WWE RAW Opener:
Tonight’s Labor Day edition of WWE RAW opens up with a look back at last week’s war of words between No Mercy opponents John Cena and Roman Reigns.
– We’re live from the Century Link Center in Omaha, Nebraska as Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined by Corey Graves and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.
John Cena vs. Jason Jordan
We go right to the ring and out comes John Cena as JoJo does the introductions.
Jason Jordan is out next for what Cole calls a career-making moment for him. The bell rings and Jordan goes for a quick pin attempt. Jordan with another pin attempt after a takedown. Jordan takes Cena back down and wrestles him on the mat.
Cena with a takedown now but Jordan comes right back and out-wrestles Cena again. Fans do dueling chants for Cena now. Cena with a hip toss. Jordan with a fireman’s carry into another 2 count. Cena ends up dropping Jordan with a right. Cena with a 2 count. Cena ends up dropping Jordan with a forearm and hitting a suplex. Cena waits for Jordan to get up now. Cena with another right hand as he works Jordan around the ring. Cena with a stiff whip into the corner for another 2 count. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and they’re going at it. Jordan with a belly-to-belly suplex. Cena comes back with the shoulder tackles. Jordan counters a move and nails a dropkick for a 2 count. Fans do dueling chants for Cena as both are slow to get up now. They get up and trade shots in the middle of the ring.
Cena ends up slamming Jordan in the middle of the ring and hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Jordan blocks the Attitude Adjustment and gets a close 2 count. Cena with the STF in the middle of the ring. Jordan breaks free and applies a Crossface submission. Cena breaks the hold and powers to this feet with Jordan on his shoulders. Jordan blocks the Attitude Adjustment and nails two Northern Lights suplexes for a close 2 count. Fans chant “this is awesome” now.
Jordan with the big shoulder thrust in the corner. Jordan drops his straps and goes for a slam but Cena counters for a close 2 count. Cena comes right back with the Attitude Adjustment for the pin.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Cena stands tall as we go to replays. Cena stands tall and helps Jordan to his feet for a show of respect. Cena hits the corner to pose but the music interrupts and out comes Roman Reigns. Back to commercial.
We are back and Cena and Reigns are now in the ring together.
Roman says he has one question for Cena. If you are who you say you are, why does it take a 16 time champ more than 20 minutes to beat a rookie? Roman says if you are as good as you say you are, you would have beaten him off the get go. You strung it along and let him believe in himself and crushed him. Either that, or you lied last week. You ran your mouth and you are not as strong or fast as you said you are. Then you proved him right because you are a lyin’, fake assed, little bitch. Which is it?
John calls Roman ‘Debbie Downer’ and he says he is disgusted by Roman’s face. He says Roman is doing the worst thing possible. He is trying to use his brain and we saw last week that was not your strong suit. Has he lost a step? Is he stringing his opponents along so he can adapt? He tells Roman not to strain his brain. Cena points out that Roman’s zipper is down and Roman says he broke it. Cena says he was looking for Roman’s balls.
Cena says Roman will find out at No Mercy. You are going to get beat by a guy who lost a step or a guy who has been stringing you along for years. Allowing you to make mistake after mistake waiting for the moment to chop your ass down to size. The only question Roman will have is how did this happen. Cena says he is a conceited golden boy who needs to be shown respect. Jason Jordan and Chad Gable have to scratch for everything. Even the Miz scratches every week and Cena says he respects that.
Cena says he does not respect Roman. You come down here and call Cena a fake ass bitch, but you are running a false life. They don’t agree that this is your yard and they don’t agree that you are the guy. If we are talking about questions, is there any room in that clouded, protected, and conceited brain to see what is going on around here? Does he have to beat some common sense into Roman?
Roman says now they are talking and he tells Cena to do it. He wants to know if Omaha wants to see John Cena beat his ass. Roman tells Cena this is your moment to back up your big mouth.
Roman says Cena is all talk and that is why he doesn’t respect Cena. Reigns drops the mic and leaves the ring as his music hits. Cena stares him down with a smirk on his face.
