– Tonight’s WWE RAW opens live from the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio as Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined by Jonathan Coachman and Corey Graves.
– We see the entire roster on the stage. Vince McMahon is in the ring to welcome us. He introduces RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. They come out to Stephanie’s music for the big historic announcement.
Stephanie says it is a rare thing to make history and create moments we will remember for the rest of our lives. Hunter wants to acknowledge the WWE Superstars. He says he does not want to acknowledge only the ones on the stage, but all of the brands. He wants to acknowledge every superstar who walked through the ropes. Nights like this are because of you. Hunter says your dedication, sacrifice, blood, sweat, and tears made this possible. You do not do this alone. There is a giant team. There is a bond when you step into this ring and you put your trust in someone else’s hands. He says he has never seen a stronger bond than with these superstars.
Hunter wants the women to step forward.
He says that the men who stand behind you truly support you. The WWE Universe show it every night. They have supported you since day one. Every moment, they have supported you. Right thought to every single main event you have worked so hard to earn. Hunter says some have done it with a tear in their eyes because you have stolen the show again and again. Hunter says they are so proud of you.
Stephanie says these moments do not happen due to opportunity or because someone or something deem it as important. It is because you deem it worthy of what you love. You have demanded more opportunities to women and ignited a revolution that opened doors for women that some only dreamed of. Thirty second matches became main events and the divas became superstars.
Stephanie says they have a platform to show that women can do anything and be anything. On October 28th, 50 women will compete in an event called Evolution. It will be the first ever all Women’s Pay Per View. She indicated that the 50 women will be made up of talents from the past and present. Everyone gives a standing ovation and the roster celebrates.
– We go to Cole and the announcers. Cole reveals that Evolution will take place from the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. The event will feature the finals of the 2018 Mae Young Classic plus three title matches – the RAW Women’s Title, the SmackDown Women’s Title and the NXT Women’s Title.
– The announcers hype tonight’s matches. We see Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy on the big screen, announcing they are here. We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel talk about Evolution. Curtis talks about who he wants to see on that show, but he remembers they have a title match. Bo says this run has been a dream. They couldn’t win a match ten weeks ago. Curtis says he is honored to work with him and B stands for BROTHER. Bo says the brother he never had. They start to leave the locker room but they forget their belts.
– Elias is on the stage but he is interrupted by the entrance of the challengers for the Raw Tag Team Championships.
Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel vs. Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy for the Raw Tag Team Championships
Matt and Bo start things off. They lock up and Matt with a side head lock. Bray tags in and Bo gets out of the corner and gets to talk to his ‘brother’ Curtis. Bray with a running cross body and he has something to say to Curtis. Bray with an uppercut and connects with another one in the corner. Bray with a short arm clothesline and front face lock. Bray sets for Sister Abigail but Curtis tries to interfere and Bray with an uppercut. Bray with the crab walk and Bo and Curtis go to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Axel gets a near fall on Wyatt. We see Dawson and Wilder in the back as Axel backs Wyatt into the corner. Bo tags in and he sends Wyatt into Axel for a knee and Bo gets a near fall. Bo with a side head lock and knees. Wyatt with a clothesline to Bo and both men are down. Matt and Axel tag in and Matt with forearms and a back elbow. Matt with a clothesline and he sends Axel into the turnbuckle for a series of deletions. Matt with a clothesline into the corner followed by a Side Effect for a near fall.
Matt goes to the turnbuckles and hits an elbow to the back of the neck on Axel. Matt sets for the Twist of Fate and he kicks Axel and hits the Twist of Fate but Bo breaks up the cover. Wyatt misses a splash into the corner and Wyatt falls on top of Hardy and Axel gets the three count.
Winners: Curtis Axel and Bo Dalls
After the match, Axel and Dallas celebrate as Wyatt checks on Hardy. We go to replays. The two teams face off and it looks like The B Team is getting some respect but they get attacked instead. Wyatt and Hardy deliver a Sister Abigail and a Twist of Fate to leave the champs laying. Hardy and Wyatt stand tall as their music plays.
– Still to come, Constable Baron Corbin has booked Finn Balor against Drew McIntyre. Also, Bobby Lashley vs. Roman Reigns in a big #1 contenders match. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
Finn Balor and Chad Gable are in the back and they talk about Stephanie’s announcement. Someone walks past Balor and Gable with his bag and jacket. He is told that he has been moved to a new locker room and it is a ‘dog house’. Baron stops by and he says after Finn’s victory at Extreme Rules, he thought Finn is too big of a superstar to not have his own locker room. Finn says Baron is a great Constable because he always wanted his own Funhouse.
