Will the Samoan Werewolf submit?

Roman Reigns survived his WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Backlash, but can he convince Jacob Fatu to ACKNOWLEDGE the Tribal Chief?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: The Vision VS Joe Hendry & The Street Profits; Hendry & The Profits win.
• Je’Von Evans VS Rusev; Evans wins.
• Iyo Sky VS Sol Ruca; Iyo wins.
• The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS Los Garzas; Oba wins.
• AAA Mega Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS El Grande Americano Original; Dom wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns arrives backstage.

And Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce, is there to meet him. Pearce knows Roman has his plans, but Backlash was too much! Jacob Fatu put his hands on Pearce, tossed referees around, and went way too far with Roman. So Jacob doesn’t deserve to be here tonight, and maybe not at all. Roman says first off, where is his title? Why is it not in his hands right now? Pearce calls for someone to get the man his title. The World Heavyweight Championship is brought over, handed over to Roman, and Roman double checks: Pearce plans to fire Jacob? Yes. Well, he can’t do it tonight. Why not? Because Jacob hasn’t acknowledge Roman yet.

In fact, who brought Jacob Fatu into the WWE? Who cleared him? Pearce says Roman Reigns did… Then Roman will be the one who takes him out. Roman heads inside the building, and to his private room. Will the Tribal Chief make sure Jacob Fatu submits to him as his last act in the WWE? Or is he only putting himself in harm’s way?

The Vision is here!

Knoxville boos as Paul Heyman follows behind Bron Breakker, Austin Theory & Logan Paul as they go to the ring. Heyman hugs Bron before he gives his usual introductions: “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. As tradition would have it, we’re supposed to open the show on a high note. Let’s do it for the world, shall we? Live from the inbred capital of Eastern Tennessee, welcome to Monday Night Raw!” The fans boo that, but Heyman says this is an unappreciative audience. But what The Vision does appreciate inside this ring is pure talent! Talent that was demonstrated Saturday at Backlash by Bron Breakker!

Which leads to a question that is rhetorical, but Heyman will ask anyway: Who’s not ready now? And the answer to the question is Seth Freakin’ Rollins! On Saturday night at Backlash, Seth Freakin’ Rollins was NOT ready for the physical onslaught of Bron Breakker. A year ago, Seth Freakin Rollins was not ready for the wisdom of the Wise Man. And now we all know that Seth will never be ready to have a vision of victory over any of them! So let’s expunge from the history of The Vision the fact that Rollins was ever among them. There will never be a reason ever again to ever mention the name, “Seth Freakin’ Rollins.”

So let’s talk about the WWE World Tag Team Champions, Logan Paul & Austin Theory! The fans boo again, but Heyman says, “Mr. Theory, please, to the entire world, air your many grievances.” Theory takes the mic to say that now with Bron back, they can have a Six Man Tag tonight. That brings Theory to the Street Profits. The Profits keep putting their noises in Vision business. But Theory gets why: The Profits want the tag titles. No, he misspoke, they need the tag titles, because Bianca Belair can’t pay the bills anymore! The fans boo and even Heyman says that was rough. Theory then brings up “this Joe Hendry nerd.”

But wait, The Profits make their entrance, and Ford says, “First of all, Rocky Top!” And Ford admits, he is here because his wife can’t take care of the bills. But since she’s busy with the baby, somebody had to come to Raw and whoop The Vision’s asses all over Knoxville, Tennessee! And they always think it’s about them, but it ain’t about them! The Profits came back to Raw with gold in mind, partner. Because the motto ain’t changed. The Street Profits are always up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! Logan says, “Well damn! Hey, I’ma say something nice. Everybody knows The Street Profits are a legendary tag team. But y’all are about to find out they are old news.”

The only notable thing Ford has done the last six months was organize a baby shower! What’s in his cup? His BALLS?! Ford, your girl is better than you! But if you want the smoke, The Vision will bring the smoke! They’re ready anytime, anywhere! Bron Breakker was born ready! Austin Theory was born ready! And guess who was ready before they were even born? LOGAN PAUL- “Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul~!” JOE HENDRY sneaks in from the crowd with his guitar! Hendry sings an acoustic version, “Paul~, Paul~, Can We Fire Logan~?” Knoxville joins in, Hendry says keep it going, but Raw is going to break!

Six Man Tag: The Vision VS Joe Hendry & The Street Profits!

Raw returns with the match already going, and Dawkins whips Theory. Theory reverses, Dawkins hurdles and UPPERCUTS! Dawkins then runs up in the corner to CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGIRI! Theory flops over, Dawkins covers, TWO! Theory sits up but Dawkins clamps onto his arm. Dawkins wrenches but Theory kicks low, ROCKS Dawkins, then tags Logan. The fans boo as Logan fires body shots! The ref reprimands, The Vision stops mugging Dawkins so Logan can whip Dawkins to a corner. But Dawkins dodges the splash! Dawkins tags Ford, whips Logan,  but Bron sneaks a tag before Ford DROPKICKS Logan down!

Bron runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he LARIATS Ford! Bron snarls, then he stands Ford up so he can snap suplex! Cover, but then Bron picks Ford up. Bron is toying with Ford as he smacks him off buckles. Tag to Logan, and Bron gorilla presses Ford to THROW him into the UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford survives but Logan goes after him in a corner. Logan digs his knees in, even as the fans chant, “LOGAN SUCKS!” Logan soaks up that heat but Ford fires body shots. Logan shoves Ford to LARIAT him down! Cover, TWO! Logan clamps onto Ford with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Ford rises, pries at the hold, but Logan hits him low.

Logan sucker punches Dawkins, runs up on Ford, but Ford dodges to hot tag Hendry! The fans fire up as Hendry LARIATS Logan again and again! Hendry whips, Logan dodges, but Hendry catches Logan to FALL AWAY SLAM! Hendry kips up, and… TURNS! Theory runs up, btu Hendry catches him now! But Logan CLOBBERS Hendry! The fans boo as Theory rains down fists! Theory soaks up heat while Logan rains down fists now! Tag to Bron, he ROCKS Hendry, then waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Hendry flounders away while Bron taunts The Profits, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Logan brings Hendry up, but Hendry fires body shots! Logan CLUBS Hendry, then reels him in. Logan talks trash, but Hendry suplexes first! The fans cheer as both men are down! Hendry crawls, so does Logan, hot tags to Ford and Theory! Ford goes up to SUPER CROSSBODY Theory! Ford BLASTS Bron, BOOTS Logan, then swings on Theory. Theory back suplexes but Ford lands out! Ford then slips past Theory to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Ford, but here comes Bron! Ford DUMPS Bron out, ROCKS him, then Dawkins DECKS him! Ford builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Bron, then Ford GAMANGIRIS Theory!

Ford goes up, up, and FROM- NO, Theory dodges! Ford rolls through, comes back, but Theory BOOTS him! Theory somersaults, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Ford crawls over to Theory, brings him up, but Theory SUPERKICKS! Dawkins sneaks the tag before the ENZIGIRI! Dawkins then hurries to Electric Chair Lift! Ford hurries to climb, but Logan runs up to SHOVE him down! The fans boo but Dawkins DECKS Logan! The fans cheer that, and Hendry is there to run up on Logan! Logan sends Hendry into steps! ROLLING ELBOW from Theory to Dawkins! Theory TOSSES Dawkins out, and Bron has a target!

Theory distracts the ref so Bron can build speed, but ROLLING LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous as The Architect gets one on Bron! Then Dawkins rolls Theory, PROFITS & HENDRY WIN!!

Winners: Joe Hendry & The Street Profits, by pinfall

Theory CLOBBERS Dawkins, but Rollins goes after Theory! Rollins TOSSES Theory out, then he offers a hand to Dawkins. Dawkins accepts and the fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” But Bron runs up! Rollins dodges, DSPEAR on Dawkins!! SUPERKICK for Bron! Rollins dares Bron to come right back, but all Ford sees is Dawkins is down because of Rollins! Ford and Rollins argue about that, shove each other, then go their separate ways. Will Rollins get his revenge on Bron Breakker one way or another? Will this win still lead The Profits back to the Promised Land?

Adam Pearce meets with Los Americanos Hermanos.

He is saying this could be some kind of HR nightmare or copyright lawsuit waiting to happen. El Grande Americano Original is insisting that this is “Bruto y Julio?” Si, Bruto y Julia. Todos saben español? Un pequeno. Fine… But then Judgment Day interrupts. Liv & Dom hope Pearce is having a good day, but they’re just wondering what Pearce has planned for the hottest rising star in the wrestling world, aka THE Dirty Dom. Grande says they were in the middle of something. Yeah, they understand you three are a few tendies short of a ten piece. But if you wanna have any sense left, get out of their way when they wanna talk to Adam Pearce. Bye~!

Grande Original says this is real lucha business here, not whatever Liv wanted to talk about. Dom says bro, you’re not even a real luchador! Que, ese?! Whatchu say? Huh!? Pearce wants them to calm down, and yes, Dom is in need of a title opportunity, but he’s also wearing a title in the AAA Mega Championship. Today’s the opportunity to defend the title against OG Americano, TONIGHT! No, that’s not what they meant! Pearce leaves them to argue with Los Americanos Hermanos, will there be a major change to the plans in AAA? As for Pearce, he encounters Los Garza. They wanna talk about some opportunity outside of SmackDown.

Well, Los Garza wants opportunities, Judgment Day wants opportunities, today is a day for opportunities. Let’s have a conversation in his office. Angel y Berto follow Pearce, will Los Garza be Raw from now on?

PENTA is here!

The fans cheer the WWE Intercontinental Champion as he does his iconic strut to the ring. What does he have planned for his own title? We’ll hear about it, after the break.

