Pre-Show:
We are in Worcester, Massachusetts and your host is Renee Young. She is joined by Corey Graves, Booker T, and Lita.
Corey says the WWE will look different in a few hours. He reminds everyone of the ongoing Draft coverage on the WWE Network. Booker says there are butterflies churning. He remembers the days when he was part of the draft. Lita says she was also in that position and you have no idea what is next.
Booker says he is interested in seeing who is going to be the number one pick because it means big money. Renee mentions that we will see Dean Ambrose versus Seth Rollins for the WWE Title after what happened on Raw. Corey mentions that John Cena will face Luke Gallows tonight.
– We take a look at the announcements of the General Managers from last night’s Raw.
– Renee asks which show got the better General Manager.
Lita says that you had people excited for Foley, but they went crazy for Daniel’s announcement. Booker says that Daniel is from the new era so he can connect with the locker room. Mick has been around for a long time. Will he try to rejuvenate things?
Renee wonders how the Commissioners and General Managers will work together. Corey says that Stephanie would have preferred to run the show on her own but Vince said she needed a GM. Booker wonders if Mick is a Yes Man. Corey says that maybe she earned some fans by choosing Mick.
Renee explains the rules of the draft. Raw picks first. Raw gets three picks for every two Smackdown picks. Tag teams can be picked as a group if the General Manager wants. Six people will be picked from NXT.
Renee asks the strategy for the first pick. Corey says you need to start with a proven commodity. There are some people in NXT who will have a long career, but you want a blend of both. Lita says you need to pick the champion.
Renee mentions that the title can change hands tonight. Booker says you need to have a safe pick who will weather that storm.
We are back and Renee sends it to Tom Phillips in the back and he is with Dean Ambrose.
Backstage:
Tom asks Dean if he has a preference for which show to go to. On Raw, you have Mick Foley and there could be some crazy matches. But Stephanie is on Raw and that shrill voice and bad attitude. Imagine having to hear that every day. He would love to run her out of the business. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan have some big ideas. Dean says some times you just have to sit back and see where things take you.
Tom asks Dean about his match against Seth Rollins. He says he is swimming upstream against the current. They went to war last night. He says there should not be draws or ties. He would have wrestled until 4:00 AM, but he will finish it tonight. He walks in as champion and will walk out champion.
– Renee wonders what would happen if you draft Dean and he loses the title tonight. Lita says that you need to adapt to the picks based on what the other show does. Booker is asked what would he do with Dean Ambrose and Booker says he would let him loose. He says Dean does not mind going out to fight. He is more suited for Smackdown, but he would fit fine on Raw.
– We take a look at the reason why we have the rematch between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins on Smackdown.
– Renee asks about the controversy and Booker says there was no controversy. Both men had their shoulders on the mat so it was a draw. Corey agrees with Booker and says they went to the video replay and both men had their shoulders down. Corey says this is a mistake for Dean because he almost lost last night. He thinks Seth beats Dean tonight to win the title.
Renee asks what do you do with Seth if he wins. Lita says she expects both men to be drafted early so we have to wait and see. Corey mentions that a lot of people are picking Seth Rollins number one.
Renee mentions the top male wrestlers available for the draft. Booker mentions that someone can be a late pick and make an impression. Lita says by being on one brand, you get bumped up. Lita mentions that Smackdown can take the Wyatt Family or New Day to add to the roster.
Renee mentions that the Lucha Dragons have split up and she asks if that was a good strategy. Booker mentions that when it was time to move on into singles work, he got his brother’s blessing. He says they will be rooting for each other. Lita says it is a chance for some tag team wrestlers to make it on their own. Booker says both shows will have a hell of a roster. Booker says there could be trades in addition to the draft.
– The panel talks about the situation with Sasha Banks and Charlotte. We see the many matches that Sasha has had with Dana Brooke over the last few weeks. Sasha Banks is in a handicap match tonight against Charlotte and Dana Brooke.
– Renee asks if separating the women will affect things. Renee brings up the NXT contingent and whether they will be a factor on Smackdown tonight. Booker says he likes things the way they are now with the women. He says he loves it when women fight. Renee brings up the idea of the WWE and Women’s Title on the same show. Corey says that is good drafting skill. Do you create another championship if your show does not get a championship on your show. We see the women available for the draft.
Backstage:
Tom Phillips is with Natalya in the interview area. He asks Natalya to explain why she should be drafted on their show. She says that she has been carrying the women’s division for the last eight years. The General Manager should want the most dominant female on their show and they should have Natalya being their champion.
