Post by WWE RAW on Apr 22, 2024 13:11:46 GMT -5
Monday Night RAW
April 22, 2024
State Farm Arena
Atlanta, Georgia
As the opening video package ends, pyro explodes on the stage as the crowd in Atlanta Georgia is erupting in cheers. The cameras pan through the crowd, showing off various signs reading things like “The Young
MICHAEL COLE: Good evening everybody and welcome to Monday Night RAW! I’m Michael Cole, as always joined by my partner, the incomparable Wade Barrett. Wade, it’s the final stop before Backlash and we’ve got an action packed night ahead of us!
WADE BARRETT: We certainly do, Cole, Adam Page is going to be in action tonight with the returning Malakai Black. He’s one of those guys that always intrigued me, a hard hitting offense and he’s a master manipulator when it comes to getting things done in his favor.
MICHAEL COLE: Fallon Henley will be looking to get a victory over Alba Fyre tonight, and if you wanted to talk about dark forces, the Unholy Union is certainly a group that would fit in well with Malakai Black. I wonder if they might be some of the allies he alluded to earlier this week.
WADE BARRETT: That’s a great question, Cole, but what you should really be asking yourself is whether Adam Cole will be impressing us tonight going up against Christian Cage who’s been on his own roll lately.
MICHAEL COLE: He might be on a roll but we’ve got some ladies looking to start their own rolls. Dakota Kai and Rhea Ripley will both be taking part in their first match on Raw. I’ve got to say I’m excited to see the women’s division growing into a fierce group of ladies that will give us some real hard hitting encounters of their own.
WADE BARRETT: And nobody is going to hit harder than the two men in the next match we’ve got to talk about, Jacob Fatu and Randy Orton. This is going to be a night to remember with those two colliding for the first time ever in the middle of the ring.
MICHAEL COLE: But the real excitement is going to come from our main event, Wade. Tiffany Stratton is going to be looking to make a statement by taking down Alexa Bliss on her way to facing Serena Deeb at Backlash for the WWE Women’s Championship.
WADE BARRETT: I can’t wait for it, Cole, and neither can these fans! They are going absolutely bloody bonkers just sitting in these seats and waiting to see some of their favorite superstars tonight! So let’s get this show on the road!
Immediately, the lights in the arena go out, escalating the fans’ cheers inside the arena. "Fireflies", the lights from the fans’ phones, illuminate throughout the darkness giving little fixture for fans at home. While only moments, the delay feels forever, as hype adjusts our imagination to what could be going on!
WADE BARRETT: It seems that we may have struck a fuse, Cole, can you hear me?
MICHAEL COLE: I can hear you, Wade. I am - I am seeing audio through my track. For the fans at home, please sit tight with us! There may have been a technical difficulty here tonight. We will be -
Subtle drum beats hit from the speakers but are tampered in audio thanks to the boisterous crowd anticipating what this darkness could mean. There is a small murmur of “Co-dy” chants, but they are subdued by this generalized noise from the crowd. This allows Cole to continue speaking without any audio cue suggesting him to quiet down. However, he is cut off by one familiar line which has fans back on their feet ready for this moment.
WRESTLING HAS MORE THAN ONE ROYAL FAMILY
“Co-dy” chants echo through the audience, as via the television graphic, viewers at home go through the American Nightmare skull. Red, blue, and gold strobe lights brighten and energize the arena and smoke bellows from the stage! “Kingdom” by Downstait immediately follows and allows the fans ample time to begin singing in unison with the lyrics, which they oblige.
From the smoke arises the returning Cody Rhodes to the chorus of people celebrating his return with him. He is dressed in style, as per usual, wearing an extravagant dark blue three-piece suit and a slightly brighter lined blue tie. His eyes already swell with thanks for the admiration these people are showing him as he looks around the arena to the welcoming crowd! The camera cuts ringside even showing fans dancing to the song before cutting back to Cody. The American Nightmare blows a kiss to the crowd and makes his way to the center stage of the ramp. Cody drops to his knees and mouths to the camera, deafened by any audio from this crowd, “I’m home”. In an instant, Rhodes rises to his feet and stretches his arms to his sides, catching the part of the entrance to sing, “WOAH-OH” with the ambitious and amplified fans! Pyro erupts behind him, giving a true period to the statement of his return. In an arm pump, and one more following pyro the statement is very clear. Cody Rhodes is officially back from IR in the WWE!
SAMANTHA IRVIN: Ladies and gentlemen, please join me at this time welcoming back home, from ATLANTA, GEORGIA -
Fans immediately boast in cheers, forcing a feeling as if the sound was going to push the roof off the State Farm Arena! On screen, we see an American Nightmare custom nameplate for Cody right as introductions continue.
SAMANTHA IRVIN: The American Nightmare, COOODYYY RHOOODES!
MICHAEL COLE: This is something we couldn’t have planned better for Cody! Welcome back, young man!
WADE BARRETT: What, Cole?! I’ll be honest, I can’t really hear you from this deafening crowd here in Atlanta!
