Kickoff Show:
Dana Brooke joined Renee Young, Peter Rosenberg and David Otunga on the Kickoff panel. Dana was quickly interrupted by Emma and Emma stated that she needed to talk to her immediately. Dana then left the panel to speak with Emma.
Paul Heyman joined the social media lounge for an interview. Heyman declined to sit down and claimed that he wanted to be ready incase Samoa Joe tries to attack him from behind. Heyman was asked what his reaction would be if Lesnar loses tonight and Heyman laughed. Heyman called the question a joke and guaranteed that Lesnar would defeat Samoa Joe tonight. Heyman admitted that Samoa Joe is Brock Lesnar’s most dangerous opponent yet and referred to Joe as ruthless. Heyman stated that Lesnar will not leave this match tonight the same way he walked into it. Heyman went on to cut a great promo hyping tonight’s Universal Championship match.
https://twitter.com/Uptomyknees/status/884194590487597056
Cruiserweight Championship Match: Neville (c) vs Akira Tozawa
Titus O’Neil accompanied Tozawa to the ring. Tozawa started screaming as the match started and the crowd screamed along with him. Tozawa connected with a kick and followed it up with a Senton. Tozawa then knocked Neville out of the ring with a kick and pumped up the crowd. Neville got back up the ring apron and connected with a kick to the side of Tozawa’s head.
Neville slowed the match down and taunted the crowd. Titus started shouting at Tozawa and told him to get up and fight back. Neville tossed Tozawa out of the ring and followed him out there. Neville grabbed Tozawa by the neck and launched him into the barricade surrounding the ring.
The action returned to the ring and Neville connected with a Dropkick for a two count. Titus once again tried to pump up Tozawa. Neville stomped on Akira’s head a couple of times and mocked the crowd. Neville slapped Tozawa a couple of times and Tozawa powered to his feet. Tozawa connected with a jab and then planted Neville with a German Suplex.
Tozawa climbed to the top rope but Neville rolled out of the ring. Tozawa then connected with two Suicide Dives in a row. The action returned to the ring and Tozawa attempted a pinfall but Neville kicked out at two. Both Superstars got back to their feet and Neville threw Tozawa to the ring apron. Tozawa leaped onto Neville but Neville caught him. Tozawa applied the Octopus Stretch but Neville was able to reach the ropes to break the hold.
Tozawa once again started pumping up the crowd and climbed to the top rope. Neville was ready and brought Tozawa back to the mat and connected with a kick to the chest. Neville hung Tozawa up on the ropes and connected with a massive Dropkick for a two count. Titus started slamming on the ring apron as both Superstars got back to their feet. Neville went for a Moonsault off the second rope but missed. Tozawa went for a roll-up but Neville kicked out two. Tozawa then connected with a Shining Wizard and once again climbed to the top rope. Tozawa then hit a Senton off the top rope but Neville rolled out of the ring to avoid the pinfall. Tozawa brought Neville back in the ring but Neville drove him crotch-first into the top rope. Neville then kicked the top rope and Tozawa fell to the mat in agony. Titus started shouting at the referee and Neville booted Tozawa in the midsection for the pinfall victory.
Winner & Still Cruiserweight Champion: Neville
Reaction: I enjoyed this match. Neville is great in his current role and will do absolutely anything to keep his Cruiserweight Championship. Tozawa looked good in this match and will most likely capture the Cruiserweight title down the line.
https://twitter.com/LesnarSupport/status/884197435735773185
Main Card:
Bray Wyatt vs Seth Rollins
Rollins started out the match in control. Rollins went for a Suicide Dive onto Bray outside the ring but Wyatt was ready and clubbed Seth in the face. Wyatt then took control of the match and slammed Seth’s face into the steel steps. Wyatt then launched Rollins into the barricade and posed for the crowd.
Wyatt brought Rollins back into the ring and continued the beatdown. Bray perched Rollins up on the top rope and joined him up there. Rollins fought back but Wyatt grabbed him and connected with a Superplex. Wyatt then slammed Rollins’ head off the ring apron and went for a pinfall but Seth kicked out at two.
