WWE RAW Opener:
Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up from Tampa with Seth Rollins coming to the ring. Lilian Garcia makes the introduction as we see the SmackDown and RAW Draft podiums on the stage. Michael Cole welcomes us and he’s joined by JBL and Byron Saxton. They hype Battleground.
Seth says in four weeks at Battleground, you will get the match you have always dreamt of. A Triple Threat match with the members of the Shield for the WWE Championship. Seth starts talking about Roman Reigns. He says he is not supposed to talk about Roman Reigns, but he has a mic and he is in the center of the ring so he wants to talk about it. He says the biggest mistake that Roman Reigns made embarassed him. Bringing him into the fold and then Roman getting suspended soiled his name. Then Roman makes a statement that same day. He has it put on the TitanTron.
Seth says it is ridiculous that Roman Reigns is apologizing because he never apologized before. It was always one versus all so you have no friends. What about the fans? You said you were THE GUY. At least you admit you made a mistake. Seth mentions the “I Own It” comment. It is manly to own up after the fact. The bottom line is that he owns Roman. He says he always owned Roman. He owned him at Wrestlemania and then at Money in the Bank.
Seth says that Roman does not deserve a second chance or forgiveness. He does not deserve to be in the main event of Battleground. The right thing to do is to take Roman Reigns out of that match and give him the one-on-one rematch with Dean Ambrose for the WWE Title that he rightfully deserves.
Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring.
Dean asks Seth if he is okay. He says he looks a little sick. He wants to know if it is about Roman or if it is about Dean having the title. Dean says Roman made a mistake. Dean says he was friends wtih Seth and that is a huge mistake. Dean says that Seth wears skinny jeans and that is a mistake. Roman admitted he made a mistake and Dean says as far as he is concerned the Triple Threat Match is still on.
AJ Styles makes his way to the ring.
He says that Dean is on to things. AJ says it should remain a Triple Threat Match. Dean Ambrose versus Seth Rollins versus AJ Styles. AJ says he is the guy who beat John Cena in a dream match. Take out Roman Reigns and put him in and that resolves the situation.
Dean says he thinks Roman is still in the match. AJ says why not put him in and make it a Fatal Four Way Match. Seth says it needs to be a one on one match.
John Cena’s music plays and he comes out.
John says that Dean Ambrose is a fighting champ. He will fight a friend, he will fight a foe, he will fight a frog? Will he fight a franchise? John points out he has been the champion fifteen times and he had his first match in the WWE fourteen years ago. For the last twelve years, he has lived in Tampa. He says he has been sitting in traffic on the Veterans Expressway and was acting Funky Like a Monkey on South Howard Avenue. John reminds Dean the last time they wrestled, he won. Why not make it a Fatal Five Way. Seth says it is going to be a one on one match.
Stephanie McMahon makes her way to the stage.
Stephanie says that she has a solution. What happened to Roman Reigns was an embarassment, but the bigger embarassment is that Dean Ambrose is the World Champion. She is mortified. How do we reconcile this? She is going to ask Shane… but he is not here again because he is on vacation.
John and AJ, that is a good idea to add you into the match, but an opportunity like that needs to be earned. Seth Rollins will face John Cena. AJ will face Dean Ambrose. If you win your matches, you will be added to the title match at Battleground. She wishes everyone but Dean luck tonight.
– Charlotte and Dana Brooke walk in the back and so do Paige and Sasha Banks because they will be wrestling next. We go to commercial.
Paige and Sasha Banks vs. Dana Brooke and Charlotte
Back from the break and out comes Paige. Sasha Banks is out next to a pop as we get a look at her new Muscle & Fitness Hers shoot. Dana Brooke is out next with WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte as we get a look at the Spanish announce team at ringside.
Sasha starts off with Charlotte but Dana immediately comes in. Sasha takes Dana to the corner and works her over. Sasha ends up fighting off Charlotte and Dana. She sends them both to the floor for a breather as we go to commercial.
We are back and Dana chokes Paige in the ropes and Charlotte is tagged in for a double suplex and Charlotte gets a near fall. We see footage from the commercial break when Charlotte kicked Paige off the apron. Charlotte gets a near fall. Dana tags in and kicks Paige and then chokes her in a handstand. Charlotte tags in and applies a reverse chin lock. Charlotte with a snap swinging neck breaker and she knocks Sasha off the apron. Dana with punches to Paige while the referee deals with Sasha. Charlotte keeps Paige from making the tag and Charlotte runs Paige into the corner. Paige with kicks and punches to get out of the corner. Charlotte stops Paige but Paige is able to make the tag.
