WWE RAW Results
July 18, 2016
Providence, Rhode Island
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 to see a big fireworks display. This is the last Monday Night RAW before the brand extension. The WWE Draft takes place tomorrow night on Smackdown.
Stephanie McMahon’s music hits, and the new Commissioner of Monday Night RAW makes her way to the ring to some boos from the crowd. The rules of the draft are 1.) RAW gets the first overall pick, 2.) For every two Smackdown picks, RAW gets three, 3.) Tag teams count as one pick unless a Commissioner/General Manager only wants one member of the team, and 4.) six draft picks will be made off the NXT roster.
Stephanie goes to welcome everyone to RAW, but Shane McMahon’s music interrupts her to a big pop from the crowd. The Commissioner of Smackdown Live makes his way to the ring. Stephanie says she’s not going to miss him pandering to the people. Shane interrupts again and welcomes everyone to Monday Night RAW. Stephanie tells him to enjoy it because this is his last night on RAW because he’s the Commissioner of Smackdown Live, and she’s the exclusive Commissioner of Monday Night RAW. She will not miss working with him. Shane says that goes for him as well. Shane says that Stephanie wakes up every morning wishing she had testicles, but if she were his brother, that little slap that happened last week would have ramifications. Stephanie says “lady balls” are a hell of a lot bigger than testicles. Shane says that is gross. She says she did slap him across the face and there is nothing he can do about it, just like how he’ll do nothing on Smackdown Live as the Commissioner. She mentions that there will be a Cruiserweight Division and it will be the exclusive property of Monday Night RAW. It’s only fair because RAW is three hours long. It gives the show an advantage. RAW gets the first draft pick. For every two Shane gets, she gets three. Shane says “Daddy’s Little Girl” gets exactly what she wants.
Shane says he’s been strategizing with his General Manager for Smackdown Live getting ready. A “YES” chant breaks out. Stephanie says she wants to take the opportunity to introduce the person that will lead RAW to the promised land and will have full autonomy. The new General Manager of Monday Night RAW is Mick Foley!
Mick Foley makes his way down to the ring to a huge reception from the crowd. A “Foley” chant breaks out. Foley thanks the crowd and Stephanie for this incredible opportunity. Foley thanks her for doing it right here in Providence, Rhode Island, fulfilling his trademark cheap pop. Being part of the New Era reminds him of the atmosphere of the Attitude Era. The climate here reminds him of the Monday Night Wars back when it was WWE entertaining in the name of competition and survival. Stephanie whispers something to him. As a veteran that took his fair share of risks, when he heard about the competition between RAW and Smackdown Live, a little ember started to glow within him. When Stephanie called him and offered the job, that little ember became a five alarm fire. Foley remembers being one of the guys that put the final nail in the coffin of WCW. Stephanie appears to be whispering to Foley his lines. Foley says that same attitude will be put on display as the General Manager of RAW because he is ready to take RAW to the future and beyond. Foley finishes by saying, “Have a nice day!”
Shane says he has the utmost respect for Foley and gives kudos to Stephanie. Shane says he’ll be intrigued to watch RAW instead of watching Stephanie bury it into the ground. That brings him to his General Manager. This person needs to embody what Smackdown Live is all about. It’s about breaking glass ceilings and the underdog coming out on top. It’s about giving people the opportunity to shine. Who could be more popular and better than Mick Foley? The Smackdown Live General Manager is Daniel Bryan!
Daniel Bryan comes out to an absolutely massive pop. An arena wide “YES” chant breaks out. Bryan smiles widely as he makes his way to the ring. Bryan stands on the turnbuckle and does the “YES” chant. Bryan shakes hands with Foley, but refuses to shake Stephanie’s. A loud “Daniel Bryan” chant fires up. Bryan appears moved by the reception. Bryan asks if they missed him, and they loudly respond in the affirmative before starting another “YES” chant. Bryan says they haven’t missed him half as much as he’s missed them. Stephanie says he should just bow to the fans. Bryan says Stephanie doesn’t understand the term “pandering” because the crowd has never cheered her. Bryan says he wasn’t sure if he could come back and be in the ring because he loved wrestling too much, but then Shane called him and told him about his new ideas for Smackdown about putting the superstars first instead of management. Smackdown Live can be something awesome for the WWE Universe. Shane told him about the battle lines between RAW and Smackdown Live and how Smackdown is the underdog and he thought he could come back. Yet another “YES” chant breaks out. Bryan says he needs to come back because Smackdown Live is the underdog in this fight just like he was the underdog along with the crowd. A “Thank you, Daniel” chant starts up. Bryan says he didn’t do it on his own. When he beat Stephanie’s husband, Triple H, at WrestleMania XXX, he didn’t do it on his own. They all did it. When he went on to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXX, he didn’t do that – they all did. If they all join together, Smackdown Live will beat RAW every single week because they have beaten The Authority before and will do it again.
