This week’s show starts off with a recap of Braun Strowman’s night on last week’s Raw where he threw Kalisto away and then destroyed the ring and referee in the main event.
– We’re live from Kansas City as the pyro goes off. Michael Cole welcomes us to the Sprint Center. He’s joined by Corey Graves and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. A Dumpster Match with Kalisto vs. Braun Strowman will take place later tonight.
– We go right to the ring and out comes Chris Jericho to a pop.
Chris welcomes everyone to a monumental Highlight Reel because it will be the final Highlight Reel on Raw. Chris says he will beat Kevin Owens on Sunday and become the United States Champion and then he will go to Smackdown. Whether it is Smackdown, Raw, or Southpaw Regional Wrestling, the people have always been behind him. You are his pals… his buddies. You are the pals of Jericho, cheer him on man.
Chris says he needed a huge, charismatic guest and that would be him. Chris says he will get his payback on Sunday against Kevin Owens because Kevin betrayed him at the Festival of Friendship and then beat him for the United States Title at Wrestlemania. Now Kevin is on Smackdown and he says he is the Face of America. Chris says that does not fit. What about the hemorrhoid of America.
Miz interrupts, after the second cue, and he is joined by his wife Maryse.
Miz says that Raw is no longer Jericho. It hasn’t been since they arrived. Miz says Monday Night Raw is all about the IT Couple. Chris says they better watch… IT couple. Miz says that was adorable. Everyone watching needs to know that the Highlight Reel has been cancelled. It will be replaced with MizTV. Miz tells the little people to change the scenery. Jericho does not initially move so his carpet can be removed. Miz asks if we are ready for MizTV to start, but before it can start Dean Ambrose’s music interrupts and he makes his way to the ring.
Dean tells Chris that Miz is a stupid idiot. Miz says Chris never said that, but Chris says he was thinking about it. Dean says you cannot change talk shows. Dean signals for something and the Ambrose Asylum is back and the potted plant is replaced with a gift box.
Dean tells Chris he will be rooting for him on Sunday, even if that means he has to go to Smackdown. He says they have gone to war together and they have fought like cats and dogs, he is all about the healing power. Dean mentions that Chris destroyed his potted plant but Dean reminds Chris about destroying the jacket. Chris reminds Dean he still owes him $15,000. Dean says he has a gift for Chris and it is a jacket with Christmas lights on it.
Dean tells Chris to try it on, but Miz stops him.
Miz says it looks hideous but Jericho puts it on. Miz says that is a quality of an Intercontinental Champion who is a slacker and devalues the title. Everyone should be thankful that he is on Raw. They should be thankful that Miz is here to take care of the mediocrity that is Dean and Chris. Miz says that people should be giving him gifts.
Dean says he has a gift for Miz and then Dean kicks Miz and hits a double underhook DDT. Chris asks Maryse if she knows what happens when you are married to the Miz. He asks if she knows what happens when you are married to a stupid idiot. He tells Maryse that she made the list.
– The Hardys walk in the back as we go to commercial.
Sheamus vs. Matt Hardy
They lock up and Matt with a rollup for a near fall. Matt with a waist lock but Sheamus with an elbow and side head lock. Matt with forearms to the ribs but Sheamus with a shoulder tackle. Sheamus blocks a hip toss and then Matt does the same. Matt with a swinging neck breaker followed by a series of leg drops. Matt gets a near fall. Matt with a side head lock. Matt escapes a slam attempt but Sheamus wtih a boot. Sheamus is sent to the apron and Sheamus sets for the forearms across the chest but Matt with elbows and forearms. Sheamus gets Matt on his shoulders on the apron but Matt gets to his feet and Matt with a Side Effect onto the apron. We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus with a side head lock. We see footage during the commercial break when Sheamus pulled Matt off the turnbuckles and Matt landed hard on his back. Back to live action and Sheamus with forearms across the chest and then he sends Matt off the top rope back to the mat. Sheamus comes off the turnbuckles with a forearm and he gets a near fall. Sheamus sets for an Air Raid Crash but Matt escapes. Matt moves when Sheamus charges into the corner and Sheamus hits the ring post. Matt with a tornado DDT but Matt cannot take advantage.
