Asuka suffered her first loss tonight at WrestleMania 34, where Charlotte was able to submit her with the figure eight leg lock submission in a long, hard fought back and forth match. Following the bout, Asuka told Charlotte that she was, in fact, ready for her. The two hugged as Charlotte celebrated her win.
Signing with WWE in 2015, Asuka had been undefeated both in WWE and NXT since her debut, winning the NXT women’s championship and holding it for 510 days until August of 2017, where she vacated the title as she was due to be called up to the main roster. Later that year, she joined the Raw roster and had been undefeated up until tonight.
During her undefeated streak, Asuka picked up several accolades on the main roster, including winning the first ever women’s Royal Rumble and just this past week won the Mixed Match Challenge alongside the Miz.
Date: November 21, 2017 Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX
The Big Takeaway —
Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan debuted as a stable. They laid out Naomi and Becky Lynch backstage before attacking Charlotte Flair and Natalya during their title rematch. This was very obviously a copy of what happened on Raw, so much so that it almost has to be a storyline. Or maybe it isn’t. The positive is they did look strong. Also, when asked about what happened, Daniel Bryan sort of brushed it off and said, “no comment.”
Speaking of Bryan, there was a show-long storyline involving him, Shane McMahon, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Shane was about to fire Zayn and Owens, but Bryan put them in lumberjack match instead. Shane thought this would lead to their firing after the match, but it didn’t. Bryan instead put Owens in a match against Randy Orton next week, so this story will continue.
They are also building to AJ Styles vs. Jinder Mahal for the WWE title at Clash of Champions.
Show Recap —
The show opened with a recap of SmackDown losing the 5-on-5 men’s match against Raw at Survivor Series. Byron Saxton said SmackDown was well on their way to winning the match before Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn interfered, which doesn’t seem true.
Shane McMahon came out to kick things off and got a good reaction as usual. Shane said they came so close at Survivor Series and SmackDown proved that they, even in defeat, will no longer be considered anything but the show in WWE. He almost choked up when saying this, and added that he was proud of the entire roster.
Shane said they all bleed blue and would do anything for the fans. That is, of course, except for Owens and Zayn, who he called out. They came out and Zayn was even more full of energy than usual, to the point where Owens had to motion to him to settle down.
Zayn wondered what excuse Shane would come up with or if he would finally admit that he was wrong. Owens said it was a mistake to leave them off the team because they can beat anyone, including the Shield, the entire Raw team, and even Brock Lesnar. Owens wanted an apology.
Shane told Owens to shut up. He said they don’t have respect for anyone on the roster, for Shane, or for the fans. Zayn agreed with him on every point. Shane had two words for them, but Owens interrupted. He said Shane couldn’t fire them because they were too valuable, and every person in the back and in the industry respected them.
Zayn called them future Hall of Famers and Owens called them the top two superstars in WWE. Shane told them the roster didn’t respect them and called them megalomaniacs. Shane was actually about to fire them, but Daniel Bryan interrupted.
Owens and Zayn called Bryan a voice of reason and Zayn sucked up to him, so Bryan told him to shut up. Bryan said he had to send Randy Orton home because he threatened both men. He said the New Day were furious too and put them in a match against them. Zayn didn’t like that idea, so Bryan told him to shut up again. Bryan announced that their match was a lumberjack match. Bryan’s music played and he led a Yes chant. Shane seemed displeased.
Charlotte vs. Natalya for the women’s title was announced for tonight. AJ Styles will address Jinder Mahal’s challenge as well.
Shelton Benjamin (w/Chad Gable) defeated Jey Uso (w/Jimmy Uso) (7:08)
Saxton said Benjamin and Charlie Haas mentored the Usos when they first arrived in WWE years ago. Jey was about to hit a dive but Gable jumped on the apron to block it. Jimmy Uso yanked him down but Gable then sent him into the barricade. The distraction allowed Benjamin to use a schoolboy for a two count.
Jey followed with a superkick which seemed like it would be the finish, but Benjamin kicked out. Jey superkicked Gable off the apron and the delay allowed Benjamin to dodge a diving splash and hit Paydirt (reverse STO) for the win. This was Benjamin’s first singles match in WWE since 2010 when he lost to… Kane.
Owens and Zayn approached Baron Corbin backstage and wondered if he was on their side. He said he didn’t like them and told them to find someone more weak-minded. They kept walking and approached Bobby Roode (wearing his robe). They asked if he would be on their side and he called them crazy. He was in the match they interfered in and was looking forward to being a lumberjack tonight. He told them he owed them both a receipt.
Naomi spoke with the makeup lady backstage and said she was bummed they lost on Sunday, but was happy to see Charlotte beat Alexa Bliss, and figured she would beat Natalya tonight.
Ruby Riot showed up and introduced her to Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan. Naomi stood up to defend herself but they attacked her and laid her out. Becky Lynch tried to make the save, but they laid her out too. Lynch sold this like she was badly hurt. It’s good to see new faces, but did they really have to do the same angle on both shows?
There was a sponsored segment where they showed clips from Ric Flair’s retirement segment in March 2008.
Bludgeon Brothers defeated The Hype Bros (1:25)
When the match started, Luke Harper took out Zack Ryder outside the ring by launching him into the steel steps, which the referee allowed for some reason. He also allowed Harper and Rowan to hit a few double-team moves on Mojo Rawley, including a double chokeslam for the win. It wasn’t that loud, but people were cheering for the Bludgeon Brothers by the end.
Natalya congratulated Charlotte for beating her last week, which she called an almost impossible task. She mocked the “hot mess” Ric Flair for blubbering like a baby. She said her cat could beat Alexa Bliss and would give Ric something to cry about tonight.
There was a segment a little earlier where Shane told Bryan he liked his idea for Owens and Zayn, because the New Day and the rest of the roster could get their hands on them before Bryan fires them. Shane decided he would rather go back to his hotel room and watch, so he grabbed his bag and left. Bryan said nothing.
AJ Styles promo
Styles received a great reaction. They aired Paul Heyman’s interview putting over Styles and the crowd cheered. They continued cheering Styles for a while before he spoke. Styles wished he could be here celebrating after slaying the beast, but it didn’t go down that way. He appreciated the kind words, but you don’t get a prize for coming in second place.
Styles did say that Brock Lesnar was the one who limped to the back and was willing to have a rematch. He reminded Lesnar that in Rocky II, Rocky wins (spoiler alert). Styles moved on to Jinder Mahal.
Styles heard Mahal wants to take his title, so he took off his vest and called out Mahal for a match right now. Mahal’s big face showed up on the screen (with the flag of India behind him). Mahal said he was too busy watching Styles’ match against Lesnar on repeat.
Mahal claimed Styles took advantage of him in the middle of a European tour, and if he fought Lesnar, he would be standing there as the beastmaster. Styles asked him if he knew how stupid that sounded. He said Mahal should be well-rested because he did nothing at Survivor Series.
Mahal said he brought prestige to the championship and wasn’t going to fight in a place like Texas. Mahal wanted his rematch at Clash of Champions. He laughed as the Singh brothers attacked Styles from behind. Styles fought them off and gave one of them a Styles Clash. Styles came off well here. Mahal, on the other hand, was terrible.
Zayn and Owens approached Rusev and Aiden English backstage. English was singing a new rendition of “Rusev Day.” Zayn said Thanksgiving was coming up, but as French Canadians, they didn’t believe in that crap and would rather celebrate Rusev Day.
Owens said Shane and Bryan didn’t know how to utilize their best talent and reminded Rusev that his qualifying match with Styles was cancelled, while John Cena was just allowed in the match. Zayn and Owens left as Rusev and English seemed to consider their words.
WWE Women’s Championship match: Charlotte Flair NC Natalya (6:48)
During the entrances, Tom Phillips read a promo for WrestleMania tickets, but the graphics on screen were for Clash of Champions. Moments later, they showed the Clash of Champions graphic again and Phillips and Saxton read the proper promo this time.
After a break, Charlotte hit punches in the corner, but Natalya grabbed her and nailed a sitout powerbomb for two. She followed with a Sharpshooter but Charlotte got a rope break. Charlotte fought back with a backbreaker and went for a moonsault, but Natalya got her knees up (barely).
Charlotte hit a spear and Natalya fell to the outside. Riot, Morgan and Logan ran down through the crowd and attacked Natalya. The referee called for the bell. (So this was a DQ or no contest.) People chanted “NXT.”
The three heels then jumped into the ring and attacked Charlotte. They each hit a move and stood tall. Again, this was way too much like the Raw angle, but the crowd was into it. The announcers are acknowledging the similarities to what happened on Raw.
Dasha Fuentes asked Daniel Bryan about what happened during the women’s title match. He responded, “Well, it’s an interesting situation. No comment.” Owens and Zayn interrupted. Zayn said firing them would be his biggest mistake. Bryan wished them luck.
Styles will face the Singh brothers in a handicap match next week. A Saw-themed Fashion Files is scheduled, too.
Lumberjack Match: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defeated Big E & Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods) (11:49)
It seems like ring announcer Greg Hamilton is no longer pausing for the crowd to chant along with “one fall.” Shinsuke Nakamura is among the lumberjacks. Woods is (sort of) dressed as a lumberjack.
Kingston was sent to the outside a couple of times, but the lumberjacks didn’t touch him. Zayn went out after him and the lumberjacks immediately jumped him, which got a laugh from the crowd. Zayn tried to escape but they picked him up and tossed him back in the ring.
Zayn and Owens got the heat on Kingston after a break. Owens tried a senton but Kingston got his knees up and made the hot tag to Big E, who suplexed Zayn around the ring. Zayn slipped out of a Big Ending but Kingston tagged in and hit a diving crossbody. Owens broke up the cover, then he and Big E took each other out with clotheslines.
A brawl broke out between the lumberjacks after Corbin accidentally clubbed Roode. The lumberjacks fought up the ramp, which mostly left ringside clear. Woods knocked Mike Kanellis out of the ring, and Owens knocked Woods off the apron. Kingston was distracted so Zayn used a schoolboy for the win.
