Recapping American wrestling since 2013. Not only following the current stuff in WWE, Impact and ROH but also going back in time and doing stuff from back then as well.
Erick Rowan shows up to start tonight's show. He calls his actions out of late "a work of art," saying that some people paint or draw while he annihilates. He says that he is a creator, and that he created a violence that demands respect. He says that the fans like to belittle him and see him as less than human, and says that this has changed because "might makes right." He says that Roman Reigns, "The New" Daniel Bryan and the locker room know he is right and are all afraid of him. Suddenly, Daniel Bryan shows up, and tells Rowan that if he wants some respect, then he will fight him right now. A referee shows up, and an impromptu match starts.
Erick Rowan beats "The New" Daniel Bryan with two Iron Claws following the distraction by Luke Harper and the first Iron Claw tying Daniel Bryan up in the ropes by his leg. After the match, Harper and Rowan are about to break down the announce table when Roman Reigns shows up and fights them. Daniel Bryan gets up and eventually hits Harper with the running knee, and Roman Reigns Spears Rowan before he can hit Daniel with a third Iron Claw. Afterwards, Daniel Bryan asks the crowd if they want to see him and Roman kick Harper and Rowan's "disrespected asses." The crowd unanimously answers "yes."
Members of the San Francisco 49ers NFL team are in the front row.
Backstage, Michael Cole interviews Kofi Kingston. Kofi says that when he became WWE Champion, he promised to be a fighting champion, and calls Brock Lesnar "another chapter." He says there is not really a way to prepare for Lesnar, but he is at the top of his game and he has beaten some of the greatest so far. Kofi says he always feels pressure and that he is trying to be the best WWE Champion he can be, and says that next Friday is a wonderful opportunity for Fox and an opportunity for him to stand at the forefront as he stays WWE Champion.
Before the next match, Chad Gable mentions Baron Corbin's comments about him coming up short no matter how hard he tries, but he says that his King of the Ring run and last night's match were no joke, and Corbin got himself disqualified when he knew Gable had him beat. Suddenly, Mike Kanellis shows up and apologizes for cutting Gable short, then says he is here to prove to Maria that size does matter. When the bell rings, Gable goes right to work and puts Kanellis in the ankle lock for a quick win. Chad Gable beats Mike Kanellis with the ankle lock. After the match, Elias shows up on the TitanTron and makes several short jokes via song, much to Gable's chagrin.
Backstage, Charlotte Flair asks R-Truth if he has seen Carmella. R-Truth plays dumb, then Carmella shows up. Charlotte asks her if she is focused, and Carmella says yes, saying she doesn't understand why Bayley is asking the way that she is.
Bayley and Sasha Banks beat Charlotte Flair and Carmella with a Banks Statement to Carmella. After the match, R-Truth carries Carmella through the crowd as female Superstars chase after them, then Bayley and Sasha gang up on Charlotte until Becky Lynch shows up and successfully fends them off.
Shane McMahon is seen backstage with a few of his attorneys.
Shinsuke Nakamura beats Ali with the Kinshasa as Ali chases Sami Zayn into the ring.
Roman Reigns and "The New" Daniel Bryan vs. Erick Rowan and Luke Harper is official for Hell In A Cell.
The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) beat The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel). The New Day then celebrate with members of the San Francisco 49ers in the front row after the match.
Backstage, Fire & Desire (Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville) hand out copies of Muscle & Fitness Magazine with Mandy on the cover when Otis gets a selfie with Mandy Rose and a copy of Muscle & Fitness Magazine.
We see the five most devastating moves of Randy Orton, courtesy of Domino's Pizza.
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) beat Fire and Desire (Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville).
Shane McMahon is in the ring with his attorneys. Shane asks for Kevin Owens' music to be played as he asks Kevin Owens to come to the ring. Instead of coming in down the ramp, however, Owens comes in through the crowd. Shane then tells Owens that he and his attorneys have looked at Owens' lawsuit, then gives him two options: stay locked in court with him for years and spend millions of dollars, or drop the lawsuit and be reinstated on the spot with the $100,000 fine dropped. He then proposes they start with a clean slate and offers his hand, but Owens tells Shane he is "a real idiot," stating that the thought of being in court and sharing the locker room makes him sick and that it is all about getting under his skin and getting rid of Shane. Owens proposes that they have one final match. If Shane wins, he leaves and the lawsuit is dropped, but if he wins, Shane is gone. He then says that the match should allow him to hurt Shane the way he wants to and allow Shane the same opportunity: a ladder match. Shane accepts.
