WWE Monday Night RAW Results
September 8, 2014
Baltimore, Maryland
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
The steel cage is lowering to the ring as Michael Cole welcomes us to the season premiere of Monday Night RAW. Tonight, we’ll see Jerry Springer talk with the Bella Twins. We’ll also see a SummerSlam rematch with Roman Reigns taking on Randy Orton. Finally, Paul Heyman has a warning for John Cena from his client, Brock Lesnar.
“Baltimore… we’re here.”
Steel Cage Match
Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt
Charles Robinson, my favorite referee, is officiating the first match of the season premiere of RAW. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan are at ringside. Wyatt whispers some instructions to them before slowly climbing into the ring. The bell rings, and they circle the ring. A “Y2J” chant breaks out. They lock up, and Wyatt shoves him to the corner. Jericho quickly comes out with some punches and a chop. Wyatt comes back with a side headlock, but Jericho whips him off. Wyatt quickly floors him with a shoulder block before taunting the fans. Wyatt hits the ropes, and Jericho pops up to dropkick him down. Jericho kicks him in the face before stomping his chest. Jericho then hits a guillotine catapult into the bottom rope. Jericho acknowledges the fans before Wyatt shoves him away and tries to quickly escape through the door. Jericho pulls him back and chops him a few times. Wyatt punches him to the corner before hitting some clubs. A “Let’s go Wyatt/Y2J” chant breaks out. Wyatt sends Jericho into the opposite corner, but Jericho slingshots over him and hits a step-up enzuigiri for a one count. Jericho slaps him in the head, and Wyatt responds with some rough right hands. Wyatt head-butts him to the corner and hits a throat thrust. Wyatt then chokes him on the second rope. Wyatt sends him to the corner and hits an avalanche. The fans are booing Wyatt as he looks at them. Jericho punches him, but Wyatt cuts him off and sends him to the corner. Jericho quickly scales the turnbuckle and begins to climb out. Wyatt grabs him, but Jericho kicks him away and climbs higher. Wyatt brings him back down to the top rope, but Jericho kicks him away and hits a jumping axe handle. Jericho goes to hit a running forearm, but Wyatt uses his momentum to send him into the wall of the cage. Wyatt then splashes him against the wall of the cage!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Wyatt violently take Jericho down with a flying forearm for a near fall. Wyatt begins to climb up the turnbuckle and leave the ring, but Jericho grabs him. Jericho sits him on his shoulders and hits an electric chair drop! Jericho uses the ropes to pull himself up. Wyatt gets to his feet, and they trade punches. Jericho chops him before having a whip into the ropes reversed. Wyatt lowers his head and eats a kick. Jericho then chops him some more before hitting a running forearm. Jericho hits a face-buster before hitting the Lionsault. Jericho then goes to apply the Walls of Jericho, but Wyatt twists him off. Jericho quickly gets to his feet and throws Wyatt into the wall of the cage. Jericho slams Wyatt’s head off the cage a few times before hitting a springboard dropkick into the wall! Jericho climbs to the top of the cage before Wyatt finally cuts him off. Wyatt pulls him down to the top rope. Both men stand on the top rope trading punches. Wyatt hits some shoulder thrusts before connecting with a superplex! Jericho is bleeding from the bridge of the nose.
Wyatt does a crab walk toward the open door of the cage. Jericho then pulls on his legs and punches away at him. Jericho tries to turn him for the Walls of Jericho, but Wyatt kicks him into the cage. Wyatt then slams him down with one arm for a near fall. Wyatt screams in frustration as he grabs Jericho by the head. Wyatt punches him down before yelling at the crowd. Wyatt catapults him into the corner, but Jericho uses that to scale to the top of the cage. Wyatt quickly pulls him down. Jericho punches back at him, and Wyatt is seated on the top rope. Jericho punches away at him before hitting a Frankensteiner!
Jericho climbs to the top rope and goes to leave the ring, but Harper and Rowan begin banging on the cage! Jericho stands on the top of the cage and considers his options. Jericho then leaps off the top of the cage with a cross-body block! Jericho immediately grabs at his knee, and the referee checks on him. Jericho takes off his kneepad to alleviate some pressure on the knee. Jericho begins to limp toward the door. Wyatt tries to avalanche him into the wall of the cage, but Jericho ducks. Jericho begins to crawl out of the cage, but Wyatt grabs him. They begin to struggle to get out of the cage. Wyatt spends a lot of time punching Jericho’s injured knee. Finally, Jericho shoves Wyatt off, but in doing so causes Wyatt to fall out of the cage and pick up the win.
