Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up with a look back at last week when WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H destroyed Roman Reigns.
WWE RAW Opener:
We’re live from Nashville, Tennessee as the pyro goes off and Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined by JBL and Byron Saxton.
– We go right to the ring and out comes Triple H in a suit.
Triple H talks about how everyone has an authority figure in their life that they don’t challenge because they’re afraid. He says that fear is not a bad thing, it’s what keeps things in place. He says nature provides you with that fear so you will know your place in life. Fans boo. He says Roman Reigns should have listened to that fear, he should have known his place but he didn’t. He chose to challenge authority and disrespect authority. He chose to challenge Triple H and disrespect Triple H. Triple H says Reigns is sitting at home right now hoping his WrestleMania spot still exists. He goes on but is interrupted by the music of Dean Ambrose. Out he comes to a pop.
Ambrose limps into the ring and goes to speak but fans cheer. They chant his name now. Ambrose says he just got off the phone with Reigns. He says hi and he’s coming for Triple H. Triple H mocks their “bromance” and Ambrose says he wanted to have this talk last week but he got mauled by a grizzly bear in the parking lot, then he was driving an ambulance and challenging Brock Lesnar. He talks about the other stuff that happened last week and fans start chanting for Shane McMahon. Ambrose asks Triple H if he likes Shane or not and Triple H brushes it off. Ambrose asks Triple H who he wanted to win the Triple Threat at Fastlane, or better yet… who did he not want to win. Triple H says Ambrose is wasting his time. He says Reigns and Lesnar are the only ones that meant anything in that Triple Threat. He says it was clear Ambrose was never a factor. Ambrose gets in Triple H’s face.
Ambrose knows Triple H forgets about the little people sometimes but he’s Dean Ambrose and he’s the last person Triple H wanted to face at WrestleMania 32. Triple H laughs at him and asks if he really is mental. Ambrose wonders why everyone keeps saying that. Ambrose says Triple H is smart enough to know he can’t beat him. Fans chant for Ambrose now. He says he can see it in Triple H’s face and body, he can read Triple H like a self help book. He can even smell it on him… he says Triple H doesn’t believe he can beat Ambrose. Triple H says the unfamiliar smell is probably laundry detergent and clean clothes, or something else Ambrose doesn’t have… money and power. A “you can’t beat him” chant starts up now. Ambrose challenges Triple H to a title match tonight. Ambrose wants to find out if he’s just talking crazy and wants to find out right now. Triple H says Ambrose can’t just walk out with a crazy idea and make it happen. Triple H says this does intrigue him and he will think about it to see if it’s best for business. He will give Ambrose an answer by the end of the night. Triple H was going to give Ambrose the night off because of Lesnar beating him up but he changed his mind. He books Ambrose vs. Alberto Del Rio with the rest of the League of Nations at ringside to see if Ambrose will learn to respect authority. Triple H exits the ring and we go to the announcers.
– Still to come, The Undertaker. Also, Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon will be here. We see Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks walking backstage. Back to commercial.
#1 Contenders Match: Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks
Back from the break and out comes Becky Lynch to a pop. Sasha Banks is out next, also to a good reaction. We see Ric Flair and WWE Divas Champion Charlotte sitting at ringside.
They go at it and Sasha connects with the first takedown. Sasha avoids an early Disarm Her attempts. Dueling chants by the fans now. They trade several holds and pin attempts before coming to a stalemate as fans cheer. Sasha tosses Becky to the floor but she lands on her feet. They tangle on the floor and Becky comes off the apron and nails Sasha. Becky brings it back in but Sasha knees her in the face and pulls her into the ring post. We go to commercial with Sasha in control.
We are back and Becky with clotheslines but she misses a drop kick. Sasha with a knee and then she hits a double knee strike for a near fall. Sasha misses a knee in the corner and then Becky with a kick and an Exploder for a near fall. Becky tries for a slam but Sashs gets to her feet. Sasha with a sunset flip but Becky rolls through. Sasha with a double knee drop for a near fall..
Sasha taunts Becky but Becky wtih forearms. Sasha sends Becky to the apron and Sasha with a forearm. Becky wtih a kick to the head and Becky goes up. Sasha goes up top but Becky pushes her off. Becky with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Sasha with a forearm and Becky goes for the DisArmHer but Sasha gets away. Becky with an elbow to Sasha and Sasha is down on the apron. Sasha with a forearm and she goes up top.
