WWE: Infinite

[WrestleWizard]

Hey everyone!
I’m excited to kick off my second ongoing project here. My first BTB is set in the Ruthless Aggression Era, but I’ve really been wanting to dive into a more modern WWE setting too. I love writing about both time periods, and after thinking about it, I felt like starting right after the 2018 Royal Rumble was the perfect spot. WrestleMania 34 had so much potential in real life, but I think it ended up falling a little flat — so one of my main goals is to rebuild it the way I think it could have been, and then keep pushing the stories forward for as long as I can. Hope you all enjoy the ride with me!

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ROYAL RUMBLE 2018: NAKAMURA AND ASUKA PUNCH TICKETS TO WRESTLEMANIA​

PHILADELPHIA, PA - January 28, 2018 - The road to WrestleMania officially began tonight as 60 WWE Superstars battled in two historic Royal Rumble matches at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center. When the dust settled, Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka emerged victorious, each earning championship opportunities on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

ASUKA MAKES HISTORY IN FIRST-EVER WOMEN'S ROYAL RUMBLE​

The WWE Universe witnessed history as 30 female competitors entered the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble match. With WWE Hall of Famers and legends joining today's Superstars, the groundbreaking contest delivered unforgettable moments and surprising returns. Entering at #25, "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka outlasted 29 other women to secure her WrestleMania championship opportunity. The undefeated NXT champion-turned-Raw Superstar eliminated Nikki Bella last to win the inaugural women's Rumble, continuing her dominant streak since arriving in WWE.

"No one was ready for Asuka," said Raw General Manager Kurt Angle. "Tonight she proved why she's one of the most dangerous competitors in WWE history."

The match featured remarkable returns from legends including Trish Stratus, Lita, Beth Phoenix, Michelle McCool, and Molly Holly, who received thunderous ovations from the Philadelphia crowd. NXT standouts Ember Moon and Kairi Sane also made impressive Rumble debuts. However, perhaps the most shocking moment came after the match concluded. As Asuka celebrated her victory, RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss and SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair entered the ring, awaiting Asuka's decision on which championship she'll challenge for at WrestleMania. The celebration was interrupted by the surprise debut of former UFC Champion Ronda Rousey, who pointed to the WrestleMania sign before offering handshakes to Asuka and both champions.

WWE officials confirmed Rousey will sign a WWE contract THIS MONDAY ON RAW!!!!

THE KING OF STRONG STYLE REIGNS SUPREME​

In the men's Royal Rumble match, Shinsuke Nakamura achieved his dream moment by last eliminating Roman Reigns to punch his ticket to WrestleMania. Entering at #14, Nakamura navigated a treacherous field of competitors, including a surprising return from Rey Mysterio at #27. The final four came down to Finn Bálor, John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Nakamura. After Bálor's elimination by Cena, and Cena's subsequent elimination by Nakamura, it came down to Reigns and Nakamura. In a heart-stopping sequence that had the Philadelphia crowd on their feet, Nakamura countered Reigns' attempt at a Superman Punch into a devastating combination of strikes before sending "The Big Dog" over the top rope. When asked which champion he would face at WrestleMania, Nakamura didn't hesitate: "I'm going to WrestleMania... to face AJ Styles." The declaration sets up a dream match between two of the most acclaimed international superstars in wrestling history.

TITLE CHANGES AND SUCCESSFUL DEFENSES​

The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) recaptured the Raw Tag Team Championships from Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan in a hard-fought battle. Jordan, who has been dealing with lingering injuries, appeared to suffer a setback during the match when he tagged himself in against Rollins' wishes, only to be unable to continue effectively. The miscommunication allowed Sheamus to deliver a Brogue Kick for the victory and the titles.

WWE Champion AJ Styles overcame insurmountable odds in a 2-on-1 handicap match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Despite the numbers disadvantage and controversy involving SmackDown General Manager Shane McMahon, "The Phenomenal One" secured the pin on Owens following a spectacular Phenomenal Forearm.

In the night's most destructive encounter, Universal Champion Brock Lesnar retained his title by pinning Kane in a Triple Threat match also featuring Braun Strowman. "The Monster Among Men" dominated portions of the match, putting Lesnar through the announce table with a running powerslam. However, Lesnar recovered to deliver an F-5 to Kane for the victory, leaving questions about who will challenge "The Beast" at WrestleMania.

The Usos continued their impressive reign as SmackDown Tag Team Champions by defeating Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match.

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FULL RESULTS:​

Main Card:​

• 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Usos (c) def. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin (2-1)​
• WWE Universal Championship Triple Threat Match: Brock Lesnar (c) def. Kane and Braun Strowman​
• WWE Championship 2-on-1 Handicap Match: AJ Styles (c) def. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn​
• Raw Tag Team Championship: The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) def. Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (c) to win the titles​
• Men's Royal Rumble Match: Shinsuke Nakamura won by last eliminating Roman Reigns​
• Women's Royal Rumble Match: Asuka won by last eliminating Nikki Bella​

The 2018 Royal Rumble will be remembered as a night of historic firsts and unforgettable moments as WWE begins the journey to WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans on April 8.
​

List of Champions post-Rumble 2018​

Raw Championships​

• WWE Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar
• WWE Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
• WWE Raw Women's Champion: Alexa Bliss
• WWE Raw Tag Team Champions: Sheamus & Cesaro (The Bar)

SmackDown Championships​

• WWE Champion: AJ Styles
• WWE United States Champion: Bobby Roode
• WWE SmackDown Women's Champion: Charlotte Flair
• WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Usos

Special Designations​

• Men's Money in the Bank Holder: None (to be determined at upcoming Money in the Bank PPV)
• Women's Money in the Bank Holder: None (to be determined at upcoming Money in the Bank PPV)
• Men's Royal Rumble Winner 2018: Shinsuke Nakamura (challenging for WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34)
• Women's Royal Rumble Winner 2018: Asuka (yet to declare which championship she will challenge for)

Raw Exclusive – WWE Elimination Chamber 2018​

February 25, 2018 – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
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SmackDown Exclusive – WWE Fastlane 2018​

March 11, 2018 – Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
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WrestleMania 34 – The Grandest Stage of Them All​

April 8, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA​

 

[TFC]

Hey just thought I would stop by and say I like the overall presentation of this project, will defo be keepin an eye on it

 

[WrestleWizard]

WWE Raw Results, Jan. 29, 2018: The Road to WrestleMania Heats Up: Elimination Chamber Qualifiers, Ronda Rousey Shocks the WWE Universe!​

Philadelphia, PA - January 29, 2018
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PHILADELPHIA - Just 24 hours after one of the most thrilling Royal Rumble events in WWE history, Monday Night Raw came to you LIVE from Philadelphia, and the Road to WrestleMania is officially underway! General Manager Kurt Angle wasted no time in setting the tone for the coming weeks, announcing TWO Elimination Chamber matches — one for the men, with the winner facing Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, and the first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber Match for Alexa Bliss’ Raw Women’s Championship!

The stakes are higher than ever, and chaos engulfed the Wells Fargo Center all night long!

KURT ANGLE KICKS OFF RAW WITH GROUNDBREAKING ELIMINATION CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENT​

The Olympic Gold Medalist opened Monday Night Raw beaming with excitement over the previous night's events, taking a moment to congratulate Shinsuke Nakamura on winning the Men's Royal Rumble Match and Asuka for making history as the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match victor.

"Last night was truly historic," Angle told the Philadelphia crowd. "But It, we look ahead to the next stop on The Road to WrestleMania — WWE Elimination Chamber!"

The announcement drew a thunderous reaction from the WWE Universe, but Angle was just getting started. The Raw General Manager revealed that for the first time ever, TWO Elimination Chamber Matches would take place at the upcoming pay-per-view event.

"The Men's Elimination Chamber Match will determine who will challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania," Angle declared. "And making history once again, we will also witness the first-ever Women's Elimination Chamber Match, with Alexa Bliss defending her Raw Women's Championship inside the unforgiving structure!"

The dual announcement sent the crowd into a frenzy, but Angle wasn't finished with his revelations for the evening.

"Tonight, we begin the qualification process," he continued. "We will have three Men's Elimination Chamber qualifying matches and three Women's Elimination Chamber qualifying matches tonight, with more to follow in the coming weeks!"

Before Angle could elaborate further on the night's qualifying matches, his announcement was abruptly interrupted by the thunderous theme music of The Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman. The behemoth stormed to the ring with unbridled fury etched across his face.

"I wasn't pinned last night!" Strowman roared, referencing his Universal Championship Triple Threat Match against Brock Lesnar and Kane at Royal Rumble. "Lesnar pinned Kane, not me! I deserve an immediate rematch!"

Angle attempted to calm the enraged Superstar, explaining that the Elimination Chamber Match represented Strowman's path back to Lesnar and the Universal Title. However, before their conversation could continue, Kane's pyrotechnics erupted throughout the arena. The Big Red Machine, visibly limping from the brutality of the previous night's Triple Threat Match, made his way to the entrance ramp. Kane locked eyes with Strowman, the tension between the two monsters palpable even from opposite sides of the arena.

"You cost me my opportunity at the Universal Championship," Kane growled, pointing an accusatory finger at Strowman.

What followed was a verbal exchange that quickly escalated into physical confrontation as both behemoths charged toward each other. The two monsters collided at ringside, trading devastating blows that required the entire Raw locker room to pour out and separate them. Despite the best efforts of security personnel, referees, and fellow Superstars, Strowman and Kane continued their path of destruction. Production equipment was demolished, barricades were shattered, and several WWE personnel were caught in the crossfire of their unbridled rage.

After nearly five minutes of chaos, Angle returned to the stage with a microphone in hand.

"If you two want to tear each other apart, you'll get your chance tonight!" Angle shouted above the commotion. "Braun Strowman will face Kane in a Last Man Standing Match, and the winner qualifies for the Men's Elimination Chamber Match!"

The announcement momentarily halted the carnage as both men separated, each nodding in acceptance of the challenge while maintaining their murderous glares.

ROWDY RONDA ROUSEY MAKES WWE HISTORY IN EXPLOSIVE CONTRACT SIGNING​

The Baddest Woman on the Planet officially joins Monday Night RAW in a tense confrontation with WWE's Authority figures.

In one of the most anticipated moments in recent WWE history, former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey made her official WWE signing during tonight's Monday Night RAW.

What began as a ceremonial contract signing quickly escalated when WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon and WWE COO Triple H entered the ring to personally welcome the Olympic medalist to the company. The tension was palpable as Rousey, McMahon, and Triple H exchanged intense stares before the contract was presented.

"This isn't just a publicity stunt," Rousey declared to a thunderous ovation from the WWE Universe. "I'm here to stay. This has been my dream, and I'm ready to earn my place in this ring."

As Rousey put pen to paper, McMahon's demeanor shifted, congratulating Rousey while subtly questioning whether the combat sports legend could handle the grueling WWE schedule. Triple H attempted to maintain peace between the strong-willed women, announcing that Rousey would make her in-ring debut at the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

In a strategic power move, however, McMahon revealed that Rousey would have to wait until the night of the event to learn who her opponent would be. "We want to make sure your first match is... special," McMahon stated with a calculating smile.

The segment concluded with Rousey placing her signed contract on the table and coming face-to-face with McMahon in a moment that sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe. Before departing, Rousey pointed to the WrestleMania sign hanging above the arena, making her ultimate intentions crystal clear.

THE AUTHORITY'S SECRET AGENDA REVEALED?​

In a backstage segment later in the evening, cameras caught Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in their office discussing the Rousey signing in hushed tones.

"Do you think she bought it?" Triple H asked his wife, looking concerned.

With a devious smile, Stephanie replied, "Completely. The plan is coming together perfectly." She shuffled through some paperwork on her desk before adding, "She has no idea what we have in store. I can't wait for the Elimination Chamber."

The pair quickly ended their conversation when they noticed they were being filmed, with Stephanie dismissing the camera crew immediately. What exactly does The Authority have planned for Ronda Rousey's WWE debut? And who will step up to face the former UFC champion?

ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFYING MATCHES DETERMINE FIRST PARTICIPANTS​

BRAUN STROWMAN DEF. KANE IN A LAST MAN STANDING MATCH TO QUALIFY FOR THE MEN'S ELIMINATION CHAMBER​

The animosity between these two monsters reached its boiling point in a brutal Last Man Standing Match that spilled throughout the arena. Both Superstars unleashed their destructive potential, with tables, chairs, stairs, and even the announce table becoming casualties in their path of destruction. Kane appeared to gain the upper hand after chokeslamming Strowman through the announce table, but The Monster Among Men refused to stay down for the referee's 10-count. The Big Red Machine then attempted to bury Strowman under a mountain of equipment cases near the entrance ramp, but this only served to further enrage the behemoth. In the match's decisive moment, Strowman recovered and caught Kane attempting another chokeslam. The Monster Among Men reversed the maneuver and delivered a thunderous Running Powerslam that drove Kane through a table propped in the corner of the ring. When the referee's count reached 10, Kane remained motionless among the wreckage, securing Strowman the first spot in the Men's Elimination Chamber Match.

"That was just the beginning," Strowman warned in a post-match interview. "Five more men will join me in the Chamber, and five more men will GET THESE HANDS!"

REIGNS OVERCOMES THE ODDS IN TRIPLE THREAT THRILLER​

In the night's most competitive contest, Roman Reigns fought through a triple threat challenge against The Miz and Finn Balor. The Intercontinental Champion nearly stole victory several times with help from The Miztourage, while Balor's speed and technical prowess kept both opponents reeling. The closing moments saw all three men unleashing their signature moves in rapid succession, with Reigns ultimately connecting with a thunderous Spear on The Miz to secure the pinfall and his place in the Elimination Chamber.

CENA'S ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA CONTINUES​

In a battle between two former WWE Champions, John Cena defeated Elias to become the third man to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. The 16-time World Champion faced a typically unorthodox attack from The Eater of Worlds, but experience prevailed as Cena delivered an Attitude Adjustment to secure the victory.

"I know what's at stake," Cena told the WWE Universe afterward. "One more championship would make history, and that road runs right through the Elimination Chamber."

WOMEN'S DIVISION HEATS UP WITH CHAMBER QUALIFIERS​

For the first time ever, the Women's Division will compete inside the Elimination Chamber, with Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss defending her title against five challengers.

Absolution's Mandy Rose shocked the WWE Universe by defeating veteran Mickie James in a hard-fought contest. Rose's victory came after teammate Sonya Deville provided a crucial distraction at ringside, allowing the Golden Goddess to roll up James for the three-count.

The imposing Nia Jax made quick work of Dana Brooke in her qualifying match. Jax dominated from bell to bell, finishing with a devastating leg drop to punch her ticket to the Chamber.

Finally, Bayley secured her opportunity by defeating Sonya Deville in a highly physical contest. Despite interference from Mandy Rose, The Huggable One connected with the Bayley-to-Belly suplex to earn the victory.

Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss watched from her locker room backstage and was shown throughout the night, sizing up her challengers with the knowledge that she'll be defending her championship inside the unforgiving structure next month.

Here’s a look at the updated fields:

Men’s Elimination Chamber (Winner faces Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 34):

• Braun Strowman
• Roman Reigns
• John Cena
• Three spots remaining

Women’s Elimination Chamber (Raw Women’s Championship at stake):

• Alexa Bliss (c)
• Mandy Rose
• Nia Jax
• Bayley
• Two spots remaining

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THE MIZ LAUNCHES VICIOUS BACKSTAGE ASSAULT ON FINN BALOR FOLLOWING ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFYING LOSS​

The Intercontinental Champion's frustrations boiled over after his Triple Threat Match defeat as he blindsided Finn Balor in a brutal backstage ambush.