Sasha with clotheslines to Dana followed by a drop kick. Dana tries to kick Sasha but Sasha blocks it and puts Dana in the ropes and hits a double knee strike. Charlotte pulls Sasha out of the ring and misses a clothesline but Paige does not miss a kick. Sasha with a knee followed by a lungblower and Banks Statement. Dana taps out.
Winners: Sasha Banks and Paige
After the match, we get replays as the two teams talk trash from the stage and the ring.
– Cole welcomes viewers in China, who are watching live for the first time on PPTV.
– Still to come, Titus O’Neil vs. Rusev. Back to commercial.
Titus O’Neil vs. Rusev
We are back and Lana introduces the greatest US Champion in history.
Titus with a forearm as he walks into the ring and the referee holds Titus back.
The match starts and Titus with punches and forearms. Titus with a European uppercut followed by an Irish whip and splash. Titus with a near fall. Rusev with a clothesline and Titus is down. Rusev punches Titus and then turns it into a series of forearms. Rusev with knees to the midsection followed by kicks in the corner. Rusev with a reverse chin lock. Titus with elbows but Rusev with a drop kick. Rusev kicks Titus in the ribs and then he follows with punches. Rusev with an Irish whip and he runs into an elbow. Titus with chops and a shoudler tackle.
Titus with a clothesline but he misses a boot when Rusev moves out of the way and he goes to the floor. Rusev wants his title belt and he tells Lana they are done. He sees Titus running around the ring so he goes for a clothesline at the same time Titus does and they are both down. Titus sends Rusev into Yeatonville and then Titus gets back into the ring before the ten count, but Rusev does not.
Winner: Titus O’Neil (by count out)
After the match, Rusev clutches his title as Titus is all smiles in the ring.
– Still to come, Ambrose vs. Styles. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are in the back and Stephanie is on the phone. We see Korporate Kane and he wants a few minutes. He thanks Stephanie for taking some time and he wants a shot to try to run Smackdown. He says Shane could not get over the issues in the past. She says that she will run Smackdown.
Miz and Maryse are in the back and Miz and Maryse want to know where the red carpet and press are for their return from filming Marine 5. Stephanie says that is only for theatrical releases. Kane says he has dabbled in acting and his latest movie is available on DVD. Miz says that you cannot compare their movies. Kane says if he was in Smackdown, he says he would not be happy with his Intercontinental champion since it is in the rulebook that a champion needs to defend every 30 days. He says Miz should defend the title. Stephanie likes the idea and Miz will be defending his Intercontinental Title. Miz asks who is his opponent and Stephanie says it is a cliffhanger. Back to commercial. – Back from the break and they plug John Cena hosting the ESPY Awards.
Seth Rollins vs. John Cena
We go to the ring and out comes Seth Rollins. John Cena is out next.
They lock up and Rollins with a side head lock. Cena with a shoulder tackle and Reigns adjusts his neck. Cena with a side head lock and Rollins with a shoudler tackle. Rollins with a kick and punches to Cena. Rollins punches Cena again and Cena goes down. Rollins with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Rollins with a punch but Cena with a drop kick. Cena with an Irish whip but Rollins with an elbow and then he hits a Blockbuster for a near fall.
Rollins kicks Cena and then he applies a rear chin lock. Cena powers out of the hold and Rollins kicks Cena in the midsection. Cena with two flying shoudler tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb and then Cena signals for the five knuckle shuffle, but Rollins kicks Cena in the face and Cena rolls to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins escapes the STF. Cena with two more flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb. Rollins stops him again but Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena tries for the Attitude Adjustment but Rollins escapes and hits a super kick. Rollins runs into an elbow and Cean goes to the turnbuckles for a Tornado DDT and he gets a near fall. Rollins is pulled from the ropes and he lands on his feet and hits an enzuigiri for a near fall.
Cena punches Rollins and Rollins punches back. They continue the exchange and Rollins hits a running boot. Rollins goes up top but Cena stops Rollins. Cena punches Rollins and goes for a Super Attitude Adjustment but Rollins counters and hits a sunset flip into a running buckle bomb and Rollins gets a near fall. Rollins goes up top and misses a frog splash.
Cena goes up top and Rollins leaps to the turnbuckles and hits a superplex and rolls through into a Falcon Arrow but Cena kicks out. Rollins waits for Cena to get up and he kicks him in the midsection and tries for a Pedigree but Cena counters and Cena catapults Rollins to the turnbuckles. Cena catches Rollins and rolls through for an Attitude Adjustment but Rollins is able to get his foot on the ropes to break the count.
