The Miz, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas and Maryse were in the ring to kick off this week’s episode of WWE RAW. The Miz said “respect” and RAW GM Kurt Angle’s music hit. Angle came down to the entrance ramp and said that he think that he knows what The Miz is going to say. Angle said that The Miz was going to complain about the Intercontinental Championship not being treated as an important title anymore on RAW.
The Miz stated that it was disrespectful for Angle to interrupt him. Angle then announced that The Miz will defend his title next week on RAW. Angle announced that a Battle Royal will go down right now to determine his opponent.
Battle Royal
(Big Show, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, Finn Balor, R-Truth, Apollo Crews, Goldust, Gallows, Anderson, Kalisto, Curt Hawkins, Elias & Jason Jordan)
Curt Hawkins was eliminated right away. Kalisto was next to be eliminated. Big Show was sporting a freshly shaved face. Big Show clobbered Elias with a couple of chops in the corner. Gallows, Anderson and Finn Balor teamed up to eliminate Big Show.
Balor connected with a Dropkick to Elias in the middle of the ring. The Miztourage eliminated R-Truth. Goldust planted Elias with a Powerslam and posed in the ring. Anderson then hit Goldust with a Neckbreaker and Gallows connected with a Superkick that sent Goldust tumbling over the top rope. RAW then went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Gallows charged at Matt Hardy but Matt ducked and Gallows went flying over the top rope. Anderson and Hardy battled on the ring apron. Matt threw Anderson off the ring post and Anderson fell to the floor and was eliminated. Gallows then dragged Matt Hardy off the ring apron and he was eliminated. Anderson and Gallows then beatdown Matt Hardy ringside.
Finn Balor and Jeff Hardy tried to eliminate Bo Dallas but The Miz hopped up on the ring apron and punched them both in the face. Balor then hit Jason Jordan with a Slingblade and had a stare down with Jeff Hardy. Jeff planted him with a Jawbreaker and then Dropkicked him in the face. Jeff went for a Twist of Fate but Finn blocked it and dropped him with a Slingblade. Balor then hit a Dropkick to Jeff Hardy.
The lights then cut out and Bray Wyatt appeared in the ring. Wyatt appeared behind Balor and threw Finn out of the ring. Jason Jordan eliminated both Axel and Dallas at the same time. Jason Jordan then eliminated Elias but Jeff Hardy eliminated Jordan from behind and won the Battle Royal.
Winner & Will Face The Miz Next Week For The Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Hardy
Reaction: I thought the Battle Royal was entertaining. The crowd didn’t boo Jason Jordan out of the building when he went on his run of eliminations towards the end of the match. I’m not sure if that will continue, but it was the first time in a bit I haven’t heard the crowd completely reject Jordan. I didn’t find the Balor and Wyatt feud interesting leading into SummerSlam, so I’m disappointed that it is continuing. Jeff Hardy is now the #1 contender for the IC Championship. I’d be surprised if Hardy won the belt next week but I wouldn’t mind it all. I just want the IC title to feel important again. I was annoyed that the belt wasn’t defended at SummerSlam.
Alexa Bliss was interviewed backstage about her match tonight against Sasha Banks for the RAW Women’s Championship. Alexa Bliss poked fun at Sasha Banks never having a successful title defense and stated that she was going to recapture the RAW Women’s Championship tonight.
Enzo Amore vs Noam Dar
Enzo cut a promo before the match. Amore said that Big Cass got what he deserved when he tore his ACL last week on RAW. Enzo introduced Noam Dar and called him SAWFT.
Dar mocked Enzo’s dancing around in the beginning of the match. Dar booted Enzo’s leg and knocked him to the mat as Neville was shown watching the match backstage. Enzo battled back and wound up winning the match rather quickly.
Neville was interviewed backstage about Enzo Amore joining 205 Live. Neville said that if Enzo Amore is supposed to be competition, then he is going to be Cruiserweight Champion forever.
Winner: Enzo Amore
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman made their way to the ring. Heyman stated that Braun Strowman is the most worthy contender for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship in all of WWE. Heyman brought up Strowman slamming Lesnar through two announce tables at SummerSlam and then flipping another announce table on top of him.