Winner by Escaping the Cage: Bray Wyatt
Match Rating: *** 1/2
Wyatt smiles on the ringside mats before slamming the door into Jericho’s knee. Wyatt slams his head off the steel steps before throwing him back into the ring. Harper and Rowan hold the door closed as Wyatt stalks Jericho. Wyatt then hits Sister Abigail before kneeling and saying, “Follow the buzzards!”
Paul Heyman will deliver a warning to John Cena later tonight. We’ll also see Jerry Springer have an intervention for the Bella Twins. Then we’ll see Randy Orton take on Roman Reigns in a SummerSlam rematch.
Kane is talking to Seth Rollins about how this is an awesome way to start the season premiere of Monday Night RAW. Triple H says this is the season premiere of RAW, so that means they have to put on something that no one will forget. Randy Orton walks up and asks how unforgettable he wants the premiere to be. There’s only one man who is in the main event. It’s not the guy in the corporate suit or the corporate sellout. Orton says, with Triple H’s permission, that he wants to do something to Roman Reigns that will make what Rollins did to Ambrose look like Sunday school. Triple H gives him his permission. Orton thanks him and walks off.
-Commercial Break-
Dolph Ziggler shows some leaked photos of The Miz
The WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler is in the ring when we come back from the commercial. Ziggler is in a suit. He will face The Miz with the title on the line at Night of Champions. Ziggler says last week was a very controversial week in Hollywood. Several celebrities had their devices hacked via the cloud and a lot of sensitive pictures were leaked online. No one, even D-listers, deserve to be disrespected like that… except for one. Ziggler is talking about The Miz. Ziggler isn’t admitting to hacking his account, but he has some sensitive photos of The Miz. Ziggler is going to share them now.
The first photo is of Miz in underwear wearing a shower cap and some facial cream. The next photo is Miz provocatively looking into the mirror while shaving his chest. Ziggler thought he was a waxer, but it’s painful enough looking in the mirror. Ziggler says he has one more that will take the cake.
The Miz’s music hits, and he storms out to the stage with Damien Sandow, his stunt double. Miz says this is an outrageous invasion of his privacy. Ziggler is invading the sanctity of his home. Those photos were for medical purposes only, but that’s beside the point. Miz says his people will sue Ziggler, the people in the building, and everyone in the world if they try to republish those photos. Miz gets on the apron and says he promises Ziggler that if he takes this any further, he will make sure he never works in this town again. Ziggler says he might as well get his money’s worth then. A censored photo of a naked Miz is shown with Sandow giving him a spray tan!
Ziggler laughs at him as Sandow charges the ring. Ziggler dropkicks him down and goes to punch The Miz, but he gets off the apron. Ziggler dares him to get in the ring. Ziggler hits Sandow with the Zig-Zag as Miz looks on. Miz backs away as Ziggler waves the Intercontinental Championship in his face. Miz looks like he’s going to cry.
Randy Orton will face Roman Reigns in the main event of the evening. We’ll also see Jerry Springer hold an intervention for The Bella Twins later tonight. They then show a tweet from Pete Rose wishing Springer luck.
-Commercial Break-
Natalya and Rosa Mendes vs. AJ Lee and Paige
Paige will defend her WWE Divas Championship at Night of Champions in a triple threat match also involving Nikki Bella and AJ Lee.
Paige volunteers to start the match against Natalya. The ridiculous “CM Punk” chant starts. They lock up, and Natalya takes her down with a headlock. Paige applies a head-scissor, but Natalya kips up. Paige wrenches her arm before Natalya twists out of it. Natalya powers her to the corner and tags in Rosa. They hit a double-team suplex for a one count. Paige slaps Rosa in the face before head-butting her. Paige crawls on Rosa before head-butting her a few times. Paige slaps her in the back of the neck before taunting AJ. Paige refuses to tag AJ in. Paige hits a body slam before missing a leg drop and screaming, “Ow!” Rosa refuses to tag Natalya, and Paige kicks her. Paige puts Rosa through the ropes and knees away at her. AJ grabs her by the hair and slaps her chest to tag in. AJ then applies the Black Widow for the win.
