WWE RAW Opener: Tonight’s show starts off with a look back at the Universal Title Match between Seth Rollins and Finn Balor.
– We are in Brooklyn, New York and your announcers are Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves.
Michael Cole announces that Finn Balor suffered a shoulder injury against Seth Rollins and we see when Finn got injured during the running power bomb into the ringside barrier. Michael mentioned that Finn appeared on Good Morning America and he had an MRI that revealed a torn labrum. He will be out six months. Byron mentions that Mick Foley announced that Finn Balor would relinquish the Universal Title.
Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon are in the ring. Mick brings out Finn Balor.
Finn says this championship represents a lifetime of sacrifice. It also represents that if you believe in yourself you can achieve anything. Last night, he achieved the impossible. He became the Universal Champion. There was a sacrifice. Finn says he wants to thank the WWE for this opportunity. He says he wants to thank the talent in the back. He says he wants to thank Seth Rollins for giving him the match of his life. Finn says he wants to thank all of you.
Finn says he has to relinquish this title, but rest assured when he is ready to come back, this title is the first thing he is coming for.
Mick takes the title belt.
As Finn goes up the ramp to the stage, Seth Rollins comes out and he makes his way to the ring.
Rollins says the injury is a shame but let’s not live in the past, now we know who the true winner at SummerSlam was. Fans boo him. Rollins says this should be a celebration. Rollins proposes a championship celebration for the true WWE Universal Champion. The music interrupts and out comes Sami Zayn to a pop. Fans sing along as he heads to the ring. Before Sami can speak, Chris Jericho’s music hits and out he comes. Kevin Owens is out next, to another pop. Sami looks on as Owens makes his way out. Stephanie is whispering an idea in Foley’s ear when the music interrupts and out comes Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Fans go wild for them. Roman Reigns is out next to a loud mixed reaction. Rollins stands near the corner as everyone else argues. Fans chant for Heath Slater. Foley says everyone in this ring is deserving of a title shot, so they’re going to hold a series of matches that will culminate next week with the crowning of a new WWE Universal Champion. Rollins vs. Sami kicks off the series and that match is now. This leads to Owens distracting Sami on his way out of the ring and Rollins destroying Sami. We go to commercial.
WWE Universal Title Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins
The match is joined in progress and Zayn with punches and chops. Rollins with a kick and then he sends Zayn over the top rope to the apron. Zayn with a shoudler and he flips over Rollins and hits a satellite head scissors. Rollins moves when Zayn teases a dive. Rollins pulls Zayn to the floor and he teases a running power bomb into the ringside barrier but Zayn escapes and hits a moonsault off the ringside barrier.
Zayn sends Rollins back into the ring and Rollins with a super kick. Rollins with kicks and he chokes Zayn. Rollins with a kick and he gets a near fall. Rollins with punches and a hard Irish whip. Rollins with a chop. Zayn with a springboard leap frog and he lands awkwardly on his ankle. Zayn with an elbow and then he drops down and Rollins goes over the top rope to the floor. Zayn with a slingshot flip pescado but Zayn holds his ankle again.
Rollins sends Zayn back in and Rollins with a springboard knee to the temple and he gets a near fall. Zayn goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins slaps Zayn. Zayn with a clothesline. Zayn with punches and he tries for the Blue Thunder Bomb but he could not get Rollins up. Rollins with an enzuigiri. Rollins with a chop. Rollins goes for a superplex but Zayn knocks Rollins off the turnbuckles. Rollins recovers and tries for a superplex but Zayn with forearms to the back. Zayn with a sunset flip power bomb for a near fall.
Zayn limps to go over to Rollins. Rollins with a kick and Zayn counters a pedigree with a jackknife cover. Zayn with an exploder into the turnbuckles. Zayn hobbles for the Helluva Kick but Rollins with a jumping knee and then he stomps on the ankle. Rollins with a heel hook after kicking Zayn in the head. Zayn rolls to the ropes and he stomps on Rollins’ head. Zayn sets for a suplex but he cannot do it with one leg. Rollins wtih a Pedigree and the three count.
Winner: Seth Rollins (Advances to Fatal Four Way for Universal Title)
We go to commercial.
WWE Universal Title Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Kevin Owens vs. Neville
We go to the ring and out comes Kevin Owens. Neville is out next.
