WWE RAW Opener:
We begin this week’s episode of Raw with a look back at last week’s show when Roman Reigns decided to crash Rusev and Lana’s party.
– We see Seth Rollins outside the arena earlier today. He says this is the feeling of inevitabiity. We are six days away from him proving that he is the man. We are six days away from the inevitable becoming reality when he becomes the first Universal Champion. He has to deal with Finn Balor tonight, or maybe he should say The Demon King. Seth says he will call out the Demon King now. Seth laughs and he says it was just what he thought. The Demon King was scared to find the man so the man will find the Demon King.
– We are in Corpus Christi, Texas and your announcers are Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton.
Rusev and Lana are in the ring. Lana says that her and her husband will not leave the ring. All of you will listen to what they have to say. Rusev says last week Roman ruined a historical event so there will be no Raw tonight. No matches tonight until Roman Reigns comes out and apologizes. He tells Roman he is waiting for him.
Mick Foley’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring but Rusev tells them to stop his stupid music.
Rusev responds to the fan’s chants for Foley and he knows who it is. Rusev tells Foley he is not General Manager without him and he is the greatest United States Champion ever. Rusev demands respect and he demands it now.
Foley tells Rusev to leave now because he got all of the time he wanted.
Rusev refuses to leave. He also says that when he told Foley he was the greatest leader of all Mankind, but he lied and says that Foley sucks. Rusev says that Reigns has done nothing to earn his title match. Rusev says that Foley is not the real authority so he wants Stephanie McMahon to come out since she knows what to do.
Stephanie McMahon’s music plays and she makes her way to the ring but she does not seem too happy.
Rusev invites Stephanie into the ring. He says Stephanie knows what it means to be married to a great superstar so she will understand. Stephanie says that Rusev does not understand. He demands respect but he refuses to give it to Mick Foley, the General Manager. Rusev says that he is the champion of this show and he deserves respect. He wants to know who Foley is. Rusev says maybe he will call little Daniel and her brother Shane since they appreciate Rusev.
Roman Reigns comes out and he says if an apology will end this, then he is sorry. He is sorry Rusev found that website where he met his wife. Rusev says that when they bump uglies, they will have the ugliest Sasquatch Babies.
Rusev calls Roman a pig and then he tells Roman to do that lip thing since you are so cool. Roman says they are scheduled to fight at SummerSlam, but he does not want to wait so why not do it right now.
Stephanie says the Title Match is going to happen at SummerSlam. Rusev says this is more than a SummerSlam title match, this is about his wife’s honor. Mick says that at SummerSlam, it is about the title. He understands about defending his wife’s honor so tonight, Rusev will face Roman Reigns over Lana’s honor. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Byron Saxton asks Sheamus about Cesaro. Sheamus says it is obvious he proved his is the more dominant superstar than Cesaro. When he kicked his head off last week, he proved he is better than Cesaro. He is moving on to greener pastures and Sami Zayn. Sami makes comments on social media. Sami is nothing to him. He is just a cheap knock off of the Celtic Warrior. When he stands in the ring with him, he will do what he always does, kick his bleeding head off.
Sheamus vs. Sami Zayn
Cesaro makes his way to the announce table.
Sami throws his jacket at Sheamus and they brawl before the bell rings. Sheamus with a side head lock take down and they get back to their feet. They lock up and battle in the corner. Zayn with chops and forearms. Sheamus with a snap mare and kick followed by a knee to the back of the head and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a top wrist lock and he sends Zayn over the top rope to the apron. Zayn comes back in and hits a satellite head scissors and Sheamus goes to the floor. Sheamus moves and Zayn goes to the apron. Zayn goes for a tornado DDT and Sheamus counters and sends Zayn into the ring post as we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus with a front face lock. Sheamus with an Irish whip and he connects with a shoulder and knee lift. Sheamus with a clothesline. Sheamus with a reverse chin lock. Zayn with punches and forearms and then Zayn goes for a cross body but Sheamus with a tilt-a-whirl power slam and he gets a near fall. Sheamus goes for a suplex but Zayn lands on his feet and then he goes to the ropes and Sheamus follows. Sheamus goes over the top rope to the floor. Sheamus trips Zayn and hits him in the leg before connecting with a series of forearms.
