WWE RAW Opener:
Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up with a look back at last week’s Roman Reigns attack on WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H.
– We go to the ring and Lilian Garcia introduces Stephanie McMahon. She comes out to boos. She says her husband won’t be here tonight and if fans want refunds, they better go get them now. She says Triple H isn’t here because he has WWE corporate responsibilities, not because of Reigns’ vicious attack last week. She goes on about Reigns and Triple H until the music hits and out comes Reigns to the stage.
Reigns makes his way to the ring and she accuses him of waiting until she said Triple H isn’t here to come out and intimidate her. She starts talking about her husband will beat him at WrestleMania and he shushes her. Reigns asks if we want to know the real reason Triple H isn’t here. Reigns says Triple H didn’t want to come to Philly because he knew he would whip his ass all over Broad Street. Reigns says if we thought last week was bad, wait until WrestleMania. Reigns says he’s walking into Stephanie’s stadium, going into her ring and beating her husband to take Reigns’ title. He says there’s nothing Stephanie or her daddy’s money can do about it. She goes to slap him but he catches it. Reigns says now he’s the authority. He tosses the mic and leaves the ring as his music hits.
– Still to come, Vince McMahon will make a major announcement on Shane McMahon vs. The Undertaker. Also, AJ Styles vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens. We go to commercial.
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
Back from the break and out comes AJ Styles to a pop. WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens is out next for this non-title match.
They lock up and Owens with a side head lock. Owens adds more pressure when Styles tries to escape. Styles with a top wrist lock into a hammer lock but Owens with elbows and he returns to the side head lock. Owens with a side head lock take down. Styles gets back to his feet and Styles with elbows. Styles with a Phenomenal drop kick and Owens goes to the floor. Styles goes to the apron and Owens moves. Owens is kicked away and then he moves when Styles for a moonsault. Owens drops Styles on the ringside barrier and we go to commercial.
We are back and Owens with a reverse chin lock. Styles with punches to Owens but Owens sends Styles to the mat by his hair and he mocks Styles’ pose. Styles with a head scissors and enzuigiri that sends both men to the mat. Styles with forearms and a back fist followed by a clothesline and a sliding forearm. Styles with a leaping forearm into the corner. Styles with an elbow and then he hits a sit out gourdbuster from an atomic drop position for a near fall. Styles gets Owens up but Owens gets to his feet. Owens avoids the Pele Kick and Owens with a clothesline followed by a neck breaker out of a burning hammer set up and Owens gets a near fall.
Owens sets for the cannonball but Styles moves and AJ gets Owens up for the Ushigoroshi and hits it but gets a near fall. Styles with a punch in the corner and he tries to put Owens on the turnbuckles, but Owens fights off Styles for a moment. Styles tries for a Frankensteiner but Owens holds on to the roes and then Owens with a frog splash for another near fall.
Owens wants to make sure that the referee made the right count. Owens says it is over and he sets for the pop up power bomb but Styles holds on to the ropes and Styles with an elbow. Owens with a forearm and Styles fires back. They exchange punches and then Owens with a knee. Styles with a series of slaps but Owens with a super kick and Styles with a Pele Kick as we go to commercial.
We are back and Owens puts Styles on the turnbuckles. Owens punches Styles and chops him. Styles punches back but Owens punches Styles and chops him to keep him on the turnbuckles. Styles gets to his feet and he drops Owens onto the turnbuckles. Styles with a Torture Rack into a Blue Thunder Bomb and he gets a near fall. We see footage of Owens stopping the Phenomenal Forearm with a super kick during the commercial break. Styles goes up top and Owens stops him. Owens with a chop but Styles with punches. Styles sets for a Super Bloody Sunday but Owens counters and gets Styles on his shoudlers. Styles with a sunset flip power bomb for a near fall. Styles goes to the apron and waits for Owens to get to his feet for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Chris Jericho comes out with his AJ Styles droning chant.
Owens stops Styles on a Phenomenal Forearm attempt. Styles goes for the Calf Crusher but Jericho gets on the apron and that distracts Styles long enough to allow Owens to get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Kevin Owens
After the match, Owens asks if you see this as he holds the Intercontinental Title Belt. He says this is the Kevin Owens Show. Let’s get to what really matters. In thirteen days, the biggest event in WWE History is going to happen. Everyone wants to know who is going to face him for the Intercontinental Title at KOMania.