Following his Triple Threat Match loss to Roman Reigns earlier in the night — a defeat that cost him a spot in the upcoming Elimination Chamber — The Miz unleashed his fury on Finn Balor in a shocking backstage attack.

The A-Lister, still in his ring gear and visibly seething with rage, ambushed the first-ever Universal Champion as Balor was giving a post-match interview who was also in that triple threat match on the losing end. Miz repeatedly slammed Balor into equipment cases and production gear while screaming that the Irish Superstar had cost him his WrestleMania opportunity.

"This is YOUR fault!" The Miz shouted as he pummeled his opponent. "I would be going to WrestleMania if it wasn't for YOU!"

WWE officials and producers rushed to separate the two Superstars, restraining The Miz as he continued to hurl threats and accusations at Balor. The former Universal Champion had to be helped to his feet after the savage assault. RAW General Manager Kurt Angle has not yet commented on the incident, but this explosive confrontation has clearly ignited a dangerous new rivalry between two of Monday Night RAW's most accomplished competitors. Will Balor seek retribution next week? And what consequences, if any, will The Miz face for his actions?

ADDITIONAL MONDAY NIGHT RAW HIGHLIGHTS: TENSION BUILDS TOWARD ELIMINATION CHAMBER​

"YOU ABANDONED ME!" — ROLLINS AND JORDAN SET FOR EXPLOSIVE ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFIER AFTER TAG TEAM IMPLOSION​

The fallout from Sunday's Royal Rumble continued on Monday Night Raw as Seth Rollins confronted Jason Jordan over their Tag Team Championship loss to The Bar.

"You cost us those titles," Rollins shouted at his tag team partner during a heated backstage segment. "You abandoned me when I needed you most!"

Jordan, appearing defensive, claimed his neck injury had subsided overnight. "I was legitimately hurt last night. My neck was sore, but I'm feeling better today," Jordan explained, though Rollins remained skeptical of the former amateur wrestling standout's convenient recovery.

As tensions escalated, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle intervened to address the situation. In a shocking development, Angle announced that Rollins and Jordan would face each other next week in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.

"You both want redemption, and you both want a shot at the Universal Championship," Angle stated. "Next week, one of you will earn that opportunity."

The announcement only intensified the hostility between the former champions, with Rollins promising to show Jordan exactly what happens when you betray The Architect.

ASUKA KEEPS WWE UNIVERSE GUESSING ABOUT WRESTLEMANIA OPPONENT​

Royal Rumble winner Asuka continued her undefeated streak by making quick work of Alicia Fox in a one-sided contest that showcased why the Empress of Tomorrow is the most feared competitor in the Women's Division.

Following her victory, Asuka was asked about her championship decision for WrestleMania. In a surprising move, the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble winner revealed she hasn't committed to challenging either RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss or SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair.

"Both champions should be afraid," Asuka stated. "I will consider RAW and SmackDown. Nobody is ready for Asuka!"

With both champions watching closely, Asuka's eventual decision could reshape the landscape of WWE heading into WrestleMania.

THE REVIVAL CONTINUE RESURGENCE WITH VICTORY OVER SLATER & RHYNO​

In an impressive display of old-school tag team wrestling, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder defeated the team of Heath Slater and Rhyno. The self-proclaimed "Top Guys" demonstrated their technical prowess throughout the match, ultimately securing victory with their Shatter Machine finishing maneuver on Slater.

Post-match, The Revival made it clear they have championship aspirations, promising to restore prestige to the Raw Tag Team Division.

"What you just witnessed is what tag team wrestling is supposed to look like," Dawson proclaimed. "Sheamus, Cesaro we're coming for you and those Raw Tag Team Titles."

THE BAR REIGNS SUPREME OVER TITUS WORLDWIDE​

Fresh off recapturing the Raw Tag Team Championships at the Royal Rumble, Sheamus and Cesaro defeated Titus O'Neil and Apollo Crews in a non-title match. Despite a valiant effort from Titus Worldwide, The Bar's experience and chemistry proved too much to overcome. The European alliance controlled much of the match with their punishing offense, with Cesaro ultimately connecting with the Neutralizer on Apollo for the victory. After the match, The Bar celebrated their renewed championship reign, reminding everyone that they set the bar in the WWE tag team division.

With the Road to WrestleMania just getting started, Monday Night Raw delivered another action-packed episode filled with championship implications and personal rivalries that will shape the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view and beyond.

 

[WrestleWizard]

SmackDown LIVE Results - January 30, 2018: Road to WrestleMania begins with Styles-Nakamura confrontation​

The blue brand's first show following Royal Rumble sets the stage for WWE's Showcase of the Immortals with dream matches and bitter rivalries taking shape.

AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura show mutual respect in WrestleMania preview​

SmackDown LIVE kicked off with WWE Champion AJ Styles addressing the WWE Universe following his successful title defense against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at Royal Rumble. The Phenomenal One didn't have to wait long before being joined by 2018 Men's Royal Rumble Match winner Shinsuke Nakamura.

"At WrestleMania, it's going to be a dream match. The Phenomenal One versus The King of Strong Style," Styles declared to thunderous applause.

The mutual respect between the two world-class competitors was evident as they shared the ring, but their moment was cut short when Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn interrupted. The "Yep!" Movement complained bitterly about being "robbed" at Royal Rumble, blaming Shane McMahon for their loss.

SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon quickly appeared to address the situation, announcing that Kevin Owens would face Shinsuke Nakamura in the night's main event. Styles promised to be watching closely, setting the stage for an explosive conclusion to the evening.

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Shinsuke Nakamura defeats Kevin Owens in explosive main event​

The night’s main event on SmackDown LIVE delivered fireworks, as 2018 Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura overcame the odds to defeat Kevin Owens — but it was the post-match chaos that truly had the WWE Universe buzzing.

WWE Champion AJ Styles joined the commentary team to scout his WrestleMania opponent, but it didn’t take long for chaos to erupt. Throughout the match, Sami Zayn repeatedly interfered, doing everything in his power to tilt the odds in Owens' favor. Eventually, Styles had seen enough. The Phenomenal One left the commentary desk and chased Zayn around the ring, attempting to neutralize the threat. However, in the melee, Owens took advantage and blindsided Styles, taking the champion out of the equation entirely.

With Styles down at ringside, Zayn and Owens unleashed a vicious two-on-one assault on Nakamura. Just when it looked like the numbers game would overwhelm the King of Strong Style, Randy Orton stormed down the ramp to even the odds!

The Viper exploded into the ring, dropping Zayn with a stinging RKO before turning his attention to Owens. With the crowd roaring, Nakamura recovered and drilled Owens with a thunderous Kinshasa, picking up the hard-fought victory.

After the match, Styles slowly re-entered the ring, glaring at Nakamura — but now with Orton standing by Nakamura’s side. The show ended with a tense staredown between Styles and Nakamura, while Orton kept a close, watchful eye on the WWE Champion.

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A Tag Team Split; Dolph Ziggler Returns with a Shocking Claim: "I'm Still United States Champion"​

In ring action kicked off with an action-packed tag team bout, as The New Day (Xavier Woods & Big E) took on Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin. Seeking redemption after falling short in their pursuit of the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, Gable and Benjamin entered the match with a chip on their shoulders, clearly desperate to reassert their dominance. For most of the contest, Gable and Benjamin displayed excellent tag team precision, isolating Woods and cutting the ring in half. However, as the match wore on, miscommunication crept into their teamwork. An attempted double-team backfired when Benjamin accidentally struck Gable with a running knee meant for Woods. Big E capitalized on the confusion, launching Benjamin into the steel steps at ringside before New Day finished Gable with the Midnight Hour for the pinfall victory.

After the match, an enraged Gable shoved Benjamin in the middle of the ring, shouting accusations of incompetence. Benjamin fired back, and the verbal confrontation quickly turned physical with Benjamin shoving Gable to the mat and walking away, leaving his former partner seething. The SmackDown audience booed loudly as the once-formidable duo appeared to dissolve in real time, with Gable vowing backstage moments later that he would now focus on "winning singles gold — without dead weight holding me back."

Later in the night, the United States Champion Bobby Roode made his entrance to address the WWE Universe. Reflecting on his recent championship victory, Roode promised to be a fighting champion and declared that his reign would be nothing short of... glorious. The Glorious One then issued an open challenge to anyone in the SmackDown LIVE locker room daring enough to step up.

The answer Roode received was far from what he or anyone expected.

Dolph Ziggler’s music hit, sending a shockwave through the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. To the stunned amazement of the crowd, Ziggler made his way to the ring carrying a United States Championship belt of his own — the very same title he had left lying in the center of the ring six weeks earlier after claiming the WWE Universe didn’t appreciate his greatness.

Taking a microphone, Ziggler unleashed a blistering tirade against the WWE Universe, SmackDown management, and Bobby Roode himself.

"You didn't deserve me then. You sure as hell don't deserve me now," Ziggler sneered. "Since no one here could live up to what I did, I'm still the rightful United States Champion. I NEVER lost this!"

Before Roode could respond, the situation spiraled even further out of control.

Baron Corbin charged down the ramp, declaring that he deserved a rematch for the title he once held.
Moments later, Chad Gable, no longer tied to tag team ambitions, stormed out, cutting a fiery promo about being the "most technically gifted wrestler" on SmackDown and finally seizing his destiny.
Shelton Benjamin, refusing to be outdone by his former partner, quickly followed, staking his own claim.
Finally, Jinder Mahal made his presence known, mocking all the others and declaring himself the true uncrowned United States Champion.

A chaotic brawl broke out, with Roode attempting to hold his ground against the swarming contenders. Roode dropped Mahal with a spinebuster, only to be blindsided by Corbin’s End of Days. Ziggler delivered a crisp superkick to Corbin, only for Benjamin to nail Ziggler with Paydirt. Gable, the last man standing, grabbed one of the United States Championship belts and hit Benjamin with it. Gable held it aloft to cheers from the philly crowd.

Backstage moments later, Commissioner Shane McMahon addressed the bedlam, making a major announcement:

"Next week, a FIVE-MAN GAUNTLET MATCH. Winner faces Bobby Roode for the United States Championship at WWE Fastlane. Let's find out who really deserves it!"

With Dolph Ziggler's shocking return, Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin’s implosion, and several hungry former champions vying for a shot, the road to Fastlane just became more perilous for Bobby Roode than ever before.

Tension builds between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan​

Backstage, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn confronted SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan, complaining about Shane McMahon's supposed bias against them.

"Fair? He's deliberately putting me against the Royal Rumble winner!" Owens exclaimed when Bryan suggested Shane was making fair matches.

Bryan attempted to mediate the situation, but viewers couldn't help but notice the General Manager's seemingly sympathetic demeanor toward Owens and Zayn's complaints, contrasting sharply with Shane's more punitive approach. This subtle difference in management styles could spell trouble for the blue brand's leadership.

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Charlotte Flair Sends a Message to Asuka — Then Becky Lynch Thwarts Carmella’s Cash-In Attempt​

With WrestleMania season officially underway, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair wasted no time addressing the WWE Universe about the looming question: Who will Asuka challenge at WrestleMania 34?

Kicking off SmackDown LIVE, the Queen confidently reflected on Asuka’s historic Royal Rumble victory. Charlotte praised The Empress of Tomorrow's dominance but made it very clear: if Asuka chooses to face her at WrestleMania, the undefeated streak will meet its end.
“Asuka is incredible. But whether it’s Asuka, Alexa, or anyone else, I am still The Queen. If Asuka decides to step onto my throne at WrestleMania... I will do what no woman has done — I will end her streak.”

The bold declaration was met with a mixed reaction from the crowd — respect for Charlotte’s confidence, but unease at her audacity.
Before Charlotte could leave the ring, her celebration was derailed.

The Riott Squad — Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan — ambushed the champion in a brutal three-on-one assault. Targeting Charlotte’s knee, the Squad left the champion writhing in pain.

Sensing the perfect opening, Carmella, still holding the Money in the Bank briefcase, rushed down the ramp with a referee. As Charlotte struggled to stand, Carmella handed over the briefcase, ready to cash in!

But before the referee could ring the bell, Becky Lynch charged to the ring to a massive ovation! The Irish Lass Kicker laid waste to Carmella, knocking her from the ring, and then stood tall, forcing the Riott Squad to retreat. Charlotte, clutching her injured leg, looked up to see Becky offering a hand — helping her best friend back to her feet.

SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan made a decisive ruling:
Becky Lynch vs. Carmella — next, one-on-one!

In the ensuing match, Becky capitalized on her momentum. Despite Carmella’s early aggression, Becky rallied and trapped Ms. Money in the Bank in the Dis-arm-her, forcing a tap-out and scoring a big victory.

Backstage, Charlotte found Becky and thanked her for the assist.
“You saved me tonight. You saved my title too,” Charlotte said with a sincere smile. Becky, brushing it off, replied, “Of course. That’s what friends are for, right?”

Charlotte nodded, but behind her proud demeanor, something flickered — pride, gratitude… and maybe the first trace of doubt.

---

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Tag Team Turmoil Breaks Out as Bludgeon Brothers Issue Silent Warning​

After successfully defending their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin at the Royal Rumble, The Usos appeared on SmackDown Live to stake their claim as the greatest tag team in SmackDown history.

In a fired-up address to the WWE Universe, Jimmy and Jey reflected on their record-breaking reign, boasting about locking down the tag division "since Day One" and daring any team to step up and challenge their throne.

The challenge was quickly answered by the ever-popular Rusev Day. With chants of “Rusev Day!” echoing throughout the Wells Fargo Center, Rusev and Aiden English confronted The Usos, arguing that their meteoric rise in popularity—and string of in-ring successes—had earned them a rightful shot at the titles. Before tensions could escalate, the arena was plunged into darkness. The unsettling chords of the Bludgeon Brothers’ theme echoed ominously as Harper and Rowan emerged on the entrance ramp, wielding their massive mallets and casting an intimidating glare over both teams. Without uttering a word, the monstrous duo made it clear that they, too, had the SmackDown Tag Team Championships firmly in their sights.

Later that night, Rusev Day took to the ring and made short work of a local tag team, solidifying their claim with an impressive victory. Aiden English capped off the performance with a celebratory Rusev Day ballad, much to the delight of the Philadelphia faithful.

However, the celebration came to a screeching halt when the Bludgeon Brothers stormed the ring, blindsiding Rusev Day with a brutal post-match assault. Harper and Rowan unleashed a flurry of devastating strikes and power moves, leaving Rusev and English in a heap as they stood tall, mallets looming overhead.

As the dust settled, one thing became clear:
The SmackDown Tag Team division is officially on notice — and nobody is safe.

---

Additional SmackDown Highlights: Naomi Picks Up Speed, Breezango Targets Fashion "Crimes"​

---

Naomi shines bright against Natalya​

Naomi and Natalya squared off in a fast-paced bout that showcased the depth of SmackDown’s Women’s Division.

The Queen of Harts entered the match with a chip on her shoulder, claiming that she deserved an opportunity to face Asuka — but Naomi was quick to remind everyone why she's a former SmackDown Women's Champion herself.

From the opening bell, the two veterans exchanged high-impact offense, with Natalya grounding Naomi with punishing holds, while Naomi dazzled with her speed and agility. In the final moments, Naomi countered a discus clothesline attempt into a sudden Rear View, stunning Natalya and picking up a pivotal victory.

---

Breezango patrols the backstage area with "fashion citations"​

SmackDown LIVE’s resident fashion police were back on duty!

Fandango and Tyler Breeze were spotted backstage patrolling the corridors, issuing "fashion citations" to unsuspecting Superstars. Their first (and only) stop of the night? The Ascension.