Heyman also discussed Strowman asserting himself last week on RAW. Heyman said that he doesn’t believe in monsters, but believes that Braun Strowman is one. Footage was then shown of Strowman attacking Lesnar last week on RAW and then raising the Universal Championship. Heyman said that Brock Lesnar wants to fight Strowman and then Lesnar grabbed the microphone. Lesnar said “Suplex City bitch” and left the ring.
Reaction: I’m already sold on this match and cant wait to see it on September 24th at WWE No Mercy. Heyman really built Strowman up a monster during this promo, all while saying that he is still no match for The Beast Brock Lesnar.
Seth Rollins vs Cesaro
Ambrose and Sheamus were ringside for this match. Cesaro knocked Rollins to the mat to start off the match. Rollins got back to his feet and launched Cesaro across the ring. Cesaro rolled out of the ring to regroup. Cesaro got back into the ring and was greeted with a chop to the chest. Rollins connected with a running knee and followed it up with a standing Moonsault for a one count.
Seth beatdown Cesaro in the corner but Cesaro lifted Rollins up and bounced his head off the top turnbuckle. Cesaro threw Rollins out of the ring. Sheamus approached Rollins but Ambrose got in his face. Cesaro tried to leap onto Rollins but Seth avoided it and punched hi in the midsection. The action then returned to the ring and Cesaro planted Rollins with a Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Cesaro was still in control and connected with a Leg Drop for a two count. Cesaro then hit a Gutwrench Suplex and followed it up with another one for a two count. Cesaro connected with a series of Clotheslines for a one count. Cesaro charged at Rollins in the corner but Rollins connected with an elbow. Cesaro then slammed Rollins to the mat and climbed up to the top rope. Cesaro connected with a Crossbody but Rollins rolled through for a two count.
Rollins connected with a kick to Cesaro’s head and followed it up with a Slingblade. Rollins then hit a Blockbuster off the second rope and then climbed to the top rope on the opposite corner of the ring. Cesaro connected with an uppercut and then joined Rollins on the top rope. Rollins slipped through and Powerbombed Cesaro into the turnbuckle. Ambrose and Sheamus started brawling outside the ring and Rollins became distracted. Cesaro then hit Rollins with an uppercut for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Cesaro
Sheamus then grabbed the microphone and said that he wanted to face Ambrose right now.
Sheamus vs Dean Ambrose
Sheamus started off the match in control. Ambrose battled back and Clotheslined Sheamus out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Ambrose and Sheamus were on the top rope. Ambrose connected with a headbutt that knocked Sheamus to the mat. Ambrose tried to leap onto Sheamus but Sheamus caught him and hit the Irish Curse for a two count.
Sheamus planted Ambrose with a Powerbomb for a two count and then locked in the Cloverleaf in the middle of the ring. Dean powered his way across the ring and grabbed the bottom rope to break the hold. Sheamus once again perched Dean up on the top turnbuckle but Ambrose immediately hit a Tornado DDT.
Ambrose hit Sheamus with a series of right hands and then leveled him with a Clothesline. Ambrose planted Sheamus with a swinging Neckbreaker for a two count. Ambrose hit another Neckbreaker across the top rope and then climbed to the top turnbuckle. Sheamus met him up there and lifted Ambrose onto his shoulders. Sheamus connected with a rolling Senton off the second rope for a two count.
Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick but Ambrose got out of the way and hit the Lunatic Lariat. Cesaro hopped up on the ring apron but Rollins pulled him down. Rollins then hit a flying knee on Sheamus as the ref was distracted. Rollins then hit a Suicide Dive onto Cesaro outside the ring and Ambrose planted Sheamus with Dirty Deeds inside the ring for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
Reaction: Both of these matches were entertaining. I’m looking forward to their rematch for the RAW Tag Team Championships as these two teams work well together.
Emma was backstage with Mickie James. Emma said that she was going to tweet “#wewantEmma” and that it will trend worldwide. Mickie James commented on Nia Jax demolishing Emma last week. Emma said that she started the women’s revolution and said she was going to tweet “#thankyouEmmafortherevolution”. Micke James then stated that if Emma defeats her tonight, she will tweet whatever Emma wants. However, if Mickie wins the match, Emma can never claim that she started the women’s revolution again.