Winners by Submission: AJ Lee and Paige
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Paige asks what is wrong with AJ because she had that match. AJ rips the Divas Championship out of her hands and slowly kisses it. Paige grabs it back and seductively kisses it. AJ then skips away as Paige wonders why she can’t get into AJ’s head.
Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler thank everyone for joining them for the season premiere of Monday Night RAW.
Replays are shown of the end of the cage match between Chris Jericho and Bray Wyatt. Jericho injured his knee on a daring dive from the top of the cage. Wyatt then attacked it after the match.
Chris Jericho is in the trainer’s room getting his knee treated. The trainer says it might be a torn meniscus. Randy Orton then attacks him from behind, throwing him into a table before sending him into a crate. Jericho clutches his knee in pain as Orton calls attention to the fact that Jericho said he had everything handed to him last week. Orton laughs before saying it’s the season premiere.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of what Randy Orton just did to Chris Jericho in the trainer’s room.
Paul Heyman delivers a warning to John Cena
Paul Heyman is in the center of the ring. Heyman says, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman, and yea though I walk through the valley of the Cenation, I fear no thuganomics for I am the advocate for The Beast, The Conqueror, the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World, Brock Lesnar!” Heyman says his client has authorized him to disseminate some confidential information. He wants to deliver this warning as if he were up in the face of their hero, John Cena.
John Cena’s music hits, and Heyman looks furious as he looks toward the stage. Cena gets in the ring, and the crowd gives him his customary greeting of a mix of cheers and boos. Cena says he didn’t want to stretch everyone’s imagination. If Heyman wants to say something to his face, here he is. Heyman says this is why he always told Lesnar that up until SummerSlam Cena was the greatest WWE Champion of all time. It takes a special kind of man to be confronted by the truth that’s told by the greatest advocate in the history of WWE in front of all these people and a worldwide television audience. Heyman speaks candidly as Lesnar felt Cena would come out to the ring. If that were to be the case, which it is, Lesnar authorized him to drop the warning and give him some inside information. Heyman says this is Cena’s lucky night because he’s been authorized to tell him how to beat Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions.
Heyman smiles as Cena tells him to save his breath. Cena says he knows how to beat Lesnar at Night of Champions. There are three simple words for it. Lesnar beat The Undertaker at WrestleMania, and we haven’t heard a peep from him in six months. Lesnar defeats him at SummerSlam, and a week later, he says they should do it again. At Night of Champions, his strategy is simple – Never give up. Cena says this is his playbook, and he doubts Lesnar can read it. Cena gives Heyman one of his towels and goes to walk off.
Heyman laughs as he says Cena can’t help being himself. With all due respect to Cena, that is his biggest problem – he lives to be John Cena. He lives for the kid that waits and waits for the opportunity to come to a live event to chant at the top of their lungs, “Let’s go Cena!” When Brock Lesnar steps into the ring, Lesnar doesn’t hear anybody but three people: the referee, who has the power to disqualify him, Paul Heyman, who strategizes his greatest victory, and the suffering of his victims, like Cena was victimized at SummerSlam. Heyman is here to give him a gift, and it isn’t even Hanukah. He’ll tell him how to beat Lesnar. Cena has to give into temptation. Cena has heard the people say, “Cena sucks,” after years of busting his back for them. Heyman repeats it over an over again until Cena looks agitated. Heyman says it gets to Cena. It’s one thing when a man of his stature says, “Cena sucks.” You have to respect him. What happens when they say it? What happens when the big, fat, ugly, unemployed guy in the sixth row says it? Doesn’t Cena want to tap into the hatred and resentment in his soul, turn to that guy, and scream, “Shut up”? Heyman says they’ll do it together. They’ll say, “Cena sucks,” and they’ll say, “Shut up!” Heyman tells Cena to put them in his place.
