WWE RAW Opener:
Samoa Joe is in the ring and he says you have all heard of The Shield. One of the most dominant forces in the WWE. Men who beat down everyone in their path. When the Hounds of Justice smelled weakness, they pounce like rabid dogs. Joe says he has seen the Shield up close and he is not impressed. Joe says he is not impressed at the man whose leg he snapped on his first night, Seth Rollins. Joe says he is not impressed with the man who has done everything in his power to avoid him, the human cockroach Dean Ambrose. He is not impressed with the man he put to sleep time after time in the ring, Roman Reigns.
Joe says he has come out to finish what he started with Roman Reigns even though he is facing Dean Ambrose tonight. Joe says he does not want Roman to bring out his lap dogs, just Roman.
Seth and Dean are watching on the monitor and Seth tells Dean to get Roman.
Joe says he can understand the hesitation because he has been told that he is an intimidating figure. Do you remember when he threw you down and choked you out? Joe says he remembers it so well. If it wasn’t for that silly bastard Jason Jordan, he would have removed Roman from the planet. Joe says if it wasn’t for him, Seth and Dean would be tag team champions. They are not champions because of him and there is nothing you can do about it.
Joe tells Roman if he has a problem with what he says, come out. Joe says he does not need anyone. He does not need Sheamus and Cesaro. If it wasn’t for the Shield, you would be nothing. If you have a problem with that, feel free to come to the ring and prove him wrong.
Roman has joined Seth and Dean watching on the monitor and he says that he’s got it. Roman’s music plays and he comes to the ring and he is alone.
Roman and Joe exchange punches and Roman with the advantage and he kicks Joe in the corner. Sheamus and Cesaro come through the crowd and Roman stops them but Joe is able to apply the Kokina Clutch. Rollins and Ambrose come out and while they fight on the floor, Joe continues to choke out Joe. Dean goes into the ring and Sheamus hits Dean from behind. Rollins tries to protect Roman but Joe and Sheamus attack Rollins. Sheamus and Cesaro hit a spike White Noise. Joe with a uranage to Ambrose to put him next to his partners on the mat.
Joe and The Bar stand tall over the pile of bodies as some fans boo. Joe’s music hits as they leave while The Shield tries to recover. We go to commercial.
– We are back with a look at what just happened in and around the ring.
Bayley and Mickie James (with Sasha Banks) vs. Paige and Mandy Rose (with Sonya Deville)
We go to the ring and out comes Bayley and Mickie James with Sasha Banks. We see footage of Sasha’s history-making match with RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss in Abu Dhabi last week. Absolution is out next as Sonya Deville accompanies Mandy Rose and Paige to the ring.
Paige says that she got to squash a boss in her first match back last week. The Absolution Train is about to run through two more projects. Mandy says they demand the spotlight and they will continue to purge the division of the feeble and unworthy. Sonya says it is time to put your hair up and square up because Absolution is a symphony of carnage and the music is going to start. Paige says Absolution is the future and this is her house.
Bayley with a Thesz Press on Mandy and then Paige tags in and she punches Bayley. Bayley with punches and Mickie tags in and they go for a double suplex but Mandy makes the save. Mickie and Bayley kick Paige and Mandy. They go to the floor and Mickie and Bayley go to the apron. Bayley takes care of Mandy while Mickie takes care of Paige. We go to commercial.
We are back and Mandy with a reverse chin lock on Bayley. Bayley with elbows and a snap mare followed by a corkscrew elbow to the back and a sliding clothesline. Bayley with an elbow drop and she gets a near fall. Mandy with a jumping knee to the head and she gets a near fall. Mandy kicks Bayley in the corner and Paige tags in and she connects with knees in the ropes. Paige with a knee to the head and she gets a near fall. Bayley with a forearm but Paige with a kick.
Paige with a head butt and then she brings Mickie into the ring to allow for a double team. Paige with another knee and she gets a near fall. Paige returns to the apron for knees but Bayley blocks Paige and sends Paige face first into the apron. Paige stops Bayley for a moment but Mickie and Mandy tag in and Mickie with clotheslines and a flying forearm. Mickie with a back elbow to Paige on the apron followed by kicks to Mandy and a flying forearm.