Raw returns with Penta in the ring, mic in hand. The fans cheer, and Penta says, “Last week, I heard some pendejo talking about my Intercontinental Championship. Ethan Page…! Penta is a fighting champion. Listen! Why don’t you come out here, and you say it to my face?! C’mon! HUH?!” Penta doesn’t have to wait long, All Ego indeed makes his way out here. The fans boo but Ethan joins Penta in the ring. Ethan grabs a mic to say okay, okay, the audacity of this man to stand in the middle of this ring and say, “Why don’t you come say it to my face?” Ethan would love to, but he’s pretty sure Penta sat in front of a mirror for 30 minutes painting his chin, then make that his entire identity!

Unlike Ethan, who stands in the spotlight with no mask, no hidden identity. No, he is All Ego Ethan Page, and he hails from the greatest country on Earth, CANADA! The fans boo but Ethan says you wanna know about him? He PINNED the champion int he middle of this ring last week. Now in his mind, that makes him #1 contender to said championship, but Penta might be a little afraid to lose to Ethan again. Ethan laughs, but Penta tells him, “Listen, pendejo. I’m not afraid to defend my title against you. And y’know what? Let’s fight right now, cabron!” Penta throws off his jacket but Ethan says hold your horses, pal! Pump the brakes!

Penta is a man of his world, Ethan will give him that. Penta’s ready to go right now. But Ethan is not. Penta might not even understand what title he holds! That’s the Intercontinental Championship, buddy! That is the token of excellence in ALL of WWE! Every mega star in this history’s company had to hold that to prove their point. And papi, you’re looking at the NEXT mega star! So that title needs a spotlight it deserves, just like Ethan. So he’s thinking May 23rd, Saturday Night’s Main Event! The fans boo, but Ethan says duh, not here tonight, even they got that. Penta tells Ethan that look at this title. Ethan wants it? He has to work hard for it.

And Penta is always ready for the world! Penta will face Ethan any time, anywhere, because he IS Penta, and- RUSEV INTERRUPTS! The Son of Thunder storms out on stage and tells everyone stop this! He tells the fans to shut up, and he tells Ethan that Ethan amuses him. But Ethan getting a title match before Rusev doesn’t sit well with him. Because last week, it was them both who won a match, and it was Rusev who bounced the head of Penta off the desk! Ethan says he agrees, but Rusev says he’s not done yet! Ethan says okay, please continue. Rusev steps into the ring and says Ethan better watch what he says before he needs new amusement.

Ethan says he agrees with everything Rusev said. So much so that he said it in Pearce’s office. Ethan said he was the new guy, he won’t skip the line, and Rusev is deserving. Ethan almost convinced Pearce until Je’Von Evans busted in, screamed at the top of his lungs, saying nonsense like Rusev isn’t good enough. In fact, why would Rusev get a match when he can’t even beat Je’Von? But speaking of The Young OG, he makes his way out here now! Evans tells Ethan whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa… Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Ethan, you know you lyin’ with your little ugly ass! N-No! Yes! Evans says excuse him as he steps into the ring.

Evans knows Ethan knows Evans didn’t say anything to him, to Pearce, and anything about Rusev not being able to beat him. Even though that last part is true. Rusev turns Evans around and Evans says calm down. But then Ethan SHOVES Evans into Rusev! Penta runs up to SUPERKICK Ethan, then LARIATS him up and out! Penta PLANCHAS onto Ethan while Rusev stomps away on Evans! Rusev lets off so he can run up, but Evans DUMPS him out! Evans then DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and Evans hurries back inside. Evans and Penta meet, and they do the strut! The fans cheer, but are we about to run it back from last week?

Je’Von Evans VS Rusev!

Raw returns and indeed, we’re getting a partial rematch as The Young OG fires off hands on the Lion of Bulgaria in a corner. The fans fire up as Evans storms around, and he runs back up, but into a KNEE! Rusev has Evans down, and he drags Evans back up to ROCK him with a right! Rusev ROCKS in the back, but Evans ROCKS Rusev in return! Rusev ROCKS Evans again, has him on the ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Rusev stops, and he KICKS Evans in the back! The fans rally for Evans but Rusev eggs him on. Evans drags himself up, but Rusev swings! Evans blocks to ROCK Rusev in return! And ROCK him again!

Evans fires more shots, then whips, but Rusev reverses, then WHEEL KICKS! Rusev is all fired up but the fans boo. Rusev stalks Evans, brings him up, and suplexes high and hard! The fans chant, “Rusev Sucks!” but Rusev just suplexes again! Evans flounders to a corner but Rusev storms over that way. Rusev pie faces Evans again and again, then talks trash. Evans fires hands on Rusev! The fans rally, but Rusev KNEES low! Rusev puts Evans up top, ROCKS him again, then climbs up the corner. The fans rally as Evans resists! Evans fires forearms and haymakers, then a HEADBUTT! Rusev falls back and the fans cheer!

Evans adjusts his position up top, he BOOTS Rusev away, then he jumps up to WHISPER IN THE WIND! The fans fire up but Rusev is back! Evans dodges, swings around, and fires forearms! Then a BOUNCY~ RANA! Rusev tumbles and stumbles, and Evans DROPKICKS him out! Evans builds speed and DIVES into a FOREARM! Rusev keeps Evans grounded as he drags him out of the ring! Then a few knees before the FALL AWAY SLAM onto the desk! Evans writhes, Rusev says Evans is just a kid, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rusev drags Evans up, just to push him around. Rusev pie faces Evans, eggs him on, but the fans rally up. Evans huffs ‘n’ puffs and LARIATS! Rusev brushes it off and eggs Evans on again. Evans winds up to LARIAT, but Rusev just gets in his face! “You got nothing, kid! You got nothing!” Rusev whips Evans to a corner, then runs in, only for Evans to dodge! And SUPERKICK! And LARIAT! Rusev falls and the fans fire up! Evans feels it, he goes to a corner, but Rusev runs up! Rusev blocks the kick but Evans ROCKS him! Then Evans bumps Rusev off buckles, ENZIGIRIS, then goes up and out!

Evans springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rusev survives but Evans stays focused. The fans rally as Evans rises up, and Evans runs, only for Rusev to reel him in and ROCK him int he back! Rusev snarls as he ROCKS Evans again, those shots to the lumbar bringing Evans to his knees. Rusev shoves Evans, but Evans SUPERKICKS! Evans goes up, up, and O G- NO, Rusev clinches for a URENAGE! Then a MACHKA KICK! Cover, TWO! Evans survives and shocks Rusev! The fans fire up while Rusev keeps saying he’s just a kid! A freakin’ child! Rusev vows to crush, but Evans dodges the stomp!

Evans UP KICKS, then ducks ‘n’ dodges! RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Rusev tumbles out, the fans fire up, and Evans builds speed! Evans FLIES, #WeOutside~! Another direct hit and Evans gets Rusev in the ring! Evans hurries to go up, up, and O G CUTTER!! Cover, EVANS WINS!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

Maybe he’s a kid, but maybe he’s a prodigy! Will the Young OG prove himself worthy of his own golden opportunity?

Asuka meets with Iyo Sky backstage.

The Empress of Tomorrow lost on Saturday at Backlash, but just like then, she hugs it out with The Genius. In Japanese, Asuka tells Iyo thanks for that incredible match on Saturday, truly. Iyo thanks her for that, and Asuka says she was looking for someone to take her place here, and Iyo has finally become that person! She is so glad it is Iyo. She is so proud of Iyo! Iyo thanks Asuka for that praise, she is so happy. Even if they fight, they will always be family! It’s a little sad, though. Goodbye, Asuka-san. Asuka says no, this is just “see you later.” Asuka wishes Iyo good luck, and they hug again. Asuka heads out, but is she truly leaving WWE and the ring behind?

As for Iyo, what will be next for her as she has gone from genius to master?

Brie Bella & Paige are here!

Knoxville cheers as the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions head to the ring. They know the Women’s Tag Division is only heating up, but what will they have to say about a certain team in particular? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns as Brie & Paige have the mics. Brie says last week, Raquel & Roxie dared them to come to Raw, and as the defending WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, here they are! Paige says yeah, and they’re ready for a fight. But where’s Judgment Day? If you’re calling out the champions, you better come out and let them know what you have to say. With that, Judgment Day makes their entrance. The fans are torn as Raquel tells Brie & Paige, “Welcome to our show. I’m so glad you guys can make it take a little time from your nostalgia tour that’s keeping you so busy.” Roxie says no, seriously. She can’t believe she’s finally face to face with them!

Roxie used to love watching them on TV. Y’know, back when Brie and Paige were still young and relevant. Roxie & Raquel step into the ring and Roxie brings up Brie meeting Roxie as a little girl. Brie told Roxie that she was gonna care on the legacy, and that meant everything to her! Until she realized how dare Brie set the bar so low! Oh, so low? Roxie might confusing Brie with Liv. See, what Brie wanted for Roxie was to start her own legacy, not be a footnote for the Judgment Day. But there is someone more disappointed in Roxie than Brie, and that’s Roxie’s mom! Raquel keeps Roxie back and says take it easy, Brie’s just making this about herself, as she always does.

But let’s not forget about Paige! Yes, give it up for the big comeback! The fans do cheer, and Raquel says it’s the girl who has been given a million chances, and yet still fumbles each and every one. We’re all just waiting for the next big scandal to hit, so why not just do us a favor and save us all the time by handing the titles over? There is nothing sadder than two washed-up has-beens clinging to gold they don’t deserve. The fans boo, but Paige looks at her belt. Then she ROCKS Raquel! Brie fires off on Roxie and the fans cheer the brawl! Brie bumps Roxie off buckles, helps Paige with Raquel, but Liv slithers in! CODE BREAKER on Paige!