Rusev and English attacked Big E afterwards, then Kingston took them out with a dive off the top. Owens ran away though the crowd but when Zayn tried to do the same, Woods caught him and dragged him into the ring. Kingston hit him with a Trouble in Paradise. Big E and Woods finished him off with a Midnight Hour. The New Day’s music played and they danced.
They cut backstage to Owens who stormed through the back. He ran into Bryan and pleaded with him. Bryan wondered if he was even concerned about Zayn. Owens mentioned how long he and Bryan have known each other and begged him not to fire them, even getting on his knees. Bryan told him not to beg, he was never going to fire them. He put Owens in a match with Randy Orton next week instead. Owens tried to get out of this, but Bryan made it clear that was a bad idea, so Owens agreed and thanked him.
A Women’s title rematch is set for tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE announced on Facebook this afternoon that Natalya would be challenging for Charlotte Flair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship on the show. Natalya dropped the title to Charlotte last week, with Charlotte celebrating with Ric Flair after the match as he made his first appearance on WWE television since his health scare.
A rematch between AJ Styles and Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship should be further set up tonight as well, possibly for SmackDown’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view next month. That will be SmackDown’s last exclusive PPV before the Royal Rumble and will take place in Boston, Massachusetts on December 17th.
In addition to more fallout from Survivor Series, Luke Harper & Erick Rowan will re-debut as the Bludgeon Brothers in a match against the Hype Bros. Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak in a street fight is advertised for 205 Live.
The card for Survivor Series saw another change — and Ric Flair made his first appearance on WWE television since his health scare — on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
In her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte Flair defeated Natalya to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship heading into Survivor Series. Charlotte will now face Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss in a non-title match on Sunday’s pay-per-view.
Charlotte did an interview after winning the championship, talking about how she’s wanted the title since coming to SmackDown, her match against Bliss on Sunday, and the health issues her father went through. Though there was a tease that Ric Flair wouldn’t be there for the post-match angle, he came out and celebrated with Charlotte on the stage.
WWE has yet to announce who will be replacing Charlotte in the Raw vs. SmackDown women’s elimination tag match at Survivor Series.
While Charlotte’s win changed the women’s champion vs. champion match, The Miz vs. Baron Corbin will go on as planned after Corbin retained his United States title against Sin Cara tonight.
Three matches have been announced for next week’s episode of SmackDown.
Two of those will be title matches, with Natalya defending her Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair and Baron Corbin defending the United States title against Sin Cara. The winners of those matches will face off against their Raw counterparts in non-title champion vs. champion matches at Survivor Series later this month.
Natalya previously retained her title against Charlotte by getting herself disqualified at Hell in a Cell, which was the storyline reason given for their rematch. Corbin and Sin Cara, who was cleared to return to the ring today after suffering a knee injury at a house show over the weekend, have been feuding on television for the last few weeks.
The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn was also announced for next week after Kofi Kingston defeated Zayn tonight. Owens tried to give Kingston a post-match beatdown but was ran off by Big E and Xavier Woods.
With the roster returning from their European tour in time for the episode, next week’s SmackDown will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina and will be the go-home show for Survivor Series. SmackDown should also confirm the final member of their Survivor Series men’s team ahead of the pay-per-view.
With Fastlane out of the way, the build to WrestleMania picked up on Monday night’s episode of Raw.
The show began with the official announcement of Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens for WrestleMania 33. That match will be for Jericho’s United States Championship after their storyline led to Jericho distracting Owens as he dropped the Universal title on Sunday.
Raw ended with Roman Reigns and The Undertaker seemingly setting up their match for WrestleMania as well. Braun Strowman came out to call out Reigns, but got The Undertaker instead. Strowman backed off, leading to Reigns confronting Undertaker.
Reigns said that this was his yard now before they looked at the WrestleMania sign and Undertaker laid him out with a chokeslam.
As of now, WWE is also advertising that Bayley will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks in a triple threat match at WrestleMania. We’ll see if WWE follows through with their plan to add Nia Jax and make that a fatal four-way over the next few weeks.
WrestleMania 33 will take place at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida on April 2nd.
The Big Takeaway: Two weeks from Fast Lane and five weeks from WrestleMania, this show aimed to make Kevin Owens a vindictive, aggressive heel, as opposed to the comedy performer he has been for much of this year. He opened the show with an interview where he offered no explanation for attacking Jericho last week. Bayley was given an opportunity to relinquish the Raw Women’s Championship by Stephanie McMahon, but she refused. Charlotte will face Bayley at Fast Lane. In the main event, Bruan Strowman defeated the Big Show. Roman Reigns did a run-in, but Strowman laid him out, as well.
The show opened with a lengthy package of the Owens-Jericho breakup. Owens opened the show in the ring, wearing a three piece suit, sitting in a chair and a lone spotlight shining down on him. Owens said now that the spotlight is finally on him where it belongs, he can finally answer the one question that’s on everyone’s minds. Why should anyone think he’s walking out of Fast Lane with the Universal Championship? Owens thought if anyone had told him he would be wrestling Goldberg for the Universal Championship, he would have they were crazy. Not because of him holding the championship, but because of his opponent.
As fans chanted “Goldberg,” Owens said that’s the chant that makes everyone believe the hype. But Owens has never believed Goldberg’s hype. When Goldberg ran through everyone in WCW in seconds, Owens didn’t care. He still doesn’t. Owens brought up Goldberg beating Brock Lesnar in 1:26 at Survivor Series, but that was because Lesnar took Goldberg lightly and Goldberg got lucky. Owens said no one thinks he has a chance, but he’ll prove everyone wrong again because he doesn’t have to beat Goldberg. Owens said the longer a Goldberg match goes, the more the scale tips toward his opponent. Owens says he doesn’t have to beat Goldberg, he just has to outsmart him. In that category, Goldberg isn’t even close to Owens because “I play the game better than anyone else.”
Owens says he’s waited to be a champion in the WWE his whole life and now that he is, there is nothing he won’t do to keep it that way. Goldberg said the only reason he came back to prove to his son, his wife and his fans that superheroes still exist. Owens said Goldberg wants to use his title as a prop. But Owens will prove to everyone that superheroes don’t exist.
Owens said Goldberg was wasting his time because as far as he was concerned, Goldberg was nothing. He started to say something about Jericho, and the crowd started chanting “Y2J.” Instead, Owens just dropped the mic.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated Cesaro and Sheamus to become the #1 contenders for the Raw Tag Team Championship (9:19)
Enzo Amore did prematch micwork said if Cesaro and Sheamus thought they were winning tonight, they must be California dreaming. Cesaro gave Amore a running uppercut after Sheamus knocked him off the top rope to the floor, then started making fun of Amore’s dance. Cool spot where Amore tried a flying clothesline, but Cesaro nailed him with another uppercut. Big Cass got the hot tag, but Cesaro made a blind tag and caught Cass with a crossbody and another uppercut. Cesaro teased the Gotch Neutralizer, but Enzo jumped on Cesaro’s back. Cesaro dumped Enzo over the top rope, but Cass hit the East River Crossing for the pin.
Amore ran down Cesaro afterwards saying “They were number one contenders and they (pointing to Cesaro and Sheamus) were chicken tenders.” He told the Swiss Superman that “we got that kryptonite, we got that kryptonite” until Sheamus demolished Enzo with a Brogue Kick. Unlike previous times when Sheamus did a heel move, Cesaro was totally cool with Sheamus blindsiding Enzo. For the first time, Enzo got some fan backlash as a minor “Thank you, Sheamus” chant broke out. Enzo and Cass will face Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows at Fast Lane.
Owens was going to leave the building but Mick Foley told Owens that he had a match tonight with Sami Zayn. Owens just laughed and said he thought Foley liked Zayn. He told Mick to watch out because he was going to wind up with more people on his injured list than in the locker room.
There was a Bayley video package depicting her climb to the top of the women’s division after beating Charlotte last week. There was a tweet from Charlotte demanding Bayley return the Raw Women’s Championship last week after Sasha Banks’ interference last week. Bayley will announce her decision whether to forfeit the championship tonight.
Roman Reigns talked with Foley backstage. Foley said he knows Reigns wants Strowman tonight, but Strowman is booked against Show. Anderson and Gallows walked in. Anderson told Reigns they have unfinished business from last week. Foley said he would make the match if Reigns got a partner. Reigns said that wouldn’t be necessary because he would face them by himself.
They showed an angle from last week’s 205 Live where Brian Kendrick offered a chance for Akira Tozawa a chance to be his protege. Tozawa said he understands he doesn’t like Kendrick.
That was supposed to lead to a match between the two. Kendrick told Tozawa to shake his hand, as is customary for every cruiserweight match. At first, Tozawa refused, but finally agreed. Kendrick clotheslined Tozawa, drove his face into the metal part of the turnbuckles, put him in the Captain’s Hook and left.
Charly Caruso did an interview backstage with Kendrick saying “Nobody disrespects The Brian Kendrick.” He was offered his first WWE contract 17 years ago, tonight’s lesson was about respect and tonight was just the first lesson.
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows defeated Roman Reigns by DQ in a handicap match (3:58)
Anderson brought a chair into the ring, but Reigns gave him a boot. Reigns picked up the chair, wallopped Gallows over the back twice. Anderson stepped in, but Reigns hit him with a series of clotheslines. Gallows hit Gallows with a superman punch. Anderson came off the top rope, but Reigns nailed him with a Spear that was an awesome highlight. On the replay, it appeared that Reigns landed on his head. It looked like a DDT spot.
Michael Cole did the old Gorilla Monsoon gimmick from the 1980s when Andre the Giant faced Big John Studd, building up the Show-Strowman match saying they had to add 800 pounds of extra reinforcements to support the ring.
They showed the New Day appearing on TMZ Live announcing they will be hosting WrestleMania this year. Two guys hosting that show looked like they had idea what was happening.