Mandy sends Mickie into the turnbuckles but Mickie with a flapjack. Sonya gets on the apron and Mickie kicks her to the floor. Mickie goes up top and hits a seated splash but Paige breaks it up. Mickie sets for a DDT but Paige with a round kick when the referee deals with Bayley and Mandy gets the three count.
Winners: Paige and Mandy Rose
After the match, Paige and Mandy exit the ring and join Sonya to celebrate. Sasha and Bayley check on Mickie in the ring as Paige’s music plays.
– The announcers plug Sunday’s WWE Clash of Champions pay-per-view in Boston, a SmackDown-exclusive event.
– Still to come, Kane vs. Strowman to determine Brock Lesnar’s Royal Rumble opponent.
– The graphics flash and Bray Wyatt appears on the big screen. Wyatt says he’s here and blows out the lantern. Matt Hardy appears next, interrupting the video, and says he’s woken. Back to commercial.
Broken Brilliance:
We are back and Bray Wyatt says it has always been darkness versus light, good versus evil. It is his favorite game. Matt says the Great War has perpetuated for eons over space and time and it continues on the battlefield known as WWE. Bray says Matt Hardy is now woken, the yin to his yang and he has been waiting for him. Matt says his woken wisdom and broken brilliance will inform the masses. Bray calls Matt a golden calf and Matt laughs. Bray says Matt’s words mean nothing. Matt says that their paths have crossed in the past. He says Sister Abigail had an addiction to evil.
Bray asks why follow a jester when you can walk in the foot steps of a king. Choose wisely because only one can survive. Matt says the Woken Warriors are preparing for battle against Wyatt and they will DELETE.
Bray and Matt both laugh as we go back and forth until Bray stops and Matt continues.
– We take a look at Enzo’s pep talk from last week and Drew Gulak moving one step closer to being the Power Point Presentation Showing Cruiserweight Champion. We also see what happened between Nia Jax and Enzo Amore.
Backstage:
Enzo is in the locker room talking to his title belt. Enzo calls for Drew and Drew asks Enzo if he heard the announcement that there will be a number one contender qualifying match to replace Rich Swann and they winner will face Drew next week and then the winner faces Enzo for the title. Enzo runs through the options for an opponent and he mentions Nia Jax. Drew says he sees what is going on. Drew says it is a lesson. Drew says Enzo wants him to be ready for anyone, even if it is Nia Jax. Drew leaves and Enzo looks around for Nia Jax.
Finn Balor vs. Curtis Axel
We go to the ring and out comes Finn Balor to a pop. We go to commercial.
Axel removes his neck brace and then Bo and Axel attack Balor. Axel with forearms to Balor and the referee warns him and holds Axel back as he checks on Balor to see if he is ready.
Axel with forearms as the bell rings and then Axel with a snap mare and leap frog neck snap. Axel with an arm bar and chin lock. Axel with a knee to the back and he applies a rear chin lock. Balor with a jaw breaker and he avoids a splash by Axel. Balor with a chop followed by slingblade and then he hits the running drop kick and Balor goes up top. Balor with the Coup De Grace while showing no remorse about whether he might have reinjured Axel’s neck. Balor gets the three count.
Winner: Finn Balor
– Still to come, The Arthitecht vs. The Celtic Warrior with the other competitors banned from ringside. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
Kane is in the back and he tells Braun tonight they step into the abyss, a place normal men fear to tread. They are not exactly normal. They know what it is like to squeeze a man’s throat until they lose the will to fight. Kane says he looks forward to going into the abyss with a fellow monster, but he will walk out alone. He will have a smile on his face because he will have done more than beat Braun Strowman, he will face Brock Lesnar. At the Royal Rumble, Kane says he will become Universal Champion.
Sheamus vs. Seth Rollins
We go to the ring and out first comes Seth Rollins. RAW Tag Team Champion Sheamus is out next. Both Superstars are out alone as the others are banned from ringside for tonight’s matches with The Shield, Samoa Joe and The Bar.