– We see what happened last week when Sasha Banks and Bayley had their last chance to prove that they could work together. We see what happened after the match when Sasha had to reveal that she cares about Bayley.
Backstage:
We see Bayley and Sasha laughing at what we just saw while they are together in the back. They are asked if they are ready to show they can overcome their differences. Bayley says they had a long talk. They realize that they have their differences and those differences make them strong. Sasha says they have the same dream. The dream gets bigger and bigger with Stephanie’s announcement. Bayley says she was happy to hear how Sasha really feels about their friendship.
Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Samantha Simon and Karen Lundy
Bayley and Simon start things off and Bayley with a hot shot and then Sasha tags in and applies an arm bar. Simon sends Sasha into the turnbuckles and connects with a shoulder. Lundy tags in and Sasha blocks a kick and connects with a knee. Bayley tags in and hits a splash. Sasha tags in and they send Lundy into the turnbuckles. Bayley with a running knee to the head and Sasha with the Banks Statement to make Lundy tap.
Winners: Sasha Banks and Bayley
– We are reminded of what Braun Strowman did to Kevin Owens at Extreme Rules. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Elias is introduced. He says that his debut album is available now, but he is interrupted by Braun Strowman making his entrance.
Braun says the WWE Universe is talking about two things. First, the Evolution Pay Per View in October. He congratulates all of the women in the back, especially his Mixed Match Challenger partner Alexa Bliss. Then there is the commotion over Bobby Lashley and Roman Reigns. You talk about them butting heads week after week until they meet tonight to see who faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. It does not matter if it is Bobby Lashley, Roman Reigns, or Brock Lesnar because sooner or later a monster will come calling because he has the briefcase. Braun asks how would he look as the new Universal Champion.
Braun is interrupted by Kevin Owens when his music plays and he makes his way to the stage.
Kevin says he cannot believe it. You callous son of a… After what you did to him at Extreme Rules by throwing him off the top of a cage through an announce table, you think you can come out here and talk like nothing happened. That is not going to happen. When he tried to befriend you, it was out of the kindness of Kevin’s heart. It was because of his ten year old son. He thought it would be cool and then if they became friends, his son could take Nicholas’ place. You crushed his dream when you crushed Kevin’s spine.
Kevin says his kids thought he was indestructible. Now they worry about him when he goes down the stairs. Kevin says he has a family and you tried to take away his livelihood. Kevin says he is going to take everything away from Braun. Braun tells Kevin to haul his ass to the ring to try. Kevin says he won their match at Extreme Rules. He says he has nothing left to prove. Your problems have only just begun.
Baron Corbin comes out and he says that Stephanie McMahon has empowered him to handle this situation. While what you did at Extreme Rules was legal, it was morally reprehensible. Baron says that he has tried to help superstars grow and he even tried to do that with Finn Balor but we know he can’t grow that much. Baron says he has found someone who will control your temper.
Jinder Mahal and Sunil SIngh make their way to the ring.
Jinder says he senses a storm of anger brewing within. He wants Braun to help him find peace. Far too many injuries and far too much damage has been inflicted. Jinder says he has been called upon to help Braun find inner peace. You might be skeptical and he tells Braun to close his eyes, breathe, and repeat SHANTI. Braun says this isn’t working and he appreciates the help he is giving. He knows he has a temper. He says he has a mantra and he wants Sunil to come closer. He tells Sunil and Jinder to close their eyes, breathe deep, and repeat after him… GET THESE HANDS!
Braun floors Jinder with a big boot. Braun tosses Singh across the ring next. Jinder retreats but Braun grabs Singh again as fans cheer. Braun scoops Singh and hits the running powerslam. Braun yells out and raises his briefcase as the music hits. Jinder watches on from the ramp as Braun plays to the crowd.
– Cole shows us a replay of the big Evolution pay-per-view announcement earlier in the ring with Vince, Stephanie and Triple H.
– Still to come, Mickie James vs. Natalya. Back to commercial.
– We are back with a look at what happened last week on Raw when, for the second night in a row, Ronda Rousey trespassed into the ringside area.
