The following episode of Monday Night Raw contains a LOT of professional wrestling.
Monday Night Raw – April 22nd 2024 – Columbus, Ohio
THEN…
NOW…
FOREVER!
Monday Night Raw – April 22nd 2024 – Columbus, Ohio
THEN…
NOW…
FOREVER!
A NEW opening video aired! And then a pyro show followed!
The sold out crowd inside the Schottenstein Center was ready for Monday night’s hottest show! Monday Night Raw hit the campus of The Ohio State University, a common stop, and a raucous crowd made their way here again! Michael Cole and Pat McAfee welcomed us to the show, a VERY big show as we’d go on to learn!
- Liv Morgan is here LIVE!
- A HUGE six-man tag team match will go down! Andrade, Chad Gable, and Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed, Ricochet, and Shinsuke Nakamura!
- The Judgment Day faces Raw’s newest tag team!
- In the MAIN EVENT, Becky Lynch will face Asuka!
Adam Pearce: Columbus, Ohio!
~ Cheers.
Adam Pearce: It’s good to see you guys here tonight. Welcome to Monday Night Raw!!
~ Pearce is exuberant tonight!
Adam Pearce: Tonight is going to be a very fun night and I’m very excited about what’s to come. But before we get there, there’s a few things that I have to address with you all tonight.
~ Pearce pauses for a moment and then appears ready to deliver.
Adam Pearce: Ladies and gentlemen, a week from this Saturday, WWE will present Backlash France from all the way out in Lyon, France. And I’m pleased with what Monday Night Raw is offering. But one match that I know people have been asking about lately is the Women’s World Championship Match between ‘The Nightmare’ Rhea Ripley and the #1 Contender, Liv Morgan.
~ The crowd murmurs. There were some events last week that need addressing, yes!
Adam Pearce: Last week, Rhea Ripley became the victim of a 2-on-1 attack outside the arena. Liv Morgan and her friend Raquel Rodriguez assaulted Ripley and then attempted to inlict even more harm on her by breaking a cinderblock over Ripley’s hand. Which Rodriguez had pressed against a parking structure last week.
~ Some obvious boos follow that.
Adam Pearce: Now I have some bad news. Rhea Ripley has a broken hand.
~ Booooooooos…
Adam Pearce: HOWEVER… Rhea Ripley has also INSISTED on competing at Backlash France despite that broken hand. Truthfully, I’d typically be against it. But considering that Liv and Raquel went forward with a clear, premeditated attack on the Women’s World Champion I do not want to REWARD either of them for the offense they committed. Especially not rewarding them with a free vacation to France. SO! Rhea Ripley versus Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship remains ON for BACKLASH FRANCE!!!
~ Whoa! Big announcement from Pearce! But just then, as Pearce went to speak… his attention diverted. So did the entire arena’s. Someone had decided to walk out from backstage. That someone was…
TEGAN NOX??
Not seen or heard from in some time, the snakebitten Nox, who was seen wearing knee braces, entered the ring. A confused Pearce looked on.
Adam Pearce: Tegan Nox… to what I do I owe this surprise?
~ Nox, holding a microphone now, pulled up the sleeves on her flannel and put her microphone up.
Tegan Nox: Adam, there’s really no way to not get to the teeth of it. So, I’m just gonna come right out and say it. Last week, Liv and Raquel attacked Rhea Ripley. They broke her hand. But there was a reason why Rhea went after Liv and Raquel. You didn’t mention that the reason she did that was because somebody took her Women’s World Championship from her hangout.
~ Awfully interesting time to remind the authority figure of that Tegan…
Adam Pearce: You’reeee… correct, Tegan.
Tegan Nox: And when Rhea confronted Dominik Mysterio last week about it, he didn’t know. The person they asked said that Liv and Raquel did it. But that’s because somebody told her to do that.
~ Whoa—what?!
Adam Pearce: Tegan what are you trying to say here?
Tegan Nox: … … … I did it.
~ ?!?!
Tegan Nox: I’m the one who did that. I took the Women’s World Championship away from her spot in The Judgment Day hangout. And I have my reasons for doing that too.
~ Whoa… holy left field, Batman.