Neville leaps over Owens and Neville with a series of kicks. Neville goes to the apron and he drops down and Owens goes over the top rope to the floor. Neville with a baseball slide and then he hits a 450 splash off the apron. Owens rolls to the other side of the ring but Neville with a corkscrew plancha onto Owens.
Chris Jericho comes out and Owens uses the distraction to hit a clothesline. We go to commercial.
We are back and Owens with a reverse chin lock. Neville with punches but Owens sends Neville into the corner. Owens with a forearm and he sets for a cannonball but Owens hits the turnbuckles when Neville moves. Neville with a snap German suplex but Owens with a super kick. Owens goes up top for a frog splash but Neville moves. Neville goes to the turnbuckles for a corkscrew moonsault and he gets a near fall.
Neville goes for a deadlift German suplex and he hits it and gets a near fall. Neville goes up top for the Red Arrow but Owens moves and Owens with a super kick and he tries for the pop up power bomb and Neville counters into a victory roll and a near fall. Neville with an enzuigiri and Neville goes up top again and Jericho distracts Neville. Neville with a baseball slide to Jericho. Neville with an enzuigiri to Owens but Owens crotches Neville and then applies a torture rack into a neck breaker and he gets the three count.
Winner: Kevin Owens (Advances to Universal Title Match)
– Michael Cole mentions the title match next week will be a Fatal Four Way Match.
– Later tonight: Big Cass vs. Rusev and Chris Jericho vs. Roman Reigns.
– The New Day are in the back and Kofi dunks over an unsuspecting employee. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and it is time for the original cast of the New Day to make their way to the ring.
Big E thanks everyone and he says a wise man once said, speak softly and carry a big stick. He can only have one and he is back. Kofi says that is magical. Kofi says the New Day loves magic. The magic revolve around 3-6-5 because for 365 days they have been your WWE World Tag Team Champions. Kofi says they want to take a serious moment to thank everyone. He says the people were responsible for all of this.
You were vocal throughout the good times and the bad times. Xavier and Big E say there were a few.
Xavier says in order to celebrate this occasion, they have a Unicorn Pinata. Xavier asks everyone if they know what is in there. He says everyone is right that it is filled with BOOTY-Os.
They are interrupted by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows and they have lost their medical licenses.
Luke says this is stupid. Karl says this is stupid. Karl says Brooklyn is stupid. He wants to know if the New Day is really celebrating. What do they have to celebrate? It is almost like you forgot that you lost last night. Luke tells Big E, even if you saved Jon Stewart from a case of Ringpostitis, you lost the match so they are entitled to a rematch. Karl tells Kofi he is the stupidist and you are talking about magic? Did you enjoy the Magic Killer you took last night.
Kofi tells E to defend him. Big E says he has nothing.
Luke says all of the props, toys, and catchphrases won’t mean a think when they win the Tag titles. It starts tonight when Karl Anderson dismantles and decapitates the muscle of the group, Big E.
Big E says they have heard enough of the Flim Flam. They will show why New Day Rocks. We go to commercial.
Karl Anderson vs. Big E
The match is joined in progress and Big E with a suplex followed by an abdominal stretch and he plays the bongos on the hip. Big E with a shoulder into the corner but Anderson with a shoulder tackle to the knee. Anderson kicks Big E in the corner. Anderson with a front face lock. Anderson with a kick to the back of the leg and he gets a near fall. Anderson kicks Big E in the head and the leg. Anderson continues to work on the leg with kicks and he goes to town in the corner.
Big E with punches but Anderson with a front face lock. Big E picks up Anderson and throws him over the top rope to the floor. Gallows tries to get involved but Kofi comes over and he super kicks Kofi and punches Woods. Karl is sent to the apron and he connects with a knee when Big E goes for a spear. Gallows is pulled off the apron and Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise and Woods hits a sliding flatliner. Big E catches Anderson and hits the Big Ending for the three count.
Winner: Big E
– Later, The Dudleys are going to say goodbye so we see the Dudleys appearing on Smackdown in September 1999. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and Titus O’Neil is in the ring. He fumbles some of his words and gets a little heat from the fans for it. He reminds us that The Prime Time Players were also WWE Tag Team Champions and uses this to go into a promo ripping on Darren Young. Titus says he would be WWE Universal Champion if it weren’t for Young. Titus also knocks WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund. Titus blames Young for not getting opportunities, not being in the main event and not being champion. Titus wants Young to come to the ring so he can bury him and be done for him.
