00:00to take one step closer to the finals tonight.
00:03Could he be the next number one contender
00:06for Roman Reigns World Heavyweight Championship
00:09when Raw arrives in Ray Phoenix's hometown
00:12of Mexico City, September 14th.
00:15Also an interesting side note here,
00:17if Phoenix and Penta both advance,
00:20that means brothers with a one-on-one
00:22for an opportunity to headline in Mexico City.
00:25I can promise you this,
00:26no one is more excited about that potentially happening
00:29than Ray Phoenix and Penta themselves.
00:32Two proud warriors.
00:51And he's a perfect
00:53from the brother of Mexico and Maripo
00:57quake in at $160.5.
01:03Wrecking Lee!
01:09¶¶
01:11¶¶
01:11¶¶
01:12¶¶
01:20¶¶
01:21A SmackDown and Triple-A are battling it out in a tournament to determine who will face
01:26Roman Reigns three weeks from tonight.
01:29Mexico City, Monday Night Raw, for the World Heavyweight Championship.
01:33This is the first of two semifinals tonight.
01:35That man, Dragon Lee, who defeated Dr. Ragnar 3 last week, could take on the Triple-A Cruiserweight
01:41champion, Rey Fenix, who defeated El Cistar last week here on Monday Night Raw.
01:48And Rey Fenix, Corey, has a busy week.
01:51Tomorrow night on NXT, he'll defend a Cruiserweight title against E.K.
01:56Crossburn in.
01:56He's in a big six-man as part of Triple-A this weekend.
01:59Yet this coming Sunday, Rey Fenix will actually join forces with Dragon Lee and his brother
02:03Penta to battle with Federalist Del Mall at Olavente Colour in Edinburgh, Texas, to kick off Sunday.
02:10They're part of the big doubleheader with NXT Heat Wave this Sunday.
02:13So it's Phoenix and Dragon Lee. Fasten your seatbelts.
02:17This is going to be a high-speed clash.
02:20So, Ottawa, Ontario, you have been cleared for takeoff.
02:24Dragon Lee, the man who is the embodiment of Lucha's spirit.
02:29You saw Rey Mysterio earlier on.
02:31Rey, at one point, of course, the Hall of Famer, the general manager of Triple-A.
02:35He dubbed Dragon Lee the future of Lucha Libre.
02:38It was Rey Mysterio who dubbed Dragon Lee the future of Lucha Libre.
02:41And at the beginning of the entrance music for Rey Fenix, you hear the word Animo,
02:45which roughly translates to the spirit, the fighting spirit in Lucha Libre,
02:49which Rey Fenix fancies himself the embodiment of.
02:52It's going to be a fast-paced matchup, as we mentioned.
02:55And if you're Dragon Lee, how do you knock off the Cruiserweight champ tonight?
02:57That's a great question because Rey Fenix has looked downright untouchable
03:01since capturing the Cruiserweight Championship back at Noche de los Grandes.
03:04He's already had seven successful defenses of his Cruiserweight crown.
03:09He'll make the start.
03:11Phoenix, of course, part of Friday Night SmackDown.
03:14Dragon Lee, part of Monday Night Raw.
03:16Ironically, this is the 15th time in their careers that Phoenix and Dragon Lee have shared the ring,
03:22but actually the first time they've ever competed one-on-one.
03:24That's an interesting fact.
03:25I looked at some research today.
03:27I thought for sure they had met one-on-one at some point.
03:30Oh!
03:34Oh, what a kick to the big section by Dragon Lee.
03:39I guess the more I think about it, if I'm Dragon Lee or Rey Fenix,
03:42basically what you can, all you can hope for in a situation like this
03:44is waiting for your opponent to make a miscalculation.
03:47They're few and far between wrecking ball dropkick by Lee.
03:52That's going to be your best bet to gain and maintain an upper hand,
03:55a mistake by the opposition.
03:57Phoenix in the corner.
03:58Here comes Dragon.
03:59Oh!
03:59With a dropkick and a cover on Phoenix to advance to the finals next week on Monday Night Raw.
04:06The winner will take on the winner of the match later tonight.
04:08Penta versus La Parca.
04:11Let's take another look at the impact.
04:13First, the height.
04:14Full extension on both legs from Dragon Lee.
04:17And what a kick by Rey Fenix.
04:21Goodbye, Amigo!
04:22Bang!
04:23The Goodbye, Amigo kick by Phoenix.
04:26Now on the top rope.
04:27Dragon Lee trying to make his way back to his feet.
04:30Phoenix is going to fly.
04:31What a crossbody.
04:33Lateral press.
04:34Hook of the leg.
04:35Lee kicks out at two.
04:40Take another look at Dragon Lee with the flying crossbody driving all the wind out of Dragon.
04:47Oh, and a good bye, Amigo on the apron.
04:51Phoenix is rolling here, Corey.
04:54That's what we've come to expect from the AAA World Cruiserweight Champion.
04:58Craig Ford moonsault takes lead in.
05:02This is exactly what these two luchadors had to expect from one another.
05:08Dragon Lee being rolled back inside.
05:10Here comes Phoenix.
