While Raw is several weeks away from No Mercy, there is still a big night ahead for WWE’s flagship show. There is a #1 Contender’s Battle Royal to see who will face The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship next week, Brock Lesnar returns, Roman Reigns and John Cena go face-to-face, and Alexa Bliss challenges Sasha Banks for the Raw Women’s Championship.
Opening Segment
The Miz is in the ring with the Miztourage for what looks like MizTV when he is interrupted by Raw General Manager Kurt Angle before he can even speak. Angle knows that Miz wants his Intercontinental Championship to be treated as prestigious as it is, so he plans an immediate #1 Contender’s Battle Royal.
Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal
Whoever wins this battle royal will face The Miz on next week’s episode of Raw. Some Superstars in the battle royal include the Big Show, Finn Balor, and even the Miztourage, with a total count of fifteen men competing.
Eliminations: Curt Hawkins, Kalisto, Big Show, R-Truth, Goldust, Apollo Crews, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Finn Balor, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, Elias Samson, Jason Jordan
When Jason Jordan eliminates Elias Samson, Jeff Hardy wastes no time in approaching from behind by flipping Jordan over the top rope to pencil his name in the Intercontinental Championship match against The Miz next week. Hardy is a former four-time Intercontinental Champion in his own right. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Jeff Hardy
Enzo Amore vs. Noam Dar
Last week on 205 Live after Neville successfully defended the Cruiserweight Championship against Akira Tozawa, he found an unlikely pursuer in Enzo Amore. After appearing on 205 Live for the first time, Amoe competes in his first Cruiserweight Division match against Noam Dar, who has been in the division since the Cruiserweight Classic last summer.
While Dar has better technical prowess than Amore, the Certified G ties Dar up for Eat Defeat, picking up an impressive victory in his Cruiserweight debut. Winner: Enzo Amore
After the match, Neville gives his thoughts to Charlie Caruso on Enzo Amore. He says that if Amore is supposed to be his competition for him, the King of the Cruiserweights will be champion forever.
Seth Rollins (w/Dean Ambrose) vs. Cesaro (w/Sheamus)
At SummerSlam, the unlikely alliance of Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose worked and they defeated Sheamus & Cesaro to capture the Raw Tag Team Championships. Sheamus and Cesaro look to reclaim their titles, but the first step to building momentum is in this singles match.
Rollins gets distracted by Sheamus and Dean Ambrose brawling outside of the ring, giving Cesaro the perfect opportunity to land an uppercut and score the pinfall victory. Winner: Cesaro
Sheamus (w/Cesaro) vs. Dean Ambrose (w/Seth Rollins)
Right after Cesaro won his match, Sheamus issued a challenge to Dean Ambrose for an impromptu match. Like always, Ambrose accepts, and the match is underway.
While the referee is distracted by Cesaro on the ring apron, Seth Rollins hits Sheamus with a jumping knee so Dean Ambrose can hit Dirty Deeds and win the match. Winner: Dean Ambrose
Mickie James vs. Emma
In a backstage segment, Emma continued her usual complaining that she isn’t getting the recognition that she thinks she deserves for “starting the Women’s Revolution.” James offered a bit of a wager. If Emma wins, James will praise Emma on Twitter, but if James wins, Emma can no longer say that she started the revolution.
James attempts to kick Emma, but Emma catches the kick and turns it into a pinfall to get a surprise victory over the former six-time Women’s Champion. Winner: Emma
Contract Signing
Earlier today, it was announced that John Cena would go one-on-one for the first time ever at No Mercy. As is tradition, when a big match is announced, there is a contract signing to make it “official.” This is the battle of top stars WWE has to offer and before they fight in the ring, they battle in a war of words.
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Roman Reigns & John Cena
After pulling out all of the deep cuts in their promos against each other, John Cena and Roman Reigns now have to team up to take on the Good Brothers. Gallows and Anderson interrupted the contract signing after Reigns penned his name to put the spotlight on them and “teach them a lesson.”
In a bit of one-upsmanship, Reigns and Cena both get the job done against Gallows and Anderson. Winners: John Cena and Roman Reigns
In-ring Segment
Earlier tonight, Elias Samson lost in the Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal. Samson debuts a new song that berates the Memphis crowd. Jerry Lawler, who is on commentary in place of Booker T, interrupts the Drifter to bring somebody in who could be better for the audience. Lawler introduces Impressive Pelvis Wesley, Heath Slater’s character in WWE’s 80’s wrestling parody series, Southpaw Regional Wrestling.
Wesley dances around the ring for a little while before Samson attacks him from behind. Samson hits Drift Away, his signature swinging neckbreaker, before thanking the crowd and walking off.
Announcement
Tomorrow night, Enzo Amore will make his 205 Live debut by teaming up with Cedric Alexander and Gran Metalik to face Noam Dar, Drew Gulak, and Tony Nese.
Sasha Banks (c) vs. Alexa Bliss – Raw Women’s Championship
At SummerSlam, Sasha Banks captured her fourth Raw Women’s Championship when she defeated Alexa Bliss. Bliss wanted to cash in her rematch clause as soon as possible, but instead of having her title opportunity last week, she wanted a week to prepare. While Banks does seem to have Bliss’ number, Banks has never successfully defended the Raw Women’s Championship throughout her three previous reigns, each lasting only a month.
The story of Banks failing as a champion continues when she fails to kick out of a DDT from Alexa Bliss. This victory for Alexa Bliss gives her a third Raw Women’s Championship reign while Banks fails to keep her fourth title. Winner, and NEW Raw Women’s Champion: Alexa Bliss
After the match, Nia Jax comes down to the ring and celebrates with her friend, the new champion. After Jax attacks Banks for good measure, she turns on Bliss and slams her into the mat. She then holds up the title as a sign of what could come next.
