Mitchell’s Monday Night Raw Report! (7/24/17)

Kurt Angle is Jason Jordan’s father, what impact will this have going forward?

Steven Mitchell
Jul 24, 2017 · 25 min read

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official website and Twitter

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • No Disqualification Match: Finn Balor VS Elias Samson; Samson wins.
  • Enzo Amore VS Big Cass; Cass wins.
  • Emma VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
  • WWE Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Bayley VS Sasha Banks; Bayley wins and will face Alexa Bliss at Summerslam.
  • Jason Jordan VS Curt Hawkins; Jordan wins.
  • The Club VS The Revival; The Revival wins.
  • 3-on-2 Handicap Match: The Miztouragew/ Maryse VS Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins; Ambrose & Rollins win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, one of them was meant to face Brock Lesnar at Summerslam.

But the Monster Among Men had different plans! As the battle between The Big Dog and the Destroyer reached its peak, Braun Strowman roared his way into the arena and wreaked havoc on them both.

As such, General Manager, Kurt Angle, appears!

Washington D.C. welcomes the Olympic gold medalist warmly, and he warmly welcomes them. His private matter is no longer taking up his time and affecting his ability to be GM, for he went public with the secret that Jason Jordan is his son. Yes he was nervous, terrified even, but seeing JJ come down the ramp, it was the right move. Jason Jordan is set to have is Raw debut tonight! That said, he needs to address what happened last week when Strowman ruined the #1 contender’s match. His decision: Brock Lesnar will be facing- Braun Strowman comes out!

The next words better be his name, “or else!” Because unlike the others, Strowman won at Great Balls of Fire, and does not fear Lesnar. Lesnar fears Strowman, and at Summerslam, he will lose to Strowman. However, Samoa Joe comes out to retort.

This is very simple. Strowman is fortunate enough to never cross paths with Joe, so Joe has to introduce himself: “I am the man that tamed the Beast and brought him within seconds of falling asleep”, “I’M the man that does not fear Brock Lesnar, and I definitely do not fear you!” Joe is leaving Strowman alone because at worst, he saved Roman from going 0–3 against Joe. So then, Angle should let Strowman and Roman settle there things, and give the Beast to Joe. Roman comes out now to join in the conversation.

The Big Dog thinks it’s funny how Joe talks about what he “almost did.” And Strowman hasn’t done anything, either. Five years, tag team titles, US titles, three world titles, winning the Royal Rumble and three Wrestlemania main events, the third being retiring the Undertaker. Now, what have Joe and Strowman done? He’ll wait. Yeah, nothing. Now it’s time to see what Roman is going to do. Angle stops the fighting, and has changed his mind, again. Brock Lesnar will face… Samoa Joe. AND Roman Reigns. AND Braun Strowman, in a Fatal 4 Way! “Oh it’s true! It’s DAMN true!” Joe doesn’t want Angle to leave, he’s furious! No, Joe, it’s done. It’s done! Angle is the GM, it’s done! Strowman doesn’t care how it gets done, he just wants to pile bodies. “Man, shut up!” UPPERCUT! And another! Joe and Roman each get grabbed, so they both kick Strowman and unleash hands. They get Strowman out of the ring and pursue to the barriers! They clothesline Strowman over the barriers! Joe sucker punches Roman! Joe gets Roman in the ring, keeps on him with strikes but Roman fires back. Strowman returns! He runs Joe over, then throws Roman to a corner post! Angle gets reinforcements to stop this. The security, they have no effect on Strowman! He throws them to the floor!

Joe jumps on for the Coquina Clutch!

Second wave, the superstars of Raw! They try to pry Joe from Strowman, but Strowman moves the pile! SPEAR from Roman!! Then he fights off the other superstars, clearing the ring except for Strowman, who pounces on Roman now. Joe is held back as Strowman takes Roman and gives him a spiraling powerslam! Will this be how Summerslam’s Universal Championship match ends? Will we go from the champion being a Beast, to being a Monster Among Men?

