- We kick off the show with the announcement that Finn Balor injured hi shoulder during his match against Seth Rollins last night at SummerSlam. Despite finishing the match, Balor's injury got worse through the day and he is forced to vacate the Universal Championship. Jesus Christ, could not have been worse timing. Mick Foley & Stephanie McMahon bring out Balor to official relinquish the title. Balor says he accomplished the impossible last night, but he had to make a big sacrifice. He thanks the fans and all the wrestlers backstage, including Seth Rollins for giving him the match of his life. Balor says he has to give up the title but reassures that when he comes back he's going to win it back. Balor officially hands the belt off to Foley to end the segment. It's definitely sad that Balor had to give up the title he won after one day, but you know what, he'll go down in history as a former world champion and no one can take that away from him. After Balor walks up the ramp, outcomes Rollins all smug and what not. He hugs Stephanie and says he was the true winner at SummerSlam. Rollins pulls the ultimate heel move and says the Universal Championship is beautifully designed and says they should have a title celebration for the true winner at SummerSlam. This brings out Sami Zayn, who makes it clear he wants the Universal Championship. Outcomes Chris Jericho, who begs Stephanie & Foley for a shot. Outcomes Kevin Owens, who says he deserves a shot at the title. Following Owens is Enzo Amore & Big Cass, they want a title shot. Then comes Roman Reigns to a chorus of boos, and he wants the title obviously. Foley says that all 7-men deserve a title shot, and they will determine who the champion will be next week through a series of matches starting tonight with Sami Zayn vs Seth Rollins. Owens & Zayn argue in the ring, which allows Rollins to attack Zayn and boot him from the ring before the match starts.
- Sami Zayn vs Seth Rollins-The match starts during the commercial break and we come back to Zayn knife edge chopping Rollins. Zayn keeps control before the two go to the outside, where Rollins goes for the same powerbomb that injured Balor. He is definitely not hitting that tonight. Zayn counters it, but Rollins takes control back in the ring with a superkick. Rollins goes to work. Zayn runs wild for a bit but lands badly on his ankle when springboarding over Rollins. I'm starting to think the Universal Championship is cursed. First Balor, now Zayn. Zayn dumbly goes for a slingshot somersault tope despite having an injured ankle, which hurts his ankle even more. Rollins gets Zayn back in the ring and hits a springboard knee for a near fall before the commercial break. We come back to Rollins cutting off a comeback attempt by Zayn until Zayn hits a big clothesline. Zayn tries to hit the Blue Thunder Bomb, but Rollins counters and hits an enziguri for a near fall. Rollins sets Zayn up on the top rope, but Zayn counters with a sunset flip powerbomb for a near fall. Zayn almost gets the win of a jackknife cover and hits the exploder suplex in the corner. Zayn goes for a Helluva Kick, but Rollins counters with a high knee and locks in a heel hook. Zayn barely escapes and goes for a suplex on one leg, but he can't pull it off and eats a Pedigree. Rollins gets the win. Good match, especially considering it looked like Zayn legit got hurt. Hope it's nothing serious.
- Kevin Owens vs Neville-The match kicks off with a very fast paced exchange where Neville avoids a Pop-Up Powerbomb, sends Owens out of the ring and hits a 450 Splash off the apron. Neville then gets back in the ring and hits a corkscrew plancha to the outside. Suddenly, Chris Jericho runs out to distract Neville, which allows Owens to blindside him before the commercial break. We come back to Owens locking in a headlock on Neville. Neville dodges the cannonball attempt by Owens and hits a snap German suplex. Neville dodges a Frog Splash by Owens and hits a second rope spinning corkscrew moonsault for another near fall. Neville follows that up with a deadlift German suplex for another near fall. Owens dodges the Red Arrow and hits a superkick, but Neville reverses the Pop-Up Powerbomb with a roll up for a near fall. Neville hits a step up enziguri and goes for the Red Arrow, but Jericho distracts him. Neville takes out Jericho, but the distraction is enough for Owens to hit the inverted TKO for the win. Good match, Neville is so incredible. Perfect mix of agility and strength. They need to use him better.
- Michael Cole announces next week the new Universal Champion will be determined with a Fatal 4-Way, with Rollins & Owens qualifying and the final two spots being determined tonight.
