The card for SummerSlam continued to fill up on tonight’s episode of Raw.
It was officially announced that Finn Balor would be facing Bray Wyatt at the pay-per-view. Their feud has kicked into gear over the last few weeks, with Wyatt again trying to play mind games with Balor tonight. Balor fought him off when Wyatt first tried to surprise him in the ring, but Wyatt vanished before appearing on the video screen and delivering a warning ahead of the PPV.
The feud between Big Cass and Big Show is also set to lead to a match at SummerSlam, and Enzo Amore will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage during it. Kurt Angle approved that stipulation at the request of Cass during a backstage segment tonight.
Alexa Bliss’ SummerSlam challenger will be decided when Sasha Banks faces off with Nia Jax in a number one contender’s match on next week’s go-home show. Both Banks and Jax won triple threat matches on Raw to advance to next week after it was announced that Bayley wouldn’t be able to wrestle at the PPV due to a separated shoulder.
SummerSlam will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on August 20th. The updated card is:
WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, and Samoa Joe in a fatal four-way match (Lesnar and Paul Heyman have vowed to leave WWE if Lesnar loses)
WWE Champion Jinder Mahal defending against Shinsuke Nakamura
United States Champion AJ Styles defending against Kevin Owens (with Shane McMahon as the special guest referee)
Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss defending against Sasha Banks or Nia Jax
SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi defending against Natalya
Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt
Randy Orton vs. Rusev
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defending against The Usos
Big Cass vs. Big Show (with Enzo Amore suspended above the ring in a shark cage)
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defending against Akira Tozawa
Though it ultimately didn’t happen, Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal seemed to be the first match penciled into the WrestleMania 33 card at one point.
Both O’Neal and Big Show offered explanations for the match falling through even before it was officially off, with Shaq saying that it wasn’t his fault and Big Show blaming his opponent. Triple H also discussed the issue at one point and said that he didn’t think either participant was serious about the match.
While recording a live episode of his podcast in Atlanta, O’Neal reiterated that WWE was to blame for the match not happening.
“Because they kept playing,” Shaq explained. “First, they said it was me and Big Show. Then, they said it was going to be three and three. Then, they canceled it, so when they canceled it, I made other arrangements. And then they tried to call back and tried to get it done, and I just said, ‘I’m not going to do it.’ They messed it up.”
Shaq vs. Big Show was originally set up at the ESPY Awards last summer following the two facing off in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32. Shaq’s co-host John Kincade theorized on the podcast that O’Neal didn’t want to lose the match, though Shaq said that he would have been fine with losing.
Big Show and Braun Strowman took part in WWE’s latest ring-collapsing angle on last night’s Raw.
The two faced off in the main event, with no winner being determined after the ring collapsed. The show also featured a fatal four-way match to decide Bayley’s next challenger, the furthering of tensions between Dean Ambrose and The Miz, and more build to Payback.
One of WrestleMania 33’s planned matches seems to be in serious doubt.
While responding to rumors surrounding his scheduled WrestleMania match against Big Show, Shaquille O’Neal said on his podcast this week that the bout “probably” won’t be happening.
“It’s not going to happen?” Shaq asked. “That’s probably right. It’s not my fault, that’s all you need to know. It ain’t my fault. Oh, it ain’t my fault.”
Shaq went on to say that the plans likely falling through have nothing to do with him or his management. He said that it isn’t definitive that the match is off yet, though things aren’t looking good. He claimed that he’s still training like it’s going to take place and challenged Big Show to meet him wherever he wants to meet, leaving the door open for this to be part of a storyline if the match does occur.
Big Show vs. Shaq had long been penciled in for WrestleMania in Orlando. Shaq appeared at WrestleMania 32 last year as a surprise entrant in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, where he had a face off with Big Show. They also did an angle where Shaq accepted Big Show’s challenge at the ESPY Awards last summer.
Much of the build for the match had been done on social media and based around the two attempting to get in shape for WrestleMania. But speculation that the match could possibly be off began to increase over the last couple of weeks.
In a WWE.com article about his recent weight loss, Big Show said that Shaq not taking the match seriously was why it may not be happening.
“I mean, here’s the thing. We shot this off at the ESPY Awards, Shaq said he’s in, I thought this would be a good match for fans to see two giants go at it. And I see Shaq riding around, singing karaoke and stopping in at Krispy Kreme. I’m like, ‘Hey! If you’re not gonna take it serious, find something else to do.'”
Enzo & Cass won with the Rocket Launcher with Mahal taking the pin. The ref ejected Lana for slapping Enzo which got a huge pop.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defeated Rich Swann to retain his title
Neville won by submission with the Rings of Saturn.
– Raw Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated The New Day and Cesaro & Sheamus to retain their titles
This match was tons of fun. Sheamus took the pin off of a roll-up.
– Golden Truth, Curtis Axel & Sin Cara went to a no contest with The Shining Stars, Bo Dallas & Titus O’Neil after Brock Lesnar brought them all to Suplex City.
