to talk.
I told you my name.
And every time my back's turned, you start saying that name.
That one's on me.
Who do you want me to call you today?
That's it. I'm done.
Whoa, hold on, man.
What's the issue, bro?
You want to make this your problem?
No. This is not our problem.
This has nothing to do with us at all.
Does he talk for you now?
-As a matter of fact… -No, he does not.
He's right. You don't want this.
Maybe I do want this problem.
How about you and I settle it in the ring, tonight?
-How about that? -It's cool, let do it.
If you got a problem with Truth, you have one with me.
-Have fun. -See you out there.
Yeah. See you out there, man.
Dog, this is getting exciting!
Hey, good luck with Pete.
-Thanks. -It's Butch you got to worry about.
[crowd laughing]
My bad.
Damn it, Truth, you did it again!
[Joe] Kofi Kingston, Pete Dunne, now tonight,
as you saw Xavier Woods walk off with frustration.
["Still the Baddest" continues playing]
Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett with you here,
Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Familiar territory for Dakota Kai and IYO SKY
to be among the elites in tag-team action.
This is now a six-woman match for the duo
that held the world titles on two separate occasions.
Kairi Sane, by their side.
["Run For The Hills" playing]
[Lilian] And introducing, their opponents,
the team of Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, Sonya Deville,
Pure Fusion Collective!
[Joe] Wade, the threatening and intimidating Pure Fusion Collective.
In the recent history, this past summer
when they burst on the scene, damaging everything in sight.
[Wade] As alluded to moments ago,
this is three months back, Pure Fusion Collective
on a reign of terror, injuring numerous women in the locker room,
including, about three months ago, Dakota Kai.
A sneak attack.
Shayna Baszler attempting to destroy the knee of Kai,
for which Dakota Kai required meniscus surgery.
Well, now she's back, and swearing vengeance.
[Joe] I know you were able to spend time with Dakota Kai earlier today.
She's very excited to be back in this position.
[Wade] Of course. Anytime you get an injury,
and I've been awaiting surgeries during my career,
you always have the question mark, "Will I ever get back to full fitness?
"Will I ever get back to the point where I can compete here on Monday Night Raw?"
So this moment is real catharsis for someone like Dakota Kai.
And, obviously, she needs to make P.F.C. pay for what they did to her.
[Joe] IYO SKY and…
Zoey Stark will get the action started.
[Wade] IYO SKY, of course, the number-one contender to Liv Morgan,
has plenty of battles on her hands.
First of all, has to get through this trio, P.F.C., in one piece, hopefully.
[crowd exclaims]
[Joe] Look at the skill and acrobatics out of The Genius of the Sky.
[Wade] Those are two words that can define the career of IYO SKY,
one of the greatest in-ring competitors the women's division has ever seen.
Into an up-and-comer like Zoey Stark, who simply grows up by the week.
What a learning curve it is to get in there with someone like IYO SKY.
Now, these two have some real history together.
-[screams] -They used to be a tag-team in NXT,
previously held the NXT Women's Tag Championships.
However, clearly, things have soured since then.
[Joe] Yeah, that's what happens when you hook up with Baszler
and Deville in what has been this run of Pure Fusion Collective.
[crowd] Ooh!
Sonya Deville…
hooks the leg against IYO SKY.
[crowd] Ooh!
[Wade] How smart and savvy is Sonya Deville,
former executive here on Raw.
Someone who's capable of getting decisions made
in the favor of P.F.C. behind the scenes.
Get them opportunities that perhaps they haven't earned at times.
But right now, she's in a whole world of trouble on the wrong side of the tracks.
[Joe] IYO SKY will deliver the uppercut.
Now the big boot from Kairi Sane.
[Wade] And this is all going south in a hurry for Sonya Deville and P.F.C.
Damage CTRL looking back to their very best here on Raw.
[Joe] As they are in sync, early on.
[Wade] Pure Fusion Collective, trying their standard dirty tricks,
but Kairi Sane simply ready for it.
[Joe] And stacks them up with the dropkick, into the corner.
-[groans] -Sliding in with that right hand.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] And this is turning into a complete disaster
for Pure Fusion Collective,
getting battered from pillar-to-post.
And there is no slowing Kairi Sane down.
[Joe] No, she is off to a very hot pace here, in complete control.
Meanwhile, Shayna Baszler, with the referee turned,
-big clothesline on the outside. -[crowd booing]
And perhaps a moment for Pure Fusion Collective to settle in.
[booing continues]
[Joe] Six-Woman Tag Team Match action.
Damage CTRL and Pure Fusion Collective.
As Kairi Sane, desperate to get the tag…
-As those efforts broken up by Baszler. -[crowd cheering]
And finally, here comes Dakota Kai! Back to action, Wade!
[Wade] Reinvigorated, motivated, Dakota Kai looking to punish the woman
who took out her knee three months ago, Shayna Baszler.
[Joe] Three months of her career lost
because of what Pure Fusion Collective did backstage.
And now, healed up and ready to go.
[Wade] With some new moves in her arsenal, it would appear.
Scorpion Kick to the skull of Shayna Baszler.
Just bounces off, though. So tough…
-[crowd] Ooh! -[Wade] …is Baszler.
It's one thing to come back motivated and fired up,
it's another thing to score a win on that return.
If Dakota Kai isn't careful,
she'll be put back on the shelf by the likes of Baszler.
-But that might do it, Joe. -[Joe] Into the cover.
-[crowd] One, two-- -[Dakota screams]
[Joe] And the kick out at two.
With the quick offensive surge from Dakota Kai
making a big difference for Damage CTRL.
[Wade] And this is a world of trouble now
-for Shayna Baszler. -[screams]
Boot across the face and Baszler has no clue where she's at.
[Joe] Dakota Kai, looking to line her up again.
[crowd exclaims]
But instead it's Sonia Deville who eats it.
Baszler looking to turn things around in quick order.
[Wade] Well, so tough is Baszler. So quick is that recovery.
And now a half Boston Crab on that injured knee!