Judgment Day mugs Brie & Paige in a 3v2! The fans boo but Roxie hits the SATOMURA SPECIAL! Then she runs up on Paige to tilt-o-whirl, and Raquel adds on, BOOT LEG SWEEP COMBO! Judgment Day holds up all the gold, but will they own all the gold soon enough?

Roman Reigns sits in the private suite.

And in walks Jimmy Uso. Big Jim daps it up with Roman, and Roman asks about Jey. Jimmy says Jey is waiting in the parking lot for when Jacob arrives. Jey wants to talk Jacob out of coming to the ring tonight. What? Why? Uh, why not? Roman must’ve gotten hit in the head harder than they thought. Roman and Jacob went to war, Roman won, and Jimmy says he can just leave it alone. Roman says no, they made a deal. There was a contract involved, Jacob signed on the line, so there has to be order here. You can’t make promises and then break your word. They have to be men of their word.

They’re at the top of this business. And if “they” don’t trust The Bloodline, then they lose everything. If Jacob can’t have the respect for his own family, then there will never be respect on the outside. They can’t have it. Jacob HAS to acknowledge Roman. Jimmy understands that. But he still has a feeling, he doesn’t trust Jacob. Well, if Jacob doesn’t acknowledge Roman, then his ass is outta here. Jimmy says okay, he’ll go find Jey and Jacob. Jimmy heads back out, but will the Acknowledgement Ceremony be a disaster?

Dominik Mysterio speaks.

“The AAA Mega Campeonato is the pinnacle of lucha libre. I have carried this title for eight months, dominating my competition as the greatest luchador in the world. I have surpassed absolutely everything my deadbeat dad has ever done, proving why I am the King of the Luchadores. Grande Americano, you will never be a real luchador. You will never get your hands on MY AAA Mega Campeonato.” Dirty Dom has spoken, but will EGA Original make sure to finally clean up this title?

Iyo Sky VS Sol Ruca!

The Genius has finally made amends with Asuka and can move on from her dramatic past. Meanwhile, the Soul Surfer is here to prove she’s not just the future but the present. With them both aiming for Becky Lynch and the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, who proves they’re the next one up with a win here tonight?

Raw returns as Sol makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. They tie up, Sol uses her height to power Iyo back, but Iyo slips around to waistlock. Sol switches, SLAMS Iyo down, but Iyo moves around. Iyo wrenches to wristlock and hammerlock. Sol stands up, sits down, then rolls to wrench and YANK the arm. Sol wristlocks, YANKS the arm again, then wrenches for a snapmare, only for Iyo to handspring through! Iyo wags her finger, then dodges Sol. Sol handstands over the dropdown, then handsprings back to RANA! Sol strikes a pose and the fans cheer. Iyo rises but Sol whips her, only for Iyo to reverse!

Iyo wheelbarrows but Sol stops the rest. Sol waistlocks, Iyo switches, Sol switches back, and she lifts Sol for a spinning ATOMIC SLAM! Sol then stands on Iyo to use her as a board! Sol steps off but Iyo blocks the superkick! Iyo then slips around, redirects, and handsprings, but Sol dodges! Iyo runs up, Sol handstands over the sweep, but Iyo stops the handspring this time to push Sol and DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up with Iyo while Sol sputters, and Iyo kicks Sol around. Iyo clamps onto Sol with a chinlock and digs her knee into Sol’s back. Sol endures, fights up, and powers Iyo to ropes. Iyo holds onto the headlock but Sol tries again.

Sol powers out and sends Iyo to a corner. Iyo slips outside, eggs Sol on, then avoids a punch! Sol avoids the shoulder to BOOT Iyo down! The fans rally as Sol goes to the apron. Sol runs to go up the corner, QUEBRADA! Iyo slips into the ring to avoid that! Iyo then aims from the apron to FLYING RANA! Sol tumbles and the fans fire up again! Iyo drags Sol up, puts her back in the ring, but Sol TIGER FEINT KICKS from the apron! And then Sol ASAI TORNILLOS! Down goes Iyo and the fans fire up with Sol while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and both women fight on the corner. Iyo tries to suplex but Sol blocks! Sol suplexes, but Iyo lands safe in the ring! Iyo then somersaults to SHOTEI SHORYUKEN! Sol wobbles, Iyo climbs, and the fans fire up again! Iyo brings Sol to the very top, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Sol survives and the fans fire up! Iyo is frustrated, but “This is Awesome!” as both women slowly rise again. Iyo fires a forearm, Sol fires back, so Iyo fires another forearm. The shots go back and forth as both women stand. Sol mule kicks, but Iyo fires a flurry of forearms! Iyo winds up, BACK ELBOW! SHOTEI!

Sol sputters, Iyo winds up, but Sol ducks the buzzsaw! Sol shoves Iyo, pops her up, and fireman’s carries for a SWINGING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives whatever you wanna call that, but Sol runs up in the corner. Iyo slips through the ropes, PENDULUM KICKS, then goes up the corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Sol is down while Iyo kips up, and the fans cheer that crazy taunt! Iyo runs corner to corner at Sol, SHINKANSEN misses! Sol then BLINDSIDE METEORAS! Sol runs back in, waistlocks, but Iyo victory rolls! STOMP 182! Iyo crawls to the cover, TWO! Sol is still in this, and Iyo has to check her own teeth after all that.

The fans rally up again as Iyo rises again. Iyo drags Sol into the drop zone before she goes to the corner. Iyo climbs right up, but Sol springs to her feet! Sol SHOVES Iyo, and Iyo falls to the crossbar! Iyo keeps from falling to the floor, only for Sol to run up! Iyo blocks the boot to HOTSHOT the leg! Sol hobbles away, Iyo springboards back in, but Sol avoids the dropkick! Sol goes up, she BOOTS Iyo down, then shakes out her leg. Sol goes up, up, and TUBULAR DDT!! High stack cover, TWO!! Iyo survives another innovative move, and “This is Awesome!” Sol goes up a corner but Iyo trips her up! Sol is in the Tree of Woe, Iyo SHINKANSENS her out of it!

Iyo gets moving, another SHINKANSEN!! Sol sputters, Iyo steps on her as she goes back to the corner, and then up, up, and OVER THE MOONSAULT! But into boots!! Sol saves herself, and both women rise. Sol snatches Iyo in a drop toehold, then somersaults to the corner! SOUL SNATCHER misses, and Iyo ghost pins Sol! IYO WINS!!

Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall

Sol is shocked, she’s the one who got snatched! Is this the true power of the Genius? Iyo still shows Sol respect and Sol gives it back. But will Iyo make sure her new chapter includes another match with The Man?

Jey Uso paces in the parking lot.

Jimmy walks over and teases his brother as the valet. Jimmy & Jey dap it up, and Jey asks what Roman had to say. Jimmy says it was horrible. It was bad. Sometimes, OTC gets a little bit delusional. What if Jacob snaps tonight, Uce? Does Jey really think Jacob’s gonna acknowledge Roman tonight? Jey says hell no, Uce. Jimmy knew that. Jey says this is a very different type of family business going on. Jimmy agrees there. This family can be stressful. Jey says their family is why they’re here today, remember that. Jimmy nods, and says he’ll go out there with The OTC. He wishes Jey good luck with Jacob. YEET.

Big Jim heads out, leaving Main Event Jey to wait on the Samoan Werewolf. Will this Bloodline civil war only escalate once again?

Backstage interview with The Street Profits.

Jackie Redmond is with Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins and brings up how they said they were back with one goal: the tag team titles. Well, in two weeks, they have that chance at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Fort Wayne, Indiana! They look good, are they feeling good? Yeah, they’re feeling great! This is exactly what they came back for, fam! But then in steps Seth Rollins. The smiles turn to frowns, but Rollins says if they’re serious about getting the tag titles off The Vision, “then it’s time we all talked. Ford says this is what he was talking about! Rollins keeps saying “we,” there is no “we” here! Dawkins says maybe they should hear Rollins out.

Ford asks for what?! He told The Profits that if they stayed out of his way, he’d stay out of theirs! Isn’t that right, Rollins? Yes, he said that, and he was wrong. Oh, no, Rollins is every single thing everyone says about him. He’s the greatest of their generation, the Revolutionary, but y’know what they also say? That Rollins isn’t to be trusted. The Profits don’t need Rollins’ ass to win those tag titles, bet on that! Ford heads out, Dawkins shrugs and follows. Will The Architect have to accept that? Or can he find a way to make up for his past mistakes?

Iyo Sky talks with Sol Ruca backstage.

The Genius tells the Surfer that she truly is the future of the WWE. They will surely fight again some day. Sol says she looks forward to it. They shake hands and part ways, but Becky Lynch walks by. Becky laughs, saying that Sol’s supposed to be the “Next Big Thing” when she couldn’t even beat “Iyo Janetty.” Guess those lights are too bright for her. Becky laughs her way out, but will someone humble her soon enough?

The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS ???

Knoxville already cheers for “O~BA!” even before he makes his entrance, because the whole world knows of his strength. Oba proved it in NXT, he proved it at WrestleMania when he slayed The Beast, and he even topped that by throwing Otis around like Otis was a normal sized man! Will anyone even dare to answer tonight’s open challenge? Will it still be an easy night on the job for Oba if they do?

