[invigorating music playing]
[narrator] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
[Joe Tessitore] We're just north of Seattle in Everett, Washington.
That's where a big crowd has come to Angel of the Winds Arena
to get answers to so many new questions.
This Monday Night Raw comes just two days removed
from the shocking results, the buzz-worthy drama,
the outrageous action that unfolded
at a record-breaking Survivor Series: WarGames.
-[crowd cheering] -♪ Big boy famous ♪
♪ Mr. Amazing, blazing Call me the greatest ♪
[Joe] It is time to go to war!
["War Pigs" by T-Pain playing]
♪ Death and hatred to mankind ♪
♪ Poisoning their brainwashed minds Oh Lord… ♪
[Joe] Here comes Mami.
Baseball bat in hand,
bringing back bad memories for Rhea Ripley.
Iyo! Moonsault!
They're gonna do it!
Rhea just handcuffed Raquel!
Riptide, through the table!
Rhea has claimed the World Champion!
[Joe] This is for the United States title.
LA Knight defends against Shinsuke Nakamura.
[wrestlers yelling]
[Joe] Nakamura went for the eyes.
Shinsuke's a three-time United States Champion!
[Joe] Sheamus, Kaiser, Breakker, Intercontinental Championship.
♪ It gets scary But calculation's necessary ♪
♪ We stay the course… ♪
[Joe] Oh! Sheamus is gonna do it!
And Ludwig Kaiser just pulled the official!
♪ Complete the mission… ♪
[Joe] Fair! Breakker retains in a hell of a match!
[Joe] Gunther will defend the World Heavyweight Championship
against Damian Priest.
[crowd cheering]
♪ Rise up, it's a showdown ♪
♪ Light up, yeah, we glow now ♪
[Joe] Finn Bálor! Like a star!
Holy hell!
♪ We are going to be legendary ♪
-[Joe] It's over. Gunther retains. -[bell ringing]
[music fades]
[Joe] This is a must-win match for Roman Reigns tonight.
Roman falls tonight, so does the OG Bloodline.
[thrilling music playing]
[Joe] Roman has to rely on family,
and he has to hope that CM Punk doesn't go rogue.
[all yelling]
[Joe] And it's fair! The Punk!
[Wade Barrett] Reed going to the top of the cage.
[Joe] Roman Reigns! It's all on the table!
[epic music playing]
[Joe] Punk stays Reigns!
Uso splash!
[Joe] Solo all on his own to pay for his sins.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd shouting] …two, three!
-[crowd cheering] -[bell rings]
[Joe] The OG Bloodline is close to reclaiming its former glory.
And let's not forget, Paul Heyman still owes CM Punk a favor.
[crowd continues cheering]
[Joe] We have an anniversary to celebrate.
Even if the participants are making their own way in,
Kofi Kingston's individual brag bag filled over the last ten years,
but it's his brotherhood that has remained a constant.
The New Day's tenth anniversary celebration is set.
Xavier Woods has been upset with the recent discord,
but tonight, it's time to acknowledge a decade of devotion.
♪ And I'll never stop fighting Igniting my soul ♪
♪ Straight to the top I'm inviting my foes… ♪
[Joe] And the best in the world is here, in the eyes of so many.
CM Punk saved the original Bloodline this weekend.
His venture to Vancouver.
Came in as the fifth member of Roman Reigns' WarGames team.
Went from the raw fury of riling up the rivals to laser focus.
[crowd booing]
-What up, homie? Yeah! -Can you hear them?
Yeah! How you feel?
-[exclaims] -I feel good.
-[crowd cheering] -[CM Punk speaking indistinctly]
[Joe] Sami and Jey know the split-second decision-making
by Punk,
it put them in position to win.
And in the end, his embrace with Paul Heyman
and a discussion of the future favor that has everyone wondering,
"What's next?"
CM Punk is here, live.
["Cult of Personality" by Living Colour playing]
♪ …what do you see? ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
♪ I know your anger, I know your dreams ♪
♪ I've been everything you want to be ♪
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome CM Punk!
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you here in Everett, Washington,
and Wade, what a weekend for CM Punk.
You know, there was that social media clip
with Roman Reigns stopping Punk from entering WarGames.
104 million views!
The most-viewed WWE IG reel
of the entire year.
[Wade] Huge numbers, as always,
from CM Punk.
Whatever he does, people watch.
And what an inspired choice by Paul Heyman.
Adding CM Punk to that WarGames team was pivotal
in saving Roman Reigns and turning the tide in favor
of the OG Bloodline in the Men's WarGames match.
But there is a big question left hanging over Raw at the moment.
That question has to be, exactly what favor
has Paul Heyman promised Punk
in return for Punk risking his neck inside WarGames?
[Joe] A sold-out Angel of the Winds Arena,
just north of Seattle.
Forty-eight hours removed from Survivor Series: WarGames,
the 64th WWE event sellout of the year.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
CM Punk! CM Punk!
[chanting fades]
Is it good to be alive
in Everett, Washington on a Monday night, or what?
[crowd cheering]
To those of you at home, we are sold out here tonight
in Everett.
[crowd cheering]
[CM Punk] And the last time you saw me,
I stood on that ramp,
fresh from a possible career-ending Hell in a Cell match,
and I told you all that I wasn't sure what the future held for CM Punk.
[crowd cheering]
I had a lot of things to consider.
And now, a little bit of déjà vu,
here I am, live and in living color,
fresh off a potential career-ending WarGames match.
[crowd cheering]
The difference being I know exactly where I'm going.
I'm a lot less beat-up today than I was post-Hell in a Cell.
I think it's a little obvious. You can all tell.
I put my personal things aside.
I handled my business with Drew McIntyre.
And then I came back to take care of a little personal business
for my friend Paul Heyman.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] EC-Dub! EC-Dub! EC-Dub!
EC-Dub! EC-Dub! EC--
[CM Punk] I know… what the future holds.
Can you see it?
See, because I can see it,
and my entire career, everybody told me it wasn't there.
They couldn't see the vision.
There might not be a sign hanging right here in Everett, Washington,
oh, ladies and gentlemen, but I see it.
I know what the future for CM Punk holds.
There's multiple roads you could take to get there.
There's different ways you can finish your story.
[crowd cheering]
The Royal Rumble's right around the corner.
Maybe that's the road I take.
After that, it's Elimination Chamber.
Perhaps that's the fork in the road I choose.
Any road I take winds up being a dead-end.
The good news is I got a favor or two in my pocket
I can call upon to get where I need to go.
[crowd cheering]
I invite all of you to come on this journey with me--
["The Second Coming (Burn It Down)" playing]
[CM Punk speaking inaudibly]
♪ Woah, woah-oh-oh ♪
♪ Woah-oh ♪
♪ Burn it down… ♪
[Joe] Well, Wade, remember the Raw after the Hell in the Cell
when Seth came out when Punk was addressing the crowd?
There was that little shoulder brush that seemed to have something to it?
Here we are two days after Survivor Series: WarGames,
and look who's here.
[Wade] There have been burning issues between Seth "Freakin" Rollins
and CM Punk for many, many years.
Let's not forget that Seth "Freakin" Rollins
refused his opportunity to be part of that WarGames team.
Refused in disgust, I might add.
That spot taken by CM Punk, ultimately.
And these issues are just refusing to go away between these two.
[Joe] Yeah. Back then, in early October, it was Seth who told Punk,
"Get well soon," so he can retire him.
["The Second Coming (Burn It Down)" continues]
♪ Woah, woah-oh-oh ♪
♪ Woah-oh-oh ♪
♪ Woah-oh ♪
[song fades out]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] ♪ Woah-oh-oh ♪
♪ Woah-oh-oh ♪
-♪ Woah-oh-oh… ♪ -[singing fades out]
[crowd cheering and applauding]
[scattered chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[scattered booing, scattered applause]
[crowd chanting in unison] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[chanting fades]
[crowd shouting]
[woman in crowd] We love you, Seth!
[scattered shouting] I love you, Seth!
You know, I've been thinking a lot…
-[scattered cheers] -[man in crowd] Love you, Seth!
I really should have knocked your ass out the same day you came back to WWE.
