Money in the Bank is in the rear view mirror, and the landscape of WWE has changed. OK not really all that much. Becky Lynch holds some gold again, and both Seth Rollins and Naomi have the prized contracts that give them world championship shots at a time of their choosing. But there’s more at stake tonight on WWE Raw from the PHX Arena in Phoenix.
Jey Uso will put his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Gunther, the man he beat to win it. Can Uso prove he’s a real champion? Will Gunther prove to be correct with his taunts that Uso has spread himself too soon? Will Rollins cash in on the winner? And in other news, who will advance from the very first King of the Ring and Queen of the Ring tournament matches?
Let’s find out the answers to these questions together. Check back throughout the night as we provide live updates until WWE Raw on Netflix fades to black.
CM Punk gets plenty off his chest to John Cena
The last real champ is here. Well, the man who gave himself that moniker anyway. John Cena says he learned something from the fans at Money in the Bank, and that is that truth is a lie. He scoffs at the idea that R-Truth returning is something good, which of course sets off a “we want Truth” chant that gets Cena to call the fans “spineless keyboard warriors” with no power to change anything.
“Our truth is that you’ll never use me to benefit one of your garbage pity parties ever again,” says Cena, who updates his countdown of remaining dates before asking for some competition. On cue, Living Colour hits and CM Punk comes to the ring to join the champ.
Punk points out the irony that company man Cena says he will ruin wrestling while the iconoclast is seemingly defending the establishment. Except he is there to defend the people. “I’m not here to kiss my Final Boss’ ass like you,” Punk quips, taking another shot at The Rock. He says his plans start with taking the title from Cena and explains how he thinks John knows what he’s doing is wrong. “You sold out,” sayeth the fans.
After Cena loses the title, Punk says he’ll use his remaining dates apologizing to people for the man he’s become, and Punk notes that he also became a monster the last time he was world champion. But sometimes you need to become a monster to stop one, which is exactly what he’s willing to do.
One final match between Cena and Punk? How about tonight? Lol of course not. Come on now. It’s going to happen in Saudi Arabia. Because that’s the proper place for this last showdown, right?
Before Punk can say anything in response, Seth Rollins and his entourage come out to the stage, apparently just to pose with the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Chad Gable vs. AJ Styles
Michael Cole mentions that El Grande Americano has been a thorn in the side of Styles recently, leading Wade Barrett to disagree about whether Gable and El Grande are the same person. This gimmick will get old eventually, but it isn’t that time quite yet.
This is not quite one for the sickos, as a WWE competitor’s CEO might say, but certainly a match that should appeal to pro wrestling purists. It’s not a long encounter, though, as Styles puts Gable away with a Styles Clash. If only Gable had Americano’s mask to load.
Winner: AJ Styles by pinfall
Roxanne Perez tells Liv Morgan that the two of them should work together to ensure The Judgment Day gets one of them through the upcoming Queen of the Ring Fatal 4-Way match, but Liv politely declines. Perhaps fake kindly, but you’ll have this sometimes.
Liv Morgan vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Kairi Sane vs. Rhea Ripley – Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4-Way Match
Find yourself someone who loves you as much as WWE loves booking multi-person matches as qualifiers or tournament bouts. It’s funny because you could do even more storytelling in a straight 16-person tournament, but I suppose time is of the essence.
The most logical outcome here is that Ripley advances while Morgan and Perez cost each other an opportunity, though WWE often uses this tournament to elevate performers who aren’t at the world title level, so maybe there’s a twist coming here.
Ripley gets to show off her silly power by slamming Morgan and Perez at the same time using one arm for each of them. They come back and join forces to express their displeasure with Mami and even seem to enjoy teaming together for a bit. Ripley foils Oblivion and looks like she has Morgan dead to rights, but Raquel Rodriguez pulls Ripley out of the ring.
Sane pulls off some impressive aerial moves and has Morgan in big trouble after the Insane Elbow, but Perez sneaks back in and pins Sane to steal it. There’s the twist.
Winner: Roxanne Perez by pinfall
In case we forgot who Nikki Bella was, a video package reminds us. She is returning tonight on Raw, which is kind of a big deal.
In the back, we see Bella giving hugs to Maxxine Dupri and Natalya before introducing herself to Iyo Sky, who seems legitimately pleased to meet her and calls Bella an inspiration, thanking her for paving the way.