Titus says Backlund is backstage telling Young not to come out. Fans have had enough and they start chanting for Heath Slater. Titus says he doesn’t know who they want but he wants Young to come out. Backlund runs down to the ring and Titus grabs him. Backlund avoids an attack and applies the Crossface Chicken Wing. Titus gets out and slams Backlund. Young runs out and checks on Backlund as Titus talks trash. Titus grabs Young and hits Clash of the Titus. Titus stands tall.
– Still to come, a look back at Lesnar vs. Orton. We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Tom Phillips is handed a mic while standing next to Stephanie McMahon. We take a look at what happened during the Randy Orton versus Brock Lesnar match at Summerslam. Tom asks Stephanie McMahon about what happened during the main event of Summerslam. Stephanie says Brock crossed the line and there will be repurcussions.
– We take another look at Finn Balor’s injury from Summerslam.
WWE Universal Title Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Rusev vs. Big Cass
Lana is in the ring and she wants everyone to stand up and put their hand on their hearts for a true American hero. The Greatest United States Champion and your next Universal Champion. She is talking about her husband, Rusev.
Enzo says that youze twos are from the BulgArea. Is that on the east side, the west side, or the five buroughs? Colin says he is going to finish the job Roman started tonight. He will prove there is one word to describe you.
Rusev with punches but Colin with punches of his own and Rusev is sent to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Rusev with a reverse chin lock. Colin misses a splash during the commercial break and Rusev hits a spinning heel kick. Rusev with a knee to the midsection followed by a forearm to the back. Rusev with a round kick to the head. Colin punches Rusev and then follows wtih a forearm. Rusev dives at the knee and takes Colin down. Rusev with a series of elbow drops. Rusev with a diving head butt that misses when Colin moves out of the way. Colin with a boot and punches.
Colin with a running shoulder tackles and then he hits the Stinger Splash but Rusev avoids the running boot and he goes to the floor. Rusev sees Enzo in front of him so Rusev with a round kick to the head. Colin goes to the floor and he chases Rusev back into the ring. Colin with a clothesline and Stinger Splash. Colin with punches to the ribs followed by a slam and rusev rolls out of the way.
Rusev wtih a kick and Colin Irish whips Rusev ribs first into the ring steps. Colin with a series of kicks and Rusev goes to the floor again.
Rusev lets the referee make the ten count.
Winner: Colin Cassady (Advances to Universal Title Match)
Backstage:
Tom Phillips is Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho and Kevin says hello to the Philster. Tom asks Chris what happens if Chris wins tonight. Chris tells Phillipe that there is no if because he will win the match against Roman. He tells Phil he will make a great champion. Kevin says Chris would be a great champion, but Kevin says he will win. Chris says he is looking forward to being Champion of the universe. He says that Kevin should thank him.
Phil tells Chris and Kevin there can be only one winner next week. Chris and Kevin both say it will be them. Chris says they will worry about this next week. Roman will not even make it to the match tonight. He wants to tell Phil what Roman is going to get and Kevin tells him to ask Chris. Chris says he will get IT. You stupid idiot!
– Dana Brooke and Charlotte walk in the back as we go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Charlotte makes her way to the ring accompanied by Dana Brooke.
Dana chants You Deserve It and Charlotte agrees. Charlotte says she is the greatest female athlete in the world. She says you can forget about Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and Sasha Banks.
Sasha was exposed as all flash and no cash. Charlotte says she is the money of the Women’s Division. She didn’t need her father or Dana. She did it by herself. Charlotte says Charlotte’s back injury proves she doesn’t have what it takes to carry the women’s division. Charlotte says she hopes you enjoyed her short title reign because she will never get a title match again. Charlotte tells Sasha when she is ready to come back, please don’t come back. Charlotte says the Queen has reclaimed her throne.
Mick Foley’s music plays and he comes out. He says that he has to congratulate Charlotte. You tore the house down last night. Mick says Sasha will get a rematch when she comes back.
Charlotte says she hopes Sasha comes back so she can break her back again. Charlotte says she deserves the night off because there is no one worthy.