Becky climbs the turnbuckles as well and Becky with head butts and Sasha with a sunset flip power bomb but both women’s shoudlers are down and the referee makes the three count.
Winner: Draw
After the match, the referee informs Lilian Garcia that all four shoulders were down, resulting in a double pin. The match was called a draw. Everyone looks confused as The Flairs make their exit and Becky and Sasha look on from the ring.
Backstage:
We go to the back where The Wyatt Family is. Bray says the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Bray says maybe he is insane. Maybe his mind is key to saving the entire world. It starts as an idea and that idea turns into a plan. That plan turns into a beautiful symphony. He tells everyone to join him and he will give you eternal paradise. Defy him and you will end up exactly like the rest of them… conquered.
The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler
Back from the break and out comes Dolph Ziggler as The Miz looks on. We see their segment from last week’s RAW pre-show that led to this match. Ziggler with early pin attempts and a neckbreaker into a 2 count. Ziggler with a dropkick and splash in the corner. Ziggler with another neckbreaker and an elbow drop for a 2 count. Miz catches a superkick. Ziggler blocks the Skull Crushing Finale and splashes Miz in the corner. Miz rolls Ziggler up out of the corner after he hit the turnbuckle for the quick win.
Winner: The Miz
– Still to come, AJ Styles and Chris Jericho vs. WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day. Also, a look at Shane McMahon’s return. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we get a look at Shane McMahon returning in the middle of Stephanie McMahon accepting the Vincent J. McMahon Legacy of Excellence Award last week.
– Stephanie McMahon is backstage walking to the ring. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and the Vincent J. McMahon Legacy of Excellence Award is on display in the ring. Stephanie McMahon makes her way out.
She says last week was her proudest moment until her brother interrupted. She’s going to finish her acceptance speech and would appreciate it if everyone gave her the respect she deserves. Fans chant Shane O’ Mac. She says he’s not here, just like he won’t be here after he loses to The Undertaker at WrestleMania. Stephanie starts her speech and the boos get louder. Stephanie doesn’t look happy. Fans chant “we want Shane” now. She clutches the award and starts about how she sacrifices family time but gets this in return from the fans. She tips the podium over. She goes on about fans chanting for Shane and Shane blackmailing her father. She points out how Shane hasn’t even been to a WrestleMania. She says he abandoned the company. She says he doesn’t care about her grandfather or her own family. She says she loves her brother but she doesn’t respect him because he always stabs her in the back when she lets her guard down. She says it eats Shane alive that she’s married to Triple H and because she has so much power in this business. She brings up how Shane said his sons are in line to take over WWE one day. She says they will have to fight for it like her daughters will. She says the idea of working for Shane makes her want to vomit. She says Taker is going to dismember Shane at WrestleMania and then he can take a permanent vacation. She starts ripping into the crowd and they boo her. She says soon, everyone will have to bow down to the King Triple H and the Queen, her. She drops the mic and raises the award with the WrestleMania sign in the background. Stephanie leaves as her music hits.
– Still to come, The Undertaker.
The Lucha Dragons vs. Sheamus and Rusev
Back from the break Sin Cara is in the ring with WWE United States Champion Kalisto. The League of Nations comes out next. Sheamus and Rusev will be in action. Alberto Del Rio and King Barrett look on from ringside.
Cara and Sheamus start things off and Sheamus with forearms. Cara with a springboard cross body and then he goes for a sunset flip and he gets a near fall. Cara with a drop kick to send Rusev to the floor. Sheamus with a uranage back breaker and he sends Cara to the floor. Sheamus distracts the referee and Sin Cara is sent into the ringside barrier. Rusev sends Cara back into the ring and Rusev kicks Cara in the back.
Rusev with more kicks to the back. Rusev with a short arm clothesline. Rusev wtih a nerve hold on Cara. Rusev turns his attention to Kalisto on the apron before tagging Sheamus back in and he kicks Cara. Sheamus with forearms . . . after the finger twirl of the group. Cara kicks Sheamus but Sheamus with a punch. Sheamus with a power slam for a near fall. Sheamus with a key lock. Cara wtih an arm drag and boots to Sheamus followed by a tornado DDT and both men are down.