-[Shayna yelling] -A nice reversal once again from Baszler,
one of the greatest technicians in the women's division.
And Dakota Kai may be out here.
[Joe] And you know how much athletes have doubts
when they first come back from injury, first come back from surgery.
And can you imagine what's going through Dakota Kai's mind right now?
And finally, a little bit of help.
[Wade] A tremendous amount of relief going through the mind of Dakota Kai.
Finally, out of that torturous hole.
[Joe] Kairi Sane from the top rope!
[Wade] This one completely breaking down.
[Joe] Springboard missile dropkick, Zoey Stark.
[Wade] And now it is Dakota Kai back in control.
[yelling]
[Joe] As Baszler locks it in. The clutch is in.
[Wade] Shayna Baszler, just a wrecking machine in there,
trying to choke out IYO SKY.
[Joe] IYO SKY desperate to try to gain some leverage, loosen that grip.
Dakota Kai comes to her aid.
And now IYO SKY,
The Genius of the Sky,
Over the Moonsault!
-Lands it perfectly! For the win! -[crowd] One! Two!
-Three! -[bell dings]
["Still The Baddest" playing]
[Lilian] Here are your winners, Damage CTRL!
[Joe] Really good momentum-gathering moment for Damage CTRL.
Came up short in the Fatal 4-Way for the titles at Crown Jewel.
But this, a very strong return for Dakota Kai
as they get the victory here, Wade.
[Wade] Complete catharsis there for Dakota Kai.
But let's talk about IYO SKY,
a woman who is the number-one contender
to Liv Morgan's Women's World Championship.
She continues to build momentum.
Speaking of momentum, can you believe where we are on the calendar?
Halfway through November,
the thrilling developments from Crown Jewel,
and now we get ready for what could take shape
with Survivor Series: WarGames.
And the band is back together, the original Bloodline.
There's a lot of misunderstanding going on right now, uce.
Just hear him out.
Please.
-[Sami Zayn] That kick to the face… -[crowd] Oh!
…it wasn't on purpose.
Okay?
When it was the four of us,
for just a minute, it took me back to a very special time in my career,
a very special time in my life.
We're family.
[crowd cheering]
You remember the old days, just like everybody else.
I think you want the Usos, and Sami Zayn, and Roman Reigns
fighting together, all of us, side by side!
[crowd cheering]
I just need you to do one thing.
I want you to apologize to Jey.
-I'm sorry. -[crowd cheering]
I'm sorry that I ever let you waste my time with this.
[crowd booing]
He's not in our family.
He ain't no Uso.
Quit wasting my time.
Solo!
Bring your ass out to the ring right now and let's handle business.
-Yo, Roman Reigns. -[crowd booing]
Solo don't jump when you tell him to jump.
Solo will come out there when he damn well pleases.
So at the end of the day, I need you to acknowledge me
as your undisputed tribal chief.
I won't ever acknowledge you.
You can't become a tribal chief, and there's no tribe.
I challenge you to go and find four people that will team up with you.
And we can go to war.
[crowd cheering]
I only see four of you.
And the fifth guy is my dog, Sami Zayn.
[crowd gasping]
[Michael Cole] And now Roman taken out by The Bloodline.
[Corey Graves] Here comes the Usos to the aid of Roman Reigns.
Come here.
Sami! Do you remember what he did to you?
Kick him in the face!
[Joe] Oh, Sami with a Helluva Kick to Solo Sikoa!
[crowd exclaims]
[crowd cheering]
[cheering intensifies]
-Here's my dog. You came back. -I didn't think…
[crowd cheering]
Man, what's your problem?
I don't have a problem.
You're the one coming with a problem.
Come on. Come on, guys.
Same page. Let's get right.
-Come on. Yeah. -Sorry. You're right.
Jimmy, it's good to see you.
You look nice.
I like your chain.
And you look…
You see what I'm saying?
[overlapping chatter]
Hey, what's the play?
Listen, we need a fifth member for WarGames, all right? That's it.
-So you're calling the plays, now? -Yeah. Audible. That's what I'm doing.
Listen, Five-on-five. We need a fifth one.
For sure. We ain't got no friends on Monday.
We ain't got no friends on Friday.
-Sami, we need to find a fifth member. -You know what?
-I think I might know someone. -Who you know?
Don't worry about who I know, all right?
-I'll text you, all right? -Yeet.
Be nice, bro.
Come on, man. Same page, bro, be nice.
[Wade] Well, I really hope that Sami Zayn does not go and ask Kevin Owens,
because trust me, that would not go well right now.
[Joe] They got an OG Bloodline recruiting trip coming up here.
["New Day, New Way" playing]
-As Kofi Kingston is ready. -[bell rings]
[Lilian] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, being accompanied by Xavier Woods,
representing The New Day,
from Ghana, West Africa, weighing in at 212 pounds,
Kofi Kingston!
[Joe] Accompanied by Xavier Woods, but not always aligned like we saw earlier
when Xavier wanted him to stay out of Pete Dunne's business.
-[crowd cheering] -Let's go!
Hey!
Hey! Hey!
[Wade] Major issues within The New Day,
but this is a get-right opportunity for Kingston.
He takes on Pete Dunne, next.
[Kofi] Whoo!
[Joe] We just saw Damian Priest, moments ago, as he was face-to-face
with the Heavyweight Champion Gunther.
And now we can tell you that he will be up against Ludwig Kaiser
as those two got heated.
We'll see that a little bit later on, Wade.
Hey! Hey!
[Wade] But right now, let's check out Kofi Kingston,
who seems to be back on the same page with Xavier Woods.
Although there have been some severe tensions
in recent months between those two.
[Joe] But Woods was clearly frustrated after the exchange
with Pete Dunne that Kofi had.
Where Kofi said, "I'll get into your business."
That's why we have this match.
["Stand Tall" playing]
[Lilian] And his opponent, from Birmingham, England,
weighing in at 205 pounds,
"The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne!
[Joe] Last time we saw Pete Dunne on Raw
was that jaw-dropping, good old-fashioned Donnybrook against Sheamus.