Zayn with a clothesline. Zayn clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope and then Zayn with a plancha onto Sheamus. Zayn goes up top and leaps over Sheamus. Sheamus with White Noise for a near fall. Sheamus with a European uppercut and elbow to the back of the head. Zayn with a Blue Thunder Bomb and he gets a near fall. Zayn charges into the corner and Sheamus with a uranage back breaker.
Cesaro gets up from the announce table and heads to the ring and he distracts Sheamus to allow Zayn to hit the Helluva Kick for the three count.
Winner: Sami Zayn
Backstage:
Tom Philips is in the interview area with Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho. Tom asks them about Kevin’s match against Colin Cassady. Chris tells Ted it is not one on one. Kevin says it is a one on one match but Chris says he has Kevin’s back. Kevin says him and Chris are closer in a week than Colin and Enzo. He tells Brian that Enzo is not a certified G. Kevin tells Robert that Colin does not know how to spell. Kevin says he knows that and English is not his first language.
Kevin asks Brian if he thinks Enzo and Cass being a cancer in the locker room is funny. Chris tells Steven that Cass has a big problem tonight. Kevin tells James that it means watch him beat Cass tonight and watch them humiliate them on Sunday night in their home town. Chris tells Nathaniel that Enzo and Cass will have to answer the question of How You Doin’ with not too good. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Sheamus and Cesaro are arguing with referees between them. Mick Foley shows up and he tells them to shut up. Foley says he questioned Cesaro’s shoulder and Sheamus’ attitude. He will not have them interfering in other people’s matches. They will be in a Best of Seven Series. It starts at SummerSlam.
The Dudley Boyz vs. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods in a Non Title Match
Before the match starts, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are on the TitanTron to talk about Ringpostitis. Karl says they are doing everything in the lab to make sure their results are not tainted. Luke says they are well endowed with the greatest technology so the ball is in their court to get an inch closer to a cure.
D-Von and Woods start off and Bubba distracts Woods. D-Von with a back elbow and he sends Woods into the turnbuckles and punches him. Bubba tags in and he connects with a forearm to the back. Bubba sends Woods into the turnbuckles and punches Woods. Woods with punchces and D-Von tags in and D-Von accidentally clotheslines Bubba. Kofi tags in and Kofi with a shoulder and Woods with a rollup and Kofi with a cross body and Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winners: Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods
After the match, Karl and Luke are in the lab and they have ruined another sample. Karl tells Luke not to get testy because they will not peter out. Luke says they need more test subjects and they pick up jars with Kofi and Xavier’s name on it.
Kofi gets on the mic and he says that Luke and Karl have been all over the world and they are blowing up eggs in a microwave. This is not a game. Xavier mentions that at SummerSlam, they became the WWE World Tag Team Champions. They will be damned if you human phallices think they will become tag team champions. Kofi says they have the power to overcome and perservere. They will not lose the title. Xavier says they will not get a hold of their New Day rocks. We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Seth Rollins is looking for Demon King in the back. Seth asks a few people if they have seen him. Seth asks Neville if he has seen the Demon King. Neville tells Seth he may think he is ready for the Demon King, but Neville has been in the ring with him and Seth is not ready.
Nia Jax vs. Rachel Levy
Byron Saxton is in the ring with Rachel Levy and she says she has been watching the Summer Olympics and it tells her that she can do anything if she puts her mind to it. She is taking home the gold tonight.
They lock up and Nia sends Rachel to teh mat. Nia puts Rachel on the top rope and then Nia pushes Rachel off the top rope and to the floor. Nia picks up Rachel and hits a power slam for the three count.