[crowd cheering]
And I regret that every single day for the past year.
[man in crowd] So do we!
[scattered laughter]
And over that year, a lot has gotten in the way.
You got hurt. I had titles to defend.
[scattered cheers]
I had a Bloodline to take down.
[crowd cheering]
And the last time I saw you,
I was this close-- I was this close to taking my shot,
but I had pity for you.
You'd just come out of Hell in a Cell with Drew McIntyre.
You were hanging on by a thread, and I had pity for you.
And that was my mistake.
After Saturday, seeing you stand there,
triumphant, next to Roman Reigns,
it became very clear to me
that it was time to rectify my mistakes.
[scattered cheers and jeers]
And as we stand…
[crowd cheering]
…here right now…
[crowd chanting] Burn it down! Burn it down! Burn it down!
…there is nothing in my way,
nothing in your way,
no one holding us back…
The only things between us are air and hatred,
and I've got a feeling in my gut
that tonight is the night I knock CM Punk on his ass!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
You talk too much, and you don't listen enough.
I just came out here, and I said I put all the personal stuff aside.
I'm long past running races
with people that I didn't even know I was running, all right?
Six months ago, you were a champ.
You had something I wanted.
Now you got nothing.
[crowd exclaiming]
I know where I'm going.
I know what's in my future, and, kid, you ain't it.
[crowd cheering]
You've been thinking about me for six months?
I don't think about you at all.
[crowd exclaiming]
I got things to do
in this business.
So stay out of my business.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
You talk too much,
and you don't listen enough.
This is my business.
[crowd shouting]
[Joe] This thing's boiling over. As he said, "Time to rectify my mistakes."
It's time!
[Wade] Oh, it's on! Yes, Joe!
[Joe] Here they go!
-[Wade] This is big! Years in the making! -[Joe] Jey into the ring.
[Wade] Sami Zayn, Jey Uso try to restore some order.
But these are two massive egos they're trying to separate here.
[wrestlers yelling indistinctly]
[Joe] Think of how heated it was, the summer events as well.
Right up to that Raw after Hell in a Cell
that's Seth cited, saying, "I had pity for you then,
but now it's time to rectify my mistake."
"Should have knocked you out as soon as you came back."
[crowd exclaiming]
[Joe] Jey Uso and Sami Zayn holding both men back.
[Wade] Well, I agree with this audience. Let them fight!
[wrestlers speaking indistinctly]
[crowd shouting]
[Joe] General Manager Adam Pearce and WWE officials.
Nope, nope! Let's go talk about it. Let's talk about it.
Am I in your business now? Come on, yeah.
[crowd yelling]
[Joe] Trying to get back in the ring.
But being pulled apart yet again.
Yeah, get him out of here. Get him out of here.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah.
Go on. You too, Jey.
Run along to Roman, y'all.
[crowd exclaiming]
-[Sami] Hey, hey, hey! Hey, hey, hey! -Hey what?
-[Sami] Hey! -What? Thought you were better than that.
-What? -Hey. I get that you're angry.
You don't get to talk to Jey Uso that way.
[crowd cheering]
Man, you know what, Sami? You're right, man. You're right.
You're right. Jey has Roman. They're family. I get all that.
My bad. I shouldn't have gone there. I'm a little pissed off.
But… Jey's family.
What's your excuse?
[crowd exclaiming]
'Cause… 'cause you're not family, man.
[scattered yelling]
-[crowd chanting] Sami Uso! -[clapping rhythmically]
-Yo. -[crowd chanting] Sami Uso!
Yo. Sami Uso.
-I love Sami Uso. -[crowd chanting] Sami Uso! Sami Uso!
But if you're family with Roman, then you gotta be family with me.
You and I…
You and I, we're closer than you and Roman or you and Jey have ever been.
We came up in this business together.
We've been at it, up and down these roads for over 20 years together.
We're family too,
and you stabbed me in the back when you teamed with CM Punk, man.
Oh, let me remind you something, okay?
I didn't ask to team with CM Punk, okay?
Do you think I wanted him as my Tag Team partner in WarGames?
I didn't. I didn't.
But he was willing to help, and we were down a man,
and I was willing to take it.
I didn't want him.
I wanted you.
[crowd exclaiming]
I asked you. In fact, let me remind you,
I asked you twice, and you said no both times.
And we wouldn't have had to team with CM Punk
if you had teamed with us in the first place,
but you couldn't 'cause you're too damn stubborn.
[crowd exclaiming]
Am-- am I just losing my mind here?
Maybe-- maybe you can remind me, Sami,
w-what did you want me to team with you to do, right?
What did you want me to team with you for?
Oh, that's right. It's to help Roman Reigns.
To help that monster regain his power.
Hey, let me remind you something else. That "monster" Roman Reigns?
You created that monster.
[crowd exclaiming, cheering]
You created that monster when you put a chair in his back
ten years ago.
[crowd exclaiming, cheering]
So don't act like your hands are totally clean in all of this.
I am in no way acting like I'm completely innocent in this.
I understand what I've done.
I understand the sins that I've done, all right?
I understand putting that chair in Roman Reigns's back
was motivation for the Tribal Chief.
I get all that, and I have apologized for that,
and I have atoned for that,
but if you're gonna point fingers at me for putting a chair in Roman Reigns' back,
you need to look in the mirror, 'cause you did the same damn thing!
[crowd exclaiming]
And I don't fault you for it.
You did it for the right reasons, because he was the scum of the earth.
He treated you like crap. He treated JJ like crap.
Every single person on the planet, he wanted to bow down to Roman Reigns.
So I understand why you did why you did,
why we all did what we did at WrestleMania.
What we sacrificed to take down the Bloodline.
Do you not remember this?
Get it through your head, man.
Roman Reigns has not changed.
Has he apologized to you?
Has he apologized to Jey?
Has he apologized to anybody? Even a little shred of remorse?
No. He hasn't changed.
That snake CM Punk sure as hell hasn't changed.
So, stubbornness is not the issue, all right?
Your-- Your naïveté is the issue.
You're gullible. That's the issue.
And if I'm being honest, Sami, right now, you're being really stupid.
[crowd exclaiming]
You know, it seems to me like you're real angry,
and you got a lot of frustration in you, so I'll tell you what,
you wanna blow some steam off,
I have no problem meeting you in the middle of this ring tonight!
[crowd cheering]
You wanna get that frustration out of your system,
I have no problem doing it tonight, if that's how you want it.
[scattered cheering]
If that's how you want it, fine by me.
-[mic drops] -[crowd exclaiming]
[Joe] Well, how about that?
Seth and Sami seemingly set to deal with their differences face-to-face
tonight, Wade.
[Wade] Well, the impeccable timing of Sami Zayn strikes once again.
Of all the times to have a heart-to-heart
with a highly volatile Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
Sami, I assure you,
that absolutely was not the right time,
and we'll see if that matchup gets made official.
Now, Wade, on Saturday night,
when you were wrapping up the post-show at Survivor Series,
there was a major incident that took place backstage at the arena.
Let's get to that. You remember what happened
when Finn Bálor interrupted the World Heavyweight Championship match
earlier in the evening,
as Gunther and Damian Priest were going at it,
and then what happened afterwards.
-Here's what went down. -Finn, I thought you were done--
I told him I'd be waiting until he'd forgotten…
-[horn honks] -…because I don't forget.
-[Wade and Joe exclaim] -[Wade] Unfortunately for Bálor,
Priest didn't forget either,
gaining some revenge on the Irishman.
Went well until the Judgment Day arrived,
delivered a savage beating, culminating in this chair shot to the arm
of the Street King before order was restored.
Let's go back to the Judgment Day Clubhouse.
-We're leaving! Relax! -Go!
Get me a medic!
-Oh yeah. -I warned them months ago
that I would be waiting. I would be waiting till he'd almost forgotten--
Hey, Finn, I thought we all agreed that you were gonna stay away from Damian.
Oh, we did.
But that's when Dom was supposed to handle it.
But seeing as poor little Dom-Dom couldn't get the job done,
I decided I'd handle it by myself.
And now, instead of Damian walking around
with the World Heavyweight title on his arm,
he's walking around with his arm in a sling.