Heyman goes to the ring apron and imitates Cena doing one of his old raps. “Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, you scream ‘Cena sucks’ like sixth row is your safe haven; you’re getting punked out in your hometown like the Baltimore Ravens!” Heyman gets on his knees and begs Cena to give in. Cena doesn’t need to sell his soul to the Devil. The Devil sold his soul to him a long time ago. Cena needs to understand that he needs to lose the wristbands, the t-shirt, and forget the concept of “Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect.” When Cena gives into the hatred, then he can be the one who beat the one in twenty-one and one. Either that, or Cena can be just one of many victims that fell at the hands of The Conqueror, Brock Lesnar. Heyman says his client doesn’t mind him telling Cena that because Heyman believes in Cena. His client, Brock Lesnar, says Cena doesn’t have it in him.
Cena charges to the apron and looks out into the fans. The crowd buzzes with anticipation before he gets back into the ring. A “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks,” chant kicks in. Cena looks like he’s struggling within himself. Heyman is staring intently at him. Cena then says, “Shut up, Paul Heyman!” Cena says he sees what Heyman is trying to do. Brock Lesnar wants to end him, as does Heyman. The way Heyman wants to do it is have him turn his back on every single person who ever believed in him. Cena refuses to do it. In Heyman’s world, that’s easy. For what – to pop Heyman or the guys in the second row? Then they run back to the Internet and will tell him how much he still sucks. Heyman lives in a world that is, “Eat. Sleep. Conquer. Repeat.” If Heyman could get ahead by stabbing Lesnar in the back, he would do it and ask for seconds.
Heyman is talking about something he knows nothing about, which is living a life of purpose and a sense of being. In his world, the rules are, “Eat. Sleep. Be John Cena. Repeat.” That’s who he is because he was born to be that, loves to be like that, and wouldn’t change if he could. Some don’t see the forest through the trees. He likes being that guy that gets the kids to do their homework early so they can come to RAW with his dad. That same dad says he sucks, but he appreciates him doing what is right for his kid. He also loves being that guy who is given one final wish to hang out with him for a day. Cena says he is damn proud to be the guy who gets to meet combat veterans. Because of what he does, on a random Friday night, he meets guys like that. Those are his heroes, and they tell him that he’s their hero. That’s why all he knows is “Eat. Sleep. Be John Cena.” Then in walks an advocate like Heyman for what? To win a match? If he strips it all away, what did he really win? Cena says he’s done talking and it’s time to fight.
Cena says he knows Heyman is an advocate, but he should love this because this is where he’ll see the fury and pound his face in. Then the headlines will read, “John Cena beats up a defenseless Paul Heyman.” Cena says he’ll give him seven days. Cena is coming to RAW, and Heyman can bring Brock Lesnar. If Lesnar gets in the ring, they can fight. Cena then says if Lesnar takes another week’s vacation, then he’ll fight Heyman. Cena says he’ll see Heyman next Monday.
-Commercial Break-
Sheamus is in the ring. He’ll defend his WWE United States Championship against Cesaro at Night of Champions.
Sheamus vs. Seth Rollins
Rollins holds the Money in the Bank briefcase in Sheamus’ face. Sheamus then slaps it out of his hands.
The bell rings, and they lock up. Rollins applies a waistlock, but Sheamus punches him off and puts him in the corner. Sheamus hits a short-arm clothesline, and Rollins rolls out of the ring to recover. Rollins holds the briefcase up before getting on the apron. Rollins gets in the ring and kicks Sheamus. Rollins goes for a suplex, but Sheamus blocks it and hits a front suplex. Sheamus hits a running kick to the skull before punching him in the corner. Sheamus hits a textbook suplex for a no count. Sheamus rips at Rollins’ face before elbowing him in the nose. Sheamus punches him to the corner before sending him to the opposite corner. Rollins quickly kicks him in the knee and starts working on it. Rollins punches away at him before having a whip into the ropes reversed. Sheamus lowers his head and eats a kick, but he quickly catches Rollins with a rolling fireman’s carry. Sheamus then clotheslines him out of the ring.
Cesaro’s music hits, and he comes out to the stage dressed in a suit. Cesaro smiles at him, as Sheamus looks confused.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Sheamus trapped in a chin lock. Cesaro is standing at ringside. During the commercial, Rollins kicked Sheamus off the apron. Rollins powers Sheamus to the corner and hits some shoulder thrusts. Rollins then backs up and runs into his boots. Sheamus pulls himself up to the top rope and hits a diving battering ram. Sheamus then misses Rollins and hits the ring post shoulder first. Rollins hits a stinger splash for a near fall. Rollins then reapplies the chin lock. Sheamus fights up and squishes Rollins by falling back on him. Rollins grabs his groin and looks like he’s in pain.
