Raw
Hartford, Connecticut
May 6, 2024
Results from wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the
show.
I am reporting live from a local medical facility in New Jersey. I
am recapping WWE Raw following the birth of my third daughter, who
was born yesterday on Cinco de Mayo!
Video: Highlights from Backlash France this past Saturday are shown.
Backlash France was the largest gate for any arena show in WWE
history.
The Judgment Day, consisting of World Heavyweight Champion Damian
Priest, Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh, and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio, heads
to the ring.
The commentators discuss the King and Queen of the Ring Tournament.
Three matches for each will take place on Raw tonight, and the other
will take place at a WWE Live Event over the weekend. Drew McIntyre
was pulled from the tournament due to injury.
The crowd is booing the Judgment Day. Priest says the crowd loves
“Main Event” Jey Uso, as did the entire country of France, but in
the end, it didn’t matter. Priest is still the World Heavyweight
Champion, so they can rise for El Campeón. Priest wants to speak
about what went down with the Judgment Day at Backlash. Finn Bálor
says they went over it one hundred times. When he and JD apologized
at Backlash, they meant it. Priest says they’re good, but he wants
to address what happened after the match. What went down after the
match was on Priest. Priest lost his cool. Priest is the champion,
so he wants to apologize and thank them. Priest says he does
appreciate McDonagh. As for Bálor, he’s Priest’s brother. Priest
embraces Bálor and McDonagh. Not to be left out, Mysterio joins in
the hug.
Priest says it’s time to get back to business. He’s still El
Campeón. They still run this business. Finn Bálor is the next King
of the Ring. Finn Bálor says since Drew McIntyre isn’t medically
cleared, he gets a first-round bye. That’s the first step to the
Prince becoming a King. Bálor wants Samantha Irvin to get in the
ring to make an announcement.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce walks out to the stage. Drew
McIntyre may be out of the tournament, but Bálor is not getting a
first-round bye. Being crowned King of the Ring is one of the
biggest honors in WWE, so you have to earn it. Pearce tells Judgment
Day to get out of the ring because what happened at Backlash will
not happen again. Bálor’s opponent is “Main Event” Jey Uso!
“Main Event” Jey Uso makes his way to the ring to a big ovation. The
Judgment Day is not happy.
-Commercial Break-
King of the Ring Tournament
First Round Match
Finn Bálor vs. “Main Event” Jey Uso
The bell rings to start this match. They circle the ring and lock
up. Bálor quickly rolls him up for a two-count. Bálor hooks a side
headlock and cinches it in. Uso whips him off, but Bálor shoulder
tackles him for a one-count. Bálor wrenches the arm and keeps Uso
grounded. Uso catches him with La Magistral for a two-count. Bálor
boots him back and puts Uso in the corner before punching him down.
Bálor bounces Uso’s head off the turnbuckle. Uso avoids a right hand
and punches away at the Prince. Bálor whips him to the opposite
corner, but Uso slingshots over him and punches him down. YEET!
Bálor reverses a whip. Uso goes for a sunset flip, but Bálor rolls
through and hits a basement dropkick for a two-count. Bálor clubs
him in the back of the neck and elbows him in the forehead. Bálor
stomps the face and taunts the crowd. Bálor applies a rear chin
lock. Uso fights up, but Bálor powers him back down. Uso eventually
fights up. The crowd chants, “Let’s go, Uso!” Bálor spins him around
and chops the chest before shouldering him in the corner. Bálor
floors him with a stiff chop to the chest and picks up a two-count.