And Liv, maybe if you had have listened to me,
you might not have lost at WarGames.
And now, you've gotta worry about Iyo Sky
facing you for the title at Saturday Night's Main Event, sis.
You got a lot to focus on.
[clicks tongue] You know what, Finn? You're right.
Raquel and I, we should be focused on damage control,
so that's what we're gonna do tonight.
I just hope you know what you're doing.
[Finn chuckles] Oh, I know what I'm doing. Look.
See? And when everyone listens to Finn,
the Judgment Day win.
-Oh, I like that. -I like that too.
-Rolls off the tongue. -Yeah.
-He's off. -What did he mean by that?
I don't know.
-Where does he keep going? -Hey, Dominik?
Raquel and I have our match next week. Go with them to keep an eye on it.
-Yeah, I got you. -Thank you.
All right, guys. You got Damage CTRL, right?
-Yeah. We're gonna go. Thank you. -Yeah.
-All right. -See y'all.
Should we get a group hug?
Carli, it's time for me to defend the Tag Team titles.
Yeah, you're right. Let's go.
[Joe] Yep, Liv does have her match next.
And as was the case in WarGames,
Liv Morgan and Iyo Sky do not have to look far
to find each other.
["Still The Baddest (Entrance Theme)" playing]
[announcer] The following Tag Team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first the team of Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane,
Damage CTRL!
[Joe] Iyo Sky has earned her place, Wade, as the number one contender
for Liv Morgan's World Championship.
And Liv will have that major threat come Saturday, December 14th,
it is Liv Morgan defending her WWE Women's World Championship
on the return of the iconic Saturday Night's Main Event.
That is Saturday, December 14th.
[Wade] Victorious evening for Iyo Sky in the Women's WarGames matchup.
And, man, what a closeout for the year it will be for Sky
if she can capture the Women's World Championship
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
♪ Watch me ♪
["Trap Queen" playing]
[announcer] And their opponent, first, Raquel Rodriguez.
And her Tag Team partner,
the Women's World Champion, Liv Morgan!
[Joe] And a quick turnaround for these two coming off of WarGames.
Of course, last time we saw the WWE Women's World Champion Liv Morgan,
she was in Rhea Ripley's Riptide through a table.
Now Liv and Raquel back to business in Tag Team action.
[Wade] Tom of Walking Wounded in the backstage area today at Raw
post-WarGames,
not least Liv Morgan with that busted back
from a Riptide through a table that you mentioned, Joe.
And indeed, Raquel, a busted-up elbow
that you can see pegged up in the ring now.
Here we are, 48 hours removed,
and straight back into the firefight.
[Joe] And Raquel coming out and making a statement immediately.
Back in October, these teams met up, ended in a no-contest.
Tonight, set to decide it to the finish,
Iyo and Liv looking to gather some momentum
as they head to their championship showdown.
[Wade] Now there's some momentum. Get a little vengeance,
feel a little better after losing the Women's WarGame matchup.
[Joe] Raquel showing off the power early on here.
All offense from Raquel and Liv
against Damage CTRL as she hooks the leg early.
And Iyo comes in for the save.
[Wade] Morgan with that busted back, using her own body as a weapon.
[Joe] Well, you can really see the effect on Liv, can't you, Wade?
[Wade] Absolutely. She's moving incredibly gingerly
in the early goings of this one.
It would behoove her to perhaps try and put this matchup away
as soon as possible.
But Kairi Sane has other ideas.
[Joe] Iyo Sky, who is just sensational with her effort
on Saturday night in Vancouver.
And Kairi Sane is looking to get the tag
with Iyo Sky, and here comes Iyo Sky,
who I think everybody's still buzzing of the jaw-dropping performance she had
on Saturday night.
Wade, I could not believe when she went to the top of the cage,
the moonsault with the garbage can.
I mean, to be able to pull that off…
[Wade] Yeah, the physics of it don't make sense
without being able to swing your arms backwards
to pull off a moonsault.
Truly unparalleled when it comes to high-risk offense
in the women's division,
is the genius of the Sky.
Raquel desperately trying to do something to turn the tide back
in the favor of Liv and Raquel, but it has backfired.
-[body thuds] -[Wade] Ooh!
[crowd exclaiming, applauding]
[Wade] Quite sure what Iyo was going for there,
but Liv Morgan attempted to capitalize on it.
[Iyo and Liv screaming]
[Joe] And now the suplex by Iyo.
[Wade] Just goes to show how that, the lack of crispness,
perhaps, on Iyo Sky post-Women's WarGame just…
Those matches inevitably take a toll on everyone's body,
but immediately back on top is Sky.
[Joe] Well, especially the kind of wear and tear that we saw the other night.
That was a grueling physical battle.
Trying to set up a moonsault,
but Liv quick to deny her that opportunity.
[Wade] The desperation move there from Iyo,
-and now the alpha female of the group… -[Raquel yelling]
…Raquel Rodriquez going for that Tejana Bomb!
[Joe] She's up top,
but Iyo Sky able to counter it for a moment and escape it.
[Wade] Speed versus maneuverability.
I think that may well have been a tag there to Kairi Sane
that Raquel Rodriguez did not see.
[Joe] Iyo going up top.
Raquel, the target, in line.
Missile dropkick off the top rope.
[Wade] And no matter how big and strong you are,
nothing you can do against this kind of offense.
[Joe] …winding up that big elbow, the insane elbow, to cover.
And just at the last second with Morgan.
[Wade] Split second away from victory there.
Perfect timing for Morgan,
but it may be for nothing now.
[crowd chanting] Iyo! Iyo! Iyo!
[both scream]
[Joe] Suicide dive to the outside.
[Wade] Connected an absolute beauty on the jag, Liv Morgan.
[Joe] Backspinning elbow, Kairi Sane coming back
against it against Raquel Rodriguez, giving up all that size and power.
-But the-- Oh, what a big boop! -[Wade] Oh!
Just a clock-cleaning
boot to the mush.
Nice and simple.
And now, here you go, take two.
[Joe] Tejana Bomb!
With the slam and the cover.
-Statement made. Raquel Rodriguez. -[bell ringing]
[announcer] Here are your winners!
The Women's World Champion, Liv Mor--
[Wade] Oh! Well, that was Rodriguez back to her absolute best.
It has taken her to many championships in the past.
And now, there is a punishment beating.
-♪ This is my brutality… ♪ -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Yeah, and there's also somebody who's gonna pay a visit.
Remember just 12 days away from Saturday Night's Main Event,
when Iyo will face Liv,
and Rhea Ripley is gonna come in and go toe-to-toe with Raquel Rodriguez.
[Wade] Well, these two have a hell of a history.
Former best friends, now mortal enemies.
[Joe] Going for the riptide!
[crowd shouting]
[Joe] And Raquel able to get the best of her.
And going right for that right eye, remember that orbital bone,
and you can see Rhea Ripley reaching for it
as they quickly go to the outside.
[Wade] Well, Rhea Ripley simply has no reverse. We figured that out.
-[head thudding] -[crowd exclaiming]
[Joe] And here comes Liv on top of Rhea.
[Wade] Well, it's two-on-one.
And you know Rhea Ripley likes those odds.
[Raquel yells]
-[Joe] A kick to the gut. -[Raquel yells]
-[Joe] Oh, and right into the corner! -[Wade] Oh!
-That was eye-first, Joe! -[Joe] Yes, it was!
Remember that fractured orbital bone from just a month ago.
And she just slammed the corner of her eye into the desk!
[Wade] That was a mace-free Rhea Ripley
as we're trying to get some security out there.
[Joe] You can see the officials coming on to check on Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] Perhaps try and prevent any further damage,
but that was eyeball into the corner of our desk.
[crowd chanting] Mami! Mami! Mami! Mami!
[Joe] Let's go backstage to Cathy Kelley.
-[Rhea screams] -Save it, Rhea!
Thanks so much, guys.
As Judgment Day continues domineering their way
through Monday Night Raw,
-I am joined by World Heavyweight-- -[Finn] Hey, champ.
I think you owe me a title match.
It was the second time that you faced Damian for the title.
And it was the second time that you walked out as champion.
And it was the second time because of me.
So instead of kicking me in the face, you should have been shaking my hand.