Tegan Nox: And respectfully, those reasons go past you, Mr. Pearce. They involve the Women’s World Champion herself. So Rhea Ripley? Come out to this bloody ring right now!!
~ Well… this just got interesting!!
...
Ask and you shall receive, Tegan.
“THIS IS MY BRUTALITYYYY”
Unsurprisingly it doesn’t take very long for Rhea Ripley to stomp out! Ripley stormed down the ramp sporting a big black cast on her left hand. She angrily raced down the ramp while Nox remaind firm in the ring. Rhea got to the ring and climbed inside and snapped her head away.
“GIMME A MIC!”
A stagehand then gives Ripley a mic.
Rhea Ripley: WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!!?
~ EXCELLENT question! Rhea roared it into Tegan’s face, but Nox didn’t quiver.
Rhea Ripley: What on EARTH!? You took my CHAMPIONSHIP!? Tegan… Tegan this doesn’t concern you!!! Why are you getting involved with Liv Morgan!!??? Who in the bloody HELL do you think you are here?!?
~ Ripley is strong in tone and is clearly PISSED off that Tegan did this!
Tegan Nox: Oh, that’s just like you isn’t it?? Talking and trying to be intimidating like the bully you are!!!!
~ Nox, though, stands her ground!
Tegan Nox: Who the hell am I, Rhea? I’m Tegan Nox! And if something terrible didn’t happen to me years ago then the roles might well be turned around on YOU right now!! But instead something terrible happened to me when I went against YOU!!
~ Ripley is aghast. And still angry!
Tegan Nox: You know exactly what I’m talking about too, Rhea. The 2018 Mae Young Classic!! You versus me. One catastrophic knee injury later and I’m on the shelf for MONTHS!!!
~ Ripley just looked on in complete shock while Nox's face reddened.
Tegan Nox: That knee injury took EVERYTHING from me, Rhea!!! Everything!!! EVERYTHING since that terrible injury has put me in a battle that I can’t seem to win!!! I came back to fighting fit and then my tag team partner turns on me!! And I see she’s made a bloody habit out of that now!! Then just as I was about to go up to the world of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown, before you, long before you, I tore my knee AGAIN!!!
~ Nox’s anger is PALPABLE.
Tegan Nox: And at that point I wasn’t sure if something more powerful was playing a bloody trick on me. What else can somebody think when the same thing happens to them over and over again? And if that weren’t enough… then this company fired me a year later!!!
~ Ahhhh man… Yikes. Yikes dude.
Tegan Nox: But was that a concern to you Rhea?? No… what happened after that match to you Rhea? You didn’t win the Mae Young Classic—someone better from your country did (OHHHHH)—but you rose to fame. You got all the glory. You were the big star and you were going to WRESTLEMANIA! And if I don’t tear my knee against you while you showed not an OUNCE of remorse… you took… and took… and took… and took… while my body kept taking… and taking… and TAKING from me!
~ Nox gathered herself for a moment and then stared in Ripley’s eyes.
Tegan Nox: So you wanna know why I associated myself with Liv Morgan? Because she has a God damn point!!
~ Well, damn.
Tegan Nox: This IS the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour… also starring Tegan Nox.
NOX SUDDENLY STRIKES RIPLEY IN THE FACE WITH THE MICROPHONE!!!
Down goes the champion!! And Nox starts to pound away at Ripley! Who the hell saw any of this coming?! Nox kept peppering Ripley with rights and lefts but then the champion finally shoved her away! She then got up and sent Nox to her back with a HUGE running boot!! But the Women’s World Champion’s moment standing lasted for only a short while!
RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ SLID INTO THE RING AND HIT A RUNNING BOOT OF HER OWN!!!
Rodriguez then stomped all over Ripley’s stomach and Nox pulled herself up and joined Raquel in the stomping!! Raquel pulled Ripley up and held her up for Tegan to get a few body blows in! But then Ripley mule kicked Rodriguez!! And then CLOTHESLINED Nox into next week! She then grabbed Rodriguez and scooped her up before SLAMMING HER DOWN ON THE MAT!