The New Day came out. Xavier Woods announced his YouTube channel is about to hit 1 million subscribers, he will be hosting this year’s South by Southwest’s Gaming Awards, and they’ve all been rehearsing their voiceover skills to appear in the remake of the “Lion King.” They were working on their own ice cream brand, and hosting WrestleMania. Crowd chanted for ice cream. Kofi Kingston said last week, Bo Dallas destroyed their blueprints to the ice cream machine. But the New Day have photographic memories, so they put the blueprints back together. Kingston has it on his mini-Ipad. Big E. started talking, but Lana interrupted them. She held up her own iPad, showing she had the blueprint for their ice cream machine. She started reading off the ingredients of New Day Ice Cream. Kofi wondered “How did she get the plans?” Big E. said “You know she’s Russian, right?” Crowd loved that line. So basically the match was Rusev and Jinder Mahal vs. New Day for the ice cream plans.
The New Day defeated Rusev and Jinder Mahal (3:36)
Woods was at ringside. The match built to a spot where Kingston did a tope on Rusev where he landed on the back of his head. As Lana watched on, Woods pushed the slide of his trombone onto Lana’s fanny (it really didn’t touch her, but it was live TV), and she threw her iPad with the ice cream plans into the air. Woods got the iPad and destroyed it. Kingston pinned Mahal with the Midnight Hour.
They had a wonderful tribute to George “The Animal” Steele. Bruno Sammartino, Stephanie McMahon, David Arquette and Kevin Hart all discussed how wonderful a personality he was. They showed his infatuation with Miss Elizabeth, along with his appearance at WrestleMania 3 with Ricky Steamboat, who was quoted as saying that he played a huge role in his career. There was even a highlight of his appearance in “Ed Wood,” one of the great films of the 1990s. Fans in Los Angeles give this package a nice ovation.
Austin Aries presided over the contract signing for the Cruiserweight Championship match between Jack Gallagher and Neville. Gallagher brought along two Union Jack flags, biscuts and tea. Gallagher signed the contact without Neville in attendance and said he would dethrone the delusional King of the Cruiserweights. Neville walked out, signed the deal and started to leave. Gallagher asked why he was leaving so soon? Gallagher said he hoped to put their differences aside and break bread together. Aries vanished. Neville wondered if Gallagher was for real. He was exactly what American imbeciles expected Englishmen to be and he should be ashamed of himself. Neville said Gallagher was a stererotype and he didn’t really exist. The real men of England are ugly and a little rough around the edges. Gallagher was exactly what the WWE universe wanted Neville to be. What Gallagher didn’t realize was that the people aren’t laughing with him, they were laughing at him. At Fast Lane, he would be the only one laughing.
Gallagher said he would have to correct Neville, he wasn’t playing a gentlemen, he was a gentleman. This is how he was and this is how he was raised. The problem was Neville really believed he was a king and that was something he couldn’t stand for.
Neville turned the table over and asked Gallagher what he was going to do about it. Gallagher scored a quick double leg takedown and stiffed Neville with a head butt, which knocked Neville to the floor. Gallagher also appeared to be shaken up. Neville started to get back in the ring, but Gallagher pulled out William the 3rd, the umbrella, and Neville backed off.
Nia Jax defeated Sarah Pierce (:32)
Nia Jax pinned Sarah Pierce with a Samoan Drop. Caruso did an interview with Jax where she was asked about the controversy surrounding Bayley’s win over Charlotte last week. Jax said she’s putting the champion on notice and she wished that Banks and Bayley had pulled that stunt with her last week, because she would have shoved that crutch down their throats.
They honored Barack Obama as part of Black History Month. No, they didn’t show that angle from April 2008 where someone dressed up like Barack Obama faced a fake Hillary Clinton, which ended with Umaga destroying both of them.
Bayley came out to a big reception. She talked about growing up in California and go a little reception. She and her friends had the biggest dreams of growing up to become a tattoo artist, Brittany Spears or a oral surgeon. She just wanted to become Raw Women’s Champion and wrestle at WrestleMania. She said that dream appeared to come true last week. One moment she was in the Figure Eight, the next minute she was the women’s champion. At the end of Raw, she ran to her phone to call her dad, the man who brought her to first WWE event. He was there tonight, and she had tears in her eyes as she said “Dad, I did it.”
Fans chanted “You deserve it.” Bayley said Charlotte has tried to tarnish the best week of her life and she was the new Raw Women’s Champion. Stephanie came out, shook Bayley’s hand, and asked Bayley did she ever imagine she would be competing in the main event of Raw? Or did she envision almost losing and having someone else cheap shot her opponent for what can only be called a tainted victory. And when she called her father, did she tell him the truth how she won, that she did it or Sasha did it? Stephanie said the Bayley she knows what do the right thing and relinquish the Raw Women’s Championship. Stephanie said Bayley doesn’t want to win that way, no matter what the fans say.
Bayley took the belt off and looked at it. Stephanie encouraged her to stand for something more and have a championship for the right reasons. Bayley held the belt and acted like she was going to hand it over. Banks came out, but before she could say anything, Stephanie said Banks thought Bayley was a charity case. Banks told her not to listen to this garbage. She told Bayley to listen to the WWE Universe, listen to the girl in the front row or the girl in the back row in the Hugger shirt.
Stephanie wondered if Banks was out there because she knows she can’t beat Charlotte, but she can beat Bayley. Bayley said Stephanie was right, the championship was bigger than her, bigger than Banks and it was certainly bigger than Charlotte. This championship should represent happiness and to keep on smiling, not controversy. Bayley said should I give up this Raw Women’s Championship….Hell no I’m not going to give up the Raw Women’s championship. She pinned Charlotte for the third time and it wasn’t because of Sasha, it was because of all of you. She would fight for this championship any time, any place and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
Charlotte came out and apologized to Stephanie on behalf of the women’s division for Banks and Bayley being so disrespectful. Charlotte said she didn’t want the title from Bayley tonight, because she was going to beat Bayley for the championship at Fast Lane. Banks said her knee was feeling better and challenged Charlotte to a match tonight. Charlotte said she wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to put Banks in a wheelchair. Stephanie ordered the match to start immediately.
Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte (10:00)
Bayley was on commentary. She admitted that Stephanie’s words got into her head, but added she had no idea Banks got involved in last week’s match. Charlotte took most of the match, using a Dragon Sleeper as a resthold until Banks did a somersault over Charlote and got a near fall with a schoolgirl cradle. Banks hit a bulldog for a two count. Banks started selling her knee after a kneedrop, but hit the double knees off the apron. At this point, Dana Brooke ran out. Wait. That should read, Dana Brooke did a mild jog out. Bayley stopped her from behind. Charlotte was distracted, and Banks got the Bank Statement for the tap.
Diamond Dallas Page was named as the next member of the WWE Hall of Fame. Eric Bischoff and Scott Hall put DDP over. Bischoff painted DDP as someone who helped bring their business through the roof. Foley put over DDP’s work ethic.
Zayn did an interview with Caruso. Zayn said he took no joy in seeing what happened to Jericho last week. He compared Owens to Samoa Joe, saying they were both very jealous people. Zayn said Joe blindsided him last week in the name of HHH. He said time was going to catch up with Joe, and Owens would have to deal with Goldberg at Fast Lane. And Owens would have to deal with him tonight.
As Zayn came out to face Owens, Joe attacked him. He threw Zayn into the post, threw repeated jabs to his chin and threw him into the post again as Owens watched on. Joe dropped a senton on the floor. Joe screamed “This is your world now” into Zayn’s face as he threw him into the ring to face Owens. Zayn refused to concede the match. Though Zayn didn’t get much of a reaction, Joe got some heat for the attack.
Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn (1:13)
Owens hit a couple of cannonballs right away and followed with punches from the mount. Owens won with the Pop-Up Power Bomb.
They had a graphic paying tribute to Ivan Koloff.
Stephanie was backstage wanting to know where Foley was during the Bayley-Banks-Charlotte segment. Foley said he was thinking about going out there…to support Bayley. Stephanie started to dress down Foley, saying his behavior two weeks ago during the Joe contract signing. She said his behavior bordered on insubordination. Foley cut a total promo on Stephanie, saying he knew he was on the verge of committing career suicide, but he wasn’t going to risk his credibility to satisfy Stephanie’s appetite for greed. In a threatening tone, Stephanie told Foley to watch himself, she wouldn’t want him to have an accident.
Cole did a backstage interview with Lesnar and Paul Heyman. Cole brought up Goldberg’s match vs. owens. Heyman said Lesnar was a little on edge lately and it would behoove Cole to lower his voice. There are those who say that Goldberg vs. Owens is such a historical promience that it affects Lesnar’s prominence at WrestleMania. Lesnar disagrees. Lesnar got up and made a move toward Cole, who got up from his chair. So Lesnar took his chair, and stared into the camera while Heyman cut a promo over Lesnar’s right shoulder.
Heyman said Owens has a shot at walking into WrestleMania as Universal Champion, but Lesnar disagrees. If Goldberg hits one spear and one jackhammer at Fast Lane, then he will take the Universal Championship into WrestleMania. If so, it will only add to the things that Lesnar will take from Goldberg at WrestleMania.
Goldberg will be on next week’s Raw from Green Bay, the go-home show for WrestleMania.
Braun Strowman defeated the Big Show (12:09)
Fans chanted “This is awesome” before they even locked up. Strowman did a nip-up out of an armbar with Cole putting it over huge. Strowman hit a clothesline and a running boot to knock Show down. Show teased a choke slam, but Strowman hit a DDT for a near fall. They each teased suplexing each other until Show finally got him over. At this point, someone in the crowd held up a sign about Hulk Hogan that was quickly confiscated. Show landed a shoulder tackle and hit the choke slam, but Strowman kicked out. Show teased a reverse splash (the old Vader bomb), but Strowman tripped him up. Strowman went for the Oklahoma Stampede, but Show slipped out the back door. Show placed Strowman on the top rope for a superplex. Crowd came to its feet thinking the Lesnar-Show finish from 2002 SmackDown, but started to boo when Strowman escaped with a series of right hands to the body. Strowman jumped off the second rope, but Show scored wtih the KO punch. Strowman kicked out.