Bálor pulls him up to his feet and immediately grounds him with a
straight right hand to the forehead. Uso reverses a whip and sends
him out of the ring. Uso hits the ropes and connects with a suicide
dive. Uso gets Bálor in the ring, but Bálor rolls out on the other
side to stop the momentum. Uso charges around ringside and jumps off
the steel steps, but Bálor punches him in the midsection. Bálor
sends Uso face-first into the ring post before sending him over the
commentary table. Bálor stands on the table and taunts the crowd.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Uso is doing the 10 punches to Bálor. Bálor
quickly ducks between the legs and sweeps Uso’s feet. Bálor starts
the 10 punches before chopping him. Bálor connects with a snapmare
and a basement dropkick for a two-count. Bálor elbows Uso in the
head and applies another rear chin lock. Uso fights out of it, and
they begin exchanging right hands. Uso comes out on top with a big
right hand that takes the Prince down. Uso charges him in the
corner, but Bálor drops him on the apron. Uso kicks him back and
comes off the top rope with a diving cross-body block for a near
fall.
Bálor is having trouble getting to his feet and falls to the corner
in a seated position. Uso sees his opening and gets the crowd going.
Uso charges for a running hip attack, but Bálor intercepts him with
a big clothesline. Bálor stomps away at Uso and taunts the crowd.
Uso lifts Bálor for a Samoan Drop, but Bálor rakes the eyes and
takes him down for a two-count. Uso gets up and kicks and uppercuts
Bálor before hitting a superkick. Uso heads to the top rope but
lands on his feet when Bálor moves. Bálor connects with a Woo
Dropkick and quickly gets to the top rope. Uso avoids the Coup de
Grâce and connects with the Spear! 1… 2… Bálor kicks out!
Uso pulls himself up and looks out at the crowd to see Drew McIntyre
coming through the crowd to ringside. Bálor rolls Uso up for a
two-count. Bálor connects with a Sling Blade. A “CM Punk” chant
fires up. Bálor charges for another Woo Dropkick, but Uso cuts him
off with a Spear for the win! Jey Uso advances in the King of the
Ring Tournament.
Winner by Pinfall: “Main Event” Jey Uso
An angry Drew McIntyre gets in the ring, so Uso leaves. McIntyre was
supposed to be in this match before being medically disqualified due
to a broken elbow (sustained at WrestleMania 40 following an attack
by CM Punk), seethes in anger, watching one of his nemeses
successfully take his place.
Backstage Segment
Ivy Nile and Zoey Stark are shown warming up in separate locations.
Later tonight, they will face each other in a Queen of the Ring
Tournament First Round Match.
Women’s World Champion Becky Lynch is shown entering the arena.
She’ll have an interview with Michael Cole.
-Commercial Break-
Video: The epic battle between Gunther and Sheamus at Clash at the
Castle in 2022.
In tonight’s main event, Gunther and Sheamus will once again clash
in a King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match.
Parking Garage
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce follows an irate Drew McIntyre to
the parking lot. McIntyre says he’d have taped his arm up and
fought, unlike CM Punk. Pearce says once McIntyre made his injury
public, they had to look into it and he wasn’t medically cleared. It
has nothing to do with Jey Uso. It has to do with his arm. McIntyre
is furious and gets into his car before driving off. An Uncle Howdy
QR code appears on the screen.
When McIntyre drives off, a yellow sports car drives up, and out
steps CM Punk. Pearce says he is late. Punk asks where McIntyre is,
and Pearce says he missed him driving off. Punk tells Pearce to have
the truck play his music because he has something to say.
CM Punk calls out Drew McIntyre
The camera follows CM Punk through the backstage area and into the
XL Center as he makes his entrance. The crowd loudly roars as the
Second City Saint makes his way to the ring. A LOUD “CM Punk” chant
fires up. Punk says it’s good to be alive on a Monday night in
Hartford, Connecticut. Punk apologizes for showing up late. He got
locked inside headquarters at Stamford. He only got out a few hours
ago and realized Raw was in Hartford. He also came here to get into
a fight with Drew McIntyre, but he has left the building. Punk told
McIntyre he could do his business in a shorter amount of time than
McIntyre was World Heavyweight Champion. What if Punk stays here
long enough for McIntyre to come back? You know he’s at a red light
and scrolling through Twitter. Punk tells everyone to tweet to
McIntyre that Punk is in the building. If he’s not a coward, and
that’s a big ask, he’ll turn around and come back to this building
to catch the beating he deserves. They’re on top of the ice Gordie
Howe skated on for the Hartford Whalers.