Stephanie asks where the underdogs wind up. They don’t wind up on top. That’s why the losers in the crowd cheer him because for one night he was able to make them not feel like losers. Stephanie says it’s good to have Bryan back. A B+ player for a B+ show. Shane says Stephanie will always be his little sister and she had to marry a WWE Superstar to stay relevant. Shane asks the crowd if they believe they can take Smackdown Live and turn it into a juggernaut? Bryan says, “Why YES I do!” They do a “YES” chant and circle the ring around Stephanie and Mick Foley.
Tonight’s main event will see Dean Ambrose defend the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins. We’ll also see a 12-man tag team match featuring John Cena, Enzo and Cass, and The New Day taking on The Club and The Wyatt Family. Coming up next, we’ll see Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho take on Cesaro and Sami Zayn.
-Commercial Break-
Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn and Cesaro
An insert promo is shown with Sami Zayn. Zayn says this is the most important match he’s ever had against Kevin Owens coming this Sunday because they might be on different shows. He has to beat him to move on with his career.
Cesaro will start the match against Chris Jericho. An “Olé” chant breaks out. They lock up, and Jericho applies a waistlock. Cesaro turns it on Jericho and takes him down before giving him a deadlift gutwrench suplex for a one count. Jericho quickly chops the chest, but Cesaro comes back with an uppercut. Sami Zayn is tagged in, and he punches Jericho before chopping the chest. Jericho chops him back and applies a side headlock. Zayn whips him off, but Jericho comes back with a shoulder block. Jericho hits the ropes, but Zayn leapfrogs him and connects with a trio of arm drags before applying the arm bar. Jericho quickly fights up and punches out. Zayn slingshots over him and pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Zayn goes for a plancha, but Kevin Owens stands in his way. Owens gets off the apron before Zayn can punch him. Jericho attacks Zayn from behind and tags Owens in. Owens stomps away at him and connects with a vicious neckbreaker over his knee for a near fall.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Jericho hit the ropes and big boot Zayn down. Jericho taunts the crowd before head-butting Zayn. Jericho chops him, and Zayn is losing consciousness. Jericho chokes him on the ropes until the referee backs him up. Owens gets a cheap shot in. Zayn tries to fight back, but Jericho quickly overtakes him. Zayn goes for a tag, but Jericho holds him back and throws him out of the ring. Jericho distracts the referee as Owens goes for a short-arm clothesline, but Zayn ducks it and sends him into the barricade. Jericho goes outside to attack Zayn, but he instead eats a clothesline for his efforts. Zayn gets in the ring and slowly crawls over to Cesaro to make the tag.
Cesaro connects with a flurry of uppercuts on Jericho before sending him to the corner for a running uppercut. Cesaro tries for the Uppercut Train, but Owens interrupts. Cesaro dropkicks him down and does the Uppercut Train to both Jericho and Owens. Cesaro takes Jericho down for a near fall. Cesaro signals for the swing, but Jericho counters into a roll-up for a near fall. Cesaro ducks a clothesline and hits an insane springboard corkscrew uppercut for a near fall. Cesaro goes for the Neutralizer, but Jericho gives him a back body drop. Cesaro lands on his feet, but Jericho quickly floors him with a step-up enzuigiri.