Cody smiles as the crowd echoes in their chants of “Wel-come home! Wel-come home!” with their efforts temporarily even muting the loud music from the speakers. Cody’s eyes begin to water looking in appreciation at the love he has gotten from these people in his hometown. Catching himself, he asks the camera to follow him as he begins to high five fans from the top of the stage back down the ramp doing everything in his immediate power to give back the tremendous love they have given him. Shaking hands, hugging a few fans, even signing signs for the fans who brought them. During these actions, Cody continuously makes his way down towards the ring. Every step he makes showcasing a further connection with these people.
MICHAEL COLE: I don’t think these people are quieting down, Wade! I can’t believe this!
Cole screams this into his set trying to dominate over the audio caused by the ravenous hometown fans for their local favorite as they are once more singing lyrics to “Kingdom”. As Cole speaks, the camera pans the arena tracking the insane ovation from the almost 17,000 fans in attendance for this sold-out Monday Night RAW. The camera cuts back to Cody, who is now slapping the steps to cue the fans for the next big musical hit of the song. Climbing the steps and onto the turnbuckle smoothly, Cody again widens his arms and sings the lyric “WOAH-OH” with the crowd. Pyro erupts behind them before Cody just lowers his arms soaking in the view from this vantage point.
After a few moments of really absorbing the energy this crowd is giving him, Cody, with a full smile on his face, encourages the fans to get even louder before jumping into the ring. Asking for a microphone from a stagehand, Cody doesn’t even attempt to begin speaking as the music fades. “Co-dy! Co-dy!” “Wel-come home! Wel-come home!” The chants from these people who love him speak loudly enough for him. After the fans chant their well-deserved piece in this segment, Cody finally, after a month of this audacious journey from his injury to this moment, lifts this microphone to address the audience.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: So, ATLANTA, GEORGIA -
The crowd erupts again from the "cheap pop" as Cody laughs knowing fully what he did. In a brief pause, he mouths “Thank you” before continuing.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: What do you guys want to talk about?
Another set of cheers come from the fans as Cody scratches his chin with a smile. Another cacophony comes from the crowd with Cody taking a moment before continuing.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: How about we start with this -
Cody gestures to the crowd and himself giving context of what he is referring to with, of course, a roar of crowd approval for it.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: How about we start with this moment we have going right now? If I was a short sighted, selfish, and egotistical man, I would tell you this moment has culminated from one month of the hardest work of my life. However, this moment is way bigger than me. This is bigger than my return, because this moment is about us!
WADE BARRETT: He certainly still has kissing up to his hometown down!
The crowd erupt in cheers as Cody walks around the ring addressing different parts of the crowd as he speaks, being sure to engage with individuals as personally as he can. Meanwhile, for fans at home, Wade’s comment slyly escapes through this noise in his typical sarcastic tone when starting to get annoyed by a superstar’s actions.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: This moment signifies everything I came back to the WWE for, but again this is bigger than me! Everyone here and around the world represent everything my family has stood for! So, this moment identifies with something deeper for me. This moment reminds me of something that my father stood in this very ring and told all of us years ago. “Get a dream, hold onto it, and shoot for the sky”!
Cody Rhodes does a slight impression of his father, but it is a little off. The crowd chants “Du-sty!” but Cody doesn’t yet stop his point, talking over the noise.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: It is truly thanks to all of you here tonight that I can continue celebrating my father’s legacy. It is thanks to you I can even dare to approach this dream I have had since I was eight years old watching my heroes and knowing what I needed to do to be here! It is thanks to you that I could even begin this return I have planned for us and I wanted to take this moment to tell you all as personally as I can, thank you.
The crowd reacts in kind as Cody once more allows them time to respond. Two chants begin simultaneously, which actually mashes part of the noise together. “You de-serve it!” and “Thank you, Co-dy!” Cody simply smiles letting the noise fade.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: With that all said, if you would please indulge me to be a little selfish in this moment, because I need to get a lot off my chest about this last month and how it has been for my family. So, Randy Orton -
Boos echo through the arena just from mentioning his name, as Cody stops to listen to them and acknowledge their feelings. Clearly, from the punt injuring Cody, he feels the same.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: Trust me, we are in the same boat! Randy, on March 18th, you came out to this ring and decided to make a very serious point. You made that point loud and clear to me, these people, my family! You made it a point to stagnate my mission, my journey, my dream, hell, you paused my entire life in, and outside, this ring! You did it all with just one kick. Actually, that isn’t even the right way to describe it. You did it all when you viciously took the point of your boot and tried to cave in my skull!