Punk says he’ll hold this show hostage. He’s not going to ask them
what they want to talk about since that’s someone else’s deal. Punk
wants to tell a story. In January, McIntyre DDTed him so hard that
he posted his arm to protect himself and tore his tricep. Punk was
heartbroken and thought McIntyre ruined his WrestleMania dreams.
Punk had a good cry and a great surgery before realizing McIntyre
didn’t ruin anything. McIntyre only delayed his dreams. Punk is a
five-tool player. Punk can do anything. He was on commentary at
WrestleMania. He’s a five-tool player. McIntyre is just a tool. For
months, he had to tune into this show and listen to McIntyre talk
about how he prayed Punk would be injured. McIntyre prayed for this
and picked a very personal fight with the pettiest man on the
roster, maybe even on earth. Punk said he’d make McIntyre’s life a
living hell. His bitching and complaining went from praying to CM
Punk ruined his title run, and broke his elbow. McIntyre tries to be
like Punk. Does McIntyre hate Punk or hate himself? McIntyre is a
choke artist, not like Punk is a choke artist. Wow.
McIntyre prayed for this. Punk is the unforgiving consequence of his
actions. McIntyre prayed for this, and Punk broke his elbow. If
McIntyre shows up now or later, he’ll break his face and then his
heart. All the praying he does and the fact that McIntyre hasn’t
shown up show what he fears: CM Punk. Punk’s music plays, and he
says to the camera that if he has to go to Glasgow and hide in a
bowl of haggis, he’ll get McIntyre.
Backstage Segment
Ricochet is backstage with Cathy Kelley. She asks him about facing
Ilja Dragunov in a King of the Ring Tournament First Round Match.
Ricochet says he respects what Dragunov did in NXT, but this is
Ricochet’s moment. Braun Strowman walks up and embraces his former
tag team partner. Kelley asks why he interfered in the Judgment
Day’s business last week. Strowman says he won’t let bullies get
away with anything. Tonight is about Ricochet.
IYO SKY makes her way to the ring alongside Damage CTRL. Next,
she’ll face Natalya in a Queen of the Ring Tournament First Round
Match.
-Commercial Break-
Queen of the Ring Tournament
First Round Match
IYO SKY w/ Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane) vs. Natalya
The bell rings, and Natalya quickly wrenches the arm. Sky rolls
through, kips up, and twists Natalya’s arm. Natalya does the exact
same thing and hits a northern lights suplex for a two-count.
Natalya goes for a waistlock takeover, but Sky doesn’t budge. They
trade waistlocks before Natalya takes her down with a leglock. Sky
kicks at Natalya, but Natalya won’t let go. Natalya stomps the
midsection and goes for a Sharpshooter, but Sky fights out. Sky
knocks her to the corner and chops her. Sky charges, but Natalya
drops her on the apron. Sky knocks her back, but Natalya slides
through the legs to ringside. Sky knocks her back and goes for an
Asai Moonsault, but Natalya moves. Sky lands on her feet, but
Natalya quickly grabs her and slams her into the apron. Natalya gets
her in the ring and picks up a two-count.
They trade waistlocks again before Sky pulls Natalya throat-first
into the middle rope. Sky connects with a springboard missile
dropkick for a two-count.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Natalya and Sky are trading forearms in the
center of the ring. Sky hits the ropes, but Natalya hits a scoop
slam for a two-count. Sky soon knocks Natalya back and climbs to the
top rope, but Natalya cuts her off. Natalya connects with a top rope
superplex and covers: 1… 2… Sky kicks out! Natalya grabs Sky, but
Sky reverses into a crossface. Natalya powers her up and elbows out.
Sky rolls her up and double-stomps her. Sky connects with a basement
dropkick for a two-count. Sky yells in frustration.