Paul Heyman got on the mic to say that any match Brock is in is the main event no matter where it is on the card and Brock doesn’t want to spend any more time in Texas than he has to. Heyman then called out Big Show.
– Brock Lesnar defeated Big Show
The match only went a couple of minutes with Lesnar winning with the F5.
– Raw Women’s Champion Bayley & Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte Flair & Nia Jax (w/ Dana Brooke)
Bayley won the match for her team with the Bayley-to-Belly.
– Samoa Joe defeated Sami Zayn
This was Joe’s main roster live event debut and he won with the Coquina Clutch. This was a really good match, though they worked at a level below what they would on a PPV.
– Roman Reigns defeated Braun Strowman by DQ
Another good match that had some great near falls. They sent everyone home happy with Reigns spearing Strowman through a table after the match.
Enzo and Cass were really over. Lana cut a promo pre-match. She got sent to the back after distracting the ref for a second time. Cass hit a big boot on Mahal and Enzo followed with a splash for the win.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defeated Cedric Alexander to retain his title
Alexander did lots of high flying and acrobatic moves, including a springboard clothesline to pop the crowd. There was a great near fall from that one. Neville eventually won by submission with the Rings of Saturn.
– Golden Truth, Curtis Axel & Sin Cara defeated The Shining Stars, Bo Dallas & Titus O’Neil
Sin Cara got a big pop and did some aerial moves. R-Truth did a comedy spot where he was picking up all members of the heel team and dropping them on his knee and he picked up the ref. Goldust and R-Truth got the win with a tandem finishing move. Braun Strowman attacked Axel after the match.
– Brock Lesnar defeated Big Show
Lesnar reversed a chokeslam into an F5 to get the win. Big Show got a lot of cheers after the match.
– Bayley defeated Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair by DQ when Dana Brooke interfered.
Bayley got a lot of cheers and might have been the most over person on the show with the exception of Lesnar. Dana Brooke came out to interfere, then Alicia Fox was next. Nia Jax and then Sasha Banks’ music hit, with Banks carrying a crutch. The match turned into a six-woman tag.
– Bayley, Sasha Banks & Alicia Fox defeated Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax & Dana Brooke
Bayley pinned Charlotte with the Bayley-to-Belly.
– Raw Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated The New Day and Cesaro & Sheamus to retain their titles
The New Day team was Kofi Kingston & Big E with Xavier Woods at ringside. Gallows looked really impressive in the match, busting out some athletic maneuvers. Anderson eventually rolled up Cesaro with his feet on the ropes to retain.
– WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn in a street fight to retain his title
Owens attacked Zayn before the match started. He grabbed a kendo stick only to be taken down. Owens set up chairs facing each other at one point and went for a powerbomb, but Zayn reversed it and Owens went back first through.
Owens later set Zayn on a table and went to the top rope, but Zayn pulled him off and he front flipped through the table. Zayn pulled out another table. The two eventually battled on the ropes until Owens used the pumphandle neckbreaker through the table for the win.
He got on the mic and said the show isn’t over and went for the pop-up powerbomb but Zayn countered into a dropkick. Zayn nodded to the crowd to end the show.
– The New Day defeated The Shining Stars & Titus O’Neil in 10:27 with the Midnight Hour.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defeated Cedric Alexander to retain his title in 8:54 by submitting him with the Rings of Saturn.
– The Golden Truth & Sin Cara defeated Bo Dallas, Jinder Mahal & Curtis Axel in 6:34 when R-Truth got the win with a roll-up.
– Braun Strowman defeated Sami Zayn in 4:53 after hitting his running powerslam.
– Big Cass defeated Rusev in 10:05 with a big boot.
– Bayley, Sasha Banks & Alicia Fox defeated Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Dana Brooke & Nia Jax
This was originally Charlotte vs. Bayley, but that match ended in a DQ when Dana Brooke interfered. That led to the six-woman tag, where Bayley pinned Charlotte after hitting the Bayley-to-Belly in 5:34.
– Raw Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated Cesaro & Sheamus to retain their titlesin 11:59 with an eye rake and roll-up.
– Big Show defeated WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens in a non-title street fight in 15:35 by chokeslamming Owens through a table.
– Neville opened the show with a promo on the video screen, saying he was going to win the cruiserweight title tonight.
– Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus def. The New Day, Enzo and Cass, and Anderson and Gallows in a fatal four way to retain
Music was in and out for the intros as New Day and Cesaro had it, but Enzo/Cass and Gallows/Anderson didn’t. Gallows got the heat on Enzo as Enzo got tagged in and tripped on the ropes on the way in, allowing Gallows to hit a big boot. Hot tag to Cass and the place erupted. Big boots for everyone. After everyone hit a big move and were on the outside, Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on Anderson for the pin to wrap a fun opener.
– Cruiserweight Champion Rich Swann def. Neville and TJ Perkins in a three-way to retain
Neville was on the top rope threatening to superplex Perkins, then Swann came up from behind to powerbomb/superplex him. He superkicked Perkins for the win in a short, fun match.