Matt with foraerms and then he sends Sheamus into the turnbuckles. Matt with a clothesline into the corner and then he hits a bulldog. Matt goes to the turnbuckles for the elbow drop and he gets a near fall. Matt sets for the Twist of Fate but Sheamus blocks the boot and Sheamus with a knee to the head and Matt goes to the floor. Sheamus goes to the apron and he goes for a clothesline off the apron. Matt with a kick and Sheamus hits a Finlay Slam. Sheamus pushes Jeff away and Sheamus sends Matt back into the ring.
Jeff gets on the apron and Cesaro pulls Jeff off the apron. Matt with a kick and Twist of Fate for the three count.
Winner: Matt Hardy
After the match, Cesaro has some words for Jeff. Cesaro asks Sheamus if he saw what happened. Sheamus tells Cesaro to calm down. Sheamus offers his hand to Matt. Cesaro has calmed down and he offers his hand too. Matt and Jeff shake hands and Sheamus raises Matt’s hand and then Cesaro does the same to Jeff.
Backstage:
Kurt Angle is on the phone and he is talking about the Dumpster Match. Kurt says he will talk to Kalisto to see if he still wants to go through with the match.
Miz and Maryse hang up the phone and Miz says it is unacceptable that he had to wait two minutes outside. Miz says it bothered him that Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho interrupted MizTv. He wants to know what Kurt is going to do about it. Kurt tells Miz that we settle things in the ring and he can find a partner or a co-star because he will be facing Chris Jericho and Dean Ambrose. Miz storms off and Maryse yells at Angle in French and Kurt tells her ‘right back at you’. We go to commercial.
Neville and TJ Perkins vs. Jack Gallagher and Austin Aries
Gallagher and Aries discuss strategy before entering the ring and they charge after Perkins and Neville. Gallagher with a European uppercut to Perkins. Perkins and Neville hold on to the ropes to stop Aries and Gallagher but Gallagher and Aries send Perkins and Neville to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Perkins with a drop kick to Gallagher’s back for a near fall. Neville tags in and he kicks Gallagher and follows with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Neville tries to send Gallagher into the turnbuckles but Gallagher blocks it and he sends Neville into the turnbuckles. Neville is sent towards Gallagher and Gallagher with a drop toe hold and then Gallagher sends Perkins into Neville. Aries tags in and connects with elbows and chops to Neville and Perkins. Aries with a gutbuster followed by a pendulum elbow. Aries with a slingshot senton to Neville and then Aries goes for a suicide dive but Perkins goes to the apron. Neville is back dropped to the floor and Aries with a neck breaker in the ropes. Aries with a suicide dive and then he gets a near fall on Perkins and applies the Last Chancery.
Neville breaks up the hold and Gallagher with forearms to Neville followed by a head butt to the midsection and a European uppercut. Neville with kicks but Gallagher with a head butt to Neville. Gallagher blocks a kick from Perkins and Aries with a forearm followed by the discus five arm for the three count.
Winners: Austin Aries and Jack Gallagher
After the match, Aries and Gallagher stand tall as we go to replays. Neville retreats to the ramp and taunts Aries.
– Still to come, the Dumpster Match. Back to commercial.
– We are back and a dumpster is ringside for the next match.
Braun Strowman is the first man out and he says he considers everyone in the arena nothing more than trash. When he stuffs Kalisto into the dumpster it is like stuffing each and every one of you into that dumpster, especially Roman Reigns.
We cut to the back where Kurt Angle asks Kalisto if he wants this match. Kalisto says that Braun treated him like garbage and he says if he does not fight for his honor, he does not belong here.
Braun Strowman vs. Kalisto in a Dumpster Match
Kalisto with a kick to the leg and he backs off. Kalisto with another kick as he avoids Strowman. Kalisto avoids Strowman and kicks him. Strowman grabs Kalisto and he yells at Kalisto and tries to send Kalisto into the dumpster. Kalisto holds on and he kicks Strowman. Kalisto with a jaw breaker and then he comes off the turnbuckles but Strowman catches him and gets Kalisto up in a suplex position and throws him face first to the mat across the ring.
Strowman with a splash into the corner and then he walks across the back. Strowman points to the dumpster and he picks up Kalisto but Kalisto holds on and he tries to pull Strowman into the dumpster but Strowman stops Kalisto and Strowman throws Kalisto back into the center of the ring. Strowman chokes Kalisto against the turnbuckle. Strowman with a splash to the back and Kalisto is down. Strowman with a forearm to the chest and Kalisto goes down. Strowman wtih a forearm to the back. Strowman tries to hip toss Kalisto into the dumpster but Kalisto hits the ropes and goes back into the ring.