Sheamus gets to his feet, ducks a clothesline, and hits a pair of Irish hammers. Sheamus powers him to the corner before hitting a high running knee. Sheamus hits a running knee in the corner before hitting an Irish Curse Backbreaker for a near fall. Sheamus goes for White Noise, but Rollins elbows out. Cesaro is holding the United States Championship. Sheamus knocks Rollins down and argues with Cesaro. Rollins quickly rolls Sheamus up for a near fall. Sheamus quickly comes back with a powerslam. Cesaro gets on the steel steps with the title. Sheamus grabs it, and they have a tug of war with it. Sheamus intentionally lets it go so Cesaro falls into the barricade. Rollins hits a dropkick to the back of the head before hitting a Curb Stomp that saw Sheamus mistime it. Rollins picks up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Seth Rollins
Match Rating: * 3/4
Cesaro slowly gets into the ring with an angry look on his face. Cesaro removes his watch and coat before unbuttoning his shirt. Cesaro removes his shirt and talks some trash to Sheamus. Cesaro mocks Sheamus’, “Fella” taunt before hitting the Neutralizer. Cesaro holds up the United States Champion before resting it on Sheamus.
Jerry Springer will hold an intervention for the Bella Twins later tonight. A tweet from Maria Menounos is shown as she weighs in on that.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown from three weeks ago when Mark Henry challenged Rusev on RAW before viciously taking him down with the World’s Strongest Slam and a big splash. Then last week, Rusev got even with Henry by attacking him during a match. They’ll face one another at Night of Champions.
Rusev comes to the stage with Lana. Lana says most Americans do not know that the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” was written in this decrepit city. A USA chant breaks out as Lana tells them to shut up. Lana then begins to sing the National Anthem. Lana then changes the line to sing, “Everyone stood in awe of the Russia’s Rusev’s might.” Lana then has the Russian National Anthem played. A picture of Vladimir Putin is shown on the screen as the song plays. Rusev aggressively waves the flag.
Jerry Lawler refuses to stand. In fact, he sits on the floor so it’s not mistaken as him standing. The commentators then talk about NXT Takeover – Fatal Four Way, which will air live this Thursday on the WWE Network. A promo package is then shown for it. KENTA will make his debut on that show.
-Commercial Break-
Tyson Kidd and Tyler Breeze vs. Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn
Neville, Zayn, and Breeze are making their RAW debuts. Sami Zayn will start the match against Tyler Breeze. They lock up, and Breeze wrenches the arm. Zayn twists Breeze’s arm before being whipped into the ropes. Zayn springboards over him before hitting a pair of arm drags. Zayn then takes him down with an arm drag and keeps the arm bar applied. Breeze fights up, and Tyson Kidd blind tags in. Breeze kicks Zayn in the face. Kidd wraps himself around Zayn so Breeze can kick him. Kidd punches away at him before choking him with his knee. Kidd hits a snapmare and kicks him in the back for a one count. Kidd then applies a chin lock, but Zayn fights up and rolls him off. Kidd elbows him in the face before tagging Breeze in. Breeze punches away at Zayn before hitting a sit-out neckbreaker for a two count. Kidd tags back in, and he kicks Zayn in the ribs for a two count. Kidd then applies the chin lock. Zayn fights up, but Breeze quickly tags in. Breeze goes for a back suplex, but Zayn lands on his feet. Zayn sidesteps him and tags in Adrian Neville.
Neville hits a clothesline on Breeze before dropkicking Kidd of the apron. Neville clotheslines Breeze before hitting three rapid kicks and a low dropkick to the head. Neville hits a low dropkick to the head and poses for the crowd. Neville hits a standing shooting star press, but Kidd breaks it up. Zayn comes in and pulls the top rope down to get Kidd out of the ring. Zayn then takes Kidd out with a leaping senton bomb to the floor! Breeze whips him into the corner, but Neville slingshots over him. Neville does some quick flips to the corner before viciously kicking Breeze down. Neville stands on the top rope and hits the Red Arrow for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn
Match Rating: **
Randy Orton will face Roman Reigns in the main event of the evening. Coming up next, Jerry Springer will have an intervention for The Bella Twins.