- IT'S A NEW DAY, YES IT IS! Big E proclaims that he is back and Kofi says the New Day is out to celebrate one year (technically, tomorrow makes it one year) as the W-W-E-WORLD-TAG-TEAM-CHAMPIONS! Kofi thanks all the fans for being vocal throughout the good and bad times. Woods shows off a unicorn pinata filled with Booty-Os. Big E is about to break it open, but outcomes Gallows & Anderson saying this is stupid. They think this is stupid? Did they not watch their doctor segments? Anderson says they have no reason to celebrate since they lost last night. Gallows & Anderson say they're owed a Tag Team Championship match. Gallows says all the New Day's props and one-liners won't mean anything when Gallows & Anderson win the titles. Big E says tonight the New Day shows Gallows & Anderson why NEW-DAY ROCKS! NEW-DAY ROCKS! NEW-DAY ROCKS!
- Big E vs Karl Anderson-The match starts during the commercial break and we come back to Big E locking in an abdominal stretch and spanking Anderson. A Gallows distraction allows Anderson to take control with a dropkick to the knee. Anderson stomps away at Big E's knee and locks in a headlock. Big E is eventually able to fight out and toss Anderson out of the ring while Gallows takes out Kofi & Woods at ringside. Anderson blocks a spear through the ropes by Big E, but Kofi & Woods recover and take out Gallows at ringside. The commotion allows Big E to hit the Big Ending for the win.
- Titus O'Neil is out for a promo. He fumbles through the beginning of it and brings up how the Prime Time Players were the Tag Team Champions almost one year ago today. Titus says losing the titles wasn't the worst day of his life, it was the best day of his life because he was able to drop Darren Young as his tag team partner. Titus says Young wouldn't be relevant if it weren't for him and says Young can't be made great again because he was never great. Titus says he would be the Universal Champion if it weren't for Young holding him back and blames him for all his failures in WWE. He demands Young come out so he can finish Young off once and for all. Young doesn't come out, but Bob Backlund does. Titus throws him into the corner, but Backlund is able to lock in the Crossface Chickenwing briefly. Titus escapes and bodyslams Backlund before Young runs down. Titus hits him with a Clash of the Titus before posing in the ring. Rough promo by Titus, he could barely get a word out without misspeaking or stuttering.
- Tom Phillips interviews Stephanie McMahon. She says Lesnar crossed the line at SummerSlam and there will be repercussions.
- Rusev vs Big Cass-Rusev's ribs are taped up for this match due to the brawl with Reigns last night. Cass takes control due to the injury before the commercial break. We come back to see Rusev in control back in the ring after a spinning heel kick. Rusev keeps control, cutting off a Big Cass come back with a chop block. Cass dodges a headbutt attempt and runs wild, knocking Rusev down a few times. Rusev avoids the big boot by rolling out of the ring before superkicking Enzo. Cass runs wild back in the ring, hitting a Stinger Splash and a body slam before Rusev rolls out of the ring again to avoid the Empire Elbow. Cass throws Rusev into the ring steps and throws him back, only to eat a superkick when getting back in. Cass fires back with a big boot and Rusev rolls out of the ring. Rusev opts out of getting back in the ring and gets counted out, giving Big Cass the win. Alright match, a bit slow at points, though.
- Tom Phillips interviews Jeri-KO. Jericho calls Tom "Phillipe" and says he will beat Reigns and become Universal Champion. Owens chimes in and says he'll be Universal Champion. Owens says he didn't need Jericho's help tonight, and the two bicker over who will win the Universal Championship. Jericho ends the promo by asking Tom what Roman Reigns is going to get. After being badgered about it by Owens, Tom asks what is Reigns' going to get. Jericho answers...it...and then calls Tom a stupid idiot. Jericho is gold. Owens is gold. All of RAW should be dedicated to just them doing stuff and annoying Tom Phillips.
- Outcomes Charlotte & Dana Brooke. Dana tries to start the most obnoxious "You Deserve It" chant for Charlotte. It's hilarious. Charlotte says she's the best female athlete in the world and that Sasha proved she can't carry the women's division. All I could really focus on in this segment was the Harambe sign behind Charlotte (R.I.P Harambe). Charlotte says she has reclaimed her throne and tries to leave, but Foley comes out before she can. Foley congratulates her but says Sasha will get another shot when she recovers from hr injuries. Charlotte says she deserves the night off, but Foley says he is overjoyed to announce the newest signing for RAW...IT'S BAYLEY!!! FINALLY!!! The crowd goes absolutely nuts as Bayley says she's been dreaming of this moment her entire life. She & Foley hug before Charlotte runs down Bayley for being left behind during the Divas Revolution. Bayley says she respects Charlotte and challenges her for the Women's Championship. Charlotte says no, but Foley books Bayley in her RAW debut tonight against Dana Brooke.
