Monday Night Raw
January 25th 2021
Kansas City, Missouri
T-Mobile Center
HOUSE OF MEMORIES – PANIC AT THE DISCO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The opening video for Monday Night Raw comes to an end, and we pan around the T-Mobile Center to show the fans in the arena, loudly cheering as Michael Cole and Elias welcome us to the show. They run down the card, hyping the fact that we are six nights away from the Royal Rumble! They also confirm the main event is Swerve Strickland defending his Intercontinental title against Xavier Woods before…
*HERE TO SHOW THE WORLD*
DOLPH ZIGGLER and OMOS walk out onto the entrance ramp! The crowd boos the duo who taunt the fans on the way to the ring. Michael Cole says Dolph got back to winning ways last week but had a slight assist from their tag team partner tonight. Elias says OMOS cuts an imposing presence but Ziggler will be without his bodyguard inside the Royal Rumble!
*NO ONE WILL SURVIVE*
TOMMASO CIAMPA walks out with a scowl looking at the fans with disdain before heading to the ring to join his partners inside the ring. Michael Cole says Ciampa has been making an impact since coming to Raw from NXT and might be a dark horse to win the Royal Rumble. Elias says Ciampa has made a lot of enemies on the Raw roster and will have a target on his back including superstars like…
*GO HARD*
MUSTAFA ALI! He gets a loud pop from the live crowd as the former 2-time Cruiserweight Champion looks at the men in the ring. Michael Cole says Ali is still looking to get his Cruiserweight title back long-term but right now his focus is on winning the Royal Rumble! Elias says he had good runs in the match before, lasting over 30 minutes, but he might need to last even longer to win the Royal Rumble this Sunday!
*NEW DAY NEW WAY*
BIG E and KOFI KINGSTON walk out getting loud cheers from the live crowd. Big E shows off his New Day-themed Money in the Bank briefcase, lifting it into the air. Michael Cole says Big E already has one guaranteed World title shot but this Sunday could win another. Elias, meanwhile, talks about Kofi’s history in this match and how he is famous for saving himself from elimination time and again within the match! Once in the ring, Big E steps through the ropes whilst for their opponents Tommaso Ciampa starts the match!
Match 1: Big E, Kofi Kingston and Mustafa Ali vs Tommaso Ciampa, Dolph Ziggler and OMOS
Match summary: Big E and Ciampa go after each other, looking to lay into each other with a series of hard punches, ready to go to war with the other man. Ziggler and Kofi end up in the match after, renewing their rivalry but Ziggler struggles and Ali comes back into the match. Ali is especially aggressive with his kicks, looking to make Ziggler suffer as the commentary team reminds us of their I Quit match just a few weeks ago. Ziggler struggles until she makes the tag to his bodyguard OMOS!
OMOS towers over Ali and Kofi, tossing them around with ease, as he starts to take complete control of the match. Big E tries to overpower him but even he struggles against the bodyguard and the heels take control of the match thanks to this with Ali getting worked over in the corner of the ring. The crowd loudly gets behind Ali and root for him to make the hot tag to bring one of the New Day back into the match but eventually, he makes the hot tag to bring BIG E BACK INTO THE MATCH!
Big E runs wild and easily overpowers Tommaso Ciampa and Ziggler before seeing OMOS on the ring apron… SPEARS HIM TO THE RING FLOOR TO LOUD CHEERS FROM THE CROWD! Big E gets back into the ring as Ziggler goes for a SUPERKICK… BIG E CATCHES IT AND LOCKS IN THE STRETCH MUFFLER! Ciampa tries to take down Big E but Kofi and Ali work together to take down Ciampa with dual dropkicks! Ziggler is trapped in the middle of the ring and taps out!
Winners via pinfall: Big E, Kofi Kingston and Mustafa Ali (10:23)
Big E drops Dolph Ziggler to the mat and celebrates his victory with Kofi Kingston sharing a hug with his close friend. Mustafa meanwhile poses and soaks in the cheers from the live crowd. The commentary puts over the performances of the babyfaces tonight and gives them good momentum going into the Royal Rumble match this Sunday. Outside the ring meanwhile, we can see Tommaso Ciampa scowling, full of anger as Raw goes to a commercial break.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, XAVIER WOODS is shown walking through the back smiling before being stopped by CATHY KELLEY! She asks him about tonight’s main event, with him having the chance to become a singles champion in WWE for the first time in his career when he fights Swerve Strickland for the Intercontinental title! Woods is full of smiles saying he spent a lot of 2020 doubting himself but now he knows how good he is thanks to his best friends.
The interview is about to carry on but DOLPH ZIGGLER walks past in a foul mood as he mocks Woods. Xavier points out his friends just beat his ass which pisses Ziggler off as he tells Woods not only is he a loser but he will always be a loser. Woods comments on those words and says last year it would have hurt my feelings but now I am confident in myself, I know how meaningless your words are to me. Woods says he plans to win the Intercontinental title and will fight Ziggler next week, promising to put his title on the line next week too if he wins tonight!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*COAT OF ARMS*
THE UNGOVERNABLES walk onto the entrance ramp getting boos from the live crowd with ANDRADE CIEN ALMAS and ZELINA VEGA leading the way. ANGEL GARZA and HUMBERTO CARRILLO follow them from the back as Michael Cole says Zelina had the Ungovernables running Raw at the start of 2020 but at the start of 2021, her clients are all without gold. Elias says Andrade Cien Almas will be looking to win the Rumble and become a World Champion for a 2nd time but it says Zelina’s power is slipping cause not all of her clients have been able to secure a spot in the match.
