Last week’s episode of Monday Night Raw was the first Raw after WrestleMania, so it was filled with plenty of important stories and NXT call-ups. Call-ups included Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady, Apollo Crews, and Baron Corbin (along with the Vaudevillains on Smackdown). Most importantly, however, is that Shane McMahon was in charge for the night (even though he lost to the Undertaker at WrestleMania). Tonight, thanks to social media support, Shane McMahon is in charge yet again.
Opening Segment
The man in charge, Shane McMahon, comes down to the ring to address the crowd. He promises more new Superstars, fresh matches, and a change of pace from the usual Monday Night Raw. Two huge announcements include Natalya taking on Charlotte for the WWE Women’s Championship, as well as the beginning of a tag team tournament, with the winner facing the New Day for the Tag Team Championship.
The announcements just keep on coming. Sami Zayn will get an opportunity that he didn’t get last week, and will take on AJ Styles. If Zayn wins, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Payback will be a triple threat match. After this announcement, Shane O’Mac is interrupted by the former Intercontinental Champion, Kevin Owens.
Owens demands his Intercontinental Championship rematch, but Shane McMahon tells Owens that he needs to earn his title shot (even though he does have the rematch clause). In order to earn the title shot, he will have to defeat Cesaro.
Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro – #1 Contender’s Match (Intercontinental Championship)
Cesaro returned last week, and competed against Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, and AJ Styles in a #1 Contender’s match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which AJ Styles ended up winning. “The Swiss Superman” has been out of action for months from a shoulder injury, and a win in this match could give Cesaro tons of momentum after his return.
Cesaro rolls through the Pop-up Powerbomb, and connects with the Neutralizer to pick up a big win. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Cesaro
Backstage Segment
Charlotte and Ric Flair are backstage complaining about Charlotte’s title defense later tonight, when they are interrupted by Monday Night Raw guest host Dr. Phil (you read that right). Dr. Phil gives his analysis of Charlotte, and says that Ric Flair is holding her back, and that she needs to stand on her own two feet.
We switch gears to Kevin Owens angrily yelling at Shane McMahon, claiming that what Owens will do to Zayn will be on Shane McMahon’s “pretty little grey hair.” After the threat, Shane McMahon orders security to escort Kevin Owens out of the building.
Lucha Dragons vs. The Dudley Boyz – #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament Match
Before the match, The New Day comes down to the ring to do their usual promo, and inform us all that this tournament is sponsored by Booty-O’s.
During the match, Kalisto hits hard outside the ring, and doesn’t move for the rest of the match.
The Dudley Boys have the number advantage thanks to Kalisto’s injury, and they hit 3-D on Sin Cara to advance to the semifinals. Winners: The Dudley Boyz
After the match, Enzo Amore and “Big Cass” come out to the stage to talk smack with the Dudleys.
In-ring Segment
Roman Reigns comes down to the ring to talk about AJ Styles, but before he gets started, he gets interrupted by the League of Nations. Last week, the League of Nations kicked King Barrett out of their faction because he was the “weakest link.”
The League of Nations starts attacking Roman Reigns, when the Wyatt Family comes out of nowhere and ends up saving Roman Reigns. Shane McMahon announces a match for tonight’s main event: two members of the League of Nations will take on the unlikely team of Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns.
Charlotte (w/Ric Flair) (c) vs. Natalya – WWE Women’s Championship
Before the match starts, Dr. Phil sits at the commentary table to see if Charlotte will win her match cleanly, instead of cheating and using her father for help. In almost every title defense Charlotte has had, Ric Flair has been the reason why she walks out champion.
Natalya locks in the Sharpshooter, and while Charlotte is tapping, Ric Flair pulls the referee out of the ring, so the referee gives Natalya a win, but by disqualification. Winner (via disqualification): Natalya ; STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Charlotte
The Usos vs. Curtis Axel & Heath Slater (w/Adam Rose & Bo Dallas) – #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament
Both of these teams have not seen success in their most recent endeavors. The Usos lost a tables match to the Dudley Boyz last week on Raw, and all of the Social Outcasts lost the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania. Advancing in this tournament will be highly beneficial for either team.
After the poor decision of starting a “Bo Train”, The Usos roll-up Heath Slater for the win. Winners: The Usos
After the match, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson make their WWE debut (or return in Gallows’s case) by viciously attacking the Usos. For those who don’t know, Anderson and Gallows have been a huge part of tag team wrestling in Japan as part of the Bullet Club in New Japan Pro Wrestling, which has featured the likes of the AJ Styles and Finn Balor.
AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn
Both Styles and Zayn will benefit from a win in this match. If Styles wins, his match against Roman Reigns at Payback stays one-on-one. However, if Zayn wins, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match becomes a triple threat match.
Sami Zayn gives a huge effort, but after a failed attempt at the Helluva Kick, AJ Styles hits Zayn with the Phenomenal Forearm to secure a one-on-one match against Roman Reigns at Payback. This is also Sami Zayn’s first pinfall loss on the main roster. Winner: AJ Styles
Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel
Chris Jericho claims this will be the biggest Highlight Reel ever because of his special guest: Chris Jericho. Jericho tells himself that no one can “touch him,” and that no one is on his level. As Jericho goes on, he is interrupted by Dean Ambrose. Ambrose gives Jericho a memo straight from Shane McMahon, saying that it’s his show now.
Dean Ambrose’s Ambrose Asylum (feat. Chris Jericho)
Now that this is Ambrose’s show, the Jeri-tron is covered by an “Ambrose Asylum” sign, and Jericho’s potted plan is also replaced. After Jericho gets angry for Ambrose for asking about his scarf, Ambrose hits Jericho with Dirty Deeds to end the segment.
Apollo Crews vs. Adam Rose (w/Bo Dallas)
Crews made his main roster debut last week on Raw, and was successful in an impressive showing against Tyler Breeze. Crews probably has the best combination of strength and speed since Brock Lesnar, so he is sure to make waves in the WWE.
Crews overcomes a distraction from Bo Dallas, and hits Adam Rose with a spinning sit-out powerbomb to pick up the victory. Winner: Apollo Crews
Bray Wyatt & Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus & Alberto Del Rio (w/Rusev)
There is no rhyme or reason for Wyatt and Reigns to be paired up tonight other than the fact that Shane McMahon just feels like seeing something different (Who can blame him?).
Del Rio almost has Wyatt put away, when Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan come out of nowhere to neutralize the threat of Rusev. After evening the odds, Wyatt his Sister Abigail on Alberto Del Rio for a big win. Winners: Bray Wyatt & Roman Reigns
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