Backstage, Becky Lynch is being interviewed when she is attacked from behind by Sasha Banks.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) beat The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) and Randy Orton. After the match, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman show up for the first time since Lesnar lost the WWE Universal Championship to Seth Rollins. Lesnar and Heyman approach the ring but stop halfway down the ramp, and Kofi tells Woods and Big E to leave the ring so he can face Lesnar on his own. Lesnar decides to enter the ring with Kofi alongside Heyman. They stop at the apron, and Heyman is about to introduce himself and Lesnar when Lesnar has Heyman step into the ring. Heyman then continues his introduction, stating that Lesnar stands in the way of the longevity of his title reign. He also states that Lesnar has authorized him to let him know that it is a bad day for The New Day and that Lesnar is challenging him to a match for the WWE Championship on SmackDown's debut on Fox on October 4th. Heyman then hands Kofi the microphone, and Kofi states that when he won the WWE Championship, he promised to the fans that he would be a fighting champion. Kofi then accepts his challenge, then Lesnar hits Kofi with an F5.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Sasha Banks and Bayley. Sasha responds to Becky Lynch accepting her challenge by saying she will take on any challenge, as she has been in the Cell before. Bayley then tells Kayla Braxton that Sasha will answer any and all questions regarding Charlotte Flair in the ring.
Michael Cole interviews Erick Rowan. Rowan states that Luke Harper will answer his question as to why he returned, then asks Cole if he has a question for him. As for why he attacked Roman Reigns, Rowan says he wanted to scare the man, but when Cole says Rowan's actions nearly killed him, Rowan tells Cole to watch his tone before telling him he wanted to prove Roman's dominance as an illusion. Rowan says he has been overlooked and disrespected, and states that the fans think of him as "a grunt in the background" meant to do someone's bidding, then says that he is not a puppet or a follower; instead, he is a leader. He then says that Daniel Bryan's biggest mistake is thinking of him as an intellectual equal, and says he will be stronger and smarter than he will be. Rowan then states that the locker room will learn to never disrespect him again.
Before the next match, Sami Zayn says he is in a lot of pain and that he demands respect for himself and Shinsuke Nakamura before bragging about Nakamura's victory over The Miz at Clash Of Champions. Sami then mentions Ali's previous victory against Nakamura before telling Ali that Nakamura is not the same man as last time and that he actually likes him as he gets in the ring. He then tells Ali he will never be a champion, then Sami and Nakamura double-team on Ali. At Sami's command, Nakamura hits Ali with the Kinshasa. Afterwards, Kevin Owens is seen in the crowd taking a seat. Backstage, Shane McMahon is told by a referee that someone is here to see him. Shane leaves the room and finds out he has been served with a lawsuit.
Shane McMahon shows up with security as Kevin Owens pretends to fall asleep in the crowd. Owens produces a ticket for his seat as Shane is given a "proper introduction." Shane says it is no coincidence that he is being served with legal papers while Owens is in the audience, and he asks security to let Owens in. He also asks for Owens to have a mic and enter the ring as security stands in front of Shane. Shane then asks security to step out, and announces that he has been served with the largest wrongful termination lawsuit in history. He says that Owens would be awarded $25 million if he were to win, and says that Owens is swimming where he shouldn't be. Shane tells Owens his case is weak, but Owens says he has a strong case, stating that Shane ruined SmackDown Live by making it his personal playground and making his life a living hell by fining him $100,000 for beating up a crooked referee and attacking him while he was a referee last week because he lost against Chad Gable before firing him for insubordination. Owens states that the fine was held over his head for weeks, and when he swallowed his pride, he tried to help him beat Chad Gable, yet Shane still tapped out. After that, Shane tried to take away his life's work and his family's future, which he states does not work with him. He tried to reason with him, work with him and even help him, but now he wants to hurt him in his wallet and his pride. He says this is about more than money, and that he can see in Shane's face that he has a case. He also says that there is a clause that Shane has not read, and states that if he wins, he is able to come back into the ring and tell Shane he is fired to his face. Kevin Owens then leaps back over the guardrail and runs back into the crowd.
Multi-platinum recording artist Offset - dressed in a robe similar to "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair - introduces Charlotte Flair before the next match.
Charlotte Flair beats Sasha Banks by disqualification after Bayley gets involved in the match. After the match, Carmella shows up and fights off Sasha and Bayley. After Carmella superkicks Sasha, Charlotte hits Bayley with a big boot.
Baron Corbin shows up for his King of the Ring coronation. The robe is placed around Baron Corbin, and Corbin is given the crown to wear around his head. After putting the crown on, he calls becoming King of the Ring a breath of fresh air, and says that the fans who wanted anyone but him to win are realizing he is the king that they wanted and a ruler that exemplifies everything it takes to be a king. Corbin demands the respect and admiration that he deserves, threatening a rule as an iron fist if he does not get it. He then thanks Chad Gable, who shows up. Corbin then starts making height jokes, and Gable responds by putting Corbin through the throne, ripping his robe and smashing the scepter into Corbin's back. Corbin is livid as Gable continues to destroy everything. Gable then takes the crown and stomps on it repeatedly before kicking it to Corbin.
Heavy Machinery (Tucker and Otis) beats The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel).