Becky Lynch has more to worry about that just Lyra Valkyria, and The Truth has been set free
Cole and Barrett argue about the “disgusting” display of sportsmanship at the end of Lynch’s victory over Lyra Valkyria at Money in the Bank. Becky says she should be out there celebrating, running down her many accomplishments, then talks to the title belt itself saying the best thing that ever happened to it was her winning it.
But no, Lynch is still fixated on Valkyria ruining everything. She says Lyra raised her arm so aggressively that it might have dislocated her shoulder, then accuses the “crazy bird lady” of trying to kill her. Lynch asks for an apology and for Lyra to raise her arm right.
While Valkyria is on her way to the ring, though, Lynch gets blindsided from behind by Bayley. The Man finds no safety up the aisle since Valkyria is there, so she has to escape through the crowd to avoid more punishment from Bayley.
While the announcers are still digesting that, Ron “R-Truth” Killings pops out of the crowd, proclaiming “I am back because of y’all.” But while R-Truth can be too funny and too forgiving, he’s not this time … and proves it by cutting off his dreads with a pair of scissors.
“The truth has set me free. I am Ron Killings. I am the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, Now put some respect on my name.”
Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio (and JD McDonagh) seem to be on the same page, but things get awkward once Perez and Morgan arrive. Balor is pulling the strings masterfully, or so it would seem.
Elsewhere, Seth Rollins gives his version of a pep talk to Bron Breakker, saying absolute power will be theirs.
Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Sami Zayn vs. Bron Breakker – Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4-Way Match
Honestly have no idea who is winning this, which is fun. It’s also always fun to see Breakker looking like he’s going to destroy his opponents with even a simple clothesline.
Is it safe over by the announce table when Breakker is in the vicinity? You can probably guess the answer by the way the question was phrased, dear reader. It certainly is not.
You know Dirty Dom is going to look for every chance to steal a victory here just like his quasi-teammate Perez, but his opponents don’t seem to be here for that. Breakker connects on a spear outside the ring but has no time to celebrate as LA Knight appears and lays him out.
That leaves just Zayn and Mysterio in the ring, and Sami hits the Helluva Kick to advance.
Winner: Sami Zayn by pinfall
Styles is interviewed in the back about all the people he’s had a problem with as of late, and says he’s going to settle something with Gable in person. Next up for Cathy Kelley is The New Day, who say they have so much respect for their titles that they shouldn’t be defended against just anyone. In fact, people should be getting down on their knees and thanking them.
Oh wow, WrestleMania in Las Vegas looks amazing! What’s that? We just did that earlier this year? Ah well, I’m sure it will be fun again.
A video package touts the return of Asuka in the Queen of the Ring tournament, making up for the fact that Raw totally glossed over that fact earlier when the brackets were shown.
Not everyone is happy to see Nikki Bella back
Bella seems to be here mostly to put over Evolution. She is a pretty good spokesperson for the event, to be fair, since she main evented the first one.
One woman who is a bit aggro tonight is Morgan, who takes offense to Bella not mentioning her among the best in the company. Liv’s insults even get a bit personal, but when she mocks Bella by saying she has a man, Nikki fires back by telling Morgan to congratulate for taking away her chance at a title shot and her man.
Bella returns to the middle of the ring to confront Morgan for her own barbs, but Liv catches her with Oblivion and walks out the victor for now.
Gunther vs. Jey Uso – World Heavyweight Championship Match
This match is starting well after 10 p.m. ET. The announcers are playing up how Uso can’t possibly be at 100%. That certainly leads one to believe there will be hijinks pretty early on. Let’s see if that’s the case.
My son just reminded me Uso tapped Gunther out last time they met, and the Raw crowd definitely hasn’t forgotten since they start a “you tapped out” chant. Uso goes for the choke early this time, but Gunther is ready for it.
Now Cole brings up potential “internal injuries” for Uso. Actually considering this and it’s not a bad way to build Jey up as a champion. Overcoming adversity is a classic tactic for making a titleholder look stronger. That suplex on the floor certainly isn’t going to help his ribs feel any better.
Uso rallies as you’d expect, hitting the Uso Splash that isn’t enough to finish Gunther off. A spear from Gunther is a cool taste of one’s own medicine, and Gunther grins even as Uso manages to kick out. Cole calls Jey’s effort “courageous,” selling the adversity angle even more.
Another attempt at an Uso Splash finds no one home, and now the challenger is trying to work the submission game. Uso reverses it and the sleeper battle is on now. Except this time it doesn’t go Uso’s way, as Gunther wins the title back the same way he lost it.