05:12Oh, wow!
05:13A German suplex release by Dragon Lee.
05:16Kicked out of the face.
05:17And just that quickly, Dragon Lee can turn the tides of the matchup back into his own favor.
05:25Up over the top of the tope con helo.
05:28Dragon Lee in control.
05:31Who's going to advance to the finals of the tournament?
05:46Dragon Lee, we've talked about this week after week, Corey.
05:49How impressed we've become with the maturation of this young man.
05:53No doubt about it.
05:55If you needed any further proof, that Rey Mysterio, AAA and WWE Hall of Famer,
06:00knows what he's talking about.
06:02Look no further.
06:06Dragon Lee heading up to the top rope.
06:11And Corey Phoenix caught him with a kick.
06:14Lee took a bit too much time.
06:15Collapses into the cover.
06:17Lee's got to get the shoulder up at two.
06:18And in my assessment, it was returning to his roots,
06:21heading back to AAA, where Dragon Lee really found himself yet again.
06:25He reconnected with his lucha roots,
06:27and it served him extremely well here on Monday Night Live.
06:29And we've also talked about, remember the series of matches he has with Dental in a number of months,
06:33back that really turned on the aggressiveness in Dragon Lee.
06:37Kicked it into another gear, which he needs to do tonight.
06:42Will that next gear be enough to take him to the finals of his number one contendership tournament?
06:47Phoenix up over the top.
06:49And a stop to the chest by Lee.
06:52Cover inside leg and both legs now hooked and a kick out of two and here fall.
07:00The official Daryl Sharma in this matchup, checking on both men.
07:05Dragon Lee doing his best to rally the WWE Universe behind him.
07:09And think about what's at stake here for an opportunity to headline Raw in Mexico City
07:14against Roman Reigns, the world heavyweight champion.
07:18The importance of the opportunity cannot be overstated.
07:21I assure you, in the AAA locker room, that's all anyone is buzzing about.
07:25Because it's an opportunity not only for AAA, not only for the greatest luchadores in the game,
07:29but for Mexican culture and what lucha libre means.
07:32It is really, really the opportunity of a lifetime for all these luchadores.
07:37A history will be made three weeks from tonight in Mexico City.
07:42Oh!
07:42Great counter!
07:44Whoa!
07:44That great arm drag into the leg drop by Phoenix.
07:48Hook to the leg!
07:48Lee's got a kick out again.
07:51As important as the opportunity is, imagine if you're Ray Phoenix,
07:55or if you're Penta, both born and raised in Mexico City,
07:58to have the opportunity to challenge the Tribal Chief in your hometown.
08:03That's what dreams are made of.
08:04That's what you hope for when you enter this business.
08:06What an electric night that's going to be.
08:08What an electric week.
08:09Whoa!
08:09It all starts with SmackDown.
08:11AAA will be there.
08:12And, of course, Monday Night Raw.
08:16Critical moment in this match.
08:18Both men down.
08:25And again, the winner will face the winner of Penta La Parca
08:28later on tonight in the finals next week.
08:40Corey, we expected this matchup to be even, and it has been.
08:43Ray Phoenix, Dragon Lee, semifinals of the World Heavyweight Championship
08:47number one contenders tournament.
08:48A true seesaw battle to this juncture between two of the world's premier luchadors.
08:53Unfortunately, only one will advance to the final.
09:00Phoenix now.
09:01Dragon Lee up top, able to slip behind.
09:04Kick by Lee.
09:05Stops Phoenix in his tracks.
09:06Now to the midsection.
09:07High octane offense from Lee.
09:12Dragon Lee looking to push the pace here.
09:15Load over.
09:18Wow!
09:19Sit-out powerbomb!
09:20Is it enough?
09:21And a kick out by Phoenix.
09:23Tremendous strength there.
09:24The strength from Dragon Lee.
09:26Tremendous resilience from Ray Phoenix to be able to withstand and survive.
09:30The sit-out powerbomb executed to perfection.
09:34And again, Corey, we touched on this a few moments ago, but the importance of this tournament
09:38to luchadors around the world.
09:40The opportunity to face Roman Reigns three weeks from tonight for the World Heavyweight
09:45title.
09:45An historic night in Mexico City.
09:47It's what dreams are made of for you.
09:50For aspiring superstars.
09:52Some would say dreams so big it doesn't seem realistic.
09:55It is reality for someone.
09:57Will it be Phoenix or Dragon Lee who takes the next step?
10:00Phoenix floating through the ropes.
10:01Now up top rope.
10:03Dragon Lee's down.
10:05Cover down by Phoenix.
10:06And a kick out.
10:09You can see the urgency from Ray Phoenix.
10:11Go!
10:13Cover stacks him up.
10:15Dragon Lee kicks out at two.
10:17What a match.
10:19You can see it in the movements from Ray Phoenix.
10:22The urgency being felt by both luchadors to end this one as soon as possible.
10:29And again, the winner of this match takes on the winner of the match later on tonight.
10:35La Parca versus Penta.
10:37The two winners clash next week on Monday Night Raw to determine who faces Roman Reigns for
10:43the world title.