Censors, for fans at home, blocks the chants fans began to chant about Orton. Cody, realizing what they were saying couldn’t work for TV, continues over them.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: Now, as it is no secret I have been at home in that month between then and now with what was medically labeled as a concussion, I want to really detail for everyone what that means. I want to detail everything so you all can understand what is going through my head. For that entire month, I have personally been in different Impact tests with Christopher Nowinski of SLI, Dr. Mark Lovell, and Dr. Joseph Maroon internally with WWE’s fantastic medical staff. Day after day, week after week, I had to do test after test after test eventually fully having to schedule a time sitting alone in a dark room for hours because my brain, my eyes, couldn’t even handle light! For the duration of this last month, I have been unable to play with my daughter thanks to these concussion protocols! So, we’re clear of where my mind was at, that whole time while I was stuck for hours in that dense, dark room, all I could scream in my mind was - can I forgive Randy Orton?
For the first time since his music hit, there was a true silence in the arena after the question.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: For everyone who doesn’t already know, Randy Orton is someone I have had deep respect and love for since I began in this business. I will not hide from you my reality, and that reality is that Randy Orton has been one of many great mentors in my life. When I was 23 years old, it was Randy Orton who wrapped his arm around my shoulder and said “Kid, you can ride with me, I’ll show you how to adjust to all of this”. I was a young kid who was tossed aside in the eyes of other wrestlers, and at that same time Randy Orton was searching for World Championships. Randy Orton was a true superstar. He decided then to put his reputation on the line and help that young kid out who everyone else was saying "That's just Dusty's kid". I have always appreciated that. See, it was Randy who went out of his way, week after week, to advise me how to provide a better legacy for myself! It was Randy Orton who made sure that when I was off making mistakes with face paint being just a pale imitation of my brother, he pulled me aside and told me “What are you doing, kid? You are above all this! You don’t need this.”
Cody scratches his eyebrow before continuing.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: Well years apart and clearly this must be a distance change, right? Absolutely not. During my journey away from the WWE, Randy Orton was reliable and loyal as that same mentor. Randy Orton was a man who I talked to regularly without ever noticing a change from that guy I knew in 2008. I never saw anything different than a man who offered me advice. That was until one month ago when Randy Orton decided to punt my head into the bleachers! Randy decided he was going to be the one to put me out of action. Even doctors in the back during my first protocol requirement said as my vision went in and out, that this type of behavior was typical of the Viper.
Deep concern comes across Cody’s face as claps across the arena reassure him to continue.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: I have thought long and hard about this, because on one hand, this guy was family. He put himself out there in times when it was detrimental for his career and genuinely helped me. However, on the other hand, he ensured that my daughter lost valuable time with her father. My daughter who has never harmed a hair on anyone’s head, much less uncle Randy.
Cody’s face became dead serious as he speaks.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: So once again, ATLANTA, can we forgive Randy Orton?!
A loud “NO!” escapes in unison, as only after, faintly, Cody smiles in full remorse over the obvious decision he has to make.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: No, it doesn’t appear we can. So, as I was in those dark rooms, alone only with my thoughts, I’ll admit to you all here a secret just between us. I dreamt every day about coming back here. I’ll also be honest with you all, night after night those dreams all became nightmares. Every test came back without any sign of recovery as my clearance date kept getting pushed back and I kept getting told the concussion was still showing symptoms. The voices in my nightmares were consistently telling me to just be patient while whispering in my ear that I will never make it back. So my dreams became more and more violent, until I was told that I was finally cleared to do what I wanted! I was finally cleared to be here to do what I needed!
A loud “kick his ass Cody” can be heard, as cheers just create noise pollution around it. Cody smirks before continuing.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: Oh, I will. So, just a few hours ago I arrived home here in Atlanta! And here in Atlanta, I found myself backstage in a very familiar arena. And, here in that arena, I found myself looking for Randy immediately when I got here. Hoping I could find him backstage, in the parking lot, in his bus, anywhere. I was hoping to drag him out here, step by step, down that 43,800 step walk through the State Farm hallways! Ensuring that every single step reminded him of every single minute that he took from my family!
Cheers erupt before Cody continues over them in a more than subtle anger.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: However, I realized assault charges and riding in a cop car heading down McDonaugh Road to the US Pen would not be a great way to spend my night back home! Instead, I decided to look at other options. I glanced at the calendar and I learned something! Do you want to know what I learned, Atlanta?
“Yeah!” The crowd confirms their interest allowing Cody to continue.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: I learned that on April 28th, at Backlash, in Orlando, Florida there is currently not a properly scheduled, fully bonafide, Georgia sized, ass-whupping! And I don’t mean a match where we trade smiles, have an athletic contest and walk away shaking hands. No, no, Randy you bought yourself a drag-out fight from a pissed off father! I also apologize to the kids here and at home for cursing, but I promise you all that come Backlash you will find me far from my usual self. If you folks have kids, that may be the one Cody Rhodes show that they may have to miss. For at Backlash, I promise you, Randy, you have found yourself on the bad side of a man who wants to just hurt you! So, live in front of these great fans in Atlanta, I challenge you to a sanctioned fight! We can make it legal. So, no matter what I do to you, there is no police, there is no assault, there is no battery. It will be all legal, just like that kick in the head! Then when the dust clears, at the end of the night when you are left beaten, bruised, and as uncomfortable as humanly possible - I will remind you of your own advice you said to me sixteen long years ago.