The group gets into the ring with Andrade and Zelina grabbing a microphone, with Andrade taunting the live crowd and telling them to keep tranquillo which increases the boos from the live crowd! Zelina says the Ungovernables have had a few setbacks as of late but it is time to get back on track and take over not only Raw but Smackdown. She brings up having 3 clients in the Royal Rumble this Sunday: Andrade Cien Almas, Shinsuke Nakamura and Dominik Dijakovic.
The crowd boos all three men angering The Ungovernables. Zelina makes it clear that the fans can boo all they want but her clients are the best of the best and they will prove it once again. Andrade takes the microphone saying he was too distracted due to losers within the group like Cesaro and Dragunov! The crowd loudly cheers for both men bringing a look of disdain to the face of Andrade who says he will toss Cesaro’s ass out of the Rumble like any of the other 29 men who get in his way as…
*UPPERCUT OVERTURE (1812)*
CESARO walks out in a fancy suit and he is joined by ILJA DRAGUNOV who is in a grey suit of his own. Both men have a microphone in hand and get cheers from the live crowd as the Swiss Superman speaks first. He tells Andrade that the only people who are losers are Andrade, pointing out they have been held back from greatness having to carry their less unhonourable teammates forward. Ilja pipes in calling them cowards who have hidden away from fights. Andrade says he is never afraid of a fight and starts to swear in Spanish prompting a smile on Cesaro’s face.
The Swiss Superman then issues a challenge for a match right now to the delight of the live crowd. Andrade actually starts to undo his jacket but ZELINA VEGA STOPS HIM TO LOUD BOOS FROM THE CROWD! She says her clients will not be fighting tonight, especially Andrade. Angel winks at Zelina calling her smart and beautiful as she tells the fans she is not risking Andrade getting injured before the Royal Rumble. Ilja Dragunov says the lack of fight proves he made a mistake ever joining them and turns to Cesaro.
Both men nod and make it clear they don’t want to wait as they walk towards the ring but Zelina stops them! She says if Cesaro and Dragunov want a match with her clients, why not hype it up a bit? She smirks and says her clients will fight Cesaro and Dragunov in a trios match at Fastlane! Zelina mocks the pair saying they won’t find a partner but the pair accepts the challenge on the condition that when they win, he gets Andrade at the time and place of his choosing! Andrade accepts promising Cesaro will never get his singles match as we cut to a commercial break.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we can see THE STREET PROFITS standing backstage. MONTEZ FORD still has his arm in a sling but ANGELO DAWKINS has a big smile on his face. He tells the camera that whilst he has been having fun on his own, he’s been missing his boy. Montez says he has been speaking to the doctors and they have confirmed he will be cleared to compete next week. Angelo tells the fans that they are issuing the challenge to the One Twos to make it one two three wins over them!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*OBSESSION*
MICKIE JAMES walks out getting boos from the live crowd. The veteran has a smile on her face before being joined by her tag team partner ALEXA BLISS! The commentary team puts over how many Women’s titles these two have between each other and they have to be among the favourites to win the Royal Rumble this Sunday. Mickie and Alexa discuss strategy whilst they wait for…
*BRUTALITY*
RHEA RIPLEY! She gets huge cheers from the live crowd, having endeared herself to the fans over the last couple of months on Raw. Michael Cole reminds us of the fact Rhea Ripley holds the record for the most eliminations in a Women’s Royal Rumble and that was her first time in the match. Elias says she is his bet to win the entire Royal Rumble and wonders who can stop her! Rhea stands across the ring from Mickie James with a slight smile before the referee calls for the bell to get the match underway!
Match 2: Rhea Ripley vs Mickie James w/Alexa Bliss
Match summary: Mickie James is known as a crafty veteran for a reason as she takes her time and looks to pick apart the bigger opponent early in the match. Rhea is ready for it and tosses her around the ring, forcing James to take a powder on several occasions where she talks to Alexa Bliss about their game plan. Rhea doesn’t wait for them and takes both of them out on the outside of the ring to loud cheers from the live crowd. She picks up Mickie James and rolls her into the ring looking to go back to work!
Mickie James is in trouble and that forces Alexa Bliss to get involved with her tag team partner, distracting the referee and JAMES EYE RAKES RHEA RIPLEY! Mickie starts to take control as the commentary team wonders how much of a threat the teamwork of these two could be to the entire field inside the Royal Rumble. Mickie James keeps working over Rhea but anytime the former NXT Women’s Champion starts to look like she is making a comeback… ALEXA BLISS GETS INVOLVED!
The crowd is getting more and more fed up with the antics of Bliss outside the ring but in the closing stages of the match… DANI LUNA SPRINTS OUT AND CLOBBERS ALEXA BLISS! Dani Luna picks up Alexa Bliss and GORILLA PRESSES HER INTO THE CROWD! Back in the ring with no more distractions Rhea ends it by lifting Mickie James up and SLAMS HER DOWN WITH THE RIPTIDE! Rhea makes the cover and picks up another win on Monday Night Raw!
