WWE Monday Night RAW Results
March 23, 2015
Los Angeles, California
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
The RAW video plays, and we’re brought into the arena with a big pyrotechnics display. Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns will be face-to-face in the ring. We’ll also see Snoop Dogg and Bill Simmons.
Sting addresses his first WWE match this Sunday
Sting’s music hits, and the vigilante makes his way to the ring to kick off RAW for the first time ever. Sting comes out to a tremendous reception. It is fourteen years today that WWE purchased WCW. Sting stands in the ring and absorbs the “Sting” chant. Sting says, “So this is what it feels like to kick off Monday Night RAW? WOO!” He’s been known as the WCW soldier. Over the last fourteen years, he’s watched Triple H climb the ladder of WWE through backstabbing and manipulation to get to the very top. Triple H thinks he’s unstoppable and there may not be any kind of consequence. Even though he is the last soldier standing from some forgotten war, he’s not here to fight for WCW. That would be ridiculous at this point. He’s here to one specific reason and that is to take Triple H down.
Stephanie McMahon’s music hits, and she makes her way to the ring smiling in a great black dress. Stephanie says this is what it feels like to be in the ring with the Stinger, the last holdout from WCW. Sting now knows what it feels like to make it to the big time. Sting is in the middle of a WWE ring, opening Monday Night RAW with her. She tells him to soak it in. Sting says she’s also the spoiled little brat who has had everything handed to her in this life and somehow believes she’s earned it. Sting says, “But hey, it’s nice to finally meet you, Steph.” She says he is lashing out at her because he’s intimidated. In WCW, Sting was a great big fish in a small pond. Here in WWE he’s like a minnow swimming in the ocean. She is the daughter of the man who singlehandedly eviscerated his career when WWE defeated WCW in the Monday Night War. She admires Sting’s loyalty. Sting never thought of leaving WCW. They never even got a phone call at that time. Dogs are loyal. You can paint the dog up and make him do cool tricks, but at the end of the day, dogs are kind of stupid. She’d compare him to a dog, but she doesn’t want to insult dogs. She reminds him that WCW and Sting lost. Sting lost his dignity, integrity, and pride. This Sunday at WrestleMania, he’ll lose any respect the people had for him when her husband pins him in the ring. She says Sting is nothing more than a face-painted freak. Sting shouts, “WOO” into the microphone. She goes to slap him, but he blocks it and holds her arm.
Triple H’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring taking off his tie. Stephanie evilly smiles at Sting as he releases her arm. She leaves the ring. Sting and Triple H lock eyes. Triple H circles the ring and checks on his wife. Triple H removes his jacket and unbuttons his sleeves. Triple H gets on the apron, and Stephanie tells him to hold on for a moment. The crowd is chanting, “This is awesome.” Stephanie goes under the ring and removes the sledgehammer. She hands it to her husband. Sting produces a bat from his coat and swings it around. Triple H stares at him for a moment before returning to the apron. The crowd is chanting Sting’s name. Sting invites him into the ring. Triple H teases getting in, but he quickly returns to ringside. Stephanie reminds him that he’ll have Sting in six days, and they walk off as the crowd boos. Sting puts the bat down and removes his coat. Sting invites him into the ring and gets the crowd going. Triple H thinks about it, but Stephanie holds him back. Sting’s music hits as Triple H backs up the ramp.
Tonight on the WWE App, you can choose Randy Orton’s opponent. Will he face Big Show, Kane, or Seth Rollins and J&J Security?
AJ Lee and Paige are seen talking backstage. Nikki Bella is letting them decide who is having a championship match against her tonight.
Dean Ambrose’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring. He’ll team with R-Truth to face Stardust and Luke Harper, next.
-Commercial Break-
Bad News Barrett will be the guest commentator for this match.
