WWE RAW Results
August 8, 2016
Anaheim, California
Commentary: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video recaps the events from last week’s RAW. Finn Bálor and Seth Rollins had a verbal confrontation in the ring. Bálor said Rollins would have his ass handed to him. We also see footage of Rusev defeating Mark Henry before being confronted by Roman Reigns. Finally we see Randy Orton spoiling the return of Brock Lesnar by dropping him with an RKO. We then go to footage from Smackdown Live when Lesnar got retaliation by giving Orton an F5.
The RAW video plays, and we’re brought into the arena to see a big pyrotechnics display. SummerSlam is just two short weeks away. Tonight, we’ll see a video hyping up Orton/Lesnar, a match which is fifteen years in the making. Mick Foley has also invited Daniel Bryan to RAW to clear the air. Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs will also guest star on the show.
Enzo and Big Cass make their way to the ring to a huge reception from the crowd. Enzo goes through his usual shtick, which the crowd happily chants along with him. Enzo dances around a bit before mentioning that he came out last week on RAW as a “G” spitting game to the WWE Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks. Big Cass mentions that she was loving it. Enzo says there’s no question about it. She was smitten. Big Cass says Enzo was like catnip to a kitten. Enzo says he doesn’t have a crystal ball, but he could see the future and knows he had it in the bag. The chemistry in the ring was like a science fair. Big Cass says he was like Mike Trout swinging for the fences. The crowd gives Trout a mixed reception. Enzo then says “Jon Bon” Jericho came out with a Golden Glove and robbed him of a home run. Jericho hit him with a Codebreaker. The only code Jericho broke was the “man code” when he came out wearing a scarf and no shirt. It makes him throw up in his mouth when he sees him like that. Enzo says he and Big Cass are some Anaheim Angels on the “Stairway To Heaven,” and Jericho is on the “Highway To Hell.” Enzo calls Jericho an Axl Rose wannabe and says, “Welcome to the jungle, baby. You’re going down!”
Chris Jericho’s music hits, and he comes out wearing the aforementioned scarf with no shirt on. Jericho says Enzo is more irritating than “Achy, Breaky Heart.” Jericho calls him “Enzo Annoying” and says the only reason that he’s still in the WWE is every time he makes a mess with his mouth, he’s got a 7-foot maid to clean it up for him. Jericho says they look like Spike and Chester. They’re a couple of goofballs. Jericho says at least he has someone always watching his back, but so does he. Jericho asks, “How you doin’?” Kevin Owens’ music hits, and he comes out to stand next to Jericho. They then make their way to the ring.
Jericho says he and Owens had a lot of problems when he came to the WWE, but he spoke to Jim Marvinluder and got some advice. Now they’re closer than brothers. They’re close Canadian brothers. No matter what he does, Owens has his back. Through hell and high water, Owens has his back. Jericho then asks Owens if he has his back. Owens reluctantly says he does. Big Cass says they’re like Bert and Ernie scrubbing each other’s backs in the same bathtub. Jericho says only a stupid idiot would think that’s funny. Big Cass says if Jericho doesn’t like it, he can do something about it. Owens says he used to like Cass. When they were in NXT, he was one of the few he liked. Owens had a waste of space best friend that was holding him down, but unlike him, Cass didn’t get rid of the dead weight. Cass instead carried the dead weight and brought it to RAW. Now he has to see and listen to it every week. Enzo is here because of Cass, so Owens doesn’t like him anymore. Owens doesn’t care that he’s 7-feet tall. He’s going to hurt him.
Cass gets in Owens’ face and towers over him. Owens says if it’s not him who hurts Cass, Jericho will. Jericho has a perplexed look on his face. Jericho then reiterates what Owens said. Cass says they should do this right now. Jericho tells them to calm down. Jericho wasn’t talking to Big Cass. Big Cass says he was looking directly at him. Jericho says he was looking at Enzo, the “Hip Hop Hobbit.” Enzo better be prepared because he’s going to get “it.” Enzo looks confused and says when he finds out what “it” is, he’ll shove it down his throat. Enzo and Big Cass’ music plays. This match is next.
