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Two of the best wrestlers in the world went head-to-head on Monday, with Gunther facing off against AJ Styles. In the end, Styles had to settle for a moral victory as it was Gunther who had his hand raised after the main event.
Styles was looking to punish Gunther for disrespecting John Cena after Gunther forced Cena to tap out in his retirement match. Styles vowed to force Gunther to tap and to teach him some respect. Unfortunately for Styles, while he did force Gunther to tap, the referee was not in position to see it, allowing Gunther to fight on, where he used a low blow to score the win.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Dusseldorf, Germany.
Gunther taps to AJ Styles, wins anyway
AJ Styles was interviewed early in the show and said that he has learned that the business is built on respect. Even though he and John Cena were never really in line with each other, they did bond over respect. Styles then said that he would teach Gunther respect and would even force "The Ring General" to tap out.
Gunther def. AJ Styles via pinfall with a powerbomb. Styles made good on his promise to make Gunther tap out, though the referee did not see Gunther tap to a Styles Calf Killer. After the referee said the match would continue, Gunther hit a low blow to set up the match-winning powerbomb.
I think it's fair to say that we are in for at least one more match between Gunther and Styles, which is a great thing given both men rank among the best workers in the world. This was a solid way to get to a rematch, since the world saw Gunther tap, even if the referee didn't. Gunther declared himself the greatest after his win, but will be showered with "You tapped out" chants the next time he shows his face in an arena, which should drive him to accept a rematch. Grade: B+
What else happened on WWE Raw?
- The top women's tag teams brawled after Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley celebrated their tag title win on last week's Raw. The champs were interrupted by Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, who were then interrupted by Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, before The Kabuki Warriors showed up.
- Je'Von Evans def. Bravo Americano via pinfall with the O.G. Cutter. After the match, El Grande Americano attacked Evans, but Evans was able to escape into the crowd.
- CM Punk accepted Finn Balor's challenge. While addressing his win over Breakker, Punk said his intention is to be champion forever. Balor came to the ring and said that when Punk won the title, he listed Balor as one of the men he wanted to defend against. Punk accepted the challenge, though he wondered if he would be facing Balor or Balor and Judgment Day. Punk then said he'd go backstage and put on his tights, but Balor said he didn't want the match tonight, he wants it next Monday in Belfast.
- Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez def. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria and The Kabuki Warriors via pinfall after Morgan hit Kairi Sane with Oblivon. With the win, Morgan and Perez became the No. 1 contender for the women's tag team titles.
- Becky Lynch cut a promo vowing to defeat Maxxine Dupri again next week. Speaking later in the show, Dupri said she was disappointed after losing to women's intercontinental championship, but would break Lynch's ankle in an ankle lock next Monday.
- Raquel Rodriguez attacked Stephanie Vaquer. Vaquer interrupted a Rodriguez interview in which Rodriguez said she would continue coming for the champion until she got her one-on-one. After Vaquer interrupted, still wearing a walking boot, Rodriguez hit her with a lariat.
- Penta & Dragon Lee def. Austin Theory & Bronson Reed via disqualification after Bron Breakker speared Lee during the match. Earlier in the night, Adam Pearce warned Paul Heyman that Breakker needed to go home if he had "bad intentions." Pearce yelled at Breakker after the match and ejected the entirety of The Vision from the arena after Breakker put his hands on the general manager. Before the group left, Pearce said that Breakker was suspended indefinitely.
