[inspiring music playing]
[narrator] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
[cheers and applause]
[Joe] This is Boston.
Woven into the fabric of WWE's history, the TD Garden.
Just 48 hours from the star-studded Saturday Night Main Event,
the Garden crowd at the hub is ready to roar.
We have big names to hear from, and championships to decide.
Including the World Tag Team Title.
Finn Bálor and J.D. McDonagh arrive in Boston
knowing they won't have their typical game plan available.
They'll have to defend with the rest of the Judgment Day far from ringside.
Will that be enough for the War Raiders?
Can they get across the finish line tonight?
As Bron Breakker,
the dynamic Intercontinental Championship match is ahead.
He gave everything he had at Survivor Series
to retain his championship.
The dogs will be barking in Beantown.
♪ You can bet that I'm better Than anyone expects ♪
♪ Be the best Standing with the veterans… ♪
[Joe] Ludwig Kaiser gets another chance at the championship.
For the third time in recent weeks,
he will be inside the ropes with the badass
as Ludwig is seeking the biggest accomplishment of his career.
And of course, we will detail
what happened after we went off the air with Saturday Night's Main Event,
Kevin Owens' heinous attack on the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
The latest medical update on the American Nightmare is coming your way.
It's all right now on Monday Night Raw!
[crowd cheering]
["Cult Of Personality" by Living Colour playing]
♪ Look in my eyes ♪
♪ What do you see? ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
♪ I know your anger, I know your dreams ♪
[Lilian] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome CM Punk!
[Joe] The best in the world has something to say.
Glad you're with us here in Boston.
Joe Tessitore here on ringside, with Wade Barrett.
Wade, this war of words with Seth Rollins, it is ready to take a big step forward.
[Wade] The voice of the voiceless.
What a way to kick off Monday Night Raw.
The sometimes controversial
but always must-see, CM Punk.
[crowd cheering]
♪ Nobel prize ♪
♪ When a mirror speaks The reflection lies ♪
♪ You don't have to follow me ♪
♪ Only you can set me free ♪
[Joe] A week removed from his honest and revealing
sit-down interview with Jackie Redman.
♪ I sell the things you need to be ♪
♪ I'm the smiling face on your TV ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
CM Punk! CM Punk!
Careful, careful.
Some people might get mad when you chant my name.
[cheers and applause]
Not to call attention to people that don't matter,
but somebody that might get mad
is the brave guy in the New York jersey over here.
[crowd exclaiming]
It takes a lot of balls to show up in Boston wearing a New York anything.
But, hey!
Getting ahead of myself.
Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Boston, or what?
[crowd cheering]
I gotta be honest with you, Boston.
I'm feeling a little low.
I'm in a bit of a bad mood.
Because two weeks ago in this ring,
face-to-face, I told Seth Rollins,
after he…
told me that he spends a lot of time thinking about me,
I told him that I don't think about him at all.
Over the course of the last two weeks,
while every waking hour wasn't spent thinking about Seth Rollins,
my mind wanders back to him from time to time.
And it's put me in a bad mood. I'm mad because Seth is right.
Whatever this thing is between me and him,
as much as I want to sidestep it and put it in the past,
may be completely avoided,
it's only a matter of time before we lock up here in this ring.
[crowd cheering]
I'm also upset because something I very much enjoyed doing,
which is coming to this ring, holding a microphone in my hand,
and talking to my people…
[crowd cheering]
…I feel is always going to be overshadowed by the fact that every time I do it,
I know at some point,
that stupid music is going to hit.
[crowd exclaims]
That's the one.
Yeah.
And he's going to tiptoe out here in clogs
like the Purple Pie Man from Porcupine Peak.
[mocking laughter]
Dressed like Liberace… No!
For all the sensitive people, calling him Liberace is not an insult.
I happen to think Liberace is cool as hell.
The point I'm trying to make, Seth,
if you want to interrupt me before I make it,
is that, just because you wear Elton John sunglasses,
it does not make you Elton John.
And just because you grew up idolizing me,
putting on a pair of wrestling boots does not make you CM Punk!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk…!
Seth came out here.
With a straight face he told the world that I ghosted him.
It's true.
But I'm not here to litigate the past.
I'm looking forward to the future, and little brother Seth,
I would love to say that's not you,
but it seems like me and you are on a bit of a collision course.
He wants to paint this picture that I'm bad.
I'll go ahead and say I'm the bad guy.
Boston?
A show of hands.
Have you ever been a bad guy in your life?
[crowd cheering]
Come on, Boston, bad boys, Beantown, let's go.
I'm the bad guy in this situation, 100%.
And that's because there's no such thing
as a bad student, just bad teachers.
Okay?
Seth Rollins is CM Punk's failure.
That 19-year-old kid who came to CM Punk and said, "Please train me."
I'm ready-- I'm absolutely ready to do it all over again.
I'm ready to try again. So, Seth, if you want to interrupt me,
I'm willing to give you the wrestling lesson
that you asked for years ago, for free.
[crowd cheering]
Hold on.
We are going to get there, ladies and gentlemen.
Seth Rollins, you want to give me shoes to fill? I will gladly fill them.
The bad news for you is,
the last guy who did that was Drew McIntyre.
So ask yourself the question, Seth.
Are you tougher than Drew McIntyre?
[crowd exclaiming]
You might think you are.
Boston knows that you're not.
And one thing I know beyond a shadow of a doubt,
there's not enough staples in the world
to put you back together when I'm done with you.
If that doesn't piss him off enough to come up and interrupt me,
I know something that will.
The same thing that has pissed him off
for the seven years I was gone from this company.
And that's hearing, during his scheduled television time,
the world chant my name!
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[mocking voice] CM Punk! CM Punk!
CM Punk! CM Punk!
Come on, Boston!
[crowd cheering]
[mocking] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
Life is about perspective.
I thought maybe if I came out here,
and saw you the way these people see you,
it might give me a new perspective.
Might make me feel differently about who you are.
So, if you don't mind, let me take a good, hard look here.
Let me see.
Uh…
No, no, even from way out here,
you're still an ass [bleep].
[crowd exclaiming]
While I'm overjoyed
you didn't come out here with that stupid song of yours,
for the first time in your life you're actually coming from the right spot
because you belong in the audience with the rest of the CM Punk fans.
-[crowd exclaiming] -[Seth] Ooh.
You think that embarrasses me?
It doesn't embarrass me to be out here with these people.
[crowd cheering]
I'm a fan, I always will be. I love this place.
When you abandoned this place and you hoped it would die without you,
I put it on my back.
I made it stronger than it's ever been!
[crowd cheering]
If anyone should be embarrassed, it's you.
Because this "fan,"
he's got more WrestleMania main events than you ever will.
[crowd exclaiming]
That's a fact, feel?