Sky sets up for a move, but Natalya counters into a roll-up. They
trade roll-ups before Natalya powers her up for a sit-out powerbomb
for a near fall. Natalya grabs Sky by the hair and goes to spike her
on her tailbone, but Sky gets out. Sky takes her down and goes for a
double stomp, but Natalya moves. Natalya sets up for a Sharpshooter,
but Dakota Kai distracts her. Natalya yells at her and turns Sky
over for a Sharpshooter, but Sky pulls her into the turnbuckles. Sky
connects with double knees in the corner before heading to the top
rope for an Over the Moonsault to pick up the win. IYO SKY advances
in the Queen of the Ring Tournament.
Winner by Pinfall: IYO SKY
Dakota Kai grabs a microphone. Two years ago, they took over Raw
when they took out Becky Lynch. Now they’re back to put everyone on
notice. IYO just dominated Natalya. Kai is taking Asuka’s place
against the bird lady, Lyra. Asuka is injured. Kai has a warning for
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. They’re coming for the titles. As
for Becky Lynch, when she’s done with Liv Morgan, they’re also
taking her title. They are taking everything.
Video: An Ilja Dragunov hype video.
Ilja Dragunov makes his way to the ring. Ricochet soon follows.
Ricochet is the WWE Speed Champion.
King of the Ring Tournament
First Round Match
Ilja Dragunov vs. Ricochet
The bell rings. Ricochet applies a waistlock, but Dragunov whips him
off. Ricochet flips over him. Dragunov blocks a kick and flips him,
but Ricochet lands on his feet. Ricochet avoids a kick, but Dragunov
chops him down. Ricochet kips up and smiles at him. Dragunov chops
him again. Dragunov attempts a German Suplex, but Ricochet elbows
out. Dragunov connects with an enzuigiri, but Ricochet immediately
responds with a flying knee to the face.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Ricochet knocks Dragunov back. Ricochet
connects with a springboard flying clothesline. Ricochet follows up
with a standing shooting star press for a two-count. Dragunov avoids
a kick and hits a kick to the face. Dragunov hits a nasty German
Suplex and maintains the grip. Dragunov spikes him again with a
German Suplex. Ricochet breaks the grip and elbows him in the jaw.
Ricochet goes for a handspring back elbow, but Dragnunov catches him
and goes for a German Suplex. Ricochet lands on his feet and avoids
a charge. Ricochet dropkicks him off the apron. Ricochet goes for a
middle rope moonsault block to the floor but lands on his feet when
Dragnuov moves. Dragunov then turns him inside out with a German
Suplex on the floor! Dragunov gets him in the ring and hits a
springboard missile dropkick that bounces Ricochet off the ropes for
a near fall.
Dragunov heads to the top rope, but Ricochet cuts him off. Dragunov
head-butts away at him, and Ricochet collapses to the apron.
Dragunov pulls him up and stands on the top rope. Ricochet stands up
and hits him with a fantastic top rope hurricanrana! Dragunov rolls
out of the ring immediately. Ricochet hits him with a suicide dive!
Dragunov stumbles around the ringside area, so Ricochet hits him
with a second suicide dive. Dragunov continues to stumble around,
but he eventually collapses. Ricochet then hits a corksrew plancha!
The crowd is going wild!
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Dragunov lift Ricochet. Ricochet
slides off and sends him to the corner. Dragunov elbows at Ricochet
and connects with a Constantine Special. Dragunov covers for a near
fall. Dragunov heads to the top rope and CRUSHES the Highlight of
the Night with a diving senton splash for a near fall.
Dragunov gets him in the corner and hits some rapid-fire chops. He
hits some face-wash boots and charges, but Ricochet superkicks him.
Dragunov collapses onto Ricochet. Ricochet lifts him, but Dragunov
gets out. They trade blows before Ricochet hits a Death Valley
Drives, followed by a Lionsault for a near fall. The crowd chants,
“This is awesome.” Ricochet heads to the top rope and jumps over a
charging Dragunov. Dragunov knees him and backs up for a second
running knee. Dragunov goes for a powerbomb, but Ricochet gets out.