[Wade] So this is the point that
Xavier Woods has been trying to force on Kofi all night.
Stop fighting everyone else's battles for them.
The reason Kofi is about to get his fingers snapped
by Pete Dunne is because Kofi decided to stand up for R-Truth.
Let R-Truth deal with the problems that R-Truth creates.
Focus on New Day problems,
of which there are clearly many at the moment,
instead of sticking your nose in other people's business.
While Kofi refuses to listen,
and now he has to go one-on-one with The Bruiserweight.
[Joe] I think you can point the finger at Xavier Woods a bit too,
with some things that have happened recently with The New Day
that haven't quite gone the way they should as well.
[crowd chanting] Butch! Butch! Butch!
[Wade] That's the point. It's almost a philosophical difference
that has developed between Kofi and Woods of late.
Woods employs a win-at-all-costs mindset.
Both men seeming to view the other as the weak link in the duo at times.
And even Kofi Kingston,
he was throwing Woods under the bus earlier tonight
when he was speaking to R-Truth. Where's the loyalty?
[Joe] But there's objective evidence when it comes to what we've seen from Woods,
in the ring, outside the ring, where things have gone south.
[Wade] Woods is solely focused on trying to get New Day back on top.
For some reason, Kofi Kingston seems more interested
in helping out others, such as R-Truth.
Well, now there may be a price to pay for that.
Although saying that, it is Kofi Kingston in the ascendancy in the early goings.
[Joe] Good start for Kofi Kingston
against Pete Dunne, who's able to get out of the way.
Kofi says. "I can come with it, too!"
As he spins off the rope with a dropkick.
[crowd cheering]
Kofi, with him lined up, ready to take flight!
[yelling] Let's go!
[Joe] Kofi Kingston. Pete Dunne.
Monday Night Raw from right here in Grand Rapids.
And, oh, was this grand by Kofi.
[Joe] Kofi Kingston. Pete Dunne.
Only the second time these two have gone one-on-one.
And of course, there is the joint manipulation
that you said Kofi would be in store for.
[Wade] And Kofi Kingston did not have to be in this position.
And Xavier Woods, if it was up to him, as the QB of this unit,
he would not be in this situation.
It would be R-Truth who had certainly earned it with calling Butch,
or should I say Pete Dunne, the B-word.
[crowd chanting] Kofi!
-[Joe] Hope he doesn't hear that. -[Wade] I'm terrified.
-You protect me if he comes over. -[Joe] Good luck.
[Wade] My fingers are sensitive,
and so, apparently, is the neck of Kofi Kingston after that stomp.
[Joe] As Xavier Woods looks on.
The 10-year anniversary of New Day coming up later this month.
-[Wade] You think they'll make it? -[Joe chuckling] A few weeks to go.
There's been recent tension where some have doubted it.
As he continues to work that neck. Just driving down that forearm, as well.
[Wade] Remember, someone like Dunne,
he's a guy, who, all over the world, including NXT in both the UK
and over here in Orlando, won countless championships.
But that trophy cabinet simply has not grown since arriving on Raw and SmackDown.
The caliber of the man has not declined in any way.
And this is an opportunity to put himself back on the map.
[Joe] See him reaching for his chest there, after Kofi came after him.
Of course, we saw Pete back in early October
in that Donnybrook Match.
Brutal match that that was off the height of the whiskey barrels through the table.
Sheamus coming up with a win there in a shocking turn of events.
And Pete, right back, to that left shoulder.
[Wade] Dunne with an incredible ability to bounce back
from the most strange of angles at times.
So well-versed in strikes and counterstrikes, counter-offense.
But there's nothing you can do against attacks like that.
-[Joe] Here's the cover. -[crowd] One! Two!
[crowd gasping]
[Wade] The power of positivity is back strong
with Kofi Kingston and The New Day.
Everything going his way right now.
Can he put this one to bed?
[Joe] Saw the height he was able to get off that big splash
to the back of Pete Dunne.
[Kofi screaming]
As Pete takes aim, once again, that left arm and that shoulder.
[Wade] That is exactly the issue when you're in there with Pete Dunne.
From all angles, he can snap a limb.
And Kofi Kingston is getting rocked in there.
[crowd] Oh!
[Joe] Pete Dunne able to turn the tables.
[Wade] Connecting with that forearm to the jaw of Kofi Kingston.
And Kofi Kingston may be out cold.
[Joe] He didn't look good the way he crumbled to the canvas.
[Wade] Ripe for a pin.
And now Pete Dunne looking to put it to bed.
-No! -[Joe] Oh!
-[Wade] Trouble… -[Joe] Trouble in Paradise comes in.
[Wade] And rather fortuitously, Pete Dunne fell to the outside,
got his clock cleaned by Xavier Woods.
I don't know if Kofi Kingston saw that.
-[Joe] I don't think so. -What was that?
-[Joe] He did. -Why do that?
Why not focus and win the match?
You have an objective, complete it!
Win the match, bro! Don't look at me. I got nothing to do with this. Win!
[Joe] We've talked about this.
The difficulties with communication between Kofi and Xavier.
-Don't get involved. -Just win the match if you want it so bad.
-We didn't have to do this tonight. -I didn't need you…
[Joe] But in this time, giving Pete Dunne every chance to recuperate here.
Wait, and he does!
[Wade] You've spoken into existence, Joe.
Kicked to the side of the face of Kofi Kingston,
who spent too long arguing with the QB, Woods.
-A Bitter End later! -[Joe] Bitter End!
-One! Two! Three! -[Joe] And the hook of the leg!
-And the win! -[bell rings]
-The miscommunication causes that! -[Lilian] Here is your winner,
"The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne.
[Wade] There was no miscommunication on that one.
Quite simply, Kofi Kingston was not listening to instructions
from the QB Xavier Woods, and ends up losing the match as a result.
-Issues… -[Joe] Issues continue…
-There's no reason. I told you so. -[Joe] Let's turn our attention…
-[Wade] Oh, hold on a sec. -[crowd gasping]
-Why you like that? -What do you mean?