– We are reminded of what happened the last time Big Show and Braun Strowman battled in the same ring (it collapsed), but what will happen when they meet in a steel cage tonight? We go to commercial.
– We are back and Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins join the commentary for the next match.
Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno
Slater with a rollup on Cesaro for a near fall. Cesaro with a European uppercut and then he tags in Sheamus who kicks Slater and then Cesaro chokes Slater in the corner. Cesaro tags in and they hit a double thrust kick for a near fall. Cesaro with an arm bar. Slater with an arm drag. Cesaro keeps Slater from making the tag but Slater with a jumping leg lariat. Rhyno and Sheamus tag in and Rhyno with clotheslines followed by a shoulder in the corner. Rhyno with an uppercut to Cesaro. Rhyno with a TKO to Sheamus for a near fall. Cesaro sends Slater to the floor but Rhyno clotheslines Cesaro over the top rope to the floor.
Rhyno turns around and is met with a Brogue Kick for the three count.
Winners: Sheamus and Cesaro
Backstage:
Renee Young is in the interview area with Matt and Jeff Hardy. Jeff is asked about his approach for tonight. Matt says it is a wonderful evening for a new Intercontinental Champion. Jeff says this is about rebirth. They have been innovators for the last twenty five years because they wrestle each match like their first but treat it like their last. Jeff says it would be cool for him to win so his daughter can see it. Jeff says he is either going to burn out in a blaze of glory or he is leaving as the new Intercontinental Champion. Matt says if the Miztourage tries to interfere, they will fall to a brilliant Twist of Fate. We go to commercial.
WWE Intercontinental Title: The Miz vs. Jeff Hardy
Back from the break and out comes Jeff Hardy with Matt Hardy. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz is out next with Maryse, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas. We get formal ring introductions from JoJo.
Jeff with a rollup for a near fall. They lock up and Jeff with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Miz goes for a hip toss and Jeff block. Jeff goes for a hip toss and Miz blocks it. Jeff with a rollup for a near fall and then Miz backs away from a punch from Jeff. Miz sends Jeff to the floor and Jeff avoids Axel and Bo. Jeff clotheslines Miz over the top rope to the floor. Jeff teases a dive and MIz moves out of the way so Jeff stays in the ring. Back to commercial.
We are back and Jeff with a jaw breaker and both men are down. Jeff with punches to Miz followed by a kick and more punches. Jeff with a running forearm and then he hits a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall. Jeff with an elbow and he goes up top for Whisper in the Wind and he hits it but he can only get a near fall. Jeff with a splash and he goes to the turnbuckles. Bo gets on the apron and Axel crotches Jeff on the turnbuckles. Matt Irish whips Axel into the ringside barrier. Matt tries for a Twist of Fate on Bo but he gets away. Axel and Dallas have been sent to the back as well as Matt Hardy.
Jeff with a rollup for a near fall. Jeff with a side Russian leg sweep followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Jeff with a reverse atomic drop and he tries for the leg drop to the midsection but Miz anticipates it and pushes Jeff away. Miz with a DDT and he gets a near fall. Miz goes for the Skull Crushing Finale but Jeff drops down and gets a near fall with a rollup. Miz goes for a splash into the corner but Jeff moves. Jeff goes for a hesitation kick in the corner but Miz kicks Jeff away. Miz gets a near fall. Miz with kicks to Jeff’s chest. Jeff sends Miz into the corner and Jeff hits the hesitation kick in the corner.
Jeff gets a near fall. Jeff goes to the apron and Miz trips him on the apron and Jeff falls to the floor. Miz gets a near fall and then he locks in the figure four leg lock. Jeff tries to get to the ropes or reverse the hold and he does get to the ropes. Jeff with a kick and Twist of Fate for a near fall because Miz grabs the bottom rope to stop the count. Miz goes to the floor but Jeff with a baseball slide to send Miz into the ringside barrier. Jeff with Poetry in Motion off the ring steps.
