Monday Night Raw
January 18th 2021
Little Rock, Arkansas
Simmons Bank Arena
HOUSE OF MEMORIES – PANIC AT THE DISCO
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*ALL HAIL THE QUEEN*
CHARLOTTE FLAIR makes her way out to the ring as we begin Monday Night Raw with Michael Cole and Elias welcoming us to the show! She has some tape around the right arm but she has a smug smirk having retained her Women’s Universal title on last week’s Raw in an Iron Woman match. Both members of the commentary desk give her credit for the performance before hyping up her next title defense next week at the Royal Rumble against her friend and ally Dakota Kai.
Charlotte gets to the ring with a microphone in hand as she looks to the fans before addressing her victory last week. She says last week felt like she was honoring her family’s legacy by defending her title in an hour-long match. She smirks to herself and says she knew that she could have outwrestled Shayna Baszler all day long! She tells the crowd with the MMA Horsewomen beaten, the natural order would be restored and all of the gold would be in the hands of the Four Horsewomen!
Loud cheers from the crowd as Michael Cole reminds us the tag team titles are now held by the Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection and the WWE Women’s title is held by Asuka! Charlotte says now it is time to put the MMA Horsewomen in the rear-view mirror because she wants to focus on her 9th reign as Women’s Champion! At the Royal Rumble, she fights a good ally in recent times: Dakota Kai. Loud cheers for the member of Team Kick which makes Charlotte scowl slightly but before she can carry on…
*WE RIOT*
WE RIOTTS WALK OUT! RUBY RIOTT has a microphone in hand as the crowd is unhappy with the interruption. Ruby tells Charlotte she got very lucky because if she had beaten Dakota Kai last week, Charlotte’s 9th title reign would have been short like the majority of the times she has held the title. Charlotte, unimpressed with that line, scoffs and asks Ruby how many times she has held gold period getting a loud pop from the fans! Ruby looks ready to explode but SHOTZI BLACKHEART calms her down for the moment.
Shotzi tells Charlotte to show some respect but The Queen has no interest in doing that. Ruby takes back the microphone from her partner and tells Charlotte that she loses the titles so quickly because she is used to success. Ruby has had to work for everything she has gotten and when she finally gets hold of that title, she’s not letting go. The crowd boos as Ruby carries on and tells Charlotte she can hold that title real tight because she is entering the Royal Rumble!
The crowd booed that announcement prompting Ruby to respond by telling the fans they hate it because they know she will win the Royal Rumble and end the reign of the Queen. Charlotte responds telling Ruby she can win the Rumble but if she tries to take gold from her, she will fail one more time! Ruby at this point has enough and drops the microphone heading to the ring with Shotzi as the WE RIOTTS ATTACK CHARLOTTE AND BEAT HER DOWN IN THE RING UNTIL…
*CAFFEINE*
TEAM KICK RUNS OUT! DAKOTA KAI and TEGAN NOX sprint to the ring attacking the We Riotts sending them out of the ring now the numbers game is no longer in their favor. The We Riotts retreat up the entrance ramp, talking trash as they go whilst Dakota checks on Charlotte. The Queen pushes her away prompting a “What the hell” look from Kai. She asks Charlotte what her problem is but Tegan Nox plays peacemaker between the two as we go to a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, CHARLOTTE FLAIR is walking through the backstage area with a scowl on her face before being caught up to by TEAM KICK! DAKOTA KAI is blunt and to the point asking Charlotte what her problem is. Charlotte says Kai doesn’t get it but she’ll explain to them both. When you are the champion, everyone is a threat and there are no friends. Charlotte walks off, barging past TEGAN NOX leaving Team Kick confused and angry before we cut elsewhere backstage.
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We see BREEZANGO standing in front of the fashion set with serious looks on their face. TYLER BREEZE speaks first saying supermodels have an even shorter shelf life than most professions. FANDANGO nods saying the same can be said for ballroom dancers. Breeze looks confused as Fandango points at his legs and Breeze gives a slightly confused nod. Breeze says he doesn’t know how long they have left but neither of them has managed to win gold in their careers.
