Kickoff Show:
The 2017 WWE Payback Kickoff pre-show opens up from the SAP Center in San Jose, California as Renee Young hypes the card. She’s joined by Sam Roberts and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler. They talk about tonight’s “House of Horrors” match before sendingit back to Charly Caruso in the Social Media Lounge. She plugs tonight’s hashtags and will be joined by #1 contenders Cesaro and Sheamus later tonight. We go back to the panel and they encourage WWE Network sign-ups.
– Renee discusses tonight’s WWE United States Title match. Sam believes Kevin Owens will retain but Lawler goes with Chris Jericho. We take a break and come back to Sasha Banks on the panel. She discusses the RAW women’s division and the newcomers. She believes Bayley will show us why she’s champion and retain tonight. Roberts agrees but Lawler goes with Alexa Bliss. Renee leads us to a video package for Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe. Roberts predicts Rollins to win and Lawler agrees. Renee sends us to the RAW announce team.
– We go to ringside with Michael Cole, Corey Graves and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
We go to the ring and out comes Enzo Amore and Big Cass for tonight’s first match. JoJo does the introductions. They have mics and cut promos on their opponents.
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are out next. Enzo starts off with Anderson and unloads on him. Enzo takes it to the corner but Anderson turns it around with a knee. Gallows tags in and keeps Enzo grounded. Gallows drops Enzo with a big right hand and in comes Anderson off another quick tag. Enzo tries to fight out of a hold but Anderson clocks him. Enzo ends up rolling Anderson up but didn’t see Gallows tag in. Gallows drops him and stands tall as we go to commercial.
Back from a break and Gallows keeps control with Anderson. Cass finally gets ahot tahg and unloads on both opponents. He drops the Empire Elbow, a few splashes and more on Gallows. The teams tangle on the floor before Anderson brings Enzo back in. They go for a Magic Killer but Cass runs in with a big boot, sending Anderson out of the ring. Enzo takes advantage and rolls Gallows up for the win.
Winners: Enzo Amore and Big Cass
– After the match, we get replays as Enzo and Cass hit the ramp to celebrate. Gallows and Anderson aren’t happy.
– RAW Tag Team Champions The Hardys are backstage when Goldust and R-Truth walk in. The two teams greet each other and reminisce for a second. Golden Truth is glad to see The Hardys back but they’re going to talk to RAW General Manager Kurt Angle to issue a challenge to the winners of tonight’s match. The Hardys like the idea. Matt calls it a tremendous idea. Goldust and Truth leave as Matt comments on how entertaining they are.
– Sheamus and Cesaro took part in questions for the social media lounge. They said their strategy tonight against the Hardys was to win Sheamus said they don’t have a plan, they are just going to be the hardest hitters in WWE, just as they do every week. Cesaro said they clearly haven’t talked strategy yet and they bantered. Cesaro blew off the idea that the Hardys are a better team because they have been teaming longer. Sheamus said they want the competition and their “nostalgia” thing is going to slowly fade away. He did not say it would classify itself as obsolete. They were asked who is the better athlete out of the two of them. Sheamus asked who really asked that and wondered if it was the Hardys trying to cause an issue between them. Sheamus slipped in he was the better athlete. Cesaro said it was great for Sheamus to be here and look up to Cesaro. They had some good banter between them. They finally agreed they were the best two athletes in WWE and promised they would win the titles tonight and carry them onto the European tour next week.
– The panel discussed the Tag Team championship bout before heading into talk for the House of Horrors match.
MizTV with Finn Balor
We go to the ring and out comes The Miz and Maryse for another episode of MizTV.
Miz asks fans if they’re done but they just give him more heat. He welcomes us to MizTV and says tonight we have a special Payback edition because his guest has a presence, an aura, and his much-anticipated return to RAW after WrestleMania 33 had the world talking. Miz tells the crowd to rise and help him welcome his guest. The music hits and out comes Finn Balor.
