Invincible
John Cena told a particularly dirty Domink Mysterio that he is invincible in this moment, in this place (Boston), he is invincible.
That told me all I needed to know. Even without Johnny throwing that bit into his stern promo towards the Dirty one, there was no way on any god’s earth that John took an L on his last night in TD Garden. Nah ah, no way, no how.
But that’s putting a bunch of carts before one giant horse, so let’s back up a bit.
Raw started with Boston bowing down to the king. Triple H talked about the subjectivity of the business but then called himself the most objective person around. He also said to him objectively, Big Match Johnny is the greatest of all time. Lots of contradictions there but Boston let him cook. I wholeheartedly agree with him on the subjectivity, and it’s something I plan to pen a few words about in the not too distant future.
That’s for later though and you’re here for Raw. After Trips invited his pick for greatest of all time out to the ring, John gave an impassioned speech as only he can. That led to Dirty Dom hitting the ring. Loved Dom going straight to Haitch and essentially ignoring the man of the hour. And when he confronted John, he invoked Rey Mysterio’s name. Dom had no problem disrespecting one legend, so he’s open for business to do it again.
And that brings us back to John’s invincibility line. Dom said he’d defeat WWE’s GOAT any time, any place, and in any era.
Fast forward to John Cena officially becoming a Grand Slam champ. This was a fun match that was clearly for the hometown fans and those watching at home clamoring to see someone make Dom their son. It also heightens the stakes for Saturday Night’s Main Event. Whoever wins the Last Time is Now tournament gets an Intercontinental Championship match as an added bonus.
If I have one negative criticism, it’s that I wish Dom lost the championship in full-fledged storyline. I understand the optics behind giving John the one championship that alluded him, but Dom’s run deserved a better ending.
B-Sides
Lottery Games
I’ll get to the men’s War Games match in a bit. But the women’s War Games came together in a much more compelling and exciting fashion. No diss to the guys but the women showed them up once again.
It actually started on SmackDown. Crossing the streams a bit here but Lash Legend provided former foe Nia Jax a little backup against Charlotte Flair. Cut to Asuka disgusting herself as a nurse(!) and misting Charlotte in the locker room. This all served as a prelude to the Kabuki Warriors finally getting their Tag Team Championship match against Charlotte & Alexa Bliss.
Besides the ending, which I’ll get to, this match solidified how much I love Charlotte and Asuka together. No matter the length of the match or the context, they always leave me glued to the television. They’re so fluid together ,and it helps that they both love getting physical. The tag match leapt to another level when it focused on them. That’s no diss to Alexa or Kari Sane. Their partners just have chemistry that makes for beautiful music.
To that point, Asuka created an awesome moment where she countered Natural Selection into an Asuka Lock. She played possum because she knew what the champs planned. She scooted herself into position and let Charlotte do her thing only to say “nah” at the last minute. I love when wrestling feels like a real thing and hustling an opponent into a move then coming with a counter is as real as it gets.
But this match was about getting the titles onto the Kabuki Warriors and setting up War Games; the territory did that in one swift move. Just like on SmackDown, Lash entered a conversation no one asked her to join, and Nia tagged along. Just as Charlotte locked Asuka in a Figure Eight and Alexa introduced Kairi to Sister Abigail, Lash & Nia killed all of that noise behind the ref’s back. They took Alexa out of the ring and onto the announce table, effectively taking her out of the match. That left Charlotte all by her lonesome to deal with Kairi & Asuka. One Insane Elbow later, we have new champs.
That’s when the chaos happened.
Lash & Nia’s interference led to IYO SKY hitting the ring to help Charlotte & Alexa fend off a beatdown from the heels, which led to Rhea Ripley making her return. Mami is home and she’s wearing a mask on the count of that broken nose. She also got the pleasure to declare War Games.
This was a lot of fun and very well plotted. The Kabuki Warriors winning meant the world to me because these two deserve it after all the work they put in the past few months. Tying their win to Rhea’s return and War Games only made it that much sweeter.
Album Cuts
- You know that meme where someone pretends to be shocked? Actually, there are a ton of memes like that, so just pick one. That’s me after Nikki Bella clobbered Stephanie Vaquer after the latter vanquished Raquel Rodriguez. That was always the direction based off Nikki’s incredibly subtle acting and dialogue last week. That aside, Nikki’s never been the second fiddle or third chair type; she wants the spotlight. I appreciate the old school heel tactic of getting close to a champ only to betray them when their guard is completely down. I’m a fan of Raquel and La Primera getting it on. I wish they got a bit more time and even a bigger stage, but again, I get it’s a transition match. If Nikki was always the endgame, then every part of the story needs to serve that eventuality.
- Does William Regal only exist now to shout “War Games” at someone’s beck and call? Is he the new Ron Simmons? Damn, man. I hope not.
- That’s not a random Regal reference either. CM Punk called out Logan Paul because, well, homeboy left Punk unconscious last week. Logan explained his actions exactly the way I figured he would: The Vision told everyone to get with it or get tossed, so he chose to get with it. I like Logan showing his cowardice here too. He didn’t play tough or front like there was some larger plan in play. He didn’t want any smoke with Bron Breakker so he chose the path of least resistance. The honesty is almost admirable if it weren’t steeped in chicken sh*t. The Vision joined Logan and marched to the ring while Paul Heyman told the world about Punk’s unlikability. Yup, new word, call Webster. CM No Mates found himself surrounded only for Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes to join him. And now you see why Regal made a fuss about War Games. That said, both teams need one more person. Is it Jimmy Uso for Punk’s team? Or does he coax the Tribal Chief to lend him a hand despite what happened the last time they were in the ring together? And what about The Vision? Obviously it’s not Seth Rollins, so who is the next person to get with it? Plenty of intrigue there.
- Will Maxxine Dupri walk out of Madison Square Garden with the Intercontinental Championship? Me thinks so. Besides the fact that she’s pushed Becky Lynch further than The Man thought possible, she now owes her for the cheap shot Becky laid on her this week. Becky making Maxxine in New York City might be the most incredible thing of her career, and that’s saying something considering her rap sheet.
- Rusev and Sheamus advanced in the Last Time is Now tournament. Rusev took advantage of a one-eyed Damian Priest, and Sheamus caught Shinsuke Nakamura with a Brogue Kick out of left field. Rusev & Damian went well enough but Sheamus & Shinsuke tore it down. Fittingly, both winners have history with John that can come into play should either advance.
Hell of a Raw in Boston. We got two title changes, a big return, and tournament action. Plus some setup for the MSG Raw, which will feature Solo Sikoa facing off against an unnamed opponent. One of the surprises WWE wants to keep to the vest, so please fill the comments with wild speculation.
What say you, Cagesiders? Who is Solo facing at MSG? And will Maxxine get her Rocky II finish?