Oba grabs the mic and he says, “The time has come. Now the Oba Femi Open Challenge begins.” The fans cheer but Pearce hurries out here. He says we’re all excited for this, believe him. The fans boo in anticipation, but Pearce says no one back there was brave enough to accept! Therefore, it is Pearce’s duty to inform Oba that the challenge is cancelled for tonight. He is sorry about this. Oba is the most upset of all and he storms out of the ring. Oba goes to the back, and he says we’ll see if no one’s willing to fight! Oba THROWS the Garzas around! He CHUCKS Angel, then carries Berto, and then brings them both out from the back!

The fans cheer and Pearce is flabbergasted as Oba is MAKING this match happen! He SHOVES Angel into the LED, throws Berto into the ring, and he tells the ref to ring the bell! Now it’s a HANDICAP match, but it’s Los Garza in trouble! The bell rings, Oba UPPERCUTS Berto, UPPERCUTS Angel, repeat! And repeat! And repeat! The fans cheer as Oba CLOBBERS Angel! Angel sputters, but Oba hauls him up, SHOTPUT over Berto! Berto panics but can’t get away, before Oba SHOTPUTS him! The fans are fired up as Oba then pops Berto up, for a FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall

If no one is willing to take their shot at The Ruler, The Ruler will run roughshod over the roster! Will nothing stop Oba from making himself THE top of the mountain in WWE?

El Grande Americano Original speaks.

“The AAA Mega Championship is one of prestige and honor, and it belongs around the waist of an authentic lucha libre legend. And you, Dirty Dom, do not fit that description. So tonight, when I pin you uno-dos-tres in the middle of that ring we will witness the birth of a nuevo King of the Luchadores! The NEW AAA Mega Campeon, The Original El Grande Americano!”

JD McDonagh walks ‘n’ talks with Dominik Mysterio.

The Irish Ace fires Dom up for this title match main event, but then FINN BALOR CLOBBERS JD! The Prince smiles as he then SMACKS JD off the road case and CHUCKS him over another. He asks Dom, doesn’t he have a match tonight? Guess he’ll have to do it alone. Dom says at least he has gold to defend! Dom is still very worried as he goes to gorilla alone. Has Dom already lost the match before it’s even begun? Or can he prove he’s the best when he does this all on his own?

AAA Mega Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS El Grande Americano Original!

Raw returns as El Grande Americano Original makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, history is being made here tonight!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Grande waistlocks but Dom wrenches free to wristlock. Grande rolls, wrenches, and headlocks, but Dom powers up and out. Grande RUNS Dom over, “AH GRACIAS~!” Things speed up, Dom drops down then hurdles over Grande, but Grande picks a leg to trip Dom and get the ANKLE LOCK! Dom flails, reaches out, then turns over to BOOT Grande away. Grande runs up but into a BOOT! Dom goes up, leaps, but into an arm-drag! Grande has the armlock, then steps over for a TWISTER! And then another TWISTER! Dom writhes but Grande paces around him.

Grande drags Dom up, clinches, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Grande drags Dom around to have the armlock, and he grinds Dom down with the chicken wing. Grande steps over to CRANK the arm into the armlock! Dom endures, fights up, but Grande knees low! Grande whips Dom to a corner, runs up, but Dom BOOTS him away! Grande comes back, Dom puts him on the corner, and he ROCKS Grande! Then CHOPS Grande! The fans rally, but then Grande catches Dom in a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Grande lets go, and Grande drags Dom up again. Grande suplexes but Dom lands safe on the apron.

Dom takes a swing, but Grande ducks! Grande waistlocks, Dom fights the suplex and he ELBOWS Grande back. Grande runs up, but Dom UP KICKS Grande into the POST! Grande falls to the floor, and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and the fans rally as Dom and Grande trade shots. Grande gets the edge, but Dom ducks on to DROPKICK him onto ropes! The fans cheer as Dom dials it up, but Grande ducks the 619! Grande then ANGLE SLAMS, and he goes up top! GRANDE MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Dom survives and Grande is shocked! The fans rally up again while Grande stalks Dom. Grande waistlocks but Dom victory rolls, only for Grande to stuff it! TWO, and Dom finishes the roll, TWO! Dom kicks Grande low, then knuckle locks to go up, up, and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Dom holds on to reel Grande in, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Dom hurries to the apron. Slingshot SENTON misses as Grande dodges! Dom comes back, but into a CORNER BELLY2BELLY! Grande full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Dom survives but Grande just drags him to the drop zone! Grande goes up, up, but wait! Rayo y Bravo Americano rush up! Bravo distracts the ref, but Grande BOOTS Rayo away! But Dom avoids the leap, and El Grande Americano Nuevo ROCKS Grande with a haymaker! Dom reels Grande Original in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Grande Original is tougher than that! But then here come Los Americanos Hermanos!

Julius & Brutus, or rather, Julio y Bruto, CLOBBER Rayo y Bravo, fire hands on them, and they all brawl around the way! Bruto ROCKS Bravo, Julio RAMS Rayo, and now things spill over the barriers and into the crowd! Dom focuses on Grande Original, but he gets snatched into an ANKLE LOCK! El Grande Nuevo gets up, Grande Original DECKS him! And grabs at the mask! But Dom dials it up, 619!! Down goes Original, and Dom goes up! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Dom wins!

Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still AAA Mega Champion)

While Dom didn’t have his Judgment Day familia, he still had his amigos Americanos! 241 DAYS and counting, will anyone ever dethrone the King of the Luchadores? And as for Grande VS Grande, Original VS New, they’re still set to battle Mask VS Mask. Who settles the score once and for all at the end of May?

The Vision regroups backstage.

Jackie Redmond catches them on the way out. She says it is clear to everyone that this situation with The Profits isn’t going away. What is their reaction to tonight? Yeah, Logan’s honest reaction, “Wacky,” is that he wishes she’d just go away. As for Joe Hendry, if Logan has to listen to that damn song- Oh, #FireLoganPaul? STOP! Unless you wanna get fired, Jackie. But if Logan has to hear that song one more time, he’s gonna Vincent Van Gogh himself, aka he’ll cut off his ears! He can’t stand Joe Hendry! Hendry is tone deaf, for one. And Logan’s already made the superior version of that song, #AdmireLoganPaul! That’s what it should be!

Theory calms Logan down, blames Jackie for this, and says they’ll just get Bron and Heyman and get dinner. But Jackie wants to ask about the title defense. How are they preparing for the challenge? Wait, is that Maxxine Dupri joining The Vision in their SUV?! Theory asks if Jackie wants to join them, she says no, thanks. The Vision heads out, but are they overlooking The Profits already? Or will their vision be clouded when The Profits bring the smoke?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

As we’ve known all night, The OTC wants to hold an Acknowledgement Ceremony, even though that’s a bit like the days of old… But will Roman get what he wants in Jacob Fatu joining the fold? Or will the Samoan Werewolf end up back on the streets? Roman and Jimmy raise their fingers for the pyro, and we’ll see how this all goes, after the break.

Raw returns for the second round of pyro, and the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” and sing for “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” Roman takes a moment to soak in the moment, then he tells, “Knoxville, Tennessee…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and raise their fingers while again chanting, “O T C! O T C!” But wait, now Jacob arrives, and Jey wants to talk. Jacob ain’t hearing that, so Jey follows him into the building. Jey wants Jacob to think about this real quick. If Jacob goes out there and does this, he’s gonna create a whole bunch of problems for himself and this family. You hear him? Jacob just shakes his head.

Jey says Jacob needs to be smart about this. Don’t do this, Jacob! Jey knows Jacob doesn’t give a damn about Roman, but he needs to be smart! Jey keeps trying, Jacob isn’t listening nor stopping, so Jey steps in his way! Jey tells Jacob to be smart! Jacob HEADBUTTS Jey down instead! Jacob then HEADBUTTS Jey again and again and again! Jacob says, “What you think? You want me to come and acknowledge you, Roman? HELL NAH! You better have to beat the acknowledgement outta me!” With that, Jacob makes his entrance. Jimmy is there trying to reason with Jacob, gut Jacob UPPERCUTS him!

Jacob THROWS Jimmy into barriers, then into more barriers! No one is left in Jacob’s way, and he storms down to the ring. Roman puts the belt down. He didn’t want it to come to this, but now that it has, he’ll do what he must. The fans cheer Roman on, but there are plenty of cheers for Jacob, and the fists start flying! The fans fire up as Roman SMACKS Jacob off buckles! Roman whips Jacob, Jacob reverses, and now Roman hits buckles! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Roman! Roman sputters, flounders, and he crawls to ropes. Jacob runs up to LARIAT Roman up and out! Jacob is all fired up, and he builds speed to DIVE into a SUPERMAN PUNCH!

Roman snarls as Jacob falls to the floor. Roman decides to bring out a chair! Roman storms into the ring, and he SMACKS Jacob on the back! Jacob staggers along the ropes, Roman SMACKS him again! And SMACKS him again! Roman says acknowledge him or Jacob is OUT of the WWE! Roman SMACKS Jacob again and again, then JAMS the chair into Jacob’s ribs again and again! Then a SMACK on Jacob’s legs! Roman snarls as he paces, but Jacob still isn’t saying those words. Roman aims from a corner, “OOOAH~!” But Jacob SUPERKICKS first!! Then he clamps on the TONGAN DEATH GRIP!! Roman flails but Jacob SHOVES him up and out!

The fans fire up as Jacob DIVES! Direct hit and Roman hits barriers! Jacob looks to his taped fingers, and he tells Roman to acknowledge this! Jacob POSTS Roman! Jacob says Roman didn’t call nobody! Roman let Jacob’s family drown out there! The fans chant for tables but Jacob sends Roman into steel steps! Roman flounders against the steel, but Fatu clears the desk! The fans cheer as Jacob looks to finish what he started at Backlash. But Roman is up to SUPERMAN PUNCH again! Roman catches his breath, reloads, and SUPERMAN- TONGAN DEATH GRIPO!! Roman is fading, but Jacob adds HEADBUTTS!