Dolph Ziggler’s music plays and he comes to the ring to Owens’ dismay. Ziggler says you can call it whatever you want, but there is no one else who can steal the show like him.
Owens asks Dolph if that is one of his jokes, but Miz’ music plays.
Miz wants to know what Dolph did to deserve the title match. The beating against Triple H on Monday? He tells Dolph to stand aside for someone who main evented Wrestlemania.
Dolph tells Miz to relive his memories on the WWE Network or watch Smackdown when he super kicked Miz.
Sami Zayn’s music plays. Sami tells Miz and Ziggler that with all you have accomplished, Sami says he has been waiting a long long time to get his hands on Kevin Owens and there is no better time to get his hands on Kevin than at Wrestlemania.
Miz tells Skinny Seth Rogen he will have to wait a little longer.
Owens says none of you deserve a shot at his Intercontinental Title. Kevin says since he is a fighting champion, he will go to the Authority to get a Triple Threat match for the opportunity and privilege to face him for the Intercontinental Title at KOMania.
– Still to come, Dean Ambrose vs. Braun Strowman.
Earlier Today:
We get video from earlier today with Ambrose out and about in Philly. He’s in a bar with WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk. Funk puts Ambrose over as being crazy tough like only Funk can. Funk has something he wants Ambrose to have because he’s the best in the country. Funk says if he had a son, he’d want him to be just like Ambrose. Funk gives Ambrose a chainsaw from his Chainsaw Charlie days. We hear fans chanting “ECW” as Funk gives Ambrose the gift and walks off. Ambrose starts the chainsaw up and cuts through a table in the bar as customers look on and we go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back..stage and Kevin Owens stops by to talk to Stephanie about being in a high profile match. Stephanie tells him to stop with the small talk. Kevin asks about a Triple Threat match to see who faces him at Wrestlemania. Stephanie says that Kevin has it. Kevin tells Stephanie to tell Hunter he says hi.
– We go to a video package with thoughts from people affiliated with the WWE about the Hell in a Cell Match at Wrestlemania between Shane McMahon and Undertaker.
Mick Foley says it was one of the top reactions he ever saw. John Cena says the last person he thought he would see on Raw was Shane. Michael Hayes says that Shane did not think he would get the reaction he got. We are reminded of Shane leaving WWE in 2009. Michael Hayes says you never get out of things in WWE. Booker says he thought it was brash and bold for Shane to return. Chris Jericho calls it a Game of Thrones situation.
Edge says the match is an advantage for the Undertaker. Steve Austin wonders how can you stop the Undertaker. Ric Flair says that Taker is the biggest attraction in the business. Edge says the mood changes when the door closes and you change as well. Lawler says that Undertaker only has one thing in mind and that is to destroy. Mick says that Taker is someone who is willing to do anything in that structure.
– The New Day walk in the back and they get backstage workers to dance with them. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
Rusev says the League of Nations crush the New Day. Sheamus says it was just a taste of what will happen at Wrestlemania. They taught those unicorns a lesson. Sheamus says they are not in the same class as the League of Nations. Sheamus wants us to take a look at what happened last week.
Barrett asks about how is that for the Power of Positivity. Alberto says at the end of the day New Day sucks.
Big E interrupts with the New Day’s introduction. Big E says you might have put hands on your boys, but one thing is clear. The New Day does not suck. They have never sucked. Xavier says they should not be surprised that you are talking Hot Garbage. Exhibit A… You… Are… Trash. You… are… trash. You… are… Trash.
Kofi says they really mean that. Kofi says thank god you started wearing boots Rusev because people complained about your feet scaring all of the kids. Kofi wants to know what happened to Del Rio. You came out in a limo and you had a ring announcer. Now you are stuck in the League of Nations. King Barrett. No throne, no cape, no crown, no scepter. What a waste of a king.
What if the New Day were the Three Kings of the Ring. Xavier tells Wade Barrett to go to the gallows for his public shaming and he is SHAMED.
Sheamus, your parent knew early what you were going to be by putting Shame in your name. They could have called you Mike or John or Steve, but you were called Sheamus.
Big E says that can be resolved with a box of BOOTY-Os.
Everyone brawls on the floor and Sheamus is sent into the ringside barrier. The New Day stand tall in the ring as we (FINALLY) get ready for our scheduled match.
