The Raw Live Report
THE ONLY BLVD!
It’s Monday Night so light the lights! It’s time to get Raw! Tonight we are live for the first time in 15 years from Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. On tap are several big matches (thanks to the NFL) including the Intercontinental Champion Chad Gable putting his title on the line against Dragon Lee, and the World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns defends against Penta in a major match he earned in the luchador tournament. Plus, two more superstars will make their way to Money in the Bank. In the men’s triple threat qualifying match will be Austin Theory vs Je’Von Evans vs Big Cass, and the women’s triple threat qualifier will feature Lola Vice vs NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan vs the Judgment Day’s Raquel Rodriguez. We will also hear from the newly-crowned Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, who won the gold from former champ Liv Morgan at a house show a few days ago in Santiago, her home country of Chile, during their continued South American tour.
We’ve got all this, and probably more – so let’s start the SLAM and see what’s in store!
We begin with a video package of the World Heavyweight Championship #1 contender tourney finals where Penta punched his ticket to fight for the title tonight. Both Roman Reigns and Penta give their thoughts. Then we see Reigns arriving in Mexico City via private jet, and Penta riding in on a horse.
Joe Tessitore and Corey Graves are on commentary live in Mexico City.
Now live in the arena, “Booyaka 619!” hits and out comes AAA GM Rey Mysterio in a neck brace. He’s wearing an Eddie Guererro t-shirt. Rey gets in the ring where Raw GM Adam Pearce is waiting.
Rey welcomes everyone in Espanol to Monday Night Raw. He says for the first time in 15 years we’re in Mexico. He speaks some more in Spanish. He tells Pearce that tonight is going to be one of those historical nights. He talks about historical moments, some which we saw this weekend. He shares some video footage of a house show in Santiago, Chile, where Liv Morgan put her title up against Stephanie Vaquer with Becky Lynch as the special guest ref. Morgan’s temper got the better of her as she shoved Lynch around before she attempted a pinfall on Vaquer, which Lynch refused to count (she gave her the blurred out middle finger instead). A Superkick and La Primera by Vaquer for the win and NEW Women’s World Champion. That was very rare for a house show, but as it’s her home country they’ve been doing that a lot lately.
Rey speaks more Spanish and announces the new champ, Stephanie Vaquer. The crowd sings as Vaquer says she got her title back. She speaks more Spanish (this is easy to write tonight). She says it’s an honor to win back her title in her home of Chile.
Cue Liv Morgan alongside Dom Mysterio. She congratulates Vaquer, and that she was screwed out of the title. But it’s okay because even without the title she’s still the greatest champion of all time. She then says to Rey she’s always accepted he’s Dom’s deadbeat daddy, but he’s really hit an all-time low hanging around Vaquer. Dom tries to talk but there’s nothing but boos. I think he said all he sees is a deadbeat and a cheater, but Morgan is what a real champ looks like. Rey says didn’t you lose yesterday? We watch the footage of Dom losing his AAA Mega Championship to El Grande Americano with GM Rey counting the three and the NEW champ’s win. Dom wants him and Morgan vs Rey and Vaquer, but Rey isn’t medically cleared.
Out comes AAA Mega Champ El Grande Americano. More “Ole~!” singing by the crowd. Again, he speaks Spanish, apparently saying he’ll take Rey’s place. Pearce makes it official right now for our first impromptu match of our Mexico night.
Mixed Tag Team Match:
Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer & AAA Mega Champion El Grande Americano vs Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan
We went to a break just as the match began so when we came back the match was well underway. We find Dom getting some offense on Americano, then Americano taking it to Dom in the ring. Dom eventually retreats to his corner and tags in Morgan, who shoves Americano to try to disrespect and provoke him. The ladies tagged in and Vaquer flies over the top rope, setting up a stretch of the women battling it out.
Back and forth we go between the guys and gals, along with another mid-match commercial break. 3 minutes of action with 3 minutes of commercials.
