Credit: WINC
We go right to the ring and out first comes Triple H to a big pop. The Game, wearing a suit, marches to the ring as Mike Rome does the introduction.
Fans chant “Triple H!” as he enters the ring and takes the mic. Triple H says he’s still got it. It’s been a long time since he got to say this but welcome to the ThunderDome, welcome to Monday Night RAW. The crowd cheers him on. He begins speaking but the music quickly interrupts and out comes Randy Orton. Orton is all smiles as he takes the mic while walking down the ramp.
Orton says the office decided to show up because WWE Champion Drew McIntyrecouldn’t. Fans boo. Orton says he was supposed to have a pretty big match tonight. Triple H is aware, and he’s aware that Orton knows the match won’t be happening. Orton says since Triple H got all prettied up and flew down here, he figures Triple H is here to make an official ruling. Orton asks Triple H if he’s going to announce Orton as #30 in the Royal Rumble Match, or is he going to cut the BS and hand Orton the WWE Title. Triple H says if Orton wants the WWE Title he needs to win The Rumble, however he has to.
Orton goes on wondering why Triple H is here, and says he should make sure whatever call he makes benefits Orton. They face off now. Triple H asks if this is what it’s come to between them now, cheap threats and flexing. Triple H talks about watching Orton over the past year or so. He says he was proud of Orton when he dropped the match on “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt because that was all that stood between him and the WWE Title. He goes on and says there are a few things he doesn’t understand, like why Orton kicks Legends in the head, like Big Show, or threaten and humiliate them like he’s done with Shawn Michaels, Mark Henry, Ric Flair. Triple H says when Orton did that, it took the pride away and made him look at Orton differently, thinking Orton is not a legend, he’s nothing but a no-good prick. Fans pop. Orton says Triple H can call him what he wants but the fact is he’s in his prime, at his peak, and he is a legend. Orton wonders if Triple H still has it in him. Is The Cerebral Assassin, The Game, The King of Kings, still in there? Orton says to find that out he needs Triple H to accept a good old fashioned fight.
Orton proposes they go toe-to-toe tonight. He asks Triple H to accept the challenge. Triple H asks Orton if he wants to fight him tonight. They continue to face off. Triple H goes on and says the answer is no, he’s not going to give Orton what he wants and there’s no benefit for him to give Orton what he wants.
Triple H goes to leave and Orton wonders if it’s really a case of Triple H not being able to get his balls from Stephanie McMahon’s purse because she’s not here. Triple H walks back over to Orton and drops him with a right hand, sending him out of the ring as fans pop. Orton says he guesses that means yes. Triple H stares him down from the ring as Orton’s music hits. Orton clutches his jaw and smirks back at Triple H.
The announcers show us what happened with WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Charlotte Flair last week, when Lacey Evans flirted with The Nature Boy and Ric tripped Charlotte leading to the loss in the tag team match. Sarah Schreiber is backstage now with Charlotte. She goes on about Evans being classless and says she’s not the first woman to flirt with her dad. Flair goes on and doesn’t want to talk but says she is ready to go beat up the classless Evans
Charlotte Flair vs. Lacey Evans
Flair hits Natural Selection, but Ric Flair, who came out in the middle of the match, put Lacey’s legs on the rope. Flair then looks to suplex Lacey from the outside, but Ric takes Charlotte’s legs from under her and Lacey wins.
Winner: Lacey Evans
Back from the break and Schreiber stops a happy Lacey Evans and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair in the back, asking what the hell just happened out there. Lacey just says she thinks she will change at the hotel. They keep walking and strutting away.
We get a look back at last week’s title match between Keith Lee and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. Kayla Braxton is in the back with Lee now, asking how he bounces back from a tough loss like that. Sheamus quickly interrupts and there’s tension between the two. Sheamus says Lee earned Drew’s respect last week and if Drew respects him, so does Sheamus. It sounds like Sheamus is about to propose a match but he’s interrupted by The Miz and John Morrison. They run their mouths before Lee and Sheamus refer to them as Dumb & Dumber. Miz and Morrison say some of their 2021 resolutions are to right wrongs from last year, and two of those wrongs are Lee and Sheamus. The two sides have more words. Lee accepts the challenge but Sheamus looks a bit annoyed. Miz and Morrison remind us what happened the last time Sheamus and Lee were on the same team, when Lee got hit with a Brogue Kick. Miz and Morrison walk off as Lee and Sheamus get on the same page.
