Vince & Stephanie McMahon, Roman Reigns Kick Off RAW
[Q1] A video recapped the Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus main event from last week that had Vince McMahon as special referee. It included Vince’s announcement that Roman Reigns would have to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against 29 men in the Royal Rumble match… Michael Cole, JBL, and Byron Saxton were on commentary and noted that Raw debuted 23 years ago with Undertaker in the main event…
A large number of wrestlers stood on the stage. Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon made their entrances and headed to the ring. Vince told viewers to take a look at the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He explained that one of the men on the stage will make history. Stephanie said it all starts with throwing Roman Reigns over the top rope.
Vince and Stephanie teased that the winner could be Dolph Ziggler or Kevin Owens or New Day. They played around with New Day and said “that ain’t booty.” The Wyatt Family video flashed and when the lights came on, they were standing at ringside. Bray Wyatt stood on the broadcast table and recalled saying anyone but Roman Reigns. Vince agreed and said it could be anyone, including Brock Lesnar.
Roman Reigns’ music played and he made his entrance through the crowd and joined Vince and Stephanie in the ring. Vince acted intimidated by the thought of Reigns attacking him again. Reigns said he wasn’t going to attack him. However, he had a question. “What if I win?” Stephanie laughed, and JBL cracked on commentary at one point that Reigns’ odds were worse than the Powerball.
Stephanie said Reigns could even have to face Dean Ambrose. Vince booked Ambrose in the first match. Sheamus took a shot to the back of Ambrose’s head and knocked him down. Sheamus stepped over Ambrose and headed to the ring, then Vince announced that it would be Sheamus vs. Ambrose after the break… [C]
[Q2] [C] 1. Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Sheamus in a non-title match. The match was joined in progress. Ambrose sold early and then recovered enough to perform a suicide dive heading into the break. [C]
[Q3] Ambrose went for another suicide dive, but Sheamus caught him with a bunch through the ropes and then threw him into the barricade and ring steps. Sheamus picked up Ambrose to run him into the post, but Ambrose slipped off and shoved Sheamus’s head into the post. The referee counted them out.
Dean Ambrose fought Sheamus to a double count-out in 14:00 of television time.
After The Match:
After the match, Ambrose was roughing up Sheamus when Kevin Owens attacked him from behind. Owens threw punches at Ambrose and was setting him up for a powerbomb on the table, but the several referees intervened. Owens released Ambrose, but then ran back and kicked him while he was down…
The announcers stood at ringside and hyped the Royal Rumble and WWE Network. They also hyped The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho interviewing New Day. They also hyped Roman Reigns in a One vs. All match that the McMahon Family set up earlier…
Backstage: Dean Ambrose, Vince & Stephanie Talk To Paul Heyman
Backstage, Dean Ambrose told Renee Young that he was still breathing and that’s bad news for Kevin Owens…
Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon spoke with Paul Heyman spoke backstage. Stephanie assumed Brock would want to be in the Royal Rumble because the title will be at stake. Heyman said his client is a prize fighter who wants to fight for the biggest prize of them all on the biggest stage of them all.
“Don’t be trying to change my plans again,” Vince said. Funny. Heyman told Vince that he’s trying to give him what he wants and sang the praises of the WWE Champion defending the title against Lesnar at WrestleMania. “I don’t like it,” Vince said. Heyman was surprised. Stephanie interjected and said they should take the conversation behind closed doors because “there are all kinds of people in this hallway. They all entered the McMahon office together…
[Q4] 2. Stardust vs. Titus O’Neil. Stardust made his entrance for a match… [C] New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was shown standing in the crowd at ringside…
Cole got excited when Titus smiled to the crowd and told viewers that Titus “loves to have fun!” JBL and Saxton humored themselves by dropping references to the late David Bowie. Titus won clean with his finisher. However, Stardust attacked him from behind and ran him into the barricade several times…
Titus O’Neil beat Stardust in 3:25.
The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho & The New Day
It's time for the return of Chris Jericho's "Highlight Reel" talk segment here on RAW, where his special guests will be The New Day.
Chris Jericho made his entrance for The Highlight Reel. He showed fan reaction to his return on the Jeritron, including one that said “rooty tooty booty is my new favorite saying” which didn’t get much of a reaction from the crowd.
[Q5] Jericho mentioned his return to save WWE coincides with Star Wars being number one at the box office (yes!) and Guns N Roses playing together again (hell yes!). He said his saving WWE starts now and culminates at the Royal Rumble when he wins the match and the title.
New Day made their entrance and complained that he didn’t even introduce them as guests. He said they were just mad because he called them “rooty tooty booty” last week and tried to get the crowd to chant it. It didn’t get much traction and New Day cut off whatever chants there were.