Kalisto and Rusev tag in and Kalisto with an enzuigiri and then he leaps over Rusev and avoids a splash from Rusev. Kalisto with a handspring round kick and a springboard corkscrew splash. Kalisto with a head scissors driver but Sheamus breaks it up. Barrett gets in teh way of the suicide dive. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick to Cara. Kalisto with a cross body onto Sheamus. Del Rio distracts Kalisto and Rusev with a round kick for the three count.
Winners: Rusev and Sheamus
After the match, Del Rio puts Kalisto in the Tree of Woe and then he goes up and does the twirling finger deal before hitting the double stomp to the chest.
– We go to footage from earlier today when Renee Young was talking to Natalya about how she is able to maintain everything. Natalya talks about how she keeps training and drinks a lot of water while making sure she makes positive food choices and she talks about Subway.
– We take a look back at how Raw started. We go to commercial.
Ryback vs. Adam Rose
Back from the break and out comes Ryback. We get a sidebar video from earlier with Ryback talking about how he deserves to shine on his own. If the WWE spotlight isn’t given to him, he will take it. We see The Social Outcasts at ringside.
Ryback overpowers early on as fans chant Goldberg. Rose makes a comeback after Ryback dominates. Rose with a dropkick for a 2 count. Rose keeps on as Heath Slater, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas cheer him on. Ryback snaps and unloads on Rose with strikes as the referee tries to pull him off. Ryback nails Shellshocked for the win.
Winner: Ryback
After the bell, Ryback quickly leaves and walks to the back.
– We get a look back at Brock Lesnar attacking Dean Ambrose last week.
The New Day vs. Chris Jericho and AJ Styles
We go to the ring and out come WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day for this non-title match. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and The New Day is talking about how they are the most successful group in WWE history because they are a brotherhood. Big E is interrupted by Chris Jericho’s pyro. Out he comes to a pop. AJ Styles it out next, also to a big pop. Jericho starts things off with Kofi Kingston and they go at it. Jericho with a nice dropkick and chops into the corner. Styles tags in and they double team Kofi. Big E runs in but they toss him to the floor with Kofi. Styles and Jericho leap out onto their opponents as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and the champs stomp away on Styles as Xavier Woods runs his mouth at ringside. Styles ends up dropped face first on the apron. Kofi brings Styles back in and covers for a 2 count. Big E comes in, runs the ropes and nails the splash but Styles kicks out at 2. Styles ends up countering and nailing a pele kick Jericho tags in as does Kofi. Jericho with shoulder tackles Kofi throws him to the apron. Jericho goes to the top with the ax handle. Jericho with a running enziguri and a running bulldog. Jericho with a springboard kick to send Woods off the apron. Kofi comes back after another close 2 count.
Jericho avoids a dropkick and nails the Lionsault but Big E breaks the pin. Big E throws Jericho into the ring post. Styles springboards in with a forearm on Big E, sending him to the floor. Kofi clotheslines Styles to the floor. Jericho turns around and blocks Trouble In Paradise. Jericho gets the Walls of Jericho locked in for the non-title win.
Winners: Chris Jericho and AJ Styles
After the match, The New Day is leaving when Styles takes the mic. He says this win puts Y2AJ at the top of the list for the WWE Tag Team Titles. Fans cheer. Jericho says Y2AJ is a thing and they are the new big thing in WWE. Jericho challenges The New Day to a title match for next week’s RAW. Jericho says after next week, the titles, The New Day, Y2AJ, WrestleMania and everything else will never, ever be the same.
– Still to come, Triple H’s answer for Dean Ambrose. Also, Ambrose vs. Alberto Del Rio and The Undertaker’s return. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and out comes Vince McMahon to a mild reception. He’s not happy with the reaction and asks fans if that’s all they have for him. He goes on about how Shane McMahon winning at WrestleMania 32 would be bad for WWE. Vince says he loves his son enough to teach him a lesson he will never forget. Vince calls The Undertaker his instrument of destruction. Vince introduces Taker and the lights go out and the bells toll as Taker makes his grand entrance.
