This week’s episode of WWE Raw emanates from Columbus, Ohio! Becky Lynch defends the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The King and Queen of the Ring semi-finals take place. Penta takes on Bron Breakker, and more.
We break it all down in this week’s WWE Raw recap!
We Hear From Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins comes out to the ring with Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker. Rollins asks what the people want because they keep chanting for different people. Rollins says the fans have no idea what they want. Rollins says they need people him to tell them what is good for them. Rollins says Roman Reigns exists because of him. Rollins also claims that CM Punk is back in the company because WWE wanted to cash in how much Rollins hated him. Rollins says there is no second coming of Cody Rhodes without him. Rollins also points out that he was first NXT and WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins says all of them came to be because he built them in his image. Rollins says his group is the future of WWE.
Rollins says every revolution faces opposition, which he’ll deal with diplomatically until they force his hand. Rollins says that happened to LA Knight. Rollins says Bron Breakker will now face Penta, a thorn in their side. Rollins says a lot of people think they have what it takes to be at the top, but in reality, they are running a race for second place. Rollins says his Money in the Bank briefcase is the end game. Penta’s music hits. He comes out to the ring for his match against Breakker.
Penta vs. Bron Breakker (w/ Paul Heyman)
Penta delivers a pair of knees to Breakker. Breakker drops Penta to the mat, then stomps on him. Penta chops Breakker in return. Breakker lands a backbreaker, then shoulder tackles Penta in the corner. Breakker turns him inside out with a running clothesline.
Breakker goes up top, as does Penta. Breakker slaps him off the turnbuckle. Penta chops him in responds and sends him flying across the ring with a hurricanrana. Penta superkicks Breakker. Breakker goes through the ropes. Penta rams him into the ring post. He follows up with a suicide dive to the floor.
Back from break, Penta takes down Breakker with a sling blade. He follows up with a chop in the corner and a suplex. Breakker hits a Frankensteiner off the top rope. Penta superkicks Breakker, then spikes him with a DDT. Penta leaps off the ropes, while Breakker connects with a midair spear for the win.
Winner: Bron Breakker
After the match, Rollins warns Penta to stay out of his way.
Backstage, Adam Pearce says Dominik Mysterio is injured, so their IC Title match for Night of Champions is off. Pearce tells New Day their title defense against JD McDonagh and Finn Balor is official.
We Hear From Goldberg
Goldberg sits down for an interview with Michael Cole. Goldberg says he wasn’t going to let Gunther’s disrespect for his family slide. Goldberg says Gunther embarrassed him in front of his family and friends in Atlanta. Goldberg says Gunther put him in the spot for his upcoming retirement match. Goldberg promises to make Gunther pay and beat the f*ck out of him.
Backstage, Finn Balor hypes up the Judgment Day, including Roxanne Perez. Balor tells Raquel Rodriguez she is the Women’s Tag Team Champion. Balor says Raquel can’t let Rhea Ripley walk all over her. He then encourages her to take care of Ripley tonight.
Elsewhere, Lyra Valkyria wishes Bayley good luck in her Women’s IC Title match. Bayley promises Valkyria will be the first in line for the title when she beats Becky Lynch tonight.
Queen of the Ring Semi-Final: Jade Cargill vs. Roxanne Perez
Perez slaps Cargill, then rolls out of the ring. Upon her return, she puts Cargill into a headlock. Cargill crushes Perez in the corner. Perez tries to roll her up, but Cargill blocks it. Perez slaps her again. Cargill responds with a slap of her own, then follows up with a backbreaker. Cargill tosses Perez across the ring. On the outside, Cargill carries Perez on her shoulders. Perez escapes and dropkicks Cargill’s knee into the steel steps.
Back from break, Perez locks in a sleeper hold, which sends Cargill to her knees. Cargill backs up into the corner to escape. Perez climbs to the top, only for Cargill to catch her mid-crossbody. Cargill delivers a fallaway slam. Cargill follows up with a spinebuster. Cargill slams her into the mat again for a near fall. Cargill rocks Perez with a superkick. Perez rolls up Cargill for a near fall of her own. Perez superkicks Cargill, then drops her with a hurricanrana. Perez kicks her in the back of the neck for another two count pin attempt. Perez fires off punches. Cargill blocks a Pop Rox, then boots Perez in the face. Cargill nails Perez with two slams for the win.
Winner: Jade Cargill
After the match, Asuka walks out onto the stage and stares down Cargill.
Backstage, Rusev tries to rile up Sheamus, but Sheamus says he loves to march to the beat of his own drum. Sheamus says Rusev was the most embarrassing member in the League of Nations. Sheamus then says it’s time to put up or shut up. Rusev says he’ll make Sheamus remember this.