-Commercial Break-
Enzo Amore w/ Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho w/ Kevin Owens
The bell rings, and they circle the ring before locking up. Jericho applies a side headlock and looks for a submission. Enzo whips him off, and Jericho shoulder blocks him down. Jericho hits the ropes and shoulder blocks him down again. Jericho poses for the crowd before hitting the ropes. Enzo dropkicks him down and connects with a pair of arm drags. Enzo applies an arm bar, but Jericho soon fights up. Enzo wrenches the arm and applies a hammerlock. Jericho quickly gets to the ropes. Jericho slaps him in the face and chops the chest. Jericho sends him to the corner, but Enzo catches him with a head-scissor takeover. Enzo connects with a second head-scissor takeover before running into a clothesline. Jericho catches his breath while Owens talks trash to Enzo. Jericho chokes Enzo on the ropes before being reprimanded by the referee. Owens gets a cheap shot in while the referee isn’t looking. Jericho connects with a snap suplex before putting his foot on his chest for a disrespectful cover. Jericho digs his boot in Enzo’s face. Enzo comes back with some punches before hitting the ropes and eating a dropkick from Jericho. Jericho talks trash to Enzo before Enzo fights back. Jericho cuts him off with a kick and sends him over the top rope, but Enzo skins the cat and gets in. Jericho charges, but Enzo gives him a back body drop over the top rope. Enzo connects with a baseball slide. Owens pulls Jericho back as Big Cass joins Enzo’s side.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Jericho chop the chest of Enzo in the corner. Jericho pulls his hair and talks some trash before slapping him in the face. Jericho sends him into the corner, but he runs into a boot. Enzo goes to the second rope and dives off for a DDT.
Enzo punches away at Jericho before having a whip reversed. Enzo ducks a clothesline and takes him out with a cross-body block. Enzo punches away at him before hitting a clothesline. Jericho ducks a clothesline, but Enzo comes back with a facebuster and a running forearm for a near fall. The crowd lightly chants for Enzo. Jericho boots him in the face and counters a hurricanrana into the Walls of Jericho. Enzo claws to the bottom rope and gets a break. Jericho thinks he won, but the referee informs him that Enzo made it to the bottom rope. Jericho charges into an elbow. Enzo goes to the top rope and connects with a cross-body block for a near fall. Jericho gets out of the ring to catch his breath, but Enzo floors him with a plancha. Enzo gets him back in the ring, but Owens grabs his ankle. Jericho takes advantage of the distraction to hit a Codebreaker. Jericho sets up for the Lionsault, but Big Cass big boots him for the disqualification.
Winner by Disqualification: Chris Jericho
Match Rating: * 1/4
Kevin Owens screams about how they won and how he had Jericho’s back. Big Cass and Enzo angrily look at them celebrating up the ramp. Big Cass says if Kevin Owens wants to stick his nose in their business, then they can fight them in their backyard at SummerSlam. Owens agrees to hit and says they’ll kick their ass because they’re winners. Big Cass says they will prove at SummerSlam that there is only one word to describe them, and he’ll spell it out for them: S-A-W-F-T!
Rusev and Lana will celebrate their marriage with the WWE Universe tonight.
Mick Foley is backstage talking on his cell phone. Foley says they need to nip this Brock Lesnar/Randy Orton thing in the bud. That’s why he invited Daniel Bryan to RAW. Foley is revealed to be talking to Stephanie McMahon. Sasha Banks walks in. Sasha says SummerSlam is two weeks away, and she defends her title against Charlotte one-on-one. The only thing is it won’t be one-on-one since Dana Brooke always interferes, so they should make it a handicap match. Foley says the whole world wants to see the rematch. Her match two weeks ago was one of the most emotional experiences he’s ever had. Foley suggests she have a match against Dana Brooke tonight. If she wins, Dana is banned from ringside. If she loses, it will be a handicap match. Foley wishes her luck, but she says you don’t need luck when you’re “The Boss.”
-Commercial Break-
Braun Strowman makes his way to the ring. Byron Saxton is backstage with his unfortunate opponent, Jorel Nelson. Saxton asks him what possessed him to take this match. Nelson looks sick to his stomach and says nothing. Saxton wishes him luck.
Braun Strowman vs. Jorel Nelson
The bell rings, and Nelson immediately gets on the apron, seemingly having second thoughts. Strowman punches him off the apron before throwing him back in the ring. Strowman hits the ropes and turns him inside out with a clothesline. Strowman gives him a Reverse Chokeslam and yanks his unconscious body to the center of the ring to pin him with one hand.
Winner by Pinfall: Braun Strowman
Match Rating: 1/4 *
Strowman grabs his leg and rips him out of the ring. Strowman licks his lips and leaves the ring.