Taker gets a big pop as he finally appears. Vince looks on as The Deadman marches to the ring. Taker enters the ring and looks up at the WrestleMania sign, then back at Vince. Fans chant for him. Vince says, “That’s right, he’s my force of destruction, he does…” Taker grabs Vince by the throat. Taker says Vince knows what’s going to happen when he closes that door behind him at WrestleMania. Taker says Vince knows what he does and the blood of his son will be on Vince’s own hands, not Taker’s. Taker’s music hits and he leaves. That was a very quick segment. Taker’s music finally stops and Vince takes the mic. Vince says the reality is that he will be standing in the ring the night after WrestleMania and Shane will have failed him as a son by losing to The Undertaker. Vince says he’s going to write Shane out of his will and give it all to Stephanie. Vince says this pains him to say but he will renounce Shane as his son. He says Shane will no longer be his son from the heart, he will just be a son of a bitch. Vince’s music hits as he stands with the WrestleMania banner in the background. Vince looks out around the crowd and acts conflicted about Shane no longer being his son. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and we get a look at The Dudley Boyz and The Usos.
Jey Uso vs. Bubba Ray Dudley
We go to the ring and out come The Usos. The Dudley Boyz are out next.
Uso strikes first with a dropkick in the corner. He goes to work on Bubba. Bubba comes out of the corner and runs Uso over. Bubba rips Uso’s shirt off and chops him in the chest. Bubba talks trash and Uso rocks him with a right hand. More physical back and forth. Uso nails a superkick. D-Von Dudley brings a table from under the ring as a distraction. Jimmy Uso runs around and jumps off the steps to hit D-Von but he gets smacked with the table instead. Bubba takes advantage of the distraction and hits the Full Nelson Slam on a distracted Uso for the win.
Winner: Bubba Ray Dudley
– We get another backstage segment with R-Truth telling Goldust he’s not interested. Goldust walks off with his feelings hurt.
– Still to come, Triple H’s answer for Ambrose. Also, Ambrose vs. Del Rio in the main event. Up next, Kevin Owens vs. Big Show. Back to commercial.
Kevin Owens vs. Big Show
Show backs Owens into the corner and he connects with punches. Show with an Irish whip but Owens avoids a splash. Show with a shoudler tackle and Owens goes to the floor. Show picks up Owens but Owens escapes and he sends Show into the ring post. Owens with a shot to the jaw and Show is down at ringside. The referee starts his count and Owens goes out to try to stop Show. Owens with a tornado DDT off the apron and the referee resumes his count.
Show gets back into the ring and Owens with a back senton for a near fall. Owens goes up top but Show grabs Owens by the throat. Owens tries to escape and Show drops Owens ding ding first onto the top rope and Owens falls to the floor. The referee starts his count and Owens cannot get up before the referee gets to ten.
Winner: Big Show (by count out)
Backstage:
Renee Young is in the interview area with Brie Bella. Renee asks Brie about facing Naomi tonight after losing at Fastlane. Brie says she has nothing to be ashamed of. She put up a good fight and is looking forward to her match tonight. Renee asks how are Nikki and Daniel. She says they are doing fine.
Lana interrupts and she talks about how different she is from Brie. They love you because they pity you. You, like your marriage are doomed to fail. Brie says that when you get into the ring, you can start to talk. You can go back to the cave and tell your neanderthal fiance that Brie loved him in the Revenant. She tells Lana that she should shave his back. We go to commercial.
Naomi (with Tamina) vs. Brie Bella
They lock up and Naomi grabs Brie’s hair and connects with a knee to the midsection followed by a forearm. Naomi with a wrist lock but Brie flips to escape and takes Naomi down with a fireman’s carry into an arm bar. Naomi tries to send Brie to the floor but Brie lands on the apron. Naomi with a round kick and then Tamina with a shot on Brie. Naomi with a baseball slide to send Brie to the floor. Naomi with forearms to the back of the head.
Naomi with a leaping leg drop for a near fall. Naomi stretches Brie. Brie wtih forearms but Naomi with a side head lock and she runs Brie into the turnbuckles with a bulldog. Naomi misses a split legged moonsault when Brie moves. Naomi with kicks and tehn she goes Speedball with the kicks but she misses a jumping round kick. Brie with a kick and it is time for some Dragon Kicks followed by a drop kick. Brie calls for the BRIE MODE knee and she connects.