Fandango says they have had opportunities to win titles but it always just slipped out of their grasp. Breeze wonders if over the years they have not been serious enough but Fandango says there is not a thing he would change. He sighs for a moment before saying they know the end is near and they can see the young talent on Raw plus Smackdown and NXT. Breeze says they wonder how many chances they will get so they want to make this count!
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*HERE TO SHOW THE WORLD*
DOLPH ZIGGLER makes his way out to the ring getting loud boos from the live crowd. OMOS towers over him and accompanies Ziggler to ringside with a stoic look on his face. Michael Cole says Ziggler took several weeks off to recover from the I Quit loss to Mustafa Ali and will be looking to get back on track. Elias says he fights not only an old rival but a former WWE Champion tonight in…
*KINGSTON*
KOFI KINGSTON! A loud pop from the live crowd as BIG E joins his tag team partner and close friend, with the New-Day-themed Money in the briefcase in hand! Michael Cole says all of the New Day are in the rumble and puts over the advantage they may have with a 10th of the field in the match being New Day members. Elias says Xavier Woods is not at ringside as he is preparing for tonight's 12-man main event tag! Kofi is across the ring from Ziggler with the referee calling for the bell to get this match underway!
Match 1: Kofi Kingston w/Big E vs Dolph Ziggler w/OMOS
Match summary: Kofi and Ziggler spend the first few minutes countering each other and showing how well they know each other due to their extensive history of feuding with each other over the IC and US titles. The longer the match goes on, the closer to the ring you can see OMOS getting! Big E keeps an eye on the bodyguard and looks to make sure he can cut off any interference from the big man. As we reach the closing stages, that focus would prove costly for Big E!
TOMMASO CIAMPA climbs over the barricade sneaking through the crowd and clobbers Mr. Money in the Bank from behind, laying into him with a series of blows. The referee is distracted by this as Kofi hits S.O.S ON ZIGGLER SO OMOS BREAKS IT! He then grabs hold of Kofi and connects with a HUGE CHOKESLAM! Ziggler jumps onto Kofi for the cover and Ciampa drops Big E with a DDT BEFORE HEADING BACK INTO THE CROWD! The referee turns back around and Ziggler steals the win!
Winner via pinfall: Dolph Ziggler (8:58)
Loud boos from the crowd as Ziggler celebrates with OMOS who remains stoic. Michael Cole says Ziggler gains some momentum ahead of the Royal Rumble. Elias says Tommaso Ciampa has once again been causing problems for the New Day and they will no doubt want payback! Kofi checks on a furious Big E as Tommaso Ciampa waves from the crowd in a taunting fashion as we cut to a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, we can see XAVIER WOODS is nervous but he is focused as he gets ready for the main event later on tonight. The door slams open as BIG E storms in and tosses the briefcase down. KOFI KINGSTON soon follows in after him saying they will get Ziggler and Ciampa back for what they did. Woods looks confused until Big E fills him in on Ciampa’s interference. Woods apologizes saying he would have been out there but had his main event to focus on.
Both Kofi and Big E tell Woods it is OK, saying it is not his fault and they will kick Ziggler and Ciampa’s ass. We hear the door open once again and this time MUSTAFA ALI walks into the room. He shares a fist bump with the New Day and says he would be glad to kick Ciampa’s ass after what he did last week. He says he always wanted to repay the favor Kofi did after he won the WWE title and gave him the first show nearly 2 years ago so he’ll help them fight Ciampa, Ziggler and OMOS. All 4 men are all smiles as Woods goes back to getting ready as we cut elsewhere backstage to see…
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JINNY is shouting as several men in shirts run around in various outfits. AMALE sits in the background with a slight scowl on her face. She tells them to shape up and she needs the perfect outfit for the Royal Rumble. She turns to Amale and says when she wins, she can’t be looking like a slob like the other women. Amale lists several names in the rumble: Bayley, Rhea Ripley, Sasha Banks, Tegan Nox, Bianca Belair before getting cut off by Jinny saying Piper Niven. Jinny then promises to show that she is not only the most fashionable but the best when she wins the Royal Rumble next week!