They go to the apron and Strowman presses Kalisto over his head but Kalisto falls into the ring and he drop kicks Strowman in the knees and Strowman falls into the dumpster.
Winner: Kalisto
After the bell, Braun just stands there in the dumpster fuming. He enters the ring and boots Kalisto in the face, then slams him hard with one arm. And again. Braun continues the assault and sends Kalisto through the ropes to the floor. We get “we want Roman, Roman sucks” dueling chants for Roman Reigns. Braun launches Kalisto into the barrier now. Braun picks Kalisto up onto his shoulder and drops him in the dumpster. Braun closes the lid as fans boo. Braun wheels the dumpster to the top of the ramp now. Officials come out to warn Braun now. He teases running them over with the dumpster. Braun takes the strap and ratchets the lid closed on Kalisto. Braun takes his time but ends up pushing the dumpster off a short ledge, tipping it on its side. Officials rush to check on Kalisto as Braun stands tall and we go to commercial.
– We are back with a look at the end of the Dumpster Match and what happened after the match. We see Kalisto being put on a stretcher after being pushed off the stage. Kurt is with Kalisto as he is stretchered off.
– Corey and Michael talk about what Roman Reigns must be thinking after seeing what Braun did to Kalisto. We have a video package for Roman Reigns.
– Bray Wyatt appears and he asks Randy Orton if he thought he could let this all go. Could he just forget? Some wounds never truly heal, they fester and linger. They infect your mind. The same pain and suffering awaits you in his House of Horrors. Every step you take will be a descent into madness. Every room you enter will be an endless nightmare. The best part is you can never leave. The House will be your purgatory, an eternal prison for your mind. An eternal prison for your soul. The deepest darkest depths of hell are waiting for you Randy. With your pain and with your suffering. With your agony, Bray says he will be reborn.
The House of Horrors waits for you. Follow the buzzards.
Alicia Fox vs. Dana Brooke
They lock up and Alicia with an arm drag and splash into the corner. Alicia with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Alicia with a forearm to the back and she gets a near fall.
Emma makes her way to the ring to watch.
Dana runs Alicia into the turnbuckles but Alicia avoids a forearm. Dana with a clothesline and slam. Dana with a roundoff splash but Alicia gets her knees up. Alicia misses a scissors kick and Dana with a Michinoku Driver for the three count.
Winner: Dana Brooke
After the match, Emma enters the ring and Dana wants to know what she is doing in the ring. Emma hugs Dana and leaves the ring.
Backstage:
Samoa Joe, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson are in the interview area to talk about their match tonight and what their strategy is. Joe says they will strike fast because history is written by the winners. Karl says they have known Joe for years and they have discussed ways to inflict damage on Enzo. Joe says he will break Seth on Sunday for crimes committed against Triple H and Stephanie at Wrestlemania. He shredded one of Seth’s ligaments in the past, but he might go for the rest tonight. We go to commercial.
Samoa Joe, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Seth Rollins, Enzo Amore and Big Cass
Back from the break and out comes Enzo Amore and Big Cass. They cut promos until Cass suddenly disappears into the crowd and Enzo is attacked by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson from the crowd. We see that it was Samoa Joe who pulled Cass into the crowd. They drop Enzo with a Magic Killer on the floor. The music hits and out comes Seth Rollins to make the save. Rollins goes at it with Joe as Cass recovers. The heels retreat as Cass, Rollins and officials check on Enzo. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Kurt Angle is out with a mic. He says Enzo is unable to compete but he has a new partner for Cass and Rollins. The music hits and out comes Finn Balor to a big pop.
Samoa Joe, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and Big Cass
Balor runs to the ring when he sees Cass and Rollins getting triple teamed. We get the bell and it’s Cass starting off with Gallows. Cass takes control and hits a big splash. Cass with a fall-away slam. Rollins tags in and comes off the top with a big right hand as Cass holds Gallows. Balor tag sin and unloads on Gallows. Balor drops Gallows with a dropkick. Gallows turns it around on Balor and tags in Anderson. Fans chant for Balor as he rolls through and dropkicks Anderson in the face. Balor with a shot to Gallows on the apron. Anderson backs Balor into the corner and in comes Joe. Joe unloads and drops Balor in the corner with a kick to the head.