Jeff sends Miz back into the ring and Jeff goes up top. Maryse taps Miz’ hand and Miz rolls out of the way when Jeff goes for the Swanton and Jeff misses. Jeff with a kick and he goes for the Twist of Fate but Miz counters into the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winner: Miz
– We see last week’s Women’s Title Match that saw Alexa Bliss win the title and the post match celebration that turned into a rehash of Randy Orton’s victory and expulsion by Evolution. Sasha Banks will get her rematch against Alexa Bliss at No Mercy.
Backstage:
Kurt Angle is in his office on his phone and Nia Jax enters and wants to know why Sasha gets a match before her. Kurt says it is part of her contract to have a rematch. That is not how you get matches. Nia says she will get her opportunity. She felt the women’s division shudder.
Emma enters and she says no one was talking about Nia on Twitter last week. They were talking about the woman who created the women’s revolution. Emma talks about the hashtag they need to create. Nia threatens Emma. Kurt says that Nia and Emma will face Sasha and Alexa Bliss. If Emma and Nia win, they will be part of the title match and it will be a Fatal Four Way.
– We see the cage above the ring as we go to commercial.
– We are back with a Big Show/Braun Strowman ring implosion video package.
Tony Nese, Noam Dar, and Drew Gulak vs. Enzo Amore, Gran Metalik, and Cedric Alexander
Before the match begins, Enzo goes through his usual shtick. Enzo says if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying. Enzo says he knows controversy follows him everywhere he goes like a shadow, but controversy creates cash. Enzo is a walking, talking check. Enzo says he’s a little smarter. 205 Live just became one of the realest hours of television. Enzo then does some introductions for his tag team partners. Enzo then runs down their opponents, culminating with him calling Drew Gulak, “Captain Underpants.” They’re going to chew them up like Omaha Steaks because there’s only one word to describe them: S-A-W-F-T!
Alexander with an arm drag on Nese as we join the match in progress. Alexander with a leg sweep and Alexander holds on to the ropes on an O’Connor Roll attempt. Cedric with a head scissors and drop kick. Enzo tags himself in and he takes Nese down with a drop toe hold. Enzo avoids punches from Nese and Enzo with a side head lock. Nese backs Enzo into the corner and then he drops Enzo onto the turnbuckles with a belly-to-back suplex. Gulak tags in and he applies a seated abdominal stretch and neck vice. Enzo with forearms and Gulak sends Enzo into his corner and kicks him in the chest.
Dar tags in and he takes Enzo down and applies a hammer lock using the leg and then he applies a single leg crab. Nese tags in and he keeps Enzo from making the tag. Nese with a shoulder in the corner and then Gulak is sent to the floor. Nese is sent to the floor as well. Dar pulls Enzo to the floor and Enzo with an enzuigiri. Alexander tags in and he clotheslines Gulak. Alexander with a back elbow and a handspring round kick but Nese makes the save. Metalik with a missile drop kick to Nese. Metalik sends Dar to the floor. Alexander and Metalik with dives and Enzo make the tag. Enzo with a thumb to the eye and Eat Defeat to Gulak for the three count.
Winners: Enzo Amore, Cedric Alexander, and Gran Metalik
Backstage:
Sasha Banks is in the locker room and Alexa Bliss enters. Alexa says that she does not like this either. She says Nia and Emma are jealous of where they are. Sasha says that Alexa knows that she needs her tonight. If Nia and Emma win, your chances to win drop to 25 percent. Alexa reminds Sasha her chances drop too. Sasha says if it is a one on one match, she will win. Alexa says that she is in charge tonight. Sasha says they will win tonight and then she will make Alexa scream at No Mercy.
– Finn Balor walks in the back as we go to commercial.
In the Arena:
Balor tells Omaha that this is Balor Club. Finn says the NXT Championship used to look real good around his waist. The Universal Title used to look real good around that waist. The Intercontinental Title would have looked good around this waist if it weren’t for Bray Wyatt. When Bray appeared in the battle royal, it cost him the opportunity to challenge the Miz. While he may have been victorious at SummerSlam, you don’t truly beat someone like Bray Wyatt. They appear when you least expect him. The next time you appear, he will be ready.