“Ladies and gentlemen: Elias Samson.”

“Who wants to walk, with Elias?!” Not the D.C. crowd. Samson regrets hurting one of his “babies”, but the fans don’t care about that, either. “We want Balor!” Well Elias will dedicate his song to Balor, but please, no applause or pictures until after he is finished. “Last week, Finn Balor~, learned to walk with me. Wound up beaten and depressed, like everyone here in D.C! But tonight, Finn’s gonna learn, what it’s like to face me with no rules — ” Balor interrupts him, AGAIN.

No Disqualification Match, Finn Balor VS Elias Samson!

After The Drifter smashed his own guitar over Balor’s head, this feud went from heated to personal! With the rules thrown out the window, who will conquer the other in America’s capital? Balor throws his jacket then throws body shots. Balor is pushed away but he comes right back. He throws Samson out of the ring, runs, and blasts Samson with a dropkick. Balor retrieves Samson, throws Samson back in the ring, Samson goes out to the other side. “Let’s go Balor!” Balor clobbers Samson from behind and is in control as we go to commercials.

We return, Balor throws Samson into a barrier then chops right after. Balor bounces Samson’s head off the top of the barrier a couple times, then brings things back to the ring. Balor puts on a headlock, Samson powers out, Balor speeds things up but gets run over with a clothesline. Samson recovers as Balor recovers, Samson fires clubbing strikes and then stomps on Balor’s taped-up shoulder. Balor is down on the apron, Samson yanks that arm into the edge a couple times. Samson gets back in the ring, hooks Balor’s mouth before putting on an armbar. The fans rally for Balor, Balor gets up and kicks back, but Samson rocks him with a jab before snapmaring into a knee drop. “Who wants to walk with Elias?!” “Boo…!” Samson brings Balor to a post and pulls that bad arm around the post. Samson moves the timekeeper out of the way to get a chair! Balor sees him coming, gets up and attacks Samson on reentry. Balor reverses a whip, sunset flip rolled through for a dropkick. Balor drags Samson up but is put in a corner, Samson snapmares again to go after that bad arm. Samson keeps on that arm with another armbar, the fans rally for Balor again. Balor gets up and fights back, but is put in a corner. Balor boots out, runs Samson over and starts rallying. A low dropkick sends Samson reeling to a corner, Balor throws hands, kicks and springboard stomps to squash Samson to the mat. Balor sees that chair Samson brought, and retrieves it for his own. Balor takes aim, Samson kicks Balor down. Samson gives a chair shot to Balor’s bad shoulder! The Drifter has control now as we go to another break.

Upon this return, Balor is working to get control back but a standing switch leads to a circling attempt at an armbar, Balor trips Samson up but Samson shoves him all the way out of the ring. Samson pushes Balor into the barrier, too, then gets back in the ring to scoop Balor up, shoulderbreaker! TWO, Samson keeps from being frustrated by taking that chair and wedging it into a corner. Samson returns to Balor as the fans cheer the leader of the Balor Club on. Samson throws Balor but is reversed, Samson goes into the chair!

Both men are slow to getting up, but the fans rally as Balor bobs and weaves. Pele from Balor drops Samson, the fans fire up, running chop then corner to corner. Samson boots back, throws Balor out again, Balor traps Samson in the apron skirt and unleashes strikes! Balor gets on the apron, and springboard stomps away on The Drifter! Samson slips out, Penalty Kick from Balor! The fans cheer Balor on as Balor blasts Samson with a dropkick! Balor puts Samson in the ring, sees that chair, and gets an idea. Balor stalks Samson, armed with that weapon, and he unleashes chair shot after chair shot on Samson’s back.

Baseball slide dropkick in a corner, Balor isn’t done there. Blasting dropkick again, and with Samson down, Balor goes up top. Coup de Grace! But then, Bray Wyatt makes his presence known! SISTER ABIGAIL!

Bray keeps his eyes on Balor as he does his spider lean. Samson crawls to a cover, Samson wins!