Dean Ambrose and R-Truth vs. Luke Harper and Stardust
Stardust will start the match against R-Truth. The fans chant, “Cody” toward him, which angers him. Luke Harper puts his hands over Stardust’s ears. Stardust kicks and punches R-Truth down before sending him into the ropes. R-Truth holds the ropes and does a dance. R-Truth splits under a clothesline and punches him down. Stardust gets out of the ring and demands Barrett hand him the Intercontinental Championship. Stardust gets in the ring and tags in Luke Harper. Dean Ambrose also tags in. They lock up, and Ambrose executes a headlock takeover. Harper fights up, and Ambrose wrenches the arm. Ambrose bridges him down, but Harper powers up and takes him down. Harper sends him into the ropes, but Ambrose ducks a pair of clotheslines before taking him down with a running cross-body. Ambrose punches away at him before kicking him down in the corner. Ambrose rakes his face on the ropes before running into a boot. Harper hits the ropes, but Ambrose knees him in the midsection before hitting a dropkick. Ambrose executes La Magistral for a near fall. Ambrose hits a running forearm in the corner before hitting a bulldog. Stardust runs in, but Ambrose punches him down. R-Truth punches Stardust down for good measure before they double clothesline him out of the ring. Ambrose then gives Harper a back body drop over the top rope.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ambrose trapped in a chin lock applied by Stardust. During the commercial break, Ambrose punched Stardust down before turning into a big boot from Harper. Ambrose fights up, but Stardust powers him to the corner. Ambrose fights Stardust and Harper off. Stardust quickly comes back with an Alabama Slam for a near fall. Stardust covers again for a two count. Stardust growls before stomping away at him. Harper tags in, and he steps on Ambrose. Harper rakes his eyes before taking him down with an uppercut. Harper hits a guillotine catapult into the middle rope for a two count. Harper pulls off a gator roll before leaving a rear chin lock applied. Ambrose begins to fight up and punches out. Ambrose hits the ropes, but Harper takes him down with a spinning side slam for a near fall. Harper puts him on the top rope and punches him. Stardust is tagged in, and he punches Ambrose for good measure. Stardust goes for a superplex, but Ambrose counters with a super front suplex. Harper tags in, and he pushes Ambrose off the top rope to the floor. Harper stares at Barrett before throwing Ambrose into the ring. Ambrose quickly returns to ringside and takes him down with a vicious clothesline. Ambrose gets in the ring, and Harper soon follows. Ambrose catches Harper with a back elbow followed by a tornado DDT.
R-Truth and Stardust are tagged in. R-Truth hits a pair of clotheslines followed by a jumping heel kick. R-Truth does a split before splashing him in the corner. R-Truth then hits a sit-out front suplex, but Harper breaks up the pinfall. Harper punches Ambrose away and kicks R-Truth down. Ambrose then rebounds off the ropes and clotheslines him down. Ambrose then catches Harper with a suicide dive. Stardust then turns into “What’s Up?” for the loss.
Winners by Pinfall: Dean Ambrose and R-Truth
Match Rating: * 3/4
Bad News Barrett quickly runs off with the Intercontinental Championship. R-Truth dances in the ring before pointing to Ambrose to follow. Ambrose does a quick move to the delight of the crowd.
Choose Randy Orton’s opponent on the WWE App.
Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns will be face-to-face in the ring for the first time ever later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Renee Young is on the stage with a representative of the Special Olympics. The man is joined by a number of Olympians. The games will take place in Los Angeles this July. The crowd gives them a nice hand.
A video hyping up Roman Reigns is shown. He’ll be in the ring with Brock Lesnar later tonight.
A series of back and forth nasty tweets are shown with JBL and Bill Simmons. Simmons will be out, next.
The Miz and Damien Mizdow make their way to the ring. Mizdow gets a tremendous reception from the crowd. A video from WWE.com is shown of The Miz and Damien Mizdow talking with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart. Miz talks about stunt doubles ruining things, but Ferrell and Hart defend them. Ferrell and Hart talk about how Mizdow has a Hollywood look. Miz wants Mizdow to get him water. Ferrell gets up instead to get it. Miz and Mizdow are in tag team action, next.
-Commercial Break-
Bill Simmons will be the guest commentator for this match.