Ricochet avoids a spinning back fist and hits a poisonrana! Ricochet
lifts him up, but Dragunov forearms him in the face. Dragunov
connects with a powerbomb and smashes him with an H-Bomb! Dragunov
charges for Torpedo Moscow, but Ricochet counters into the Recoil
for a near fall! Wow!
Ricochet heads to the top rope, but Dragunov cuts him off. Dragunov
hits an insane superplex and just about spikes himself on the head.
Dragunov backs up and has blood on his forehead. Dragunov hits a
VICIOUS H-Bomb for the win! Ilja Dragunov advances to the next round
of the King of the Ring Tournament against “Main Event” Jey Uso.
Winner by Pinfall: Ilja Dragunov
Dragunov pulls Ricochet up to his feet and extends his hand.
Ricochet shakes hands with him, and the crowd roars in approval.
Backstage Interview
Sheamus is backstage with Jackie Redmond. She asks about facing his
old nemesis, Gunther. Sheamus says he had to fight through medical
procedures to get back to the ring. The thought of a King Gunther is
unbearable. They’ve had banger after banger after banger. Tonight,
he’ll kick Gunther’s arse and become a two-time King of the Ring.
-Commercial Break-
Highlights of WWE’s tour of the European Union are shown.
Queen of the Ring Tournament
First Round Match
Zoey Stark vs. Ivy Nile
The bell rings, and Stark powers her to the corner. Nile reverses a
whip to the opposite corner. Stark tries to avoid a charging Nile,
but she soon clotheslines her down. Nile takes her down for a
submission, but Stark fights out. Nile connects with a delayed
vertical suplex and kips up. Nile kicks her back and hits an
enzuigiri that knocks Stark out of the ring. Stark soon stuns her by
pulling her into the ropes. Stark connects with a springboard
missile dropkick for a near fall.
Stark gets Nile on the top rope and sets up for a super German
Suplex. Nile fights her off and repositions herself. Nile connects
with a super bulldog for a near fall. They trade blows in the center
of the ring, and very rarely do I ever recap something so pitiful.
Nile whiffs on a kick that Stark sells, and then Stark whiffs on a
kick that Nile sells. These weren’t just any whiffs. They missed by
quite a bit. Back to the match, Stark fights out of a superplex and
turns her inside out with a slam. Stark connects with the Z-360 for
the win. Zoey Stark advances in the Queen of the Ring Tournament.
Winner by Pinfall: Zoey Stark
Backstage Segment
Raw Tag Team Champion R-Truth is backstage with Raw General Manager
Adam Pearce. R-Truth is trying to set up a champion versus champion
match and brings out UConn Coach Dan Hurley. The Miz walks up and
explains that they can’t face a basketball team. R-Truth says he’ll
go back to the drawing board. They all walk off.
Bron Breakker then walks up to Pearce and demands to know why he’s
not in the King of the Ring Tournament. Pearce says they can talk
about it in his office.
In the arena, Chad Gable makes his entrance. He’ll face “Big”
Bronson Reed next.
-Commercial Break-
The Judgment Day Clubhouse
Finn Bálor says he feels like he’s having to constantly apologize.
Damian Priest tells him not to worry about it. He’s still the
Prince. JD McDonagh says Bálor probably isn’t 100% after “that big
dope” Braun Strowman attacked them last week. Priest says McDonagh
is going to take care of Strowman. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio walks in
with Carlito. Priest says it’s been one year since Carlito cost him
his biggest moment in Puerto Rico. Carlito says that’s the past. He
needs help with the LWO. The Judgment Day runs Raw and that’s cool.
He needs their help. Priest tells him to leave.
Video: “Big” Bronson Reed demolished Sami Zayn and Chad Gable last
week on Raw.
Chad Gable vs. “Big” Bronson Reed
The bell rings, and Gable takes it right to Reed. Reed shakes off
the offense and hits a Death Valley Driver for a near fall. Gable
soon comes back with an impressive German Suplex with a bridge for a
near fall. Reed avoids a diving head-butt and hits a senton splash.