"The New" Daniel Bryan shows up. Daniel says that a lot of people chanting for him right now are the same people who accused him of orchestrating the attacks behind Roman Reigns, and says he understands more than ever why before stating he has never lied to the fans. He then states that he stands exonerated of all the attacks on Roman Reigns before focusing on Erick Rowan, saying that he saw Rowan and his potential, intelligence and talent when no one else did, and treated him as an equal and a friend. Suddenly, Rowan shows up and tells Daniel to stop, saying that he is tired of hearing him speak and that he was always standing behind him, never allowed to talk as Daniel tried to make him a follower. He asks Daniel if he ever asked him how he felt about anything, and states that he will not be disrespected. Daniel dares him to do something about it, as nothing will hurt worse than him destroying their friendship. Daniel is then attacked from behind by Luke Harper. Harper and Rowan are about to gang up on Daniel further when Roman Reigns shows up and fights off Harper and Rowan. Harper and Rowan soon overpower Roman Reigns, however, and powerbomb him into the ring post. They then tear up the ringside area, and when security shows up, Harper and Rowan level them. Rowan hits Roman with a piece of the barricade, and he and Harper then tear the timekeeper's and announce table areas apart and attack Tom Phillips before putting Daniel through the announce table.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) show up to start tonight's show. Xavier Woods begins by talking about Kofi Kingston's WWE Championship defense in a steel cage match against Dolph Ziggler at Stomping Grounds, then says it will only happen if Ziggler wins later tonight. Big E proposes "The Freaky Hour" for the last hour of Raw - which involves a slip 'n slide - before Ziggler shows up. Ziggler calls this typical behavior of The New Day made to distract from what everybody knows: that Kofi does not deserve to be WWE Champion. He goes on to say that Kofi would be nothing without The New Day, who will not be able to have his back at Stomping Grounds to the point that Kofi will return to Ghana as part of an apology tour. Ziggler then says that at Stomping Grounds, it will be him slamming Kofi's body into the unforgiving steel, rubbing him against the cage wall, kicking ass and taking names and becoming WWE Champion. Kofi reminds Ziggler that this all started in a different cage - the Elimination Chamber - and that he is fully aware of the dangers of the steel cage and that he is okay with it. He then says that regardless of how it happens, he will beat Ziggler at Stomping Grounds and remain WWE Champion. Kofi then says that Xavier Woods has been waiting to get his hands on Ziggler since Super ShowDown and will have his chance tonight. Ziggler says he would be WWE Champion had it not been for Woods. Ziggler then states that after tonight, Woods will never be able to help Kofi again, and at Stomping Grounds, all the positivity and the comedy will come crumbling down when Kofi is locked in a steel cage with him. He promises that Kofi will not be WWE Champion after Sunday, because it should have been him.
Dolph Ziggler beats Xavier Woods. During the match, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn show up and attack Big E and Kofi Kingston. Owens and Sami are ejected, as are Kofi and Big E, but not before Xavier Woods wipes Owens and Sami out with a top rope cross body to the outside.
Backstage, Bo Dallas and Curtis Alex want to be the referee for the Universal Championship match at Stomping Grounds, but Shelton Benjamin says Baron Corbin will use anyone to win a title and doesn't mind using him for a change. Matt Hardy is then seen walking out of a door, telling Shelton he is next to be interviewed.
It's time for A Moment Of Bliss with special guest Bayley. Alexa is about to introduce Bayley when she realizes her coffee is not here. Bayley shows up drinking Alexa's coffee, then tells Nikki that Alexa is not really her friend and that she is just using her. Alexa is about to introduce Bayley when she realizes her coffee is not here. Bayley shows up drinking Alexa's coffee, then tells Nikki that Alexa is not really her friend and that she is just using her. Bayley says Alexa is making up scenarios that didn't exist, and that Alexa is just "an entitled little princess who doesn't deserve a damn thing" who is using Nikki like she did Nia Jax. Alexa says she is and has always been better than Bayley, but Bayley says she has never needed to latch on to people to get ahead in order to become champion. Alexa calls Bayley "a placeholder" who peaked in NXT and says that she is living out the career that Bayley always wanted. Bayley and Alexa brawl, and Nikki Cross has to pry Bayley off of Alexa. Alexa then attacks Bayley from behind as Bayley is yelling at Nikki Cross.
Backstage, Apollo Crews meets with Zelina Vega as he is looking for Andrade. Suddenly, Andrade rushes up and attacks Apollo from behind. Chad Gable is then seen taking notes in the distance.
"The New" Daniel Bryan and Rowan guest on commentary for the next match.
Heavy Machinery (Tucker and Otis) beat The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel). After the match, Seth Rollins shows up and attacks The B-Team with a steel chair.
Shane McMahon is seen exiting a limousine outside of the arena. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn shows up and alert Shane to Seth Rollins' attack on The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel), and say that something needs to be done, as only "bad people" do what Seth Rollins is doing. Shane proposes they take on Kofi Kingston and Rollins in a two-out-of-three falls match to "take care of the bad people."
We hear from Aleister Black, who asks what it takes to change the essence of a man. He says he understands why nobody has picked a fight with him: he can hear the whispers of those who pass by. He says that these whispers state that he would amount to nothing, but this is a "woe is his opponents" story, not a "woe is me" one, for when someone picks a fight with him, he will change the essence of that man.