Foley is backstage playing with his iPad. Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs walks in and says Foley looks great as a General Manager. Combs says WWE always treats him like family and gives Foley front row tickets to his upcoming show. The New Day walks in (minus Big E) and greets Combs. Xavier Woods congratulates Combs on being the soundtrack curator of WWE 2K17. Combs eats some Booty O’s and talks about some of the music on the game. Combs asks about Big E’s nuts, and he’s reminded that he can’t say that on television. Anderson and Gallows did Big E wrong. They then suggest they give Big E a call. Combs agrees and they walk off.
-Commercial Break-
Titus O’Neil vs. Darren Young w/ Mr. Bob Backlund
Replays are shown of O’Neil beating Young last week by holding the tights. Backlund and O’Neil argue about the cheating methods. O’Neil told him to calm down, and Young attacked him from behind.
The bell rings, and they go face to face before O’Neil shoves him. Young slaps him in the face and punches away at him. O’Neil reverses a whip and viciously takes him down. O’Neil kicks him out of the ring before driving him into the apron. O’Neil chops the chest before sending him into the ring. O’Neil slaps him in the head and gives him a short-arm clothesline. O’Neil yells at Backlund at ringside before clubbing Young down in the corner. Young elbows back at him and stuns him with a right hand. Young leaps off the second rope, but O’Neil catches him. Young sides off his shoulder and rolls him up with a handful of tights for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Darren Young
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Backlund yells wildly in celebration and hugs him. O’Neil shouts at them from the ring. Backlund picks Young up and carries him around.
Seth Rollins will talk about Finn Bálor, next.
-Commercial Break-
Seth Rollins talks about his SummerSlam opponent, Finn Bálor
Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring to a light reception from the crowd. Rollins says the New Era in WWE is upon us. It has been rolling along, and it has been quite the learning experience. Even he, the great Seth Rollins, has learned a thing or two. Case in point, his SummerSlam opponent, Finn Bálor. Rollins figured he was a cheap, second-rate knockoff of him. Rollins thought Bálor was the Jared Leto to his Heath Ledger. Rollins thought he knew everything there was to know, but after last week he was forced to reevaluate his opinion. A replay is shown of Bálor saying that he would hand Rollins his ass at SummerSlam. Rollins tried to sneak attack him, but Bálor then took him out.
Rollins says Bálor is athletic and a good striker. Any normal man that got kicked in the head like that would probably still be lying on the mat, but he is no normal man. If being simply the best was an Olympic sport, he’d have more gold medals than Michael Phelps. Rollins doesn’t want to talk about himself too much because everyone knows how great he is. He wants to talk about Finn Bálor and get to know him. Bálor’s name isn’t really Finn Bálor. Bálor started under another name and made up the name. Finn means “Famous Warrior” and Bálor means “Demon King.” Rollins laughs at that and says it sounds ridiculous. That’d be like calling himself “Rambo Apocalypse.” Rollins says now that we know who Bálor wants the crowd to think he is, he wants to know who he really is. The more he gets to know Bálor, the more he doesn’t like him. Bálor is one of the most disrespectful human beings he’s ever met. This is his show and ring and Bálor talked to him like he’s some regular person. How arrogant is that? Bálor is so arrogant that he told him he would beat him for the WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam. Bálor won two matches in WWE. The people he beat are no joke, but they’re no Seth Rollins. Bálor disrespected him with his arrogance and ignorance because he had the gall to stand here and say Rollins’ opportunity was handed to him like he didn’t work for everything he has in life. Rollins says he overcame a career threatening knee injury and came back in record time for this match.
Bálor is disrespectful, arrogant, and ignorant. Rollins says he is none of those things. Rollins knows his place in WWE: right at the very top. Rollins is not ignorant because he doesn’t need to surround himself with myths and legends to make himself something that he is not. Rollins knows who he is and what he is capable of. He is the man, the myth, and the legend. In 200 years, people will be telling stories about how he killed “The Beast” and crushed the face that runs the place. Rollins conquered the Roman Empire, which elicits cheers from the crowd. At SummerSlam, he’ll add to his legend when he beats Finn Bálor to become the first WWE Universal Champion.
Michael Cole mentions that we’ll have an in depth look at Finn Bálor later in the show. The commentators then talk about the match at SummerSlam.
Replays are shown of Randy Orton dropping Brock Lesnar with an RKO last week on RAW. We’ll see a video hyping the match later tonight.