Rollins punches Sheamus as the bell rings and then he chops Sheamus. Rollins escapes a slam attempt and Sheamus is sent over the top rope to the floor. Rollins with a suicide dive. Rollins sends Sheamus into the apron. They return to the ring and Sheamus with a double sledge. Sheamus with a clothesline. Sheamus punches Rollins in the midsection and then the head. Sheamus with a back breaker and he gets a near fall. Sheamus sends Rollins into the turnbuckles and connects with forearms in the back and kicks to the leg in the corner.
Sheamus misses a thrust kick and Rollins with a jumping kick to Sheamus. Rollins punches Sheamus and hits Slingblade. Rollins with a boot to a charging Sheamus and Rollins continues with a blockbuster. Rollins clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope to the floor and Rollins goes for a pescado but Rollins lands on his feet when Sheamus gets back into the ring. Sheamus kicks Rollins off the apron to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus with a reverse chin lock. Rollins with a jaw breaker and Sheamus holds his jaw. Sheamus with a reverse Alabama Slam to send the knee into the mat. Sheamus with a Stretch Muffler and he lifts Rollins off the mat to add more pressure. Rollins punches Sheamus and hits a rana but Sheamus rolls through and applies the Cloverleaf. Sheamus pulls Rollins into the center of the ring when he tries to get to the ropes. Rollins with an inside cradle for a near fall. Rollins with a DDT for a near fall.
Sheamus charges into the corner and Rollins floats over and Sheamus goes into the ring post. Rollins with a rollup for a near fall. Rollins with a super kick for a near fall. Rollins sets for the V Trigger but Sheamus with an elbow and he puts Rollins’ injured leg into the turnbuckles. Sheamus goes up top. Rollins leaps up top and hits a superplex and then he rolls through into a Falcon Arrow. Rollins gets a near fall because he felt the damage done to the knee and could not make the cover.
Rollins sets for the V Trigger but Sheamus gets Rollins up for White Noise> Rollins with a knee but Sheamus with a Finlay Slam. Sheamus sets for the Brogue Kick and he misses it. Rollins with a super kick and V Trigger for the three count.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Backstage:
Dean Ambrose is in the back and he is asked about the other two matches in the series. Renee asks Dean about his strategy. Dean says he needs to avoid being kicked in the face. He needs to avoid being put in the Kokina Clutch. He says he should not talk about his strategy after what happened last week. Back to commercial.
Second Chance Fatal 4 Way: Tony Nese vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Ariya Daivari
Back from the break and Drew Gulak is out for commentary. Cedric Alexander is out first followed by Tony Nese. Mustafa Ali is out next and Ariya Daivari is out last. The winner of this will face Gulak on next week’s RAW to crown a new #1 contender. The bell rings and they all go to work on each other.
Alexander with a forearm to Nese and Ali goes after Daivari. Daivari wtih a punch to Ali and Ali with a drop kick. Nese misses a clothesline and Alexander with a head scissors and drop kick. Ali with a single leg take down and he gets a near fall. Alexander gets a near fall. Alexander with a back slide to Ali. Ali with a back flip and chops. Alexander with a European uppercut.
Ali goes up top while Nese and Alexander fight on the floor and Ali with a flip dive onto both men. Daivari covers Alexander and gets a near fall. Daivari punches Alexander. Daivari with knees to the back while Drew evades questions about what would happen if he faces Enzo Amore for the title.
Alexander with punches but Daivari sends Alexander to the apron. Alexander with a slingshot flatline for a near fall. Nese sends Alexander into the turnbuckles and he lands hard and awkwardly. Nese goes for a pump handle slam but Ali gets to his feet. Nese kicks Alexander and Daivari accidentally hits Nese with a forearm. Alexander takes care of Daivari and Ali with a reverse rana.
All four men are down as we go to commercial.
We are back and Daivari with a reverse chin lock on Ali. We see Ali hitting a Frankensteiner on Alexander during the break in slow motion. Back to live action. Ali with forearms but Daivari with a spinebuster for a near fall. Daivari returns to the reverse chin lock. Daivari with forearms and he tries to send Ali into the turnbuckles but Ali slides into the corner. Ali goes to the apron and he hits a slingshot X Factor for a near fall. Ali with elbows to Nese but Nese with an Irish whip. Ali with an elbow and then he kicks Daivari. Nese with a rolling palm thrust to Ali and he puts Ali in the tree of woe.
