WWE RAW 9/15 Results: CM Punk & AJ Lee Confront Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch Ahead of Wrestlepalooza

Cena admitted that at this stage of his career, it could be foolish to tussle with ‘The Beast Incarnate,’ and at this stage of his retirement run, he knows he is closer to the end than the beginning of his final chapter in wrestling. There has always existed a duality in the John Cena character, it’s what makes his character so strong and memorable because we all have it in us to be the best version of ourselves, even if we were idiot kids attempting a career in hip hop (as a rapper).

It was not the most explosive or drama-filled promo from Cena on the timeline of his final run, but this felt genuine and placed him firmly as the ‘face’ that the WWE Universe© needs right now. He attempted to paint the narrative as ‘two generational talents’ facing off one final time, but to ‘those in the know,’ it is bigger than that. In the year that wrestling fans globally lost Hulk Hogan, we are presented with a genuine good guy in and out of kayfabe, facing off with the potentially worst ‘bad guy’ in the history of wrestling on a stage that will combine the leader in sports entertainment with the leader in sports.

Wrestlepalooza is live this Saturday on ESPN and kicks off a monumental partnership. Cena and Lesnar feels exactly like the match you want in a moment where ‘the good guy’ has to win. And if the crowd reactions tonight represent the larger fandom of WWE, then it is clear that WWE fans want Cena to, as the Mass crowd changed, “whoop his a**,” and the genuine sentiment is “F’ you Lesnar.”

Happy Wife, Happy Life… Upset Wife-Wrestler? Best Not To Mess With Her

At the start of their promo, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch appeared to be on the same page and all smiles. After all, they came out in matching black leather fits—outfits that would get them branded “Goofs.” They came out to first remind the crowd that they each hold major titles in their respective divisions, along with the multitude of nicknames they have garnered over the years.

It did not take long before AJ Lee and her husband CM Punk came out to a huge pop. Punk introduced himself as ‘AJ Lee’s husband’ and admitted he is very willing to put his theme music aside to allow Lee’s intro to play—her theme is a banger. Meanwhile, he accused Rollins and Lynch of forcing us to listen to two terrible entrance music. He also claimed they ‘shared the same braincell’ as well as wardrobe—funny enough, Punk and Lee were dressed nearly identically in jeans, sneakers, and AJ’s new merch (available now on WWE Shop).

Both Seth and Lee accused the other’s partner of ‘involving’ their spouses needlessly, and that is when ‘Big Time Becks’ came out and really started to work. She and Seth were both in sync and lined up comedically, perfectly positioned in their roles as floundering husband and wife heels. Becky admitted to reading Lee’s book and ‘having notes,’ but her best work was directed at Punk.

Lynch asked Punk earnestly how he would respond to her ‘pummeling his wife’s face,’ considering he nearly lost himself in a feud with Drew McIntyre just because he stole a bracelet with AJ’s name on it (along with their dog). They did a terrific job promoting this weekend’s match, but if this is just the first in a bigger, long-term feud, expect the match to further escalate the bad blood/stakes.

Seth emphasized his familiarity with Punk, despite AJ being an unpredictable variable, which could suggest a plan to ‘take out AJ’ in order to get Punk off his game. The segment ended with Seth and Becky seemingly at odds and blaming one another for their current predicament, but it was just a ruse (or was it?) as it allowed Becky to get the jump on AJ—leaving her down and being attended to by Punk, taking a couple of slaps from Becky to boot.

Uso’s Reunited… But Is It All Good?

The best storyline on RAW was handled in ‘backstage segments’ this week as opposed to the ‘opening segment’ spot normally reserved for the show’s lead narrative. However, it worked better this way as we got brief but assertive plot points surrounded in enuendo. For example, Jey was first seen on camera (aside from the show’s opening) talking on the phone, but when Jimmy entered the segment and asked ‘Who’s on the phone,’ Jey responded by telling him ‘Not to worry about it.’ The two then entered into a fiery discussion with LA Knight’s request for Jimmy to tag with him against the Bron-Brons tonight. Jimmy said he would ‘not be bossed around’ by Jey, and the ‘last time he checked,’ Jey did not have the Ula Fala around his neck.

LA Knight, sure enough, asked Jimmy to tag with him against common enemies, and Jimmy seemed put off by Knight even putting him in that position.