Coming up later tonight, Mick Foley will have Daniel Bryan on RAW.
-Commercial Break-
The commentators talk about the latest WWE/Scooby Doo collaboration.
Sheamus vs. Cesaro
Replays are shown of Cesaro defeating Sheamus last week on RAW with the Neutralizer.
They lock up, and Sheamus powers him to the corner before clubbing him down. Sheamus executes a headlock takeover before pulling him back up. Cesaro whips him off, but Sheamus runs him over with a shoulder block. Sheamus hits the ropes, but Cesaro leapfrogs him and dropkicks him down. Cesaro then clotheslines him over the top rope. Cesaro hits the ropes and takes him out with a scary suicide dive! Cesaro takes his time before putting Sheamus in the ring. Sheamus kicks him in the chest as he comes back in the ring. Sheamus uppercuts him a few times before punching him in the corner. Sheamus goes for a suplex, but Cesaro counters and catches him with a delayed vertical suplex for a one count. Cesaro uppercuts him and kicks him in the face. Cesaro continues to uppercut him and sends him to the opposite corner. Sheamus drops him on the apron, but Cesaro punches him back. Cesaro goes to the top rope, but Sheamus crotches him up there. Sheamus then takes him out with a rolling senton before taunting the crowd.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Sheamus on the top rope, and he takes Cesaro out with a flying shoulder tackle for a near fall. Sheamus immediately goes to the chin lock. Cesaro fights up and punches him. Sheamus cuts him off with some uppercuts before Cesaro uppercuts away at him. Sheamus reverses a whip, but Cesaro twists to the apron. Sheamus blocks a kick and starts the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán, but Cesaro cuts him off and punches him back. Cesaro goes to the top rope for a cross-body block, but Sheamus kicks out at two. Cesaro signals for the swing, but Sheamus knees him in the face before hitting a neckbreaker for a near fall. Sheamus picks him up, but Cesaro slides off and rolls him up for a two count. Sheamus fights out of a Cesaro Swing and pins him for a two count. Cesaro gets out of a slam and goes for the Neutralizer, but Sheamus gives him a back body drop. Cesaro manages to land on his feet and slides under a Brogue Kick before pinning him for a near fall. Sheamus connects with an Irish Curse Backbreaker for a near fall. Sheamus cannot believe he couldn’t put him away.
The crowd is starting to come to life. Sheamus connects with a running shoulder tackle before laying him out with White Noise for a near fall. Sheamus is in complete disbelief. Sheamus goes to the apron and catches his breath before going to the top rope. Cesaro surprises him with an uppercut. They trade punches before Cesaro dropkicks him off the top rope and to the floor! Cesaro runs around ringside and connects with a running uppercut. Cesaro gets him in the ring and tries to start the uppercut train, but the referee gets in the way. Sheamus accidentally hits the referee, and Cesaro rolls him up for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Cesaro
Match Rating: **
Sheamus is absolutely livid that he’s been defeated a second week in a row. Sheamus argues with the referee as Cesaro celebrates.
Footage is shown from Smackdown Live when Brock Lesnar dropped Randy Orton with an F5. Coming up next, we’ll take a look at the Lesnar/Orton match at SummerSlam.
-Commercial Break-
Video Package: Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton: “15 Years in the Making”
Brock Lesnar will be live on RAW next week, which is the final RAW before SummerSlam.
Later tonight, Mick Foley will have Smackdown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan on RAW to “clear the air.”
The Dudley Boyz make their way to the ring. They’ll face Neville and a partner of his choosing, next.
-Commercial Break-
The Dudley Boyz vs. Neville and Sin Cara
Bubba Ray Dudley will start the match against Sin Cara. Bubba talks a ton of trash before big booting Cara down. Bubba punches away at him before tagging D-Von Dudley in. D-Von clubs him before punching him down. D-Von punches him before Bubba tags back in. Bubba punches Cara down in the corner before punching Neville off the apron. Bubba goes outside and grabs Neville’s recently healed ankle. Cara takes Bubba out with a summersault plancha. Cara gets Bubba in the ring and takes him out with a springboard moonsault block. Cara kicks him in the arm and hits the ropes before jumping through the ropes for some reason. Cara gets on the apron, and Bubba clubs him to the floor. Bubba puts him in the ring and tags D-Von in. They execute the wishbone split before D-Von drops an elbow for a two count. D-Von whips him hard into the corner and mocks the “Lucha” chant. D-Von sends him to the opposite corner and chopping the chest. D-Von sends him to the corner, but Cara sidesteps an avalanche.
