John Cena returns to the Raw after WrestleMania as the 17-time World Champion
One night after making history by becoming a 17-time World Champion, John Cena will return to Raw. Cena has promised to ruin wrestling tonight. How will Cena make good on his promise?
– After clips from WrestleMania, we see Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins arrive at the arena. Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria, The Judgement Day - minus Finn Balor, and Jey Uso are shown arriving as well.
– We are live! And we are kicking things off with the new Undisputed WWE Champion!
Cena makes his entrance with the black gear and raises the title in the ring as an absolutely massive display of pyro goes off on the stage behind him.
Cena calls the ring announcer into the ring — he's replacing Alicia Taylor, who has the night off. Cena hands the announcer a prepared statement. The announcer says "My sincere apologies, I've been informed that my announcement has been deemed disrespectful." He then reads Cena's preferred, hyperbolic introduction, with a long list of accolades.
Cena raises the title and says that winners write history. He says the fans are not worthy. Addressing the fans, he says you think you can bully him on Friday and he's supposed to forgive you because he wins gold and you cheer? That's not how a functional relationship works. That's not how you treat a kid. You can show up in a good mood and he can still tell you to go to hell. You all owe him an apology and don't have the courage to do it. Cena says this has forever been the show that fans hijack, the show where fans take control. Cena says the fans have gone soft, they respond by chanting "we are sorry." Cena says they were saying "we aren't sorry." He then looks over the arena and says they're the sorriest lowlifes he's ever seen, they're all sorry. And here's the best part: you don't mean anything to him. Fans start an "a**hole" chant and Cena spreads his arms, welcoming it. Cena says they're idiots, he's taken your best shot for 25 years and always gotten back up. What makes you think you're going to be the crowd to crack him? You mean nothing to him, your noise means nothing. The only thing that means anything to all our lives is that: 36 dates, a graphic on the screen. Cena says he told them at the beginning of the year that there were 36 dates and then he's gone. Cena starts counting down all his appearances as the number on the screen ticks down, by the end it sits at 27.
Cena says those aren't matches, those are appearances. You say he can't wrestle, he doesn't have to. He just has to show up and do this. When that hits zero, the pro wrestling timeline stops cold. He is not stupid like you, he knows there will be another "Raw" and another champion, but the title held by Bruno Sammartino and Roman Reigns and CM Punk and Triple H and Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin comes home with Cena, the last real undisputed champion of WWE. Cena says getting this was the hard part, all he has to do now was play the fans like puppets. Cody Rhodes was our best chance, and you booed him and cheered him and now Cena says his name and it disgusts you. That's what's wrong with this. And that's why last night, Cody Rhodes was outshined, outclassed, out-wrestled, and destroyed. It's time for you to take a look in the mirror, and here's the truth: There is no one in WWE with the strength, the speed, the wisdom, and the ruthless aggression of John Cena. But unlike you, he has a heart, and he wants to do something nice for you. Cena says get out your cameras, you're going to want to remember this. Make sure to get a great picture, because the last real champ is here.
As Cena says the last few words, however, Randy Orton can be seen creeping up behind him, and after Cena finishes, Orton delivers an RKO from out of nowhere. Orton crouches over Cena, picks up the title, and smiles before raising it above his head and above a fallen Cena.
– We are taken back to WrestleMania to Becky Lynch returning and winning the Tag Titles with Lyra Valkyria.
WWE Women's World Tag Team Championship Match: Becky Lynch & Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
Commentary recaps what happened with Cena and Orton before going into a video package about Becky Lynch's return and subsequent capture of the women's tag titles alongside Lyra Valkyria. This leads to a title rematch, as Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez come to the ring.
Liv Morgan starts the match quickly, throwing herself at Becky Lynch, delivering strikes, and taking her to the ground before going for the pin. Lynch kicks out and fights to her feet, they exchange punches and Lynch hits a kick to the gut. Lyra with the blind tag and she and Lynch deliver a double hip toss to Morgan. Lyra whips Morgan into the corner and delivers kicks before dragging her out of the corner to hit more strikes. Raquel is now in the ring and tries to throw Valkyria, but throws her into Morgan accidentally. Morgan rolls out of the ring and Lyra takes Raquel out of the ring as well; both women hit stereo basement dropkicks as we go to commercial.
Back from break, Raquel is trying to control Lyra after working her over the entire commercial, but she hits a kick to the face and makes the hot tag to Lynch. Liv tags in but Becky takes her down with clotheslines and kicks. Lynch hits a running forearm to Liv in the corner; Raquel runs in but Becky throws her into Morgan, then kicks both of them and hits the Becks-ploder on Morgan for a two count.