Main Event

Jimmy Uso eventually agreed to be Knight’s partner against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, and the faces were defeated for their efforts. Worse than just a loss, it was Jimmy who took the brunt of the damage and was ultimately pinned ahead of The USO’s own tag match against the Bron-Brons at Wrestlepalooza.

Jey’s music hit, and he came down to make the save. He cleared the ring and tended to his brother as Reed and Breakker retreated. Then, Knight was seen sliding back into the ring and grabbing the chair. Just when it seemed like Knight was ready to return the favor, the two men were able to see the bigger picture by framing the greater enemy.

Jey offered his hand, and Knight shook it to the backdrop of a huge crowd pop. But then LA Knight ‘switched up’ and took Jey out with the “BFT” to send RAW home.

Roxanne Perez vs. Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria and Perez were in singles action tonight, where the typical Judgement Day ‘sideline help’ was neutralized early when Raquel Rodriguez was booted from the back for interfering way too early in the match. Lyra hit the ‘Knight Wing’ for the win over Perez, but it also signaled Raquel’s return to the ring.

As The Judgment Day’s female department began to deliver a post-match beatdown on Lyra, Bayley returned to help the former tag team and first-ever women’s IC champion. Bayley helped to even things up and rid Rodriguez and Perez from ringside. Then, all of a sudden, Bayley’s demeanor changed, and it felt like she was going to turn on Lyra.

That is when Bayley went full Jekyll and Hyde by running around the ring and hugging crew and fans alike before abruptly sprinting back to the curtain from which she emerged. Later in the show, Lyra was at the door of Bayley, listening to her have a full-on argument with herself. She attempted to have a rational conversation with Bayley, but she is clearly torn between two versions of herself, and the ‘Woman VS Herself’ storyline could be interesting.

Other Tidbits/In-Ring Action

• Adam Pearce made it official for this weekend’s Wrestlepalooza as WWE crowns a new women’s world champion, decided in a singles contest between Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer. Things were respectful before Auska entered the frame and ruined the vibes, as she has done week after week in a weird possessive angle over Sky. Auska challenged Vaquer… to fight Kairi Sane. Moments before her match on the backside of “Gorilla,” Rhea Ripley approached Vaquer to let her know she was coming for the winner of the world title Saturday. The match was a banger, and if anyone forgot how good Sane is, they were reminded tonight, though Vaquer picked up the pinfall victory, both superstars were winners in a great performance. Auska came ringside and attempted to step into the ring to confront Vaquer, but that is when Sky came running down to step between her longtime friend and the obstacle currently standing in her way of a second world title reign.
• After Kofi Kingston was unsuccessful in his challenge for the Triple A tag titles alongside Grayson Waller—Xavier Woods was injured and deemed unfit to compete, thus allowing for Waller’s opportunity—he faced off with Penta in singles action. Penta declared his intent to win Triple A’s Mega Championship at the start of the “Worlds Collide” event and before Dom Mysterio captured the title from Vikingo in the main event. After taking a loss to Rusev last week, he defeated Kofi using the “Mexican Destroyer” finisher that The New Day (with Big G) have been petitioning to have banned.
• El Grande Americano took on Dragon Lee in singles action after earning the ‘assist’ in Dom’s Triple A Mega championship win this weekend. El Grande and Lee butted heads last week after the latter decided to help AJ Styles with his match last week. El Grande Americano continues to be infatuated with helping Dom get over and stay over as champion, even as it causes ripples of a rift in Dom’s relationship with The Judgement Day. A second El Grande Americano inevitably made his presence felt in the match, but this time, AJ Styles was ready and prevented him from interfering. However, a third (and potentially female) El Grande Americana came out to provide further assistance in a tapout victory for El Grande Americano over Lee.

Judgment Day Disputes

Later in the evening, The Judgement Day was seen toasting “Dirty Dom’s” two-title reign with champagne before Finn Balor interjected. Finn questioned Dom and the need for celebration, considering the struggles for the rest of TJD—including Finn and Perez’s mixed tag loss at Worlds Collide. The faction began questioning Dom, prompting JD McDonagh to ask, ‘What does El Grande Americano expect in return’ for all the help he had provided Dom.

The entire scene blew up before Dom suggested that the crew give Finn some time to calm down, but then Rusev busted in and calmly (almost scary calm) claimed he would be the ‘next IC champ.’