[Joe] He said it was only a matter of time before they lock up in the ring.
They may just brawl outside of it.
-[Wade] Here they go. -[Joe] Here they go!
CM Punk, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins!
Right to the barrier!
[Wade] Ten years' worth of simmering bile has just boiled over.
Now security officials heading out here.
[Joe] Referees, producers, security quick to break them up.
Just beyond the barrier to our right ringside.
[Wade] The opening salvo last week.
[Joe] Punk is loose! Punk is loose!
[Wade] So much!
[Joe] They are still going at it!
That's Adam Pearce, the Raw GM…
The referees taking everything they can
to separate Rollins and Punk!
Off the steps!
[Wade] Separating these two may well be mission impossible!
[clamoring]
[Joe] Punk said Seth Rollins is CM Punk's failure.
And now they are in the ring opposite each other!
[Wade] This has been inevitable for years and it has been building.
Right now it's almost impossible to keep these two apart.
[Joe] They went toe-to-toe, throwing right hands after right hand,
and still trying to get after each other.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! Cm Punk!
[Joe] Now Punk on the outside.
On the floor,
Rollins inside being contained as they try to push Punk back.
-He picks up a steel chair! -[Wade] How?
Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, no Liberace outfit tonight.
No Elton John sunglasses.
Seth Rollins came here tonight to fight.
[Joe] His so-called "stupid music" never hit.
Rollins said, "I wanted a different perspective."
"The fans' perspective."
He's wrapping around here, going around the barrier.
He's going through the crowd at TD Garden,
trying to get to Punk.
This is outrageous!
Out of the back end of the floor and they are throwing haymakers again!
A kick right to the gut for Punk!
[Wade] Highly apropos in this building, the home of the Boston Bruins.
Come on! Let's go!
[Joe] Look at the bulging eyes of CM Punk.
[clamoring]
[Joe] It takes every referee, all the ringside security,
and General Manager Adam Pearce directing everyone…
Look at the face of Punk.
…to separate this man.
And that is how Monday Night Raw kicks off to a red-hot start in Boston!
[indistinct]
[Liv] I was trying to. And then I did and I won!
-[laughs] -You're right.
Why-- Why did it work for me and not for him?
That's a great question.
[Finn] I'm wondering…
where the heck all you guys were on Saturday night,
when you left me out there two-on-one.
We're supposed to be a team, no?
We believe in you. We didn't think you needed help.
Plus, JD was focusing on the War Raiders,
keeping the team titles like he was asked to do, and…
I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but maybe you should focus on the same
because we are all banned from ringside
with your match with the War Raiders tonight.
Yeah.
But don't worry,
because you have everything under control just like you always do.
Just like Raquel has her Intercontinental Championship tonight.
-Right, Raquel? -That's right.
Because when you listen to Finn, you win.
Exactly.
So, so much good luck to you guys.
You guys are gonna kill it! I'm so excited.
-Thank you so much. -Of course.
But I have something special. You guys want to come?
-Yes! Yes, yes, yes. -[giggles]
Grab the megaphone. Bye, guys!
-Have fun. -See you guys later.
[indistinct]
["Sacred" playing]
[Wade] All is not harmonious in the clubhouse right now.
[bell rings]
[Lilian] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the Intercontinental Championship.
Introducing first,
the challenger,
from Hamburg, Germany,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Ludwig Kaiser!
[Joe] Absolutely chiseled specimen is Ludwig Kaiser.
Last time we saw him, he was cracking Sheamus' ribs.
From Survivor Series, they said that was a goal. One of them.
The bigger target is the gold he wants to wrap around his waist.
He gets that chance right here, the Intercontinental Championship
against Bron Breakker is up next.
[Pearce] Seth!
Seth Rollins!
Don't walk away from me! Listen to me, for cryin' out loud!
-What? -What do you mean, "What?"
-What you said! -You listen to me for once!
I want this fight!
I want the world to see this is the biggest fight you can put on.
You know what to do, and I want you to make it happen, stat.
If the two of you'd stop trying to pull each other's eyes out for ten minutes,
I might be able to get something done!
Stop! Give it a rest and let me do my job!
Then do your job.
Do your job!
[crowd exclaiming]
You once told me
when it comes to Roman in The Bloodline,
I needed to just get over it.
It's not easy when it's staring you in the face, is it?
What Roman had to say this past Friday,
once he vanquishes his family,
the whole world will have no choice but to once again acknowledge him.
It's the same person.
Everybody's fought but you and I.
I know you know deep down in your heart, everyone enabled him.
It's taken out. That includes Jey, that includes Sami.
That includes Jimmy and ends.
[breathing heavily]
[chuckles]
You know I'm right.
Yeah, yeah, you think we've got this common cause.
That means we're friends, right?
I took Roman out of power already at WrestleMania.
You know who was by my side when we did that?
Jey and Sami.
They're my friends.
You are not my friend.
You know why? Common interests don't make friendships.
Friendships are forged on respect.
I respect Sami, I respect Jey.
You…
Jury's out with you.
If you don't mind,
I've gotta go do something you couldn't do.
That's end CM Punk.
Okay.
[Wade] CM Punk, Drew McIntyre. Pick one, Seth.
Don't spread yourself too thin.
[Joe] Over 11,700 here at TD Garden.
We will see the Intercontinental Championship match.
Ludwig Kaiser looking to shed that label, simply being Gunther's right-hand man.
The Heavyweight World Champion lit a fire under Kaiser a month ago
with his jab at pointed encouragement, saying, "Improve yourself."
This was the scene last week during the third-hour brawl
as Ludwig tangled with Bron Breakker.
Next week at the Intercontinental Championship,
I'm not worried about Gunther's watchdog.
Okay?
Watchdog?
You calling me a watchdog?
-You calling me a watchdog? -Somebody help!
-What do you want to do? -No, what do you want to do?
-I'm good. -Break it up.
-Okay. I'm good. -What do you want to do?
-I'm not doing anything. I'm good. -Break it up.
See you next week, alright? We're good.
Hey, hey, hey!
Calm down, calm down. Hey, come on!
Calm down, calm down.
[sirens blaring]
[Wade] Kaiser may have been in Gunther's shadow for a little while,
but he is certainly no watchdog.
This man has main event potential running through his veins.
["Breakk and Destroy" playing]
[Lilian] And his opponent,
from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Bron Breakker!
[Joe] Third title defense of Bron Breakker's current reign as champion.
♪ Never falling under ♪
♪ Now take it away ♪
♪ Never seem to get better, get better ♪
[screams]
♪ It stops when you bend ♪
♪ That's what you're going to do ♪
[Wade] You mentioned it a little earlier.
These two crossed paths several weeks ago at Survivor Series in triple threat match,
ultimately won by the champ, Bron Breakker.