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When we return from the commercial break, SHEAMUS is shown walking through the back when he is stopped for an interview by CATHY KELLEY! She asks how he is feeling ahead of the 12-man tag match later tonight and Sheamus says he always loves a fight. He says he doesn’t know how many of them he will have left but his main goal is to become Intercontinental Champion before he wraps his career up! Cathy asks how he is going to get a title shot and he promises to become a problem for Swerve to the point he can’t ignore him.
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*FIGHT ME*
ALEXA BLISS and MICKIE JAMES walk out onto the entrance ramp getting boos from the live crowd. Alexa looks at them with disdain while Mickie James remains focused on the ring. The commentary team says if these two get to work together in the Rumble that could prove to be an issue for the entire field especially with 11 Women’s titles between them.
*CALLING YOU OUT*
DANI LUNA makes her way out for her team first, getting decent cheers from the live crowd after her recent run on Raw. Michael Cole puts over her coming close to beating Shayna Baszler, and she has the chance to show up in the Rumble next week. Elias says we have seen young superstars make shock eliminations in previous years, like Taynara Conti eliminating Sasha Banks and Maven eliminating the Undertaker!
*BRUTALITY*
RHEA RIPLEY marches out with a cocky smirk on her face and gets loud cheers from the live crowd. She fist-bumps Dani Luna before the duo head to the ring. Michael Cole says Rhea Ripley has been on a tear since coming to Monday Night Raw and wonders who can stop her. Elias thinks she might be new to Raw but she is one of the most dangerous threats in the rumble. After a brief chat, Dani agrees to let Rhea enter the ring for her team whilst Mickie James starts for the other team as the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Match 2: Alexa Bliss and Mickie James vs Dani Luna and Rhea Ripley
Match summary: Mickie would talk a lot of trash but soon the veteran would find out that Rhea might be something she has not faced before in the ring. Rhea dominates Mickie James and Bliss has to tag in to try to turn the match around for her team. Rhea dominates the match and so does Dani Luna when in the ring. The only way Mickie and Bliss get back into the match is through cheating but in the end, Dani Luna takes out Mickie James and RHEA RIPLEY HITS THE RIPTIDE ON MICKIE JAMES for the win!
Winners via pinfall: Dani Luna and Rhea Ripley (7:55)
Rhea Ripley and Dani Luna return to their feet celebrating the victory over Mickie James and Alexa Bliss. The commentary team puts over the performance of both Rhea and Dani in this match, saying their power could lead to both women tossing a bunch of women out of the rumble next week. The celebrations continue inside the ring as we cut to a commercial break.
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*LOYALTY IS EVERYTHING*
SHAYNA BASZLER marches out when we return from the commercial break, starting the 2nd hour of Raw with her limping towards the ring full of anger. She is joined by NATALYA and JESSAMYN DUKE lagging behind her, looking slightly wary of their friend. Michael Cole brings up the loss Shayna Baszler had last week in the Raw main event when she challenged Charlotte Flair in an hour-long Ironwoman match and she won’t be in a good mood. Elias says Shayna has come out of that match with a limp due to the damage done by the figure eight leg lock.
Shayna snatches the microphone from someone at ringside and stands in the middle of the ring looking furious as she glares at the fans in the crowd. She tells them that last week, Charlotte got lucky. The crowd loudly boos that statement but Shayna shakes her head saying Charlotte got lucky she agreed to a match that favored her. Duke and Natalya nod along agreeing with Shayna whilst Michael Cole on commentary calls that statement ridiculous.
Shayna says if it was a normal singles match, she would have won as Elias rightfully points out Charlotte won the first fall. Shayna is getting more and more delusional by the minute as she tells the crowd she should be fighting for the Women’s Universal title, not Dakota Kai! She turns around asking if the rest of the MMA Horsewomen agree and they nod in agreement very quickly, almost like they are scared of Shayna before she turns back around declaring she is entering the Royal Rumble and will get her rightful Universal title shot.