-Commercial Break-
Jerry Springer holds an intervention for The Bella Twins
Stephanie McMahon makes her way to the ring and says it’s great to be in Baltimore. Stephanie says in all seriousness, it breaks her heart to see a family ripped apart like the Bellas have been. She wrestled her own father in this building, but they’ve reconciled. The lesson she’s learned is there is nothing more important than family. It’s time to bring Brie and Nikki back together. Only one man can do that. A “Jerry” chant breaks out. Stephanie says it’s an honor to welcome back to RAW a television icon, Jerry Springer.
Jerry Springer comes out with his security guard Jason. Springer thanks Stephanie for the introduction. He’s been dealing with family dysfunction, but when he heard what was going on here, how could he say no to being here and on Monday Night RAW. Springer then has Brie Bella come out. A replay is shown of Brie shoving Nikki down last week as Nikki was verbally berating her. Springer says he sees that Nikki abuses Brie before she snaps and assaults her. The very next day, Brie tweeted an apology to WWE and her family. Springer asks why she’s apologizing. Brie says she doesn’t forgive Nikki for being horrible to her, but she’s her sister. She shouldn’t have stooped down to her classless level. Springer says that comes off as Brie thinking she’s better than Nikki. Brie says Nikki told her she wished she died in the womb.
Springer then has Nikki Bella come out to the ring. Nikki shakes hands with Brie, and Springer thinks this is going well. Nikki says she accepted Brie’s apology last week, but that doesn’t mean that she forgives her for all the years of being treated as a second-class sister. Nikki says she is ready to move on. She is a sophisticated, intelligent, and classy woman. She has a lot going on for her. The third season of HER show, “Total Divas,” premiered last night. She also has a Divas Championship match in two weeks. She won’t let Brie’s negativity bring her down. Nikki says people should feel sorry for Brie. Springer says Brie should be steamed. Brie says whatever happened at SummerSlam happened. Springer says this all happened long before SummerSlam. Footage is shown from “Total Divas” of Brie calling Nikki fat and jokingly hoping she falls.
Nikki asks if Springer saw it. Nikki says she wouldn’t be surprised if Brie was the reason their dad left. She wouldn’t stick around either if she had a daughter that was so attention seeking. Their father is then shown on the titantron. The father says this breaks his heart and needs to be fixed. Their mother is then shown, and she says she doesn’t understand what is happening. They need to make it right for the two of them.
Springer says Brie’s mother is telling her to swallow her pride. Brie says Nikki cost her the match, said she wished she were dead, and broke her heart. Brie says she has JJ in her corner. Springer then has JJ Bella come out to the ring. Springer asks who JJ thinks is in the wrong. JJ tells Brie to stop acting like the victim. JJ then turns and tells Nikki that she isn’t the victim. Springer stands between them, but gets knocked down as they begin to brawl. JJ pulls Brie off Springer and Nikki, and Nikki slaps her. Brie tackles Nikki, and they roll all over Springer. Stephanie comes in the ring to break it up, and she falls down as well. They continue to brawl and roll on Springer. Finally, referees and Jason, the bodyguard, come in to help. A lot of concealer is on Springer’s coat. Springer’s ankle appears to be injured. EMTs take him out on a stretcher as he holds his thumb up for the crowd.
Replays are shown of what just happened with The Bella Twins and Jerry Springer.
Randy Orton will face Roman Reigns in the main event in a SummerSlam rematch.
-Commercial Break-
The Usos are shown in a pre-taped promo. Jimmy Uso says Gold and Stardust hurt his brother. When you hurt one of them, you hurt them both. Jey Uso says the pain is coming really soon. They’ll face at Night of Champions with the WWE Tag Team Championships on the line.