Shane McMahon shows up with Elias and Drew McIntyre. Shane states it is time to place a spotlight exactly where it should be: Drew McIntyre, who will defeat Roman Reigns at Stomping Grounds. Drew prays that Roman is listening to him tonight, because Shane asked him not to end his career, for "they are better than that." He talks about Roman's assault on them in the VIP Lounge last night, and says that he wants Roman at 100% on Sunday. Suddenly, The Miz shows up and and shows the video of Roman Reigns' attack at the VIP Lounge from last night, then shows slow-motion footage of Shane running away from Roman and Shane getting beaten up by Roman Reigns. After reminding Shane that he's "the boss' son," he states that he will fill Miz TV with highlights of Roman Reigns knocking Drew McIntyre out. Miz says that Shane McMahon made SmackDown Live "the land of opportunities," but now all the opportunities go to Shane to feed his ego and everyone is tired of it. He then feels that he has created a monster when he got injured at the World Cup, and states that Shane is his responsibility, for he started Shane on his current path and it is time for him to end it. Shane says he had to take care of things himself, since Miz could not get the job done, then proposes that Miz face Elias and Drew McIntyre in a tag team match with a partner of his choosing, should he find a partner in the next ten seconds. Suddenly, R-Truth pops out from underneath the ring, and The Miz notices him. He declares R-Truth to be his partner, and that Awesome Truth is back. Shane then makes the match a tag team elimination match, and announces that the match is up next.
We look back on the life and career of Mr. Fuji, courtesy of Progressive Auto Insurance.
The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) meet AOP (Akam and Rezar) before meeting Paige and The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), who challenges them for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships before telling them that they have been given a match against them in Tokyo, Japan. Should The Kabuki Warriors beat them, they get a match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships.
Drew McIntyre and Elias beat Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) in a tag team elimination match. After R-Truth is eliminated following the involvement of Shane McMahon, the 205 Live roster and Shelton Benjamin run around the ring, with Shelton holding the WWE 24/7 Championship. When Shelton is told by a referee that he has to pin R-Truth, R-Truth takes the WWE 24/7 Championship back and runs away through the crowd. After the match, Drew McIntyre hits The Miz with two more Claymore Kicks.
Backstage, Ember Moon is looking for Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose as Carmella looks for R-Truth. Carmella reminds Ember Moon that she has unfinished business with them. She finally finds Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville eating donuts, confronts them, and when told they were just giving her a healthier outlet for her time, knocks the donuts out of their hands and starts a brawl that referees have to break up.
Backstage, R-Truth is looking for Carmella when he runs into a referee as well as Drake Maverick, who ditches his Carmella disguise and pins R-Truth to win the WWE 24/7 Championship before stealing the referee's car.
Seth Rollins and Kofi Kingston beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a two-out-of-three falls tag team match. The first fall happens at the beginning of the match when Kofi hits Sami with Trouble In Paradise and Rollins knocks Owens off the apron. The second fall happens after Rollins hits The Stomp on Owens.
Michael Cole interviews Kofi Kingston in the ring to start tonight's show. Kofi says he has learned he would have highs and lows through his career, and that he had to fight through all those lows to become WWE Champion, and says this would not have been possible without Big E and Xavier Woods. Kofi states that the three of them proved that the impossible could be made possible, and as the fans chant "You deserve it," Kofi says the emotions from WrestleMania are still vivid and that winning the WWE Championship was one of the greatest moments of his entire life. On the subject of Kevin Owens, Kofi says a lot of people told him he should have seen Owens' betrayal coming, and that those people could be right. He then blames himself for opening himself up to treachery. He says The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) believed that Kevin Owens wanted to change, but at the end of the day, Owens will be Owens, and if Owens wanted to challenge him for the WWE title, all he had to do was ask and he would have had no problem giving him that title match. He says that Owens said he was coming for the title, and he says that he will let him come for the title at Money In The Bank. As he states that he is not afraid of Owens or losing the WWE Championship, Owens shows up. Owens tells Kofi "Challenge accepted," and says that while Kofi gave everyone an unforgettable WrestleMania moment, moments are fleeting and none of the fans believe Kofi is championship material. Owens says he believes that even Kofi doesn't even think of himself as championship material, and as he tells Kofi that his head is barely above water and that he is slowly going in over his head, Owens is suddenly attacked by Xavier Woods, whom Owens quickly lays out.
Backstage, Kofi Kingston reminds Xavier Woods that his back is messed up, but Xavier tells Kofi he refuses to let Owens talk to Kofi like he does. Kofi asks Woods to take care of himself and tells him that he has the situation under control.
Bayley is the first person revealed to be representing SmackDown Live in the women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.
Becky Lynch beats Bayley with the Dis-Arm-Her after getting the knees up to block a top rope elbow drop. After the match, Charlotte Flair shows up and attacks both women.
We hear from Aleister Black, who says that fear is a powerful, paralyzing tool and that is in man's nature to fear what it does not understand. He says his opponents try to figure him out, but by the time they do, the battle has turned in his favor, and any hope of conquering that fear has simply left the earth. As soon as his opponents take one look in his eyes, they do not like the abyss that stares back at them, for it reveals a truth that allows them to fade to black.