So for the second time,
I think you owe me a title match.
I don't owe you anything.
I never asked for your help. I never needed your help.
And while you were plotting this all along,
I had a terrible time leading up to Survivor Series.
I needed to win this by myself, for myself.
And that's what you took away from me.
Well, shouldn't you want to face me, then?
[crowd laughing]
Why do you feel so confident, huh?
Oh, I know why.
Because unlike you, Dom scored a victory over Damian Priest.
And you know what?
For that, I think you deserve a little something.
And I'm feeling really good tonight.
And as the World Heavyweight Champion, I have some leverage around here.
So I'm gonna go and have a chat with Adam Pearce.
[scattered cheers from audience]
[Joe] Well, that is the World Heavyweight Champion's response
to Finn Bálor.
And right now, history's set to be made.
The new Women's Intercontinental Championship Tournament.
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following is a first round Triple Threat match
in the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship Tournament!
Introducing first, representing Damage CTRL,
from Auckland, New Zealand,
Dakota Kai!
[Joe] Dakota Kai getting her shot
at what will be her first singles championship.
So this was recently announced, Wade.
The deeply talented women's division getting a well-deserved
Intercontinental Championship.
And this is the bracket that is set for it.
Yeah, 12 women with the opportunity to make history,
which is so rare in this industry.
Tournament's going to take place over the next several weeks.
Who will be the first ever
Women's Intercontinental Champion here in WWE?
[Joe] Of course, Dakota Kai, the veteran, missed three months
after a vicious attack this past summer.
The reason she was out of action?
Well, because of Pure Fusion Collective.
And here is Shayna Baszler from PFC.
[no audible dialog]
[announcer] Her opponent, first representing Pure Fusion Collective,
from Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
Shayna Baszler!
[Wade] Rare you find a woman with such disregard for human suffering
as Shayna Baszler.
A long list of injuries and assaults on other women
have come from this woman.
[rock music playing]
["WWE: Party All the Time" playing]
♪ …three, two, one ♪
[Joe] And last member of our Triple Threat
in the Women's Intercontinental Championship first round tournament.
[announcer] And from Belleville, New Jersey,
Katana Chance!
[Joe] New territory for Katana, Wade.
Of course, greatly experienced in Tag Team competition
at the highest level.
But this'll be her very first singles match on Monday Night Raw,
and she's never been involved in a singles Triple Threat match.
[Wade] Yeah, a complete lack of experience in this kind of arena right now
for Katana Chance.
And to be fair, it could be said for all three women in the ring.
[bell rings]
[Wade] They've all had major success in the Tag ranks on Raw
and SmackDown,
yet when it comes to singles championships, not so much.
However, Shayna Baszler certainly has done that
during her time in NXT.
[Joe] I'll tell you the other thing with Katana.
It's nice to see her without the facemask on.
First time we've seen her on Raw without that protective facemask.
She said there was, you know-- "I'm just thrilled because
I can finally see better."
[Wade] Don't get ahead of yourself, Joe.
Shayna Baszler is in that ring, and that protective facemask
may be making a comeback sooner rather than later.
[Joe] To feel the entire desk move as Katana comes over the top
in a corkscrew crossbody!
Come on! This is my time!
-[laughing] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Back here at a sellout, Angel of the Winds Arena
in Everett, Washington, just north of Seattle.
As Dakota Kai and Shayna Baszler right now
squaring off in the midst of this Triple Threat
to see who will advance for the new Women's Intercontinental Championship.
First round tournament action in front of us.
[Wade] It's taken a long time to get here,
but finally it's Baszler who is on the rope.
She has been tormenting both women for the past five or so minutes.
-[referee] One, two-- -[Joe] Dakota Kai to advance.
And Baszler able to get that shoulder up.
[Wade] Dakota Kai a true veteran
who has been around the block and knows what it takes
to put away women in matches like this.
It would mean so much to the Kiwi
to etch her name in history and become the inaugural
Women's Intercontinental Champ.
She ain't gonna get there easily, though. Not with Baszler around.
[Joe] Now Baszler quick to her feet, stepping up with that kick.
[scattered shouting from crowd]
[Joe] And there's Katana Chance getting in position.
Does she have enough
to take Baszler off that rope as Baszler's hanging on
and fires a right hand to both rivals.
[Wade] Katana Chance is such a diminutive individual.
Simply didn't have the strength to pull off a move like that.
She was game to try,
but now with Chance out of the way, it could be Kai's moment to shine.
[Joe] Excellent work by Dakota Kai.
And now, Chance meets her up top.
Right on top of Baszler!
[Wade] Does not have the power, but certainly has the acrobatic skills!
[Joe] Hooks the leg to advance! But the shoulder up by Shayna.
Goes over to Kai now. Tests that.
[Wade] Katana Chance just milliseconds away from progressing
in this tournament.
[Wade] And you see the frustration etched on her face.
Maybe the best opportunity
Katana Chance will get against these two women.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Joe] This time, Baszler shows off the power,
the strength,
and the ability to just toss Chance around.
Rolls her up.
[ref and crowd] One, two…
[crowd exclaiming]
[Joe] Heck of a way to separate.
Big knee from Shayna!
[ref and crowd] One, two…
[crowd roaring]
[Wade] The knee that has shattered many women's faces,
including that of Natalya, who was once put on the shelf.
Shelved for months from it.
Somehow, Dakota Kai with enough to kick out,
but the clock may be ticking for Kai's chances here.
[Joe] Dakota Kai was out of action for some time,
as was Katana Chance.
You know, for the record, PFC has done in recent months
to the women's division.
[Wade] Katana Chance once again playing spoiler there for Shayna Baszler.
[Joe] Could this be it? No, Baszler able to get free.
-[Baszler screams] -[crowd exclaims]
[Joe] Look at the skill from Dakota Kai.
[Wade] Scorpion kick to the head.
[Joe] Fireman's carry in position.
That heel's looking for that kick there to finish things off.
[Wade] Kick.
But now we have the choke on
from the MMA specialist.
She's got it locked in that Kirifuda Clutch.
[Joe] And you know how good she is,
but look at who's up top.
-Sans! -[Wade] 450 Splash!
[Joe] What a turnaround.
Back to the fireman's carry.
This time, lands the kick
to advance for the Women's Intercontinental Championship.
[bell ringing]
[Joe] A tournament win.
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Dakota Kai!
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Well, Dakota Kai, congratulations in this first round matchup,
progressing through to the next round of this tournament.
Here are the updated brackets.
She moves on to a semifinal position,
one step closer to making history for Dakota Kai.
Congratulations.
[Joe] I think it's wonderful you consider the depth of this division
that they now have an Intercontinental Championship
to contend for.
[Wade] Yeah, you have to earn it,
and these women have put in the hard yards.
Rewards are there.
You know, in a day and age when the only constant
seemingly is change,
here stands The New Day with us tonight,
ten years into what has been the most unexpected, magnificent ride.
[upbeat music playing]
[man] Oh, people at home!
Don't you dare be sour!
Clap for your world-famous champs,
and feel the power!
[Joe] The New Day, arguably one of the greatest Tag Teams
in WWE history.
Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods.
You're looking at one of the most dominant units
sports entertainment has ever known in The New Day.
We are still your WWE
World Tag Team Champions!
[Joe] And it may be all about trombones and cereal,
but that's why they've become so beloved by the WWE Universe.
Booty-Os!
[in unison] They make sure you have booty!
You don't eat your Booty-Os cereal.
If you did, you wouldn't be so booty-ugly.
[Joe] Celebration never stops.
[whooping]
♪ New Day representin' What was you expectin'? ♪
[all whoop]
♪ It's a new day, yes, it is ♪
[upbeat music playing]
[Joe] KofiMania is running wild.
Trouble in paradise!
Yeah, they did it! Kofi is champion!
-[bell ringing] -[man] King Xavier!
Mr. Money in the bank, Big E.
He's cashing it in right now!
[announcer] Your new WWE Champion.
We've been at the top, where we belong.
We've been setting records,
and we didn't stand on the sideline, because we rushed the field
and took what was ours!
We came together in an effort to reshape culture and change history.
-Why? Why? -Why? Why?