Reed goes to the top rope, but Gable cuts him off. Gable hits a WILD
top rope exploder superplex!
WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn runs into the match and
attacks Chad Gable!
Winner by Disqualification: Chad Gable
Zayn attacks Reed and clotheslines him over the top rope. Gable
quickly drops Zayn with a German Suplex. Gable pulls the straps down
and charges, but Zayn hits an exploder into the turnbuckles. Zayn
charges for a Helluva Kick on Gable, but Reed cuts him off with a
uranage. Reed then hits Gable with a uranage. Reed stands tall
before walking off.
Gorilla Position
Reed walks backstage and sees Raw General Manager Adam Pearce.
Pearce asks what Reed’s excuse is. Reed says he doesn’t care about
Zayn or Gable. He just wants that Intercontinental Championship. If
Pearce wants control, he knows what he has to do. Reed walks off.
Video: Lyra Valkyria hype video.
Women’s World Champion Becky Lynch is walking backstage. She’ll have
an interview next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
“The Ring General” Gunther is backstage. Gunther doesn’t care about
bangers. All he cares about is being the best of all time. If he has
to expose Sheamus, a people pleaser, as a failure, then he will. He
is the Ring General and soon to be King of the Ring.
Women’s World Champion Becky Lynch interview
Michael Cole welcomes Women’s World Champion “The Man” Becky Lynch
to the ring. The crowd gives her a nice ovation. Lynch shouts, “The
Man has come around to Hartford!” She sits down. Cole congratulates
her. As Women’s World Champion and a multi-time champion in her
career (his question is cut off by a “Becky” chant), she understands
the responsibility of representing WWE around the world. This past
Saturday, she was at the 150th Kentucky Derby. Cole asks her to
explain her outfit. Being a champion means representing WWE in the
biggest hats possible. She got the hat on Etsy.
Cole says the WWE Draft became official tonight and the Queen of the
Ring Tournament is underway. Who are some of the competitors she
wants to face over the next few months? Lynch says the winds of
change are here. Many want to take her out, and she welcomes it.
Lynch came up to Raw nine years ago. She feels the energy in the
locker room. We have Alba Fyre, the longest-reigning NXT UK Women’s
Champion, the longest in modern history. Isla Dawn is an enigma.
Lynch has fought Kiana James but wouldn’t trust her. She would trust
Lyra Valkyria. Cole says they’re both from Ireland and battled for
the NXT Women’s Champion. Lynch says Valkyria is the most gifted
competitor she’s faced. Cole says Raw also has the first Queen of
the Ring, Zelina Vega. Lynch says she has a lot of passion.
Cole talks about losing to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40. She had a
throat infection, but Lynch says the better woman won. Lynch kept
fighting and soon defeated 14 other women to become the Women’s
World Champion.
Liv Morgan’s music cuts her off. Morgan cannot believe they didn’t
bring her up. She’s so tired of being overlooked and underestimated.
In case Lynch has forgotten, she’s a former Women’s Champion,
multi-time Women’s Tag Team Champion, and beat Nia Jax in the ring
last week. She also took out Rhea Ripley. After all that, the fact
that she cannot get an ounce of respect out of Lynch blows her mind.
Let’s talk about the title match Lynch promised her. Lynch says
she’s got the title match in three weeks at the King and Queen of
the Ring Tournament. With everything she’s done, Morgan has never
defeated her.
Morgan says she’s always needed purpose. Now she has it. Beating
Lynch is part of her purpose to take everything from Rhea Ripley and
become Women’s World Champion.
Damage CTRL comes out to the stage. Dakota Kai says Liv Morgan has
not earned a title shot. Meanwhile, they have the Queen of the Ring
Tournament on lockdown. IYO SKY already made it to the second round,
and Kai will do the same. They’re here to remind Lynch and Morgan
who really runs Monday Night Raw. Lynch and Morgan are back-to-back,
ready for a fight. Morgan then dives out of the ring and laughs at
Lynch, saying Lynch isn’t her problem.
