Tonight is the start for the new era of Monday Night Raw. With a great roster to fill a three-hour show, let’s see if WWE can really freshen up the program.
Opening Segment
To start the show, the Commissioner (Stephanie McMahon) and General Manager (Mick Foley) are inside the ring to address the start of the new Raw after the brand split.
Because Dean Ambrose brought the WWE Championship, Raw needs a World Championship of its own. There will be two fatal four-way matches tonight, with the winners facing each other in the main event. Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Chris Jericho, Cesaro, Roman Reigns, Rusev, Kevin Owens, and NXT call-up Finn Balor are the Superstars chosen for this opportunity, and the winner of tonight’s main event will face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam for the WWE Universal Championship (interesting name choice).
Mick Foley also addresses the Women’s Championship situation. Since Charlotte tapped out to Sasha Banks last night, Sasha Banks gets a Women’s Championship match tonight.
Cesaro vs. Rusev vs. Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor
This is the first match to determine who is in the #1 Contender’s match in the main event. This is sure to be a great match, and there is tons of excitement around it because of the stakes and because this is Finn Balor’s first match on the main roster.
In his debut match, Finn Balor hits the Coup de Grace on the United States Champion to pick up the win and advance to the main event. Winner: Finn Balor
Nia Jax vs. Britt Baker (Enhancement Talent)
This is Nia Jax’s first match on the main roster, and she faces an enhancement talent.
Jax destroys Baker in about a minute, hitting two Atomic Leg Drops for the win. Winner: Nia Jax
Chris Jericho vs. Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus
This is the second match in the Universal Championship mini-tournament, and the winner of this match will face Finn Balor in the main event. Roman Reigns was lost the WWE Championship match last night against Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose by getting pinned by Ambrose, so Stephanie McMahon blames him for the title going to Smackdown.
Roman Reigns gets the better of Chris Jericho and hits Y2J with a spear to pick up the victory. Tonight’s main event is set: Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor (this is weird). Winner: Roman Reigns
New Day Record Breaking Tag Team Championship Celebration
A few days ago, The New Day broke Brian Kendrick and Paul London’s longest Tag Team Championship title reign of all time since the current belt was introduced in 2002. At 337 days and counting, The New Day has had an incredible reign that only seems to get better.
The New Day decides to pick an honorary member of the New Day from the crowd, who happens to be named Sonny Boy. While The New Day and Sonny Boy are celebrating, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson storm the ring and attack the Tag Team Champions. Gallows and Anderson taunt Sonny Boy, and “Two Sweet” to end the segment.
Neville vs. Curtis Axel
Neville was away from in-ring action with an injury, but he returns tonight after being drafted to Raw last Tuesday. The Man That Gravity Forgot faces Curtis Axel, who was the last draft pick for Raw, which means he is “Mr. Irrelevant.” Both of these men have something to prove in the new WWE landscape.
After an emphatic back suplex, Neville hits the Red Arrow on Curtis Axel to score a victory in his return. Winner: Neville
Charlotte (c) w/Dana Brooke vs. Sasha Banks – WWE Women’s Championship
Since Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte in a tag team match last night at Battleground, she earned a Women’s Championship title shot. To make the “new era” of Raw kick off with excitement, that match happens tonight.
They put on a hell of a match, and Sasha Banks ends it with the Bank Statement. Winner, and NEW WWE Women’s Champion (via submission): Sasha Banks
Braun Strowman vs. James Ellsworth (another enhancement talent)
James Ellsworth is perhaps the smallest person they could have found to face Strowman. He gives a decent promo before getting destroyed, and makes Strowman look dominant in the process. Winner: Braun Strowman
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. The Shining Stars
Throughout the entire night, Golden Truth has been playing Pokémon Go. During this match, R-Truth goes into the ring to catch a Pokémon, and Goldust gets him out of the ring. This leaves everyone confused, especially Primo. Big Cass takes advantage of the distraction to hit a big boot on Primo for the win. Winners: Enzo Amore & Big Cass
Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns
By winning the two fatal four-way matches earlier tonight, either Finn Balor or Roman Reigns will be one step closer to facing Seth Rollins at SummerSlam for the WWE Universal Championship (still not sure about the name).
Finn Balor counters the spear into the Slingblade, which sets up Reigns perfectly. Balor hits the Coup de Grace to put away Roman Reigns, and pencil in his name in the main event of SummerSlam. Winner: Finn Balor