Dom tries to set up a 619, but Americano counters and sets up a 619 of his own. He looks to Rey for permission and Rey gives it, then eats a slap from Morgan. Americano points behind her and Vaquer Superkicks Morgan. Morgan falls down across Dom’s back as now both are over the middle rope, allowing Vaquer to hit a 619 on both of them at the same time. Americano and Vaquer head up opposite corners, setting up a dual Frog Splash situation, but The Judgment Day of Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez and JD McDonagh hit the ring, attacking the babyfaces. The ref calls for the DQ.
WINNERS by DQ: Stephanie Vaquer & El Grande Americano
After the match, Americano and Vaquer are beaten down. Rey attempts to make the save attacking McDonagh, but Dom grabbed him by the neck brace. The Judgment Day proceed to beat down Rey, Vaquer and Americano, capping it off with Dom hitting a Frog Splash on Rey. The Judgment Day stand tall over the fallen heroes, soaking up loud boos. They stomp Rey once more for good measure, then leave the ring.
A video package then aired about The Vision and the recent carnage they have caused on Raw. We might be seeing a lot of these video packages and interviews. Depends on who made it to Mexico.
Now live we’re getting ready for the Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat Match. Je’Von Evans comes out showing off for the fans as we go to break.
Back from a Mexican break, Penta and Dragon Lee were backstage speaking Spanish to each other. They were looking like they were wishing each other good luck in each other’s title matches. I don’t speak much Spanish unless I can Google translate it or it’s translated on screen for me, so deal with it.
Austin Theory then enters the ring alongside Maxxine Dupri. Then finally Big Cass.
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match:
World Tag Team Champion Austin Theory vs Je’Von Evans vs Big Cass
Remember, triple threat rulz. No DQs, no count outs. First person to score a “W” in the ring punches their ticket to MitB.
All three Superstars take a moment to size each other up. Theory tries to talk Evans into teaming up with him to take on Cass, but instead immediately attacks Evans. Cass grabs him and tosses him away. Evans was able to jump on Cass’s back and give him a Headscissors out of the ring. Chaos ensues as bodies are flying in, out, and over the ring. Crashing into announce tables, barricades, and not even the timekeeper’s area is safe.
This one is hard to call as there’s so much going on. Even Dupri gets involved, saving Theory from Cass.
Eventually, Cass begins to stalk Evans in the ring, but Theory accidentally took a big boot when Evans avoided it. Evans jumped off the top with the OG Cutter on Cass for the win.
WINNER: Je’Von Evans
Now, A video package airs about the rivalry between Royce Keys and OTM, now called “946” (don’t ask what that means), and The Bloodline. Keys ends it with “Ain’t nobody safe.” Backstage, The Usos were shown talking, saying that tonight they got theirs back. Jacob Fatu said that the OTC says 946 is their problem, but Fatu doesn’t think it’s the right play to set off tonight. Fatu said that Roman Reigns is defending the World Heavyweight Title tonight. Fatu said he knows they are going to try to pick them off one by one to get to Roman. Jey Uso asked Fatu what’s the play, and Fatu said the play is to stick together. They agree to keep it “100”.
Live in the arena we get to the Intercontinental Championship match. The IC Champ Chad Gable is out first. Back from a break we see Dragon Lee already in the ring.
Intercontinental Championship Match:
Chad Gable (c) vs Dragon Lee
Gable and Lee alternate control, the crowd giving lots of energy for both superstars. Lee hits a huge spot, launching himself through the ropes with a Suicide Dive as the ref was holding the ropes for him and Lee crashing into the champ with a Cannonball Dive against the commentary table.
Both men used their technical skills against each other and were evenly matched. In the end, both superstars were down for a bit while the crowd chanted for both men. Gable grabs Lee’s ankle as Lee tried to get up and slaps on the Ankle Lock. Lee repeatedly tried to roll onto his back and kick Gable off, but Gable locks his legs around Lee and drops to the mat, cinching him in place. Lee desperately tries to reach the ropes but finally has to tap out.
WINNER: Chad Gable
After the match, Gable then approaches Lee as he sits recovering after the match, asking the ref to hold the title. Gable offers Lee his hand and pulls him into a hug and raised his hand to a huge pop.
