Monday Night Raw opens with Stephanie McMahon making her way to the ring. Steph has her arm in a sling and she limps down the ramp, all thanks to the handiwork of Ronda Rousey. We see still images from the match last night.
Stephanie gets into the ring and the fans chant “you tapped out”. She says she expected more of the fans. The crowd the night after WrestleMania has a certain international flavor, she smelled it on the way down, but she didn’t expect this. Most crowds have sympathy but not here in New Orleans. She says the fans have to admit they were surprised because there was a lot of speculation as to whether or not a certain person could make the transition but she did it – referring to herself. McMahon says she was amazing and thanks them for their accolades. McMahon knew what she was doing. She knew when she challenged Ronda Rousey in her world that she’d get the best out of her and show the world what she’s made of. McMahon says she deserves that pat on the back. McMahon knows the crowd wants Ronda Rousey. McMahon couldn’t be more proud of what this woman accomplished last night. McMahon then introduces, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey with surprising enthusiasm.
Ronda’s music hits, and she makes her way to the ring to a huge ovation from the fans. Rousey high fives fans and gets in the ring smiling, clearly happu with her performance last night. McMahon congratulates her on making her tap out and says the better woman won. A loud “Ronda Rousey” chant fires up. McMahon says Rousey is a role model for young girls and people everywhere. McMahon says she got beat by the best in the world, so she doesn’t feel bad. Rousey has to know that as a WWE superstar under contract to her, there’s nowhere they can’t go. They can blaze new trails the world hasn’t seen, and together they can put the entire WWE machine behind her. With her in Rousey’s corner, they will all support her and their message. The fans start chanting “bull$hit” and McMahon says Rousey is smarter than the crowd. Rousey taught her a valuable lesson, and she paid the price. McMahon then tells the crowd to give it up for Rousey. Stephanie looks for a handshake but Ronda hugs her and the fans boo. As they start to pull apart Ronda’s smile fades to a snarl and she flips Stephanie over to the mat! Rousey rips off McMahon’s arm bar and applies the devastating arm bar to the delight of the crowd.
Rousey climbs out of the ring and walks up the ramp, smiling, to cheers. EMTs help McMahon out of the ring while the crowd sings, “Kiss Him Goodbye” to McMahon. JoJo asks the crowd to show a little respect, and they loudly boo. I get the feeling this crowd is going to be obnoxious.
Later tonight, we will hear from Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins will be out to celebrate his title win. Up next though, Nia Jax will be in action.
*Commercial Break*
We return and see more still images from last night’s show. Next week, there will be a Superstar Shake-Up that takes place on Raw and SmackDown Live.
The new WWE Women’s Champion, Nia Jax makes her way to the ring with a big grin on her face. Nia gets into the ring and the fans chant “you deserve it” – she can’t stop smiling. Alexa Bliss makes her way to the ring.
Alexa comes out with Mickie James, neither showing any signs of injury – they could learn something from Stephanie. Bliss calls Nia Jax a bully that likes to throw her weight around… which is clearly a lot of weight because it’s two-times the size of Mickie and three-times the size of her. An “a$$hole” chant picks up as the crowd continues to be annoying. Bliss says Jax beat up James for no reason last night, which left her distraught, which is why she lost last night. Bliss says she’s a compassionate woman and when she saw Jax decimate her friend, she competed under emotional stress. Jax tells her to shut up, which the crowd likes. Jax says she did enjoy every second of what she did to Bliss and James last night. Jax says, “I’m you new RAW Women’s Champion.” Jax says Bliss is wrong about tonight. She does have a partner tonight… Ember Moon! Ember Moon comes out to a huge ovation. This match takes place after the break!
*Commercial Break*
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James Vs. Nia Jax & Ember Moon
The bell rings, and we start with Jax and James. Nia Jax quickly grabs Mickie James and throws her across the ring like a doll. Jax avalanches her in the corner, then goes for a second but James moves. Mickie kicks her in the back of the knee to take her down.