Rollins lands on his feet on an Attitude Adjustment attempt and Rollins with a kick and he tries for the Pedigree but Cena goes for the STF. Rollins escapes the hold and AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson make their way to the ring. Cena turns his attention to them. AJ hops on the apron for a distraction and Rollins takes advantage, hitting the Pedigree for the win.
Winner: Seth Rollins
After the match, Rollins has his hand raised as we go to replays. The Club looks back at the ring as Rollins stands over Cena.
– Still to come, Styles vs. Ambrose. Back to commercial.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Local Jobbers
We are back and Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady are on their way to the ring. They do their usual introduction. Enzo says there ain’t a Beach Boy out there who can ride this wave. This wave is you people. You people are the wave. He says they are going to ride that wave to the top. Enzo wants everyone to wait until the match starts and he wants everyone to do the wave.
Enzo and Cassady attack their opponents and Cassady hits a boot. They hit the Rocket Launcher for the three count.
Winners: Enzo Amore and Big Cass
After the match, Enzo and Cass do some spelling. The Social Outcasts interrupt the spelling lesson as they make their way onto the stage. Bo says there is only one word to describe them. There is only one word to describe them and it ain’t sawft. Bo asks for an H, A, R, and D. Heath says the Social Outcasts are back, baybay. They are fresh off the set of Marine 5. They are ready for some action. Curtis tells the softies to get out because there are some Hard OGs. Enzo asks if they are hard. Bo says you better BOLIEVE it. Colin asks which one is the hardest. They argue over their hardness and then Bo tells them not to let them get in the way. Colin kicks Slater off the apron. Bo and Curtis get on the apron and we have a stand off, but Curtis and Bo go to the floor. Colin says there is only one word to describe the Social Outcasts and they spell it out.
– Still to come, Jericho’s Highlight Reel. Back to commercial.
– We are back with the latest Life Lesson with Coach Backlund. Bob says he wants to review Darren’s goals. Darren says he wants to be great again. He wants to win a singles title and maybe main event Wrestlemania. Bob says he has wrestled at Wrestlemania and was a singles champion. He was also a tag team partner of Pedro Morales. Darren says he is feeling good about this. He says he needs a boost in guidance due to the new era. Bob asks Darren if he knows what they called his era. It was the Bob Backlund Era. He wants this to be the Darren Young Era.
– Michael Cole mentions the WWE working with the Special Olympics at the Performance Center and we have a video package.
– Renee Young is on the stage with the Big Show, the president of Special Olympics USA and some of the kids. Big Show says that the WWE will be joining with the Special Olympics around the world. Renee mentions that the WWE Network and Live Events will be used to promote this alliance. Big Show talks about the passion and determination of the Special Olympics athletes. We go to commercial.
Summer Rae vs. Becky Lynch
We are back and Natalya is with the announcers for the next match.
Becky throws her jacket at Summer and goes after Natalya at the announce table. The referee tries to separate them and he finally succeeds for a moment and Natalya gets away. Becky continues the attack and then the referee holds her back. We go to commercial.
Jericho’s Highlight Reel
We are back and it is now time for the Highlight Reel and Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring.Jericho wants quiet and he tells us many times. He tells everyone to be quiet because he has a lot to say tonight. It is going to be a wild one because he is two guests have no regard for each other and they are willing to end each other’s careers. They took each other out and allowed the barbarian who put 69 tacks in his back. That is unacceptable. They are ruining their lives and now they are ruining his.
Jericho brings out Kevin Owens first. Then he brings out Sami Zayn.
Jericho says he can feel the hatred and he knows that something is going to happen. That is why he elevated the JeriTron 6500. Jericho points out they were best friends and even Kevin’s best friend. It must have hurt when Kevin stabbed you in the back and twisted it.
Sami says he is not going to play the game and stir the pot. Sami says he is here to put an end to this. This has become an obsession and this will end their careers if it is not stopped. You lost at the Royal Rumble because of him. You lost the Intercontinental Title because of him. You lost at Money in the Bank because of him. Let’s end this at Battleground. They might be on different shows on July 19th, but they need to end it at Battleground.
Sami calls Kevin Owens a coward. A coward who hides behind lies. Kevin has been lying for two years about how he stabbed Sami in the back. You said it was never personal. He wants Sami to tell him the truth that Kevin resents him and hates that Sami was signed to WWE first. He wants Kevin to grow a set and tell him to his face.
Jericho tells Kevin the crowd is telling him to ‘grow a set’.
Kevin says he has already told Sami the truth many times. What he did to Sami was business. it was the right move for his career. You stand here and talk about how Kevin ruined their friendship, but it was you. They were always trying to make it to WWE. When WWE came calling and you signed a year and a half before him, was he upset? He was happy for Sami. Sami should have been happy when he came to WWE and won the NXT Title. Was it because his success came at Sami’s expense? What kind of friend does that make you?