– Sin Cara, Golden Truth & Big Show def. Titus O’Neill, Curtis Axel & Shining Stars
Big Show’s music hit and the place went insane. He looks great with a giant, Wyatt Family-esque beard. Show got the hot tag and place again went crazy. He got the win with a chokeslam on Titus.
– Seth Rollins def. Rusev (w/Lana)
Slow methodical match with Rusev working the back with bearhugs. Lots of ‘USA’ chants during the match. During his comeback, Rollins did the DX crotch chop and told Rusev to suck it. Rollins hit a falcon arrow but Lana jumped up on the apron to distract the ref. Rollins went over to her and she slapped him which led to a superkick by Rusev for a near fall. Lana grabbed the ref by the collar and he threw her out of the match, which the crowd loved. Rollins then hit the pedigree for the 3 count.
– Bayley, Sasha Banks and Alicia Fox def. Nia Jax, Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Boring match and the crowd was dead for it until Bayley hit the Bayley to Belly on Brooke for the 3 count.
– Braun Strowman def. Sami Zayn
The crowd wasn’t into Sami at all, even when his music hit. This was a squash match that ended in about 5 minutes after Braun hit a swinging side slam.
– Roman Reigns def. WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens in a non-title street fight
Owens cut a promo before the match to let us know he was a heel, but he was great at it. By the end of the match, this crowd loved Reigns. Lots of kendo sticks, chair shots, and tables used. At one point, Owens put a chair in the ring, and punched Reigns until he sat in the chair, then hit the ropes twice to hit…a headlock. Owens took most of the beating, taking a Samoan drop onto said chair and a powerbomb through a table for a two count, and finally got speared into a table set up in the corner for the 3 count.
In an industry with no rules, regulations or morals, there is nothing that happened this week that was out of the ordinary. And that’s sad.
The big story this week should have been that the biggest star in wrestling today, has his career in jeopardy due to finding out just how badly thrashed his neck is. But the assembly line churns further, and whether it’s Steve Austin’s career, despite what he’s meant to the revitalization of the industry, or anyone else’s, there is no time for reflection.
In fact, over the past few days, there has been far more talk about how the WWF handled the situation, trying to milk one last buy rate out of his name, and a parody that WCW did the next night on Jim Ross, and whether it was hilarious or tasteless, and obviously it was both, then on the potential of the career being in jeopardy of Austin. In fact, whatever discussion there is of Austin’s injury is limited to the idea that maybe the WWF is vulnerable for the ratings gap closing if Austin’s career is in jeopardy. As far as Austin’s future if he can’t wrestle, the belief is that the producers of “Nash Bridges” are still interested in doing a spin-off television series starring Steve Williams in the role of Jake Cage.
Submitted by Guio Martinez from the Mall of Asia Arena.
– Cesaro defeated Sheamus
Cesaro won by submission with the sharpshooter in a quick 10-minute match. Hot crowd from the start, with both guys getting good pops during their entrance
– Braun Strowman defeated Goldust
Strowman won with a bear hug. He got some heat when he came out, but it fizzled towards the end of the match. Goldust got a nice pop from the crowd, especially from the older part of the audience. The match went longer than expected and wasn’t a standard squash.
– Charlotte cut a pre-taped promo where she referred to Sasha Banks as “Sasha Wanks.”
– Neville defeated Curtis Axel w/ Bo Dallas
Neville won by pinfall following a Red Arrow in a quick match. A glorified squash, with Neville taking the lead for the match. Crowd didn’t seem to care for Axel. He didn’t get much of a response when he came out. Dallas got more heat than he did.
– Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day defeated Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows and The Shining Stars in a triple threat match to retain their titles
Big E and Woods won by pinfall after hitting Midnight Hour on Anderson. The New Day were way over with the Manila crowd. Lots of Booty O’s shirts in the audience.
More of a comedy match, with New Day taking their time in throwing their shirts to the crowd before the match started. The Shining Stars kept on using the “too sweet” sign to tag in Gallows and Anderson.
– A Sasha Banks pre-taped promo aired.
– John Cena defeated Big Show
Cena won by pinfall after hitting the AA. Big Show got a huge pop, but it was pretty obvious from the start that he would be playing heel tonight as he didn’t pander to the crowd much. A huge “AJ Styles” chant broke out before they rang the bell. Cena seemed amused to hear it.
Highlight of the night was Big Show attempting to do a splash on Cena off the second rope and, to the delight of the crowd, it broke.
– Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte defeated Sasha Banks to retain her title
Charlotte won by pinfall following a roll-up with her feet on the ropes. Banks got a nice pop when she came out. Crowd was definitely behind her throughout the match. Banks was selling her back injury during the first half of the match.
– Roman Reigns defeated Chris Jericho
Reigns won by pinfall after hitting a spear. Jericho was way over with the crowd. He cut a standard heel promo before the match, in which he called the Philippines a “stinky place” to try and get the crowd to turn on him.
