WWE RAW Results
August 15, 2016
Corpus Christi, Texas
Commentary: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
The show opens with a video package focusing on Roman Reigns interrupting the wedding celebration between Rusev and Lana last week. Rusev defends the WWE United States Championship against Reigns at SummerSlam this Sunday.
The video package also focuses on the issues between Seth Rollins and Finn Balor.
We see footage from earlier today in Corpus Christi where Seth Rollins is outside. He said we are six days away from him proving he is the man and turning the inevitable into the reality when “Seth Rollins becomes the first ever WWE Universal Champion.” Rollins wants to call out the “Demon King” right now. He laughs and said Balor is too scared to find him. Rollins said he is going to go find the Demon King himself tonight.
We go live inside the arena where WWE United States Champion Rusev and Lana are yelling at people at ringside. Lana has a mic and says they will not leave the ring. She said everyone in Corpus Christi will listen to what they have to say. Rusev grabs the mic and says Roman Reigns ruined a historical event last week. He said because of what Reigns did, we won’t have an episode of RAW until Reigns comes out and apologizes.
RAW General Manager Mick Foley answers the call instead. Foley is yelling at Rusev to leave the ring. Rusev said Foley is no general manager without him. He calls himself the greatest United States Champion ever and demands respect. Rusev refuses to leave and tells Foley that he sucks. He questions Foley booking the title match at SummerSlam saying Reigns doesn’t deserve a shot at his title. Rusev demands Stephanie McMahon come out to the ring right now. Foley is calling for help from the back.
RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon walks out and gets in the ring. She is joined by Foley and grabs a mic. Stephanie calls Rusev’s behavior completely unacceptable. She says Rusev demands respect, but he won’t show any to a guy like Mick Foley who sacrificed his body for this business. Stephanie supports all of Foley’s decisions and Rusev demands that he deserves respect. Rusev proposes he give Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon a call adding that might appreciate a United States Champion.
Here comes Roman Reigns. Reigns says if they want an apology then he will give one. He apologizes for Rusev going on the website where he got Lana. Reigns questions how hairy their babies will be if they decide to “bump uglies.” Rusev runs down the people that support Reigns. Reigns said he knows they are scheduled to fight at SummerSlam, but he doesn’t feel like waiting until then. He gets in the face of Rusev. Foley breaks it up. Stephanie says the title match will take place at SummerSlam. Rusev wants to defend his wife’s honor. Foley proposes Roman Reigns vs. Rusev tonight to defend the honor of Lana.
Brock Lesnar is back on RAW later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
We see footage of Sheamus costing Cesaro a match against Rusev last week.
Before the match, Byron Saxton talks with Sheamus inside the ring. Sheamus said he proved he was the more dominant athlete the last few weeks and tonight he focuses on Sami Zayn. He said Zayn hides behind his Twitter and his little comments.
Sheamus vs. Sami Zayn
Before the match, Zayn threw his shirt at Sheamus. Sheamus locks up and tackles Zayn. The referee breaks it up and officially starts the match. Sheamus pushes Zayn to the corner. Lock up. Cesaro joins Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves at ringside. Sheamus with a snapmare, kick to the back and drops a knee over Zayn. Zayn with a head scissors takedown on Sheamus. Zayn attempts a jumping tornado DDT off the ring apron. Sheamus catches Zayn and sends him right into the steel ring post as we head to a break.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Sheamus levels Zayn with a big clothesline inside the ring. Sheamus plants Zayn with a quick tilt-a-whirl slam and gets a two count. Zayn pulls down the top rope when Sheamus charges dumping him over to the outside. Sheamus trips up Zayn from under the bottom rope, jumps and throws forearms to his chest repeatedly. Zayn then levels Sheamus with a clothesline out of no where. Zayn then clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope. Zayn hits the ropes, flips over and takes out Sheamus on the outside. Zayn tosses Sheamus back inside the ring. Sheamus avoids a shot from Zayn off the top rope and connects with White Noise for another close two count. Zayn with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count on Sheamus. Zayn is firing himself up in the corner. Sheamus catches Zayn with the Irish Curse Backbreaker in the corner. Sheamus backs up to the corner calling for the Brogue Kick. Cesaro leaves the commentary table and distracts Sheamus. This allows Zayn to connect with his big boot in the corner and get the pinfall on Sheamus.
Winner: Sami Zayn
After the match, Sheamus slaps the mat in anger staring down Cesaro.