Winner: Nia Jax
– Paul Heyman walks in the back and he finds Brock’s door and he enters as we go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman make their way to the ring and Brock does the Brock Bounce before doing the Lesnar Leap into the ring.
Paul introduces himself but he is cut off by Heath Slater.
Paul says he does not know who put Heath up to this or if he is listening to the voices in Randy Orton’s head. He wants to know that someone gave Heath the bad advise to interrupt him and his client BROCK LESNAR.
Heath tells Mr. Heyman and Mr. Beast that he is the hottest free agent in sports entertainment today. He says he does not know what is wrong with the Smackdown crew because they don’t know what to do when a super duper star is in their presence. That is why he came to Paul.
Paul says he is not laughing with Heath, he is laughing at Heath. You have the thought in your head that he would consider advocating for BROCK LESNAR and… heath slater?
Heath says that might be funny, that is not what he is saying. Heath says that he is getting another opportunity to get a Raw contract and appearance at SummerSlam. All he has to do is beat Paul’s client tonight. Heath asks to go one on one with Brock Lesnar.
Paul says that Heath was partying too much on the Freebird party bus. Paul tells them to get Heath out of the shot.
Paul introduces himself and Heath interrupts Paul and tells Paul not to disrespect him. Heath says he needs this. His two girls at home and all of the other kids he has are relying on him. Do you think he wants to go one on one with Brock Lesnar? Everyone knows Brock will kick his ass, but he has to.
Paul says he is trying to save Heath’s ass. Heath says his ass cannot be saved. Paul tells Heath he is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Heath says if he has to go against Brock Lesnar for a contract.
Brock says he can appreciate that. Brock tells Heath he has guts and responsibilities. He has mouths to feed and food to put on the table. Brock says he has kids and he has Heath come into the ring. Brock wants to talk to Heath about his kids. Brock says he doesn’t give a shit about Heath’s kids. You got two choices. One: You walk out of here on your own two feet. Two: You can stand there and keep pissing him off.
Heath starts to leave the ring but then he turns around and takes a shot at Brock but misses. Brock with a clothesline and two German suplexes followed by an F-5.
Paul puts on Slater’s sunglasses and tells Heath he deserves a ton of credit for standing up to Brock Lesnar because Randy Orton does not. Randy is a viper and vipers love to lay and prey. Randy is a viper because he cannot measure up to Brock Lesnar.
Paul says he is supposed to sell the idea that Randy Orton has a chance against Brock Lesnar and one RKO away from beating Brock Lesnar. If he said those words, his client Brock Lesnar, does not believe a word he says. This summer is the Summer of the Conqueror and the beast is in heat. Asserting his dominance in the Brocktagon and the massacre awaiting Randy Orton at SummerSlam, do you want him to mention the box office for SummerSlam? Brock Lesnar is the box office. No one in the locker room can stand up to Brock Lesnar.
You want him to promote why you should buy the WWE Network and subscribe so you can watch SummerSlam? This Sunday, you have the chance to see a once ever athlete in action in an official match with an official result that will go down in the history books. You will see the greatest sports athlete and greatest sports entertainer in this business or in MMA. You will get to see the Beast live in action. You will see the Viper Slayer. You will get to see BROCK LESNAR compete in a match.
– Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady walk in the back as we go to commercial.
– We are back and Enzo and Cass walk in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady come out and they do their usual introduction.
Enzo says on Sunday him and Big Cass are going to have a SummerSlam BBQ. Colin asks what are they going to be cooking. Enzo mentions weiners, zuchini, sausage, burgers, frankenfurters, but the two main events are those two pieces of Canadian Bacon, Kevin Owens and Jon Bon Jericho.
Colin says one minute you are enemies and one minute you are friends. No matter what that is, it is two minutes of their lives wasted. Colin says there is one word to describe them and he is going to spell it out for you.
