Tonight’s WWE Monday Night Raw is live from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Vic Joseph welcomes us and he is joined at ringside by Corey Graves. WWE announced Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor for United States Championship, The Miz issues apology on Miz TV, Riddle will face Chad Gable and more.

– WWE United States Champion Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring. Rollins dances to the ring as fans sing his entrance theme. Rollins enters the ring and we see what happened last week with Rollins, Bobby Lashley, and Austin Theory, who unsuccessfully cashed in his Money In the Bank briefcase on Rollins. Rollins takes the mic and welcomes us to Monday Night Rollins. He introduces himself as a visionary, revolutionary… Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and by the hair on his chinny-chin-cbin he is still the champion. 

Rollins thanks Lashley and says last week was wild. He goes on about what last week’s Open Challenge brought on. Fans chant “that was stupid!” at Theory’s cash-in attempt. Rollins says he’s sure Theory will be out here shortly, so they can tell him to his face. Rollins declares that the WWE United States Title is the top prize on Monday nights and here in tonight’s main event, we will add to his legacy as champion as he faces a former friend and foe, Finn Balor. Balor’s name gets a mixed reaction. 

The music interrupts and here comes Bobby Lashley. Lashley says he turned Little Selfie Boy into a punchline last week and as for Seth, the beating he gave Rollins will continue to happen until Lashley gets his title back. Rollins laughs at Lashley, who is in the ring now. Seth Rollins says Lashley had his title last week but instead of a title shot, he thought it’d be better to take Rollins’ soul from his body. Rollins says Lashley’s temper seems to be getting the better of him as of late, which may be related to the little loss he suffered to Brock Lesnar at WWE Crown Jewel. 

The music interrupts and herecomes Mustafa Ali. A referee is with him, trying to get him to go back to the back. Ali is upset. Lashley says what he did to Ali last week was nothing compared to what will happen to him this week. Lashley tells Ali to use his head and make smart decisions, and get out of here before he hurts him. Ali rushes the ring but Lashley sends him right back out with ease. He says that will serve as a message to anyone who gets between Lashley and the title.

Ali rushes back in and jumps on Lashley’s back but Lashley tosses him over the top rope, back to the floor. Rollins is retreating with the title. Lashley isn’t sure if Ali is stupid or he just has guts, but he’s pissing Lashley off. Lashley invites Ali into the ring to get an ass beating but says it won’t be pretty. Lashley drops the mic as Ali recovers at ringside.

– Bobby Lashley defeated Mustafa Ali via submission. After the match, Lashley stands tall and poses in the corner while the referee checks on Ali.

– Cathy Kelley is with The O.C. backstage – AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows and Mia Yim. She asks if they’re worried about retaliation from The Judgment Day after what happened last week. AJ wants them to bring it. Gallows says the group should thank him for getting Yim into the group because we all know his way with women. Yim rolls her eyes and shakes her head. 

AJ Styles says the whole thing with The Judgment Day needs to come to an end, so he challenges Finn Balor to a match at Survivor Series. AJ says so they can put an end to this. Anderson says AJ will handle business at Survivor Series just like the toughest woman in the building tonight when she returns to the ring. Yim gets hype for her return match and tells them to keep the beers on ice. They “too sweet” to end the segment.

– Mia Yim defeated Tamina Snuka via pinfall. After the match, the music hits as Yim looks out at Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio. Yim stands tall but here comes Ripley to the apron now. Ripley smiles as she looks to enter the ring, but she changes her mind and leaves Yim waiting. Ripley jumps back off the apron and joins Dominik Mysterio as fans boo. Ripley talks some more trash to Yim as she and Mysterio back up the ramp.

– Matt Riddle at backstage banging on his bongo drums when he stops at Cathy Kelley. She asks where Elias is at tonight. Riddle says Elias is off doing big rock star things like booking their first gig as he agreed to be in a band together. Alpha Academy walks up and Chad Gable shhh’s Riddle. They go back and forth with “bro!” and “shhh!” for a minute. Gable insults Riddle and Elias, and Otis laughs. They have words and Alpha Academy walks off. Gable says he will put Riddle down like Otis did to Elias last week.