Ali with a back elbow and Ali sets fo the inward 450 splash and hits it but Alexander breaks up the cover at the last moment. Ali and Alexander exchange forearms and Ali with a back elbow and slap. Alexander with a standing C4 followed by a Lumber Check to Ali. Daivari throws Alexander to the floor and Alexander pulls Daivari off Ali. Nese with a plancha onto Daivari and Alexander. Nese with the running knee to Alexander but Ali breaks up the cover.
Daivari and Nese surround Ali and they double team Ali. Ali with a kick to Daivari but Nese with a chop. Ali sends Nese over the top rope to the floor. Alexander with a spingboad clothesline to Ali. Daivari with a rollup. Alexander with a handspring round kick to Daiavri followed by Lumbar Check for the three count.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
After the match, Cedric is asked about his victory and he says this was his second chance and he will take advantage of it. He will beat Drew Gulak and then beat Enzo Amore to become your new Cruiserweight Champion. We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Enzo is talking to his title belt and Drew Gulak shows up and talks about his match next week and then the following week, he will become Cruiserweight Champion. Enzo wants to know what Gulak is saying. Drew says it was some friendly trash talk. Enzo says that Drew works for him and he is lucky to be on the Zo Train. Enzo says that Drew wins one match and he thinks they are equals. Enzo says he is going to spell out how to describe his power point presentations. Drew says ‘informative’ and then he leaves.
Nia shows up and says hello to Enzo and Drew. Nia says that she likes Drew’s Power Point Presentations. Enzo says he was telling Drew he likes them too and he calls them informative. Nia tells Enzo that they should talk some time.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Cesaro vs. Roman Reigns
We go to the ring and out first comes RAW Tag Team Champion Cesaro. WWE Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns is out next. We get formal ring introductions from JoJo.
Cesaro runs into an uppercut and then he kicks Cesaro and the challenger goes to the floor. Roman follows and Cesaro kicks him as he returns to the ring. Cesaro with Euroepan uppercuts but Roman with clotheslines and a flying clothesline. Reigns with NeverEnding Story in the clotheslines but Cesaro goes to the apron and drops the arm on the top rope. Cesaro with a boot but Roman with a boot of his own and then he clotheslines Cesaro over the top rope to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cesaro with a key lock and then we see Cesaro hitting a drop kick to counter the Juggernaut Broad Jump drop kick and then he sends Roman into the ringside barrier during the Giant Swing. Cesaro with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Cesaro with a wrist lock as he continues to work on the right arm. Roman gets back to his feet and he head butts Cesaro and kicks him. Reigns with a La Magistral for a near fall. Reigns tries for a back slide and he finally gets Cesaro over for a near fall. Cesaro misses a splash into the corner and Roman with a rollup for a near fall.
Cesaro rolls Reigns up and then works on the arm before applying a Fujiwara arm bar. Cesaro pulls Reigns into the center of the ring and he applies an arm bar. Reigns sends Cesaro into the turnbuckles and Reigns with a uranage and both men are down. Reigns with head butts and a punch that sends Cesaro into the bottom rope. Reigns with a Juggernaut broad jump drop kick and he gets a near fall.
Reigns sets for the Superman punch and Cesaro with a forearm to the injured arm and Cesaro with a Fujiwara arm bar into a crossface. Reigns with a Samoan drop for a near fall. Cesaro with a running European uppercut into the corner and then he sends Reigns shoulder first into the ring post. Cesaro charges at Roman and Roman gets a boot up to stop Cesaro. Roman with a Superman punch off the ring steps and he gets a near fall when they get back into the ring.
Reigns sets for the spear and he does the scream. Cesaro with boots and then Cesaro hits the pop up European uppercut for a near fall. Cesaro with a crossface. Reigns picks up Cesaro and gets him on his feet. Cesaro with a sunset flip into a power bomb but Reigns rolls through and hits a one arm sit out power bomb for a near fall. Cesaro punches Reigns and Reigns fires back with left hands. They go back and forth and Reigns goes to the right hand. Cesaro with an inside cradle for a near fall.