Win the match. You're so focused on everybody else.
-What about you, huh? -Don't touch me.
What about us?
Come on, man. Focus. Don't be mad at me.
-Why say that to me? -Because you're not focused.
[Joe] Their 10-year anniversary is close, you asked in the middle of that,
will they get to their 10-year anniversary?
No, mate, it's not looking right now.
Probably got a couple of weeks left. Will they get over the line?
Place your bets now.
You're mentioning Liv Morgan.
It's hard to imagine a Superstar
that's been embroiled in more drama, more recently, than Liv Morgan.
The Women's World Champion.
She goes from the emotion of winning Crown Jewel,
accepting the ring from Triple H,
and then last week getting involved in the Battle Royal
to determine her number-one contender.
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez causing issues here.
[Wade] So this was the ending moments of that Battle Royal
to decide the next challenger for Liv Morgan.
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair, closing in on victory,
only for Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan herself, to interfere,
eliminating the Women's Tag Team Champions.
As they were chased out of dodge,
it remained as Lyra Valkyria and IYO SKY duking it out.
With the Genius of the Sky connecting on the ring apron
-with a German suplex. -[bell rings]
SKY has now got a future date with Liv Morgan with gold on the line.
-I cannot wait to get my hands on… -[crowd cheering]
[inaudible]
Tonight, The Judgment Day is going to have all the gold.
We're gonna have it all. I am so excited.
[Finn Bálor] Well!
Except for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Isn't that right, Dom?
Because after what happened last week,
Damian's now just one win away from being champion again.
Thanks, mate.
Last week wasn't my fault.
No one was watching my back.
Plus, Bronson Reed came out.
-Where were you? -Where was I?
I was being a team player.
I was doing exactly what Liv told me to do,
and that was focused on the tag titles and The War Raiders.
Anyway, didn't you say you could handle Damian all by yourself?
Well, I beat Damian,
and I've gotten closer to the world title than you have in a long time.
So don't get upset that I did something you couldn't.
You want to say that again?
-[all clamoring] -We're family! Calm down!
-It's fine. -Easy.
-Relax. -Oh, I'm calm.
And you're right, Liv, we are a family. And family look out for each other,
and step up for each other, even when times are tough.
So how about next week,
Dom and Carlito step up for me and JD
and show The War Raiders exactly what The Judgment Day are all about.
Can you do that for me?
I got your back, fam.
-I'll go make it official. -Wait. What? Dom.
Dom? Hold up. Dom!
He'll be all right. You got it.
See, one big, happy family, huh?
-Love it. -[chuckles]
[Joe] Yeah, big and happy, all right.
Speaking of big, "Big" Bronson Reed is set to join us next.
Since winning these titles,
everybody wants to step up and has been stepped on.
And Liv, you might have the gold and Raquel to have your back,
but none of that's gonna matter when we step in the ring
because we're gonna take you down just like everybody else.
So take a shot, because we're returning to SmackDown
and still your Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Joe] Look who is sitting ringside here at Monday Night Raw.
That is the 6-foot-4 UFC light heavyweight Jamahal Hill,
who got himself up to number three
in the UFC light heavyweight rankings this year.
He is so talented, fights right out of Grand Rapids.
Thrilled to have him here ringside.
[Wade] He's one bad, bad dude.
-["Battle Tested" playing] -And talking about bad dudes.
Right on cue.
♪ I'm war ready I'm battle tested ♪
[Lilian] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
"Big" Bronson Reed!
♪ We battle tested ♪
♪ Coming for everything And you know we'll wreck it ♪
[Joe] A guy who has a way of disrupting things.
Like, everything. Crushing anything in sight.
[Wade] This man has just been a wrecking crew over the past few months.
Everywhere you go, and you had to know
that loss at Crown Jewel to Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
there were gonna be consequences.
And we felt those consequences right here on Raw last week.
The man with the most devastating move in all of WWE, that Tsunami,
pivotal in the results of the number-one contender's match-up
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
And the question is what kind of chaos
in Bronson Reed gonna cause next?
[Joe] Everything was going on a normal course
in that number-one contender's Fatal 4-Way until we had another Tsunami
of Seth Rollins and the splintering of our announce desk into pieces.
[crowd booing]
I'm out here tonight.
To say, Seth Rollins, you are a hell of a competitor.
You proved you were a hell of a competitor
when you got the victory over me at Crown Jewel.
But I am not a competitor.
I am a monster.
And last week, I not only took you out,
I took out Damian Priest, I took out Sheamus,
and I will take out anyone
that stands in the way of me putting you down for good.
So…
Mr. Visionary…
Mr. Revolutionary…
Mr. Seth "Freakin" Rollins…
[crowd cheering]
If you want your revenge, I'm right here in the ring right now.
All you gotta do is come out--
["Visionary" playing]
-[fireworks exploding] -[crowd cheering]
[inaudible]
[crowd vocalizing]
[Joe] If you thought that super Stomp at Crown Jewel
would end things between these two, hardly.
-Here we are again! -[Wade] Uh-oh!
How wise is this, Seth "Freakin" Rollins? I don't know, but the brawl is on!
[crowd exclaims]
And these things have traditionally not ended well for Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
You may have won at Crown Jewel,
but you did not kill the monster because that may well be impossible.
[Joe] Oh! Seth able to turn it around and slam him into the post.
[Wade] Any kind of brawl with Bronson Reed is going to be desperation stuff.
And now, our desk, perhaps, getting trashed.
Turn your back on Bronson Reed at your peril.
[Joe] Not again.
He's not going to… I got to get out of here.
[Wade] You have to think after last week, Seth Rollins' ribs are still in agony.
[Joe] Seth trying to get out of the way.
He's running across the desk and diving at him!
Right into the timekeeper!
And now here comes security to break them up.
[Wade] Seth Rollins had no choice whatsoever to get the hell out of dodge.
Fight fire with fire and immediately back up is Bronson Reed,
taking out every member of our security team.