Jeff Hardy vs. Jaxson Ryker
Ryker wins by rolling up the tights.
Winner: Jaxson Ryker
Jeff Hardy vs. Elias
Hardy wins with the Swanson.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Keith Lee and Sheamus vs. The Miz and John Morrison
Sheamus tags himself in and wins the match with a Brogue Kick on Morrison.
Winners: Keith Lee and Sheamus
After the match, Keith Lee and Sheamus are all smiles as they celebrate together. We go to replays. A disappointed Miz sits up at ringside as the winners celebrate.
– Sarah Schreiber is backstage with Triple H now, asking about Randy Orton’s challenge. Triple H goes on and says since Orton can’t get it in his head what Legends should mean to him, that they paved the way for others, if Orton wants to call him out and see if he still has what it takes… then yes. Triple H says he will drop that match on Orton every single time. Triple H accepts the challenge, on behalf of every Legend who has stepped in the ring before them. We go to commercial.
We see Lee and Sheamus arguing after the match and the ref calls for the bell.
Keith Lee vs. Sheamus
Lee wins with the Spirit Bomb.
Winner: Keith Lee
After the match, Sheamus recovers as Lee stands tall. Sheamus stares Lee down and approaches him but they end up hugging in the middle of the ring.
– We see WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldbergchallenging WWE Champion Drew McIntyre last week. Still to come, McIntyre will respond tonight. Back to commercial.
Recap of last week’s main event and Goldberg’s arrival.
Back from the break and we see how WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg challenged WWE Champion Drew McIntyre for a Royal Rumbletitle shot last week. We get a pre-recorded message from McIntyre now, who is in quarantine due to his COVID-19 diagnosis. Drew says Goldberg rudely interrupted him last week before he got the chance to thank the Legends for watching him. McIntyre goes on and says he wants to like and respect Goldberg but he let Drew down, and let his own legacy down. Drew says Goldberg knows nothing about being WWE Champion as it’s the most lucrative title and has alluded him for his entire career. Drew goes on and says Goldberg challenging him is like challenging himself in his prime. Drew says Goldberg then put his hands on him, and needs a lesson in respect. Drew accepts the challenge and says at the Royal Rumble, Goldberg is next.
– Riddle is backstage with Lucha House Party, ranting about tonight’s match with Bobby Lashley. They end up wishing him good luck and walking off, he thanks them. Riddle with more stoner comedy here.
Xavier Woods vs. T-Bar
T-Bar wins with a big knee.
Winner: T-Bar
After the match, RETRIBUTION hits the ring to stand with T-BAR as the music hits.
– Schreiber is backstage with Randy Orton now, asking for his reaction to Triple H accepting the challenge. Orton mentions their history and goes on about how he’s able to direct his hate towards Triple H.
– Still to come, Bobby Lashley defends against Riddle. Back to commercial.
Bobby Lashley (C) vs. Riddle – United States Championship
Lashley wins with the Hurt Lock.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
After the match, Riddle grabs the mic and says while he couldn’t beat Lashley, he could surely beat MVP. MVP says he’ll give him what he wants.
MVP vs. Riddle
Riddle wins by DQ when Lashley interferes with a spear.
Winner by DQ: Riddle
After the bell, Lashley mounts Riddle and works him over as fans boo. MVP and Lashley take turns on Riddle now, then leave him laying. MVP turns and runs to deliver a big punt kick to the ribs. Fans boo and Riddle yells out in pain. The Hurt Business exits the ring as Riddle sells the beatdown on the mat. Lashley raises the title on the stage as MVP cheers him on.