10:45And of course being September 14th.
10:48Live from Mexico City.
10:50Arena CD.
10:51And again, this is unprecedented.
10:53What's at stake here?
10:57Big kick with a turnbuckle.
11:00Blasting Phoenix between the eyes.
11:02Dragon Lee now making the climb to the top.
11:03Here comes the Cruiserweight champion.
11:05For the second time, Corey.
11:07Dragon Lee has glanced out to the WWE fans here.
11:11And Phoenix again took advantage.
11:15You've got to stay completely focused against Phoenix.
11:19You're absolutely right about that.
11:20Look at this power display from Dragon.
11:24A dangerous situation here for both these men.
11:29Fire!
11:30Fire!
11:31Yelled by Dragon Lee right to the chest!
11:34Is it enough to advance to the finals?
11:38Ray Phoenix kicks out at two!
11:44Take another look as Dragon Lee launches himself into the sky before driving both heels right
11:52into the sternum of Ray Phoenix.
11:55But not enough to keep the world Cruiserweight champion down for three.
12:00Phoenix counters, rolls him up, both shoulders down.
12:02Is it an up kick out by Lee?
12:05What a wild shot!
12:11Oh, and a kick drives Phoenix to the floor.
12:14And now Ray Phoenix on our announce table.
12:17Get the hell out of the way, Graves.
12:19Dragon Lee bounced off the announce desk.
12:27Ray Phoenix, the triple-A world Cruiserweight champion.
12:30Oh, and got caught!
12:32And it was May 1st off the announce table.
12:39Uh-oh.
12:41Dragon Lee looking to scorch the earth here.
12:44Look out below!
12:45Spread his wings!
12:46Fly!
12:47With fire!
12:48A cannonball!
12:50Through the second rope!
12:51Taking Phoenix out!
12:52Oh, I don't know how that didn't break Phoenix clean in half!
12:59My God!
13:01Dragon Lee literally launched himself, Graves, like a cannonball when he came through the second rope!
13:08And what a nasty landing for the Cruiserweight champion.
13:12Spine first on the cowl of our announce desk, crashing to the floor.
13:15This is what the opportunity at stake means to both of these men.
13:21Can Dragon Lee finish the job?
13:24Tornado DDT!
13:26Phoenix is playing it!
13:27Lee could be headed to the finals!
13:29Phoenix somehow stays in it!
13:33The action has been absolutely unreal since the opening belt.
13:38And there's nothing we can say to enhance what we just saw.
13:41Dragon Lee launching himself like a weapon to the outside, following up with a Tornado DDT.
13:49The kudo to Ray Phoenix, who would not stay down.
13:55Dragon Lee trying to figure out what he needs to do to put Phoenix away.
13:59Dragon wanted Operation Dragon.
14:01Phoenix!
14:02He'll ask him!
14:03Brain buster!
14:07Dragon Lee staggered in the corner.
14:09The double knees to the face.
14:14Phoenix putting Lee in position.
14:17This could be it for Ray Phoenix.
14:21Oh no!
14:21Dragon Lee counters!
14:23Walk through!
14:24Lee!
14:26Dragon Lee having to hang on!
14:28Final homage to his former tag team partner!
14:31The styles clash!
14:32Phenomenal!
14:33Dragon Lee!
14:35Phoenix kicks out!
14:36How the hell did Phoenix kick out?
14:38It's what this tournament means, Cole, to every luchador in the world, on the roster, to Mexican fans all over
14:47the universe!
14:49The chance to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight title!
14:53That's what this is all about!
14:55Dragon Lee with Phoenix in his sights!
15:00Phoenix rolls through!
15:01Oh, wow!
15:02That's gotta be it!
15:04RKO-like move by Phoenix!
15:07And a kick out by Lee!
15:10Incredible!
15:16The passion in this one on a whole different level.
15:20Phoenix trying to summon the whale to finish the job.
15:25Dragon Lee stops him in his tracks!
15:28Back and forth we go!
15:30Step up in Zigguri!
15:33Kick to the face!
15:36And now Phoenix again!
15:38Looking to put Dragon Lee away!
15:42Mexican Muscle Buster cover for the win!
15:46And Phoenix wins an instant classic!
15:50Here is your winner!
15:52The 2-0 World Heavyweight Champion!
15:59Ray Beatton!
16:01Wow!
16:02We expected fireworks!
16:04These luchadors delivered that and then some!
16:08Here we see both luchadors emptying their arsenals!
16:12Digging deep into their bags of chips!
16:14Trying to solve one another!
16:16The styles class from Dragon Lee still couldn't finish the job!
16:22This was the tide turning!
16:23This rolling cutter from the Cruiserweight Champion!
16:27That almost put Dragon Lee away!
16:30And it finally took the Mexican Muscle Buster!
16:35Old faithful from Ray Phoenix!
16:38To topple a very game, very ready!
16:42Dragon Lee tonight!
16:43Ray Phoenix advances to the finals next week on Monday Night Raw!
16:49Who will join him?
16:50Will it be his brother Petra?
16:52Or will it be La Polka?
16:54We find out later on tonight!
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