Shayna paces around the ring saying no one will stop her, not even her friends. She turns to Natalya who looks to argue but smartly, thinks better of it as Shayna carries on. She says that includes her best friend, Ronda Rousey. Loud boos at the mention of that name as she tells the crowd Ronda can shift the blame all she wants but she is the reason they have lost the tag team titles, not her. Shayna wraps the promo up promising to destroy anyone in her way and slams the microphone down as Raw goes to a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, we can see KEITH LEE entering the arena with his NXT title proudly on show. He has a smile on his face before coming face to face with DREW MCINTYRE! There is tension between the two men but it is friendly as Drew comments on Keith Lee being back on his show once again. Keith Lee says he likes it around here but welcomes Drew to come visit NXT again any time he wishes. Both men have a smile on their faces until… BARON CORBIN and JINDER MAHAL walk up to them, interrupting their conversation!
Corbin tells Keith Lee that this is Monday Night Raw and he doesn’t belong in the big leagues with stars like them. Jinder tells Drew he used to hang around with top stars like him. Drew looks unimpressed telling Jinder Mahal if he is looking to get his ass beat, they can arrange that. Corbin tells Drew that he and Jinder will beat them, proving they should be in the Rumble, not them. Keith Lee comments saying if these men can defeat them, they do not deserve to be in the match, and leaves with Drew McIntyre as we cut back to the ring.
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*RISE OF THE BEAST*
KAYDEN CARTER makes her way out onto the entrance ramp in her ring gear, joined by her tag team partner KATANA CHANCE who is dressed in her street clothes. Katana hypes up her partner ahead of a big match tonight with the commentary team reminding us that if Kayden Carter can pull off an upset she will be in the Royal Rumble.
*FORCE OF GREATNESS*
NIA JAX stomps out getting loud boos from the live crowd! She has a scowl on her first before getting to the ring and climbing over the ropes ready for a fight now. The commentary team says Nia has been on a tear these last few weeks, gearing up to be a real threat in the Royal Rumble. Kayden nods to the referee signaling she is ready and the bell is called to get this match underway!
Match 3: Kayden Carter w/Katana Chance vs Nia Jax
Match summary: Kayden uses her speed to try to catch Nia Jax out, knocking her off her feet a couple of times. Nia Jax though is too powerful and starts to batter Kayden Carter, tossing her around like she is nothing. In the end, Nia Jax puts her away with a FIREMAN’S CARRY INTO A POWERSLAM!
Winner via pinfall: Nia Jax (3:57)
Nia Jax gets to her feet with a smirk on her face after picking up another dominant win. The commentary team wonders who can stop her next week. Nia Jax doesn’t seem to be done with Kayden Carter… SO KATANA GRABS A KENDO STICK AND BATTERS NIA UNTIL SHE DROPS KAYDEN AND LEAVES THE RING! Katana then quickly grabs a microphone and challenges her to a match next week! Nia is walking away but we can hear her off-mic shout to Katana that she accepts as we go to a commercial break.
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We return from the commercial break, and SAMI ZAYN is sitting down backstage. He has a slight smile on his face looking down at the floor before looking at the camera. He says he has the greatest opportunity of his career next week, the chance to finally become a World Champion. Sami knows the challenge he faces though when it comes to Samoa Joe. Whatever it takes to bring him down, he will give everything he has. Sami tells the fans he can’t promise victory as you never can in this business but he can promise he will give everything in the main event tonight and next week at the Royal Rumble.
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We then cut to DANI LUNA and RHEA RIPLEY walking together backstage and having a laugh with each other. Both women exchange a bit of banter and talk about throwing one another out of the Rumble when they are interrupted by MICKIE JAMES and ALEXA BLISS! Mickie mocks the pair saying tonight was a one-off and one of them will be the Rumble winner. Rhea scoffs at that and Alexa pipes up asking what’s so funny. Rhea says that she thinks that either of them can beat her. Alexa says you are blissing me off so challenges Rhea to a match next week! Rhea with a slight smirk accepts the challenge promising to pin Bliss again!