Natalya vs. Mickie James (with Alexa Bliss)
Natalya with a waist lock take down but Mickie with an elbow and punch. Natalya with a forearm and snap mare. Natalya runs across Mickie’s back and Alexa gets on the apron to stop Natalya. Mickie hits Natalya from behind. Mickie with a front face lock.
Mickie gets a near fall. Mickie with a sleeper. Natalya with an arm drag and kick to Mickie. Natalya with a side Russian leg sweep and forearm. Natalya with a suplex. Natalya with shoulders in the corner. Natalya counters a head scissors into an electric chair drop.
Natalya runs over Mickie’s back and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Mickie kicks Natalya to the apron and then Alexa pulls Natalya to the floor. Natalya with a discus clothesline to Alexa. Mickie with a Mick Kick for the three count.
Winner: MIckie James
– We take a look at some of the events that WWE Superstars appeared at last week.
Backstage:
Roman Reigns is in the interview area. He is reminded that he lost the only time he faced Lashley. Roman says tonight is a night of firsts. Tonight, he will beat Bobby Lashley. He will have that loss on his resume. He says that if you look at the list of things he has done in WWE, he is a workhorse and he is the most decorated superstar. Tonight his resume will say that he defeated Bobby Lashley and he will go to SummerSlam. You can boo him, but you will learn to like it or you can shut your mouth.
– Elias is introduced again and he is interrupted by The Authors of Pain. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and The Authors of Pain are in the ring with mics. They won’t wait forever, they want competition. Anyone besides Titus Worldwide as they are done with them forever. The music interrupts and out comes Titus Worldwide anyway.
Titus O’Neil gives The Authors props for being legit but says they are young, which means they have a lot to learn to make it in WWE. They aren’t trying to hear it and knock Titus for tripping & falling. Titus Worldwide has entered the ring now, including Dana Brooke. Apollo Crews praises Titus for being an asset to his community and teaching Crews to be the same. Crews says The Authors should show Titus respect as he’s been in WWE for a long time and seen people come & go, but he’s still here, which means he knows something. Crews says The Authors would be champions & championship quality people if they had half the class that Titus had. The Authors say maybe there is something Titus can do for them – he can walk away and retire. Titus speaks but they turn out of nowhere and attack The Authors. Titus and Crews clear the ring and stand tall as their music hits.
Backstage:
RAW General Manager Kurt Angle is backstage with RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon. He was worried when he heard Stephanie was coming but the Evolution news was big and he’s proud to be GM. Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens walk up. Corbin wants to see how Stephanie wants to handle the situation with Owens and Braun Strowman before she leaves. Owens blames Braun for his life being hard. Corbin throws Angle “under the bus” to Stephanie. Owens tells Stephanie Braun tried to take everything away from him and now he wants the chance to take everything from Braun. Owens wants Braun at SummerSlam with the MITB briefcase on the line. Angle says that’s absurd. Stephanie says she kind of likes the idea. Stephanie congratulates Owens on getting the match. Stephanie and Owens shake hands. Owens and Corbin celebrate and Stephanie hops in her limousine, telling everyone goodnight before driving off.
– Still to come. Lashley vs. Reigns. Back to commercial.
Tyler Breeze versus Mojo Rawley
Breeze with a leap frog and drop kick but Rawley with a punch and he sends Breeze over the top rope. Breeze with a shoulder and he flips into the ring. Rawley with a shoulder tackle and he applies a half nelson and chin lock.
Bobby Roode is in the back and he is asked about comments made by Mojo. Bobby says Mojo has an issue with him and he says he is comfortable in his skin while Mojo can hide behind his keyboard all he wants.
Breeze lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt and hits an enzuigiri. Breeze is catapulted into the turnbuckles. Mojo misses the running forearm and Breeze gets a near fall. Mojo catches Breeze and sends him into the turnbuckles and hits a sit out Alabama Slam for the three count.
Winner: Mojo Rawley
Bacstage:
Dolph Ziggler says they came to Raw with a plan. A plan to take it over. It is sophisticated and strategic. It appears to be working. Just ask Seth Rollins. He tried to interfere and he ran into the true Iron Man. Drew says he had a chance to get closer to the Universal title. He will wipe the smile off Finn Balor’s face. Back to commercial.
Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre (with Dolph Ziggler)
Back from the break and Elias is on the stage once again. He’s sick and tired of being interrupted… the music hits and out comes Finn Balor to interrupt. Drew McIntyre is out next with WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler.
Balor with punches and kicks to McIntyre and then he goes for the leg but Drew with a forearm to the back and a chop. Balor with a drop kick to send Drew to the floor. Balor with a plancha onto Drew as we go to commercial.
We are back and Drew with a half nelson and chin lock. Drew with a hard Irish whip to Balor. Drew with a suplex for a near fall. Drew returns to the half nelson and chin lock. Drew with an Irish whip and Balor with a boot. Balor with running forearms but he cannot get Drew off his feet. Balor with a satellite DDT to get Drew off his feet. Balor with a running chop into the corner. Balor with another chop. Balor floats over in the corner and Drew catches Balor. Balor goes to the apron and hits an enzuigiri. Finn leaps over Drw when Drew gets back to his feet.
Balor with Slingblade and a running drop kick that sends Drew into the corner. Balor goes up top and Dolph crotches him.
The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: FInn Balor (by disqualification)
Dolph and Drew work over Balor but Seth Rollins’ music plays and they stop. Drew is sent to the floor and Dolph gets to the floor before Seth can do anything to him.
Kurt makes his way to the ring and says that we will have a tag match.
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins and Finn Balor
Balor and Rollins get Drew and Dolph from the ramp. Dolph is sent to the floor once they return to the ring and then Balor and Rollins with a double clothesline to send Drew over the top rope to the floor.
Ziggler with a side head lock but Rollins gets a near fall. Ziggler punches Rollins but Rollins blocks a punch and he connects with some chops. Rollins sends Ziggler to the floor and he hits a pescado.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins gets a near fall on Ziggler. Balor tags in and chops Ziggler. Balor with an Irish whip and Balor runs into an uppercut. Ziggler with a sunset flip but Balor rolls through and hits a drop kick. Balor with a forearm to Drew but Ziggler backs Balor into the corner. Drew tags in and he punches Balor. Drew with an arm bar. Drew with a baseball slide to send Finn to the floor and then he hot shots Balor on the ringside barrier.
Drew kicks Balor and then he tags Ziggler back in. Balor with punches and forearms but Ziggler keeps Balor from making the tag. Dolph with a punch but Balor with a Pele Kick and both men are down. Drew tags in and he keeps Balor from mkaing the tag. Drew misses a splash and Rollins tags in. Rollins sends Drew to the floor and he hits a suicide dive onto Dolph and Drew. Dolph is sent into the ringside barrier after sending Drew back into the ring. Seth with a springboard clothesline. Rollins with a forearm into the corner followed by a boot when Drew charges at him. Seth with a blockbuster for a near fall.
Rollins sets for a super kick and he hits the thrust kick and then he knocks Ziggler off the apron. Rollins with a rollup for a near fall followed by a super kick for a near fall that is broken up by Ziggler. Balor with slingblade to Ziggler but Ziggler with a super kick. Rollins with a kick but Drew with an elbow. Drew with a reverse Alabama Slam for a near fall. Ziggler tags in and Drew gets Rollins on his shoulders. Rollins punches Ziggler and crotches him. Rollins sends Drew to the floor and hits Black Out on Ziggler for the three count.
Winners: Seth Rollins and Finn Balor
Backstage:
We are in the back and Bobby Lashley is asked about his victory over Roman at Extreme Rules and how he has to beat him again to face Brock Lesnar. Bobby says he came back for these big matches. Bobby reminds us that he main evented Wrestlemania before he left and he won. Roman had two chances against Brock at Wrestlemania and he lost. When he wins, he will get in Brock’s face and tell him that he will have to fight Bobby at SummerSlam.
– The announcers show us a replay of the WWE Evolution pay-per-view announcement from tonight’s opening segment.
Ember Moon vs. Liv Morgan
We go to the ring and out first comes Ember Moon. Back to commercial.
Ember with a drop kick and running hip into the corner. Ember with a fallaway slam and handspring clothesline into the corner. Liv goes to the floor. Ember goes to the floor but Liv returns to the ring. Ember with a back heel kick and another kick. Ember misses a springboard cross body when Liv moves. Liv with a drop kick and she gets a near fall. Liv with another near fall. Liv chokes Ember in the ropes and then takes her to the mat and gets a near fall.
