The Authority & Roman Reigns Kick Off RAW
The post-Elimination Chamber edition of RAW opens up with video highlights of last night’s Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose main event, including Ambrose hijacking the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
From there, we shoot live inside the arena without the RAW opening video playing. “King of Kings” plays and out comes Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Seth Rollins, Kane and J&J Security, and none of them look happy.
Once in the ring, Stephanie McMahon does a formal introduction for our WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. She says just because Dean Ambrose took the title doesn’t mean he’s the champion. She calls him a thief, pointing out that he stole the title last night, he stole the Money In The Bank briefcase and the Intercontinental title in the past.
Steph goes on to ask the fans what they should do to punish Ambrose. She asks if they should fine, suspend or get rid of Ambrose altogether. Triple H then takes over.
HHH says they won’t have to do any of those things because Ambrose is crazy, but not stupid. He says he gave Ambrose to the beginning of RAW to give back what does not belong to him. He then demands Ambrose come out and return the title to the champion Seth Rollins. He says after that, they can discuss what happens next.
As they wait for Ambrose, nothing happens. Eventually, Roman Reigns’ theme music hits and he makes his way down to the ring through the crowd as usual.
Reigns begins by saying it doesn’t look like The Authority is happy to see him, but San Antonio is. Reigns tells HHH he’s right — Dean is not stupid, and he’s also not here. He says he may never come back — unless he gets a rematch with Rollins at Money In The Bank. But not just any rematch, he wants a ladder match.
There is some mic problems, but everyone ignores them. The Authority argues with Reigns by saying Ambrose did not beat Rollins last night. The fans chant “you got beat! you got beat!” Reigns says Rollins isn’t as good as he thinks he is. He says he was kind of cool when he was in The Shield, but not anymore. He says Rollins may be the worst WWE champ ever.
Rollins loses his cool and tells Reigns to tell Ambrose that he’s got his rematch. Triple H and Steph tell Rollins to calm down and think about it. Rollins, still pissed, says he knows exactly what he’s doing. Rollins says he doesn’t need anyone’s help. HHH keeps trying to calm him down but Rollins is flipping out. He slams the mic down and storms off in a huff.
After Rollins leaves, Steph freaks out and gets in Reigns’ face and tells him to get that look off of his face. HHH calms her down and takes over. HHH gets in Reigns’ face. He tells Reigns if he loses his match on RAW tonight, he’s out of the Money In The Bank ladder match.
He tells Reigns to stay right here, he’s going to go backstage and find an opponent for him right now. He drops the mic and all of The Authority heads to the back. We head to our first commercial break of the evening, as Reigns is in action — with a lot on the line — next.
Roman Reigns vs. Bad News Barrett
When we return from the break, Reigns is still in the ring waiting to find out who his opponent is going to be. Finally, Bad News Barrett’s music hits and out comes “King” Barrett.
Reigns and Barrett lock up and go at it. Barrett ends up keeping Reigns stuck in a headlock until he fights out and takes Barrett to the mat with a headlock and a 2 count. Barrett keeps control and suplexes Reigns for a 2 count. Back and forth. Barrett drops Reigns with a shoulder. Reigns with a Samoan Drop and a kick. Reigns keeps control and goes for the dropkick from the floor but Barrett rolls to safety. Reigns brings it back in the ring and clotheslines Barrett right back out to the floor. We go to commercial with Reigns in control.
Back from the break and they’re going at it. Reigns misses a Superman punch in the corner. Barrett with forearms and a 2 count. Barrett keeps Reigns grounded now. More back and forth on their feet. Reigns hits a big clothesline. Reigns with more clotheslines. Reigns takes Barrett to the corner and unloads. Reigns keeps control and gets another 2 count. Barrett catches Reigns in the Winds of Change. More back and forth. Reigns slams Barrett hard for another 2 count.
The finish sees Reigns duck a King Bull Hammer Elbow attempt. He hits a spear on Barrett and covers him. 1-2-3. Roman Reigns wins.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Backstage: Roman Reigns, Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
After the match, backstage Reigns walks up and sees Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. The Authority congratulates Reigns but tells him they have another match to keep him in the Money In The Bank match. Later tonight, Reigns will go one-on-one with Mark Henry and if he loses, he’s out of the ladder match.