She then grabbed her again and looked ready to try and hit the RIPTIDE on her! Raquel tried to fight out of it but Rhea lifted her up and THREW HER DOWN with the Riptide!! The crowd roared and Ripley let out one herself and then turned around—WHAM! OH!!
LIV MORGAN SHOOTS IN WITH THE TITLE BELT TO THE FACE!!
An evil smile comes over Morgan’s face as she got what she wanted there! She got ALL of that as seen by Rhea being busted open! Whoa! Morgan laughed and then grabbed the championship and held it up as she crawled by Ripley’s face.
“YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME RHEA!! I PROMISE YOU… BACKLASH IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE LIV MORGAN REVENGE TOUR!!”
Morgan then held the title high! The winds of change were certainly in the air as the usually cheered-for Morgan got booed here in Columbus! That’s what happens when you go after Mami these days!
But what a statement made!
{Commercial Break}
A replay of the jarring events before the break with a shocking Tegan Nox reveal, Rhea Ripley surviving a 2-on-1 attack, and Liv Morgan getting a piece of revenge. That trio of Morgan, Nox, and Raquel Rodriguez walked through the back with confidence.
Then Adam Pearce arrived again.
Adam Pearce: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!?
~ All three back up but Liv then fixes up.
Liv Morgan: Adam, I don’t know what you’re talking about quite honestly.
Adam Pearce: You know EXACTLY what I’m talking about! What is with these ambushes, Liv?!? You have a championship match in 12 days! Are you trying to get that match cancelled!
Liv Morgan: Hahaha… absolutely NOT, Adam! But I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you have a problem with what we’re doing to Rhea Ripley? Because I don’t think you had a problem with Rhea purposely injuring me and taking months off my career if I remember right… An attack that nearly led me on a downward spiral in my professional AND personal life… So, forgive me, but I don’t think you have a leg to stand on here.
Adam Pearce: Liv. As of right now, YOU cannot get physical with Rhea Ripley until your match at Backlash France!!!! I am NOT jeopardizing a match of this caliber!!! And if you do, you will be SUSPENDED and STRIPPED of that title match at Backlash!!! And it’s going to go to someone else!! NEITHER of you two for the record!! Get out of here now!!!
~ Adam is laying down the law. But Liv looks back as they walk along.
Liv Morgan: You can tell Princess Rhea that she can cry about it. And that in 12 days, her title is mine.
~ Liv laughs at Pearce and, defiantly, the trio walks away...
Meanwhlie in the ring, The Judgment Day is looking after the bloodied Ripley! Everyone clearly has a case here to be upset. They are without Damian Priest, who Michael Cole says is in Puerto Rico. Balor eventually gets Rhea up and proceeds to help her to the back. Finn also checks on her, leaving Dom and JD to be in the ring.
Ring announcer Alicia Taylor then goes to introduce Raw’s newest tag team…
***CERO MIEDO***
HOLY SHIT…
IT’S… PENTA!!!???!!!
IT’S PENTA!!! OH MY!!
Which
Can only mean…
…
***ANIMO***
…
LASERS!
IT’S… REY FENIX!
THE LUCHA BROS ARE IN WWE!!
The show stays HOT as we’re moving right along!
1 – WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES CONTENDER’S TOURNAMENT MATCH
The Judgment Day vs. The Lucha Bros
Ever quick to make an impact, Penta and Rey Fenix quickly dive right into the pool! They go up against The Judgment Day in this tournament match, which Michael Cole says we’ll have more information on after this match! This one nearly goes 10 minutes and plays a little above its weight class. But the crowd is hot after the start of this show! And these wrestlers deliver in a high-intensity match with a lot at stake. After a volley of a match, Penta DRILLS Dom with a Mexican Destroyer! And then Rey Fenix nails McDonagh with a BLACK FIRE DRIVER! They both cover and get the huge debut win!!
WINNERS – The Lucha Bros via pinfall at 10:15.
Courtesy of the graphics team, we’re shown the tournament bracket!
---
THE LUCHA BROS
THE JUDGMENT DAY
THE CREED BROS
IMPERIUM
ALPHA ACADEMY
THE VIKING RAIDERS
DIY
THE NEW DAY
---
So The Lucha Bros will face the winner of The Creed Bros vs. Imperium! They may be well on their way to a hell of a first run here. We’ll see!
