WWE Raw is live at 8/7c on Netflix this evening from Columbus, OH.
Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar & Oba Femi Kicks Things Off
‘WWE Then. Now. Forever. Together.’ kicks things off as always. We then shoot into the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH., where Paul Heyman is standing live in the middle of the ring. He kicks off this week’s show by introducing himself, as always.
Heyman says he has to get this part out of the way and says, “Welcome to Monday Night Raw.” He is here tonight to hype them on a match that needs no hype. This Sunday, the biggest rematch not just in WWE history but in all of professional wrestling… Heyman is cut off by an “Oba” chant.
Heyman says when he has a microphone in his hands, they have to shut the hell up. This Sunday, at Clash in Italy, Oba Femi steps into the ring to be conquered by Brock Lesnar. A video airs. Brock Lesnar says he didn’t get to congratulate Oba Femi on beating him at WrestleMania, but that victory will cost him more than he can imagine.
Lesnar has had his share of ass-whoopings through the years, but the one he got from Femi made him think that he’s done. That doesn’t sit well with Lesnar. It’s not going to end that way. Brock Lesnar can take an ass-whooping, but can Femi? Highlights are shown of Lesnar’s surprise return and attack on Oba Femi last week on Raw.
Femi will get his ass kicked by a humble, retired beast. Brock Lesnar will conquer Oba Femi. Lesnar says, “I am gonna rule over Oba Femi.” Heyman says the good news is that everyone watching will have a chance this Sunday to see history play out in real time in front of their very eyes.
The bad news for everyone who worships Oba Femi is that he has awakened The Beast. Heyman shouts that three times. That means one thing. Oba Femi’s music hits. “The Ruler” Oba Femi comes out to the stage and stares down at the ring. Femi then starts his strut and heads to the ring.
Femi grabs a microphone, and Heyman looks nervous. Femi intimidates him into the corner. Femi asks Heyman what he thinks Brock Lesnar has awoken in himself. What does he think four F5S have awoken in Oba Femi? Heyman begs him off and says he’s just an advocate.
Femi says he needs Heyman alive and well to tell the tale of Brock Lesnar. When he tells the story, he’ll fast forward to the end, which is Femi’s favorite part, where he retires Lesnar a second time. Heyman will tell him it’s just business and not personal, but four F5S seemed very personal to him.
While Heyman tells that story, this is the final chapter. Femi holds up the contract for their match at Clash in Italy and presses it against Heyman’s chest to sign it. Femi says the last time he fought Lesnar, he was trying to beat him. This time, he’s fighting to kill him. Femi walks off as Heyman looks terrified. The opener wraps up there.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans
Now we see the usual show-starting Superstar arrival shots. Back inside the arena after a Saturday Night’s Main Event recap package, and we get ready for our opening contest. The WWE Intercontinental Championship will be on-the-line, as Penta defends against Je’Von Evans.
The bell sounds and off we go. Evans goes for the cutter early, Penta blocks but there’s a rana. Evans flips out of a Penta rana. Penta chops Evans, Evans & Penta both trip each other before a standoff. They do a strut before Evans dropkicks him, then gets bouncy and dives onto Penta outside.
Evans springboards into a superkick. Penta goes for the handstand dropkick in the corner and hits it for two. Evans avoids the Penta driver and hits a kick that ends Penta outside. Evans tries another dive, but this time Penta sends him into the corner of the announce table.
On that note, the show shifts gears and settles into a mid-match commercial break as the action continues. When the show returns, we see things still in progress.