The Miz, Damien Mizdow, The Ascension, and Adam Rose vs. Ryback, Erick Rowan, Zack Ryder, and The Prime Time Players
All of these men will be in the André The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. The trophy is seen at ringside. Titus O’Neil will start against The Miz. The Miz removes his sunglasses to boos. Mizdow goes to mimic him, but Miz stops him. They lock up, and Miz applies a side headlock. O’Neil whips him off and catches Miz with a backbreaker before hitting a standing fall-away slam. The fans are chanting, “We want Mizdow!” Darren Young tags in, and O’Neil gives him a front suplex on Miz. Miz catches him with a jawbreaker before going to the corner. Mizdow wants the tag, but Adam Rose is tagged instead. Rose hits a shoulder block before eating a forearm from Young. Young hits an inverted atomic drop followed by a neckbreaker for a one count. Erick Rowan tags in, and he punches Rose in the midsection. Rowan head-butts him back followed by a club to the chest. Rowan hits a fall-away slam, and Zack Ryder tags in. Ryder hits a running forearm followed by a Broski Boot. The Ascension distracts Ryder before Rose floors him.
The Ascension tag in, and they take turns beating Ryder down. Viktor hits a body slam before tagging Konnor, who connects with a leg drop. Young breaks up the pin. Rose tags back in and punches Ryder down. Mizdow blind tags in, and he hits Ryder with the Reality Check followed by a kip up. Miz orders Mizdow to tag him in, and the crowd loudly boos. Mizdow reluctantly tags him in, and Miz stomps him. Miz sends him into the ropes, but Ryder comes back with a face-buster.
Ryback tags in, and he hits a clothesline on Miz before knocking some of his partners off the apron. Ryback hits another clothesline on The Miz followed by a Lou Thesz Press. Ryback slams him off the mat before hitting a spinebuster. Ryback poses for the crowd before press slamming Rose down. The Ascension knocks Ryback’s partners off the apron before turning into a double clothesline from Ryback. Miz quickly stomps away at Ryback before posing for the crowd. Ryback then viciously takes Miz out with a Meat Hook Clothesline. Ryback connects with the Shell Shocked for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Ryback, Erick Rowan, Zack Ryder, and The Prime Time Players
Match Rating: *
Replays are shown from last Monday’s RAW. Randy Orton was gearing up for an assault from The Authority when Sting joined him in the ring. Sting and Orton cleared the ring of The Authority to a massive reception from the crowd.
Coming up next, we’ll find out Randy Orton’s opponent(s) as voted on by the WWE Universe.
-Commercial Break-
Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. Booker T announces the results. Seth Rollins and J&J Security won by 77% over Big Show and Kane.
Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins and J&J Security
Seth Rollins comes out with J&J Security, who are still in their suits. They look very confident. Orton will start the match against Joey Mercury. Orton points at Rollins. Mercury smiles at him before they lock up. Orton powers Mercury down and demands he tag in Rollins. Rollins pretends to tag in, and Jamie Noble intercepts. They laugh at Orton. Orton kicks Noble in the midsection before slamming him down. Orton does the Garvin Stomps on Noble before throwing him out of the ring near Rollins. Orton pulls Rollins by the hair, and Mercury intercepts him. Orton punches him down, and Rollins kicks him in the head. Noble kicks away at Orton and talks some trash. Noble drops an elbow on him and talks more trash. Orton comes back with an uppercut followed by a clothesline. Mercury runs into a clothesline as well. Orton kicks Noble and throws him out of the ring. Mercury then runs into a snap powerslam. Orton then catches J&J Security with a double hanging DDT. Orton smiles and waits for an RKO. Rollins tries to surprise him with a Curb Stomp, but Orton avoids it. Orton goes for an RKO on Rollins, but Rollins pushes him off, causing Orton to clothesline Mercury out of the ring. Rollins quickly escapes the ring as Orton catches Noble with an RKO for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Randy Orton
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Orton stares at Rollins as he backs up the ramp looking a little startles. These two men will face each other this Sunday at WrestleMania 31.
The announcers make the hard sell for the WWE Network. A pre-taped promo is shown of John Cena with Michael Cole. Cena talks about how he wears his heart on his sleeve. Cena believes in this country and loves it. Cena is going into WrestleMania to take home the WWE United States Championship. Cena says WrestleMania isn’t about him. It’s about shutting up Rusev.
Rusev will face Jack Swagger later tonight.