{Commercial Break}
Last week, as a video recap shows us, Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest had an in-ring confrontation where provoking led to a title match between the two of them being made! So now at Backlash France those forces will collide in a high-stakes World Heavyweight Championship Match! We then learn that later tonight we’ll hear from both the champion AND the challenger!
Backstage, newcomer LYRA VALKYRIA approached 'THE MAN' BECKY LYNCH.
Lyra Valkyria: Becky, Becky.
Becky Lynch: Lyra! What's up lass?
Lyra Valkyria: Come with me quick, our enemy's weak...
Becky Lynch: What?
Lyra Valkyria: Just follow me, I promise.
Back to ringside we go…
2 – Six-Man Tag Team Match
Andrade, Chad Gable, and Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed, Ricochet, and Shinsuke Nakamura
A match full of talent, both emerging and proven, goes down next to keep a hot show going tonight. It wasn’t hard for commentary to talk about the implications of this match, specifically surrounding the Intercontinental Championship! Chad Gable’s been close to Sami Zayn and, in fact, helped him last week which led to Zayn retaining the Intercontinental Championship. But there’s plenty of other big names in this match who might want that title, and some were in this match!
Bronson Reed looked strong again after two dominant showings after WrestleMania. Jey Uso wanted to get back on track, especially after losing to Ricochet last week. Shinsuke Nakamura wanted to climb back into everyone’s thoughts, as did Andrade, so we got a combination of of six motivated superstars. All were fighting tooth and nail, even while some were allies, to try and get a leg up on each other. And IN THE END, it was Gable who picked up the win after hitting Ricochet with a Fisherman’s Suplex!
WINNERS | Chad Gable, Andrade, and Jey Uso via pinfall at 16:20.
{Commercial Break}
Backstage, Lyra Valkyria appeared! The Raw newcomer was seen quietly sneaking around backstage. A few seconds later, it became clear why she was being sneaky. Valkyria had been approaching Damage Control’s locker room!
The chatter in the room between the four ladies grew louder and Lyra inched over. She closed her eyes and then took a deep breath. Valkyria then ran in and LAUNCHED HERSELF at Asuka! The newcomer went after one of the biggest dogs in the yard!
Valkyria fought passionately and hurled fists at her as Damage Control went to help their fellow member! Dakota Kai grabbed Lyra and threw her down but Lyra then tackled her down on the ground! Kairi had checked on Asuka and then Iyo Sky went to help but then she got smoked with a right hand by Becky Lynch!
Lynch then grabbed Lyra and pulled her away from the scene but not before she kicked Dakota down. The two then fled as Damage Control just took a big hit from two angry Irishwomen!
Back to ringside…
3 – Tag Team #1 Contender’s Tournament Match
DIY vs. New Day
Do not adjust your sets! This match might have taken place last week, but we are repeating things again this week! Some earlier dissension between the two tag teams this afternoon got shown while entrances went down. So there was much more animosity and intensity present in this collision of tag teams compared to last week’s!
The finish approaches as the match intensifies! Gargano and Kingston are fighting tooth and nail in the ring. Gargano goes for a kick but Kingston ducks! Kofi goes for TROUBLE IN PARADISE but Gargano NARROWLY avoids it! He hits the deck and tags Ciampa in who comes in and hits Kofi with a running knee! Ciampa then butterflies his arms, but from OUTTA NOWHERE, Xavier Woods flies in and dropkicks Ciampa in the chest! And Kingston rolls through! 1! 2! NO!!
New Day nearly pulled off a stunning win! But the sequence didn’t end their way. Gargano then tackled Woods and sent them both out of the ring. Kingston and Ciampa now tangle up in the ring. Kofi attempts to Suplex Ciampa but Ciampa pulls himself down and then pulls him into an inside cradle! 1! 2! No! Kofi then pops up but Ciampa then knees him hard again! Subdued, Kingston falls, and Ciampa then goes out of the ring and runs around. He then blasts Woods with a huge running elbow! He signals for Gargano and the two get in the ring! They then run in and BOOM! MEET IN THE MIDDLE!! Ciampa covers Kingston! 1! 2!! 3!!!