Jacob then lifts Roman up, POWERBOMB down through the desk!! The fans go nuts as Roman is down in the wreckage! Finally, refs and producers hurry out here, but Jacob SHOVES one aside, to TONGAN DEATH GRIP Roman again!! Jacob shows no mercy as he drags Roman up, but Pearce himself gets Jacob off of Roman! Pearce says enough! Jacob JUMPS on Roman for the TONGAN DEATH GRIP!!! The producers pry Jacob free from Roman again, but the fans are cheering Fatu on as he picks up the World Heavyweight Championship! And he LICKS it! The Samoan Werewolf didn’t win it at Backlash, but will he sink his teeth into this title soon enough?

Wait, wait, Jacob’s appetite for destruction isn’t satisfied! He sees Roman being helped up by the Usos, and he runs in around the way! Jacob CLOBBERS THE ENTIRE BLOODLINE THROUGH THE BARRIERS!!! Knoxville is going nuts, will it truly be all gas, no brakes when it comes to taking Roman down?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw to follow Backlash, especially with the escalation in the Bloodline story. Roman not changing his mind as Jimmy tried to warn him, and that literally resulting in Jacob beating down Jey, Jimmy, and Roman, excellent stuff. It is certainly them building on the years of Bloodline history and then turning it around on Roman. Clearly, Jacob’s getting another shot at the title, likely for Night of Champions since Cody Rhodes VS Gunther is Clash in Italy’s top title match. And story wise, that has to be where Jacob wins, right? Roman won the first, Jacob can win the second, and SummerSlam can be an epic tiebreaker.

I really liked that the open challenge was also flipped around. Oba Femi instead made Los Garza, the newest additions to Raw (probably the kayfabe trade for SmackDown getting Rhea Ripley?) be his opponents. Not sure how next week will go, unless they want to bring in local enhancement talent for like a 3v1 handicap or something. Great match from Iyo VS Sol, and great win for Iyo to keep things going from Backlash. I wish we got a bit more on this being Asuka’s last time on screen as a wrestler, though. Becky mocking Sol clearly foreshadows Sol getting a shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, and maybe Sol finds a way to win.

The Men’s Intercontinental Championship might end up with a busy schedule with Rusev, Ethan, and Je’Von all chasing Penta. Ethan is getting his shot at SNME for May, but after Evans won that great match with Rusev, he might get his own shot before or after that. It’d be fitting if Ethan and Evans continued their rivalry from NXT, but then that makes me wonder what Penta would do if the title moved on from him. Maybe he and Rey Fenix can tag up again? Very good promo from Paige & Brie with Judgment Day, and of course it turned into a brawl. Judgment Day stands tall, and either Nikki returns from injury or Paige & Brie call on Lyra & Bayley for help.

Great stuff with the AAA Mega Championship being featured tonight, with it feeding not just the Los Americanos story but also the Judgment Day story. Finn going after JD was good stuff, but of course Los Americanos made sure Gable Grande didn’t win. Mask VS Mask is big enough, and Dom still needs to defend that title and lose it to someone else in AAA. We can only hope they find a way to bring Rey Mysterio back into this so that we can get a Father VS Son story for the title, too. And of course, more interaction from Rollins with The Profits in this Vision story. Good stuff in Rollins helping Profits & Hendry win, thereby earning The Profits their title shot at SNME, and clearly this is still going to culminate in a Six Man Tag of Rollins & Profits VS Vision.

My Score: 8.8/10

ACKNOWLEDGE the contract signing!

With the World Heavyweight Championship match set for Backlash, all that’s left is for Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu to sign the contract!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
• PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page; Rusev & Ethan win.
• Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry; Hendry wins, by disqualification.
• The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS Otis w/ The Alpha Academy; Oba wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Hermanos Americanos; Los Hermanos Americanos win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns arrives backstage.

And Adam Pearce catches him right as he exits the car. The Raw General Manager knows Roman is heated from last week but they need to discuss things first. Roman says first off, no, he wants to know where Jacob Fatu is at. And second, don’t you hear the fans already cheering for him? Hit his music! Pearce tries to calm Roman down but has to shout at him first. Jacob Fatu is not here… yet. But Seth Rollins is! Architect and Tribal Chief stare down, and Rollins says Roman is in his way. Roman steps aside, and Rollins’ song hits first! The fans in Omaha, Nebraska sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins heads to the ring.

But then BRON BREAKKER CLOBBERS ROLLINS! Bron HAMMERS away on Rollins, drags him around, and throws hockey scrum body shots! Bron CLOBBERS Rollins again, then stands him back up so he can gorilla press him! Bron drops Rollins on barriers! Rollins falls back, sputters, but security and producers hurry out here. Bron THROWS security around! Then he drags Rollins up to RAM him into steel steps! Adam Pearce shouts at Bron but Bron drags Rollins into the ring! The refs get Bron to back off, producers check on Rollins, but then Bron breaks through to slip into the ring! SPEAR!!

Bron looms over Rollins while the fans bark. Rollins coughs and sputters while Bron tells him this is just a taste. Bron takes his leave, the damage done. But will he do even worse when the match is on for Backlash?

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Liv Morgan says that Stephanie Vaquer is injured, no worrying about her anymore. But now to talk about the not so good news. Like what the hell was Finn doing in here last week?! Roxie doesn’t know, he must be delusional. Liv says she’s not worried about Finn, JD McDonagh finishes this tonight. Liv is worried about Roxie. Why did Finn think it was okay to talk to Roxie? Why didn’t Roxie tell them about it? Why did Liv have to watch it through Netflix to learn about what’s going on? Roxie says she didn’t mention it because she made it clear to Finn. She told him to get out and never come back. But Liv’s right, Roxie should’ve said something.

But don’t worry! Roxie’s loyal to Judgment Day, they know that. Yes, Liv is glad to hear that, because she believes in Roxie. Roxie & Raquel are going to be the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, they just can’t let anything get between the family. Promise Liv that you won’t keep secrets, Roxie. Roxie promises. Promises what…? That she will never keep any secrets from Judgment Day. Good. So they ready? Liv, Dom & JD head out, and Raquel pats Roxie on the head. But will things be (not) fine for Judgment Day?

Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

Raw returns as The Irish Ace makes his entrance, Dirty Dom by his side. The bell rings, the two tie up, and JD wrenches to wristlock. JD YANKS the arm, but the fans taunt him as “BOBBLEHEAD! BOBBLEHEAD!” Finn rolls, wrenches, but JD wrangles Finn back down. JD puts on the pressure but Finn kips up to wrench, slip through, and headlock. JD powers up but can’t power out as Finn holds on tight! JD endures, rolls to a cover, ONE! JD headscissors, Finn kips free, and Finn arm-drags! Finn grinds JD with the armlock, but JD fights up. JD rolls, powers Finn to ropes, but the ref counts.

JD backs off slowly, but Dom trips Finn up! The fans boo Dom but then JD RAMS Finn! Dom flexes and soaks up the heat while JD RAMS Finn more. JD lets off so he can soak up heat, then he stalks Finn to another corner. JD CHOPS, then he whips corner to corner. Finn goes up and over to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Finn warns Dom, but JD turns things around. Finn dodges JD to CHOP him back! Cover, TWO! Finn drags JD up, brings him around, and gives some Latino Heat! JD wrenches free but Finn ducks JD’s lariat to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn keeps his eyes on Dom, then goes back to JD.

JD drop toeholds Finn, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Finn goes to ropes but JD KICKS his leg! JD KICKS the leg again, then puts the leg on ropes. JD drops a KNEE on the knee! Finn writhes, the fans boo, but Dom applauds as JD YANKS the bad leg. GROUND DRAGON SCREW! JD then drops an ELBOW on the leg, then clamps on a toehold. Finn endures, kicks JD in the back, and the fans rally as both men stand. JD storms up on Finn, whips, but Finn reverses. JD sunset flips, Finn rolls through and basement DROPKICKS! JD goes to ropes, Finn LARIATS him up and out! The fans fire up as Finn builds speed, but Dom trips him up again!

The fans boo as Finn shouts at Dom, but JD CLOBBERS Finn! Finn tumbles out of the ring, but here comes Roxie! The fans boo Judgment Day as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn fights up in the headlock. Finn fires body shots, and now the rest of Judgment Day hurries out here. JD CLUBS Finn, whips him, but Finn goes up and- NO, JD catches Finn on the over, but Finn holds onto the ropes! JD pries Finn free, but Finn slips down to dragon sleeper! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans cheer Finn on, but he’s all alone ringside now that it is 5v1! JD and Finn rise up, but Finn ROCKS JD! And ROCKS him again! And again, and again! Finn whips and BACKDROPS JD! JD flounders, Finn trips him to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer Finn as he flexes!

Finn drags JD up, whips him to ropes, but JD reverses. Finn comes back to SLINGBLADE! The fans cheer as Finn aims from a corner. But Dom gets on the apron! Finn DECKS Dom, JD rolls Finn, TWO! JD swings, Finn dodges and CHOPS! Finn runs, but into the SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives but just barely! Finn goes to the apron while the fans rally harder and harder. JD storms over, but Finn RAMS into him! Then GAMANGIRIS! Finn goes up, up, but Raquel distracts the ref! Dom shakes the ropes, and Finn falls! The ref realizes something is wrong, so she EJECTS Dom! The fans cheer as things are a bit more even now.