The Uso Brothers came out carrying their Slammy Awards. Ugh. Xavier Woods said the only worse candidates for tag team of the year are Ricky Gervais and Mel Gibson. The Uso Brothers wanted a match. Kofi Kingston pointed out that they have three members and there are only two Uso Brothers. Jericho called him a dumbass and pointed out that there are six men in the ring. Jericho challenged them a tag match where he would be in the corner of The Uso Brothers…
3. Kofi Kingston and Big E (w/Xavier Woods) vs. The Uso Brothers (w/Chris Jericho) in a non-title match. Cole referred to it as tag team action, so it appears it’s just a non-title match.
[Q6] The New Day members took control. Woods played his trombone to gloat, but he grew timid as he approached Jericho and ran away from him. [C] New Day was in control and Woods was back in his corner playing the trombone. Jimmy Uso nearly made the tag, but Big E pulled Jey Uso off the ring apron. Cool spot. Jey Uso eventually took the hot tag and worked over both opponents.
Later, Woods’ interference prevented the Uso Brothers from performing a top rope splash. Jericho took the trombone and broke it over his knee. Woods was horrified. Meanwhile, one of the Uso Brothers rolled up a distracted Kingston and pinned him. “The Uso’s do it, the Uso’s pin the tag team champions,” Cole exclaimed…
The Uso Brothers defeated Big E and Kofi Kingston in a non-title match.
WWE Royal Rumble 2016 Promotion & John Cena Update
The broadcast team hyped the One vs. All match involving Reigns facing apparently everyone on the roster…
Cole discussed the John Cena injury news and said he would not compete in the Royal Rumble match. Cole said Cena had a serious tear in his rotator cuff, but he had surgery and was doing rehab the next day. “John Cena will be out a number of months,” Cole said…
Backstage: Paul Heyman & Stephanie McMahon
Backstage, Heyman told Stephanie to tell her father the error of his ways. He said he’s once again right, and he hyped the big box office idea of Lesnar challenging for the title at WrestleMania. Stephanie said Lesnar entering the Rumble match is the biggest opportunity that Heyman’s client has.
Heyman said he understands the position that Steph is in with her husband and father. “Go tell them that Brock Lesnar says no,” Heyman said. Stephanie told Heyman to tell the man whose contract Vince McMahon owns that he will compete in the Rumble match. Stephanie told Heyman not to get so close to her ever again. Heyman backed down and said he would go talk to his client…
JBL Introduces Sting's WWE Hall Of Fame Video Package
JBL stood in the ring with his creepy grin and set up the Hall of Fame video package for Sting. After the video, they read some reaction to Sting entering the Hall of Fame and then hyped that tickets for the event go on sale on Friday...
The Wyatt Family Promo
The Wyatt Family made their entrance. Cole hyped The Dudleys vs. The Wyatt Family in a tables match. He said it was the first time in four years that a table match would take place on Smackdown… [C]
Bray Wyatt was about to speak in the ring when he was interrupted by the Social Outcasts new music. Heath Slater, Adam Rose, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas headed to the stage wearing their # Social Outcasts t-shirts and cut a promo as they headed to the ring. Axel said they are four links, one chain. Bo said they are like the Four Musketeers. Slater said they were there for a fight...
[Q8] 4. Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman vs. Heath Slater, Adam Rose, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas. Strowman destroyed Axel. Wyatt checked in and yelled something about New Orleans being “my own city.” Ryback’s entrance music hit and he hit the ring only to be outnumbered by the Wyatt Family. However, the Social Outcasts helped Ryback clear the ring…
Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman fought Heath Slater, Adam Rose, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas to an apparent no-contest.
Backstage: Kalisto
Footage aired from Smackdown of Kalisto pinning Alberto Del Rio in a non-title match… Backstage, Renee Young interviewed Kalisto, who said the U.S. Title represents opportunity to him. He said John Cena gave everyone a chance. He said Eddie Guerrero held his own and fought with pride. Kalisto said Del Rio runs from a fight and isn’t a true champion. “Tonight, I’m going to give it my all,” Kalisto said…
[Q9] 5. Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto for the U.S. Championship. Lilian Garcia delivered in-ring introductions for the title match.
Alberto Del Rio made his entrance. JBL credited Del Rio with “sending John Cena on vacation.” Once in the ring, Del Rio boasted that Cena won’t be in the Royal Rumble match. Del Rio also said that Cena isn’t going to WrestleMania “because I broke him.” Del Rio said he’s going to break Kalisto, whom he said reminds him of a mosquito. Del Rio said he squashes mosquitos…
Del Rio was the aggressor to start. JBL said it’s not about winning the match for Del Rio, it’s about proving that his loss on Smackdown was a fluke. Kalisto had some hope spots, but Del Rio had him down heading into the break. [C]
Del Rio dodged a top rope move from Kalisto coming out of the break and covered him for two. By the way, halftime of the college football national championship game occurred during this match. Cole said Thursday was a record setting night for Smackdown and a lot of people saw Del Rio lose. Um, what records?