Damage CTRL starts to triple-team Lynch. Lyra Valkyria runs down to
make the save and helps clear Damage CTRL from the ring.
-Commercial Break-
WrestleMania Vegas is coming on April 19 and 20, 2025.
Backstage Interview
Jackie Redmond is backstage with WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami
Zayn. She mentions the personal issue with him and Chad Gable. Now,
“Big” Bronson Reed is in the mix. Zayn says there is a lot going on.
He has to juggle the emotional and business sides. Zayn says they’ll
have a Triple Threat Match at King and Queen of the Ring in Saudi
Arabia. Zayn will walk out as the Intercontinental Champion.
Queen of the Ring Tournament
First Round Match
Dakota Kai vs. Lyra Valkyria
They lock up, and Valkyria hits an arm drag. Valkyria applies a side
headlock and hits a takeover. Kai fights up and whips her off.
Valkyria hits a hip toss.
Video: King of the Planet of the Apes trailer.
Back to the match, Valkyria slingshots over Kai before hitting an
enzuigiri. Valkyria connects with a northern lights suplex for a
two-count. She goes for a fisherman’s suplex, but Kai counters into
a roll-up for a two-count. Kai bounces her into the corner and
charges, but Valkyria boots her back. Valkyria goes to the second
rope, but Kai sweeps the feet. Kai pulls Valkyria over the apron and
boots her in the head.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Valkyria punches away at Kai and hits a pair of
clotheslines. Valkyria kicks away at Kai and takes her down. Kai
rolls out of the ring, so Valkyria hits her with a slingshot
dropkick. Valkyria gets her in the ring and hits a flying cross-body
block. She follows up with a fisherman’s suplex for a two-count.
Valkyria lifts her up, but Kai slides off and pulls her down by the
hair. Kair stomps her off the ropes for a near fall.
Kai sizes Valkyria up and charges, but Valkyria moves. Valkyria
rolls her up for a two-count. Valkyria hits some running forearms
and hits the opposite corner, but Kai follows her in for a boot to
the face for a near fall. Kai lifts Valkyria for a snap kick, but
Valkyria avoids it. Kai hits a Scorpion Kick, but Valkyria fights
back with the Nightwing for the win. Lyra Valkyria
Winner by Pinfall: Lyra Valkyria
Backstage Segment
Kofi Kingston says this King of the Ring Tournament was supposed to
be where Xavier Woods ran it back, but Gunther took it away from
him. Because of Gunther, Woods cannot compete. If Gunther advances,
then Kingston can’t wait to face him and give him what he deserves.
First, Kingston has to get through one of the greatest of all time,
the Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio. As much respect as he has for
Mysterio, he has to put him down. Kingston has to win this King of
the Ring Tournament for Woods. After all these years, three words
still ring true: New Day Rocks.
Video: Footage of the crowd doing the YEET dance at a Cleveland
Cavaliers game is shown.
Next week on Raw, Jey Uso will battle Ilja Dragunov in a King of the
Ring Quarter Final Match. The winner of Gunther vs. Sheamus will
battle the winner of Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio. Lyra Valkyria
will battle Zoey Stark in the Queen of the Ring Quarter Finals. IYO
SKY will battle either Shayna Baszler or Zelina Vega.
Backstage Segment
In separate locations, Sheamus and Gunther are shown preparing for
their main event clash.
-Commercial Break-
The King and Queen of the Ring Tournament will continue on
SmackDown.
King of the Ring Tournament
First Round Match
“The Ring General” Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser vs. Sheamus
The bell rings, and they circle the ring before locking up. Gunther
powers him to the corner, but Sheamus spins him. They begin to
tussle around for position before the referee separates them. They
lock up again, and Gunther gets him in the corner before chopping
him. They begin exchanging vicious chops before Sheamus connects
with a back suplex. Sheamus punches and uppercuts Sheamus. Gunther
chops the chest before shouldering him back and big booting him to
the apron. Gunther leans him on the ropes and goes for the 10 Beats
of the Bodhran, but Sheamus blocks it. Sheamus punches away at the
Ring General and sets up for the 10 Beats of the Bodhran. Gunther
elbows out and hits a vicious lariat on the apron. Gunther goes to
the apron and sets up for a powerbomb, but Sheamus counters with a
back body drop on the apron. Sheamus comes off the apron with a
diving shoulder tackle. Sheamus, who already has quite a bit of
blood on his chest, is fired up.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Sheamus punching away at Gunther.