Conor and Viktor approached Breezango, once again trying to prove they were worthy partners in crime-fighting. However, Fandango and Breeze were less than impressed by the Ascension’s mismatched ring gear, labeling their "crimes against fashion" as "second-degree felony-level violations."

The good-natured ribbing ended with Breezango hinting that they might be looking closely at the Tag Team scene again — and anyone committing wardrobe atrocities might find themselves on the wrong side of justice.

Fashion violations beware: Breezango is watching!

 

[WrestleWizard]

ROLLINS ROLLS ON, SAMOA JOE RETURNS, AND CHAMBER FIELDS TAKE SHAPE ON A CHAOTIC MONDAY NIGHT RAW​

Des Moines - February 5, 2018​

The Road to WrestleMania continued to heat up as Monday Night Raw delivered an explosive night from Des Moines, Iowa. With Elimination Chamber just three weeks away, the WWE Universe witnessed shocking returns, emotional qualifiers, and a main event that shook the foundations of the arena.

Seth Rollins Punches Ticket to Elimination Chamber After Jordan Heartbreak​

The night featured a deeply personal Elimination Chamber qualifying match as former tag team partners Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan battled for a coveted spot in the upcoming pay-per-view.

Jordan, clearly hampered by his lingering neck injury, showed tremendous heart throughout the contest but was visibly struggling as the match progressed. After a particularly grueling sequence, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle made the difficult decision to throw in the towel on behalf of his son, ending the match and awarding Rollins the victory.

The Architect appeared conflicted in victory, exiting the ring without celebration while Jordan sat in stunned disbelief. Following an ad break, shortly after the match, Jordan stormed through the backstage curtain, shoving off trainers and backstage personnel as he made a beeline for Angle's office. WWE cameras caught the confrontation as it unfolded live.

"Why would you do that? I was fine! I had him!" Jordan fumed, his face contorted with rage and disappointment.

Angle remained calm but firm in his response. "You weren't fine, Jason. I saw your neck give out. I'm not going to risk your future for one match — even if it's a big one." Jordan paused, seething, pacing like a caged animal before exploding again, his voice cracking from a cocktail of rage and heartbreak.

"That's the problem! You've never believed in me! Not as a competitor. Not as a champion. Not as your son!"

Angle looked stunned as the two locked eyes for several tense seconds.

"You treat me like a project. Like a PR move to clean up your legacy. But you never saw me as the star I know I am," Jordan declared, pointing to his chest.

With that final emotional outburst, Jordan shoved over a production crate and stormed out of frame, leaving a visibly shaken Angle behind. The aftermath of this confrontation could have lasting implications for both men as WrestleMania season continues to unfold.

Monster Among Men Conquers Cena in Thunderous Main Event... But Reigns Gets Final Word​

The night concluded with a clash of titans as Braun Strowman faced John Cena in a marquee matchup stemming from their escalating tensions in the Elimination Chamber picture. What followed was nothing short of spectacular as both men pushed their limits in a war of attrition.

Cena, ever the competitor, managed to hit an Attitude Adjustment but couldn't put away the Monster Among Men. Strowman recovered and ultimately secured the victory with a second thunderous Running Powerslam that shook the arena to its core.

In a rare show of respect, the two competitors exchanged a brief nod after the match – but the moment of sportsmanship was short-lived. Just as the dust was settling, Roman Reigns immediately launched a blistering assault, catching both exhausted competitors off guard. The former Shield powerhouse connected with Superman Punches to both Strowman and Cena before punctuating his statement with a thunderous Spear to Strowman that sent the Monster Among Men crashing through the barricade. Standing tall over his fallen Chamber opponents, Reigns pointed to the WrestleMania sign, making it clear that regardless of who enters the Elimination Chamber, his path to the Universal Championship runs through anyone who stands in his way.

The Destroyer Returns! Samoa Joe Dominates in Chamber Qualifier​

The WWE Universe erupted when Samoa Joe's music hit, signaling the Samoan Submission Machine's long-awaited return to action. Answering Apollo Crews' open challenge for an Elimination Chamber qualifying match, Joe wasted no time reminding everyone of his devastating ability.

In a brutal display of power and precision, Joe methodically dismantled Crews with thunderous strikes before locking in the Coquina Clutch to secure the submission victory. With this win, Joe becomes the fifth competitor to qualify for the Men's Elimination Chamber match, leaving just one spot remaining.

Wyatt Enters Chamber with Haunting Performance​

The Eater of Worlds earned his place in the Elimination Chamber with a chilling victory over familiar foe, “Woken” Matt Hardy in another qualifier. Wyatt appeared almost possessed, systematically breaking down his opponent before surviving a spirited comeback attempt and delivering Sister Abigail for the win.

As the lights dimmed following the match, Wyatt's maniacal laughter echoed throughout the arena while he stared intently at the WrestleMania sign hanging from the rafters, perhaps foreshadowing his dark intentions.

MizTV Turns Violent as Finn Balor Strikes Back, Intercontinental Title Match Set for Elimination Chamber​

“Finn Balor is nothing but a failed experiment.”​

Flanked by Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel, The Miz basked in his usual smug spotlight, welcoming the WWE Universe to what he called a “very special edition” of MizTV — one dedicated entirely to exposing Finn Balor.

“Last week, I was this close to punching my ticket to the Elimination Chamber,” Miz ranted. “And then — like always — Finn Balor just had to make it about himself. He cost me the match. He cost me a championship opportunity. He cost the WWE Universe the chance to see a true superstar headline WrestleMania.”

The Intercontinental Champion pulled no punches as he dissected Balor’s WWE career.

“Let’s be honest. Finn Balor peaked at SummerSlam 2016. One day as Universal Champion — and his shoulder fell apart faster than his push. He’s not a myth. He’s not a demon. He’s a disappointment.”

The Miz then laughed as Axel and Dallas held up a mocked-up “Missing: Finn’s Momentum” poster, drawing boos from the crowd.

“You people cheer for him because you want to believe he’s special. But I’m the one who’s carried this brand. I’m the one who makes that title relevant. And I’m the one going to WrestleMania. Not him. Never him.”

Before Miz could continue his tirade, the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted — Finn Balor’s music hit.

But Balor didn’t appear on the stage.

Instead, the camera snapped to ringside just as Balor slid into the ring from behind, clubbing The Miz with a sling blade before Miztourage could react. Axel and Dallas were quickly sent flying to the outside, and Miz himself bailed before Balor could land a Coup de Grâce.

Breathing heavily in the center of the ring, Balor grabbed the MizTV microphone and simply said:

“You talk too much.”

Immediately following the Miz TV segment, Balor kept his momentum rolling with a decisive victory over Bo Dallas. But the biggest news came afterward when it was announced that Balor will challenge The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber!

Women's Division Heats Up: Banks Qualifies, Paige Returns!​

The Boss kicked off the night by defeating Alicia Fox in a Women's Elimination Chamber qualifier, locking in the Bank Statement to secure her spot in the historic match. Sasha Banks now joins Bayley, Mandy Rose, and Nia Jax as qualifiers alongside champion Alexa Bliss. The real shock came post-match when Paige made her unexpected return to Raw, announcing she's been medically cleared to compete. The former Divas Champion immediately demanded the final spot in the Women's Elimination Chamber, leaving Kurt Angle with a major decision to make in the coming weeks.

The Club Returns as Raw Tag Team Division Erupts into All-Out Chaos​

The Raw Tag Team Champions The Bar may have walked into the Wells Fargo Arena with their usual swagger, but they didn’t walk out the same way.

Following a dominant non-title victory earlier in the night against a local team, Sheamus and Cesaro stood in the ring and declared themselves untouchable. Boasting about their recent run of victories, the champions mocked every other team on the Raw roster — and even took a pointed shot at former rivals Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, who have been conspicuously absent in recent weeks.

“We’ve beaten everyone,” Cesaro proclaimed. “Titus Worldwide? Slater & Rhyno? The so-called ‘Top Guys’? Gallows & Anderson? Where are they now—back in Japan licking their wounds?”

But before The Bar could continue their self-congratulatory sermon, they were abruptly interrupted by the hard-hitting arrival of The Revival. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, ever the traditionalists, hit the ring dressed in black and full of grit.

“You want real tag team wrestling?” Dawson barked. “We’re not here for jokes or t-shirts. We’re the best pure tag team on the planet.”

Their challenge was met with condescension from Sheamus, who smirked and offered them a shot — not at the titles, but “at cleaning our boots.” That insult lit the fuse, and a wild brawl broke out between the two teams.

The Revival vs. The Bar erupted into pure chaos, with fists flying and the crowd rallying behind the unexpected firefight. But just when it seemed security might be needed to separate the teams…

“OHHHHH YEAH!”​

The Des Moines crowd erupted as The Club's unmistakable theme hit the arena for the first time in weeks. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson stormed to the ring with intensity, looking leaner, meaner, and more focused than ever. Within seconds, Gallows leveled Scott Dawson with a big boot while Anderson hit a spinebuster on Cesaro. The Club moved like men possessed, laying out The Revival and then turning their attention to Sheamus, who was met with the Boot of Doom. The moment the Swiss Cyborg staggered to his feet again, he ate a thunderous Magic Killer from the reunited duo. The WWE Universe roared as Gallows and Anderson stood tall, throwing up the familiar "Too Sweet" hand gesture. After weeks of silence, The Club had returned — and sent a message to every team in the division.

After an explosive confrontation on Monday Night Raw, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle has made a blockbuster decision:

The Bar will defend the Raw Tag Team Championships in a Triple Threat Match at WWE Elimination Chamber on Sunday, February 25, live on WWE Network.

Their challengers? Two of the most dangerous and determined teams in the division — The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) and The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder).

Ronda Rousey Trains at the Performance Center, Sends Warning Ahead of Elimination Chamber​

In a special satellite feature airing during the second hour of Raw, WWE cameras took fans inside the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, for an exclusive look at Ronda Rousey’s intense preparation for her in-ring debut at Elimination Chamber.

The footage opened with Rousey mid-drill, sparring with a male performance coach. Her movements were fast, fluid, and fierce — a hybrid of judo, MMA, and developing WWE-style grappling. Rousey floored her sparring partner with a seamless judo throw before rolling into a kimura lock, forcing an audible tap. After a brief montage of training clips showing Rousey lifting weights, running drills with trainers, and reviewing match tape with WWE producer Fit Finlay, the former UFC Bantamweight Champion sat down for a direct-to-camera interview.

Wearing a black hoodie, hair pulled back tightly, and a piercing glare in her eyes, Rousey said:

“I’ve fought on the biggest stages in the world. I’ve headlined arenas. I’ve felt pressure that most people can’t imagine. But this? WWE? It’s something else. It’s personal.”

She continued:

“I know some people think I’m just here for a paycheck, or that I don’t belong. Let them think that. I’m not here to prove anything to critics. I’m here to fight. And if Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, or anyone else wants to test me... I’m ready.”

When asked about her mystery opponent for Elimination Chamber, Rousey didn’t flinch:

“I don’t care who they put in front of me — it doesn't matter. I’ll walk into that ring, I’ll break down whoever’s across from me, and I’ll make it clear: The Baddest Woman on the Planet just arrived.”

The segment ended with Rousey standing under a WWE Performance Center banner, shadowboxing with laser focus before glancing up at the WrestleMania 34 sign on the wall.

Bliss Makes Bold Play for Asuka's Decision​

In a tense backstage encounter, Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss approached Royal Rumble winner Asuka with an unexpected proposition – challenge SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania instead of pursuing her title.

The Empress of Tomorrow offered no verbal response, simply smiling enigmatically before walking away. With her championship decision still pending, Asuka continues to hold all the cards while Bliss appears increasingly concerned about potentially facing the undefeated superstar.

With Elimination Chamber rapidly approaching and WrestleMania looming on the horizon, the stakes have never been higher on Monday Night Raw. Which superstars will capitalize on their momentum? Who will claim the final Chamber spot? And what other surprises await the WWE Universe in the weeks ahead? Stay tuned to WWE.com for all the latest developments!

WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2018: UPDATED CARD​

Based on the Raw events from January 29 and February 5, 2018, here is the current card for the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view:

​

MEN'S ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH​

Winner challenges Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 34

Confirmed Participants:

• Braun Strowman
• Roman Reigns
• John Cena
• Seth Rollins
• Samoa Joe
• Bray Wyatt

All six participants have now qualified through their respective qualifying matches over the past two weeks of Raw.

WOMEN'S ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH​

Raw Women's Championship

Confirmed Participants:

• Alexa Bliss (c)
• Mandy Rose
• Nia Jax
• Bayley
• Sasha Banks
• One spot remaining

Paige has returned and demanded the final spot in the Women's Chamber match, but Kurt Angle has not yet made an official decision.

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH​

• The Miz (c) vs. Finn Balor

This match was set after weeks of tension between the two superstars, culminating in Balor ambushing The Miz during MizTV on February 5.

RONDA ROUSEY'S WWE IN-RING DEBUT​

• Ronda Rousey vs. Opponent TBA

Triple H announced that Rousey will make her in-ring debut at Elimination Chamber, but her opponent has not yet been revealed. Rousey has been training at the WWE Performance Center and has promised to show "what happens when the gloves come off."

RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH​

• The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) (c) vs. The Club vs. The Revival

 

[Stojy]

Thought this episode of Raw sounded pretty solid. Both Chamber lineups look okay and the biggest thing at the moment is probably the shock return of Paige. I'm assuming she'll get in the chamber and looking forward to seeing how you book that. The Jordan/Angle interaction here was intriguing as well, giving us some potential character work moving forward which will be enjoyable.

Feel like you've put a lot of work into the Miz/Finn feud the last two shows and I've enjoyed it. Probably the angle/feud that has been done the best so far on Raw in the first few weeks.

Tag title scene is solid enough, but still really early for you to have made your mark, tbh. Although Revival push in WWE is most likely always going to get a thumbs up from me.

Always love these training vignette type videos to hype something. Just makes it feel so much more like a sport, and this is probably the segment of the night for me.

Finally, Bliss trying to convince Asuka not to challenge her makes sense. Looking forward to more in this space.

Things have started off pretty well in here.

 

[WrestleWizard]

2.6.18 Smackdown Live: CHAOS REIGNS ON SMACKDOWN LIVE: GABLE'S HEROIC GAUNTLET PERFORMANCE, RIOTT SQUAD RISES, AND SHANE MCMAHON HOSPITALIZED AFTER BRUTAL ATTACK​

FEBRUARY 6, 2018 | SMACKDOWN LIVE RESULTS​

RANDY ORTON VS. SAMI ZAYN​

The evening kicked off with a highly anticipated singles match between "The Viper" Randy Orton and Sami Zayn. The action was fast and furious from the opening bell, with Orton methodically targeting Zayn's limbs while the "Underdog from the Underground" responded with his signature high-energy offense.

"The Viper" methodically worked over Zayn's left arm, twisting it into unnatural angles before slamming it against the turnbuckle. Zayn winced in pain but refused to surrender, finally breaking free with a desperation hurricanrana that sent Orton tumbling to the outside. Seeing his opportunity, Zayn launched himself over the top rope with a spectacular diving somersault that crashed into Orton on the floor! The crowd gasped then roared as both men lay sprawled on the ringside mats.