WINNERS | DIY via pinfall at 12:47
DIY gets the best of The New Day again! It’s a series of victories that certainly signify a shift in the division! The updated tournament bracket is then shown!
THE LUCHA BROS
THE JUDGMENT DAY
THE CREED BROS
IMPERIUM
ALPHA ACADEMY
THE VIKING RAIDERS
DIY
THE NEW DAY
Next week, the next two tag team matches will take place! The winners of Creed Bros-Imperium will take on The Lucha Bros while DIY will tango with either Alpha Academy or The Viking Raiders!
Damage CTRL, meanwhile, is bickering with each other backstage!
Dakota Kai: I didn't see them coming either! We need to do a better job checking up around here I guess!
Iyo Sky: (Shouting in Japanese) ENOUGH!! They are strong and think we are WEAK! It's time we stop this for good! Dakota, go find Adam and tell them we want ALL of them! ALL of thm!
Dakota Kai: Y-yes, Iyo. Absolutely.
~ That's one way to assert your authority...
{Commercial Break}
An irate RHEA RIPLEY burst through the door in the trainer’s room. She was bandaged up after getting busted open and barked at the trainer that she was done in there…
Rhea Ripley: LIV MORGAN… these are the games you wanna play? Y’know ever since you came back at the Royal Rumble in January, I’ve thought about how I put you on the shelf. But there you were, back anyway. You’ve been injured and come back. You’ve been at your lowest and sprung up. When people doubted you, you became Women’s Champion. But the thing is Liv… you’re just thirsty for revenge now.
You see it as a way of satisfaction. If this was just for my Women’s World Championship that would be one thing. But you’re clearly out for more than that because in your mind, you are the hero in every story. Your quest for revenge? You find it endearing but others might not see it that way. Personally? I find your actions lately cowardly. You cheated to win to beat Nia Jax because your BFF Raquel rocked up and helped you out. Last week, the two of you lured me out with the help of a little weasel…and you tried to break my hand.
You were unsuccessful. You’d think if you couldn’t get me down the first time that you’d learn from your mistake. I’m Rhea Bloody Ripley and it’s gonna take a hell of a lot more than what you’ve thrown at me to take me down, Liv. The reason they call me The Nightmare is because I will haunt you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just as long as there’s oxygen in your lungs, I will occupy the space between your head when you’re conscious or asleep. And tonight, thanks to the weasel, you came out and hit me in the head with my Women’s World Championship…
~ Ripley laughs. She then goes to the wall in the hallway here, shuts her eyes, and then peels off the bandage! It’s quite a cut on her forehead!
Rhea Ripley: You don’t understand what you’ve done… it’s been a long time. A long, long time since someone made me bleed. If you’re out for blood and retribution, Liv Morgan, then there’s only one way that I can move forward. And it’s to retaliate at you with the same amount of violence as you! So I say to bring it. Backlash France. NO DISQUALIFICATIONS!
~ Oh! Well that’s quite the declaration by the Champ!
Rhea Ripley: I don’t give a DAMN about what you bring or who you bring, Liv. Because now… you’ve made this personal. You made me spill my own blood so now I have no choice but to go on the hunt for yours too.
~ Followed by another…
Rhea Ripley: I…
~ Rhea laughs as she stops herself… and then looks on again.
Rhea Ripley: I GUARANTEE that I will not only walk out of Backlash France the Women’s World Champion… but Liv, I guarantee to also make you bleed your own blood. This is now the Rhea Ripley Revenge Tour and its one-and-only, once-in-a-lifetime extravaganza is taking place at Backlash France! Where it will be the END for YOU!!
As for the weasel? I’ll see you in the ring next week, Tegan. If you’re not there when I’m there, then I’ll come grab you and drag you out. I guarantee it.
~ FIERY words from the Women’s World Champion!