– Renee asks Corey which woman she would take first. She says either Charlotte or Sasha, but since they were picked by Booker and Lita. He is told to pick someone and he goes with Charlotte.
Backstage:
Greg Hamilton is with the New Day in the interview area. Big E offers some BOOTY-Os to Greg but pulls them away. Xavier says whatever show gets them will be blessed with their presence. Kofi says each brand will try to outdo the other. Kofi says they will go as a unit. Greg mentions that Xavier faces Bray Wyatt tonight. Xavier mentions the match at Battleground and it is time to get serious tonight.
– Renee mentions the tag teams that are available in the draft. Corey mentions that the tag teams on the main roster are deep, but there are teams in NXT who might come up.
Renee brings up teams being separated and the benefits. Booker says you need to look at the individual members of the team. The teams are usually different styles of wrestlers.
Renee asks which tag team would you want to separate. Corey says Enzo and Cass. Lita mentions the Wyatts being separated. Booker says he would not want to split up the New Day. They don’t work the same without each other. Lita mentions that when you are part of a team and you are split up, it changes everything. Booker says you don’t have a lot of time to make friends if you want to be one of the greats. You need to get your work in.
– We take a look at the twelve man tag match from Raw.
– Renee asks if they should separate the Club. Lita says they have worked so well together so you don’t want them on different shows. Corey says that you want to keep them together. They did not arrive together and they can succeed on their own. Corey says he has never seen Xavier Woods with fear on his face like he saw earlier tonight.
– Renee shows us a feature on the top ten draft day shockers.
– Renee and Lita comment on the hair from back in the day. Renee talks about the opportunities that some can have to try to be the face of WWE. Renee asks who will be the one to be the next John Cena. Booker says it is time for the new era to step up and be the guy in ten years. Cena will not sleep on any of these young guys.
Renee mentions everything Cena has done lately and whether he should be passed over at the top. Corey says he sees four or five guys who could be in Cena’s place in ten years. Cena is not going to stop but there are a lot of options.
– We look at the NXT wrestlers in Orlando at the Performance Center waiting to see if they will be drafted tonight.
Lita says that some of the guys in NXT like Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, or Shinsuke Nakamura could be the next guy. Corey says some guys who have not been on television could be the next star. Booker says they are nervous down in NXT. He also says they are probably scared because of what can happen if they are picked.
Backstage:
Sami Zayn is in the interview area with Tom Phillips. Tom asks Sami about his preference. Sami says he has no preference. Both shows have their advantages and disadvantages. He is looking forward to seeing who is on the same show with him. He hopes Kevin Owens is not on the same show with him and he hopes that he is one pick ahead of Kevin Owens. Tom asks Sami which NXT wrestler would be picked. He says Finn Balor should be the number one pick from NXT.
– Lita and Renee talk about how Kevin and Sami always take shots at each other and that was evident with Sami’s comments. Corey talks about how you need to move on from your top rivals to understand their potential.
Renee asks if Booker would want Zayn and Owens on the same show. He says he would because it means ratings. Zayn needs to think about checks and championships. Go through whoever you need to in order to become a champion.
Backstage:
Greg Hamilton is with the Social Outcasts. They say they will go anywhere and they will be the number one pick. Greg asks what would happen if the Social Outcasts were split up. Curtis says if Greg asks another dumb question, he will split his lip. Every time the Social Outcasts are on Raw or Smackdown, they are trending worldwide. Bo says they are the three best friends. Wherever they go, they go together.
Corey jokes about whether it is possible to go to Nitro. Lita calls them a car crash.
Renee asks which Social Outcast you would choose if you have to pick one. Booker does not want to answer the question. Corey says he would take Heath Slater. Heath has been on the cusp of something big. With the new found confidence, maybe this is what he needs.
Renee goes over the draft rules again.
Renee asks who should Smackdown draft first. Booker says if he had to take one person, it would be Randy Orton. He has proven himself and he is the guy who can take the company to the top. Corey says he would take Seth Rollins number one. Booker wants three reasons. Corey says his age, what he can do in the ring now, and what he can do for ten years. It is not because Seth is his friend. Booker says he takes nothing away from Seth Rollins, but his success is due to the Authority. He has not proven how good he really is. He wants that history making match where he can say he did it on his own.
Lita says Seth and Dean will be good first picks. She says you need a backup because there might be some loopholes or surprises.