Owens and Zayn are tagged in. They attack each other with rapid punches before Owens knees him in the midsection followed by the head. Owens viciously clotheslines him in the corner and goes for the Pop-up Powerbomb, but Zayn counters with a mid-air dropkick. Jericho blind tags in. Jericho was late getting to Zayn, so there was some awkwardness there. Cesaro is tagged in, and he gives Jericho a cross-body block for a two count. Jericho catches him with a backslide pin, but Cesaro gets out. Jericho immediately tries for the Walls of Jericho, but Cesaro fights out and counters into the Cesaro Swing. Owens tries to help, but Cesaro swings Jericho into him. Owens punches Cesaro and rolls Jericho out of the way. Zayn is tagged in, and he catches Owens with a vicious tornado DDT. Jericho rolls Zayn up, but Zayn rolls through and pins Jericho for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Sami Zayn and Cesaro
Match Rating: **
Daniel Bryan is backstage talking to The Golden Truth. R-Truth is trying to get Bryan to dab. Bryan doesn’t understand how that will help Smackdown Live. Bryan walks away and bumps into Titus O’Neil and Jack Swagger. Stephanie McMahon then walks up to him. Stephanie says she is surprised to see him back. Bryan has been doing amazing things with his wife, Brie Bella, living off the land and planting peaches. Bryan says he’s back with a vengeance. Like the new Ghostbusters, he’s back. Stephanie says he’s like the little doll from “Chucky.” Bryan says Chucky isn’t as bad as “goat face.” Bryan congratulates her on adding to her reservoir of insults and ruining Monday Night RAW. Bryan then walks off.
-Commercial Break-
The Miz and Maryse are on commentary for the next match. A replay is shown of Darren Young winning last week’s battle royal by default because the final two guys eliminated themselves.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Darren Young w/ Mr. Bob Backlund
They lock up, and Young applies a waistlock. Del Rio quickly drives him into the corner and kicks him in the ribs before sending him shoulder-first into the ring post. Del Rio connects with an arm breaker for a one count. Del Rio applies an arm bar, but Young won’t give up. Young fights up and punches out. Young twists the arm, but Del Rio clotheslines him down for a two count. Miz and Maryse kiss on commentary. Del Rio goes for a step-up enzuigiri, but Young ducks it. Young punches away at him before sending him into the ropes for a mis-timed clothesline. Young hits another clothesline before hitting a belly-to-belly overhead suplex. Young connects with an atomic drop before punching him in the face. Miz gets on the apron, and Young punches him down. Del Rio rolls Young up and has him pinned, but Miz is distracting the referee. Del Rio yells at Miz, and Young rolls him up for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Darren Young
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon are seen backstage talking to Big Show.
Later tonight, we’ll see Charlotte and Dana Brooke take on Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch. Coming up next, we’ll see the 12-man tag team match.
-Commercial Break-
John Cena makes his way to the ring to his traditional mixed reception. Cena says he’s fired up and says Monday Night RAW has already been exciting. This is a huge week. We have General Managers and Commissioners. Tomorrow night, we’ll have the WWE Draft on Smackdown Live. But wait, there’s more! This Sunday on the WWE Network, we’ll have Battleground. This Sunday, The Club will try to Beat Up John Cena. They’re about to realize they can’t see him because he’s got the Certified G’s.
Enzo and Big Cass come out to a great reception from the crowd. A loud “How you doin'” chant first up before the crowd goes along with Enzo as he does his trademark shtick. They get in the ring and soak in the chants from the crowd. Cena has a bemused look on his face. Enzo has something he wants to say to Cena. Enzo says the term “do not take this the wrong way” has a zero percent success rate. That being said, The Club, don’t take this the wrong way, but they’re a bunch of herbs with insecurities. Enzo knows that because he always judges a book by its cover because he’s not stupid enough to read the book. Without ugly in the world, there would be no beauty, so Luke Gallows, thank you for your sacrifice. The only time women open their mouths for him is when they yawn. Speaking of women, AJ Styles has a haircut like a soccer mom – how you doin’? As for Karl Anderson, he is like Times New Roman font. He’s as generic as they come. He’d hate to be the one to pull the nipple out of the baby’s mouth, but the only time they’ll beat them is on the 35th of Neveruary. Smacktalker Skywalker pulls no punches on the microphone. If they want sympathy, they can look in the dictionary between “spit” and “syphilis.”
