Monday Night Raw TV Report for October 12th, 2015 – “’World’s Greatest Demon Of Operations’”
Introduction Segment: Office Promo
Raw opens with Director of Operations Kane taking a phone-call from Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, who are on a plane and bickering at their staff. They say they will not be on time, so Kane is in charge. They asks for his “trust” to be a pro, and he gives them his word he will be.
Kane then asks an assistant to inform WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins that he will be in a Lumberjack Match tonight, facing the Director himself!
Segment #2: Welcoming and Arena Promo
The regular Raw video plays then Michael Cole, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, and Byron Saxton speak to us inside the Allstate Arena. Dean Ambrose now walks out and is delighted that The Authority is not there right now. However he is still wanting to scrap with someone, but Randy Orton walks down and spoils that. He and Ambrose get in a “heated” discussion on who should guide their team when they go against Luke Harper and Braun Strowman at Hell In A Cell.
Tag-Team Champions The New Day interject and tell them “don’t you dare be sour.” They want to inject some “positivity” into Randy and Dean, but also put themselves over big for taking out Dolph Ziggler, The Dudley Boyz, and John Cena.
Director of Operations Kane appears on screen and debunks the fact of “inmates running the asylum.” He is in charge and sees the first match right in front of him, booking Orton and Ambrose to meet New Day.
Match #1: Tag-Team – Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton VS. Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston)
Kofi and Dean begin, going back-and-forth until Ambrose elbows Kingston to the outside. Kofi breaks off and strategies with his teammates.
Commercials.
Randy and Kofi are still wrestling, with Orton giving Kingston a springboard suplex. He tags in Dean, who now goes at it with fists with Big E. Orton and Ambrose double-team the big-man, then Orton gives Big a good-size dropkick. E. gets a little offense in, but is quickly controlled again by “The Viper” and “The Lunatic Fringe.” They continue, and despite a few moments of suspect, chuck Kofi to the outside for another break.
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The Tag-Team Champs are now dominating, after Xavier distracted Orton which allowed Big to run at him chest-first. Big locks an abdominal stretch on Randy, which is countered into short-punches and a headbutt. E. fires back with an elbow as Randy ran off the ropes, then puts him to the outside.
Dean and Orton bump into each other, which helps the New Day roll-up Orton and take the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions The New Day
Post-match, Randy and Dean seem frustrated with each other as New Day arrogantly celebrates.
Kane is shown, drinking out of his “World’s Greatest Director of Operations” mug.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Video Promo
A highlight reel of Brock Lesnar and Undertaker’s feud is shown.
Team Bella make their entrance, as Nikki will take on Naomi next.
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Match #2: Single – Nikki Bella (with Team Bella partners Brie Bella and Alicia Fox) VS. Naomi (with Team B.A.D. members Tamina and Sasha Banks)
Naomi gains momentum early, as the crowd chants “we want Sasha.” Nikki counters and gives Naomi a spinebuster to take advantage. She works over Naomi with a chin-stretch, and gives her a snap-suplex a bit later. Nikki clamps on an armlock to wear Naomi down, but Naomi counters and hits Nikki with rapid-fire kicks. She tosses the Bella Twin to the floor, then follows with soaring plancha-splash!
Brie now turns Naomi’s attention, calling out “we want Sasha.” Sasha answers, yanking Brie off the announcer’s table by her leg, but Nikki grabs Naomi from behind in the ring and drops her with the Rack Attack to finish this one!
Winner via Pinfall: Nikki Bella
Up next, John Cena will present another United States Open Challenge!
Commercials.
Segment #4: Video Promo
Byron Saxton asked fans who is the “Most Unconventional Superstar;” a few go for Paige, and then another video of him interviewing Paige is shown. She was named Payday’s (company) “Most Unconventional Superstar” and is pleased, especially since she hints that WWE didn’t give her the props during the Divas Revolution.
Match #3: Single for the United States Championship – John Cena (Champion) VS. ??? (Challenger)
(Prior to the bout, Cena cuts a promo putting over the Allstate Arena and some of his best matches in Chicago. He announces that the “John Cena U.S. Open Challenge,” which “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler answers!)