[Joe] Just went through two more!
They're back in the ring against each other!
[Wade] You cannot keep Bronson Reed down.
When are you gonna learn, Seth?
[Joe] Bronson Reed, just smashing Seth into that corner,
as security tries to separate them.
[Wade] A whole army of security dragging these men apart.
And you get the sense it's not going to be for long.
[Joe] Seth able to escape and he's going around to that side!
Up to the apron.
And able now to attack "Big" Bronson Reed,
[Wade] There is just no quit whatsoever in Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Joe] No! "Big" Bronson Reed!
Suicide dive!
Three-hundred and forty pounds.
And now Seth jumps right on him to attack more.
[Wade] How the hell did Seth Rollins get out of the way of that dive?
But immediately back on top is Bronson Reed.
More security, more officials heading down here.
[Joe] As now, Adam Pearce brings his team of officials to separate them.
It has taken easily 30 men to try to control the situation ringside.
[Wade] At least 20 of them are lying around the side of the ring
-What utter chaos here on Raw! -[Joe] Look at his eyes!
You're done!
[Joe] Everyone here in Grand Rapids can't believe they just saw.
[Wade] A simple rule for life.
If Bronson Reed is in town, there is gonna be a riot.
And Seth Rollins was tonight's apparent victim.
Although, this is Bronson Reed throwing a suicide dive there.
It took out everyone except for its one intended target,
which was Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Look at these men go down like bowling balls.
[Joe] Wade, it didn't stop. While we were away in commercial break,
they just kept rolling.
[Wade] Absolute chaos.
Finally, some semblance of order has been restored.
-No! Enough! -I'm sick of him!
Pearce! You know why I want this match.
I need the match.
I explained it to you a million times! You know who I am in my heart, in my soul.
Give me the match!
Let me end it.
One more time and that's enough?
-That's it! -Fine!
-It's all I need. -Then you got it, next week!
Because I've had enough.
Enough. End it! Enough!
[crowd cheering]
-[exhales] -[Joe] They're gonna do it again.
-[crowd cheering] -You good?
I'm gonna ask you something,
and it's gonna sound crazy, but just hear me out, okay?
We need a fifth guy for WarGames.
[crowd cheering]
I know, I'm not stupid. I know about the history of you and Roman.
Don't say anything. I know.
Nobody knows about having bad blood with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline,
nobody knows more than me when it comes to that, okay?
But the whole reason I'm back with them, why I'm in this match,
is because no matter how bad things got, on some level…
that family bond never goes away.
And I know, deep down, that the family bond with you and Roman,
no matter how bad things got, on some level…
you're still brothers.
Seth, I've looked up and down the roster on Raw, on SmackDown,
there's nobody else, man.
I think it's you.
I think you're our fifth man.
[crowd cheering]
I think you're out of your damn mind.
[crowd cheering]
After everything I went through, everything I sacrificed
to take that tyrant Roman Reigns out of power,
to tear him down.
And now you want me to team with you guys to help build him back up?
No. Listen to me.
I know better than anyone who Roman Reigns really is.
I am shocked…
shocked that anybody would stand next to him.
Especially you.
After everything he put you through?
You've got to be blind not to see that he's using you again.
So, Sami, thank you.
I appreciate you,
but the answer's no.
[crowd exclaims]
[Joe] So, that's Sami's first venture in this recruitment as he turns to Seth.
I mean the timing of that ask, as well, after what Seth was just dealing with.
[Wade] Right when Seth Rollins is venting to Adam Pearce about Bronson Reed,
that's the moment you make a sales pitch? Come on, Sami.
[Joe] I know. It's such a huge ask, and then that timing?
["Rise For The Night" playing]
Damian Priest has never had a singles match against Ludwig Kaiser,
and this match developed earlier tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[fireworks exploding]
[bell rings]
[Lilian] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
making his way to the ring, from New York City,
weighing in at 249 pounds,
Damian Priest!
[Joe] As Damian Priest comes out to his theme, "Rise For The Night,"
we want to give special thanks to Kerry King, the guitarist for Slayer,
who plays the guitar parts during Priest's theme song.
Damian's South of Heaven is named after the Slayer song and album.
He had no intentions of going up against Kaiser tonight,
but that face-off with the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther
earlier took a turn.
And this is where we have landed, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, it doesn't take much to set Damian Priest off.
He is a hotheaded individual,
but nothing fires this man up more than blatant disrespect.
Especially from the smug Ludwig Kaiser.
And Ludwig Kaiser may well have bitten off more than he can chew tonight.
[Joe] Damian Priest already has that number-one contender status locked up.
We know we will see that at Survivor Series.
But right now, he's going to play through Gunther's right-hand man Ludwig Kaiser,
who presents the challenge tonight.
[Wade] It seemed like not only was Damian Priest upset
-with Ludwig Kaiser's words earlier… -["Sacred" playing]
…so, indeed, was The Ring General Gunther.
[Lilian] And his opponent, from Hamburg, Germany,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Ludwig Kaiser!
[Wade] So as much as the actions of Ludwig Kaiser
upset The Ring General earlier tonight,
a victory here will go some way to appeasing The Ring General's fury.
It's an opportunity for Ludwig Kaiser to soften up Damian Priest
ahead of that inevitable clash for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Joe] And for Kaiser, it just feels like a gotta-have-it kind of big spot.
Especially with the recent stinging comments that Gunther made
that were clearly pointed at Kaiser's recent in-ring results.
-[Wade] But Kaiser did not… -[bell dings]
…get the job done against Sheamus here on Raw a few weeks ago,
and failure in the ring is simply not tolerated in Imperium.
[Joe] You can see Damian Priest wasting no time, coming out red-hot against Kaiser.
[Wade] What's being made about the changes in Damian Priest over the past few months,
especially since SummerSlam.
This, as much as anything,
is a information-gathering opportunity for Ludwig Kaiser
to pass that info onto Gunther.
Things going incredibly well right now for Ludwig Kaiser.