Cena asks what he’s doing. It seems like he’s doing nothing but spitting out punchlines. Big Cass says that’s what Enzo Amore does. The crowd cheers and Enzo runs around the ring. That’s what makes them such a great team. They’re the best trio there ever was. They’re like the Three Musketeers, the Three Tenors, Nirvana, Destiny’s Child, Run DMC, and the Woo Tang Clan. Cena says that makes no sense since Woo Tang has like twenty members. Cena says they need to get serious about Sunday. Big Cass says they like to have fun, but when push comes to shove, they get serious. That’s what they’ll do on Sunday. As for The Club, there’s only one word to describe them: S-A-W…
AJ Styles’ music hits, and he comes out to the stage with The Club. Styles asks if Cena is really going to tag with those guys. It’s like Cena is setting himself up for failure. Cena made the choice, so he’ll give him a taste of what he can expect at Battleground. They get in the ring. Karl Anderson asks if they really think they have chemistry. The Club equals chemistry. Himself and his hot Asian wife have chemistry. When did they meet? A few weeks ago? Luke Gallows says The Club has spilled blood and sold out arenas all over the world. Styles says they’re a cohesive unit and a well oiled machine. They are a team unlike these three scabs. Anderson says The Club has #SquadGoals. Not only are they going to #BeatUpJohnCena, they’re going to #BeatUpEnzo, and #BeatUpCass. Not only that, they can #BeatUpTheNewDay.
“OHH PROVIDENCE! DON’T YOU DARE BE SOUR! CLAP FOR YOUR WORLD FAMOUS TWO-TIME CHAMPS AND FEEL THE POWER!”
The New Day comes out to a huge reception dancing and clapping as the crowd chants, “New Day Rocks.” Kofi Kingston says this is typical Club talking about the things they like to beat. Big E says speaking of “jerks,” they had their hands full when they ventured to the Wyatt Compound. Styles asks if they should be hiding under their bed. Xavier Woods says they saw what The Wyatt Family is capable of and should be scared, but The New Day are not normal men. This Sunday at Battleground, they are fully prepared to show The Wyatt Family why they are the WWE World Tag Team Champions. The New Day gets in the ring. Kingston asks if Cena understands “How you doin'”? The New Day asks for permission to try it. Woods says he’s a Level 21 Pokemon Go trainer, they can start off like this: Woods shouts out Pokemon names as the crowd shouts, “How you doin'”. Cena tells them to stop and listen because… Big E cuts him off and starts a “New Day Rocks” chant.
The Wyatt Family’s video flashes on the screen and the lights in the arena go out. The 12-man tag team match is next.
-Commercial Break-
John Cena, Enzo and Cass, and The New Day vs. The Club and The Wyatt Family
We join this match in progress. John Cena hits the ropes and kicks Karl Anderson in the face. Erick Rowan tags himself in. A “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks” chant breaks out. Cena hits the ropes and hits a shoulder tackle. Luke Gallows tags himself in. Cena goes for a shoulder tackle, but Gallows doesn’t budge. Big E is tagged in. Big E gyrates before hitting a Belly-To-Booty Suplex. Braun Strowman tags himself in. Big E ducks a clothesline and a back elbow before eating a clothesline. Big E goes to tag in Big Cass, but Enzo tags himself in. Enzo circles around Braun as Xavier Woods plays the trombone. Enzo charges, and Strowman viciously clotheslines him down. Big Cass tags in, and he stares Strowman in the eye. Strowman swats Cena off the apron, and a huge brawl breaks out between all twelve men. They clear the ring, and Big Cass and Strowman start trading punches. Big Cass big boots him and tags in Kofi Kingston. Kingston goes for a cross-body that takes Strowman down, but he quickly gets up carrying him and powerslams him down. Strowman wasn’t supposed to go down on that.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Wyatt and Kingston duking it out. Wyatt hits a modified gut-buster for a near fall. Wyatt sends him to the corner, but he runs into a pendulum kick. Cena is tagged in, and he hits Wyatt with a pair of shoulder tackles followed by a back suplex powerbomb. Cena does the “You Can’t See Me” taunt, but falls over in fear as Wyatt props up with the crabwalk. Wyatt clotheslines him down and tags in Strowman. Strowman stomps Cena and head-butts him down. Strowman shoulders him in the corner before tagging Rowan in. Rowan kicks Cena and takes him down for a two count. Rowan digs his knuckles into Cena’s temples, but Cena powers out. Rowan quickly dropkicks him down and taunts the crowd. Styles is tagged in, and he punches away at Cena. Styles talks trash to Wyatt, who is his tag team partner. Styles punches Cena down a few times before Cena tries for a comeback. Styles quickly cuts him off with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker to the knee for a near fall. Anderson is tagged in, and he punches Cena in the midsection. Anderson punches him before connecting with a high knee to the head for a two count. Gallows is tagged in, and he stomps Cena before dropping some elbows for a two count. Gallows talks trash to Cena and pushes him. Gallows uppercuts him and goes for a big splash, but Cena moves.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Cena trapped in a chin lock applied by Wyatt. Wyatt releases the hold and goes for a senton splash, but Cena rolls out of the way.
