After two weeks away, I have returned from vacation to a new month; September starts tonight! Also tonight, it is Monday Night Raw! We know that WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar will defend his title at Night Of Champions against John Cena, in a SummerSlam rematch. Will either be in the house tonight to further this feud along?

Both United States Champion Sheamus and Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler have had their share of beef with The Miz and Damien Sandow/Sand-Miz; who is going to get the better of the other tonight? As well, Cesaro is the #1 Contender to the United States Championship; how will he be involved?

Nikki Bella cut a much-better promo last week in her rivalry with Brie, so what happen between the two sisters tonight? Also, I am loving the feud between A.J. and Divas Champ Paige, so I am looking forward to the continuation of their “saga!”

All this and much more, so read on!

Monday Night Raw Report for September 1st, 2014 – “‘The Game’ Changes!”

Segment #1: Arena Promo

“Y2J” Chris Jericho is in the ring and puts over the town (Des Moines, Iowa), as well as today/tonight being Labor Day. He then puts down Randy Orton, for always being given what he wanted. Just as he’s about to bring out “The Viper,” C.O.O. Triple H’s music plays instead. “The Game” walks out first, flanked by the rest of The Authority (Seth Rollins, Kane, and Randy Orton.) Jericho is surprised to see the entire group, poking fun at HHH, Rollins, and Kane by calling them “sell-out” (Kane), suck-up (Rollins), and “schnoz.” (I’ll let you guess the obvious reference there!)

Triple H and Chris go back-and-forth with verbal jabs, then the Chief Executive Officer gets down to business. He talks about the situation and match between WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and John Cena at Night Of Champions. HHH doesn’t think that bout would be “best for business,” so he’s thinking that a new #1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship would be more appropriate. Orton, Kane, Rollins (who receives a home-state pop), and Jericho all plead their case before the current #1 Contender makes his presence known. John Cena marches out and is ticked that Triple H is contemplating a new plan. Cena demands his match with Lesnar be kept, or he will sue “The Game” for breaking the “automatic rematch” clause. Cena threatens he will then be the new C.O.O. and look at Triple H to inform him “YOU’RE FIRED!”

HHH is against Cena for two reasons: becoming the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion is not “best for business” as well as Brock destroying John. Again, all wrestlers (other than Triple H) make their statements on why to be the #1 Contender and new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Another man who has been left out of this walks through the crowd; Roman Reigns proceeds to the squared circle. He faces off with Orton and orders him to “drop me.” Randy does nothing, as Reigns berates Kane and Rollins too.

“The Game” finally makes a somewhat-predictable decision, booking a Six-Man Tag-Team between Reigns, Cena, and Jericho taking on Orton, Rollins, and Kane. They all have to prove themselves in front of Triple H, who is going to be sitting at ringside. Rollins tries a sneak attack on Reigns, but it is countered as The Authority walk off while Roman smiles and waves.

Michael Cole, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, and Jerry “The King” Lawler run down the card for tonight, which includes a Tag-Team match between The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erik Rowan) and The Big Show and Mark Henry. Also, up next, United States Champion Sheamus and Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler will face Cesaro and The Miz!

Commercials.

Match #1: Tag-Team – United States Champion “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus

Ziggler and Cesaro start out with an even lockup until Cesaro gains control with an uppercut and repeated elbows. Dolph drops down out of a scoop-slam and hits a dropkick. He goes for The Miz, who hops off the apron and into a chair to get “touched up” with a make-up artist and Damien Sand-Miz. He actually comes in but is taken around the ring with a splash and hip-toss by Ziggler. Miz walks away again, but Sheamus chases and goes after. He rams his shoulder into Miz in the corner, then nails a clothesline off the ropes. Sheamus holds Miz against the ropes and delivers numerous “10 Beats Of The Bowron” fists. Miz gets a blind-tag to Cesaro, who comes in and hits a high-dropkick. (The fans are chanting “we want Ziggler” throughout this bit.)

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Cesaro is still in control, but Sheamus counters on the turnbuckle and soars off with a Battering Ram shoulder-block. He gets the (super) hot-tag to Ziggler. He is all over The Miz, with a splash and neckbreaker. Sheamus clotheslines both himself and Cesaro, but Miz kicks Dolph down. He orders Damien to get in the ring, so he does. As the referee and Ziggler (who also drives Damien down with The Zig-Zag) argue with Miz and Sand-Miz, the real Miz plants Dolph with the Skull-Krushing Finale to get the victory!

Winners via Pinfall: Cesaro and The Miz (with Damien Sand-Miz and Makeup Artist)

Lawler, Layfield, and Cole recap the match, and last week’s confrontation between Twin Sisters Nikki and Brie Bella.

Segment #2: Video Promo

Nikki talks about her life growing up with Brie, and how Brie stole her prom-date/boyfriend.