– The announcers show us highlights from last Friday’s SmackDown as Adam Pearce became the new #1 contender to WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns for a Royal Rumbletitle shot. Pearce is backstage with AJ Stylesnow. AJ wonders who can toss him from the 30-Man Royal Rumble with Omos at ringside. AJ says if Pearce gets lucky enough, he can beat Reigns for the title and then defend against AJ at WrestleMania 37. Pearce is more worried about now, not The Rumble as it’s weeks away. Drew Gulak walks up and announces his spot for the Royal Rumble. Pearce tells him to hold on because there are a limited number of spots. Gulak points out how AJ was allowed to declare his spot. AJ says that’s because he’s a two-time WWE Champion, and who has Gulak defeated? Gulak is glad he asked because he brought a flash drive to explain his victories. Pearce ends up saying Gulak can have a Rumble spot if he can beat AJ tonight. Pearce walks off. Omos appears and stares Gulak down. AJ is all smiles as we go back to commercial.
AJ Styles vs. Drew Gulak – If Gulak Wins, He’s In The Rumble
Styles wins with the Phenomenal Forearm.
Winner: AJ Styles
After the match, AJ stands tall as his music hits. Omos joins AJ in the ring as we go to replays.
– Still to come, a special look at Goldberg. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and the announcers lead us to a video package on the career and dominance of WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg. They also hype his title match with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble on January 31.
– Triple H is backstage warming up when Keith Lee approaches, saying he needs to talk with Triple H. He goes on about how dangerous Randy Orton is. Lee says ever since he came to WWE, Triple H has been there for him, so maybe it’s time he’s there for Triple H. Lee says Triple H does not have to do this, he’s already two matches in for tonight and doesn’t mind doing a third. Lee tells Triple H to let him get his hands no Orton. Triple H says he appreciates that but he does have to do this. He made this mess and has to clean it up. Triple H says he’s got this. Lee hands Triple H his leather jacket and says it’s time to put The Game on. Triple H gets ready to head out.
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler vs. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke
Baszler makes Rose tap out with the Kirifuda Clutch for the win.
Winners: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
After the bell, Jax is shocked by Baszler tagging herself in and saving Rose from the big splash. The music hits as the winners stand tall together but Jax keeps looking at Baszler like something is bothering her.
– We see Randy Orton backstage walking. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes Triple H for his ThunderDome in-ring debut, his first match since July 29, 2019. He does his signature poses as a “Triple H!” chant starts up. Out next comes Randy Orton for tonight’s main event as fans boo now. Orton slowly marches to the ring as they stare each other down.
Orton taunts Triple H from ringside, teasing a rush into the ring. Orton finally runs in and Triple H immediately drops him with a right, sending him back to the ramp. Orton runs back in and they go at it. Orton beats Triple H into the corner and takes control. Triple H turns it right around and unloads in the corner. Orton kicks Triple H and he goes down. Orton with an uppercut. Orton beats Triple H back to the floor now. Triple H counters a whip and sends Orton shoulder-first into the steel ring steps. Fans pop.
Orton has blood coming down the side of his face now. Triple H launches Orton into the barrier next to the announcers now. Orton goes face-first into the steps. Orton with a thumb to the eye to turn it around as fans boo him. Triple H blocks a shot and slams Orton on top of the announce table for a pop.
Triple H rolls Orton back in the ring, stopping to grab his trusty sledgehammer from under the ring. Triple H walks back up the steps but stops as the lights start to go down in the ThunderDome. It looks like “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt might be here. Orton also realizes what is happening as more lights go down about a minute later. Triple H enters and stares Orton down.
Triple H raises his sledgehammer but it’s suddenly on fire at the end. They’re both shocked. The lights are all the way down now, the sledgehammer flame shining bright. The pink and red lights come back up. Orton looks around but Triple H is gone. Music starts playing, possibly some sort of remix to the Firefly Fun House theme and Alexa Bliss’ theme. Orton turns around and Bliss is standing in the corner, staring at him.
Bliss stares Orton down and suddenly shoots a big fireball at his face. Orton drops to the mat and starts yelling out in pain. Orton gets back to his feet, but is stumbling around and falling into the ropes. Orton clutches his face in pain as RAW goes off the air.