A gift from the Eater of Worlds, all to curse Balor. Then after Samson leaves, Bray goes full spider walk as he crawls up to Balor. “Follow the Buzzards”, but for what purpose?

Backstage interview with Kurt Angle.

A whirlwind week for the Raw GM, and he’s willing to give his new son a chance to prove himself. Angle himself has butterflies in his stomach, as do all world-class athletes, but — Emma interrupts. She’s happy for Angle and all that, but when is the spotlight returning to her? She’s being passed by the younger generation! Does she have to do something to get noticed? Maybe she’ll date JJ. Emma, you have a right to feel like you deserve something, so have fun in your match, with Nia Jax.

Big Show finds Enzo Amore backstage.

Does Enzo really want to have his rematch with Big Cass? Yeah, he needs to get back at his former friend, especially after their plan backfired last week. But screw plans, it’s go time!

Enzo Amore VS Big Cass!

Professional jealousy and bitterness broke up the Realest Guys in the Room, and now friends are bitter enemies as we get a rematch from Great Balls of Fire. The things that drive Enzo, drive Cass crazy, and the ones behind the wheel are the fans in WWE Universe. Time to see who is S A W F T! Cass corners Enzo but Enzo slips out and dropkicks a knee out. Enzo hops up and throws hands, but Cass bucks him off and swats the dropkick away. Cass clubs Enzo to a corner, then throws him across the ring. Enzo boots back, runs out but is scooped up, Enzo slips around to a sleeper hold, only for Cass to squash him in a corner. Enzo boots again, jumps but the DDT is stopped and turned into an urinagi slam. The fans boo the “Cass Hole”, Cass gives an elbow drop. Then another elbow drop, and a kick to the ribs. Cass mocks Enzo as he stands on the Certified G’s head. The fans sing for “Enzo Amore~” but Cass just sets Enzo on the top rope to club away on Enzo’s spine. Cass toys with Enzo, Enzo gets up and fights back. Cass grabs Enzo, and rams Enzo’s head into the buckle again and again before stomping away. Enzo is dazed as he flounders out of the corner. Cass stands Enzo up, runs, and boots Enzo right in the face.

Cass covers, Cass wins again. The Human Skyscraper stands tall over Enzo again, but won’t be satisfied with just the win. He stands Enzo up in a corner, slapping and stomping again, until the Big Show appears!

The Giant won’t let Cass bully Enzo again, but Cass won’t let Big Show get near again. Cass threatens that he’ll snap Enzo like a twig, then he shoves Enzo at Show to boot Show down. Cass kicks and stomps Big Show again, Empire Elbow drop! And a second! And a third! Big Cass toys with Big Show, Show chops back, but gets a boot and a fourth Empire Elbow. A fifth, even! Big Show retreats to the ropes, Cass stomps away. Cass glares at Big Show as he trash talks him. Cass gives a kick to the ribs, Cass says he will not be embarrassed or disrespected. More stomps to Big Show, and a boot grinding into Show’s chin, Cass finally leaves the Giant alone to pose and then tell the WWE Universe “I’m the big man around here!” With a mean streak as wide as he is tall, sky’s the limit for Big Cass.

Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.

The Goddess of Raw learns who her #1 contender is tonight, but is not worried. What will happen instead, the friendship of “Team Gag Reflex” will implode all for one of them to lose to Alexa. Sasha won’t stomach losing to “Just Bayley”, that ego cannot handle that. As for Bayley, she’d be crushed, all depressed as her friend steals her spotlight. Tonight, the real winner will be the Raw Women’s Champion.

Emma VS Nia Jax!

The Evil Aussie stepped in it when she talked to Kurt Angle about using Jason Jordan as a way to the top, and now she’s in the ring with the Brutal Beauty. Emma tries sucker punches and kicks, but she just gets shoved down by Nia. Emma is seething, she dropkicks Nia’s legs out, then dropkicks Nia in the head. She throws hands in a corner but Nia shoves her back and runs her over again. Nia won’t let Emma make a mockery of her, she squashes and throws Emma around. Heavy elbow drop, then the somersault senton, Nia wins! Hopefully Emma thinks before she speaks next time.