Los Matadores vs. Goldust and Stardust
Stardust will start the match against Diego. They lock up, and Stardust applies a side headlock. Stardust puts him in the corner, but Diego blocks it and chops him. Diego has a whip revered on him, but he comes back with a clothesline. Fernando is tagged in, and he hits a slingshot senton on Stardust for a two count. Goldust tags in, and he punches away at Fernando. Fernando hits him with an elbow and a jumping hurricanrana. Stardust comes in, and Fernando hits a head-scissor takeover. Los Matadores hit stereo suicide dives on Goldust before putting him in the ring. Stardust pulls Diego off the apron, distracting Fernando. Goldust attacks Fernando from behind and sends him headfirst into the corner. Stardust tags in and hits Dark Matter (Reverse STO) for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Goldust and Stardust
Match Rating: 3/4 *
Goldust and Stardust pose at the top of the stage. Jey Uso then hits Stardust in the back with his crutches. The Usos try to take them out, but Goldust and Stardust run away before any further damage is done.
The commentators talk about the death of Joan Rivers, who was involved in WrestleMania II. They then show a really nice video package for her.
-Commercial Break-
Titus O’Neil w/ Heath Slater vs. Adam Rose w/ The Damn Bunny
Charles Robinson, my favorite referee, is back for another match. JBL says, “This is the season premiere with people tuning in right now, I can’t help but think of them thinking, ‘What in god’s name am I watching?’” O’Neil starts off strong until Rose comes back. O’Neil reverses a whip, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. O’Neil catches Rose and tosses him aside. The Bunny distracts O’Neil. Heath Slater tries to attack the Bunny, but he misses. The Bunny then superkicks Slater. Rose then hits O’Neil with Party Foul for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Adam Rose
Match Rating: 1/4 *
Adam Rose points to the top rope and tells the Bunny to go there. The Rosebuds cheer it on as it hits a top rope splash on O’Neil.
Renee Young is backstage with Roman Reigns. Renee asks what Reigns thinks Orton meant when he said he would make this a premiere people will never forget. Reigns says he doesn’t know, but Orton is The Viper. Orton has the venom, but he has the antidote. Reigns holds up his fist and says, “Believe that.”
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of John Cena challenging Brock Lesnar to a fight on RAW next week. If Lesnar takes another week off, then Cena will fight Heyman.
A video package showcasing the Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena match coming up at Night of Champions.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar will return to Monday Night RAW next week!
Randy Orton makes his entrance to the ring. The commentators talk about Orton’s attack on Chris Jericho. The word from Jericho is that he is not bothered by the knee injury and is good to go. Orton will face Roman Reigns in a SummerSlam rematch, next.
-Commercial Break-
Mark Henry will face Rusev in an International Arm Wrestling Contest this Friday on Smackdown.
Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns
The bell rings, and Justin Roberts does formal introductions. The bell rings again, and they immediately begin trading punches. Reigns comes out on top with the punches before clotheslining him out of the ring. Reigns gets fired up, and the crowd cheers. Reigns goes outside, but Orton blocks a shot into the apron and instead bounces him off the steel steps. Orton rolls him into the ring and picks up a two count. Orton goes for a suplex, but Reigns counters into one of his own for a one count. Reigns approaches Orton in the corner, and Orton pulls him face first into the turnbuckle. Orton sends him to the opposite corner, but Reigns explodes out of the corner with a clothesline. Reigns sends him into the ropes, but Orton grabs the ropes and pulls himself out of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Orton slamming Reigns’ face off the bottom of the steel steps. The other pair of steps is seen tipped over. Orton rolls him into the ring for a near fall. Orton applies a chin lock. During the commercial, Orton sent Reigns into the steel steps headfirst. Seth Rollins and Corporate Kane are seen watching. Reigns fights up and punches, but Orton knees him in the midsection. Orton sends him into the ropes, but Reigns head-butts him. Reigns charges, but Orton ducks and clotheslines him out of the ring. Reigns quickly pulls him out, but Orton blocks an apron shot. Orton slams him off the apron before clotheslining him down at ringside. Orton then poses for the fans. Orton slides into the ring and covers for a two count. Orton appears to have a swollen left eye. Orton puts him in the corner and hits a straight right hand. Reigns reverses a whip into the opposite corner, but Orton sidesteps an avalanche. Reigns quickly comes back with a clothesline.