Neville is tagged in, and he viciously kicks away at D-Von before dropkicking him in the head. Neville hits a running forearm before connecting with a missile dropkick. D-Von elbows Neville. Neville then ducks a hit from Bubba, and D-Von clotheslines Bubba down. Neville connects with an enzuigiri on D-Von and rolls him up for a near fall. Neville hits the ropes and takes Bubba out with a corkscrew plancha. D-Von runs into a kick from Cara, and Neville hits D-Von with a missile dropkick. Neville goes to the top rope and connects with the Red Arrow for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Neville and Sin Cara
Match Rating: 3/4 *
Bubba angrily looks at D-Von as Neville and Cara stand tall in the ring.
Rusev is seen admiring himself in the mirror. He’ll celebrate his marriage to Lana, next.
-Commercial Break-
Rusev and Lana: A Celebration of Love
Rusev makes his way to the stage before “Canon in D” starts playing and Lana comes out wearing a provocative wedding dress. In the ring, there is a red carpet and a table with cakes and champagne glasses. They get in the ring. Lana says she is Rusev’s princess. When you are a princess, you are supposed to get the fairy tale wedding of your dreams. Lana says none of the people in the crowd could attend because it was VIPs only. Rusev screams at the crowd to respect his wife. The crowd starts to boo them. Lana says today is their lucky day. They’re about to reenact their very special occasion with everyone in the crowd. Rusev says Lana is beautiful and all his. Rusev shows off her ring and has her kiss his bicep. She says they will get the best gift ever: experiencing their wedding day. A video package shows photos of their wedding day.
A loud “Boring” chant breaks out. Rusev says that’s all the pictures they have for them. Lana says they rented a private beach. Unlike everyone in America that can’t afford to rent a one-bedroom apartment much less a beach, her husband is the greatest man of all time. Rusev says this is why he fights so hard and is a great champion so he can provide for his wife. Rusev says the cakes on the table cost more than anyone makes in a month. Lana says all the major media networks captured the best moment of her life when they became husband and wife. They wrote their own vows and will relive the moment now. Rusev says they need to be quiet and respect his wife. Lana tells them to get their phones out to capture this moment.
Roman Reigns’ music hits, and he comes out to a nice pop from the crowd. As he gets closer to the ring, the boos start to break through a bit. Rusev is furious in the ring. Reigns takes his time before getting in the ring. Once he’s in the ring, the boos really come through. Reigns tells Rusev to take it easy and relax. Reigns says he’s not out here to fight and ruin this. Reigns noticed Rusev didn’t have a best man at the wedding. Reigns says he wants to step up and be Rusev’s best man. Reigns is going to give them a toast. Rusev says he doesn’t need Reigns’ stupid toast. Reigns says if he won’t accept his toast, maybe he’ll accept his challenge for the United States Championship at SummerSlam. Rusev refuses. Reigns says if he won’t accept the challenge, then he’ll just have to listen to the toast. Reigns pours three glasses of champagne and downs one. Reigns thanks Rusev and Lana. He never had the opportunity to see a marriage between a Bulgarian Sasquatch and a mail order bride. Reigns says he wants to have a good time, but Rusev won’t let him. Reigns was expecting more from Rusev like Lana was expecting more on her wedding night. Rusev attacks Reigns and punches away at him in the corner. Reigns comes back with some head-butts, but Rusev quickly powers him to the corner and shoulders away at him. Lana angrily yells at Reigns. Reigns then knocks Rusev into Lana, and she falls face-first into the wedding cake. Lana screams at Reigns, and Reigns just walks off. Rusev throws cake at Reigns as he walks up the ramp. Lana continues to flip out in the ring.
Coming up next, Sasha Banks will face Dana Brooke.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Lana going into her wedding cake.
Lana is still screaming while covered in cake backstage. Rusev yells at Mick Foley to do something about this. Foley says he can work out his frustration at SummerSlam against Reigns with the WWE United States Championship on the line.
Sasha Banks vs. Dana Brooke w/ Charlotte
If Sasha Banks wins, Dana Brooke is banned from ringside at SummerSlam. If Sasha Banks loses, it will be a handicap match at SummerSlam.