Winner via pinfall: Rhea Ripley (7:46)
Loud cheers from the live crowd as Ripley gets to her feet before being joined by her friend these last few weeks Dani Luna. The duo celebrates the victory in the ring with the commentary team putting over the strength of Rhea Ripley and even Dani Luna giving both women an advantage heading into the match. The two women celebrate in the ring… AS DANI GOES TO TOSS RHEA OVER THE ROPES BUT SHE COUNTERS AND SENDS DANI TO THE OUTSIDE! Dani has a smirk on her face as does Rhea with the two women bantering with each other as we cut to a commercial break.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we can see BIG E, KOFI KINGSTON and MUSTAFA ALI walk through the back with smiles on their faces. The trio are celebrating after their victory tonight as Ali high-fives both of them and says he looks forward to seeing them on Sunday. Big E and Kofi then talk about the Rumble, saying it is every man for themselves. Big E jokes they can worry about that when they toss the other 27 men out of the match.
Big E then gets serious saying tonight wasn’t enough for him, he is still not done with Tommaso Ciampa. He tells Kofi that people tell him he should be focusing on himself but he has always looked after his friends and always will! He says he wants Tommaso Ciampa in a match next week on Raw! Kofi says he’ll speak to Wade for him before looking at Big E’s briefcase. He smiles as he tells his friend eyes on the prize and that at WrestleMania 37 it will be time for his KofiMania moment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We then see TOM PHILLIPS standing ready for an interview introducing his guests at this time ZELINA VEGA and EVA MARIE! He says they asked for this time and wants to know what Zelina has to say about her clients. Zelina shakes her head and says this interview is not about her clients. She tells Tom that this interview is about her and her new tag team partner Eva Marie. Eva is busy filing her nails not really listening as Vega says she fought Mandy on Smackdown a few weeks ago and realized she could run the women’s division too.
Eva chimes in to say that there is no one in this division more beautiful than her and she will kick everyone’s ass. We hear a wild laugh as NIKKI CROSS walks into the shot, getting really close to Eva asking if she wants to play. Zelina tells her to back off as ISLA DAWN approaches and says they heard them talking, wanting to remind the pair that this is the season of the witch and they issue a challenge for the Rumble pre-show. Zelina accepts promising to bring the WWE Women’s tag team titles back to the Ungovernables.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*NUMBER ONE*
MIA YIM makes her way out getting some boos from the live crowd but she has a smirk on her face. The commentary team says there are still 5 spots available for the women’s Royal Rumble and Mia Yim will be looking to win tonight to stake her claim to one of those spots.
*SEVERED HEAD*
WE RIOTTS make their way onto the entrance getting boos from the live crowd. The commentary team says RUBY RIOTT has already secured a spot in the Royal Rumble but her tag team partner SHOTZI BLACKHEART will also be looking to impress and take one of the final 5 spots in the match. The heels in the ring talk to each other discussing a little strategy before…
*CAFFEINE*
TEAM KICK make their way out getting loud cheers from the live crowd. DAKOTA KAI and TEGAN NOX slap hands with the fans, pumped up as they get to the bottom of the entrance ramp. Michael Cole says Dakota Kai is a former NXT and tag team champion but she is yet to hold the Women’s Universal title. Elias speculates and wonders if we could see an all-Team-Kick affair at WrestleMania 37 if Tegan Nox wins the Royal Rumble and Dakota Kai wins the Women’s title from…
*ALL HAIL THE QUEEN*
CHARLOTTE FLAIR! She lifts the Women’s Universal title into the air and stands atop the entrance ramp. She puts the title on her shoulder and walks to the ring with a scowl as she gets mostly cheers from the live crowd. Michael Cole says Charlotte Flair has risen to the top of the Women’s division again but now it’s not enemies coming after her title, it is allies. Elias comments Charlotte views anyone coming after her title as an enemy and Dakota needs to be careful. Once in the ring, Charlotte says she will start being aggressive. Team Kick holds their hands up whilst Ruby Riott starts for the heels as the referee calls for the bell to get the match underway!
Match 3: Charlotte Flair and Team Kick vs We Riotts and Mia Yim
Match summary: Charlotte Flair once she steps into the ring shows exactly why she is the Women’s Universal title, dominating the match and her rivals in the ring. She is in control of the match and works over them but refuses to make the tag at first, wanting to do it all herself. This allows the superior teamwork of We Riotts to change the course of the match and we see Charlotte Flair in trouble in the corner of the ring. Team Kick looks annoyed by this but stays on the apron cheering Charlotte Flair on.
Charlotte eventually fights out of the work by the heels in the corner of the ring and makes it to the corner where DAKOTA KAI TAGS IN! Kai takes control of the match and tags in Tegan Nox as Team Kick takes control of the match for their team. In the end, Dakota Kai and Charlotte take care of We Riotts whilst Tegan Nox hits the SHINIEST WIZARD on Mia Yim to pick up the win for her team.