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*AMBITIOUS*
HUMBERTO CARRILLO makes his way out to the ring to new music after the commercial break, getting boos from the live crowd. He is soon joined by the rest of the Raw branch of the Ungovernables: ANDRADE CIEN ALMAS, ZELINA VEGA and ANGEL GARZA! Michael Cole says Cesaro asked for this match, sick of being ducked by Andrade and The Ungovernables. Elias says Humberto has joined the Ungovernables to get his career back on track after a couple of years in the wilderness.
*UPPERCUT OVERTURE (1812)*
CESARO marches out onto the entrance ramp getting loud cheers from the live crowd, joined by his close friend ILJA DRAGUNOV! Both men look fired up, keeping an eye on the Ungovernables in and outside the ring. Michael Cole says Cesaro and Andrade are both confirmed for the rumble with him saying Cesaro’s famous win in the first-ever Andre the Giant battle royal has to make him a good shout to win. Elias counters that Andrade is a former Universal Champion and will be desperate to make it back to the top. Both men stand in the ring as the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Match 4: Cesaro w/Ilja Dragunov vs Humberto Carrillo w/Angel Garza, Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega
Match summary: Cesaro starts the match trying to get his hands on Humberto and batters him in the early stages but the Cruiserweight plays keep away. He keeps rolling outside the ring to get some words with Zelina, Andrade and Angel. Cesaro keeps calm and doesn’t rise to the bait, talking to Ilja during these periods. The Mad Russian has an intense stare on his face during the match, looking right at Andrade and Angel across the ring.
Cesaro eventually gets his hands on Humberto Carrillo, easily overpowering the Cruiserweight who struggles to escape from the beating by the Swiss Superman. There is some talk at ringside between The Ungovernables about how to get Carrillo back in the match. Cesaro even looks like he is about to get an early win with a SHARPSHOOTER locking it in tight! Carrillo is in a ton of pain… SO ZELINA PUSHES THE ROPES FORWARD FOR CARRILLO WHO GRABS THEM!
Humberto manages to break the hold but the referee spotted Zelina! He points at the manager and sends her to the back to loud cheers from the live crowd! However, Angel uses the distraction to attack Ilja and ANDRADE ATTACKS CESARO FROM BEHIND! Andrade smirks and rolls out of the ring as Humberto uses the sneak attack to control the match. The crowd gets behind him as Ilja gets back to his feet, ready to explode but keeps his cool knowing Cesaro is still wrestling.
Cesaro struggles but fights through the offense of Humberto Carrillo, slowly rising and bit by bit through the damage done to him. Carrillo tries to fight back and even looks to distract the referee… BUT ILJA SPRINTS THROUGH THE ROPES AND DIVES THROUGH THEM WIPING OUT BOTH ANGEL AND ANDRADE! Cesaro meanwhile hoists up Humberto Carrillo who tries to fight back… BEFORE BEING HIT WITH A RICOLA BOMB! Cesaro makes the cover 1 2 3 Cesaro wins!
Winner via pinfall: Cesaro (13:39)
Cesaro gets to his feet getting loud cheers from the live crowd but doesn’t have time to breathe, as ANDRADE AND ANGEL ATTACK ILJA DRAGUNOV! Cesaro rolls out of the ring and starts to attack the Ungovernables members outside of the ring. He lays into both men with a series of European uppercuts and is in total control…ANDRADE LOW BLOWS HIM! Loud boos from the crowd as Cesaro falls to the mat. With the numbers advantage as Humberto joins in after, ANDRADE GRABS CESARO AND HITS A BRUTAL HAMMERLOCK DDT PLANTING CESARO! Andrade smirks as the Ungovernables stand tall over their former members before we cut backstage.
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PIPER NIVEN is sitting backstage with her tag team partner MELINA! Piper says Jinny needs to pay for her cheating antics. Melina agrees and nods in agreement with the Scot saying she spoke to Wade Barrett and got her a match with Jinny on next week’s Raw. Piper comments it will be a perfect warm-up for the Royal Rumble, promising to toss her around like a rag doll before winning the entire thing. Melina nods and says she knows Piper will do it as we cut to a commercial break.