Commercials.

Match #2: Six-Women Tag-Team – Naomi, Summer Rae, and Layla VS. Cameron, Eva Marie, and Rosa Mendes

This match quickly breaks down into a brawl and the referee throws it out.

Winners: No Contest due to Referee Stoppage

(Other than cheaply-plugging “Total Divas,” pointless!)

Again, Cole, Lawler, and Layfield review footage from two weeks ago where Seth Rollins and Kane demolish Dean Ambrose through a cinder block; video is also shown of last week’s Raw where Rollins and Kane also gave it a go on Roman Reigns, but “The Superman” countered and instead chucked another cinder block at Rollins, hitting the ring post instead.

Up next, it is Rowan and Harper taking on Show and Henry!

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Match #3: Tag-Team – “The World’s Largest Athlete” The Big Show and “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry VS. The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erik Rowan)

Henry and Rowan begin, with Mark dominating early. He shoves his shoulder into Erik’s gut, then clotheslines him shortly after in another corner. Henry continues to toy with Rowan, but Erik manages to switch with Luke who delivers a big-boot to Henry to a two-count!

Commercials.

Rowan is back in and controlling Henry now, then Harper is in again. The camera focuses on the aisle, where Lana and Rusev are slowly walking down. Henry boots Luke and gets the hot-tag to Show! He takes out both Wyatt Family members until Luke trips him up into the corner barricade. Show slides in before the ten-count, so Harper boots him again. Rusev and Lana are just standing ringside and staring at this contest. Both Wyatt Family partners work over Show, frequently switching in and out.

Big finally gets the hot-tag, so “The World’s Strongest Man” takes down both Harper and Rowan. Show comes back and shoves Rowan to the outside. They fight near the announce table, while Henry picks up Harper. He goes for the World’s Strongest Slam, but Rusev enters and kicks Mark in the head, causing the DQ!

Winners via Disqualification: “The World’s Largest Athlete” The Big Show and “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry

Post-match, The Wyatt Family want more, as does Rusev, but Show fends them off and helps his buddy up.

Segment #4: Video Promo

Nikki Bella talks about life with Brie again; this time how Brie stole her car/I.D. and got into a car crash.

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Segment #5: Arena Promo

Ring Announcer Justin Roberts asks us to welcome Paul Heyman. The man behind “the one-in-21” walks out to the stage, putting over his client, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, and putting down John Cena. He speculates that John is not “listening to reason” because he wants to keep going at “The Beast Incarnate.” Heyman “applauds” Cena for his determination, but cites that the entire roster still equals less-than-half of what Lesnar is capable of.

Jack Swagger makes his way to the ring, followed by the return of Zeb Colter! Jack will be in action, next!

Commercials.

Match #4: Single – “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) VS. Curtis Axel

Elbow/collar tie-up begins between the two; then Jack turns Curtis around in the corner and chops him before throwing him across the ring. Again, a camera pans to the stage where Bo Dallas is with a bunch of chairs; he brings some people to occupy the seats. Axel takes control until Zeb gives his charge a pep-talk. Swagger gets the momentum back, setting up Curtis for the Swaggerbomb corner-splash. Axel puts his feet up, but Jack catches him and clamps on the Patriot Ankle Lock for the tap-out!

Winner via Submission: “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)

Post-match, Bo Dallas makes known the people who Swagger “let down” at SummerSlam by not defeating Rusev. First is Richie, who bet all his money on Jack. Angelo is an immigrate, who tanked his Citizenship Test, and is being sent back to Italy. Last is Jennifer, who’s son was a big fan of Swagger. Now, Jen’s son wants to be like Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bo says it could all be fixed, and invites Swagger and everyone, including his guests, to “Bo-Lieve!”

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Match #5: Single – Titus O’Neil (with Heath Slater) VS. Adam Rose (with The Rosebuds)

Rose tries to trick Titus with some roll-arounds until he is caught off the top rope with a fall-away-slam. O’Neil presses his knee against Adam in the corner, while Slater shoves The Bunny on the outside. “Peter Cottontail” (as Cole referred to him) then sweeps up Heath and punches away. Titus sees this, but not Rose who rolls him up for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Adam Rose (with The Rosebuds)

Segment #6: Video Promo

Nikki delivers more “revealing” information on Brie’s “real” character, lastly how Nikki helped her in school, and even switched and wrote Brie’s exam.

Lana and Rusev are out again, with Rusev wrestling next.

Commercials.

Match #6: Single – “The Super Athlete” Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana) VS. “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder

(Prior to this bout, Lana cuts a promo putting down the Americans and Labor Day. She says that America and Labor Day “suck,” while Russia is celebrating an Intelligence Day today.) This one is over quickly, with Rusev kicking Ryder down and forcing him to give to The Accolade.