Winners via pinfall: Charlotte Flair and Team Kick (9:27)
Tegan gets to her feet and is joined back in the ring by Dakota Kai as Team Kick shares a hug in the ring. Charlotte scowls outside the ring and puts down Mia Yim as the commentary team puts over the performance of the faces in this match. The referee brings the Women’s Universal title into the ring but drops it to the mat. Kai goes over and picks it up… AS CHARLOTTE APPEARS IN THE RING AND SNATCHES IT FROM HER! Kai looks a bit annoyed as Charlotte holds it in the air and leaves the ring whilst the show goes to a commercial break.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, CHARLOTTE FLAIR is stomping through the back before being stopped by CATHY KELLY for an interview! She asks Charlotte why she reacted the way she did to Dakota Kai passing her the title. Charlotte looks at Cathy with disdain and tells her she doesn’t know what it is like at the top of the Women’s division. She doesn’t have allies now she is a 9-time champion; she has enemies coming for her crown!
TEAM KICK walks into the shot not happy as DAKOTA KAI asks Charlotte what her problem is. Charlotte says Team Kick are good friends but she doesn’t have friends when it comes to her Women’s Universal title. TEGAN NOX says she doesn’t believe that and says the better woman will win this Sunday. Charlotte scoffs at this suggestion from Tegan Nox and walks off telling the pair whilst they think like that, they will never beat her for the Women’s Universal title.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After an introduction from the commentary team, we cut to a room backstage to see MICHAEL COLE sitting between DREW MCINTYRE and NXT World Champion KEITH LEE! Michael thanks both of them for agreeing to sit down with him. Drew and Keith nod politely saying it is not a problem. Michael starts off by first asking Drew McIntyre what he thinks of Keith Lee. The Scotsman is full of respect for the NXT World Champion and says he has been watching him closely on NXT.
Keith with a slight smile asks if he has and Drew nods. He is always keeping an eye on the future because he knows how much hard work it took to make it back to the WWE and make it to the top. He has seen the limits Keith Lee has broken to make it to the top of NXT, holding that belt for 6 months. He even saw him become a double champion whilst holding the North American title. Michael then turns to Keith Lee and asks the NXT Champion his thoughts on Drew McIntyre.
He smiles slightly, saying he also has great respect for the man in front of him. He saw Drew McIntyre fighting around the world to get here and was a little disappointed they never got the chance to wrestle. Drew smiles and tells Keith he gets the chance this Sunday. Keith nods and tilts his head before saying he also saw his rise to the top of Raw and his WWE title reign. He tells Drew that when he was in the King of the Ring he knew Drew was the champion he was going to pick to fight at Survivor Series if he won.
Keith says he looked at Drew McIntyre as a true fighting champion and wanted to beat the best. Michael Cole says both men have recently lost to Samoa Joe and are both looking to get a rematch with him. Drew nods and says Samoa Joe was the man who ended his WWE title reign. He says he needs to get back to the top of this company and he knows he has to run through Samoa Joe to do it. Keith Lee meanwhile says he has a black mark on his record for 2020 citing the loss to Samoa Joe and needs to prove he is the champion in WWE.
Michael Cole says Drew McIntyre has an advantage having not only entered the Royal Rumble before but also winning the match. Keith says he has never had a chance to win the match before and plans to win it on his first attempt. Drew says the Rumble is one of the toughest matches you can enter but he would have his money in Keith if he wasn’t in it. Michael thanks both men for their time as they rise to their feet and meet in the middle of the room shaking hands with a determined look on their faces as we go to a commercial break.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*ONE AND ONLY*
RICOCHET makes his way out upon the return from the commercial break getting a decent pop from the live crowd. The commentary team brings up the 6 remaining spots in the men’s Rumble saying a win over James Storm tonight could lead to Ricochet getting one of those shots and potentially pulling off a huge upset!
*DO I*
JAMES STORM walks out with a beer in hand getting loud boos from the live crowd. He takes a chug of the beer and finishes it off before walking to the ring. The commentary team says James Storm won’t be many people’s favorites to win but he could cause an upset with him looking to prove himself as a singles superstar. James stands in the ring across from Ricochet as the referee calls for the bell to get the match underway!
Match 4: Ricochet vs James Storm
Match summary: Ricochet starts the match off at a fast pace looking to overwhelm James Storm. James seems unsure how to react to it and even rolls to the outside for a moment. He walks up to a fan… AND SNATCHES A BEER DRINKING IT! The crowd reigns down the heat on James Storm before he turns around… RICOCHET DIVES OVER THE ROPES AND WIPES HIM OUT! The crowd loudly cheers as Ricochet high-fives the fan before sending James Storm back into the ring.
Ricochet once again controls most of the match but James Storm is crafty and stays alive looking for any opportunity to sneak out a win. Storm mounts a fight back dominating the match and tossing Ricochet around but he struggles to find a way to stop Ricochet who plants him to the mat with a DDT! Ricochet then looks to SPRINGBOARD OFF THE ROPES… LAST CALL SUPERKICK! An insane counter from James Storm who jumps onto him and makes the cover for the win!
Winner via pinfall: James Storm (8:10)
James Storm gets to his feet getting a mixed reaction due to how cool the finish was but he smugly smirks as he gloats to the crowd promising to win the Royal Rumble. The commentary puts over James weathering the storm Ricochet brought to him and that will be a key skill depending on when he enters the match.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we see MUSTACHE MOUNTAIN standing backstage next to a brick wall in their signature Peaky Blinders style jackets. TRENT SEVEN introduces themselves again before saying Peter will be back soon. TYLER BATE says in the meantime he brought a bit of Pete’s spirit when he broke the nose of Lio Rush last week on Raw. Trent smirks slightly and tells the camera that this is what happens when you run your mouth to British Strong Style.