Joe with more offense to Balor as he backs him in the corner again. Anderson tags in and unloads on Balor in the corner as the referee warns him. Anderson keeps Balor grounded with an armbar now. Anderson slams Balor for another 2 count. Gallows tags back in and drops big shots on Balor in the corner. Gallows keeps Balor grounded now. Gallows runs into boots in the corner but catches Balor with a side slam. Gallows poses before kicking Cass off the apron. Gallows misses a leg drop as Balor moves out of the way.
Anderson and Rollins tag in at the same time. Rollins with a Blockbuster from the top. Rollins keeps control and hits a Slingblade. Anderson slides out of a suplex. Gallows holds Rollins but he takes them both down. Cass comes flying over with a big boot to send Gallows out. Rollins and Joe stare each other down. Anderson gets sent out onto Joe by Rollins. Rollins runs and nails a dive next. Rollins brings Anderson back in but Joe beats on Rollins from the floor. Balor comes out of nowhere with a dropkick on Joe on the floor. Rollins comes in with a flying clothesline on Anderson. Rollins goes for a Pedigree in the middle of the ring but changes his mind. He nails a big knee to the face instead and covers Anderson for the win.
Winners: Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and Big Cass
– After the match, the winners stand tall as Joe stares them down from the floor. We go to replays. We come back to the babyfaces celebrating.
– The Miz is backstage looking for a partner but Cesaro and Sheamus aren’t interested.
– We see Alexa Bliss walking backstage. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and out comes Alexa Bliss as Cole hypes her title shot on Sunday. Bliss takes the mic and says every week the Superstars come out and talk about who they like, who they dislike, who they want to fight, possibly becoming champion. Other Superstars come out and talk about how this is their childhood dream, sunshine and rainbows. Bliss apologizes and says she legit thought she was going to vomit talking about that. She gets the “what?!” treatment and calls them out. She says she came to RAW to win, not to talk, which is why she will become the new RAW Women’s Champion on Sunday. The music interrupts and out comes Bayley.
Bayley admits Bliss wasted no time in proving how good she is. She was sitting int he back and knows Bliss was making fun of her. She says Bliss has always been the type to say it behind your back and not to your face. Bayley says she’s not just all talk, every day she works her butt off for this dream and to hold onto this title. Because she knows there are other Superstars trying to take it from her. Bayley says she will fight with every ounce of energy she has to walk out of her hometown with the title at Payback. Bliss loves the fact that Payback is in Bayley’s hometown. Bliss is excited about beating Bayley down, taking her title and humiliating her in front of her father. They have more words until the music hits and out comes Sasha Banks to interrupt.
Bliss jokes that this is part 3000 of the Sasha – Bayley sideshow. Bliss asks if Sasha puts little love letters in Bayley’s lunchbox. Sasha calls her a troll doll wannabe. Sasha goes on and says she came out to shut Bliss up tonight. Bliss says that’s not going to happen and she’s going to talk to Kurt Angle to have the match nixed because she has a more important match on Sunday and Sasha has become unhinged. Bliss says she doesn’t feel safe in the ring with Sasha right now. Sasha drops Bliss and sends her to the floor. We go to commercial.
Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss
Back from the break and the match is underway as Bayley joins the announcers. Back and forth to start.
Bliss misses double knees after getting some offense in. Sasha goes to work and unloads on her. Sasha catches a kick and knees Bliss in the face. Sasha goes on and covers for a 2 count. Bliss avoids the Banks Statement and gets to the bottom rope.
Bliss goes to the floor for a breather as the referee counts. Bliss backs up the ramp as Sasha talks trash. Bliss gets herself counted out.
Winner by Count Out: Sasha Banks
After the bell, Bayley comes from behind and tries to take Bliss back to the ring. Bliss breaks free and runs to the back. Bayley comes walking out but Bliss attacks her from behind and leaves her laying.
Backstage:
Jericho and Ambrose are backstage. Ambrose hopes they can move on and hopes the new jacket he gave Jericho will get him off The List. Jericho says no one ever leaves The List and Ambrose still owes him $15,000. Jericho reminds him of the 69 thumbtacks he had to remove from his back after The Ambrose Asylum match they had. Jericho really likes the jacket though. He ends up taking Ambrose off The List. Ambrose gets pumped up for their match and walks off. Jericho adds him back to The List and we go to commercial.
Backstage:
Charly is backstage with Heath Slater and Curtis Axel to promote WWE Studios’ “The Marine 5: Battleground” coming out this week. Co-stars The Miz and Maryse are in as Miz hopes someone will be his partner. They turn him down and he’s not happy. Rhyno is also there with a plate of food. The segment ends with a man bringing a letter to Miz. He’s now all smiles as he has an “awesome” partner for later tonight.