Tamina gets on the apron and Brie takes care of her. Naomi with a crucifix bomb for a near fall. Naomi locks in the Slay-O-Mission and Brie taps out.
Winner: Naomi
After the match, Lana makes her way onto the stage and she applauds Brie’s result in her match. Back to commercial.
– We are back and it is time to see the newest inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame… The Fabulous Freebirds.
Backstage:
Becky and Sasha are in the back and Sasha says she had her beat. Becky says she had it won. Charlotte and Ric Flair stop by and she tells them they are getting another shot. It will happen on Thursday on Smackdown. Charlotte says Becky and Sasha look like they are dressed for the seventh grade after school dance. One of you will go into obscurity while the other becomes the answer to the trivia question of Who lost to Charlotte in her first Wrestlemania match.
– We now take a look at what happened after Undertaker left the ring and Vince McMahon regained his composure.
Dean Ambrose versus Alberto Del Rio (with Rusev, Sheamus, and Wade Barrett)
We go to the ring and out comes Dean Ambrose to a big pop. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and Alberto Del Rio is out with The League of Nations.
Dean with punches but Del Rio with kicks and a suplex. Dean rolls to the floor and Del Rio follows and he sends Dean into the ringside barrier. Dean is sent into the ringside barrier two more times, but all three times were to the shoulder not taped up. Dean gets back into the ring and Del Rio with shoudlers in the corner followed by a DDT for a near fall. Del Rio goes upt op and hits a chop to the side of the head and gets a near fall. Del Rio with a knee in the back as he stretches Dean.
Dean puts Del RIo on teh turnbuckles but Del Rio with a cross arm breaker to the taped up arm. Ambrose with a swinging neck breaker and both men are down. Del Rio with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Del Rio puts Ambrose in the Tree of Woe and then he goes up top. Del Rio does the finger twirl but that allows Ambrose to hit a superplex while in the turnbuckles. Ambrose with an elbow and boot. Deal with a lungblower and Ambrose rolls to the floor.
Del Rio puts Dean on the ringside barrier in front of Yeatonville and Del Rio climbs on the ringside barrier and hits a double stomp. Del Rio finger twirls while Dean is able to get back in before the ten count. Del Rio kicks Ambrose in the ribs. Del Rio gestures for the cross arm breaker and then he punches at air and he goes for the Destiny Floatover but Dean counters. Del Rio sends Dean into the ropes and he bounces back for a clothesline.
Dean with chops and punches followed by a running forearm and back elbow. Ambrose with a running forearm and bulldog. Ambrose gets a near fall. Ambrose goes up top and Del Rio stops Dean. Del Rio goes for a superplex but Dean blocks it and connects with head butts and punches. Ambrose with a missile drop kick and both men are down. Ambrose gets a near fall. Ambrose foes for a running forearm but Del Rio moves and Dean hits the ring post. Del Rio wtih an enzuigiri and Dean falls into the ropes. Since it is not against Rey, Dean is able to move when Del Rio goes for a splash to the back.
Ambrose goes up top and hits an elbow drop onto all four men.
Triple H’s music plays and he makes his way onto the stage and he means business because he is taking off his tie and he shirt is unbuttoned.
Hunter wags his finger and that means that Del RIo and his hombres attack as the bell rings.
No Contest
Del Rio with a super kick to Dean’s face while Rusev and Sheamus hold Ambrose.
Hunter enters the ring and he shakes hands with Barrett and Sheamus before they leave the ring. Hunter has a mic and he tells Dean you are never going to learn. What is it with people like you and authority. You are never going to beat the Authority. Dean punches Hunter and Hunter goes down. Dean with punches in the corner but Hunter with a kick and Pedigree. Hunter tells Dean if he wants a Championship Match with him, he is on.
Dean has the mic next to him on the mat and he tells Hunter ‘Thanks’.
Hunter returns to the ring and he throws Dean to the floor. Hunter sends Ambrose over the announce table. Hunter puts Dean on the announce table and punches Dean until the referees hold their hands out and beg for Hunter to stop. Hunter removes the cover on the table and he continues to punch Dean. Eventually, enough referees grab Hunter by the arms to stop him.
We go to credits.