The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) shows up, and Jeff is seen walking to the ring on one crutch. In an in-ring interview with Kayla Braxton, it is revealed that Jeff was injured when he was attacked by Lars Sullivan. Jeff says he cannot walk on his own and will need surgery, and that he will be out for a long time. Matt says that as a result of this, they must give up the SmackDown tag team titles. Jeff says this is not the end of their journey, but when he comes back, The Hardy Boyz will reign supreme and go extreme. Suddenly, Lars shows up, and after Jeff leaves the ring, Matt faces Lars himself only to be quickly overpowered. Lars then focuses on Jeff, but Matt gets back in the ring and fights Lars again, but Lars is ready for it. Matt falls victim to the Freak Accident, and Jeff tries to fight Lars with his crutch when Lars is suddenly attacked with a steel chair from behind by R-Truth. Lars punches the chair out of Truth's hands, but Truth is hit with the Freak Accident. Lars then hits Truth with a running sit-out powerbomb.
Ali, Finn Balor, Andrade and Randy Orton will represent SmackDown Live in the men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.
The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) guest on commentary for the next match.
Kairi Sane and Asuka beat two unnamed opponents.
Backstage, Mandy Rose tells Sonya Deville that she has found out that one of them has a chance to enter the women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match. Sonya tells Mandy that she came close to winning the SmackDown Women's title and that she should finish the job.
Roman Reigns shows up. Roman says you only have one shot at making a first impression, and that he decided to do exactly that on his first night by knocking out WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. He says it could have been anybody, but he wanted to get the point that he is "The Big Dog" across. He says that SmackDown Live is his yard now, then Shane McMahon shows up. After Shane demands a "proper" introduction for himself from Greg Hamilton - which he gets - he tells Roman that while this may be his yard, the McMahon family owns all the land. Roman tells Shane that his father owns the land, and when he was in the ring with Vince, he was on his feet while Vince was on his back. Shane reminds Roman that he was on his back in the end, but Roman reminds Shane he needed Elias' help and dares him to do it on his own. Shane declines, as he is getting ready for his steel cage match with The Miz. However, some people are lining up to welcome Roman to SmackDown Live, and he introduces two of them: The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel). Shane states that The B-Team want to make a great first impression, too, and Roman will be taking both Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel on in a 2-on-1 handicap match. Roman is unimpressed, and jokingly asks if Shane will add more caveats. Shane says the match should have a little extra, and introduces the "special guest ring enforcer" for the match: Elias, who shows up in a white-and-black striped tanktop.
Roman Reigns beats The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) in a 2-on-1 handicap match despite the interference of special guest ring enforcer Elias, who pulls the referee out of the ring and tries to help The B-Team get the win only for all three men to be overpowered by Roman.
Before the next match, Zelina Vega introduces Andrade gracing the ring as "the best part of your night," then Andrade says he has no respect for Finn Balor or Ali before offering how to teach Randy Orton some respect.
Ali and Finn Balor beat Andrade and Randy Orton. After the match, Orton hits Finn Balor with an RKO, but Ali quickly fends Orton off.
Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews the last two women's Money In The Bank ladder match participants: Ember Moon - who says that her career will change with this match - and Carmella, who says that the contract is hers after having won the match once before.
It's time for The Kevin Owens Show. Tonight's guest is Xavier Woods. After stating that the pageantry from the show is gone because it is something The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) would do, Owens states that he is the show and that is all he needs. He then states that he was trying to make a point earlier by saying that Kofi Kingston is in over his head and is drowning, and that help is on the way in the form of him relieving him of the burden that is the WWE Championship at Money In The Bank. After stating that he is positive he will take the WWE title from Kofi, Owens asks for Woods to show up, and when Woods fails to show, Owens produces a Xavier Woods action figure. As he talks to the action figure, Owens pulls out a Big E action figure with the left leg taped up before kicking down the chair he puts them on, then Kofi Kingston shows up. Kofi runs into the ring, and he and Owens brawl. Owens escapes through the crowd after raking Kofi in the eyes.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon shows up to start tonight's show. Vince says that he asked himself what is going on with Raw, and says that part of the reason Raw has been around for 25 years is that it changes with the times. He then says that despite one man's vision, he cannot do it all by himself...or the fans. Vince then brings out Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, who in turn brings out WWE COO Triple H, who in turns helps bring out SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon. Stephanie says they are here tonight because they have not been doing the one thing that Vince has told them to do: listen to the fans. She says that things will change, starting tonight, and that Raw will be off to a fresh start. Triple H says the days of absentee management is over and that they are taking back control of Raw. Shane says the same is true of SmackDown Live. Stephanie says the fans will be empowered, and Triple H says they will give the fans what they want. He promises something new and fresh, and in the coming months, there will be new faces, Superstars and match-ups. From here, the fans are the authority. Vince says that as long as they give less of what the fans don't want, and more of what they do, WWE will always be then, now and forever. Suddenly, former General Manager Baron Corbin shows up. He says nobody is more excited for a fresh start than him, and while he is excited the McMahon family is running Raw, they forget to mention fairness, and what happened to him last night was not fair. After being nearly booed out of the building for minutes on end and being told that he sucks, he says he has been inspiring Superstars and it is not his fault if they cannot live up to the challenge. He also says that he was not prepared for Strowman or everyone he brought with him, saying that he should have not have been at TLC last night. Corbin asks them to overturn the ruling from last night's match, and tells them to think of what they can accomplish if they were to back him. Everyone says no, except for Vince, who says there might be away. Everyone talks with Vince, and says that maybe they and the fans are wrong and that maybe he deserves another chance at being Raw General Manager. Triple H proposes that if Corbin can win his match right now, he can become permanent General Manager, and all Corbin has to do is beat Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle shows up for the match, then Stephanie McMahon also announces a special guest referee in the form of Heath Slater. Triple H shows up soon afterwards during the match and mentions it is a handicap match, and Kurt Angle's partners are Bobby Roode, Chad Gable and Apollo Crews, who soon stom on Corbin along with Angle while Slater fixes a turnbuckle. Shane McMahon then shows up and announces that the match if officially a no-disqualification match. It is not long before Kurt Angle beats Baron Corbin following a slew of steel chair shots and an Angle Slam, keeping Corbin from becoming permanent Raw General Manager. After the match, Corbin is put through a table with another Angle Slam.
