WWE Raw live results: King & Queen of the Ring semifinals
Date: May 20, 2024
Location: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
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Show Recap —
Iyo Sky was shown arriving in a BMW and was greeted by her Damage CTRL teammates. Lyra Valkyria, Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Jey Uso were shown arriving at the arena.
Sami Zayn entered to a good reaction. Zayn explained why he chose to defend his Intercontinental Championship in a triple threat match. He had different issues with Bronson Reed and Chad Gable and decided to deal with them at the same time.
Zayn’s issues with Gable were personal and Gable had an ass-kicking coming his way. His issues with Reed were all about the title. This match would be a battle of mind, body and soul. Gable represented the mind because he was manipulative and crafty. Reed’s strength and brute force represented the body.
Zayn represented the soul. His heart and passion were why he was the champion. That’s why he defeated the longest-reigning IC champion in history and why he would walk out as champ on Saturday.
Gable entered, flanked by Alpha Academy. He didn’t appreciate being called manipulative. He wasn’t manipulative when he helped coach Zayn to a win at WrestleMania. Gable was too nice to Zayn and too nice to the three clowns in Alpha Academy. He called Maxxine Dupri a failure for losing in QOTR and Akira Tozawa a failure for doing zero damage to Reed last week.
Gable moved on to Otis and the crowd chanted Otis’ name. Gable called him the biggest disappointment on the planet. Zayn asked Alpha Academy how much longer they were going to deal with Gable’s crap. Gable said Zayn couldn’t drive a wedge between them because they already rededicated themselves to him.
Gable was tired of hearing about Zayn’s heart and soul. Gable said he didn’t have to pin Zayn to win the title but he planned on doing so. Gable would take his title — and his soul. Zayn said the title match was in five days so he called Gable into the ring for their scheduled match.
Chad Gable (w/Alpha Academy) defeated Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn in a non-title match (16:07)
They went to break 90 seconds into the match after Zayn clotheslined Gable out of the ring. Tozawa and Otis helped him up but he shoved them aside.
After the break, Gable wanted Dupri and Tozawa to interfere but they both stopped short of doing so. Gable was pissed so he ejected them from ringside as if he were the referee. Zayn used the distraction to hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Gable rolled out of the ring in front of Otis as they went to another break.
The crowd chanted for Otis as Gable handed out German suplexes to Zayn. Zayn escaped and hit German suplexes and a Michinoku Driver for two. Zayn went for Helluva Kick but Gable picked his leg and applied an ankle lock until Zayn got a rope break.
Gable chucked Zayn out of the ring in front of Otis. Gable distracted the referee but Otis also stopped short of hitting Zayn. Gable berated Otis and slapped him in the face. Gable grabbed the title belt and tried using it as a weapon but Zayn ducked and hit an exploder in the corner.
The ref checked on Gable as Zayn set up for Helluva Kick when Otis suddenly clotheslined Zayn in the corner. Gable hit Zayn with a Chaos Theory suplex for the pinfall win.
— Gable posed in celebration and made sure to stand in front of Otis to block him from the camera. The crowd chanted, “You suck” to Gable’s music like they did for Kurt Angle. That’ll probably stick.
(A QR code flashed before the second commercial break and the announcers acknowledged it after the match.)
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There was an Iyo Sky video package. She spoke of her dominance and said everyone would have to bow down to her when she became Queen. She said Valkyria has flown too close to the sun. Lyra was in her domain because she was the genius of the sky.
There was a plug for WWE Speed.
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Jackie Redmond tried interviewing Gable but there was a commotion nearby and she left to find out what happened. The LWO found Cruz Del Toro laid out with an injury. Adam Pearce frantically called for medical.
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Bron Breakker defeated Kale Dixon via referee stoppage (1:40)
Bron turned his back to his opponent as the bell rang. He was annoyed he was left out of KOTR and seemingly annoyed that he had to wrestle this guy. Bron turned around and immediately speared him. Bron chucked him out of the ring, ran around ringside and hit another spear.
The referee checked on Dixon and called for the bell to stop the match. Bron was annoyed so he ran the ropes and viciously speared Dixon again.