But now Kaiser has managed to shoehorn himself back
into another championship opportunity.
He's been telling the world he is the real deal.
-Now he's got to back up those words… -[bell rings]
…against the man who may potentially be unbeatable in Bron Breakker.
[Joe] There was a level of intensity at Survivor Series triple threat,
unlike what we have seen in the recent past.
This is Breakker's control here.
[Wade] There's a whole new mean streak from Kaiser
when he put the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus, on the shelf
with his cracked ribs from a shillelagh shot.
Do you know how hard it is to hurt Sheamus?
[Joe] It was incredible to see the shillelagh snap.
And that attack on the floor ringside, that was such a beat down.
[Wade] Sheamus has a thick hide.
-He's like a rhinoceros. -[Joe laughs]
[Wade] I punched him, and my hands are still hurting to this day.
The fact that he's on the shelf shows you the level Kaiser has climbed.
[grunts]
[yells]
[Joe] Ludwig comes back with the slap.
[Wade] It's going to take more than that to put Bron Breakker down.
He just antagonized the champ.
[Joe] Look at the reaction from the badass.
Just tackling and ground-and-pound.
Let him try again to slap!
[Wade] Almost some elitist snobbery from Kaiser,
thinking he could just dismiss Bron Breakker.
Here comes-- Oh, to the neck!
A 23-mile-an-hour speed check and Kaiser backpedaling rapidly.
[Joe] And there is the payback for Ludwig with the slap.
Intercontinental Championship. More to come after the short break.
[Joe] Joe and Wade with you in Boston.
Monday Night Raw, Intercontinental Championship.
The 11th Intercontinental Championship match on Raw in 2024.
Big kick comes in from Ludwig Kaiser.
His last one-on-one title opportunity came on August 30th,
and that was against L.A. Knight over in Germany for the U.S. Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] War of attrition so far in this one.
[crowd] …four, five, six, seven, eight, nine…!
[Joe] The Boston crowd wants one more,
and they get that big hammering right hand from Bron Breakker.
[Wade] It's just all gone the way of Bron so far.
Ludwig Kaiser would be wise…
Two…!
…to try to turn this into a more technical affair.
You see, he attempted
to walk over the shoulder of Bron Breakker earlier in the match.
It's had very little impact thus far, however.
[Joe] You can see two times Bron Breakker reaching for that left shoulder.
A big kick comes up as again Breakker puts his hand up to his left shoulder,
and now, immediately, Kaiser takes advantage,
trying to work that left arm.
[Wade] You absolutely need some sort of game plan against Bron Breakker,
or else he's going to eat you alive.
The effectiveness, however, thus far-- Straight to the eyeball now.
Referee on site, and that is one way to soften up the champ.
That is enough.
[Joe] And right back to that left arm, Wade.
[Wade] It's clear what Kaiser is doing, working over the champ slowly but surely,
looking to cause some soft ligament and tendon damage to that left arm.
You take whatever chance you can get against Bron Breakker because, believe me,
he does not give you many.
[crowd booing]
[grunts]
[Joe] Kaiser clearly affected.
[Wade] This is the issue. Just when you think
you're starting to get the upper hand against someone like Bron Breakker,
he sprints up--
[Joe] Oh, the apron across the announce desk!
[Wade] Both men taken out in the process.
Incredible athleticism from Breakker,
who once again is grabbing that left shoulder.
There's simply nowhere to hide from the champ.
[Joe] So explosive in the velocity,
as again you see the champion clearly affected
and doing damage to himself with that left shoulder.
He's not even raising that left arm right now.
He has gotten the best of it against Ludwig, but clearly,
that left arm is greatly affected.
[Wade] Almost a kamikaze-type dive from Bron Breakker,
who may be regretting his actions now.
[Joe] Third defense of this reign of his Intercontinental Championship,
as Kaiser looks to work now on that left shoulder,
twisting it and bringing it right down to the mat,
and now stomping on that clearly injured left shoulder time and again
as the referee calls for a break in the action.
[Wade] Kaiser so well-versed.
Once he's found a weakness,
he just has a long list of maneuvers he can pull off against an opponent.
Take another look at this.
Kaiser yanking down that left shoulder, that's previously been damaged,
and now you see the grimace, the agony on the face of Bron Breakker.
This is about as much in jeopardy as we've seen Breakker in for some time.
[Joe] Ludwig Kaiser has yet to win a singles championship in his WWE career,
but right now, he has Bron Breakker damaged.
[Wade] Trust me, I would never bet against Bron Breakker in any form of matchup.
However, in this circumstance right now, I wouldn't bet against Kaiser either.
-[slam] -[screams in pain]
[Wade] So technically astute and the game plan of Bron Breakker,
that war of attrition he attempted earlier has completely gone out of the window.
[Joe] And now wrapping it around the top rope,
just continuing to work on it
as it comes in with a dropkick into the corner.
Ludwig Kaiser is in control.
Can he close in on Bron?
[crowd booing]
[Joe] Bron Breakker has been a constant ascendant star.
His second reign as Intercontinental Champion,
but he's in a bit of a hole,
trying to rally back against Ludwig Kaiser.
And right now, he's doing it with one arm.
[Wade] The power of Bron Breakker is starting to wane.
But it would be a fool who writes off the champ
after what we've seen from this man
over the past several years in the WWE umbrella.
But Kaiser may have him bang to rights here.
[Joe] And right away, just constantly working on it.
What an opportunity for Kaiser.
[Wade] "Gunther's watchdog," that is what Bron Breakker called this man.
Far from it, believe me.
And Bron knows that now.
Just cheap talk he may well be regretting.
[Joe] Bron, just trying to rally off the ropes.
But again, now turns it over, hooks the leg to win it…
Good kick-out by the badass.
[Wade] And immediately back on the arm.
Two seconds later, immediately another attack.
Even the speed of Bron Breakker seems to have left his body.
It's completely draining.
[Joe] Intercontinental Championship.
You can see the referee
asking Bron Breakker about the left arm and left shoulder specifically.
It has been taking damage upon damage,
but now trying to fight his way out of the hole is Breakker.
[Wade] Certainly, Bron Breakker is tougher than most,
but how about that pep talk from Kais--?
[both] Oh!
[Joe] Big knee comes up just when he needed it the most, Wade!
[Wade] I was going to say, "How about that pep talk from Gunther several weeks ago?"
Kaiser a massive underachiever here on Raw.
It seems to have fixed whatever problem Kaiser was having.
But now his brain has been completely scrambled from that knee to the jaw.
[Joe] We saw that in the effort he put forward in the Survivor Series,
A triple threat, and now, even with just the one good arm,
here comes the badass!