We see footage of John Cena accepting the 2018 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.
Finn Balor beats Dolph Ziggler by disqualification after Drew McIntyre gets involved in the match and lays Balor out. After the match, McIntyre assaults Ziggler and hits him with the Claymore before sliding out of the ring and doing the same to Balor.
Dean Ambrose shows up with his riot squad. Ambrose says the fans should be showing him respect and bowing down to him right now, because everything that he said would happen at TLC happened, as Seth Rollins lost control and failed the fans. Ambrose says he doesn't need respect because he took the Intercontinental Championship away from Rollins, and he is just getting started. He says that when he is done, Rollins will have nothing left, including his career and reputation. He also says he has the obligation to do the right thing and give Rollins the opportunity to be a man of character and integrity and tell him that he was right. When Rollins fails to show, Ambrose proposes an open challenge so Rollins can take his anger out on him. Rollins fails to show up, and Ambrose says Rollins is a self-righteous whiner who has to get his way or else he will fall apart, and that Rollins can't even show his face. Since nothing worked, he holds an open challenge for the Intercontinental title for anyone but Rollins. The open challenge is answered by Tyler Breeze.
Dean Ambrose retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Tyler Breeze. After the match, Ambrose calls his victory a performance of an Intercontinental Champion with character. As he complains about Seth Rollins, Rollins' entrance hits, but Rollins - disguised as a riot guard - attacks Ambrose from behind. The rest of the riot squad goes after Rollins, but Rollins successfully fends them off as Ambrose retreats.
Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon, who says that opportunity is coming to those who have not gotten them and that tough decision will have to be made. Suddenly, Drake Maverick shows up and demands that AOP (Akam and Rezar) be given a rematch for the Raw tag team titles. Shane refuses, saying the mandatory rematch is antiquated at this point, but says an opportunity can be made with a match against The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel), The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) and Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik) in a Fatal 4-Way Match. The winner of that Fatal 4-Way will be given a future shot at the Raw tag team titles.
We see vignettes for Lars Sullivan, Lacey Evans, Heavy Machinery (Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic), Nikki Cross, and EC3.
Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley are on stage. Rush says Elias isn't the only one who can play sweet sounds on the guitar, and that the best sound Lashley made with one was when he smacked a guitar into Elias' back last night. Rush goes on to say that everybody came not to hear Elias play another song, but to see a real performance from Lashley, who is going to give it to them as soon as he starts posing. Rush then says that comparing Elias to Lashley is like comparing the Golden State Warriors to the Sacramento Kings as Lashley shows off his glutes, then Elias shows up and blasts Lashley in the back with a guitar.
We see a vignette for Sami Zayn, who will be returning soon.
The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) beat AOP (Akam and Rezar), The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) and The Lucha House Party (Kalisto and Lince Dorado) in a Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match to earn a future opportunity at the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships. (Before the match, it is revealed that "Lucha House Party" Rules, which have allowed The Lucha House Party to participate in tag team matches as a three-man unit including Gran Metalik, have officially been banned on Raw.)
Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Seth Rollins, who says that last night was a disaster when he let Dean Ambrose get in his head and take the Intercontinental Championship. He also says he heard the crowd last night, and says that is all his fault. He says that this isn't about winning or titles, but about his life and everything he has dedicated it to. Rollins plans to right the ship by ending Dean Ambrose. Suddenly, Baron Corbin shows up. Corbin blames Rollins for him not being General Manager and says that everything Dean Ambrose said about Rollins was true, and that if he wasn't so beat up, he would have taken the Intercontinental Championship from him. Rollins responds by punching Corbin in the face.
We look back at John Cena's surprise return in the 2008 Royal Rumble Match, courtesy of Just For Men Mustache & Beard.
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey shows up. Ronda says she told Nia Jax she could kiss her right hand goodbye, told Charlotte Flair she was going to write the next chapter of their story, and told Becky Lynch that she was the last woman she should provoke. She also says she came here not to justify her actions from last night, but to define what a real champion is. She says a real champion is more than just a title or an object that can be held, or the victory of a match or the decision of a referee. She says a real champion represents the limit of human potential - the best of the best - and the best that the human race has to offer as well as one who lives for the challenge, and that is why she is here tonight. Ronda proposes a new tradition: the champion from last night shows up and defends their title. She says she came for a fight, and issues an open challenge for anyone who wants a shot at her. The entire Raw women's division yells at the workers at gorilla position, then Commissioner Stephanie McMahon shows up and tells them all to follow her to the stage. Stephanie says all the women with her want a title shot, but she is tired of playing favorites and announces that Ronda will defend her title against the winner of an eight-woman Gauntlet Match that starts right now. The first two opponents are Alicia Fox and Bayley.