Bron grabbed the steel steps but officials ran down to stop him. Dixon made the mistake of resting his head against the steps so Bron grabbed a chair and smashed it over Dixon’s head. Pearce was speechless. A stretcher was brought out for Dixon as Bron walked off.
This was great. The crowd seemed into Bron.
(Pat McAfee said Dixon was formerly on the Bachelorette and, in fact, he was.)
— After a break, Dixon was wheeled into an ambulance. Kiana James appeared to ask Pearce if he needed assistance but he politely declined.
Pearce saw Bron nearby and asked him what he was thinking. Bron said Pearce can’t control him. This was on Pearce because he didn’t put him in KOTR.
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There was a video package for Sky vs. Valkyria.
Becky Lynch approached Lyra in Gorilla. Lynch said she knew how good Lyra was and told her to go show everyone why the hard work was worth it.
Queen of the Ring semifinal: Lyra Valkyria defeated IYO SKY (19:17)
This was a first-time-ever match.
Like the opening match, this also went to break about 90 seconds in.
[SECOND HOUR]
Sky dominated Lyra for a while after the break until Lyra slapped her and hit an impressive-looking German suplex. Lyra followed with clotheslines, kicks, an enziguri, a flying crossbody and a fisherman’s suplex for two. Sky followed with a double knee strike for two.
The crowd (which had been very quiet to this point) buzzed as Lyra applied a pendulum swing. Sky kicked out of a cradle and applied a crossface. Lyra got out of it but Sky hit a springboard dropkick and Asai moonsault.
After a second break, they traded strikes until Sky hit a double foot stomp for two. Sky missed a Meteora and Lyra hit a tornado DDT. Lyra hit another version of a fisherman’s buster for two. Lyra blocked a moonsault attempt but Sky powerbombed her out of the corner.
Sky didn’t go for a cover and instead went for the moonsault but Lyra dodged it. Sky tried a sunset flip pin but Lyra sat down into a cover for pinfall and upset win.
This was a pretty good match. The crowd was quiet but they got into it towards the end. They gave it time which made Lyra’s win feel bigger.
— Redmond interviewed Lyra in the ring. Lyra admitted she did not see herself in this position three weeks ago when she got drafted. Lyra believed she could get it done and she was one Nightwing away from becoming Queen of the Ring.
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R-Truth was with New Catch Republic backstage. Truth was explaining to Pete Dunne how to do the Hokey Pokey. Truth turned his head and Dunne was about to kill him but Tyler Bate stopped him. Bate said they looked forward to facing them for the titles one day and they left.
Miz was worried they would be at a disadvantage against Judgment Day tonight especially if they had Carlito with them. Truth said he spoke to his good buddy Andre the Giant and he had their back tonight. Miz informed him that Andre died 30 years ago. Truth told Miz to trust him.
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Kyla Braxton interviewed Ilja Dragunov. Ilja said there was no shame in losing to Jey Uso. He was about to speak about Gunther but he was approached by Ricochet. Ricochet said it wasn’t over between them just because Ilja beat him.
Bron Breakker suddenly speared Ricochet into some equipment boxes. Bron stood over Ricochet as officials ran in to check on him.
After a break, Pearce watched as medical staff tended to Ricochet. Dragunov was still there, selling his arm. (Ricochet shoved him away when he saw Bron coming.)
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There was a video package for Jey Uso vs. Gunther.
Gunther cut a promo in the empty arena earlier today. He admitted he was wrong about Jey Uso who has become the hottest thing on Raw. Thousands of fans will chant his name tonight. Jey would fill them with hope and delusion.
Gunther was in the business of taking hope away and dragging people down to reality. It wasn’t about who was the more exciting act on the way to the ring, it was about who was the better wrestler in the ring. The fans would embrace Gunther when he beats Jey and goes on to become King of the Ring.
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Judgment Day was backstage with Carlito. Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh told Damian Priest they would bring the tag titles back to where they belonged.
Priest told Carlito the LWO would be pissed over what he did to Del Toro. Carlito knew they were coming after him so he decided to strike first. Now he was laying low until the heat died down.