Miz knocked the audience and introduced Balor. Miz complained his entrance took five minutes and was annoyed the fans cheered it. He questioned, “What is this?” in response to the fans’ big reaction. Balor said it was The Balor Club. Miz asked what that was and whether Miz and Maryse could join, mocking it. Balor said it wasn’t his call, it was a Club decision and asked the fans. They booed the idea. Miz said that Balor has so much promise when he came to WWE, because everywhere he went, he became a star and a champion.
Miz recapped his last year with the injury and having to give up the Universal championship and asked whether Balor felt like a failure. Balor said that if being a failure was tearing his labrum, dislocating his shoulder and still finishing and winning the match, then yes, he was a failure. Miz said he was and all his fans were losers. He said Balor was too small and fights with his heart instead of his brain. Miz said that while he was out, Miz was holding his arm up with the IC title in Smackdown while Balor was rehabbing his arm.
Balor was asked what was next for him. Balor said he was going to get his title back. Yes! Miz reminded him who the Universal champion was, Brock Lesnar. Miz mocked him for it and said even he was bigger than Balor. Balor said he liked beating men bigger than him. He said Miz could join the Balor Club or the “Finn Balor just kicked my a**” club. Maryse stepped between them. Balor said every episode of MizTV ends with Miz getting his ass kicked but he’s going to be the bigger man and went to leave. He said Miz wasn’t worth it.
Miz yells for the music to be cut because he runs the show. Miz says Balor is afraid Miz will put him out of action again. Balor nails a Slingblade out of nowhere. Balor dropkicks Miz back into the corner next. Miz rolls to the floor as Balor’s music hits.
– We go back to the panel. They discuss tonight’s Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman match and rundown the rest of the card. That’s it for the pre-show.
WWE Payback Opener:
The show opens with a video package highlighting the ‘Payback’ and revenge theme of tonights show. A good bit of time is spent on Owens/Jericho, Orton/Wyatt and of course Reigns/Strowman.
WWE United States Championship Match
Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho
The pyro hits and Michael Cole welcomes us to the show. We don’t waste any time as Chris Jericho’s music hits, and he makes his way out with a crazy light-up scarf, to a great reaction from the crowd.
Kevin Owens is out next, and the Champion doesn’t get as warm of a welcome as Jericho, but he doesn’t seem to mind, walking to the ring with the title over his shoulder.
The bell rings and Owens bails out to the floor immediately. Jericho follows and runs around, blasting Owens with a running forearm and slamming his head into the announcer’s table before rolling Owens into the ring. On his way back into the ring, Jericho is caught with a clubbing blow to the neck from Owens, but he responds with a quick dropkick, and when Owens heads to the apron, Jericho crashes into him, knocking him to the floor. Jericho heads to the top and Owens rolls back into the ring, right into a leaping back elbow from the top rope. Jericho peppers Owens with right hands in the corner, then catches him with a big boot/running bulldog combo. Jericho tries for the lionsault, but Owens rolls out of the way and Jericho bails on the move. Owens rolls to the apron, and when Jericho tries for the corner dropkick, Owens stops him and rams his head into the ring post. Owens brings things to the outside where he hits a cannonball against the barricade before rolling back into the ring.
Jericho is able to beat the count back into the ring, but Owens continues the assault with an immediate senton and a quick pin for two. Owens transitions right into a rear chin lock and grinds away on Jericho. Jericho fights up to his feet and out of the hold, but Owens puts him down with a neckbreaker across the knee for another two count. Jericho fights up again from another rear chin lock, catching Owens with a roll up for two. Owens pops right up and puts Jericho down with a big clothesline. Owens winds back and kicks Jericho in the back of the head, stomping away at Jericho while he crawls to the ropes. Owens chokes Jericho against the middle rope before pulling him back and planting an elbow in the middle of Jericho’s forehead.
Jericho chops away at Owens, but Owens stops him cold with a DDT for another near fall, then he goes right into another rear chin lock. Jericho fights up to his knee, but Owens grinds him back down into the mat. Jericho fights up and out of the hold, catching Owens with another big boot in the corner. Jericho backs Owens away with chops, but Jericho misses a splash in the corner and he crashes over the top rope and out to the floor.