That proves that Kevin was always a better friend to Sami than Sami was to him. Kevin says none of that matters because you want to settle this at Battleground. Kevin says you got it.
Jericho tells Sami he is a terrible friend and a terrible example of what it takes to make it to the WWE. Unlike Kevin Owens, who will never be as good as him, Kevin tries to follow his lead. Sami has his head shoved so far up his rear end that he cares what the mutton heads think. Chris says it makes him sick that Sami thinks that way. Chris says he wants to slap Sami’s face, but he will let Owens do it at Battleground. It is a big match, but not as big as what Jericho is going to do at Battleground. Jericho tells them that they are now better because they did it on The Highlight Reel.
Jericho gives everyone the Gift of Jericho… but Owens with a Super Kick and Zayn with a boot to the head.
Owens leaves the ring as we go to commercial.
Intercontinental Championship: The Miz vs. Kane
Miz runs into an uppercut and then sends him into the turnbuckles before hitting another uppercut and kicks. Kane with an Irish whip but Miz avoids Kane and Kane goes into the turnbuckles. Miz with punches and then he sets for the Awesome Clothesline but Kane grabs Miz by the throat. Miz with kicks to the knee and then Kane with a big boot. Kane with an Irish whip but Miz with an elbow. Kane wtih an Irish whip and side slam for a near fall. Kane with a suplex and drop kick for a near fall. Kane with an Irish whip and Miz with an elbow but Kane with an uppercut when Miz comes off the turnbuckles.
Kane sets for the choke slam and Maryse gets on the apron. Maryse falls down and Miz with elbows. Miz drops Kane on the tope rope and drops the back of his head on the top rope. Miz checks on Maryse who appears to have hurt her ankle.
The referee gets to ten while Miz carries Maryse to the back.
Winner: Kane (by count out)
– Still to come, Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio vs. Cesaro and Apollo Crews. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Miz is helping Maryse in the back while she continues to limp. Miz wants to know if she is okay. Maryse laughs and starts to jump around. She tells Miz ‘ACTING’. Miz says that was the most amazing Oscar Award performance. Maryse reminds him they are on TV and he says Emmy.
Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio vs. Apollo Crews and Cesaro
We go to the ring and out comes Cesaro followed by Apollo Crews. Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio are out separately.
Crews and Sheamus start things off and Sheamus tags in Del Rio right away. Crews with a biel and drop kick. Cesaro tags in and Cesaro goes to the apron and connects with a boot followed by a cross body for a near fall. Cesaro with a running European uppercut and hits three Irish whips and European uppercuts followed by another European uppercut. Cesaro tries to give Del Rio a giant swing but Sheamus comes in so Cesaro sets for one on him but Del Rio kicks Cesaro. Del Rio with a DDT and he puts Cesaro in the tree of woe and kicks Cesaro. Sheamus tags in and he hits a shoulder tackle. Sheamus has something to say to Crews.
Sheamus with an Irish whip and shoulder into the corner followed by a knee lift and uranage back breaker for a near fall. Sheamus with a reverse chin lock. Sheamus fakes a tag to Del Rio and he returns to the reverse chin lock. Cesaro with forearms and Sheamus tries to get Cesaro up but Cesaro escapes and hits an Alpamare Water Slide and both men are down. Del Rio and Crews tag in and Crews with clotheslines. Del Rio with a kick and he sends Crews over the top rope to the floor. Del Rio tags in Sheamus and hits an enzuigiri on him. Del Rio walks away and Crews drop kicks the steps into Sheamus.
Crews hits the toss sit out power bomb for the three count.
Winners: Cesaro and Apollo Crews
Backstage:
JoJo is with Dean Ambrose in the interview area and she asks him if being champion is everything he expected. Dean says he expected a parade in front of the WWE Headquarters, but they probably had to deal with permits. Dean says he gets to step in the ring with the best in the world with no time off. Tonight, he has AJ Styles.
Stephanie McMahon stops by and Dean asks if Stephanie wants his autograph. Stephanie says she cannot believe that Dean is their champion. If AJ wins tonight, they are one step closer to ending this nightmare. Dean says that deep down, Stephanie likes him. We go to commercial.
– We are back and Miz will host Dean Ambrose on MizTV on Smackdown.
In the Arena:
The Wyatt Family appear on the TitanTron… but it is the New Day parodying them saying they’re here.