Big Cass and Styles are tagged in. Cass knocks Strowman off the apron and clotheslines Styles. Styles hits the ropes, but Cass slams him down. Cass drops the Empire Elbow and avalanches him in the corner. Strowman knocks Cass down before attacking the rest of the face team. Strowman then clotheslines Cass. Strowman pushes Woods down, but Kingston quickly catches him with Trouble in Paradise. Big E then knocks Strowman over the top rope. Rowan catches Big E with a spinning heel kick before going for a powerbomb on Kingston, but Kingston counters into a hurricanrana. Wyatt runs in and hits Kingston with a one-armed slam. Woods hits Wyatt with a missile dropkick and takes The Wyatt Family out at ringside with a summersault plancha. In the ring, Big Cass ducks a Phenomenal Forearm and connects with a vicious big boot. Enzo is tagged in, but Gallows cuts them off. Gallows big boots Cass. Cena runs in and gives Gallows the AA. Anderson runs in and catches Cena with a Double A Spinebuster. Enzo then hits Anderson with a crazy flying DDT!
The New Day and The Wyatt Family brawl to the back. in the ring, Styles fights off Enzo and goes for the Styles Clash. Enzo gets out. Styles ducks a clothesline, and Enzo accidentally clotheslines Cena. Styles capitalizes by giving Enzo the Styles Clash for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Club and The Wyatt Family
Match Rating: ** 3/4
The commentators put over the WWE Draft and the WWE Network.
Backstage, Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon are seen talking to Apollo Crews.
Later tonight, the WWE Championship will be defended by Dean Ambrose against Seth Rollins.
-Commercial Break-
A pre-taped promo with Seth Rollins from earlier today is shown. Rollins is walking around the empty arena and stands at the top of a flight of stairs. Rollins says he would walk down these stairs night after night with his fellow Shield members Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. They thought they were going to conquer the world together, but they were just pawns in his game. They were sacrifices waiting to be made on his path to winning the WWE Championship. Rollins walks down the stairs. Like any great mind, he’s always two steps ahead. He kept Ambrose around to take the beatings and kept Reigns around to dish them out. When the time came, he cut his losses and became WWE Champion. Then his knee caved under the pressure of carrying the company on his back. When that happened, Reigns rose to become the top dog of WWE. The top dog returns at Battleground, but has he lost his edge? Has his confidence been shaken? How will the WWE Universe accept him? Rollins says Roman Reigns will never be the same.
As for Dean Ambrose, he’s a thief and a coward. He worked harder than any human being on earth to return from injury. He won the WWE Championship back, which he never lost, and Ambrose stole it from him. Ambrose stole a piece of his life. Rollins says they’d walk down the stairs every night and a little piece of him wanted to push them down the stairs. It’s only fitting that he’ll be the one that ends Ambrose’s dream run as WWE Champion. When he’s fallen as low as he can go, he’ll reach down, pick up his title, put it on his shoulder, walk into Battleground and prove to everyone that as far as The Shield is concerned, he was always the man.
The commentators talk about what Seth Rollins said in the video. They then go to replays of Stephanie McMahon introducing Mick Foley as the General Manager of RAW, and Shane McMahon introducing Daniel Bryan as the General Manager of Smackdown.