[crowd exclaiming]
[Wade] He's the one-armed bandit now, but he's proving highly effective
at 50% of striking capacity.
[Joe] He has not moved that left arm in minutes.
[Wade] Never a good sign.
But, you know, there's no quit in Bron Breakker.
That is not what's taking him to the top.
[Joe] Is he thinking top rope?
Frankensteiner! How about it?
Into the cover!
One, two…!
[Joe] And the kick out.
I don't know how much leverage he can get with just that right hand, Wade.
[Wade] I'm just blown away at a guy the size of Bron Breakker,
at this point in the matchup,
leaping to the top rope effortlessly using no hands for balance
and pulling off that top-rope Frankensteiner.
[Joe] Pound for pound,
arguably one of the most dynamic athletes on the entire roster.
[grunts]
Kaiser rolls!
Into the cover to win gold here in Boston!
[Wade] Landing high on the damaged shoulder of Bron Breakker
and immediately back on the offense, stretching every sinew
in that… shoulder.
[Joe] Three times he has put him in this shoulder lock submission hold.
Three times tonight to work on it.
And can Breakker get out of it again?
[Wade] Now, trying to navigate his way out of that hold any way he possibly can.
Brute force did it. Oh no!
[Joe] Able to get out of the way, and what takes the damage?
The left shoulder.
[Wade] Kaiser is just one step ahead of the beat-up Breakker at this time.
And now, sitting in the danger zone is the champ,
and, my oh my, doesn't Kaiser realize it?
[Joe] That is the worst position to be in against Kaiser.
-[Wade] We've seen this before. -[Joe] Here it goes.
He's been putting forth the runaround,
full-speed basement dropkick into the steel stairs!
-[Wade] And crossed him! Whoa! -[Joe] Nobody is home. Nobody is home.
[Wade] Breakker smiling all the way-- Speed check?
[Joe] Ooh!
How about it, badass?!
[Wade] Bron put his own shoulder on the line with that attack.
Both men down, maybe at risk.
And they can-- How smart was that from Bron Breakker?
[Joe] As he throws it back into the ring with just that right hand.
[Wade] It would behoove Bron Breakker to end this as quickly as he can,
but Kaiser has other ideas.
-[slam] -[crowd exclaims]
[Joe] Busting up that gut.
[Wade] Kaiser's ribs must feel at this point cracked.
And it might be about to get a whole hell of a lot worse.
[Joe] Is he going to rev that engine?
Super spear!
To retain!
Two, three!
-[bell rings] -[Joe] What a match!
[Lilian] Here is your winner and still the Intercontinental Champion,
Bron Breakker!
[Wade] More questions asked of the young champ, Bron Breakker.
And he answered every single one of them.
An absolute masterclass from Kaiser, but it was simply not enough.
Great retention by the champ, Bron.
[Joe] 56-day reign now for his second run as IC title.
♪ Got better ♪
What is that?
-Huh? -Everybody in this building, it's-- Oh!
[crowd cheering]
What? You're not gonna let us in the locker room?
You got a problem with us too?
It's not just me. It's everyone in there too.
Wait, wait. Hold on a minute, man.
It's bad enough that the audience is treating us like that, but now you too?
You mean to tell me after ten years of sharing a locker room with everybody,
nobody has our back?
You're supposed to be a locker room leader, man. Do something.
No sé qué quieren que les diga. I don't know what to tell you.
You guys crossed the line with E.
And I think it's best for your own good
if you find somewhere else to change.
-[chuckles] -[crowd exclaims]
You know what? That's fine, Rey, 'cause…
we didn't want to share a locker room with y'all anyway.
[intense music playing]
[Cole] It's our main event, at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Cody Rhodes versus Kevin Owens.
It may be the WWE title.
[bell ringing]
[intense music continues]
[Cole] Oh, that's the Randy Orton move that he delivers to Rhodes!
Hi, Randy!
[Cole] Now Kevin Owens, shades of Cody's dad.
Cody is not going to take that. Cody delivers a left of his own!
Cody Rhodes on the offense here!
Oh, he got him!
Cody Rhodes with an RKO to Kevin Owens!
Cody looking to put him away on crossroads.
Oh, and Owens sends Rhodes inadvertently into our official!
Stunner!
[Ventura] Who's gonna count? Where's the ref?
[McAfee] Oh and here's the new wrangler!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Owens had Rhodes defeated with the stunner, but there's no official!
Oh no! Now another official is taken out!
[intense music continues]
[McAfee] KO grabbing a steel chair!
[Ventura] The refs are down! He's thinking he can get away with it.
[Cole] He misses!
Cody! Cover!
[Ventura] Is Rhodes gonna cheat and use the chair?
[Cole] Crossroads over the chair!
Cody gets rid of the evidence!
Pull of the leg!
Referee Charles Robinson is back up, and Rhodes retains the title!
[bell ringing]
[Cole] Kevin Owens is going to be frustrated, guys.
Meanwhile, the celebration!
The undisputed WWE Champion is underway!
I got him!
[loud sting]
[tense music playing]
[crowd booing]
[tense music continues]
[clamoring]
[siren blaring]
[Joe] The happenings on Long Island.
And by the way, Wade,
you saw everybody with a cell phone at the main event afterwards,
and all the reaction showing what happened after the main event.
There was Triple H, and Kevin Owens, the moment of tension.
Forty-five million.
Forty-five million total social media views.
Yet another use of a banned piledriver by Kevin Owens.
It's the same piledriver that took out Randy Orton several weeks ago.
This time, a package piledriver takes out the WWE champ Cody Rhodes.
That was a heinous attack in Long Island.
Let's get you up to speed on what's going on with Cody Rhodes.
He suffered cervical swelling.
The champ was kept overnight at a local hospital.
That was for observation.
He has been diagnosed.
We can tell you that he has axial compression of the cervical spine.
X-rays, fortunately, were negative when it came for looking for fractures.
Cody, right now, he's back home, he's resting.
And everybody from the crew, the staff, and all the fans here in Boston,
wish Cody, wish the champ a very speedy recovery.
[tense music playing]
Tonight, we go to war with The Judgment Day.
And for us, it's more than just the tag titles on the line.
When we first laced up our boots,
the last thing on our minds was, what could go wrong when the bell rings?
But now, we know all too well.
No one can describe the unbearable guilt
when the strength hasn't returned to your arms
and you can't pick up your son.
No one will tell you what it's like to sit in a hospital bed
and wonder if the nerve pain in your arms and legs will ever go away.
What happened to us should have ended our careers.
[both] But it didn't.
[Ivar] I walked out of the hospital, twice.
Two weeks ago, I held my newborn son.
[Ivar] The Judgment Day tried to end our careers.
[Erik] They cheated us out of our chance for glory once.
-[bell rings] -But we are stronger than ever.