Paige is seen doing her makeup backstage. AJ Lee comes up to her and talks about Nikki Bella giving a title match to one of them. She says it seems like The Bella Twins are trying to divide them. Paige says she’s had to deal with them for the last few months AJ hasn’t been here. If Nikki Bella is going to offer a championship match, she’s going to take it. Paige says you’re crazy if you turn down a championship match. AJ takes exception to the “crazy” reference. Paige hugs her and walks off to face Nikki Bella for the Divas Championship. That match is next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Divas Championship Match
Paige w/ AJ Lee vs. Nikki Bella (c) w/ Brie Bella
Lilian Garcia does the announcements when both women are in the ring to give this a big fight feel. They lock up, and Nikki powers her into the ropes before pushing her. Paige takes her down before punching her. Paige head-butts her down before going to the apron to knee away at her. Paige screams as Nikki falls out of the ring to recover. Paige stands tall in the ring as Brie gives her sister some advice. Paige head-butts her down, but Nikki quickly takes her down and punches away at her. Nikki clotheslines her down and talks some trash while doing some pushups. Paige quickly clips the leg for a two count. Nikki then rolls out of the ring to recover. Paige quickly takes her down with a flying clothesline off the apron before throwing her into the ring. Nikki quickly comes back with a knee to the midsection followed by a face-buster.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Paige trapped in a chin lock. Paige fights up, but Nikki quickly takes her down with a spinebuster for a two count. The crowd is getting into this match. Nikki slaps her a few times while talking trash. Nikki sends her into the ropes, but she lowers her head and eats a kick. Paige hits the ropes, and they take each other out with a double clothesline.
Both women are down for a few moments before getting up. Paige hits a trio of short-arm clotheslines before hitting a running dropkick for a two count. Nikki pulls herself up in the corner and catches Paige with a back elbow. Nikki then comes off the second rope with a diving kick for a near fall. Nikki waits for Paige to get to her feet. Paige ducks a right hand and connects with a superkick for a near fall. Paige goes for a suplex, but Nikki blocks it and executes an inside cradle for a near fall. Paige comes back with a kick, but Nikki counters back with an Alabama Slam for another near fall. Nikki and Brie cannot believe it. Nikki goes for the Rack Attack, but Paige fights out and hits Ram-Paige for a near fall! Paige cannot believe it!
Nikki tries to claw her way out of the ring, but Paige grabs her ankle. Nikki kicks her away, and Paige tackles her out of the ring. Brie slowly approaches Paige, but AJ slams her down by the hair. Paige goes to talk to AJ, whose back is to her, but AJ mistakenly thinks it’s Nikki and back elbows her. Nikki then takes Paige out with a big running forearm. AJ can’t believe what she just did. Nikki throws Paige into the ring and stares at AJ. Nikki powers Paige up and connects with the Rack Attack for the win.
Winner and still WWE Divas Champion: Nikki Bella
Match Rating: **
AJ has her head down in sadness over the result of this match. The Bella Twins happily back up the ramp. AJ gets in the ring, and Paige spears her down before punching away at her. AJ turns her and punches away at her. The referee keeps AJ back as Paige leaves the ring in anger.
Replays are shown of Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan as the final match from the Intercontinental Championship Contender’s Gauntlet. Ziggler defeated Bryan with the Zig-Zag to win the gauntlet.
Daniel Bryan will face Dolph Ziggler later tonight. You can vote on the special guest referee for that match on the WWE App. Will it be Dean Ambrose, R-Truth, Bad News Barrett, Stardust, or Luke Harper?
Snoop Dogg will be out, next.
-Commercial Break-
Michael Cole goes over the schedule for WrestleMania Week on the WWE Network.
Snoop Dogg talks about WrestleMania 31
Lilian Garcia introduces Snoop Dogg. Cameron, Rosa Mendes, Alicia Fox, and Summer Rae accompany Snoop to the ring. Snoop gets in the ring, and the crowd gives him a decent reception. Snoop says he’s on RAW from Los Angeles, California. Not only is California his home state, it’s also the home of WrestleMania.
Curtis Axel’s music hits, and he tells the people not to change the channel. Axel questions, “SnoopMania.” Axel says it’s actually “AxelMania,” which is a worldwide thing. AxelMania is running wild. Axel gets in the ring as a light “AxelMania” chant breaks out. Axel does a quick rap before saying AxelMania is here to stay. Snoop says Axel is the clown popping off on Twitter. Snoop says he was waiting for Axel to show up, and he’s ready. Snoop says there is one thing Axel is missing – the most important “Mania” of all.