Tyler makes it clear that the second Lio Rush is cleared to compete. He wants his Cruiserweight title match but as things stand, they are free this week to fight someone else. Trent nods and says they are one of the best tag teams on Raw which some people have forgotten so they want the chance to remind people. Trent says he has spoken to Wade and has requested a match on the Royal Rumble pre-show, ready to take on anyone ending the promo as we cut back to the ring.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*AMERICAN MADE*
KATANA CHANCE runs out to the ring getting a decent pop from the live crowd. She slaps hands with the crowd whilst running down the ramp as Michael Cole says this Sunday has a huge opportunity in her first-ever Royal Rumble match. Elias says she has to survive her opponent tonight as…
*FORCE OF GREATNESS*
NIA JAX stomps out onto the entrance ramp with a scowl on her face. She gets loud boos from the crowd as she walks to the ring, almost dismissing Katana Chance inside the ring. Michael Cole calls Nia an unstoppable force and wonders who can stop her from winning the Rumble. Elias says it might take multiple women to stop her as KATANA CHANCE ATTACKS HER AS SOON AS NIA ENTERS THE RING AND THE REFEREE CALLS FOR THE BELL TO START THE MATCH!
Match 5: Nia Jax vs Katana Chance
Match summary: Nia Jax is a bit taken aback by the assault with Katana looking to get some payback on behalf of her close friend and tag team partner Kayden Carter. Nia Jax though survives the early flurry and takes control of the match tossing Katana around with ease before finishing her off with the FIREMAN CARRY INTO A POWERSLAM!
Winner via pinfall: Nia Jax (4:41)
Nia Jax gets back to her feet and stands tall over the fallen Katana Chance with a smirk. The crowd reigns down heat on Nia Jax who soaks it in and almost welcomes the boos as the commentary team wonders who can stop her this Sunday before we cut backstage to see…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HURT BUSINESS in their locker room! MVP is in a crisp suit as well as SAMOA JOE, EJ NDUKA, and LIO RUSH! Lio Rush though also has a gold face protector mask on with a noticeable scowl on his face. SWERVE STRICKLAND, CEDRIC ALEXANDER and SHELTON BENJAMIN are in the ring gear as they warm up. MVP tells the fans that they are the Hurt Business and business is truly booming. He walks over to Lio Rush saying that other wrestlers to try to set up have to break our noses in an attempt to stop us but they can’t.
Lio tells the camera that Tyler Bate might have broken his nose but he will kick his ass. Lio tells us the doctors are the only thing that has stopped him from doing this week but he is not done with Tyler Bate. MVP takes back over saying this will be a week where the Hurt Business prove their dominance again in tonight’s main event, Swerve will keep the Intercontinental title around his waist and at the Royal Rumble Samoa Joe will crush the dreams of Sami Zayn!
Swerve chuckles a little bit and asks the champion to keep the title warm, once again teasing coming for him if he wins the Rumble. Joe is ready to step forward but Cedric steps in between them breaking the tension. He tells the pair who says Swerve is winning the match and hypes up his chance, promising to do it on behalf of his friend Lio who no longer can take part in the match. Lio nods and fist bumps his friend as Shelton says it is time to head to the ring and we cut to a commercial break.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE*
BREEZANGO walks out getting a decent pop from the live crowd. TYLER BREEZE and FANDANGO don’t have their signature selfie sticks, looking a lot more serious than usual on the way to the ring tonight. Michael Cole on commentary talks about them being determined to finally hold in WWE. Elias says this could be tonight but they face a tough challenge in…
*IT'S TIME*
THE HURT BUSINESS marches out getting loud boos from the crowd. MVP leads his clients to the ring whilst CEDRIC ALEXANDER and SHELTON BENJAMIN show off their titles. The commentary team wonders how Cedric will approach this match ahead of the Rumble this Sunday, potentially looking to avoid an injury like their fellow Hurt Business member Lio Rush. Shelton steps into the ring for the champs whilst Breeze starts for the challengers as the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Match 6: World tag team titles match: The Hurt Business © w/MVP vs Breezango
Match summary: Breezango comes into this match giving it everything they have and refusing to go down easily. Shelton and Cedric are more than willing to meet the fight and keep in control of the match for the most part throughout. As the match goes on the champions take control and isolate Fandango until he makes the hot tag bringing Breeze into the match. Both men go wild and come close on a couple of occasions but in the end, Cedric manages to hit Breeze the LUMBAR CHECK and the Hurt Business retain their tag team titles!