Curt Hawkins vs. Apollo Crews
We go to the ring for another open challenge from Curt Hawkins. He wonders who he will give a main event push to this week. The music hits and out comes Apollo Crews.
Crews dominates most of the match. He gets the win with the sitout powerbomb.
Winner: Apollo Crews
After the match, Crews stands tall as we get replays. Titus ‘Neil enters the ring and gets hype with Crews and raises his arms. Crews doesn’t seem so sure about Titus. Titus takes a selfie with Crews for The Titus Brand and tells him he’s on his way to success. We go to commercial.
– We are back with a recap of the end of the Dumpster Match and what happened after the match.
– We are told that Kalisto suffered hip and cervical trauma.
– Cole shows us highlights from Roman Reigns’ WWE website interview with comments on Payback and his brother Matt “Rosey” Anoa’i passing away last week. We get a video package on Reigns vs. Strowman at Payback.
– We have a video package for the Strowman/Reigns match at Payback.
Backstage:
We go backstage to Austin Aries proposing a match for this week’s 205 Live to Kurt Angle. No word on what the match is but Angle says he will get back to Aries.
Angle walks up on The Miz and Maryse. He says his partner reached out to him and when we see who it is, we’ll feel real sorry for his opponents. “The Drifter” Elias Samson appears in the background playing his guitar. Angle says that’s an interesting choice for a partner. Miz says it’s not Samson, he doesn’t even know who he is. Angle wishes Miz good luck and says he will need it, then walks off. Miz says he won’t need it. Back to commercial.
Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho vs. Miz (with Maryse) and
We go to the ring and out first comes WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose. His partner Chris Jericho is out next with the new Christmas light jacket. The Miz is out first for his team with Maryse. Miz says his partner has a flair for dramatics but he is a big star and these two are in big trouble. Miz tells everyone to rise for his tag team partner… no one appears. His tag team partner… no one appears. Miz says his partner is late so they’ll have to postpone this match. Now it’s canceled. He’s going to the back to see what’s going on. The music hits and out comes Angle to a “you suck!” chant.
Angle says whether Miz found a partner or not, the match is still on and it starts right now. Oh it’s true, it’s damn true. Angle’s music hits again and he makes exit as Miz looks on. Miz turns around to chops from Jericho as the handicap match begins. Jericho and Ambrose double team Miz. Ambrose with the running bulldog. They send Miz to the floor and stand tall as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Jericho keeps up the assault on Miz. Jericho with a suplex and an elbow. Jericho with some showing off before tagging in Ambrose. Ambrose comes off the top with the elbow as a “stupid idiot” chant starts. Maryse looks on as Miz begs Ambrose from his knees. Maryse ends up providing a distraction on the floor, allowing Miz to take control of Ambrose and send him into the barrier. Miz rams Ambrose into the apron and brings him back in the ring. Miz with a running boot to the head for a 2 count.
Ambrose and Miz go at it now. Miz with the backbreaker – neckbreaker combo for a 2 count. Miz with the “yes!” kicks to mock Daniel Bryan now. Miz misses a kick and Ambrose rolls him up for 2. Ambrose with a big clothesline. Maryse cheers on Miz. Ambrose tags in Jericho and he unloads on Miz. Jericho hits the Lionsault for a big pop. Miz goes to walk out but Ambrose tackles him on the ramp. Ambrose brings the fight to the announce table and the announcers scatter.
Ambrose takes apart the table and brings Miz on top of it. The Wyatt Family graphic flashes and the lights go out. Tjhey come back on and it’s Bray Wyatt on top of the table with Ambrose. Miz is nowhere to be seen. Wyatt knocks Ambrose off the table and over to the stage. Wyatt grabs Ambrose and drops him into the LED board with a Sister Abigail. Jericho runs up to attack Wyatt but Miz makes the save. They double team Jericho now. Wyatt yells at Miz to take it to the ring. They beat Jericho down the ramp and to the ring. Wyatt ends up hitting Sister Abigail on Jericho in the middle of the ring. Wyatt turns upside down in the corner and stands tall. Wyatt drags Jericho to the center of the ring and poses over him. Miz comes over and raises his arm with Wyatt. Wyatt drops Miz with Sister Abigail. Wyatt poses over Miz and tells us to follow the buzzards as RAW goes off the air.