We Hear From Gunther
Gunther says last week was supposed to be his championship celebration, but Goldberg interrupted him. Gunther says usually being next means getting speared and jackhammered by Goldberg. Gunther says Goldberg is the most destructive man of his generation, but it is not 1990 anymore. Gunther says he heard what Goldberg had to say, but there is nothing that will change his perception of him. Gunther says Goldberg can’t lace his boots. Gunther apologizes to Goldberg’s wife and son for everything he will do to Goldberg at WWE SNME. Gunther says it is his responsibility that he legacy and myth of Goldberg dies.
Backstage, Karrion Kross recalls Sami Zayn losing to Randy Orton last week. Kross asks when Zayn will realize that he will not be world champion in his current form. Zayn clocks Kross in response, then says he is done talking to him. Zayn confirms they will face off in the ring.
Women’s IC Title: Bayley vs. Becky Lynch (c)
Lynch slaps Bayley, prompting Bayley to fire off elbows in return. Bayley sweeps Lynch off her feet, then delivers a sliding elbow. Lynch looks for a Dis-Arm-Her, but Bayley blocks it. Bayley hangs Lynch up on the second rope. Bayley follows up with an elbow to Lynch’s neck . Bayley rams Lynch into the barricade then rolls her back into the ring. Bayley elbows her in the face, then climbs the turnbuckle. Lynch pulls Bayley’s arm, causing her to slingshot off the ropes.
Back from break, Bayley connects with a running knee. She then drives Lynch to the mat for a pinfall attempt. Lynch kicks out. Lynch counters a Bayley-To-Belly and suplexes Bayley. Bayley responds with the Bayley-To-Belly. Bayley launches Lynch into the corner and flips her into it. Bayley goes up top, where Lynch meets her. Lynch superplexes Bayley off of the top. Bayley and Lynch trade pinfall attempts. Bayley locks in a half crab submission. Lynch crawls to the ropes to break it. She then boots Bayley. The two trade strikes.
Bayley lands a Manhandle Slam. Lynch rolls out of the ring before she can capitalize on it. Lynch sends Bayley flying over the announce table. Lynch grabs chairs and piles them on top of Bayley. The referee begins counting. Valkyria tries to help Bayley to her feet. Lynch clocks her. Lynch then baseball slides Valkyria. Bayley sends Lynch over the announce table, then into the ring post and barricade. They return to the ring. Bayley goes up top. Valkyria lays in strikes on Lynch, causing the referee to call for the bell. Valkyria follows up with a stomp through the ropes to Lynch.
Winner (by DQ): Becky Lynch
Backstage, Chad Gable tells Ivy Nile to wipe out Stephanie Vaquer, regardless of the cost. Gable then tells Penta he enjoyed watching Breakker destroy him. Penta superkicks Gable, then hyperextends his arm.
We Hear From Raquel Rodriguez
Raquel calls Rhea Ripley out to the ring for a beating. Ripley runs down to the ring and lays in right and left hands. Raquel knocks Ripley down. Ripley responds with a boot to her midsection. Raquel rams Ripley into the apron, then launches her over the barricade. Raquel retrieves a table. Ripley leaps off the announce table and connects with an elbow. Ripley drives Raquel into the steel steps. Ripley sets up a table in the ring. Ripley sets up for a Riptide, but Roxanne Perez runs down to break it up. Ripley bounces Perez off the turnbuckle. Raquel then sends Ripley crashing through the table.
Backstage, Rhea Ripley demands a match with Raquel, which Adam Pearce grants.
King of the Ring Semi-Finals: Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso
Cody and Jey lock up, then trade arm drags. Cody looks for a Cross Rhodes, but Jey counters it by flinging Cody across the ring.
Back from break, Jey connects with an enziguri, then drops Cody to the mat. Jey hip checks Cody in the corner. Cody cinches in a kimura lock. Jey transitions into a sleeper hold. Cody dumps Jey over the top rope. Jey slaps Cody as he looks for a suicide dive. Cody superplexes Jey off the top rope.
Back from another break, Cody and Jey trade strikes. Cody lays in several right hands. Jey clocks him with an uppercut. Jey bodyslams Cody to the mat, then sets up for a Cross Rhodes. Cody blocks and lands a Cody Cutter. Cody looks for a Disaster Kick, but Jey dodges it. Jey spears Cody for a near fall. Cody blocks another spear and lands another Cody Cutter for a near fall. Jey counters a Cross Rhodes with one of his own. Cody kicks out of his pinfall attempt.
Jey superkicks Cody twice. He follows up with a spear. Jey goes up top. Cody meets him there and delivers a cutter off the top. Cody follows up with a Cross Rhodes for the win.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match, Cody and Jey embrace. Jey then raises Cody’s hand.