[crowd booing]
[Joe] Damian Priest, Ludwig Kaiser, right here on Monday Night Raw,
coming to you from Grand Rapids, Michigan,
So here's the cover
and the kick out.
Damian Priest will try to regain his recent glory
as he will face the World Heavyweight Champion,
The Ring General Gunther.
[Wade] Now Ludwig Kaiser, looking every inch the level
of the former World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest.
Connecting with that Kaiser Roll and now trying to go in for the kill.
With Damian Priest so big, so tall, and so heavy,
a lot of your moves you simply cannot pull off
until you've sufficiently softened the man up.
[Joe] Which is exactly what Ludwig Kaiser is trying to do
as he goes for the suplex attempt again.
But instead it's the 6-foot-5, 255-pounder who's able to reverse course!
-Damian Priest. -[Wade] Connected with that Broken Arrow,
and finally, some feeling back in those digits of Damian Priest.
[Joe] Watch this Broken Arrow,
that release suplex slam that he has mastered through the years.
And now, toe-to-toe, center of the ring.
[Wade] Very few people you want to be exchanging strikes with,
less so than Damian Priest. So big, so rangy.
And now Damian Priest has that second wind.
[Joe] When he gets that bounce in his step…
A big right hand comes from Priest.
And another as he blasts away at Kaiser.
[Wade] Stretch Armstrong in there, but every shot is devastating Ludwig Kaiser.
[crowd cheering]
-[Joe] Priest hooks the leg. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Joe] Kaiser able to kick out at two.
[Wade] And now it is Ludwig Kaiser who's having to dig deep,
go through that Rolodex…
of moves that he has in store.
"What the hell can I pull off against this man?"
Looking to punish Ludwig Kaiser for his actions earlier tonight.
[Joe] Kaiser able to get out the back door.
-Get the big boots up. -[crowd] Oh!
Kaiser so technically astute…
so resourceful.
But when Damian Priest has a look in his eyes like that,
you may want to start running.
-[Joe] Rolls him up! -[crowd] One! Two!
[Wade] So smart and crafty there from Kaiser.
[crowd] Oh!
-[Joe] Another cover. -[crowd] One! Two!
[screams]
[speaking German]
Ludwig Kaiser spent so much of the past few years
in the shadow of The Ring General Gunther.
This is a moment he is really stepping out of it
and showing the world what he can do.
[Joe] It was also interesting to see how he confronted Priest earlier,
when he felt he was disrespecting Gunther.
[crowd] Oh!
A big kick from Priest.
[Wade] Got a little too cocky, a little too confident there,
did Ludwig Kaiser, and he may well be about to pay the price.
[crowd clapping]
[crowd] Oh!
[Joe] Kaiser generates all that momentum.
And now, the crowd senses what's coming.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Complete control for Damian Priest as he hones in
on that South of Heaven who puts everyone away.
[Joe] Locking it in.
Choke slam, South of Heaven!
-For the win! -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[bell dings] -["Rise For The Night" playing]
[Lilian] Here is your winner,
Damian Priest!
[Wade] A little extra height there on that South of Heaven,
perhaps sending a message to Gunther.
Take a look at this recoiled clothesline, almost beheading Ludwig Kaiser,
followed by the height on this South of Heaven
as Kaiser comes crashing down.
No hope of kicking out.
You could have counted to 300.
Damian Priest, the former World Heavyweight Champion
is better than ever.
[Joe] And look who's arrived.
The World Heavyweight Champion.
Pensive and nervous-looking Gunther,
for once questioning, "Can I actually beat this version of Damian Priest?"
Let's head over to Cathy Kelley.
That's right, Wade, I'm here with Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker,
and Bron, you couldn't quite advance in the WWE Speed Tournament,
your match against Sheamus didn't have the outcome you were hoping for.
Cathy, I'm at an interesting point in my career, right now,
where I'm sort of looking to expand my trophy case.
And naturally, being the fastest Superstar in WWE history,
The Speed Championship interests me.
I would be standing here right now with two titles over my shoulder,
if it wasn't for that ugly, idiot,
bonehead Sheamus for getting in my way…
[crowd cheering]
I couldn't help but hear you from over there.
That was ugly? Idiot? Bonehead?
[chuckles]
You know, you've got a lot of arrogance, man. You know?
A bit disrespectful too, as I've been here 15 years, and you've been here
15 minutes.
But I get it. You're on top of the world, man!
You've got momentum on your side.
And you remind me of me when I first started,
when I became one of the fastest-ever WWE World Heavyweight Champions ever
when I put me foot on John Cena's chest.
Now, that was arrogance.
Just like you.
You have a lot of arrogance.
Let me ask you something.
Do you have a set of tires big enough
to put the one title that has eluded me my entire career,
on the line next week?
Huh?
I didn't listen to a word you just said, pal,
but if you walked in here wanting to fight me
for the Intercontinental Championship next week,
the answer is yes, fella.
Because I would love nothing more than to kick your old ass.
[chuckles softly]
Let me explain something to you.
So, lass, it's still gone.
I know I'm better than ever.
So do me a favor, kid.
Shine that title up real nice.
'Cause I'm taking her home with me next week.
Fella.
[Joe] That's going to be great.
[crowd barks]
[crowd cheers]
You got a second?
I'd like to talk to you.
I got a second.
Miz! Miz!
Thank God you're alive!
So what happened?
I've had enough.
I'm going to Adam Pearce's office and I'm asking for a leave of absence.
I'm done.
He says he's done. [laughs] He wants to go home.
No, you're not done because you've given me [yells] nothing!
No information. Where are the Wyatts?
You're randomly here. They let you go?
-Explain this to me. -This is bigger than you.
This is bigger than me. This is bigger than us.
I have to think about myself and my family.
I've settled my business with the Wyatts.
I apologized.
I promised that I have changed my ways.
And they let me go.
And honestly, I'm a better man now.
They moved on.
I moved on.
Karrion,
you need to move on.
Move on?
Is Paul Ellering supposed to move on?
You have the nerve to mention family.