Cesaro argues with the referee and then he charges into the corner and hits a European uppercut. Cesaro with more strikes and the referee warns him. Cesaro sets for the Gotch Style Neutralizer but Reigns with a back body drop and a spear for the three count.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Backstage:
Braun Strowman tells Kane he tried to crush his throat and career, but he send Kane gasping for air. Tonight, Kane gets a full dose. Braun says he wants another piece of Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. You are the only thing standing in his way, but not for long. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Asuka is in the ring but her opponent, Alicia Fox does not come out.
Paige’s music plays and she comes out with Mandy and Sonya. Paige asks where is her ex-bestie Foxy this week? We see her in the back having her arm checked. Paige says that Alicia is not going to come to the ring so they can talk. Paige says that he respects her and has given her a few warnings. Asuka is now getting in the way. The last glimmer of hope is Asuka. Not even Asuka can stop Absolution and that leaves a pickle. You move out of the way or they make you move out of the way. They get on the ring apron and surround Asuka. Paige says that Asuka says nobody is ready for Asuka so you better meet Absolution. Asuka takes care of Rose and Deville and then she puts Paige in the cross arm breaker. Rose and Deville break up the hold and they work over Paige.
Sasha Banks’ music hits and out she comes with Bayley, Dana Brooke, Nia Jax, RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss, Mickie James and Fox. The women’s division goes at it with Absolution. Paige and Nia tangle with Paige avoiding a Samoan Drop. They surround and take turns on Rose next. Paige and Sonya pull Rose to safety as Absolution retreats. Nia’s music hits as the women’s division stands tall in the ring.
Backstage:
Kurt Angle is backstage when Jason Jordan walks into his office. Jordan says he’s sorry about last week and should not have came in to Angle’s office making demands but he was just running off adrenaline following his match and his intensity got the best of him. Jordan says he will keep his cool this week but seriously, how is Angle not booking him against Samoa Joe? Jordan says Joe has been running wild on RAW and it’s no wonder why RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon got on Angle’s case last week. Angle goes on about being Jordan’s father but also the General Manager of RAW. Angle says Jordan isn’t the only Superstar who has issues with Joe. Jordan says but he’s the only one that can beat Joe. Jordan says he’s held his own against Kane, John Cena and others. Angle says he held his own but barely and didn’t win. Angle goes on and says Jordan will get his match with Joe when it’s time. Jordan says “OK, Dad…” but calls him Kurt instead. Angle looks a bit bothered.
Dean Ambrose vs. Samoa Joe
As soon as the match starts, Jason Jordan comes out to take a seat on the stage and Ambrose attacks Joe. Ambrose bounces off Joe when he tries for a cross body. Joe kicks Ambrose and connects with knees and punches. Ambrose with a drop kick to the knee and then he puts the leg in the ropes and punches Joe. Ambrose with a drop kick to the leg in the ropes and then he hits a dragon screw leg whip. Joe goes to the floor and Ambrose hits Joe with a Northern Lariat and then he sends Joe into the ringside barrier.
Ambrose kicks Joe in the back of the leg and sends him back into the ring. Ambrose goes up top and leaps over Joe but Joe moves in the corner and hits a running back elbow and enzuigiri. Dean rolls to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Joe with a reverse chin lock. Dean with elbows and punches followed by a chop. Joe with a back elbow but he misses a back senton when Ambrose moves. Ambrose with punches and chops. Joe with jabs to Ambrose and Dean staggers around the ring. Ambrose slaps Joe and Joe with a forearm. Dean bounces off the ropes and Joe tries for a uranage but Dean escapes. Dean with a few running clotheslines.
Joe with a forearm and Dean bounces in the ropes again and hits a clothesline. Both men are down and Jason Jordan is stirring on the stage. Ambrose with a kick and he tries for the double underhook DDT. Joe with a uranage suplex and then he mocks Angle. Jordan comes down to the ring and Ambrose with a rollup for a near fall. Joe gets Ambrose up for a power bomb but Ambrose counters with a rana that sends both men to the floor. Jordan sends Ambrose back into the ring and Joe with the Kokina clutch on Jordan.