Renee asks about sleeper picks. Booker says Samoa Joe would be a sleeper. Booker says he has been in the ring with him so he knows how tough he is. Corey says Baron Corbin.
We see Stephanie McMahon come out on the stage and she is in a red dress with Raw on the side of it. Mick Foley comes out to join Stephanie.
Lita says there is so much talent in NXT.
Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan make their way onto the stage and Shane has new shoes. That is all for the pre-show.
WWE Smackdown:
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon make their way onto the stage to yes away.
Stephanie McMahon says that Shane and Daniel are pandering, but no one can pander better than Mick Foley and Mick throws out the Mick Foley Cheap Pop. Stephanie McMahon says that since Monday Night Raw is the three hour flagship, they get the first pick.
Stephanie interrupts Mick and says they pick Seth Rollins.
Stephanie says that Seth will be the new champion by the end of the night.
Shane mentions that Stephanie has Crossfit Jesus in her stable.
Daniel Bryan makes the first pick for Smackdown and it is Dean Ambrose.
Stephanie says good riddance.
Mick says the next pick for Raw is Charlotte.
Mick and Stephanie think they took a pick from Smackdown.
Shane announces Smackdown’ s next pick and it is AJ Styles.
The third pick for Raw is from NXT and it is Finn Balor.
– John Cena comes out for his match and he says he has blue and red towels. Before the match starts, Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady come out to even the sides. They do their usual entrance. The Club is next.
John Cena vs. Luke Gallows
The match starts off with Gallows taking control. Cole sends us to commercial but the match keeps playing in a box in the corner.
Gallows with an uppercut. Cena blocks a punch and he connects with a punch of his own. Gallows with a boot to Cena. Gallows with a hard Irish whip. Gallows with another hard Irish whip. Gallows with another Irish whip but he misses a splash into the corner but Cena cannot get Gallows up due to the work done on his back. Gallows stands over Cena and then he hits an elbow drop. Gallows misses an elbow drop when Cena rolls out of the way. Cena with a drop kick.
We return to full screen and Gallows catches Cena on a cross body attempt and hits a slam for a near fall. Gallows with elbows to the neck and he applies a nerve hold. Cena blocks a kick and he hits a flying shoudler tackle followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb. Cena signals for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and he hits it. Cena gets Gallows up but Gallows gets back to his feet and he hits a thrust kick.
Enzo and Colin get on the apron on one side while Anderson and Styles get on the apron. All four get in the ring while Gallows and Cena are down. Styles and Anderson are back body dropped to the floor and Cena with an Attitude Adjustment for the three count.
Winner: John Cena
– We go to the announcers for discussion on the first 5 Draft picks, and tonight’s WWE Title match. Still to come, Rusev and The Miz vs. Darren Young and Zack Ryder. Back to commercial.
– We are back and it is time for the next set of picks.
Raw’s fourth pick is Roman Reigns.
Smackdown’s third pick is John Cena.
Raw’s fifth pick is Brock Lesnar.
Smackdown’s fourth pick is Randy Orton.
Raw’s sixth pick is The New Day.
Rusev and The Miz vs. Darren Young and Zack Ryder
WWE United States Champion Rusev is out with Lana. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz is waiting with Maryse, as is Zack Ryder, Darren Young and Bob Backlund.
Rusev knocks Ryder off the apron at the start of the match and Young punches Rusev. Miz tags in and he kicks Young. Young avoids a clothesline and Young with an atomic drop and he slams Miz and Ryder tags in and hits a slingshot splash for a near fall. Ryder sends Miz into the turnbuckles. Miz wtih an Irish whip and Miz runs into knees. Rusev distracts Ryder and Miz pulls Ryder off the turnbuckles. Miz kicks Ryder and connects with a running boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Miz with a front face lock. Rusev yells at Miz to tag him in.
Miz with a forearm to stop a tag attempt. Ryder with a jaw breaker but Miz with Reality Check for a near fall. Rusev tags in and he kicks Ryder and hits a butterfly suplex. Rusev taunts Ryder and punches him. Ryder lands on his feet on a suplex attempt and hits a neck breaker. Young and Miz tag in and Young wtih punches and clotheslines. Young with an overhead belly-to-belly throw and he hits Gut Check but Rusev breaks up the cover, but takes his time. Rusev with a suplex but Rusev sends Ryder over his head and Ryder with a Rough Ryder to Miz. Young with a knee to send Rusev to the floor. Ryder with a drop kick off the apron and then Young with the crossface chicken wing to Miz and Miz taps out.