Winner via Submission: “The Super Athlete” Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)

Post-match, as Rusev and Lana are in the ring, Mark Henry charges to the ring. Rusev and Lana take off, while Henry remains in the ring and cuts a promo. He is afraid of what he’s going to do if he gets a hold of them. He calls both himself and America “the strongest,” then challenges Rusev to enter the “International Hall Of Pain.”

Segment #7: Office Promo

Triple H and Stephanie are discussing The Bella Twins. HHH wants her to back off, but Steph wants to try and help the sisters. “The Game” is enamored with McMahon’s gesture, and McMahon alludes to an announcement.

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Segment #8: Arena Promo

Stephanie comes to the ring and puts over Nikki Bella for speaking out against Brie. She asks Nikki to come out. Nikki gives Steph props, while Stephanie continues to be pleased with Nikki, so much so that she gives the Bella Twin a Divas Championship match.

Brie now walks and disputes them both. The Twins get into a verbal argument, with Nikki saying that it was always about Brie, but now she will be the proverbial “shining one” and Brie will be “just a memory.” She also predicts that Brie’s husband, Daniel Bryan, will come to the realization what the “true” Brie is as well and divorce her. Another Diva interjects, wanting her automatic rematch. A.J. Lee skips out and demands to be the one to take on Divas Champion Paige. The Champ herself has a response, as she too skips to the ring with her title. She goes for A.J. right away, engaging in a verbal spat. Nikki puts them aside and offers to forgive Brie, only if Brie quits WWE. Brie signals she doesn’t want to, which irates Nikki. Brie turns around and shoves Nikki into Paige, and they both crash to the canvas. Brie walks away, leaving Stephanie and A.J., who grabs the Divas Title, standing tall. Lee skips right into Stephanie, and is ordered to give her the title. A.J. smiles, hands it over, then skips away. Stephanie passes it back to Paige, who also skips away.

Commercials.

Cole, Lawler, and Layfield recap the previous segment, and Michael announces that Chris Jericho will face Bray Wyatt next week on Raw, in a STEEL CAGE!

Segment #9: Video Promo

Bray Wyatt appears on screen. He says that Chris Jericho has no where to run, locked in the walls with him. Wyatt declares that “the world will turn it’s back on” Chris Jericho inside the cage, and that he has to “pay for your sins.”

Match #7: Single – Tag-Team Champion Jimmy Uso (with Tag-Team Champion Partner Jey Uso) VS. Goldust (with partner/brother Stardust)

Prior to the contest, Goldust tries to apologize, but The Usos don’t fall for it and attack immediately. This gets under control and the bout begins. Goldust all over Jimmy, clotheslining him and locking on a grounding rear chinlock. Jimmy fires back with a couple clotheslines, a kick, and an uppercut. He hits a Samoan Drop, the runs at him with a rear-bump in the corner! Uso hits a superkick, but Stardust puts Goldust’s foot on the ropes. Jey and Stardust fight, and Jimmy rockets over the ropes with a splash! In the ring, Goldust cuts off Jimmy by the leg and finishes this match with the Final Cut (swinging neckbreaker/suplex combo.)

Winner via Pinfall: Goldust (with partner/brother Stardust)

Post-match, both Goldust and Stardust assault Jey Uso and his injured knee, slamming a steel chair against it and the steel post. Stardust yells at them “you’re time is up!” as they back away, smiling sadistically. The referee, Jimmy, and a medical technician come to the aide of an apparently injured Jey.

More recap of Rollins’ and Kane’s assault on Dean Ambrose two weeks ago is shown, as well as Roman’s revenge on both from last week. Kane, Orton, and Rollins are shown discussing backstage.

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Segment #10: Locker Room Promo

The Big Show and Mark Henry are talking about both Rusev and being a dominant tag-team. Show wants to be by his side, but Henry says he needs to do this by himself, both for himself and his country (U.S.A.) Big gives him respect and walks away.

C.O.O. Triple H and Principle Owner Stephanie McMahon make their way to the ring and take a seat by commentator’s booth. John Cena makes his entrance next, as the Six-Man Tag is up next!

Commercials.

Match #8: Six-Man Tag-Team – John Cena, Roman Reigns, and “Y2J” Chris Jericho VS. Kane, “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins, and “The Viper” Randy Orton

Orton and Reigns start off, both evenly and back-and-forth. Roman headbutts Randy, then clotheslines him out of the corner. He slugs Kane off the apron and chucks Rollins into the ring. Reigns gives him fists and kicks of furry.