Lynch winds up her arm and sets up for the Manhandle Slam, Liv reverses into a pin, Becky also reverses into a pin, Morgan fights out it and goes for Oblivion but Becky counters into the Manhandle Slam! Lynch makes the pin but Rodriguez breaks it up, then makes the tag. Lynch with a jawbreaker but Raquel with a boot. Raquel climbs to the top rope but Lynch intercepts her and climbs up for a superplex. And now Valkyria is climbing up as well, but Morgan hits a sunset powerbomb on Lynch. Lyra goes for a sunset powerbomb but Raquel drives her down to the mat with a huge powerbomb off the top rope. Rodriguez gets her arm over for the cover, but Valkyria kicks out at two.
The crowd is chanting "this is awesome." Raquel drags Lyra to her feet, then tries to get her up for something but Lyra counters with a dropkick, driving Raquel into the corner. Lyra tries to get Raquel up for Nightwing but can't do it, she leaps at Raquel and gets caught but turns it into a tornado DDT. Now Lyra does get Raquel up for the Nightwing, but Morgan buts Raquel's foot on the bottom rope. Lynch jumps Morgan but Morgan sends her into the ring post; Lyra wipes out Morgan with a dive but gets booted in the face, Raquel covers but gets two. Raquel tries to powerbomb Morgan into Lyra, but Lyra gets her knees up. Lyra sends Raquel out of the ring, then counters Oblivion. Lyra gets Morgan up for the Nightwing but Raquel tries to break it up. Lynch interferes but Raquel drops her on the outside with a kick. Lyra knocks Raquel off the apron, but that gives Liv the opening to hit Oblivion and pin Valkyria, getting the pinfall and the win!
Winners and NEW WWE Women's Tag Team Champions: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez
– Lyra and Becky hug after the match, but suddenly Lynch hits Lyra with a clothesline! Lynch yells insults at a fallen Valkyria and starts to leave the ring, but then returns to drop Lyra with more punches. Again Becky leaves the ring, but then gets back in and hits Valkyria with two consecutive Manhandle Slams. The crowd is chanting "one more time," Becky gets Lyra back up and hits another Manhandle Slam on Lyra before finally leaving the ring as the crowd chants her name.
– The New Day is shown walking backstage with their Tag Titles, they walk by Karrion Kross who nods at them with approval.
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods come down to the ring showing off the championship belts they won over the weekend. Kingston gets on the mic and introduces them as champs. Woods then asks for everyone to get on their knees and put their hands in the air and say "Thank God for The New Day". Kingston says there are no tag teams better than them. The Alpha Academy come out and Maxxine Dupri is on the mic and she tells The New Day the last time they faced Otis and Tozawa, they lost in less than 60 seconds. She suggests The New Day defend their titles right here and now. Woods says no. Dupri asks if the "Minute Men" are scared. Kingston says they're ready to do this now.
New WWE Tag Team champions, New Day want the fans to get down on their knees before them and scream in unison, "Thank God for the New Day!" They said they're the greatest tag team living or dead. Right on cue, Alpha Academy come to the ring. Maxxine Dupri reminded them that they lost to Alpha Academy in sixty seconds and to put their new titles on the lines now. When they refused, Dupri asked if "the Minute Men" were scared. After they accepted, the lights went down. When they came up, Rusev made his way to the ring. He took out Alpha Academy as New Day got out of the ring. Tozawa was going to jump on him from behind, but Rusev turned around and caught him. He took Otis down twice with two kicks. He yelled "Rusev back!" before putting Otis in "The Accolade".
– Backstage, Morgan and Rodriguez are celebrating with Judgment Day when Finn Balor appears and stares down Mysterio. He said "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" and they shook hands. As the camera cut, Balor was staring at the title.
Iyo Sky is introduced and she makes her way out to the ring. Sky says last night was the best night of her career. She says she is over the moon because she beat the best there is, which means she is the best. She says Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair tried to forget her but now no one will forget her. She says some stuff in Japanese and then says she is Iyo Sky, the Genius of the Sky and the Women's Champion. Stephanie Vaquer's music hits and she comes out with her NXT Women's Championship belt. Vaquer grabs a mic and congratulates Sky. She tells Sky she wants to introduce herself. She is La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer and she wanted to come out here to show Sky some respect. She tells Sky that Sky is amazing and she's right, Sky is the best and then says something in Spanish. She then says she wants to fight the best of the best. Sky says she accepts and how about they do it right here, right now. Adam Pearce comes out to make sure if Vegas wants the match. Pearce says he wants the match too and it starts now.
Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer
The bell rings and the women shake hands. They lock up and they exchange waist locks and Vaquer gets Sky on the mat. Sky gets Vaquer in an armbar and Vaquer rolls out of the hold and takes down Sky. They grapple on the mat and Vaquer flips out of a hold and armdrags Sky. Sky takes down Vaquer and Vaquer tries to take down Sky who lands on her feet. The women trade some more standing holds until Sky drop kicks Vaquer who rolls out of the ring. Sky slams into Vaquer with a suicide dive to the outside. Vaquer kicks Sky and Sky throws Vaquer over the barricades. Vaquer comes off the barricade with a cross body and we cut to commercial break.
We're back from commercial break, Sky punches out Vaquer in the corner. Vaquer fires back with a suplex and climbs the ropes. Sky punches Vaquer on the top rope and climbs the ropes and gets set to superplex Vaquer. Sky is knocked down and Sky runs back and hits a top rope armdrag on Vaquer. Sky punches Vaquer and drop kicks her. Sky gets on the top rope and hits a missile dropkick sending Vaquer into the corner. Sky hits the Bullet Train on Vaquer and covers for a two count. Sky sets up for her moonsault and Vaquer moves out of the way. Sky runs into the corner and Vaquer takes out her leg with a Dragon Screw. Vaquer hits Sky with a meteora in the corner and covers Sky for two. Vaquer goes for the SVB and Sky counters and stomps on Vaquer and covers Vaquer for a two count. Vaquer hits a stunner and kick on Sky and the back suplexes Sky. Vaquer then stomps Sky's face in the mat using her legs and covers Sky for a near fall. The crowd chants one more time but Sky rolls her up and Vaquer counters and rolls up Sky for a near fall. Sky hits an underhook backbreaker and covers Vaquer for two. Sky and Vaquer trade blows and Sky hits a German suplex on Vaquer and Vaquer then hits a German suplex on Sky. Vaquer climbs the ropes, SKy uppercuts Vaquer while shes sitting on the top rope. Sky climbs the ropes and hits a Spanish Fly from the top rope and both women are now laid out. Roxanne Perez runs in and takes out Sky.
Winner by DQ: Iyo Sky
– Giulia runs in and kicks Vaquer. Giulia and Perez lock eyes and Vaquer is attacked by Perez and Sky is attacked by Giulia. Rhea Ripley runs down and makes quick work of Perez and then stares down Giulia. Giulia rolls out of the ring as Ripley stares her down.
– A video package of Jey Uso aired before he made his way to the ring. Jey Uso makes his way down to the ring as everyone YEETS like mad in the arena. After YEETing for a bit he gets on the mic and tells Vegas the champ is in their city. He says he's here now, he's been wanting this since he was a kid and he's finally here now. He says the road wasn't easy and says he laid it all out there at WrestleMania to beat Gunther and he made Gunther tap. Uso says he's grateful and he will put the work in and show up everyday and week and make sure we all stay excited he's champ. Sami Zayn's music hits and he makes his way out. Zayn gets in the ring and gives Uso a hug. Zayn wants Uso to know that him not being around for the last 8 weeks was hard on him and he wishes he could have been there for Uso as was missing WrestleMania for him. He tells Uso it was hard to be on the sidelines and he almost didn't come to Vegas at all, but he had to. He had to make sure that he was the first one to stand across from him in the ring and look him in the eye and tell him how proud he is of him. (I think Jimmy did that already...) Zayn then tells Uso that he deserves to be the champion. Zayn says he doesn't want to get sentimental and they're here to celebrate and gets production to hit Uso's music and everyone starts YEETing again.
As the two are celebrating, Jimmy Uso comes out and gets in the ring. He hugs Zayn and then hugs Jey. All three share a handshake and celebrate with Jey.
– We see a backstage interview Cathy Kelley had with Logan Paul after his match. Paul says he's amazing and will continue to be amazing. We cut to today and Jackie Redmond is with AJ Styles. Styles says he's moving on and taking the L, because part of being phenomenal is being able to bounce back. Karrion Kross and Scarlett come by and Kross says he's so annoyed because Styles is the best and he's losing to Paul. Styles says he's not going back to who he was as he didn't like the man he was before and if he took those brass knuckles it wouldn't have gotten him anywhere. Styles tells Kross if he wants that kind of aggression he should get it himself and leaves. Kross says maybe he will.
– Dominik Mysterio and Penta warm up backstage before their match next.