Gunther boots him back and chops him IN THE BACK OF THE NECK!
Gunthehr steps on the neck and kicks away at him. Gunther elbows him
in the chest and applies a neck vice. Gunther has him grounded on
the mat. The camera zooms in on a welt on Sheamus’ back. It is a
perfect, detailed outline of Gunther’s hand. Sheamus fights up, so
Gunther chops him back. Sheamus absorbs the chops and punches away
at him. Gunther boots him back and goes for a clothesline, but
Sheamus catches him with an Irish Curse Backbreaker. Gunther gets
out of a powerslam and clubs him in the back of the neck before
hitting a nasty lariat for a near fall.
Sheamus fights back and connects with White Noise for a two-count.
Gunther rolls to the apron to recover. Sheamus rips at the face, but
Gunther snaps him off the top rope. Gunther hits the ropes, but
Sheamus hits a tilt-a-whirl powerslam for a two-count. Gunther is
back on the apron, so Sheamus grabs him and gets the arm tied to the
ropes. Sheamus hits 17 Beats of the Bodhran. That’s not a typo!
Gunther collapses to ringside. Sheamus sees him getting back in the
ring and signals for the end. Gunther avoids a Brogue Kick. Gunther
attempts a German Suplex, but Sheamus elbows out. Gunther avoids
another Brogue Kick, and Sheamus’ foot is over the top rope. Gunther
distracts the referee as Kaiser ties Sheamus’ foot to the rope.
Gunther attacks the knee before the referee backs him up. Kaiser
dropkicks the knee, and Sheamus collapses in pain. The referee
realizes what is going on, though he didn’t see anything, and ejects
Kaiser from ringside. The crowd roars in approval. Sheamus demands
the match continue.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the final break of the evening, Gunther is applying a
leglock. Sheamus uses his good leg to kick out of it. During the
break, Gunther slammed the leg into the ring post. Gunther rips at
the knee pad and attacks the exposed injured knee. Gunther goes for
a powerbomb, but Sheamus lifts him. Sheamus’ knee gives out, so
Gunther attacks it again to take him down. Gunther chops Sheamus in
the hamstring and signals for the end. Gunther hits the ropes, but
Sheamus cuts him off with a clothesline. Sheamus goes for a Celtic
Cross, but his knee gives out again. Sheamus stuns him with a
Kneecap and falls on top of the Ring General! 1… 2… Gunther kicks
out!
The crowd chants, “Let’s go, Sheamus!” Sheamus pulls himself up in
the corner and charges, but his knee gives out. Gunther connects
with a Powerbomb and hooks the bad leg with the pin for a near fall.
Gunther immediately applies a single-leg crab, but Sheamus grabs the
bottom rope. Gunther stomps the injured leg and, exhausted, heads to
the top rope. Sheamus cuts him off and hits a rare Celtic Cross! 1…
2… Gunther barely kicks out!
The crowd starts to chant, “This is awesome.” Gunther attacks the
knee and hits a German Suplex, but Sheamus pops up and shouts, “Come
on!” Sheamus catches him with a Kneecap and hits a Brogue Kick!
Sheamus collapses to the mat and crawls over for the cover. 1… 2…
Gunther once again barely kicks out. Gunther quickly turns Sheamus
over and applies a single-leg crab. Sheamus has the bottom rope
within grasp, so Gunther drags him to the center of the ring.
Sheamus tries to claw back to the bottom rope, but he soon has no
choice but to submit! Gunther advances to the Quarter Finals!
Winner by Submission: “The Ring General” Gunther
Quick Match Results