Orton rolls out of the ring to recover. Reigns follows and drives Orton kidneys first into the ring apron. Reigns then slams him into the barricade. Reigns puts him into the ring. Orton catches him on the apron, and they trade punches. Orton quickly snaps him off the top rope before sending him into the turnbuckle. Orton goes to the top rope and hit a superplex for a near fall.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the final break of the evening to see Reigns trapped in a chin lock. Reigns begins to convulse and fight up. Reigns punches out and sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head, and Orton slams him down for a two count. Orton viciously punches him in the head before reapplying the chin lock. Orton keeps the hold applied for a long time before Reigns fights up and powers Orton’s grip off. They trade punches and kicks with Reigns coming out on top. Orton quickly kicks him, but Reigns comes back with a back suplex, and both men are down now.
The crowd is hot for this as Reigns gets up and hits a pair of clotheslines. Orton reverses a whip, but Reigns reverses that into a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Reigns clotheslines him in the corner before hitting the ropes and running into a powerslam from Orton! Orton picks up a near fall for that. Orton coldly looks out into the crowd as Reigns rolls to the apron. Orton grabs him, but Reigns slides out and punches Orton down. Orton is hanging out on the bottom rope, so Reigns hits him with an apron dropkick to the head. Reigns gets in the ring, ducks a punch, and hits a clothesline for a near fall. Reigns punches away at him in the corner before going for a running shoulder thrust, but Orton avoids it and rolls him up for a near fall. Orton quickly ducks a clothesline and hits his trademark backbreaker for another near fall! Orton smiles before slowly looking around. Reigns quickly boots Orton in the face before diving off the second rope. Orton catches him mid-air and turns it into a powerslam for a near fall! Orton is getting frustrated now.
Orton grabs Reigns before hitting a hanging DDT. Orton gets the crowd going, and it is seen that he is bleeding from the lip. Orton drops down for an RKO, but Reigns shoves him into the ropes and hits a Superman Punch! Orton motions to the stage. Corporate Kane and Seth Rollins run down with a bunch of guys in black t-shirts. Kane and Rollins stomp away at Reigns as the referee calls for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Roman Reigns
Match Rating: ** 3/4
Orton joins in, and they begin to triple-team Reigns! Orton calls for the cage to come down, and it begins to lower! Reigns makes a comeback and gets both Kane and Rollins out of the ring, leaving him with Orton. Rollins gets a chair in the ring before the cage completely lowers over the ring. Reigns picks up the chair, and Orton attacks him from behind. Reigns comes back by sending him into the wall of the cage three times! Reigns waits for him to get up before hitting a big Spear!
Reigns picks up the chair, but he notices Kane coming in, so he swings the chair at him. Rollins then wipes Reigns out with a cross-body off the top of the cage! The crowd starts a “Holy Shit” chant! Kane gets in the ring and uppercuts him down. Kane removes his jacket and tie before picking Reigns up. Kane sends him headfirst into the wall of the cage a few times before hitting a Chokeslam. Orton calls Kane off and checks on Rollins, who has had the wind knocked out of him with the big dive off the top of the cage. Orton then drives the edge of the chair into his chest before smacking it off his back. Orton says this isn’t Reigns’ day. Orton slams the chair off his back again before putting it under Reigns’ face. Orton then talks a little trash before smacking it off his back two more times.
Orton points at Rollins and tells him to finish it. Rollins gets Reigns in position under the chair. Rollins talks trash by saying that Reigns owes him his entire career. Rollins says he made Reigns. The crowd chants, “You sold out” as Rollins hits Reigns with a Curb Stomp on the steel chair! Orton, Kane, and Rollins stand tall over a broken and beaten Roman Reigns as the season premiere of Monday Night RAW comes to an end.
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Quick Match Results
Bray Wyatt def. Chris Jericho in a Steel Cage Match
AJ Lee and Paige def. Natalya and Rosa Mendes via Submission
Seth Rollins def. Sheamus (non-title)
Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn def. Tyson Kidd and Tyler Breeze
Goldust and Stardust def. Los Matadores
Adam Rose def. Titus O’Neil
Roman Reigns def. Randy Orton via DQ
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Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
“Mike’s Thoughts” will be up tomorrow exclusively on this site. Be sure to check it out and share your feedback on this episode of RAW.
Be sure to check out my recap of Smackdown this Friday. Thanks to Jason Namako for covering the show for me again. My New Year’s Resolution of 50 out of 52 shows will unfortunately not be fulfilled. I have now missed three episodes of Smackdown this year. Oh well, I’ll try not to miss anymore.
Did you miss last week’s episode of RAW? Check it out here!
Thanks for reading!