Liv & Dom are upset but JD still drags Finn to a drop zone. JD goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS, but onto knees! Cover, TWO! Finn hurries to SLINGBLADE JD again! The fans rally for Finn while the ladies of Judgment Day coach JD. Liv gets on the apron, but the ref tells her to back off. Liv sneaks something to Roxie! The bell hammer!? Finn SHOTGUNS JD! Roxie has the bell hammer to CRACK Finn!! The fans boo but JD HEADBUTTS Finn! JD falls on the cover, JD wins!

Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall

Roxie proves her loyalties by doing Liv’s dirty work, and JD finally gets a win over his old mentor. Is there no hope for Finn against this many enemies?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Jackie Redmond apologizes to The Architect for bothering him, as he is clearly in pain after that vicious assault from Bron Breakker. But what does this mean for Backlash. Will Rollins be okay? Rollins says Backlash is in five days, he’ll be fine. Rollins told “the kid” last week, that if you take your shot, you better be able to finish the job. Rollins ain’t dead yet. Rollins storms off, will he be able to game plan a way to get around Bron’s speed, strength, and ruthless aggression?

The Vision regroups backstage.

Bron Breakker says he couldn’t let Rollins go to the ring and get on the mic to bore us all to death. He can’t stand listening to that guy! He’s like a duck! “Quack, quack! I’m the best wrestler in the world! Quack!” Austin Theory joins in, “Lemme sing my song! Quack quack!” Paul Heyman walks in and says, “Is Seth Rollins still breathing?” Bron says yes, he is. Logan Paul says one guy who won’t be is Joe Hendry! Logan’s gonna beat him to a pulp! Logan swears to God, let him get his hands on Hendry and he’ll hospitalize him permanently! PLEASE! Heyman says that’s why tonight, Logan is not fighting Joe Hendry. W-What?!

Heyman says Bron almost got suspended again, Brock Lesnar retired on us, and if Logan were to get his hands on Hendry, he’ll be put in jail for what he does to him! That’s why tonight, it is Joe Hendry VS Austin Theory. Theory says it’s alright, Maverick. If Logan wants Hendry smacked around, Theory will smack him around. If Logan wants Hendry hurt, Theory will hurt him. He’ll put the Pressure on Hendry, and Logan can just watch. Bron says relax, you’re THE Logan Paul. Vision will get ’em all, one by one. They fist bump on that, but will The Vision all be turned into believers soon enough?

PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page!

After the multiple blindsides the past few weeks, he WWE Intercontinental Champion and the Young OG team up against some common enemies in The Bulgarian Lion and All Ego! But will the power of #CeroMiedo see them through? Or will Rusev CRUSH while Ethan steals everyone’s smile?

Raw returns as Rusev makes his entrance, followed by Ethan’s. The teams sort out and Evans starts against Rusev. They circle while the fans rally, and Rusev picks Evans up! Rusev RAMS Evans into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but stops as the ref counts 4. Rusev snarls, ROCKS Evans, then CLUBS him on the back. Evans flounders but Rusev stands him up. Rusev whips, Evans stops himself and BOOST back! Evans ROCKS Rusev with haymaker after haymaker! Evans runs, but Rusev ELBOWS him down! The fans boo but Rusev stalks Evans to a corner. Rusev drags Evans up by his hair, then tags Ethan.

The fans boo more as Ethan and Rusev mug Evans. Ethan says see, they’re a team! Ethan drags Evans up but Evans CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but Ethan takes a swing. Evans ducks that to DECK Ethan! Then he ROCKS Rusev, too! Ethan runs up, Evans wrenches and kicks! Evans snap suplexes, kips up, and does the Penta swagger! The fans cheer while Evans taunts Rusev. Evans whips, Ethan reverses, but Evans grabs ropes to stop himself. Ethan runs up, Evans flips up and over, tag to Penta! Ethan runs up again but into Penta’s GAMANGIRI! Evans adds a DROPKICK! Penta GAMANGIRIS Ethan again!

Penta sits Ethan down, then headstands for the SWINGING DROPKICK! Rusev runs up, but Penta & Evans dodge to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Then Penta gives Evans the boost to RANA Rusev! Rusev tumbles out, Evans PLANCHAS, and down goes Rusev! Ethan grabs Penta by the mask, reels him in, but Penta wrenches out! Half nelson, pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives but sputters while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rusev UPPERCUTS Penta! The fans rally for Penta as Rusev whips corner to corner and SPLASHES! Penta tumbles outside but Rusev goes out after him. Rusev puts Penta back in, but Penta triangle jumps to LARIAT! Rusev is down and Penta crawls! The fans rally harder and harder, but Rusev YANKS Evans from the apron! The fans boo as Rusev denies Penta a tag. Rusev whips Penta to the corner, but P etnta BLASTS Ethan! Then he dodges Rusev! Penta goes to his corner, but Evans is still down! Ethan tags in and he CLOBBERS Penta! Ethan rains down fists, then drags Penta from the corner.

Ethan CLUBS Penta, soaks up heat, and Rusev runs up on Evans! Evans hurdles, Rusev crashes into steel steps! Penta dodges Twisted Grin to BACKSTABBER! The fans fire up as Penta crawls! Hot tag to Evans and Omaha erupts! Evans BOOTS, SUPERKICKS, then LARIATS Ethan! And goes Matrix to dodge, kip up and STUNNER! Ethan wobbles, Evans WRECKS Rusev, then he slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX Ethan! The fans fire up as Evans builds speed to FLY! #WeOutside! Evans throws off his shirt, springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives, he isn’t a former NXT Champion for nothing!

The fans rally for Evans, he goes up a corner, and he MOONSAULTS, but Ethan gets under! ROUNDHOUSE! Ethan reels Evans in, TWISTED- NO, Evans pops free to SUPERKICK! Evans runs, but Ethan BOOTS him first! Ethan whips, but Evans rebounds, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Hot tag to Penta, springboard TORNADO DDT! Cover, but Rusev breaks it! Evans goes after Rusev but Rusev shoves him away. Evans DUMPS Rusev out, then DIVES! Another hit on Rusev, and now he’s on the desk! The fans are thunderous as they see that look in Evans’ eyes! Evans hurries to the corner and climbs up top!

The fans are going nuts already, but Etan SHOVES Evans down! Penta SUPERKICKS Ethan! Penta then slingshots to- NO, Ethan dodges and SWEEPS the leg! Penta is down but the ref won’t let Ethan go after him. Rusev handles that with an URENAGE on the desk! Rusev feeds Penta to Ethan, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, ETHAN & RUSEV WIN!

Winners: Rusev & Ethan Page, by pinfall

Both Bulgarian Brute and All Ego have sinister grins on their face, and they celebrate their victory! Not too buddy-buddy, of course. But will these two both have their shot at Penta’s Intercontinental Championship?

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

“When I was a coach in NXT, my favorite, my absolute favorite days, was when a surefire, can’t-miss, blue chip future superstar saw their dreams come true when they got the opportunity to sign one of these to join Raw or SmackDown. Guys, today is one of those days. Let’s take a look.” The fans cheer as we get a highlight reel of the former NXT Women’s North American & WWE Speed Women’s Champion, and Pearce asks we all welcome the newest Raw superstar, Sol Ruca! Sol makes her entrance with a new song, and high-fives fans as she heads down the ramp. Sol joins Pearce in the ring, grabs herself a mic, and Pearce congratulates her.

The fans cheer and Sol smiles as she takes the contract. “Damn. It is going to feel so damn good when I sign this and officially be a part of Monday Night Raw.” But wait, Becky Lynch is interrupting! Pearce is upset as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion storms her way to the ring. Becky grabs herself a mic to tell Petty Pearce that she’s been looking for him all day! She was told that THIS would be her time for her Celebration of Greatness! Who told her that?! Doesn’t matter, she knows they were a very credible, reliable source. But point is, after her monumental WrestleMania moment, Pearce came out and illegally sanctioned a match with “Iyo Jennetty.”

Which explicitly went against the parameters of her open challenge! But even with that meddling, Becky won! Uncontroversial because she’s the greatest female wrestler of all time, and it’s not just her saying it, other people say it. Sports Illustrated says it, Bleacher Report says it! Sol asks Becky, “Are you done?!” Becky says no, actually, and she’s also a New York Times best seller. Sol says not everything is about Becky. Becky says okay, okay, Sol is very new here, but the sooner she learns this the better. Everything is about her! Well, not this. Everyone knows who Becky is, we know what Becky’s done and accomplished.

But the thing is, Sol didn’t expect to find out that upon meeting Becky, Becky is exactly what everyone says she is. W-Which is? The Man? The history maker? The ground breaker? No. They say Becky is a rude, big-headed B*TCH! And it’s not just Sol saying it, it’s New York Times, Sports Illustrated- Becky says Pearce may be terrible at her job, but is he really letting Sol talk to her like this?! Becky asks if the fans are letting Sol talk to her like this. “YES!” Becky is flabbergasted but the fans cheer Sol on. Becky ask who even is this, and Sol finishes singing her contract. This is Sol Ruca, and if you ever interrupt her again, not only will Sol kick your ass, but she’ll snatch your soul.

Becky takes a swing, Sol dodges, so the punch hits PEARCE! Oops! Becky apologizes but Pearce is furious! Sol smiles as Becky panics, and then she runs up to use the corner! SOUL SNATCHER! The Man is down! Is Sol about to turn the tides and wash away Becky’s big time ego?

The Usos are backstage.

Jackie Redmond catches them as they head for Roman Reigns’ room, and asks them how they’re feeling ahead of the contract signing. Jimmy says it is a big night! Contract signing night between OTC and Samoan Werewolf, and they wouldn’t miss this for nothing. Now, they got a lot of love for Jacob, but Jacob needs to understand how OTC does business, especially when there’s championship gold on the line. Ya feel ’em? Jackie understands, but aren’t they conflicted considering their relationship with both? Jey says nah, Jackie, this right here is family bidness, plain and simple. OTC knows how to handle himself. The Usos are just in case something pops off.