– We come back from commercial break, and Gunther is down at ringside as the crowd chants "You tapped out". Gunther yells that he's still the greatest and nothing has changed. Gunther then gets in Michael Cole's face and Cole tells Gunther that he's not the one who tapped out. Gunther pushes Pat McAfee out of the way and puts Michael Cole in a sleeperhold. McAfee punches Gunther and officials come to separate the two. Gunther then attacks McAfee and knocks him out with a sleeper hold. Gunther holds McAfee in a sleeperhold for a while before letting up and Gunther is escorted out of the building by Adam Pearce and a bunch of officials while medical and other officials tend to McAfee.
– Back from break, we see Pat McAfee being attended to by medical backstage. Michael Cole tells Adam Pearce that he doesn't know how to do his job if he gets attacked for having an opinion and celebrating champions. Pearce tells him to take the night off and Michael Cole refuses to. Cole tells Pearce he needs to handle Gunther and leaves to go back to ringside. Joe Tessitore has now taken Pat McAfee's spot on commentary. Michael Cole makes his way back to the announce desk.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Dominik Mysterio (c) w/The Judgement Day (Finn Balor & Carlito) vs. Penta
At the bell, Mysterio tells Penta he's the champ and kicks an unsuspecting Penta. Penta kicks Mysterio and Mysterio kicks and boots him in the corner. Penta takes down Mysterio with a headscissor and Mysterio ends up outside the ring. Penta tries for a suicide dive but Mysterio runs into the ring and kicks Penta sending Penta out of the ring. Mysterio goes to dive out on Penta but is kicked and Penta then hits a cross body off the top rope. Mysterio rolls out and Penta smokes him with a suicide dive and we cut to commercial break.
RAW returns from commercial break and Mysterio has Penta on the mat and boots him a few times. Penta takes down Mysterio and kicks him. Penta connects with his handstand double kick and covers Mysterio for a two count. Mysterio hits a driver on Penta and covers for a near fall. Penta kicks Mysterio and comes off the middle rope into a boot by Mysterio. Mysterio hits a tornado DDT and covers for two. Mysterio climbs the ropes but Penta kicks him and climbs the ropes too but is knocked onto the apron. Penta hits a hurricanrana off the apron sending Mysterio into the ring. Penta hits The Mexican Destroyer on Mysterio and Mysterio rolls out of the ring. Balor goes to Mysterio to help him up and Penta hurricanranas Balor into Mysterio. Back in the ring, Penta climbs the ropes and JD McDonagh pushes Penta off the top rope. Mysterio hits 6-1-9 and a Frog Splash on Penta and gets the win.
Winner and STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Dominik Mysterio
– After the match, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez run out and all of Judgement Day celebrate on the ramp way.
– Seth Rollins walks backstage with Paul Heyman and they're on their way to the ring.
Seth Rollins comes out with Paul Heyman. Heyman hands Rollins the mic and Rollins says he stole CM Punk's best friend and took a Wiseman from Roman Reigns and he's the winner of the main event of WrestleMania - He is... and CM Punk's music hits. Punk runs to the ring and immediately strikes Rollins. Both men go at it and Punk stomps and boots Rollins in the corner and then turns his attention to Paul Heyman. Heyman stands his ground and Punk attacks him but Rollins makes the save before Punk can do anything. Rollins gauges Punks eyes and then delivers a stomp laying out Punk. Heyman and Rollins stand above a fallen Punk and Heyman says that this concludes WrestleMania 41 weekend with the message that there is a new reigning number one star in this entire industry - Seth Freaking Rollins. Rollins poses in the ring and Roman Reigns' music hits. Rollins throws Punk out of the ring and waits for Reigns in the ring. Reigns makes his way out to the ring and spears Rollins and sends Rollins out of the ring. Reigns then superman punches Heyman and then sets up to spear Heyman. Just as Reigns runs at Heyman, Bron Breakker runs in and spears Reigns. Breakker and Rollins stare at each other and Breakker spears Punk who tries to get at Rollins. Rollins and Breakker then embrace and Breakker goes outside the ring to where Reigns is. Reigns uppercuts Breakker and Breakker runs around the ring and then spears Reigns through the barricades. Rollins orders Breakker to get Reigns back in the ring. Breakker drags Reigns back in the ring and Breakker chokes out Reigns. Rollins stomps Punk who was just getting to his feet and then stomps Reigns' head into the canvass. Heyman, Breakker and Rollins all celebrate in the ring, Reigns and Punk are laid out and we fade to black.