Bray went for a running Senton but Rollins rolled out of the way and bought himself some time. Seth planted Wyatt with a Dropkick and followed it up with a Suicide Dive on Wyatt as he was regrouping outside the ring. Rollins rolled Bray back into the ring and connected with a springboard Clothesline for a two count.
Wyatt connected with a massive Clothesline and went for a Suplex but Rollins countered into a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Wyatt planted Seth with a Neckbreaker for a two count. Bray began talking to himself after Rollins kept kicking out. Bray then started slapping himself in the head and then shouted at the crowd that “this is what a god looks like!”. Rollins connected with a series of jabs but Wyatt kicked him in the knee and rolled out of the ring. Wyatt then then thumbed Rollins in the eye and got back into the ring. Wyatt then hit the Sister Abigail for the victory.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
Reaction: It was hard to get invested into this match due to the horrible build it had. Having said that, this was a pretty big victory for Bray Wyatt but it all depends on what WWE does with his character from here. Hopefully, they learned from their mistakes with his WWE Championship run and this is the beginning of Wyatt being built back up again.
Big Cass vs Enzo Amore
Enzo cut a promo on Big Cass before the match. Enzo referenced the song “That’s Life” and said that no matter what he is going to keep on dreaming. The crowd started chanting “Enzo” as Enzo said that he is a star and that he is about to become larger than life. Big Cass came down to the ring with new entrance music. Cass had his fist raised in the air during his entire walk down the entrance ramp.
Enzo charged at Cass to start the match and connected with a series of jabs in the corner. Cass shoved Enzo away and knocked him to the mat with a shoulder tackle. Big Cass then beatdown Enzo in the corner and stomped on him several times. Cass then connected with a Fallaway Slam that launched Enzo across the ring. Big Cass followed that up with a Splash in the corner.
Big Cass slapped Enzo in the face and then connected with a punch to his chest. Cass then hung Enzo up on the top rope and beat the hell out of it. Enzo fell to the mat as Big Cass taunted him. The crowd got behind Amore and started chanting “let’s go Enzo!”. Big Cass then lifted Enzo above his shoulders and casually tossed him out of the ring. The crowd then booed as Cass raised his fist and smirked in the ring. Amore got back into the ring at the last second and the match continued. Cass then connected with a big boot for the victory.
Winner: Big Cass
Reaction: Enzo cut another excellent promo before this match. The future is bright for Big Cass, but Enzo can be very successful as well if placed in the right role. I think Enzo would be an excellent manager or in some kind of speaking role in WWE. Amore can hold his own in the ring but I just don’t see him being a big part of their future in the ring. He is far too talented to simply become a jobber and a comedy act on RAW. This match went exactly how I thought it would.
RAW Tag Team Championship 30-Minute Iron Man Match: Sheamus & Cesaro (c) vs The Hardy Boyz
Cesaro distracted Matt Hardy right away and Sheamus connected with a Brogue Kick for the first pinfall. Sheamus and Cesaro now lead The Hardy Boyz 1-0.
Jeff Hardy was then tagged and he knocked both Sheamus and Cesaro to the mat. Jeff then applied a Chin Lock to Cesaro in the middle of the ring. Cesaro battled out of the hold and tagged in Sheamus. The crowd started chanting “Brother Nero” as Jeff Hardy connected with a series of right hands.
Matt Hardy was tagged back in and he immediately Clotheslined Sheamus out of the ring. Matt then smashed Sheamus’ head off the ring apron and the crowd chanted “delete!” each time Sheamus’ face bounced off the apron. Jeff was tagged back in and he continued the beatdown on Sheamus.
Sheamus launched Jeff out of the ring and Cesaro knocked Jeff into the barricade. Matt then attacked Cesaro outside the ring. The referee separated them and Sheamus brought Jeff back into the ring. Cesaro was tagged back in and he took a break to pose in the ring. Jeff desperately tried to make his way to Matt but Cesaro prevented him.
Sheamus was then tagged back in and he climbed to the second rope. Sheamus connected with a knee for a two count. Sheamus then slammed Jeff to the mat and once again taunted the crowd. Cesaro got back into the match and threw Jeff out of the ring. Jeff got back into the ring as Sheamus was tagged back in.
