Stephanie McMahon & Roman Reigns Kick Off RAW
[Q1] Raw opened with a recap of Vince McMahon’s arrest and the eventual announcement of this week’s main event… Michael Cole, JBL, and Byron Saxton were on commentary…
Stephanie McMahon started to make her entrance, but her music was interrupted by Roman Reigns’ music, and he entered through the crowd. Steph was pissed. She met him at the barricade. They both entered the ring. Reigns called out Vince McMahon. Steph said Vince wasn’t at the building yet, but he would be there to referee the championship match.
Reigns took issue with Stephanie smirking as she spoke about the odds being stacked against him. Reigns said this is how he provides for his family and no one is going to take it away from him. Stephanie laughed while saying that was so passionate. She asked the fans if they thought he would win. The fans roared and started a “yes” chant.
The broadcast team narrated highlights of Kevin Owens destroying Dean Ambrose and Neville last week… Dean Ambrose made his entrance and fist-bumped Reigns, who was heading up the ramp. Cole said Ambrose would join them on commentary for Owens vs. Neville after the break…
[Q2] [C] A commercial aired for Brock Lesnar returning on Raw next week. “At the end of the day, people are going to get hurt,” Lesnar said at the end of the clip.
1. Kevin Owens vs. Neville. Ambrose was on commentary. Neville had his ribs taped and still had to carry that stupid Slammy award with him. Ambrose said Owens hits hard and you know you’re in a fight when you’re in a match with Owens, but he said he doesn’t think Owens likes to fight as much as he claims he does. [C]
After the break, Ambrose spoke about how Owens had been taking it to Neville throughout the match. Owens threw Neville into the barricade at ringside, as Ambrose continued to talk about what a dangerous man Owens is. Neville ran Owens into the ring post as Cole questioned whether he had anything left in the tank. Ambrose said we’d find out whether Owens is the type of man who can take punishment. Neville flipped off the apron and onto Owens on the floor. Ambrose said that took guts.
Owens tied up Neville in the ropes and delivered a cannonball, then followed up with the Pop Up Powerbomb for the clean win.
Kevin Owens defeated Neville in 9:10.
After The Match:
After the match, Owens was setting up for a move on the floor when Ambrose stopped him with a suicide dive (he overshot him a bit). Owens took control quickly and set up for another move on the broadcast table, but Ambrose fought him off and then ran off the barricade and dropped an elbow that drove Owens through the table. Ambrose grabbed Owens’ face and jawed at him.
Vince McMahon Arrives
Backstage, Vince McMahon arrived in a limo. JoJo asked him for comments about last week. Vince pointed out that all charges were dropped and said that’s what happens when someone like him can afford a good attorney. Vince said the irony is that this week he is the law because he’s the special referee for the main event… [C]
2. Stardust vs. Titus O’Neil. Neither man received a televised entrance. Titus jumped out to the quick start. While in the ropes, Stardust barked to the referee, “I am Stardust, get him back.” Stardust performed a Disaster Kick, which apparently is a routine early match move these days. The crowd was quiet while Stardust was on the offensive, but a Cody chant broke out and he covered his ears. Titus came back with his powerbomb finisher and pinned Stardust…
Titus O’Neil defeated Stardust in 4:10.
Backstage: Charlotte, Ric Flair & Becky Lynch
The broadcast team hyped WWE Network and the Royal Rumble… Backstage, Charlotte asked Becky Lynch if she asked for their match. Becky said she didn’t ask for it, but she hopes Charlotte is as excited as she is. Charlotte said she’s not excited because she already beat Becky fair and square. Lynch said she remembers they had a great match and should go out there and do it again. They agreed to do it in the spirit of competition, though Charlotte didn’t exactly seem genuine. Ric Flair showed up and woooed before saying, “In the spirt of competition”…
3. Divas Champion Charlotte (w/Ric Flair) vs. Becky Lynch in a non-title match. Charlotte, with her pops watching on from the outside, is up next against her former Team PCB member Becky Lynch in non-title action.
Charlotte was in control heading into the break. [C] Cole said Flair will be the guest on the Stone Cold Podcast after Raw next week. Charlotte remained the aggressor, but Lynch caught her in a sleeper. Charlotte broke it up with a jawjacker.
