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Add FightsATW on GoogleThe overseas tour continued into Paris, France, for this evening’s (afternoon for those stateside) WWE Monday Night RAW. Last week, WWE was live from Italy for several shows, including the ‘Clash in Italy’ PLE, and the European crowds have been fantastic.
OBA FEMI OFFERS SPOILERS
Oba Femi kicked off tonight’s episode of RAW with the first segment, which centered on his promo declaring his intent to win the KOTR tourney by beating the other finalist at Night of Champions. He went on to say he would win the title before taking the series win over Brock Lesnar—currently tied 1-1 following Brock’s get back victory at ‘Clash in Italy.’
Oba Femi was massively over from the moment his music hit, and the crowd did not let up as he strutted into the ring. Similarly, Dom Mysterio made his way out to a massive reaction, though ferocious boos reigned down from the crowd.
Dom and Femi will face off next Monday in the KOTR semi-finals, and that match feels huge right now after this segment. Dom tried to ‘lil bro’ Oba by calling him the ‘new guy’ before declaring himself a 20yr veteran in the biz. The entire promo from Dom was a ruse meant to distract Oba long enough for JD McDonaugh to get a chair shot off on the big man while his back was turned.
The chair shot was no-sold by Oba, who demolished JD before dropping the best ‘bar’ of the night by telling Dom that ‘Rey Mysterio might be his father, but he will show Dom who his “daddy” is next week.’
SETH ROLLINS SHIFTS SIGHTS NOW THAT BREAKKER AND THE VISION ARE BROKEN
Rollins was given a backstage interview following a video package detailing his winning effort against Bron Breakker in last week’s fantastic match. Rollins made it clear that his program with The Vision is finished because they are ‘history’ and his immediate future involves Roman Reigns and his heavyweight title—a strap that Rollins reminds us he never lost.
Rollins said that the title Roman holds belongs to him, but it remains to be seen whether this feud is over for Breakker and company.
Later, in a backstage segment, Montez Ford came into the locker room to dap up Rollins after weeks of beef that was squashed last week in the main event of RAW. Ford and Rollins were having a civil conversation when The USOs walked into the frame. They told Seth to ‘watch’ how he talks about the family, and then Jey made his intentions clear: to win the KOTR, as Roman had instructed him.
Rollins told Jey he was wrong about winning the KOTR, but that was more than what he could say about Jimmy, who was ‘kept on the sidelines the way Roman wants him.’ It was a very combative meeting, and it got even more uncomfortable when Jey ordered Jacob Fatu to ‘get Seth.’
Jey and Fatu got into a heated argument backstage with Jimmy as the mediator. Jey accused Fatu of being ‘mogged’ (an online term derived from live-streaming content that suggests you’re being ‘owned’ or ‘out-Alpha-ed’), and Fatu responded by asking why LA Knight is still talking about the family after both Jey and Jimmy ‘gave him the talk.’
LA KNIGHT IS STILL IN WWE
LA Knight came out to deliver his promo in the very next segment, delivering the same talking points from a program he has been saddled with for over a year. Knight and Jey were the perpetual ‘bubble guys’ in the company last year, with Jey receiving the more meaningful opportunities. Knight, on the other hand, has received little by way of storylines.
Jey predictably came out to ‘cape’ for Roman, going in and out of his silly Yeet character that now only gets over with overseas crowds. It was the same stuff, with little movement, as Jey delivered yet another ‘warning shot,’ this time lumping Finn Balor and Royce Keyes—his KOTR qualifier opponents—into his current list of opps. They were moments away from the squabble before Jimmy ran down to keep the peace.
KING OF THE RING QUALIFIER: SETH ROLLINS V RICKY SAINTS V Je’Von EVANS VS TALLA TONGA—Fatal Four Way
The entrances ate up a good portion of the start to this segment, though the site of the king and queen’s crowns under Plexiglas is a strong optic. Seth Rollins was the easy favorite heading into this match as the only former heavyweight champion in the bunch, but he also came in with more outside beef than anyone else.
Talla Tonga has had his own issues with Royce Keyes and the direction of Solo’s MFTs faction, but that does not compare to Seth’s old issues with The Vision and newer problems with Roman’s newest ‘Bloodline’ iteration. Aside from the drama, Evans performed well in the match, hitting a Spanish Fly from the top turnbuckle in one of the match’s brightest spots.
Saints played a role similar to the one we saw earlier in the night from Chelsea Green—the ‘smart heel’ with veteran tactics. The young guns shined in the match, but the finale revolved around Seth’s main storylines outside of the KOTR qualifier.