Mickie James vs Emma
Emma applied an Arm Bar to start off the match and then threw Mickie to the mat. Mickie battled back and connected with a Clothesline. Mickie followed it up with a Neckbreaker for a two count. Emma then rolled up Mickie for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Emma grabbed the microphone and said “I told you. I started the women’s revolution” about 15 times before walking backstage.
Winner: Emma
RAW GM Kurt Angle came down to the ring for a contract signing for the match between Roman Reigns and John Cena at No Mercy. Cena came joined Angle in the ring and stated that this match was the reason that he came to WWE RAW. Cena claimed that Roman Reigns has been protected ever since joining the WWE as a “blue chip prospect”. Cena said that he is the one guy that there is no protection from. Cena said that he knows Roman Reigns doesn’t want to fight him and signed the contract.
Roman Reigns then made his way down to the ring. Reigns approached the desk where the contract was and picked up a microphone. Reigns started to talk but the crowd began to boo. Reigns stated that John Cena is not as big of a deal that he thinks he is. Reigns boasted about retiring The Undertaker at WrestleMania. Roman said that is not that he doesn’t want to fight Cena, he just doesn’t need to.
Cena said that he is a polarizing figure because people want him to change the content of his character and turn heel. Cena then said that the WWE Universe sees Roman Reigns as a “cheap-ass corporately created John Cena bootleg”. Cena said that he is not The Undertaker, he is not a veteran at the end of his career with a bad hip. Cena said he is hungrier than ever and said that Reigns wont sign the contract because he knows when he does, his Roman Empire will be over.
Reigns called Cena the king of spinning things. Roman Reigns said that the crowd boos Cena because he sucks. Cena said that the crowd says Angle sucks too and Roman told him to shut up for a bit. Reigns paused during his promo and Cena said that it is called a promo kid and that if you want to be the big dog you have to learn how to them. Reigns then called Cena a “phony” and a “fake bitch”. Reigns then called Cena a part-timer and said that he busts his ass every week while Cena shows up on the Today Show.
Reigns then said that Cena buries as much young talent as he can so he can stay on top in WWE. Roman said that Cena doesn’t like him because he knows he cannot bury him. Roman said that he doesn’t want to be the next John Cena because he is the one and only Roman Reigns. John Cena stated that Roman Reigns is a fool because he used the same pathetic excuse that every other Superstars in the past.
Cena congratulated Roman Reigns on taking 5 years to cut a half-way decent promo. Cena stated that the fans hold the keys to what Superstars get pushed. Cena said that he hasn’t main-evented WrestleMania in 5 years and was in the opening match at SummerSlam. Cena then said he was honored to hold the United States Championship and introduced WWE to new Superstars like AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. Cena accused Reigns of taking the US Championship as a demotion. Cena then said that he is still in WWE because Roman Reigns cannot do his job.
Cena said that he can do this part-time better than Roman Reigns could ever do it full-time. Roman Reigns then signed the contract and flipped the table out of the way. Gallows and Anderson interrupted before Cena and Reigns could fight in the ring. Gallows and Anderson poked fun at Cena and Reigns’ egos and said that they needed to be taught a lesson by Gallows and Anderson.
Gallows & Anderson vs Roman Reigns & John Cena
Gallows and Anderson controlled the match for a couple of minutes. The momentum quickly turned and Cena planted Gallows with the Attitude Adjustment as Roman Reigns hit Anderson with a Spear for the pinfall victory.
Winners: Roman Reigns & John Cena
Reaction: The match itself was forgettable. The contract signing is what everyone will be talking about following this week’s RAW. The fourth wall was completely broken down during this promo and Cena said a lot of things that many fans feel about Roman Reigns. To Reigns’ credit, he responded well and landed some good insults on Cena.
I wish that this match was happening at WrestleMania. It deserves a crowd of over 70,000 people. It still will be a spectacle at No Mercy, but I feel like a match like this deserves a bigger stage. Having said that, this was still one of the more entertaining promos I’ve seen in some time. It felt real and has made me anticipate this match even more.