Priest informed Carlito that they were not the APA and they were not his personal protection. Dominik Mysterio said Carlito came through for Bálor and McDonagh last week. Priest said he would need to keep earning his keep to stick around. McDonagh and Dom left.
Bálor told Priest that a part of him wished they were teaming tonight and said, “But I get it — you’re the champion.” They bumped fists.
After Bálor left, Carlito mentioned the New York Knicks being eliminated. Priest was annoyed and left.
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Sonya Deville approached Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. Baszler wasn’t exactly happy to see her. Deville introduced herself to Stark and had a proposition for them. Baszler blew her off and left with Stark.
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It’s been 25 minutes since the previous match ended.
R-Truth & The Miz defeated Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh (w/Dominik Mysterio) to retain the World Tag Team Championships (9:35)
A Dom distraction allowed Judgment Day to take control and they remained in control after a break. Truth made a hot tag and John Cena’s moves including an STF but McDonagh broke it up. Truth tossed McDonagh from the ring and Bálor applied a schoolboy for two followed by a slingblade. McDonagh tagged in but Truth and Miz each handed out five knuckle shuffles.
Carlito ran down but Miz quickly knocked him off the apron and wiped out Bálor with a dive. Truth gave McDonagh a flatliner but Carlito put McDonagh’s foot on the rope to stop the count.
Braun Strowman marched out to his music and he launched Carlito into the barricade.
Strowman chased McDonagh around ringside so McDonagh ran back into the ring and Truth caught him with an AA for the pinfall win. The crowd was happy.
This wasn’t exactly a good match but despite what Gunther said earlier, this wasn’t really about that.
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Lynch congratulated Lyra on her win. After Lynch left, Liv Morgan sarcastically congratulated Lyra on the win before giving her a cheap shot.
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Bronson Reed approached Sami Zayn. Reed told Zayn he shouldn’t be worried about Gable’s mind games. Reed called himself soulless. He would use his body as a weapon on Saturday and earn his biggest payday yet.
Otis approached Zayn next. Zayn said Otis cost him his match earlier. Zayn thought he was better than that. Zayn was pissed but Otis apologized. “I’m sorry, I really am.” Zayn believed him because he was a good guy.
Zayn said he’s been in Otis’ shoes before. The sooner Otis stopped listening to Gable and started listening to the fans, he’d be way better off. The crowd loudly chanted for Otis in the background.
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[THIRD HOUR]
Becky Lynch/Liv Morgan segment
Lynch entered. She noted that Morgan hasn’t beaten her before but we were now dealing with a much different Liv Morgan.
Morgan quickly interrupted. Morgan didn’t care about the other women on the roster and barely cared about Lynch. She only cared about completing her revenge tour.
Lynch said Morgan has finally figured out her purpose but Lynch couldn’t relate because she has known her purpose since she was 15 years old and first walked into a wrestling gym. She wanted equality and to change the game. To break through glass ceilings and main event WrestleManias.
Lynch’s purpose has remained the same. When she left this place, she wanted it to be better than how she found out. Lynch said Morgan’s purpose was revenge but wondered what she would do next once she got it.
Morgan mocked her comments about breaking barriers because Lynch was the most selfish person in the company. Lynch didn’t care about this place or the fans. The crowd chanted “What?” so Morgan said they couldn’t hear her because they had their heads shoved up Becky’s ass. Morgan said she would get her revenge and after ten long years, she would finally stand on top of the division as the champion.
Lynch said the fans knew Morgan was lying. You can’t fool the fans and they knew she would always put her body on the line for them. Lynch was ready for a fight and wanted Morgan to put her money where her mouth was.
Morgan teased getting in the ring but backed off. She would wait until Saturday and become the new champion.
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Priest was annoyed with Carlito and the rest of Judgment Day. Priest told McDonagh to go to Pearce and request a match against Strowman next week. Priest said he didn’t even recognize them (Judgment Day) anymore. Priest left. Bálor agreed with Priest. He was annoyed too and told McDonagh to talk to Pearce right now.
