We return from the commercial break to see Humberto Carrillo being put on a stretcher and wheeled from the arena with Rey Mysterio in tow. Seth Rollins music hits as Humberto’s stretcher is halfway up the ramp.
Rollins comes out with the Author’s of Pain and Rey gets back in the ring. Seth has Rey’s steel pipe and he instructs the AOP to attack Rey. They crush Mysterio and Seth gets in the ring, saying he didn’t want this. He sets the pipe down beside Rey and says he remembers last week when Rey gave it to Kevin Owens. Rey tries to grab the pipe but Akam stands on it, then they lift Rey and hit a double team move. Seth lifts the pipe again and says it didn’t have to be this way but it’s Mysterios’ fault. But he’s a merciful leader. Tonight is Rey’s lucky night and he owes him one. Rollins starts to leave but then comes back in and hits Rey with The Stomp.
*Commercial Break*
Rollins is walking backstage with AOP when Charly Caruso approaches him. She asks why he attacked Rey Mysterio and Seth says he made it clear, he had a score to settle. He says the real question is why he didn’t put Rey in the hospital, but that’s because Rey wouldn’t be able to answer his challenge. Charly asks what that is, and Seth says he challenges Rey to a one-on-one match next week on Raw, for the United States Championship.
We get a promo from Randy Orton, who says he gets a match against AJ Styles. The man who beat him at WrestleMania a few years ago. The man who built SmackDown. But this is Raw and if he needs a reminder on who he is, he’ll remind him with an RKO.
We see highlights from the main event of TLC last night, where The Kabuki Warriors defeated Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Asuka comes to the ring alone, because Kairi Sane is not cleared to compete. Later tonight we’ll hear from Becky Lynch in an interview.
Asuka’s opponent, Deonna Purrazzo from NXT, comes to the ring following a video package. It seems she’s a part of Raw now. She gets in the ring and immediately kicks Asuka through the ropes to the floor.
*Commercial Break*
Asuka Vs. Deonna Purrazzo
We’re back and the bell rings, with Asuka taking the fight to Purrazzo. Asuka chokes Deonna down with her boot in the corner. Asuka hits a running hip attack, then another. Asuka looks for a running cutter but Purrazzo pushes her off and takes her down for a Fujiwara Armbar. Asuka screams in pain but manages to escape.
Asuka goes for an armbar of her own, but Purrazzo keeps her grip to prevent it. Asuka transitions to a kneebar before going to a rear chinlock. Purrazzo elbows her way out, ducks a spinning back fist, and hits a reverse STO for a two count. Asuka comes back with some kicks to the face before applying the Asuka Lock and Purrazzo taps.
Winner: Asuka
Charly Caruso is backstage with Becky Lynch for a sit-down interview. Charly asks how Lynch is handling the loss at TLC last night. Lynch says she’s been off her game for the last few months. She was taken out of singles competition and put in tag team competition and, at first, she thought the powers-that-be were trying to bury her, but they were trying to protect her, which is worse.
She says she saw the merchandising and the advertising; they’re protecting her from Asuka because she’s the real cash cow. However the title on her shoulder proves she’s still the best. Becky says you could say she is handling the loss by looking at things honestly. Charly asks what she would say to the people who think Asuka should be champion. Lynch says her opponents usually need her, but she needs Asuka; the one person she hasn’t been able to beat. She needs to face Asuka.
Randy Orton makes his entrance. He’ll face AJ Styles in the main event, next.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Rey Mysterio sitting backstage in the trainer’s room. He says a lot of bad people are coming for him and his championship. He’d face Andrade anytime, but he tried to end Humberto Carrillo’s career and doesn’t deserve it. As for Seth Rollins’ challenge, he’s never faced him one-on-one, but next week he will. The match is official.
The Phenomenal AJ Styles makes his way to the ring for the main event, in a match we’ve been told would be a main event anywhere. Which is true, but they’ve really been hammering it home all night.
Randy Orton Vs. AJ Styles
The bell rings and Orton takes the fight to AJ, punching him into the corner. Styles puts himself through the ropes to force the break. Styles clubs Orton and whips him to the corner. AJ runs but Orton sidesteps him and goes for an RKO, but Styles gets out of the ring to regroup.
Orton chases after but Styles gets back in the ring. Styles kicks Randy as he gets back in the ring. Styles goes out after Orton, but Orton gives him a back suplex on the apron. Orton bounces him off the steel steps, and Styles gets in the ring.
Orton stomps the legs before raking his boot on Styles’ face. Styles quickly comes back by snapping him off the top rope. Styles goes for a springboard, but Orton chops the leg. Orton attempts the draping DDT but Styles counters into a Calf Crusher attempt. Orton crawls to the bottom rope, but Styles drags him right back to the centre of the ring.
Styles keeps the Calf Crusher applied and Orton feigns tapping, but then manages to pull himself to the bottom rope to break the hold. This time Orton rolls out of the ring to prevent the reapplication, but Styles goes outside and chop blocks him on the floor.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Orton writhing in pain. Orton fights back with some right hands, but Styles kicks him in the knee to stop him. Orton swings a kick but AJ catches it, so Randy pokes him in the eye to cause some separation. Orton then drops Styles on the ropes with a front suplex.
Orton punches Styles, who responds with a right hand that drops Orton to a knee. Orton kicks Styles back and hits a European uppercut. Styles kicks Orton in the leg and hits the ropes, but Orton hits him with a snap powerslam. Orton then hits his headlock backbreaker but goes back to selling the leg.
Orton puts Styles on the top rope and punches him. Styles is barely hanging on. Orton goes for a superplex, but Styles slides through and pulls him down. Styles then chop blocks the knee. Styles his a scary springboard moonsault for a two count. The crowd are starting to get jazzed.
Styles looks for a Styles Clash but Orton backdrops him onto the apron. Orton hits a draping DDT and starts coiling-up to strike. Orton goes for an RKO but Styles counters into the Calf Crusher again. Orton escapes and Styles goes to the apron and readies himself. Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Orton hits an RKO out of mid-air for the win.
Winner: Randy Orton
As soon as the bell rings, Gallows and Anderson come running down the ramp and attack Randy Orton.
Randy is thrown from the ring but The Viking Raiders run out and a huge brawl erupts in the ring. Gallows and Anderson manage to get Ivar out and hit Erik with the Magic Killer. The O.C. stand tall to end the show.
And that’s it for tonight’s WWE Raw. Let us know what you thought and be sure to come back to Ringside News tomorrow. Until then, safe travels.