Show again tried the splash, but Strowman ran underneath him. It looked like a bit of a botched spot where Strowman could barely lift Show up for the Oklahoma Stampede, but only got about two steps before powerslamming him. Show kicked out. More “This is Awesome” chants. Show tried another choke slam. But Strowman hit a powerslam for the pin.
Reigns immediately came out. They traded punches before Reigns landed two Superman punches. He went for the spear, but Strowman nailed him with a drop kick. Strowman left Reigns laying with the Oklahoma Stampede as Cole screamed about him being the most dominant big man in recent memory.
Charlotte Flair will be defending her Women’s Championship against Bayley at next week’s Raw in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The match was announced during tonight’s episode of the show as it was noted that Bayley would be getting the title shot due to her pinning Charlotte in a mixed six-person tag match last week. That win occurred on the post-Royal Rumble edition of Raw to keep their feud alive after Charlotte retained her title against Bayley at the Alamodome.
On tonight’s Raw, the interconnected storyline between Charlotte, Bayley, Nia Jax, and Sasha Banks continued as Charlotte’s interference cost Bayley her match against Jax.
Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns was also set up for later on Raw during the opening segment of the show, with Joe officially being added to the Raw roster on TV. The match will be Joe’s first since making his main roster debut by attacking Seth Rollins last week. Rollins’ knee injury will also be addressed later in the night.
The final PPV event from WWE this year is a Raw production, as Roadblock: End of the Line will emanate from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In the main event, we’ll have WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens square off against United States Champion Roman Reigns. In another era, two champions going at it would be kind of important, but Reigns’ title will not be on the line, so it doesn’t matter much. We’ll also see Raw Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defend her title against Charlotte in a 30-minute Iron Man match. It promises to be a blow off of a feud that has lasted the better part of six months.
Other matches on the show feature The New Day looking to continue their record-breaking streak by defending the Raw tag team titles against Cesaro & Sheamus, Big Cass looking for revenge against Rusev, Cruiserweight title action featuring Rich Swann defending against TJ Perkins and Brian Kendrick, Sami Zayn battling Braun Strowman, and Chris Jericho squaring off against Seth Rollins.
Current tallies:
Kyle S. Johnson: (Columnist) (75 points)
Bryan Rose: (New Japan/205 Live reporter) (73 points)
Steve Khan: (WWE SmackDown Live recapper) (72 points)
James Cox: (WWE Main Event recapper & WWE DVD reviewer) (68 points)
Jeremy Peeples: (Lucha Underground recapper) (53 points)
Brian Hoops: (Daily Pro Wrestling History) (53 points)
Ryan Frederick: (UFC reporter) (45 points)
Paul “Gramps” Fontaine: (MMA writer and recapper and new grandfather) (27 points)
PeachMachine: (University of Phoenix Online Mascot) (17 points)
JJ Williams: (NXT reporter) (6 points)
Big Cass vs. Rusev
Bryan Rose: Hey, if they want to give Big Cass a push, then he should win. Simple as that.
Winner: Big Cass
Brian Hoops: Rusev should win but they love Cass.
Winner: Big Cass
James Cox: This could be a main event program later down the line, I think they could have Rusev win via some distraction.
Winner: Rusev
Jeremy Peeples: Rusev’s falling a bit on the card, but this just appears to be filler before they do something better with him. Credibility-wise, Rusev should win this, but they’re building up Cass, so I’ll go with him to win.
Winner: Big Cass
Paul Fontaine: Rusev has been one of the best parts of Raw lately and really deserves better than this. I think he’ll eventually win this feud but Cass will probably take the first match to keep it going, probably with interference from Enzo.
Winner; Big Cass
Steve Khan: As much as they like Big Cass, I don’t see him beating Rusev outright here. Cass picks up the win via countout or DQ or something.
Winner: Big Cass
Kyle S. Johnson: I’m not sure WWE realizes what they have in Rusev, but they seem to think they’ve got something big (pun intended, I guess) in Cass. Rusev should win here, but it seems more likely that they would give Cass a big singles win over a former champion to push the idea that he’s ready to vie for a title.
Winner: Big Cass
Ryan Frederick: They should give Rusev the win. I think they’ll give Cass the win, maybe due to interference from Enzo. Pre-show match so I don’t expect a clean win, maybe a countout win.
Winner: Big Cass
Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman
Bryan Rose: Everyone says Braun. Given how they have pushed this, I say Zayn gets some sort of countout win. Not pin Braun clean in the middle, but give him some sort of win so this can continue without Zayn looking like a total loser.
Winner: Sami Zayn
Brian Hoops: Zayn should win but they love Strowman
Winner: Braun Strowman
James Cox: It isn’t too early to beat Strowman, because he’s barely got any momentum and certainly isn’t over, but they won’t beat him yet. Zayn is too good with this nonsense.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Jeremy Peeples: Sami has shined brightly with his promo work on Raw, but he seems doomed to get a draw here — or just get squashed. The former seems far more likely, but since this doesn’t have a time limit draw and the idea is he can last 10 minutes — I’ll go with him lasting 10:01 before losing.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Paul Fontaine: It’s definitely not time to end Braun’s unbeaten streak. I feel like Sami is eventually headed to SmackDown and Mick Foley’s tease of that happening on Monday could be leading to something. Sami will last almost till the end of 10 minutes before falling to the behemoth.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Steve Khan: If this really is a 10-minute time limit match, they can either go the distance, or Zayn will come really close but just barely lose. 10 minutes isn’t really that long, and after everything they’ve done with him, Zayn can’t lose now.
Winner: Time limit draw
Kyle S. Johnson: Dropping in the idea of a hard 10-minute time-limit suggests that this is a no-win situation for Sami Zayn, which it basically is. The likelihood of Sami scoring an upset victory does not seem particularly good, but positing the idea that lasting more than 10 minutes is some kind of moral victory gives him a way to win while losing, sort of.
Unless, of course, he just gets ragdolled for 10 minutes and only manages to barely break the 600-second mark by will of instinct. The bigger question here seems to be whether Sami can drag a passable 10-minute match out of this guy.
Winner: Because I’m not entirely clear on the time limit stip, Braun Strowman if the match exceeds 10 minutes and a draw if it does not.
Ryan Frederick: I think the play is to have Zayn last as long as possible but not the full 10 minutes. No way they have Strowman lose to Sami as he’s being built for something bigger.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Raw Tag Team Titles: The New Day (c) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
Bryan Rose: I say we get new tag team champions. Seems like Cesaro and Sheamus are just going around in circles, giving them the titles is the right step forward.
Winners: Cesaro & Sheamus
James Cox: Although everyone says they should lose the titles now they’ve broken the record, I think we might be strung along a little longer with this.
Winners: The New Day
Jeremy Peeples: Cesaro and Sheamus really need more time to actually get over before winning the titles, but they seem to want to end the reign ASAP — so I’ll give them the nod here.
Winners: Cesaro and Sheamus
Paul Fontaine: It seems to obvious that Cesaro and Sheamus win the titles now that the streak is broken. New Day will lose soon, probably at the Royal Rumble, but not here.
Winners: The New Day
Steve Khan: Before New Day were getting close to the record, I predicted their matches wrong pretty much every time. It feels like Cesaro and Sheamus will win here, but that would feel kind of cheap. I’ll stick with the New Day.
Winners: The New Day
Kyle S. Johnson: Pushing The New Day right past Demolition’s record only to have them drop the titles immediately seems like such a cop out that I would not be even remotely surprised if it happens. That said, I feel like Cesaro and Sheamus are the team to take the belts off of these guys, but I don’t think it should happen just yet. It’s not like it’s outside of the realm of possibility that we’ll just rematch at Royal Rumble, so let’s say that’s what we do.
Winners: The New Day
Ryan Frederick: It’s time to take the titles off of The New Day, but I really don’t see it happening here. I see more heel tactics being used by them, and them getting a cheap win by beating Cesaro, and then building up the loss more.
Winners: The New Day
Cruiserweight title: Rich Swann (c) vs. Brian Kendrick vs. TJ Perkins
Bryan Rose: Swann retains. Don’t see much of a point in switching the title right now..
Winner: Rich Swann
Brian Hoops: Would not make sense to continually change the title.
Winner: Rich Swann
James Cox: Rich Swann gets all their focus right now. It could be a good match but these Cruiserweights are already an afterthought and the new show is, unfortunately, just very underwhelming.
Winner: Rich Swann
Jeremy Peeples: It would make no sense to change the title…so that’s at least a possibility, except that neither TJP or Kendrick have any tangible momentum. I’ll pick Swann for an “outlandish” win.
Winner: Rich Swann
Paul Fontaine: The champ really needs to retain here. Kendrick and TJP feel played out already and it’s time for some new challengers.
Winner: Rich Swann
Steve Khan: I met Rich Swann once and he was real nice.
Winner: Rich Swann
Kyle S. Johnson: They’d be stupid to change the title here again. Let Rich Swann carry the thing and build him up for Austin Ares.
Winner: Rich Swann
Ryan Frederick: They can’t possibly be switching the title again, can they? I wouldn’t put it past them. However, Swann is the right guy to be holding that title right now, and I don’t think he loses it yet.
Winner: Rich Swann
Seth Rollins vs. Chris Jericho
Bryan Rose: Rollins makes the most sense if they are going with a future Triple H/Seth Rollins showdown.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Brian Hoops: Rollins needs the win, Jericho doesn’t.