Big Cass vs. Kevin Owens
Owens with kicks but Colin with a shoulder and punches. Owens goes to the floor and Jericho talks to Owens. Colin tries to bring Owens back into the ring and Owens drops Colin on the top rope and sends him to the floor. Jericho with a kick and Owens sends Colin into the ring post as we go to commercial.
We are back and Owens with a reverse chin lock and cross face as he returns to his role as the Headlock Master. Colin with a back drop driver to escape the hold. Owens with a clothesline into the corner and then he runs into a boot from Colin. Colin with a splash into the corner and then he hits a second one. Owens is sent to the apron and Colin goes for a running boot but Owens moves and Colin goes over the top rope to the floor. Owens goes for a power bomb onto the apron but Colin blocks it and counters with a back body drop. Jericho hits Enzo from behind and Owens is knocked down by Colin and Jericho hits Colin from behind. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Big Cass (by disqualification)
After the match, Owens and Jericho send Colin into the ringside barrier. Colin fights back but Owens with a super kick and Jericho with a Codebreaker.
Backstage:
Roman Reigns is in the back and Tom Phillips asks Roman what can we expect. Roman says he is going to represent his bloodline and whoop some ass. He is ready for anything. Roman says he wants this to be the Big Fight…
Rusev attacks Roman from behind and sends him into a case. Roman with punches but Rusev Irish whips Roman into a metal door and hits a splash. Roman gets bieled onto catering. Officials come to break things up. We go to commercial.
– We are back and Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton go over what we can see on the WWE Network this week, leading into SummerSlam.
Darren Young and Titus O’Neil vs. Epico and Primo
Young and Epico start things off and young with a side head lock but Epico with a reversal. Titus tags in and he slams Epico and Young with a seated splash. Titus with a chop to Epico followed by an Irish whip but Epico with an elbow. Primo tags in and drop kicks Titus in the knee and kicks Titus in the corner. Primo chokes Titus in the ropes. Titus with a back breaker and he tosses Primo aside. Titus barks and hits a splash into the corner. Darren tags in and Titus hits a gourdbuster of Young onto Primo.
Primo with a punch but Young wtih a clothesline and overhead belly-to-belly throw. Darren knocks Titus off the apron when Titus was not looking. Primo gets a near fall with a rollup. Young with a rolling elbow but Titus with Clash of the Titus to Young and he leaves the ring and goes to the back while Backlund is confused.
Primo gets the three count.
Winners: Epico and Primo
After the match, Backlund checks on Darren. Back to commercial.
Jinder Mahal vs. Neville
Mahal with forearms and Neville with a trip and roll up for a near fall. Neville with a side head lock and Neville with a head scissors that sends Mahal to the floor. Neville with a drop kick to knock Mahal off the apron. Neville with a corkscrew moonsault from the turnbuckles onto Mahal on the floor.
Neville sends Mahal into the ring and Neville goes up top but Mahal rolls to the other side of the ring. Mahal sends Neville into the ropes and Mahal with a kick for a near fall. Mahal witha snap mare and drop kick to the back of the head. Mahal with a reverse chin lock. Neville with a jaw breaker and Neville with a series of kicks and a flying boot to the temples. Neville gets sent to the apron and Neville with an enzuigiri. Neville goes up top for the Red Arrow and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Neville
Backstage:
Mick and Stephanie are in the office and Mick says he talked to Jon Stewart and Jon will be their guest at SummerSlam.
Seth Rollins enters the office and he says he has been looking for the Demon King and he has not found him. Seth says he has looked everywhere and he has more important things to do than look for the Demon King. Seth says he should get the night off. Mick says he has a suggestion. Before Seth takes the night off, Mick says that Seth should call The Demon King out from the ring… unless you are scared. Seth says he is not scared so he will go to the ring and call him out. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Seth Rollins is in the ring. He says he has never been more insulted in his entire life. Last week Finn Balor gave us a history lesson about the Demon King and for what? Seth says he could not find the Demon King anywhere.