Because!
♪ Glory ♪
-♪ Glory ♪ -♪ Glory ♪
-♪ We do it for the glory ♪
[crowd chanting] You and us! You and us! You and us!
[Joe] And now Kofi on the left, Xavier Woods on the right,
making their way to the ring.
Of course, Kofi dismayed last week
after their stunning loss to Otis and Tozawa.
The New Day's tenth anniversary is next.
[Wade] Sami Zayn once again has pushed the wrong buttons,
this time on the highly volatile Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
And breaking news, per GM Adam Pearce, it is official.
Tonight's Main Event, these two throw down.
Seth versus Sami.
[Joe] It is time for the tenth anniversary of The New Day,
and for that, here's General Manager Adam Pearce.
[rap music playing]
[Adam] Ladies and gentlemen, we are here tonight in commemoration
and celebration
of the incredible ten-year anniversary of the most decorated Tag Team
in WWE history.
[crowd cheering]
Without any further ado, please join me in welcoming
Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston,
The New Day!
[crowd cheering]
♪ It's a new day, yes, it is… ♪
["New Day, New Way" by Jim Johnston playing]
[Joe] It'll be interesting to see the reaction
of the Booty-Os are out, Wade,
but considering all the pressure lately,
and some of the failed results,
but now finally a moment to celebrate and reflect on the decade that was.
[Wade] Well, it's a walk down memory lane for The New Day,
and you called it earlier, a decade of devotion.
But many people are thinking the decade of devotion may end tonight
in a day of divorce for The New Day
based on how badly things have gone for the past three months,
and they really reached a tipping point last week,
where it's unbelievable that these two did not come to blows,
so heated was their argument.
[Joe] Look at the accolades there.
Twelve Tag Team titles in WWE,
seven-time SmackDown, four-time Raw.
But the brutal scars you mentioned last week
after the loss to Otis and Tozawa,
those verbal scars and scabs that were just torn apart post-match.
But now, kind of civil.
[Wade] Is this gonna smooth things over, or are we just papering over the cracks?
That's what I wanna know.
It's all smiles for now.
Things can change rapidly.
Gentlemen,
congratulations.
This ring in this moment, this night, is yours,
but if I may be so bold to speak on behalf of the WWE Universe,
I think we all would love to let you know how much we think New Day rocks.
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
[crowd cheering]
It's your boys!
[crowd] New Day!
I wanted to come out here and say
being a part of WWE and being successful
in WWE for ten years?
[crowd cheering]
Getting to this point is so much more than we could have ever dreamed
when we started this.
So I wanted to come out here
and say thank you to each and every one of you here.
[crowd cheering]
Hey. [laughs]
It's been one hell of a ride, ain't it?
[crowd cheering]
Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined
that we would have achieved so many accomplishments and accolades,
and have so much fun while doing it.
And we couldn't have done it all without each other,
but you also know who else we couldn't have do it all with?
[crowd exclaiming]
That's right!
We couldn't have done it without each and every one of you,
so thank you.
[scattered chants] E! E! E!
[crowd chanting] Big E! Big E! Big E!
We miss him too. We miss him too.
But with all that said…
we wanted to come out here, face-to-face with all of you,
and let you know that what we're about to tell you
is not your fault.
[crowd exclaiming]
We have… we have nothing but love
for each and every one of you.
Woods and myself,
we've talked…
and especially in light of, uh, what went down between us last week,
we both feel that when it comes to The New Day going forward…
♪ W'y'all wanna go big? Then say that… ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] No way!
[Joe] Well, that timing couldn't be better, Wade.
[Wade laughing]
[Joe] And it just wouldn't be the same without him.
[Wade] Yes!
♪ Bigger than you ever seen ♪
♪ Big as big could ever be ♪
♪ So big… ♪
[Wade] A fixture from our PLE kickoff of post-shows,
we haven't seen Big E on Raw or SmackDown in almost four years!
[Joe] I love it. Absolutely love it.
♪ I am the truth, you're a lie Diamonds are dancing on the watch ♪
♪ Yeah, I'mma shine… ♪
[Wade] The New Day have never truly felt like The New Day
without this man by their side.
[Joe] The former WWE Champion, the eight-time Tag Team Champion,
and the absolutely beloved Big E.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] The power of positivity personified.
The most upbeat man on Planet Earth.
If anyone can unify this group, it is Big E.
♪ Ain't no comparin', serious ♪
♪ You hear the crowd, they cheerin' ♪
♪ My haters be all in their feelings ♪
-♪ I got their hunger… ♪ -[song fades out]
[crowd whooping]
[chanting] E! E! E! E! E! E! E! E! E!
[crowd cheering]
I, uh…
I can't thank you all enough, sincerely.
Um, but… [clears throat]
I…
I-I wish I was here under different circumstances.
Um…
Because to see the two of you
argue and bicker
and-- and say some of the most hurtful things
that you can imagine to each other,
man, that troubled my soul something deep.
[exhales heavily]
When-- when we started this ten years ago, we were all we had.
All we had was each other.
Kofi, ten years ago, you were mulling over retirement
because you had your passion for this beaten out of you.
Woods, ten years ago, you and I, we-- we were this close to getting fired.
And on… one of the worst days of my life,
and the scariest moment of my career,
the two of you were at my hospital bedside for hours,
making sure I was good.
[crowd cheering]
Kof, I-I was in a neck brace a few months after your daughter was born,
and you, your wife, and Lotus were in my home,
and I held her for the first time.
Woods, when you got back from winning King of the Ring,
a childhood dream,
I was the first person to greet you as you spilled tears on my shoulder.
[crowd cheering]
What-- what we built means something to a lot of people.
[crowd cheering]
And for damn sure, it means a hell of a lot to me.
[sighs] So…
until I am medically cleared
to return to this ring…
I am going to remind the two of you exactly who you are.
[crowd cheering]
I'm gonna be here to cheer for you,
to root for you, to uplift you…
I'm gonna be here every single week…
[crowd cheering]
…to serve as your managers.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] E! E! E! E! E! E! E! E!
[chanting fades]
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
[Big E yelling indistinctly]
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
Now…
[scattered cheers]
Now you wanna come back?
[no audible dialog]
After you watched us fight for months?
After you watched us argue to the edge of the cliff
when the last thing next to do was jump,
now you wanna come back?
E…
you left us.
[crowd booing]
I-I broke my neck!
-What do you mean? Been doing my best-- -You left us, E!
[crowd shouting]
Yeah, you broke your neck. So what?
[crowd exclaiming]
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin broke his neck, and he came back.
Kurt Angle broke his neck, and he came back.
-What do you mean? -Edge broke his neck, and he came back.
They didn't even have people here waiting for them.
You had two family members who have the light on for you
so you'd have something familiar to walk back into.
And what'd you do with that, E, huh?
Nothing!
We didn't change.
We didn't evolve at our own deficit for you.
-[crowd booing] -[Big E speaking indistinctly]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, E, you mean to tell me
that as big as you are, as strong as you are,
plus with the fact that you never even had to have surgery on your neck,
you mean to tell me that you couldn't have been back here
a long time ago if you wanted to?
Kof, I-I've been meeting with doctors, I've been doing scans,
I've been X-rays, MRIs.
-I've been doing my best to get back-- -Yes, we've heard it all before.
You know what happened to me, E?
I tore my Achilles tendon off the bone.
And I actually had to have surgery.
I was back in nine months, for you.
[crowd exclaiming]
If you really, truly cared about us,
you'd have been back here a long time ago!
[Big E speaking indistinctly]
You'd have been by our side, clapping by our side,
encouraging us, cheering us on, galvanizing us,
but nah, you chose your new life over us.
You chose your new projects over us. You chose your new girlfriend over us.
[crowd] Oh!
You chose your new desk job over us.
[Big E speaking indistinctly]
Matter of fact, E, listen up.
Do you even realize the burden that you've become?
No matter where we go, every single city,
no matter who we meet, they all say the same thing.
"We miss E."
As if we don't miss E!
But, obviously, E doesn't miss us.
-[crowd exclaiming] -[Big E speaking indistinctly]
Our philosophy, since day one, since the jump,
has always been about the brotherhood before anything else.