Winners: Zack Ryder and Darren Young
– Still to come, Sasha Banks vs. Dana Brooke and Charlotte in a Handicap Match. Also, Bray Wyatt vs. Xavier Woods. Back to commercial.
Xavier Woods vs. Bray Wyatt
Back from the break and The Wyatt Family makes their way out. WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day are at ringside. Wyatt with mind games early on in the match. Woods looks to be in a trance. Wyatt gets up from his knees and talks to him. Woods looks to snap out of it but Wyatt unloads on him. Wyatt beats on Woods in the corner as Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan look on from ringside.
Wyatt punches Woods and then punches him and kicks him in the corner. Wyatt with a forearm to the back and he applies a rear chin lock with his knee in Woods’ back. Woods with an elbow to Wyatt but Wyatt with a shoulder tackle.
Wyatt says something to Big E and Kofi and then he hits a uranage on Woods. Wyatt with a back senton. Wyatt with a second back senton. Wyatt pulls Woods into the corner where Big E and Kofi are on the floor. Woods crawls away and Wyatt follows. Woods with punches to Wyatt and a forearm. Woods with more punches and a jumping knee. Woods sets for an Honor Roll but Wyatt assumes the crab position and it freezes Woods. Wyatt with Sister Abigail for the three count.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
After the match, The Wyatt Family stands tall in the ring as we go to commercial.
– We are back and Kevin Owens yells at Daniel Bryan, Shane McMahon, Mick Foley, and Stephanie McMahon for not drafting him yet as he makes his way to the ring to face Kane.
Kane vs. Kevin Owens
Back from the break and out comes Kevin Owens yelling at the bosses on the stage. Sami Zayn’s music hits and out he comes to brawl with Owens on the stage. They fight to the ring where Kane is waiting with a double chokeslam. Kane makes the ring explode and leaves as his music hits.
It is time for more draft picks.
Raw’s seventh pick is Sami Zayn.
Smackdown’s fifth pick is Bray Wyatt.
Raw’s eighth pick is Sasha Banks.
Smackdown’s sixth pick is Becky Lynch.
Raw’s ninth pick is Chris Jericho.
– We see video from the WWE Network second-screen experience with Ambrose talking about going to SmackDown. Still to come, Sasha Banks in a Handicap Match. Back to commercial.
Handicap Match: Sasha Banks vs. Dana Brooke and Charlotte
We go to the ring and out comes Dana Brooke and WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte. Sasha Banks is out next to a pop.
Sasha kicks Dana and sends her into Charlotte. Sasha with a rollup for a near fall. Sasha with a forearm to Dana and she kicks Charlotte and hits a double knee drop on Charlotte on the floor. Dana with a clothesline and she brings Sasha back into the ring and Dana stretches Sasha. Sasha sends Dana into the turnbuckles. Sasha with forearms and flying clotheslines. Sasha with a kick to Dana and she knocks Charlotte off the apron. Dana gets Sasha on her shoulders but Sasha gets to her feet and tries for the lungblower but Dana holds the ropes. Sasha with a lungblower and Banks Statement but Charlotte tagged in and broke up the hold and kicks Sasha and hits Natural Selection.
Winners: Charlotte and Dana Brooke
– We go back to draft central.
Raw’s Tenth Pick is Rusev (and Lana).
Smackdown’s Seventh Pick is The Miz (with Maryse).
Raw’s Eleventh Pick is Kevin Owens.
Smackdown’s Eighth Pick is Baron Corbin.
Raw’s Twelfth Pick is Enzo and Cass.
– Still to come, Rollins vs. Ambrose for the WWE Title. Also, Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho. Back to commercial.
Chris Jericho vs. Cesaro
Back from the break and the announcers go over the picks. Chris Jericho makes his way out for the next match as Cesaro waits in the ring.
Jericho slaps Cesaro but Cesaro with European uppercuts and a clothesline that knocks the scarf off Jericho. Cesaro with a cannonball off the apron and then he hits a running European uppercut. Cesaro goes up top and hits a cross body for a near fall. Cesaro goes for a giant swing but Jericho with a rollup for a near fall. Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho but Cesaro powers out of the hold. Jericho with an Irish whip and he gets a near fall. Jericho with a kick and chop. ericho with a snap mare and reverse chin lock.