Back in the ring, Zayn ascended the turnbuckle, setting up for his signature diving crossbody. He soared through the air, but Orton's instincts took over – he caught Zayn mid-flight and powerfully transitioned into his devastating scoop slam! Just as Orton dropped to the mat, pounding it with his fists – the telltale sign that the RKO was imminent – Kevin Owens rushed down the ramp and slid into the ring. Before the referee could react, Owens blindsided Orton with a crushing clothesline! The referee immediately called for the bell, signaling Orton's victory by disqualification. But the damage was done. Owens and Zayn pounced on "The Apex Predator," stomping and striking with reckless abandon. Owens dragged Orton to his feet, positioning him for a devastating Pop-up Powerbomb when the crowd erupted!

AJ Styles' theme boomed through the arena as the WWE Champion sprinted to the ring! The Phenomenal One slid under the bottom rope and immediately took the fight to Zayn, unloading with a flurry of strikes that sent the "Yep!" movement scrambling for safety outside the ring. As Owens and Zayn backed up the entrance ramp, shouting insults at their adversaries, Daniel Bryan's music hit. The SmackDown General Manager stood at the top of the entrance ramp, microphone in hand, visibly frustrated by the chaos. "That's enough!" Bryan shouted as the crowd chanted his name. "If you two want to get involved and ruin perfectly good matches, then you can compete right now!" Bryan's intensity grew with each word. "Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, you will face Randy Orton and AJ Styles in a tag team match... and that match starts RIGHT NOW!"

AJ STYLES & RANDY ORTON VS. KEVIN OWENS & SAMI ZAYN​

The impromptu tag team match began with Styles and Zayn circling each other in the center of the ring. Styles immediately showcased his world-class ability, flowing seamlessly between strikes and technical maneuvers that left Zayn struggling to counter. A lightning-quick sequence ended with Styles catching Zayn with a beautiful dropkick that sent him tumbling into the hostile corner.

Styles tagged in Orton, who continued the assault with methodical precision. "The Viper" targeted Zayn's previously injured arm, wrenching it backward and applying pressure to the shoulder socket. Zayn's agonized expression told the story as he desperately clawed toward his corner.

With a burst of energy, Zayn evaded Orton's attempt at a back suplex and made the hot tag to Owens. "The Prizefighter" charged into the ring with fury, taking Orton down with a series of clotheslines before connecting with a punishing senton that drove the air from Orton's lungs.

"This is awesome!" chants filled the arena as the action intensified. Owens maintained control, cutting off the ring and preventing Orton from reaching Styles. A vicious superkick rocked Orton, sending him staggering backward. Owens followed up with a cannonball in the corner that crumpled "The Viper" in a heap.

Just when it seemed the tide had turned permanently, Orton countered Zayn's Blue Thunder Bomb attempt with a power slam out of nowhere! Both men lay exhausted on the canvas, each desperately reaching for their respective partners.

The crowd rose to their feet as both men made the tag simultaneously! Styles and Owens collided in the center of the ring with a thunderous exchange of forearms. Styles gained the advantage with his unmatched speed, connecting with a devastating Pele Kick that rocked Owens.

"The Phenomenal One" set up for the Styles Clash, but Zayn rushed in to break it up. Orton intercepted Zayn with a massive clothesline that sent both tumbling over the top rope. Inside the ring, Styles had Owens positioned for the Phenomenal Forearm, launching himself off the ropes with perfect timing.

Owens narrowly avoided disaster by rolling out of the ring! As Styles recalibrated, Owens grabbed Zayn by the arm and began hastily retreating up the entrance ramp! The referee began his count as the duo backpedaled away from the ring.

"One! Two! Three!" the official counted as Orton and Styles looked on in disbelief.

"Get back in this ring!" Orton shouted as the count continued.

"Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten!" The referee signaled for the bell as Owens and Zayn disappeared behind the curtain, forfeiting the match by count-out.

WWE cameras followed the duo backstage, where they ran directly into Shane McMahon. The SmackDown Commissioner's face was a mask of controlled fury.

"What was that?" Shane demanded, blocking their path. "You walk out on a match? You disrespect this show? You disrespect these fans?"

"We got hurt! We need medical attention!" Owens protested unconvincingly.

Shane's patience visibly snapped. "I've had it with both of you! You're done for tonight – BOTH OF YOU!"

As security personnel approached, Shane delivered his final verdict: "You're kicked out of the building RIGHT NOW! And as far as future title opportunities go? That's out the window! Now GET OUT!"

Owens and Zayn protested vehemently as security began escorting them toward the exit. "You can't do this! This is abuse of power!" Zayn shouted while Owens cursed under his breath. The WWE Universe watched on the TitanTron as the rebellious duo was forcibly removed from the arena, leaving their future on SmackDown LIVE in serious jeopardy.

THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS VS. RUSEV DAY​

The atmosphere in the arena darkened as Harper and Rowan's ominous entrance music signaled the arrival of the Bludgeon Brothers. The massive duo marched methodically toward the ring, their enormous mallets held high above their heads. Their expressionless faces and coordinated movements sent chills through the WWE Universe – these weren't just wrestlers, they were harbingers of destruction.

The mood shifted dramatically as "Rusev Day!" chants filled the arena. Aiden English entered first, microphone in hand, delivering a theatrical introduction for his Bulgarian partner. "It is with great honor and privilege that I present to you, on this most glorious of Rusev Days... RUSEV!"

The Bulgarian Brute emerged to a thunderous ovation, raising his arms triumphantly as the crowd continued their "Rusev Day" chants. The size difference between the teams was immediately apparent as they stood across from each other in the ring – the Bludgeon Brothers towering over their opponents with menacing glares.

Aiden English started the match against Harper, immediately regretting the decision as the bearded behemoth overpowered him with ease. Harper launched English across the ring with a devastating throw that sent him crashing into the turnbuckle. English crumpled to the mat, desperately trying to reach Rusev.

Harper cut off the tag attempt with surprising agility, dragging English back to the corner where Rowan awaited. The Bludgeon Brothers executed perfect tandem offense, with legal man Harper holding English in position while Rowan delivered punishing strikes from the apron.

The crowd rallied behind English, willing him to make the tag to Rusev. With one desperate surge, English ducked under Harper's clothesline attempt and dove toward his corner! Rusev's hand stretched out, fingers extended...

TAG! The crowd erupted as the Bulgarian Brute charged into the ring like a man possessed, taking down both Bludgeon Brothers with explosive offense! Rusev connected with a series of devastating kicks to Harper's chest before launching him with a belly-to-belly suplex that shook the ring!

"Rusev Day! Rusev Day!" the chants grew louder as Rusev prepared for the Machka Kick. Harper narrowly avoided it, tagging in the fresh Rowan who blindsided Rusev with a running crossbody that flattened the Bulgarian Brute.

The Bludgeon Brothers isolated Rusev, cutting off the ring with military precision. Despite Rusev's incredible strength, the numbers game proved too much. After a brutal sequence of power moves, Harper tagged back in and the duo executed their devastating double-team finisher – a modified crucifix powerbomb that drove Rusev into the canvas with sickening force.

Harper covered Rusev, securing the three-count victory with clinical efficiency. But the Bludgeon Brothers weren't finished. They immediately turned their attention to the barely-conscious English, dragging him into the ring for further punishment.

Rusev valiantly attempted to save his partner but was swiftly beaten down by the dominant duo. Just as Harper positioned English for their devastating tandem finisher, familiar hip-hop beats filled the arena!

The Usos' music hit to a massive reaction as the SmackDown Tag Team Champions rushed to the ring! Jimmy and Jey Uso slid under the bottom rope, standing tall as the Bludgeon Brothers released English and turned to face the new threat.

The two teams stood face-to-face in a tense standoff that had the WWE Universe holding their collective breath. Despite giving up significant size to the Bludgeon Brothers, The Usos showed absolutely no fear, their championship belts held high in defiance.

After what seemed like an eternity, Harper and Rowan slowly backed away, mallets in hand, their cold eyes never leaving the champions. The message was clear – this confrontation was merely postponed, not avoided.

As SmackDown LIVE went off the air, The Usos stood tall in the ring, helping Rusev Day to their feet while the Bludgeon Brothers watched from the entrance ramp – a chilling preview of the destruction that awaits in the tag team division.

RIOTT SQUAD SCORES SHOCKING VICTORY OVER CHARLOTTE FLAIR & BECKY LYNCH​

Chaos erupts as Naomi enters the fray after vicious post-match assault

After last week's dramatic confrontation between SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair and Royal Rumble winner Asuka, the blue brand's women's division continues to be a powder keg of tensions and shifting alliances.

Tuesday night saw an explosive tag team collision when Charlotte Flair teamed with her sometimes-friend, sometimes-rival Becky Lynch to face the increasingly dangerous duo of Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan of The Riott Squad.

Uneasy Alliance Crumbles​

The match began with Lynch and Morgan, with "The Irish Lass Kicker" dominating the early exchanges through her technical prowess. When Charlotte tagged in, the SmackDown Women's Champion continued the offensive flurry with her signature chops that echoed throughout the arena.

Riott and Morgan, however, displayed the cunning teamwork that has made them such a threat in the women's division. After isolating Lynch, the Riott Squad members executed rapid tags and double-team maneuvers that kept "The Irish Lass Kicker" away from her corner.

The tide turned when Lynch finally escaped and made a diving tag to Charlotte. The Queen entered like a house of fire, hitting a series of clotheslines on Morgan before connecting with a devastating Natural Selection that seemed to signal the end of the contest.

As Charlotte signaled for the Figure Eight, Ruby Riott rushed in for the save, creating a chaotic situation that referee Charles Robinson struggled to control. During the confusion, Lynch attempted to help from the apron, calling for Charlotte to tag her in.

Fatal Miscommunication​

The chaotic scene reached its climax when Morgan ducked under Charlotte's attempted clothesline and shoved The Queen toward the corner where Lynch was calling for a tag. As Morgan scrambled away, Charlotte spun around and aimed a thunderous Big Boot intended for the retreating Riott Squad member. Instead, the boot caught Lynch flush in the face, sending the former champion crashing from the apron to the floor below.

The arena fell silent as the gravity of the situation became apparent. Charlotte's eyes widened in shock at what had just happened, clearly an accident born from the heat of battle. With Lynch down and out on the outside, Charlotte turned back to her opponents, visibly distracted by what had just transpired.

Ruby Riott capitalized immediately, rolling up Charlotte from behind. In full view of the WWE Universe but hidden from the referee's perspective, Riott brazenly grabbed the bottom rope for illegal leverage, securing a three-count victory that sent shockwaves through the crowd.

"Charlotte and Becky can't get on the same page, and The Riott Squad just took full advantage," exclaimed commentator Tom Phillips as Ruby and Liv celebrated their monumental upset.

Post-Match Mayhem​

The celebration quickly evolved into brutality as Riott and Morgan launched a vicious post-match assault on both Charlotte and the still-recovering Lynch. The Riott Squad showed no mercy, with Morgan targeting Lynch's already-injured face while Riott focused on dismantling Charlotte's left knee — a calculated attack on the limb essential to her Figure Eight submission hold.

Just as the situation seemed dire, Naomi's entrance music hit, bringing the crowd to their feet. The former SmackDown Women's Champion sprinted to the ring and initially cleared house with her athletic offense, connecting with a split-legged moonsault on Morgan that momentarily turned the tide.

However, the numbers game proved too much. Sarah Logan, who had been conspicuously absent from ringside during the match, emerged from the crowd and blindsided Naomi with a devastating tackle. The full Riott Squad then systematically dismantled all three opponents, culminating in a triple powerbomb on Naomi through the announce table that left the WWE Universe in shock.

The Riott Squad stood tall over the carnage they created, with Ruby Riott grabbing Charlotte's championship belt and mockingly placing it over her shoulder while staring directly into the camera.

"The landscape of SmackDown's women's division may have just changed forever," remarked Corey Graves as the show cut to commercial with medical personnel attending to the fallen superstars.

What's Next?​

Tonight's shocking events raise numerous questions heading into next week:

• Was Charlotte's devastating kick to Becky Lynch truly accidental?
• How will SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan respond to The Riott Squad's increasingly destructive presence?
• Where does Naomi now fit into the championship picture after inserting herself into this volatile situation?

Don't miss next week's SmackDown LIVE to see the fallout from this chaotic night!

HEART OF A CHAMPION: CHAD GABLE'S HEROIC GAUNTLET MATCH PERFORMANCE CAPTIVATES WWE UNIVERSE​

In a night that will be remembered for years to come, SmackDown LIVE delivered an instant classic as Chad Gable put on a performance for the ages in a grueling Gauntlet Match to determine the new #1 Contender for Bobby Roode's United States Championship.

The Olympic wrestler entered first and proceeded to push his body to the absolute limit, battling through three opponents before finally succumbing to the cunning of Dolph Ziggler after a heroic 35-minute marathon effort that had the WWE Universe on their feet.

ROUND ONE: REUNION AND RIVALRY​

The history between these two technical wizards added an emotional undercurrent to what would become a masterclass in pure wrestling ability. As the bell rang, both men circled each other with the cautious respect of two athletes who knew each other's capabilities all too well, Gable's red and gold gear gleaming under the lights as he bounced with focused determination.

What unfolded was nothing short of artistic – a symphony of chain wrestling transitions that left the crowd in awe. Wristlocks flowed into headlocks, Gator rolls transitioned seamlessly into hammerlocks. This wasn't just wrestling; this was a chess match with human bodies.

"The technical proficiency on display here is unmatched anywhere in WWE," exclaimed the commentary team as Gable executed a picture-perfect belly-to-belly suplex that launched Benjamin across the ring and brought fans to their feet.

Benjamin, the veteran that he is, quickly adjusted his strategy. Using his reach advantage, he isolated Gable's arm with surgical precision, cranking and twisting with decades of experience behind every move. The momentum shifted when Benjamin hit a snap German suplex that nearly folded Gable in half.

As the battle wore on, both competitors escalated their offense. Benjamin caught Gable coming off the ropes with a stiff knee to the midsection that doubled the smaller competitor over, following with a dragon whip kick that turned Gable inside out.

But if there's one thing that defines Chad Gable, it's resilience.

Fighting from underneath, Gable reversed an Irish whip and caught Benjamin with a dropkick that sent the "Gold Standard" tumbling to the outside. In a moment of brilliance that had the crowd gasping, Gable launched himself over the top rope with a perfectly executed tope con hilo, crashing into his former partner on the arena floor!

Back in the ring, the pace quickened to a fever pitch. Benjamin landed a thunderous superplex from the top rope, but incredibly, Gable rolled through into a bridging Northern Lights suplex that nearly secured the victory. Each counter was met with another counter as these former partners read each other like open books.

In the final sequence, Benjamin went for his patented leaping knee strike, but Gable's Olympic-level instincts kicked in. He ducked underneath, spun behind Benjamin, and in a feat of pure power, deadlifted the much larger man into a rolling German suplex. With every muscle in his body straining, Gable bridged back for the pinfall.

ONE... TWO... THREE!

The arena erupted as Gable eliminated Benjamin at the 9:00 mark. One down, but the gauntlet had only begun.

ROUND TWO: THE MAHARAJA'S WRATH​

Chad Gable barely had time to catch his breath. As he leaned against the ropes, chest heaving from his intense battle with Benjamin, the atmosphere shifted instantly from appreciation to tension.

The former WWE Champion towered over the exhausted Gable, flanked by his loyal associate Sunil Singh, and the moment the bell rang, Mahal pounced like a predator.

"The Modern Day Maharaja is showing no mercy!" cried the commentators as Mahal backed Gable into the corner and unleashed a barrage of shoulder thrusts that drove the wind from Gable's lungs.

The size difference was stark. Mahal used his considerable power advantage to manhandle Gable, hoisting him onto the top turnbuckle and dropping him face-first with a devastating gutbuster that had the crowd wincing in sympathy.