Seth tells CNN, ESPN, Fox News, Jonathan Stewart, and Jonathan Coachman to get ready to sink their teeth into what he is about to day.
There is nothing and no one that can stop him from becoming the first WWE Universal Champion. He promises you that. Seth says he is on another level right now. He looked all over for the Demon King. Seth says he will give the Demon King one more chance to come to the ring to face him.
Seth says that Finn Balor is trying to intimidate him because he is afraid of Seth. Finn will end up like everyone else who got into the ring with him. If he wasn’t Seth Rollins, he would be afraid of himself. This is just another chapter in the book of Rollins. The Demon King will not come out to the ring to look into his eyes because he will see something more horrifying than he could ever imagine. He tells Finn he has nowhere to run or nowhere to hide.
Something shows up at ringside and Seth wonders if that was the Demon King. He is nowhere to be found. At the end of the day, the Demon King will have no choice but to bow down.
The lights flicker until the finally go out and it leads to Finn Balor’s entrance. Finn Balor appears and he is in full Demon regalia.
Balor and Rollins go face to face.
Rollins and Balor exchange punches and Balor with a kick to the temple. Rollins with an enzuigiri and Balor with a Pele kick and running drop kick into the corner. Balor goes up top but Rollins goes to the floor. Balor goes to the mat and then hits a plancha onto Rollins. Balor runs back in the ring and stands tall as a frustrated Rollins looks on from the ramp.
– Still to come, Reigns vs. Rusev. Back to commercial.
R Truth and Goldust vs. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows
Anderson and Truth start things off and Truth with a hip toss. Gallows tags in and Truth with punches to both men but Anderson sends Truth into a boot from Gallows. Gallows sends Truth into the turnbuckles. Gallows with uppercuts and kicks.
Truth with punches but Gallows with a knee. Truth wtih a drop kick and both men are down. Goldust and Anderson tag in and Goldust wtih clotheslines followed by a drop down uppercut and bulldog.
Anderson with an Irish whip but he runs into a power slam for a near fall. Gallows goes over the top rope when Goldust drops down. Anderson with a knee to the back and then they hit Magic Killer for the three count.
Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
After the match, Kofi and Woods attack Gallows and Anderson. Woods with a jumping knee to Anderson. Woods picks up Francesca and Kofi holds Karl but Luke pulls Karl to safety and protecting Karl’s groinal region.
Backstage:
Charlotte is in the back and Dana Brooke stops by and she is stopped by Charlotte. Charlotte says that Dana was honored to be brought under the wing of her hero. Charlotte says she gave Dana a taste of the spotlight and then you realized you would do anything not to lose the spotlight. Charlotte wants to know why did Dana fail her when it meant the most. This is not their spotlight, it is her spotlight. Charlotte says she is Meryl Streep while Dana is Anne Hathaway. She will beat Alicia Fox tonight by herself and then after she wins the title back on Sunday, she will ask Stephanie McMahon for someone to be by her side who is not an epic failure.
– We are back and Sasha Banks is on commentary and we are told that she will appear on ESPN on Wednesday night.
Alicia Fox vs. Charlotte
They lock up and Charlotte backs Alicia into the corner and gives a clean break. Charlotte with a kick and she sends Alicia into the turnbuckles. Alicia with a rollup and single leg drop kicks for a near fall. Charlotte sends Alicia into the ropes and kicks Alicia.
Charlotte Irish whips Alicia but Alicia with an elbow. Charlotte with an elbow and she pulls Alicia off the turnbuckles. Charlotte hits Natural Selection for the three count.
Winner: Charlotte
After the match, Sasha stands up at the announce table and they stare each other down. Sasha makes her way into the ring but Dana Brooke rushes out of nowhere. Sasha catches it too late and gets beat down. Charlotte applies the Figure Four and keeps it locked as Dana holds officials off. The referee finally gets the hold broken as Sasha clutches her knee and fans boo. Charlotte poses as fans tell her she sucks. She leaves while her music plays and Sasha looks on.