He's my family. They attacked him.
And this is your fault!
Miz, you remember that time I said I was gonna break your legs?
-Boys grab him, please. -Please, no!
No. We need to remind you what happened to Paul Ellering's life right now.
No! I'm telling you, you I don't want to do this.
-Well, your stories-- -You don't want to do this.
-[Miz] I'm telling you, man. -[crosstalk]
[Joe] Remember, Paul Ellering took that Mandible Claw
at the hands of Uncle Howdy that was intended for The Miz, Wade.
[Wade] Well, he saved The Miz. Miz now wants out.
It simply it does not work that way.
According to Karrion Kross
and the rest of The Final Testament.
[Joe] See Akam and Rezar are just manhandling The Miz.
As Kross is bringing him down right to the ring
in front of this crowd here in Grand Rapids.
[Wade] There is a toll to pay.
You have a debt to The Final--
You are lying to me.
-[Miz] I'm not lying to you -Your story's not adding up.
Please! Please!
I'm not lying to you.
[Joe] He's got blood streaming down the face.
[Kross] Tell me, where are the Wyatts?
[electricity crackling]
[Joe] They're about to find out where they are.
[Wade] The Miz looks petrified with good reason.
["Shatter" playing]
[Joe] Begging for his safety.
[Wade] Oh, God.
[crowd cheers]
[Joe] Joe Gacy, Lumis, Rowan, Uncle Howdy, Nikki Cross.
We're here. [laughs maniacally]
I want an explanation why you attacked Ellering.
[continues indistinctly]
[Joe] Another face to face.
Oh, there's The Miz!
Oh! And he just takes out Erick Rowan with a steel chair.
[crowd chants]
[Joe] And here they go.
[Wade] Well, it was a setup the entire time.
You simply cannot trust a word that comes out of The Miz's mouth.
And the Wyatt Sicks are getting mobbed in there by The Final Testament.
With a massive assist from a steel chair-wielding Miz.
[Joe] And he's still beating down Rowan with the chair.
The Final Testament, used opportunity to strike.
Super Collider is landed by the Authors Of Pain,
and Miz continues to wield that the chair and beat down Rowan.
[Wade] I'll credit Miz. He deserves an Academy Award
for that performance as a skull-crushing finale.
[Joe] Onto the chair, Wade.
And now Karrion Kross with Uncle Howdy.
[Wade] And now Wyatt Sicks have been laid to waste
for the first time in history.
[Joe] It's the Final Testament and The Miz
working together now, embracing and celebrating
what they were able to do to the Wyatt Sicks.
[Wade] As well they should.
Who the hell else could have pulled that off?
[crowd chanting] Miz, you suck! Miz, you suck!
[Joe] The draft played by The Miz
as the Wyatt Sicks arrived and all of a sudden
from behind, with the steel chair, he came after Rowan.
[Wade] The master manipulator,
Karrion Kross has pulled off the unthinkable
and destroyed the Wyatt Sicks.
[Joe] The man with the silver tongue, Kross,
-looks back as Uncle Howdy… -[Uncle Howdy laughing]
[Joe] After taking that punishment, looks at him and laughs
as if to say, "I know what's coming your way."
[Uncle Howdy laughs maniacally]
[Joe] Wade, I've got to get your reaction
to the final scene we saw with Uncle Howdy laughing.
Looking back at Karrion Kross and Final Testament.
[Wade] Karrion Kross' face tells the whole story.
He thought it was job done, and now he has second thoughts.
What an unnerving laugh of Uncle Howdy.
You've got big problems ahead in The Final Testament.
Seth, one question before you leave.
You officially got your match against Bronson Reed next week.
How are you planning on keeping the monster down this time?
Give me a minute. Give me a minute, Cath.
Yo, Seth.
My guy.
Come on, please.
Listen.
I know you don't like Roman Reigns.
I can't stand Roman.
Why don't we be the ones
join forces together
and let's take 'em out?
[laughing]
He's a nice guy.
Solo, you and I, we haven't always gotten along.
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret.
Something I didn't tell Sami Zayn earlier tonight
when he asked me to join his team.
The next time I'm in the ring with Roman Reigns,
it will be to stomp his head into the ground.
Never again in my life,
will I team with Roman Reigns.
Me and you. That's what I'm talking about.
But I will never join forces
with the wannabe Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheers]
[Joe] So now both sides of The Bloodline
have tried to recruit Seth Rollins tonight.
Both have received similar answers
because what is in front of Seth Rollins next
is the familiar face
of 330 pound "Big" Bronson Reed.
They will go at it again.
As you see the tale of the tape, that is next week on Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] That is a lot of meat. And so is this one.
Bron Breakker says Sheamus is an old man.
That might be true, but he's an old man who just keeps on getting better.
Next week on Raw, Breakker put his Intercontinental title
on the line against the Celtic Warrior.
Can Sheamus win the one title he's never held before?
[Joe] Sheamus said, "I've been here for 15 years
You've been here for 15 minutes."
["Watch Me" playing]
[bell dings]
[ring announcer] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the WWE Women Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first representing The Judgment Day,
the team of Raquel Rodriguez
and the first ever Women's Crown Jewel Champion,
and the WWE Women's World Champion,
Liv Morgan.
[Joe] It was only a month and a half ago, Liv Morgan's total focus
was defending her championship against Rhea Ripley.
That was the night in Atlanta,
and that's when Raquel Rodriguez came back by her side.
Of course, Rhea was denied the title in recent weeks
when Liv conquered Crown Jewel, despairing, purposely injured Rhea,
and now they have poked at the tag team champions
to the point of earning this opportunity.
["A Storm Is Coming" playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ A storm ha, ha, ha ♪
♪ Is coming ♪
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Joe] It's been a great stretch for Jade Cargill
since regaining the Tag Team Championships, Bash in Berlin.
This will be her fifth title defense
and, of course, Bianca Belair enters this match.
Having the most who wins this year of any Superstar, men or women.
Twenty three total wins in 2024.