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*I BRING THE DARKNESS/END OF DAYS*
BARON CORBIN walks out getting loud boos from the live crowd. He has a scowl on his face as he taunts the fans on the way to the ring. Michael Cole says Baron Corbin is a former United States Champion and feels he should be in the Rumble by right. Elias snidely remarks that Corbin has never earned anything in his career and looks forward to seeing him get his ass kicked!
*SHER (LION)*
JINDER MAHAL stomps out scowling at the fans before heading down the entrance ramp and joins Baron Corbin in the middle of the ring. Michael Cole says if there is one person the WWE Universe hates more than Corbin, it is Jinder Mahal. Elias says, unlike Baron Corbin, Jinder Mahal is a former WWE Champion as well as a former United States Champion.
*LIMITLESS*
KEITH LEE walks out getting loud cheers from the live crowd as he lifts his NXT World title into the air. He places it on his shoulder and stands at the top of the entrance ramp, soaking in the cheers from the crowd as they bask in his glory. Michael Cole says Keith Lee has broken limits in 2020 winning the North American and NXT World titles, holding both at the same time. Elias chimes in saying he has said his other shoulder is feeling empty with the NXT Champion looking to become a double champion.
*BROKEN DREAMS*
DREW MCINTYRE joins Keith Lee at the top of the entrance ramp as they have a slight stare-down before sharing a fist bump. He gets a huge pop from the live crowd before the duo head straight to the ring. Michael Cole says both men have agreed to put their rumble spots on the line in this tag match. Elias says seeing Corbin in the Rumble is every sane fan’s worst nightmare. Once in the ring, Drew starts after a slight debate between them whilst Corbin starts for the heels as the referee calls for the bell to start the match.
Match 5: Keith Lee and Drew McIntyre vs Baron Corbin and Jinder Mahal
Match summary: Drew McIntyre is easily in control of the match whilst tagged in, showing Corbin up and almost showing off to the live crowd. Corbin rolls to the corner and tags out bringing Jinder in prompting Keith to ask to tag in. Drew looks at him and shrugs before tagging out as Keith Lee steps into the ring with a slight smirk. Keith takes control of the match and POUNCES JINDER STRAIGHT AWAY! He plays to the crowd before SPRINGBOARDING OFF THE ROPES CRUSHING JINDER!
Keith Lee and Drew McIntyre carry on with the rest of the match, making rapid tags between each other as they try to one-up each other. The cockiness of it does allow Baron and Jinder back into the match but there is nothing they can do to keep up with their opponents tonight. In the end, Drew McIntyre lines up Jinder Mahal for a CLAYMORE… KEITH LEE TAGS HIMSELF IN! Keith grabs hold of Jinder and hits the SPIRIT BOMB! Keith makes the cover whilst Drew hits a CLAYMORE ON CORBIN as the duo picks up the win!
Winners via pinfall: Keith Lee and Drew McIntyre (6:22)
Keith Lee gets to his feet and celebrates the win as Drew kips up behind looking slightly annoyed. The commentary team puts over their performance tonight, saying they were a step above their opponents tonight in the ring showing why they are the favourites next week. Drew and Keith come face to face looking at each other, as Keith offers a hand. Drew takes a moment before shaking hands with Keith Lee whilst Raw goes on a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, we can see MUSTACHE MOUNTAIN hanging out backstage in Peaky Blinders outfits leaning against a brick wall. TRENT SEVEN does the usual introduction for British Strong Style leaving out Pete Dunne’s name. Trent says last week was a showing of what they can do as a tag team. TYLER BATE says they are former tag team champions for a reason and says British Strong Style has never been a group to settle for one piece of gold.
Bate smiles as he tells the camera he won’t settle for taking just the Cruiserweight title from Lio Rush. Trent chimes in telling the camera they also want to become tag team champions. Trent says that will come in due time just like Angel Garza and Tommaso Ciampa getting what’s coming to them from Peter. Tyler Bate says in tonight’s main event, that he’ll show the Hurt Business what strong style means.