Cesaro with a sunset flip for a near fall and then Jericho and Cesaro alternate near fall. Jericho with chops. Cesaro goes to the apron and Cesaro with a boot. Jericho crotches Cesaro and then he chops Cesaro. Cesaro with punches and a head butt. Jericho with a forearm and then he hits a Frankensteiner and he gets a near fall. Jericho goes for a Codebreaker but Cesaro blocks it. Cesaro with a series of European uppercuts in the corner. Cesaro runs into a boot from Jericho and Jericho with a back elbow. Cesaro stops Jericho on the ropes and hits a side Russian leg sweep from the ropes. Cesaro with a giant swing and he tries for the Sharpshooter but Jericho kicks Cesaro. Cesaro with a double stomp and he goes for the springboard European uppercut and Jericho counters with a Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho
– Still to come, Ambrose defends the WWE Title. Back to commercial.
– We are back and Becky Lynch is in the middle of an attack on Natalya as Natalya prepares for her match. Officials try to separate them but we know how well that works. They continue to exchange punches Becky heads to the back and it is time for more draft picks.
– Raw’s Thirteenth Pick is Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Smackdown’s Ninth Pick is American Alpha.
Raw’s Fourteenth Pick is Big Show.
Smackdown’s Tenth Pick is Dolph Ziggler.
Raw’s Fifteenth Pick is Nia Jax.
– We go back to the announcers to plug the second-screen experience on the WWE Network and we see Rollins being interviewed on his move to RAW. Back to commercial.
– We are back and Raw’s Sixteenth pick is Neville.
Smackdown’s Eleventh Pick is Natalya.
Raw’s Seventeenth Pick is Cesaro.
Smackdown’s Twelfth and final pick on Smackdown is Alberto Del Rio.
Raw’s Eighteenth and final pick on Smackdown is Sheamus.
WWE Title Match: Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose
We go to the ring and out comes Seth Rollins. He greets Stephanie McMahon and out comes WWE Champion Dean Ambrose. We get formal ring introductions from JoJo but Rollins attacks before they are over.
We still have no bell. Rollins leaves Ambrose laying on the floor and comes back in to raise the WWE Title in the air. Back to commercial.
We are back and the match is officially started. Rollins with kicks and a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Rollins kicks Ambrose in the head and then he punches Ambrose. Rollins with cross faces to Ambrose and then he goes to the apron and he kicks Ambrose as Dean’s head hangs over the middle rope. Rollins with a knee drop to the head. Rollins with a kick to the back. Rollins with a head butt and he kicks Ambrose. Rollins punches Dean in the corner and the referee warns him.
Rollins with a hard Irish whip to Ambrose. Rollins with another Irish whip and Rollins with a back breaker and he gets a near fall. Rollins with a reverse chin lock. Ambrose gets to his feet and he punches and chops Rollins. Dean is sent to the floor and Rollins follwos. Ambrose with chops on the floor. Rollins with an Irish whip into the ringside barrier and Ambrose back body drops Rollins into Yeatonville. Ambrose gets on the announce table but he misses a splash when Rollins moves and Dean lands on the ringside barrier.
Seth sends Dean back into the ring and Rollins with a springboard knee to the head and a super kick for a near fall. We go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins is still in control. Rollins with an Irish whip and forearm into the corner. Rollins with another forearm into the corner. Rollins sets for a thrid one but Ambrose with a clothesline and both men are down. Dean with punches and chops. Ambrose with forearms and a rollup for a near fall. Ambrose gets another near fall. Ambrose goes up top and Rollins with a kick followed by a buckle bomb. Rollins goes up top and misses a frog splash. Ambrose with a La Magistral for a near fall. Ambrose goes for the double underhook DDT but Rollins pushes Dean into the corner. Rollins with a thumb to the eye but Ambrose with a back body drop to send Rollins to the floor. Ambrose wtih a suicide dive and then Rollins rolls back to the floor. Ambrose goes up top and hits the elbow to the chest.
Ambrose rolls Rollins back in and Ambrose goes up top and Rollins leaps to the turnbuckles and hits a superplex. Ambrose escapes a Falcon Arrow and hits the double underhook DDT for the three count.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
After the match, Ambrose celebrates as Shane and Bryan come to join him in the ring. We get replays as Ambrose puts on his SmackDown t-shirt and we see Rollins down on the outside. A big “yes!” chant breaks out as Ambrose hits the corners and the announcers run down the Battleground card. SmackDown goes off the air with Bryan, Ambrose and Shane celebrating in the ring.
