This Sunday, WWE hosted Payback, a Pay-Per-View that would help finalize the Superstar Shake-up. Both the Raw Women’s Championship and the United States Championship changed hands, which saw Alexa Bliss become the first woman to hold the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships and Chris Jericho get moved to SmackDown Live. Now Raw looks forward towards Extreme Rules, so get ready for feuds to be established tonight.
Alexa Bliss’ Championship Coronation
We kick off Raw with the entire Women’s Division inside the ring, along with a pedestal of sorts for the “coronation” of the new Raw Women’s Champion, Alexa Bliss. Bliss “thanks” Mickie James, Sasha Banks, and Bayley for helping her to get to where she is today. She makes fun of Bayley for losing the Raw Women’s Championship in her own hometown in front of her own family, and Bayley retaliates by knocking the champion off of her platform. Everyone in the ring starts to brawl and the show goes to commercial.
Bayley, Mickie James, Sasha Banks, & Dana Brooke vs. Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Emma, & Alicia Fox
In true General Manager fashion, Kurt Angle appeared during the commercial break and turned the chaos into an official tag team match. Bayley still has her championship rematch in store, but this match helps serve as a way to boost the entire division instead of just the women in the title picture.
Most of the women brawl to the outside, and Bliss uses the distraction to rake Bayley’s eyes. She then hits a DDT to put Bayley away for the second night in a row. Winner: Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Emma, & Alicia Fox
Enzo Amore (w/Big Cass) vs. Luke Gallows (w/Karl Anderson)
Before the match starts, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson attack Enzo and Cass from behind. Everything eventually settles down, and the match finally starts. Enzo and Cass defeated Gallows and Anderson last night on the Payback Kickoff Show when Amore scored a quick roll-up on Gallows.
Karl Anderson distracts Amore just long enough for Gallows to take advantage, planting Amore with the spin-out flapjack for the win. Winner: Luke Gallows
In-ring Segment
Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring to answer the question, “What’s next for Seth Rollins?” Rollins wants the Universal Championship, and out comes Finn Balor, who said the same thing last night. After they argue over who deserves the title shot, Dean Ambrose (the current Intercontinental Champion) makes his way to the ring. Ambrose says Raw should be about fighting champions, meaning that the Intercontinental Championship is the #1 title on Raw, and he wants some action.
Of course, the Miz has to insert himself into the important segment by interrupting the discussion. The Miz says that he made the title prestigious and he is the only one to deserve the title. Dean Ambrose settles everything by giving Kurt Angle a call, and a match is made for later tonight: Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz to determine the #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Championship.
Tony Nese, Brian Kendrick, & Noam Dar vs. Rich Swann, Akira Tozawa, & Jack Gallagher
Raw hasn’t been doing a great job of showcasing the Cruiserweight Division lately, and this is the first of two matches tonight that will do exactly that. While Tony Nese and Jack Gallagher haven’t really been feuding with anyone recently, two feuds are in this match. Rich Swann drove Alicia Fox to break up with Noam Dar, and Akira Tozawa has been battling with Brian Kendrick for months over teaching each other lessons.
Akira Tozawa and Rich Swann take out Tony Nese and Noam Dar outside the ring, and Jack Gallagher finishes off Brian Kendrick with a running dropkick in the corner. Winners: Rich Swann, Akira Tozawa, & Jack Gallagher
In-ring Segment
Sheamus and Cesaro attacked The Hardy Boyz after losing their Raw Tag Team Championship match last night, and they explain their actions. They are tired of the WWE Universe being focused on nostalgia acts instead of looking at the present. They say they not only do they set the bar, but they are the bar.
Matt and Jeff Hardy come out to respond to Sheamus and Cesaro by rushing the ring for a fight. The former challengers leave the ring and retreat, trying to play mind games with the Hardys.
Heath Slater (w/Rhyno) vs. Apollo Crews (w/Titus O’Neil)
Both Apollo Crews and Heath Slater were moved to Raw as part of the Superstar Shake-up, and Crews had his first match back on Raw last week when he beat Curt Hawkins. This is Slater’s first match since being moved, and it is safe to say that the former SmackDown Tag Team Champion had more success than Crews on the blue brand.
Crews ducks out of the way to dodge a kick attempt from Slater and Crews finishes him off with the spinout seated powerbomb. Titus O’Neil takes a selfie with Crews after the match, but Rhyno photobombs them. Winner: Apollo Crews
In-ring Segment
Raw General Manager Kurt Angle starts to give us a medical update on Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns when he is interrupted by The Eater of Worlds, Bray Wyatt. Wyatt says he has a plan, but he doesn’t reveal what it is, and he warns Angle not to get in his way.
Austin Aries vs. TJ Perkins
While Austin Aries won his Cruiserweight Championship match against Neville last night, he only won by disqualification, so he still doesn’t hold the title. TJ Perkins has a chance to take out Aries to help out his ally, Neville. Based on how this story is being told, it seems like Aries is still in the title picture.
Aries counters the Detonation Kick and locks in the Last Chancery to force the former Cruiserweight Champion to tap out. Perkins attacks Aries’ knee after the match (like he did during the match) and locks in his patented kneebar to try and injure A-Double. Winner (via submission): Austin Aries
The Miz (w/Maryse) vs. Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins – #1 Contender’s Match (Intercontinental Championship)
Now that Payback is over, it is time for the Intercontinental Championship to actually matter again. Seth Rollins and Finn Balor originally wanted the WWE Universal Championship, but as far as we know, Brock Lesnar won’t defend the title until the July Pay-Per-View, Great Balls of Fire (no really, that’s the actual name). Whoever wins this match will be the next challenger to face Dean Ambrose.
Samoa Joe attacks Seth Rollins during the match, hitting the Kingslayer with a Uranage outside the ring. Finn Balor looks to put The Miz away, but Bray Wyatt then shows up to hit him with Sister Abigail. The Miz takes advantage of the opportunity, covering Balor for the win. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: The Miz