"YOU DO NOT BELONG WITH ME!" Mahal screamed, his face contorted with contempt as he stomped mercilessly on Gable's exhausted form. The crowd booed vociferously, but Mahal was unfazed, methodically wearing down the smaller competitor with a tight rear chinlock.

As the minutes ticked by, Gable's situation seemed increasingly hopeless. Mahal's powerful offense kept him grounded, and each time he tried to build momentum, Mahal would cut him off with brutal efficiency. The former WWE Champion locked in a crushing bearhug, squeezing the life from Gable's already oxygen-starved muscles.

But something remarkable began to happen. The crowd, seeing Gable's determination despite overwhelming odds, started to rally behind him. A slow, rhythmic clap built throughout the arena, growing louder with each passing second.

Gable's fists clenched. His jaw tightened. The crowd's energy seemed to flow into him, and suddenly, he broke free with a flurry of back elbows! He bounced off the ropes – only to run straight into a thunderous spinebuster from Mahal that shook the ring canvas.

ONE... TWO... KICKOUT!

Mahal slapped the mat in frustration, his patience wearing thin. He dragged Gable to his feet and positioned him for his finishing move, the Khallas – but in a moment of brilliant athleticism, Gable spun out mid-air and landed on his feet! The crowd erupted as Gable bounced off the ropes and launched into a running crossbody.

Once again, Mahal caught him, this time attempting a fallaway slam. But Gable's technical prowess shone through as he wriggled free, landed behind the former champion, and delivered a perfectly targeted chop block to Mahal's leg!

Sensing his opportunity, Gable executed a series of dragon screw leg whips that had Mahal howling in pain. Then, in a moment that had the crowd roaring their approval, Gable locked in a deep ankle lock, grapevining the leg to maximize the pressure!

Mahal's face contorted in agony as he desperately clawed toward the ropes, finally managing to grasp the bottom strand. The referee forced Gable to break the hold, but the damage had been done. Mahal's mobility was compromised.

Both competitors struggled to their feet, the toll of battle evident in their labored movements. Seizing the moment, Gable ascended the turnbuckle and launched himself into a breathtaking moonsault – only for Mahal to raise his knees at the last possible second! The impact sent shockwaves of pain through Gable's midsection.

Mahal staggered to his feet, shook out his injured leg, and once again set up for the Khallas. This time, he lifted Gable and began the rotation – but in a flash of brilliance, Gable grabbed Mahal's arm mid-move and rolled through into a lightning-quick crucifix pin!

ONE... TWO... THREE!!

The arena exploded with cheers as Gable eliminated Jinder Mahal at the 17:00 cumulative mark. Two former world-class athletes down, but Gable's ordeal was far from over.

ROUND THREE: THE LONE WOLF'S HUNT​

As Jinder Mahal was escorted away by a furious Sunil Singh, Gable remained on his knees in the center of the ring, not even looking up as his next opponent approached. This wasn't going to be a wrestling match – it was going to be a slaughter.

Baron Corbin, the Lone Wolf, entered the battle with eyes cold and calculating, his predatory intent clear to everyone in the arena.

"This is just unfair," remarked the commentators. "Chad Gable has already been through two grueling matches, and now he has to face the 6'8", 285-pound Lone Wolf!"

As Corbin slithered between the ropes, Gable pulled himself upright using every ounce of determination he had left. His body was covered in sweat, his chest heaving with exhaustion – but his eyes burned with an unquenchable fighting spirit.

DING DING DING.

Corbin charged like a freight train, but Gable's survival instincts kicked in, and he ducked the initial assault! The crowd roared as Gable bounced off the ropes and connected with a flying forearm that barely fazed the much larger man. Undeterred, Gable tried again – shoulder tackle! Corbin barely moved an inch.

On Gable's third attempt, Corbin caught him with a vicious back elbow that nearly turned him inside out. The impact echoed throughout the arena as Gable crashed to the canvas.

Corbin towered over his fallen opponent, a sadistic grin spreading across his face. He grabbed a handful of Gable's hair and yanked him up to eye level.

"You've got heart, kid," he growled, his voice dripping with condescension, "but heart don't beat me."

What followed was nothing short of savage. Corbin hurled Gable shoulder-first into the steel ring post with sickening force. He rolled outside and whipped the Olympic athlete spine-first into the barricade, the impact causing Gable to arch in agony. Not content with his destruction, Corbin slammed Gable's face into the announce table and then tossed him back into the ring like discarded trash.

Inside the squared circle, Corbin's methodical dismantling continued. He connected with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker that bent Gable at an unnatural angle before floating into a pin.

ONE... TWO... Somehow, Gable kicked out!

The crowd watched in disbelief as Corbin didn't show a hint of frustration – he simply continued his calculated assault. Dropping repeated elbows to Gable's back, he transitioned into a modified half-nelson clutch that wrenched Gable's neck at an awkward angle.

"Tap out! Save yourself!" Corbin taunted as he applied pressure.

But something incredible was happening. Despite the pain etched across his face, despite the odds stacked insurmountably against him, Gable refused to surrender. And the WWE Universe recognized his heart. Once again, a rally began to build throughout the arena – claps, chants, a wave of support that seemed to infuse Gable with renewed purpose.

Feeding off the energy of the crowd, Gable pounded the mat and began fighting back. He powered up to a knee, elbowing free from Corbin's grip – only to get caught again, whipped into the ropes, and flattened with Corbin's devastating Deep Six!

ONE! TWO! THR—NO!!

The crowd erupted as Gable somehow – SOMEHOW – kicked out before the referee's hand hit the mat for the third time.

Corbin sat up, his eyes wide with disbelief, rage flickering across his face. He pounded the mat with both fists, screaming, "STAY DOWN!" at his resilient opponent.

Corbin dragged Gable to his feet and positioned him for his finishing move, the End of Days – but in a moment of pure desperation, Gable elbowed out mid-rotation! Corbin turned around, only to have his knee chopped out from under him! As the giant dropped to one leg, Gable summoned his remaining strength and delivered a rolling kick to the temple that echoed throughout the arena!

The momentum had shifted. Staggering to the apron, Gable used the ropes to launch himself into a springboard DDT that spiked Corbin's head into the mat! The crowd was on their feet, witnessing something special – a display of heart that transcended the physical limitations of Gable's battered body.

With a primal scream that came from the depths of his soul, Gable hooked Corbin's arm and, in a feat that defied physics, deadlifted the 285-pound Lone Wolf into his signature Chaos Theory rolling German suplex! The crowd erupted in astonishment!

But Gable's body had reached its limit – he couldn't maintain the bridge for the pin! He collapsed, crawling with one trembling arm to drape it over Corbin's chest.

ONE... TWO... KICKOUT!!

The match continued – but Gable was still alive, still fighting.

Corbin staggered up first, clutching his neck, shaking out his leg in disbelief. Once more, he went for the End of Days, determined to end Gable's miracle run – but Gable ducked under, rolled through, and hit the ropes one final time.

Corbin turned – and walked straight into a perfectly executed inside cradle!

ONE... TWO... THREE!!!

The arena exploded into a frenzy of cheers and disbelief! Chad Gable had just eliminated Baron Corbin at the 26:00 cumulative mark!

But the celebration was painfully short-lived.

Baron Corbin sat up, his expression frozen in disbelief before morphing into uncontrollable rage. As the referee raised Gable's trembling arm in victory, Corbin snapped. He charged forward like a wounded animal and blasted Gable with a running forearm to the back of the head!

"BOOOOOO!!!" The crowd's cheers turned to furious jeers as Corbin mounted the defenseless Gable and began raining down fists with reckless abandon. The referee tried desperately to pull him off, but Corbin shoved him away with contempt and dragged Gable to his feet.

END OF DAYS!

The sickening impact of Gable's body bouncing off the mat silenced the arena momentarily before a chorus of boos rained down on Corbin. He stood over his victim, sneering, breathing heavily, bathing in the fury of the fans.

"You think you're gonna win this?! You're NOTHING!" he spat at Gable's motionless form.

Still not satisfied with his destruction, Corbin rolled out of the ring, grabbed Gable's leg, and yanked him toward the ring post. Officials shouted warnings, but they fell on deaf ears as Corbin slammed Gable's leg into the steel – not once, but twice – with bone-crushing force!

The crowd's disapproval reached deafening levels as Corbin finally stalked off up the ramp, his work done. Referees and medical personnel rushed to Gable's aid, who lay crumpled on the mat, clutching his knee in agony.

The gauntlet had taken everything from Chad Gable – and now Corbin had potentially ended his miracle run in the cruelest fashion imaginable.

And yet... the night wasn't over.

"I am perfection..."

The iconic opening notes of Dolph Ziggler's theme music pierced through the arena. The final obstacle had arrived.

FINAL ROUND: THE SHOWOFF'S OPPORTUNITY​

The crowd held its collective breath as Dolph Ziggler entered the fray as the final opponent. Cool, calculated, and eerily confident – his eyes fixed on the medical team tending to Gable in the corner.

Ziggler's expression said it all: he was about to capitalize on a wounded opponent, and he felt no remorse whatsoever about doing so.

In the corner, Chad Gable was barely conscious, clutching his leg as trainers urged him to forfeit the match. The damage done by Corbin appeared severe – possibly a torn ligament or worse. Medical officials pleaded with him to stop, to live to fight another day.

But something in Gable wouldn't let him quit.

With a grimace that spoke volumes about the pain coursing through his body, he shoved the trainers aside and pulled himself up on one leg. Sweat cascaded down his battered frame as he stood, trembling but defiant.

The referee approached with concern, asking if he could continue.

Gable nodded. No hesitation. No doubt.

The bell rang.

DING DING DING.

Ziggler, the consummate opportunist, charged forward like a missile, going directly for the injured leg with a vicious low dropkick that folded Gable into a heap of agony. The crowd booed loudly at the ruthless tactic, but Ziggler simply smiled, savoring his advantage.

"You should've stayed down, hero!" he taunted, circling his wounded prey with predatory patience.

With calculating precision, Ziggler dropped a series of rapid-fire elbows onto Gable's injured knee, each impact causing Gable to writhe in pain. He yanked the Olympic athlete up and swept the bad leg out from under him, sending him face-first into the mat with a sickening thud.

Then came the torture – Ziggler locked in a single-leg crab, wrenching Gable's knee backward at an unnatural angle. Gable's screams of agony echoed throughout the arena as Ziggler leaned back as far as he could, putting maximum pressure on the already damaged joint.

The crowd fell silent, watching in horror as Gable clawed desperately for the ropes. Inch by agonizing inch, he dragged himself forward, fingernails digging into the canvas, refusing to tap out despite the excruciating pain. Finally – mercifully – he grabbed the bottom rope!

The referee ordered Ziggler to break the hold, but The Showoff held on until the count of four before finally releasing it with a smirk of satisfaction.

Mockingly, Ziggler stood over Gable and slow-clapped. "Let's hear it for your underdog, huh?!" he shouted to the crowd, drawing their ire.

The fans responded with a cascade of boos as Ziggler picked Gable up and whipped him toward the corner – but Gable collapsed halfway across the ring, his knee simply giving out beneath him. Ziggler's eyes lit up at the sight, and he charged forward, connecting with a devastating stinger splash that crushed Gable against the turnbuckle!

Rolling backward with fluid grace, Ziggler hit a picture-perfect leaping DDT, driving Gable's skull into the mat! He hooked the leg:

ONE! TWO! …KICKOUT!

Ziggler slapped the mat in frustration, unable to believe that Gable still had fight left in him.

The scene was heart-wrenching. Chad Gable, after nearly thirty minutes of grueling combat, was barely conscious. He crawled forward with one leg dragging uselessly behind him, his face a mask of pain and determination. The crowd watched in stunned silence, witnessing something beyond sport – this was human spirit in its purest form.

But Ziggler had seen enough. It was time to end this.

He backed into the corner and began stomping the mat rhythmically – the signal for his finishing move.

Once.

Twice.

THREE TIMES.

Ziggler lunged forward, his superkick aimed directly at Gable's head—

GABLE CAUGHT IT!!

ANKLE LOCK!!

THE CROWD EXPLODED INTO A FRENZY!!!

In a moment that will be replayed for years to come, Chad Gable had somehow caught Ziggler's foot mid-kick and transitioned into a crushing ankle lock! Standing on one leg, face contorted with determination, Gable poured every last ounce of his being into the hold.

"TAP! TAP! TAP!" the crowd chanted in unison as Ziggler thrashed wildly, his face a mask of panic. He clawed at the air, reaching desperately for the ropes – and in a burst of veteran instinct, he rolled forward, sending Gable crashing shoulder-first into the turnbuckle!

Both men were down. The crowd was on their feet. No one dared breathe.

Ziggler was the first to stir. He hobbled to his feet, measured his distance, and waited for Gable to rise. As the Olympic athlete turned around on unsteady legs...

SUPERKICK!!!

The impact was devastating, catching Gable flush on the jaw. His body staggered backwards, nearly falling but somehow remaining upright on pure instinct alone. The crowd gasped as Gable wobbled, his eyes glazed over, barely conscious.

Ziggler, sensing the perfect moment to strike, bounced off the ropes and grabbed the dazed Gable's head, driving it into the mat with a picture-perfect Zig Zag! The impact echoed throughout the arena as Gable's body bounced once before lying motionless.

Ziggler, himself exhausted from the intensity of the battle, crawled over and draped an arm across Gable's chest.

ONE... TWO... THREE!!!

At the 35:00 cumulative mark, Dolph Ziggler had finally ended Chad Gable's heroic run, becoming the new #1 Contender for the United States Championship.

THE AFTERMATH: RESPECT EARNED​

As the referee raised Ziggler's hand in victory, the arena filled with boos – not out of hatred for The Showoff's undeniable talent, but because they had just witnessed something special in Chad Gable's performance. They had wanted, with all their hearts, to see the miracle completed.

Dolph sat up, his wild hair matted with sweat, chest heaving from exertion. He rolled to the corner and stood, raising his arms in victory – but his celebration was cut short by the appearance of United States Champion Bobby Roode.

The champion slow-clapped with a knowing half-smile, the United States Championship gleaming on his shoulder as his eyes locked with Ziggler's in a silent challenge.

Ziggler nodded back, smirking confidently as he motioned around his waist. "That's mine," he mouthed, pointing at the championship.

Meanwhile, in the ring, medical personnel had rushed to Chad Gable's aid. As they helped him to his feet, something remarkable happened. From all corners of the arena, a chant began to build:

"GABLE! GABLE! GABLE!"

The crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation for the man who had put his body, heart, and soul on the line in pursuit of championship glory. Though he had fallen short, Chad Gable had won something perhaps more valuable than a title shot – he had won the respect and admiration of the entire WWE Universe.

As he was helped up the ramp, Gable turned one last time to acknowledge the crowd, raising a weary fist in appreciation. The ovation grew louder.

In the weeks to come, Bobby Roode and Dolph Ziggler would build toward their United States Championship showdown – but hovering over their rivalry was the shadow of Chad Gable's indomitable spirit and the night he refused to stay down.

Some victories don't require championships. Some defeats feel like triumphs. And on this night on SmackDown LIVE, Chad Gable reminded everyone why we love this sport – because heart, determination, and the refusal to quit in the face of impossible odds can create moments that transcend wins and losses.

That is the essence of WWE. That is the power of never giving up. That is Chad Gable.

BLOODSHED IN THE PARKING LOT: SHANE McMAHON LEFT HOSPITALIZED AFTER SAVAGE OWENS & ZAYN ASSAULT​

The cold February air in Kansas City turned colder still tonight as SmackDown Live concluded with one of the most heinous acts of brutality ever witnessed on WWE programming. What began as a typical post-show departure for SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon escalated into a nightmarish scene of calculated violence that has left the WWE Universe in shock and a McMahon family member fighting for recovery in a local medical facility.