- Bayley vs Dana Brooke-The two lock up to start and Bayley quickly takes control early. Bayley cuts off any offense by Dana until Dana is able to boot her from the ring. Dana throws Bayley around ringside before sending her back in the ring. Dana locks in a surfboard variation before pounding away on Bayley. Bayley fires up, hits the corner back elbow and a flying spinning elbow before hitting the Bayley-to-Belly, a belly-to-belly suplex, for the win. Alright match, nothing special, though.
- Tom Phillips interviews a man-bunned Roman Reigns. He says he's going to beat Jericho tonight.
- We get another cruiserweight division commercial, but this time, we get interviews from Rich Swann, Noam Dar, Brian Kendrick, and TJ Perkins. It is announced the cruiserweight division arrives on September 19th.
- Andrea DeMarco interviews Sheamus. Sheamus says Cesaro is the Suicide Squad of WWE; lots of hype behind him, but he underwhelms. He runs down all the New York sports teams and says unlike them, he'll be a winner.
- Braun Strowman vs Johnny Knockout-Pre-match jobber interview, Knockout says he's taking this match because, and I quote, "Because I like big, sweaty men." Well, I guess the rumor about LGBT-characters on the show was true. Also, what kind of name is Johnny Knockout? Sounds like the most WWE 2K16 name ever. Strowman murks Knockout and wins with the reverse chokeslam. After the match, Strowman delivers a Yokosuka Cutter to Knockout and demands the referee count the pinfall. In a funny moment, the referee remains a stickler for the rules by making sure Knockout's shoulder is down before counting. After that, Strowman throws Knockout out of the ring by his leg. I don't think Strowman even broke a sweat, which must have disappointed Knockout.
- Outcome the Dudley Boyz for their retirement. Bubba says he doesn't get emotional, but tonight might be different. Bubba says that one year ago the Dudley Boyz came back to WWE and kicked ass. He says they knew that the fans respected them for busting their asses for 20 years. D-Von says it's been a hell of a career where he & Bubba created history and without the fans, there would be no Dudley Boyz. Bubba gives the fans a round of applause and says even though this year didn't go as planned for them, they are going out on their own terms. The Dudleyz are interrupted by The Shining Stars. Piss off. They say the Dudleyz are washed up and then their promo is drowned out by "WE WANT TABLES!" The Shining Stars tell them to go to Puerto Rico (the Shining Star of the Caribbean, if you didn't know.) The Dudleyz attack them, hit the 3D on Epico, the headbutt to the groin on Primo, and 1-2-3. GET THE TABLES! D-Von gets the table and the Dudleyz prepare to hit Primo with the 3D through the table, but Gallows & Anderson attack them and beat them down. They hit Bubba with the Magic Killer on the outside and hit D-Von with it through the table in the ring.
- Chris Jericho vs Roman Reigns-The match goes back and forth to start before Reigns hits a shoulder tackle. Jericho pops up, yells and slaps Reigns, which leads to Reigns hammering away on Jericho. C*nty crowd chants "You Can't Wrestle" at Reigns. That bullsh*t the guy has had great matches like his ones with Styles. Don't just ignore those cause you don't like Reigns. Reigns rolls out of the ring as Jericho poses in the ring before the commercial break. We come back to Jericho working over Reigns. Reigns fights out and counters a running bulldog, sending Jericho crotch first into the second turnbuckle (the most dangerous turnbuckle, of course.) Reigns runs wild, hitting the big clotheslines in the corner and calls for the Superman Punch. Jericho dodges and goes for the Walls of Jericho, but Reigns fights out only to eat an enziguri for a near fall. Reigns counters a flying nothing with a punch and hits the drive by dropkick. Jericho avoids a Samoan Drop, but Reigns blocks a Lionsault with his knees before cocking his fist (which is Johnny Knockout's favorite part) and hits the Superman Punch for a near fall. Reigns calls for the Spear, but Jericho blocks it with a kick. Reigns catches Jericho on a Codebreaker attempt and turns it into a powerbomb). Reigns goes for the Spear again, but Kevin Owens runs down distract Reigns. Jericho almost gets the roll up win, but Reigns kicks out and calls for the Spear again. Jericho reverses it and locks in the Walls of Jericho. Reigns is able to make it to the bottom rope, but Owens hits him with a superkick right after and Jericho hits a Codebreaker. Jericho hesitates to make the cover and that allows Reigns to kick out. After a bunch of back and forth, Reigns hits Owens with the Superman Punch and Jericho with a Spear. Good match, really picked up towards the end.
And that's about it. Overall, a pretty good RAW. The wrestling was good and the debut of Bayley was great. The only real down I can think of was Titus O'Neil butchering that promo. Let's see if SmackDown can top it next week.
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