Big E vs. Rusev
The bell rings and Rusev goes to the floor. Big E punches Rusev and sends him back into the ring. Big E kicks Rusev in the corner. Big E with a running shoudler tackle accompanied by Francesca 2. Big E gets a near fall. Big E with a kick to the midsection. Big E puts Rusev on the apron for the splash and he connects. We go to commercial.
We are back and Rusev wtih a reverse chin lock and body scissors. We see Big E being sent into the ring steps aas well as other brawling during the commercial break. Rusev with a drop kick for a near fall. Rusev with kicks while we see Woods and Kingston down in Yeatonville. Rusev with more kicks but Big E punches back. Rusev with a running elbow drop.
Rusev with a rear chin lock. Rusev wtih an Irish whip but Big E with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Rusev with another overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Big E with a standard belly-to-belly suplex. Big E sets for the Warrior Splash but Rusev gets his knees up and Rusev with a jumping spin kick for a near fall.
Rusev with a splash into the corner and then he send Big E to the mat. Rusev misses a jumping side kick. Big E goes for a Big Ending but Rusev escapes. Big E with a uranage for a near fall. Rusev goes to the apron and he goes for the spear through the ropes but Rusev with a knee. Rusev with a round kick and he gets a near fall. Big E with a back body drop and Big E hits the Warrior Splash for a near fall. Barrett distracts Big E and Rusev with a thrust kick for a near fall. Woods with a drop toe hold to Del Rio on the floor and then he sends Barrett into the ring post. Woods with a kick to Del RIo but Sheamus takes care of WOods.
Sheamus gets on the apron and Rusev stomps on the back and he tries for the Accolade, but Big E gets Rusev on his shoulders for an Electric Chair Drop. Sheamus gets on the apron again and Big E with a spear through the ropes. Kofi with Trouble in Paradise on the apron and then Big E hits the Big Ending for the three count.
Winner: Big E
After the match, Woods does his tryout for the Mummer’s Parade.
Backstage:
Bray Wyatt says the equinox is upon us. It is the rebirth of the soul. It is a chance to be born again. Luke says one cannot be granted a new beginning without sacrificing another. Erick says that pain is excruciating and paradise awaits you on the other side. Braun says the god of war watches over him tonight. He offers Dean Ambrose’s soul as sacrifice for his family. Bray says when the sun rises again, he will ascend to his eternal throne. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back with the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Trophy at ringside. Big Show makes his way to the ring and he stands next to the Trophy.
Big Show says he has been coming to Philadelphia for more than 20 years and he says the people keep it real. Show says he has been known to run his mouth a few times. He wants to shoot straight. He says he thinks he is the greatest giant of all time because he needs to believe it. Andre was the greatest giant. He carved the path and was the first and greatest giant. All other giants strive to be like Andre. That is why it is very important to him to win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal last year. It is important to be a two time Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner.
The Social Outcasts come out and make their way to the ring. Slater says your mark on history will be the Social Outcasts biggest victims.
Bo says that when their powers are combined, they are like a Cinderella story. Curtis says they are something cool like Voltron. They will have no trouble eliminating Big Show. Curtis Yis. Rose tells Show to ignore the stupid Yis and he tells Show that he is in trouble. Show says his biggest problem is which one of you to knock out first. Slater says they have a hashtag for Show. It is the Bigger They are the Harder theyFall.
Show grabs Slater by the throat and hten he fights off all three men. Axel with a running kick to the head. They work over Show but Kane’s pyro sounds and he makes his way to the ring.
The Social Outcasts wait for Kane to get in the ring and he takes care of all four men. He sends Rose and Slater over the top and then he sends Axel over the top with an uppercut. Bo offers his hand to Kane. Kane shakes Bo’s hand and throws him over the top rope. Show hugs Kane but Kane was not out to help Show. Kane choke slams Show from the turnbuckles and he summons the pyro from the turnbuckles. We go to commercial.
– We are back and it is time for the newest inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame to be announced and it is Stan Hansen.
Fandango vs. Chris Jericho
The bell rings and Jericho with punches and kicks. Jericho with an elbow and forearm to the back as Jericho calls Fandango a stupid man and an idiot. Fandango with chops and jabs. Fandango with clotheslines and a spinning heel kick. Jericho sends Fandango over the top rope but Fandango lands on the apron and Fandango drops Jericho on the top rope. Fandango goes up top and misses the FandangoBam Jam.