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We then cut to RICK BOOGS and HEATH SLATER hanging out with each other backstage. Both men are playing with their guitars and tuning them. Rick asks Heath if he has gotten any more letters. Heath takes a moment before telling Rick he did. Boogs wonders who it is but Heath shakes his head saying he has no idea and wonders if someone is messing with him. Rick asks why he thinks that but Heath says no reason. Rick starts to hype Heath up saying they are both rockstars and belong at the top with Heath smiling before we zoom in on the letter, with big bold letters saying “Ditch Rick”.
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When we return from the commercial break, we cut to a dark room backstage with THE TWISTED SISTERS standing in front of a cauldron. NIKKI CROSS claps her hands with a wicked smile on her face as ISLA DAWN starts to chant in Latin. She finishes chanting and carries on looking at the camera with a wicked smile on her face. She says it is the season of the witch and they have found the magic formula, promising victory soon awaits them.
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*LONDON BOYS a*
DANNY BURCH marches out onto the entrance ramp with a scowl. ONEY LORCAN walks to the ring following his tag team partner. The commentary team mentions this match was made after a challenge from Danny Burch after his tag team partner was defeated by…
*BRING THE SWAG*
ANGELO DAWKINS! He plays to the fans getting a decent pop from the live crowd dancing with a red plastic cup in hand. He is full of confidence as he heads towards the ring. The commentary team points out Dawkins having to compete on his own with Montez Ford currently on the shelf with a broken arm. Dawkins is now in the ring, ready for action as the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Match 6: Angelo Dawkins vs Danny Burch w/Oney Lorcan
Match summary: Danny lays into Dawkins with a series of hard strikes and stiff punches as he tries to beat the living hell out of Dawkins. Dawkins weathers the storm and lays into him with some strikes of his own. In the closing stages of the match, Dawkins stops Oney from getting involved, knocking him off the ring apron. Danny tries to catch him off-guard BUT DAWKINS ROLLS HIM UP AND PICKS UP THE WIN!
Winner via pinfall: Angelo Dawkins (5:57)
Dawkins gets to his feet with a big smirk on his face having picked up a 2nd singles win in a row! Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan are both furious talking trash to Angelo Dawkins as he retreats up the entrance ramp. The commentary team says Dawkins is on a run of form right now and disputing the narrative of him being a weak link in the Street Profits as Raw goes to a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, JAMES STORM is walking through the back drinking beer and looks to be in a foul mood. He keeps on walking until he bumps into RICOCHET! He looks down at him with a scowl on his face asking him to watch where he is going. Ricochet says James bumped into him before telling Storm to try to be less bitter about losing. James tells Ricochet to watch his tone but Ricochet refuses to back down. He challenges James Storm to a match next week which Storm accepts and then tosses his beer bottle on the floor as he leaves.
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We then cut elsewhere backstage to see THE HURT BUSINESS in their locker room ready for action ahead of tonight’s main event. TOM PHILLIPS walks up to MVP asking him how his clients are feeling ahead of tonight’s main event. MVP hypes his clients up and promises they will show why The Hurt Business runs Monday Nights! Tom follows up by asking about his clients SWERVE STRICKLAND and LIO RUSH entering the Royal Rumble. He says his clients know how to take care of business and very soon one of them will be holding even more gold. Swerve noticeably looks at SAMOA JOE’S WWE title a bit too long prompting MVP to say it is time to head to the ring. The commentary team then confirms the main event is up next!
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When we return from the commercial break, we cut to the commentary team at ringside who confirm the following matches have been made official for next week’s Raw:
Intercontinental title match: Swerve Strickland © vs Xavier Woods
Cruiserweight title match: Lio Rush © vs Tyler Bate
World tag team titles match: The Hurt Business © vs Breezango
Charlotte Flair and Team Kick vs We Riotts and Mia Yim
Big E, Kofi Kingston and Mustafa Ali vs Tommaso Ciampa, Dolph Ziggler and OMOS
*PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE*
BREEZANGO make their way out to the ring getting a decent pop from the fans. TYLER BREEZE and FANDANGO pose with the fans in the first few rows using selfie sticks. Michael Cole says next week the models have the chance to finally win gold in the WWE. Elias says they have been around a long time but we don’t know how long they have left, it might be their last chance!