Cody looks directly into the camera and crouches down so it seems as if he is talking to someone now beneath him.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: “What were you doing, Randy? You were above this! You did not need to do this!”
Standing again, Cody talks normally.
"THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE" CODY RHODES: I look forward to your answer, Viper.
Cody tosses the microphone in the air perfectly to the stagehand outside of the ring. “Kingdom” blares once more over the speakers. Cody’s mood lightens tremendously, as he celebrates again with the crowd about his return after he exits the ring.
MICHAEL COLE: What a way to start the show, Wade! Cody Rhodes is back and has challenged Randy Orton to a match at Backlash!
WADE BARRETT: I’m not sure that was the smartest move on Cody’s part, Cole, Randy Orton put him out of action for a month and if he gets his hands on him again, he may just put him out for even longer!
MICHAEL COLE: I don’t know about that, Wade! Cody Rhodes seems to have a renewed sense of focus and a desire to start building up some positive momentum after having a rocky start in this new era! Speaking of positive momentum, Adam Page has been on quite a roll lately and he’s looking to keep that going here coming up next in our first matchup as he takes on Malakai Black!
"Rise from Ruins" by Absent in Body hits the sound system of the arena as the lights black out in the arena, and only a haunting blue and white light shines from the back of the stage as a hooded figure slowly makes his way out on the stage. His skull mask is the only visible part of his face, it's Malakai Black making his first appearance on WWE television.
MICHAEL COLE: As unsettling and spine-chilling as one would expect from this man, Wade.
WADE BARRETT: He used to come out in NXT strapped down on a very mysterious symbol. Nobody ever quite knows what this man is going to do, Cole. It is quite unsettling I will admit, it's almost as if he's just apparated out of the fog in front of us to come into this contest against Adam Page.
SAMANTHA IRVIN: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, Maaalaaakaaaiii Blaaack!
Black slowly strides towards the ring as he keeps his focus centered on it, almost as if caught in a trance before spinning suddenly at the bottom of the ramp to stare at the front row fans as a section jumps back in surprise. Ascending the stairs slowly, Malakai Black walks along the edge of the ring as he grabs hold of the top rope. Vaulting into the ring, he rolls into the center of it as he takes a seat cross-legged in the center, pulling off his hood and his mask before he slides them to the corner out of the way.
MICHAEL COLE: As strange a competitor as I remember him being, Wade.
WADE BARRETT: Just you wait, Cole, we're in for something special tonight with Malakai in this contest.
MICHAEL COLE: Hopefully it's quick because he makes my skin crawl with the look of that one eye of his. It's almost like that blackness surrounding it is festering and growing as we speak.
As Malakai Black’s music fades out, "Ghost Town Triumph" plays over the arenas P/A system now as Adam Page saunters his way out of the back towards the ramp, placing his hands on his hips for a moment as the fans cheer loudly for the cowboy.
SAMANTHA IRVIN: And his opponent, making his way to the ring, Hangman Adaaam Paaageee!
A grin spreads over his face as he struts down to the ring now and points out a "PAGE 3-0" sign as if to illustrate that he'll be walking out with another victory tonight, before stomping his way up the steel steps as he enters the ring and stares at Black seated in the center of it.
SINGLES MATCH
Malakai Black sits in the center of the ring as he stares a hole through his opponent Adam Page, who isn't quite sure what to do in this situation as he tells him to get up. Malakai merely sits idly in the center of the ring, and as Page approaches to throw a kick, it's caught by Black who knocks him on his back by hitting a leg sweep on Page's only leg left to support him. Black gets to his feet now as he kicks square across the chest of Page as he sits up from the ground, following it up with a second and third kick to really lay the damage on thick. Black now lifts Page to his feet and throws Page into the ropes and nails a Black Mass! That lays Page out as he comes back off the ropes on the return.
MICHAEL COLE: What the-?!
WADE BARRETT: Black Mass! Cole, it's the quickest kick you'll see out of any of our superstars!
MICHAEL COLE: Adam Page looks like he's in trouble here, Wade!
Black doesn't seem to be interested in the pinfall, however, and instead lays back into the turnbuckle corner as he waits. Page is out of it as he staggers to his feet in search of his opponent but as he turns to see Black, he's nailed with a second Black Mass! The crowd goes "OHHH!" as the crack of Black's foot against the side of Page's jaw echoes a bit in the arena. Black now covers Page and lifts the leg as the referee drops down for the count 1...2…Black pulls Page's shoulder up from the canvas at the last moment to stop the count, waving a finger at the referee as if to say this wasn't enough for him to be satisfied. Black gets to his feet and sticks the tip of his boot under Page's chin as he guides him up to his staggering feet once again and nails a third BLACK MASS! This time Black merely places a foot on top of the fallen Page as the referee drops down for the count, 1...2...3! Black has won the match in brutal fashion and the grin on his face shows he's enjoying it.
WINNER
MALAKAI BLACK
04:17 via PINFALL
SAMANTHA IRVIN: Here is your winner, MAAALAAAKAAAIII BLAAACK!