The bell rings, and Dana attacks her from behind as Charlotte immediately distracts Sasha. Sasha slaps her back and gives her a hip toss before taking her down with double knees for a two count. Sasha puts her in the corner, but Dana pushes her off. Dana drops her face-first on the top rope and stomps her before punching away at her. Dana applies a straightjacket, but Sasha fights up and sends her into the ropes. Sasha ducks a clothesline and connects with a pair of her own before dropkicking her down. Dana kicks her down before clotheslining her for a near fall. Dana covers again for a two count. Dana tries a third time for a one count. Dana hits her with a sweatband before choking her on the ropes. Charlotte accidentally slaps Dana in a horribly mistimed spot. That was like in slow motion. Sasha knocks Charlotte down and gives Dana double knees to the midsection for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Sasha Banks
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Dana Brooke will be banned from ringside at SummerSlam.
A short hype video for Nia Jax is shown.
Coming up next, we’ll see a video package highlighting Finn Bálor.
-Commercial Break-
A video package is shown of Finn Bálor talking about the heroes and villains of Irish Mythology. Bálor promises the demon will show up at SummerSlam.
A truly funny video is shown with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. They poke fun at injuring Big E’s testicles and call the condition “ringpostitis.” They hold up a jar with liquid and eggs and talk about how it makes them “testy.” They will collect another sample from Kofi Kingston, next.
-Commercial Break-
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods vs. Luke Gallows w/ Karl Anderson
The bell rings, and Kingston gets a waistlock applied. Gallows elbows him and punches him down. Gallows sends him into the ropes, but Kingston goes for a sunset flip. Gallows doesn’t go down, but Kingston manages to dropkick him down. Kingston then pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Kingston then takes him out with a running splash. Kingston gets him in the ring and goes to the top rope. Anderson gets on the apron, and Woods pulls him off. Anderson quickly sends Woods into the ring post. Gallows grabs Kingston and gives him a fireman’s carry facebuster for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Luke Gallows
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Gallows and Anderson try to give Kingston “ringpostitis,” but Woods chases them off with a steel chair.
A video from earlier in the day is shown of Goldust walking in the parking lot when he bumps into Scooby Doo. R-Truth is jealous he’s not in the movie and nearly comes to blows with Scooby Doo. Goldust says they should watch the movie and eat Scooby Snacks.
Mick Foley makes his way to the ring. He’ll have Daniel Bryan out, next.
-Commercial Break-
Mick Foley is standing in the ring as the crowd chants his last name. Foley says the wedding was “fresh.” When he competed in WWE, he lived by the philosophy of an “eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and an ear for an ear.” That philosophy is archaic and barbaric in retrospect. In the spirit of brotherhood, his special guest is the Smackdown General Manager, Daniel Bryan.
Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring to a huge reception and starts an arena-wide “YES” chant. Bryan says as much as it pains him to say it, Mick Foley has been doing an excellent job of running Monday Night RAW. Foley says as long as they’re throwing “compliment grenades” across enemy lines, not only is Bryan doing a great job on Smackdown Live, but his commentary with Mauro Ranallo is great on the Cruiserweight Classic. Bryan is impressed that Foley invited him here since Smackdown Live has been so impressive. Foley says he understands why Bryan would want to get a plug on the flagship show, but he brought him here to apologize to him for Brock Lesnar invading Smackdown Live and embarrassing Randy Orton. Foley says he is deeply sorry. Bryan thanks him, but says he doesn’t have to apologize. Smackdown Live fired the first shot when Orton came out of nowhere and RKOed the beast. Bryan derisively apologizes.
Foley tells him to knock it off. If Bryan had respect for him, he wouldn’t be talking smack on “Talking Smack” about the WWE Universal Championship. A video is shown of Bryan making fun of the name of the title this past Tuesday. Bryan says that was out of context. He really thought they should have done a “Milky Way Championship.” Foley says the Universal Championship is not a joke.
Rusev’s music hits, and he angrily storms down to the ring dressed to fight. Rusev says RAW doesn’t need another champion because it already has one. Rusev says the next time one of the superstars from Smackdown Live shows up on his show, he’ll crush him for the greatest GM in the history of mankind, Mick Foley. Bryan asks if he’s sucking up to Foley to get out of his SummerSlam match. Bryan says that’s pathetic. Rusev says he’ll crush Bryan like the Smackdown Live bug he is.