The New Day before anything else.
We before me! That's what the philosophy's been.
But you, broken neck or not,
you chose yourself
over us.
-[crowd exclaiming] -[Big E speaking indistinctly]
And matter fact, matter fact, E,
let's stop teasing all these people.
Let's tell them the truth, E.
You are never going to be medically cleared!
And since that's the case…
why don't you get the hell out of this ring…
[crowd exclaiming]
…and get back to your desk,
where you belong?
[crowd exclaiming]
And we'll call you if we need you.
[crowd shouting, booing]
No. No.
I-I'm not gonna just throw this away like that.
I'm not gonna let you throw this away like that!
Not like that! Come on, man!
After a decade of this?!
I'm not throwing it away like this. Come on, man.
We can fix this!
A decade, man! A family!
Come on, man.
Woods.
Woods!
Kof, you too?
It's-- it's like that? It's over? It's just over?
Like that, it's over?
It's over?
[crowd chanting] Big E rocks!
-That's it? -[crowd chanting] Big E rocks!
-So that's it? That's it? -[crowd chanting] Big E rocks!
-That's it? This is it? It's done? -[crowd chanting] Big E rocks!
It's done? Is that what you're telling me? It's over?
[crowd chanting] Big E rocks! Big E rocks! Big E rocks!
Big E rocks!
[crowd booing]
That's it?
E, get back in the ring, E.
E, got no business.
Now it's just me and you.
It's just us, bro.
[crowd booing]
Together.
[booing fades]
[dramatic music plays]
Throughout my life, I have done some really terrible things to people.
Which I'm actually quite proud of.
So I have a tolerance for when people want to do something back to me.
But last week…
Your hands will forever be blood-stained crimson scarlet red.
He sent that creature after my wife.
[man] Your hands will forever be blood-stained crimson scarlet red…
[terrifying music plays]
…because of your actions.
-Babe. -[knocking on door]
-[Scarlett screaming] Get it off! -[Karrion] It's me! It's me!
Who did this? Who did this? Who did this?
Nikki. Nikki Crotz.
And words are not going to get me what I want,
which is exactly each and every single one of them
in the arena next week.
They used Scarlett to get to me.
Congratulations, because it worked!
But just remember, you started this fire,
and now, I am going to make sure
you burn in it.
Ticktock.
[rock music playing]
[Joe] Wade, "Dirty" Dom's got himself in a spot tonight.
Up against Gunther.
[Wade] "Dirty" Dom has big career goals.
He aims as high as he possibly can.
And a victory tonight against Gunther
will be absolutely huge for the career of Dom Mysterio.
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing the Judgment Day,
from San Diego, California, weighing in at 200 pounds,
"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio!
[Joe] Remember it was Finn Bálor who wanted this spot against Gunther.
But Gunther said, "'Dirty' Dom's more deserving,
because at least he's beaten Damian Priest,"
which is more than he can say for Finn.
Wade, you're referencing what happened back on October 28th,
when Dom Mysterio came up with that shocking win.
Priest was distracted by Judgment Day interference.
Dom went from being ragdolled all over the place.
He was ragdoll wrecked to then a roll-up win.
[Wade] Well, the confidence of Dom Mysterio knows no bounds.
He sent his Judgment Day counterparts to the locker and said,
"No, I'm going it alone,"
which I admire at the best of times,
but against this man, that may well be suicide.
[Joe] Gunther, who just retained his Heavyweight World Championship
Saturday night.
[announcer] His opponent, from Vienna, Austria,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
the Ring General, Gunther!
[Joe] And, Wade, I thought it was interesting
to hear Gunther tell our Jackie Redmond on Saturday night
just how important that title defense against Damian Priest was to him.
How much of what happened at Crown Jewel against Cody affected?
How much of a verbal onslaught from Damian just got his confidence offtrack a bit?
And then to have that signature win in the fashion he did,
that was special.
[Wade] You have to think the granite mindset of Gunther, though,
that has looked particularly shaky over the past couple of months,
is now back to normal.
And Gunther, as you mentioned earlier, particularly upset at Finn Bálor
for his involvement in the matchup.
Thought he could have won it on his own quite easily.
And hence, perhaps, why Finn Bálor did not get granted an opportunity
at the Ring General.
Instead, it's "Dirty" Dom's opportunity.
[Joe] Interesting to see "Dirty" Dom just walk over to Gunther
and give him a push, as if he's gonna take the fight to him to start.
-And pats him on the head! [laughs] -[crowd exclaiming]
[Joe] And a big boot sends him to the floor.
[Wade] It is terrifying stepping into the ring
with someone the stature of Gunther.
You cannot possibly take it backwards. He will eat you alive.
And that seems to be the philosophy of Dom Mysterio in the early go.
[Joe] Good start from "Dirty" Dom.
Suicide dive!
-"Dirty" Dom Mysterio. -[crowd booing]
[Joe] Quick start here against Gunther.
[crowd yelling]
[Joe] Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you here.
A sellout in Everett, Washington, just north of Seattle.
The World Heavyweight Champion Gunther has held the title for 121 days.
He just defended it against Damian Priest at Survivor Series.
And now the crowd locked in
as Dom Mysterio's desperate to get to that rope.
He drags him back to the middle of the ring, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, locked in that Boston crowd.
We've seen Gunther win countless matches with this move.
A desperate Mysterio just about makes it to that rope,
and Mysterio must be ruing the fact that he sent his Judgment Day counterparts,
Carlito and JD McDonagh,
back to the clubhouse upon his entrance.
I'm sure telepathically begging them to come back out here and help.
[Joe] Of course, it was the Judgment Day brethren
who interfered with what we saw at Survivor Series,
when Gunther was able to retain the Championship.
That was Finn Bálor who came out
and hit a coup de grâce on Damian Priest,
only to see Gunther win by submission.
Eventually, it was Finn Bálor who wants a match badly with Gunther,
and he said, "Why should you get one?"
"Dominik's the one who recently upset Priest."
"I'll give him a match tonight."
[crowd yelling]
-[Gunther grunting] -[crowd yelling]
[Wade] Dom refusing to go quietly into the night,
giving it everything he's got against the World Heavyweight Champion,
and that is what you get in return.
-Sleeper! -[Joe] Sleeper's locked in.
-[Wade] Referee got crunched and-- -[Wade and Joe] Oh!
[Wade] Latino Cheat back to his old tricks!
619 to the gut!
[Joe] Can you believe that?
He put it in the privates, and then a 619, now a dropkick,
and he's got him set up again for a 619!
[Wade] Right to the kisser of the World Heavyweight Champion!
And "Dirty" Dom might pull off the ultimate hatchet job.
[Joe] Whoa! Frog splash, for the win!
[Wade sighs incredulously]
[Joe] What momentum he had with that offensive series, Wade.
[Wade] Well, take another look at this.
When you can't beat him clean, go low.
That's exactly what "Dirty" Dom did.
And with this move from the top rope, it almost worked.
But there is a reason the big Austrian is the World Heavyweight Champion.
He's just built tougher than most.
[crowd chanting] "Dirty" Dom! "Dirty" Dom!
[Joe] Just the second one-on-one meeting that they have had.
They met back in March, when Gunther was defending
the Intercontinental Championship. Big boot
from the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Wade] A volley of massive strikes there from Gunther.
Now he's closing in for the kill.
[Joe] Oh, is this the-- Big powerbomb!
Nobody slams it down off a powerbomb,
and now the stack with Gunther.
[bell ringing]
[Joe] Just annihilating "Dirty" Dom with that powerbomb.
[announcer] Here is your winner.
The World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther!
[Joe] And what did we say about back to the norm?
-The confidence-builder for Gunther-- -[Wade] Oh, hold on, Joe! Joe!
Sling Blade!
[Joe] Finn Bálor's arrived!
[Wade] Finn Bálor enraged at Gunther's refusal
to grant him a match.
[Joe] Coup de grâce!
[crowd exclaiming]
[Joe] Lands him right on the World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd booing]
Watch and learn, kid.
[Joe] "Watch and learn," he says.
[Wade] Go for a second bite of the cherry.
Bullseye!
That is one way to get the attention of the ring!