Jericho makes it back into the ring and Owens meets him with a stiff chop to the chest. Jericho comes back with a couple of his own, and Owens sends Jericho out to the apron. Jericho climbs up to the top and leaps off with a double axe handle. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho, but Owens counters out. Jericho connects with a step-up enzugiri, but it’s still not enough to keep Owens down.
Jericho wears down Owens with a series of chops in the corner, but when he charges in, Owens stops him with a superkick that’s good for a near fall. Owens picks up Jericho for the pop-up powerbomb, but Jericho hangs on to the ropes. Jericho tries for the codebreaker, but Owens fights it off. Jericho goes for the lionsault, but Owens gets his knees up. Owens hits the cannonball in the corner and goes for a quick pin, but Jericho kicks out at two.
Owens picks Jericho up and slaps him before sending him into the ropes for a pop up powerbomb. Jericho counters with a hurricanrana, then he transitions right over into the Walls of Jericho. Owens struggles to make it to the ropes, getting one finger on the bottom rope to force Jericho to break the hold. Jericho breaks the hold, then stomps on Owens’ finger. Owens bails out to the floor, so Jericho follows and slams his hand on the ring steps. Jericho traps Owens’ hand between the steps and the ring, rearing back and kicking the steps into Owens’ hand. The ref checks out Owens and backs Jericho away, allowing Owens to score with an eye poke. Owens hits a superkick before sending Jericho into the ropes for another pop-up powerbomb attempt. Owens can’t get Jericho up, and Jericho traps Owens in the Walls of Jericho again. Owens gets close to the ropes, but Jericho pulls him back to the center of the ring, and Owens is forced to tap out.
Winner and NEW WWE United States Champion: Chis Jericho
This also means Jericho will be headed to Smackdown Live!
Jericho celebrates with the crowd on his way to the back before signing a kid’s copy of the List of Jericho to a big pop, and making his way up the aisle with his new title.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Neville vs. Austin Aries
After a quick commercial break, we’re back in the arena, and Austin Aries makes his way out for the next match.
Neville is out next, and the King of the Cruiserweight’s doesn’t get much of a reaction out of the fans in attendance.
The bell rings and both men square up in the middle of the ring. We get a lockup and Aries backs Neville into the corner and breaks clean. Another lockup and Neville locks in a quick headlock, only to be pushed off and fall to an arm drag. Another lockup and Neville backs Aries into the corner, but yanks him out and immediately goes to work on the arm. Aries flips around out of the hold and traps Neville’s arm. Neville backs Aries into the corner to break the hold, and he buries his shoulder in Aries’ gut. Aries avoids a charging Neville in the corner and scores with a couple of arm drags. Aries fights his way out of a headscissors and scores with a quick dropkick to a seated Neville. Aries props himself up in the corner to catch his breath. Aries is backdropped to the apron by Neville, but he’s able to catch Neville with an elbow to the head and send him to the outside. Aries launches himself over the top to take out Neville. Back in the ring, Aries stands on the top rope and loses his balance. Neville takes advantage and dropkicks the top rope, causing Aries to fall to the mat.
Neville stomps away at Aries in the corner before pulling him up to his feet and launching him across the ring. Neville stomps Aries’ face before hitting the ropes and dropping a knee across Aries’ forehead. Neville clamps on a rear chin lock, and Aries looks to be fading. Aries is able to fight up to his feet and Neville puts him right back down to the mat. Neville climbs up to the top rope and leaps off with a shotgun missile dropkick, but it’s not enough to keep Aries down for three. Neville continues the assault, kicking Aries in the face before taunting the crowd.
Neville continues to taunt the crowd, and Aries takes advantage, catching him with a dropkick from behind that sends Neville crashing to the outside over the top rope. Aries waits for Neville to climb to the apron, and he catchs him with a series of right hands. Aries slams Neville face first into the turnbuckle. Aries tries to suplex Neville into the ring, but Neville lands on his feet. Neville hits the ropes, and Aries wipes him out with a nasty cross body. Aries hits a gutbuster/STO combo into the pendulum elbow, then leaps off the top rope with an elbow strike to the back of Neville’s neck, but it’s still not enough for a three count. Aries is able to backdrop Neville to the apron, and he hits a neckbreaker through the ropes that sends Neville out to the floor. Aries connects with the heat seeking missile and sends Neville back into the ring for an immediate pin, but Neville kicks out at two.