Ambrose with a suicide dive onto Joe and Jordan. Ambrose goes up top and Jordan gets on the apron. Ambrose with an elbow off the turnbuckles but Jordan’s distraction keeps the referee from making the count. Ambrose realizes what just happened and he gets in Jordan’s face. Ambrose pie faces Jordan and Jordan sets for a belly-to-belly suplex but Joe with a suicide dive. Joe sends Ambrose back into the ring and then he hits a back senton onto Jordan.
Joe with the Kokina Clutch and Ambrose passes out.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Backstage:
Dana Brooke is backstage with Apollo Crews and Titus O’Neil. They’re all excited about Dana joining Titus Worldwide as Statistician/Head of Research and Development. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson walk up and mock them, calling anyone who works at Titus Worldwide a… NERD! Braun Strowman comes marching through and everyone scatters. We go to commercial.
– We are back and it is time to see the ring being reinforced.
– We have a video package recapping the events leading to our main event.
#1 Contenders Match: Kane vs. Braun Strowman
We go to the ring and out first comes Braun Strowman. The winner of this match will face WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Braun hits the ring and we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Cole plugs the rest of WWE Week on the USA Network. WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar is confirmed for next Monday’s RAW in Providence along with Paul Heyman. Braun waits in the ring now as Kane’s music hits and out he comes for the main event.
The bell rings and Braun charges Kane back into the corner. Braun with shoulders to take Kane down in the corner. raun keeps control and drops Kane back down with a headbutt in the corner. Braun runs and charges for a big corner splash. Braun charges and nails a dropkick next. Braun with a pin attempt. We get a replay of the dropkick.
They go to the floor and Braun sends Kane shoulder-first into the steel ring steps. Braun rolls Kane back into the ring but Kane kicks him as he tried to re-enter. Braun stares Kane down, causing him to back away. Braun attacks and fights Kane back into the corner. Braun runs and charges but Kane side steps. Kane goes for a chokeslam and nails it for a 2 count. Kane mounts Braun and works him over as we get a replay of the chokeslam.
Kane keeps control and waits for Braun to get back up. Kane goes for another chokeslam and hits it in the middle of the ring. Kane with another close 2 count as Braun kicks out.
Kane grabs Braun by the throat again but Braun counters and delivers a chokeslam of his own. Kane kicks out at 2. We get a replay as Kane rolls out to the floor. Braun is on his back in the ring. Braun gets up as Kane tries to get a breather on the floor. Braun follows but Kane decks him. Kane kicks Braun on the other side of the barrier into the crowd. Kane with a big right hand. Braun tackles Kane through the barrier and they both go down at ringside. The referee counts and the match ends in a double count out.
Double Count Out
After the bell, fans boo as we get a replay of the barrier spot. Braun gets to his feet first. Braun works over Kane at ringside as Kane tries to get to his feet. Braun takes apart the steel ring steps but Kane has half of the other set of steps. They face off with the steps in hand. They both charge and collide the steps together. Kane goes down to his knees. Braun goes under the ring and tries to drive a cart into Kane’s throat but Kane fights him off. Braun drops Kane with a right hand. Braun rolls Kane back into the ring as fans chant for tables. Braun gets a pop as he brings a table into the ring. Kane grabs a steel chair and hits Braun first. Kane goes for another chair shot but Braun hits him with a right hand. Kane drops Braun with the chair and hits him over the back several times. Kane with shots to the throat as well. Kane goes down exhausted. They both get up and collide in the middle of the ring. Both are back down, flat on their backs. Kane sits right up and looks over at Braun. Braun sits up next and they stare at each other. Kane scoots back into the corner as he can’t believe Braun is back up. Braun charges but Kane grabs him for a chokeslam through the table. Braun resists. Braun scoops Kane and puts him through the table with a big running powerslam. Braun stands tall as his music hits. Graves wonders what his means for Lesnar and the Royal Rumble. Braun stands tall as RAW goes off the air.
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