Backstage interview with Akira Tozawa.

The Stamina Monster has a banged up shoulder, all thanks to his multiple matches against Ariya Daivari. One match was called off when Titus “threw in the towel”, and the other was controversial when Tozawa grabbed Ariya by surprise. Tozawa wants a rematch again, but Titus O’Neil comes in and tries to talk sense into his client. Titus is just thinking about Tozawa’s health, the match is cancelled. What?! It’s for Tozawa’s longevity. No, Tozawa is going to the ring! He wants a match, NOW. Tozawa and Titus argue all the way to the ring, and even down the ramp as Tozawa’s music hits. They’re introduced, but the argument keeps going. Tozawa shoves Titus away! We go to break as things get sorted out.

Akira Tozawa calls out Ariya Daivari.

He wants The Privileged Persian Lion to come out and face Tozawa “like a man!” But instead, we get the King of the Cruiserweights! Yes, the WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Neville, appears at the ramp.

It’s only been a few weeks but it seems Tozawa has forgotten all about him. Tozawa’s shoulder is injured, his confidence is shattered, all because of Neville. But Tozawa’s fighting spirit, how admirable. “Don’t be an imbecile, Tozawa”, he’s in no shape to fight. Tozawa was warned, but he trusted “the false promises” of Titus. Where’d that get Tozawa? Neville will spell it out for him. “What stands before me in this squared circle, is pathetic.” Tozawa has become “nothing more than a shell — “ Tozawa attacks! He knocks Neville down with a kick, climbs up to the top, Super Back Senton hits!

It hurt his own shoulder, but Tozawa did damage to the champ. Only for Ariya to pounce! Ariya’s hammerlock lariat rams Tozawa down, then he gives one to Neville! The Persian Lion declares HE will be the next champion, can he do what no one else has done and dethrone the King?

Bayley and Sasha encounter each other backstage.

Sasha is furious about “what that little troll” said, but Bayley keeps the Boss calm. They’ve had all sorts of matches, and Sasha is so ready to grab Alexa and make her pay. Or maybe you should focus on tonight. What’s that supposed to mean? Bayley wants to be champion just as badly as Sasha. Let the best woman win. She will. Is Alexa on to something?

Backstage interview with Jason Jordan.

How does it feel to come to Raw? He’s grateful for the opportunity, but as this is the first match since finding out his biological father is Angle, he knows all eyes are on him. He admits he’s nervous, has butterflies in his stomach — just like Anglesaid — it’s all incredible, unbelievable. He finds out his hero is his father, to put it into words, it’s like a dream come true. JJ is determined to win, can he do it?

Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose talk backstage.

The Architect and the Lunatic, teamed up together again, Rollins is excited. But that aside, they gotta game-plan how to deal with The Miz and his cronies. Ambrose doesn’t care for plans. Oh so you’re just gonna “bite off more than you can chew” and get beat again? Miz, Axel, Dallas, that’s three. Ambrose doesn’t have to worry about three. He has to worry about four. Trust issues continue, can they pull off a win?

WWE Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Bayley VS Sasha Banks!

Best friends through their NXT days, but things are even fiercer on the main roster, can the bond of Bayley and the Boss survive a chance at the Goddess and the title? Speaking of, Alexa Bliss comes out to keep an eye on these two at commentary.