Hulk Hogan’s music hits, and he comes out to a tremendous reception! Hogan poses for the crowd with Snoop Dogg before grabbing a microphone. The crowd is really buzzing. Hogan says, “Well let me tell you something, brother.” Hogan says he wants to tell a story about the Mania. When he pressed André The Giant over his head in front of 94,000 people, he knew Hulkamania would live forever. When he heard Snoop Dogg release his first LP, he knew SnoopMania would be droppin’ it like it’s hot forever. As far as AxelMania, Hogan asks Snoop, “What’s this brother smoking over here?” The crowd roars with laughter. Axel shouts at Hogan before ripping his shirt off. Axel goes to punch him, but Hogan blocks it and takes him down with a right hand. Snoop then takes Axel and throws him over the top rope. Snoop removes his shirt and reveals a Hogan shirt. Hogan and Snoop pose for the crowd as the segment ends.
Highlights are shown of Brock Lesnar’s sit-down interview from last week. Lesnar says he is going to f*ck up Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Lesnar will meet Roman Reigns in the ring later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
The Usos and Naomi will be on commentary for the next match.
Los Matadores and El Torito vs. Tyson Kidd, Cesaro, and Natalya
Cesaro will start the match with Fernando. They lock up, and Cesaro applies a side headlock. Fernando whips him off, but Cesaro shoulder blocks him down for a one count. Cesaro applies a side headlock, but Fernando whips him off. Fernando comes back with a springboard cross-body block. El Torito tags in, and Natalya tags in as well. Tyson Kidd then blind tags in and orders Natalya out of the ring. Fernando tags in and takes Kidd down for a one count. Kidd reverses a whip, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Fernando goes for a cross-body block, but Kidd ducks it. Kidd stomps him before tagging Cesaro in for a two count. Cesaro applies a chin lock before taking him down. Cesaro tags Kidd in, and they do the Cesaro Swing/dropkick combination for a two count. Kidd applies a chin lock, but Fernando fights up and punches out. Kidd sends him to the corner, but he eats a back elbow. Fernando drops him to the apron, but Kidd snaps him off the top rope. Fernando then dropkicks him down.
Cesaro and Diego are tagged in. Diego hits a pair of clotheslines followed by a back elbow. Diego hits a flapjack and tags El Torito in. Diego catapults El Torito into Cesaro for a two count. Fernando hits a head-scissor into the ropes and splashes him. Natalya tags in and hits El Torito, who is also tagged in, with a discus clothesline for a two count. El Torito counters a powerbomb into a roll up for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Los Matadores and El Torito
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Bad News Barrett is backstage polishing his title when Kane walks in. Kane says he’s proud that Barrett could hold his title for the past 72 hours. Kane says he has to relieve him of the championship. Barrett says he’s spent the last six weeks chasing it. Kane says he’s been tasked with taking the title to hang it above the ring. As Director of Operations, he is authorized to strip him of the championship if he does not comply. Barrett says this is a travesty before handing Kane the title. Kane says all Barrett has to do to get it back is beat six other men in a ladder match. Kane likes his odds. Barrett sighs and says, “It’s my bloody title.”
Rusev will face Jack Swagger, next.
-Commercial Break-
Rusev vs. Jack Swagger
Swagger quickly applies a waistlock, but Rusev elbows him away. Rusev kick and punches him in the corner before bouncing him off the turnbuckle. Rusev kicks and punches him some more in the corner before talking some trash. Swagger punches back at him as the fans chant, “We want Lana!” Rusev takes Swagger down and shouts at the crowd. Rusev stomps away at Swagger before kicking him in the spine. A “USA” chant now breaks out. Rusev applies a cobra clutch (maggot), but Swagger soon fights up. Rusev quickly grounds him again with the move, but Swagger fights back up. Swagger gets out and punches him, but Rusev sends him to the corner. Rusev runs into a boot, and Swagger punches away at him. Rusev goes for a clothesline, but Swagger ducks and hits a big boot. Swagger splashes him in the corner before hitting a clothesline. Swagger goes for a Swagger Bomb, but Rusev pops up. Swagger blocks a thrust kick and goes for the Patriot Lock, but Rusev gets out. Swagger hits a waistlock slam for a one count. Rusev quickly powers him to the corner and clubs away at him. Rusev clotheslines him off the turnbuckle from the apron. Rusev hits a thrust kick before stomping the spine and applying the Accolade for the win.