Kofi asks how does he breathe in that mask. Kofi asks why has the New Day picked a fight with the Wyatt Family? They started it. They talk about negativity in the WWE Universe. What they need in their lives is a big ole bowl of BOOTY-Os.
Kofi says the New Day wants to scare and intimidate everyone. The most intimidating thing about the Wyatts is their hygiene. Big E says they smell like a rotten piece of cabbage left on the side of Dale Mabry Highway. Kofi says Cena already did the local deal. Big E points out that he was born here. Kofi talks about their outfits. Who would come out dressed like this. Xavier says they should wrap this up, but Kofi and Big E say this is a roast for the rest of the show and they are going to put them on the grill.
The Real Wyatt Family comes out.
Bray mocks the New Day and he says all praise be to the Power Of Positivity. The masses line up like ravenous dogs because you say everything they want to hear. However, what you say is not everything they need to hear. Bray tells everyone to vilify him as they chant New Day Rocks. His role is to tell everyone what they need to hear. The world is not made up of rainbows and unicorns. This is a cruel world full of dangerous people. Bray wants the New Day to tell them how the Power of Positivity can help a man who lost his job and needs to put food on his family’s table.
Kofi says the Power of Positivity is a way of life. Big E says it is a song, a movement, something that goes through your body.
Bray asks Xavier if he agrees with them. It seems like you are a bit shook. He says that Xavier can confide in him and trust in him. He tells Xavier to trust him. Big E asks Xavier if he is good. Bray says they are playing one of your games, except in this game, there are no winners and losers. There is only malice and destruction. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. New Day Falls.
– We see AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows in the back as we go to commercial.
– We are back and the New Day are in the back and Renee Young asks if it is a good idea to go after the New Day. Kofi says it was the best decision they made since they saw Finding Dory. Xavier walks away and does not have the same bounce in his step as Kofi or Big E.
Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles
Back from the break and Seth Rollins is on commentary as WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose makes his way out for this non-title match. AJ Styles is out next and he’s by himself. If he wins, he gets put into the main event at Battleground.
They lock up and Ambrose with a clean break. They lock up and Ambrose with a side head lock and take down. Styles with a rollup for a near fall. Dean with a shoulder tackle and then he gets a near fall with a rollup. Dean with a side head lock. Styles with a side head lock and take down. Ambrose with a slam and elbow drop. Styles with chops. Styles with a forearm to the back and he sets for the Styles Clash. Dean escapes and tries for the double underhook DDT but Styles escapes. We go to commercial.
We are back and Styles with a rear chin lock. We see footage from the commercial when AJ hit a sliding knee on the apron. Styles with a Phenomenal Drop Kick and he returns to the rear chin lock. Styles with forearms in the corner. Styles with a flying clothesline into the corner for a near fall. Styles with an arm bar. Dean with head butts and Ambrose catches Styles on a leap frog and hits a hot shot. Dean with punches and chops followed by shoulder tackles and clotheslines. Dean with a Fisherman’s suplex and bridge for a near fall. Dean with a waist lock but Styles with elbows.
Styles lands on his feet and he connects with punches and kicks but Dean with a neck breaker for a near fall. Ambrose with a back slide for a near fall. Ambrose with a jackknife cover for a near fall. Styles with a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall. Styles goes up top but Dean stops him and Dean goes for a butterfly superplex and both men are down. Ambrose with a forearm into the corner and then he goes for the bulldog but Styles counters and hits a power bomb from a torture rack position to get a near fall. Dean with a kick when Styles comes off the ropes. Ambrose is backed into the corner and then he comes off the turnbuckles but Styles hits Dean in the knee.
Styles misses a splash into the corner. Styles with the Calf Crusher and Ambrose tries to get to the ropes. Ambrose gets to the ropes. Dean sends Styles over the top rope to the floor. Dean with a suicide dive after getting a boost of adrenaline. Dean sends Styles back into the ring and comes off the turnbuckles with an elbow and Styles rolls through and gets a near fall. Styles with a Pele Kick and Dean bounces off the ropes and hits a clothesline.
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows come to ringside and Styles hits Bloody Sunday for a near fall. John Cena comes out and goes after Anderson and Gallows. Ambrose with a roll through into the double underhook DDT for the three count.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
After the match, Anderson and Gallows pull Cena off the apron while Seth Rollins applauds Dean’s win.
Rollins goes into the ring and gives Ambrose a Pedigree. Anderson, Gallows, and Styles triple team Cena as they fight up the ramp to the stage. Styles punches Cena. Styles tells them to hit Magic Killer and they do it on the stage.
Rollins with a second Pedigree on Ambrose and he holds the title belt over his head as he stands on Ambrose.
We go to credits.