Mick Foley is seen talking with Breezango backstage. Shane McMahon walks up and shoos them away. Shane congratulates Foley on becoming the General Manager, but why would he want to work with his sister? He doesn’t see it lasting six months. Shane says the word is Stephanie hired him for two reasons: the way he identifies with the crowd and that she can control and manipulate him easily. Foley says he had a front row ticket to her rise with power and has his eyes open. The WWE Universe sees a vindictive woman, but he sees passion and drive. She gave him the opportunity to run Monday Night RAW and better himself. Foley says he has some talent to scout. Shane tells him to have a nice day.
-Commercial Break-
Sin Cara w/ Kalisto vs. Baron Corbin
The Lucha Dragons have broken up to pursue singles careers according to Michael Cole. They lock up, and Corbin powers him to the corner. Corbin smacks him and rips at the mask. Corbin stomps him down in the corner and taunts the crowd. Cara avoids an avalanche and kicks away at him. Cara hits a springboard back elbow and kicks him over the top rope. Cara connects with a suicide dive before putting him back in the ring. Cara leaps over him and they have a miscommunication. Corbin connects with End of Days to win it.
Winner by Pinfall: Baron Corbin
Match Rating: 1/4 *
Corbin continues to stomp away at Cara before Kalisto runs down to help his friend. Kalisto received no reaction. Corbin retreats. Kalisto checks on Cara, but Corbin pulls him out of the ring and viciously slams him on the floor.
Charlotte and Dana Brooke are walking backstage. They’ll face Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch, next.
A clip from Batman vs. Superman is shown.
-Commercial Break-
Clips of the press WWE has received due to the draft are shown.
Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Charlotte will start off against Sasha Banks. Charlotte quickly backs off and tags in Dana Brooke. Sasha ducks a clothesline and scares Charlotte off the apron. Sasha puts Dana in the corner and tags Becky in. They hit Dana with a double-team hip toss. Becky connects with a pair of arm drags and applies an arm bar. Becky wrenches the arm, but Dana knees her in the midsection. Becky slingshots over her and dropkicks her down. Becky kips up and drops a leg. Becky drops an elbow and another leg for a near fall. Sasha tags back in, and she wrenches the arm. Sasha punches Becky down and knocks Charlotte off the apron.
Natalya comes out and takes Becky off the apron before sending her into the ring post. Natalya sends her into the barricade. The referee throws the match out.
No Contest
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Charlotte takes Sasha down at ringside before putting her in the ring. Dana punches away at Sasha before Charlotte connects with a big boot. Charlotte then gives Sasha the Natural Selection as a message to whoever the mystery partner is. Charlotte and Dana stand over Sasha.
Backstage, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan are talking with Demon Kane.
Dean Ambrose is shown on a handheld camera, harkening back to The Shield promos. Ambrose says he told people years ago to open their eyes and watch The Shield carve a path of destruction. Ambrose talks about how he made history by beating Seth Rollins for the WWE Title. Even if he retains it tonight, will he retain it on Sunday? This Sunday, his brother Roman Reigns returns to the WWE. He also expects Seth Rollins to be slimy. It doesn’t matter because after this Sunday, he’ll still be WWE Champion.
-Commercial Break-
Lana is in the ring. She asks American to stand up and welcome the true American hero, the United States Champion and her fiancée, which means he’s the only one that can have her, Rusev.
Rusev makes his way to the ring. As he does, replays are shown of Zack Ryder losing to Sheamus last week on RAW before being viciously attacked by Rusev. On Smackdown, Ryder cost Rusev a match against Dolph Ziggler.
Rusev and Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder
Sheamus starts against Zack Ryder. They lock up, and Sheamus takes him down with a headlock. Ryder pops up, but Sheamus elbows him down and uppercuts him down. Sheamus goes for a powerslam, but Ryder slides off and puts him in the corner. Ryder punches away at him and goes for a Broski Boot, but he changes his course to attack Rusev coming into the ring. Sheamus attacks him from behind and knocks him out of the ring. Rusev sends Ryder into the barricade. Sheamus goes outside the ring and gives Ryder a rolling senton on the floor! Sheamus gets him in the ring and knees him in the face. Sheamus connects with a release suplex and fakes tagging in Rusev. Sheamus applies a chin lock, but Ryder fights up. Ryder counters a release suplex into a neckbreaker.