Reigns was showered with heat. Probably the only guy on the roster who actually drew a lot of heat during the show. But there were fewer boos as the match went on.
– WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins in a triple threat match to retain his title
Owens retained by pinfall following a pop-up powerbomb on Zayn. Rollins came out to a huge ovation, with him playing up to the crowd. Zayn also got a huge pop, and the crowd was solidly behind him during the match. Owens got a great reaction too, mixed with some boos from the younger crowd.
Definitely the match of the night. A lot of false finishes and great in-ring work from all three.
After the match, Owens set up Zayn for another powerbomb but Rollins ran in to make the save. Zayn hit the Helluva Kick on Owens, followed by a Pedigree from Rollins on Owens as well. Rollins shook Zayn’s hand right after and left him in the ring. Zayn closed the show to send the fans home happy.
Submitted by Matt Wilshire from the David S. Palmer Arena
– Enzo and Big Cass def. The Dudley Boys
Enzo picked up the pin after Air Enzo. The Dudleys interrupted the spelling of “Sawft” during the entrance.
– Baron Corbin def. Dolph Ziggler
Corbin got the pin after hitting End of Days. Solid 15-minute match with decent heat on Corbin.
– Golden Truth def. Breezango
GT win via pinfall.
– Becky Lynch def. Eva Marie
Lynch win via submission.
– Kane & Jack Swagger def. The Vaudevillians
Faces win via pinfall after a chokeslam from Kane.
– Sasha Banks def. Dana Brooke
Sasha wins via pinfall in a very short match.
– US Champion Rusev def. Kalisto
Rusev wins via submission.
– Bray Wyatt vs. Big Show
Big Show wins via pinfall after a chokeslam with no real face in the match. This was the only match without a clean finish as a ref bump was taken allowing for Bray to use a chair.
**********
TORONTO —
Submitted from Andrew Bates from the Ricoh Coliseum
– Show opens with Sami Zayn on-screen promo about how tonight’s match with Kevin Owens is the newest chapter in their rivalry.
– WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods w/Kofi Kingston) def Wyatt Family (Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan)
New Day had the inflatable cereal box for their entrance. Xavier pinned Rowan after interference from Kofi and the double-team Big Ending.
– Apollo Crews def Sheamus
Sheamus cut a heel promo beforehand about what an honour it is to come to a third-world country like Canada. Crews pinned Sheamus with a roll-up.
– Owens then does an on-screen promo about how he doesn’t want to face Zayn, but he’ll beat him and get out of this place.
– Sin Cara and Titus O’Neill def Social Outcasts (Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas)
Titus pinned Axel with Clash of the Titus.
– Darren Young DQ I-C Champions The Miz w/Maryse
There was a heel promo about how this is 96 days into the never ending Miz IC title world tour. He uses the Jay Lethal line of the title being relevant because he is holding it, claims to be greatest technical wrestler of all time. Young is in black ring gear with silver sequins that says “Block the Hate” on the vest. We get the first “boring” chant of the night as Miz attempts chain wrestling. Young is still using Gut Check as a finisher. Miz rolls out and Maryse interferes for the DQ. Afterwards, Miz goes to hit him with the belt but Young ducks, hits him with the Gut Check again.
– The Usos def. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Jimmy pins Karl with the frog splash.
– Sami Zayn def. Kevin Owens
Crews was really into this one, dueling chants were loudest of the night so far. Zayn pins Owens with the Helluva Kick.
– WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte def. Natalya
Charlotte working heel, Nattie working face. No Dana tonight. Charlotte pins Nattie with a rollup with feet on the ropes.
– AJ Styles def. Cesaro
AJ gets the biggest pop so far. AJ working Cesaro’s knee. Great match. AJ pins Cesaro with the Phenomenal Forearm.
– WWE Champion Dean Ambrose def. Seth Rollins
There was a mid-match heel promo by Rollins about being the rightful champ and deserving respect, as well as turnbuckle posing that brought the crowd back into it. Dean pinned Rollins after Dirty Deeds.
From the Big Sandy Superstore Arena courtesy of reader Lou Pickney
– Golden Truth over Breezango
– Apollo Crews over Heath Slater (w/ Bo Dallas)
Slater got a local guy pop which Crews seemed confused by.
– Darren Young (w/Bob Backlund) def. I-C Champion The Miz (w/ Maryse) by DQ when Maryse interfered.
– Enzo and Cass def. Dudley Boyz
– Sasha Banks def. Summer Rae
Pretty much a squash.
– United States Champion Rusev (w/ Lana) retained in a five-way match with Kalisto, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, and Sheamus when Rusev forced Kalisto to submit.
Everybody hit a finisher except Cesaro who was the only off the mat to the outside move all night.
– Kane and Big Show def. Wyatt Family (Bray/Erick Rowan/Braun Strowman)
Notes:
– The 6000 seat arena was about 1/3 full, probably due to the holiday weekend, lack of big names, and the other West Virginia house show the night before.