The SmackDown Live cameras followed Shane McMahon as he exited the backstage area, his designer suit slightly rumpled after a night of high-intensity decision-making. The bright fluorescent lights of the parking garage cast harsh shadows across the concrete as Shane's footsteps echoed in the cavernous space. His face showed the unmistakable signs of exhaustion – dark circles under his eyes, a slight slump to his shoulders – as he fumbled for his keys. The Commissioner's black SUV stood waiting, its polished surface reflecting the overhead lights like an ominous mirror. As Shane approached, viewers could see his breath forming small clouds in the chilly air. The camera tracked him closely, capturing the moment his hand extended toward the driver's side door handle – fingers just brushing the cold metal.

That's when everything changed.

A blur of movement from behind a nearby production truck. The sickening metallic gleam of a steel pipe catching the light. Then – WHAM! – the devastating impact as Kevin Owens swung the weapon with murderous force directly into Shane's exposed ribcage. The sound – a nauseating combination of metal striking flesh and bone, followed by Shane's agonized gasp – reverberated throughout the garage. The Commissioner's body contorted unnaturally, folding in on itself as he dropped to his knees, arms wrapped protectively around his midsection. The camera caught every detail of his face – the widened eyes, the mouth open in a silent scream, the instant color drain from his complexion. Before Shane could even process what was happening, Sami Zayn emerged from the shadows, a crowbar gripped in his white-knuckled fist. With a maniacal intensity burning in his eyes, Zayn brought the curved metal implement crashing down across Shane's exposed spine. The impact echoed like a gunshot, driving McMahon face-first onto the cold concrete. What transpired next can only be described as methodical torture. For seven excruciating minutes – each second more disturbing than the last – Owens and Zayn dismantled Shane McMahon with clinical precision. When Shane attempted to crawl away, leaving a smear of blood on the concrete beneath him, Owens pounced like a predator. The former Universal Champion drove his boot heel directly into the small of Shane's back, pressing down with such force that you could almost hear vertebrae compressing. Then, with terrifying calmness, Owens grabbed a fistful of Shane's hair, yanked his head back, and began slamming his face repeatedly against the pavement.

"This is what happens!" Owens screamed, spittle flying from his mouth, veins bulging in his forehead. "This is what you made us do!"

The camera caught every impact in stomach-churning detail – Shane's forehead bouncing off the concrete, the instant swelling around his eye, the first trickle of crimson that began streaming down his face. By the fourth slam, McMahon's eyes had glazed over, his body going limp in Owens' grasp. But Sami Zayn was just getting started. He grabbed Shane by his custom tailored jacket, violently yanking it from his shoulders with such force that the fabric tore at the seams. In a move that demonstrated the premeditated nature of this assault, Zayn twisted the expensive material into a makeshift garrote, wrapping it around Shane's throat and pulling backward with savage intensity.

"You did this! You made us do this!" Zayn shrieked, his face contorted with a mixture of rage and something far more disturbing – satisfaction. "You pushed us! YOU PUSHED US TOO FAR!"

The camera zoomed in on Shane's face as the oxygen supply was cut off – his eyes bulging, lips turning blue, fingers weakly clawing at the improvised weapon crushing his windpipe. Just when it appeared McMahon might lose consciousness, Zayn released the pressure, only for Owens to step in and deliver a thunderous superkick that connected flush with Shane's jaw. The impact made a sickening crack that echoed throughout the garage, sending McMahon tumbling backward against his own vehicle.

The next moment showcased the truly sadistic nature of this attack. With Shane slumped against the SUV, Zayn grabbed McMahon's left leg and, with chilling deliberation, positioned it inside the vehicle's open door. The camera caught the moment of realization in Shane's eyes – the horror dawning just as Zayn's lips curled into what can only be described as a twisted smile.

"This is for everything you've done to us," Zayn whispered, his voice somehow more terrifying than if he had screamed.

With shocking violence, Zayn slammed the heavy SUV door onto Shane's trapped leg. Once. Twice. Three times. Each impact producing a more guttural scream from McMahon than the last. On the fourth slam, a distinct popping sound could be heard – ligaments giving way under the unnatural pressure. The camera captured Shane's face contorted in pure agony, tears involuntarily streaming down his bloodied cheeks as he clutched at his destroyed knee.

Owens, watching from mere feet away, nodded with approval before retrieving the steel pipe from where it had fallen. With methodical precision, he began driving the weapon into Shane's midsection – each strike deliberate, calculated to inflict maximum damage. By the fifth strike, McMahon had stopped screaming. By the seventh, he had stopped moving altogether, his body slumping into an unnatural position on the concrete.

The commotion finally drew attention from WWE officials. First came the referees – John Cone and Mike Chioda sprinting into view, their faces masks of shock. Behind them, producers Jamie Noble and Adam Pearce rushed forward, followed by arena security personnel in yellow jackets.

But Owens was ready for them. Swinging the steel pipe in wild, threatening arcs, he created a perimeter around Shane's broken body that none dared cross.

"STAY BACK!" Owens roared, his eyes wide with an almost primal rage. "NOBODY TOUCHES HIM!"

Zayn positioned himself between the officials and Shane, his entire body vibrating with intensity. "He's not done yet!" Zayn barked, pointing at Owens. "HE'S NOT DONE YET!"

The standoff lasted nearly thirty seconds – WWE officials desperately trying to reason with the two attackers while Shane lay motionless on the ground, a growing pool of dark crimson spreading from beneath his head.

What happened next will forever be etched in the annals of WWE's most disturbing moments. With calculated deliberation, Owens dropped the pipe and approached Shane's near-lifeless form. With shocking strength, he hoisted the Commissioner's deadweight body upward, positioning him as though preparing for his signature move.

"Watch this," Owens growled to the horrified onlookers. "WATCH THIS!"

With explosive power, Owens executed a devastating Pop-Up Powerbomb, launching Shane's body through the air before sending him crashing down onto the hood of his own SUV. The impact was catastrophic – metal buckling beneath flesh and bone, the windshield spiderwebbing with cracks from the force. Shane's body bounced once before settling into an unnatural position, limbs splayed at angles that human limbs should never form.

As if orchestrating the final note of a twisted symphony, Zayn reached into his pocket and withdrew a length of heavy steel chain. With deliberate slowness, he wrapped it around his fist, the links clinking together in the now-deathly silent garage. He approached Shane's prone form on the car hood, sized up his target, and delivered one final, merciless punch directly to Shane's already lacerated forehead.

The sound – metal meeting flesh and bone – was sickening. Fresh blood sprayed across the black paint of the SUV. Shane's body went completely limp.

IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH​

The camera caught Daniel Bryan's arrival – the SmackDown General Manager sprinting into frame, his face a mask of panic and disbelief. He pushed past security, ignoring the potential danger from Owens and Zayn who were now slowly backing away from the scene, their expressions vacant yet somehow satisfied.

"GET THE MEDICS! NOW!" Bryan screamed, his voice cracking with emotion as he reached Shane's side. The camera captured Bryan's trembling hands as he checked for a pulse, his fingers coming away slick with blood. "Shane? Shane! Can you hear me? Stay with me, buddy. Stay with me."

The medical team arrived with a gurney, their practiced movements belying the horror on their faces as they assessed the Commissioner's condition. As they stabilized his neck and transferred him to the stretcher, the camera caught a heart-wrenching moment – Bryan taking Shane's limp hand in his own, leaning close to whisper encouragement as blood continued to seep from the Commissioner's wounds.

"Don't give up, Shane," Bryan pleaded, his voice barely audible above the chaos. "Just hold on."

MEDICAL EVALUATION​

WWE's medical staff worked feverishly as Shane was loaded into a waiting ambulance. Dr. Chris Amann emerged from the vehicle briefly to deliver a preliminary assessment that painted a grim picture:

"Commissioner McMahon has sustained multiple serious injuries," Dr. Amann stated, his professional demeanor barely concealing his shock at the severity of the assault. "Our initial examination indicates at least three fractured ribs, one of which may have caused internal trauma. His left knee has extensive ligament damage consistent with a severe dislocation. He's exhibiting clear signs of concussion, and the laceration above his eye will require immediate suturing – likely a minimum of twelve stitches."

The ambulance doors closed with finality, emergency lights casting eerie red and blue patterns across the faces of stunned WWE personnel as the vehicle sped away toward the nearest trauma center.

CORPORATE RESPONSE​

Within minutes of the assault, WWE executives were in crisis mode. Triple H was seen entering the arena through a side entrance, his face set in grim determination as security personnel escorted him past shocked crew members. Stephanie McMahon was reportedly en route via private jet from WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

WWE issued a formal statement just before midnight local time:

"Tonight's unconscionable and potentially criminal attack on SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn has shocked the entire WWE family. We are launching a comprehensive internal investigation into how this occurred and what preventative measures failed. Disciplinary action against both Superstars is pending, with all options – including immediate termination – under consideration. Our thoughts are with Shane and the entire McMahon family during this difficult time."

UNCERTAIN FUTURE​

Medical officials have confirmed that Shane McMahon will remain hospitalized for ongoing observation and treatment. Initial prognosis suggests he will be out of action for a minimum of 6-8 weeks, though sources close to the situation indicate his injuries may require a significantly longer recovery period.

His role as SmackDown Live Commissioner has been placed on indefinite hold, creating immediate questions about leadership on the blue brand heading into the critical Road to WrestleMania.

As for Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn – their whereabouts remain unknown. The two were last seen exiting the parking garage on foot, disappearing into the Kansas City night, having forever altered the trajectory of SmackDown Live with their unconscionable actions.

WWE.com will continue to provide updates on Shane McMahon's condition and the ongoing investigation as more information becomes available.

 

[Stojy]

The Owens/Sami stuff obviously dominated this edition of SD, and rightfully so. This was all really awesome. Things started off well enough with Orton/Sami leading to the tag match, and then the two getting disciplined for walking out on a match. The ending though, that attack was absolutely brutal. Maybe even too brutal, but it was so much fun to read. I feel like this recap style, whilst easier to read, takes away one of your strengths which is the detail and way in which you describe scenes. The description of the attack on Shane and all that was happening was top notch.

Really enjoyed the detail regarding Triple H/Stephanie and the corporate response as well. Looking forward to seeing where you take this angle from here, but this was all great.

The hype for the tag title scene was solid tonight as well. Did exactly what it needed to. The Bludgeon Brothers look great with a win, and the stare down with The Usos gives us a tease of what's to come. Can't complain.

I want to commend you on doing a good job of making the Riott Squad seem like a viable threat. I don't think they ever really felt that way in real life, but to leave names like Charlotte and Becky (and Naomi I guess) laying is huge for them. Of course, there's the added element of the drama between Charlotte and Becky and whether the mistake from Charlotte was actually a mistake. Tension will be high but I'm looking forward to seeing these gals having to try and work together to take down what hopefully remains a strong heel group.

And onto the gauntlet. Always a great way to put somebody over, and I love that despite not winning, Gable got the rub here. He looks phenomenal, but I am intrigued to see how you follow it up. Roode/Ziggler is what it is on paper, but hoping you find a way to make it interesting, when suddenly all I want to see is Gable.

A tremendous night of booking on SD really. Maybe my favorite show I've read from you so far in any BTB.

 

[WrestleWizard]

WWE.COM EXCLUSIVE REPORT: MONDAY NIGHT RAW - FEBRUARY 12, 2018

A FAMILY IMPLODES: ANGLE CROSSES UNTHINKABLE LINE, JORDAN'S WRESTLEMANIA DREAM SHATTERED BY A FATHER'S FIST!

SAN JOSE, CA – The SAP Center, a cauldron of frenzied energy, bore witness tonight to a scene that transcended wrestling, a moment so raw, so personal, it left the WWE Universe breathless and questioning the very fabric of family. What began as an attempt at reconciliation between Raw General Manager Kurt Angle and his estranged son, Jason Jordan, spiraled into a vortex of bitterness, accusations, and ultimately, an act of violence that may have irrevocably destroyed their already fractured relationship. The air, once buzzing with anticipation for Elimination Chamber, grew heavy with the chilling fallout of a father striking his son.

The Olympic Gold Medalist, Kurt Angle, his face etched with a weariness that spoke volumes of sleepless nights and a tormented conscience, strode to the ring not with his usual confident swagger, but with the hesitant gait of a man carrying an unbearable burden. The San Jose crowd, a mix of sympathetic murmurs and confused boos, fell into an expectant hush. Angle, his voice thick with emotion, tie slightly askew, confessed the turmoil of his decision to pull Jordan from the Elimination Chamber due to injury. "As a general manager, I made the right call," he admitted, his voice cracking, "But as a father... maybe I broke my son's heart." He pleaded for Jason to emerge, to settle things "like men – like family."

The silence stretched, taut and uncomfortable, before Jason Jordan's music hit, a stark, joyless version of his usually upbeat theme. Jordan emerged, not in his wrestling gear, but in street clothes – jeans and a black hoodie – a visual representation of his detachment. His head was down, but when he lifted it, his eyes were glacial, distant pools of resentment. He slid into the ring, bypassing the crowd, and stood defiantly across from Angle.

"Don't," Jordan spat, cutting Angle off before he could utter a word. The controlled anger in his voice was more chilling than any shout. "Do you have any idea what you took from me?" he seethed, recounting the lifetime of striving, the dream of a WrestleMania moment snatched away not by fate, but by his own father. "MY CHOICE!" he roared, the sound echoing the fury of a man denied his agency. "MY career to risk! MY dreams on the line!"

Angle, his paternal instinct warring with his professional duty, insisted, "I was protecting you! Your neck, your career—"

Jordan wasn't hearing it. "When I'm succeeding... THEN I'm your son," he accused, his words dripping with disillusionment. "But when it comes time to trust me... suddenly I'm just another wrestler you need to manage." He paced, a caged lion, pointing to Seth Rollins' Chamber spot as a testament to his own stolen opportunity. "You talk about protecting my future, but what future? Every time I get close... something goes wrong. And last week, it was you." The raw pain in his voice resonated through the arena as he delivered the most cutting blow: "It's that in that moment, when I needed you to believe in me most, you didn't." He declared he was tired of being "Kurt Angle's son," only to realize, "Maybe the problem is that you never saw me as your equal."

Tears welled in Angle's eyes. "Son, that's not—"

"Stop calling me that!" Jordan exploded. "You lost the right to call me that when you gave up on me!"

The tension was unbearable. Angle, his voice breaking, vowed, "I will NEVER give up on you! You are my son, my blood!"

"Then prove it," Jordan challenged, his voice now a low, intense hiss. He stepped closer, inches from Angle's face. "WrestleMania. You and me. One-on-one. Father versus son. Legend versus future. Let me prove... I don't need you to fight my battles for me." The crowd erupted, chanting "DO IT! DO IT!"

Angle, emotions warring across his face – pride, fear, love, respect – slowly shook his head. "No. I won't do it, Jason. I can't fight my own son at WrestleMania. Some things are more important than wrestling."

As Angle turned to leave, the dam of Jordan's restraint burst. "That's it? You're just going to walk away? Again? Just like you did to me all those years ago?" His voice turned venomous, dredging up deeply personal wounds. "You're pathetic! A broken-down has-been! You walked away from me when I was a kid, and now you're doing it again!" Angle froze at the ropes. Jordan's words became crueler, twisting the knife. "What's it like, Kurt? Having a real family now and pretending like your first mistakes never happened? Does Giovanna know about all the times you chose your career over being a father? Do your little girls know they have a half-brother you abandoned?"