Aries tries to set Neville up for the last chancery, but Neville fights out of it. Aries connects with a nasty elbow, but Neville blocks a second with a kick to the gut. Neville misses an enzugiri and Aries capitalizes with a shinbreaker/back suplex combo. Aries heads up to the top rope and Neville stops him. Aries hits a sunset flip into a powerbomb and goes right into the last chancery. Neville struggles to make it to the ropes. When he can’t, Neville grabs the ref and pulls him back and over top of both men, causing Aries to break the hold. The ref pops up and immediately disqualifies Neville.
Winner by DQ: Austin Aries
STILL WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Neville
After the bell, a furious Aries yells at the referee about the decision. Neville retreats to the floor and has his title handed to him.
Raw Tag Team Championship Match
The Hardy Boyz vs. Sheamus and Cesaro
Cesaro and Sheamus make their way to the ring to a decent pop from the crowd.
The Hardy’s are out next, and the Raw Tag Team Champs get a great reaction from the fans in the crowd.
The bell rings and it looks like Matt Hardy and Cesaro will be kicking things off in this one. Hardy backs Cesaro into the corner and breaks clean. Another lockup and Cesaro goes to work on Matt’s arm. Matt is able to turn things around, only to be rolled up by Cesaro for a one count. Matt backs into the ropes to force some space between himself and Cesaro. Jeff tags in and leaps off the top with an elbow to Cesaro’s arm. Quick tags from the Hardy’s as Matt is back in to help set up Poetry in Motion on Cesaro which is good for a two count. Matt works on Cesaro’s arm for a bit before sending him into the ropes. Cesaro comes up with a nasty European uppercut that stuns Hardy and allows Sheamus to tag in. Sheamus hits a rolling senton on Hardy before backing him up with a big uppercut. Cesaro tags in and drops an elbow on the back of Matt’s shoulder. Cesaro is able to score with a quick near fall, and another quick tag allows Sheamus to come in and deliver a quick short-arm clothesline for a two count.
Sheamus shoulders Matt, but Matt fights out and tags in Jeff. Jeff takes Sheamus down to the mat and hits a double leg drop to the midsection. Hardy goes to work on the left arm of Sheamus. Sheamus fights up to his feet and slings Jeff out of the ring and to the floor. Cesaro tags in and goes for an immediate pin on Jeff before picking him up with a giant gut wrench slam. Cesaro tags out and Sheamus comes in for a double back elbow to Jeff. Sheamus goes to the second rope and drops a huge knee on Jeff’s chest. Sheamus goes right for a rear chin lock, but Jeff is quick to fight to his feet and drop Sheamus down with a jawbreaker. Sheamus stops Jeff cold with a big ikck to the face, but it’s not enough for put him down for three. Cesaro is back in with a giant leg drop, but it’s still only enough for two.
Sheamus is back in with the Irish curse backbreaker on Jeff for two. Sheamus goes right back into the rear chin lock, trying to wear Jeff down to the mat. Jeff continues to fight, working back up to his feet. Cesaro tags back in, and Jeff fights off both men with the whisper in the wind out of the corner. Matt waits for the tag, but Cesaro grabs Jeff’s ankle. Jeff kicks Cesaro away and tags in Matt. Matt comes in and wears out Cesaro with a series of right hands and slamming his head into the turnbuckle. Matt hits a big clothesline, then climbs up to the middle rope and leaps off with an elbow to the back of Cesaro’s head. Matt connects with the side effect, but it’s only enough for two. On the outside, Jeff leaps from the apron to take out Sheamus. Matt slams Cesaro to the mat and he climbs to the top, leaping off with a giant moonsault. Cesaro rolls out of the way and hits a springboard corkscrew uppercut.