Winner: Seth Rollins
James Cox: Seth has lost so much since he turned babyface. Logic says Jericho puts him over and I hope this is really good.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Jeremy Peeples: Seth is theoretically a top guy, while Jericho is lower on the totem pole and there to put guys over.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Paul Fontaine: Definitely Rollins here although I’d be very happy to be wrong in this case. I’m so beyond sick of Rollins, Reigns, Jericho, and Owens that I just want the four of them to be separated so badly. But I don’t think it’s happening any time soon.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Steve Khan: Chris Jericho is the best. Seth Rollins should win.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Kyle S. Johnson: Seth Rollins has to win this match.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Ryan Frederick: They can’t possibly have Rollins lose here, especially if the end game is Triple H at WrestleMania. Jericho can always afford losses. Rollins doesn’t need one.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Raw Women’s title, 30-minute Iron Man match: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
Bryan Rose: I say Charlotte. They’ve traded the title way too much, but they seem keen on a Bayley/Charlotte program next so it makes the most sense.
Winner: Charlotte
Brian Hoops: I think the next program is Bayley chasing the title from Charlotte, expect a title change here.
Winner: Charlotte
James Cox: A difficult one to call and not necessarily for good reasons. This is the blow off, we’re told, and Bayley is waiting in the wings. I see Charlotte as the obvious choice for that match, unless there is some kind of double turn.
Winner: Charlotte
Jeremy Peeples: Sasha really should have one single title defense amid three title wins — so I’ll go with a win for her here. I could see Ric turning on Sasha to give Charlotte the win though.
Winner: Sasha Banks
Paul Fontaine: Charlotte is going to keep her PPV strike alive and take the win over Sasha, probably in overtime. She won’t be beaten until a Mania (hopefully this year’s) as they’ve been pushing the streak to hard to end it on a random “B” show.
Winner: Charlotte
Steve Khan: Charlotte can’t possibly win again, can she?
Winner: Sasha Banks
Kyle S. Johnson: I don’t think it would be smart to change the title yet again, but I could foresee some circumstance where they do a swerve at the end and have Ric interfere on Sasha’s behalf, winning Charlotte the belt back by virtue of disqualification.
Or perhaps they’ll pay off this vague idea of other wrestlers revolting against the never-ending Sasha/Charlotte feud by having a big shmozz at the end that leaves no conclusive winner, which would be an even cheaper and less satisfying pay-off. Let’s have Sasha win here and cool it with the title changing hands until Mania or so, shall we?
Winner: Sasha Banks
Ryan Frederick: This has to be the end. They keep pushing Charlotte being unbeaten in PPV singles matches, but to hot shot the title again would be dumb. They’ve already rotated it five times since the brand split. Don’t do it for the sixth time.
Winner: Sasha Banks
WWE Universal title: Kevin Owens (c) vs. Roman Reigns
Bryan Rose: Owens wins somehow. I’m betting the latest Owens/Jericho rift may be yet another ruse to set up the finish of this match, but who knows. I don’t see Reigns leaving with two titles.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Brian Hoops: They so badly want Reigns to get over and get the title and fans continue to reject him. Seems like a rematch at Royal Rumble and a title win would be more meaningful.
Winner: Roman Reigns by DQ
James Cox: I would keep the title on Owens heading into WrestleMania, keeping it on a heel makes more sense. Therefore, Reigns can win here but won’t win the title and Owens and Jericho can continue their feud.
Winner: Roman Reigns via DQ
Jeremy Peeples: No chance Roman wins the title on Roadblock, so I’ll go with Owens retaining via some kind of shenanigans.
Winner: Kevin Owens by distraction cradle
Paul Fontaine: There’s one of two ways this goes and they both involve Chris Jericho. Either he interferes and costs Owens the title or he helps Owens win the title and this has been a ruse all along. Ratings have been hurt with Owens/Reigns/Jericho and Rollins in the main event picture so naturally Owens is going to take the blame for this. I think we get a title change.
Winner: Roman Reigns and he becomes the new champion
Steve Khan: I’m thinking Jericho will help his best friend and everything will be right again. Owens retains either way
Winner: Kevin Owens
Kyle S. Johnson: Is WWE really so diluted that they could think it would be a good idea to put the Universal Championship on Reigns right now? I would certainly hope not.
Still, I could imagine Jericho interfering in the conclusion and setting up a four-way at the Rumble, which would then provide a platform for 1) Roman to win the belt back after having a chance to drop the U.S. Title to someone 2) pushing forward with the Owens/Jericho feud 3) bringing Triple H back in and reigniting his thing with Seth. Doesn’t really matter who wins here, because this is the wrong show to change the title.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Ryan Frederick: I think Chris Jericho gets involved in the finish. They shouldn’t put it on Reigns here though that’s the obvious direction. Owens should keep the belt until Triple H comes back and states his motivation and intentions. I could see a DQ win.
Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair will again be making history at Roadblock later this month.
It was announced on tonight’s edition of Raw that Banks would defend the Raw Women’s Championship against Charlotte in a 30-minute Iron Man match at WWE’s final pay-per-view of the year. Banks issued the challenge to Charlotte and it was revealed that she had accepted later in the night.
Banks was previously involved in the only other women’s Iron Man match in WWE history, where she took on Bayley for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: Respect last year.
Dave Meltzer reported on the December 3rd edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that Banks was scheduled to face Charlotte in a stipulation match on the PPV. Banks and Charlotte have long been programmed against each other, with Banks most recently taking the title from Charlotte in the main event of last week’s Raw.
The updated card for Roadblock on December 18th is:
WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens defending against Roman Reigns
Raw Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defending against Charlotte Flair in a 30-minute Iron Man match
As Raw moves on from Survivor Series and begins the build to Roadblock, last night’s show featured Charlotte Flair defending the Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks in a falls count anywhere match, Roman Reigns taking on Kevin Owens in an attempt to earn a shot at the Universal title, Paul Heyman discussing Brock Lesnar’s loss to Goldberg, and much more.
The Big Takeaway: For the third time this year, Sasha Banks won the Raw Women’s Championship on Raw by defeating Charlotte via submission in a Falls County Anywhere, no-DQ, no Countout match. Earlier, the two fought to a double countout, but Mick Foley ordered a rematch for that night. The announcers made it seem like this was the end of the Banks-Charlotte program. Also, Roman Reigns earned a Universal Championship match at Roadblock by pinning Kevin Owens in a nontitle match. Seth Rollins jumped Chris Jericho backstage, giving him a Pedigree on the roof of a car. The New Day’s reign as Raw Tag Team Champions continued after a successful title defense against Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho started the show. Owens was the guest. Owens noted being a guest on the Highlight Reel on consecutive weeks, which was unprecedented. Owens brought up Thanksgiving, and said it was an excuse to get one last meal in before Americans trample each other so they can save $50 bucks on a lousy flat-screen TV. Owens said he and Jericho were a superior breed of human, Canadians. Canada had its Thanksgiving last month.
Owens said he was thankful for being WWE Universal Champion, the face of Monday Night Raw (aka the Kevin Owens Show), and for Jericho. Jericho said he was thankful for Owens being his best friend, his anchor scarf, and for Rollins. He said Rollins proved to him was happens when ego takes over your life. He called Rollins a stupid idiot. Jericho said Rollins challenged Owens for the championship and failed himself.
Jericho claimed that wasn’t him wearing a Sin Cara mask, it was Sin Cara wearing a Jericho mask. Owens said Rollins wasn’t medically cleared to be here tonight after being power bombed on the apron last week.
Roman Reigns came out. Reigns said Jericho and Owens were making everyone laugh. Reigns thought it was a joke that Owens was Universal Champion. Owens thought it was a joke that Reigns called himself “the guy.” Reigns said he was the guy and Owens needed help because the only reason he keeps Jericho around is because he needs the help. Owens said he didn’t need Jericho. Reigns disagreed, saying if Owens didn’t have Jericho last week, he would have lost to Rollins last week, and lost for several weeks beforehand.
Jericho stopped him and asked if Reigns knew what happened when you make fun of his best friend. The crowd chanted for “the list,” but Owens told him to shut up. Owens said Reigns can’t talk to him that way or else he would power bomb him on the apron like he did Rollins. Reigns challenged him to a match tonight, and if Reigns wins, then he gets a title match at Roadblock. Owens accepted, saying Reigns had booked himself onto the Kevin Owens Show.” Reigns said he loves that show and by the end of it, he’ll be kicking Owens’ ass.
Backstage, Jericho was upset that Owens told him to shut up. Owens said that everytime Jericho gets involved in his matches, it makes people think that Owens can’t win by himself. Jericho was upset and wondered if he should be Owens’ best friend. Mick Foley walked up, but Jericho told him to save his breath. Jericho said he was leaving the building and wished Owens luck.
Braun Strowman defeated R-Truth (:38)
Braun Strowman won with the Oklahoma Stampede. Strowman attacked Goldust afterwards and placed him in the lifting arm triangle choke afterwards until Sami Zayn ran out for the save Strowman destroyed him, as well, laying him out with the Yokosuka Cutter. Then Strowman tied Zayn up in the Tree of Woe, but before he could do anything, Foley and a group of officials came out ordering to stop the carnage.
After a commercial, Zayn was upset at Foley, saying he wasn’t a child. Byron Saxton got in the ring to interview Foley, saying sometimes people need to be saved from themselves. Zayn got back in the ring and cut a promo on Foley, saying he didn’t need to be saved from himself, he needed to be saved from Foley. He said Foley had forgotten who is was because he’s only listening to people above him.
Foley cut a promo that was basically the same one Mick used from Rocky 3 trying to keep Rocky from fighting Clubber Lang. He told Zayn he couldn’t beat Strowman because it wasn’t a good matchup for him. He said Stephanie McMahon wanted to fire Zayn after his loss to the Miz at Survivor Series, but Foley talked her out of it and arranged for his punishment would be to fight Strowman.
Zayn asked what if Foley had stopped everytime someone told him he couldn’t win a match? He would have never become WWE champion. Zayn called Mick a hypocrite and left.
Charlotte was backstage when Dana Brooke updated her on the “Queen’s Homecoming Celebration.” Charlotte said she would cement her status as the greatest superstar of all time. Brooke never gave the update as Charlotte ordered her off.