Match was a simple television tag match. Nothing special. The crowd was hugely hot for Zo and Cass.
– Apollo Crews defeated Bo Dallas
Crews broke out a finisher that I hadn’t seen before: a belly to back alley oop to a sit down power bomb. Decent match. Much better than expected.
– Sasha Banks defeated Summer Rae
Once again, the crowd was hot for Sasha. Match was a snoozer, though.
– Golden Truth defeated Breezango
Boring match aside from Breezango playing their parts perfect.
– Sami Zayn won a 15 man battle royal, last eliminating Cesaro
After it was down to Cesaro and Sami, they basically had a 5-7 minute singles match which totally lifted the whole battle royal. Good match.
– I-C Champion The Miz w/ Maryse defeated Darren Young to retain
Really good match. Darren can always go when given the chance. About 10-15 minutes of back and forth, solid.
– US Champion Rusev w/ Lana defeated Sami Zayn
Probably the best match of the night. Lana got tossed for interference. Match was about 20 minutes. There at a point you would really think Sami was about to win the title, but with it being Pikeville, that wasn’t happening. Both guys played their parts well, and got in their key spots.
Big Show & Kane defeated The Wyatts
Bray actually wrestled this match, but not very much. Bray got in some of his usual offense, then Rowan and Strowman took it from there. Rowan ate the pin after a double choke slam, so everyone could go home happy.
Thanks also to Kevin Slone and Vick Kavelish for also sending in notes
Is Crews stuck in an infinite booking loop, or what? Having beaten all four Social Outcasts since his debut against Tyler Breeze, Crews is then given the rematch against Curtis Axel that we were all clamouring for. It’s worth noting that Axel entered alone here, which meant no pre-match Outcasts promo. Crying shame.
Despite dispatching Axel in short order in their Smackdown match a couple of weeks ago, Crews takes 13 long minutes to dispense with the now-chainless wonder here. It was a dull match, most notable for a Crews vertical suplex, with an extended delay to showcase his power. Lawler also referred to Axel as Heath Slater at one point, which drew Rich Brennan’s mirth and derision.
Axel eventually missed a fist drop from the top rope to spur Crews’ comeback, which saw him counter the Perfectplex with a standing enziguri and follow up with the spinning sitout powerbomb for the win.
Summer Rae def. Alicia Fox by pinfall
Yeesh, this was bad. And the crowd, who chanted for New Day, knew it too. Summer Rae at least provided some entertainment during her entrance, singing along to her theme and proclaiming: “It’s the best song!”. Alicia, meanwhile, who is no longer a Bella, was bedecked in sky-blue ring gear and accompanied by her old generic theme.
This lasted four minutes, but felt like fourteen. The seams of the match were very visible, with a lot of awkward spots and miscommunication. Summer eventually won by tossing Foxy neck first onto the ropes and following up with her leg-assisted reverse DDT – the Summer Crush, apparently.
The Big Show and Kane def. Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman
Kane’s entrance gets a big pop, simply by dint of him being the first star that this London crowd had seen at the taping so far. The Big Show gives Kane an uncertain thumbs up upon entering the ring, for fear that Kane might goozle him over the top rope again. Like he did only last month. 28 writers, folks.
The Vintner and Braun enter to Luke Harper’s music and TitanTron, without the injured Bray Wyatt. The match is as dreadful as you might expect, coming in at 15 minutes with TWO (yes, two) hot tags. The lengths they go to avoid having Braun work on television are amusing, with all his part in getting the heat on Show taking place during the commercial break. When we return, Braun immediately tags out!
The first hot tag, to Kane, is quickly cut off by Braun, as he performs his first two actual moves of the match (a bodyslam and an elbow drop!). Then, the heels get the heat on Kane for a while, including the Vintner using my favourite submission – the double noogie. Mark for it every time, bro.
Kane immediately hits Braun with a DDT when he tags in to further prevent the big man from exposing the business. He then crawls to Show to make the second hot tag of the match, which culminates in both babyfaces creaming Rowan with a double chokeslam for the victory.
Final Thoughts
An appalling edition of the show this week, with very little of merit to recommend it by.
A week after the most memorable single segment in recent wrestling history, Monday Night Raw will have its go-home show for Fast Lane in Anaheim, CA. Piggybacking off Daniel Bryan’s retirement, Brie Bella will appear to build up her Divas title shot against Charlotte at the PPV. Of course, the focus of the show will be to build the three-way main event between Brock Lesnar, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. After Ambrose got laid out twice last week by Lesnar and the paltry attempt to get his heat back, the company will likely try to get him strong again since he’s the only one involved in the main event that doesn’t have a clear direction for WrestleMania.
Also, the Dudley Boyz will appear after turning heel last week. Coming off another very good match on SmackDown, A.J. Styles and Chris Jericho will likely continue their program.
Our coverage starts at 8 ET.