-Joe, look at-- -[Joe] Not again.
[Wade] It's a hat trick.
-[Joe] Finn Bálor! -[crowd and Wade exclaim]
[Wade] Right on the kidney!
A coup de grâce on the kidney!
[Joe] And then the disrespect to pick up Gunther's belt
and lay it over him.
-[Gunther moaning] -[crowd chanting] Go Gunther! Go Gunther!
One more time! One more time! One more time! One more time!
-[chanting fades] -[Gunther continues moaning]
[Wade] "Listen to Finn, and Judgment Day win."
-[Joe] That's what he said earlier. -[Finn] That's how you do it.
-[Joe] And that's the man he wants. -Dom needs to watch and learn.
I'll teach him.
[Joe] Let's go backstage to Cathy Kelley.
Have you learned your lesson this time, Dom?
Joe, it sounds like chaos out there.
It's a little bit calmer backstage here with Pete Dunne.
And Pete, I know you know you have a match tonight against R-Truth.
Do you think that R-Truth knows that he has a match tonight against Pete Dunne?
Or do you think he has a match tonight against--
Stop. Stop.
Please don't say that name.
And as for that idiot R-Truth,
he doesn't seem to know what's going on tonight,
so let me make this really clear.
Tonight, it's Pete Dunne versus R-Truth.
Do you understand?
Get that in your head
-[men yelling] -[items crashing]
[Cathy] Follow them!
[indistinct yelling]
-Medic! Medic! -Check this out.
[medic] Hey, what happened?
Jey, talk to me…
Check the back of his head, please.
[medic] Let me see, let me see. Let me check you out.
[Joe] It has been an explosive night on Monday Night Raw.
We started with CM Punk and Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn,
and now…
the heated Pete Dunne,
who has had such issues with R-Truth.
There was a backstage altercation last week.
He's been so frustrated by R-Truth constantly calling him Butch.
[Wade] His name's not Butch.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
From Birmingham, England, weighing in at 205 pounds,
here is "The Bruiserweight,"
Pete Dunne!
[Joe] And one man's unintended comedy, another man's anguish.
And that is how we arrived at this.
Pete Dunne, easily-riled-up Pete Dunne,
-set to shut R-Truth's mouth. -[bell ringing]
[Wade] No, no, no, not "easily riled up."
[Joe] Extraordinarily short-fused.
-Quick-tempered. -[Wade] Riled up by a sold-out audience
chanting the one name he never wants to hear.
And now, R-Truth, you get exactly what you deserve.
[Joe] Pete Dunne on the attack early on as he stomps down on R-Truth.
Pete Dunne, who had a win against Kofi Kingston
back on November 11th.
I still am in shock over some of the stuff we saw with The New Day
tenth anniversary celebration.
That was hardly a celebration
the way they treated Big E.
[Wade] You're right, but I'm not in shock that Pete Dunne, get his name right,
is delivering a well-earned beatdown
on the merchant of nonsense himself, R-Truth.
[Joe] R-Truth recently had a shocking win against--
[Wade] Listen to this audience!
[Joe] Authors of Pain distracted The Miz, and Truth got the roll-up win there,
and this audience just keeps chanting "Butch! Butch! Butch!"
[Wade] Well, Pete Dunne's head looks like it's about to explode,
understandably so.
These people here in Washington State have no manners whatsoever.
And chief instigator is that man at the boot of Pete Dunne, R-Truth.
"Gnawing nickname." That's what you called it a few weeks ago, Joe.
-You were absolutely right. -[Joe] It's gnawing to him.
[Wade] Pete Dunne has a face like a pit bull chewing on a bumblebee,
thanks to the antics of R-Truth, who can make any man's blood boil.
[Joe] That's quite the descriptive, Wade.
[crowd shouting]
[Wade] Even I'm getting angry, and my name's not Butch.
-[Joe] What is he looking at us for? -[Wade] He's looking at you, not at me.
[Joe] They love saying "Butch." We're not saying it.
[Wade] It's these kids… these kids are yelling "Butch!"
Cheeky!
-No! -[Joe] Roll off! Are you kidding me?
-[bell ringing] -[Joe] He did it again!
R-Truth just defeated Pete Dunne!
[announcer] Here is your winner, R-Truth!
[Wade] Oh, he's just made it ten times worse.
[Joe] It's the same thing he did to The Miz!
[Wade] Well, there is method to the madness of R-Truth.
He plays the naive dummy so well.
The real truth is he is a master manipulator
hiding in plain sight.
[Joe] Hey, a win's a win.
♪ What's up? ♪
♪ What's up? What's up…? ♪
I am here with Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker,
and Bron, at Survivor Series,
in a match where Sheamus sustained a cracked rib,
you walked out retaining your Intercontinental Championship.
Would you say that Triple Threat match was your biggest challenge to date?
Yeah, I mean, obviously, it was a great challenge,
but I told both members of that…
You seem happy with yourself.
Surprising to me, because if you would have came in
just a couple of seconds later,
that Championship would be mine right now.
But hey, it doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter because I accomplished what I needed to accomplish.
A few months back, when Sheamus took me out and broke my ribs,
I promised I would come back
and put an end to The Celtic Warrior for good,
and that is what I did.
A rib for a rib.
And now…
now there's nothing stopping me from taking this Championship
and bring it back where it belongs.
To Imperium.
Is that a challenge?
'Cause I knew you were gonna come in here today
with this whole "I didn't beat you" thing.
But I'll talk to Adam Pearce, see what we can get done.
But I would love nothing more than to face you for this and beat you,
so you have that stupid look on your face,
knowing that you will never, ever hold this Championship.
But…
I'll give you your props.
It was a hell of a match on Saturday.
I mean, you not only proved to me, you've proved to the world
that you're right on your way from being out from underneath Gunther's shadow.
But if I were you, I'd try to get out of that shadow a whole lot faster,
'cause Gunther's stock right now is…
[Wade] Well, what a night it has been so far on Raw,
but next Monday, we go to Wichita, Kansas,
and as we saw earlier tonight,
major bad blood between two alpha females.
They collide next week on Raw.
Raquel Rodriguez takes on Rhea Ripley.
[Joe] Wade, earlier tonight, Dakota Kai advanced
in the new Women's Intercontinental Championship tournament.
Next week, it's Lyra, Zelina, and Ivy Nile
in a Triple Threat first round match in that tournament.
[Wade] And get this, Karrion Kross is at his wit's end,
but he may be messing with forces he doesn't understand.
He threw out the challenge. It's been made official.
-[Joe] Wow. -[Wade] Eight-man Tag Team match.
Next week on Raw, Final Testament and The Miz
take on The Wyatt Sicks.
Expect the unexpected.
[Joe] That's gonna be incredible, Wade. Whoo.
♪ You're looking at a legend in the flesh I'm next ♪
♪ See, nothing's impossible… ♪
Adam, what happened? What happened to Jey?
Sami, calm down. I don't know. He's still in Medical getting evaluated.
We're trying to figure it out.
Who did it?
Who-- Adam, who did it?
Sami, I don't know. Who do you think did it?
You know what? I think I know exactly who did it.
And I'm about to go whip his ass in the middle of that ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Adam sighs]
[Joe] Got amazing fans here in Everett, Washington
with their signs out in force, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, hopefully willing Jey Uso back to health.
A lot of Yeet signs out.
There's always signs for Mami and CM Punk.
Look at that.
We're on the same page. I need you to make it official.
Thank you, and I will call you back.
Finn.
I'm sure you've seen what just happened out there?
-Yeah. -So the only thing I need to know
is when is my title match?
That's rich.
It takes an act of Congress to get you to defend the Championship
you already have, and you want another title match?
-You're lucky The War Raiders aren't here. -The War Raiders?
I don't care about The War Raiders.
The only thing I care about is when are you
gonna stop letting Gunther duck me?
Duck you?
Funny enough, I talked to Gunther.
He wants the match just as bad as you do, so it looks like you get your wish.
Finn Bálor versus Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[crowd cheering]
-About time. -Yeah.
One more thing.
Next week, let's talk about your other title match.
[Joe] That's gonna be something. Twelve days away.
Saturday Night's Main Event, December 14th.