Tony Nese defeated Cedric Alexander (3:25)
Cedric Alexander got a strong hometown reception. So, of course, he lost. Alicia Fox watched on backstage like she had a crush on Alexander. Drew Gulak was at ringside and jumped on the apron. Alexander gave him a dropkick, but Tony Nese hit a reverse piledrive for the pin. Michael Cole said he was surprised by the result. Has he paid attention to what happens to wrestlers competing in their hometowns for the past 20 years?
Enzo Amore and Big Cass did a promo for Black Friday on shopzone.com.
Jericho was shown leaving when Charly Caruso walked up and asked Jericho if this was a serious beef between him and Owens. Jericho said he was serious and said if Owens doesn’t need him, he doesn’t need Owens. He barked at Caruso to get the hell out of there and left the building. He told the limo driver to open the door, but the driver knocked Jericho’s list out of his hands. A voice asked “Did I just make the list?” It was Rollins, who threw Jericho into a wall and a car, then tried to throw a guard rail on him. Jericho moved, but Rollins continued the onslaught, sending Jericho into another car. He then gave Jericho a Pedigree on the roof of a car.
Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte and Sasha Banks went to a double countout, so Charlotte retained the championship (3:07)
Banks put Charlotte into the Bank Statement right away, forcing Charlotte to get to the ropes. Brooke jumped on the apron, but Banks set her into the ring steps. Even with the interference, Banks got booed quite loudly since it was Charlotte. They fought into the crowd, and the referee ruled the match a double countout at 3:07. Charlotte smiled thinking she was going to retain her championship that way. Foley came out and said he wasn’t going to let the rivalry end this way, He ordered the match to restart later tonight, with no countout, no DQ and falls count anywhere.
Enzo and Cass did micwork playing off Lana seeing Enzo naked last week. Enzo said when Rusev beat him last week, it was the luckiest day of Enzo’s life. But it was also the luckiest day of Lana’s life because she got to see how Certified a “G” Enzo was. Enzo and Cass reeled off what they had for Thanksgiving. Then Enzo said Lana dreamed of having her Turkey stuffed with him. As Rusev threw a tantrum, Lana’s facials were coy.
Enzo Amore defeated Rusev by DQ (:26)
Rusev kicked Amore low for the quick DQ. Corey Graves and Cole noted that Amore insulted Rusev’s wife, so natually Rusev would be furious. After the DQ, Saxton, in the most halfhearted way possible, said “Well, Eno won.”
Mark Henry did an interview with Caruso. Henry has a role in the movie “Incarnate.” Henry was showed in a scene with Aaron Eckhart. Titus O’Neal walked into the scene and said Henry stole the role from him, saying that was supposed to be his “Space Jam.” O’Neal put his hands on Henry, who shoved O’Neal down.
Rich Swann defeated Noam Dar (3:27)
Kendrick was on commentary and cut a Miz-style promo on Saxton, saying he got fired seven years ago because of mistakes he made with a wife and child at home. Noam Dar kicked Swann across the leg, and Swann landed across the bottom rope. Swann won out of nowhere with a spin kick.
Graves did an in-ring interview with Swann, who said Kendrick is doubting himself because he’s already beaten Kendrick twice. He said the third time would be that much sweeter because when he beats him the third time, he’ll come home the WWE Cruiserweight Champion because Kendrick “can’t handle this.”
The scene shifted to Blackfinn Pub, where Sheamus and Cesaro drank toge4ther. Sheamus ordered a pint of Guiness Cesaro ordered a cocktail “shaken, not stirred.” The deal was Sheamus and Cesaro would never have to team again after losing to the New Day last week. They argued about who was to blame for not winning the tag team titles. After a moment of silence, they reflected that they would always have the Survivor Series. Cesaro said if they could survive the end of the match, imagine would they could do if they liked each other.
Then some guy started making fun of Sheamus as the guy who got his ass kicked on TV last week. Sheamus got up like he was going to fight, but Cesaro told him to stay seated and be professional. Another stranger started laughing at Cesaro over being bald and said he should get a construction helmet so he and Sheamus could join the Village People. Everyone in the bar started laughing when the guy burped in Cesaro’s face. Cesaro got up, but Sheamus held him back. Of course, it led to the two of them cleaning house on the entire bar, with Sheamus picking up a chair and slamming it across a guy’s back. Cesaro threw someone over a pool table. It was every movie fight scene in a bar you’ve ever seen. Afterwards, Sheamus said “hey, it’s an open bar!” Cesaro ordered a pint of Guiness and the two toasted, calling each other “partner.” Basically, the two agreed to be a team again.
Roman Reigns defeated WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens in a nontitle bout to earn a Universal Title match at Roadblock. (14:32)
Owens jumped Reigns before the bell and ordered the referee to ring the bell. Once Reigns got up, Owens continued to pour in the forearms. Owens hit a DDT and a cannonball, then clamped on a chinlock and yelled “You can’t slip out even if your hair is greasy.” He ordered told Reigns to go back to football “or wherever the hell you came from.” Reigns made his comeback after blocking a senton with his knees, and followed with a Samoan drop for a near fall. Reigns called for the Superman’s punch, but Owens rolled out of the ring. So Reigns hit the Drive By. Owens caught Reigns coming back in the ring with a superkick.
Owens went to the top rope, but Reigns hit a superman punch to send Owens to the floor. Reigns hit another Superman’s Punch on the floor, rolled Owens in the ring and went for the spear, but Owens kicked him. Owens bounced off the ropes, but Reigns hit the spear for the pin.
Owens was backstage recovering from his loss when Caruso walked up. Owens was furious about being interviewed and said bad things happen when she interviews people, like what Rollins did to Jericho earlier. He said the only reason Reigns beat him tonight was because his head wasn’t into the match, he was too worried about Jericho. He ordered her to leave.
They aired a sit-down taped interview with Cole and Paul Heyman. In regards to Brock Lesar’s loss to Goldberg, Cole simply asked “What happened?” Heyman said “We screwed up.” He said they took Goldberg too lightly, thinking it would be the easiest payday of Brock’s career. He said Goldberg’s spear cracked Lesnar’s ribs, and if you can’t breathe, you can’t fight. Heyman fought back tears. Heyman said the humiliation, the embarrassment was something they couldn’t offer excuses for. It’s now part of Lesnar’s legacy that he got beat in 1:26. Heyman said it was embarassing and it put Brock in the mindset that he has something to prove. Heyman said that scares him, because that moment can make you, can destroy you or drive someone to greater heights. Heyman said it’s opened a side of Lesnar that’s we’ve never seen before. Heyman said if Goldberg is in the Royal Rumble match, then Lesnar is going to be in the Royal Rumble match. That’s leaves room for one winner, 28 losers and 1 victim, and that victim’s name is Bill Goldberg.
The weekly makeover of Emma to Emmalina vignette.
The New Day threw Booty-Os cereal on the announcers. Xavier Woods said in only 17 days, they will surpass the record held by Demolition to become the longest-reigning WWE Tag Team Champions of all time. Kofi Kingston said they defeated Sheamus and Cesaro last week by doing what they do best, being the New Day. Gallows and Anderson interrupted them.
Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day defeated Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows to retain the championships (8:58)
Big E. and Woods teamed for the New Day. Big E. got the hot tag and hit three consecutive belly-to-belly suplexes on Anderson, who came back with a leg lariat for a two count. Big E. delivered his spear to the floor on Anderson. Woods tagged in for the Midnight Hour, but Gallows came in to break it up. Anderson hit the Anderson Spinebuster on Woods for a near fall. Gallows lifted Woods into a power bomb and Anderson came off the top rope with a neckbreaker, but Woods got out at two. Anderson and Gallows went for the Magic Killer, but Big E. stopped him, yet Gallows still gave Big E. the Neck Hanging Tree Slam. Anderson gave Woods a cradle while holding the trunks, but Woods reversed it and held Anderson’s trunks for the pin. New Day looked exhausted on the floor after the win, as if the grind of holding the championships was getting to them.
Bayley walked into Banks locker room. She told Banks she knew she could beat Charlotte. Banks teased a bit of a heel turn and said it wasn’t about Bayley, it was about the Raw Women’s Championship. Banks brought up Ric Flair being disowned by his own daughter and said when she beats Charlotte tonight, she’ll dedicate her win to Flair.
Sasha Banks defeated Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte to win the Raw Women’s Championship via submission (16:29)
Banks performed a tope in the opening minute, then came back with a vertical suplex on the floor. They clotheslined each other on the floor. On the apron, they did a Kobashi-Misawa chop spot until Charlotte kicked Banks to the floor. Banks hit her head on the apron and sold like she was knocked out. Charlotte acted like she accidentally hurt her, then covered Banks for a two count. Charlotte delivered Natural Selection on the floor, but again only got two. Banks pulled out a Kendo Stick and wallopped Charlotte across the back, leading to a loud “ECW” chant. Charlotte barely sold it before delivering a neckbreaker. Then Charlotte put on the Figure Eight on the floor, but Sasha got out by using the kendo stick across Charlotte’s body.
They brawled up the ramp, where Charlotte threw Banks down and went to the announcer’s table. We haven’t seen announcer’s table spots on Raw since the Brand Extension. Charlotte threw Banks against the table. Banks fell to the floor, and Charlotte did a moonsault block off the announcer’s table onto Banks, who kicked out at two. Charlotte dragged Banks back to ringside, where Banks threw Charlotte into the post and gave her a backdrop to the floor. Banks jumped off the barricade and delivered double knees onto Charlotte for a two count. Banks grabbed the kendo stick again and used it against Charlotte’s back. Again they went into the crowd and up the steps, where Banks put Charlotte’s lean body between the steel guard rail. Then Banks used the bank statement on Charlotte while she was in the rail and Charlotte tapped out.
During Banks’ celebration, Flair came out and raised Banks’ arm. Banks was in tears as Flair hugged her. Charlotte watched on in agony from the crowd.
Both the Women’s Championship and Tag Team Championship will be on the line on next week’s episode of Raw.