Some updated notes for tonight from Dave Meltzer (6:30 PM EST):
The WWE is starting to push a Big Show vs. Braun Strowman match, which is likely to set up a Wyatt Family vs. Show & Kane & Ryback match or something approximating that for Fastlane on Sunday.
Locally they are advertising Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens & Rusev, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything, because more often than not, the locally advertised match doesn’t end up happening.
As noted, there are no special non-wrestlers advertised for tonight’s show, with HHH the major name who isn’t usually touring, but he’s on almost every Raw.
*****
The Big Takeaway: Kevin Owens recaptured the Intercontental Championship when he pinned Tyler Breeze in a Fatal Fiveway match, which was ordered by Stephanie McMahon in order to punish Dean Ambrose in the opening segment. Kane returned in the main event because he was a Vince McMahon creation in 1997 who is healthy enough to wrestle, and also because God hates us all.
Show Recap:
Dean Ambrose came out and said sometimes when the biggest bully on the playground comes after you, sometime you got to get your fingernails dirty and you have to do what you have to do. He acted like he got the best of Brock Lesnar last week. That was so delusional, it was almost like a heel statement. He challenged Lesnar to come out. Stephanie McMahon showed up instead because…opening segment. Stephanie brought up valid points about Ambrose needing Roman Reigns in order to deliver a cheap shot on Lesnar. Ambrose wanted to skip the talking and get to the fighting. Stephanie said she would get to the fighting because this was Monday Night Raw. So she talked for another five minutes. Followed by another talking segment with the New Day, Owens an Ambrose. And Brie Bella opening the second hour with an interview.
Stephanie asked the fans if they wanted to see Ambrose get F-5’d tonight. Fans were supposed to boo. They cheered. Stephanie said Ambrose would get an F-5, but it meant a Fatal Fiveway match, with Ambrose defending his Intercontinental Championship. If Reigns interfered, then Ambrose would lose his spot in the Fast Lane main event.
The four challengers for Ambrose’s title were Kevin Owens, Stardust (who evidently earned the title shot by losing to Zack Ryder last week), Tyler Breeze (earning the title shot with a .230 winning percentage. Sort of like turning on the TV for the AFC Divisional Playoffs and seeing the Tennessee Titans), and Dolph Ziggler.
Kevin Owens won the Intercontental Championshp by pinning Tyler Breeze in a Fatal Fiveway that included Dean Ambrose (C), Stardust and Dolph Ziggler (12:35)
Owens won the championship by pinning Breeze with a Pop-Up Power Bomb. Very good match. Finishing sequence was Ambrose going for the Dirty Deeds on Stardust, but Ziggler ran in and gave Ambrose the Zig Zag, leaving Stardust laid out. Breeze threw Ziggler out of the ring, but Owens ran in and gave Breeze the finisher. So Ambrose lost the belt without getting pinned. At one point, Owens delivered cannonballs to Ambrose, Ziggler and Stardust, who were laid out in opposite corners. Owens attempted a cannonball on Breeze, who responded with a beauty shot. First half of the match was Ambrose working against a challenger one-on-one while three others rested outside. Owens power bombed Breeze outside the ring onto Ziggler and Stardust. Ambrose followed by teasing finishers with Owens, leading to a tope onto Breeze, Ziggler and Stardust.
Ambrose walked around pissed backstage when Renee Young asked him how frustrated he was. Ambrose said he had nothing left to lose and he would face HHH at WrestleMania, who had everything to lose. Owens asked Young “does that give your goose bumps?”
Owens did an interview with Young. Ziggler walked in and sarcastically congratulated him. Ziggler said there wasn’t a spotlight in the world big enough for the both of them. Ziggler said he had beaten Owens the last two weeks, and said Owens should tell the world he deserved to face him at Fast Lane. Owens declined. Later, it was announced Owens would face Ziggler for the championship.
The New Day came out. They promoted an appearance by Edge and Christian by reviewing the segment they had on Raw last September. There will be an episode of the “Cutting Edge Peep Show” at Fast Lane. Kofi Kingston said you never bring a kazoo to a trombone fight. Big E. said Edge and Christian’s appearance was the worst thing since Coldplay played the halftime of, and Xavier Woods stopped him from saying the Super Bowl. There’s some sort of inside joke at work there because the NFL is very sensitive about it’s copywright of the Super Bowl. They ran down Mark Henry, who walked out on them last week during the main event tables match. Henry came out to face Big E.
Some fans rememberd the Chris Jericho chant of “Rootie, Tootie, Bootie,” but many more chanted “New Day rocks.”
Big E. defeated Mark Henry (4:41)
Weird finish. Big E. got Henry up for the Big Ending, but Henry looked like he was supposed to escape over top of him. Instead, Henry escaped and collapsed, and Big E. simply pinned him. It looked like Henry got hurt legit. Big E. told the referee to check on Henry and looked concerned while Kingston and Woods stayed in character.