Balor says he has chosen his fate and he is not afraid. Finn says he does not run from his demons because sometimes, he becomes one. If you want to continue to play games week after week, let’s play.
The lights go out and Bray appears on the TitanTron. Bray says he remembers going fishing when he was young. Bray says after a while, he got bored and it just became too easy. Bray says he decided he wanted to shake things up and he put his weapon down and he started to use his hands, just his hands. His hands became judge, jury, and executioner. Bray says he showed no mercy. When he had the chance to end that pathetic existence, he made the choice and that choice defined him. Bray says he knew what his purpose was. You were victorious at SummerSlam. The Demon won. That is your bow and arrow. Bray wants Finn to face him man to man and show him no mercy. Bray tells Finn to define your legacy. Bray tells Finn to make a choice.
Finn says he has made his choice and he is Finn Balor.
Bray says there he is, the confident hero they all dream of becoming. The question remains, can a mere mortal topple a god or will you just be like the others, running around like a scared rabbit. He tells Finn to run. We go to commercial.
Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss vs. Emma and Nia Jax
Back from the break and out first comes RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss. Sasha Banks is out next. Nia Jax is out first for her team. Emma is out last. If Emma and Nia win, they get put into the title match at No Mercy to make it a Fatal 4 Way.
The match is joined in progress and Sasha is on Nia’s back and Nia backs her into the turnbuckles and then snap mares her. Sasha tries to use the ropes for an arm drag but Nia with a slam. Emma tags herself in and gets a near fall. Emma punches Sasha in the corner and kicks her and chokes her. Emma gets a near fall. Emma with a drop kick for a near fall. Emma with an Irish whip and Sasha floats over and gets a near fall with a rollup. Emma with a double leg take down and jackknife cover for a near fall. Sasha with a rollup for a near fall. Emma with a clothesline for a near fall.
Emma with a full nelson but Sasha with a suplex. Alexa tags in and she punches Emma and sends her into the turnbuckles. Alexa with kicks to the midsection followed by a forearm in the corner. Emma with a boot and Alexa keeps Emma from making the tag and she gets a near fall. Sasha tags in and she kicks Emma. Sasha with a snap mare and a double knee drop for a near fall. Sasha stretches Emma and sends her into the turnbuckles. Sasha with forearms but Emma with a punch. Sasha keeps Emma from making the tag and she kicks Emma. Alexa tags in and they hit a double suplex.
Alexa chokes Emma in the ropes but right in front of Nia. Nia does not make the tag and Alexa kicks Emma in the corner. Alexa with a snap mare into a reverse chin lock. Alexa sends Emma to the mat and then Alexa goes up top for Twisted Bliss but Emma rolls to the other side of the ring. Alexa goes to the mat and Emma with a jaw breaker. Nia tags in and Alexa freaks out. Alexa pushes Nia and slaps her. Nia did not appreciate that and Nia with a short arm clothesline after Alexa screams. Nia with a splash into the corner followed by a biel and elbow drops.
Emma tries to float over into a DDT but Nia with a Samoan drop for a near fall when Sasha breaks up the cover. Alexa avoid Nia in teh corner and Sasha tags in. Sasha drops Nia on the top rope and then goes for a cross body but Nia catches her. Sasha goes for a sunset flip but Nia does not go over. Sasha avoids a drop by Nia. Sasha with a Shining Wizard but Nia with a body block. Nia with a leg drop but Emma makes the blind tag and gets the three count.
Winners: Emma and Nia Jax
After the match, Emma and Nia celebrate together. Nia wants a high five and Nia does not let go and then she gives Emma a Samoan drop.