We see a vignette for Kevin Owens, who is returning soon.
Natalya beats Alicia Fox, Dana Brooke, Bayley, Mickie James, Ember Moon, Ruby Riott and Sasha Banks in an eight-woman Gauntlet Match to earn a future shot at the WWE Raw Women's Championship. After the match, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey shows up and raises Natalya's hand in victory before hugging her, then initiates a brief stare-down before extending her hand. Natalya and Ronda shake hands, then hug again. Both women then leave together.
Next week: Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler in a Triple Threat Match! Elias vs. Bobby Lashley in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight! Paul Heyman returns! Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin! Natalya vs. "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey for the WWE Raw Women's Championship!
Dean Ambrose shows up to start tonight's show. Charly Caruso interviews Ambrose in the ring, and Ambrose says there is a lot of truth in what Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre said last week, and also brings up Seth Rollins replacing him with Jason Jordan. He admits he has thought about leaving The Shield (Ambrose, Rollins, Roman Reigns), but he has thought about a lot of things, and says there are a lot of possibilities. As for why he has been in The Shield for so long and why he hasn't finally snapped yet, it's because he is waiting for the perfect time to slip the knife right in their back. As far as sticking with Rollins and Roman Reigns at the end of last week's show goes, he says he has done nothing but clean up his brothers' messes. Nevertheless, he still stands by them. He says The Shield is a brotherhood, not a business or a brand, and that they will always ride in to battle together. As Ambrose leaves, however, Acting General Manager Baron Corbin shows up. Corbin pretends to be moved by Ambrose's words before saying it is all a bunch of whining. Ambrose asks if Corbin is a therapist on top of being the world's largest substitute teacher before asking if he is salty about last week. Corbin says his team fell short last week, but since the cops weren't hear to stop The Shield from tearing things up, he counts it as a win. He gives Dean three options: facing Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship, facing Reigns for the Universal Championship, or going one-on-one with Braun Strowman. Ambrose thinks about it for a moment, and Corbin asks if it will be his brothers or his career. Ambrose tells Corbin none of that is happening and demands a match against him. Corbin says this isn't happening, and he goes ahead and makes the choice for Ambrose: Ambrose vs. Strowman, right now.
Braun Strowman beats Dean Ambrose by disqualification. During the match, Roman Reigns shows up and brawls with Strowman, then Seth Rollins shows up and he and Roman sends Strowman out of the ring. Strowman makes his way to the ramp, but he is joined by Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre and Acting General Manager Baron Corbin. Corbin says this is his show, not The Shield's (Ambrose, Rollins, Reigns), and puts Rollins up against McIntyre for later and Roman up against Dolph Ziggler for the next match.
In the trainer's room, Dean Ambrose is met by Seth Rollins. Dean gets angry, and Rollins reminds him it's about the war, not the battle. Ambrose says it's funny as he could be Intercontinental Champion right now.
The next match is almost for the WWE Universal Championship, but Acting General Manager Baron Corbin shows up and announces that Rollins and Reigns' matches tonight are both non-title and that Roman will not be defending the Universal title again until Crown Jewel.
Roman Reigns beats Dolph Ziggler.
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey beats Ruby Riott with a cross arm breaker.
We see a video package chronicling the events leading up to Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship at Super Show-Down.
Konnor beats Bobby Roode after Viktor pushes Chad Gable off the steel steps, distracting Roode and allowing Konnor to get the win.
We hear from Alexa Bliss in "A Moment Of Bliss," where she talks about heroes as well as how heroes have heroes. Alexa says her hero is Trish Stratus and that she will be facing her at Evolution. She talks about how how she first met Trish Stratus when she was seven years old and asked her for her autograph only for Trish to burp in her face and charge her $50. She then says Trish then tore up her autograph book and stepped on her foot. Alexa then says she cried the entire night, and that when it comes to heroes, Stratusfaction is not guaranteed.
The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) beat The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) after Bo Dallas gets the knees up to counter The Revival's rocket launcher double-team to get a surprise pin on Dash Wilder. After the match, AOP (Akam and Rezar) blindside The B-Team and hit the Super Collider in the ring.
Backstage, an aching Dean Ambrose is met by Roman Reigns, who wants to know if Dean is all right. Ambrose says he's fine, and says he had Braun Strowman beaten. Roman says he could have also gotten hurt. Ambrose says if he wasn't such a nice guy, he would be WWE Universal Champion right now.
Backstage, Acting General Manager Baron Corbin congratulate AOP (Akam and Rezar) on getting the job done tonight.
WWE takes time to announce that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and display a video package about WWE's partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Charly Caruso then introduces WWE ambassador Dana Warrior, research Dr. Candice Grzelak, fundraiser Patty Bulger and ten-year breast cancer survivor Jennifer Teeler, who are all in the front row.