Every match could be our last.
Our moment has to be now.
My sons have to know if all the pain and damage were worth it.
And the only way we can prove that
is bringing them the World Tag Team Championships.
[music fades]
[Joe] We now know what is coming your way
three weeks from tonight when Raw debuts on Netflix.
It is tribal combat.
The winner will be the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa.
How about that for Raw's debut on Netflix?
Raw's debut on Netflix is highly anticipated already,
and I am here with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce.
Now, we've heard some rumblings
about other matches potentially slated for January 6th.
Are there any others you are able to confirm at this time?
Cathy, you're in luck.
One of the biggest nights in WWE history just got bigger.
After negotiations with representatives of both men,
which were exacerbated by tonight, I might add,
January 6th in Los Angeles on Monday Night Raw's debut on Netflix,
one-on-one,
CM Punk versus Seth "Freakin'" Rollins.
[crowd cheering]
Somehow, a big night got even bigger.
Way bigger.
Joe, Wade.
[Joe] Wade, this is just awesome now.
What January 6th is turning into, as you just heard from Adam Pearce.
Your first reaction to know that it is happening.
Punk and Rollins' Raw debut on Netflix.
[Wade] Well, it sounds obvious,
but it's gonna be the biggest show of the year, only six days in.
Cannot wait for January 6th,
the big debut of Raw on Netflix. Wow.
♪ Big boy famous Mr. Amazing, blazing ♪
♪ Call me the greatest Say it again… ♪
["Liv Gone Mad" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Watch me ♪
[Lilian] Ladies and gentlemen,
representing The Judgment Day,
please welcome
Raquel Rodriguez,
"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio,
and the Women's World Champion,
Liv Morgan!
[Joe] I was sitting with Jesse "The Body" Ventura,
the other day on Saturday Night's Main Event,
he couldn't have enough things to say about Liv Morgan
after her title defense against Iyo Sky.
The question is, what will come next for Liv?
[Wade] Well, I'm happy to see that Morgan's nose looks as perfect as ever,
because it got plastered all over her face at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Despite that, she still won the match.
What a 2024 it has been for the champ, Liv Morgan.
who, for my money, is Superstar of the Year.
And things are only going to get better and better in 2025.
Congrats once again to Liv Morgan.
[Joe] You can make that argument for that honor…
[Wade] Oh, that's how I look at it. Oh.
[Joe] You know what should be next? An optometrist to help with her eyesight.
[Wade] That's something. You are hater of the year.
Liv Morgan, Superstar of the Year. Joe Tess, Hater of the Year.
[Joe] In the ring, in the résumé, the Revenge Tour, Crown Jewel conquering,
what she did Saturday night, no doubt about it.
But what she sees in that man?
-[Wade] You're jealous of Dom. -[Joe] I'm not jealous.
[crowd exclaiming]
-[Wade] The size of this entire arena. -[Joe] That's "Dirty" Dom, by the way.
[crowd booing]
[Joe] What is this?
[crowd booing louder]
Everyone, please!
[booing continues]
Put your hands together, welcoming the greatest
Women's World Champion
of all time!
¡Mi güerita!
I… I don't think you guys really heard what Daddy Dom is trying to say.
He's trying to say that
I am the greatest Women's World Champion on Earth!
Aah!
[laughs]
[Liv yells]
[Wade, laughing] Cry more!
Thank you, Daddy Dom, because without a shadow of a doubt,
2024 was the year of Monday Night Morgan.
[crowd exclaims]
Oh, be mad, because we are just getting started!
There are a lot of historic changes happening in WWE next year.
And there is no one better, hotter, more iconic, and more dominant
to lead this company into the future than me.
[crowd booing]
So if you guys think I've been so great this year,
just wait until next year, because--
-♪ This is my brutality ♪ -[Wade] Oh no.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] If she plans on a bigger 2025, she still has to deal with Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] It's Monday Night Morgan!
Who the hell invited the bitter, and vengeful Rhea "Bloody" Ripley?
Hey, Liv!
You are going to want to stick around to hear what I have to say.
Well, Rhea, guess what.
Nobody in this arena cares about what you have to say.
Liv, shut the hell up!
[crowd cheering]
This has gone on long enough.
It's time that we settle this once and for all.
[crowd cheering]
Adam Pearce,
he's made it official.
[crowd cheering]
You are looking at the number one contender
for your Women's World Championship.
[crowd cheering]
And Liv,
I can see into the future, too.
And the only thing that you can really get excited about
is the end of your title reign.
Because I will be the new Women's World Champion.
[crowd cheering]
And all that you will be left with,
is your little chicken tender slut!
[crowd cheering]
[intense music playing]
[Wade] I beg your pardon, Ripley?
[inaudible]
There are a long line of bodies that have fallen
at the feet of the champ, Liv Morgan, including Ripley.
[Joe] Iyo was number one contender.
Now she will have to defend against Rhea at some point officially.
Seth, I know you're on your way out, but Adam Pearce just made it official.
You're going to get exactly what you want.
You versus CM Punk.
-And you're gonna-- -[crashing and clattering]
[clamoring]
-Let go of me! -Come on!
-[clamoring] -[man] Come on, come on!
[clamoring]
I'll beat you to a pulp!
-Stop! -Anytime! Anytime!
-[man 1] Come on! -[man 2] Just get him out of here!
Stop now!
[intense music playing]
[Wade] Looks like Drew McIntyre
was trying to launch a sneak attack on Seth "Freakin'" Rollins.
The only thing that prevented that was Sami Zayn!
[bell rings]
[Lilian] The following is a first-round triple-threat match
in the Women's Intercontinental Championship tournament!
Making her way to the ring, representing Pure Fusion Collective,
from Las Vegas, Nevada,
Zoey Stark!
[Joe] The wildly athletic, incredibly skilled Zoey Stark
trying to represent PFC well in advance in this inaugural championship tournament.
Triple threat is next.
[music fades]
I can't tell you guys this enough.
I have been proud to team with you.
Paul,
you were terrifying.
And you two are big and powerful.
You don't need me anymore.
-You don't need anybody-- -Oh, wow, what are we talking about?
Just that… we're done with The Wyatts. We did what we set out to do.
We beat The Wyatt Sicks, and now, I can go my own separate way.
-And you can go on your separate way-- -[grunts] Shh!
Don't say another word.
[inhales deeply]
What they did to him and what they did to her.
This whole thing isn't over until I say it's over.
-I j-- -Shh!
We've been reacting to The Wyatts this entire time.
Now, we are going to take the first strike.
Remember that guy who kidnapped you and tortured you?
-Dexter Lumis? -Dexter Lumis? Yes.
You are going to fight him next week on Monday Night Raw.
I'm not gonna do that.
Ah, yes!
You are.