They circle each other then lockup; Ziggler clutches a standing side-headlock. Cena leapfrogs a running Dolph then flips him to the mat with an armdrag. Ziggler is put to the outside, then during the mini-break, a couple in the crowd just get engaged! Cena calls attention to them, and a loud “she said yes” chant starts! Cena congratulates the man on his move. Back to the match, Dolph takes control working John over.
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Dolph drops numerous elbows, but misses the last one. Cena gives Dolph a shoulder-tackle and the Five-Knuckle Shuffle. He traps Ziggler in the STF, but Dolph slips out of it and locks on a sleeper! Cena doesn’t give in, and tries an Attitude Adjustment a bit later; Dolph reverses that into a Fameasser but only gets two!
Both men strike big moves, including Dolph driving Cena to the canvas with a leaping-DDT from the turnbuckle, and Cena catching Ziggler off a crossbody and planting him with the A.A. for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall and STILL United States Champion – John Cena
Segment #5: Office Promo
Kane is overhearing Triple H and Steph continue whining about the service (or lack their of!) they’re getting on the airplane.
Commercials.
Match #4: Tag-Team – The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) VS. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
Bubba and D-Von pick this one up after 3-Ding Victor!
Winners via Pinfall: The Dudley Boyz
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Match #5: Tag-Team – King Barrett and Sheamus VS. Neville and Cesaro
Cesaro and Neville dominate completely, until Sheamus hits a quick slap to Cesaro’s face. Neville is caught up in the middle rope, where Barrett hits him hard with the Bullhammer Elbow, allowing Sheamus to cover and complete this!
Winners via Pinfall: King Barrett and Sheamus
Up next, Roman Reigns will face Braun Strowman!
Commercials.
It is announced that Dean Ambrose will team with The Dudleys to face Tag-Team Champions The New Day this week on Smackdown!
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Roman Reigns is out and talks about his feud with Bray Wyatt. He said it was simply over the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, when Bray cost him the opportunity for the briefcase at Money In The Bank. The two squared off at Battleground, where Wyatt brought back his family in Luke Harper. Roman tells us he had no problem doing the same, and enlisted Dean Ambrose’s help at SummerSlam.
Roman moves on to Bray’s repeated phrase of “anyone but you, Roman.” He talks about how he fights for his family, and that Bray brought in his (Roman’s) family to the fold. Reigns looks menacingly into the camera and declares to Bray that he will “tear you apart” at Hell In A Cell.
The Wyatt Family saunter out for Braun’s bout, next!
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Match #6: Single – Roman Reigns VS. Braun Strowman (with Wyatt Family partners Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper)
They glare each other down then Roman is shoved hard by Braun. Reigns gets back in the ring, but can’t move Stroman much. Braun totally dominates most of this bout. Reigns manages a comeback, Superman Punching Braun on the outside, which sent him flying over the commentator’s table. Roman slides back in the ring before the count, but Strowman does not.
Winner via Count-Out: Roman Reigns
Post-match, Bray taunts Roman, and gets slapped hard for it. Roman walks back up the ramp as Luke and Braun stand angrily with their leader.
Segment #7: Officer Promo
The phone buzzes again, as Triple H tries to get the word on Seth’s opponent. Communication problems hamper the conversation though, and “The Game” is not clear on the fact that Kane is the one facing Rollins.
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – Ryback VS. Rusev (with Summer Rae)
Rusev pounds away on Ryback, then works on his left shoulder with a lock. He kicks Ryback and rolls him up, placing his feet on the ropes, but the referee stops the count. Rusev argues, then misses a running corner splash. “The Big Guy” picks him up and slams him with the Shellshock, getting the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Post-match, Summer becomes not-so-happy with Rusev, after finding out he is actually engaged to Lana in real life. She unceremoniously verbally dumps him, and slaps before walking away. Rusev yells in Bulgarian and/or Russian.
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Match #8: Single – Kalisto (with Lucha Dragons partner Sin Cara) VS. Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens (Non-Title)
Owens governs most of this contest until Kalisto gains some momentum with a few high-flying moves. It doesn’t last long, as Kevin is able to put Kalisto down with the Pop-Up Powerbomb.