[Q5] Charlotte caught Lynch with a boot to the face and covered her for two. There was a small “Becky” chant. Lynch took control of the offense. Flair reached in and grabbed her leg. A short time later, Lynch rolled up Charlotte and held the tights while pinning her. Cole not only acknowledged it, but he said she was fighting fire with fire. Charlotte attacked Lynch afterward. Flair raised his daughter’s arm and the fans booed.
Becky Lynch pinned Charlotte in 10:45.
Backstage: Vince McMahon & Sheamus
Backstage, Vince was talking with a man when Sheamus entered the room. Vince dismissed the man. Vince spoke about his role as the referee and said there would be no outside interference, biting, gouging, foreign objects, and Sheamus will obey his command. Sheamus looked concerned. Vince smiled and said may the luck of the Irish be with him. Sheamus smiled… [C]
4. Big Show vs. Ryback. Cole noted that Ryback and Show are both in the Royal Rumble match. Show chokeslammed Ryback and then shoved him to the floor. The Wyatt Family video flashed. When they cut back to the ring, the family surrounded Ryback on the floor. Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman attacked Ryback while Bray Wyatt watched. Wyatt then shoved Ryback into Strowman, who applied his finisher.
Big Show fought Ryback to an apparent no-contest.
After The Match:
Once the Wyatt Family took care of Ryback, they turned their attention to Show and surrounded the ring. Show kneed Wyatt to the floor and knocked down Harper and Rowan. Show and Strowman had a staredown, but the other members recovered and attacked Show from behind.
[Q6] Wyatt took a bow and the family left the ring. Wyatt yelled at ringside that the Wyatt Family will rise in the Royal Rumble match and they will all fall down… [C]
5. Alberto Del Rio and Rusev vs. The Uso Brothers. Lana did not accompany Rusev to ringside. Rusev and Del Rio were in control heading into the break. [C]
[Q7] The Uso Brothers had a nice run of offense after the break. One of the brothers performed a top rope splash on Del Rio and had him pinned, but Rusev broke up the pin. Rusev took out Jimmy on the floor, but Jey took him out with a suicide dive. Del Rio caught Jey with a kick as he tried to enter the ring. He followed up with his double stomp finisher moments later and got the pin…
Alberto Del Rio and Rusev defeated The Uso Brothers in 13:30.
6. Dolph Ziggler vs. Heath Slater (w/Bo Dallas, Adam Rose, Curtis Axel). Cole noted that all four heels were tweeting about change throughout the day. Slater ducked an early superkick.
[Q8] Ziggler threw a dropkick and a splash in the corner, then dropped an elbow for a two count. Later, Rose stood on the apron and Ziggler went after him. Slater rolled up Ziggler for two. Rinse and repeat with Dallas on the apron, only this time Slater rolled up Ziggler and pinned him. Afterward, the heels took turns talking. Rose said they are four unique flowers. Axel yelled the chains are off. “Trending worldwide, hashtag social outcasts,” Slater said. “Bo-lieve,” Dallas said awkwardly…
Heath Slater pinned Dolph Ziggler in 4:35.
The New Day & Chris Jericho Returns
New Day made their entrance wearing unicorn horns. Big E said 2016 will be the most magical year of their lives. They did a spoof on Mike Tyson falling off a hoverboard that got no reaction from the live crowd. Kofi said they had a present. He set up a countdown clock on the big screen.
[Q9] The New Day clock turned into Chris Jericho’s countdown clock instead. New Day was not pleased. JBL said “Lionheart has returned to Monday Night Raw.” The fans roared after the music stopped and then they chanted Y2J. Jericho welcomed viewers to Raw is Jericho. He said he’s the party host and one of the most charismatic performers in WWE history.
Jericho said all the metrics such as live event attendance and television ratings need a boost, and said they all need a little Y2J. Jericho mocked New Day, then announced that he is entering the Royal Rumble match. Jericho said he’s going to throw out 29 men, including New Day if necessary. Jericho said he’s going to win the match and go on to the main event of WrestleMania. Jericho ran through some of his credentials and then dubbed himself the best in the world at what he does. Jericho said that now that the Y2J problem has returned, no one will ever be the same again…
Cole hyped New Day vs. Kalisto and The Dudley Boyz for after the break… [C]
7. Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E vs. Kalisto and The Dudley Boyz. Kalisto had to bring his stupid Slammy to the ring with him.