Rusev and Ziggler are tagged in. Ziggler hits a flying clothesline before avalanching him in the corner. Rusev gets out of a neckbreaker, but Ziggler comes right back with a famouser. Sheamus breaks up the pin, and Ryder takes him (as well as himself) over the top rope. Ziggler rolls Rusev up, but he kicks out. Rusev drops him on the ropes and kicks him in the back. Rusev applies the Accolade for the win.
Winners by Submission: Rusev and Sheamus
Match Rating: 3/4 *
The commentators promote the upcoming Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton match at SummerSlam. Randy Orton returns this Sunday at Battleground on Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel.
Coming up next, Dean Ambrose will defend the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins.
-Commercial Break-
Clips are shown of John Cena hosting The ESPYs this past Wednesday.
The commentators talk about the WWE Draft and talk about the rules of it.
Mick Foley is seen talking to The Ascension. Daniel Bryan walks up and asks to talk to Foley alone. Bryan says he wants to have a good, healthy reception. Foley said he had no hard feelings over Bryan’s pop dwarfing his tonight. Bryan says he hopes Foley won’t be upset if next week Smackdown Live’s ratings beat RAW’s. Foley says he hopes Bryan won’t be offended if RAW results are all over Twitter and Smackdown’s are sent via smoke signal. Bryan says he looked up to Foley. Bryan says they have a lot in common. It’s almost like looking in the mirror… in a funhouse. Foley says he saw himself in Bryan when he was going against The Authority, only it was like he was looking through the wrong end of binoculars because he’s a small guy. Foley says they both overcame the odds and defied expectations by becoming unlikely World Champions. They never let anyone stand in their way. Right now, Bryan is standing in his way. Bryan says Foley is standing in his way. They never fought in the ring, but they’re fighting now. Foley says, “May the best brand win. Let the games begin!”
WWE Champion Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring. The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley are seated at ringside, representing Monday Night RAW. Further away are Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan, representing Smackdown Live.
Lilian Garcia does the introductions after both men get in the ring to give this a big fight, championship match feel.
WWE Championship Match
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Seth Rollins
They circle the ring slowly before locking up. Rollins quickly applies a hammerlock, but Ambrose takes him down and connects with a snapmare for a no count. Rollins gets on the apron to take a breath. Ambrose lays out across the turnbuckles a la Eddie Guerrero. Rollins gets back in the ring and locks hands with him. Rollins twists the arm, but Ambrose rolls through. Ambrose takes him down with a headlock, but Rollins fights up and applies a side headlock. Ambrose whips him off, but Rollins shoulder blocks him down. Rollins hits the ropes, and Ambrose connects with a pair of arm drags. Rollins gets out of the ring to recover. Rollins takes his time before getting back in. Rollins kicks him and stomps him down in the corner. Rollins sends him into the ropes, but Ambrose takes him down and punches away at him. Rollins quickly kicks him, but Ambrose reverses a whip. Ambrose lowers his head and eats a kick. Ambrose ducks a clothesline and clotheslines him over the top rope. Ambrose drives him headfirst into the barricade. Rollins punches him and tosses him into the ring, but Ambrose comes back with a rebound clothesline. Ambrose then takes him out with a clothesline off the apron.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Rollins punching Ambrose to the corner. Rollins viciously whips him hard into the corner and stomps the hand. Rollins twists the hand in directions its not supposed to bend. Rollins connects with a snapmare before kicking him in the back. Rollins drops a knee before applying a chin lock. Ambrose fights up and arm drags him. Rollins quickly comes back with a reverse STO into the turnbuckle for a near fall. Rollins kicks him in the head before ripping at the face. Rollins goes outside and stares at Shane McMahon before punching Ambrose. Stephanie McMahon happily claps for him. Rollins gets back in the ring, and Ambrose catches him with an inside cradle for a two count. Rollins immediately comes back with the Sling Blade for a near fall. Rollins covers him again for the same result. Rollins applies a Cobra Clutch, but Ambrose fights up. They then take each other out with a double running cross-body.