WADE BARRETT: Imagine getting kicked in every possible area on your body and then three times in the head just to be sure you've been finished.
MICHAEL COLE: My in-ring days left me with enough problems as it is. I don't want to imagine what Malakai Black's kicks could do to my head.
WADE BARRETT: He told Page that he wasn't going to be prepared. It looks like that trick in the beginning really helped him take advantage of the situation by surprising Page with something he hasn't seen before.
MICHAEL COLE: Page is more of a straight forward fighter whereas Malakai depends on mind games. Tonight, he's got the victory, but you have to imagine Page won't take that lying down for very long.
Malakai Black stands over his now defeated opponent, Adam Page as he stares at the prone form of him. Slowly, he forms a finger gun that he points directly at Page before pulling the trigger and the lights go out again and just like that, he's gone, leaving Adam Page to be tended to by the official in the ring.
The cameras go to the backstage area where we see that Matt Sydal is being interviewed by Byron Saxton in a sit-down interview setting.
BYRON SAXTON: Hey Matt Sydal! How is it going?
MATT SYDAL:Tremendous.
BYRON SAXTON: Your first month has been pretty wild huh? Let’s just be honest and not sugarcoat this, with all due respect you have three losses already and all of your rivals have just been let go.
Matt’s energy becomes almost excitable as he suddenly gets very talkative.
MATT SYDAL: No need to worry about my temperament, I know you are doing your job, it is unfortunate those guys have left, all for their own reasons which is legit, and life just happens.
I have been more proactive than last time in what I am doing here. I was told by higher ups from day one I would be a spoke on the wheel and that became true, despite a stellar reputation since I came in as a young veteran, gaining not just the respect and endorsement but friendship of the likes of my childhood heroes in Rey Mysterio, The Hardy Boyz, Dean Malenko, Ricky Steamboat and even John Cena. Due to my midwestern upbringing, those values I had the misconception for a long time that I just didn’t work hard enough.
With age comes hindsight and I’m not trying to blame anyone there just was a ceiling made by the old guard, the powers that be they came into this sport in the 1920s and turned pro wrestling into a business, with that came arbitrary standards of what a “ superstar” / wrestler should look like.
I don’t say this out of ego, I say this out of unequivocal fact that I am an elite wrestler. You can put me in the days of the Greeks and Romans, where wrestling began and despite my size in fact due to my size in many ways as a positive, I would be one of the best as I am in the present and future of this industry. Nobody will hold me back; I’m going to be world champion.
BYRON SAXTON: You are a very ambitious person…
MATT SYDAL: Double edge sword. I don’t like being pigeonholed, nobody should be, everyone is multi-dimensional. The only distinction I make between people are sayers and doers. Sayers slither up the corporate side because they can’t hack it as wrestlers. Sayers are people who never do anything and see ambition as arrogance, determination as delusional defiance and they clip your wings when you fly too close to the sun. I do what I always do and leave them in the dust coughing up the fumes of the blaze of my fire of desire! I have a premonition that I am the standard definition of the best of the best of this wrestling. I am a prodigy, from the backyards of Missouri to all the major shows: Supercard of Honor, WrestleMania, WrestleKingdom and Bound for Glory. I have the advantage both mentally and spiritually which supersedes any weakness. My third eye is open, I will open yours all you have to do is come see what I’m saying!
Giving a bewildered Byron a confident smile, Matt gets up from his seat and leaves as the cameras go back to ringside.
MICHAEL COLE: Well, I think Byron Saxton said it best, Matt Sydal is certainly…ambitious.
WADE BARRETT: He’s a nut, Cole! He keeps spouting crap about his “third eye” and he thinks that’s going to get him the WWE Championship? He needs to see a doctor!
MICHAEL COLE: I’m not going to comment on that, but I commend him for having the courage to state his championship intentions! Another one who has championship ambitions is Fallon Henley, and she looks to get one step closer to her dreams as she faces Alba Fyre up next!
”Saddle Up” by def rebel begins to play on the speakers and the crowd starts to cheer as Fallon Henley comes out to the top of the ramp. Looking out at the crowd with a smile, Fallon pulls on her denim vest as she strikes a confident pose for the crowd before making her way down the ramp.
SAMANTHA IRVIN: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, making her way to the ring, Fallooon Heeenleeey!
MICHAEL COLE: We talk about it every time we see her, but you have to admire Fallon Henley’s tremendous heart, Wade!
WADE BARRETT: She certainly doesn’t give up, I’ll give her that much!
Fallon reaches the bottom of the ramp, slapping a few outstretched hands of fans in the front row. Making her way over to the steel steps, she confidently makes her way up to the apron and steps into the ring, walking over to the closest corner and climbing up to the second turnbuckle, raising both of her arms confidently into the air as she gives another beaming smile to the crowd. Jumping back down to the mat, Fallon begins to swing her arms and roll her shoulders to warm up as her music fades out. The lights in the arena now dim, a fog begins to roll out around the entrance ramp, and “The Depths” by def rebel now begins to play on the speakers and the crowd gives a mixed reaction as Alba Fyre makes her way to the top of the ramp. Looking out at the crowd with a stoic expression, Alba looks down at Fallon waiting for her in the ring and a whisper of a smirk dances across her face. Taking her trusty flaming baseball bat, she points it towards Fallon, her smirk growing wider before she brings the bat to her mouth, blows out the flame, slings the bat over her left shoulder, and makes her way down towards the ring.