The show will see the brand’s Women’s title defended as Charlotte Flair again takes on Sasha Banks. Flair defeated Banks for the title at Hell in a Cell last month in the first ever women’s HIAC match and pay-per-view main event. Banks lost the title in her hometown of Boston, MA, and next week’s Raw will take place in Flair’s hometown of Charlotte, NC.
Flair attacked Bayley at Survivor Series after they were the sole survivors for the Raw women’s division team, and Bayley teamed with Banks against Flair and Nia Jax on tonight’s show. Banks won the match for her team by tapping out Flair.
A tag title match was also set up for next week’s Raw with The New Day taking on Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The New Day successfully defended their titles against Cesaro and Sheamus on tonight’s show. And Gallows and Anderson were victorious tonight in a match against The Golden Truth.
Raw presents its second brand-exclusive pay-per-view since the WWE Draft on Sunday night as Hell in a Cell takes place in Boston, MA.
We’re looking for your thoughts on the show so leave your thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
The show is poised to make history as Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte is set to be the first ever women’s match to main event a WWE PPV. It will also be the first ever women’s Hell in a Cell match.
WWE has billed the show as featuring a “triple main event” with two other Hell in a Cell matches in addition to Banks vs. Charlotte. Kevin Owens will defend the WWE Universal Championship against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns will defend the United States Championship against Rusev inside of the Cell.
Our live coverage kicks off at 7 p.m ET. The card for the show is:
Raw Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defending against Charlotte in a Hell in a Cell match
WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens defending against Seth Rollins in a Hell in a Cell match
United States Champion Roman Reigns defending against Rusev in a Hell in a Cell match
WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins defending against Brian Kendrick
Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day defending against Cesaro & Sheamus
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Bayley vs. Dana Brooke
Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado & Sin Cara vs. Drew Gulak, Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari (kickoff match)
CEDRIC ALEXANDER & LINCE DORADO & SIN CARA VS. DREW GULAK & TONY NESE & ARIYA DAIVARI
Good opener ending with Alexander pinning Gulak after a lumbar check. Fast paced good match with a lot of flying moves. This was more like a Lucha Libre match Dorado doing a shooting star press, a monsault out of the ring and the three faces also did a triple dive spot near the finish. The crowd wasn’t into it early but once Alexander tagged in and they started with the big moves the crowd got into it.
ROMAN REIGNS VS. RUSEV FOR THE U.S. TITLE IN A HELL IN A CELL MATCH
Long match with Rusev dominating most of the way. Rusev had the Accolade with a chain around Reigns’ mouth but Reigns powered out of it and did a Samoan drop on the ring steps and then speared Rusev off the ring steps for the pin. The finish came across as the blow-off of their program. Both used kendo stick shots early. The crowd was up and down for it. Reigns wasn’t booed much but the chants were more “Let’s Go Rusev, Rusev sucks.” Both used kendo stick shots early, as well as the ring steps. Probably went too long but a good match..
DANA BROOKE VS. BAYLEY
Bayley won clean with the belly-to-belly. Bayley got a big reaciton coming out but crowd wasn’t up for the match. Just kind of there. Bayley is a good wrestler but Brooke was too limited to do much with. the pop for the win was nothing close to that of the entrance and it’s not supposed to be like that.
Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley are backstage with Chris Jericho. Jericho was mad at him for interrupting him. Jericho started talking Spanish. Jericho told Stephanie that she needs to choose her team wisely for Survivor Series. He said Team Chris and Kevin should be co-captains of Team Raw. Jericho put Foley’s name on the llist but he never said “You’re on the list” which the people were ready to pop for.
ENZO AMORE & BIG CASS VS. LUKE GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON
Long monologue by Enzo & Cass. He nicknamed them Big Gal & Andy. He got in a Big Papi reference for an easy Boston pop. Actually the monologue was the best thing on the show so far.
The object of this match was to put Anderson & Gallows over. Gallows superkicked Enzo and then Anderson pinned him after a Magic killer. Match was average. Basic stuff. Enzo sold for a few minutes and Cass got the hot tag and cleaned house. Enzo tagged in and they went right to the finish,
KEVIN OWENS VS. SETH ROLLINS FOR THE UNIVERSAL TITLE
This is tough putting this match so early. It does keep the women from having to follow this because there will be a few matches in between, but I can see the Kendrick match in particular being totally dead later in the night.
Owens retained the title after inteference from Chris Jericho. Owens power bombed Rollins through two chairs to win the match. During the match Owens sprayed a fire extinguisher in the eyes of the referee. They opened the cage door and Jericho ran in and then locked the door and took the key. One highlight was Rollins power bombing Owens over the top rope and through two tables. Rollins used a twisting frog splash but Jericho pulled the ref out of the ring to break up the count. Rollins also kicked out of one power bomb early. Owens used several chair shots on Rollins,but Rollins got the chair and hit both of them, but Owens DDT’d him on the chair. Jericho laid Rollins out with a codebreaker after the match and kept bad mouthing him. Very good match..
Just heard that lots of people left after this match ended.
TJ PERKINS VS. BRIAN KENDRICK FOR THE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE
This storyline is so beyond bad. Kendrick again begged Perkins to let him win during the pre-show.
The match was well wrestled but the the crowd was totally dead following the previous match. They were sent out to die and they in fact, did die. The finish was so bad. Kendrick did a fake knee injury that nobody bought. Perkins was acting like he believed it and the crowd booed Perkins for his stupidity and Kendrick just for doing it. Perkins tended to him and then Kendrick head-butted him and put him in the captain’s hook for the submission.
NEW DAY VS. SHEAMUS & CESARO FOR THE TAG TEAM TITLES
The New Day are getting the crowed back into this as Kofi Kingston said he was wearing Rob Gronkowski tennis shoes and said that he’s from Boston, which a lot of people don’t know because of the Jamaican thing. Woods actaully got on him for pandering. Kingston talked about how much he loved this city and the crowd was up for the rest of the New Day stuff.
The New Day, which was Woods & Big E, lost via DQ whe Kingston gave Sheamus the trouble in paradise on the floor as Cesaro had Woods in the sharpshooter in the middle. The ref saw it and called for the DQ befoe Woods submitted. E went to save Woods earlier but Sheamus hit E with the trombone which the ref didn’t see, but he turned around and did see Kingston attack Sheamus. The match was good but the finish was designed to keep the program alive without changing the titles. There was a spot where Sheamus gave Cesaro a Brogue kick and Woods very slowly went for the pin but Sheamus made the save. Woods did a rope walk into a flying elbow drop 2/3 of the way across the ring. Sheamus did a plancha, a low plancha but a plancha nonetheless onto all three New Day members.
SASHA BANKS VS. CHARLOTTE FLAIR FOR THE WOMEN’S TITLE IN THE HELL IN A CELL
If I was putting this on last, no way I’d do that finish. Charlotte regained the title. She threw Banks twice on a table that didn’t break and hit the natural selection for the pin. The crowd was totally quiet as nobody thoguht that was the finish. The story of the match started with Charlotte power bombing her off the cage while they were fighting outside hte cage through the announcers table. They teased that Banks couldn’t continue and Banks was put on a stretcher. They were carrying her out and announcing Charlotte as the winner via forfeit,which made no sense since the match hadn’t even started yet. Banks got off the stretcher in the middle of the announcement and the match was on. They had a long match, and the crowd really wanted it to be special but there were issues. There was supposed to be a spot where Charlotte was on the top rope and was supposed to be knocked off through a table. Something happened and Charlotte was standing on the apron and was kind of shoved on the table and the crowd booed it. Banks gave her double knees off the cage out of the ring and double knees in the ring through a chair. A lot of the spots in this match were already done in the Owens match, which was kind of weird.
Hell in a Cell is this month’s Raw PPV, emanating from the TD Garden in Boston, MA. It will be headlined by three Hell in a Cell matches, being billed as a triple main event.
The United States title will be defended as Roman Reigns takes on Rusev. The WWE Universal title is on the line as Seth Rollins squares off against champion Kevin Owens. And the match with the most attention is Sasha Banks defending the women’s title against Charlotte inside Hell in a Cell. On paper it looks to be an interesting show; how it goes is all based on WWE’s booking.
Here are the latest points following No Mercy:
Steve Khan: (WWE SmackDown Live Recapper) (58 points) Kyle S. Johnson: (Columnist) (58 points) Bryan Rose: (New Japan/CWC Reporter) (56 points) James Cox: (WWE Superstars Recapper & WWE DVD Reviewer) (54 points)
Jeremy Peeples: (Lucha Underground Recapper) (39 points)
Brian Hoops: (Daily Pro Wrestling History) (36 points)
Ryan Frederick: (UFC Reporter) (28 points)
PeachMachine: (University of Phoenix Online Mascot) (17 points)
Paul “Gramps” Fontaine: (MMA Writer and Recapper and new grandfather) (17 points)
Kevin LaRose: (WWE Main Event and Total Divas Recapper) (4 points)
JJ Williams: (NXT/CWC Roving Reporter) (3 points)
Dana Brooke vs. Bayley
Bryan Rose: I’m assuming Bayley gets a win here, right? Dana won cleanly a few weeks ago. Fifty-fifty booking as usual, nothing to really see here.
Winner: Bayley
Jeremy Peeples: This is a no-brainer. Dana is on the main roster while Nakamura is in NXT. Maybe Unsolved Mysteries can come back to the WWE Network.
Winner: Dana Brooke
James Cox: Pretty much not seeing Dana Brooke as a long term roster member, just don’t see it. Comparing her to Bayley in any way is just nuts.
Winner: Bayley
Ryan Frederick: They can’t have Bayley lose this match. She seems to be in a holding pattern until WrestleMania season rolls around. But they can’t have Dana beat her. It’s not out of the realm of possibility with this company, though.
Winner: Bayley
Brian Hoops: The should give Bayley a win here, of course they may see more potential in Dana than Bayley but Dana has been winning on TV.
Winner: Bayley
Steve Khan: Bayley should really win this no question.