Alexa Bliss tags in and they go for a double-team, but Jax reverses them. Jax holds James by the hair and points to Ember Moon. The crowd pop loud as Moon is tagged in. Moon hits a forearm followed by a double-arm suplex. Moon kips up and sends her to the ropes, but she lowers her head and eats a kick. Bliss is tagged in, and Moon kicks her down with an enzuigiri.
The crowd loudly chants, “NXT.” Moon hits a handspring forearm followed by a springboard cross-body for a near fall – she almost botched that. Moon punches James off the apron and sweeps Bliss’ feet. Moon goes to the top rope and hits Bliss with the Eclipse for the win!
Winners: Nia Jax & Ember Moon
We see Kurt Angle on the phone backstage. He’s talking about Ember Moon and says she will set the division on fire and that the Raw roster is getting better and better. Braun Strowman walks-in and Angle congratulates him and says hits partner was a surprise. Angle asks where his partner is, and Strowman moves aside to reveal Nicholas to a huge ovation. Strowman says it pains him to say it, but they’re relinquishing the RAW Tag Team Championship – the fans boo loud. Strowman says Nicholas has a scheduling conflict: he’s still in the fourth grade. Strowman says, however when Nicholas is out of school, they’re coming back for the titles. Nicholas shouts at Angle “they’re going to get these hands!” The fans go nuts as the duo walk-off, that’s probably the last time we’ll see Nicholas.
After the break, No Way Jose will debut!
*Commercial Break*
No Way Jose makes his way to the ring with his posse of dancers – which honestly just looks like Adam Rose. There’s a jobber in the ring waiting for Jose.
No Way Jose Vs. John Skyler
No Way Jose hits Skyler with a hip toss right off the bat. He dances around a little, then throws him up in the air and punches him for the win.
Winner: No Way Jose
That sucked. Anyway, Jose dances around the ring again to end the segment.
We see Kurt Angle backstage, watching Jose on the TV. Sheamus and Cesaro walk into the room and ask what the deal is with the titles now that Strowman and the kid have relinquished them. Sheamus asks if Angle wants to give them the belts now, or do it in the ring in a more formal fashion. Angle is astounded, he reminds them they lost to a “friggin’ 10-year old kid!” He says they will have the chance to fight for them in two weeks at the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia. There will be two tag matches tonight with the winners facing each other next week. The winners will face The Bar at the Greatest Royal Rumble event. Sheamus and Cesaro are not pleased.
*Commercial Break*
The Revival Vs. The Club
We join this match in progress. Luke Gallows sends Scott Dawson to the corner and hits a back body drop. Dash Wilder runs in, but Gallows gets the better of him. Gallows punches Dawson in the corner before hitting an uppercut. Wilder runs in, but Gallows throws him over the top rope by his throat. Dawson then chop blocks him. The Bar is watching backstage. Dawson works on the leg of Gallows. Wilder tags in and works on the leg. Gallows fights him off, but Dawson tags in and stops him from making a tag. Wilder tags in and goes to hit Karl Anderson, but he gets off the apron. Gallows then kicks him down.
Anderson and Dawson tag in. Anderson takes Dawson down before knocking Wilder off the apron. Anderson hits Dawson with a karate kick before hitting a neckbreaker. Anderson hits Wilder with a plancha before going to the top rope. Anderson hits a cross-body, but Dawson rolls him up with a handful of tights for a near fall. Anderson hits a spinebuster, but Wilder breaks up the pin. Gallows gets Wilder out of the ring, but he’s soon taken down at ringside. Wilder makes a blind tag. The Revival soon hits Shatter Machine for the win!
Winners: The Revival
Glad to see The Revival win but I was hoping they’d move over to SmackDown Live.
We get a really cool commercial for Make-A-Wish with John Cena, in which he gets beaten-up by kids with superpowers. Seth Rollins will be on Raw with his Intercontinental Championship, next!
*Commercial Break*