Sheamus lifted Jeff above his shoulders and slammed him to the mat. Cesaro was tagged back in and connected with a Clothesline for a two count. Cesaro kicked Matt Hardy in the face and knocked him off the ring apron. Jeff went for a tag but Matt was on the floor outside the ring. Sheamus and Cesaro then teamed up and slammed Jeff to the mat for another pinfall victory. Sheamus and Cesaro now lead 2-0.
Sheamus charged at Jeff in the corner but Jeff got out of the way and Sheamus went flying into the ring post. Matt and Cesaro were then tagged in. Matt slammed Cesaro’s head into all three turnbuckles several times as the crowd chanted “delete!”. Matt then planted Cesaro with a Bulldog for a two count. Matt climbed up to the second rope and connected with an elbow to the back of Cesaro’s neck for a two count.
Jeff was tagged back in and he connected with a Dropkick that knocked Sheamus off the ring apron. Jeff then connected with Poetry in Motion and followed it up with Twist of Fate for the pinfall victory over Cesaro. Sheamus and Cesaro still lead 2-1.
Sheamus entered the match and connected with an uppercut that knocked Jeff to the ropes. Jeff connected with a kick that sent Sheamus to the corner. Jeff attacked Sheamus in the corner and connected with a Dropkick for a two count. Matt and Jeff teamed up for a Suplex onto Sheamus. Matt was tagged in and went for the pinfall but Cesaro leaped into the ring to break up the count.
Matt then got down on all fours and Jeff used his back as a springboard and flipped onto Sheamus and Cesaro outside the ring. Cesaro attacked Matt outside the ring and slammed his head into the ring post as the referee wasn’t paying attention. Sheamus then rolled back into the ring and Matt Hardy was counted out. Sheamus and Cesaro now lead 3-1.
Matt got back into the ring but Sheamus immediately applied a Chin Lock. Matt battled out of the hold but Sheamus hung him up on the ropes and clubbed him across the chest several times. Sheamus then shoved Matt off the ring apron and pointed at the clock that showed there was 10 minutes left in the match.
Cesaro was tagged in and he launched Matt into the barricade outside the ring. Cesaro then connected with an uppercut and the action returned to the ring. Sheamus was tagged in and he planted Matt with a Suplex for a two count. Sheamus once again applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Matt planted Sheamus with a Side Effect for a two count.
Cesaro was tagged in and he sprinted across the ring and booted Jeff off the ring apron. Cesaro locked in the Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring but Jeff connected with an elbow to break up the hold. Cesaro connected with an uppercut in the corner as the clock ticked down to 7 minutes. Matt tagged in Jeff and put Cesaro in a backslide. Jeff then hit a Leg Drop on Cesaro’s legs that turned into a pinfall. Sheamus and Cesaro still lead 3-2.
Jeff connected with the Whisper in the Wind onto Cesaro for a two count. Cesaro knocked Jeff to the mat and tagged in Sheamus. Jeff connected with a Dropkick to Sheamus’ face for a two count. Sheamus caught Jeff with a knee and Matt tagged himself in. Matt planted Sheamus with a Tornado DDT for a two count as there was less than 5 minutes left in the match.
Matt went for the Twist of Fate but Sheamus countered it and shoved Matt into the turnbuckle. Both Superstars battled on the top rope. Matt knocked Sheamus to the mat and then hit a Moonsault. Matt went for the pin but Cesaro broke it up. Sheamus climbed up to the top rope but Matt caught him with a right hand and joined him up there. Matt then hit Sheamus with a Twist of Fate off the top rope for the pinfall victory. We are now tied 3-3.
Jeff launched himself onto Sheamus and Cesaro outside the ring. Back in the ring, Matt and Jeff leaped onto Sheamus in the middle of the ring from opposite turnbuckles. Jeff tried to pin Sheamus but Cesaro broke it up at the last second. Jeff hit a Swanton Bomb onto Sheamus but Cesaro was the legal man. Cesaro then leaped into the ring and quickly pinned Jeff with 20 seconds left. Jeff then chased Cesaro around the ring. Jeff hit a Twist of Fate in the ring with a couple seconds left but couldn’t pin Cesaro in time. Sheamus and Cesaro win 4-3.