Winners via pinfall and still World tag team Champions: The Hurt Business (9:51)
The Hurt Business gets back to its feet and celebrates another victory, carrying on their 3-month reign at the top of the Raw tag team division. Breezango rolls out of the ring and looks disappointed to have come up short once again when trying to fight for gold. MVP raises his client’s arms in the air as the commentary team hypes up how much of a threat this group is to the rest of Monday Night Raw as the show goes to a commercial break.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we see TOMMASO CIAMPA sitting backstage on a steel chair leaning against its back. He looks pissed off and blames his tag team partners tonight for letting him down, causing him to lose. He says the good thing about the Rumble is he has no tag team partner who will let him down, no one he will need to carry to victory. It will be all about him which he can’t say for The New Day. He says he accepts Big E’s challenge promising to beat him and show him exactly what he is talking about. Relying on anyone, and having friends makes you weak.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*I CAME TO PLAY*
THE MIZ walks out getting a decent pop from the live crowd. He is in a nice suit and walks to the ring with a microphone in hand, taking a seat on his Miz TV set and welcoming the fans to the most-must-see show in sports entertainment! He hypes up the fans and says this is his favorite time of the year for him and says he is looking forward to seeing who will win each Royal Rumble. He says the guest on Miz TV will also have their eyes on who will win the Royal Rumble as they battle over the WWE title and welcome his first guest…
*COLISEUM CLASH*
SAMOA JOE! The WWE Champion marches out getting his signature mixed reaction, cutting an imposing presence as he raises his WWE title into the air. He places the WWE title back onto his shoulder before walking to the ring with a slight scowl. He steps through the ropes and Miz offers him a handshake but he ignores it, taking a seat on one of Miz’s Hollywood-style chairs. Miz ignores the disrespect and turns back to the live crowd saying he will now bring out his second guest the challenger this Sunday…
*WORLDS APART*
SAMI ZAYN! He gets a loud pop from the crowd as he fires up the fans before heading into the ring. He shakes hands with the Miz before having a brief stare-down with Samoa Joe. He takes a seat as Miz goes to the middle of the two and thanks them both for appearing on the show. Joe rolls his eyes whilst Sami remains polite. Miz asks Sami the first question and says how is he feeling ahead of potentially the biggest match of his career.
Sami is about to speak but Joe cuts him off asking Miz why he is asking the challenger the first question. Joe gets to his feet and tells Miz he should be showing the WWE Champion the appropriate amount of respect. Miz a little bit intermediated nods and says sorry to Sami before asking Joe about the tension within the Hurt Business. Joe looks annoyed at the question but tells Miz there is no “tension” between them. Just hungry athletes who want to make it to the top but he is starving anyone trying to make it to the top at his expense!
Miz then turns to Sami and is about to repeat his question but Sami says there is no need to repeat the question. He tells Miz that he is feeling a whole mix of emotions, he knows how lethal Samoa Joe is. He has been aware for years of what Samoa Joe can do but Joe also knows what he can do. He says he has the backing of the fans and he plans on finally becoming WWE Champion. Miz looks to ask his next question but Joe cuts him off again saying that all it will ever be is a dream!
He says Sami is just like these fans, with all of the potential to make it, to be great but you don’t have the killer edge to do what it takes and make that extra step. Miz tries to get the interview back under control by telling Samoa Joe that when his hand goes up, his mouth goes shut so JOE PIEFACES MIZ! Boos from the crowd… SAMI CATCHES JOE BY SURPRISE WITH AN EXPLODER SUPLEX INTO THE CORNER! Sami doesn’t stop there and hits TWO HULLEUVA KICKS! Joe falls to the mat as Sami grabs the WWE title and lifts it into the air with the crowd wildly cheering on, maybe a sign of things to come?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Returning from the commercial break, we see RICK BOOGS and HEATH SLATER backstage working out. Rick asks about the letters Heath has been sent and wonders if he has gotten any more. Heath takes a moment to answer before telling Rick he has not. Rick takes a moment and slaps him on the back telling his friend and tag team partner whoever it is doesn’t know what they are missing out on before going back to lifting weights with a big smile on his face. Heath sighs and goes back to his own workout before we cut back to the ring.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*TRAP OR TREAT*
JINNY marches out getting boos from the live crowd joined by her tag team partner AMALE! Jinny taunts the fans as Michael Cole says this Sunday will be her first time entering a Royal Rumble match. Elias says her craftiness will be tested with 29 other women looking to take her out.
*THE CULLING*
PIPER NIVEN marches out onto the entrance ramp getting cheers from the fans, followed by MELINA who hypes her tag team partner up. Michael Cole puts over the size and power of Piper Niven giving her an advantage in this match! Elias comments about her victories over Nia Jax last year maybe giving her an advantage the rest of the field does not have. Both women stand in the ring as the referee calls for the bell to start the match!
Match 7: Piper Niven w/Melina vs Jinny w/Amale
Match summary: Piper makes sure Jinny cannot get a moment to breathe and tosses her around the ring, overpowering her due to his superior size and power. The crowd is loudly behind Piper with Jinny trying to get back into the match thanks to Amale BUT MELINA CUTS HER OFF! Melina takes down Amale while in the ring Piper Niven crushes Jinny with the SCOT DROP for the win!
