Monday Night Raw TV Report for September 7th, 2015 – “The Hunt Is On.”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming and Arena Promo
The regular Raw video starts off and we go live to 1st Mariner Arena! Michael Cole acknowledges us from Baltimore, Maryland, then the music of the WWE World Heavyweight and United States Champion Seth Rollins plays. He struts out to the ring and takes the microphone. He calls himself “really special” because he was the only one to cash in at WrestleMania and win the championship. He also states that he was the one to take John Cena’s top spot, and then get a statue to commemorate being both the WWE and U.S. Champ.
The fans chant “we want Sting” repeatedly, and Rollins agrees, at it was “The Icon” who took away the moment of Seth receiving his statue two weeks ago. He complains about wrestling twice at Night Of Champions and defending both titles; during his promo, the crowd chants “boring,” but Seth shoots them down! He declares “Night Of Champions will be my night,” and retain his championships and reclaim his statue. “I am no longer ‘the future’ of WWE, but I am ‘the man.’”
A crow cries out and Sting appears on the Tron. Standing beside him is Rollins’ statue, which he challenges Seth to find him and take it. Sheamus now interrupts and joins Rollins in the ring. After some quick banter, “Mr. Money In The Bank” warns Rollins that he may facing him at Night Of Champions too.
Later tonight, Summer Rae will meet with Rusev to discuss her actions from last week with Dolph Ziggler. Up next, Paige will be wrestling!
Commercials.
Segment #2: Office Promo
Rollins walks into The Authority’s office and only sees Stephanie. He wants some help from Triple H to figure out what to do about Night Of Champions. “The Game” walks in and calls him out on not wanting Stephanie to aid, and insinuates that Seth can take of everything on his own. He tells him that Sheamus is occupied with Randy Orton, and that Rollins himself will be wrestling twice to be ready for Night Of Champions. Up first is him taking on I.C. Champ Ryback, and then partnering with New Day to face PrimeTime Players and John Cena. Rollins hypes himself up then leaves.
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Match #1: Single – Paige (with Team P.C.B. partners Becky Lynch and Charlotte) VS. Sasha Banks (with Team B.A.D. partners Tamina and Naomi)
(Note: It is announced that Charlotte will challenge Nikki Bella for the Divas Championship at Night Of Champions; however Charlotte still wants to take her on prior to next Tuesday, so Nikki does not become the longest-reigning champion.)
Paige goes right after Sasha, grabbing her by the hair and chucking her around. Paige elbows Sasha multiple times in the corner, but Banks reverses it and gives her springboard double-knees to her gut!
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Sasha has Paige in a grounding rear chinlock, but Paige fights out of it and Lou Thesz Presses her. Banks counters again and chokes Paige in the corner with her boot. She tries a suplex, but Paige reverses into a small package for a near-fall, but Sasha gets control back. She props Paige up on the top turnbuckle then yanks her off for two! She misses a splash in the corner, which allows Paige to knee her and then kick her hard!
Banks goes for a crossbody, but Paige catches her and tries a Ram-Paige DDT. Sasha punches out and goes to the outside for protection with Naomi and Tamina. Paige follows and runs at Tamina from the apron! In the ring, Sasha tries another move which Paige reverses into backdrop. She starts to tie-up Sasha for the P.T.O., but Naomi slides in and distracts the referee. This allows Sasha to counter and roll-up Paige to get the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Sasha Banks (with Team B.A.D. partners Tamina and Naomi)
Up next, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns will be wrestling!
Commercials.
Match #2: Tag-Team – The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) VS. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose
(Note: As Roman and Dean are making their entrance, a video from Smackdown is shown of The Wyatt Family accepting Dean/Roman’s challenge for Night Of Champions; they will square off in Six-Man Tag, with a third partner to be revealed on Reigns/Ambrose’s side.)
Konnor and Viktor take control early until Dean dives on Konnor on the outside and Reigns hits the Drive By front-dropkick on Viktor. He gives Viktor many clotheslines, then The Superman Punch. Ambrose and Reigns double-team Viktor, then Roman Spears Konnor. Ambrose finishes this with Dirty Deeds on Viktor!
Winners via Pinfall: Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose
Post-match, The Wyatt Family appears on the Titantron. “It’s okay to be afraid,” says Braun Strowman. Bray says “The Apocalypse awaits at Night Of Champions,” while Luke tells them to “run.
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Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Rene Young is with Intercontinental Champion Ryback. “The Big Guy” differentiates himself from Seth Rollins by saying that he is an actual “fighting champion.” He commends Rollins for being “The Architect,” but demonstrates that he will take care of Seth with a Meathook Clothesline and Shellshock. Kevin Owens walks in and wishes Ryback luck, but also tells him to “not bite off more than you can chew.”
Segment #4: Video Promo
A gossip-like montage of the saga between Dolph/Lana/Rusev/Summer airs.
Intercontinental Champion Ryback enters the arena and will be meeting WWE World Heavyweight Champion and Untied States Champion Seth Rollins!
