This week’s WWE RAW aired live on the USA Network from the XL Center in Hartford, CT.
– The episode opens up with an image paying tribute to the late Joanie “Chyna” Laurer. They air a video highlighting AJ Styles’ feud with Roman Reigns before the RAW opening video hits and Michael Cole welcomes us to the go-home episode of RAW before PayBack.
– Shane McMahon comes out and cuts a promo about PayBack on Sunday being the first pay-per-view of a new era in WWE. His sister Stephanie McMahon comes out to interrupt. She informs him that this is his late night running Monday Night RAW, and that Vince will decide who will run RAW on Sunday. Shane calls down security to help him and they forcibly remove his sister from the ring. Shane introduces AJ Styles and we have a match.
– AJ Styles def. Sheamus: AJ hits a big dropkick early on to take control of the match. AJ hits a forearm that sends Sheamus to the outside, he goes for a moonsault but Sheamus moves and throws AJ into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Sheamus hits two backbreakers and a bear hug. AJ reverses a top rope suplex attempt with a powerbomb and hits a series of kicks on Sheamus. AJ hits the Pele kick, but Sheamus comes back with a clothesline and a Texas Clothesline. AJ gets to the ropes and hits the Phenomenal Forearm for the win. Luke Gallows and KArl Anderson come out to the stage after the match.
– Roman Reigns is in the back watching AJ Styles on a monitor. The Usos join him, and they agree to help each other.
– The New Day is out next. They cut a promote but The Vaudvillains interrupt, who then are interrupted by Enzo and Kass. They all want the Tag Team Champions, but The New Day says no one will beat them because they rock.
– Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows def. The Usos: The Usos start off mostly in control. Gallows hits a big clothesline on Jey to come back with a 2 count. Anderson gets the tag and works on Jey’s injured shoulder. Jey hits a dropkick off the second rope on Gallows Jimmy gets the tag and starts cleaning house, but his momentum gets shut down by a clothesline from Anderson. Gallows gets the tag and they hit the Magic Killer on Jimmy for the win.
– After the match, The Bullet Club beats down The Usos until Roman Reigns comes out for the save.
– AJ is in the back talking about preparing for his match against Roman Reigns on Sunday. He’s interrupted by Anderson and Gallows, who say they want to help him against Roman Reigns, but AJ doesn’t seem to want outside interference in his match. Gallows says their friendship is forever and they shake hands on it.
– Sami Zayn def. Rusev: Zayn hits a flying head-scissors early on. He sends Rusev to the outside and dives out onto him, but Rusev catches him and slams him on the apron. Rusev whips Zayn into the fan barricade, but Zany jumps on it and hits a moonsault on him. Back in the ring, Rusev comes back with a spinning heel kick. Rusev hits a couple suplexes, but Zayn gets off a clothesline that drops Rusev. Rusev hits a big boot, but Zayn comes back with a quick rollup for the 1-2-3. When Zayn was walking up the ramp, Kevin Owens attacks him from behind.
– Apollo Crews is in the back being interviewed until Stardust interrupts. Crews tells “Cody” he’s glad to meet him, and talks about how much Dusty Rhodes helped him in NXT. Stardust tells him not even the great Dusty Rhodes could make Crews a star.
– Apollo Crews def. Stardust: Stardust hits a big swinging neckbreaker early on for a 2 count, and continues the offense on Crews. Crews comes back with a kick to the head, a splash in the corner and a flying elbow that lays out Stardust. He hits a standing moonsault for a 2 count. Crews kicks him in the head again and hits the spinning sit-out powerbomb for the 3 count.
– Dean Ambrose is out next. He cuts a promo on Chris Jericho, who he faces this Sunday at Payback. Jericho comes out in his scarf and vest with no shirt. Jericho says he’s not going to waste his time fighting him in a “dump like this.” Jericho demands an apology from Ambrose for disrespecting him. Ambrose says he’s sorry that Chris paid so much money for his “ugly ass hoes,” and that he’s walking around everywhere wearing a scarf. He hits Jericho with a right hand and they brawl all over ringside. Jericho puts him in the Walls Of Jericho on top of the announce table.
– Natalya def. Emma: Charlotte and Ric Flair are out at ringside on commentary. Natalya and Emma go back and forth with Natalya getting most of the offense. Natalya gets her in the sharpshooter for the win via submission.
– A video airs honoring Chyna’s career with WWE.
– Baron Corbin vs. Damien Sandow – No Contest: As Corbin is walking down the ramp, Dolph Ziggler jumps him and they brawl all over the entrance area. Referees separate them and Corbin runs to the back.
– The Miz and Maryse are in the ring to cut a promo about Cesaro and how great The Miz is. Cesaro interrupts and says he’s going to take the Intercontinental Championship on Sunday. The Miz acts like he’s walking away, but then runs back at Cesaro. He drops him with a European uppercut and goes to swing him, but Maryse jumps on top of her husband. Cesaro looks at the IC Title and walks to the back.
– Romans Reigns bumps into AJ Styles in the back. They stare each other down and AJ says he’s going to take his title at Payback.
– Roman Reigns def. Alberto Del Rio: Roman Reigns gets lots of offense in early on, but Del Rio comes back with a kick that sends him to the outside, then a double foot stomp off of the apron. Back in the ring, Del Rio goes to work on Reigns with some kicks. Reigns comes back with a series of clotheslines and a slap. Del Rio connects with a kick to the face that gets him a 2 count. He hangs him from the turnbuckle and kicks him in the midsection. Reigns avoided the double foot stomp from the top rope, and comes back with a superman punch. The Bullet Club’s music hits and they come out on the ramp, which distracts Reigns long enough for Del Rio to roll him up for a 2 count. Reigns gets up and hits the spear for the 3 count.
Anderson and Gallows hit the ring and beat down Reigns after the match. AJ runs in for the save to pull his friends off of his PayBack opponent. He walks The Bullet Club out of the ring and turns around to talk to Reigns but walks into a Superman punch. Reigns fends off Anderson and Gallows, but AJ comes back with a flying forearm off the top rope to close out the show.