And you heard it. Gunther and Finn Bálor.
[Wade] With the World Heavyweight Championship
on the line,
Saturday Night's Main Event just got even bigger.
[Joe] And now, how about this?
Really big surprise Main Event in front of us here
that developed because of how Monday Night Raw
started off the evening with Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
["The Second Coming (Burn It Down)" playing]
-[bell ringing] -♪ Burn it down… ♪
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Davenport, Iowa,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Joe] Seth Rollins, Wade, who came out and confronted CM Punk
at the start of tonight's Monday Night Raw,
and said, "I should have knocked you out when you first came back to WWE,"
then when Sami Zayn came down to separate them,
he laid into Sami for the role he played in helping Roman Reigns
at Survivor Series: WarGames.
[Wade] Well, clearly, Rollins turned up this evening
wanting a fight.
He's got exactly that.
Not, perhaps, with the man he was initially planning to go with,
but it may form some level of catharsis
for Seth "Freakin" Rollins all the same.
♪ Let's go! ♪
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[announcer] And his opponent, from Montreal, Québec, Canada,
weighing in at 212 pounds,
Sami Zayn!
[Joe] You know, Wade, when I was watching you, Jackie, and Big E
on the press conference post-WarGames,
I got the sense Sami was taking a well-earned victory lap,
but now things have changed quickly, right?
Instead of all the "attaboys" and "congratulations"
and media questions after victory,
it's a world-class opponent who's fired up at him.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Yeah, I think Seth Rollins is gonna be fired up at anyone
who looks at him the wrong way, says the wrong thing in his presence,
has terrible timing,
and all of those things really sum up Sami Zayn's entire existence here
in WWE.
He's a man who can inadvertently push the buttons of anybody.
One, two…
[Joe] Seventh time that Sami and Seth Rollins have met
one-on-one.
The last meeting was all the way back in November of 2023.
That was for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Rollins is five-and-one all-time against Zayn.
[Wade] And if Seth "Freakin" Rollins wasn't angry enough,
right before that last commercial,
we saw Sami Zayn imply that it was Seth Rollins
who took out Jey Uso.
I'd like to know if Sami has any evidence whatsoever
to back that up.
[Joe] Yeah, that is the big question.
Who attacked Jey Uso?
That was the scene we saw backstage.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Joe] Glad you're with us here on Monday Night Raw.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett ringside here in Everett, Washington.
Another sellout, the 64th of the year for WWE.
Our Main Event, Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins.
Of course, remember Sami Zayn part of that OG Bloodline
that came up with the victory at Survivor Series: WarGames.
And at one point, trying to recruit Seth Rollins to be the fifth member.
He refused to join forces with Roman Reigns.
CM Punk did, and that was the spark that started things tonight
on Monday Night Raw that has led to this Main Event, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, some real manufactured hatred between these two
over the past couple of hours.
The wrong words, the wrong things said to Seth Rollins, and these two focusing in
on battering and destroying their opponent now.
And hats off to Sami Zayn.
Forty-eight hours ago in a major WarGames matchup.
His body must be close to ruined.
He's done a game job thus far.
[Joe] He was looking for the powerbomb, but instead blue thunder bomb
the other way!
And a kickout as Seth is able to get free.
A great turnaround by Sami Zayn on the counter.
[Wade] Yeah, simply no quit in the body of Zayn.
Always head-first into the firefight.
That plucky, gutsy, scrappy underdog that he is.
[Joe] Seth was climbing on up that pedigree.
You've gotta think, remember all the damage
that was also done in Survivor Series: WarGames
to all the participants.
And Sami with that quick turnaround and take on a challenge like this.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Wade] Sami Zayn perhaps has a greater lack of awareness
than anyone-- self-awareness, excuse me, on planet Earth,
but bell-to-bell, as good as they get!
[Joe] Exploder into the corner by Zayn.
[Wade] Well, we know what's coming next, Joe.
[Joe] Can he line it up?
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] He did it in Vancouver against Solo Sikoa.
Here he comes! Oh!
[Wade] Simply beaten to the punch with that superkick.
Seth Rollins knew exactly what was coming over that stomp.
[Joe] A stamp. Sami able to roll out of the way of the stomp of Rollins.
[Wade] These two simply have each other so well-scouted.
When you study, you make sure you study the absolute best.
And these two have clearly done their homework
on one another.
Two…
[Joe] Seth Rollins said to him earlier tonight,
when he was calling out Punk and the rest who sided with Roman Reigns
in WarGames,
he said, "You're the worst of them all."
[Wade] Seth Rollins is sick of people.
I don't want this fight, all right?
My fight's with Punk. Understand that.
-Understand-- [grunts] -[crowd exclaims]
[Joe] Socked him right across the face.
I know it was you. I know it was you!
[Joe] Remember, Jey Uso was attacked backstage,
and Sami Zayn feels that it was Seth Rollins who did it.
[Wade] Well, that is a heavy, heavy accusation.
There is no evidence, as far as I'm aware,
that Seth Rollins has stooped to such depths
to attack Jey Uso,
and Sami Zayn may well, deservedly,
be out cold after that accusation.
[Joe] Remember Jey Uso came down to separate CM Punk and Seth Rollins
when they had the heated exchange earlier tonight.
Right over into timekeeper, he sends him.
[Wade] Rollins has no beef with Jey Uso.
His beef is with CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
[Joe] That is the question that is hanging over Monday Night Raw.
Who attacked Jey Uso?
The finger was pointed at Seth Rollins by Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Can't drag down a man's character like that…
[Joe and Wade] Oh!
[Wade] …and not expect consequences, but that boot to the face,
and Seth Rollins may have stopped him in his tracks.
[Joe] Sami always somehow finding a way.
-[head thuds] -[Joe] Into the post!
After extending himself in Vancouver
just 48 hours ago,
and now digging deep late in this match against Seth Rollins.
[Wade] Oh no.
[Joe] Going for the chair.
[Wade] We're hearing those "Sami Uso" chants.
Perhaps now Ro-- Rollins in major trouble,
and this could end in disqualification.
-We'll keep a close eye on this. -I know it was you!
I know it was you!
What are you talking about?
-You at that gate! -Me?!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Hey, what do you mean?
You know me! I wouldn't do that!
I wouldn't do that!
Why don't you ask your buddy Punk? Did you ask Punk?
-Put the chair… -Maybe it wasn't him.
But it sure as hell wasn't me. Think about this.
Use your head.
Jesus Christ.
Jesus!
[all shouting]
-What's wrong with you? -[Joe] Ref threatened a DQ.
[Wade] Seth Rollins just implied it may have been Punk.
[Joe] Sami…
Things are better. Oh, there's a roll-up by Seth!
-And the win! -[bell ringing]
[Joe] He convinced him, "It wasn't me who attacked Jey Uso."
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Joe] And then took advantage against a disarmed Sami Zayn.
["The Second Coming (Burn It Down)" playing]
♪ Woah, woah-oh-oh… ♪
Listen to me. I love your heart.
I love your heart.
But you gotta start using your head.
Think about it…
[Joe] "I love your heart, but start using your mind."
Seth, "I didn't attack Jey Uso."
The question is, "Who did?"
[Wade] Brandi and Rollins pulling out the win
just when it looked like his head was about to be taken off
with that steel chair.
Rollins putting into the head of Sami Zayn,
perhaps it was CM Punk.
Well, now we have no clue.
But as crafty and as calculating as they come,
Seth Rollins pulling off a major W tonight.
♪ Burn it down… ♪
[Wade] Sami Zayn doesn't know what to think.
[Joe] Zayn just stands there and looks off into space.
[Wade] Forlorn, isn't he? His boy is--
-[Joe] What in the world?! -[crowd shouting]
-[Wade] It's a Claymore! -[Joe] That's Drew McIntyre!
We have not seen Drew McIntyre since Hell in a Cell
in early October,
and he arrives and just Claymores Sami Zayn.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] The guy who spent most of 2024 ever-present
with the heat and rivalry of Punk.
But he hasn't been heard from.
He hasn't been seen.
And now that's with the menacing stare-down at Sami Zayn,
McIntyre's back!
[crowd cheering] th the menacing stare-down at Sami Zayn,