Liv with a reverse chin lock and Ember gets to her feet and escapes with a jawbreaker. Ember with a rollup for a near fall. Ember with a face plant for a near fall. Ember goes up top and Liv stops her. Liv sets for a superplex but Ember blocks it and Ember knocks Liv to the mat. Ember with Eclipse for the three count.
Winner: Ember Moon
Backstage:
Seth Rollins is in the interview area and he is asked about his meeting with Kurt Angle. Seth mentions the Evolution PPV and then he pinned Dolph Ziggler. Seth says he got a match at SummerSlam. Seth is asked what the match is and Seth says it is against Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Title. Back to commercial.
– We are back with a way too long video package recapping the Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley feud.
In the Arena:
Elias is ready to play for the fifth time… and this time Kurt Angle’s music interrupts. Kurt says the floor is his and he can do his song because these people want to hear a song from Elias’ debut album.
Elias says that despite what everyone says about Kurt, he is okay in his book. Elias gives a shout out to O.A.R. in the crowd. They have looked up to him for a long time and they wanted to be a part of the album, but he says he is the biggest musical act on the planet. He has been busy with his debut album. Elias says he is not feeling the vibe. He says saying Cincinnati makes his nauseous. Elias says he is not a vain man, but he says this is the grossest collection of humans he has ever seen.
Bobby Lashley comes out for his match as we go to commercial.
Bobby Lashley vs. Roman Reigns in a Number One Contender Match
Back from the break and Roman Reigns is put next. They lock up and they go around the ring. Roman with a clean break. Roman with an uppercut to Bobby followed by a second one. Roman with a flying clothesline for a near fall and then he clotheslines Lashley over the top rope to the floor. Roman goes to the floor. Roman sends Lashley into the ringside barrier and then they return to the ring. Lashley with a back heel kick and clotheslines. Lashley clotheslines Roman over the top rope to the floor. Roman with a punch as Lashley goes to the floor.
Lashley catches Roman when he goes for a Drive By and Lashley with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Lashley with a spinebuster for a near fall. Lashley gets another near fall. Lashley stretches Roman and has his knee in Roman’s back. Lashley with an arm bar. Roman with a head butt and punches. Both men go for clotheslines and both men are down.
They both fire away with punches and Roman with an uppercut. Lashley with a clothesline after a leap frog. Lashley with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Lashley with a clothesline and shoulder into the corner. Lashley is on Roman’s shoulders and Lashley gets to the ropes. Lashley lands on the apron and Roman with an uppercut. Roman runs into a clothesline from the apron.
Lashley goes to the floor when Roman side steps Lashley. Roman with a leg drop to the back as Lashley gets back into the ring and Roman gets a near fall. Roman looks around and he sets for the Superman punch and Lashley moves and he has Roman in a full nelson. Roman backs Lashley into the corner and Roman with elbows. Lashley with a flatliner and he applies a triangle. Roman rolls Lashley over and gets a near fall.
Lashley releases the hold. Lashley charges into the corner but Roman moves and Lashley hits the ring post shoulder first. Roman with NeverEnding Story on Lashley and then he sets for a clothesline but Lashley with a power slam for a near fall. Lashley sets for the spear as he waits for Roman to get back to a vertical base. Roman with a splash to stop the spear and Roman with a near fall. Roman looks around and he picks up Lashley. Roman with a Superman punch but Lashley kicks out. Lashley rolls to the floor and he cannot stay on his feet.
The referee checks on Lashley and Roman goes around the ring to wait for Lashley to get up. Roman goes for a Superman punch but Lashley stops him. Roman is sent into the ring through the ropes by Lashley and Bobby with a spear for a near fall. Bobby sets for another spear but Roman with a Superman punch and Roman runs into a boot when he tries for a spear. Roman is able to hit a spear for the three count.
Winner: Roman Reigns
After the match, Reigns recovers and stands tall as we go to replays. Reigns will now face Lesnar at SummerSlam. Reigns and Lashley look at each other as they recover in the ring. Reigns nods at Lashley, showing respect. We get another replay. We come back to Reigns and Lashley shaking hands in the middle of the ring. Lashley exits the ring and Reigns stands tall as his music starts back up. Lashley stumbles up the ramp and Reigns hits the turnbuckles to pose. RAW goes off the air with Reigns standing tall in the ring.
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