Bayley was now in a video package talking about how Lyra Valkyria made her pass out in a pool of her own blood, and Lyra tried to keep her out forever. Bayley reminded Lyra of some of the things she said. Bayley talked about her 14 years in the business. Bayley said she chose this path so that women like Valkyria can make a difference in WWE. Instead she’ll end Valkyria’s career before it gets started. Bayley will remind everybody she is the standard for women’s wrestling (I guess this means she’s staying in WWE).
Now it’s time for the Women’s Triple Threat MitB Qualifier. NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan is out first as we head to a break. We return to find Women’s Intercontinental Champion Raquel Rodriguez already finishing her entrance. Out next is Lola Vice, who is making her main roster debut.
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match:
NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan vs Women’s Intercontinental Champion Raquel Rodriguez vs Lola Vice
Rodriguez knocked Vice down with a shoulder tackle as Jordan bailed to the floor to watch from a distance up the ramp. Vice attacked Rodriguez with kicks and Jordan went into the ring with a dropkick. Commercial time.
After the break, Vice and Jordan are working together to knock Rodriguez out of the ring. Rodriguez gets sent into the steel steps. Jordan and Vice throw it down until Rodriguez pulled Jordan out of the ring. Jordan kicked Rodriguez and hit a springboard moonsault. Vice hit a running senton off the apron onto Jordan on the floor. Rodriguez hit a running cross body block on Vice on the floor. It’s chaos so you get it from here.
The finish came when the competitors attempted pinfalls and submissions but were all broken up by the remaining superstar. Raquel went for a lift, Vice countered it with a choke hold, but Raquel hit a Snapmare to get out of it. Raquel went for a kick, Vice moved and Raquel kicked Jordan off the apron. Vice with a quick “ROLLUP OF DEATH~!” on Raquel for the win.
WINNER: Lola Vice
We now get a cellphone-recorded video of the “946”. Price told The Usos not to write a check that their ass can’t cash. Keys said that you know how it is in the “946” and said it’s one by one by one. He wishes Reigns luck.
Now backstage, Vaquer was walking outside when she saw Becky Lynch. Lynch reminded Vaquer she helped her win the title. Lynch said she should get a title shot. Lynch just left.
It’s now time for our highly anticipated main event! Penta made his entrance and got a big ovation. The fans were chanting, “Ole Ole Ole Ole…Penta! Penta!” Roman Reigns made his entrance as the World Heavyweight Champion. The fans reacted loudly to Reigns, with plenty of booing but you could also hear some cheering. Reigns did his pose before entering the ring.
“Amazing Hair” Alicia Taylor did the championship introductions. The crowd was loud and, after a short break, away we go.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
Roman Reigns (c) vs Penta
The crowd was on fire for Penta, who got some offense early on with some strikes. Penta worked over Reigns with Headbutts, so Reigns came back with punches and the fans booed that. Reigns went for a move by the turnbuckle, Penta moved and Penta hit a Springboard Kick. Reigns was on the floor, so Penta hit a “Tope Con Hilo” (Somersault Dive) onto a standing Reigns to the floor. They left the ring again as Penta chopped Reigns. He went for another, but Reigns moved and Penta chopped the ring post. Reigns sent Penta into the ring post and cleared off the commentary table. Now it’s time for our champ to take control.
They went back and forth a bit, with Reigns getting the better as he kept the place slow and taunted the crowd. Eventually, Reigns called for the microphone and told everyone to “Acknowledge him!” as the fans booed.
Eventually, Reigns ran the ropes but ran right into Penta’s Superkick. Penta hit his Springboard Mexican Destroyer for a close two-count. The fans thought that was it. Penta and Reigns exchanged strikes. Reigns punched Penta, but Penta came back with a trio of superkicks in a row. Penta went for a springboard attack, but Reigns was ready for it with a Superman Punch. Reigns hit a final Spear on Penta for the win.
WINNER: Roman Reigns
Reigns celebrated with the Undisputed WWE Title while Penta watched from the ramp. Reigns told the fans, “Let me hear you now!”
Fade to black…