Chris tries for the Walls of Jericho and AJ Styles comes out and starts a Y2Jackass chant.
Fandango with an inside cradle for a near fall. Jericho with a Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho
After the match, Jericho tells Styles to come to the ring so Styles does. Jericho goes to the floor to avoid Styles.
AJ says that Jericho says he is the best in the world at what he does and it seems like he is the best at running away from him. AJ says he has competed all over the world but there is one place he hasn’t competed… Wrestlemania. You are upset because you think they have chosen AJ over you Chris. How about you face him at Mania and then he will show Chris and the world why they chant his name.
– We get more comments about the Hell in a Cell Match. Mick says the hairs on his arm are rising as they talk about this match. We go to commercial.
– We are back with even more comments about the Hell in a Cell Match.
– Kevin Owens is talking to a few referees about the Triple Threat Match and we go to commercial.
#1 Contenders Triple Threat: Zack Ryder vs. Stardust vs. Sin Cara
Back from the break and WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens is in the ring. He introduces the three Superstars who will compete for a chance to face him at WrestleMania 32 – Stardust, Sin Cara and Zack Ryder. The bell rings and they all go at it as Owens joins the announcers.
Cara with a back slide to Ryder for a near fall. Stardust kicks Ryder and Cara with a rollup on Stardust for a near fall. Ryder with knees to Cara and a missile drop kick. Ryder gets a near fall on Cara. Stardust sends Ryder to the floor. Stardust kicks Cara. Cara with an arm drag to Stardust followed by a forearm and a head scissors and he gets a near fall on Stardust. Stardust with a drop down uppercut and Ryder trips Ryder and pulls him to the floor. Cara with an Asai Moonsault onto Stardust and Ryder. Cara rolls Ryder into the ring and he gets a ner fall. Cara and Ryder go for cross body presses at the same time and Stardust gets a few near falls.
Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, and Miz make their way to ringside while the match continues.
Cara is sent to the floor while other things happen in the ring and Ryder gets a near fall. Ryder sends Stardust over the top rope to the floor in front of the bickering. Owens attacks Ryder and the referee calls for the bell.
No Contest
Owens send Cara into Zayn and then everyone goes after Owens but Kevin gets to the floor.
– We take a look back at what happened at the start of Raw.
Backstage:
Stephanie McMahon is on the phone and she says she is thinking about leaving. She says she will meet him in a few minutes as Kevin Owens enters the office. Kevin wants this to be addressed since he was attacked by six maniacs. None of them should have a match against him at KOMania. Stephanie says that Kevin will face all six men at Wrestlemania. Kevin says Hunter says good things about him. Stephanie tells him not to tell her what her husband thinks. If you want to climb the ladder to success, the match at Wrestlemania will be a Ladder Match. She tells Kevin to turn the lights out when he leaves. We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Stephanie is getting ready to leave Raw and a vehicle backs up and Hunter emerges. Stephanie gets in and they open the gate to get out but Roman Reigns is standing there.
Roman walks at a brisk pace and the vehicle does not move. Reigns opens the door and pulls Hunter out while Stephanie screams uncontrolably. Hunter punches Reigns and the vehicle drives away. We go to commercial.
– We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Roman Reigns probably watching Raw to know that Hunter was picking up Stephanie in the back.
– Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks are at ringside to join the announce team. We take a look back at what happened on Smackdown.
Charlotte vs. Natalya
We go to the ring and Natalya is making her entrance after a look back at the Charlotte, Becky and Sasha segment from SmackDown. WWE Divas Champion Charlotte is out next with Ric Flair.
They lock up and Natalya with a rollup for a near fall. Charlotte pushes Natalya and wooos. Natalya with chops and Charlotte goes down. Charlotte has a kick blocked and Charlotte is sent face first to the mat. Natalya with a surfboard. Natalya send Charlotte face first into the mat. Natalya runs over Charlotte’s back and hits a drop kick. Charlotte sees Becky and Sasha at the announce table and Natalya hits Charlotte and wooos.
Charlotte with a boot to Natalya and she gets a near fall. Charlotte with a suplex and she chops Natalya in the corner. Charlotte kicks Natalya in the corner. Charlotte gets a near fall. Charlotte climbs the turnbuckles and punches Natalya. Natalya with a sit out power bomb for a near fall. Natalya with a sharpshooter but Charlotte gets to the ropes. Charlotte sends Natalya into the turnbuckles and gets a near fall with a rollup. Charlotte tries for a figure four leg lock but Natalya with a rollup for a near fall. Charlotte punches Natalya and hits Natural Selection for the three count.