Mick says there are a lot of things that are heartbreaking and difficult. He did not like having to take the Universal title from Finn Balor. MIck says that him and Stephanie have signed the hottest free agent of the New Era.
Bayley comes out.
Fans chant “you deserve it” as Bayley comments on how she can’t believe this is happening. She’s been waiting her whole life for this and thanks Foley for the opportunity. She wants to seal the deal with a hug. She and Foley get a cheap pop from Brooklyn, then hug it out. Charlotte mocks Foley for this being his big acquisition. She says he’s been too busy promoting his WWE Network reality show and is out of touch with reality. She says there’s a reason why Bayley was left behind in the women’s revolution. Bayley respects Charlotte and would never try to upstage her but she will challenge her for the title. Fans pop and a “yes!” chant starts up. Charlotte isn’t dressed to wrestle but her sidekick is always ready. She suggests Dana vs. Bayley and Foley says that’s a fair trade. Foley makes the match and it will be next. He calls for a referee as we go to commercial.
Bayley vs. Dana Brooke (with Charlotte)
Back from the break and Bayley with a side head lock and take down. Bayley with a drop toe hold and she spins around on Dana. Bayley with a waist lock but Dana with an elbow and she sends Bayley into the turnbuckles. Bayley returns the favor and sends Dana into the turnbuckles. Bayley gets a near fall. Dana with an Irish whip and Bayley with an arm drag off the turnbuckles. Bayley is sent to the apron and Charlotte tries to distract Bayley.
Bayley with a shoulder and then she kicks Bayley to the floor. Dana with a baseball slide and then she sends Bayley into the ringside barrier. Dana rolls Bayley into the ring and gets a near fall. Dana with a modified bow and arrow. Bayley kicks her way out of the hold. Dana with punches to Bayley and Dana gets a near fall. Bayley with forearms to the midsection. Bayley runs Dana into the corner and connects with shoudlers and then she hits a running back elbow into the corner. Bayley with a corkscrew back elbow from the turnbuckles followed by the belly-to-belly suplex and she gets the three count.
Winner: Bayley
After the match, Bayley stares down Charlotte for a moment.
– Roman Reigns is stopped by Tom Phillips and he is asked about Chris Jericho’s comment. He says that Jericho was probably running his mouth and he will shut it up using the scarf or his fist. We go to commercial.
– We are back with a Cruiserweight Division video package featuring Rich Swann, Noam Dar, Brian Kendrick, and TJ Perkins. The cruiserweights arrive on Raw on September 19th.
– Michael Cole and Corey Graves talk about the Best of Seven series between Cesaro and Sheamus and see footage from the first match that took place during the Kickoff Show at Summerslam.
Backstage:
Andrea D’Marco is in the interview area with Sheamus. She asks him about the second match in the series. Sheamus asks if she saw the match from last night. Pride is on the line. It is the first of seven ,if Cesaro makes it that far. When it comes to Cesaro, he is like the Suicide Squad of WWE. Full of hype, but when people are counting on him, he underdelivers. Just like every sports team in New York. Unlike the Giants, Jets, Yankees, Mets, the Knicks, and the other basketball team, he is going to be a winner.
Braun Strowman vs. Johnny Knockout
Byron Saxton is with Johnny Knockout in the ring and Byron asks him why he wants to do it. Johnny says he likes big sweaty men. Byron wishes him luck.
Johnny with a few kicks but Strowman with a clothesline. Braun with a forearm to the back and then he sends Johnny into the turnbuckles and hits a splash. Braun sends Johnny to the mat. Braun with a reverse choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Braun Strowman
After the match, Strowman hits a Dominator and he wants the referee to count him again. Braun yells at the referee after he refuses.
– We take a look at the return of the Dudleys last year in Brooklyn. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley make their way to the ring.
Bubba says he does not get very emotional, but tonight might be a little different. One year ago in this very building, in this very ring, in their very city that pyro went off and him and his brother D-Von came to the ring, kicked ass, and put people through tables. They were back in the WWE. There have been some ups and some downs. You liked us and you hated us, but you respected us and have done so for 20 years.