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – Intercontinental Champion Ryback VS. WWE World Heavyweight and United States Champion Seth Rollins (Non-Title)
Seth bails immediately to the outside, but decides to get back in. They lockup and Ryback shoves Rollins to the mat. Ryback is dominating early, much to Rollins’ frustrations who keeps escaping to ringside for breaks.
Seth re-enters and is controlled by the I.C. Champ. He is Thesz-Pressed then chopped down hard. Ryback gives him a stalling-suplex for two, but is dropped with a jawbreaker. Quickly, Ryback slams Rollins with a Gorilla Press, but chases Seth around the ring and is run into the steel steps.
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Seth is now in control, wearing Ryback down with a grounding sleeper. Ryback battles out of it with a punch, but Rollins uses the ropes against “The Big Guy.” He soars off the top turnbuckle with a knee-to-the-face, but only gets a two-count! Seth runs at him in the corner with a clothesline, then measures up and hits a running forearm. He runs again but is given a backdrop! Ryback tries something, but Rollins slides under. He sets up for The Pedigree, but Ryback backdrops him.
He goes for a Powerbomb-like maneuver, but Seth lands on his feet and kicks Ryback. He also rolls out of top-rope splash attempt by the I.C. titlist, then runs through the ropes twice on him. He goes for a third, but Ryback counters with a spinebuster! He winds up for the Meathook Clothesline and hits it! Ryback almost gets The Shellshock, but Rollins wiggles out of it and enziguris him.
The crow sounds again; Sting is on the ‘Tron with the statue to distract the Double-Champion, giving Ryback the opportunity to catch Rollins in a small package for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Intercontinental Champion Ryback
Post-match, Sting appears again and plays more games with Rollins. He puts a Sting mask on the statue, which irritates Rollins.
Commercials.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Rollins is looking for Sting when his Tag-Team partners, Tag-Team Champions The New Day, surround him. They try to cheer him up, but he is still not in the mood. New Day point to off camera, which turns to see Edge and Christian! Edge and Rollins face off, and “The Rated R Superstar” reminds him of the attack he took last year due to the WWE World Heavyweight and United States Champion. Christian and Edge then make fun of New Day, playing “New…Day sucks” on kazoos. Big E. takes the kazoo and tries to eat it. The Dudleys now join, eyeing Edge/Christian and mocking New Day, who then walk off. Edge/Christian/Dudleys stay together in a cool moment from “awesomeness” past!
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Segment #6: Arena Promo
Summer wants to tell Rusev she’s sorry, because she says he has been “the true victim” in the drama between her, Lana, and Dolph Ziggler; Rusev answers her plea. She puts him over for giving her “courage,” becoming who she has physically been lately. She blames herself, and Rusev sides with her. He puts the responsibility on Dolph and Lana, but does day that he wouldn’t have done anything to Lana like Ziggler has.
“The Show Off” now charges out to answer. He take a couple jousts at Rusev, then delivers a superkick and beats him down. Rusev and Summer exit up the aisle.
Randy Orton is chatting with Reigns and Ambrose, then will be out to see Sheamus next!
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Randy Orton VS. Sheamus
An elbow/collar tie-up begins, then they trade holds and take-downs. Orton hits a couple shoulder blocks, and Sheamus rolls to the floor. He gets angry with the fans who yell “you look stupid,” but this gives Randy the time to capitalize. He punches away in the corner, but is inverted-atomic-dropped. “The Viper” hits a dropkick, but receives an Irish Curse Backbreaker on the outside.
Ads.
Sheamus is governing well, rolling over with a senton. Orton begins a comeback with uppercuts and clotheslines, then snap-powerslams him! Randy suplexes Sheamus over, but only gets two! He sets up Sheamus for the middle rope DDT, but Sheamus counters and slugs away against his chest. Sheamus jawbreaks Orton with the top rope and rockets off the top turnbuckle with a shoulder-block. Sheamus locks Randy in a modified Sharpshooter/Edge-ucator hold, but Orton manages to grab the bottom rope for the break.
Sheamus is tossed to the ring apron and his head rammed off the turnbuckle three times. Orton climbs and suplexes Sheamus back into the ring. He crawls over, but Sheamus kicks out before three! Randy now drives Sheamus to the canvas with the middle rope DDT and signals for the R.K.O! Sheamus shoves him off and slams Randy with White Noise. 1 – 2 – Orton gets his shoulder up! Sheamus aims for the Brogue Kick but Randy side-ducks. He is quickly rolled up but kicks out, then catches Sheamus with an R.K.O. to finish this one!
Winner via Pinfall: Randy Orton
Post-match, The Wyatt Family appears and demolishes Orton; Strowman does most of the damage, ten they pose over a prone Randy in the ring.
Commercials.
Match #5: Tag-Team – The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) VS. Los Matadores (Fernando and Diego) (with El Torito)
In short, the brothers take this after 3-Ding a Matadore, who was berating El Torito.
Winners via Pinfall: The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von)
Post-match, the other Matadore has a conversation with Torito to figure out what happened; he then attacks Torito until Bubba and D-Von make the save. They powerbomb the Matadore through a table.