Brie Bella was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Fans chanted “Daniel Bryan” since it was only the “Yes” chant that was over two years ago and not Bryan himself. Brie started to answer when Charlotte and Ric Flair came out. More fans were interested in chanting “Whoo” than listening to Charlotte, who said Bryan was in a league of his own. Brie corrected her and said he still is in a league of his own. Charlotte said she would understand if Brie wanted to forfeit her match with Charlotte at Fast Lane to be with her husband. She said Bryan lost everything, his dream, his career. Brie said she didn’t owe Charlotte any explanations, but Bryan supports her 100%. Charlotte said Brie means she supports her and Daniel 100%. She said Brie also took the match because they needed the money. Charlotte asked the crowd if she attacked Bryan personally? Crowd started chanting “Yes.” Charlotte said Brie needed to go home and be with Brie Bella and Bryan. Charlotte said she didn’t need Brie, and neither do the fans. But Nikki and Bryan did.
Brie accused Charlotte of trying to mess with her head. She said Charlotte knew she wasn’t an easy beat. All Charlotte has done is added fuel to her fire and she’s disgusted seeing the champion Charlotte has become. Charlotte told Brie she could only imagine what Brie’s goat-faced vegan babies were going to become. Brie slapped Charlotte over that one, laid in a few Yes kicks and sent Charlotte packing. Charlotte is a good heel promo.
A.J. Styles defeated The Miz via submission (11:49)
A.J. Styles won with the calf crusher. Good, competitive match that Styles did a solid job in carrying the Miz in. Chris Jericho was on commentary, and it was scary how much better he is on color than anyone else in the company. He goes Styles more over in this match than Jerry Lawler, Saxton, JBL put together. Not to be outdone, JBL even brought up Kenta Kobashi in relating how Styles is going from being star in Japan to a star in WWE.
Postmatch, Jericho got in the ring and congratulated Styles, who interrupted him and challenged him to third match at Fast Lane. Jericho said he would give his answer on SmackDown.
The Dudley Boyz came out and teased getting the table, but only did so to tease the fans as part of their heel turn. Bubba Ray Dudley called out the Usos, but said they wouldn’t show up after he and Devon put them through tables last week. Devon Dudley said the Dudleys weren’t some Guns n’ Roses farewell tour or a retro act from the past. They were the baddest tag team on the planet. Bubba said the tables were done forever, and if the fans wanted to see that, go to the WWE Network. Bubba said their legacy would be defined by being 9-time WWE Tag Team champions, not by a piece of furniture. All the chants of “We want tables” would now fall on deaf ears. Well, at least Les Thatcher will cheer them. Bubba said they no longer cared what the fans chanted.
Summer Rae defeated Paige (3:40)
Not many matches on Raw nowadays qualify as really bad, but this one does. Summer Rae mainly did chokes with her legs. She pinned Paige after reversing an attempt at the PTO into a small package. Crowd was asleep.
Paul Heyman did an in-ring promo. Heyman said he wanted to lay down a message on behalf of Lesnar face-to-face to Reigns, who came out to a mixed reaction. Surprising since the last time they win in southern California, he was as over as a top guy as he’s ever been. Heyman said he has the utmost respect for Reigns, but he feels that he can’t get past Lesnar. Heyman said Reigns’ goal is to win at Fast Lane and fight HHH for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, so he could go to his wife and child with the championship. But Reigns has a huge challenge because not only does Lesnar stand in Reigns’ way, but so does Ambrose. So Reigns has a choice: his daughter or his best friend, a man so close to Reigns, he’s like a brother. There are those who choose friends over family, and those are the ones who wind up in divorce court. There are others who choose family over friendship, and those are the ones who sit alone in the locker room and potentially stand alone as the champion of the world at WrestleMania with fireworks going off over their heads. But that’s the sacrifice you have to make in order to have a chance at the championship Reigns’ want. Heyman said Reigns’s enemy is Lesnar on Sunday night, but so is Ambrose.
Reigns started to speak and got noticeable boos. Reigns thanked Heyman for saying what was on his mind. Reigns said he was willing to pay the price for what he wants. He doesn’t have a problem fighting Ambrose, who he defeated. Reigns said he’s never beaten Lesnar, but he did beat he ass. Reigns said Heyman was right, he had everything on the line. But he was going to win at Fast Lane and then beat HHH at WrestleMania. They shook hands. Heyman had a blowaway promo.
Then the Dudleys came out and jumped Reigns from behind. Reigns tried to make his own comeback, but Bubba Ray hit him with a big boot. Ambrose came out for the save, sending Bubba packing. Reigns hit Devon with a Superman’s punch. Michael Cole broached the subject of Heyman perhaps setting up Reigns for the Dudleys to jump him.
Suddenly, as Ambrose and Reigns shook hands, Ambrose tried to give him Dirty Deeds. Regins escaped. Ambrose told Reigns if he wanted to make it to WrestleMania, he needed to be quicker than that. Reigns smiled at Ambrose and they shook hands again. Crowd booed because they wanted to see the two go at it.