Cesaro’s music hits, and he comes out in his tearaway suit. Cesaro says it seems like Rusev is having a really bad night, and he has a great idea how to make it worse. Foley said Cesaro could earn a championship opportunity, and he proved last week and this week that he deserves a championship opportunity. Foley says Sheamus almost had Cesaro for a moment. Cesaro is confused because he thought Foley was a man of his word. Bryan says Cesaro is being underutilized on RAW. A “YES” chant breaks out. Foley says Roman Reigns will get his shot at SummerSlam against Rusev, but he’ll get his shot tonight in Anaheim, California. Rusev flips out. This match is next despite it being 4 minutes to 11 o’clock.
-Commercial Break-
Brock Lesnar will be live on RAW next week. We’ll also see Seth Rollins call out the Demon King.
WWE United States Championship Match
Rusev (c) vs. Cesaro
JoJo starts the introductions in the ring at 11:00 PM EST. Rusev screams at her and demands he be introduced first.
The bell to start the match begins at 11:01 PM EST. Cesaro gets him in the corner and immediately starts the uppercut train with four stops. Rusev quickly gets to the bottom rope to avoid the Cesaro Swing. Rusev gets out of the ring to recover, but Cesaro wipes him out with a flipping senton off the apron. Cesaro goes to the top rope for a cross-body block and gets a two count. Cesaro goes for the Neutralizer, but Rusev takes him down and catapults him, but Cesaro lands on the ropes. Rusev avoids a cross-body block and sends him shoulder-first into the ring post. Rusev sends the injured shoulder back into the ring post before doing it a third time. Cesaro punches him down and stomps him. Rusev pulls him toward the post and slams the untaped arm off the ring post. Rusev then punches him and pulls the taped shoulder into the post. Rusev shoulders away at him in the corner before sending him sternum-first into the corner. Rusev takes him down and drops an elbow for a two count. Rusev applies an arm bar, but Cesaro quickly fights up and punches out. Rusev quickly takes him down with a shoulder block. Rusev shouts at the crowd before kicking Cesaro in the face. Rusev applies a hammerlock, but Cesaro body slams him with one arm to get out.
Cesaro takes Rusev down for a swing, but Rusev kicks out of it. Cesaro nails him with a double stomp to the midsection for a near fall. Cesaro connects with a running uppercut before delivering ten more uppercuts. Cesaro catches him with a tornado DDT for a near fall. It is 11:07 PM EST. Cesaro goes for a Neutralizer, but Rusev fights out and drives his knee into the midsection. Rusev kicks him in the head and picks up a near fall. Rusev is livid. Rusev goes for the Accolade, but Cesaro fights out and picks him up for an impressive electric chair drop. Both men take a few moments to get to their feet. They begin to trade punches with Cesaro coming out on top. Rusev reverses a whip, but Cesaro springboards off the ropes with a corkscrew uppercut. Cesaro takes him down for the Cesaro Swing before applying the Sharpshooter in tribute to his former tag team partner Tyson Kidd. Sheamus runs down, but Cesaro knocks him off the apron. Rusev then superkicks him down for a near fall. Rusev can’t believe it.
Sheamus gets on the apron again, but Cesaro sends Rusev into Sheamus. The referee inadvertently gets taken out. Cesaro hits the Neutralizer and pins him, but the referee is still down. Cesaro had him pinned for a few moments before the referee came to. Cesaro gets a near fall. Rusev quickly thumbs him in the eye, and Cesaro goes down near the ropes. Sheamus connects with a Brogue Kick, which allows Rusev to pin Cesaro for the win.
Winner and still WWE United States Champion: Rusev
Match Rating: * 1/2
Sheamus gleefully smiles before walking off. Rusev celebrates his championship victory. Rusev goes to ringside and turns around looking shocked. Rusev turned too soon and had to stand there for a few awkward moments before Roman Reigns floored him with a Spear. Reigns then walks off as his music plays.
We go backstage to see Stone Cold Steve Austin setting up for his podcast with Dean Ambrose. That’s next on the WWE Network.
Quick Match Results
* Chris Jericho def. Enzo Amore via DQ
* Braun Strowman def. Jorel Nelson
* Darren Young def. Titus O’Neil
* Cesaro def. Sheamus
* Neville and Sin Cara def. The Dudley Boyz
* Sasha Banks def. Dana Brooke
* Luke Gallows def. Kofi Kingston
* Rusev def. Cesaro to retain the WWE United States Championship
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