Backstage, Kevin Owens talks about facing Big Cass tonight and Chris Jericho talks about being in his corner. Owens jokes that Cass doesn’t seem to know how to spell.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Mick Foley breaks up Sheamus and Cesaro arguing backstage. Foley said he questioned them both last week. He announces a best of seven series between Cesaro and Sheamus with the first match starting at SummerSlam this Sunday.
The Dudley Boyz vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
Before the match, we get another “Ringpostitis” video from Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. We get plenty of puns between Gallows and Anderson.
The bell rings and we start with Xavier Woods and D-Von Dudley. Woods is distract by Bubba Ray allowing D-Von to get in a shot. D-Von with a clothesline and right hand on Woods. D-Von with right hands to Woods and tags in Bubba. Bubba with right hands to the body of Woods. Bubba sends Woods face first into the corner and throws more rights. Woods with rights to fight back. D-Von tags himself in and accidentally clotheslines Bubba. Bubba rolls out, tag to Kofi, Woods pushes D-Von away and Kofi with a cross body. Kofi connects with Trouble in Paradise on D-Von and gets the pinfall for the win.
Winners: WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day
After the match, we get another video from Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. They plan to conduct more tests and tease Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as new test subjects. Kofi Kingston grabs a mic and talks about Big E being seriously hurt. Xavier Woods said he knows they weren’t here last year, but SummerSlam is where they started their reign as WWE Tag Team Champions and he doesn’t plan on losing to them. They lead a “NEW DAY ROCKS” chant holding up the WWE World Tag Team Championships.
Up next, Nia Jax is in action.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Seth Rollins is looking for Finn Balor. He comes across Neville who said he’s been in the ring with the Demon King and doesn’t think Rollins is ready.
Nia Jax vs. Rachel Levy
Lock up and Nia Jax quickly throws Rachel down. Rachel gets in a boot and elbows from the corner. Jax lifts up Rachel and sits her down on the top rope. Jax backs off and then pushes Rachel off the top rope. Jax throws Rachel back inside the ring, puts her on her shoulders and then drives her back down hard into the mat to get the pinfall.
Winner: Nia Jax
Backstage, we see Paul Heyman knocking on the door of Brock Lesnar’s locker room. Heyman walks inside. Heyman and Lesnar are up next.
-Commercial Break-
Break Lesnar returns to RAW
We are back live as Brock Lesnar walks out with Paul Heyman to a big reaction in Corpus Christi. We go back to footage from two weeks ago of Lesnar on RAW when Randy Orton showed up and hit an RKO out of no where hitting the ring. We then see Lesnar showing up on Smackdown Live the following night and giving Orton an F5.
Back live, Corpus Christi is giving a huge ovation for Lesnar. Paul Heyman goes to introduce himself when Heath Slater’s music hits to interrupt. Heyman said he doesn’t know who put Slater up to this, but hopes someone gave Slater bad advice to interrupt him and his client Brock Lesnar. Slater introduces himself as the hottest free agent in sports entertainment today. He questions the Smackdown Live crew and that’s why he had to come to Heyman.
Heyman starts laughing asking why he would care about Heath Slater. Slater tells Heyman to laugh it up. He said he has been given an opportunity to get a RAW contract and an appearance at SummerSlam if he can beat Brock Lesnar tonight. Slater is asking Heyman for permission to go one-on-one with his client Brock Lesnar. Heyman said the joke is over and wants Slater cut out of the picture adding, “Where the money is.” Heyman starts to cut a promo about SummerSlam when Slater interrupts again. He tells Heyman to not disrespect him. “I need this. I have kids that I have to feed. They rely on daddy. My two little girls and all the other kids that I have are relying on me,” says Slater. He said he doesn’t want to face Lesnar, but he has to. Heyman said he is trying to save Slater’s ass right now. Lesnar grabs the mic and tells Slater to calm down. He said he can appreciate what Slater is trying to say and says he has guts. Lesnar invites Slater inside the ring. He then walks up and gets in Slater’s face saying, “I don’t give a sh*t about your kids.” Lesnar tells Slater he has two choices: he can walk out on his own two feet or he can stand there and keep pissing him off. Lesnar throws down the mic. Slater starts to walk away and then goes to attack Lesnar. Lesnar with a clothesline and then a release german suplex. Lesnar with a second german suplex. Lesnar picks up Slater and hits an F5. Lesnar kicks Slater out of the ring.