SAMANTHA IRVIN: And her opponent, making her way to the ring, The Hardcore Daredevil, Albaaa Fyyyre!
MICHAEL COLE: Alba Fyre is an incredibly mysterious woman, Wade, but she’s also incredibly dangerous!
WADE BARRETT: There’s a reason she’s called The Hardcore Daredevil, Cole, and I’ll be honest, as courageous as Fallon Henley may be, I think she’s really got her work cut out for her tonight!
Alba reaches the bottom of the ramp, her smirk growing wider as she continues looking at Fallon. She walks over to the steel steps and walks up to the apron, and she turns to look at Fallon, leaning over the top rope and pointing her bat at her, a deranged smile on her face. Stepping into the ring, Alba keeps her eyes on Fallon as she walks to the center of the ring and points her bat out towards the crowd. Walking over to the ropes, she drops her bat over the side of the ring to the ring attendant outside and she takes off her jacket and hands that off to the attendant as well. As her music fades, she turns to look at Fallon, a smile breaking out on her face.
SINGLES MATCH
As the bell rings, Fallon takes a deep breath and walks up to Alba and extends her hand, looking for a pre match handshake. Alba looks down at the hand and then back up at Fallon with an arched eyebrow, but she shrugs and then accepts the handshake. The crowd cheers this sign of respect between the two ladies and Fallon offers Alba a genuine smile but suddenly, Alba nails Fallon with a kick to the midsection!
MICHAEL COLE: That was a sneaky move by Alba Fyre!
WADE BARRETT: Fallon Henley should’ve known better, there’s no time for good sportsmanship when you’re trying to climb up the ranks!
Fallon clutches at her midsection, and she looks up at Alba with pained eyes, clearly upset by the betrayal. Alba just shrugs and nails Fallon with a forearm to the face, and then a second forearm, and then a third! Alba has Fallon backed up against the ropes now and she Irish whips her to the opposite side, hitting Fallon with a hip toss as she returns! Not letting up, Alba bends down and picks Fallon up, Irish whipping her into the corner. Alba points at Fallon in the corner and comes charging in, looking for a running hip attack, but Fallon moves out of the way and Alba crashes into the buckles! As Alba stumbles out of the corner, Fallon comes up behind her, bringing her down to the mat with a modified bulldog! Fallon quickly goes for the cover, 1…2…kick out by Alba Fyre!
MICHAEL COLE: Fallon Henley tried to end that one quickly!
WADE BARRETT: I don’t blame her one bit, Cole! I wouldn’t want to be in the ring with someone like Alba Fyre any longer than I had to, either! She’s scary!
Fallon gets to her feet and she picks Alba up, throwing her into the corner. Fallon runs up and leaps up onto the second turnbuckle, bringing Fyre down with a monkey flip! Rather than going for another pin, Fallon stands up and hits the ropes, and when she comes back she jumps into the air, looking to hit Fyre with a leg drop but The Hardcore Daredevil rolls out of the way and Fallon lands hard on the mat! As Fallon cries out in pain, Alba gets to her feet and delivers a stiff kick to the back of Henley before throwing her down on the mat and going for the cover, 1…2…kick out by Fallon!
MICHAEL COLE: Fallon Henley displaying that trademark heart and will to win, she’s still in this!
WADE BARRETT: She should’ve stayed down, that probably would’ve been the smarter move!
Alba looks down at Fallon, a look of anger etched on her face. She stands up and delivers a stomp to Henley’s midsection, keeping her down on the mat. Fyre goes over to the ropes and steps out onto the apron, climbing up onto the top turnbuckle. Standing up, a sadistic smile forms on Fyre’s face before she leaps off and flips in the air, nailing Henley with a swanton bomb! Fyre lays there for a moment, catching her breath, before she slides over to Fallon Henley and once again makes the cover, 1…2…THRNOO!! Fallon Henley kicks out at the last second!
MICHAEL COLE: I thought this one was over!
WADE BARRETT: I think the time Alba took to catch her breath gave Fallon Henley the time she needed to recover, but I still think she should just stay down!
Alba glares at the referee who holds up two fingers to drive home the fact that it was indeed a two count. Getting to her feet once again, Alba bends down and grabs Fallon roughly by the hair and yanks her up and throws her head between her legs before lifting her up and throwing Henley over her back and then driving her down into the mat with a Gory Bomb! Fallon Henley looks to be well and truly out this time as Alba flips her over onto her back and hooks the leg, 1…2…3! Alba Fyre gets the win!