*INAUGURAL*
TYLER BATE makes his way out next with a slight smile on his face before twirling his mustache on the way to the ring. Michael Cole says Bate has had success in WWE as an NXT Cruiserweight and NXT tag team champion. Elias talks about Bate being a superstar way ahead of his years as a performer who could show up the cocky Lio Rush next week.
*PLAY MY ASS OFF*
XAVIER WOODS walks out getting a pretty loud pop from the live crowd. He slaps hands with some of the fans in the front few rows. He seems to be hyping himself up on the way to the ring as well. The commentary team says Woods spent a lot of 2020 suffering confidence issues but since Kofi has come back, he is looking the most confident we have seen him ahead of an Intercontinental title match with Swerve Strickland next week!
*WRITTEN IN MY FACE*
SHEAMUS marches out getting loud cheers from the crowd as he beats his chest and screams “fella” before heading to the ring. The commentary team puts over Sheamus’s career and talks about how he has won every title there is to win except for the Intercontinental title. They wonder after next week’s Intercontinental title match between Swerve and Woods if he will be next in line!
*WORLDS APART*
SAMI ZAYN walks out getting loud cheers from the fans with a smile on his face. He looks confident as he nods to the fans before sprinting to the ring, joining his tag team partners inside the ring. The commentary team talks about Sami taking years to finally win singles gold since leaving NXT but he finally did it in 2020. Could 2021 be the year he finally becomes World Champion?
*IT’S TIME*
THE HURT BUSINESS slowly walks out onto the entrance ramp. SAMOA JOE, SWERVE STRICKLAND, LIO RUSH, CEDRIC ALEXANDER, SHELTON BENJAMIN and EJ NDUKA with MVP leading his clients to the ring. The commentary team comments on the loud boos from the live crowd but the results MVP has brought the Hurt Business cannot be argued with. Cedric Alexander starts for The Hurt Business whilst Sami Zayn starts for the faces as the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Main event: The Hurt Business w/MVP vs Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Xavier Woods, Tyler Bate and Breezango
Match summary: This is your standard main event tag with all 12 men getting time to show off in the ring. The match goes to its usual heat segment as The Hurt Business takes control and works over Fandango. He eventually makes it to the ropes and makes the hot tag to SAMI ZAYN who takes control. The match breaks down with Tyler Bate hitting Lio Rush with a BRUTAL UPPERCUT AND BLOOD POURS FROM HIS NOSE! Breeze in the chaos gets tagged back in but thanks to MVP sliding the IC TITLE into the ring, SWERVE KNOCKS OUT BREEZE AND PICKS UP THE WIN FOR HIS TEAM!
Winners via pinfall: The Hurt Business (13:21)
The crowd loudly boos as the faces look annoyed to have come up short to The Hurt Business tonight. The commentary team puts over the power of working together as a unit. Raw then comes to a close with The Hurt Business standing tall (minus Lio Rush who is being checked by a referee) as the show fades to black!
Confirmed matches for next week:
Main event: Intercontinental title match:
Swerve Strickland © vs Xavier Woods
Cruiserweight title match:
Lio Rush © vs Tyler Bate
World tag titles match:
The Hurt Business © vs Breezango
Singles match:
Rhea Ripley vs Alexa Bliss
Singles match:
Ricochet vs James Storm
Singles match:
Nia Jax vs Katana Chance
Singles match:
Piper Niven vs Jinny
Trios match:
Charlotte Flair and Team Kick vs We Riotts and Mia Yim
Trios match:
Big E, Kofi Kingston and Mustafa Ali vs Tommaso Ciampa, Dolph Ziggler and OMOS
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, Cesaro, Chad Gable, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Dominik Dijakovic, Drew McIntyre, Edge, Finn Balor, Jacob Fatu, James Storm, Keith Lee, Kofi Kingston, Lio Rush, Mustafa Ali, Noam Dar, Shinsuke Nakamura, Swerve Strickland, Tommaso Ciampa, Xavier Woods and 7 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!
EWR Rating:
68%