– Damage CTRL’s Bayley and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions IYO SKY and Dakota Kai confront Mia Yim backstage. Kai tries to show Yim how they are all alike and can relate. She says Damage CTRL was also cast aside and forgotten about until they did something to remind people who they are. Bayley says Yim should remind people who she is, by joining their team at War Games. Yim says she appreciates the offer but she has no issues with Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, Asuka or Alexa Bliss. Bayley tells her to think about it. SKY says but Yim better not think too long. Yim doesn’t like this but The O.C. walks up to make sure all is cool. Damage CTRL walks off as The O.C. breaks the cold beers out.

– Chad Gable defeated Riddle via pinfall with help of Otis. After the match, Alpha Academy immediately gathers at ringside and Riddle is shocked. Riddle barks out at Otis now.

– WWE Hall of Famer JBL and Baron Corbin are at backstage playing poker with a man. Corbin takes all his money and JBL laughs. A waiter brings them some of the finest Kentucky bourbon, but JBL insults the locals and says he needs nothing from you Kentucky hillbillies. JBL yells at the unidentified poker player and sends him on his way. JBL tells Corbin don’t worry, he’s got some of the finest Ugandan reserve prime whiskey, which he picked up himself. 

Akira Tozawa is now at the table. JBL calls him an idiot and says they’re busy. Tozawa says he plays poker. JBL asks if he can even afford to sit at the table. Tozawa puts his sunglasses on. JBL and Baron Corbin are apparently interested in getting over on Tozawa now. Tozawa confirms that he doesn’t know how to play poker, but he’s ready to go. JBL and Corbin are excited as they see an opportunity and that ends the segment.

– The Miz makes his way to the ring for a special edition of MizTV with Byron Saxton. Miz is wearing a sweater and a pair of Keds, waving to the crowd as he prepares to apologize for his recent actions with Dexter Lumis. Miz is in the ring with Saxton. He welcomes us to MizTV and says this will be unlike any other MizTV episode as he will relinquish his hosting role to Saxton. Saxton takes over and Miz says this is where Byron thanks him for coming. They talk about last week’s reveal by Johnny Gargano. 

Miz says he prepared a statement and if people would be quiet, he’d appreciate it. Fans boo as Miz goes to read his statement. Miz asks them to please be quiet as this means the world to him, and we can all just move on. He says regrets paying Dexter Lumis. All he ever wanted was empathy, is that too much to ask? Fans chant “yes!” at him. He goes on about being here 18 years and never asking for a day off. He never got a cheer, even a pat on the back.

Fans are doing the “What?!” chants now. He goes on about helping Lumis get back on his feet when he was jobless but people still weren’t on his side. He’s asked for very little but Lumis kept taking and taking until Miz saw no end in sight, so he stood up for himself and had to put an end to Dexter’s greediness. Saxton asks Miz if true, why did he tell everyone else another story, including the private investigator and Hollywood producer. 

Miz says he was putting on a performance, so that he could sell his story. Hollywood doesn’t want real so he had to spin it and make it a bit more interesting. In real life he’s just a devoted father, loving husband, and a man who has been stuck in his bedroom all week, sick over what has happened. The music hits and out comes Johnny Gargano as an emotional Miz tries to get it together. Gargano says Miz wasn’t depressed, he was actually in Cabo on a family vacation. Maryse posted the photos on Instagram. Gargano says that’s another lie. Miz says he was depressed in his hotel room. They go on about Miz.

Saxton is questioning Miz but Miz tells him to stick to the questions he is paying him to ask. Miz snaps and yells at Gargano, asking him why he’s involved in this whole thing. Miz accuses Gargano of using him to get fan chant. Fans chant “Johnny Wrestling!” now. Gargano says everyone knows Miz is and always will be a compulsive liar. Gargano calls Miz “Mr. Rogers” for his sweater. Gargano continues to rag on Miz, and Miz snaps again and starts yelling about how he’s a good guy. Miz apologizes and says let’s move on to he can be the cornerstone of WWE and a role model to his kids. 

Gargano tells Miz to do the right thing and pay Lumis what he owes him. Gargano agrees with Miz in wanting to move on… he says he talked to WWE officials and they agreed the camera footage was convincing, and in two weeks this will all come to an end in the ring when Miz faces Lumis. If Lumis wins, Miz must pay Lumis everything owed, and Lumis will finally get his WWE contract, if he wins.