Heyman returns to the ring with a mic in hand. He gives Slater credit for trying to go face-to-face with the beast. Heyman turns his attention to Randy Orton talking about how he calls himself a viper. He said Orton can’t measure up to Brock Lesnar. Heyman talks about how he is supposed to sell this match with Orton on Sunday and how Orton is only one RKO away from getting a victory over Lesnar. He said Lesnar wouldn’t believe that and he doesn’t either. “This is the summer of the conqueror and the beast is in heat.” Heyman talks about Lesnar’s dominance inside the Brocktagon and how Lesnar is the box office this Sunday at SummerSlam. He said not single member of the WWE locker room can stand up to Lesnar and not even Randy Orton. Heyman said here is the hype: this Sunday at SummerSlam you have the chance to see a once ever athlete in action in an official match with an official result that will go down in the history books. He said you have a rare opportunity to see one of the greatest sports entertainers and athletes in combat sports, the nightmare of Suplex City, live in action, the Viper slayer, this Sunday at SummerSlam, you get to see BROCK LESNAR. Heyman drops the mic and exits the ring along with Lesnar. We then see highlights of Lesnar attacking Heath Slater who interrupted them earlier. Back live, Lesnar gives a smile at the audience and then heads to the back along with Heyman.
Up next, Big Cass vs. Kevin Owens.
-Commercial Break-
Big Cass w/ Enzo Amore vs. Kevin Owens w/ Chris Jericho
Before the match, Enzo cuts a promo about having a BBQ at SummerSlam this Sunday with Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho referring to them as Canadian Bacon.
Kevin Owens with kicks early to Big Cass. Owens with forearms to the back of Cass. Cass responds with a big shoulder tackle. Cass with body shots and right hands to Owens. Owens bails out avoiding a big boot from Cass. Owens drops Cass off the top rope and connects with a forearm to the back sending Cass to the outside. Owens distracts the referee and Jericho gets in a cheap shot on Cass on the outside. Owens jumps out and sends Cass face first into the steel ring post as we head to a break.
-Commercial Break-
We return live as Owens has Cass down in a headlock. Cass fights out getting to his feet and planting Owens with a back suplex. Cass with a big boot on Owens. Cass with two splashes to Owens in the corner. Cass misses a big boot on Owens on the ring apron when Owens pulls the top rope down. Owens attempts a powerbomb on Cass on the outside, but Cass counters with a back body drop. Jericho with a cheap shot on Enzo. Cass sees this and starts chasing down Jericho. Cass with a shot on Owens when he rolls out. Jericho attacks Cass at ringside. The referee then immediately calls for the bell.
Winner via DQ: Big Cass
After the match, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens toss Big Cass into the ring barricade. They throw Cass in and Cass fights back with right hands. Owens with superkick and Jericho with a Codebreaker on Cass. Owens yells, “You aren’t so big now are ya?”
Backstage, Roman Reigns says he is going to represent his bloodline and “whoop Rusev’s ass.” He said he is ready for anything when Rusev attacks Reigns from behind. Reigns fights back with right hands and a headbutt. Rusev whips Reigns into a steel door and then charges at him. Rusev then throws Reigns over a catering table. WWE officials break it up.
-Commercial Break-
The Prime Time Players w/ Bob Backlund vs. The Shining Stars
We see footage from earlier tonight of Titus suggesting The Prime Time Players reuniting. Titus and Darren Young shook hands saying one night only.
We start with Darren Young and Epico. Headlock counters and Titus tags himself in. Titus with a scoop slam and Young with a splash over Epico. Titus with a quick chop to Epico. Epico elbows Titus and tags in Primo. Primo with a dropkick and kicks to Titus in the corner. Titus with a backbreaker and then tosses Primo aside. Titus smiles at Epico and then splashes Primo in the corner. Tag to Young who is slammed over Primo with help from Titus. Young catches Primo with a clotheslines and then an overhead suplex. Titus is talking to Bob Backlund when Young is pushed into Titus. Primo gets a close two count. Young catches Primo with a big right hand. Titus with a Clash of the Titus on Young. Backlund yells at Titus. Primo hooks the leg of Young and gets the pinfall victory.
Winners: The Shining Stars
-Commercial Break-
Another video package airs promoting the Cruiserweight division on RAW.