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Xavier Woods was given medical clearance and Kofi Kingston was pumped up. Kingston left because he wanted to speak with Pearce about getting them back in tag action.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett approached Woods. Kross was glad that Woods was cleared. He reminded Woods that there was always time to turn things around.
(Kross said this to Kingston last week, not Woods. So he wasn’t “reminding” Woods of anything.)
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Once again, more than 25 minutes have elapsed since the previous match.
Fatal 4-Way: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark defeated Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile, Katana Chance & Kayden Carter and Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane (9:11)
Another match that barely went 90 seconds before commercials. They traded spots until Dupri hit a reverse worm on Kai. Dupri applied an ankle lock and grapevined the leg but Sane hit an Insane elbow. Baszler put Sane in the Kirifuda Clutch as Stark superkicked Dupri (sort of). Stark elevated Dupri and Baszler knocked her out with a knee strike for the pinfall win.
Baszler and Stark earned a future tag title match.
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Braxton interviewed Ludwig Kaiser. She wondered if Gunther was overlooking Jey Uso. Kaiser said Gunther has repeatedly proven that he’s superior to everyone. Kaiser hoped Jey took the loss better than Sheamus — the guy who used to love to fight. Sheamus has become nothing but a keyboard warrior. Sheamus could stay home and protect his legacy or he could come back to be put down by Kaiser. Kaiser left.
Drew McIntyre approached Braxton. McIntyre thought it was funny that Pearce didn’t schedule one of his biggest stars tonight. McIntyre said Priest did not get one over on him last week. McIntyre got what he wanted and that was a world title match. Priest was spreading himself too thin just like Seth Rollins did. McIntyre planned on beating Priest “soon.”
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Otis approached Gable as he was speaking to the Creed Brothers. Gable told them to think about what he said.
Otis informed Gable that he apologized to Zayn. Gable was excited because he figured Otis was playing mind games with Zayn. Gable got really close to Otis’s face and wanted assurance that Otis was going to help him win. Otis was agreeable but Gable wanted to hear the words. Otis reluctantly said, “No matter what.” Gable was happy.
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Jey Uso cut a promo in the back. He said tonight was the night. He almost beat Gunther the last time they wrestled and he would finish the job tonight. Gunther would catch a Yeet-down and Jey would catch a crown.
The camera followed Jey as he made his way through the back and to the ring. (Both guys entered and they wanted to start the match after the break.)
King of the Ring semifinal: Gunther defeated Jey Uso (17:41)
Jey did his usual string of strikes as the crowd chanted “Yeet.” Jey hit a suicide dive but moments later, Gunther drove him into the ring post and the steel steps. Gunther targeted the arm, driving it into the ring post and the barricade.
Jey tried fighting back after a break but Gunther uppercutted his injured arm. Gunther went to the top but Jey went after him. Gunther applied a kimura as they stood on the ropes but Jey brought him down with a Samoan drop off the middle rope. Jey followed with a flying crossbody for two.
Gunther hit hard chops and Jey fought back but Gunther knocked him down with another chop. Jey nailed a forearm shot, using his left arm, followed by an enziguri. Gunther blocked a superkick and hit another chop but Jey came right back with a superkick for two. Jey hit another superkick followed by stomps in the corner.
Gunther shot out of the corner with a dropkick and hit a powerbomb for two. Gunther applied an arm lock but Jey fought out. Gunther chopped him in the back but Jey applied a cradle for two. Gunther booted Jey’s injured arm and hit a German suplex. Gunther hit a splash off the top for two, followed by a clothesline for two.
Gunther absolutely killed Jey with repeated chops in the corner. Gunther didn’t capitalize because he argued with the referee who backed him out of the corner. Jey then speared Gunther who inadvertently knocked down the referee. Jey hit an Uso Splash but Gunther kicked out because the referee took too long to count.
Jey sat up and Gunther immediately started clobbering him before locking his arm and applying a submission hold. Jey passed out and the referee called for the bell. Gunther advances to the final.
This was pretty good. Gunther has won all of his tournament matches with a submission hold.