Winner via Pinfall: Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens
Commercials.
Match #9: Tag-Team – Team Bella (Brie Bella and Alicia Fox) (with Team Bella partner Nikki) VS. Team N.B.C. (Divas Champion Charlotte and Becky Lynch) (with partner Natalya)
(Note: Paige is on commentary.) Becky and Alicia start out, with Becky controlling. She tags in Charlotte and the two double-hip toss Fox. Brie is in, but quickly gets Speared by Charlotte. On the outside, Natalya argues with Nikki, which Paige takes umbrage to and shoves Natalya! Brie kicks Natalya from behind inside the ring; then she rockets off the middle turnbuckle with a missile dropkick to Charlotte, and receives the W for her team!
Winners via Pinfall: Team Bella
Segment #8: Office Promo
Kane is on the phone again with The Authority. He is finally able to tell them that he will be taking on WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins in the Lumberjack Match; this does not make Stephanie or Triple H happy, so they order Kane to find a replacement for Rollins’ opponent. Kane smiles and walks away.
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Segment #9: Backstage Promo
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins tries to convince Big Show to help him out, but the 7-Footer just laughs and walks away. Kane shows up and gives Rollins the news about Kane not being his opponent, but he still will “find a suitable replacement.”
Segment #10: Video Promo
The same package on Lesnar/Undertaker is re-aired.
The Lumberjacks make their way to the ring for the main-event.
Commercials.
Match #10: Single (Lumberjack Rules) – WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins VS. ??? (Non-Title)
Rollins’ mystery foe is not “Corporate” Kane, but “Demon” Kane! He marches out and decimates the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Every time Seth tries to get away, the Lumberjacks put him back in. Kane goes to the outside and has to fight is way off a few Lumberjacks too, then turns and stares at Big Show. The former Giant knocks out Kane with his signature punch, then Rollins capitalizes with a cover, but only gets two! Seth gains a big advantage and just about takes this after a big Frogsplash!
He climbs the turnbuckle again, but is grabbed by the throat! Rollins fights him off, but is slammed down soon after. Of course, this one breaks down between all the Lumberjacks after Kane is pulled out. The New Day, Sheamus, King Barrett, Stardust, Kevin Owens, and The Ascension try to put the boots to Kane, but “The Demon” sits up and chokeslams both Stardust and Xavier.
Rollins is back in and attempts a Pedigree, but Kane backdrops him. Seth lands on his feet and goes for the Pele Kick/Enziguri, but is caught in a Tombstone position, which is delivered! Kane covers for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Demon Kane
Kane continues to stand imposingly to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings
This was a pretty-decent Raw; lots of action in the ring, which is always a plus; but some of the story felt lost/rushed. Onto my analysis:
Excellence: matches between New Day/Orton/Ambrose, Nikki/Naomi, Ziggler/Cena, Roman/Braun, and Kane/Rollins.
Loved the little things that Kevin Owens does, like making fun of Kalisto with his own taunts. Roman cut a fantastic promo tonight; it has been a while since he seemed so passionate, so nice to see that out of him again. Kane is absolutely phenomenal in his “split-personality” gimmick, so here’s to keeping it going! Once again, anything New Day does is awesome and also keep it going!
Bogus: while I like Kane, I thought there were too many segments of him in the office; about three would’ve been good enough.
Seth Rollins needed another promo tonight; totally missed him until his backstage talk with Show. Tired of seeing Neville/Barrett go at it; push these two higher on the card and past each other. Dudleys/Ascension was a waste as we knew that “the brothers” would win; would’ve preferred a Dudley promo instead.
I am totally spoiled because of NXT, but in all honestly, I am slowing down on the “Divas Revolution.” It is starting to get stale and everyone needs to split off now and just vie for the right to face whomever the Champion is. This is how NXT does it and they do it amazing/perfectly!
In general, I liked Raw, but felt it could’ve had a little more/a little less. Next week’s the “go-home” show, so let’s hope they finish strong before Hell In A Cell. Looking forward to Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, and Ric Flair all being there!
Until Smackdown!, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Fans!