The crowd gasped. Angle slowly turned, his face a mask of unimaginable pain and controlled fury.

Jordan, relentless, pressed on, "How many times did you miss my birthdays? My graduations? My first matches? But hey, at least you showed up for the divorce papers, right? To sign away your rights to me!" He sneered, "When you tuck your real daughters into bed... do you ever think about the son you threw away?"

"Stop. Just... stop," Angle pleaded, his voice dangerously low, shaking.

"What are you going to do about it? Walk away again?" Jordan taunted.

Then, the unthinkable. Angle's fist, a blur of motion fueled by years of repressed guilt and immediate agony, connected with Jordan's jaw. A sickening THUD echoed through the stunned silence of the SAP Center. Jordan's head snapped back, a trickle of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth as he crumpled slightly, clutching his face.

Angle froze, staring at his own hand in utter horror. "Oh my God... what did I just do? WHAT DID I JUST DO?" he stammered, his voice breaking.

Jordan, a mixture of pain and a disturbing hint of satisfaction in his eyes, rolled out of the ring. He stumbled up the ramp, never looking back, disappearing through the curtain.

Angle collapsed to his knees, the weight of his actions crushing him. "What have I done?" he whispered to the silent arena. "What have I done to my son?"

Michael Cole, voice trembling, finally broke the silence: "Ladies and gentlemen... I... we just witnessed a father punch his own son in the face. Kurt Angle has just crossed a line that can never be uncrossed. This family... this relationship... may be broken beyond repair." Corey Graves, uncharacteristically somber, added, "That wasn't wrestling. That was... that was a family destroying itself." Booker T, shaking his head, simply stated, "Man... that young man is hurt. And I don't just mean physically. This is heartbreaking to watch."

The image of Kurt Angle, kneeling alone, the architect of his own familial destruction, was a haunting end to a segment that will be discussed for years to come. The road to WrestleMania, for the Angle family, is now paved with unimaginable pain.

---

MAIN EVENT CARNAGE! ALLIANCES CRUMBLE AS SIX SUPERSTARS DECLARE EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF IN BRUTAL POST-MATCH WARFARE!

SAN JOSE, CA – The advertised Six-Man Tag Team main event, pitting John Cena, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins against the formidable trio of Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman & Bray Wyatt, delivered the advertised bedlam and then some. But it was the apocalyptic aftermath that truly set the SAP Center ablaze, as alliances shattered and every single competitor waged a one-man war, leaving a trail of broken bodies and shattered equipment in their wake, a chilling preview of the every-man-for-himself mentality awaiting them inside the Elimination Chamber.

THE MATCH ITSELF – A 27-MINUTE COLLISION COURSE:

The entrances alone spoke volumes: Joe, the stoic assassin; Strowman, an unchained behemoth; Wyatt, the eerie prophet of doom. Their opponents: Cena, the polarizing icon; Reigns, the stoic powerhouse amidst a chorus of boos; Rollins, the high-flying Architect.

The early moments saw Cena and Joe engage in a calculated chess match, Joe’s vicious strikes and ground game testing Cena’s resilience. The intimidating presence of Braun Strowman soon prompted a tag to Roman Reigns, leading to a colossal confrontation where neither behemoth yielded an inch. Strowman’s raw power was on display, nearly turning Reigns inside out with a thunderous big boot.

Bray Wyatt entered, his unsettling mind games and unorthodox offense throwing Reigns off kilter. Seth Rollins brought a surge of kinetic energy, his high-octane offense briefly overwhelming Wyatt. However, the Samoan Submission Machine, Samoa Joe, cut Rollins’ momentum short, their bitter history reigniting in a fierce exchange that saw Joe nearly cinch in the Coquina Clutch early.

The match descended into controlled chaos, with quick tags and brutal tandem offense. Joe and Wyatt systematically worked over Cena, isolating him and wearing him down. A Sister Abigail's Kiss from Wyatt nearly ended it, only for Reigns to make a thunderous save with a Superman Punch. This brought all six men into the ring, a maelstrom of fists and fury, before order was momentarily restored.

Reigns tagged in hot, a one-man wrecking crew, taking out Joe and Strowman before engaging in a slugfest with Wyatt. Just as Reigns signaled for the Spear, Joe re-emerged, catching him with a bone-jarring Uranage and locking in the Coquina Clutch. The arena held its breath as Reigns faded, only for him to find a desperate burst of strength to break the hold by ramming Joe into the turnbuckles.

Strowman’s next phase of dominance was terrifying. He manhandled Rollins, a devastating powerslam shaking the ring, followed by a gorilla press that displayed his monstrous strength. Rollins, showing incredible heart, endured a painful modified camel clutch from Wyatt and punishing chops from Joe.

The drama peaked as Joe locked the Coquina Clutch on a depleted Rollins. The Architect fought valiably, the crowd on edge as his consciousness waned. The referee checked his arm – once, twice… but on the verge of the third, Rollins clenched his fist, finding an impossible reserve of fight. He elbowed his way free, both men collapsing in exhaustion.

The final stretch saw Cena tag in, a blur of offense against Strowman. But The Monster Among Men countered an Attitude Adjustment attempt with a thunderous running powerslam. Reigns made the save with a Spear that rocked Strowman. The action was non-stop, a whirlwind of signature moves: Joe’s Uranage on Reigns, Wyatt’s Sister Abigail on Cena, Rollins’ superkick to Wyatt, Strowman’s big boot to Rollins.

In the ensuing melee, Samoa Joe, ever the opportunist, ensnared Seth Rollins in the Coquina Clutch for a second, decisive time. With Cena and Reigns neutralized on the outside by Strowman and Wyatt, Rollins had nowhere to go. His valiant struggle ended as he passed out, the referee calling for the bell.

Winners: Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman & Bray Wyatt

THE AFTERMATH – EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF:

The victory celebration was cut violently short. As the triumphant trio raised their arms, Braun Strowman inexplicably turned on his own partner, grabbing Bray Wyatt and obliterating him with a running powerslam that left The Eater of Worlds a motionless heap. The crowd roared in shock and confusion.

Samoa Joe, ever vigilant, seized the moment, attempting to choke out the distracted Strowman with a Coquina Clutch. The Monster Among Men struggled, his face turning crimson.

Just as Strowman’s knees buckled, Roman Reigns stormed the ring, delivering a devastating Spear to Joe that sent the Samoan Submission Machine flying across the ring into the turnbuckles.

Reigns’ triumph was fleeting. John Cena appeared as if from nowhere, hoisting Reigns up for an Attitude Adjustment, planting The Big Dog hard onto the canvas.

Before Cena could even register his actions, Seth Rollins, having miraculously recovered, launched himself off the top rope with a breathtaking springboard, connecting with a vicious Curb Stomp that drove Cena’s face into the mat, drawing blood.

The battlefield then spilled outside. Bray Wyatt, recovering with eerie speed, engaged Roman Reigns in a wild brawl. Wyatt grabbed Reigns by the throat, carried him to the announce desk, and drove him back-first through the Spanish announce table with a sickening Uranage. Reigns lay amidst the splintered wood and scattered monitors, his tactical vest torn.

Meanwhile, Braun Strowman, shrugging off Joe’s submission attempt, systematically cleared the English announce table. Seth Rollins, chair in hand, attempted to fell the giant, but Strowman absorbed the blow, turned with fury, and chokeslammed Rollins through the announce table with such force it exploded into a shower of splinters and sparks. Rollins vanished into the wreckage.

Samoa Joe, rising like a phoenix, caught the preoccupied Strowman with a perfectly placed Enzuigiri to the base of the skull, felling the seemingly unstoppable Monster. John Cena, however, seeking vengeance, grabbed Joe and delivered a brutal Attitude Adjustment onto the unyielding steel steps, Joe’s scream of agony piercing the arena’s roar.

The chaos spread further as Wyatt and Reigns brawled deep into the horrified crowd, using nacho cheese and a security guard’s radio as makeshift weapons. Their brutal odyssey ended back at ringside, where Wyatt sealed Reigns’ fate with a Sister Abigail onto the exposed concrete floor, leaving The Big Dog convulsing.

Bray Wyatt stood amidst the carnage, arms spread wide, maniacal laughter echoing, seemingly the last man standing. But he forgot one monster. Braun Strowman, having played possum under the ring apron, emerged like a titan reborn. He snatched Wyatt by the throat, lifted him effortlessly, and delivered an apocalyptic chokeslam through the remnants of the already decimated announce table.

The night wasn't over. Seth Rollins, a crimson mask adorning his face, somehow climbed to the top turnbuckle. As Strowman roared, Rollins launched himself with a desperate diving elbow drop, sending both men crashing through the ringside barricade in a tangle of twisted steel and human flesh.

As Raw faded to black, the scene was one of utter devastation. Six of WWE's most formidable warriors lay broken and scattered. Medical personnel swarmed, tending to Reigns' motionless form by the concrete, Cena dazed against the steps, Joe clutching his back, Wyatt unconscious in table debris, and Rollins and Strowman buried in the barricade wreckage. The Elimination Chamber looms, and tonight, every man involved sent a terrifying message: survival at any cost.

---

THE ECLIPSE RISES! EMBER MOON QUALIFIES AS KURT ANGLE DROPS BOMBSHELL: FIRST-EVER SEVEN-WOMAN ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH!

SAN JOSE, CA – History was etched in steel and sacrifice tonight as Ember Moon battled her way into the inaugural Women’s Elimination Chamber match, but the true shockwave came from Raw General Manager Kurt Angle, who declared that Alexa Bliss will now defend her Raw Women’s Championship against an unprecedented SIX other competitors inside Satan’s Structure!

The night began with an aura of chilling mystique as Ember Moon made her entrance. Bathed in ethereal crimson light and swirling smoke, the War Goddess moved with predatory grace, her eyes burning with an intensity that promised devastation. Her war paint gleamed, a testament to her readiness for battle. The SAP Center erupted, sensing a star on the ascent.

Contrasting Moon’s spectral arrival was the diabolical confidence of Paige, flanked by her Absolution cohorts, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose. The Anti-Diva, a smirk plastered across her face, soaked in the mixed reactions, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent. Deville, the MMA-hybrid, and Rose, the golden-haired sadist, patrolled ringside, their presence an unspoken threat.

The bell rang, and Paige immediately showcased her veteran cunning. While Moon exploded with athletic bursts, Paige methodically targeted Moon’s left arm. With surgical precision, Paige wrenched and contorted the limb, driving Moon shoulder-first into the unyielding steel ring post with a sickening thud that drew gasps from the crowd. Paige’s assault was relentless, locking in a grueling shoulder submission, trying to tear the joint from its socket.

But the War Goddess, fueled by the crowd's energy, roared back to life. In a stunning display of power, Moon powered Paige into the turnbuckle to break the hold. Paige, sensing danger, attempted her devastating Ram-Paige. In a breathtaking counter, Moon twisted in mid-air, landing on her feet, her injured shoulder screaming in protest. The crowd was unglued!

Moon, despite the agony, sprinted to the corner, ascended the turnbuckles with otherworldly grace, and launched herself. The Eclipse connected with Paige with stunning force, driving the Anti-Diva’s face into the canvas. Paige was out! The referee’s hand dropped: ONE! TWO! THR—

Suddenly, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose stormed the ring, yanking the referee out before the three-count. Absolution swarmed the victorious but exhausted Moon. Deville locked in a vicious rear-naked choke while Rose rained down strikes. As Paige recovered, joining the assault, it seemed Moon’s dream was about to become a nightmare.

But then, the arena exploded! Two hooded figures vaulted the barricade, sprinting to the ring. They threw back their hoods, revealing NXT’s beloved Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai! The Pirate Princess and The Captain of Team Kick unleashed a torrent of offense. Sane’s picture-perfect InSane Elbow crushed Rose, while Kai’s thunderous running big boot incapacitated Deville. Absolution was sent scurrying!

The referee, having recovered, awarded Ember Moon the victory via disqualification. Her place in the Elimination Chamber was secured!

The celebration was cut short by Kurt Angle’s music. The Raw GM marched to the ring, microphone in hand. "You want chaos?" he boomed. "At Elimination Chamber, Alexa Bliss will defend her Raw Women's Championship in the FIRST-EVER SEVEN-WOMAN ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH! Paige is IN! Ember Moon is IN!"

The SAP Center became unglued! Before the news could fully sink in, Alexa Bliss’s music hit. The Raw Women’s Champion stormed down the ramp, her face a mask of incandescent rage. "Are you KIDDING me right now, Kurt?!" she shrieked, getting nose-to-nose with the GM. "I agreed to defend MY title against five women... and now you're making it SIX?!" (as she hadn't seen Kairi and Dakota as official entrants yet, but was clearly incensed by the added number). The crowd, sensing her meltdown, began a deafening "SEVEN! SEVEN! SEVEN!" chant, further fueling her fury.

"The decision is final, Alexa," Angle declared. "Prove you're the greatest... against SIX of the best!"

Bliss completely lost it. With a primal scream, she hurled her championship belt to the canvas. "This is COMPLETELY unfair! I'm calling Stephanie McMahon!" she seethed, retreating up the ramp, pointing fingers and promising repercussions.

The final image was one of beautiful chaos: Kurt Angle raising Ember Moon’s hand in victory, Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai standing tall with their friend, and a furious Alexa Bliss throwing a championship-level tantrum on the ramp. The first-ever Seven-Woman Elimination Chamber match promises to be an unpredictable, history-making warzone!

---

TAG TEAM TURMOIL: THE CLUB PREVAILS, BUT THE REVIVAL DELIVERS DEVASTATING MESSAGE TO ENTIRE RAW TAG DIVISION!

SAN JOSE, CA – In a hard-hitting contest with significant Elimination Chamber implications, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson punched their ticket to a potential Raw Tag Team Championship opportunity. However, the celebration was violently cut short, first by the champions The Bar, and then, in a shocking display of dominance, by The Revival, who left both teams decimated and declared their undeniable claim to tag team supremacy.

The Revival, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, made their entrance with their trademark stoic intensity, all business, "no flips, just fists." Their cold, focused demeanor contrasted sharply with the energized return of The Club. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, looking leaner and meaner, hit the ramp to a massive ovation, their "Too Sweet" gesture igniting the San Jose faithful.

The bell rang and Karl Anderson immediately engaged Scott Dawson in a technical exchange. Dawson’s renowned mat wrestling was on full display, but Anderson’s veteran savvy allowed him to counter and create separation. The Revival, however, soon showcased their unparalleled tandem offense, isolating Anderson with quick tags and systematically dissecting his left arm. Wilder and Dawson worked like a well-oiled machine, grounding Anderson and cutting off the ring.

After minutes of absorbing punishment, Anderson created an opening with a desperate back elbow and made the scorching tag to "The Big LG" Luke Gallows. Gallows exploded into the ring like a runaway locomotive, laying out Dawson with a monstrous big boot and flattening Wilder with a clothesline that sent him careening over the apron into the barricade. A thunderous corner splash to Dawson had The Club rolling.

Anderson tagged back in, and they signaled for the Magic Killer. Wilder heroically slid in to save his partner, only to eat a spinebuster from Anderson for his troubles. But the ever-crafty Dawson chop-blocked Gallows’ knee from behind, a sickening thud echoing as the big man crumpled. The Revival pounced, hitting the Shatter Machine on Gallows! Anderson made the save just milliseconds before the three-count, the arena erupting at the near-fall.

Anderson and Wilder brawled to the outside, with Anderson sending Wilder crashing into the steel steps. Inside, Dawson locked Gallows in a painful inverted figure-four leglock, targeting the injured knee. Just as Gallows reached the ropes, Anderson re-entered with a diving European uppercut to break the hold.