Elias performed a song insulting Memphis. Jerry Lawler then interrupted and said that the crowd doesn’t appreciate Elias’ lyrics. Lawler then brought Pelvis Wesley (Heath Slater) from Southpaw Regional Wrestling out from backstage. Pelvis started dancing around Elias and Elias joined in on the fun for a moment. Elias quickly changed his tune and beat the hell out of Pelvis Wesley. Elias then planted Pelvis Wesley with Drift Away and stood over him in the ring.
Sasha Banks was interviewed backstage before her RAW Women’s Championship match against Alexa Bliss. Sasha Banks says that she will win the match tonight and put Alexa Bliss in her place tonight. Sasha also said that the entire WWE Universe will be chanting “you tapped out” following their match tonight.
RAW Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks (c) vs Alexa Bliss
Bliss started off the match in control and rolled up Sasha for a two count. Sasha quickly went for the Bank Statement and Alexa was able to avoid it. Banks then slammed Bliss’ head into the turnbuckle and then stomped on her in the corner. Sasha locked in an Arm Bar and wrestled Alexa to the canvas.
Alexa broke the hold but Sasha slammed her face-first into the mat. Alexa rolled out of the ring to try to avoid Banks and regroup. Banks connected with a knee to the face off the ring apron as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Alexa Bliss was in control of the match and had Banks in Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. Sasha broke free but Alexa grabbed her hair and slammed her into her knee and Banks fell to the mat.
Sasha bashed Alexa’s face off the second rope and then connected with a Dropkick that knocked Alexa back to the corner. Banks hit Double Knees and went for it again but Alexa got out of the way and Sasha slammed into the turnbuckle.
Alexa then climbed to the top rope but Banks got back to her feet and connected with a forearm. Alexa went for a Crossbody off the top rope but Banks got out of the way and then went for a roll-up but Bliss kicked out at two. Banks went for another roll-up but Bliss once again kicked out at two. Alexa then hit a massive right hand. Banks battled back and hit a Shining Wizard for a two count.
Sasha slammed Alexa into the turnbuckle and then booted Bliss in the midsection. Banks then hit Double Knees onto Bliss in the corner and then climbed up to the top rope. Bliss sprung back to her feet and met Sasha up on the turnbuckle. Bliss then planted Sasha with the Superplex. Alexa slowly made her way towards Sasha and wound up being locked in the Bank Statement. Alexa then connected with a Bliss DDT for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Nia Jax came down to the ring and raised Alexa’s hand. Jax then hit a Splash on Sasha Banks in the corner. Nia then lifted up Alexa onto her shoulders. Nia then slammed Alexa to the mat and raised the RAW Women’s Championship as she stood over Alexa Bliss in the ring.
Winner & New RAW Women’s Champion: Alexa Bliss
Reaction: I do not understand why WWE plays hot-potato with their titles so much, especially the RAW Women’s Championship. Sasha Banks has been in the middle of it all. She was constantly winning the title from Charlotte and then immediately dropping it back to her a week or two later. Sasha Banks is now 0-5 in title defenses after winning the RAW Women’s Championship.
I get that a feud between Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss is more interesting because of their friendship. I would have just rather seen Alexa Bliss successfully defend her title at SummerSlam, rather than lose it and win it back 8 days later. It is just half-assed booking and everyone is stop and go. Sasha Banks gets a push for a week and then it’s over. I’m assuming that Sasha Banks has a rematch clause and we will see this match yet again in the next week or two. It is just impossible to get invested in this division when the titles are constantly changing hands.
There is no Superstar that everyone in the division has to overcome. It feels completely random and the title can change hands every week between a select few Superstars. It wouldn’t shock me if Nia Jax wins the title at No Mercy and then loses it the next night on RAW. It would make just about as much sense as what just went down in this division over the past 8 days.
Overall, RAW was still very entertaining tonight in my opinion. I enjoyed the matches between The Shield and Sheamus & Cesaro. Paul Heyman cut a great promo during the show on Braun Strowman during tonight’s episode and Broke Lesnar also said a few words. The highlight of the show was clearly the promo between John Cena and Roman Reigns.
What did you think of this week’s episode of RAW? Let us know in the comments below.