– Still to come, Reigns vs. Rusev. Back to commercial.
– We are back and it is time to take a look at Braun Strowman.
Rusev vs. Roman Reigns
Lana is in the ring and she says that Roman Reigns learned why you do not mess with the Russian Princess. She wants everyone to get up for the man who will uphold her honor tonight… Rusev.
Reigns kicks and punches Rusev as he enters the ring. Rusev punches Roman and kicks him in the corner. Rusev sends Roman into the corner but Roman with an Irish whip and thrust kick. Roman with a drop kick to Rusev and he struggles to get back into the ring and goes back to the floor. Rusev Irish whips Reigns into the ringside barrier and the ring post. We go to commercial.
We are back and Rusev with an elbow drop and we see footage from the commercial of Rusev sending Roman’s arm into the ring post. Rusev stomps on the leg. Rusev chokes Roman in the ropes in front of Lana. Roman punches Rusev and follows with a kick. Rusev wtih a kick but Roman with a Samoan drop and both men are still down. Roman with punches and clotheslines. Roman with a flying clothesline. Roman misses a splash into the turnbuckles and Roman is sent shoulder first into the ring post. Rusev slams the injured hand into the ring steps.
Rusev stomps on the injured arm and then he breaks up the count before returning to the floor. Rusev Irish whips Roman into the ring steps. Rusev grabs his title belt and the referee stells him he cannot use it. Rusev does not listen, but Roman punches Rusev before he can use it. Roman gets sent into the ringside barrier. We go to commercial.
We are back and Rusev has a mic and he tells everyone to keep cheering for the Russian and Bulgarian.
Rusev returns to the ring and he kicks Roman. Rusev continues to work on the ribs and arm. Rusev with a choke on Reigns and the referee checks to see if Roman is still conscious. Reigns with head butts and Rusev with a kick and shoulder tackle. Rusev pulls Reigns into the corner and puts him on the turnbuckles. Rusev sets for a superplex but Reigns blocks it. Reigns head butts Rusev and punches him to send Rusev to the mat. Reigns with a clothesline off the turnbuckles.
Rusev misses a charge into the corner and Reigns with the Neverending Story followed by a belly-to-back into a uranage for a near fall. Reigns gets back to his feet and he signals for the Superman punch and Rusev avoids it and Rusev hits a jumping spin kick and gets a near fall. Rusev goes to the turnbuckles for a diving head butt and he gets a near fall. Rusev with another diving head butt from the turnbuckles for a near fall.
Rusev hits a third diving head butt but Roman kicks out. Rusev gets the proper motivation from his bride. Rusev goes to the turnbuckles again and hits a fourth diving head butt. Rusev gets a near fall. Rusev goes for number five but Roman moves out of the way.
Rusev and Roman exchange punches. Reigns takes control and connects with forearms and then clotheslines Rusev over the top rope to the floor. Reigns goes for a Superman punch off the steps but Rusev with a kick to the ribs. Rusev rolls Reigns back into the ring and it is Matchka time. Rusev leaps into a Superman punch and Roman gets a near fall.
Reigns signals for the spear but Rusev with a kick and a round kick to the temple for a near fall. Rusev stomps on the back and he sets for the Accolade but Reigns fights the hold. Reigns goes for a Superman punch and Rusev with a shoulder block. Rusev with a kick and the Accolade is applied.
Reigns reaches for the rope with his bad arm and gets there. Rusev is frustrated and he waits for Roman to get up. Rusev is sent to the floor but he comes back in and Reigns with a spear for the three count.
Winner: Roman Reigns
After the match, Reigns recovers as Lana looks on from the floor and cries. Rusev rolls to the floor and we get replays. RAW goes off the air with Reigns standing tall in the corner.