Winners & Still RAW Tag Team Champions: Sheamus & Cesaro
Reaction: This match started out slow but became wildly entertaining during the last 15 minutes or so. I really enjoyed this match and it will be one I will definitely make sure to re-watch in the near future. I have no idea how it happened, but Matt Hardy somehow got busted open during this match. There were just so many cool spots in this match, reading a recap doesn’t do it justice. It is definitely worth checking out on the WWE Network if you missed it.
RAW Women’s Championship Match: Alexa Bliss (c) vs Sasha Banks
Sasha controlled the match early and connected with a Dropkick that sent Bliss out of the ring. Bliss got back into the ring but Banks continued to control the match. Alexa once again did the double-jointed trick and Sasha had a disgusted look on her face. Bliss then bashed Sasha in the face and captured momentum in the match. Banks then knocked Alexa out of the ring and Bliss started to walk up the entrance ramp.
Sasha chased her and brought her back ringside. Banks bashed Alexa’s head off the ring apron, but Alexa tripped her up and Sasha fell off the ring apron to the floor. The action returned to the ring and Alexa went for a pinfall but Banks kicked out at two. Sasha was selling her fall from the ring apron and Alexa targeted her attack on Sasha’s injured back.
Alexa then slammed Sasha’s back into her knee and connected with a flurry of punches to Sasha’s face. Bliss then went for three pinfalls in a row but Sasha was able to kick out each time. Bliss then shouted at Sasha to give up and went for a Suplex but Sasha blocked it. Sasha then connected with a Suplex of her own and Alexa bounced off the bottom turnbuckle.
Sasha and Alexa traded punches in the middle of the ring. Sasha got the upper-hand and connected with a Dropkick. Banks then planted Bliss with a Belly to Back Suplex and followed it up with a running knee for a two count. Bliss connected with a Sunset Flip Powerbomb for a two count. Alexa then threw a tantrum and slammed on the mat after Banks kicked out.
Bliss climbed to the top rope and tried to leap onto Sasha but Banks got her knees up. Sasha then applied the Bank Statement in the middle of the ring. Alexa was able to crawl her way to the bottom rope to break the hold. Bliss then rolled out of the ring to try to regroup. Sasha grabbed Alexa by the hair but Bliss bounced Banks’ head off the ring apron. Sasha countered and launched Alexa into the barricade.
The action returned to the ring but Bliss quickly rolled back out of the ring. Bliss connected with a right hand to Sasha and then got counted out.
Winner via count out: Sasha Banks
After the match Sasha Banks attacked Alexa on the entrance ramp. Sasha then connected with the Double Knees off the announce table.
Reaction: I figured that this match would have a finish like this. Sasha and Alexa put on a very good match here and there is no doubt that this feud will continue. I hope that their rematch takes place at SummerSlam.
Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz (c) vs Dean Ambrose
Maryse, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas accompanied The Miz to the ring. Ambrose attacked Axel outside the ring at the start of the match. Ambrose then slammed Bo Dallas into the steel steps and returned to the ring. Axel distracted Ambrose and Miz took advantage and knocked Ambrose to the mat. Ambrose fought back and went for a roll-up but Miz kicked out at two. Miz planted Ambrose with a DDT for a two count. Miz then connected with a couple of kicks and slowed the match down to a halt.
Ambrose connected with a Neckbreaker and both Superstars fell to the mat. The crowd was completely silent as both Superstars slowly got back up to their feet. Dean connected with a Clothesline and then perched Miz up on the top turnbuckle. Ambrose connected with a Superplex for a two count. Miz connected with two Dropkicks as Ambrose was caught up in the ropes. Ambrose powered out of the corner and knocked Miz to the mat with a Clothesline. Ambrose made his way back to his feet but was favoring his knee. Miz locked in the Figure Four in the middle of the ring.