Jinder Mahal vs. Neville
Neville with a cover early for a two count. Neville with a head scissors takedown sending Mahal out of the ring. Neville with a dropkick that sends Mahal back out. Neville with a top rope moonsault catching Mahal on the outside. Neville tosses Mahal back inside the ring and Mahal moves out of the way. Mahal bounces Neville off the ropes and then connects with a big boot resulting in a two count. Mahal with a snapmare and dropkick combo. Neville flips off the corner, connects with a series of kicks to the body of Mahal and then a jumping big boot. Neville with a kick to the back of the head of Mahal. Neville is going up to the top turnbuckle. Neville with his 450 Splash and connects to get the pinfall on Mahal.
Winner: Neville
Backstage, Mick Foley is talking with Stephanie McMahon. Foley reveals that Jon Stewart will be a special guest at SummerSlam this Sunday. Seth Rollins walks in and talks about how he’s been trying to find The Demon King aka Finn Balor. He said he has stuff to do and wants the night off. Foley suggests Rollins call out the Demon King inside the ring, unless Rollins is scared. Rollins said he isn’t scared and will go do that.
-Commercial Break-
Seth Rollins calls out The Demon King
We return live and Seth Rollins is inside the ring. He is complaining about not being able to find The Demon King aka Finn Balor backstage tonight. Rollins has a special announcement he wants to make tonight and puts the media on notice: nothing will stop him from becoming the first ever WWE Universal Champion. He’s giving The Demon King one more chance to come down to this ring and face him one-on-one.
Rollins laughs when no one comes out. He said Finn Balor is scared of him. Rollins said Balor is going to be just like every other person that stepped into the ring with him: they will get beat. He calls The Demon King another chapter in the Book of Rollins. Rollins said The Demon King is terrified of him. “Finn Balor, I am the face of your failure. And at SummerSlam, you’ve got no where to run and no where to hide.”
A fan jumps inside the ring and tries to go after Rollins. Rollins stops talking and starts laughing. The lights start to go in and out as we hear Balor’s familiar entrance music. The lights then go completely out. Red light starts to fill the entrance area. Smoke is all over the place as we see Finn Balor dressed as The Demon King stand up. Balor crawls down the ramp and gets inside the ring. Balor sits up on the top turnbuckle and then moves around the ring. Balor stares down the hard camera and then looks over at Seth Rollins who is slowly walking up the steel steps and getting back inside the ring. A loud “HOLY SH*T” chant breaks out. Rollins is inside the ring as Balor stands up and gets in his face. Rollins and Balor exchange shots. Balor gets the better of Rollins with body kicks and a quick dropkick. Rollins with a kick to the head. Balor with an overhead kick. Balor dropkicks Rollins to the corner. Balor goes up top and misses his Coup de Grace when Rollins rolls out. Balor then launches himself over the top rope and takes out Rollins. Balor slides back in and poses. We see a shot of Rollins upset on the ground.
-Commercial Break-
The Golden Truth vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
We start with R-Truth and Karl Anderson. Truth with a big hip toss early on Anderson. Luke Gallows tags himself in and eats rights from Truth. Anderson sends Truth into Gallows who connects with a big boot. Gallows with body shots to Truth. Truth with rights and then a spinning heel kick dropping Gallows. Tags to Goldust and Anderson. Goldust with clotheslines. Goldust with an uppercut and running bulldog to Anderson. Goldust with a snap powerslam on Anderson and Gallows breaks up the pinfall attempt. Goldust dumps Gallows over the top rope. Anderson with a knee to the back of Goldust. Anderson with a shot to Truth and tags Gallows back in. Gallows and Anderson with The Magic Killer for the win.
Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
After the match, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods hit the ring attacking Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Woods with a big jumping knee to Anderson after Gallows was dumped out. Woods grabs his trombone and tries to hit Anderson in the groin when Gallows pulls him out. New Day smiles as Gallows and Anderson bail.
Backstage, Dana Brooke is apologizing to Charlotte. Charlotte said Dana failed her when it mattered the most. She said this is her spotlight and not Dana’s. Charlotte said she plans on beating Alicia Fox by herself and will win back her title at SummerSlam. She said Dana is replaceable and says she might ask Stephanie McMahon to find someone better for her.
-Commercial Break-
Charlotte vs. Alicia Fox
Lock up and Charlotte pushes Alicia Fox to the corner. Fox with a roll up for a two count and then a series of dropkicks on Charlotte. Charlotte with kicks to Fox. Charlotte trips up Fox off the turnbuckle. Charlotte with the Natural Selection on Fox and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Charlotte
After the match, Charlotte points at Sasha Banks who was on commentary and tells her to come down to the ring. Banks gets inside the ring and Dana Brooke is in. Banks drops Dana with an elbow. Charlotte chop blocks Banks and applies the Figure Eight. Dana starts stomping over Banks who is tapping out. Charlotte won’t break the hold. A WWE referee finally breaks it up and checks on Banks as Charlotte smiles.