Backstage:
Renee Young is with Braun Strowman. Renee asks him about his cage match. Braun wants to know what is Kurt Angle thinking. He is facing Brock Lesnar at No Mercy and tonight he is being put into a steel cage against Big Show. The last time they were in the ring, the ring collapsed. Braun says he will shred Show’s body into ribbons and then he will win the match. It might affect his title match. Braun says he does not see Kurt Angle putting Brock Lesnar in a steel cage before No Mercy. Braun says he is sending a message to Kurt Angle, Big Show, and Brock Lesnar. Wherever he goes, destruction follows.
– Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins walk in the back and they walk past Elias playing his guitar. We go to commercial.
Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins vs. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows
We are back and Sheamus and Cesaro are in the ring with Gallows and Anderson. Sheamus and Cesaro stay at ringside to watch.
Rollins and Anderson start things off and they lock up. Rollins backs Anderson into the corner but Anderson with a break but he tries to punch Rollins but misses. Rollins with punches and kicks to Anderson. Anderson with punches and a side head lock. Anderson with a shoulder tackle but Rollins with an elbow. Ambrose tags in and Rollins with a snap mare and Dean with a clothesline. Dean with chops. Anderson with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Dean gets a near fall.
Rollins tags in and Anderson makes the tag to Gallows. They lock up and Gallows sends Rollins to the mat. Ambrose tags in and Gallows sends Ambrose to the mat and punches him. Ambrose with a knee and then hits a drop kick. Rollins with a drop kick and then Rollins with an enzuigiri to Anderson and Dean clotheslines Anderson over the top rope to the floor. Rollins and Ambrose with stereo pescados as we go to commercial.
We are back and Gallows with a reverse chin lock. We see Anderson giving Ambrose a spinebuster during the commercial break. Ambrose with a jawbreaker to Gallows and then Gallows runs into a boot. Gallows with a vertical choke slam for a near fall. Anderson tags in and he kicks Ambrose. Anderson with a snap mare and knee drops for a near fall. Anderson with an arm bar. Ambrose with punches and then he gives Gallows elbows. Anderson with a clothesline for a near fall.
Gallows tags in and he kicks Ambrose and knocks Rollins off the apron. Gallows with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Anderson tags in and they hit a neck breaker and belly-to-back suplex combination for a near fall. Anderson with a punch and he puts Dean on the turnbuckles. Anderson sets for a superplex and he punches Dean. Ambrose blocks the superplex and gives Anderson head butts and punches him. Gallows stops Ambrose and Ambrose comes off the turnbuckles. Gallows goes for a choke slam but Dean with a kick. Gallows with a boot and Ambrose bounces in the ropes and hits a clothesline.
Anderson goes for a belly-to-back supelx and Ambrose lands on his feet and makes the tag. Rollins with a blockbuster to Anderson followed by a suicide dive to Gallows. Rollins with slingbade to Anderson and then he puts Anderson on the turnbuckles. Ambrose with a suicide dive onto Gallows. Rollins with a Frankensteiner and then he sets for the jumping knee. Sheamus and Cesaro try to interfere but it backfires and Rollins gets the three count with a rollup on Anderson.
Winners: Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose
After the match, Rollins and Ambrose look on from the ramp as Sheamus and Cesaro talk trash from the ring. Gallows and Anderson come from behind to dump Cesaro and Sheamus to the floor. Sheamus and Cesaro go back into the ring and start brawling. They clear the ring of Gallows and Anderson while the champs look on, mocking them about being scared.
– Cole leads us to a video on Connor “The Crusher” Michalek and Connor’s Cure as tonight’s RAW kicks off Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
– We are back and we take a look back at the end of the six man cruiserweight tag match.
Backstage:
Enzo, Cedric, and Gran Metalik are in the locker room and he tells them he is taking them out on the town. Neville enters the locker room and he applauds their victory. Neville says he is not here to dampen their fun. Neville says he spoke to Kurt Angle and each of them are qualified for a Fatal Five Way elimination match on 205 Live. The winner faces him at No Mercy. Neville says friends one evening, foes the next. He tells them to get some rest because it is a big day tomorrow.