[Q10] The fans wanted tables. They always want tables. Bubba Ray pressed Kalisto over his head and then threw him onto all three New Day members at ringside. All three babyfaces celebrated in the ring going into the break. [C] New Day isolated Kalisto until he made a hot tag to D-Von, who worked over Woods and then performed a spilebuster on Kingston. Bubba checked in and had Woods pinned, but Big E broke it up.
E caught Kalisto and ran him into the barricade. In the ring, Bubba and Devon went for the Whassup spot on Kingston, but Woods shoved D-Von off the top rope. However, New Day came back and Big E and Kofi hit a two-man version of Big Ending on D-Von and pinned him…
New Day defeated The Dudley Boyz and Kalisto in 16:35.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
(Special Guest Referee: Vince McMahon)
- Roman Reigns (c) vs. Sheamus
Ring entrances for the main event took place. Vince McMahon walked out wearing a sleeveless referee shirt. He flexed on the stage and then flexed again in front of a fan at ringside. Vince made it inside the ring without tearing his quads, so that’s good news. Vince also appeared to flip off someone in the crowd right before the break… [C] The broadcast team hyped the previously announced Smackdown matches…
[Q12] Sheamus and then Reigns made their entrances, then Lilian Garcia delivered in-ring introductions…
8. Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship with Vince McMahon as special referee. Vince tried to take the title from Reigns before the bell. Reigns held on. Sheamus attacked Reigns and then Vince rang the bell to start the match. At 2:55, Sheamus threw the ring steps at Reigns on the floor. Cole said Sheamus was taking full advantage of having a biased official.
Sheamus remained in control and performed a rolling senton. Reigns fired back with punches, but Sheamus caught him in a sleeper. Reigns fought out of it quickly. Vince encouraged Sheamus to get up or to cover Reigns. Roman got the better of Sheamus and put him down with a Samoa drop and went for a cover. Vince counted slowly. Reigns got pissed, but he didn’t get physical with Vince.
Reigns had another pin moments later, but this time Vince acted like he had something in his eye. Vince called for eyedrops. I hate when that happens.
[Overrun] Sheamus rolled up Reigns and got a quick count, but Reigns kicked out at two. Reigns threw a Superman punch and covered Sheamus. Vince didn’t count. Reigns set up for a spear, then stopped and Superman Punched Vince instead. Reigns speared Sheamus and had the visual pinfall. Reigns called for “another one” while looking at the entrance.
Reigns and Sheamus went to ringside. Reigns threw Sheamus over the broadcast table. Vince came to in the ring and he and Sheamus engaged in a staredown. Reigns climbed onto the apron and nodded his head. Vince tried to leave, but Reigns stopped him. Reigns picked up Vince, but he threw him down once Stephanie McMahon’s entrance music played.
Stephanie stood on the bottom rope and jawed at Reigns, who grabbed Vince and ran him into Stephanie’s legs, causing her to flip over the top rope and into the ring. Cole said Reigns stepped over the line. Stephanie slid away from Reigns as he walked toward her until she exited the ring. Stephanie told Reigns to stay away from her father. Reigns lined up and went to spear Vince, but Sheamus was there with a Brogue Kick. Sheamus delivered a second Brogue Kick and called for Vince, who was still loopy.
Referee Scott Armstrong entered the ring and counted, but Reigns kicked out at two. Sheamus barked at Armstrong like a dope. Sheamus had Armstrong pick up Reigns. Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick, but Reigns gave Superman Punches to both men. Reigns covered Sheamus, and a third official counted the pin…
Roman Reigns pinned Sheamus in 18:25 to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
After The Match: Vince McMahon Makes Big Royal Rumble Announcement
After the match, Vince shoved the third referee to the mat. Vince took the mic and said that as chairman and CEO, it’s his duty to inform Reigns that the next time he defends the title will be at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Vince said it’s all against one in the Rumble. He announced that Reigns will have to defend his title against 29 men in the Royal Rumble match.
Report by Jason Powell of ProWrestling.net
