Last night, SmackDown had their first brand-specific Pay-Per-View, Backlash. Monday Night Raw, however, has a show of their own in less than two weeks: Clash of Champions. With a great showing from the blue brand last night, how can Raw makes its way to outdo its competition?
Opening Segment
Raw General Manager Mick Foley starts the show off in the ring, and immediately congratulates SmackDown on putting on a great Pay-Per-View last week. After congratulating Becky Lynch on becoming the first-ever SmackDown Women’s Champion, Mick Foley brings out his show’s Women’s Champion, Charlotte.
Charlotte practically forces Dana Brooke to apologize to her for costing her a match against Bayley last week, and we get to Foley’s original point with Clash of Champions. Since the Women’s Championship has to be defended, both Sasha Banks (who has a rematch clause) and Bayley (who defeated Charlotte last week on Raw). Mick Foley books a match for later tonight: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Dana Brooke, with the winner going to Clash of Champions to challenge Charlotte for the Raw Women’s Championship.
During the promo, Charlotte kept talking down to Dana Brooke, Brooke had enough and slapped the Women’s Champion hard enough to knock her down. This convinced Mick Foley to put Dana Brooke in the #1 Contender’s match.
Sasha Banks vs. Bayley vs. Dana Brooke – #1 Contender’s Match (Raw Women’s Championship)
This is Sasha Banks’s first match since her title loss at SummerSlam, and it shows that she is still not 100% because of the medical tape around her lower back. Banks and Bayley both have viable claims to be in the Women’s Championship match, and Dana Brooke was kind of just placed in this match. If Banks loses this match, she technically has a rematch clause that she can still cash in so it is interesting to see how they go about that.
Bayley hits Dana Brooke with the Bayley-to-Belly, and Sasha Banks interrupts the pin to roll up Bayley. While both Bayley’s and Banks’s shoulders were down, they are calling Banks the winner of the match. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Sasha Banks
Bo Dallas vs. Brandon Scott (local talent)
For some reason, Bo Dallas has joined the squash train by facing local talent. After hitting Scott with a version of the Cross Rhodes, Dallas gets a quick victory. Winner: Bo Dallas
Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel feat. Sami Zayn
Originally, Chris Jericho was going to have the longest-reigning WWE Universal Champion of all time, Kevin Owens, on the Highlight Reel. Since Owens is facing Roman Reigns later in the night, Jericho replaced him with “the lowest of the low,” Sami Zayn.
Zayn calls Jericho Kevin Owens’s “bitch,” then Jericho then proceeds to clock Zayn with his iPhone, and follows it up with a Codebreaker.
Cesaro vs. Sheamus – Best of Seven Series (Match Five)
Last week on Monday Night Raw, Sheamus picked up a win in the third match of the series go to up 3-0 over Cesaro. At a house show in London this past Wednesday, Cesaro picked up a victory in Match Four, now making the series 3-1. A loss for Cesaro ends the series, and in order for the Swiss Superman to win the series, he has to win three consecutive matches. Because of his lead in the series, Sheamus is very confident going into this match, but he has to make sure that he is not too confident.
Cesaro slips out of the Celtic Cross, and rolls up Sheamus while using the ropes for leverage, getting the pinfall victory. Winner: Cesaro
Series Standings: Sheamus (3) Cesaro (2)
Nia Jax vs. Alicia Fox
Last week, Nia Jax continued her reign of destruction when she dominated Alicia Fox’s friend in the ring. Fox did not like Jax’s attitude when they ran into each other backstage, so they have a match tonight.
Jax throws Fox around like a rag doll at ringside, then spears her through the barricade. Referees rush to ringside to check on Fox, ending the match. Result: No Contest
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (w/Big E) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
The New Day are defending their Raw Tag Team Championships against Gallows and Anderson at Clash of Champions in under two weeks. For some reason, they are facing each other now.
Gallows and Anderson take out Kingston on the apron, and hit the Magic Killer on Woods for the win. Winners: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Jinder Mahal vs. Jack Swagger
Before the match, Jinder Mahal says that he comes in peace after his journey in the Himalayas. This seemed like a poor strategy going into a wrestling match, but it just suckered in Swagger. (Where the hell has Swagger been, anyway?)
After a pull-back neckbreaker, Jinder Mahal finally picks up a Monday Night Raw victory since he stole one over Heath Slater several weeks ago. Winner: Jinder Mahal
Enzo Amore (w/Big Cass) vs. Epico (w/Primo)
Last week, these two teams squared off, and The Shining Stars picked up a victory when Epico used Enzo Amore’s tights for leverage in a pinfall.
Amore tries to suplex Epico from the apron to the ring, but Primo holds the ankles of Amore. This gives Epico the advantage to cover ‘Zo, and Primo prevents the kickout. Winner: Epico
Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns
At Clash of Champions, Kevin Owens will defend the WWE Universal Championship against Seth Rollins. If Roman Reigns wins this match, he put himself in to the match to make it a triple threat.
During the match, Seth Rollins rushes down to the ring and attacks Kevin Owens. What would be a disqualification win for Kevin Owens turns into a restarted match when a pissed off Mick Foley decides that he does not want the main event to end that way. While the match continues, Foley brings Rollins to the back to have “a talk.”
Rusev appears out of nowhere after being gone for weeks and distracts Roman Reigns. Owens takes advantage to hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb to keep his Universal Championship title defense a singles match. Winner: Kevin Owens
After the match, Rusev hits Reigns with a jumping superkick, then assaults the man who interrupted his wedding celebration. Rusev stands tall over Reigns to end Monday Night Raw.