Miz, the way I see it,
is I saved you twice.
You owe us.
Very simple.
You go to Adam Pearce and get the match done.
And by the way, I just want to remind you, you've won 22 titles in your WWE career.
You can do this.
Just gonna go to Pierce.
You think he can take Lumis, honestly?
I don't know.
But we are going to keep testing The Wyatts.
And Miz is about to learn a very valuable lesson.
When you make a deal with the devil,
you don't run out on him.
[intense music playing]
[Joe] So we start and we have incredible upside.
Let's keep telling that.
♪ Three, two, one ♪
["Life of the Party" playing]
[Lilian] And from the Philippine Islands,
Kayden Carter!
[Joe] Triple threat now. Kayden Carter, two weeks ago,
sort of had a chance to come up in triple-threat.
Now, it's her dear friend and tag team partner.
Kayden Carter will test herself.
Here's how the bracket sets up, Wade. Let's go through it with this
Intercontinental Championship tournament bracket.
[Wade] Three women in the ring now looking to join the semifinals
of this Women's Intercontinental Championship tournament.
Of course, we saw Dakota Kai get through a couple of weeks ago,
and Lyra Valkyria joined her last week.
Who will be the third woman through to the semifinals?
We are about to find out now.
[Joe] It was just recently that Raquel Rodriguez
was going through hell in that anything-goes match with Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] Yeah, Rhea "Bloody" Ripley, who was just out here a few moments ago
being incredibly rude to Liv and "Dirty" Dom.
Raquel has been stewing ever since and hot out of the blocks.
Some of that rage getting unleashed on these two victims in the ring with her.
[Joe] Wade, what do you mean, "being incredibly rude"?
[Wade] You heard what Ripley said.
[Joe] The woman never lost her championship, technically.
She was injured.
[Wade] That doesn't give you the right to come out and be vulgar on live TV.
[Joe] It's not vulgar. She's simply one of the rivalries in the entire industry
and it's coming to a collision course
now that the number one contender has been dismissed.
She's been elevated to number one contender, Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] It was the kind of language that would make a sailor blush, Joe Tess.
Not for me, not at all.
Hopefully, she learns a valuable lesson soon.
[Joe] Women's Intercontinental Championship first-round action.
Carter, Rodriguez, and Stark.
[Wade] Rodriguez, I'd say, has to be the heavy favorite in this one,
obviously the… Powerhouse!
…in the matchup, the only woman
who has won singles gold under the WWE umbrella.
It was the Women's NXT champ several years ago.
[Joe] Look at this from Carter!
[Wade] Carter and Zoey Stark have previously won tag championships in WWE.
Now they have to go at it alone.
[Joe] Big kick from Zoey Stark, right into the cover to try to advance!
Two…!
[Joe] And the kick out at two.
I had a conversation with Kayden Carter earlier
about this kind of experience,
taking on a singles challenge for the first time on the Raw roster.
She was very aware of the moment, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, so much of the arsenal of Kayden Carter
relies on these acrobatic moves she performs in tandem with Katana Chance,
and it might be an issue for Carter to revert to a solo mindset.
What a nice job she is doing of hit-and-run right now.
[Joe] Big boot from Rodriguez.
[Wade] Dakota Kai is undersized, but she sees that as an advantage.
It allows her to be dimin--
[Joe] Oh! Spinning through the ropes to the outside!
Taking out both Raquel Rodriguez and Zoey Stark.
Triple threat in this tournament first round.
[Joe] Joe and Wade back here in front of a big crowd in Boston,
as we're watching first-round action
of the Women's Intercontinental Championship tournament.
We have said in recent weeks the depth of this division--
And by the way, congratulations, Wade, to Chelsea Green
for winning the new Women's U.S. Championship, defeating Michin
at Saturday Night's Main Event on Long Island.
I thought that was a signature performance by Chelsea Green.
[Wade] It was superb. Every woman in the Raw locker room
wants to make history for themselves on the red brand
by becoming the inaugural Intercontinental Champion.
What a performance this has been from a highly innovative Kayden Carter,
who perhaps could pull off a shock victory tonight.
I don't think anyone was expecting
this level of dominance from Kayden Carter,
but she is opening a lot of eyes here.
[Joe] You can see the focus in her eyes as she comes in strong against Zoey Stark.
All of the success as a tag team champ with Katana Chance
and now this opportunity right here!
But Raquel Rodriguez pulling her out to the floor.
[Wade] What a deep playbook Kayden Carter has proven to have.
There is very little you can do against the power of Raquel Rodriguez.
For my money, the strongest woman
in either the Raw or SmackDown locker rooms.
-Take out that wheel-- -[Joe] Whoa!
-The power goes away. -[yells]
[Joe] Crossbody from Zoey Stark to the outside!
[Wade] I'll tell you this, Joe, PFC claim they run the women's division here on Raw.
That is a claim that, for me, rings a little hollow,
in that they have no gold.
Zoey Stark is on a mission to change that.
[yelling]
[Joe] There is an example of pure raw power from Raquel Rodriguez.
[Joe] Carter looking for the roll-up!
[Wade] Not even the one count-- Oh, that might do it! Right to the kisser!
[Joe] Springboard basement dropkick! Cover and kick out by Rodriguez,
who acquitted herself so well in that anything-goes match against Rhea Ripley.
Incredibly well until being sent through the table by way of Riptide by Rhea.
[Wade] Kayden Carter, well-skilled in lucha libre.
She trained and competed in Mexico earlier in her career.
We are seeing all of that and more tonight.
I have been blown away by Kayden Carter.
[grunting]
[Wade] But being impressive on its own, it's not enough!
-Oh! -[Joe] Look at that.
As Stark went into position, and then Rodriguez just blasted both of them.
[yells]
[Wade] It turned into a German suplex-like move there from Stark.
How the hell did she know about it?
[yelling]
[Joe] Big clothesline from Raquel Rodriguez
straight into the cover to advance on the first round with Zoe.
She survives it.
[Wade] Such a commanding presence is Raquel Rodriguez.
She really has come back in a rich vein of form
since returning here on the wall and aligning herself with Liv Morgan.
Put in more gold to that stable.
[in Spanish] I'm the most powerful! It's not-- [yells]
[Joe, in English] Looking for the roll-up again is Carter,
but does she have enough strength? Straight into the arms of Rodriguez!
-[slam] -[crowd exclaims]
[Wade] Absolute alpha female performance here from Raquel.
[slam]
[Joe] A big moment for Raquel Rodriguez in command.
[Wade] Twisting… Almost there.
And This is it, the Tejana Bomb!
[Joe] Tejana Bomb opportunity. Can she deliver?
Oh no! Missile dropkick, Zoey Stark!
[Wade] Hit the target right on the spot.