Winner by Submission: Rusev
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Rusev refuses to break the hold despite the referee begging him to. John Cena’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring to his traditional mixed reception. Cena tackles Rusev and punches away at him. Rusev gets out, but Cena spears him down and continues to punch him. Rusev gets out of the ring and forearms Cena in the face before sending him back-first into the barricade. Rusev stands over Cena, who is clutching his back. Rusev then picks him up and slams him spine-first into the ring post. Rusev then sends Cena over the commentary table. Cena destroys one of the commentator’s chairs. Rusev picks up the Russian Federation flag and waves it around the ringside area.
Rusev sees Cena slowly getting to his feet. Rusev goes back toward Cena and takes him down with a vicious thrust kick. Rusev celebrates before ripping the top off the commentary table. Rusev tosses away the television monitors before hitting a wheelbarrow slam on top of the table! Rusev gets on top of the table, stomps Cena’s spine, and applies the Accolade! Rusev psychotically screams at Cena as he holds the move in. Five referees run down to help, but Rusev voluntarily releases the hold. Rusev grabs the United States Championship before getting in the ring to hold it up to loud boos. The flag of the Russian Federation unfurls above the ring as Rusev holds the championship up.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of what just happened with John Cena and Rusev. The commentators talk about the possibility of Cena being injured heading into Sunday.
Bray Wyatt talks about his upcoming match against The Undertaker this Sunday
Bray Wyatt makes his way to the ring. The entire arena is illuminated by the fireflies in an incredible visual. Wyatt will face The Undertaker this Sunday at WrestleMania 31. Wyatt stands in the center of the ring with a microphone as the fans buzz. Wyatt wonders why people hide from the truth. Is it because they’re afraid, embarrassed to show the world who you really are? Reality can be a very difficult pill to swallow, but that does not change the fact that every single person is guilty because the truth is they hate the person they’ve become. They hate their job because the only thing they can see is the color green. They don’t like the person they see in the mirror every day they wake up. They cover up their face with makeup to cover up the ugliness inside, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’re all liars. As for him, he’s different. Wyatt says he is not a liar. He may be a lot of things, but he is not a liar. As a matter of fact, his tongue is the sword of truth, and it cuts down on the deception. Wyatt speaks the truth they try to hide from. If it’s the truth they want, then he’ll give it to them: The Undertaker is just like them. The Undertaker is a liar. Undertaker tries to hide the fact that he lost and wants so desperately for his soul to be set free. Wyatt says the angel with the burnt wings has been sent to take him back to the other side.
Thunder breaks out in the arena. Wyatt says there is the mystical aura everyone is so addicted to. Wyatt asks if they can feel it. These spirits no longer operates by Undertaker’s command. They belong to him now. Everything belongs to him now. Wyatt controls the light and the darkness. The demons march to his command. Wyatt says he is the judge who judges the dead and living. Undertaker has been judged, and he is guilty! At WrestleMania, there will be no redemption or shield for him to be carried out on. The only thing he’ll receive is his fate sealed by Sister Abigail’s kiss. Against Undertaker’s will and everything he stands for, Wyatt will take his rightful place among the gods as the new face of fear! At WrestleMania, you get the mercy you’ve been so desperately begging for. Wyatt says, “At WrestleMania, Undertaker, you can finally rest in piece.” Wyatt imitates Undertaker’s kneeling pose as thunderclaps hit the arena.
Dolph Ziggler will take on Daniel Bryan, next. We’ll also find out whom the WWE Universe chose to be the special guest referee.
-Commercial Break-
Michelle Beadle is shown at ringside. Music producer Rick Rubin is shown alongside Kid Ink.
Kevin Nash will be the final inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame: Class of 2015.
