Seth Rollins Challenges Rey Mysterio To A US Title Match, Attacks Him With The AOP, Mysterio Accepts
Photo Credit: Zach Spangler / 101 WKQX
This week on WWE Monday Night RAW, Ricochet, WWE 24/7 Champion R-Truth, Andrade, Matt Hardy, and Akira Tozawa faced off in a gauntlet match to determine a #1 contender for Rey Mysterio’s WWE United States Championship. Before the match, R-Truth said he used to be inspired by John Cena’s United States Championship open challenge. He vowed to take the WWE 24/7 Championship and the WWE United States Championship all the way to WWE WrestleMania.
All about that LASER FOCUS.#RAW #GauntletMatch @TozawaAkira pic.twitter.com/XkMS9hvE1N
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 17, 2019
R-Truth and Tozawa started the match. Tozawa sent R-Truth crashing into the ring post and hit a cannonball off the apron. A missile dropkick took R-Truth down again. Tozawa rolled up R-Truth to eliminate him. Ricochet entered the match but Tozawa maintained his momentum. A mid-air dropkick allowed Ricochet to take control. Ricochet rocked Tozawa with a kick to the head but a German suplex earned Tozawa a two count. Tozawa almost rolled up Ricochet for the three count. But a Recoil eliminated Tozawa from the match. Matt Hardy entered the match next. Hardy gained control early on and sent Ricochet tumbling into the corner.
This is the biggest match of @TozawaAkira's career, and he KNOWS it! #RAW pic.twitter.com/EqHRwpsrod
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 17, 2019
Hardy grounded Ricochet and slowed the pace of the match. A powerbomb earned Hardy a near fall. But Ricochet rallied until Hardy caught up with a Side Effect out of nowhere. Ricochet dodged a moonsault and hit a standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. Ricochet countered a Twist of Fate into a roll-up to eliminate Hardy.
MARVEL at the VESSEL of the DELIGHTFUL @MATTHARDYBRAND… #RAW #GauntletMatch pic.twitter.com/sdL6vRsa9G
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 17, 2019
Humberto Carrillo entered next. Ricochet quickly rolled up Carrillo for a two count. Both men showcased their fast-paced offensive styles and Carrillo took Ricochet down with a dive to the outside. Carrillo grounded Ricochet and targeted his arm. Carrillo kicked Ricochet’s arm out from under him during a back handspring. Ricochet fought back and gained momentum. Zelina Vega came to the stage to watch the match. Carrillo and Ricochet continued to throw everything they had at each other.
ENDURANCE ENDURANCE ENDURANCE!@KingRicochet looks to take down @humberto_wwe in the #GauntletMatch on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/Bs0OqClhqM
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2019
Ricochet dodged a moonsault and traded stiff kicks with Carrillo. A crossbody sent both men tumbling over the top rope. A superplex by Ricochet planted both men in the middle of the ring. They traded blows again and Ricochet got another near fall after a suplex. A final flurry of offense and a moonsault from the top eliminated Ricochet. Andrade, the final entrant, attacked Carrillo from behind. Looking to avenge his loss to Carrillo at WWE TLC, Andrade aggressively took the fight to him. Andrade hit the Hammerlock DDT on exposed concrete. Mysterio ran to the ring and Andrade walked away.
.@AndradeCienWWE just crossed the line. #RAW #GauntletMatch pic.twitter.com/CN203QzypW
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2019
Carrillo was taken out of the arena on a stretcher. Then, Seth Rollins and the Authors of Pain confronted Mysterio. The Authors of Pain attacked Mysterio and Rollins placed Mysterio’s metal pipe on the mat next to him while the attack continued. Rollins told Mysterio things didn’t have to be this way. But the Architect said he’s a merciful leader; he said, “You owe me one, Rey” before he hit Mysterio with a Curb Stomp.
He's not just #TheArchitect, but @WWERollins is also highly skilled at MIND GAMES! @reymysterio felt the pain on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/964iW5SSZq
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2019
Then, in a backstage interview, Rollins challenged Mysterio for the WWE United States Championship. Later in the show, Mysterio condemned Andrade’s actions and said Rollins continues to prove why no one respects him. Mysterio then accepted Rollins’ challenge.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.@reymysterio and @WWERollins will do battle for the first time EVER next week on #RAW…for the #USTitle! pic.twitter.com/7KFiSuY00e
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2019
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