A furious exchange of forearms between Anderson and Dawson ensued, with Anderson gaining the upper hand. As Anderson hit the ropes, Wilder, recovering outside, grabbed his leg. Dawson charged, but Anderson sidestepped, sending Dawson shoulder-first into the steel ring post with a sickening CRACK! Anderson then blasted Wilder off the apron with a thunderous Gun Stun.

With Dawson dazed, Anderson and a hobbled but game Gallows connected with a picture-perfect Magic Killer! One! Two! Three! The Club had earned a massive victory!

Winners: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

Their celebration was brutally interrupted. The Bar’s music hit, and Raw Tag Team Champions Sheamus & Cesaro, incensed from being laid out by The Club last week, stormed the ring. A Brogue Kick from Sheamus nearly decapitated Gallows, while Cesaro’s springboard European uppercut flattened Anderson. The champions unleashed a furious beatdown.

As The Bar punished Anderson, The Revival, who had been making a dejected exit, stopped on the ramp. A silent, knowing glance passed between Dawson and Wilder before they charged back to the ring. Dawson delivered a crippling chop block to Sheamus from behind, while Wilder speared Cesaro through the ropes to the floor!

The Revival then turned their attention to the already weakened Club, hitting a devastating Shatter Machine on Anderson. They mercilessly targeted Gallows’ injured knee before Wilder spiked him with a piledriver. Cesaro re-entered, only to be overwhelmed and flattened by another Shatter Machine. Sheamus, showing incredible heart, tried to fight back but was quickly dispatched with a final, emphatic Shatter Machine.

Scott Dawson grabbed a microphone, standing amidst the wreckage of three top tag teams. "Triple Threat match? You think we're just another team in the equation? We are THE team! We are the best pure tag team on this planet! No flips, just fists! After Elimination Chamber, you'll call us champions! Top Guys... out!"

The Revival stood tall, their message brutally and unequivocally delivered. The Raw tag team division has been put on notice.

---

FROM TRIUMPH TO TORMENT: FINN BALOR PAYS HEAVY PRICE FOR VICTORY AS THE MIZ & MIZTOURAGE DELIVER VICIOUS POST-MATCH ASSAULT!

SAN JOSE, CA – Finn Bálor’s road to the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber hit a treacherous speed bump tonight. After securing a hard-fought victory over the surprisingly resilient Curtis Axel, Bálor found himself the victim of a savage three-on-one beatdown orchestrated by the A-List champion, The Miz, culminating in a sickening Skull-Crushing Finale onto the coveted title belt itself.

The arena pulsed with energy as Finn Bálor, the enigmatic leader of Bálor Club, made his captivating entrance. His piercing blue eyes surveyed the WWE Universe, a look of steely determination etched on his face as he prepared to send a message to the Intercontinental Champion, The Miz, who was providing biased, condescending commentary from ringside, the title draped arrogantly over his shoulder. Curtis Axel, meanwhile, paced nervously, the weight of expectation from his A-List mentor palpable.

The bell rang, and Bálor and Axel locked up, the crowd firmly behind the Irish warrior. Axel, clearly looking to impress The Miz, mounted a surprisingly crisp and focused offense, grounding Bálor with methodical strikes and submission attempts, trying to negate Bálor's renowned aerial ability. The Miz crowed on commentary, "This is what REAL competition looks like, Bálor!"

Bálor’s resilience shone through as he fought back, his lightning-quick offense on display with an arm drag and a stinging dropkick. However, the match took a shocking turn when Axel reversed an Irish whip and, with textbook precision, executed a breathtaking Perfect-Plex! The bridge was magnificent, the execution flawless. The referee’s hand hit the mat – ONE! TWO! – but Bálor’s shoulder exploded off the canvas at the last possible millisecond, sending the crowd into a frenzy and The Miz rising in disbelief from the commentary desk.

That near-fall ignited a fire within Bálor. The "Demon" seemed to awaken as he unleashed a furious comeback. A devastating Slingblade turned Axel inside out, followed by a series of lightning-quick dropkicks that sent Axel crashing into the corner, perfectly positioning him. Bálor ascended the top rope, the SAP Center holding its collective breath. He launched himself, knees drawn, and the Coup de Grâce connected with bone-jarring impact! ONE! TWO! THREE! Bálor stood victorious.

Winner: Finn Bálor

As Bálor celebrated, his gaze locked on The Miz, who had risen from commentary and was halfway up the ramp, clutching his title. A sinister smirk spread across The Miz’s face as he gestured back towards the ring. On cue, Curtis Axel, despite the devastating finisher, stirred. A subtle nod from The Miz, and the trap was sprung.

Bo Dallas materialized from ringside, sliding into the ring and delivering a clubbing forearm to Bálor’s unsuspecting back. The cheers turned to boos as Dallas and Axel swarmed Bálor, a relentless barrage of stomps and fists.

The Miz, savoring every moment, sauntered back to the ring, microphone in hand. "You see, Finn?" his voice dripped with Hollywood arrogance. "You might think you can win a battle, but you'll NEVER win the war against ME! I am A-List! I am MUST-SEE! And you? You're not even worthy of carrying my gear!"

Bálor, showing incredible heart, fought back, briefly creating separation. He ducked a wild swing from Dallas and connected with a sharp elbow, then a stunning enziguri that sent Dallas reeling. But as Bálor turned his attention, Axel, demonstrating veteran cunning, delivered a vicious chop block to the back of Bálor’s left knee. Bálor crashed to the canvas, his face contorted in agony, clutching the injured joint.

With Bálor incapacitated, The Miz made his grand entrance into the ring. He directed Axel and Dallas to hoist the injured Bálor to his feet. Contemptuously, The Miz threw his Intercontinental Championship to the canvas. Then, with sadistic precision, he hooked Bálor and delivered a brutal Skull-Crushing Finale, driving Bálor’s head and neck directly onto the unforgiving steel of the championship belt. The sickening impact silenced the arena.

Finn Bálor lay motionless, a broken warrior. The Miz stood over him, raising his Intercontinental Championship high, flanked by his triumphant Miztourage. The message was clear: The road to Elimination Chamber for Finn Bálor will be paved with pain, and The Miz will stop at nothing to retain his title. The final image of medical personnel attending to a battered Bálor, his championship dreams in jeopardy, spoke volumes.

---

SISTERHOOD SHATTERED: BANKS AND BAYLEY'S FRAGILE ALLIANCE CRUMBLES AS ELIMINATION CHAMBER TENSIONS BOIL OVER!

SAN JOSE, CA – The already palpable tension surrounding the first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber match reached a boiling point tonight as the once-unbreakable bond between Sasha Banks and Bayley appeared to completely disintegrate, both backstage and in the ring.

Earlier in the evening, a WWE.com exclusive captured a chilling backstage confrontation. Sasha Banks, "The Boss," her arms crossed, fixed her former best friend with an icy stare. "When we step into that Chamber," Banks warned, her voice sharp, "there's no friendship... there's just the Raw Women's Championship, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to win it."

Bayley, no longer the innocent Hugger but a woman hardened by ambition, retorted with a steely resolve. "After all we've been through... you still don't get it, do you, Sasha?" Her voice laced with hurt and rising anger, she declared, "Don't you dare mistake my kindness for weakness... In that Chamber... you'll see exactly what I'm capable of. And you might not like what you find."

This simmering animosity spilled into their tag team match later, where Banks and Bayley were forced to team against the formidable duo of Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and the dominant Nia Jax. The body language was telling: separate entrances, no eye contact, an awkwardness that Bliss and Jax clearly aimed to exploit.

The match began with Bayley’s aggressive pursuit of Alexa Bliss, their storied rivalry reigniting. Bayley unloaded a barrage of forearms, but Bliss, ever the opportunist, quickly tagged in Nia Jax. The Irresistible Force immediately showcased her terrifying power, launching Bayley across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex before crushing her with a devastating Samoan Drop.

The hot tag to Sasha Banks brought the crowd alive. The Boss unleashed her arsenal on Alexa Bliss, nearly securing a submission with a modified crossface. Bliss clawed for the ropes, inches from safety, when Nia Jax stormed in, breaking the hold with a monstrous leg drop across Banks’s spine that nearly drove The Boss through the canvas.

All four women brawled, the match devolving into chaos. Bayley, her frustration boiling over, delivered a brutal Bayley-to-Belly suplex to Alexa Bliss on the thinly padded arena floor, a gasp rippling through the crowd at the sheer impact.

Back in the ring, Banks found herself legal against Nia Jax. Displaying incredible tenacity, Banks chopped at Jax’s legs and hit a desperate Meteora from the second rope, staggering the powerhouse. In a pivotal moment, Banks, instead of tagging in the fresher Bayley, chose to press her advantage. She ascended the top rope, but Jax recovered, catching Banks in mid-air and transitioning into a bone-jarring Samoan Drop. Jax made the cover, and with Bliss preventing Bayley from making the save, the three-count sealed their fate.

Winners: Nia Jax & Alexa Bliss

After the match, a moment of potential reconciliation flickered. Banks, struggling to her feet, extended a hand to Bayley. After a hesitant pause, Bayley accepted. But as they walked up the ramp, the facade shattered. Banks suddenly shoved Bayley forward, causing her to stumble. A furious verbal altercation erupted, their gestures growing increasingly aggressive, forcing WWE officials to rush in and separate the former friends before blows could be exchanged.

The sisterhood is in tatters. With the Elimination Chamber looming, Sasha Banks and Bayley are on a collision course, and their friendship may be the ultimate casualty.

---

DOMINANCE PERSONIFIED: 'ROWDY' RONDA ROUSEY INTENSIFIES TRAINING, UNLEASHES NEW SUBMISSION, ISSUES ELIMINATION CHAMBER WARNING!

WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER, ORLANDO, FL (via satellite) – The WWE Universe received another chilling glimpse into the relentless preparation of "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey tonight, as footage from the WWE Performance Center showcased the former UFC Champion’s escalating intensity and evolving arsenal. Building on last week’s impressive display, Rousey took her training to another level, this time engaging in a grueling sparring session with a seasoned Performance Center coach.

The extended session highlighted Rousey’s seamless blend of her world-class MMA pedigree with the unique demands of sports entertainment. Her movements were precise, her transitions fluid, and her strategic acumen undeniable. The assembled WWE Superstars, training staff, and coaches watched in a mixture of awe and professional respect as Rousey systematically dismantled her experienced sparring partner.

What set this session apart was the unveiling of a devastating new submission hold, meticulously honed by Rousey. The technical intricacy of the maneuver was evident as she applied it with lightning speed and flawless technique, forcing the veteran coach to tap out, further solidifying her reputation as one of the most dangerous grapplers on the planet.

Following the dominant display, Rousey delivered a stark message to the entire WWE roster, particularly anyone eyeing a confrontation at the upcoming Elimination Chamber event.

"Every day, every session, I get stronger, I learn more," Rousey declared, her voice resonating with unwavering confidence. "This isn't just a new chapter for me; it's a whole new fight. I said I'm ready for anyone at the Elimination Chamber, and I mean it. The question isn't who they'll put in front of me, but how long that person will last."

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BEAST MODE ACTIVATED: Paul Heyman Unleashes Chilling Chronicle of Brock Lesnar's Unrivaled Dominance​

STAMFORD, Conn. — The WWE Universe was plunged into an ominous silence tonight as a special video package, narrated by the sinister Paul Heyman, painted a terrifying portrait of Brock Lesnar's reign of pure, unadulterated destruction.

As the lights dimmed and the haunting strings of Lesnar's theme began, Heyman's unmistakable voice cut through the arena: "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his tone grave, "what you are about to witness is not merely highlight footage of athletic achievement. What you are about to witness is documentation of systematic destruction, a chronicle of dominance so absolute... it transcends the boundaries of professional wrestling and enters the realm of combat mythology."

The Streak: Conquered. The harrowing reel exploded with perhaps the most shocking moment in WWE history: WrestleMania XXX. In excruciating slow motion, fans relived Brock Lesnar hoisting The Undertaker, shattering two decades of lore with an F-5 that ended The Phenom's undefeated Streak. "Twenty-one and one," Heyman’s voice seethed over images of a stoic Lesnar and a vanquished Deadman. "The Streak – professional wrestling's greatest achievement... reduced to rubble beneath the boots of a beast who recognizes no mythology."

An Empire: Toppled. The carnage fast-forwarded to SummerSlam 2014, where then-15-time World Champion John Cena was systematically annihilated. Sixteen brutal German suplexes turned the Cenation leader from superhero to a mere victim of The Beast's onslaught. "Suplex after suplex after suplex," Heyman’s narration intensified. "Sixteen German suplexes that didn't just defeat John Cena – they deconstructed him... Brock Lesnar didn't just win a championship. He conquered an empire."

Monsters and Machines: Dismantled. The montage continued, showcasing Lesnar’s dominance over the modern era’s titans. Braun Strowman, the "Monster Among Men," was seen being hoisted for an F-5, his seemingly impenetrable aura shattered. "The Monster Among Men? Reduced to prey," Heyman scoffed. Even the "Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe, a legitimate fighting force, was shown transitioning from confident challenger to a desperate survivor, neutralized by Lesnar's raw power. "Helpless against the mathematical precision of Brock Lesnar's systematic destruction," Heyman stated coolly. The climax featured Lesnar’s Royal Rumble triumph, where he single-handedly laid waste to both Kane and Braun Strowman, leaving a tableau of destruction as he stood tall.

The Advocate's Proclamation. As the chilling footage of Lesnar, the Universal Championship gleaming, surveyed the wreckage, Heyman declared: "This is what dominance looks like... This is Brock Lesnar, the reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion."

Then came the earth-shattering announcement. "And next week," Heyman proclaimed, his voice dripping with menace, "ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in months, the Beast Incarnate will grace Monday Night Raw with his presence. The Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar, will be LIVE, in person, just days before the Elimination Chamber determines which unfortunate soul will have the honor of being sacrificed at WrestleMania."

The arena erupted. The promise of Brock Lesnar's live appearance on Raw sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, a guarantee of chaos and must-see television.

The final image burned into everyone's mind: Brock Lesnar, Universal Champion, alone atop the mountain, a stark warning to all who dare challenge his supremacy. The Beast Incarnate returns to Raw next week. What will unfold when The Conqueror is unleashed?

WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2018: UPDATED CARD​

Here is the current card for the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view:

MEN'S ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH- Winner challenges Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 34​

Confirmed Participants:

• Braun Strowman
• Roman Reigns
• John Cena
• Seth Rollins
• Samoa Joe
• Bray Wyatt

WOMEN'S ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH - RAW WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP​

Confirmed Participants:

• Alexa Bliss (c)
• Mandy Rose
• Nia Jax
• Bayley
• Sasha Banks
• Paige
• Ember Moon

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH​

• The Miz (c) vs. Finn Balor

RONDA ROUSEY'S WWE IN-RING DEBUT​

• Ronda Rousey vs. Opponent TBA

RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH​

• The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) (c) vs. The Club vs. The Revival

 

[jdswain111]

The trash talk, the mind games, the intimidation - none of it fazes me anymore. My focus is laser-locked on dominance. The question isn't who they'll put in front of me, but how long that person will last. Because when that bell rings, they're not just stepping into the ring with me, they're stepping into my world, and in my world, submission is the only option."

 

[jdswain111]

The bond between Sasha Banks and Bayley, once a shining example of WWE's powerful women's division and the bedrock of their shared dreams, is fraying at the edges, threatening to completely unravel The looming question isn't just who will emerge victorious from the Elimination Chamber, but whether their deeply cherished friendship can withstand the immense strain, or if it will become the ultimate, heartbreaking casualty of their individual pursuits of glory.