And now Kayden Carter is all alone in the ring!
[Joe] See, 360 chance!
This to advance out of the first round!
Three!
-[bell rings] -[Joe] Zoey Stark!
[Lilian] Here is your winner,
Zoey Stark!
[Wade] A victory for PFC's Zoey Stark.
Let's take a look at the updated bracket.
So joining Lyra Valkyria and Dakota Kai in the semifinals
is Zoey Stark, who will face the Kiwi, Dakota Kai,
on her path through to the final of this tournament.
This is it!
-Me! PFC! -[woman yells]
So, what did you think of our commercial?
Outstanding!
You influence the influencers.
I'm talking squats, lunges, the passe, and the scorpion.
I changed my whole workout, you know what I'm saying?
If that son of a Butch had taken your advice,
maybe I wouldn't have beat them so easily.
-I was in… -[Butch] Oy, oy!
There you are. Keep that name out of your mouth.
I'm sick of hearing it. Everywhere I go, I hear it because of you.
-I didn't tell them to say that name! -Yes, you did.
This all came from you. This is your fault.
If I have to hear it one more time, I'm gonna break your jaw.
Butch, please!
-I'm trying to help you out, man. -Guys, guys…
Last warning.
[softly] Butch, please.
Look at this clown show.
Are you happy with what you've done to my Academy? Huh?
Huh? You ruined it!
I made you all into the superstars you could've never been.
And then I left it in your hands to help it flourish,
and you turned it into a joke!
I saw your little commercial you did last week. It's pathetic!
Alright? Every one of you is to blame.
You're pathetic, you're pathetic, and you're the worst of all.
When I first met you, Otis, you were an insignificant nobody.
Shut up!
[crowd cheering]
Looks like I was right.
It's time to kill my darlings.
And I'm starting
with you.
I'm backstage with The New Day.
Guys, I see you're still looking for a locker room
but that's… that's beside the point.
Last week our team tried to interview you, and, um… It didn't go well.
With biased journalism, that's what they tried to do.
-If someone would give us a chance-- -[clattering]
I want to listen to what you have to say, but we've got to see what's going on.
-[clamoring] -[yelling]
Perfect!
-[screaming] -[man] Hey, hey!
[screaming]
-[sobbing] -[man] We need help!
[screaming]
That is one way to celebrate
progressing in the Intercontinental Championship tournament, Zoey Stark!
Once again, with a targeted attack
designed to injure members of the women's locker room.
PFC are a disgrace.
Too many times we have witnessed this scene.
We will try to get you an update as to the condition of Kairi Sane
after what we just unfortunately saw there.
But right now we have the World Tag Team Championship match,
and, Wade, you know exactly what that means.
-[Wade] It's time, isn't it, Joe? -[Joe] It is. Go ahead and take it, man.
There's the sirens because…
Raw is war!
[hard rock music playing]
[slam]
[Wade] Oh, that felt good.
[Joe] Back on November 25th, The War Raiders, Erik and Ivar,
they came so close to claiming gold.
Whatever we're calling that action there.
Four days later, by the way, Erik had a great blessing,
announcing on Instagram the birth of his son, Ezekiel Joseph.
Now, Dad and Uncle Ivar can bring baby Ezekiel a big Christmas gift
if they can conquer this challenge.
[Wade] Congrats to Erik and his wife, Sarah.
I believe Michael Cole sent them some baby antlers as a gift.
He's a big antler guy as Michael. Or are they horns? I can never remember.
[Joe laughs]
[hard rock music continues]
["The Other Side" by Alter Bridge playing]
[bang]
[inaudible]
[Joe] It has been a complicated past month for The Judgment Day.
JD McDonagh and Finn Bálor defending their championships,
something that I think everybody would agree hasn't happened.
-[Wade] I wouldn't agree with that. -[Joe] What?
[Wade] Long tag championship reigns are grounded in simple strategy.
Avoid defenses at all costs until you're forced into one by management.
It might not be a popular way to do business, but it's highly effective.
[Joe] 175 days as tag team champions, and this is their third defense. Come now.
[Wade] Who was their second defense against?
Their opponents tonight and they were victorious,
albeit in controversial fashion.
♪ Once you reach the other side ♪
♪ The trigger warm, anticipating ♪
♪ The ritual's begun ♪
♪ You think that Heaven's gates are waiting ♪
-[Wade] A highly agitated Finn Bálor. -[bell rings]
[Lilian] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
And it is for the World Tag Team Championship!
[crowd cheering]
Introducing first,
the challengers,
at a combined weight of 597 pounds,
they are the team of Erik and Ivar,
The War Raiders!
[crowd cheering]
And their opponents.
Representing The Judgment Day,
at a combined weight of 385 pounds,
they are the World Tag Team Champions,
JD McDonagh and Finn Bálor!
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] World Tag Team Championship match,
The War Raiders against the champs, The Judgment Day.
[Wade] Finn Bálor looking to get back to winning ways
after the disappointment of defeat to Gunther
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
I'll tell you this. His anger, his fury, only got even more pointed
after Liv Morgan seemingly stuck the knife in
-at The Judgment Day clubhouse. -[bell rings]
[grunting]
[laughs] You like that? I'll show you.
[Joe] Third title defense for The Judgment Day.
The rest of their brethren is barred from ringside,
which, of course, puts a smile on the face having that condition for Erik and Ivar,
considering what happened when they went after the titles
the last time against these two.
[Wade] McDonagh with about the worst possible strategy I've ever seen
against The War Raiders.
Going in, trying to go toe-to-toe with these guys simply isn't going to work.
They are too big, too strong, too dangerous.
E=mc2, which means, in layman's terms,
"Damn, that was bloody painful."
[Joe] 350 pounds of Ivar!
[Joe] TD Garden, huge crowd of 11,785 here in Boston
to see the World Tag Team Championship match
between The War Raiders and The Judgment Day.
How much this means to Big Ivar.
He's a New England native, Boston-trained and worked early in his career.
He has been glowing all day for this golden opportunity.
[Wade] Only one team has looked like champions thus far,
and it's not the guys with the gold, but it's the challengers.
The War Raiders have been all over Judgment Day. What the hell?
Can Finn Bálor, a veteran, figure it out? There we go, divide and conquer.
Blindsided the referee, underhanded tactics.
[Joe] Elbow drop into the hook of the leg.
And the kick-out by Ivar.
[Joe] That's exactly what happened to tactics by McDonagh and Finn.
[Wade] Yeah, sometimes in a matchup like this,
against opponents as dominant as The War Raiders,
you've got to figure out a way to get your foot in the door.
Get a little bit of daylight coming through there,
and when you get that, kick that door wide open,
which is about what we're going to witness here.
[Joe] Think about the career of Finn Bálor,
and everything he's dealing with, complexities to carry into this match.