They announced the creation of the Vincent J. McMahon Legacy of Excellence Award, which Cole said “would be the most prestigous award the WWE has ever presented.” The recipient would be announced next week.
Social Outcasts did an inset promo comparing themselves to various NBA stars who were members of the Dream Team. Adam Rose said he was Robert Shapiro, which shows somebody on the writing staff watches FX.
Heath Slater defeated Zack Ryder (2:07)
Ryder did a somersault tope onto all members of Social Outcasts. Bo Dallas distracted Ryder, leading to Heath Slater getting the pin with an Implant DDT. I kept waiting for Vince McMahon to show up and interrupt this match.
This week’s horrible R-Truth-Goldust segment took place was set at a restaurant, where Truth was on a date with a woman. Truth told her he would walk through hell in gasoline-dipped underwear for her. Goldust showed up as a waiter. Truth said this wasn’t Table for 3 on the WWE Network. Goldust brought champaign, which Truth said he didn’t order. Goldust said it was on the house. Truth said they weren’t In His House. Goldust said of course not, it wasn’t 1996. Of course, the champaignewound up being spilled on the woman and that was that.
Alberto Del Rio is facing Kalisto in the non-PPV portion of Fast Lane for the U.S. Championship. At this point, I’m firmly convinced Dorian Roldan has been in charge of Del Rio’s booking since he returned to WWE. It’s the biggest waste of money since the Cleveland Browns signed Dwayne Bowe.
Alberto Dio Rio, Sheamus and Rusev defeated Lucha Dragons and Neville (8:49)
Del Rio won with the double stomp off the top rope onto Sin Cara. The League of Nations now firmly in the hunt with the New Blood and Aces and Eights for the “Least Over Top Heel Group in History.” Sheamus is supposed to be the top heel in the company, at least in regards to regular wrestlers, and no one cared about him at all. Not to mention Neville was just an afterthought in this match. As was Rusev. This was a textbook lesson of how not to use what is developed in NXT.
Excellent feature for Black History Month on Booker T, which showed him being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. It’s sad that someone so talented had the top push of his career during WCW in 2000, when the company was the most unwatchable product off all time.
Video posted earlier today showed Tamina and Naomi jumping Becky Lynch, with Naomi giving Lynch a Superkick.
Michelle Beadle was shown at ringside.
League of Nations celebrated in the back when Young interviewed Del Rio, who said Kalisto’s victory was a fluke. Del Rio said Kalisto was lucky and nothing more than a little mosquito. he said he let Kalisto beat him. That’s really putting him over. He challenged Kalisto to a best-of-three falls match at Fast Lane.
Becky Lynch defeated Naomi via submission (2:08)
Lynch won with the Disarm-her. Then came a preposterous moment. Tamina and Naomi jumped Lynch. Naturally, that was built for Sasha Banks to make the save. The only problem was, she came out and walked to the ring. And she stopped to take off her earrings. During the time it took Banks to get in the ring, Lynch had her ass handed to her, complete with Tamina delivering a Samoan Drop. It was like watching the Sandman in ECW make his full ring entrance while Tommy Dreamer needed to be saved. Finally Banks got in there and the ring was cleared.
The Wyatt Family came out. Bray Wyatt said freedom awaits all of you inside his embrace. Freedom from a dying world, because this world was a slave shackled in pretty colors. Wyatt said his followers would walk with him inside the fires of the apocolypse. He offers everyone paradise, and all he asks in return is for everyone to bow to him. Wyatt said the fans have to make a decision, or he will have to make a choice for them. Just like he made a choice for Kane, for Ryback and just like the choice the Big Show will have to make against the Big Show right now.
The Big Show defeated Braun Strowman by DQ (2:29)
Erick Rowan and Luke Harper ran in for the DQ. If you’re trying to make Strowman the next monster heel, I don’t think having him take a vertical suplex from the Big Show is the way to do it. He shouldn’t leave his feet until WrestleMania. But there he was, taking the suplex before the run-in.
Postmatch, Ryback ran down for the save and speared Harper. The numbers quickly caught up to him. Then, of course, Kane came up through the ring for the save. He and Show gave Harper a double choke slam.
SUMMARY: Where are the heels? People were asking that question in November when Seth Rollins went down. Now it’s mid-February, and there’s still no answer. In fact, it’s only gotten worse. They’ve tried Sheamus. No one cares. They’ve tried Del Rio, who would have been better off as a babyface coming in. Instead, they stuck him with Zeb Coulter in a pairing that went nowhere, now they’ve shifted him to a heel group that’s going nowhere. It doesn’t help the pattern of sameness this company has fallen into that they keep resorting to Kane as a savior when his act grew tiresome years ago. The best program in the company right now is Jericho-Styles, with Jericho doing a great job of playing a Bret Hart-style subtle heel. On the bright side, the two segments building up the main event for Fast Lane were very good tonight.