Del Rio went for his superkick, but Kalisto dodged it and caught Del Rio with a rolling kick and covered him for two. Kalisto went to the top rope slowly. Del Rio recovered and cut him off. Del Rio performed a reverse superplex. Del Rio avoided Kalisto’s finisher and then tied him up in the ropes and put the boots to him. Del Rio slowly went for his finisher, but Kalisto avoided it and performed a head-scissors that drove Del Rio’s head into the mat.
[Q10] Del Rio kicked Kalisto in the gut and then went for a followup move, but Kalisto rolled him up and pinned him to win the match…
Kalisto defeated Alberto Del Rio in 15:15 to win the U.S. Championship.
Backstage: Charlotte & Ric Flair
The broadcast team put over the win briefly and then shifted their focus to narrating footage from the Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch match from Raw last week…
Backstage, JoJo interviewed Charlotte and Ric Flair, who both received loud “woooo’s” from the crowd. Charlotte boasted that she beat Becky “Flair and square” and questioned why she’s the bad guy. Charlotte said that if Paige taught her anything it’s that there’s no room for sentiment in this business. Charlotte said Becky is the villain and she is the victim. After the two of them walked off, Flair returned and said that’s his little girl and then gave the crowd a woooo…. [C]
Becky Lynch Attacks Charlotte
Ring entrances for the Charlotte vs. Brie Bella match took place. However, Becky Lynch attacked Charlotte. Two referees eventually pulled Lynch off Charlotte. “Hey, what the hell are you doing?” Flair asked over the house mic. “She’s in no position, the Divas Champion his not wrestling tonight.” Flair said it was “all because of your Becky Lynch” and then asked, “are you kidding me?” Flair called for the ref to give him his jacket and then did the “fat boy” line before leaving with Charlotte…
Backstage: Paul Heyman & Brock Lesnar
[Q11] A backstage shot aired of Heyman speaking with Lesnar. Cole said Heyman had the unenviable task of explaining to Stephanie’s decision to Lesnar… [C]
Backstage: Becky Lynch
Backstage, a fired up Becky Lynch told JoJo that Charlotte promised herself she would never use her Hall of Fame father for protection. Becky said she is all alone and her emotions are exactly what they should be. She said that she is the woman who made the champion tap out and you can be certain that she’s going to do it again…
Roman Reigns' One vs. All Match
Roman Reigns made his entrance through the crowd. Cole said the One vs. All match was up next… [C] The broadcast team hyped the Dudleys vs. Wyatt Family in a tables match, and Dean Ambrose and Neville vs. Sheamus and Kevin Owens, and Kalisto vs. Alberto Del Rio for the U.S. Championship for Thursday’s Smackdown television show…
Vince McMahon’s music played. Vince and Stephanie walked onto the stage then then motioned to the back and The Ascension, New Day, The Wyatt Family, Stardust, Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus, and Kevin Owens joined them. They all headed to ringside as Cole questioned how the match would work.
[Q12] Vince said this was the first ever McMahon version of One vs. All. Stephanie said Reigns would face each wrestler until he could no longer move. Vince said they would start with Owens…
Vince and Stephanie sat next to the broadcast team ringside while the rest of the heels stood at ringside as Reigns started with Owens. Reigns was distracted by Sheamus on the floor, allowing Owens to catch him with a kick that knocked him to the floor. [C] Owens remained in control while the heels cheered him on from ringside and the McMahon family smiled. Reigns avoided a running senton.
[Overrun] Reigns put Owens down with a clothesline and then jawed at Vince and Stephanie. Reigns put Owens down again and smiled at the McMahon family. He set up for his finisher. The Ascension stood on the apron, but Reigns knocked them off with a Superman Punch. Reigns took out Stardust and then Tyler Breeze, taking Breeze down with a spear.
Vince stood up from his chair and he and Stephanie motioned for all the heels to attack Reigns. New Day, Del Rio, and Sheamus attacked Reigns, then Owens recovered and joined them. The fans chanted “we want Brock.” Sheamus, who had stitches in his forehead, delivered a Brogue Kick.
Lesnar’s music hit. Lesnar walked out with Paul Heyman strutting confidently behind him. New Day assumed he was on their side and motioned for Lesnar to get Reigns. Brock clotheslined them and then took some of the heels to Suplex City. Sheamus attacked Lesnar from behind and threw several shots at him, but Lesnar caught him with a punch and then a clothesline. Lesnar suplexed Del Rio and then Sheamus.
The crowd cheered as Lensar stood tall. Vince and Stephanie were shown watching from ringside. Lesnar pulled Reigns to the middle of the ring and then smiled. Lesnar picked up Reigns and put him down with an F5. Lesnar looked into the camera and glared. Cole said Lesnar was making it clear that Lesnar is entering the Royal Rumble match and is looking to win the title. In the ring, Reigns recovered enough to look at Lesnar while he was lying on the mat. Reigns nodded at Lesnar, who stopped and smiled at him from the stage. Reigns smiled back as Cole closed the show.
Report by Jason Powell and ProWrestling.net
