On WWE Monday Night Raw tonight, Adam Pearce kicked off the show announcing that due to his injury, Seth Rollins would be stripped of the world heavyweight championship. A new champion would be crowned at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November, pitting CM Punk, (who had already earned his contendership by defeating Jey Uso and LA Knight last week), against the winner of an over-the-top battle royal. The match main evented the night and saw some of Raw’s top stars in action, all with eyes on the gold.
The match had some familiar beats.
- Finn Balor and JD McDonagh, who combined to eliminate Dragon Lee after he and AJ Styles defeated them for the tag team titles earlier in the night, saved Dominik Mysterio from being thrown out.
- Mysterio later used his dirty tricks to sneak back in the ring after being eliminated as the ref didn’t see Styles throw him over the ropes.
- Penta and Rusev got into it after their altercation earlier in the night. Rusev also tangled up with Otis and Tozawa, who he’s taken issue with since he first returned to WWE.
- El Grande Americano loaded the mask but was unsuccessful in getting any eliminations as an Uso double team took him out.
And finally, there were the Usos, who worked hand in glove for the majority of the match. The brothers entered together, albeit to Jey’s theme and Yeet party, but they were a united unit. On two separate occasions, Jimmy even saved his brother from being eliminated despite earlier in the night telling him in the match that it was every man for himself. It seems Jimmy thought the two of them would eliminate the rest of the field and then (and only then) go after each other with the opportunity on the line. Jey seemed to have other ideas…
As the match neared its finish, it was Jey with the chance to save Jimmy, but instead, he took the moment to channel his inner Roman Reigns, a voice that has been increasing in intensity over the last few weeks, to take out both Jimmy and LA Knight, who were tied up in the ropes. As Jimmy looked on perplexed, Jey didn’t hesitate, quickly taking out Mysterio to claim his spot in the title match against Punk. The same Punk who sat in on commentary for the match and questioned that blood may be thicker than water but is it thicker than championships? It would appear he had his answer.
Credit: WWE
While this might not be seen as a full blown turn, Jey’s heel tendencies have been growing by the weeks, egged on by his recent return to Reigns’ learning tree. Jey has been hanging on Reigns’ every word and his aggression and focus has shifted. Reigns told him several weeks ago that he needed to stop interfering to help his friends because it was costing him. As Reigns reminded Jey, this wasn’t about anyone else. It was about them and in this case, about him. He needed to smash them all. Jimmy didn’t like Reigns getting in Jey’s head again but Reigns shut it down as an issue. He put Jimmy on notice, reminding his cousin and anyone watching, that he was still the big dog around WWE.
Reigns’ influence has led to a new side of Jey, one that showed in full force on Monday. If Jimmy had to wonder how far Jey would take his new attitude, he needs not any more. This isn’t about the Bloodline, it’s about Jey regaining the title he feels so lost without. And as Monday proved, he’ll go through anyone standing in his way.
Saturday Night’s Main Event will mark the 15th time Jey and Punk have shared a ring, be it as opponents, teammates, or jumbled together in a battle royal. It will be the first time they’ll be going head-to-head in a one-vs-one singles match.
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