Ambrose was able to make it to the bottom rope to break the hold and the crowd didn’t react at all. The Miz connected with the Yes! Kicks as the crowd chanted along. Ambrose knocked Miz to the mat and connected with an elbow off the top rope for a two count. Maryse got up on the ring apron and distracted the referee. Axel and Dallas attacked Ambrose outside the ring but Dean fought back. Ambrose then hit Miz with a Clothesline outside the ring and climbed to the top rope. Ambrose then leaped onto Miz, Axel and Dallas outside the ring but Ambrose landed on his injured knee. Back in the ring, Ambrose planted Miz with Dirty Deeds but Maryse put Miz’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the pinfall and the referee didn’t see it.
The crowd chanted “ref you suck!” as Ambrose connected with a Suicide Dive onto The Miz outside the ring. Back in the ring, Dallas elbowed Ambrose in the back of the head and The Miz connected with the Skull Crushing Finale for the victory.
Winner & Still Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
Reaction: Not only was this the worst match of the night, the crowd reaction was very alarming. There was quite literally no energy in the arena for this match and that is a shame given that it was an Intercontinental Championship match. One can only hope that this marks the end of this feud. Ambrose got absolutely screwed in this match but I really have no interest in seeing him try to get his revenge on future episodes of RAW.
Ambulance Match: Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns
Roman connected with a right hand but Braun shrugged it off and shoved Reigns to the mat. Strowman then stood like a brick wall as Reigns tried to run into him and Roman fell to the mat. Strowman then charged at Reigns in the corner and slammed into him. Strowman stood over Reigns in the middle of the ring as the crowd cheered.
Braun picked Reigns back up only to knock him to the mat again with a Clothesline. Braun then knocked Reigns out of the ring. Reigns slammed Strowman into the ring post and bought himself some time. Braun then picked up Roman and threw him into the ring post. Strowman then continued the beatdown and slammed Reigns into the steel steps.
Braun picked up the steps and bashed Roman in the face with them. Strowman slammed the steps into Reigns again and tried to do it again but Reigns got out of the way. Reigns rolled back into the ring and booted Braun in the face while he was between the ropes. Braun responded by slamming Reigns face-first into the mat.
Reigns went for the Spear but Braun blocked it and hit him with a Powerslam. Braun had a brain-fart and went for the pinfall in an Ambulance Match. Strowman lifted Reigns onto his shoulders and started to make his way to the ambulance. Reigns escaped and went back to the ring. Roman then lifted Strowman onto his shoulders and planted him with a Samoan Drop.
Strowman charged at Roman in the corner but Reigns got out of the way and Strowman slammed into the ring post. Reigns then connected with the Drive By onto Strowman’s surgically repaired elbow. Reigns then slammed Strowman’s elbow into the ring post a few times.
Roman got a chair from under the ring and bashed Strowman’s elbow with the chair while it was resting against the ring post. Reigns hit Strowman with the chair again but Braun shrugged it off. Reigns hit him with the chair once again but it caused no harm to Strowman. Braun then ripped the chair out of Reigns’ hands and slammed him into the barricade.
Strowman and Reigns made their way up the entrance ramp. Strowman was in control and threw Reigns into the screens on the entrance ramp. Braun then cleared off the announce table on the entrance ramp. Roman connected with a right hand but Braun grabbed him and launched him into the side of the ambulance next to the entrance ramp.
Braun clutched his injured elbow as he opened the ambulance doors. Reigns bashed Braun’s face into the ambulance door a couple of times but Braun picked him up and tried to force him into the ambulance. Reigns battled his way out and connected with a Superman Punch and Braun fell halfway into the ambulance.
Reigns connected with a second Superman Punch and then slowly tried to get Braun into the ambulance. Braun shoved Reigns away and then hit him with a backboard across Reigns’ back a couple of times. Strowman casually lifted the stretcher out of the ambulance with one hand and then threw Reigns across the entrance stage.
Braun followed Reigns up there and charged at him. Reigns avoided Strowman and Braun bashed into the screen. Braun then lifted Reigns up on his shoulders but Roman escaped and shoved Strowman threw one of the screens on the entrance ramp. The crowd chanted “this is awesome!” as both Superstars were laid out on the entrance ramp.