Back to ringside…
4 – Lyra Valkyria vs. Zoey Stark
Earlier tonight, Lyra Valkyria, the newcomer to Monday Night Raw, threw herself right into the fire by ambushing Damage CTRL with Becky Lynch! Now she’s out here for the second match of her Monday Night Raw career against Zoey Stark. Stark’s in-ring prowess makes her the perfect opponent for the newcomer as the two work a smooth match. Late in the match, KAIRI SANE makes her way down to the ringside area! Kairi objected to the count being made and got the ref’s attention. Lyra then went over and grabbed Sane and threw her in the ring!! She then ran across and came off with a front dropkick to send her flying back out!! Zoey went for a roll-up and NEARLY stole the win but Valkyria kicked out! She then hoisted Stark up and BANG! NIGHTWING!! And a 3 count later and Valkyria got the W!!
WINNER | Lyra Valkyria via pinfall at 6:41.
Valkyria rolled out of the ring after Sane went back after her! She then hurdled the barricade and, wearing a smile, confidently talked back to Kairi! It was another successful week for the newcomer who seemed comfortable at war!
{Commercial Break}
A pre-taped promo then airs featuring World Heavyweight Champion DAMIAN PRIEST, on the beach in Puerto Rico.
Damian Priest:
Drew McIntyre… For a while now, I can’t seem to go anywhere without you breathing down my neck. We had you on our side in War Games – a lot of good that did us – and then for the past few months, you and I have been at each other’s throats.
So now, naturally, my first title defense as the World Heavyweight Champion is against you. Now, fair play, since I did cash in the Money in the Bank contract on you, took your title and your WrestleMania moment from you. I can understand why you had an ax to grind. And honestly? It’s why I didn’t mind that you didn’t even win a Number One Contender’s Match. You wanted the shot. You told me to my face that you wanted the shot. That was enough for me, Drew.
But let me just say – this title doesn’t belong to you anymore. You’re the one who squandered your opportunity. You did what you always do, Drew. You took it to a level where you didn’t need to be… only this time it was your own doing. You got too cocky and look where it got you? Do I think you’ve learned anything? Ha, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks if that answers that question.
I don’t feel bad that I cashed in on you. I don’t feel bad that I took your moment from you. That was MY moment, and the fact that you didn’t think for even a second that I would cash in on you says more about YOU than anyone else. You were wrestling the guy who did it first, Drew!! WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS!?
You’re probably one of the few guys around here who had to quietly celebrate that Roman Reigns and The Bloodline fell at WrestleMania. Why? Because all you’ve done is alienate everybody around you ever since you lost at Clash at the Castle. And isn’t that ironic Drew? That night in Wales, you wanted the WrestleMania moment that you never got. THEN… you GOT your moment… and you pissed it away for a selfie and a tweet.
I didn’t feel bad then about what I did. At Backlash France, I won’t either. I’m the World Heavyweight Champion and you’re not. And I know how much that eats you up inside, Drew. And with the way things go for you… honestly, that might be all I need to get the job done so I can walk out of France STILL… El Campeon!!
***
A pre-taped promo then airs featuring World Heavyweight Champion DAMIAN PRIEST, on the beach in Puerto Rico.
Damian Priest:
Drew McIntyre… For a while now, I can’t seem to go anywhere without you breathing down my neck. We had you on our side in War Games – a lot of good that did us – and then for the past few months, you and I have been at each other’s throats.
So now, naturally, my first title defense as the World Heavyweight Champion is against you. Now, fair play, since I did cash in the Money in the Bank contract on you, took your title and your WrestleMania moment from you. I can understand why you had an ax to grind. And honestly? It’s why I didn’t mind that you didn’t even win a Number One Contender’s Match. You wanted the shot. You told me to my face that you wanted the shot. That was enough for me, Drew.
But let me just say – this title doesn’t belong to you anymore. You’re the one who squandered your opportunity. You did what you always do, Drew. You took it to a level where you didn’t need to be… only this time it was your own doing. You got too cocky and look where it got you? Do I think you’ve learned anything? Ha, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks if that answers that question.
I don’t feel bad that I cashed in on you. I don’t feel bad that I took your moment from you. That was MY moment, and the fact that you didn’t think for even a second that I would cash in on you says more about YOU than anyone else. You were wrestling the guy who did it first, Drew!! WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS!?
You’re probably one of the few guys around here who had to quietly celebrate that Roman Reigns and The Bloodline fell at WrestleMania. Why? Because all you’ve done is alienate everybody around you ever since you lost at Clash at the Castle. And isn’t that ironic Drew? That night in Wales, you wanted the WrestleMania moment that you never got. THEN… you GOT your moment… and you pissed it away for a selfie and a tweet.