His obsession with Damian Priest,
his desire to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
He was just defeated on Saturday.
[to JD] Now, why are you messing with us? You gotta defend your titles!
You worry about your job, I'll worry about mine!
[Wade] Why don't you show some respect to a champion, Joe Tess,
before you get one of those patented JD McDonagh headbutts flying your way?
[Joe] I was in the middle of mentioning Finn Bálor in his recent activity,
and the unique role-- We even saw it earlier tonight.
The tension we have been feeling and sensing within The Judgment Day,
specifically the relationship with Finn and Liv.
[Wade] Yeah, no doubt it's gonna be a bit of a power struggle.
There apparently is no leader in The Judgment Day currently.
[Joe] How mind-boggling is that by Ivar and his size? Six-two, 350.
[Wade] A barrage of moves that a guy his size
has no right whatsoever in possessing,
completely knocking the tag champs loopy in the blink of an eye.
JD McDonagh in a tug-of-war
with the guy he simply cannot beat in that kind of matchup.
[Joe] And here comes Erik as Ivar was dragging JD.
[Wade] Completely fresh Erik.
He wants to win some gold for that newborn at home.
I heard The War Raiders earlier. This is more than just titles on the line.
Tonight, we go to war.
High landing there for JD McDonagh.
Finn Bálor desperately trying to stem the tide of this one.
No chance.
Massive Uranagi there from Erik.
[Joe] Great momentum for The War Raiders,
trying to claim gold.
[grunts]
[Wade] It has just been one-way traffic.
Aside from that brief flurry of offense from The Judgment Day,
it has been too easy for The War Raiders.
[Joe] Two-time tag team champions in WWE,
but all the medical adversity they faced.
Time away wondering if their careers would even be able to advance.
And Finn looked to trim him up!
[Wade] Once again, it's those underhanded tactics
that The Judgment Day have made their own.
And there's a lot of history between Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh.
McDonagh, who trained at Finn Bálor's Fight Factory in Ireland.
[Joe] Oh, right to the steel steps!
And you could see, even with that momentum and weight velocity
how much they moved.
[Wade] So impressive. The cohesion, the chemistry, and the trust
between Bálor and McDonagh.
It's got them back on top in this match!
[Joe] Again, just sliding the steel steps across the floor
with his body coming into all that force as The Judgment Day looks to defend…
That's the champs! That's what the champs do!
…the World Tag Team Championship here in Boston.
[Joe] For 175 days,
those championships have been owned by Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh.
They are on the line here in Boston tonight.
The War Raiders, who have overcome so much adversity in their careers to come back.
They are four and one since their return to WWE in October.
And they went after these belts--
Here's the coverage to retain.
And the kick out by Erik.
They went after these belts back in November 25th, Wade.
There was a moment when you thought The War Raiders were going to claim gold,
but Dom Mysterio and Carlito got involved.
JD's foot was moved to the ropes,
and next thing you know, they were ejected, they were distracted,
and Bálor and McDonagh were able to retain.
Now, the rest of The Judgment Day is barred from ringside.
[Wade] If you come to a matchup
with Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh, of The Judgment Day,
not expecting underhand tactics, you're simply a fool,
and you haven't done your research.
Although Erik, a little wise to the diving elbow of JD McDonagh,
bought himself a little window of opportunity.
[Joe] Just enough.
[Wade] Needs this tag in the worst way and he gets it!
[Joe] Here comes the New England native here in Boston
looking to rally in the Hub!
Ivar slamming down Finn.
-The big man, crossbody! -[screams]
[Wade] Sternum crushing offense
and speeds unthinkable for a frame that huge.
Ooh!
[Joe] Is this the moment?
The spinning kick from Ivar!
[Wade] How are you supposed to defend yourself
against a guy who can do that?
[crowd chanting]
[Joe] Smashing right in against Finn Bálor!
And he's going for it.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Ivar heading up top.
Finn quick to get up.
[Wade] Smartest move Finn Bálor has ever pulled out.
Get the hell out of the way of a flying Ivar at any cost.
[Joe] Now JD.
[Wade] They are looking to muscle up Ivar from that position.
-You've got zero chance! Oh no! -[Joe] Oh, wow!
Hooks the leg to become the champs!
And JD finds a way to survive it with the kick out.
[Wade] Huge powerslam off the ropes there from Big Ivar!
But JD McDonagh showing championship durability!
[Joe] For the win!
And Finn comes flying in.
[Wade] Now the heavy artillery is coming out.
First of all, this off the second rope from Ivar that did not get the job done,
and then this power slam combination, again, broken up.
And you sense the War Raiders
are inching closer and closer to grabbing the gold.
[Joe] Looking to set up War Machine.
Can they deliver?
No! Finn drags him out onto the floor.
[Wade] Championship time, and once again…
[Joe] Here is the roll-up to retain!
The kick out.
[Wade] McDonagh almost stealing one. A headbutt that almost came your way, Joe!
Connected with Erik.
And now Finn Bálor looking to put the War Raiders to the sword.
[Joe] Smart offensive attack by Erik against Finn.
[grunting]
And that knee…
[Wade] To the back of the neck of Bálor.
[Joe] The Sling Blade by Bálor.
[Wade] Just textbook Bálor.
[Joe] Got them lined up! Running shotgun dropkick!
Signature Finn Bálor as he tags JD in.
[Wade] Incredible tandem offense from The Judgment Day!
[Joe] Moonsault! And now…
Finn up top… Coup de Grâce!
Judgment Day in complete control to hold on to gold!
But Ivar… Ivar, with the roar of the crowd here in Boston!
[Wade] No hope, no prayer left for the War Raiders,
until Ivar broke that one up,
much to the [indistinct] of this hometown audience,
but it may be for naught.
[Joe] World Tag Team Championships.
And what in the world is JD getting involved with, taking on the steel chair?
[Wade] If this is a disqualification, Judgment Day retains those championships--
-What on earth is Finn Bálor up to? -[Joe] What is Finn doing?
As the referee is distracted, pulled a chair of his own.
[Joe] Why is that chair not moving?
-[Wade] Oh! -[Joe] Oh my!
Damian Priest!
[Wade] It's the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Former running buddy in the Judgment Day,
Damian Priest comes back to haunt Finn Bálor.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Damian Priest held onto the chair.
War Machine!
Do we have new champions?
-[bell rings] -[Joe] Yes!
[Lilian] Here are your winners,
and the new World Tag Team champions,
Erik and Ivar,
The War Raiders!
[Joe] There have been a lot of great point guards
for the Boston Celtics in this building with massive assists,
but none bigger than what Damian Priest just did for The War Raiders,
who overdelivered, Wade.
[fireworks popping]
[crowd cheering]
Finn! cheering]