Winner: Charlotte
– We go back to footage of Dean Ambrose being in a Philadelphia bar with Terry Funk. We go to commercial.
Bubba Ray Dudley vs. R-Truth
Back from the break and out come The Dudley Boyz as R-Truth waits in the ring. Bubba talks a bunch of trash to Truth as some ECW chants start in the crowd. Bubba works Truth over and talks trash as does D-Von Dudley.
Bubba hits Truth from behind and he punches Truth and clotheslines him. Bubba with more punches. Truth punches Bubba but Bubba with elbows. Truth with a flying forearm and then he hits a Stinger SPlash. Truth does a split when Bubba charges at him and then Truth with a leg lariat. Truth wtih a kick and then he knocks D-von off the apron. Bubba with a boot and he gets the three count.
Winner: Bubba Ray Dudley
After the match, Goldust comes out to help Truth but Bubba and D-Von hit a neck breaker and belly-to-back suplex combination.
The Usos come out and they hit a super kick on Bubba and then they hit a double super kick on D-Von. The Usos go under the ring and Jey gets a table from under the ring. They put D-Von on the table and then they go up top for a double splash but Bubba saves D-Von and pulls him out of the ring. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Vince McMahon makes his way to the ring for a special announcement.
Vince wants everyone to be kind and nice. He reminds everyone that his former son Shane will face the Undertaker at Wrestlemania in Hell in a Cell. If there were some sort of miracle and Shane would win the match, it would mean that Shane runs Raw. That would mean that his son-in-law and daughter would probably quit the business. It would probably mean that you would have seen the last of him.
The crowd seems to be okay with that fact. Vince says you want to cheer for Shane. You want Shane to run the show? That is what is wrong with you. You cheer for Shane and that enables him to do things he knows he cannot do.
We take a look back at last week’s Raw when Taker and Shane brawled.
Vince says that was absolutely sweet. It will take more than one or two or three choke slams to defeat Shane McMahon. Shane will fight with every drop of blood in his body and with every breath in his body. Shane is the most formidable opponent that Taker has faced. Will Taker defeat Shane? He damn well better. Taker is his instrument of destruction as well as his bitch.
If Undertaker does not beat Shane, it will be the Undertaker’s last.
Dean Ambrose vs. Braun Strowman
Dean Ambrose’s music hits as Vince is still on the stage. Ambrose comes out anyway and walks right past Vince on his way to the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and Paul Heyman is with the announcers to talk about Brock Lesnar’s appearance on Smackdown.
Dean avoids Strowman and punches him as he gets away from Strowman. Ambrose with a forearm and punches. Strowman with a punch to the midsection followed by a shoulder tackle. Strowman throws Ambrose across the ring. Ambrose punches Strowman and then Ambrose drops down and Strowman goes over the top rope to the floor. Ambrose with a suicide dive but Strowman stays on his feet. Ambrose goes for a second dive and Strowman with a punch and he pulls Dean to the floor. Strowman sends Ambrose into the ringside barrier.
Strowman with a nerve hold on Ambrose. Ambrose with a jaw breaker but Strowman with a clothesline. Strowman with a biel to Ambrose. Strowman chokes Dean in the ropes. Strowman with a short arm clothesline. Strowman with a second short arm clothesline but Dean looks like he wants more. Dean avoids a third one and Dean with a sleeper. Strowman backs Ambrose into the corner and he hits a running shoulder into the corner. Strowman with a nerve hold.
Strowman tries for a back breaker but Dean gets into the corner. Strowman puts Dean on the turnbuckles but Dean with a kick and missile drop kick that backs Strowman into the corner. Dean with a running forearm into the corner and he hits a second one. Dean with forearms and Strowman stays on his feet. Dean goes for the double underhook DDT but Strowman escapes.
Dean moves and Strowman goes shoulder first into the ring post. Dean gets a chair and he hits Strowman with it.
Winner: Braun Strowman (by disqualification)
Dean hits Braun with the chair but Strowman stops Dean. Dean comes off the ropes and rebounds and sends Strowman into the ropes and Dean with a double underhook DDT onto the chair.
We go to credits.