The match starts, Bayley and Sasha glance over for just a moment before tying up. Sasha shoves Bayley to the ropes and points to Alexa, saying she’ll be facing her at Summerslam. They tie up, Bayley shoves but is run over, Bayley kicks out but ends up in an armbar. Bayley reverses and covers, Sasha kicks out, Sasha goes low but Bayley gets her in a chicken wing pin, Sasha kicks out, Bayley runs her over, another kick out. Bayley traps Sasha in a facelock, then moves to an arm wrench, Sasha reverses the whip but Bayley avoids the dropkick, cover, TWO, cover, TWO. Sasha slaps Bayley to stop her in her tracks. Sasha goes acrobatic for the armdrag, Bayley elbows out of a corner, flying armdrag from Bayley, then she runs in to clothesline Sasha down. TWO, Bayley puts Sasha in a facelock again. Sasha fights her way out, Bayley whips but Sasha gives her a kick, Bayley gives Sasha a body drop, TWO. Sasha gets to a corner, Bayley rams a shoulder in, rolls back to give an elbow, then hops up only for Sasha to send her tumbling down to the outside. Sasha grins before we go to break.

We return to find Sasha stretching Bayley back in a straitjacket surfboard. Bayley can’t get away, but she makes it just a straitjacket now. Sasha trash talks to Alexa but Bayley fights her way up and pushes Sasha into the corner. Bayley isn’t free yet so she does it again, still not free. Bayley goes for a third time, Sasha gets out of the way to send Bayley into the buckles. Bayley replies by flapjack’ing Sasha! Bayley then throws Sasha to the apron, running hotshot cutter!

TWO, but Bayley is not deterred. She drags Sasha up, Sasha resists the backslide, counters a kick with a knee, and Bayley goes down to a corner. Bayley gets up to throw Sasha to the corner, Sasha counters by pulling Bayley into buckles. Double knees from behind! Then back stabber into the Bank Statement crossface!

Bayley crawls, Sasha rolls it, Bayley rolls that, TWO, Sasha sits on top of Bayley for a camel clutch. Bayley works her way out of the hold as the fans fire up, Bayley powers up to her feet and throws Sasha off. Bayley grabs Sasha but Sasha gets free, another slap across the face, Bayley gives one back! Sasha can’t believe Bayley did that, now it’s a fast and furious brawl! Bayley is again driven into buckles, Stock Drop double knees! Sasha climbs up high, flies in, but misses! Bayley gets running, running knee strike! Shining Wizard from Sasha! The fans are loving this action! Alexa is rather amused, as well. Bayley and Sasha slowly stir as a ten count begins and gets halfway. They crawl to ropes to help support themselves, Bayley starts another brawl with forearms. Sasha fires some off but Bayley rocks her back, then spins around for a back elbow. Bayley drags Sasha up, puts her to the apron again, Sasha shoulders back. Sasha knocks Bayley down and out with a stiff forearm, then climbs up top as the fans duel “Let’s go, Sasha! Let’s go, Bayley!” Bayley stops Sasha at the top, climbs up, but Sasha resists the superplex. Bayley keeps trying, Sasha dumps her down into a gord buster. Sasha adjusts, takes aim, Frog Splash! Bayley springs up and rolls it over, Bayley wins! Bayley surprises the Boss, now she gets to challenge the Goddess! Alexa comes down to the ring, Bayley is wary of her. Alexa holds up the belt, will she be holding it past Summerslam?

Backstage interview with Curt Hawkins.

The “Star Factory” is sick and tired of this Angle-Jordan talk. Hawkins is gonna slap JJ, beat him, and ruin his Raw debut. Then everyone will be talking about Curt Hawkins. Can Hawkins put his money where his mouth is?

WWE honors the heroic actions of Cornell Gray.

D.C’s own Special Olympics athlete is inspiring everyone as he excels at Speed Skating and goes for gold.

Jason Jordan VS Curt Hawkins!

Once part of American Alpha on SmackDown and now revealed as Kurt Angle’s son, JJ has come to Raw to prove himself as a single’s competitor. Hawkins does as he says to start, by slapping JJ across the face. However, teh bell rings, JJ unleashes on Hawkins with slams and crossface punches. Hawkins tires a headlock counter but gets back suplex’d down, TWO. Kurt Angle watches backstage as JJ keeps on Hawkins with more crossfaces. Hawkins gets a ropebreak and JJ is backed down, Hawkins gets a sucker punch and toys with JJ. JJ gets angry and runs Hawkins over. JJ drives Hawkins into a corner, overhead belly2belly! Straps down, shoudler tackle into the corner. Back suplex neckbreaker, JJ wins! JJ’s all smiles, the #GoldBlooded superstar is ready for Raw, and his dad likes what he sees.

