While this past weekend was big for WWE, Monday Night Raw had nothing to do with it. Instead, tonight’s episode continues to build towards the Extreme Rules Pay-Per-View in a few weeks. Most of the matches have already been made for the event, so tonight’s episode will probably just focus on building excitement.
Opening Segment
To kick off the show is Bray Wyatt, who addresses his Fatal Five-Way match at Extreme Rules (the winner of which will be the next challenger for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship). Wyatt starts addressing all of his upcoming opponents (Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns) , saving Roman Reigns for last. He says that WWE being Reigns’ “yard” doesn’t matter, because apparently Wyatt owns the entire world.
Reigns is ready to kick Wyatt out of his yard, but both men are interrupted by the Raw General Manager and WWE Hall of Famer, Kurt Angle. Angle likes Reigns’ idea for fighting Wyatt, so he makes it a match for right now.
Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt
This is far from the first time that Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt have faced each other. From their feud a couple years ago to the battles between The Shield and The Wyatt Family, Wyatt and Reigns are very familiar with each other. Like Angle mentioned before the match started, this match could turn the momentum in the favor of the victor going into Extreme Rules.
While Reigns and Wyatt are both down, Samoa Joe makes his way to the ring. Joe and Wyatt start attacking Reigns, but then Joe locks the Coquina Clutch in on Wyatt. Seth Rollins comes to the ring to stop Joe’s assault and he stands tall with Reigns to end the segment. Winner (via disqualification): Roman Reigns
Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari
Before Akira Tozawa ends his feud with Brian Kendrick in a street fight tomorrow night on 205 Live, he tries to get a head of steam going against Ariya Daivari. During the match, Kendrick watches from the back while the commentators ask him questions. Apparently, there were no extra seats available for the announce table.
Tozawa heads up to the top rope and hits Daivari with a senton with a ton of hang time for the quick victory. Winner: Akira Tozawa
Elias Samson vs. Dean Ambrose
For weeks, Elias Samson was just drifting around backstage on Monday Night Raw. No one called him out on it until Kurt Angle did earlier tonight. Angle decided that it is finally time for Samson to have a match, and he takes on the Lunatic Fringe. Ambrose defends his Intercontinental Championship at Extreme Rules against the Miz, who is joining commentary for this match.
Both men are down, so the Miz decides to come down to the ring. Instead of attacking Dean Ambrose, Miz hits Elias Samson so that Ambrose is disqualified. Ambrose tries to chase down the Miz, but Samson attacks him from behind and the Miz escapes. Winner (via disqualification): Elias Samson
Backstage Segment
Big Cass is walking around backstage and he comes across Enzo Amore, knocked out. When Amore comes to, he knows that he was attacked from behind, but he doesn’t remember who did it.
Finn Balor vs. Karl Anderson (w/Luke Gallows)
Before the match starts, Finn Balor addresses his Fatal Five-Way match at Extreme Rules when he is interrupted by Paul Heyman. The advocate for Brock Lesnar cuts his usual promo about how whoever wins will be victimized by the Beast Incarnate. Although, he says that Balor is no victim. In fact, Heyman never insults Balor. He instead wishes the former Universal Champion good luck at Extreme Rules.
Balor is able to overcome the numbers game provided by Luke Gallows, and he picks up the win with the Coup de Grace. Winner: Finn Balor
Alicia Fox (w/Noam Dar) vs. Sasha Banks
Two weeks ago, Sasha Banks pinned Alicia Fox but the referee didn’t see Fox’s shoulder up. This would lead to a rematch last week, where Alicia Fox shocked the world and picked up a clean victory over the three-time Raw Women’s Champion. Tonight, both women settle the score.
Banks sidesteps Fox’s signature scissors kick, and she hits Fox in the corner with the double knees to put her away. Winner: Sasha Banks
Kalisto vs. Apollo Crews (w/Titus O’Neil)
Both of these men used to be really good friends, but it seems like Apollo Crews’ relationship with Titus O’Neil is changing that. Kalisto and Crews were talking backstage, and O’Neil wanted this match after Kalisto refused to join the Titus Brand.
O’Neil yells orders at Crews, but this just ends up distracting him. Kalisto takes advantage and hits the Salida Del Sol for the win. Winner: Kalisto
Matt Hardy (w/Jeff Hardy) vs. Sheamus (w/Cesaro) – Winner Chooses Championship Match Stipulation
A couple weeks ago, Sheamus and Cesaro defeated the rest of the division in Tag Team Turmoil to become the new #1 Contenders for the Raw Tag Team Championships. Before the teams collide for the titles, Matt Hardy and Sheamus square off in singles action. Whoever wins this match gets to decide the match stipulation for when they meet at Extreme Rules.
Cesaro goes to attack Matt Hardy while the referee was distracted, but Jeff Hardy stops him in his tracks. Matt Hardy then hits a distracted Sheamus with the Twist of Fate to pick up the victory. The Raw Tag Team Champions decide to defend their titles inside a steel cage. Winner: Matt Hardy
Austin Aries vs. Tony Nese (w/Neville)
At Extreme Rules, Austin Aries will take on Neville for the Cruiserweight Championship in a submission match. While Neville has no affiliation with Tony Nese, the King of the Cruiserweights sits at ringside to scout his challenger.
Nese tries to escape from the Guillotine Choke, but Aries just counters his escape attempt into the Last Chancery. After forcing Nese to tap out, Aries stares down Neville while celebrating his victory. To make a point, Neville attacks Nese while he’s down and locks in the Rings of Saturn. Winner (via submission): Austin Aries
Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James
Early this year, Mickie James returned to WWE to help Alexa Bliss retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch. Since then, Bliss decided to turn on James before unsuccessfully defending the title at WrestleMania. Since then, Bliss won the Raw Women’s Championship and has gotten more conceited and aggressive every week.
Bliss hits James with a nasty forearm shot, then finishes off her former ally with a DDT. Bliss nails James in the back with a kendo stick and Bayley saves James before Bliss can continue. Winner: Alexa Bliss
Bray Wyatt & Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins
Because of tonight’s opening segment, we have a tag team match in the main event like every episode of WWE television ever. Reigns and Rollins have plenty of experience tagging with each other; they were Tag Team Champions together when they were part of the Shield. Wyatt and Joe can get along if they need too, but they have no problem attacking each other.
Wyatt and Reigns are sent outside of the ring, and Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch on Rollins. Rollins doesn’t tap, but he just passes out, giving Joe and Wyatt the win. Winners: Bray Wyatt & Samoa Joe