– We see the ring being reinforced for the main event.
Backstage:
John Cone is asked about being the referee for the match when the ring collapsed. He says he reached out for the ropes to brace himself. The impact was more than he was expecting. He is asked about the steel cage match. The ring is double reinforced but their intentions are to maul each other. He says he will stay out of the way.
Backstage:
Renee Young is with the Big Show. Renee asks Show for his thoughts. Show says he has had a lot of big matches in his career. He has never faced an opponent as imposing as Braun Strowman. Show says he has had more steel cage matches than Strowman has had matches. Braun’s bones are going to break when he is sent into the stage. Show says he will give Braun a choke slam straight to hell, and then he will walk out victorious. Braun says he wants respect for what he is owed, not what he has earned. Strowman says he is going to put him out to pasture. In order to do that, you are going to have to break him. In 23 years, there has not been one man big enough or bad enough to break him. You call yourself a monster among men, but Show reminds everyone he is the World’s Biggest Athlete.
-We have Cage Lowering Music as we go to commercial.
– We are back and we are told that Brian Kendrick and Tony Nese are the other two men in the Elimination Match on 205 Live tomorrow night.
Big Show vs. Braun Strowman in a Steel Cage Match
Out first comes Big Show for tonight’s main event. Braun Strowman is out next. They meet in the middle of the ring as the cage door is closed.
Strowman with a boot and he puts Show between the ropes and cage. Strowman with three splashes to Show. Strowman gets greedy and Show punches Strowman goes down. Back to commercial.
We are back and both men are down. Both men get back to their feet and Strowman charges at Show but Show moves and sends Strowman into the cage. Show Irish whips Strowman into the cage. Show sends Strowman face first into the cage. Show sends Strowman into the cage again. Strowman goes face first into the cage one more time thanks to Big Show. Show starts to climb the cage. Strowman also climbs the cage and they exchange elbows and head butts on the top rope. Show falls onto the top rope in a very uncomfortable place. Show pushes Strowman off the top rope and he lands very gingerly on the top rope.
Show resumes his climb to the top but instead of escaping, Show kicks Strowman and Strowman goes down. Show looks around and he hits a huge flying elbow drop for a two count!
Show crawls to the cage door that is opened but Strowman gets up and he stops Show from escaping by closing the door on Show’s head. Strowman walks over Show but Show closes the cage door on Strowman’s head.
Show and Strowman with shoulder tackles at the same time and both men go down. Show signals for the choke slam. Strowman counters with a DDT and he gets a near fall. Show and Strowman with punches back and forth. Strowman with head butts but Show with a choke slam for a near fall.
Show sets for the punch but Strowman moves. Strowman goes for a slam but Show gets to his feet. Show sends Strowman into the cage. Show climbs the cage and Strowman with a forearm to the lower back to stop Show. They fight on the top rope and Show sends Strowman into the cage and Strowman falls to the mat. Show climbs to the top of the cage but Strowman pulls Show off and Strowman with a splash to the back as Show is against the cage.
Show climbs to the middle rope and Strowman with a punch. Show with head butts and Strowman goes back to the mat. Show goes up top and Strowman with a punch. Strowman sets for a superplex and he hits it and the ring survives. Strowman picks up Show and hits a power slam for the three count.
Winner: Braun Strowman
After the match, Braun stands tall as his music plays. We go to replays. Braun takes the mic and asks if we see what he just did to the so-called giant. What do you think he’s going to do to The Beast at No Mercy? Braun yells Brock Lesnar’s name and says this is his future at No Mercy, while Braun’s future is becoming the new WWE Universal Champion.
Braun drops the mic and looks to exit the cage while a referee checks on Show. Braun turns back towards Show and approaches him. Braun talks some trash, calling Show an old man. Braun scoops Show and powerslams him through the cage wall. The cage wall collapses and Show falls out to the floor. Braun stands tall and walks out of the cage as his music starts back up. We go to replays as officials come to check on Show. RAW goes off the air with Braun standing tall.
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