Tyson Kidd is backstage with his headphones on. Natalya is seen behind a screen. Kidd has a Burger King bag with him. Kidd talks to the bag, and Natalya thinks he’s talking to her. She comes around the screen, and he tells her Chicken Fries are back at Burger King. She takes the fries and eats them.
Daniel Bryan comes out to the ring to an absolutely tremendous reception. Dolph Ziggler follows after him. Booker T announces the special guest referee for this match as voted on by the WWE Universe. Dean Ambrose wins by 57%. Dean Ambrose comes out in his usual gear before producing a referee shirt from his back pocket.
-Commercial Break-
Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler
Special Guest Referee: Dean Ambrose
The Intercontinental Championship is hanging above the ring. Dean Ambrose is wearing the referee shirt. They lock up, and Bryan applies a waistlock. Ziggler quickly picks the leg, but Bryan gets away. They circle the ring and lock up. Bryan applies a side headlock, but Ziggler whips him off. Bryan hits a shoulder block before executing a headlock takeover, but Ziggler quickly gets out. The crowd gives them a nice hand. They go for a test of strength. Bryan powers him down first. Bryan drops down, kicks the hand, and applies a wristlock. Bryan slams him down before twisting his arm on the mat and stomping it. Bryan uppercuts him in the corner, but Ziggler soon turns him and punches him down in the corner. Ziggler hits a snapmare before looking at the title above the ring. Ziggler drops an elbow for a two count. Ziggler applies a side headlock, but Bryan backs him to the corner to break it up. Ziggler pushes Bryan, and Bryan pushes back. They begin trading punches. Ambrose looks very happy with the match now. Bryan puts him in the corner before having a whip reversed on him. Bryan scales the ropes and backflips over him. Bryan hits the ropes, and Ziggler sends him over the top rope. Bryan hangs on and skins the cat to catch Ziggler with a head-scissor out of the ring. Bryan baseball slides Ziggler into the barricade and goes for a running knee off the apron, but Ziggler moves. Ziggler then clotheslines Bryan over the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Bryan fighting up from a chin lock. Ziggler jumps on his back, but Bryan backs him to the corner. Bryan runs into a back elbow. Ziggler goes for a famouser, but there is some miscommunication. They save it by faking a roll up. Bryan pops up and connects with a German Suplex for a two count. Bryan goes to the top rope, but Ziggler crotches him up there. Ziggler goes for a superplex, but Bryan fights him off. Ziggler quickly scales the ropes and connects with a super sit-out face-buster for a near fall!
Both men fight up. Ziggler goes for the Zig-Zag, but Bryan holds the ropes. Bryan goes for a backslide pin, but Ziggler fights it. Bryan finally connects for a near fall. Bryan kicks him in the head for another near fall. Bryan kicks him in the chest a few times. The crowd is buzzing for both men. Bryan then connects with a corner dropkick. Bryan goes for a second corner dropkick, but Ziggler superkicks him. Ziggler then hits a Zig-Zag for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler
Match Rating: ** 1/4
Dean Ambrose raises Ziggler’s arm before blindsiding him with Dirty Deeds! Ambrose goes under the ring and grabs a ladder. Ambrose sets it up under the Intercontinental Championship. Ambrose climbs the ladder, but Bad News Barrett runs down and pulls him off. R-Truth runs down to help out. Luke Harper and Stardust also join the melee. Ambrose and Bryan climb the ladder together, but they’re brought down. Barrett slams Bryan off the ladder before clobbering him with the Bull Hammer. Barrett kicks Stardust in the knee before eating a superkick from Ziggler. Stardust pulls Ziggler off the ladder and slams him down. Ambrose and Stardust climb to the top of the ladder. Harper then knocks the ladder down. The ladder rebounds off the ropes and clips Harper’s ankle. Harper immediately rolls out of the ring clutching his ankle.
The commentators make another hard sell for the WWE Network and plug all the programming heading into WrestleMania. Paul Heyman knocks on Brock Lesnar’s locker room door. The door opens and Heyman says, “Hey champ – it’s time!”