D-Von says it has been one hell of a year and one hell of a career. For twenty years, he has been up and down the road with this man having legendary matches like the TLC matches. People still talk about today as one of the greatest matches of all time. Creating that history with guys like Edge and Christian and the Hardy Boys. Every bump they took in the ring. Every ladder and chair shot he took, he would do it again. The WWE has been his home and it will always be.
If it wasn’t for you, the WWE Universe, there would be no Dudley Boys.
Bubba wants everyone to get on their feet so Bubba and D-Von can thank all of you. Bubba says you don’t get to go out on your own terms. Things did not go as they wanted, to be able to say goodbye in their backyard is leaving on their terms. Bubba thanks everyone.
D-Von lets out a TESTIFY.
Epico and Primo come out. Primo says this is embarassing and it is about time you guys leave beacuse you are all washed up. Behind every cloud there is a silver lining. Epico says since you are leaving, Primo and him would like to give the Dudleys a special going away present. Epico got them a pair of economy comfort tickets to Puerto Rico.
Primo says he pities who will be sitting next to them. You will get to enjoy all of the pleasures of Puerto Rico.
Epico talks about the food, the beaches, and women… he means the food.
Bubba and D-Von attack Epico and Primo. Bubba signals for a 3D and they give it to Primo. Epico gets slammed and D-Von goes up top for a Wasssup head butt.
Bubba tells D-Von to get the tables.
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows attack Bubba and D-Von before they can send a Colon through a table. D-Von is sent into the steps by Anderson while Gallows punches Bubba. They get Bubba up for Magic Killer on the floor. D-Von tries to fight back but it is two on one. They send D-Von back into the ring and they set for Magic Killer through the table. We go to commercial.
WWE Universal Title Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Chris Jericho vs. Roman Reigns
We go to the ring and out comes Chris Jericho. The winner will face Big Cass, Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens on next week’s RAW for the vacant WWE Universal Title. Roman Reigns is out next.
They lock up and Reigns backs Jericho into the corner. Reigns with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Jericho slaps Reigns and he asks him about IT. Jericho decides to go to the floor when it looks like Reigns is going to kill him. Reigns with clotheslines and then he hits a clothesline in the corner followed by an Irish whip. Jericho with an elbow but Reigns with punches. Jericho with a rake of the eyes. Jericho with punches. Jericho with a running double sledge to the back and Reigns goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho chokes Reigns in the ropes and then he hits a running splash into the ropes. Reigns with a head butt and punches. Jericho with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Reigns with another head butt and punches. Reigns with an Irish whip and he runs into a boot. Jericho goes for a bulldog but Reigns sends Jericho into the turnbuckles ding ding first.
Reigns with clotheslines and then hits a flying clothesline. Reigns with Neverending Story. Reigns with an uppercut and then he sets for the Superman punch but Reigns misses. Jericho sets for the Walls of Jericho but Roman powers out of the hold. Jericho with an enzuigiri for a near fall.
Jericho punches Reigns and kicks him in the head. Jericho punches Roman and Roman sends Jericho over the top rope but Jericho lands on the apron and he goes up top but Reigns with an uppercut as he comes off. Reigns with a Juggernaut leaping drop kick. Reigns gets Jericho on his shoulders for a moment. Jericho with an elbow and he tries for the Lionsault but Reigns gets his knees up. Reigns with a Superman punch and he gets a near fall.
Reigns sets for the spear but Jericho with a kick and Jericho goes for the Codebreaker but Reigns holds on and counters into a sit out power bomb and he gets a near fall. Reigns sets for the spear again and Kevin Owens makes his way to teh ring and Reigns punches Owens and Jericho with a rollup for a near fall. Reigns with a Superman punch and he sets for the spear. Jericho with a rollup into the Walls of Jericho.
Roman pushes up and crawls to the ropes to get Jericho to release the hold. Owens with a super kick and Jericho with a Codebreaker but Reigns kicks out. Owens tells Chris to DO IT. Jericho slaps Reigns in the head while Owens chants for ‘IT’. Jericho with more slaps to Reigns. Reigns gets to his feet and he slaps Jericho back. Reigns with a Superman punch to Owens and Jericho with a rollup but Reigns rolls through and hits the spear for the three count.
Winner: Roman Reigns (Advances to Universal Title Match)
After the match, Reigns stands tall as we go to replays. RAW goes off the air with Reigns celebrating the win.