Winner via pinfall: Piper Niven (4:09)
Piper gets back to her feet and celebrates another victory on Monday Night Raw. Melina joins her in the ring to celebrate and tells the crowd that Piper is winning the Royal Rumble! The commentary team meanwhile hypes up the performance of Piper tonight and wonders who will be able to toss her out of the Royal Rumble this Sunday as Raw goes to a commercial break.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*TURN THE SKY UP*
THE BOSS ‘N’ HUG CONNECTION makes their way out when we return from the commercial break lifting their WWE Women’s tag team titles into the air. BAYLEY and SASHA BANKS play to the crowd slightly before carrying on their walk to the ring. Michael Cole puts over the duo as being 4-time tag champions and working together as a team better than anyone else in the Royal Rumble. Elias says however that it is every woman for themselves and Sasha has a history of stabbing Bayley in the back.
The tag team champions stand in the ring with a microphone in hand and tell the crowd it has been a while since they have been on Monday Night Raw. They show off their tag team titles reminding the fans this gives them the right to go on any brand at any time and they promise to be appearing more on Monday Night Raw in the lead-up to WrestleMania 37. Sasha comments with a sly smirk especially when she has to pick who she fights at Mania. Bayley however counters by saying who says she is going to win. They look like they might argue until…
*KILL ‘EM ALL*
THE MMA HORSEWOMEN walk out getting loud boos from the live crowd. SHAYNA BASZLER leads the way with a microphone in hand as NATALYA and JESSAMYN DUKE follow her behind. Shayna tells the pair that they were lucky to take those titles from them and they will get them back, pointing at the two women behind her. Bayley makes a quip about Ronda running scared of them again but Shayna ignores them carrying on with her speech as they walk down the entrance ramp.
Shayna says the MMA Horsewomen are going to show why they run Monday Night Raw and tear apart anyone who gets in the way in the Rumble. Banks chimes in asking Shayna if she checked with her real boss Ronda about who they want to win the Rumble which pisses Shayna off further. She tells the tag team champions that she runs the MMA Horsewomen, not Ronda. Duke looks confused by that statement but Natalya nods in agreement with her ally.
They climb into the ring as the tag team champions get ready for a fight and Shayna tells them they might just make sure they don’t make the Royal Rumble surround the ring Nexus style… BANKS DOESN’T WAIT AND CLOBBERS DUKE WITH A TAG TEAM TITLE! Shayna and Natalya pile in trying to attack the Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection looking to hurt the tag team champions until we hear…
*CAFFEINE*
TEAM KICK’S MUSIC HIT! DAKOTA KAI AND TEGAN NOX SPRINT TO THE RING HELPING TO CLEAR OUT THE MMA HORSEWOMEN TO LOUD CHEERS FROM THE CROWD! The heels retreat up the entrance ramp and talk trash to the babyfaces in the ring. Team Kick meanwhile looks at the tag team champions and sees them holding those titles, pointing at them and promising to come after them real soon. Banks and Bayley welcome it as the two teams share a respectful fist bump before we cut backstage to see…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SWERVE STRICKLAND walking to the ring ahead of the main event. He has the Intercontinental title on his shoulder with a smug scowl on his face when he bumps into SHEAMUS! The two men have a brief stare down with Swerve mocking Sheamus and telling him to watch the match closely. Sheamus gets right up close to Swerve, tapping his title and promising to come for whoever walks out as champion before leaving the scene. Swerve scowls but carries on walking as the commentary team says the main event will be coming up next!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, Michael Cole confirms that The One Twos have accepted the Street Profits challenge and they will collide on next week’s Raw! Elias says not just that but he confirms on the Royal Rumble pre-show we will see Mustache Mountain team up with Ilja Dragunov to take on Ungovernables members Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo as well as Jinder Mahal! They then do a run-through for the Rumble card and hype up before the Rumble matches before…
*PLAY MY ASS OFF*
XAVIER WOODS WALKS OUT! He gets a loud pop from the live crowd and can be seen psyching them up (and maybe himself too) on the way to the ring. The commentary team says Woods has never had an opportunity like this before and this could be the biggest match of Woods’s entire career tonight. He will be fighting with everything he has but he steps into the ring with a killer in…
*BIG PRESSURE*
SWERVE STRICKLAND! He slowly walks out with a cocky smirk on his face, soaking in the boos from the live crowd. He has the Intercontinental title around his waist, not taking his eyes off Woods in the ring. EJ NDUKA follows after him, cutting an imposing presence. The commentary team puts over the performances of Swerve since coming to Raw and reminds us of the fact only Drew McIntyre has beaten him since he came to Raw last May. The usual title announcements are done before the referee sends the two men to their corners and rings the bell!
Main event: Intercontinental title match: Swerve Strickland © W/EJ Nduka vs Xavier Woods
Match summary: Swerve taunts Woods at the start of the match, not taking him seriously and he soon pays for it! Woods is fired up and lays into Swerve with a series of blows, putting him onto the back foot. EJ considers getting involved but the split-second distraction of EJ approaching allows Swerve to take back control of the match. Swerve rubs his jaw looking angry and looks to make Woods pay by tossing him around the ring, SENDING HIM SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE RING POST!
Swerve from there grabs hold of Woods and slams him down, using the damage to the shoulder to turn the tides of the match and wear down the challenger. EJ Nduka outside the ring nods taunting the fans and the commentary team puts over the vicious nature of Swerve in this match as he looks to keep the Intercontinental title around his waist. Woods fights through the pain as Swerve starts to get more frustrated, prompting him to trash-talk Woods on the mat.