Miz tells Gargano to tell Lumis this will be the biggest mistake of his miserable life because next time Miz sees him there will be no money or contract, just lights out and it will be awesome. Gargano tells Miz to inform Lumis himself. We see a man in all black behind Miz now. He removes his cap and face mask as Miz turns around in fear. Lumis looks to attack but Miz rushes out of the ring, then taunts them from the stage as Lumis and Gargano look on. Lumis exits the ring and marches to the back as Miz runs away.

– We see Cathy Kelley with Shelton Benjamin earlier today. She asks about Austin Theory’s failed cash-in. Shelton laughs and goes on but Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest interrupt. Dominik taunts Shelton and says he’d know all about being a failure because he’s been a failure since his deadbeat father Rey Mysterio and WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero were in their primes, and Dominik is better than them, so that makes him way better than Shelton. Shelton calls him a little boy and says he doesn’t have time for this today, so move on before he gives him the whipping his dad should’ve. 

Dominik tells Shelton to try him. Priest gets in between them and tells Shelton to calm down. Dominik keeps taunting Shelton and repeating Priest. Priest says Shelton should know by now, if you have a problem with Dominik, you have a serious one with the rest of The Judgment Day. Benjamin says he always wants problems and wouldn’t mind working on his problems tonight. Priest proposes a match tonight to settle it in the ring. Dominik is still taunting and repeating. Shelton accepts Dominik’s challenge and says he will see him in the ring, since Dominik repeated Priest’s challenge. Dominik looks worried to end the segment.

– Dominik Mysterio defeated Shelton Benjamin via pinfall. After the match, Dominik stands tall, and Priest and Ripley raise Dominik’s arms in the middle of the ring. Dominik Mysterio then poses in the corner.

– Austin Theory is backstage waiting for an interview. He doesn’t look happy. Cathy Kelley is with Austin Theory in the back. She was going to give him the chance to address his failed cash-in. Theory says aren’t you so sweet. He goes on about how no one understands him. They overlook his athleticism over so-called opportunities that are handed him. Theory says you have no idea what the full story is. He was touted to be the next big thing, and he proved that on the first day, and exceeded expectations. 

Theory says he was more than the next big thing, he became the face of a franchise and people continued hating on him because of that, because they can’t relate. He says who looks at a person like him and wants to see them fail short of expectations? That won’t happen, he says people think he failed everything last week but they’re wrong because he feels more alive than he ever has. He says the briefcase was an anchor to him.

He brings up how Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is never vulnerable because The Bloodline is there if he is. He brings up how people like Brock Lesnar and Tyson Fury have stopped his cash-in attempts, and The Bloodline would’ve been there for a shot against Reigns, and the scenario of him cashing in on Reigns doesn’t exist because Reigns is unstoppable. He brings up WWE United States Champion Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley, and says he would’ve been a two-time U.S. Champion if it weren’t for Lashley. He says it would’ve been the greatest cash-in ever. 

Dolph Ziggler appears and corrects him – worst cash-in ever. Ziggler says he tried to be there for Theory months back, he tried to be Theory’s bro and showed him things no one showed him, but for some reason… Theory had a failed cash in. Ziggler says he’d know because he was there for the best one. He says Theory’s ego was too big and he just didn’t want to listen. Theory is sick of people talking down to him like he’s a kid. He’s done being the youngest this, youngest that, the future, the next big thing or a protege… Theory says he is the now, and he’d love to prove that in the ring right now.

– We see a backstage interview from earlier where Dana Brooke says she’s shown up and out every damn day, worked extremely hard, including her WWE 24/7 Title reign, and to see Nikki Cross trash it… everything she worked hard for, it was painful. She says if Cross and Damage CTRL want to walk in here and disrespect her hard work, they have another thing coming. Brooke says she will not go down without a fight.

– IYO SKY defeated Dana Brooke via pinfall. After the match, SKY stands tall and, Cross and Damage CTRL join her. They pose while Cross sits on the bottom rope. The music interrupts and out comes Mia Yim with a mic. She knows Damage CTRL has been waiting on her Survivor Series answer. She says they’re right, War Games is a match where everyone has to pick their side. And she’s picked hers. The music hits and out comes Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, Asuka and Alexa Bliss. The match is now 4-on-5 with each team to reveal one more participant.