Ads.
Cole announces that Ziggler will wrestle Rusev at Night Of Champions.
Match #6: Single – Cesaro VS. The Miz
The bell rings but Miz is not ready. He tells the referee to get Cesaro to back off so he can remove his sunglasses. As soon as he does, Cesaro waistlock-slams Miz and dominates with a gutwrench suplex and uppercuts. Wearing J.B.L.’s hat, Cesaro hits Miz against the corner of the barricade, but is taken over by Miz in the ring.
Miz punishes Cesaro for a while, until Cesaro tumbles over the ropes and boots Miz from the apron. He climbs the turnbuckle, but Miz trips him up and Cesaro lands on the turnbuckle gut-first. Miz takes advantage and throws Cesaro into the barriers, but backs off as The Big Show walks down. The referee is counting as Show chases; this ends in a draw.
Winner: None due to Double Count-Out
Post-match, Big Knockout Punches Cesaro on the way up the ramp!
Commercials.
Segment #7: Arena Promo
Team Bella parades to the squared circle. Alicia and Brie introduce Divas Champ Nikki, who talks about her title length. She shows The Bella Tron on screen, which is now at seven days, one hour, and counting until she breaks the record. Charlotte, her challenger, along with Paige and Becky, interject.
Charlotte announces that The Authority has booked her request; she will face Nikki next week on Raw for the Divas Championship! The two teams brawl, with Charlotte clamping on the Figure 8 to Nikki!
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Match #7: Six-Man Tag-Team – John Cena and The PrimeTime Players (Titus O’Neil and Darren Young) VS. Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Big E. and Kofi Kingston) (with Xavier Woods) and WWE World Heavyweight and United States Champion Seth Rollins
Big E. and John begin with an elbow/collar tie-up. They go again in that position with a test-of-strength, then Big gives Cena a shoulder block and power-slams him down. New Day and Rollins triple-team John in the corner.
Commercials.
Kofi crossbodies Cena as we come back, then works him over with a chin and armlock. He almost takes this with the S.O.S. roll-up, then switches with Big E., who is dumped to the outside. Rollins is tagged in and knees Cena in the head from the top rope. He stomps away on John, then Big E. side-slams him. E. holds Cena up in a stalling-suplex, but still only gets two! Big runs the ropes, but misses a splash as Cena moved! Cena leaps for the hot-tag to O’Neil, who cleans house! He boots Big E., and Young backdrops Rollins on the apron.
Titus sprints at Big in the corner with a clothesline, while Darren gives Woods The Gut-check on the outside. Cena traps Rollins in the STF, but Kofi tags in. He is quickly given the Attitude Adjustment, and covered for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: John Cena and The PrimeTime Players (Titus O’Neil and Darren Young)
Post-match, Cena jigs with The PrimeTime Players while an angry Rollins looks on. The WWE World Heavyweight and United States Champion gets back in the ring. Sting is on screen, taunting Seth. He asks for the lights to be turned on, which show him in the parking lot, in front of a trash compactor. He pushes the statue into the machine, and it is crushed! Rollins goes ballistic back in the ring, grabs his championships, and poses on the announce table to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings
This was a pretty good show, both verbal and action-wise. It definitely continued to build Night Of Champions very well!
Excellence: matches between Banks/Paige, Sheamus/Orton (even though they’ve gone at it already and I was getting tired, tonight’s bout was really well put-together), Miz/Cesaro (despite the finish), and Ryback/Rollins (for most of it).
Glad the Summer/Rusev/Dolph interaction was short; I’m still not liking this “feud” and want it to end soon, so was happy that it wasn’t drawn out.
Absolutely loved the backstage segment with Rollins, The New Day, Dudleys, and Edge/Christian. That was my favorite of the night and just plain entertaining. All of them have charisma, and deserve to be where they are today (I’m speaking mainly of Rollins/New Day/Dudleys, as Edge/Christian are retired), and should be getting even more pushes later.
Rollins on the mike is still gold; Charlotte did very well too with speaking, as she has not done much since re-debuting on Raw. Glad they went with her taking on Nikki next week, for suspense to see if Nikki’s reign will last or not.
Sting still has it as far as personality/appeal. He is holding up his end of the bargain in this feud and matching/antagonizing Rollins very well. Greatly looking forward to their match at Night Of Champions!
Bogus: didn’t like the finish between Cesaro/Miz; thought it should’ve been decisive on one side. The main event was nothing thrilling, despite the star power. I felt they had Cena be controlled way too long and it should’ve been a little more even, particularly at the start.
Really could’ve done without The Matadores and Ascension again. Both those matches should’ve been replaced by proms from Dudleys and Roman/Ambrose, respectively, to further along their storylines. Hopefully, this is also the end of Los Matadores, as they never have gone as far as they wanted and resonated with the fans.
I will be away at the end of the week for a vacation, so I won’t be reporting Smackdown! this week. Until Raw next week, where we will be less than a week away from Night Of Champions, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Fans!
