WWE Extreme Rules is only two weeks away, and the feuds from Payback are just getting more and more intense. AJ Styles and Natalya both have championship rematches, and the Vaudevillains got handed a Tag Team Championship opportunity due to an Enzo Amore injury. With both Shane and Stephanie McMahon both still in charge of Monday Night Raw, how will tonight affect the Extreme Rules Pay-Per-View?
Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel
To kick things off, instead of a typical Authority promo, we have the Highlight Reel. Jericho announces that since he attacked Ambrose with Mitch the potted plant (R.I.P. Mitch), Ambrose is not at Raw tonight. On the stool of the Highlight Reel are the remnants of poor, poor Mitch.
Jericho starts rambling about how worthless Dean Ambrose is when he is interrupted by Big Cass. He warns Jericho that the New Era, as well as Big Cass himself, have arrived. Jericho pokes fun at Enzo Amore’s injury, and Big Cass challenges Jericho to a match. Jericho retreats, and Big Cass calls him “Sawft,” followed up by a big boot to send Jericho running to the back.
After the match, Chris Jericho goes to Stephanie McMahon backstage to complain about Cass’s actions. Instead of taking Jericho’s side, Stephanie McMahon schedules Jericho for a match against Big Cass in tonight’s main event.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
Dolph Ziggler has been feuding with Baron Corbin since Corbin debuted on Monday Night Raw. Ziggler picked up a victory over Corbin at Payback, and eliminated him in the United States Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal last week, and Corbin his here to get some revenge in a feud that has not had a lot going for it.
Corbin drops Ziggler onto the turnbuckle and follows it up with the End of Days for the victory. Winner: Baron Corbin
Backstage Segment
In an interview, AJ Styles tells Jojo that “The Club” is back together again, meaning that this might be the official stable name for Styles, Gallows, and Anderson.
Fandango (w/Goldust) vs. R-Truth (w/Tyler Breeze)
Over the past several months, Goldust and R-Truth have been going back and forth on whether or not they should become a tag team. Throughout this, things have gotten a little heated, so they each found their own partners. Along with this singles match, Goldango with face Gorgeous Truth in tag team action on Smackdown this week.
Fandango runs into Breeze on the apron, and Truth takes advantage to hit the Lie Detector on Fandango for the win. Winner: R-Truth
Backstage Segment
Shane and Stephanie McMahon make a triple threat match between Kevin Owens, Cesaro, and the Miz for the Intercontinental Championship at Extreme Rules. Sami Zayn wants to be a part of this match, so if he defeats the Miz tonight, it will become a fatal four-way match.
Charlotte vs. Paige
Before the match starts, Natalya, the #1 Contender for the Women’s Championship, joins the commentary team at ringside. What’s notable about this match is that Ric Flair is not at ringside. Because Ric Flair is banned from ringside at Extreme Rules, Charlotte needs to practice having matches by herself.
Ric Flair comes down to the ring during the match, but Shane McMahon follows with referees to escort Flair to the back. This distracts Charlotte long enough for Paige to take advantage, rolling up the champion for the win. Winner: Paige
Sami Zayn vs. The Miz (w/Maryse)
As mentioned above, if Sami Zayn wins this match, he will be in the Intercontinental Championship match at Extreme Rules. If the Miz wins, he has one less person to worry about when he defends his title.
After hitting an exploder suplex into the corner, Sami Zayn hits the Helluva Kick on the Miz to win the match and earn a spot in a fatal four-way match at Extreme Rules. Winner: Sami Zayn
Backstage Segment
Emma interrupts Becky Lynch’s interview with Renee Young, and warns her that she should have eyes in the back of her head. After taunting Lynch, Dana Brooke (known for aligning with Emma in NXT) attacks Lynch from behind, leaving her laid out backstage.
Sin Cara (w/Kalisto) vs. Rusev
Rusev won a 20-man Battle Royal on Raw to become the #1 Contender for the United States Championship, and tonight, he faces Kalisto’s tag team partner in the Lucha Dragons. A win over Sin Cara, who has a very similar wrestling style as Kalisto, could be a sign of what is to come at Extreme Rules. It is good for Rusev to get back on track with his singles career after the train wreck that was the League of Nations.
Lana distracts the referee, giving Kalisto an opportunity to interfere with the match by kicking Rusev in the face on the ring apron. Sin Cara takes advantage and rolls up the “Bulgarian Brute.” Winner: Sin Cara
AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Roman Reigns & The Usos (Elimination Match)
For over a month, these two teams have been feuding with each other while Styles and Reigns fight for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. With Styles set for a title rematch at Extreme Rules, this match a just a stepping stone in this feud.
After Luke Gallows interferes with a right-hand from the outside, and Karl Anderson rolls up Jey Uso while pulling the tights for leverage. Eliminated: Jey Uso
Jimmy Uso then manages to successfully use a Small Package to pin Karl Anderson. After the commercial break, Jimmy Uso and Luke Gallows are both eliminated to make it a one-on-one match. Eliminated: Karl Anderson, Jimmy Uso, & Luke Gallows
Styles and Reigns fight outside the ring, when Gallows hits Reigns with a chair to end the match. After the match, a brawl ensues, ending with Reigns and Styles talking trash to each other. Winners (via disqualification): Roman Reigns & The Usos
Zack Ryder vs. Kevin Owens
Zack Ryder won the Intercontinental Championship from Owens in a ladder match at WrestleMania 32, and since then he lost the title to the Miz. If Ryder defeats Owens tonight, he will replace Owens in the fatal four-way match at Extreme Rules.
Owens hits the Pop-up Powerbomb on Ryder to retain his spot at Extreme Rules. Winner: Kevin Owens
The New Day (w/Xavier Woods) vs. The Dudley Boyz
These two teams had a feud early in the year over the Tag Team Championships, but the New Day was successful in retaining their titles (#SaveTheTables).
During the match, The Vaudevillains attack Xavier Woods, distracting Kofi Kingston. D-Von Dudley takes advantage, hitting a vicious clothesline on Kingston for the win. After the match, Gotch and English hit the Whirling Dervish on Kingston, perhaps hinting at the result of the match at Extreme Rules. Winners: The Dudley Boyz
Big Cass vs. Chris Jericho
Before the match starts, Dean Ambrose attacks Jericho during his entrance and steals his light-up jacket. While Jericho looks on, Ambrose starts destroying the jacket to avenge Mitch the potted plant. With the help of Big Cass, Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds on Jericho and finishes the destruction of the jacket.