Cesaro calls for the big swing, and he gets Matt into position. Cesaro gets 20 revolutions before trapping Matt in the sharpshooter. Matt makes it to the ropes to force a break. Sheamus wipes out Jeff on the floor. Cesaro hits Matt with a big uppercut in the corner. Sheamus tags in and shoulders Matt on the second rope. Sheamus connects with White Noise from the middle rope, but when he goes for the pin it’s broken up by Jeff. Jeff goes to the apron and leaps off onto Cesaro, Cesaro catches Jeff, but Jeff fights out and shoves Cesaro over the barricade into the crowd. Back in the ring, Matt tries for the twist of fate on Sheamus, but Sheamus fights it off. Jeff makes the blind tag and Sheamus slams Matt to the mat. Sheamus pins Matt, but he doesn’t know Jeff is legal. Jeff leaps off the top rope with a swanton to Sheamus as he’s pinning Matt. Jeff pins Sheamus, and he gets the three count.
Winners and STILL Raw Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz
Following the match, we get handshakes all around, as Sheamus and Cesaro hold their opponents hands high in a show of respect.
Cesaro is in from out of nowhere to take out Jeff while he’s celebrating, and Matt is taken out by Sheamus. Cesaro holds Jeff in place against the ring post so Sheamus can hit a brogue kick to Jeff’s back. Cesaro rolls Matt into the ring and screams in his face. Cesaro holds Matt up for a brogue kick from Sheamus. Cesaro and Sheamus hold the titles up before draping them over the bodies of Matt and Jeff and heading off to the back.
Backstage:
Braun Strowman is shown backstage. He says Roman showed up tonight looking for the big fight, but what he found is the biggest mistake of his life. Roman is a wounded animal, and at the end of tonight, all he’ll be looking for is Braun to put him out of his misery.
Raw Women’s Championship Match
Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss
Back in the arena, Alexa Bliss makes her way out to the ring for the next match. Bliss doesn’t get too much of a reaction out of the fans.
Bayley is out next, and the champ gets a great reaction from the crowd, who seem to be happy to root for the hometown girl.
The bell rings and we get a lockup right away with Bayley backing Alexa into the corner. Alexa keeps going to the ropes to break up any action. Alexa shoves Bayley, ducks a clothesline, and kicks her in the stomach. Bayley avoids a charging Alexa in the corner and slams her down to the mat. Bayley covers Alexa quickly, but can’t get a three count. Things spill to the outside and Bayley leaps through the ropes to deliver a kick to Alexa’s knee on the apron. Back in the ring Bayley tries for a quick pin, but can’t get three. Bayley slams Alexa’s head into the turnbuckle repeatedly. Alexa stops Bayley with a nasty elbow to the forehead. Alexa continues the assault by slamming Bayley’s head into the turnbuckle and hitting elbows to the back of Bayley’s neck.
Alexa sends Bayley into the ropes after a bit of sloppy back and forth, but she can’t score a three count. Alexa chokes Bayley against the middle rope, then stands on Bayley’s hair and pulls up on her arms. Alexa continues to go for pins at every turn, but can’t keep Bayley down for three. Alexa simply stands on Bayley’s back and yanks on her ponytail. Bayley fights up and she tries to fight up, but Alexa immediately drops her with a quick clothesline. Alexa stands on Bayley’s back and grinds her feet in before kicking her out to the floor. Alexa picks up Bayley and slams her forehead on the apron before sliding her back into the ring.
On her way back into the ring, Bayley snaps Alexa’s neck across the middle rope. Bayley scores with clotheslines before dropping Alexa throat first across the top rope. Bayley scores with a huge suplex across the ring before connecting with the running sliding clothesline. Bayley buries her shoulder in Alexa’s midsection repeatedly, then scores with another suplex, but it’s not enough for a three count. Bayley heads up to the middle rope, fixes her ponytail, and leaps off with a huge rear elbow to Alexa. Alexa responds by sending Bayley face first into the ring post. Alexa heads to the top, but she’s stopped by Bayley. Bayley sets up for the Bayley to belly from the top, and Alexa fights out, countering with a sunset flip powerbomb.