Woods keeps fighting to survive and stay alive in this match, fighting through the pain to keep in this match. Swerve starts to taunt not only Woods but his close friends… AND THAT FIRES WOODS UP WHO MAKES A COMEBACK! He lays into Swerve with a series of punches and looks to go for the SHINING WIZARD… SWERVE AVOIDS IT! Swerve grabs hold of Woods looking to slam him down to the mat with BIG PRESSURE… WOODS COUNTERS AND ROLLS HIM UP INTO THE BACKWOODS!
1
2
SWERVE KICKS OUT!
Woods looks sad but knows he was this close to becoming Intercontinental Champion tonight! Swerve meanwhile gets to his feet and looks furious as he charges in at Woods who avoids him and HITS A SPRINGBOARD TORNADO DDT! The crowd goes wild as he follows it up with a SHINING WIZARD! Woods makes the cover
1
2
SWERVE KICKS OUT AGAIN!
The crowd gets behind Woods and want him to put away Swerve! He nods and looks to the corner starting to ROPE WALK LOOKING FOR LIMIT BREAK… SWERVE CATCHES HIM ON THE ROPES AND SUPLEXES HIM TO THE MAT! Woods is dazed as Swerve runs off the ropes and hits the HOUSE CALL on Woods. Swerve could make the cover but he wants to make sure and hits the SWERVE STOMP! Swerve hooks the leg
1
2
3
Winner via pinfall and still Intercontinental Champion: Swerve Strickland (14:43)
The crowd boos but Swerve gets to his feet and looks almost relieved to have survived this match with his Intercontinental title. He almost snatches the belt from the referee and hoists it into the air. The commentary team gives both men credit but says Woods put in the performance of a lifetime to scare Swerve and come this close to taking the Intercontinental title. Woods struggles to his feet as he looks at Swerve who boots him in the face and signals for…
*IT’S TIME*
THE REST OF THE HURT BUSINESS! The group sprints out as MVP looks to send a message to the Raw roster. SAMOA JOE hangs back but CEDRIC ALEXANDER and SHELTON BENJAMIN enter the ring looking to beat down Xavier Woods 4 on 1…
*NEW DAY, NEW WAY*
BIG E AND KOFI KINGSTON SPRINT OUT! They head straight for the ring as Big E tosses the briefcase to Kofi and STARTS TO BRAWL WITH SAMOA JOE! Kofi meanwhile slides into the ring and KNOCKS OUT EJ NDUKA WITH THE BRIEFCASE! Kofi is attacked from behind by TOMMASO CIAMPA! He and Woods are overwhelmed by the numbers game whilst Big E and Joe brawl into the crowd as…
*WRITTEN IN MY FACE*
*BASK IN HIS GLORY*
*BROKEN DREAMS*
SHEAMUS, KEITH LEE AND DREW MCINTYRE ALL SPRINT OUT HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THE RING! Drew McIntyre and Keith Lee go after the tag team champions whilst SHEAMUS COMES FACE TO FACE WITH SWERVE STRICKLAND! The two rivals start brawling as even more superstars pour out from the back joining in on the fight. Michael Cole and Elias say this is the kind of chaos we will see this Sunday as Raw fades to black.
Confirmed matches for next week:
Singles match:
Big E vs Tommaso Ciampa
Singles match:
Dolph Ziggler vs Xavier Woods
Tag team match:
The Street Profits vs The One Twos
Matchcard for Royal Rumble
January 31st 2021
St Louis, Missouri
The Dome at Americans Center
EVA UNDER FIRE – I WILL FIGHT
Men’s Royal Rumble match:
Andrade Cien Almas, AJ Styles, Big E, Braun Strowman, Cedric Alexander, Cesaro, Chad Gable, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Dominik Dijakovic, Drew McIntyre, Edge, Finn Balor, Jacob Fatu, James Storm, Karrion Kross, Keith Lee, Kofi Kingston, Mustafa Ali, Noam Dar, Shinsuke Nakamura, Swerve Strickland, Tommaso Ciampa, Xavier Woods and 6 other entrants
Women’s Royal Rumble match:
Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Billie Kay, Carmella, Dani Luna, Deonna Purrazzo, Ember Moon, Franky Monet, Jinny, Katana Chance, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Millie McKenzie, Naomi, Natalya, Nia Jax, Peyton Royce, Piper Niven, Rhea Ripley, Ronda Rousey, Ruby Riott, Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Tegan Nox and 5 other entrants
WWE title match:
Samoa Joe © vs Sami Zayn
Universal title fatal-4-way match:
Aleister Black © vs Buddy Murphy vs Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns
Women’s Universal title match:
Charlotte Flair © vs Dakota Kai
WWE Women’s title match:
Asuka © vs Taynara Conti
And
Bad Bunny will perform his new song: Booker T!
Pre-show:
Trios match:
Mustache Mountain and Ilja Dragunov vs Angel Garza, Humberto Carrillo and Jinder Mahal
Tag team match:
Twisted Sisters vs Zelina Vega and Eva Marie
Matchcard for Fastlane
February 21st 2021
Atalanta, Georgia
State Farm Arena
DIE BY THE BLADE – BEAST IN BLACK
Trios match:
The Ungovernables (Andrade Cien Almas, Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo) vs Cesaro, Ilja Dragunov and ???
EWR Rating:
66%