-Commercial Break-
Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns meet in the ring face-to-face
Brock Lesnar’s music hits, and he comes out to a loud roar from the crowd. Paul Heyman joins the WWE World Heavyweight Champion by his side. They get in the ring, and Heyman grabs a microphone. Heyman says, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman, and I am the advocate for the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World, Brock Lesnar!” Lesnar is unshaven and smiling. Heyman says, “Yack, yack, yack” over and over again. Heyman says if he hasn’t sold us yet on a reason to watch Roman Reigns come down to the main event of WrestleMania this Sunday and take his beating like a man at the hands of Brock Lesnar, there is nothing he can say tonight to persuade you to subscribe to the WWE Network and tune in to WrestleMania this Sunday. If you don’t think you’re going to get your money’s worth to see the supreme athlete in his prime do his thing by laying the beating down on the Samoan badass like nobody has ever laid a beating down on a Samoan badass, then what can he possibly tell you? If you’re looking to see a fight where Brock Lesnar will impose his will and mangle another human being, then he swears you’ll get your money’s worth this Sunday!
Either Brock Lesnar is every single solitary thing he says he is or he isn’t. Roman Reigns is either everything they hype him up to be or he isn’t. Somebody is going to be proven right and wrong this Sunday. One man will be the winner, and one man will be the loser. One man will be successful, and the other will be a failure. Brock Lesnar makes failures out of every man who steps in front of him. Last year at WrestleMania, he said Brock Lesnar vs. The Streak. People said he can’t and won’t. Heyman said he will, and he did. Last year at SummerSlam, he said Lesnar would give John Cena a prison beating. People said he can’t and won’t. Heyman said he can, and he did. John Cena is not in the main event of WrestleMania this year. Brock Lesnar is! John Cena is not ending the show. Brock Lesnar is! Here’s a little secret for Roman Reigns because he wants to take the title from Lesnar. Reigns is trying to paint Lesnar as a cyborg mercenary. Heyman says Lesnar is an intensely passionate competitor who loves being WWE Champion almost as much as he loves sadistically beating the ass of any man who tries to take the title away from him. Lesnar takes the title personally. Reigns might as well kick Lesnar’s door down, take his wife and kids, his entire house, and rename his children in Reigns’ name if he wants to take the title from Lesnar. That’s what it takes. That’s the type of man you have to be. Heyman says this is not a man. It’s a beast and a conqueror that will kick down your front door, take your wife, take food from your children’s plates, and rename them, “Lesnar.” That’s a conqueror. Lesnar conquers everything that stands before him. This Sunday, Lesnar conquers the main event of WrestleMania. Reigns will come out here and say he’ll do that. Reigns says, “I can, and I will.” Heyman says, “This Sunday at WrestleMania, the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World, Brock Lesnar, says you can’t and therefore, Roman Reigns, you won’t.”
Roman Reigns’ music hits, and he comes out to a decent reception. Reigns gets in the ring and stares at Lesnar. They circle the ring, and the fans are loudly booing now. Lesnar smirks at Reigns, and Reigns nods at him. Lesnar holds the WWE World Heavyweight Championship up. Reigns stares at it and grabs it away from him. The crowd boos that. Lesnar stares at him perplexed as Reigns holds the championship up. Lesnar grabs the title, but he can’t get it out of Reigns’ grip. They tug on the title as the show ends.
———-
Quick Match Results
Dean Ambrose and R-Truth def. Luke Harper and Stardust
Ryback, Erick Rowan, Zack Ryder, and The Prime Time Players def. The Miz, Damien Mizdow, The Ascension, and Adam Rose
Randy Orton def. Seth Rollins and J&J Security
Nikki Bella def. Paige to retain the WWE Divas Championship
Los Matadores and El Torito def. Tyson Kidd, Cesaro, and Natalya
Rusev def. Jack Swagger via Submission (non-title)
Dolph Ziggler def. Daniel Bryan (Guest Referee: Dean Ambrose)
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My thoughts on this episode of RAW will be up tomorrow exclusively on this site. Give it a read and share your feedback on this episode.
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Finally, this Sunday is WrestleMania 31, the biggest event of the year. Check out my predictions column, which will be up on early on Sunday. Be sure to check that out as well as all the great coverage Wrestleview.com will be providing for WrestleMania 31 and the festivities.
Thanks for reading! Enjoy WrestleMania 31!