WINNER
ALBA FYRE
06:37 via PINFALL
SAMANTHA IRVIN: Here is your winner, The Hardcore Daredevil, ALBAAA FYYYRE!
MICHAEL COLE: Alba Fyre with a big victory here tonight!
WADE BARRETT: Fallon Henley’s tough luck continues, however, I’m sure she’ll find a way to bounce back! Meanwhile, I think Alba Fyre has put the women’s division on notice!
”The Depths” begins to play on the speakers again and the crowd gives a mixed reaction as Alba Fyre gets to her feet, a satisfied smile on her face as the referee raises her arm into the air. Walking over to the ropes, she exits the ring and hops down to the floor, walking up the ramp to the back, eager to find Isla Dawn as she continues smiling about her win. Back in the ring, Fallon Henley sits up, a look of disappointment on her face as she realizes she’s lost another match. Letting out a deep sigh, Fallon stands up and she looks out at the crowd as they start to clap for her and she nods, mouthing “thank you” to them as she exits the ring and hops down to the floor, going to fans in the front row and slapping their hands and giving them all a grateful smile as she makes her way up the ramp to the back.
The feed now switches to a clip of WWE’s newest superstar, Momo Watanabe, walking down the ramp on Heat the night before. As the ominous pipe organs at the beginning of ‘LivedeviL’ herald impending doom for the opposition, we see Momo dropping Skyler Moore on her head and neck with a suplex. She snaps off a nasty kick and then hits Peach Thunder as the music fades and the text ‘渡辺 桃’ and ‘BLACK HEART’ appear on the screen. This quickly fades into a shot of Momo Watanabe standing backstage in front of the Raw logo.
MOMO WATANABE: <Yo, Black Heart Momo Watanabe here. Some of you know me, some of you don’t. Don’t worry, you’ll learn pretty quickly who I am and what I can do. The real question - the big damn mystery - is what I’m suddenly doing here in WWE.>
As she speaks her expression remains cold and her gaze focused on the camera. Though she speaks in Japanese, English subtitles appear at the bottom of the screen.
MOMO WATANABE: <What’s the Young Ace of women’s pro wrestling doing overseas? Wasn’t she set for life after the Genius of the Sky gave her her blessing? Please. Don’t get me started about her.>
We see a still image of Momo posing next to IYO SKY in Japan, both smiling as they look to a future full of possibilities. This image burns away and we see Momo standing in the rafters of State Farm Arena, her face lit in profile as she stares downward.
MOMO WATANABE: <Shit changes. Women change. But seeing how she came here and became a superstar gave me an idea. At first I thought nah, that’s not for me. But then I came to America on a tour and the people here reminded me what I can be.>
For a moment we see Momo jogging up the steps of the Philadelphia art museum. She stops at the top to look out over the City of Brotherly Love as she rests a black baseball bat on her shoulder. The camera circles around her dramatically, then cuts to footage of Momo in the ECW arena for a show. Fans chant “MO-MO! MO-MO! MO-MO!” at the top of their lungs; suddenly we’re back to Momo on the steps, a half smirk tugging at her lips.
MOMO WATANABE: <I haven’t been forgotten after all. And I sure as hell haven’t forgotten what I want. No matter how much ass I kicked at home there was one thing I wanted more than anything.>
In rapid succession we see Momo at the Performance Center, wearing her ‘BLACK PEACH’ t-shirt. She lands kicks so hard they buckle a punching bag and topple her sparring partner. Next she’s flying off the top rope to hit a diving somato on an NXT trainee. Even more quickly she’s seen lifting weights, jogging in cold morning air and practicing her strikes. Finally she spins her bat off of her shoulders, smirks a bit wider and we jump to Momo sitting in of State Farm Arena. Banners advertising Raw can be seen behind her.
MOMO WATANABE: <To prove I belong at the top of professional wrestling, I had to come to the ring with the best wrestlers in the world. And it’s here that I’m going to finally achieve the one thing I’ve never been able to or been allowed to do.>
We see Momo staring up at a banner featuring Serena Deeb holding the WWE Women’s Championship in her arms. Momo grins, clutching that bat tight in her hands.
MOMO WATANABE: <Why am I here? That’s easy. I’m here to become world champion. Nothing else, no one else matters. I’ll kick as many asses here as I need to to become WWE Women’s Champion.>
Finally we see Momo standing in the Raw ring in the empty State Farm arena, bat draped over her shoulders. The chants of “MO-MO! MO-MO! MO-MO!” can be heard as she glares right down the camera.
MOMO WATANABE: <The Black Heart Momo Watanabe WILL be WWE Women’s Champion. That’s not a promise, it’s a spoiler.>
One last time we’re backstage as Momo tilts her head, flashes a lopsided smirk and her face goes stone cold as the package ends.
MICHAEL COLE: Momo Watanabe was very impressive in her first match last night on Sunday Night Heat! We’ve had quite a few women join the company lately, Wade, and I have a feeling the women’s division is really going to start heating up!