Alexa slams Bayley down to the mat and hits double knees, but Bayley comes back with a huge running knee to the side of Alexa’s face that drops her hard. Bayley heads to the top rope and leaps off with a huge flying elbow drop, but it’s only enough for a two count. Bayley picks Alexa up but Alexa slaps Bayley across the face. Bayley takes Alexa into the corner and stomps away at her repeatedly before burying her shoulder in Bliss’ midsection. Alexa tries for another sunset flip powerbomb, but Bayley counters with a rollup. Bliss kicks out and sends Bayley head first into the ring post. Alexa screams at Bayley to give up. Bayley catches Alexa with a small package for two. Alexa kicks out, scores with a quick DDT, and pins Bayley for the three count.
Winner and NEW Raw Women’s Champion: Alexa Bliss
After the match, Bliss takes her title and celebrates as we go to replays. We come back to Bayley down in the ring as Bliss raises the title on the ramp. Michael Cole points out that this makes Bliss the first woman in history to win both the Smackdown and Raw Women’s Championships.
– After a quick commercial, Cole throws things to an immediate video package highlighting the extended history between Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt that’s set to conclude tonight with a House of Horrors match.
House of Horrors Match
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
Jojo is in the middle of the ring and she says the match will start in Bray Wyatt’s House of Horrors, and will include in the ring with a pin, submission, or forfeiture. The announcer’s briefly discuss the match before being cut off by Wyatt’s video. Randy Orton is shown pulling up in a limo to Bray Wyatt’s House of Horrors, which looks to be in the middle of the woods and nowhere near an arena, at all. There’s a light flickering on the second floor of the house. Orton takes in his surroundings. There’s a tractor going backwards with no driver. Orton slowly walks toward the house.
Orton makes his way up to the porch, and he sees Bray Wyatt standing out in the open through the window. Randy tries to open the door, but it’s locked, so he kicks it in. Orton walks into the house, and the whole thing is shot like a horror movie. The door slams shut behind Orton, and Wyatt is there, attacking Orton from behind with a series of clubbing blows to the back. Wyatt splashes Orton against the wall, then continues the assault, while babbling at Orton all the while. Wyatt smashes Orton into the window and there’s breaking glass, and Wyatt yells ‘you’ll never leave, Randy’. Wyatt puts Orton through a table, then disappears.
Orton makes his way further into the house, and he’s attacked through the wall. Orton walks around to find his attacker, and he walks into a room with a ton of baby dolls hanging from the ceiling, painted up, wrapped in wire, and stuck through with nails and pins. Orton looks at the dolls and he’s attacked by Wyatt. Orton claws at Wyatt’s eyes, so Bray puts him through the wall. Both men struggle to their feet, and Bray whips a baby crib at Orton before disappearing again.
Orton screams for Bray, while searching the house. Orton walks into the room with a structure made out of wood and baby doll parts, bathed in red light. Orton walks away from that room. Orton walks into the kitchen where the fridge is covered in dust and ‘we’re here’ is written. Bray attacks and Orton is able to turn things around, laying into Wyatt with a series of right hands. Orton slowly stands and Bray laughs while he’s propped against the cupboard. Orton grabs a skillet, but Wyatt hits a mule kick into Randy’s groin.
Wyatt stands and drops the refrigerator on top of Orton before crawling out of the room.
Wyatt crawls out of the house and he kneels in the front yard. Bray spreads his arms and he screams ‘Follow the buzzards’. The house lights up in red light and Bray laughs loudly. Bray crawls off and he heads toward Randy’s limo, laughing while getting inside. Bray tells the driver to take him to the arena, while singing ‘The Whole World’.
Back in the arena, the lights are out and there seem to be a decent amount of fireflies in attendance. The announcers seem a bit confused, and they talk about how the match needs to be won in the ring, Orton appears to have a fridge on top of him, and Wyatt is on the way to the ring.
This match is set to continue.
– Cole and crew immediately throw to a video package showcasing Seth Rollins’ road to recovery, and his recent issues with Samoa Joe.
Singles Match
Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe
Seth Rollins is the first man to make his way out for the next match, and he gets a great reaction from the fans, who have been pretty hot all night.