I didn’t feel bad then about what I did. At Backlash France, I won’t either. I’m the World Heavyweight Champion and you’re not. And I know how much that eats you up inside, Drew. And with the way things go for you… honestly, that might be all I need to get the job done so I can walk out of France STILL… El Campeon!!
***
Backstage… General Manager Adam Pearce is with a fresh face! None other than Fallon Henley!
Henley then signs what appears to be her Raw contract!
Adam Pearce: And it is OFFICIAL! Welcome to Monday Night Raw, Fallon!
Fallon Henley: It’s so good to finally be here!
Adam Pearce: I can’t wait to see you get started here I think you’ve got a bright, bright future.
~ Henley nods and goes to walk out. Dakota Kai then appears and looks at Fallon with some disgust as she walks away finally.
Adam Pearce: Dakota… can I help you?
Dakota Kai: You can actually, Adam. I don’t know if it caught up to you or not, but we, Damage Control, were the victims of a sneak attack tonight in our hangout. Lyra Valkyria that… she doesn’t know how pissed off she just made all of us is my point, Adam!! And did you see what she just did to Kairi!?!
Adam Pearce: Well, Dakota it sounds like between you ladies and The Judgment Day, you might wanna tighten up your security a little bit. Becky Lynch is about to wrestle Asuka though. Are you saying that you want Lyra Valkyria? Because I can’t make that happen tonight. She just competed. But next week
Dakota Kai: Next week. Yeah. Next week I’m gonna teach that little lass something. And I’d also like you to know that we officially challenge her and Becky Lynch and any two others they can find to face us at Backlash. Four-on-four, anything goes.
~ Pearce’s eyes widen at that request.
Adam Pearce: Dakota I just wanna be clear. You’re saying that you, speaking on behalf of your Damage Control comadres, want to face Becky Lynch, Lyra Valkyria, and TWO partners of their choosing at Backlash France? In an Anything Goes Match?
Dakota Kai: That’s exactly right.
Adam Pearce: Well, I’ve gotta be honest because I was hoping to put together something like this. You just made my life easier, Dakota. So next week on Raw, you’ll face Lyra Valkyria. And at Backlash France it will be Damage Control against Lyra, Becky Lynch, and two partners of their choosing.
~ Sounds official! Dakota nods as she smiles and backs up out of the room.
Dakota Kai: Good. The fact is those two don’t have many friends, so we’ll be sure to handle business the Damage Control way in 12 days.
~ Kai then leaves while Pearce just looks on.
Adam Pearce: Wouldn’t be so sure about that…
~ Oh? What's going on...
A recap video of Sami Zayn's Intercontinental Championship defense in Montreal is shown! Afterwards, we cut to the Judgment Day clubhouse, and an angry Finn Balor...
{Commercial Break}
Backstage, in The Judgment Day clubhouse once again, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley stand…
Dominik Mysterio: Mami, listen. I think you’ve got every reason to have been so flustered tonight but you’ve gotta rein it in too…
Rhea Ripley: Oh I’m reined in, Dom. And once I get to Backlash France I’m gonna rain my fists into Liv Morgan’s face over and over!
~ Cheers from the audience listening in.
Dominik Mysterio: I just don’t want you to do too much. If you’re overly aggressive it could cost you everything.
~ Rhea stares at Dom.
Rhea Ripley: I bloody know that, Dom. Everyday, I wake up knowing I have a target on my back. That’s the privilege and the pressure of being the Women’s World Champion. If I didn’t want that I wouldn’t have it. But I know what I’m doing and that’s why I asked for No Disqualifications at Backlash France. And I’ve got it. Liv is going to be taught a lesson that she won’t forget.
~ Rhea made herself perfectly clear… and Dom simply has no answer for it.