[Lilian] And their opponents,
they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Jade Cargill
and Bianca Belair.
[Joe] And, Wade, as a tag team,
Bianca and Jade, they've won ten straight. Their last loss
was that Triple Threat Match at Clash at the Castle.
[Wade] Yeah. It is quite astounding in that match.
Of course, they were not pinned or submitted.
But let's take you back to this past Friday on SmackDown.
Now the tag champs Belair and Cargill
were taking on Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton
when Candice LeRae who's been trying to ingratiate herself to Jax, got involved.
Much to the annoyance of Tiffany Stratton.
And of course, Naomi charged down to confront LeRae.
And amidst this chaos,
as things were popping off on the outside, everywhere you turned,
Bianca Belair connected with the KOD
and the champs scored yet another big win.
Spot the trend.
The anchor Belair and Jade Cargill as a duo are simply unstoppable.
But will that change tonight?
[Joe] Those are on the line.
The Women's Tag Team Championship match.
As Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez challenged Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill
from right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
[bell dings]
[Joe] And this is the 20th time the women's tag team title
will be defended in this calendar year,
as Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan…
Right in the center of the ring, back and forth they go.
[Wade] Twenty times they've been defended this year.
Wow. It just shows you how competitive this division really is.
Constant threats for whomever the champions may be.
And it's Bianca Belair's responsibility now to try and snuff that out.
[Joe] As the World Champion able to get out of the way
of that shoulder of Belair.
[Wade] Yeah. An early mistake there from Bianca Belair,
completely over committing with that attack,
on Liv Morgan, who is as crafty and resourceful as they come.
I have to say it's one of the greatest 12 months in history of this industry
-from Liv Morgan-- -[Joe] Incredible run.
[Wade] …practically every league in the women's world title.
The inaugural Crown Jewel Championship.
-She's got the hottest man on the planet. -[Joe] I'm sorry.
[Wade] Yeah, the hottest man on the planet.
And she may become a triple champ here if she can win
the women's tag championships alone.
-[Joe] Oh! -[Wade] And Raquel, who was pivotal
in turning this one around with the distract.
[Joe] Just ripping Bianca Belair by her hair.
Meanwhile, here goes Jade and Raquel.
[Wade] Two of the biggest powerhouses in the division.
But do not take your eyes off Liv Morgan.
[Joe] Face-to-face, Belair and Cargill
as Raquel Rodriguez eats a big right hand from Bianca.
-[Joe] Oh! -[Wade] And lying in wait
ready to pounce is Liv Morgan.
All four women down, tag championships on the line.
[Joe] Right off the steel steps.
Look at this by Liv.
While we were away, Bianca Belair came off the top rope
with a crossbody against Raquel Rodriguez
as Belair and Cargill looked to defend the Women's Tag Team Championships.
Jade Cargill, on the offensive against Liv Morgan.
[Wade] One of the greatest physical specimens this industry has ever seen
completely fresh and exploding on Liv Morgan.
[Joe] And looking to avenge also what happened
in the No. 1 Women's Elimination Battle Royal recently
when Cargill was pulled over the top rope
and eliminated by Liv Morgan.
[Wade] Jade Cargill throwing Raquel around like she was a rag doll.
Immediately pouncing was Liv Morgan attacking the knee,
but impervious to that.
[Joe] How about this power?
[crowd] One, two--
Raquel coming in for the save
after Jade, and the cover.
[Wade] Raquel on Liv Morgan.
Former tag champs here in WWE on two occasions,
looking to make it three.
That almost slipped away, if not for Raquel,
being right on the money with that tag breakup.
[Joe] And now power versus power.
Double boots. They're both laid out, Wade.
Well, this one really is up for grabs now.
The question is, who is going to… Oh, wait a second--
[Joe] There are visitors.
[Wade] Well, that's a game-changing moment here in this match-up.
[Joe] Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton.
Remember just three days ago, they were defeated by Belair and Cargill.
[Wade] Nia looking to do a number on Jade Cargill
behind the referee's back. The fix is in.
[crowd boos]
[Wade] And now there's Jax.
[Joe] Damage done. And now Rodriguez,
to take the titles.
[crowd cheers]
[Joe] Tiffany Stratton, up on the apron, distracting the official.
Help is on the way.
The third member of the Big Three from WrestleMania,
coming out here to try and even the odd, somewhat.
[Joe] Naomi neutralized by Liv Morgan.
[Wade] Absolute bedlam everywhere you look,
but this match is continuing,
and the gold is still on the line.
Jade Cargill in big trouble here.
[Joe] Liv, a kick to the gut from Jade,
as she tags Bianca.
[Wade] Completely wiping out Liv Morgan and Raquel in the process.
This might be a goodnight.
[Joe] K.O.D.!
[crowd cheers]
-[Joe] Hooks the leg to retain. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-Yes! -[bell dings]
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Joe] A whole lot of traffic.
[Lilian] Here are your winners and still
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Jade Cargill,
-and Bi-- -[Joe] Oh.
They got through it in the end.
But right now, Nia Jax is cleaning house.
[Wade] Yeah, don't celebrate too soon,
not with the kind of personnel that are hanging around this ring.
[Joe] Nia Jax, who's looking away. Here comes IYO SKY.
IYO SKY is getting it into it.
[Wade] Well, the women's locker room has seemingly cleared out.
Here's the number one contender for Liv Morgan's
Women's World Championship,
out here to lend a hand.
[Joe] IYO SKY, who won that Battle Royal to earn that spot.
Shotei uppercut.
And a stomp.
[exclaiming]
[Joe] IYO SKY, a catalyst for change.
Double team synchronicity
taking care of Raquel Rodriguez.
Big knee from Naomi.
[Wade] It may well take four women to take Nia Jax down.
[Joe] Doubling up for the suplex of Nia Jax.
[crowd cheers]
[Joe] And the Women's Tag Team Champions
stand tall with a little help from their friends Naomi and IYO.
And that is how they close out
the effort from Liv and Raquel.
[crowd cheers] Liv and Raquel.