Ambrose starts punching and jabbing Rollins before hitting a pair of running forearms. Rollins reverses a whip, but Ambrose immediately comes back with a clothesline. Ambrose connects with a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall. Ambrose chops the chest before having a whip reversed, but he comes right back with a sunset flip. They trade pins with neither man getting a victory. Rollins ducks a clothesline, Ambrose ducks a kick, and Ambrose connects with a neckbreaker for a near fall. Ambrose goes for a running forearm in the corner, but Rollins dropkicks him down. Rollins goes for a Pedigree, but Ambrose gives him a back body drop. Rollins quickly gets him out of the ring and goes for a suicide dive, but Ambrose punches him. Ambrose then clotheslines him over the top rope. Ambrose then wipes him out with a suicide dive. Ambrose picks him up, but Rollins punches him. Rollins throws him into the ring, but Ambrose tries for a rebound clothesline. Rollins sidesteps him, and Ambrose goes headfirst into the barricade. Rollins hits a release powerbomb into the barricade! Rollins throws him into the ring and quickly connects with a Frog Splash for a near fall!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the final break of the evening to see Ambrose counter a turnbuckle powerbomb into a hurricanrana into the turnbuckle! Stephanie is concerned for Rollins and asks the referee to check on him. Shane and Bryan are looking on attentively. Ambrose goes for Dirty Deeds, but Rollins counters into a Pedigree attempt. Ambrose counters that with a catapult over the top rope, but Rollins lands on the apron. Rollins hits a springboard knee to the head and quickly goes to the top rope, but Ambrose avoids the Frog Splash.
The crowd is buzzing for both men. Rollins powers him into the corner and hits a running forearm. Rollins connects with it a second time, but Ambrose follows him to the corner for the third one. Ambrose quickly hits the ropes, but Rollins boots him in the face. Rollins kicks him in the face a few times, but he misses a final big kick. Ambrose jabs and chops him before head-butting him. Ambrose hits the ropes, but Rollins gives him an enzuigiri. Rollins counters a rebound clothesline and connects with a turnbuckle powerbomb. Ambrose is out on his feet and instinctively just connects with Dirty Deeds! The referee counts, but Rollins gets his foot on the bottom rope at the last second. The brain trusts of Monday Night RAW and Smackdown Live are on their feet.
Rollins quickly rolls out of the ring to recover. Ambrose tells Stephanie to keep quiet because she’ll find out why he’s the champion. Ambrose clears the Spanish Commentary Table and puts Rollins on top of it. Ambrose stands on the barricade, but Rollins moves. Ambrose chases him to the apron, and Rollins goes for a Pedigree. Ambrose clotheslines him back into the ring and goes to the top rope. Ambrose comes off the top rope, but Rollins kicks him in the midsection and connects with a Pedigree for a near fall! A “Holy Shit” chant fires up. Rollins goes for a second Pedigree, but Ambrose takes him down with a jackknife pin for a near fall. Rollins quickly kicks him, but Ambrose turns him inside out with a rebound clothesline. Ambrose goes to the top rope, but Rollins scales the ropes for a superplex. Ambrose pushes him off, and Rollins falls into the referee. Rollins connects with the superplex, but Ambrose comes up with a cradle. The referee counts three as both men’s shoulders are on the mat.
Lilian Garcia doesn’t know what to do and is looking around for someone to announce. Stephanie gets in the ring and hugs Rollins. Everyone is in the ring now and there is confusion. Stephanie grabs the WWE Championship and announces that Seth Rollins is the new champion. Rollins celebrates his win, but the referee is still confused as to what happened. Shane and Stephanie are arguing about it as the show goes off the air.
After RAW went off the air, the situation continued live on the WWE Network. It was ruled that the match was a draw by the referee with both shoulders down on the mat.
Lilian Garcia announced that Ambrose is still the WWE Champion.
Winner and still WWE Champion: Dean Ambrose
Match Rating: ***
Quick Match Results
* Sami Zayn and Cesaro def. Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens
* Darren Young def. Alberto Del Rio
* The Club and The Wyatt Family def. John Cena, Enzo and Cass, and The New Day
* Baron Corbin def. Sin Cara
* Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch NC Charlotte and Dana Brooke
* Rusev and Sheamus def. Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder via Submission
* Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins ended in a draw, Ambrose retains WWE Championship
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Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
I’ll be covering Smackdown Live and the WWE Draft tomorrow night so check that out.
Check out last week’s RAW results here.
Thanks for reading!