Winner: Bayley
Kyle S. Johnson: Has to be Bayley. Cannot be anything but a Bayley win.
Winner: Bayley
Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado & Sin Cara vs. Drew Gulak, Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari
Bryan Rose: I don’t know. Raw hasn’t made me really interested in any of these guys, which is a great testament to how the divison’s been treated so far. Cedric still has momentum from the CWC, but that can only last for so long. No one else has clicked on the main roster, either. Let’s be nice and say the babyfaces win here. Also — where’s Rich Swann?
Winner: Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado and Sin Cara
Jeremy Peeples: It’s amazing how they have made the “cruiserweight division” feel completely meaningless already, and random matches like this with no rhyme or reason to them are why.
Winner: Team…I think babyfaces? Sin Cara, Lince, and Cedric
James Cox: I’m sure this will be fun but what a way to water down this division.
Winners: Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado and Sin Cara
Ryan Frederick: It’s a good showcase match for the cruiserweight division, but they seem to want to kill the interest in the division. It’s a real shame because they have guys who can be stars if given the chance. Cedric Alexander is one of those guys. I’d have the babyface team go over here.
Winners: Sin Cara, Lince Dorado & Cedric Alexander
Brian Hoops: I am assuming the person who gets the pin should be next in line for a title shot, but you never know.
Winners: Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado and Sin Cara
Steve Khan: Should be a decent showcase match with no implications on the bigger picture. Coin flip for the winner.
Winner: Gulak, Nese & Daivari
Kyle S. Johnson: Hey, here’s a match! Might even be fun, too. Let’s go with the babyfaces winning, probably with Cedric being the showcased guy.
Winner: Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado, and Sin Cara
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Bryan Rose: Not really enthused for this, either. Amore and Cass still get the big reactions, but…yeah. I don’t know. This could go either way, and given how the rest of the panel goes I’ll go with Gallows and Anderson.
Winner: Gallows and Anderson
Jeremy Peeples: Enzo and Cass have been beating The Club like drums on TV, so the heels are due to win here.
Winners: The Club
James Cox: Gallows and Anderson should be monster main event heels, what happened? They made them do comedy.
Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Brian Hoops: Gallows/Anderson have been getting beat on TV, so by WWE logic they win on Sunday.
Winners: Gallows and Anderson
Ryan Frederick: They’ve killed Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on Raw. They would’ve been better off on SmackDown. They’ve been beating them too much. With that, I expect them to win at the expense of Enzo & Cass. This feels like two teams with no direction.
Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Steve Khan: I’m tempted to pick Enzo and Cass based on how far beneath the earth Gallows and Anderson have been buried. But every feud seems likely to continue beyond this show, and Enzo and Cass can get a win later to set them up for Survivor Series.
Winner: Gallows and Anderson
Kyle S. Johnson: Guns and Gallows have been buried so deep here that they almost have to win to be able to breathe oxygen again. Take them to win, take the feud to continue.
Winner: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
WWE Cruiserweight Championship: TJ Perkins (C) vs. Brian Kendrick
Bryan Rose: Brian Kendrick seems more apt for the role as heel champion chasing the challenger. At this point, I think Alexander and Swann seem like perfect people to chase him. Perkins is great in ring, but hasn’t really blown away anybody with his verbiage as of late. I see Perkins relenting towards the end of the match, Kendrick takes advantage and pins him to win the title.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Jeremy Peeples: TJ shouldn’t lose the title this early, but they set up a Kendrick win here by having him lose on Raw and be more desperate than ever to win.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
James Cox: I’m not sure where else they go other than with a title change.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Brian Hoops: Perkins shouldn’t lose this quickly, but Kendrick lost on TV so by WWE logic, Kendrick wins!
Winner Brian Kendrick
Ryan Frederick: It isn’t the right time for TJ Perkins to lose the title. However, the way they have built this match up, the only logical direction is a Brian Kendrick win. They seem to have backed themselves into a corner, and I expect a title change here. I don’t agree with it.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Steve Khan: It would be weird if Kendrick lost and was still on Raw every week after he said his life would be over if he didn’t win. I wouldn’t change the title yet, but it seems likely here.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Kyle S. Johnson: The story here will probably be that Perkins will show weakness and pay for it. That, or they’re killing Kendrick dead here. So, since this seems to be a show concerned with resuscitating corpses — and just in time for Halloween! — Kendrick wins.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Raw Tag Team Championship: The New Day (C) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
Bryan Rose: Hmm…The New Day are probably set to win just based on the fact they’re probably going to give them the record as longest reigning champions. Cesaro and Sheamus are the latest in the “tag teams that can’t get along” storyline WWE loves to do every other year, so it seems like a ripe time to give them the belts, but they probably won’t.
Winner: The New Day
Jeremy Peeples: Cesaro and Sheamus have no momentum and less heat, so this should be an easy win for The New Day.
Winner: The New Day
James Cox: Too early for Cesaro and Sheamus to be winning anything, but is there’s any more story to tell?
Winner: Cesaro and Sheamus
Brian Hoops: Cesaro and Sheamus may eventually get the belts, but not yet as it is apparent the New Day will get the record first for longest reigning champions.
Winner: The New Day
Ryan Frederick: To me, this doesn’t feel like a one-and-done match. It seems like the New Day win here and hold on to the belts to get the record, and once that is set, then the Cesaro & Sheamus team will finally start to get along and win.
Winners: The New Day
Steve Khan: While a title change seems extremely unlikely, Cesaro and Sheamus need to look strong since this will likely continue. Still, New Day gets the win.
Winner: The New Day
Kyle S. Johnson: This feud probably isn’t ending here, so Cesaro and Sheamus will come up just short, lose cleanly because of some kind of discord between the two, and be granted a rematch anyway. Logic is fun!
Winner: The New Day
Hell in a Cell, United States Championship: Roman Reigns (C) vs. Rusev
Bryan Rose: I hope Rusev overcomes the odds and beat Reigns, who has done nothing but torment him and Lana during this entire feud. But my gut says that Roman will find a way to win, that serial harasser.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Jeremy Peeples: Roman just won the title, and while Rusev is the natural face here, he is doomed to lose to the Big Dog.
Winner: Roman Reigns.
James Cox: Its really time to move Rusev into some main event programs and Reigns isn’t losing.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Brian Hoops: Roman just won title and should keep it here.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Ryan Frederick: They won’t beat Roman, at least not cleanly. And the Hell In A Cell stipulation means a clean win. Add in the fact that Roman just won the title, the winner seems obvious.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Steve Khan: Too early for Reigns to lose. We’ve seen these two wrestle a lot, but this should still be good.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Kyle S. Johnson: Ruthless heel Roman Reigns will continue to badger valiant babyface Rusev by taunting his wife and beating him soundly. Just move Rusev into the main event and feed Braun Strowman to Roman already, will ya?
Winner: Roman Reigns
Hell in a Cell, WWE Universal Championship: Kevin Owens (C) vs. Seth Rollins
Bryan Rose: Owens winning clean I think gives him a lot of momentum. But with WWE, there always has to be a story. Maybe somehow Jericho gets involved in this, leading to an Owens win. I think the next program might be Jericho and Owens if they continue with the split, so that might be the most logical conclusion.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Jeremy Peeples: It’s too early for Owens to lose, and he really needs a credible win here. So I’ll go with HHH returning, hitting a Pedigree on Seth, Seth kicking out of that, but losing to the powerbomb.
Winner: Kevin Owens
James Cox: I do like Owens on top. He and Jericho have been excellent. I want this to be good, but Rollins has been sub par since he returned.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Brian Hoops: Story should be to build Owens up with some wins and make the title mean something. So far, they have not done that and changing the belt now cheapens it further.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Ryan Frederick: I expect Chris Jericho to be involved. Perhaps it plants more seeds for the eventual Owens vs. Jericho match. I hate beating Seth Rollins here without it meaning something, so I could see involvement from either Stephanie or Triple H. Owens needs to win this.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Steve Khan: Should be really good. It’s too early for Rollins to win. He probably has to get through Triple H first at some point. It’ll be interesting to see how Chris Jericho gets involved. We probably won’t see them split yet as they could end up on the Raw Survivor Series team next month.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Kyle S. Johnson: At this stage, it’s fair to assume that Hunter might wait for the end of football season before he reappears in this storyline. He could also show up in this match and then disappear for a month or two again, because that’s just how things seem to work in the WWE. Either way, Kevin Owens retains.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Hell in a Cell, Raw Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks (C) vs. Charlotte
Bryan Rose: Sasha should win this. As far as how the match will go…well, it should be interesting, that’s for sure! They will do a bunch of big spots just to make this as special as they’re hyping it up to be, but that usually tends for it to be a bit more sloppy in execution. We’ll see how it goes.
Winner: Sasha Banks
Jeremy Peeples: WWE loves to have folks lose in their hometown, but Sasha really should retain here to keep her momentum going – especially if this closes the show.
Winner: Sasha Banks
James Cox: At least this is different and at least it’s new. I don’t know how effective they can be in a cage, though. But here, alone, is at least one reason to tune in.
Winner: Sasha Banks
Brian Hoops: Let’s rebook this. Charlotte is the champion and has been retaining title due to outside interference, so they put this match inside the cell so the babyface (Banks) has a fair chance in her hometown to win the title. Easy story to tell but the opposite of what WWE has done.
Winner: Charlotte
Ryan Frederick: The booking of this feud has been head scratching at times, with the monkey wrench of Sasha’s injury changing the direction. They should’ve held off getting the title back on her until here, and I don’t think they’ll have her lose in her hometown. It wouldn’t shock me, though.
Winner: Sasha Banks
Steve Khan: Too early for Banks to lose. We’ve seen these two wrestle a lot, but this should still be good.
Winner: Sasha Banks
Kyle S. Johnson: A title change here risks too much belt-hopping in the span of a few months, so let’s take Sasha to retain. Nia Jax has been MIA in a while, so perhaps a post-match beat down is in the cards.