The Revival get an in-ring interview.

The Revival proved they’re #TopGuys by beating down the Hardys, then beating them in a match. Ms. Caruso, you are an asset to the WWE, but they’re professional enough to know what she’s gonna ask. Don’t worry, they can handle this, you’re excused. Thank you, please go. Dash, please explain why the Revival is so special. Well they dominated NXT, they are the greatest tag team walking the planet and will take their spots “as the future of the tag team division.” Yes, Dawson couldn’t say it better. They sent New Day packing to SmackDown and then made the Hardys “irrelevant”, and the Realest Guys broke up all cuz of the Top Guys, they ARE the best team — The Club begs to differ.

The Good Brothers could not hear this anymore, and neither could the people. D.C. is Too Sweet. The Club did it all before the Revival. Beat up the New Day, first. Beat up the Hardys, first. And even were bald first, Dawson. Top Guys? No, they’re just Top… NERDS! In that case, let’s have a match!

The Club VS The Revival!

Dawson and Anderson start first, but the Machine Gun toys with Dawson. They tie up, Dawson backs Anderson up and the two end up in a corner. The ref backs Dawson up, Dawson shoves Anderson so Anderson slaps Dawson. They tie up again, Dash tags in, they mug Anderson in the corner. European Uppercut, chop, headbutt, tag to Dawson. Anderson is thrown into Dawson’s boot, then Dawson gives the same strikes to Anderson. Stiff chops, a whip but it’s reversed, Anderson runs Dawson over. Anderson tries to drag Dawson over, tags Gallows, Dawson gets away. Big Luke stares the Revival down, the Revival talks it over, “The Bar” of Sheamus & Cesaro watch. Dawson gets a cheap shot, then Dash distracts so that Dawson can pounce and throw hands on Luke. Tag to Dash, the Revival double whips Gallows corner to corner, he fires out to run them both over and throw them both around. The Club clotheslines the Revival out of the ring, good brothers are Too Sweet as we go to break.

Upon the return, Anderson is in a hammerlock from Dawson but fights his way out. Dawson won’t let go of Anderson, so Anderson gives more punches, Anderson is whipped and given a EuroUpper. Tag to Dash, he mocks the Too Sweet so he gets a jumping calf kick. Tag to Dawson, tag to Gallows, Gallows rallies on Dawson. Uppercut for Dash, Dawson gets squashed in a corner before taking a Yakuza Kick. The “NERD!” gets a splash! Gallows runs in, Dawson dodges, but takes another Yakuza Kick, tag to Anderson. Fireman’s carry, Dash attacks Anderson and Dawson slips out to chop block Gallows. They target Anderson, the Hardys come out!

Team Extreme won’t be punked out by the Revival, The Club throw them out to call out the Hardys, too. The Revival pounces, Shatter Machine to Anderson!

The Revival wins, celebrate, but after a brief discussion, the Hardys head down! A brawl breaks out! “DELETE DELETE DELETE” as Dash gets Poetry in Motion!

And then, Twist of Fate, but Dawson saves Dash before the Swanton Bomb can drop. When will the #TopGuys have to face the extreme?

The Miz gives a pep talk to Bo Dallas and Curt Axel.

They are a cohesive unit, while Rollins and Ambrose are slapped together dogs. Today’s Hollywood is like Seth Rollins, not original at all and just wants a reboot doomed to fail. The Miztourage will prove are “original” and “A-list”, beating down Rollins and Ambrose once again, to prove “without a shadow of a doubt”, Rollins and Ambrose are a bomb waiting to happen. They’re fired up, can they outdo two-thirds of the Shield?