Backstage, Dolph Ziggler tells Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman that this is the last night The Shield will be together and that this is their moment. Braun says Dean is "a tough bastard" and that when Dean isn't up against him, he is a winner. He says that he needs winners tonight and tells Drew to win tonight before saying they do not need any weak links and starting at Dolph.
Drew McIntyre beats Seth Rollins after Dolph Ziggler runs into the ring, distracting Rollins and allowing McIntyre to hit the Claymore. After the match, McIntyre and Ziggler take the boots to Rollins. Roman Reigns runs in to even the odds, then Braun Strowman shows up. The distraction allows McIntyre and Ziggler to blindside Reigns, then Dean Ambrose runs in with an ax handle and goes to town. This lasts until Braun Strowman gets his hands on Dean Ambrose and gets him back in the ring. After this, Ziggler, McIntyre and Strowman make easy work of The Shield (Ambrose, Rollins, Reigns).
We see a video package chronicling Samoa Joe vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles in a no count-out, no disqualification match for the WWE Championship at Super Show-Down.
Backstage, Elias throws cashews at a backstage worker, saying he wants almonds. Meanwhile, Kevin Owens helps himself to Elias' spinach.
We see another commercial for WWE 2K19.
Elias and Kevin Owens are in the ring. Elias plays guitar, then Kevin Owens commends Elias on his guitar playing before Elias asks who wants to walk with him. He says there is only one man who is going to walk with him tonight, and that man is Kevin Owens. Owens talks about their match at Super Show-Down against Bobby Lashley and John Cena and says them teaming up makes sense. After saying they have so much in common, Owens says he and Elias are great guys. He then says John Cena teaming with Bobby Lashley doesn't make any sense, and Elias agrees with him, saying it's like having a basketball team in Seattle, Washington. The boos and jeers by the crowd becomes deafening. He says he can get Oklahoma City, Oklahoma having a basketball team, but Seattle makes no sense to him. Owens has to scream over the crowd, and even he has a tough time doing that. Owens says John Cena has been living up to his "you can't see me" catchphrase, and Elias says the last time he saw Cena was at WrestleMania, when he ruined his WrestleMania moment. He says that Cena will not ruin Super Show-Down for them. Elias demands that the light be toned done so that the spotlight stays solely on him. Owens says that every opportunity the people have to see Cena is special, as Cena has a big ego and only performs on a big stage. Elias says that Cena needs to wrestle men like them to stay relevant, as there is nobody in the world like him and Cena needs to be in there to feel like he is the best. Owens say to be the best, you have to beat the best, and he and Elias are the best right now. Owens says that John Cena and Bobby Lashley have no chance at Super Show-Down, then says Elias has to give encore performances all the time as his music is so popular. Owens says he will perform one in the form of a pop-up powerbomb on Cena. Suddenly, Lio Rush shows up and gives Owens and Elias props for taking their Super Show-Down match seriously, then tells Owens not to overlook tonight's match or he will look as foolish as he has made him for the past two weeks. Lio Rush then introduces Bobby Lashley for the next match.
Kevin Owens beats Bobby Lashley after Elias gets Lio Rush in a full nelson, distracting Lashley. After the match, Elias and Owens take the boots to Lashley, and when Lio Rush goes up top to make the save, Elias swats him away like a fly. Elias then helps Owens hit Lashley with a pop-up powerbomb.
Bayley beats Alicia Fox after Finn Balor brings Jinder Mahal's distraction to an end with a Sling Blade.
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels shows up. Shawn talks about the match between The Undertaker and Triple H at Super Show-Down, saying he has felt a gambit of emotions about the match for the last few weeks and that Sunday will be the last match between them ever. He says that when it all started, he had to book himself a flight to Melbourne, Australia, as he knew this would be a historic moment and that he wanted to witness it as a fan. That was the plan until a couple of weeks ago. Then, it got personal. He says that when The Undertaker put him in a position where he had to make a choice about who he stood behind and believed he would win, everything changed, but he still stands behind Triple H. He says this upset The Undertaker, then says The Undertaker made it personal. He says that if 'Taker has Kane in his corner, then he will be in Triple H's. Shawn warns Kane or anyone else who tries to crowd the ring that he will brush them back courtesy of some Sweet Chin Music. Suddenly, Kane shows up. Instead of being on the stage, however, Kane is behind Shawn, who turned around to a big right hand. The lights then go out and a gong is heard, and when they come back on, 'Taker is standing by Kane. Shawn looks up to see 'Taker perform his throat slit taunt, and he is about to fall victim to a Tombstone Piledriver when Triple H runs to the ring. This leads to a big brawl between Triple H and The Undertaker, and Kane also gets some right hands when he gets involved. Shawn looks up to see 'Taker perform his throat slit taunt, and he is about to fall victim to a Tomstone Piledriver when Triple H runs to the ring. This leads to a big brawl between Triple H and The Undertaker, and Kane also gets some right hands when he gets involved. In the end, however, Shawn and Triple H get choke slammed. Kane and The Undertaker are about to leave the ring when Shawn and Triple H get back up, and 'Taker gets back in the ring to hit Triple H with a Tombstone Piledriver.
