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