3-on-2 Handicap Match: The Miztourage w/ Maryse VS Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins!

The Lunatic didn’t want a reunion with The Architect, but now he has to stomach it just to get through a grudge match with the Hollywood A-lister and his new sidekicks. Miz gives Axel and Dallas some advice before going agaisnt Ambrose, but then tags right out to Axel. SO Ambrose takes his frustratiosn out on the Ax Man with corner punches and sharp chops. Corner to corner whip is reversed but Ambrose goes up and over, tackles Axel and thrwos hands and elbows. Ambrose takes a knee, Rollisn tags in, Rollins chops Axel. Axel gets slammed then a knee drop, Rollins covers, Axel kicks out. The Bar watches this, too, as The Miztourage might be competition. Tag to Dallas, they double whip Rollins, but Rollins clears them out by throwing Axel and hip tossing Bo. Chop and snapmare, running kick to Bo’s chest. Miz tries to distract Rollins, it does give Bo time to revive and run Rollins over. Tag to The Miz, he boots Rollins while taunting Ambrose. Miz drives knees into Rollins’ spine, elbows into Rollins’ head, and then wraps on a chinlock. Rollins gets up, fights out, Miz gives him a knee and whips Rollins, but Rollins speeds up to give a Slingblade to Miz. Rollins drags Miz up, jawbreaker from Miz, Ambrose tags in. Miz runs away, so Ambrose goes out to pursue. Cat and mouse around the ring, tag to Axel, Ambrose is not taken by surprise. A chop and a whip, Axel kicks back but takes a knee. Tag to Rollins, dropkick and dropkick to Axel, double clothesline sends Bo out and then both of them scare Miz away! The partial Shield is in control as we go to commercials.

At the return, Rollins blows up the Miztourage corner, but Bo Dallas slams him down. Tag to Miz, Miz denies Rollins a tag to Ambrose. Suplex, Miz stares down Ambrose. Miz chokes Rollins on the ropes, Bo gets a cheap shot, Miz stomps away on Rollins, another cheap shot from Bo. Miz keeps on Rollins, Axel and Bo trash talk the Architect, Miz trash talks the Lunatic. Facelock for Rollins, the fans cheer on the incomplete Shield. Rollins reaches for Ambrose, gets inches away but Miz knees him away, A-List neck-back breaker combo. TWO, Miz is surprised. Miz drags Rollins back to his corner, tag to Axel for the running neck snapper, TWO. Axel drives elbows and knees into Rollins, grinding a knee into Rollins’ ribs. Axel drags Rollins up into a seated armbar, hooking the nose even. Ambrose tries to get Rollins back into things, the fans rally for Rollins, Axel whips and dropkicks Rollins down. “Oh my God how good was that?” asks Axel. Axel drags Rollins over, tag to Bo, Bo gives several knee drops. TWO, Bo fires up. Bo punches Rollins back, more knee drops, tag to Miz. Bo holds Rollins down, Miz saunters in and then picks away at Rollins with stomps. Miz mocks Rollins as he gives him stiff left hands. Miz stomps Rollins in the Miztourage corner, Rollins fires back again. Miz kicks out a leg, low DDT, TWO! Ambrose shouts for Rollins to get back into things, but Rollins flounders and crawls as Miz looms over him. Miz starts up those “It Kicks”, keeping up his parody of Daniel Bryan. Miz prepares the buzzsaw, Rollins ducks, rolls up, TWO. Double clothesline knocks both men down, Ambrose and the fans fire up! Miz and Rollins crawl for their corners, tag to Axel and he denies Rollins. Rollins gives Axel the shot into the buckles, tag to Bo, Rollins dodges to tag Ambrose! Ambrose rallies on Bo, then on Axel with the neckbreaker, then corner to corner forearm-bulldog-clothesline.