But Jacob, The Usos already told you, Uce! You swimming in deep water now. You bit off more than you can chew. You’re swinging for the fences, though! But they respect that, aight? But Jey is telling you, The Bloodline has been drawn! And at Backlash, you gonna find out who you messing with, Jacob. Good luck, lil’ cousin. YEET. The Usos then step inside Roman’s room. What will the OG Bloodline discuss in regards to this very same family business?

Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry!

The Vision were a bit… triggered, perhaps, by what The Prestigious Joe Hendry joked about during his concert. But will Hendry feel the Pressure here tonight? Or will Omaha be full of believers after tonight?

Raw returns as Hendry continues his concert where it left off! “He’s one amazing athlete, but he’s a piece of trash! He can shove his trading cards directly up his.. Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul? Everyone! Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul?” Logan storms out and shouts that he thought he made it clear that Hendry cannot fire Logan Paul! He is UN-FIREABLE! TKO cannot fire Logan, that’s bad business! Logan IS business! Logan is the heart and soul of the WWE! Hendry says he knows Logan is upset, and he’s glad to see Logan, because this part of the song is the apology. It goes like this: “Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul?”

Logan swears to kill Hendry, but Theory runs up! The bell rings, Hendry fires hands, then LAIRATS Theory up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, Logan tells Theory to handle this! Theory and Logan reset, circle, but the Logan shouts at Hendry. That distraction lets Theory CLOBBER Hendry from behind! The fans boo but Theory CLUBS away on Hendry. Theory then clamps onto Hendry to throw hands right into the side of his head! The fans boo more but Theory CLOBBERS Hendry again! Theory & Logan soak up the heat, then Theory slaps Hendry around. Theory scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Theory and Logan fire each other up, but the ref has Logan back off.

Theory stands Hendry up, but Hendry UPPERCUTS and CHOPS and repeat! Hendry whips corner to corner, Theory reverses hard, and Hendry falls to the mat. Theory rains down fists, talks trash, but the fans chant, “Logan Sucks! Logan Sucks!” Logan shouts back that he does not, and Theory goes back to Hendry. Theory drags Hendry up, talks trash, and snap suplexes! “Who sucks now?!” The Vision soaks up more heat, then Theory drags Hendry up. Theory talks more trash, but Hendry suplexes Theory now! The fans cheer while Logan is already upset again. Hendry rises, the fans rally behind him, and Hendry fires haymakers!

Hendry whips Theory to ropes to then LARIAT! Theory flounders from taking the “Commonwealth Clothesline,” and Hendry runs to LARIAT in the corner! Hendry keeps moving, but Theory blows past! Only for Hendry to catch him! FALL AWAY SLAM! And then a kip up, for the… TURN! The fans cheer, but LOGAN ATTACKS!

Winner: Joe Hendry, by disqualification

The fans boo but Logan HAMMERS away on Hendry! Logan hands Hendry the win but he snarls as he tells Hendry, “Nobody can fire me!” Hendry fires off fists! Theory goes after Hendry, the fans boo as The Vision mugs Hendry! They stomp and punch away, but here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins again take the fight to The Vision! SUPERKICK for Logan! Then Ford spins Theory around to ENZIGIRI! Dawkins takes Theory for THE SILENCER! The fans pump it up for The Profits, and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Theory! Ford climbs up, but BRON runs in! Bron THROWS Ford out of the ring! Then Bron CLOBBERS Dawkins!

The fans bark as Bron then GERMAN SUPLEXES Dawkins! The Unpredictable Badass turns the tides, but SETH ROLLINS trips him up! The fans cheer as Rollins gets revenge with furious fists! Rollins THROWS Bron into steel steps! Rollins stomps away, then they brawl in the ring! Rollins rains down fists while the fans cheer! Rollins BLASTS Logan & Theory off the apron, then LARIATS Bron down! Omaha is erupting as Rollins is shaking the ropes! Rollins aims, but hold on! Ford FLIES out to take out Logan & Theory! But Bron SPEARS Rollins in the distraction! Bron snarls as he tells Rollins he was that close.

Bron leaves Rollins down again, but he’s still roughed up himself. Will either man survive the Backlash?

Backstage interview with Judgment Day.

Jackie is now with Liv, Dom, JD, Raquel & Roxie, and brings up them sending a message to Finn. But what is the focus moving forward? Liv says yeah, you saw what they did to Finn tonight, and to Vaquer last week. The focus is getting all the gold and crushing anyone who gets in their way. And this season is all about Raquel & Roxie! Tell her, sister! Raquel warns Brie Bella & Paige that their nostalgia tour was cute for a night, but it’s time to get serious. She wants them both to come to their show, because- Bayley & Lyra Valkyria step in, and The Role Model says, “Well, well, well. Wouldya look at here? Can anyone in the Judgment Day get anything done on their own?”

Bayley has known them all for so long and she is just finally getting it. Lyra says they weren’t gonna forget what happened to them last week, either. If they’re such a big happy family, then they won’t be afraid to take them on. Liv mocks them and says families help each other win. Try it sometime, losers. Bye~! Bye~! Judgment Day leaves, but will #BayLyra humble them soon enough? And what of Brie & Paige answering the challenge to show up on “Judgment Day’s show?”

The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS ???

With champions either too busy, too lazy, or perhaps too afraid to accept a challenge, The Ruler is making HIMSELF into the challenge! Who will answer the call, and who will be thrown from the mountaintop in Omaha?

Oba has the mic to say,” The time has come. The Oba Femi Open Challenge will now begin.” And it’s AKIRA TOZAWA that answers the call! He is accompanied by Maxxine Dupri & Otis, but can The Stamina Monster even survive?

The bell rings and Tozawa steps up to be face to… chest with Oba… Tozawa gest scared, but Otis says that’s okay, HE will step up. Even Oba likes the look of this! The bell rings, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Oba SHOVES Otis! That alone is impressive, but Otis comes back to RAM Oba! Oba stays put and the fans continue to cheer. Oba and Otis are forehead to forehead, then Oba RAMS Otis! Otis doesn’t budge and the fans cheer! They start shoving, then Otis rips his shirt away! Oba RAMS Oba, Oba RAMS Otis, but Otis dodges! Only for Oba to UPPERCUT Otis down! Oba then hauls Otis up, for a SUPER SHOTPUT!

The fans are thunderous as Oba is fired up, and he watches Otis slowly get up. Even Oba is wondering if this is possible, but he kicks Otis first. Oba nods and says he knows how to get this done. Oba hoists Otis up the corner, then gets under Otis, for a SUPER SIZED FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall

The first challenge was already a big challenge, but Oba was still up to the challenge! And after seeing that, will anyone even want to step up next week?

Refs check on Rollins backstage.

Rollins insists that despite how he looks, he is fine. Just leave him alone. Rollins sees Hendry & The Profits, and he “thanks” Montez Ford for setting him up for that second spear. Ford says thanks to Rollins’ past antics, nobody, and Ford means NOBODY, trusts Rollins! Oh, wow, nobody? Ford doesn’t trust him, Dawkins doesn’t trust him, Rollins doesn’t even know Hendry but Hendry probably doesn’t trust him. Guess what? Rollins doesn’t even trust himself! But who cares!? They’re in the same fight! They’re all after The Vision, so those fights are gonna come together! But here’s the deal: They stay out of Rollins’ way, he’ll stay out of theirs. Got it?

Rollins storms off, but does he have it all backwards? Shouldn’t they all work together if they want to tear The Vision down?

Adam Pearce mediates a meeting between Iyo Sky and Asuka.

The Raw General Manager knows these two are set to face off at Backlash, so the floor is theirs. Iyo starts by telling “Asuka-san, I have avoided this fight for years. You know this. You are exactly what you say you are: my senpai; my mentor; I looked up to you. I loved you. And despite everything you have done to me, I still have the utmost respect for you. I never wanted to have this fight, and I never wanted it to come to this. But… You have changed.” Asuka says nothing has changed, but Iyo says yes, she has! The Asuka that Iyo looked up to is no longer here! Now, Iyo has no choice but to fight Asuka.

Asuka says Iyo continues her disrespect, so the Iyo that Asuka taught is no longer here, either! This person sitting here, who are you? “I don’t know anyone this disrespectful. Who are you?” Asuka says this is her biggest disappointment! Do you not get how she feels?! Asuka is done with Iyo. At Backlash, Asuka cuts Iyo out of her life for good. Iyo says fine, she understands. Because she IS ready for Asuka! Asuka rolls her eyes, then leans in close, to MIST IYO RIGHT IN THE FACE!! Pearce is furious, has Asuka get out of here, and shouts for a doctor! The Empress of Tomorrow shows no remorse, but will The Genius show no mercy at Backlash?

Backstage interview with El Grande Americano Original and…?

Jackie is with Chad G- er, uh, the Original EGA and The Creed Brothers, who are now “Los Americanos Hermanos,” The American Brothers… After that surprise attack on the other El Grande Americano at AAA during the Mask VS Mask contract signing, how are they feeling going into this trios match? Well, thankfully, the No Physicality Agreement was for Mexico. That means here in Middle America, all bets are off! Now, the boys saw how they great EGA Original in AAA, it’s ridiculous! So they decided to do the honorable thing and help him out. They take inspiration from a close personal friend of his, Chad Gable, still sidelined with injury.

But on May 30th, we find out once and for all that there is only ONE El Grande Americano, and you’re lookin’ at him! The ORIGINAL El Grande Americano! AH GRACIAS~! Los Americanos Original heads to the ring, but will this be an American made victory? Or will the real Americanos please stand up?

Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Americanos Original!

Raw returns as the other Los Americanos make their entrance. The trios sort out, but then El Grande Dos throws his cape at Original! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! The fists fly, but “Julio” DUMPS Rayo out, then “Bruto” ROCKS Bravo! The brothers THROW Bravo out before Original LARIATS Americano Dos out! The fans cheer, “AH GRACIAS~!” Bravo rushes in, Bruto FLAPJACKS him, and now the match is on! Bruto copies Bravo’s dance, then UPPERCUTS! Tag to Julio, they double whip to DOUBLE BACKDROP! Julio struts but Rayo tags in. Rayo ROCKS and KICKS Julio, then CHOPS! Rayo runs, but into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELL!

Julio kips up while Rayo hobbles. Julio reels Rayo in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Bruto, then tag to Original. Julio ELBOWS Rayo in the corner, Bruto BACK BODY BLOCKS, then feed to Original’s HIP TOSS! The fans cheer and Original covers, TWO! Original drags Rayo up, wrenches, wristlocks, but Rayo breaks free to SMACK him! Tag to El Grande Dos! The Grandes tie up, go around, and Original arm-drags! They fight back up, Dos wrenches but Original rolls to SLAP back! Original headlocks but Rayo tags in as Dos powers up and out. They then trip Original out, bring him to the outside, and Grande Dos WRECKS Original with a dropkick!

The fans are torn as Los Americanos stand tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rayo BOOTS Bruto off the corner! Rayo then clamps onto Julio with a SLEEPER! The fans rally as Julio endures, reaches out, but drops to his knees. Julio powers up again to BACKPACK SENTON! The fans rally while both men are down, hot tags to the Grandes! Original THROWS Dos, then rains down fists! Dos gets free, Bravo goes up and leaps in! Original catches him for an EXPLODER! Original fires hands, then clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ROLLING LIGER KICK on Rayo! Then Original ducks the discus to ANGLE SLAM! The fans fire up with Original and he waistlocks, but Bravo tags in!

Bravo y Rayo save their Americano from Chaos Theory, only for Original to waistlock Bravo! Bravo grabs Rayo in a panic, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Original Grande, and he goes out to CANNONBALL! He CLOBBERS Rayo, goes up a corner, but Dos distracts the ref! That lets Rayo SHOVE Original off the corner! But Julio springs right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Bruto is up to MOONSAULT! But Dos CLOBBERS Bruto with the headbutt! GAMANGIRI for Julio! But then both Grandes run up, DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Bravo is up top, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Bravo is furious but the fans rally up, “This is Awesome!”

Rayo aims at Bruto, runs up, and SUPERKICKS from the apron! Then he SEATED SENTONS! But Julio gets Bravo up, APRON BOMB! Grande Dos PENALTY KICKS Julio! But Original has Bravo, RAMS him into Dos, then hits CHAOS THEORY! The fans cheer as Original goes up top, but Grande Dos grabs him! But the brothers RAM him into the barriers! Original DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, Los Americanos Original win!

Winners: Los Americanos Original, by pinfall

AH GRACIAS~! But will this momentum carry El Grande Americano Original through that Mask VS Mask match at the end of May?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

Now that there is no one to stand in his way, The OTC, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, walks out on stage and raises his finger to the sky. The pyro goes off, and it is time for the title fight contract signing. But will things stay civil in this family civil war? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns as Roman gets his second round of pyro, then joins Pearce in the ring. Roman makes sure to sit at the head of the table, then Pearce introduces the challenger, Jacob Fatu! The fans cheer the Samoan Werewolf as he makes his entrance. Pearce says we all know how this works: two signatures on the contract makes this match official. The fans sing for “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” while he stares down with Jacob. Roman picks up his mic first to say, “Nah, Pearce, you know how this works. Omaha, Nebraska…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans cheer and chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman asks if Jacob hears all that.

Roman says that’s not just love, but the sound of respect! The fans cheer that, and Roman says you don’t think he knows where Jacob comes from? That he wasn’t watching from afar? That respect wasn’t earned just from hanging out. Jacob was grinding for 12 years, but Roman was here for OVER 12 years! The fans cheer again, and Roman tells Jacob that Roman was the one in this company, his foot holding the door open for Solo Sikoa. Solo brought Fatu in? Well guess what? Roman brought Solo in. Therefore, Roman brought Fatu in. And Roman will be damned if there is not respect to be had in this business for him!

The fans again cheer for “O T C! O T C!” and Roman says this is about respect. There has to be a code, there has to be an honor system. They can’t just run roughshod around here, bogarding everything for the family. No, there has to be a system of conduct that they can hang their hats on, understand? The Tongan Death Grip… Jacob disrespects Roman with something that he saves for desperate measures. Where does Jacob think they are? In some bar at 3AM, surrounded 8v1? THAT is when you bust out the Tongan Death Grip, THAT is when you snatch someone’s throat! You don’t do that to family! You don’t do that to your own. You don’t do that to your Tribal Chief!

The fans cheer again, but Fatu says, “Hold on, what?! Tribal Chief? Hey. That’s where you got it all wrong, you don’t understand. Yes, I am desperate. Yes, it feels like it’s just me against the world. Yes, my back is against the wall. So I have no other choice but to take you out, take this title, and everything that comes with it!” The fans are torn on that, but Fatu says to keep it 100, then he’ll put a choke hold on this game, and he’ll squeeze out every dollar and cent, just the way this company been doing their family for decades! So when Fatu’s talking all gas, no brakes with it, that doesn’t mean slowing down, it means moving forward and never going back to where he came from.

So yes, Roman, Fatu is desperate. Desperate enough to do anything for his household, even if he gotta run through his own blood! Roman says this is what he’s talking about! Fatu’s household?! Let’s get this out the way. Roman signs his part, the fans cheer, and then Roman pushes the contract to Fatu. Fatu is talking about his household, but Roman says he’s been up here over a decade for MULTIPLE households! Fatu is worried about seven kids, but Roman’s worried about 170 kids! Fatu is worried about higher education, but Roman is worried about generation after generation! Because Roman is the one that can do that! Proof of concept! The respect! WWE does business with HIM!

Roman already told everyone a long time ago, this is ALL HIS! This is HIS ring! And yes, in their family, they’re equals, of the same blood. But in this ring, Jacob, you’re beneath him! JACOB SNATCHES ROMAN! Roman CLAWS Fatu’s face, THROWS him into buckles, then THROWS an armchair at him! The fans fire up but Pearce wants Roman to calm down. Roman grabs the belt, but Fatu GRABS ROMAN’S THROAT! Roman HAMMERS Fatu down, climbs up in the corner, and rains down more fists! The fans count along, Roman goes all the way to TEN! But the TONGAN DEATH GRIP still finds him!!

Roman hurries to get loose, SUPERMAN- DEATH GRIP!! DEATH GRIP!! Pearce hurries in there, Roman grabs at Pearce out of desperation, but Fatu drags him around, CHOKE SLAM on the table!! The table didn’t break, but Roman is still down and out. Fatu signs his part, and he says they gonna do this! It is official, and as it looks, Fatu has the advantage! Will nothing stop the Samoan Werewolf from sinking his teeth deep into Roman? Or can Roman find a way to survive?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here as the go-home to Backlash, but with some great stuff that also had nothing to do with Backlash. Very good promos from Judgment Day, and I just knew Liv was gonna confront Roxie about Finn sneaking in. Her mentioning watching it back on Netflix was also a good detail, as they can reference it later if Roxie really does end up helping Finn as the mole. They were acting like enemies cuz they didn’t want the secret being exposed by cameras. But in the end, Judgment Day of course made sure Finn lost, but there might be hope for allies if Bayley & Lyra are gonna get in Judgment Day’s way of the women’s tag titles. Mixed Six Tag maybe?

Great 2v2 tag of Penta & Evans VS Rusev & Ethan, and the Heels winning out makes sense given Penta is a Face champion. Rusev will likely be betrayed by Ethan so that Ethan gets the title shot, only for Penta to win out. Great first match for the Oba Femi Open Challenge, Oba continues to build his power on main roster by just showing his physical power in throwing Otis. Very good promo from Sol and Becky, that’s clearly Becky’s first title defense right there, but I would think Becky cheats to win. Though, I can’t really see what Sol could do after she loses so maybe  Sol should win to humble Becky? Plus, they can just have a rematch after.

Great stuff with all the Americanos, especially with how convoluted it is to cover up the obvious identities of everyone. AAA gives the rest of the story where Gable Americano has escalated things to where even Kaiser Americano’s girlfriend is banned from AAA if Kaiser loses his mask, and that’s pretty wild. But probably also all the more reason we’re about to get Chad Gable back once he’s exposed. Great stuff with The Vision story, such as Rollins interacting with Roman only to get attacked by Bron Breakker. Also, that means Roman didn’t even care that Bron ran past him to go after Rollins, and that’s hilarious.

Hendry VS Theory ending in disqualification was fine, it works for Heels to be sore losers and such. Profits of course made the save, and while Rollins said they’d stay separate, I really do think there’s gonna be some kind of team up before this is over. Obviously, Hendry & Profits VS Vision can happen as a Six Man, and at the very least, they try to help Rollins against Bron when Logan & Theory try to cheat that match. And very good stuff in the story of Roman VS Jacob. Good promo from Usos, very good contract signing promos, especially with Roman referencing some of the real-life stories about Haku fighting off jackasses in bars. Jacob standing tall would suggest he loses, but there’s also SmackDown as a go-home to see if the tides turn at the last minute.

My Score: 8.9/10