Seth seemingly had the match won when Austin Theory interfered, allowing a distraction long enough for Bron Breakker to spear Seth. In that sequence, Je’Von would take full advantage of the opportunity by pinning Saints in the middle of the ring.
Evans advanced to the semifinals of the KOTR, and all Seth could do was watch, unable to sit up following the oxygen-snatching spear delivered by Breakker. Evans celebrated with the fans, but he will learn his fate on SD when Jey, Knight, Keys, and Finn all vie to face him in the semis.
QUEEN OF THE RING QUALIFIER: ALEXA BLISS V BECKY LYNCH V LIV MORGAN V CHELSEA GREEN—Fatal Four Way
In one of the more stacked fatal four-way qualifiers for the QOTR tourney, all four women represented positive momentum from within the women’s division. Yet only Morgan and Lynch held main-event status coming into this match. Still, several storylines were intertwined in this matchup.
Chelsea Green stood out in this match, both in her role and in her performance, as she tried to take credit for the goodwill offense created by Bliss and Lynch. Green hit her ‘un-prettier’ finish at the end of the match and seemed positioned to win, but the ultra-competitive match meant constant pin breaks were part of the script.
On her birthday, Liv Morgan won by pinning Green off that final sequence in which every competitor hit their finish. There was a huge banner from the audience wishing Morgan a happy birthday, but fans have been critical of her place in the QOTR tourney ever since it was announced that the winner would receive a title shot at SummerSlam.
Liv holds RAW’s version of the women’s title, and The Judgment Day faction has seen some infighting after Raquel Rodriguez confronted Liv on her status for the QOTR. Raquel faces Iyo Sky next week in the semi-finals, with the winner advancing to the finals at Night of Champions. However, Raquel claimed that Liv made statements clearing the way for her to QOTR and a future title shot. Where this story ends up by the time we reach the finals is anyone’s guess. Liv’s opponent will be determined on this Friday’s episode of SmackDown in the final fatal four-way qualifier.
CHAD GABLE CONTINUES HIS APPOLOGY TOUR
Gable went to newly crowned AAA cruiserweight champion Rey Fenix to apologize on last Friday’s episode of SmackDown, and he continued those apologies tonight on RAW. He went up to Penta to apologize, and then later, the man challenging for the IC title, Rey Mysterio Jr., alongside Dragon Lee.
Everyone accepted his apology, and Gable’s face turn is navigating the safest waters as of now, but Rey reminded Gable that his list of victims started way before he put on the mask, a reference to his time with Otis and Tazawa. The apology tour will likely continue with the former Alpha Academy, but at some point, Gable needs a meaningful run.
INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE DEFENSES
Both the men’s and women’s IC titles were up for grabs on tonight’s RAW, with potential bangers in the form of newly crowned champ Sol Ruca defending against the inaugural women’s IC champ Lyra Valkyria, while men’s IC champ Penta defends against Rey Mysterio Jr. in a ‘dream match.’
PENTA(c) VS Mysterio—Men’s IC Title
These two went for it, and the crowd ate up every second as the most famous luchador of all time seemingly passed the torch to the next guy in Penta. There was a video package before the match that sold this as a respectful matchup pitting the historic past versus the current phenomenon.
The match continued in traditional lucha style, with a mix of veteran WWE work, and Penta put away a clean victory in a successful defense over Rey. After the match, Rusev and Ethan Page ran in for a post-match beatdown, which prompted Dragon Lee to come down and fail to help. That is when Rusev removed Rey Mysterio Jr.’s mask in a crazy, disrespectful scene in front of the Paris crowd.
Rey dove to the canvas while Penta attempted to provide cover for the maskless legend, and that is when Chad Gable came down to make the run-in. He took care of the heels before retrieving Rey’s mask and handing it to the luchador, to a tremendous pop from the crowd.
This is the way to book the Uber over Gable; it does not have to be anything other than him gaining goodwill from week to week… again, he deserves the opportunity to get over in a meaningful run.
RUCA VS VALKYRIA—Women’s IC Title
This was an amazing match that kept the crowd engaged throughout, responding to its most competitive sequences. This was a fairly back-and-forth affair that showcased the women’s division’s amazing performers. The division that was once dominated by only a handful of names is now a very deep division filled with quality talent.
Ruca won off the ‘Soul Snatcher’ finisher that has become a point of debate online since she made her debut on the main roster, but the WWE is attempting to elevate the champ by simply letting her work. As one of the program’s greatest success stories, Sol Ruca is poised to grow in her current role.
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