WADE BARRETT: You can say that again, Cole! Our women’s division is the greatest in the world and it got even better with the arrival of The Black Peach! I can’t wait to see what she has in store for the women of the WWE!
MICHAEL COLE: We’ll find out in due time, but up next, we’re going to see someone else who, as much as it pains me to say it, has also been impressive lately. Christian Cage is going one-on-one with Adam Cole as he looks to continue the winning streak he’s been on the last few weeks!
"Take Over" blares over the arena speakers as Christian Cage confidently comes out to the top of the stage, kissing the tips of his fingers as he points out to the fans who are booing loudly at his arrival. The hate from the fans doesn’t seem to faze him in the slightest, as a matter of fact he eats it up with a smile on his face as he basks in the moment.
SAMANTHA IRVIN: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Making his way to the ring, he is the leader of The Patriarchy, Chriiistiiiaaan Caaageee!
Christian strides down to the ring as he knocks a container of popcorn out of kid’s hands on the way around the corner to the stairs and asks the kid if he's gonna cry about it. Christian Cage now laughs as a few fans in the front row exchange some words with him and he challenges them to try something, but security pushes them back into their seats.
MICHAEL COLE: This weasel, this charlatan, the man should be ashamed to call himself anything close to a father!
WADE BARRETT: Tell me how you really feel, Cole! Christian Cage has been leading excellently the past few weeks, he's untouchable when it comes to doing things in the ring!
MICHAEL COLE: If there was ever a man I wanted to see beaten more, I don't remember it, Wade!
WADE BARRETT: Adam Cole's already in the ring, but he's not looking too confident right now. Certainly, he appears as if he wishes the rest of the Undisputed Era was available to help him in this one.
SINGLES MATCH
As soon as Cage steps into the ring, he looks at Adam Cole and offers out a hand for him. The younger superstar doesn't appear to know whether he can trust it, though. Christian tells him that he respects him, he'll even give him the opportunity of a lifetime to join The Patriarchy. Cole doesn't look impressed with the offer, however, as he slaps Cage's hand in a show of disrespect to the veteran.
MICHAEL COLE: Things are not off to a good start it appears; Cole doesn't want anything to do with another group he's got his own men to lead into battle.
WADE BARRETT: He was offered the opportunity of a lifetime, and he callously threw it away. Christian has been adamant that Cole has impressed him previously and he doesn't want to see him waste his talents.
MICHAEL COLE: Well obviously, Cole believes it's smarter not to take a hand in friendship from a snake. He knows that if he does, it'll come back to bite him in the end.
Cage sticks his hand out again but this time, the slap is even harder as he wrings his hand in pain afterwards. Cole lays a slap across the face of Cage now as he's spun around by the force of it and a schoolboy pin attempt happens, 1...2! NO! Christian gets out of the pin attempt as he nails a picture-perfect dropkick right into Cole that knocks him back into the ropes. Cage rushes forward and the two men barrel over the ropes as Christian clotheslines him out of the ring to the floor and both men land in a nasty spill with Christian on top of Cole. Christian quickly begins raining down hard shots to the head as he cradles him by the neck to avoid him escaping the onslaught, pulling the hair of Cole as he lifts him up and whips him head first into the steel steps outside of the ring.
WADE BARRETT: Well that certainly isn't going to do Adam Cole any favors!
MICHAEL COLE: He could have a concussion after a hit like that into the steel steps!
Christian now yells at Cole that he should've listened to him when he offered his hand in friendship, Christian now slaps him across the back of the head before he rolls Cole into the ring. Cage now tries to pick him up off the canvas, but Cole can barely get to his feet. That isn't going to stop Christian's momentum, however, as Cage forces him into the corner to keep him on his feet as he hooks the arms and spins him around before walking him out to the center of the ring as Cole can still barely keep on his feet, Christian now drives him face first into the canvas with the Unprettier! He hooks both legs of Cole as he demands the referee to make the count which he seems to only begrudgingly do, 1...2...3!
WINNER
CHRISTIAN CAGE
02:21 via PINFALL
SAMANTHA IRVIN: Here is your winner, CHRIIISTIIIAAAN CAAAGEEE!
WADE BARRETT: Another smooth night for Christian Cage here, Cole!
MICHAEL COLE: What a joke! He's despicable, each week he comes out here and doesn't even give a fair chance to the competition.
WADE BARRETT: Who said wrestling was fair, Cole? He's got mouths to feed, children to raise, pupils to train for the next generation of greatness!
MICHAEL COLE: The only thing that will be great about them is if they actually realize what a joke it is to be trained by this clown!
The referee checks on Adam Cole as Christian Cage raises his own arms in victory. As he looks at Cole on the ground, he shoves the referee off of him and points at himself as the referee stands up now and grabs Christian's arm to raise it in the air. Christian smiles widely as the fans boo him relentlessly now. A drink flies into the ring which he quickly ducks before bailing out of the ring as he heads for the back, smirking the whole way as the cameras fade out to commercial.
Tune in this Sunday to see an epic clash between generations as Swerve Strickland defends the WWE Championship against Diesel!