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Kane and Roman are now going at it, with Kane giving Reigns a DDT. Orton is back in and hits away, but Roman comes back again with another clothesline. He gives Orton a Samoan Drop, then goes for a corner ten-punch, but Orton slides out and drives Reigns off the turnbuckle with a modified backbreaker. Rollins (to the delight of the home-fan-base) is in and begins to work over Roman. Kane does the same, while the fans chant “let’s go Cena / Cena sucks.” Reigns drops Kane, who gets to Orton for a tag. “The Viper” stomps on the back of Roman, and methodically picks him apart. Reigns finally gets a hot-tag, but it is to Jericho.

“Y2J” takes out all three, and puts Rollins in the Walls Of Jericho submission. Seth almost taps, but Orton saves it. Reigns is in and nails the Superman Punch, but Kane chokeslams Reigns. Cena is in and gives “The Big Red Machine” an Attitude Adjustment, while Jericho nails Rollins with an enziguri. He hits him with a Codebreaker too before the break!

Commercials.

Rollins is back in control over Chris, chopping and punching him in the corner. Rollins runs and hits a forearm on Jericho in the corner, then ascends the turnbuckle. He flies off, but Jericho turns it into a dropkick! Jericho reaches, but Kane is in first and pulls him back. He gives Jericho an uppercut then a sidewalk slam for two! Jericho comes back with a couple of chops and a boot out-of-the-corner, but is given another uppercut as he leaped off the turnbuckle.

Orton is back in and picks apart Chris. He sits him atop the turnbuckle, but struggles to suplex him from it. Jericho counters, pushing him down and following with a diving crossbody! 1 – 2 – Orton kicks out! Kane is back in, but Jericho manages that long-awaited tag to Cena. He is all over Kane and Rollins, giving Seth a German suplex and an Attitude Adjustment to Kane right in front of “The Game” and Steph. He switches with Reigns, who gives a “War Cry” and spears Kane to get the victory!

Winners via Pinfall: John Cena, Roman Reigns, and “Y2J” Chris Jericho

Post-match, Rollins tries to attack Cena as he was proving it to Triple H and Stephanie. Cena counters and gives Rollins the Attitude Adjustment on the announce table, then celebrates with Reigns and Jericho in the ring, as the announcer’s plug next week, which includes the Steel Cage Match, former NFL Prospect and sensation Michael Sam maybe appearing, and a SummerSlam rematch between Roman Reigns and Randy Orton! This closes the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

For the most part, this was a pretty great Raw and felt it picked up where I left off after two weeks! Onto the analysis:

Excellence: A lot of the promos, particularly the opening one, Nikki’s, and Henry’s with Rusev. The Highlight Reel set up the night/main-event nicely (although somewhat predictable with everyone facing off, they just went into a slightly different direction via the six-man.), as well seriously putting into question with Lesnar and Cena will face-off again at Night Of Champions. Personally, I think they shouldn’t; it would be better for these two to face each other very few and far between times, and have another of the five wrestlers from tonight take on Lesnar at N.O.C., thereby enraging Cena and giving him a built-in feud after the September Pay-Per-View.
At first, I was critical of Nikki Bella on the mike; she seemed to bland. However, the last couple of weeks, she has really stepped it up and put more emotion into her voice. Yes, the video promos tonight were cheesy, but they did serve a bit of purpose to the storyline. Glad they also kept A.J./Paige up front too, since they are still currently feuding for the Divas Championship.

Loving Mark Henry’s “take-no-prisoners” attitude against Rusev, as well as his tag-team with The Big Show. I see Stardust/Goldust winning the straps (also loving their new heel turn), then Show/Henry being the next challengers.

Great match between Sheamus/Ziggler and Miz/Cesaro. Also loving this feud, and Miz’s new personality. Both Heyman and Bray were gold in their promos too, as usual!

I really like Swagger/Zeb/Dallas feud; going interesting places and Bo is definitely carrying it on the mike. Great for Jack to step up and become a huge face too in the last few weeks!

Bogus: Adam Rose/Titus could’ve been left off (although it did provide the line of the night with Cole saying “Peter Cottontail’s beating the hell out of Heath Slater!”); same goes with the Six-Women Tag-Team – that was just a badly done promo for “Total Divas.”

I’m not a fan most rematches from Pay-Per-Views; while Jericho/Wyatt kind of works because it’s the “rubber bout,” Reigns and Orton was special and they should not be facing each other next week, so soon after SummerSlam.

Rusev/Ryder was pointless, and also didn’t need to happen. Henry could’ve tried attacking him backstage instead.

My Dad had an awesome/smart point – if he ran the company, he would’ve built up an appearance from Sting big time, for next week! This would be to counter/compete with the ratings since the N.F.L.’s Monday Night Football kicks off. Dad said Sting wouldn’t even have to do anything, perhaps just even be in the rafters; but his appearance would get many more people to tune in and be curious, thereby boosting what will probably be a very low-rated number. I absolutely agree and wish this would’ve happened!

In general, I really liked this show and looking forward to next week, and the continuing build towards Night Of Champions. Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!