Reigns was the first Superstar to show signs of life but eventually both Reigns and Strowman got back up to their feet. Roman was in shock that Strowman was back up and began talking to himself on the entrance ramp. Strowman shoved Reigns off the entrance ramp and to the floor next to the ambulance.
Roman grabbed a lighting grid and bashed Strowman in the face. Reigns then went for a Spear onto Strowman but Braun got out of the way and Roman went flying into the ambulance. Strowman then shut the doors and won the match.
After the match, Strowman celebrated and Reigns opened the doors and hit Strowman with a Spear. Reigns then slammed the ambulance door on Strowman several times and locked him in the ambulance. Reigns then shoved the ambulance driver out of the ambulance and drove away. Reigns stopped the ambulance backstage and looked in the driver’s side mirror. Reigns then reversed the ambulance and slammed it into a truck. Reigns hobbled out of the ambulance as people tried to see if Strowman was okay. RAW GM Kurt Angle then showed up and told someone to call 911. Jamie Noble showed up and tried to get Strowman out of the ambulance.
Curt Hawkins and Heath Slater had a match while Noble and others tried to get Strowman out of the ambulance. Heath Slater defeated Hawkins but it wasn’t shown on screen.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Reaction: This was just awesome. Strowman and Reigns work very well together and I hope this feud continues for a long time. It will be interesting to see who will face the Universal Champion at SummerSlam. Time will tell if Strowman will be written off TV for a bit. I’m also very interested to see where Roman Reigns’ character goes from here. This wasn’t the actions of someone who is supposed to be a fan-favorite. The announcers played this up as Roman Reigns taking things way too far. If this is a start of a heel turn, I’m all in. I thought this was very well done.
The jaws of life were brought out and Angle had a very concerned look on his face as the ambulance was ripped open. Angle started praying as the door was pried open. Strowman was shown with blood on his elbow as firefighters tried to load Braun onto the stretcher. Strowman got to his feet and started walking away in pain. Braun had blood all over his face and told everyone to leave him alone.
Universal Championship Match: Brock Lesnar (c) vs Samoa Joe
Joe attacked Lesnar before the match started as Heyman was introducing Lesnar. Joe slammed Lesnar through the announce table outside the ring. Joe then got back in the ring and waited for Lesnar to join him. Heyman screamed at Lesnar to “shake it off” as the announces stated that Lesnar shouldn’t even get into the ring.
Lesnar slowly got back into the ring and the referee called for the bell. Joe connected with a kick onto Lesnar in the corner of the ring and Joe started to beat him down. Joe connected with a series of knees but Lesnar countered with knees of his own. Joe muscled Lesnar into the corner and hit him with several jabs in the face.
Lesnar then drove Joe into the corner and hit him with a series of knees to the face. Joe countered with a headbutt and locked in the Coquina Clutch. Lesnar was able to break the hold by driving Joe into the turnbuckle. Lesnar then brought Joe to Suplex City and connected with three German Suplexes.
Lesnar went for a fourth but Joe grabbed the ropes. The ref started counting and Joe hit Lesnar with a low-blow and the referee didn’t see it. Joe then planted Lesnar with an Uranage for a two count. Joe then tried to lock in the Coquina Clutch again but Lesnar tried to fight him off. Lesnar powered to his feet and slammed Joe to the mat with a Side Slam.
Brock charged at Joe in the corner but Joe got out of the way and Lesnar slammed into the ring post. Lesnar sprung back to his feet and connected with three more German Suplexes. Lesnar went for an F5 but Joe wiggled free and locked in the Coquina Clutch. Lesnar fell to one knee as the hold was locked in. Brock powered to his feet and connected with the F5 for the victory.
Winner & Still Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar
Reaction: Samoa Joe put up a fight but Brock Lesnar was able to retain. This was a solid match and I hope we get to see it again in the future. Overall, I thought Great Balls of Fire was a very good show. The RAW Tag Team Championship Match and the Ambulance Match were the highlights for me. For the first time in a long time, I am really looking forward to tomorrow night’s episode of RAW. I’m intrigued as to what is going to happen next in the Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns storyline.
What did you think of Great Balls of Fire? Let us know in the comments below.