– We go back to the poker game with JBL, Baron Corbin and Akira Tozawa. Tozawa is laughing and JBL says he just won 12 in a row. JBL and Corbin aren’t having fun, but Tozawa is. JBL goes all-in, but Tozawa has him. Corbin tries to cheat, with JBL’s help, but Tozawa calls him out. Corbin orders Tozawa to sit down, they’re not done until he says they are, he’s got all the money in the world. Tozawa says no, and calls Corbin to meet him outside. JBL asks if he’s challenging Corbin to a duel. No, a wrestling match. Tozawa calls for a handshake but he ends up slapping Corbin’s hand away, then running off with his money.

– Dolph Ziggler defeated Austin Theory via pinfall. After the bell, Theory launches an announcer’s chair at Ziggler. Theory jumps onto Ziggler and continues the assault as more officials and referees try to pull him away. Theory is backed away as officials tend to Ziggler. Theory rushes back over and attacks again before being backed away. Theory talks some trash as the boos continue. Theory finally makes his exit, ranting about how he’s not some kid.

– We see JBL and Baron Corbin walking backstage, and they are not happy.

– Rhea Ripley grants Damage CTRL backstage. She says if Mia Yim is on the other team, then Ripley is with Damage CTRL. Ripley says let’s go to war.

– Baron Corbin defeated Akira Tozawa via pinfall. After the match, The Modern Day Wrestling God stands tall and JBL enters the ring to raise Corbin’s arm in victory.

– Cathy Kelley at backstage with Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Bianca Belair and Mia Yim. She asks their thoughts on Rhea Ripley joining Team Damage CTRL. Belair says she is definitely a problem but Mia Yim is nothing to play with either. Belair says if their team is this good now, just wait until they find their fifth partner. Cathy announces that one member from each team will face off next week to determine who gets the War Games numbers advantage. They laugh when they ask who it will be representing their team next week. 

Belair says they won’t let their secrets out here. Belair would love to bet he person but so would the others as they are just as hungry to take down Damage CTRL. She says the numbers advantage is huge, and it’s not a decision they are taking lightly, but no matter what the others throw at them, they will represent as the roughest, the toughest, the baddest and while the other team is all about games, Team Belair is all about war. 

They leave and Alpha Academy walks up. Chad Gable asks if Cathy forgot to give an interview to tonight’s big winner, who single-handedly put Matt Riddle down, one week after Otis put down Elias. Gable says imagine the full-on carnage it would be if Riddle and Elias stepped to them as a tag team. WWE United States Champion Seth Rollins suddenly comes strutting by, singing his theme song. Alpha Academy dances a bit and Rollins sings “Shoooosh!” as he walks off.

– We see Finn Balor at backstage warming up as Byron Saxton approaches for comment, asking about AJ Styles’ Survivor Series challenge. Balor asks what kind of question is that, of course he accepts the challenge. He wonders if AJ knows who he is? Ask Edge, Rey Mysterio, and others. Balor says but AJ is at Survivor Series, and tonight it’s all about Seth Rollins. He says they have a lot of unfinished business and he’s about to remind Rollins exactly who he is – he is Finn Balor, and he is fixing to go out there and become the new United States Champion.

– Seth Rollins defeated Finn Balor via pinfall and successfully retained his United States Championship. We also saw the interference of Judgement Day and The O.C in the the match. After the bell, Rollins stands tall but Austin Theory suddenly attacks from behind. Theory beats Rollins down to boos. Theory scoops Rollins for The ATL in the middle of the ring. Rollins is sent to the floor but Theory follows, slamming his arm into the steel steps. 

Theory yells at Rollins while slamming his face into the announce table, then the apron, then the barrier. Fans boo Theory. He mounts Rollins at ringside and continues pounding on him. Theory rolls Rollins back into the ring, then follows. Theory talks some more trash and hits another ATL in the middle of the ring. Theory grabs the WWE United States Title belt and waits with it as fans boo. Rollins slowly gets to his feet but Theory charges and smashes him with the belt. Fans boo louder now. Theory poses over Seth Rollins now, raising the title belt in the air as Monday Night Raw goes off the air.