Back to ringside…
5 – Singles Match
Becky Lynch (w/ Lyra Valkyria) vs. Asuka (w/ Damage CTRL)
With the way things were building tonight… you had kind of an idea about how this one might go. Becky and Asuka, former rivals, fought tooth and nail with each other in an eventful Raw main event! They bust out some familiar looking stuff against each other and they have an answer for each other on nearly everything. Helps when you’ve been fighting tooth and nail like these two have been fighting each other for years now! Becky would plant Asuka with a Manhandle Slam and then of course – you were expecting? – Damage Control goes and floods the ring!! And on the attack they go! The ref calls for the bell!
WINNER | Becky Lynch via disqualification at 7:46.
Lyra then jumps into the ring in defense of her mentor! She goes after all four members of Damage Control and picks them all off!! But then Dakota Kai slugs her in the back of the head, blindsiding her and then pounds away at her!! Iyo then comes over and puts the boots to her while Asuka and Kairi are busy mugging Becky again!
It’s 4-on-2 and right now there’s no one to help Becky and Lyra out! And Damage Control are putting the hurt on them right now!! They pick Becky up as Iyo shouts at her in her face. She then backs up and shoteis Becky down on the mat! She then directs them at Lyra and they start putting the boots to her too!!
Won’t someone save them?
The attack continues…
***SPITEFUL***
OH!!!
COLUMBUS BELLOWS OUT A MONSTROUS POP!!!
DAMAGE CONTROL STOP IN THEIR TRACKS AND LOOK AT THE STAGE!
AND OUT WALKS…
ALEXA BLISS!!!!!!
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE FALL OF 2022, ALEXA BLISS IS BACK!!!
With vengeance in her eyes, Bliss looks at the group responsible for her demise! TWO of them are right there in Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai and they’re in disbelief! The crowd’s gone berserk for their hometown hero who’s brought things to a complete standstill in the ring!
Alexa then reaches into her jacket pocket while crowd’s still going nuts! And Bliss reveals that she is wielding a BASEBALL BAT!!
Oooooh boy!! She didn’t come unprepared and she then starts marching to the ring!! Kairi then decides to try and cut her off on the ramp! But Alexa swings and smacks her in the ribs with the bat!! She swings and connects with Kairi’s back next and dismisses her!
Asuka then goes flying at her but Alexa ducks it and swings and clobbers Asuka!! The crowd roars and Bliss hits Asuka in the back twice more and sends her down in a heap! Bliss then slowly turns her head back over at Kai and Sky! They might be in trouble now!!
Especially as we see Becky and Lyra have perked up! They don’t know that though! Bliss then walks up to the apron and Kai goes running at her! But Bliss swings with the bat and hits her! She then swings and belts Iyo with the bat!
They then wind up getting punched by Becky and Lyra respectively! Lynch and Valkyria, fired up, punch the two all the way to the ropes and then they clothesline them out of the ring!! Damage Control’s been taken down!!
Alexa then smiles as she looks at Becky and Lyra. Then she reveals another surprise – she’s got bats for them too!! As we see Damage Control collect itself outside, the front on the inside just got stronger! And surely, SURELY, one of the two people teaming up with Becky and Lyra at Backlash France might have just revealed themselves! In a massive surprise and moment!
END OF SHOW
***
WWE.com: ALEXA BLISS RETURNS, JOINS FORCES WITH BECKY LYNCH AT BACKLASH FRANCE!
After her shocking and long-awaited return, Alexa Bliss means business! The former five-time Women’s Champion returned with a bang and went after Damage Control, a group that put her on the shelf for almost 18 months! She told Jackie Redmond in a YouTube exclusive after Raw ended that she planned to join Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria in the Anything Goes Tag Team Match at Backlash France! So now Lynch will only need one more partner to go into battle even with the terrorizing group that interfered in her match tonight with Asuka.
***
WWE.com: ALEXA BLISS RETURNS, JOINS FORCES WITH BECKY LYNCH AT BACKLASH FRANCE!
After her shocking and long-awaited return, Alexa Bliss means business! The former five-time Women’s Champion returned with a bang and went after Damage Control, a group that put her on the shelf for almost 18 months! She told Jackie Redmond in a YouTube exclusive after Raw ended that she planned to join Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria in the Anything Goes Tag Team Match at Backlash France! So now Lynch will only need one more partner to go into battle even with the terrorizing group that interfered in her match tonight with Asuka.
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