Miz gets blasted away, slingshot dive onto Miz and then Ambrose throws him tot he timekeeper’s area. Roll up on Bo, TWO, Lunatic Lariat! Ambrose goes up, Axel and Bo both fail to stop him, lunatic elbow onto Bo, Miz boots to break it up. Rollins clotheslines Miz out, Axel drags Rollins out and puts him into the barrier. Axel coaches Bo up, Bo tags, Ambrose throws Bo and wants Dirty Deeds but is denied. Miz tags in, Axel is thrown out, Skull Crushing Finale!

Rollins breaks it! Rollins throws Bo out hard, Miz runs Rollins over. Ambrose and Miz are legal, Ambrose is dizzy from that Finale. Miz sees him, runs, is dumped out! The Miztourage is grouped together, Ambrose and Rollins both say… DIVE!

They hit Bo and Axel, Miz is in the ring. Ambrose pursues but takes an awkward DDT, TWO. Miz wants a Finale, Rollins gives a knee, Dirty Deeds!! Ambrose & Rollins win! Despite the doubt and distrust, Ambrose and Rollins held it together and are all fired up. Rollins wants the old fist bump, Ambrose chooses not to. Is this a start down the road to forgiveness?

My Thoughts:

Raw continues to use the right formula for a good night of pro-wrestling. Just about everyone felt it coming, and we’re all glad to have it officially announced that it will be a Fatal 4 Way for the Universal Championship. Everyone will have someone to cheer for, and this keeps everyone in a mostly strong standing at the end, as Lesnar can now lose without being pinned or submitted, and if all done right, it’ll also give Lesnar an out for some time off before trying for a rematch. Great to see a taste of it tonight as Strowman, Roman and Joe throw down and literally throw everyone else around, and then we’ll get them in a triple threat to whet our appetites even more. Then we go right into the No DQ match, Balor and Samson did a good amount by being able to use ropes and posts without a referee’s five count stopping them, and then used a good ol’ fashioned chair on each other. But of course, No DQ means interference is allowed, Bray Wyatt reminded us all that he’s going after Balor next. Bray against a Demon Balor will make for a fun one, so long as the actual action is entertaining, and I’d be surprised if Bray actually wins this one. Big Cass and Nia Jax get quick wins tonight as they both towered over Enzo and Emma. Big Cass manhandles Big Show, hopefully they get a big blow-off on the way to Summerslam to really settle fair and square, no doubts about it, who is the big man on campus. Likewise, Nia keeps her momentum going while she again waits her turn for a title match, it’s only a matter of who, when and where for her first championship reign.

The very middle was a lot of non-match stuff that was actually top quality so no one could complain. Alexa expertly hyped up Bayley-Banks and the potential break up, to which Bayley and Sasha add to in their backstage segment, then Tozawa gets the drop on Neville as it were but then Ariya Daivari gets the drop on both of them and makes a big leap in the Cruiserweight Division to where he’s facing Neville tomorrow on 205 Live and could put himself in the title scene. Angle and Jordan each contribute to hyping Jordan’s Raw debut, and that match was an exciting squash of Curt Hawkins, and with Jordan showing up on Miz TV next week, there’s a lot of potential for where JJ’s story is going. The Revival wins partly thanks to the Hardys, but these two teams can fight it out as a competitive “old vs new” match, and I’m surprised the Club established themselves as at least Tweeners, being the more-Face Heels compared to the #TopGuys. It’ll help in the long run if Gallows & Anderson are to ever side with Balor or Styles while those two are on great Face runs. The tag team champions have a lot of contenders on their plate, Sheamus & Cesaro can make a great match out of any of those match-ups. Then, probably the most intriguing and well-thought-out thing Raw has is the dynamic of Lunatic, Architect, and whether they can ever get along again. Ambrose doesn’t trust Rollins 100% but they made it work in that great handicap match, like it was old times. Not only do they win, they celebrate, only for Ambrose to snap back to his senses enough to not fist bump Rollins, which adds its own dimension to this story. Whether they both get to face The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship or have to fight it out to decide who does, this Ambrose-Rollins thing is great, and makes the Ambrose-Miz sequel worth getting through to see it.

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