Samoa Joe is out next, and Joe doesn’t get as warm of a welcome.
The bell rings and both men test each other out before locking up. Joe backs Rollins into the corner and grabs his leg, pulling him back into the ring. Rolling hits a chop and a series of strikes, but Joe comes back with some nasty quick strikes of his own, and a series of head butts to the face. Rollins is able to come up with a dropkick that sends Joe to the outside. Joe grabs Rollins leg and pulls him to the outside, but Rollins is able to take out Joe on the floor. Rollins connects with lefts and rights to the gut, but Joe comes back with a couple more head butts before tossing Rollins into the timekeeper’s area. Rollins leaps off the barricade to take out Joe before bringing things back into the ring. Joe quickly rolls back to the outside, and Rollins is right there following with a suicide dive, then a second.
Rollins brings things back into the ring, but Joe wraps Rollins bad knee around the middle rope and drives him down, sending Rollins crashing back outside of the ring. Joe hits a suicide dive, sending Rollins crashing into the announcer’s area. Joe brings things back into the ring and hits Rollins with a series of kicks. Rollins and Joe trade right hands, and Joe gets the upper hand by taking Rollins out with a leg sweep. Joe hits a senton on Rollins’ knee. Rollins is able to score with a couple of chops, but Joe sends Rollins into the corner and hits a quick enzugiri. Joe peppers Rollins with a series of jabs and elbows. Joe backs Rollins into the corner, and Rollins counters by sending Joe face first into the middle turnbuckle. Rollins hits a quick clothesline, and a superkick to the chest, but Joe doesn’t go down. Rollins hits a running forearm in the corner, then a second, and then a neckbreaker. Rollins heads to the top rope, leaping off, but he’s caught by Joe and dropped down to the mat hard. Joe clamps on a knee bar and wrenches back.
Rollins gets his hand on the ropes to force Joe to break the hold. Joe blasts Rollins with a head butt, then he pulls Rollins up, immediately slamming him down to the mat. Joe works right over into a single leg crab, and Rollins screams in pain. Joe transitions into a cloverleaf, and Rollins is able to make it to the ropes to force a break. Joe rakes his boot across Rollins’ face in the corner before hitting the ropes. Rollins pops up and hits a quick back elbow, then a sling blade. Rollins hits a quick kick to the side of Joe’s head, then a blockbuster from the middle rope for a near fall.
Joe fights back, trying for another senton to the knee. Rollins avoids it and kicks Joe in the jaw. Rollins heads out to the apron and goes up to the top rope. Joe is up on his feet and he stops Rollins right away. Rollins slips under Joe and he tries for a powerbomb, but he can’t hold Joe up. Rollins connects with the falcon arrow, but he only gets two on the pin. Rollins goes to the top rope and he connects with a frog splash, but still can’t keep Joe down for three.
Rollins eats a couple of elbows, but fights back. Joe hits a series of open hand strikes to the face. Rollins connects with a leaping kick to the ear. Rollins hits the ropes and runs right into the sleeper. Rollins kicks off the ropes and rolls back into a pin, forcing Joe to break the hold. Joe connects with a nasty clothesline. Joe picks Rollins up and locks in the sleeper. Rollins rolls Joe over on his back, and he’s able to pin him for the three count.
Winner: Seth Rollins
After the match, Joe can’t believe it as Rollins makes his exit and we get replays. We come back to the two staring each other down from the ramp and ring.
House of Horrors Match
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
Back from a break and Cole hypes RAW Talk on the WWE Network as we see the limousine pull into the back. Wyatt stumbles out and heads towards the crowd. Cole indicates a possible forfeiture as WWE Champion Randy Orton was last seen under a refrigerator. The music hits and out comes Bray Wyatt for the second half of the non-title “House of Horrors” match.
When he makes it into the ring and the lights come up, Orton is in the ring behind Wyatt with a chair in hand. Orton blasts Wyatt across the back and Wyatt bails to the outside. Orton heads out after Bray and slams him against the announcer’s table. Orton takes apart the table, and he pulls Wyatt out, hitting the suspension DDT off the table to the floor.