Roman Reigns vs. Rusev is up next.
-Commercial Break-
A video package runs looking at Braun Strowman.
Non-Title Match
Rusev w/ Lana vs. Roman Reigns
Rusev will defend the honor of his bride Lana in this non-title main event tonight.
Reigns walks down the ramp and goes after Rusev right away with right hands. Rusev with right hands to Reigns in the corner along with kicks. Reigns with a high kick to Rusev. Rusev rolls to the outside and Reigns with his dropkick to the head of Rusev against the ring. Rusev is trying to get away from Reigns. Michael Cole points out the referee has yet to officially start this match. Rusev bounces Reigns off the steel ring post at ringside.
-Commercial Break-
We are back live as we see Rusev worked over the left arm of Reigns during the break. Rusev is stomping over the ankles of Reigns and then drops an elbow over his head. Reigns with right hands. Rusev cuts him off with a kick. Reigns with a samoan drop. Reigns with more right hands. Reigns drops Rusev with a series of clotheslines. Reigns catches Rusev with a jumping clothesline. Rusev avoids a shot in the corner and sends Rusev shoulder first into the steel ring post. Rusev throws the left arm of Reigns off the steel ring steps. Rusev then stomps over the arm using the steps. Reigns is firing back with right hands. Rusev then sends Reigns shoulder first into the timekeepers barricade.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Rusev grabs a mic and tells the crowd to cheer him on. Rusev gets back in the ring and gets in a kick on Reigns. Rusev with big knees to the chest of Reigns. Rusev uses the ring gear of Reigns to choke him. Rusev is applying pressure and Reigns is starting to fade. Reigns fights back to his feet and gives Rusev a series of headbutts. Rusev with a kick and shoulder tackle combo on Reigns. Rusev has Reigns propped up on the top turnbuckle. Reigns with headbutts to Rusev and Rusev is down. Reigns with a flying clothesline on Rusev. Both men are down. Rusev misses a splash and Reigns clotheslines Rusev repeatedly in the corner. Reigns plants Rusev with a side suplex and gets a close two count. Rusev avoids a Superman attempt and catches Reigns with a spin kick to the jaw for a two count. Rusev with a flying headbutt from the second rope, hooks the leg and another two count. Rusev with another flying headbutt, hooks the leg and Reigns again kicks out. Rusev with a third flying headbutt and Reigns again kicks out. Rusev connects with a fourth headbutt and Reigns continues to kick out. Rusev starts slapping the mat in frustration. Rusev attempts a fifth flying headbutt and Reigns moves out of the way this time. Rusev and Reigns exchange right hands. Reigns gets the better of Rusev with the rights and then clotheslines Rusev over the top rope. Rusev with a kick to the ribs of Reigns avoiding a jumping Superman. Rusev tosses Reigns back inside the ring. Rusev charges and Reigns with a Superman. Rusev kicks out. Rusev cuts off a spear by Reigns with a huge kick to the head. Rusev covers and Reigns kicks out. Rusev can’t believe it. Rusev stomps over the lower back of Reigns and goes for The Accolade. Reigns is trying to block it. Reigns breaks free. Rusev cuts off a Superman attempt. Rusev with a kick to the back of Reigns. Rusev gets The Accolade locked in. Reigns is trying to fight it off. Reigns is reaching for the bottom rope and gets it. Rusev can’t believe it. Rusev charges. Reigns side steps and pushes Rusev out. Rusev is back in. Reigns with a spear on Rusev and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Roman Reigns
After the match, we see a very upset Lana at ringside. We see a shot of Roman Reigns standing up in the corner raising his arm as the show goes off the air.
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Quick Match Results:
* Sami Zayn def. Sheamus
* WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day def. The Dudley Boyz in a non-title match
* Nia Jax def. Rachel Levy
* Big Cass def. Kevin Owens via DQ
* The Shining Stars def. The Prime Time Players
* Neville def. Jinder Mahal
* Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson def. The Golden Truth
* Charlotte def. Alicia Fox
* Roman Reigns def. WWE U.S. Champion Rusev in a non-title match