This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw started with WWE Superstars reading a speech from Ronald Reagan to honor soldiers that have given their lives to protect ours.
WWE honors those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country on this Memorial Day. #RAW pic.twitter.com/92SNqFwcrj
— WWE (@WWE) May 31, 2016
Shane McMahon dances his way to the ring only to be immediately interrupted by Stephanie McMahon. The New Day then interrupted Shane and Stephanie. They wanted to know if they would be wrestling on Smackdown or Monday Night Raw after the brand split happens on July 19th. Both Shane and Stephanie didn’t know yet and it was also revealed that they were not aware of who would be running Smackdown when it goes live. The New Day suggested that the two should compete in a dance-off to decide who will be the Smackdown GM. Shane O’ Mac danced with the New Day, and as Stephanie McMahon was about to dance, the Vaudevillians came down and crashed the party.
The Vaudevillians vs The New Day
The Vaudevillians dominated the match all the way until Big E was finally tagged in. The New Day’s momentum would be put to a halt quickly, as Anderson and Gallows attacked Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston outside the ring. This led to the match ending in a disqualification and the Vaudevillians beating down Big E in the middle of the ring. The Vaudevillians then waved Anderson and Gallows into the ring and they hit the Magic Killer on Big E.
Now that AJ’s no longer part of The Club, can’t they be renamed Bestest Brawling Bald Buddies!?#raw #wwe
— Matt Fowler (@TheMattFowler) May 31, 2016
The Big Show made his triumphant return and confronted Apollo Crews backstage. The Big Show told Crews that the only reason that Sheamus attacked him was because he thinks that Crews will back down.
So is Big Show @ApolloCrews's life coach? #RAWTonight
— WWE Creative Humor (@WWECreative_ish) May 31, 2016
The Usos vs Breezango w/ The Golden Truth on Commentary
This was a quick match with the Usos getting the victory. After the match, Breezango confronted the Golden Truth outside the ring. R-Truth and Goldust got the upper-hand and then celebrated in the ring.
Well… I sure hope the next two hours are better. #RAW pic.twitter.com/5nZ8sQTzYS
— PWM – WWE COVERAGE (@ProWrestlingMag) May 31, 2016
Roman Reigns called Seth Rollins down to the ring for a fight. Rollins pretended to come down to the ring for which felt like an eternity. Seth Rollins never did come down to the ring and face Roman Reigns. He just lingered around the entrance ramp and faked as if he was going to get in the ring. The WWE is trying really hard to get negative reactions for Seth Rollins and positive reactions for Reigns. With this segment, all they did was generate a lot of yawns from the audience.
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns doing a great job leading up to their "Silent Film" Match at #MITB. #RAW
— Kyle Lewis (@KeepItFiveStar) May 31, 2016
Dear @WWE this segment with @WWERomanReigns & @WWERollins makes me want my money back. Yes, I know your show is free.
— Craig (@CraigSkitz) May 31, 2016
Rusev vs Zack Ryder
Zack Ryder got in a little offense but Rusev still won the match in short order via the Accolade. After the match, Rusev grabbed a microphone and called himself an American hero. Titus O’Neil came down to the ring and hit Rusev with a vicious punch. Titus O’Neil stood tall in the ring as Rusev retreated. It appears Titus O’Neil will be getting a shot at the United States Championship in the near future.
MERICA!#RAW pic.twitter.com/RNk84C4hM8
— Riz. (@johncenaAm) May 31, 2016
Charlotte is confronted backstage by Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie says that she is embarrassed that Charlotte is champion and is representing the Women’s division.
Damn! @StephMcMahon just laid down the law on @MsCharlotteWWE! #Raw
— Brock Lesnar Guy (@BrockLesnarGuy) May 31, 2016
The Dudley Boyz vs Enzo & Cass
The crowd was silent during this match because of the previous two hours of the show. However, this was a decent match in which Enzo Amore got the pin in his first match back from injury via the Rocket Launcher.
John Cena made his return to Monday Night Raw and said that if it is indeed the New Era, the future must go through him. AJ Styles came down to the ring and the crowd came back to life. For a few minutes there were dueling “AJ Styles!”, “Let’s Go Cena!” chants. Gallows &Â Anderson interrupted Cena and Styles and challenged them to a match. Once Gallows and Anderson got into the ring, AJ Styles attacked John Cena. Gallows, Anderson and Styles all beat down Cena and left him laying in the ring. AJ Styles returned to the ring three times to attack Cena some more. This caught the crowd completely off guard and was very entertaining. The Club is back together and AJ Styles just turned heel in a big way.
AJ Styles with the mega heel turn on #Raw… pic.twitter.com/6jYTZI4ua9
— Randy Cruz (@randyjcruz) May 31, 2016
AJ Styles has reached hero status. #RAW pic.twitter.com/SR9nc4N2yT
— Marcus Stephenson (@stephensonmc) May 31, 2016
Natalya vs Dana Brooke w/ Charlotte at Ringside
Dana Brooke got the quick victory thanks to interference from Charlotte. After the match, Charlotte and Dana Brooke attacked Natalya. Becky Lynch came down to help Natalya, but Charlotte and Dana Brooke escaped through the crowd.
Dolph Ziggler vs Baron Corbin
This was supposed to be a technical wrestling match and Dolph Ziggler came out sporting head-gear and all. However, as soon as the bell rang, Ziggler hit Corbin with a low-blow. This was the perfect revenge for the low-blow Corbin hit on Ziggler at Extreme Rules a couple weeks back. It is safe to assume that this feud will continue.
BREAKING: Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler will face each other for the rest of their WWE careers.#Raw
— Robby The Brain™ (@RobbyTheBrain) May 31, 2016
Cesaro, Sami Zayn & Dean Ambrose vs Alberto Del Rio, Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho
The crowd was chanting “Stupid Idiot!” at Chris Jericho throughout the match. Jericho and Kevins Owens started arguing with each other in the middle of the match and that led to the downfall for Owens, Del Rio and Jericho. Sami Zayn hit the Helluva Kick on Alberto Del Rio and Dean Ambrose hit the Dirty Deeds on Owens for the victory.
JERICHO GOING SWINGING! TRADING FINISHERS! DIRTY DEEDS TO OWENS! AMBROSE, ZAYN, AND CESARO WIN! #RAW
— Loy Turns (@Turns1701e) May 31, 2016
No Bray Wyatt. [Insert Sad Face] #WWE #Raw
— Scott Fishman (@smFISHMAN) May 31, 2016
There was a lot of hype for this Monday Night Raw, did you enjoy it? Let us know in the comments below.