Orton slams Bray’s face against the apron, before he grabs the chair and cracks Wyatt across the back another time. Randy picks up Bray and tosses him back into the ring, dropping to the mat and calling for the RKO. The Singh Brothers are in from out of nowhere and they attack Orton from behind. Orton fights them off, and he avoids sister Abigail, but Jinder Mahal is in from out of nowhere blasting Orton from behind with the WWE title. Jinder waits for Orton to stand and he blasts Orton from behind again. Wyatt connects with sister Abigail, and this one is over.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
After the match, Jinder heads to the ramp with The Singh Brothers. He still has the WWE Title in his hand. Orton and Wyatt lay flat on their backs in the ring as we go to replays.
– The announcers are quick to turn their attention to Strowman vs. Reigns, tossing things right to a video package that highlights the recent history between these two men, including Strowman decimating Reigns at every chance he gets, and Reigns coming back for more every time.
Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is the first man to make his way out, and he gets a pretty decent reaction from the crowd.
Roman Reigns is out next, and Reigns is loudly booed as he walks to the ring with his arm taped up.
Roman makes it into the ring and goes on the attack immediately, backing Braun up, then low bridging him and sending him to the outside. Roman bails out to the floor and leaps off the ring steps with a flying clothesline to take out Braun. Reigns heads back into the ring and he hits the ropes, but Braun moves out of the way and Roman stops himself. Braun stops a charging Roman and launches him into the barricade before slamming him on the announcers table and bringing things back into the ring. Braun stomps and kicks Roman in the ribs, backing him into the corner for a giant clothesline. Braun stand on Roman’s ribs, then slams him down to the mat hard. Braun picks up Roman and sends him shoulder first into the ring post. Roman bails out to the floor, and Braun drives him into the ring steps repeatedly.
Braun brings things back into the ring and takes out Roman with a giant clothesline that puts Reigns down for two. Braun traps Roman and constricts his ribs with a bear hug. Roman works his way up to his feet and fights out of the hold with elbows to Strowman’s face. Braun misses a splash in the corner, and Roman tries to score with a couple of right hands. Roman catches Braun with a big right hand, then he shoulders Braun for a Samoan drop. Roman connects with a series of clotheslines in the corner, the he clotheslines Braun over the top rope and to the outside.
Braun tries to bring things back into the ring, but Roman connects with the drive by. Roman charges, but Strowman catches him and shoulders him. Roman fights out and shoves Braun into the ring post, then shoves him in a second time. Both men are able to make it back into the ring before the ref counts to 10. Roman connects with an immediate spear, but Braun is still able to kick out.
Roman pulls himself up in the corner, but Braun stops him. Roman fights off Braun and connects with two Superman punches in a row. Roman goes for a third, but Braun catches him in a submission, slams him to the mat, and is shocked when he only gets two. Braun pulls Roman up and shoulders him for a running powerslam. Braun gets the three count, and this one is over.
Winner: Braun Strowman
After the match, Braun stands tall as we see some unhappy or surprised fans in the crowd. Reigns leaves the ring and tosses part of the steel steps back in as some fans do the “yes!” chant. Braun warns referees that try to interfere. Braun stands the steps on its side as a “thank you Strowman” chant starts. Braun scoops Reigns on his shoulder and drops him into the steps. We go to more replays. Reigns is down as Braun grabs the steel steps again. Braun lifts the steps high in the air and slams them down on Reigns for a pop. Agents Fit Finlay and Adam Pearce are out now. Braun leaves the ring and shoves Fit. Fans cheer for Braun as he poses on the ramp. Officials tend to Reigns in the ring. Cole wonders where the hell the EMTs are at. Reigns appears to be legitimately cut open as there’s blood. Another “thank you Strowman” chant starts. We come back from another replay and Reigns is being helped out of the ring. He falls. A “you deserve it” chant tries to start up. Reigns stumbles up to the announce table as paramedics arrive. Reigns says he’s not getting on the stretcher. He keeps walking towards the back as Payback goes off the air. RAW Talk opens on the WWE Network with Reigns being checked on backstage. Stay tuned for post-show updates.
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